Chapter Text
Fateful Reflections: Chapter 3: The Boy Beneath the Mask
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Ladybug gripped the picture frame in her trembling hands, the weight of the message sinking deep into her heart.
“You were never meant to be apart”
It was the Miraculous saying to bury the secrets as they were stronger together than apart. She had to find a way to bring her partner back, she needed to reach him.
His glowing green eyes, once filled with mischief and warmth, were now empty.
Dulled by Monarch’s corruption.
But underneath the Akuma's influence, she could still see him in there.
Her partner, her friend, her kitty. The boy she had unknowingly loved in two different ways.
‘God that will be something to talk about for the books, falling in love with the same boy twice. But beneath the masks, he was still the same boy.’
And Marinette wasn’t about to lose him now.
Taking a deep breath, against all odds. Ladybug stepped forward. “Adrien”
Mirroir filched at his real name.
Ladybug watched as he clenched his fists “I am what he made me” he growled, voice laced with pain “my father controls me. Paris only sees me as the perfect model and you”
He stopped, hesitation flicking across his face.
Ladybug’s chest ached “And me?”
Adrien let out a bitter laugh “you never saw me Ladybug” he whispered “not really. Cat Noir loved you, He stood by you, you never even noticed. You kept pushing me away”
Her breath caught.
“I did notice” she admitted, stepping closer “I was just too blind to understand it, to see the real you. But I do now”
Adrien glanced in her direction as Marinette moved closer putting her hand out in front of her
“I know I hurt you, I never meant to hurt you I swear it. You're my partner Cat. My kitty. I should have realized the pain I have put you through this year, I should have trusted you more. I know it's been tough since I became Guardian of the Miraculous, I should have included you in decisions more. You have been there for me since day one Cat. I'm sorry I have been pushing you away.”
Adrien's grip on the mirror shard was trembling.
“You’re not alone Adrien” she continued, voice raw with emotion “you never were. You will always be my partner Cat, no matter what”
Ladybug watched as the jagged mirror behind Adrien cracked.
Ladybug took her chance. She ran to him.
She threw her arms around Adrien, pulling him into her embrace.
At first, he tensed, his entire body rigid in her arms but slowly, he melted into her hold, shaky hands grasping the back of her suit as she kept him from collapsing and shattering completely.
“Let me save you” she whispered against his shoulder.
“My father.. he is.. Monarch”
Ladybug gasped as she tightened her hold on him “I’m so sorry Adrien”
“I got upset. And he took advance of me. I'm so sorry Milady. I should have been stronger... Plagg tried to help but...”
Ladybug hesitantly pulled out of his arms and placed her forehead on his, bringing her hands up to his cheeks to hold his face.
“Shhh, it's okay Kitty, I've got you”
And in that moment, Adrien let go.
A single tear slipped down his cheek as the Akuma’s magic fractured, the mirror behind him shattered, dissolving into dust. His dark armor faded away, revealing the familiar black leather of Cat Noir's suit underneath.
In a final burst of light, he transformed back into Adrien Agreste. He collapsed against Ladybug, his body weak from the Akuma.
Ladybug caught him, holding him steady in her lap.
“I've got you”
Adrien blinked up at her, his expression vulnerable “I guess the cats out of the bag huh”
Ladybug gave a slight chuckle “I’ve got to admit, you make some cute cat puns”
Adrien smirked while still in Ladybugs lap “Am I finally winning Milady’s heart just by being Paris supermodel? Never knew you were such a fan”
Ladybug paused as she thought about what to say next, she wanted Adrien to know who she was, it was also what the Miraculous magic wanted. “Actually, I'm a super, super fan. I'm fine with the mask”
Adrien gasped as his eyes widened.
He had heard that line before somewhere, he was sure of it. Then he remembered when he was Cat Noir and he had fallen in love with Marinette and took her to get ice cream, only for Andre to shatter their dreams by him telling him he was in love with Ladybug while she was in love with Adrien Agreste. She had told him she was fine with the mask. And that she was a super, super fan.
Adrien sucked in air as he had trouble breathing trying to say something but was having trouble bringing it up, he finally managed a tiny whisper “Marinette?”
Ladybugs heart skipped a beat.
“Yeah” she whispered. “It’s me”
Adrien let out a choked laugh, running a hand through his messy hair “This is insane, you’re telling me I fell in love with the same girl twice?”
She laughed too “We are as bad as each other. Completely”
For a moment, they just sat there. No longer burdened by the masks, no longer pretending.
They were Just Marinette and Adrien.
Just Ladybug and Cat Noir.
Adrien reached out hesitantly, grabbing hold of her hand “I really wanted to tell you” He admitted “so many times”
She smiled “I know, the Miraculous magic prevented it, but I guess no hiding it anymore”
“What do we do now?” Adrien watched as Ladybug stood up and reached down to grab his hand.
“Now?” She said, squeezing his hand. “We save Paris”
“What about my father? He is Monarch” Adrien glanced at the ground, avoiding eye contact with Ladybug.
“We will work it out” Ladybug helped Adrien off the ground as he looked back at her “Together”
Adrien smiled at her “Together”
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