Chapter Text
“This isn’t working,” Hawkmoth paced across a building. They were recuperating after going toe to toe with Chat Noir and being bested. “Why do we keep losing? Why can’t I do this.”
Mayura watched as another building was split in half. The powers of Lovesplitter seemed to be unlimited. “Maybe we need a second Hawkmoth. Another Mayura. We may be able to overpower them if there are more of us.”
Of course, Gabriel thought, a second Hawkmoth would turn the tide. The children struggled enough as it was fighting just him and Mayura (and Mayura was fighting a lot better since he had healed the mraculous). And he could always undo whatever damage his second would cause.
“Lovesplitter,” Hawkmoth called his akuma as the villain of the day was exchanging blows with Ladybug. “Come here, I have an idea so that we can both accomplish our goals today.”
“It could be today,” Mayura breathed out.
He looked at her softly. “In that case, I couldn’t have done it without you. You are so much to me, Mayura.”
She smiled back at him. “It’s been a pleasure, as always, Hawkmoth.”
Lovesplitter managed to get away from Ladybug, and landed on the rooftop. Lovesplitter looked at them through angry eyes behind a red mask. “What could you possibly d0 to help my parent’s divorce?” The child spat at him.
Hawkmoth smiled, and stepped in front of Mayura. “If you split me in half, we’ll have two Hawkmoths. I can help you keep your parents apart, Lovesplitter.” He told the akuma. “We’ll be more effective. We’ll both succeed today.”
The akuma nodded, and lifted his gun, aiming squarely for Hawkmoth’s heart. Hawkmoth braced for the impact. He was sure it would be painful, but worth it. He was not afraid. Getting Emilie back was the most important thing.
Lovesplitter pulled the trigger, and Gabriel was suddenly thrown off balance, across the warehouse roof. Mayura caught him and Gabriel adjusted his glasses.
He realized he had glasses to adjust.
Gabriel looked up at a beaming Hawkmoth. “Yes, finally .” The villain crooned. The man grasped his cane and within the next five seconds, the akuma was no more.
“What have I done?” Gabriel asked, looking between Mayura and Hawkmoth as he stood. There was a distinct pain in his chest
Hawkmoth’s grin widened as he caught the butterfly, and placed it carefully into the ball of his cane. “You don’t see it? As Hawkmoth I’ll finally be able to get Emilie back. I won’t have to worry about the useless toils of the day.”
Hawkmoth held out a hand, and looked at the woman standing next to Gabriel. “Mayura.”
Gabriel watched as she stepped closer. “Yes, Hawkmoth?” Mayura asked him, sounding distinctly hopeful. Her hope made Gabriel believe that she and him would succeed.
“My Mayura,” he purred, taking her hand and kissing it. “We can finally succeed in our ultimate goal. Nothing is holding me back, now. With you by my side, I will never stop.”
“I believe in you, in that case,” Mayura replied softly, looking up at him. “What would you have me do?”
“Get the kid off the roof. We can’t risk my identity. I’ll be in touch, my dearest.”
Gabriel shivered, watching his other half leap off the building. The teenager was coming to sorts.
“I’ll see you back at the mansion, Gabriel,” Mayura whispered, before doing what Hawkmoth told her.
He inhaled a shaky breath. What had he done? What was he thinking? There was something unsettled within him, as he thought about a Hawkmoth, about him---- being Hawkmoth until Emilie was back. How would he feel about missing so much work? What about Adrien?
Suddenly, boots landed somewhere behind him and Gabriel jumped, turning to see Chat Noir staring at him.
“What have you done?” Chat Noir asked him, shaking. His ears were drawn back, his baton was out and ready to strike him at any moment. He looked to the spot where Hawkmoth had stood, and back to Gabriel. There was no doubt that the superhero had witnessed everything.
There was something in his eyes, though. Gabriel knew that shade of green like the back of his hand. It was the color of his wife’s eyes.
“Adrien,” Gabriel whispered underneath his breath, barely moving his lips as his eyes widened. How did he not see his son before?
“What?” The boy asked him, raising his voice, his ears drawn back.
He couldn’t lose him. “I didn’t say anything,” Gabriel quickly said. “I didn’t mean for this--any of this--to happen. I’ll do whatever I can to stop Hawkmoth.”
The boy froze. “Why?”
“This is a mistake,” Gabriel replied, his voice low. He blinked. “He can’t possibly succeed. The cost is too much.”
Chat Noir glared at him. “How could I possibly trust you? You’re Hawkmoth. He’s Hawkmoth. You’re the same person.”
Gabriel shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t think I am,” he swallowed, looking towards the horizon. “Please, just stay out of his way, Chat Noir, if you know what’s good for you.”
Adrien took a step back, frowning and trying to stay calm. “I’ll think about it.”
He trembled. “Think about it.”
><
It was perhaps a half hour later when Gabriel reentered his office. He couldn’t look at the portrait on the wall. He couldn’t think about his son, who was supposed to be upstairs practicing piano.
There was something comforting about the way Nathalie was typing. Gabriel did not say a word to her, because he didn’t know what he could’ve said.
He sank into the white couches around the runway, wishing to be swallowed whole.
“Sir, are you alright?” Nathalie asked him, looking up from her screen.
Gabriel shook his head. “Everything feels wrong, Nathalie.”
“Oh,” she stood, walking over to him and sitting beside him. “It’ll be alright, Gabriel.”
“I don’t think it will be.” Gabriel said to her. “I feel so lost, I don’t think
She placed her hand over his and lightly squeeze. “Hawkmoth will get Emilie back, all we can do is wait,” she said and then she added, “and then everything will be okay again.”
He looked up at her. “What if he takes things too far?”
“You were always able to undo any damage you caused,” she replied, frowning, “I’m sure this Hawkmoth would do the same. He seemed nice.”
Gabriel stood, pulling away from her and letting out a decisive breath. “Alright. I’ll need a few moments to myself. Please draft a to-do list for me for the rest of the day, Nathalie.”
Nathalie blinked. He had never asked her to do that before. Gabriel was the most self-directed boss she could ever have, after all. “Of course, sir.” Nathalie stammed before returning to her desk.