Chapter Text
The crowd cheers as Ladybug and Cat Noir stand before them on a podium. Their faces are solemn, not matching the energy of the crowd before them. Cries of joy are heard; "Hawkmoth is defeated! We no longer have to live in fear!" "Our saviors!" "Our heros!"
A man in a black t-shirt walks over to Cat Noir handing him a microphone, patting his shoulder, a strong smile on his face. Cat Noir nods to the man, handing the mic to Ladybug.
Ladybug looks over at him, her seldom look gone, now replaced with frustration and bitterness. "How am I gonna tell them Cat?" her voice quivers. "How will I tell them I failed?" Cat Noir's own eyes sting with tears. "We didn't fail Ladybug..." He pulls her into a tight hug, causing feedback from the mic. He whispers words of encouragement and a thank you for all of their adventures over the years.
They pull away, Ladybug blowed a tearful kiss toward Cat, causing the crowd to surge. She takes a deep breath.
She thinks about their long and tedious battle against the corpse of Emilie Agreste and her amok Nathalie, Hawkmoth's horrified face when he realized what was actually happening, and the mental breakdown of Cat.
How when they defeated her, Emilie asked where her son was at for one last goodbye, Cat Noir vomiting on the side of her, unable to handle what he just went through. Ladybug was crying at that point, promising Mrs. Agreste that they'll make it to a hospital so she can finally rest.
Cat finally recollected himself taking Emilie's dying body heat from her, whispering in Emilie’s ears for a long time causing her to smile. Ladybug didn't want to look any further. She threw herself to the ground, screaming and cursing Hawkmoth's name.
She was only a kid. She just started high school. She had so much ahead of her. She shouldn't have to deliver news like this. She didn't want to be a superhero anymore. At that point Hawkmoth was long gone. She had lost a mother, the brooch, and her will to continue on in the span of 6 hours.
Whenever Emilie died in Cat's arms, he asked Ladybug for one simple thing. She looks out to the crowd, numb on the outside, disappointed she had failed Adrien and Paris in many ways that fateful day 3 years ago.
"Hawkmoth has not been defeated," Her voice rings out. The crowd falls silent in waves. "He has disappeared." The panic starts off small, first the cries of a child, to the worried hushed voices causing an uproar of sound.
"For the protection of our identities and Paris, my partner Cat has suggested we retired." Her voice falters on that last line. Retire so young? Bunnyx hasn't appeared yet. It seems as though this was meant to happen. She was glad a great weight had been taken off her shoulders.
Cat takes the microphone and speaks the final words that seemed to fail Marinette. "After today we will go into hiding.”
Even after that, Ladybug and Cat Noir searched for a year, looking for any evidence Hawkmoth was still around. No new akumatizations, no new villains, just radio silence. Cat Noir stopped flirting with her altogether, the light in his eyes finally died.
The day after the fateful battle, Gabriel announced his company was taking on a new name, Agreste in honor of his late wife. Adrien wouldn't be modeling as much, so new jobs opened up to the kids who attended his school.
At school, the principal announced Adrien would need space for a while, that he had the excuse to leave class to go to therapy. Adrien didn't talk as much as he did before. It seemed like the shell he was just leaving had taken over, once more. Marinette realized as she watched him, he had seemingly given up.
He would just take Lila schemes, Chloe’s affection, and barely acknowledged Marinette’s existence. God could only understand the pain he went through all 3 years. Marinette took the job as a way to pay Adrien back for whatever pain she caused him as Ladybug, but they didn't interact as much. They had the occasional shot together, a small conversation, the friendly hand wave. Nothing more, nothing less.
One patrol on their nightly search for Hawkmoth, Cat Noir handed a bouquet of white lilies, with a soft smile on his face.
“Are you celebrating our marriage Kitty?” Ladybug attempted to tease him, trying to communicate like old times. “No Ladybug. Just a parting gift.” He said, the melancholy leaking from his front. “
What do you mean?” Ladybug worried, grasping on to his arm, hoping he wouldn't hurt himself.
“I think we should stop the investigation.” Cat said flatly, letting the smile drop from his face. “Hawk Moth hasn't shown any sign of himself so I think we should drop it and try to move on from this tragedy.”
Ladybug bit her lip wanting to detest the situation but saw a small shimmer in Cat’s eyes. “... Fine. But there is something else you aren’t telling me Cat.” Cat shoulder seemed to sag, maybe hoping she wouldn't push the conversation any further. “
Bugaboo…” He sighed, clenching the bouquet.
“You haven’t called me that in 5 years.” Ladybug said, worrying that something terrible was about to be revealed.
“M’lady, I don't think we should meet up anymore.” “Cat what is going on? What is happening? Are you going to hurt yourself?” Ladybug fussed, removing her hand from his and pinching his leather ear.
“For safety measures Ladybug. Just in case this is a part of a bigger plan.” Ladybug sighed, surprised that Cat had matured so much, rubbing her eyes. “You can take my miraculous if you're worried.” Ladybug looked up, surprised how serious Cat was being.
“No no Cat I trust you.” His smile returned softly as he handed her the flowers.
“Thank you for letting me be your house cat all these years Ladybug.” Cat said, kissing her cheek.
“You were the best kitty a girl could ask for.” She responded breathlessly.
“And now M’lady…” Cat said, pulling out his staff. “I bid you Adieu.” He bows, for one last time, leaping off into the night.
“Goodnight Cat Noir,” Ladybug mumbled, pulling out her yo-yo. “Until next time.” She whispered in the direction he went, then swinging off into the night.
“What a day..” She thought to herself. “One more year till school is over. Maybe we’ll run into each other.” She lands and detransforms. “Tikki?” Marinette said, gloomily, “Do you think me and Cat will meet in civilian form?” Tikki sighed heavily.
“Time can only tell Marinette.”
As the 2 years flew by, a few months into the last year of high school, news got out Adrien was leaving for London when school ended.
Mrs. B’s old class seemed devastated. They all attempted to comfort Adrien, but he did something Marinette and the others didn't see him do since news broke out.
He smiled.
He reassured everyone that everything was his choice and he was going to be ok.
As the school neared its end Alya got accepted into a University in New York for her journalism degree, Nino started Dj gigs and was becoming the most popular Dj in Paris, and Marinette was miraculously recommended by someone to Gabriel for a scholarship into Paris’s best fashion school.
As their old classmates started to be set up for their futures, Adrien seemed to stay behind, colder than ever.
Not even his longtime girlfriend, Kagami, could cheer him up. Marinette had Luka, for 5 whole years and she was fulfilled. She couldn’t imagine how Kagami felt.
When school came back into session after Winter Break, Adrien’s locker was empty, and his name had been erased from the school system. Marinette assembled her old collège class, even Chloe, to discuss the matter. They all came up with crazy solutions where he could've gone until a strangely silent Chloe finally said something.
“Utterly ridiculous. All of your ideas are utterly ridiculous.” She said sadly letting out a sigh. “Adrien left for London earlier than originally planned.” Chloe said, clearly holding back tears.
“Some utter bullshit about not wanting to hurt anyone on their summer break.” Everyone sat in silence, unable to accept that Adrien changed that much.
Did they fail him? Did they ignore the signs? The old class could only look at each other before agreeing to send letters of goodbye to Adrien’s mansion, treating his mailbox as a memorial.
After school that day, Marinette transformed into Ladybug and swung toward Adrien’s mansion. His room was cleared and empty.
She sat down and opened her yo-yo and called Cat. Leaving him a detailed message of her day, not mentioning Adrien’s disappearance. “I miss you Kitty. Talk soon.”
She cried when she got home later on, while doing her homework, and her nightly tasks. She called Luka for comfort, he rushed over as soon as he could.
“I lost my best friend Luka. I don't know what to do.” She sobbed.
Luka sighed wanting to bring comfort to his girlfriend. “Then write Mari. You don't have to share but communicate in ways you would if he were still here.” He pulled her close. “And always know I’ll be here for you, no matter what.”
Little did Luka know, after their conversation, Marinette took up nightly patrols again. Leaving voicemails that were never answered.
Unbeknownst to both of them, a particular Cat would sneak out after a long day to listen to the voicemails, looking over the wet and gloomy city of London, gaining comfort from a particular bug. Making life seem a little more bearable.
But all of this was in the past.
She had graduated high school. She was going to attend a University beyond her dreams. She had finally achieved her dream life. Even if it wasn't perfect.
Marinette sat in her emptied childhood bedroom. She had healed, with friends, with Luka, but mainly by herself. She had thrown away millions of pictures of Adrien, and run into old projects she started. Laughing to herself as she recalled the reactions from her friends as they cleared the room earlier in the day. Her friends, those who hadn't left for their adult lives, waited downstairs in the bakery for her. Her boyfriend is lovingly awaits her departure to her new apartment. She smiled to herself. These last 3 years were hell. No denying about it. But she had grown.
“Wow Tikki.” she said, the little red kwami flying out of her newly designed purse. “Who would’ve thought I would grow up so much.” Tikki giggles snuggling her cheek. “Yeah Marinette! I’m glad I was with you for this entire journey.” Marinette smiles telling Tikki to hide as she carries a small trunk and suitcase down the ladder. Her parents await her in her old living room, their hair has thinned out, gray highlights streak the couples hair. Their wrinkles have become more prominent, but their shining eyes and proud smiles show bouts of great youth.
Tom was crying a little. “Papa! Don't cry!” Marinette’s more mature voice rang out, making her parents more emotional. Once she got all the way down, they tackled her into a bear hug, all laughing when they landed on the ground. Tom tearfully replied “My daughter is no longer a baby bear. She’s all grown up.” He starts to cry a little more. “Oh Tom, there you go being silly again.” Sabine teased wiping her own eyes. Her parents were not being dramatic.
The small and clumsy 13 year old girl had grown a couple more inches reaching her father's shoulder. Her eyes were still big and blue, but her hair was more black. She looked more and more like the both of them everyday. She no longer wore a blazer but a nice tank top with a comfortable jacket on top, her pants were long and black, all styled with Marinette's signature flowers. The small family got up, Tom helping with her luggage, and went down stairs in the bakery.
Marinette’s friends all stood eating macaroons she made earlier, all of them eating and laughing, with Luka the first to notice his beautiful girlfriend come down the stairs. He had aged too. His tips were still blue, but he wore eyeliner (thanks to a small suggestion a few years back), his earrings got bigger, and his nails are painted black. He rocked a blue hoodie and a soft smile as he pulled Mari in for a big hug, planting a kiss on her forehead.
Juleka had cut her hair into a pixie cut, lightened up her wardrobe, and smiled more. She wore a white tank top with a brown bear drawn on it, a brown coat over, and brown jogging pants, and white tennis shoes. She had golden jewelry and to top it all off, white sunglasses sat on top of her head. It showed off her lanky model body, which was ready for the runway. Rose cut her hair shorter, dying her hair tips pink, holding Juleka's hand. Her outfit hadn't changed much, still all pink, but it was a long sundress accompanied by a small jacket.
Alya rocked a brown jacket, with an orange shirt and sage green pants, accented by her white high tops. Her hair was still red at the ends but her glasses had changed, they were wire and fit her perfectly. Alix and Mylene didn't make it but had called ahead of time, apologizing since they were moving to Nice, and had to be there to sign their lease. Nino wore his blue and orange hoodie, all accompanied with his Dj tech around his neck, colored orange and blue, opposite of his clothes. He had sweatpants on and wore a cap instead of a beanie. They were all happy. All of them ready for life’s challenges.
All ready for a new beginning.
In the distance a purple butterfly landed on the rooftops, looming above the bakery. It watched a dark gray car pull in front of the bakery, parking, as someone with golden blond hair stepped out.
As everyone prepared to walk outside and say goodbye, the bakery’s bell rang. “Sorry but today we’re closed for personal…” Tom slowly drifted off as he looked up. The partial gang, (Marinette lost in her phone looking for the subway route), turned to follow Tom’s stunned look, all of their mouths dropping.
“Sorry, am I intruding? I just wanted to taste Paris’s best baked treats for the first time in a long time.” A friendly familiar voice rang out. Marinette’s head immediately bolted upwards.
Her eyes widened as Adrien Agreste stood in the door of the bakery.