Chapter Text
The problem, Adrien thought, with doing an interview with your friend who didn't know you were her friend was that you rather got a sense of deja vu.
Alya held out of the photo of Chat Noir climbing into Marinette’s window.
Beside him Marinette bristled, as if she was the cat of the two of them instead of being clad in red and black spots.
“So,” Alya said, “Is this how you visit all your friends?”
Adrien effected nonchalance, “As Chat Noir yeah. I don't exactly go climbing in windows without the mask. That might draw a little attention.”
“And this didn’t?”
“Urgh,” he buried his head in his hands, and his contrition was only half faked, then he looked up, “Honestly I regret not just going through the door.”
“You could have done that?” Alya asked in surprise, “Her parents would have let you?”
“Of course they would.” He said sincerely faking offense this time, “Who do you think I am? No I was trying to avoid people talking, given that it could be dangerous to be my friend,” he let himself look embarrassed, “obviously that backfired.”
To her credit Alya did look a little shamefaced at that. “I’m sure if Hawkmoth was going to target Marinette he would have done so earlier. Besides she’s got you as protection hasn’t she?”
“And her boyfriend. I don’t know if you’re heard but his family are very into their private security. Honestly I’m not sure that his father isn’t going to make it impossible for me to climb in her window.” He hoped that saying that wasn’t a mistake if his father was watching this video.
“I’d heard that.” Alya said, “And honestly I think even Hawkmoth should think twice about provoking Gabriel Agreste any further. I’ve heard that guy bears a grudge. And I don’t think any of us know who Mayura would chose if it came to it. But anyway I’m sure Adrien understands your relationship with Marinette. He’s a very understanding guy.”
“He understands it because there’s nothing to understand,” Marinette interrupted.
“Uh, Ladybug,” he tried to stop her, and reassure her he was fine, and he was used to this sort of thing but she didn’t look like she was in a mood to go along with him.
“No, don’t Ladybug me.” Marinette said. “I’m sick of this.”
“Um.” Alya looked between the heroes, “sick of what?”
“People implying all these things about Chat Noir. He’s allowed to have friends you know. He’s a real person just like you are and all your viewers are. Just because he’s super attractive and dressed in black leather doesn’t mean he’s some blank canvas for people to project their fantasies onto. There’s nothing going up between him and this Marinette. Or between him and Adrien Agreste. And by the way, both of them are also real people who its super weird people to talk about like people do. They’re still only teenagers trying out their own relationships.”
“Um.” Alya said.
“And do you understand how hard it is to do everything we do and live our civilian lives too? And then Chat Noir has to deal with this? Just because he’s nice to one girl other than me? No, that’s not fair. “
“I don’t think anybody was trying to make things harder for Chat Noir.” Alya offered. “I think a lot of people just want to see him get his happy ending.”
“And he will.” She looked towards him for a moment and the affection in her eyes warmed him to his core, “he deserves it. But there’s nothing between him and this girl. Trust me I know what it’s like when he’s flirting and what she and he has isn’t that.”
Alya looked a little thrown by this rant from the heroine of Paris, but proving her propensity to take her life in her hands for the story once again she asked, “So who is Chat Noir flirting with then?”
Marinette went bright red. “I literally just said people shouldn’t pry into our private lives.”
Instead of being put off by this Alya’s face grew the largest grin he’d ever seen, “Interesting that you specified both of your private lives just then.”
Marinette made an incoherent noise and yanked off her microphone, and stormed over to the window and jumped out of it.
“Um.” Adrien blinked, not having to fake his surprise-they hadn’t discussed all of that, “should I go after her? I mean that kind of sounded like she was interested back right?”
Alya reached over and took his mike, “If you’re still as in love with her as you’ve been claiming from the start,”
“Obviously I am.”
“Then you should definitely go after her.”
“Right,” he stood up and ran his hands through his hair and it shouldn’t really matter because Marinette was already his girlfriend but after that performance he wanted to look like a guy a girl like that deserved. “I’m going after her.”
“Huh.” Nino said, “Dude your dad’s trending again.”
“Again?” Adrien groaned, “I don’t suppose it could be for something normal like a new collection?”
Nino shook his head and passed the phone over, “On the upside however Marinette’s done it he seems to have basically decided she’s his future daughter-in-law. I would so not want to be you if you’re somehow stupid enough to mess things up with her.”
“I think he’s decided she’s going to be the Yves Saint Laurent to his Christian Dior so,” Adrien shrugged before he registered the rest of Nino’s sentence, “Wait, why would I be the one to mess things up with her?”
“You think Marinette is going to ruin things?”
“Fair point.” Adrien admitted, “What’s he done now?”
“Just watch it.”
Adrien pressed play on the video.
“M.Agreste,” the reporter thrust the microphone in his father’s face, and Adrien could see the slight flare of panic in Nathalie’s eyes in the edge of the frame and he shared it concerned that maybe his father had punched the interviewer in face, “What does your son think about the developments between Ladybug and Chat Noir?”
His father did a good impression of wanting the squash the man under his shoe but all he did was say, “What an idiotic question. I’m sure Adrien is just as delighted for the heroes as everyone else in Paris.”
“But doesn’t he have a rather more personal connection to Chat Noir?”
The answering glare was much more pleasant when deployed on Adrien’s behalf than when deployed at Adrien.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“But,”
“I believe my son and his girlfriend and Chat Noir have all been very clear on this matter. Are you too stupid to remember that?”
“No we’ve all seen their statements but,”
“And surely you wouldn’t dare claim Chat Noir sneaking around behind Ladybug’s back? I don’t think I’d want to annoy either of the heroes. Really it’s all been blown out of proportion. All Chat Noir wanted was from Marinette was a present for Ladybug she was making for him, she’s really very talented you know.”
The reporter didn’t seem interested in what his father thought of Marinette’s abilities and interrupted, “And what about Hawkmoth?”
Adrien worried that would expose some flaw but then his father had hidden Hawkmoth for months. There was no reason he’d slip up now.
Indeed any surprise he showed seemed quite natural, “Hawkmoth?”
“Don’t you worry about annoying him? You’ve had quite the number of run-ins with the heroes and villains yourself.”
“Hawkmoth’s a coward who’s never come close to beating the heroes and seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. I-and all of Paris certainly have no reason to fear him.”
That was a response that he thought possibly should get raised in a therapy session if it wasn’t for the fact Adrien had no idea how Nathalie would ever find one who they could be honest about all this with.
“Do you think Hawkmoth will target your dad again?” Nino asked, leaning over and pausing the video.
“I doubt it.” Adrien said truthfully, “It’s not like he was a very successful akuma.”
“Yeah,” his friend agreed, “And even if he’s dating his assistant now I doubt Hawkmoth would like a repeat of that whole thing with Mayura.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t.” He agreed truthfully, because even though it would be less awkward for them now he was pretty sure that it was a story neither Nathalie nor his father would want out there nonetheless. “Is there uh, anything more?”
“Oh yeah some, but like I assume you actually know what’s going on with this part.”
“That’s certainly a brave response.” The reporter says.
“Not really. Now did you actually have anything relevant to ask?”
There’s a beat of silence then, “Did you want to comment on the rumours about your actions towards your assistant?”
For a moment Adrien honestly does think his father about the punch the guy but then he looks to the side and says, “Nathalie did you want to comment on that?”
“No.” comes through clearly through she’s off-screen at that moment. Not that Adrien thinks it’s likely her face would betray much.
“No we don’t have any comment.” His father says, “This interview is over.”
Marinette put the game controller down after beating him yet again, “So you know how you said you’d be honest with me if I won again?”
“I’m always honest with you,” then he added, “now.”
She rolled her eyes, “Yeah, yeah kitty. But things are going ok right?”
“Yeah, things are,” and maybe it was only in that moment he realised, “Things are good actually.”
His father had actually even talked to him about his mother unprompted last night, and not because he’d needed to confess more of their wrongdoings either.
“I'm going to Marinette’s for lunch today,” Adrien announced and waited for Nathalie’s response.
As it turned out all his well thought out defences turned out to be unnecessary because all she said was, “I'll let your father know.”
For all the tension in the house was slowly draining out, like laying his mother to rest had unblocked something, he still wasn’t used to this relaxation of what he could do, “That won't be a problem?”
Nathalie’s shoulder gave the slightest suggestion of a shrug, “So long as you are just going to Marinette’s and not anywhere else it’ll be fine. Your bodyguard can take the two of you.”
It wasn't quite a full relaxation but by his father’s standards it was a lot.
Especially given that Gorilla was much laxer about watching him than Nathalie or his father was.
Not that he was going to tell either of them yet.
“So what was it you wanted to show me?”
“Come on, you’ll see when we get there.” Marinette pulled him up to her room and he couldn’t stop blushing even though he’d been there tons of times before.
He wasn’t sure what he was expecting but he knew it wasn’t for her to go out to her balcony and pick up a saucepan that had been sitting out there.
She lifted off the top and make a squeak of excitement. It was utterly adorable.
“It worked,” She said, and held it out to him.
The red liquid inside literally glowed.
“Is that?” He almost didn’t dare ask.
“I said I’d try and do something for Nathalie.” Marinette said, “I didn’t want to say anything until I was fairly certain I’d got it right. Not that I’m sure it’s going to definitely help her-it’s based on a different potion for different Miraculous damage but all the Kwami’s and I are certain there’s power in it and that it won’t harm her.”
“You’re amazing.” He said and he meant it. He didn’t know what he’d done to deserve someone like Marinette in his life. He didn’t deserve Marinette, but he was going to try and make it so he did every day of his life.
Marinette blushed, “I’m just doing my best.”
“Yeah, well, your best is amazing.” He took a step closer to her, “Could you put that down for a moment?”
“Sure,” she blinked, “Why?”
“Because I want to give you a thank you kiss.”
“Oh. Yes. I can do that.”
“So, um, do you think you can look after it at school, and bring it home after?”
Adrien glanced the time on his phone, “I think we could run it over now.”
“Should you ring your bodyguard to bring the car back then?”
He walked to the window and looked at the long line of traffic below them. “We’re probably quicker walking. If you're ready to run the gauntlet of the paparazzi?”
“I think.” Marinette said after another camera flashed in her eyes, “That I get the other half of why your dad doesn’t leave the house now.”
Bizarrely the gate didn’t open immediately for him, and he met Marinette’s eyes in confusion.
“Maybe they’re out? You told them you weren't coming back for lunch didn't you?”
“It's my father and Nathalie.” He reminded her.
“Ok yeah, that doesn't sound that likely.”
He pushed the button again to no response.
On the third ring Nathalie finally answered sounding somewhat flustered, “Sorry Adrien. I didn’t think you were coming back this lunchtime.”
She looked as out of sorts as she’d sounded when she opened the door apologising again.
“It’s fine.” Adrien told her, but he’d been pretty sure she’d had her blazer on and her hair in a bun like usual rather than in a ponytail this morning, “I should have rang and said we were coming.”
“Yes that would have been helpful.”
An awkward silence fell between them, and Marinette had gone bright right again though he wasn’t sure why.
“So what did you two come over for? Did you need something?” Nathalie asked.
“Sort of the opposite.”
“The opposite?”
Marinette held out her travel mug to Nathalie who took it, but seemed a bit lost until she opened the lid and saw the glowing red concoction inside.
“Is this?”
“I can't say it'll cure you. It's not designed specifically for the damage done by a broken Miraculous. But let's just say you’re not the first person in history to suffer from using them.”
Nathalie stared at the mug in her hands as if she couldn’t quite believe it was there. “Do I just drink all of it now or?”
“You can drink all of it now. You'll probably need more but it should be a start.”
“Ok.” Nathalie said still sounding somewhat disbelieving, but she raised it to her lips then stopped, “Sorry. I mean. Thank you. I never said thank you.”
“You can save that for when you know if it's worked.”
“Well, thank you anyway, for trying, and for everything.”
“Shouldn’t we call my father so he knows what you’re doing?”
“That’s unnecessary.” Nathalie said, slightly too quickly.
“But what there’s some sort of side effects? Marinette said she wasn’t sure about how it would work.”
“I’ll tell him later.”
At that point the door to the Atelier opened, “Tell me what?”
Nathalie turned to him and some part of Adrien’s brain noted his cravat was missing though he otherwise seemed perfectly put together.
“Marinette’s made a potion to help Nathalie get better.”
That stopped him in his tracks. “She has?”
Marinette held her hands up in something like surrender, “I’ve tried to. I can’t garauntee it’ll fix everything. It probably won’t made her completely better, but it should help.”
“Still. Thank you. We’re in your debt, I know you didn’t have to do anything.”
Marinette glanced back at Adrien, “I don’t know if that’s true.”
“Well, if there’s ever anything we can do for you only have to say.”
“I think you’re already doing that. Just, don’t push Adrien away again. And definitely don’t become a supervillain again.”
“I can guarantee you I certainly don’t plan to do that.”
“Well,” Marinette said, “That’s good then. And I think Adrien and I should leave you two to it. We’ve got to hurry to get back to school.”
They actually had quite a decent amount of time left to get back to school but Adrien didn’t point that out.
It was hard to judge on a day by day basis but Nathalie did seem to be improving. She didn’t seem to get dizzy when standing so much, or to cough anything like she had been.
She was still committed to quitting her job though. Apparently despite what she’d said earlier again needed their approval she’d gone ahead and told the company.
Adrien still had mixed feelings about that.
It was weird imaging someone else in her place.
His father seemed to agree because he’d said at dinner recently that Nathalie hadn’t exactly chosen a good time to announce her resignation, and from how she’d ignored him he assumed it was an ongoing disagreement.
“Adrien.” Marinette asked between classes, “How worried should I be that Nathalie’s asking for my measurements?”
“It depends on how little you want to go out to dinner with my family?”
“What.”
“She texted me asking me to ask you to come to dinner with us.”
“With all of you?”
“Apparently.”
“Out of your house?”
“Yeah I know.”
“Why?”
“I think my father’s got annoyed at an article again. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“I guess it’s a good thing if he’s going out again?”
“Yeah, I mean, I guess it’s not one of his stupider plans in terms of him and Nathalie going public and showing support for you and me.”
“I kind of meant, I actually really get now why he stayed in all the time but I don’t think it was healthy?”
“We literally both know that none of his coping mechanisms were healthy for like, anyone.”
“Exactly.”
“Nathalie?” Adrien asked as she fussed over his clothes, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“No.” She said, “But I’m not sure why you still think I’m any good at stopping your father’s bad ideas. And I suppose me and him had to come out somehow. I might as well be forewarned.”
She took a step back, “Well you look very smart at least.”
“So do you.” Although maybe smart wasn’t the word. Smart was what Nathalie looked like normally and in the silver dress she was wearing tonight and with her hair down she looked absolutely nothing like she did normally.
She rolled her eyes, “I feel overdressed even though I know exactly the dress what the dress code is where we’re going, and how people dress there and I’m adhering to both. I guess I’ll have to get used to that though.”
Despite what she’d said, and despite his father being his father Adrien didn’t really think either of them looked uncomfortable on their way into, or indeed in, the restaurant at all.
Or least Adrien was fairly certain his reaction to being uncomfortable wouldn’t be to keep making eyes at, and finding excuses to touch his partner.
He swore that they weren’t this bad at home.
In fact he guessed they were acting like Hawkmoth and Mayura. Which he knew they were them but it was still utterly bizarre to be actually able to see that.
Poor Marinette was having to cope with this and seemed a little thrown by all the attention despite having always been fine with cameras as Ladybug though so Adrien put a supportive arm around her on their way in.
Adrien wasn’t sure if Marinette was stretching things out in revenge for the restaurant. Not that he could really blame her.
“So.” She announced. “I’ve been having to give what I should do about you two a lot of thought.”
“We understand that,” Nathalie said, “Don’t we Gabriel?”
“Yes.” His father added.
“And I know you surrendered in the end. And I know that it wasn’t easy for you and that despite everything that’s happened you still regret not being able to save Mme.Agreste. And that despite everything I don’t know if Nathalie’s health is ever going to be what it was.”
They both silently nodded.
“But I also know that all of Paris expects me to bring them some sort of justice.” She added. “And I know that you hurt people and I’m honestly not sure you regret that part.”
No one dared say anything.
“But Adrien’s suffered enough too. So I’m not going to expose your identities.”
“You’re not?” His father asked.
“No. Not unless you do something to make me. But I am expecting you to make it up to your victims.”
Nathalie frowned and Adrien could see her brain working, “On an individual level?”
“If you can. I’m sure you have a list of who you targeted.”
Nathalie nodded.
“Well, the two of you targeted people’s darkest moments. I’m sure you can work out what would be the most fitting reparations to make to each of them.”
Nathalie glanced at his father, “I’m not sure either of us are much good at emotions ironically enough but we can certainly try, will try.”
“M.Agreste?” Marinette asked, noticing his father’s uncharacteristic silence on the matter.
“Yes?” He said like he was coming out of a daze, “Of course we’ll do what you’re asking. In fact I believe Nathalie’s going to have plenty of free time coming up to research a best course of action.”
“Still going to get another job eventually.” Nathalie muttered under her breath.
Doing an interview with an actual reporter should have made things easier than it was with Alya.
Or at least for him. He knew Marinette babysit for her but he wasn’t sure how close she was generally to Nadja Chamuck.
“So do you two know what’s behind Hawkmoth’s recent lack of attacks? Should people be bracing themselves for something big on the way?”
He let Marinette answer. Ladybug was the one in charge after all.
“No,” she shook her head, “I can’t go into details because Chat Noir and I are still working on the situation but though I can’t give away how I know Hawkmoth appears to have left Paris.”
“Left Paris? Do you know where he is?”
“We couldn’t possibly comment on that I’m afraid.” Adrien said.
“And what would you say to people who’d say you’ve been distracted by each other rather than chasing down Hawkmoth?”
Marinette smiled but Adrien could tell it was fake, “I can honestly say we’re much less distracted now we’re both on the same page.”
“Good job kid,” The photographer said, “Honestly you are so much easier to work with than those last two models.”
“Thanks,” said Adrien, then he caught sight of Nathalie talking to someone he vaguely recognised as a tabloid reporter who’d tried to talk to him a few times at the edge of the shoot. “I should, uh, maybe go see what’s happening there.”
“Isn’t it her job to keep them away from you not the other way round?”
“It’s kind of more complicated than that, sorry!” He excused himself.
He got to Nathalie just in time to hear her say, “No I’m not worried about that at all. In fact I see no reason to think Mayura won’t be very happy with Hawkmoth rather than being any threat to our relationship.”
“Are you saying you know something about Hawkmoth and Mayura’s disappearance? Shouldn’t you tell someone? The Police? Ladybug and Chat Noir?”
“Ladybug and Chat Noir are completely aware of everything I know on the topic,” she said completely straight-faced. “But I really don’t have any more time to talk, as Adrien has places to be.”
For once he actually didn’t really but he certainly wasn’t going to say that.
“Seriously though,” Nino said, reclining back on Adrien’s sofa, “Do your dad and Nathalie know something about Hawkmoth and Mayura?”
“Trust me.” Adrien said. “You do not want to know.”
Nino turned to look at him better and whatever he found on Adrien’s face made him go, “OK I won’t ask then. But if Hawkmoth’s jealously over whatever happened with your dad and Mayura is why they’ve left Paris for their honeymoon or whatever then that’s actually hilarious.”
“Is that what people are saying?”
“It’s some people’s theory.”
“Please tell my father that at dinner.”
“Adrien, I’ve barely managed to get unbanned from your house. I’m not being banned again. I’m on like perfect behaviour the whole time I’m here-no loud music, perfect manners, proper snobby Academy French with no slang, and everything all for your sake, and you’re trying to get me banned?”
“Hey I’m not trying to get you banned!”
Nino looked at him over the top of his glasses clearly unconvinced.
“I think he might appreciate the topic being raised.”
“Yeah you can do that. He probably wouldn’t throw you out for it.”
Adrien laughed, “Yeah he wouldn’t want to incur Marinette’s wrath for that.”
Nino didn’t join in with his laughter but then he wasn’t exactly in on the joke.