Chapter Text
Three Weeks After - Marinette’s Perspective
When Marinette finally looked at the media she was glad that she did. There were thousands of words of kindness for Ladybug and Chat Noir. Despite everything that happened it still remained: Ladybug and Chat Noir had saved Paris from a terrorist that had been actively hurting people almost daily for years. There were parades, public picnics, light-night celebrations, and overwhelming support. When her ribs started aching and her arm started throbbing, Marinette could take solace in the support of the people she fought to protect.
Marinette never chose to be Ladybug for the attention, support, or fans - but after everything that she’d been through, they were giving her the boost that she needed on her darker days. When she was able to sleep for more than a few hours at a time, she found that nightmares were a frequent addition to her routine. She was paranoid and jumpy, and in the back of her mind she worried that someone would come for her in the night. Three weeks had passed and Monarch hadn’t exposed her identity as far as she knew. But what if he hired assassins? What if somewhere in Paris there was a plot to kidnap her again? Such thoughts kept her up at night.
It bothered her significantly that Monarch was Adrien’s father. If she kept their names separated in her mind then she could keep the men separated. Gabriel Agreste had been her idol at one point in her life. She aspired to be a designer like him and was inspired by his work and designs. That man hadn’t tortured her. Monarch had done that. Gabriel Agreste was Adrien’s father, who was apprehended for hiding his wife in the basement. Gabriel Agreste was merely a man who fell from grace trying to save his wife.
Marinette felt guilty. Adrien had been able to reconcile the fact that his father was Monarch and was working through it, albeit shocked and angry. Adrien said his father’s name with contempt, no matter what name he used. How was she having more trouble than his own son? The way he’d treated Adrien for years, what he’d done to his mother, and the ultimate betrayal: those were all much worse offenses than what Marinette endured at his hands for mere hours.
Yet, as it was: Adrien was facing the facts and Marinette was pushing it all under the rug, putting the man in two separate boxes, ignoring one if the other was in use.
Adrien’s truth was on display for all to see: in his face and undeniable. Newspapers, radios, televisions, smart phones; every day there was a screaming reminder of Gabriel’s transgressions against him and the world.
Marinette’s truth, however, was hidden. Only she and Monarch knew what he’d done to her, and she didn’t need to tell anyone. If she pretended it didn’t exist then technically it didn’t. She could live with that. Monarch had hurt her, and Monarch was behind bars. She was haunted by the vision of Monarch, fully transformed, and Monarch alone.
Three Weeks After - Adrien’s Perspective
Adrien was getting by with the support of his family and friends. The lawyers that his aunt Amelie acquired for him were some of the best in the country and were handling the bureaucratic side of things. The Gabriel brand had been stripped of its name and was going through a massive reconstruction. Gabriel Agrestes’ assets had been frozen and the other investors in the company had been quick to buy out his shares and separate themselves from the Agreste trainwreck. Adrien’s trust fund was the only part of the Agreste fortune that would not be affected by whatever the verdict ended up being, but he couldn't access that until he was 18.
Emilie was immediately absolved of any crimes considering her comatose state. It was quickly determined and agreed upon that she had been the motive, not an accomplice, for Gabriel’s crimes. Luckily, the Graham de Vanily fortune was still in-tact and completely separated from his father’s accounts. Anything of Emile’s was still hers to wield if she woke up, or Adrien’s when he turned 18.
When Adrien tuned into the media for the first time he hadn’t lasted more than a few minutes. For every comment of support there was a comment of accusation. Debates between his loyal fans and the riled up victims of Paris were unavoidable if he looked on social media; so he chose not to. Adrien, poster boy and Paris’ sweetheart, turned into a ghost. He was rarely seen in public, there were only glimpses of him entering and exiting police stations and government buildings.
Ladybug was a vocal supporter of Adrien Agreste and had given more than a dozen interviews and statements declaring that he was innocent and to leave him alone. It did help. Day by day less people were commenting or trying to follow him. The further away they got from the day his father was arrested, the more things settled. He was still adjusting to his new normal, but he was getting there.
Five Weeks After - Marinette’s POV
With the help of Carapace, Marinette was in possession of the crumpled piece of paper that Monarch had waved in her face and ordered her to translate. After cross-checking the grimoire she realized that the page was not from the book she had translated at home. Despite not knowing where it came from, however, Marinette was still able to translate it.
The page was a warning to not misuse the Miraculous or risk facing a fate worse than death. The page not only mentioned madness, but also being trapped ‘on a bridge between two worlds.' The grimoire she had didn't mention worlds or a bridge, and was mostly instructional. She imagined the source of the page was a book that explored the darker side of the Miraculous.
On one of the days Adrien was requested for another interview with the authorities, Marinette snuck out as Ladybug to return to the scene of the crime and search the Agreste mansion and basement for any signs of the book. She told no one of her plans and arrived at the mansion only to find two very bored-looking police officers guarding the front of the house. They waved her inside and she was given full access to the mansion without resistance.
Returning to the basement was difficult. She had memories of the location but they were fragmented. She could vividly recall her feelings and flashes of Monarch's face, but the words spoken were more difficult to remember. The atrium reminded her that Chat had laid in her arms dead, however briefly it had been. She felt chills when she walked through the large room, vacant and cold. The atrium no longer homed Emilie Agreste. After the doctors examined her, she was brought to a specialized facility where still she was being monitored 24/7 by doctors.
The atrium was quiet and her footsteps echoed as she walked. She vaguely remembered the sound of dripping water from her previous visit, and then cleared her throat to interrupt the silence and distract her from any kind of flashbacks.
She headed towards the hallway that Gabriel had dragged her down and slowed her steps. She remembered again, more vividly. The closet was going to be on her left and she could recall the scent of her burning clothes. How horribly demeaning and humiliating that had been, water splashing and freezing her body.
She got the chills and stopped walking.
Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, she thought to herself. Chat’s face popped into her head and she thought about how strong and brave he had been when he walked down this same hallway to rescue her. He had gone forward knowing that his father was his enemy and that he would have to defeat him. She had to continue on for Chat, for Adrien, for Emilie.
The room was non-imposing. There was a desk and bookshelves and a fireplace. It was boring and mundane. None of the investigators had suspected Ladybug was tortured in this room. No one knew what exactly happened: just her and Monarch. It was a sick bond they would have forever.
Ladybug charged towards the bookshelves and started searching frantically. She didn’t want to be there. She wanted Chat, but she couldn’t call him, knowing he was busy and also not wanting to tell him what she was doing in his father’s creepy hideaway. She had to do this alone, so she had to do it quickly.
After the first shelf turned up empty she stopped trying to be neat. She tossed the books onto the floor, not bothering to replace them. By the time she was at the halfway point she was nearly hyperventilating. She was starting to recall the smell of burning flesh - her flesh - and she felt sick. She coughed and retched, but luckily did not throw up.
Keep going, keep going, keep going, she urged herself in her mind, despite her blurred vision from the tears in her eyes.
Finally, she found a book with the same Tibetan script as her original grimoire. She gripped it tight and ran out of the room, not bothering to inspect it closer. She zipped out of the atrium and up the elevator. The on-duty police officers both said “bye!” but she was too panicked and rushed to pay them any mind.
She fell onto her balcony and sat down in one of the chairs, breathing heavily. She didn’t detransform and hugged the book to her chest.
I’m okay, I’m okay, I’m okay.
Maybe if she repeated it enough it would become true.
Seven Weeks After - Adrien’s POV
Adrien’s life finally changed for the better. Thanks to Ladybug, his mother was healed and back with him. It was the best gift he could ask for, especially in the midst of all the hectic disasters that he’d been facing after his father’s arrest.
Adrien discussed the possibility of visiting his father with his mother and Marinette, but the lawyers advised against it until more time had passed. Someone would have to tell Gabriel that his wife was back, and Adrien pitied the person who would have to deliver that news alongside the fact that he’d likely never be able to see her without a window in-between them ever again. He tried not to spare too many thoughts to his father, knowing it would only end in more questions and disappointment.
For now, his mother was with him again, healthy, and they were focusing on rebuilding their lives. It didn’t feel so daunting when he wasn’t alone. While Marinette had been his guiding light through it all, they were both still young and had many milestones to reach separately before they were going to start building a life together. Eventually, of course, he was going to marry that girl - but he needed to get through University first.
Once his mother was cleared to leave the hospital Adrien’s life became better than ever. He had Marinette, he had his mother, and he was making a home with real freedom and real loved ones. There wasn’t a cold mansion: there was a small townhome with two floors. There was no schedule to follow and no forced galas, interviews, or photo shoots. There was just him and his mother learning to get to know each other once again.
His mother had once been his best friend. Now she got to meet his best friends, instead. The way his mother’s face lit up when she was invited to meet Nino’s mother, and when Adrien invited the Dupain-Chengs for dinner, was a complete 180 from how his father interacted with his friends. Where his father was disinterested, his mother wanted to know every detail.
Being Chat Noir with an aware parent was also a new change, only one he didn’t particularly like. His mother had set him a curfew and enforced rules about Marinette sneaking in and out. In the grand scheme of things, it didn’t matter too much: with his new lifestyle came much more time to spend with his friends and girlfriend. Even with the curfew he still saw Marinette more than ever.
Marinette’s ribs took about two months to fully heal. During the recovery time she only transformed into Ladybug for special occasions and to make public appearances. Once she was healed she was more active as Ladybug, despite there being no akumas anymore. The duo still patrolled the streets of Paris, helping with small crimes instead of magical ones. Nino and Alya were given their Miraculous as full-time holders, as well.
Adrien often recalled how lost he felt in those first few days after learning his father was Monarch. It was daunting and felt hopeless. He couldn’t believe that things had turned out for the better, after being so pain-stakingly sure that his life was doomed. Now he had his mother, Marinette was healed, and he was free.
3 Months After
Adrien’s POV
“Hello father,” Adrien said in a flat voice.
“Are you not happy to see me?” his father asked sardonically. They were the first words his father said to him in months. From his tone, Adrien was clued-in to how the meeting would likely proceed.
“I… don’t know.”
“Why have you come here?”
“Mother encouraged me to come,” Adrien answered honestly. That seemed to get his father’s attention in a more positive way. His face lost the haughty expression and softened the slightest bit.
“I heard she is well.”
“She is, and she is… taking it all in stride. Her life from before she fell into a coma was very different than it is now. It’s a big adjustment.”
Gabriel ‘hmm’ed to himself and cocked a brow as if he was losing his patience with the meeting already, even though it had only just started.
“It didn’t have to be difficult. I was trying to prevent that,” Gabriel said.
Adrien inhaled deeply, steadying himself for whatever his father may say next. He was already trying to justify his deeds.
“I’m going to specialize in physics in lycee,” Adrien said, completely off-topic, trying to divert attention away from his father’s crimes.
“Business is more practical. Now that your fortune has been ripped away from you, you must be prudent in your choices about the future,” his father said in a neutral tone.
“I enjoy science.” Adrien shrugged.
“Are you still jumping off of buildings and trapezing around the city like a clown?” his father asked, changing the subject again. Adrien shook his head, frustrated.
“Do you even care? I tried to tell you about my life and you changed the subject,” Adrien said, exasperated.
“Of course I care. How you represent the Agreste name-,”
Adrien scoffed and let out a dry laugh, in disbelief of what he was hearing.
“You destroyed the Agreste name. I should probably consider changing my name if I want to get anywhere in life.” Adrien rolled his eyes, unable to hide his impatience.
“I did everything in my power to get what I wanted and the effects were felt across an entire city. Everyone saw my determination. I may not have gotten my hands on the Ladybug and Chat Miraculous in the end, but Emilie has been revived. I persevered and my wife came back from the brink of death! It is a feat I am proud of.”
“You hurt hundreds of people for a selfish, self-serving goal. You’re going to be in prison for the rest of your life for that feat you are so proud of!” Adrien knew his words were futile, but was compelled to say his piece. His father believed he was justified in his deeds and no one would ever convince him otherwise.
“My goal was to make our family whole: for the three of us to be happy. I did it for you and your mother.” Gabriel spoke passionately and Adrien shook his head again in disbelief of his father's dedication to his delusion.
“Well, fantastic job, father! Now you’re in prison for the rest of our lives. It’s a lovely family dynamic you’ve created,” Adrien said sarcastically.
In all the years that he obeyed his father’s every word, he had never spoken up against him like this. It was refreshing to finally be able to speak his mind and not fear the consequences. Gabriel glared at him from behind the glass
“How is your bug?" Gabriel asked with a biting tone. Adrien glared back at his father.
“She supported my decision to visit.” Adrien didn’t want to talk about Marinette. He had sworn to himself that if his father started talking about her he would leave.
“Lovely girl. I hope she enjoys the fruits of my labor,” his father said bitterly.
“What?” Adrien asked, bewildered. As soon as he asked he realized he shouldn’t have given his father the opportunity to speak about Marinette any further, but it was too late.
“I will see your Marinette and be reminded how she took my place in my happy ending. What did I say, Adrien? What did I say?! Three of us. Three, indeed, but that gnat took my place!” His father was seething. He had walked as close as he possibly could to the window separating them. His eyes were big and his face was twisted in a snarl.
“You could have had both, you stupid child! If I had rewritten the timeline, you could have had your Marinette and I could have had my Emilie!
“Instead you've doomed all of us. I'm trapped here, and every day you will see your Marinette and remember what you chose. You will see what memories you chose to make her live with, won’t you? You chose her over your own flesh and blood, and you will live with those consequences. Do you see her arm every day? Do you see the brand I put on her?”
His father started laughing. It was a humorless laugh, one filled with only mocking and contempt. Adrien felt sick. He knew what his father did to Marinette, but to hear his father gloat about it was bone-chilling. Some part of his brain had convinced himself that his father had been hell-bent on hurting Ladybug because he was desperate for answers, sad, and heartbroken. Hearing his father talk now it sounded like he enjoyed it and was proud of what he’d done. Motive aside, his father had tortured her and Adrien would resent him for the rest of his life for that. But hearing him talk as if he was glad that he did it made Adrien want to hate his father for the rest of his life.
Adrien realized he had built into his mind a shield. He had imagined Marinette’s capture as something clinical, with purpose and a clear motive. How ignorant had he been? How sad and lonely did Marinette feel, seeing Adrien treat what happened to her as something that merely happened and not something that had terrorized her? He never asked her what his father did to her, not wanting to pry. He figured she would open up and tell him when she was ready. He told himself that if it was that bad she would have said something.
He’d been around Marinette for months and she’d said nothing.
After mere minutes his father was telling him the truth of what he’d done to Marinette. His father was showing him that he was a sadistic monster and that the woman he loved had been subjected to that for hours, all alone.
It was sick.
The epiphany was jarring: he should have been more supportive of Marinette. Instead, he watched her disregard her own needs and allowed her to worry about him. It was so like Marinette, always putting others before herself. Knowing her, she likely didn’t want him to know about what his father had done to her in an attempt to protect him. Adrien saw her broken bones and bruised face and helped her around the house, helped her walked, helped her physically... But what had he done for her mental state? What had he done to help remedy whatever his father had done to her psychologically?
Nothing. He’d done nothing.
His father was still ranting but Adrien heard nothing after the words he spoke of Marinette. He didn’t care what Gabriel had to say.
“Thank you, father,” Adrien breathed out in disbelief, interrupting a tirade he could not care less about.
Somehow his father, deranged as he was, was still teaching him lessons. Adrien left, solely focused on getting back to Marinette.
Emilie’s POV
Emilie watched the exchange between her husband and son on a television screen in a private viewing area set up for police officers and lawyers.
The man she watched was not the man she married.
At first she saw a glimpse: The poised, controlled posture. The careful words.
He dissolved shortly after that. There was no love, no warmth, and no joy.
The man she watched was an angry shell of a man. When he taunted their son about Marinette she gasped, horrified. She never knew Gabriel to be a sadistic man. Never.
Shaking slightly, Emilie took her time to enter the interview room herself. Gabriel’s back was to the window. He was standing near the exit door waiting for a guard to return him to his cell. He had no idea that someone else was there to talk to him besides Adrien. The sound of the door closing alerted him that someone was on the opposite side of the glass once again, but he didn't bother to turn.
“You have expended your usefulness, Adrien. Leave me.”
“Gabriel.”
His head whipped around, eyes bugged out in surprise. He ran to the window, getting as close as possible and staring into her eyes like a starving man. His palms rested against the window. All of the coldness he showed Adrien was gone, and nothing but desperation and awe remained.
“Emilie!”
“What have you done?” Emilie whispered, her eyes filling with tears. She didn’t even know where to begin.
“Emilie! I did it to save you and here you are. I did it for you.”
“No, Gabriel. What have you done to my husband? I fell asleep as a happy woman, with a son and a husband that filled my heart to completion. I was at peace with my fate, believing that my family was filled with love. But I woke up to a son whose life was in shambles and a… monster."
“I did nothing, my love. It was Ladybug, she did this. She turned our son against us. The Miraculous made us happy, the happiest we have ever been. I did what was necessary to try to make that happen again: I used the Miraculous to try to make us happy. I tried. But Ladybug interfered!”
"Ladybug is the only reason I am standing here. She translated the book, she found a remedy for my illness,” Emilie said softly. She had no malice in her, only sadness.
"I found that page! I found that book! I made Ladybug translate it for us! She only knew about the remedy because I showed it to her!”
Emilie shook her head. “Gabriel, you tortured that poor girl.”
"She tortured me for years! She kept me from saving you. Do you see our son? Do you see how he’s grown? I made him that, and I had to do it alone!” Gabriel yelled, anger in his voice.
Gabriel had never yelled at her before. Never in the twenty years they were married had he raised his voice nor a hand to her.
“You are not my husband,” she said tearfully, stepping backwards and away from the monstrosity before her.
“Emilie, it is me. I am right here, my love!” He banged on the glass.
Emilie shook her head. “Just as the Miraculous drained me of my health it has drained you of your sanity.”
“I’m not insane, I’m right here!” Gabriel looked at his wife with wide, confused eyes. “How could you accuse me of that? I’m right here, Emilie!”
“If you continue to protect our son and Marinette’s identities I will consider visiting again in the future,” Emilie said solemnly. She would need time to reconcile the man she once loved and the monster he had become. For her son’s safety and future she would work through her conflicting emotions and face the repercussions of misusing the Miraculous. She would visit her husband to procure his silence. It had been her idea, too, after all, to find the magical jewels.
“Be well, Gabriel.” Emilie put a hand to her mouth and sobbed as she exited the room, unable to stay any longer.
“EMILIE! I’M RIGHT HERE, I’M RIGHT HERE!” Gabriel banged on the glass again and again, screaming for the dream he’d been chasing to return to him. But no one was there to listen.
Marinette’s POV
Marinette was focusing on her newest project - a beret for Nino that was reminiscent of a director’s cap. He was working hard on his newest short film and Marinette had grown a soft spot for her friend since everything that happened. She had already drafted up costume designs, and thought the hat would be a quick and easy surprise for Nino to kick off the official filming that would start the following week.
She was also using her project as a distraction so she wouldn’t have to think about Adrien and how he was visiting Gabriel in prison for the first time. Emilie was also attending the visit and would see her husband for the first time since waking up from her coma. Marinette knew that it was a monumental meeting. Adrien invited her along as a courtesy, giving her an opportunity to face her demon, but she had immediately declined. She wanted Adrien to have his moment with his family, however it went. Since Gabriel was just Gabriel now (and no longer a super villain) Marinette had no reason to visit the man. Monarch was gone forever. She had been very good about supporting Adrien through everything and didn’t want to sway his feelings or healing by bringing up her own baggage.
So, she stayed behind and sewed, doing her best to ignore the worry in the back of her mind.
Much earlier than anticipated and donning the incorrect identity, Chat Noir knocked on her window leading to her balcony and waved. Adrien was more familiar with the front door these days, knowing he was always welcome, and visited almost daily. There was no need for him to be Chat Noir dropping into Marinette’s house unless there was an emergency. Marinette had to double take at her clock when she realized that not even an hour had passed since Adrien texted her that he arrived at the prison. She waved him down into her room and he dropped inside.
“Is everything alright? Are you okay?” Marinette frowned and stood up from her chair. He immediately wrapped her up in a hug and Marinette hugged him back tightly, wanting to comfort him for whatever he may need.
“This isn’t about me. I’m… so sorry, Marinette,” Chat said heavily and kissed the side of her head. Marinette was confused.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned.
“Plagg, claws in,” Chat recalled his kwami and Adrien was standing in his place. Plagg frowned at Marinette but flew off to the side to rest next to Tikki on her desk. The two teenagers were used to having both of the kwamis present by now it was second-nature to be together as a group.
“He’s bitter and angry,” Adrien said with a shake of his head. “But none of that matters right now because I’ve been selfish and thoughtless and it took my father’s crazy ranting for me to see it.”
“Selfish? Never,” Marnette denied. “You can’t trust anything he says.”
“He started talking about you,” Adrien said sadly.
“Me?” Marinette said quietly and felt herself clam up.
“I’ve been ignoring what happened to you. I didn’t mean to. Maybe part of me didn’t want to believe my father was capable of hurting you the way I saw you were hurt. I told myself that I should wait for you to bring it up, but I know you better than that. You will never bring it up to me, because you are always trying to protect me. I should have asked you weeks ago, Marinette: do you want to talk about what happened to you?”
Marinette clenched her jaw, willing herself not to cry. Her parents offered to listen to her if she ever needed to talk, but they had been in the room when she told the fake story to the detective. They didn't know she was Ladybug. She couldn’t tell them the truth, and she had resigned herself to that fact. Adrien was correct, she would never want to bring it up to him. She didn’t want to taint the image of his father even worse than it already was.
She couldn’t answer him because she felt like no matter what she said was wrong. She did want to talk to him, but she didn’t want to do that to him.
“Marinette,” Adrien stepped forward and grasped her hands in his. “Please don’t hurt yourself to protect me. I can take it. I know what kind of man my father is and after today I have an even clearer picture.”
“What did he say?” she asked slowly, hesitantly. Adrien’s face immediately fell.
“He was gloating about what he did to you. I’m so sorry.”
“Gloating? Like... bragging?” Marinette choked out, unable to stop the tears from gathering at the corner of her eyes now.
“I’m not going to lie to you,” Adrien said severely. “I convinced myself that his motives mattered. I thought he did it to save mother so I… I thought he was redeemable. Now I know that’s not what happened and I am starting to realize he’s not.”
“He gloated?” Marinette repeated, horrified. “Was he… sorry?”
The was Adrien’s face crumpled into a frown only validated what she already knew. It still felt like a punch to the gut. She hoped that maybe he was sorry. Maybe Monarch - Gabriel Agreste - had just been touched by temporary insanity. But it had been months and Adrien was saying the opposite.
“If you want to talk to me, I want to listen. If you ever need to talk about it, or anything, I want you to come to me. I’m so sorry it took me this long to talk to you about this.”
“I… hoped he… I don’t know… was sorry? I hoped he regretted it.”
“He’s insane,” Adrien shook his head. “I’m glad you weren’t there.” He tightened his hold on her hands and tugged her forward so she fell into his chest.
“Do you want to talk about what happened?” Adrien asked her again. Marinette felt the vibration of his voice in his chest while her cheek rested against him.
“I do,” she admitted, allowing his shirt to catch a few tears that fell.
They made their way up to her bed and got comfortable. Adrien wrapped his arm around her and she cuddled into him, keeping her head hidden. She didn’t think she could look him (or anyone) in the eye and tell the story. But she did want to tell it, as it weighed heavily on her since it happened. She didn’t like having a secret with Monarch. It made her feel violated and backed into a corner. Now she didn’t have to have a secret anymore, and that in and of itself was a relief.
She told him about her feelings more than what actually happened to her. The physical injuries had healed but it was the constant fear that loomed over her still that truly weighed on her. Monarch’s threats to her loved ones, Adrien included, haunted her. She had nightmares of her friends and family dead at Monarch’s hands. She wondered if he would break out and, if so, would she be his first destination? Would he seek her out to finish the job that was robbed from him?
Adrien held her close throughout all of it and didn’t let go after she was done.
“He’s never going to hurt you again,” Adrien said after Marinette finished telling her story. He was staring up at the ceiling but Marinette could see a couple of tear stains on his cheeks. She reached up and brushed them away and he looked down at her, frowning.
“We will protect each other,” Marinette said with certainty. She didn’t want to be hurt and she never wanted Adrien to hurt.
“Thank you for telling me, Marinette. If you ever want to talk about it again, or if you’re having a bad day or night, I’m always going to be here for you.”
“You and me against the world?” Marinette scooted up so their faces were almost together, nose-to-nose.
“Until the end,” Adrien smiled and leaned forward, capturing her lips for a simple but meaningful kiss.
The End.