Chapter Text
He was completely vulnerable without his suit and not just because he didn't have his powers, his confidence was always stripped away and he was forced to face the inevitable of him being Adrien Agreste, the most handsome boy in Paris and a perfect son. At that moment, he felt even more powerless as he was paralyzed with shock and fear at the sight of his mother, the fact that his lady and...his father were staring at him with their jaws wide open was making the situation even worse.
"Adrien?" His lady paled, her eyes extremely wide, Adrien alternated between looking at his lady and his father frantically before he settled on looking at his pale, naked hands that revealed every single one of his secrets and vulnerabilities.
"Adrien," his father's voice growled lowly, "All this time I was fighting my own son?"
"Father?" He had whispered quietly, even though the sight of his mother had already confirmed his suspicions. He sat lying helplessly on his back without any weapons feeling a whirlwind of emotions coursing through him, he felt angry and betrayed and like his world was falling apart.
"Why?" He choked out as he tried to get up, immediately wincing at the feeling of a couple of broken ribs, "Why would you do this?"
"My son, don't you see the whole picture? I'm doing all of this to bring your mother back!" His father said as he walked closer to him, reaching out to touch his shoulder, Adrien slapped it away aggressively.
"She's dead!" Adrien screamed, his eyes blurring with tears, "She's not coming back, it's not even possible."
"But my son, it is possible, if I could just have that worthless bug's mira-"
"Don't call her that!" Adrien screeched, he gathered all his strength and got up, with an anguished cry he attempted to punch his own father in the face, his father just merely dodged his punch by grabbing onto his wrist with a tight squeeze, Adrien yelped out in pain and tried to pull away from his father's grasp.
"Adrien!" Ladybug finally unfroze and went into action, tossing her yoyo onto his father's arm making his grip loosen and gave Adrien a chance to escape to her side, they stared into each other's eyes for a minute before Ladybug launched herself into his arms, wrapping her own arms tightly around him, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine m'lady," Adrien said timidly, not able to gather up anything creative or cocky to say.
"I'm so glad it's you," She whispered into his ear, "And when this is over I promise I'll show you who I am."
"Well then, I guess we'll have to make this quick," Adrien smirked sadly, "I certainly don't want to wait much longer for that and to get this old geezer locked up." He had looked behind him at the sight of his father impatiently waiting for them with a sly grin on his face and shuddered.
"Are you really okay Chat Noir?"Oh how he loved how his heart had fluttered at her calling him that out of costume, "I know this is probably really hard for you,"
"I'll be fine, I really just want to get this over with." Adrien frowned and Ladybug nodded, pulling herself away from him.
"You sure?" She had asked with a playful yet slightly serious smile on her face, "You're not going to go and turn to the dark side, right?"
"Of course not bugaboo, it's you and me against the world, remember?"
"Always and forever Chaton," Ladybug had said kissing his forehead, "I'll see you on the other side of the battle."
^^^^^^^^^
Adrien woke up from a nap with a longing heart and a strangled scream as he did every day, all of his favorite memories were turning into nightmares and he hated it, he hated himself for this whole mess.
"I hate this!" He screamed into his pillow sobbing, "I just want all of this to be over." He hysterically cried into a pillow that wasn't truly his and pulled at his hair. Breathing heavily, he realized that he needed some air, he transformed and hopped out of his window.
He traveled through the trees with tears in his eyes, Adrien thought about dying, would anyone care if he died? Of course his parents would care but they always seemed so distant even though they had promised they would always be there for him.
And as for Paris, they would be thrilled if he was gone, considering all the death threats he had seen on social media. And what about Nino, Alya, and Chloe, and everyone he called a friend? Were they talking about how they hated him now?
Honestly, the only opinion he really cared about was his lady, his sweet lady who had been the only one who could keep him sane. Adrien had never been a very happy person after his mother had disappeared, but a patrol or a battle with her could always cause a smile to form on his face and butterflies to swarm his stomach.
Suddenly, Adrien approached his desired location, an abandoned railroad bridge that reached high above a small creek. He launched himself onto the top of it and detransformed, staring down at the ground, Plagg flew out of his ring and stared at him with a concerned expression, Plagg had completely ignored Adrien after the betrayal and only ate, and helped Adrien transform.
"Plagg?" Adrien choked out, a lone tear falling down his face, "Would you care if I was gone?"
"What do you mean Adrien?" Plagg begrudgingly asked before his eyes widened in realization, "No kid, you can't, you have so much to live for, believe me."
"You don't really mean that Plagg, you've heard the news, everyone thinks I'm a villain and I can't live like that."
"Kid, just because they think that doesn't mean you need to think that too, what do you think, do you think that you're evil?"
"I do Plagg, and I really am, I almost destroyed the love of my life and joined a supervillain, I betrayed everyone and they're all supposed to think that I'm not a villain? I don't think so,"
"Adrien, I know that you're a good kid deep down but you've got to stop this, yes, I was angry, and yes, what you did was wrong but you're just a kid, and everyone makes mistakes, even if they're bigger than others. Look kid, I forgive you and eventually, other people will too."
"I'm so sorry Plagg, I never meant for any of this to happen, I just wish I could talk to her, and just tell her I'm sorry." Adrien suddenly broke down sobbing again, Plagg rolled his eyes and placed his tiny paw on Adrien's shoulder in a comforting gesture.
"You should call her, it might make you feel better." Adrien looked at Plagg like he was crazy.
"I could never do that, besides, couldn't they track the call?" Adrien was still hysterical so Plagg took matters into his own hands and stole Adrien's phone from his pocket without Adrien knowing.
"Hey Adrien, what's Marinette's number?" Plagg asked casually, Adrien choked out her number from memory and Plagg snickered, happy to be back to his mischievous ways. The moment Adrien realized what had happened was both one of the funniest faces Plagg had ever seen or the most heartbreaking, he was frozen in shock as his breathing quickened, he went to go end the call but Marinette had already picked the phone up.
"Hello?" Marinette's soft voice asked and Adrien had never known a person could cry that much, he was both comforted and overwhelmed by the sound of her voice, the noises he was making were quite embarrassing but he didn't care.
"Are you okay, do you need help?" Adrien's heart melted at the concern in her voice, at that moment he discovered why some people loved secret identities, he knew she would never speak in that tone if she knew it was him.
"No, I just really needed to hear your voice," Adrien said with a sniffle, grinning through his tears.
"Hear my voice? Who is this and how did you get my number?" Yep, that was Ladybug indeed, Adrien had still been having trouble processing the fact that Marinette was Ladybug even after all the time that had passed, but that was enough proof.
"I'm A-" Adrien quickly shut up, his throat closing up at the fact that she hated Adrien, "I'm someone who doesn't deserve to talk to you."
"What?" Marinette asked quickly, "Look I don't know who you are but you shouldn't think like that, I'm sure you're worthy of everything." Adrien smiled and let out a strangled soft laugh then quickly stopped, he shouldn't be laughing or smiling, he didn't deserve to.
"No you don't understand," Adrien said a little too harshly, he started shaking as his tears started to flow again, "I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have called."
"Wait-"
"Goodbye m'lady," Adrien said, his heart shattering into a million little pieces,, and then she started screaming, Adrien hung up the phone, not being able to handle it, he let out a scream of his own as he sunk down on his knees, the wood of the bridge didn't feel good at all but Adrien didn't care.
Adrien finally stood up after a few minutes as he stared down at the ground once again contemplating what he should do. Finally, he decided, he transformed and headed on his way home, in his eyes, even Hell didn't deserve to have him there.
^^^^^^^^
"Adrien, where have you been?" His mother's triggered voice rang out, making Adrien flinch, he was still Chat Noir and had just tried to sneak back into his window unnoticed.
"I just went out for a quick walk," Adrien said, his tail swishing nervously at his mother and father's angry expressions.
"A quick walk?!" His father's voice roared, making Adrien flinch again and look down at his feet, "Adrien, you've been gone for hours and you didn't let us know at all!" Tears pricked at the corners of Adrien's eyes.
"I'm sorry," Adrien mumbled quietly, his gaze still focused on the floor, his father walked up to him and tilted his chin up aggressively so Adrien was forced to look into his eyes.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you Adrien, and speak up," His father had yet to let go of his face.
"I'm sorry," Adrien sobbed loudly, "I just wanted to go for a walk and I lost track of time," His father finally let go of his face, pushing him back harder than he needed to, using his newly free hand to massage his temple.
"Adrien," His mother frowned, her tone softer but still a bit sour and intimidating, "You need to stop disappearing like that, your father and I were worried about you,"
"I'm really sorry mom, I promise I'll stop doing it,"
"No Adrien," His father said sharply, "We've had this talk way too many times to count and I'm completely sick and tired of having to have it. Obviously, you're never going to listen so I'll just give you what you want."
"What Father?" Adrien asked nervously.
"Your mother and I are allowing you to go on a mission for us. I need you to take a trip to Paris and retrieve the peacock miraculous from the mansion".
Adrien's eyes widened as the proposal sunk in, "Father I don't think I can go back there, I mean everyone's going to be there looking for me".
"You can pull it off, I know you can," His father smiled at him in what was supposed to be a kind smile but it just made Adrien frightened, "After all, you were able to pull off the stunt during the battle." Adrien shivered, his father never liked to bring up the battle unless there was something important.
"I'm so proud of you son, you are truly special," Gabriel wrapped Adrien in a tight hug but Adrien didn't hug him back, "I know you can get the miraculous for us."
"What do you need it for anyways?" Adrien asked suspiciously as he pulled away from the hug.
Gabriel looked nervous as he fidgeted with his ring, "It's not important Adrien." Adrien narrowed his eyes at his father and looked pleadingly at his mother.
"Mom please I don't want to go," Adrien whined but his father silenced him.
"Enough Adrien, you will go, it's your duty." The pressure of his mother and father staring at him seemed to pressure him into changing his mind. Not to mention the slightly stressful twisting of his father's ring.
"Fine," Adrien said as he backed away, not understanding the sudden electrical pull he felt to do his parent's bidding.
"Thank you, Adrien, we love you, honey," Emilie cooed as she tried to reach out and touch Adrien's cheek. Adrien just avoided her touch like the plague and ran out of the room. Breathing heavily. Why had he felt so inclined to do what his parents said? Every time he tried to rebel he just gave in.
The good news was that his father had seemed to be quite nervous when Adrien had been rebelling recently. Adrien couldn't help but notice that his father always twisted his ring when he was around him. Maybe it was just nerves though. Adrien always did the same thing with his ring when he was nervous. He still felt like something was up though.
^^^^^^^^^^
"Hello Adrien," His father said as he appeared behind him. Adrien had turned around quickly and growled. It was like he was seeing his father in a new light. He had always been very cold but learning he was a villain made him disgusting.
"Hawkmoth," Adrien sneered, refusing to call him his father. Hawkmoth walked slowly over to him with his arms extended out into a hug.
"Adrien just think of our family. Are you really that selfish? I thought I raised you to be something better than a mangy cat who only cares about his little girlfriend. What about your poor mother? What about me? Do I mean nothing to you?" Hawkmoth's embracing arms suddenly attempted to wrap around Adrien's throat. Adrien might have been powerless and confused but he knew what to do. He kicked his father straight in the nuts and sent him flying backward.
"Shut up!" Adrien shouted, "You're a horrible father, I'd rather die than keep living with you." Hawkmoth's eyes narrowed as he smiled evilly.
"Fine, you want to do it the hard way then." Hawkmoth quickly detransformed and started twisting the ring on his finger. "You're forgetting who you are to me Adrien, you're my son and you will obey me!"
Adrien dropped to his knees, his head reeling. He couldn't make sense of his feelings.
"You will work for me and get Ladybug's miraculous. Ladybug is your enemy. We're going to be a big happy family again Adrien."
Adrien's head was pounding. He had to obey his father, he didn't know why. But what about his lady? She was the only one that mattered, but why did she suddenly seem to be less than important now?
"Adrien? Will you help me?" Gabriel smiled smugly and transformed back into Hawkmoth. He had already begun to form an akuma.
Adrien hesitated, his eyes tearing up, "Yes Father," He said, and then everything went numb. Nothing mattered anymore. He was only a machine working to help his father now. He was a villain clad in white, who would never forgive himself.
^^^^^
Paris was always so beautiful at night. Adrien always used to find himself contemplating life as he sat and observed the beautiful skyline. The most beautiful sight was always his lady though. She could be standing next to the shinest star and his eyes would still travel to her first. He wished she could be there with him. There was just so much on his mind and he wouldn't mind someone to vent to.
Ever since he had left his house he had been thinking about his father's ring. That strange feeling had occurred many times before. He faintly remembered seeing that ring when he fought his father. Unfortunately, the interaction that led to him being akumatized was not caught on camera. Everyone in Paris just assumed he went rogue with no hesitation so Adrien believed so too. He just still couldn't believe that he would betray her. He would do anything to remember.
He was vaulting through the night when he heard a sign of struggle. He swiftly peeked down into an alley to see a woman fighting with a man. He kept trying to put his hands on her and even put a knife to her throat. Adrien growled, he had to do something. He really did but he would get in so much trouble. Heck, the woman would probably feel more uncomfortable in his presence than with the man harassing her. Adrien was about to pounce when a familiar object whizzed towards the woman, wrapping her around it.
Of course, his lady was there to save the day. Sweet Marinette would risk it all to save anyone or anything. He watched the entire fight play out and resisted the urge to fight the perverted criminal who flirted with his lady. Marinette was awesome as always and Adrien was practically starstruck. He had always loved watching her from the sidelines. He liked it better though when he was by her side.
Later he was sitting on a roof appreciating the stars when he heard a pretty voice humming. There was Marinette staring at the stars in a chipper mood. He stared at her and told himself that he couldn't say hi. It wasn't like one of their magical old nights where they would chase each other through Paris.
Suddenly, her bright blue eyes turned and met his, and he could feel his heart thumping. Fireworks went off in his head as she studied his eyes and squinted quizzically. Adrien quickly vaulted away before she could jump to conclusions. He was still distracted by her as he was vaulting and accidentally lost his balance, he tripped and fell down into an alleyway, and onto a person.
Adrien and the figure groaned and Adrien begged for their forgiveness.
"It's alright dude," The guy chuckled awkwardly, "I just wasn't expecting to get fallen on right outside my house. I was trying to clear my head and that definitely did the trick." The guy rubbed his head and laughed again painfully.
"I'm so sorry though," Adrien begged again, "I wasn't paying attention, now I'm sorry but I really have to get going." Something was scarily familiar about the guy and Adrien didn't want to stick around and find out.
"Hey wait, you know you sound a lot like my old best bud," The guy pondered, "Want to come inside for some water and maybe some advil?"
"No thank you I'm good, thank you for the offer," Adrien said to the guy who he was most certain was Nino(!) Nino shrugged in the darkness and turned his porch light on and Adrien stopped like a deer in headlights.
Nino stared at him shocked with his mouth wide open. He lifted a slightly accusatory finger at the guy who had fallen on him. "Adrien?"
"Hi Nino!" Adrien waved awkwardly and he smiled cheekily. So much for going undercover. He hadn't even been in Paris for three hours and he had already started trouble.
Nino didn't know what to do or say so he just said the most appropriate statement for the situation, "What the fuck?"
And then Nino fainted.
Great, so much for a happy reunion.