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Chapter Text

Adrien clicked through the TV channels mindlessly, barely paying attention to what was playing out across the screen, eyes glazed over. The table in front of him was littered with empty take out boxes and rubbish, most of which had been there so long he wasn’t even aware of it anymore.

Outside, the sounds of New York City screeched, but he tuned it out. Adrien had been living there for almost six years, after all. He was used to the large American city, even though it still didn’t feel like home.

Truthfully, nowhere felt like home anymore.

A knock on the door startled him back to the present. Lunch, he thought, pushing himself up and dragging his feet towards the door.

He opened it, eyes widening as he came face to face with Alya Césaire. He tried to close the door, but she jammed her foot in the way.

“Let me in, Adrien,” she said. “We need to talk.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Let me in and I’ll tell you.”

He hesitated, before relenting, opening the door and stepping aside to let her inside his apartment.

She cast her gaze around, landing on the empty containers everywhere and the closed blinds. “This is where you’ve been for the past eight years?”

“Six years,” he corrected. “Yeah.”

She sighed and crossed the room, opening the blinds and letting in a flood of light. Adrien squinted at the abrupt influx of brightness. “Can you tell me why you’re here, now?”

She turned to face him, and held out her hand. On her ring finger, a diamond engagement ring gleamed. “Nino and I are getting married in two weeks.”

“Congratulations,” he said evenly.

She crossed her arms. “You’re coming back to Paris with me for the wedding.”

“No I’m not.” He shook his head.

“Adrien, Nino wants you there. He asked you to be his best man, and you ignored him. I’m here because I care about my future husband, and I thought you did too.”

“He wanted me to be his best man?” Adrien blinked. “Really?”

“Yes,” Alya said, exasperated. Her eyes landed on a stack of unopened mail. “He wrote you several letters. Have you even opened them?”

Once again, Adrien shook his head. “I don’t really check my mail that much.”

She sighed. “Well, good thing I’m here then, to deliver the message in person.” She handed him a piece of paper. “Your flight is booked for tomorrow night.”

“I can’t go, Alya,” he said helplessly. “I can’t.”

“Why not?” she asked. “He needs you, Adrien.”

“I can’t go back to Paris,” he whispered. “Not after- not after…”

Her gaze softened. “I know,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry for pushing so hard. But this really matters to Nino. And it’ll be good for you to get out of here for a while. Just- think about it, okay?”

She turned and left the apartment, leaving Adrien staring at the ticket in his hands. Should he go back to Paris?

The mere thought tightened his chest, sped up his breathing. Memories flashed through his mind, of his mother in that glass coffin, the moment he realised the monster that his father had become, the moment he himself became the monster-

Adrien’s nails dug into his wrists, and the sharp sting of pain dragged him back to the present. I’m not there, he reminded himself. I’m in New York, not Paris. I’m not Chat Noir anymore, and Hawkmoth isn’t around either.

He let out a slow, shuddering breath. How could he go back when he panicked at the thought of the past?

How could he stay here, when he hadn’t faced it?

Clearly, time and space hadn’t helped that much. If anything, they’d only made the problem worse.

No, it was time for Adrien to face his past. To face the city where it had all happened, where he had lost everyone he cared about in one day. To see the ghosts of that past etched onto every surface around him.

He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts, tapping on Alya’s name. The last text he had sent her was from over eight years ago, and the last she had sent him was four years ago, asking how he was.

I’m coming, he texted, and she responded moments later.

Thank you, she said.

Adrien sighed, pocketing his phone. “I hope I’m not going to regret this,” he mumbled, and turned, heading to his room to pack.

Adrien met Alya at the airport the next evening, preparing for their flight to Paris. She smiled when she saw him. “You came,” she said.

“I said I would,” he replied. “I know, I was surprised, too.”

The 7-hour flight passed in a blur. He tried to sleep for most of it, to minimise jetlag when they landed. Alya typed away on her computer, writing up articles for the news site she published on.

“Chloe said you can stay at the Le Grand Paris while you’re in town,” she told him as they collected their bags from the carousel. “Discounted charge.”

He frowned. “And her father is alright with that?”

“Chloe runs the hotel now,” Alya said. “Her father retired last year and handed the reins to Chloe completely.”

“Wow.” He blinked. “Next you’ll tell me that Marinette owns the Dupain-Cheng bakery.”

Alya laughed. “Not quite.”

“What does that mean?”

“You’ll see.”

She dropped him off at Le Grand Paris, where Chloe was waiting, sharply dressed in a blazer and skirt with a wicked grin on her face.

“Well, hello, stranger,” she said.

He smiled. “Hello to you, too.”

She surprised him by pulling him into a tight hug. “Welcome home, Adrien,” she said. “Paris hasn’t felt right without you around.”

“Without having my face plastered on every corner?” he joked.

“That too.” She snapped her fingers, and a bellhop stepped forward, taking Adrien’s luggage. “Take it up to room 401,” she said. “Come on, Adrien. Let’s get you checked in.”

After he checked in and Chloe personally escorted him to his room, which was far more extravagant that what he needed, he sighed and collapsed onto the bed.

“What am I doing here?” he mumbled. “This was a mistake.”

His stomach rumbled, and he sat up, remembering he hadn’t eaten breakfast yet. An idea struck him and he got to his feet, pocketing his wallet and phone.

The Dupain-Cheng bakery was nearby, and they made the best chouquettes in all of Paris. He had missed their bakery while he was in America, despite how much he had loved American pizza.

He jogged down the street to the bakery. As he entered, he smiled, spotting Sabine Cheng behind the counter. She smiled at him, then her expression froze, eyes widening.

“Adrien Agreste?” she asked.

He nodded. “Hello, Mrs Cheng. It’s good to see you again. Can I get some chouquettes?”

She unfroze, grabbing a bag and filling it with chouquettes. “Of course, here you go.”

He tried to pay, but she shook her head firmly. “No charge for you. How long have you been in Paris?”

“I’ve only just arrived.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot. “I’m here for Alya and Nino’s wedding, then I’m planning on going back to New York.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “Well, if you ever want to join Tom and I for dinner, you’re welcome anytime.”

“Thank you. Is… is Marinette around?”

He hadn’t seen her since before he had discovered his father’s identity. It was strange to think of that day, when everything had been normal at school. They had been laughing, hanging out as friends, and it was all destroyed.

“No, she’s quite busy these days,” Sabine said. “She still works Saturday mornings though, if you want to drop in to say hello.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He thanked her again and exited the bakery, bag of chouquettes held tight in one hand. He popped one into his mouth, and pulled out another, as an instinctive offering for Plagg, before he remembered that he wasn’t around anymore.

They had always shared the chouquettes whenever they stopped for them, although Plagg ate most of them. Adrien had to hide them if he wanted more than one.

He swallowed, hand clenching tighter around the bag. He had always known it was going to be difficult, returning to Paris. So many memories to stumble over, so many remnants of his life before.

Several shapes blurred across the rooftops, and he stopped, looking up at them. Miraculous holders? He searched the heroes, frowning. He didn’t recognise any of them.

How much had Paris changed, since he had left?

He sighed and resumed walking. He had only been back for a few hours and already this place was getting to him. Two weeks would seem like forever.

Chapter Text

Marinette frowned, leaning closer to the mannequin, needle and thread in hand. “Stupid sequins,” she muttered. The dress, which was a flowing, poofy, monstrosity, had looked decidedly bare earlier, and after careful consideration, Marinette had decided to add sequins to the skirt to give it a more complete look.

She had underestimated the number of sequins it would require to achieve that.

She grumbled, kneeling down to get a better position. She quickly sewed on several more, then stood, circling the dressed mannequin slowly. She grimaced and shook her head. “It’s still not right,” she murmured. “It still needs something…”

The door to her studio opened and clicked shut again and she turned, sighing. “This dress is a headache,” she grumbled.

Luka smiled, holding out a bag of takeout. “You look like you need this.”

As if on cue, her stomach grumbled loudly. Lost in her design, Marinette had forgotten all about dinner. “Thanks. Are you on your way home?”

He nodded. “I’ve just finished the gig. I figured you’d probably still be here. Do you want to head home with me, or do you want to stay to finish up?”

She sighed. “I’m nearly done. I think I might just stay a little longer, otherwise I won’t be able to sleep in peace.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” He gave her a quick kiss and headed to the door. “Don’t work too hard, Marinette.”

Once he left, she allowed herself to take a quick break to eat the food he had dropped off, before she returned to her design, hands on her hips. She considered it carefully, her mind working to find the gaps and flaws in her creation, of which she identified several.

With another heavy sigh, she got to work.

Marinette groaned as her alarm beeped, pulling her pillow over her face. She had stayed far too late at the studio last night, which meant she got barely any sleep. She had to get up and get ready for Alya’s dress fitting, though.

She blearily dragged herself out of bed and got dressed. While she did so, Tikki flew into the kitchen and began preparing Marinette’s coffee. That was their standing deal; in exchange for a steady supply of baked goods from the Dupain-Cheng bakery, Tikki made Marinette’s daily coffee.

“Thanks, Tikki,” she said, picking the mug up from the bench and taking a long sip. She sighed. “I’m already tired of today.”

“Maybe you should take a nap,” her kwami suggested. “You’ve only just woken up and you already look like you need one!”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Marinette agreed, draining the rest of her coffee. “Alya’s fitting first.”

Marinette headed to the studio, which was only a short walk from her apartment. Alya arrived minutes later, a dress bag hung over her arm.

Marinette gave her a quick hug. “How are you? I feel like we never see each other anymore.”

“You’re so busy these days, you bigshot designer,” Alya responded with a cheeky grin. “I can’t believe I actually got an appointment.”

Marinette smiled and waved her hand. “There’s always room for you in my calendar.”

Alya went behind the dressing screen and put on her wedding dress, while Marinette searched her desk for her pins. The space was cluttered, as always, filled with all manner of pens, pencils, fabrics, and designs.

Alya stepped out from behind the screen and twirled. “What do you think?”

Marinette pressed a dramatic hand to her chest. “Stunning. Absolutely gorgeous, Alya.” She stepped forward, running her assessing eyes over the dress. “I see what you mean about the hem, though.”

She knelt down, and folded the fabric up slightly. “This long?” she asked.

Alya nodded. “There’s perfect.”

Marinette went around the hem, pinning it into place to shorten it slightly. As it was, the dress was a touch too long for Alya, which was why she had turned to her best friend for help.

She straightened and studied her work, giving a swift nod. “That’s better,” she said. “Now, is there anything else you want added before the others get here for their fittings?”

The two of them discussed potential alterations, before deciding that the only adjustment would be the hem. Alya changed quickly just as the door to the studio opened once more.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” a familiar voice said, and Marinette froze.

She turned slowly, hardly daring to believe her ears. He couldn’t- he couldn’t be back, could he? Could he?

She faced him fully, lifting her eyes to meet Adrien Agreste’s. She stared at him in stunned silence, and for a moment, he stared at her in surprise too.

“Wait,” he said. “Marinette Dupain-Cheng?”

She could only nod. “What are you doing here?” she said finally, breaking her silence.

“I’m here for my fitting,” he replied, lifting up his garment bag. “You know, for the wedding?”

“I didn’t realise you were coming,” she said.

He lifted one shoulder half-heartedly. “Neither did I, until Alya showed up in New York to drag my ass back to Paris a few days ago.”

Marinette’s gaze shot to her best friend, who just shrugged and grinned. “Nino wanted him there,” she said, raising her hands. “I do what I can to make my fiancé happy.”

Marinette sighed. “Get dressed and I’ll see what adjustments need to be made.”

While Adrien was putting his suit on, several more of the wedding party showed up, including the rest of Nino’s groomsmen. The bridesmaids were scheduled to arrive shortly, after the boys were fitted.

Adrien stepped back into the studio, which fell dead silent upon his appearance. He cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“Adrien?”

For once, Marinette was the one to break the tension rather than cause it. “Step onto the platform and I’ll see what adjustments you need, Adrien,” she said. “The rest of you should get dressed, because I’m running on a tight schedule here.”

They all snapped into action, following her directive. She measured the sleeves, jotting down the numbers for later alterations. The groomsmen were going to have green detailing on their suits, while the bridesmaids wore subtle shades of orange, in a nod to the superhero identities of Alya and Nino.

The fitting didn’t take long, and afterwards, the boys pestered Adrien with countless questions, about where he had been and what he thought of America.

“It’s alright,” he said with a half-hearted shrug. “It’s different, at the very least.”

The doors opened, and the girls entered, ready for their fittings. They stopped short upon spotting Adrien.

“You’re back!” Rose shouted, grinning. “Welcome home, Adrien!”
“Thanks,” he said, shifting uncomfortably. If there was anything that was making him regret returning to Paris, it was all the awkward interactions with people from his past.

Thankfully, Marinette saved him from further awkwardness. “Go get changed,” she said, pointing at the girls. “We have a lot to do, but not much time, so quick!”

Once the girls left, Adrien stood. “I should get going,” he said. He looked at Marinette. “When should I return to collect my suit?”

She considered it. “Wednesday next week.” She looked at the others. “Same goes for all of you.”

After she completed the fittings, Marinette lay down on the floor with a heavy sigh. Tikki zipped into view. “You okay?” she asked.

“Just tired,” she yawned, rubbing her eyes. “This job has non-stop, even more so since Alya asked me to help with the wedding prep.”

“It’ll settle down soon,” Tikki promised. “And if not, then… it’s time for a nice, long vacation!”

Marinette laughed. “A vacation does sound nice,” she said wistfully. “Maybe somewhere near the sea.”

Her phone buzzed from the table nearby, and she wearily got to her feet to answer it. Her eyes went wide as she scanned it, then she grabbed her bag off the table and headed straight to the door.

“Let’s go,” she said to Tikki.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s Zoe. She was brutally attacked by someone while walking home.”

“Is she okay?”

“Luka said she’ll live. Chloe took her back to the hotel and called for a doctor, to avoid drawing attention to her at the hospital.” Marinette took a deep breath and looked at her kwami, her brows knit together in worry. “But that’s not all. The assailant… they took her miraculous.”

Chapter Text

Marinette transformed outside the Le Grand Paris and entered through the roof, which Chloe had given her a key to, so she always had access if she needed it. The heroes had a designated suite which they were able to use in times of trouble, so Ladybug headed straight there.

Most of the others were already assembled in the room, waiting anxiously. Miss Hound was tossing her ball from hand to hand, while Polymouse wound her rope around her hands, over and over again.

Queen Bee stood still next to her sister’s side, chin raised. To an outsider, she might’ve looked unfazed by the whole situation. But Ladybug had known her long enough to recognise the fast paced tapping of her foot, the fingers drumming against her arm.

“Finally,” she said, spotting Ladybug. “Took you long enough.”

Ladybug approached Zoe’s side. “Zoe?” she whispered. “Can you hear me?”

Zoe’s eyes fluttered open, and she winced, pressing a hand to her head. “What- what happened?” she choked out. Her hand went to her throat and she paled. “My- my miraculous-”

“Can you tell me what happened?” Ladybug asked calmly. “Do you remember anything?”

Zoe frowned, her brow scrunching. “I remember- I remember walking down an alley to get home. It’s a shortcut. Then… someone came up behind me and hit me over the head.” She pressed a hand to the back of her head, where a lump was already visible. “I don’t remember anything else.”

“You didn’t see the person at all? Hear anything?”

Zoe shook her head, then grimaced at the movement. “No. Nothing. I’m so sorry, Ladybug. I lost my miraculous, and now Paris is in danger. We could end up with another Hawkmoth all over again!”

“It’s alright,” Ladybug placated her. “We’ll find out who did it and get it back.”

She looked at the others. “If Zoe’s identity has been compromised, it means others may have as well. Be careful when you’re out alone. Keep your doors locked at home and your phone handy in case anything happens. If you’re attacked, let me know immediately. The sooner we know, the more likely it is we’re going to be able to catch the attacker.”

They all nodded in agreement and Ladybug turned back to Zoe, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “Don’t worry about it,” she told her gently. “We’ll get the butterfly miraculous back. For now, just focus on getting better, alright?”

Ladybug left Zoe with Queen Bee at Le Grand Paris and made her way across the rooftops of Paris. Without even realising it, she found herself on a familiar roof, the one that she and Chat had often spent hours together on. The same roof where she had found him in the alternate future, when he was Chat Blanc.

She sat with her legs dangling over the edge, not caring in the slightest about the massive drop to the streets below her. She had her yoyo, and years of experience. She would be fine.

She stared out across the Paris skyline, watching the sun make its way towards the horizon. She hadn’t been out here, as Ladybug in so long…

It dredged up memories of before. Of Chat Noir, her ever loyal, ever faithful partner.

He had always stayed by her side.

Until the day he didn’t.

The disappearance of Chat still haunted her. Sometimes, she lay awake at night, wondering what happened to him. Was he dead? Was that the reason he had vanished without a trace? Or had he simply not wanted to see her again?

What had happened, that day, when Gabriel Agreste was unmasked as Hawkmoth? What had she missed, in the battle between Hawkmoth and Chat Noir?

She knew that there was a critical piece of information that was missing. Something important enough to cause the disappearance of Chat Noir.

Someday, she would find out.

She would find her partner again, no matter how long it took.

And once she found him, she was going to yell at him and throw him in a rubbish bin again. And then she would hug him, and tell him to never do that again. She wasn’t a hero without him by her side.

Ladybug got to her feet with a heavy sigh. She raised her chin, taking one final look of Paris in the setting sun. Then, she leapt.

Marinette entered her parents’ bakery just after the sun had gone down. Right then, she needed their comfort. And also, her mom’s cooking.

“Marinette!” Sabine pulled her into a tight embrace. “What a wonderful surprise!” She pulled back, taking in her daughter’s face. Her expression. “What’s wrong?”

“Zoe was attacked,” she whispered. “Someone- someone was after her miraculous. And- they got it. I don’t know what to do.”

Sabine didn’t say anything. She simply held her daughter even tighter. “It’ll be alright,” she said finally. “You’ve recovered the miraculous once, you can do it again.”

Marinette pulled away, nodding as she wiped tears from her eyes. “Last time… last time I had him to help me,” she said.

Sabine’s expression softened. “And now you’ve got an incredible team around you. You don’t have to get through this alone, Marinette. We’re all here to support you.”

Tom entered the room, trailed by another. “Uh… is this a bad time?” Adrien Agreste asked timidly. “I can- I can go…”

Sabine straightened, smiling warmly at him. “Of course not, Adrien. You’re absolutely welcome to stay for dinner tonight, like we agreed this morning on the phone. It’s perfect, really, considering Marinette is here as well. Take a seat, both of you, and dinner will be ready in a few minutes.”

The two of them sat down awkwardly at the table, positioned across from each other. Tom, oblivious to the tension in the room, struck up a conversation with Adrien.

“So, Adrien! How’ve you been for the past… how many years?”

“Eight,” Adrien said. “And I’ve been… good. I live in New York now.”

“New York! How wonderful! I’ve heard it’s a stunning city, although nowhere near as beautiful as Paris.” He winked, and Marinette fought the urge to bury her face in her hands.

Adrien discussed his new life with Tom, comparing everything from food to the locals. Sabine entered the room, carrying several plates laden with food for dinner, and Marinette jumped up to help her mother.

Within minutes, the four of them were eating dinner. “This is really good,” Adrien said. “Thank you for the meal.”

“Anytime, Adrien.”

The conversation turned to the current situation in Paris, with the heroes. The attack on Zoe had been leaked to the public; how, Marinette had no idea, but it was all over the internet.

“I wonder who the new Hawkmoth is,” Tom mused. “I’m sure the heroes will find them quickly enough.”

Adrien froze. “New Hawkmoth?”

“Haven’t you heard? The butterfly holder was attacked, her miraculous stolen. There’s a good chance akumatisations are going to resume.”

Sabine gently elbowed her husband. “No need to terrify him, Tom.” She smiled at Adrien. “Don’t worry. The heroes have formed an excellent team in the years you’ve been away. They’ll be able to handle it.”

Adrien swallowed. “A hero team? That’s… that’s impressive.” He had heard about it, in snatches, while he was in America. He had tried to tune it out, every reminder of his former home a sharp stab to his heart. “They must be unstoppable together.”

Marinette speared a carrot with an unprecedented amount of force, and Adrien frowned. “Are you alright, Marinette?”

She looked up, and her glum expression was so unlike her. “I’m fine. I just…” she shook her head. “The hero team is excellent, don’t get me wrong, but Chat Noir is still missing. It’s not the same without him around.”

The words did something to Adrien’s heart rate. To know someone cared about his disappearance… “Really? They’re not stronger, without him? He did get in the way a lot.”

Marinette’s gaze shot to him. “Surely you don’t mean that.”

He shrugged. “Why not? It’s true. How many times did Chat Noir get turned by the villain, leaving Ladybug to save the day? How many times did he fail to show up for battle altogether? Maybe they are better off without him.”

“You’re wrong,” she said firmly. “Chat Noir and Ladybug were a team. They made each other stronger. Without him, Ladybug is nothing. Nothing. Ladybug may have been the one with all the glory and fame, but without Chat, she never would’ve even made it through her first battle. Without him, Hawkmoth would’ve won long ago. He would’ve won many times over.”

“I didn’t realise you were such a fan of Chat Noir,” Adrien said, although the lump in his throat made it difficult.

“Of course I am. Anyone would be a fool not to admire him.”

Sabine gently touched her daughter’s shoulder. “I think that’s enough talk of superheroes for tonight,” she said. “Adrien, what are the rest of your plans for your time in Paris?”

Later that night, after they had finished dinner and then dessert as well, Adrien walked back to Le Grand Paris. He sighed, looking up at the night sky. Marinette’s staunch defence of Chat Noir had surprised him, to say the least.

Even when he was a hero, he had always felt overshadowed by Ladybug. After all, she was the one with the power to purify the akuma, to fix the damage done. Without her, Paris would’ve been in dire trouble.

Without him?

He didn’t think many people would notice the difference.

Somehow, he found himself not at Le Grand Paris, but rather, in the cemetery. The cemetery where both his parents were buried. He walked between the headstones until him found them, tucked away in a corner.

His father’s bore no name, simply reading, Beloved father and husband. He supposed the name had been omitted to avoid desecration of the grave. After all, he had almost destroyed the world as a supervillain.

Beside it was the grave of Emilie Agreste. Adrien knelt on the ground in front of it, tracing the words with his fingers. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I was so stupid. I should’ve spent more time with you. And then after…” his voice broke. “I should’ve seen what was happening. With Father. I was so blind and now…” He shook his head. “It’s all my fault.”

He stayed there for several more minutes, sitting in silence. He laid his hand on the ground, and Adrien could almost feel the power. The power from the miraculous that lay just beneath his hand.

He almost dug it up again. He had buried it here, eight years ago in a blind frenzy, while Plagg had begged him not to.

“Please don’t do this, Adrien,” he’d pleaded. “It wasn’t your fault! You need me, and I… I need you, too. Don’t do this.”

Adrien had simply looked at him bleakly. “It was my fault,” he’d whispered. “I can’t… I can’t be trusted with this power anymore. I’m sorry, Plagg. I… I renounce you.”

And that had been the last time he saw his kwami.

Adrien stood, tucking his hands in his pockets. As much as he missed Plagg, he couldn’t do it again. He couldn’t. Not after… not after what happened last time.

He never wanted to hurt anyone ever again.

Chapter Text

The first supervillain akumatisation in almost eight years took place the next morning. Marinette rubbed her eyes, heading to the window, still half asleep. She watched the raging giant fling Purple Tigress across the city skyline and sighed.

“I guess they’ll need my help,” she said glumly.

Tikki zipped up beside her. “They need you, now more than ever.”

Marinette flexed her fingers. Cracked her knuckles. “Let’s do this, then. Tikki, spots on!”

Over the next week and a bit leading up to Alya and Nino’s wedding, the akumatisations picked up in both frequency and intensity of attacks. The new Hawkmoth was learning quite quickly what the weak points of the heroes were and targeting them.

Three days before the wedding, Ladybug ordered both Alya and Nino to take a break from crime fighting to focus on their wedding. Rena Rouge and Carapace were incredibly valuable to the team, but it was supposed to be their day. Stressing about saving the city was Ladybug’s job.

Paris saw more of Ladybug within that nine-day span than they had in all the time since Hawkmoth’s defeat. Some celebrated the return of their beloved hero, but others either resented her for ever abandoning them in the first place, or never liked her to begin with.

“Ladybug! Where have you been for the past eight years?”

“Is Chat Noir returning as well?”

“How do you plan on defeating the new Hawkmoth?”

“How was the miraculous stolen in the first place?”

Ladybug ignored the reporters shouting questions at her as she threw her lucky charm into the sky. Viperion and Minotaurox shielded the akuma victim from snapping cameras while the rest of the hero team walked alongside Ladybug.

Ladybug paused, turning to the nearest reporter. “At this point, we have no comment to share with the public other than we are working our hardest to find and defeat all threats facing Paris. Thank you.”

The reporters continued shouting questions after them, until they were out of sight on the rooftops of Paris.

The team split up, each going their separate way. Marinette headed to her parents’ bakery to help put the finishing touches on Alya and Nino’s wedding cake for tomorrow.

Alya was there as well, alternating between stressing over the cake and reloading her phone with a furrowed brow. She looked up as the door opened, and immediately, some of the tension drained from her shoulders.

“You’re back,” she said with a sigh. “Finally. How’d it go?”

“It was… tiring.” Marinette headed into the living room, waving at her parents as went past, and collapsed onto the sofa. Alya trailed after her. “I don’t know how I used to do this when I was a teenager.”

“You did have a lot less responsibilities. Aside from being Ladybug, of course.”

“I know.” Marinette dropped her face into her hands. “We have to find the new holder soon,” she said, her words muffled. “We’ve all got too much going on in our lives to deal with this for long. Hell, Mylene and Ivan have a baby to worry about! You and Nino are about to get married! But I don’t know how to find them. Last time… last time Chat Noir found Hawkmoth.” Her voice trailed off to a whisper.

“You haven’t heard from him at all since then?” Alya asked.

Marinette shook her head. “Not for lack of trying. I’ve left so many messages, but he hasn’t responded to any. He’s either ignoring me or he hasn’t transformed since the battle.”

“Why would Chat Noir just drop off the face of the earth, though?” Alya perched on the edge of the sofa. “That isn’t the kind of thing he would do, right?”

“No, definitely not.” Marinette thought about him, about his quick, easy grins and the constant puns she had hated at the time but now missed more than anything. But most of all, she thought about his unwavering loyalty and determination to put her and everyone else first. He wouldn’t abandon them, not without a major reason. If only she knew what it was. “Something must’ve happened. I wish I could see him again. I wish I knew what happened.”

Alya smiled. “If he showed up, what would you do?”

Dangerous. They were wandering into dangerous territory, dreaming about events that in all likelihood, would never happen. After eight years, Marinette had learned not to get her hopes up, at least when it came to Chat Noir. When reality came crashing down, her heart always twisted painfully, and her throat tightened.

“I would… I would hug him tightly,” she said softly. “And never let go.”

Alya raised an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t start by yelling at him?”

“Well. I would hug him and then yell at him.” Marinette exchanged a grin with her friend. “But most of all, I would just tell him how glad I am that he’s back.”

Sabine entered the living room. “Girls, I think you should come provide some input on the cake,” she said, with a dubious glance back towards the kitchen. “Tom’s not exactly sure where you want the final decorations, Alya. Your notes were quite… unique.”

The girls stood and followed Sabine, where they spent the next hour fussing over the placement of edible flowers and glitter. While they decorated, Tikki and Trixx flew around the bakery, picking out the baked goods they wanted to have next time they needed to recharge.

Once they were finished, Alya left to go have dinner with her parents, and Marinette returned to her apartment. Even though all she wanted was to fall into bed, she organised her dress, accessories, and bag for the next morning so she wouldn’t have to worry about it.

She texted a quick goodnight to Luka, and then fell asleep the moment she was tucked under the covers.

Alya was in full freak out mode when Marinette arrived at the wedding venue the next morning. She was outfitted in her stunning white, floor length dress, and the makeup artist was working on her face. Ella and Etta were admiring her dress one moment, then fighting over their shared phone the next.

“Marinette! I’m so glad you’re here!” Alya gestured for her to come closer. “This place has been absolutely crazy this morning.”

The rest of the morning flew by in a whirlwind of prepping with hair, makeup, and dresses. Marinette did her best to keep Alya calm, and ended up confiscating her phone early on. She kept checking for updates regarding the miraculous situation, despite Marinette’s constant reminders that she didn’t have to worry about it.

“All the miraculous holders are here, at my wedding!” Alya reminded her. “If anything happens…”

“It won’t,” Marinette assured her. “Let me worry about that. Today is your day.”

They finally made it to the ceremony, and as Marinette watched Alya walk down the aisle, her gaze shifted briefly to Nino.

She wanted to marry someone who looked at her the way Nino was staring at Alya. Like she was the entire world.

The ceremony went off without a hitch, and the wedding quickly turned into a party. Nino spun Alya around the dancefloor, both of them smiling and laughing.

A sudden wave of dizziness washed over Marinette, and she quickly searched for a secluded corner with a wall for her to lean on, preferably. She found one, only to belatedly realise it was occupied.

“Adrien! Hi,” she stammered.

He smiled distantly. “Hey, Marinette.”

She frowned. “Are you okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” He downed the remainder of his drink. “Everything is great. Just fine.”

“Really?” She took a step towards him. “You don’t look fine,” she said softly.

He looked at her, and Marinette felt like he could see straight through her, deep into her mind and thoughts. “My only option these days is to be fine.” He gave her a sardonic grin, one that was so cynical and unlike the Adrien she had known that her heart physically ached for him.

For the innocent boy he had been, until it was all destroyed in that one afternoon. When his father had been exposed as Hawkmoth. What had it been like, for him, to have learned that? How did he react upon hearing the news that his father was a terrorist who didn’t care if he brought about the end of the world?

He raised an eyebrow. “You look like you’re thinking too hard, Marinette. He raised his now empty glass towards her. “Thinking about it is a waste of time. The only worthwhile way to face it is with alcohol.”

He turned away, heading towards the bar. Marinette shook her head. He had changed, way more than she initially realised. She wondered if the Adrien she knew was truly gone for good, or if he was still there, somewhere, buried beneath the walls and defence mechanisms.

She hoped so. She had liked the old Adrien. Quite a lot, in fact.

Beneath her feet, the ground shook and a loud boom echoed throughout the room. People scrambled towards the windows, peering out at the supervillain terrorising the city. A girl in a long white gown, with enormous, feathery wings of the same colour. She pointed at a statue and it exploded in a shower of sparks and metal.

Marinette sighed and ducked out of the reception hall. She had been sincerely hoping that there would be no attack today, of all days. She found a quiet, hidden alcove and murmured her transformation words, rushing out of the building before any of the other heroes spotted her.

She examined the villain carefully, searching for any object that could contain the akuma. A silver belt could be it, or it could be the charm hanging off said belt.

Within moments, Viperion, Ryuko, Queen Bee, and Polymouse arrived next to her, also watching the villain.

“I’ll go first, using my wind powers,” Ryuko said quietly. “See if I can get the sash. That’s where the akuma likely is, right?”

Ladybug nodded. “Viperion, use your second chance now.”

Ryuko leapt into action, lunging towards the villain, sword in one hand, other stretched out towards the sash.

The villain’s neck snapped around unnaturally, and she held out her hand. Almost immediately, Ryuko slammed into a bubble shield and fell to the ground, motionless.

“Viperion-”

Before he could trigger his second chance, the villain stretched out her hand towards him and beam of light shot out, striking him in the head.

“Scatter!” Ladybug yelled. She grabbed Viperion and dragged him out of the way, into an alley. “Hey. Wake up,” she said, twisting her hands.

He groaned and sat up, holding his head. “What-” His eyes landed on her, and more importantly, her miraculous. He lunged forward, grabbing at her earrings.

Ladybug scrambled backwards. “What are you doing?”

He didn’t respond, instead launching towards her again. She hit him in the face with her yoyo, and used his momentary disorientation to escape. She activated the comms with the remaining heroes. “Don’t trust the others who have been hit,” she said. “Viperion tried to steal my miraculous. The rays they were hit with must be some kind of mind control.”

“Got it.” Queen Bee’s voice was grim. “It’s just us now, Ladybug. Polymouse got hit too. I swear this villain has some kind of sixth sense for heroes-” Queen Bee cut off with a sharp gasp.

“Queen Bee?” Ladybug said. “Are you there?”

Silence. Ladybug cursed and dropped into a different alley, behind the wedding venue. She detransformed and rushed inside, finding Alya and Nino almost immediately. “I need to talk to you,” she said anxiously.

Alya and Nino followed her into the foyer, which was deserted. “What is it?” Alya asked, her brow creasing.

“I…” Marinette hesitated. “I’m so sorry, but… Paris needs you.”

Alya nodded, her confusion and stress replaced by steadfast determination. “Got it. You can count on us.” She smiled at her new husband and squeezed his hand. “Right, Nino?”

He nodded at her and returned her smile. “Of course.”

“I’m so sorry,” Marinette said again. “I didn’t want to disrupt your wedding-”

“It’s fine, Marinette. Really. Let’s just deal with the villain so we can get back to partying.” She winked, and dragged Nino off so they could transform.

Once the three of them had donned their superhero personas, they assembled to formulate a plan. Rena Rouge would create an illusion of them attacking from a different angle, and while the villain was distracted, Ladybug would attack, protected by one of Carapace’s shields.

The plan fell apart almost immediately. Rena Rouge cast her illusions, and Ladybug sprung into action, only for the villain to immediately dissolve the illusions with a flick of her wrist and a bolt of light. She swivelled towards Ladybug, and Carapace’s shield shattered on impact with the first shot.

Ladybug dove out of the way, but she was helpless to do anything as the villain reached reached Rena Rouge, raised her hand, and sent a blast of power directly into Rena’s body. The fox heroine shuddered, and her eyes rolled back in her head before she collapsed to the ground.

Carapace screamed, and hurtled towards the villain, even as Ladybug yelled for him to stop. There was nothing she could do as Carapace met the same fate as Rena Rouge.

As the villain turned to face Ladybug with a wicked smile on her pure white, eyeless face, Ladybug scrambled backwards. She didn’t know what to do. This villain… she had an answer to all their powers and insane reflexes. How was she supposed to defeat that by herself when a whole team of heroes hadn’t been able to?

Adrien watched the entire battle unfold from the window of the wedding hall. He watched with a sick feeling in his stomach as two of his best friends were attacked and left lying unconscious on the ground, defeated.

He watched as his former partner stared at the villain looming over her with absolute terror and panic in her eyes. He clenched his fist, running his thumb over the place where his miraculous used to be.

He had sworn he would never use it again. He would never be Chat Noir ever again. He couldn’t.

And yet…

A silent war raged in his mind. He had sworn to never use his miraculous again, but as he watched Ladybug fight a losing battle against the villain, he doubted his decision.

He heard Master Fu’s voice in his head, from long ago.

“Do you know why I chose you to be the holder of this miraculous?” he’d asked.

Adrien had shaken his head. Plagg had never given him a reason, either, except that he was ‘hero material’, whatever that meant.

“Because you have what it takes to do the right thing, whatever the situation.” Master Fu’s gaze was steady. “Because you are willing to sacrifice yourself for others. For good. And that, Adrien, is what makes you one of the best holders. Because you know what it takes to be a hero. And you aren’t afraid of it.”

Master Fu had been wrong. Adrien was so very afraid of what would happen, what might happen, if he ever reclaimed his miraculous. He had made so many mistakes…

His gaze turned back towards the battle. Towards Ladybug all on her own.

You have what it take to do the right thing.

Adrien turned and sprinted out the door.

The cemetery wasn’t far from the wedding venue, nor was the miraculous hard to retrieve. Adrien was lucky it hadn’t been discovered by the groundskeeper.

He opened the box and slid the ring onto his finger. Plagg appeared in the air in front of him, and Adrien smiled. “Hey, Plagg,” he said, his eyes misty. “It’s good to see you.”

“Took you long enough,” the kwami said, his voice wobbling. “You look… different. Have you got any cheese in those pockets?”

Adrien let out a surprised laugh, past the lump in his throat. “Unfortunately not,” he replied. “I’m glad to see you, Plagg.”

Plagg sighed. “I- I missed you too, kid. I thought… I thought you weren’t coming back.”

“That… that was the plan,” Adrien whispered. “But… Ladybug needs me.”

Plagg nodded. “Paris needs Chat Noir.”

Adrien stared down at the ring on his finger. The ring that had opened up his future, and then abruptly shattered it. So many memories… Adrien let out a shuddering breath and steeled himself. “Plagg. Claws out.”

Chapter Text

Ladybug was running. She was running from the villain, hoping she could just find a moment’s peace to stop, let Tikki recharge, and regroup with the remaining heroes, who had been unable to show up to the initial battle.

Unfortunately, she was being pursued by her allies-turned-enemies. Queen Bee stabbed towards her with her venom, which Ladybug only narrowly dodged. The villain herself stood back at a distance, letting her minions do all the work for her.

Ladybug ran backwards, trying to get away from Queen Bee. As she was, she tripped, falling to the ground. Queen Bee raised her stinger and Ladybug searched for an escape, only to find none.

It was like the world slowed down into the milliseconds. She watched Queen Bee’s arm lower towards her, only for a baton to come flying out of nowhere, slamming into her head and knocking her off balance, enough for Ladybug to scramble out of the way.

She leapt to her feet, scanning the area, her heart in her throat. That baton was painfully familiar, and she didn’t dare hope…

Standing several metres away, baton back in hand and a smile on his face, was Chat Noir.

Ladybug let out a sob as she stumbled towards him, only to pull back at the last moment. “You’re- you could be an illusion,” she said, spinning her yoyo in a defensive circle.

“I’m not,” he said quietly. “I promise I’m really here, m’lady.”

“Prove it,” she said, her voice breaking. “Why should I believe it’s really you, after eight years?”

His gaze softened, and he reached out, past her defensive barrier, and grasped her wrist. “See? It’s me. I’m real. Now, let’s get rid of this villain and put everything back to the way it should be.”

She nodded, but tears were already spilling onto her cheeks. “Chaton…” she whispered.

Chat glanced at her. “We’ll talk later,” he promised.

Without hesitating, he ran forward, towards the akumatised villain. Around them, civilians had their phones out, videoing the entire battle. Already, the news of Chat Noir’s return was spreading across Paris.

He moved fast, faster than the villain was expecting, as his baton smashed through her shield. In one smooth motion, he snatched the akumatised object, a charm hanging off her belt, and threw it to the ground.

He cracked his baton against it, releasing the akuma. Ladybug snapped back to attention, capturing and purifying the akuma as Chat Noir helped the akuma victim to her feet.

He turned back towards Ladybug with a soft smile as he held out his fist. “Pound it?” he said.

Ladybug let out a choked sob and ignored his raised fist, instead tackling him in a hug. He held her tightly as she cried on his shoulder.

“I thought you were gone! I thought you were d-dead!”

“I’m here now. It’s okay.”

“Eight years, Chat,” she said, pulling back and wiping her tears away. “Eight years.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Chat Noir?” The other heroes had recovered thanks to Ladybug’s restoration, and now surrounded them, eyes wide. “Shit, it really is you,” Carapace said, staring at him.

Behind them, reporters had already started arriving, snapping photos and shouting questions.

“Chat Noir! Where have you been for the past eight years?”

“Have you returned as a hero permanently?”

“Ladybug! Did you know where he was all along?”

Chat Noir whipped his head towards them and grimaced. “Dammit. I was hoping to be out of here before they showed up.” He turned to Ladybug. “I’ll- I’ll ask Plagg to bring the miraculous back to you.” He turned and started away from them.

Ladybug stared at him. “Are you serious?” She ran after him, cutting off his path. “You do not get to just leave like that after eight years! I need an explanation!”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have one,” he said, trying to step around her.

She blocked his path. “Bullshit,” she said. “I don’t believe you. The Chat Noir I knew would never abandon Paris like that. Never. What happened, Chaton?”

He shook his head. “That’s not something I can tell you. Or anyone, really. Now let me pass.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No,” she repeated forcefully. “These past few years… I missed you, Chaton. I missed you so much.” Her voice dropped to a whisper at the end, as she stared up at him. “Please don’t leave again.”

“I’m sorry, Ladybug.” He stepped around her again, quicker this time, and used his baton to launch himself onto the rooftops of Paris. Within moments, he was gone.

Rena Rouge appeared beside Ladybug, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “What happened?” she asked softly.

“He- he left. And… he’s not coming back.”

“I’m so sorry.” Rena Rouge pulled her into a tight hug as Ladybug sobbed. The other heroes also arrived, surrounding them and blocking them from the view of the reporters as they all offered gentle words of encouragement.

Ladybug straightened, wiping away the stray tears as she fixed a smile on her face. “I’m okay. Sorry.” She looked at Rena Rouge and Carapace. “And you two have a wedding to get to. Congratulations, by the way.”

Rena Rouge frowned. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Ladybug nodded emphatically, fooling no one. “Seriously. Go.”

She finally managed to convince them to leave. Rena Rouge was the last to go. “If you need to just go home…” she offered.

“No. I’m coming to your wedding. I’m fine, Rena. Really.”

Her friend watched as she slipped away to find somewhere quiet to destransform, her brow creased with worry. If she saw that Chat again, she was going to give him a piece of her mind for abandoning Ladybug like that.

Couldn’t he see how much she needed him? Couldn’t he see how much Paris needed him?

The wedding was back on track only 15 minutes later, but Marinette decided to take a page from Adrien’s book and headed straight for the bar.

She found him there already, glass in hand.

“Come to join me?” he asked glumly.

She nodded mutely as she received her drink. She looked at him, her features anguished. “Adrien, why do you think people leave?”

“What?” That was not a question he had been expecting from Marinette at all.

“Why do people leave?” she repeated. “They have friends, people who care about them. And yet they just leave, often with no warning or communication. No reason, either. Why do they do it? Do they not realise how much they’re hurting everyone involved?”

Adrien stared down at his drink, his hand tightening around the glass. “Maybe they’re running,” he said quietly.

“From what?”

“Everything. The past. Themselves. All of it.” He drained his glass and looked at her. “Did something happen?”

“Someone close,” she whispered. “He left.”

“Do you hate him for it?” Adrien didn’t know where the question came from. Maybe he just felt saw something of himself in the situation. After all, he had left all his friends as well. When she said it, it sounded rather selfish. He wouldn’t blame her, if she hated this guy. If all of his friends blamed him, too.

She shook her head immediately, adamantly. “No. Never. I could never hate him. I just- I just miss him.” She sighed and stood up. “I’m sorry for dumping all my problems on you,” she said with a wince. “I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s okay,” he reassured her. “I understand. If you need someone to talk to about it, I’m… I’m here.” He hesitantly made the promise, unsure if it would hold true. He had never intended on strengthening connections back in Paris. In fact, he had been planning on trying to sever them completely.

But… Marinette had looked so down, so hurt. He couldn’t bear to see her so upset. If she needed someone to talk to, he would listen. Even after he went back to New York.

Whoever this guy was, he was a damned idiot. Marinette deserved better.

Just like Ladybug deserved better.

The rest of the wedding passed in a blur. Adrien barely paid attention to the speeches, and stumbled through his own about how great Nino and Alya both were. He tried to ignore the weight of the ring on his finger, tried to avoid looking down at it every five seconds.

When the wedding finally, finally, ended, Adrien went straight back to his hotel room and crashed onto his bed with a groan.

“What on Earth were you thinking?”

Adrien buried his face in his pillow, trying to drown out the sound of his kwami. “Not now, Plagg,” he mumbled. “Not ever.”

“You’re going to have to talk to me eventually. And I need food. Now.”

Adrien sat up, pulled off his ring, and set it down in front of him. “I need you to take that back to Ladybug.”

Plagg stared at him. “No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

“No means no, dumbass.” Plagg glared at him. “I’m not leaving and you can’t make me.”

“Plagg, Paris needs a Chat Noir.” Adrien shook his head and let out a huff of frustration. “I need you to do this.”

“Paris doesn’t need a Chat Noir. Paris needs you. I won’t take the miraculous back, and you have no other way to get it back to Ladybug. You’re stuck with me, Adrien. Clearly you need the supervision.”

“I’m not transforming again.” Adrien crossed his arms.

“Fine. But I’m not leaving.”

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

The sat in silence, both fuming, until Plagg broke it with a simple question. “So… where’s my cheese?”

Chapter Text

Thirteen days, 19 hours, 36 minutes and five seconds.

Ladybug paced back and forth across a Parisian rooftop, bugphone pressed to her ear as she dialled Chat Noir for the hundredth time since his reappearance.

“Chaton, please, would you just answer me, dammit. I just- I just need to know that you’re okay.” Her voice broke.

“Hey, Ladybug.” Rena Rouge and Carapace approached slowly, concern creasing their features. “Any news?”

She shook her head, putting her yoyo away. “Nothing. When we find him, I’m going to kill him.” She paced back and forth.

“Uh… Ladybug? It may be time for something more… drastic.”

Ladybug stopped pacing and turned to face her best friend. “What do you have in mind?”

Rena Rouge smiled. “Well. Here’s what I was thinking.”

Adrien didn’t know what he was still doing in Paris. He hadn’t even booked his return flight to New York yet, and the wedding was over. He had no reason left to stay.

His eye caught on Plagg sleeping soundly atop a pile of laundry. Or did he have a reason to stay?

He sighed and opened his laptop, bringing up the airline website. There was no point putting it off. He couldn’t stay in France, even if America wasn’t truly home to him. He had nowhere else to go.

He clicked through the site, searching from a flight from Paris to New York. He checked the entirety of the upcoming seven days, only to find no available flights. Frowning, he checked for flights to nearby areas, only to come up with nothing once again.

A quick internet search later, and Adrien sat with his head in his hands, swearing under his breath. Apparently, due to the recent rise in dangerous akuma attacks, airlines were unwilling to fly into Paris, or even close to it.

Not that it was just planes. Travel between London and Paris via train had been heavily restricted, due to concerns about the damage an attack on the tunnel could do. Even certain roads out of the city were blocked.

He swore again. “What am I supposed to do now?”

“Maybe instead of wallowing by yourself, you should visit your friends,” Plagg suggested with a sleepy yawn. “You have been missing for eight years, after all. And who knows? They might be able to help.”

Adrien grimaced. He had been completely neglecting his relationships here, especially Nino, even though he was the reason Adrien was there in the first place.

Adrien grabbed his phone and quickly dialled Nino. “Hey, man.”

“Hey! Where have you been?”

“Just… chilling. I was wondering whether you would like to have dinner or something? I feel like I haven’t seen you at all since I got back.”

“Of course! Did you have somewhere in mind?”

“What about the restaurant at Le Grand Paris?” Adrien suggested.

Nino agreed, and they settled on 7pm to meet for dinner. Adrien called reception and reserved a table, tucked away out of sight and out of earshot from the main section of the restaurant.

Nino was already waiting for him by the time Adrien came down for their scheduled dinner. He sat there, twisting his shining wedding band, menu untouched in front of him.

“Hi.” Adrien slid into his seat. “How are you?”

He hated how stilted the conversation was. He should be able to talk to his best friend normally, dammit.

“Good enough. Alya and I just got back from our honeymoon in Italy.” Nino straightened. “Look, man, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Before I tell you, you have to swear you won’t tell anyone else. Promise me, Adrien.”

“I promise,” Adrien said, brow creasing in confusion. “Is everything okay?”

Nino stretched out his arm and pulled up his shirtsleeve, exposing the simple bracelet on his wrist, a large piece of green stone held together with a dark brown cord. “I’m Carapace,” Nino said, staring at Adrien.

The ground dropped out from beneath him and a faint buzzing filled his ears. Nino. Carapace? He couldn’t believe it. It didn’t make any sense, and yet, made complete sense at the same time.

How had he missed it, this whole time? How had he not known his best friend was a superhero?

“Adrien? Are you still with me?” Nino waved his hand in front of Adrien’s face. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but we weren’t allowed to reveal our identities, and then you left, and then it was all complicated… but I told Ladybug I had to tell you.”

Adrien let out a slow breath. “This whole time, you’ve been a superhero?” he said, his voice barely a whisper.

“I know it sounds insane. And… well, that’s not all.”

Adrien dropped his head into his hands. “Next you’re going to tell me Alya is a superhero too.”

“She is.”

Adrien’s head snapped up so fast his neck hurt. “Excuse me?”

“She is,” Nino repeated. “Alya is Rena Rouge.”

“What?” Adrien couldn’t do anything except stare at his friend. “Why… why are you telling me all this? Why now?”

“Despite everything that happened, you’re still my best friend,” Nino said earnestly. “I know… I know the past few years have been hard for you, and I didn’t want to have to keep secrets from you any longer. I can’t lie to you anymore, Adrien. You deserve the truth.

“I told Ladybug that I’m either allowed to tell you my secret identity, or I give my miraculous back.” He shrugged, like he hadn’t just confessed he would give up on being a superhero for Adrien. “Luckily, she gave me the go-ahead to tell you.”

Adrien still just stared at him, tears prickling the back of his eyes. “Thank you, Nino,” was all he managed to say.

The waiter arrived then, to bring them some drinks and take their orders. The TV on the wall next to them switched on to primetime television, hosted by Nadja Chamack. Adrien almost choked on his drink when he saw Ladybug sitting across from her, beside Rena Rouge.

His gaze shot to Nino. “What are they doing up there?”

Nino smiled faintly. “You’ll see. I was supposed to be there, too, but this was more important.”

Nadja began speaking. “So, Ladybug, let’s start with the current threat to Paris. What can you tell us about the new holder of the butterfly miraculous?”

Ladybug answered the questions one after another smoothly and without pause. Adrien watched, his lips curling up into a smile.

It was nice to know that even after eight years, Ladybug was still Ladybug in the way she effortlessly dealt with the press. Even so, he recognised the way she was twisting her hands together, a nervous tic that was also reminiscent of their early crime fighting days.

Nino and Adrien’s main courses arrived, and they ate quietly, still watching the interview. The next question made Adrien stop, holding his breath as he waited for Ladybug’s answer.

“Ladybug, it’s no secret that you have turned down every interview offer made to you since your first and only interview alongside Chat Noir over eight years ago. My question is, what made you reach out to us today to schedule this interview?”

Ladybug expression turned serious. “There is one reason, and one reason only, I’m here. As I’m sure everyone knows, Chat Noir returned briefly two weeks ago and has been missing ever since. Every call has gone ignored, and this is my last attempt to get his attention.” She turned and stared straight into the camera, her blue eyes so piercing Adrien felt like they punctured through him.

“Chat Noir, wherever you are, you need to come back. Paris needs you, and I… I need you.” Her voice broke. “Whatever is going on, we can sort it out. But it’s time for you to live up to your hero name and come save the world from the evil that threatens it.”

Adrien’s grip tightened around his fork. She had his attention, alright. How could she put out a demand for his presence so publicly? How could she tell everyone that there was something going on?

Nadja stared at her in stunned silence, but quickly recovered her senses. “Well,” she said brightly. “Hopefully that brings Chat Noir back to Paris to help. Rena Rouge, do you-”

Ladybug and Rena Rouge stood up. “Thank you for your time, Nadja,” Rena Rouge said smoothly. “The two of us must be going now. City to protect, and all that.”

The two heroes disappeared from view, and the TV quickly cut to commercials. Adrien swung his gaze back to Nino. “Did you know about this?” he demanded.

“Yes. I helped come up with the plan. Although most of it was Alya’s idea. Why do you sound so angry?”

Adrien scoffed. “Did it maybe occur to you that Chat Noir doesn’t want to come back? That such a public display will only expose the cracks within the superhero team, and make it more easy to exploit?”

Nino stared back at him steadily. “We had no other choice. Chat Noir wasn’t responding to anyone, and no one knows his identity. We’ll deal with the consequences as they come.”

Adrien dragged a hand through his hair. “Why do any of you want him back, anyway? There are plenty of heroes.”

“Because no one understands Ladybug the way he did.” Nino shook his head. “She needs him. And he’s one of the best heroes Paris has ever had. Look at the way he took down that akuma two weeks ago. The rest of us struggled, and he did it without even trying. Look, to be honest, I didn’t like Chat Noir to begin with either. But he’s vital to the team. Hawkmoth…” Nino cringed at the mention of Adrien’s father but continued anyway. “He never would have been defeated without Chat Noir.”

“Chat Noir is the reason my father is dead,” Adrien snapped. “He hurt so many people. With the power of destruction, what can we expect? Paris is better off without him.”

“You can’t honestly believe that, can you?” Nino stared at Adrien. “Who are you?”

Adrien laughed humourlessly, shoving back his chair to stand up. “I guess I changed the day my father was outed as a supervillain and died.” He walked away, ignoring Nino’s calls for him to stop.

Adrien headed straight up to his room and ordered drinks through room service. He tucked himself on the floor in the corner between the bed and the wall.

Plagg flew up to him. “Adrien,” the kwami started, but Adrien held up his hand and shook his head.

“Not tonight, Plagg. Please leave me alone.”

Adrien tipped the bottle back, feeling the liquid burn down his throat, wishing that it would numb his emotions faster. Bring him to the point of blacking out sooner, so he didn’t have to feel anything. So he didn’t have to think about anything, or dwell on his mistakes anymore.

Chapter Text

“It didn’t work,” Marinette mumbled. Her face was pressed into the kitchen table, while Alya tapped away on her computer on an article. “He’s never coming back.”

“We don’t know that for sure yet,” Alya replied, sounding unconvinced in her own statement. “Besides, maybe he didn’t see it.”

“Everyone saw it, Alya,” Marinette grumbled, sitting up. She combed her fingers through her hair. “He’s just decided to disappear again.”

Alya sighed. “Maybe he just needs time to process.”

Marinette slammed her hands against the table. “He’s had time to process! A whole week! Not to mention the eight years before that. I don’t know what he’s doing, honestly.”

“I don’t know what else we can do,” Alya replied, closing her computer and standing up. “I think all that we can do now is wait.”

The doorbell rung, and Alya sprung to her feet. “That’ll be Nino. Come on, Marinette, let’s go.”

They headed outside where Nino was waiting for them. “Ready to go?” he asked. Alya slipped her arm through his and smiled. “Yes.”

The three of them piled into Nino’s car, and he drove them through Paris to a nearby event hall. The class from Francois-Dupont had arranged a get together, to catch up with one another on the events of the past several years since most of them had seen each other.

It didn’t take long for Alya to ditch Marinette, heading off to talk to Ivan and Mylene. Marinette looked around helplessly, before heading over to the drinks table. At least if she had a cup in her hand she wouldn’t look so alone.

She talked to Alix for a while, who was working with her brother and dad in the museum. “I’ve got the insider scoop on history,” she said with a wink. “Their job is to find the physical evidence to support my stories.”

Rose and Juleka joined their conversation, and the three of them caught up on each other’s lives.

Rose was in the middle of telling them about some of the antics of the adorable four-year-olds in her kindergarten class, when she stopped suddenly. “Is that Adrien?” she said, staring at the door, eyes wide with surprise. “I didn’t realise he was still in Paris!”

Within moments, Adrien was surrounded by former classmates, all clamouring to talk to him. He shifted uncomfortably in the middle of the throng.

Nino and Alya arrived next to Marinette. Nino shook his head. “I can’t believe he actually came,” he mumbled. “He’s been ghosting me all week.”

Alya’s gaze turned steely. “I’ll talk to him.”

“Alya-”

She was already gone. Nino turned to Marinette. “We should go, too.”

Marinette nodded. “Definitely.”

They hurried after Alya, who had already broken through the small crowd that had formed around Adrien. She said a few words to him, which Marinette and Nino were too far away to hear, but moments later, both Alya and Adrien were heading away from the crowd.

They followed them around a corner, into a secluded area separated from the majority of the class reunion. Alya spun around to face Adrien, hands on her hips.

“Why have you been ghosting Nino?” she demanded.

Adrien crossed his arms. “Why do you think, Rena Rouge?”

Nino and Marinette arrived, but all they could do was stand there haplessly as Alya and Adrien argued.

“What, are you mad that he didn’t tell you the truth sooner? What is it about our superhero identities that you have a problem with?”

“I don’t have a problem with your identities! It’s just… I’m not-” Adrien let out a huff of frustration. “Look, I’m not the same person I was back in school. I think… I think it’d be best if we went our separate ways.”

They all stared at him in shock. “You can’t be serious,” Alya breathed. “Are you for real right now?”

“What?” Nino stared at him. “You want to just go separate ways? What the hell, man?”

“Look at us.” Adrien let out a humourless laugh, flinging his arm out to gesture to their small group. “Two superheroes, a girl who might as well be a superhero because she’s just a genuinely good person, and the son of a supervillain. One of us doesn’t fit in this equation, and we all know who it is.” He turned to leave, his eyes burning. He wished he could stay; he wanted nothing more than a carefree afternoon with his best friends.

But he didn’t deserve it. It was safer for them – for all of them – if he cut all ties now. He traced his thumb over his ring mindlessly, the once comforting action now just a reminder of his failures.

Marinette grabbed his wrist, turning him back around to face her. Her bluebell eyes were full of determination, and her grip was tight and unrelenting. “No. You don’t get to walk out on this conversation, Adrien. I know you’re hurting, I do.” He couldn’t bear the overwhelming compassion on her face. “But cutting us out isn’t the way to deal with this. Let us help you. Please, we just want to help.”

He hesitated. His heart ached for their company, which he had missed, oh how much he had missed it, since he left Paris. Every day, he had moments when he reached for his phone to message Nino, to call him.

Something stopped him every time.

His friends deserved something normal, someone normal, not him, the screwed up mess of a human that he was.

“Please, Adrien.” Nino joined in as well. “No matter what happens, what has happened, you’re still my best bud. No superhero identity could ever change that.”

The tears that had been building in his eyes finally sprung free, rolling down his face. For the first time in years, he let himself cry, let himself feel all the pain of what had happened. Losing his friends, his family, Plagg, everyone.

His friends (because that’s what they were, no matter how hard he tried to push them away) pulled him into a tight hug, the three of them holding him up. Holding him together.

Adrien didn’t know how long they stood there, his friend supporting him as he sobbed, as he let himself feel something true since his father’s betrayal.

Their moment was interrupted by an explosion in the distance, as the three of them separated themselves. Nino looked at Adrien, expression conflicted.

“I don’t have to fight,” he said. “The other heroes can handle it without me.”

Adrien shook his head. “Go. Paris needs you right now. I’ll still be here when you return.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Nino replied, gaze locked on Adrien’s. “We still have a lot to talk about.”

Adrien nodded. “I know.” He looked Alya, then Marinette. “You two should go, too. Find somewhere safe.” The last statement was directed at Marinette, who simply bit her lip and nodded.

Nino and Alya transformed and headed off to face the villain, who had decimated the Eiffel Tower already. Marinette also disappeared, although where to, Adrien didn’t know.

The moment he was alone, Plagg zipped into view. “Are you going to go help them?” he asked, watching Adrien carefully.

Adrien let out a slow breath. “Yes. And… I need to talk to Ladybug. I owe her an explanation, at least before I give up my miraculous.”

“You’re… you’re giving your miraculous back?” Plagg’s voice was flat, emotionless.

“I have to,” Adrien said, strained. He looked down at the ring on his finger, and clenched his hand into a fist. “I’m still not a worthy holder.”

Before Plagg could respond, Adrien whispered his transformation words, for what he suspected would very well be the last time.

By the time Chat Noir arrived at the scene, Ladybug was throwing her Lucky Charm in the air, reversing the damage caused. The Eiffel Tower was restored, for what had to have been the thousandth time, along with the crushed cars and broken roads.

Chat stood there awkwardly, wondering whether he should just leave, but it was too late. Queen Bee turned and spotted him, her eyes widening and her spinner falling from her hand. “Chat Noir?”

Ladybug whirled around, gaze landing on him. She sprinted towards him, moving faster than he had ever seen from her. He braced himself, waiting for… he didn’t know. Would she yell at him?

Instead, she pulled him into a tight hug, so tight he could hardly breathe. “Ladybug,” he choked out. “I can’t- I can’t breathe.”

She let go, staring up at him, her brow furrowing angrily. “Where have you been?” she demanded. “Where were you?” Her voice cracked at the end, her brow remaining furrowed and furious even as her eyes welled with tears.

“I…” He looked around. All the other heroes were still gathered, watching the scene unfold. “Can we talk about this somewhere else?”

She stopped, realising everyone was still there. “Rooftop,” she said. “If I let go, are you going to leave again?”

“No,” he replied softly. “I owe you an explanation.”

She nodded and let go. “Alright.” She dismissed the rest of the heroes, reminding them to check the roster for their patrols. Chat thought back to the early days, when it was just them, doing the patrols together every day.

The heroes of Paris had come so far, especially Ladybug.

They both made their way to the rooftop, in front of the Eiffel Tower. Ladybug turned to him, arms crossed. “Are you staying?” she asked quietly.

He shook his head, unable to speak through the lump in his throat. This was it, he realised. This was the last time he would see Ladybug as her partner, her equal. He missed who they had been. The long afternoons spent on patrols together, the silly games they played, the stories they shared to pass the time.

She knew him, inside and out, and this… this was the end.

“Why not?” Her voice was raw, pained.

“I can’t. I…” He shook his head. Took a deep breath. “I need to tell you the truth. Of what happened when we defeated…”

“Hawkmoth?”

He nodded. “What happened… it was the reason I left. I left the country and left my miraculous here. I couldn’t bear to face anyone. I couldn’t face you.”

Ladybug took a step towards him, her brow creased. “Nothing is too big for us to overcome, Chaton. Whatever it is, you can trust me with it. I won’t judge you for it. I understand the weight being a superhero carries.”

He looked at her, pain ravaging his features. “I used my power in a terrible way,” he whispered. “I destroyed everything. I ruined lives. After that… how could I call myself a hero?”

“Chat…” she said. Gently, she squeezed his hand. She didn’t know what to say to that. What had happened that was so terrible, that had irrevocably changed him?

When he looked at her, his expression was just so tired. So agonised. He had carried his secrets with him for the past eight years, alone, without a confidant. “I don’t know what to do,” he said helplessly. “I tried to run from it, but it didn’t work. No matter how far I go, I can’t stop thinking about it. Hating myself for it.” He let out a long breath and looked at her, memorising her features.

Her expression was so open, so understanding, it almost hurt. He braced himself for the shift, for the disgust and apprehension that would be sure to replace it once he told her what happened.

He sighed, closing his eyes, and for the first time in eight years, he allowed himself to remember that awful, terrible day, and finally spoke of what happened aloud.

Chapter Text

Over the past few months, Hawkmoth had been growing bolder, or perhaps more desperate with his attacks. Ever since he was defeated on Heroes’ Day, akumas grew more frequent, sometimes multiple times a day.

A few people even reported sightings of the supervillain in the city, enough that Ladybug and Chat Noir believed them to be true.

Ladybug and Chat Noir sat on a rooftop together, each with an ice-cream cone in hand. Not from André (they didn’t know where he was) but from a local place that was almost as good. “What’s the plan, m’lady?” Chat Noir asked, with a soft glance in her direction.

She took a scoop of her ice-cream. “We need to draw him out again, but this time to somewhere controlled by us. We need something to tempt him.”

“What could that possibly be?”

“The miracle box.”

Chat’s eyes widened. “You’re going to risk that?”

“Not truly. Well, we have to. I’m going to switch out all the real miraculous for fakes and lock it so only I can open it. But it’ll have a tracker on it so that we can follow him back to his lair.”

“Won’t he suspect it’s too easy, though?” Chat Noir crossed his arms, considering her plan.

“No. Because we’ll fight for it. But we have to let him think he beat us, while we still manage to escape.”

Chat considered her plan, then nodded. “Okay. I can do that. I’m an excellent actor, you know.”

Ladybug grinned. “Sure, Chaton. I don’t think we even have to be that good for Hawkmoth to fall for it. He isn’t exactly the sharpest tool in the shed.”

“I know.” Chat snorted. “Who akumatises Mr Pigeon multiple times?”

They finished fleshing out their plan, and the next day, they set it into action when an akuma villain appeared. Ladybug made a show of accidentally-on-purpose giving out the miraculous in an obvious location, where Hawkmoth would be able to see.

He took the bait.

Less than fifteen minutes later, he arrived at the battle, in all his tacky costumed glory. Ladybug and Chat Noir fought valiantly against him to ‘protect’ the miracle box, but ultimately, Hawkmoth was able to snatch it from them.

Chat Noir’s ring beeped out a warning, and he cursed and ducked away from the battle. Moments later, Ladybug’s earrings did the same, and she glanced desperately at the miracle box and Hawkmoth before disappearing as well.

Moments later, Ladybug and Chat Noir quietly followed Hawkmoth from a distance as he lowered himself down into the sewers. They followed him for what felt like forever, winding through the vast interconnected network beneath Paris.

At one point, Chat Noir stopped and mimed a gagging motion to Ladybug, screwing up his nose at the stench. She grinned.

Finally, finally, Hawkmoth stopped outside a rusted metal door and pulled it open, stepping through. Chat Noir and Ladybug exchanged a glance, and Ladybug nodded.

Silently, they crept after him. Ladybug tugged open the door, wincing, but fortunately, it opened without a sound.

They emerged into a beautiful garden, which made them both pause, looking at each other in bewilderment. A little further on, a large golden coffin sat in the centre, and past it, Hawkmoth was striding down a long, suspended walkway.

Ladybug flung her yoyo, wrapping it around Hawkmoth and keeping him in place. He spun in their direction, eyes narrowed and furious. “Ladybug,” he spat. She and Chat Noir leapt forward as Hawkmoth pulled her yoyo off him like it was nothing.

Thus commenced the battle, with Chat Noir and Ladybug trying their hardest to match the supervillain, to no avail. He had the advantage of the narrow walkway, which forced them to attack one at a time, rather than being able to use their numbers advantage.

Ladybug called up her lucky charm, getting a stuffed cat toy. She pulled a face, searching for a possible use for it, before giving up and securing it at her waist. She’d find a use for it eventually. She always did.

Chat Noir charged, baton raised, but Hawkmoth blocked his strike with his cane, and countered by kicking Chat Noir backwards. He went flying, landing at the foot of the strange coffin.

As he clambered to his feet, he turned, eyes landing on the figure in the coffin. He spun around, a choked noise escaping. “What is she doing here?” he said, voice shaking.

Hawkmoth’s expression darkened. “Everything I do is for her,” he said, as he knocked Ladybug back with his cane. “Everything. Why do you think I want your miraculous?”

He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think, he couldn’t do anything-

Ladybug stopped, turning to him, concern spreading across her features. “Chat-”

She didn’t get a chance to finish. Hawkmoth saw his opportunity and hit her with his cane as full force. She flew across the space, slamming into the glass elevator at the opposite end of the walkway with a sickening crack as her head took the brunt of the impact. She fell to the ground, motionless.

Chat Noir stared at her body, horrified. “What did you do?” he breathed.

Hawkmoth didn’t even look at her. “She’ll live,” he said. “You superheroes always do. Now get away from my wife.”

Chat Noir just stared at him. “You mean to tell me that everything you’ve done, everything has been to bring her back?”

“Of course it has,” he snarled, approaching quickly. “Now move, before I make you.”

Chat Noir swallowed. “This whole time,” he whispered. “It’s been you. Gabriel Agreste, Hawkmoth.”

Hawkmoth ran at him, cane raised. Chat Noir just stared at him, expression heavy. The impact knocked him off his feet, sending him flying into the water.

For a moment, briefly, he considered not swimming out. Not returning to the surface, to face his father, the supervillain. But then… then who would protect Ladybug? The world?

No. He was a superhero, and he had a job to do. Regardless of personal connections. Despite them.

He leapt from the water, shaking himself off as he raised his baton. “What about the rest of your family? Don’t they matter to you?”

Hawkmoth glared at him. “I have no other family. She’s the only one who matters.”

“What about your son?” Chat Noir stood there, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. “Does he not matter to you?”

“He is only a painful reminder of her,” Hawkmoth snapped. “And you would do well to stay out of my family business.” He struck with his cane.

Chat Noir blocked and parried. “Why would I do that? This concerns me, too.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“Yes, it does. Father.”

Hawkmoth stopped, staring at him in disbelief. “No. It can’t be.”

“Yes. It can.” He distanced himself from Hawkmoth, before detransforming. Adrien lifted his eyes. “Do I really mean that little to you? A painful reminder, that’s it?”

“Give me your miraculous.”

“No.” Adrien clenched his fist. “This isn’t what she would’ve wanted. Do you know how much pain and destruction you’ve caused?”

“I would do it all again, more, to bring her back,” he snapped, rapidly approaching. “You have the power to bring her back, and yet, you refuse.”

He quickly murmured his transformation words and shifted his feet into a stable stance. “I’m trying to do the right thing for the world,” he said, ignoring the ache in his chest. “Mom would be horrified if she knew what you were doing. Please. Just… surrender your miraculous. End the cycle here.”

Hawkmoth’s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. “You dare ask me to surrender? After all I’ve been through to bring her back? No. If you cared about family, you would give me your miraculous. Let me bring her back, for both our sakes.”

Chat Noir took a deep breath. He thought of his mother, who had been a vibrant, shining light in his life when he was a child. She had never been one to waste a moment, and he knew she wouldn’t want them to, either. He managed to speak past the lump in his throat, through the tears already forming in his eyes. Silently, he said goodbye to his mother. “I can’t do that, Father.”

He stared at him, and in that moment, he was fully Hawkmoth. No trace of the Gabriel Agreste Adrien had thought he knew. No trace of his father. “Then you are not my son anymore.”

The words punched through Adrien, and he stumbled back, even as he raised his baton. “I miss her, I really do. But we can’t doom someone else to die in her place.” His voice broke as he thought of his mother, and how much he wished he could see her again. Speak to her again. Hear her tell him everything would be alright, even when it all seemed impossible.

“I can and I will,” Hawkmoth growled as he lunged forward, striking with his cane, which Chat Noir easily parried. “You don’t get to have an opinion anymore. Not after you made the wrong choice.”

Chat Noir paused, breathing hard, as he stared at his father. Hawkmoth met his gaze head on, furious. He realised then, that he had been living with a stranger for the past 15 years. He didn’t even know his own father at all.

“Are you sure we can’t just talk about this?” Chat Noir blocked Hawkmoth’s cane with his staff, eyes pleading. “Please, father. You don’t have to do this.”

“I already told you,” Hawkmoth snapped, pulling back and preparing for his next attack, “you are not my son anymore. She died saving you, and now you won’t even help bring her back!”

Chat’s staff clattered to the ground. “What do you mean, she died saving me?”

“You were sick,” Hawkmoth said, advancing slowly. “The doctors told us it was a rare, incurable disease, one with no research about it. Emilie… Emilie used the broken peacock miraculous and made a sentimonster with the ability to heal you. And it killed her.”

Chat couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. He vaguely remembered those days, when he had been so, so sick. The cough that had wracked his entire body, and the deep ache in his bones that wouldn’t seem to go away.

Until, one day, it did. It went away, and he was fine, but his mom wasn’t. She had grown sicker and sicker, until she was bedridden. Still, even then, she always smiled when Adrien came to visit her.

Chat didn’t even bother to move as Hawkmoth knocked him into the wall, where he crashed to the ground beside Ladybug’s limp form. He didn’t want to get up, didn’t want to have to fight his father.

He didn’t want to fight the man who was hurting, because of him.

But he had to do it for them.

For Ladybug, who had fought so hard to protect Paris, who had always been right there by his side. Ladybug, who was injured and unconscious on the ground beside him, and needed his help.

For his mom, who was the softest, most caring person he knew, who would hate what his father was doing. He owed it to her, and to her memory, to protect people, just like she would’ve. Just like she did, for him.

So he got to his feet, gripping his staff tightly.

The fight resumed once more, fierce and intense as neither let up. Adrien poured out all his anger and resentment of the past few years since his mom’s death. And Gabriel… he fought with the intensity of a desperate man fighting for love.

Chat Noir called up his cataclysm, the action second nature by that point. He lunged forward, attacking with his baton in one hand, his cataclysm ready in the other hand.

Hawkmoth blocked and parried. “I see you’ve been putting your fencing lessons to use,” he spat. “Not in the way you should be.” He forced his son back down the walkway, almost to Emilie’s coffin.

Chat lost his balance, his foot slipping and his hand came dangerously close to his mother’s coffin. Hawkmoth grabbed his other arm at the last moment, yanking him forward to the ground. “So careless,” he growled. “You don’t deserve that miraculous.”

Chat Noir got to his feet, eyes burning. “I would say you don’t deserve yours. At least I’m trying to save people, not hurt them!”

“Saving everyone except your mother. Except the one person who actually matters.” Hawkmoth struck again, but Chat ducked past his blow, hand outstretched, aiming for the walkway beneath them.

If he cataclysmed it, sending them both tumbling into the water, perhaps he could overpower Hawkmoth in the confusion. He wouldn’t beat him in a one-on-one up here, but if he could change the setting…

Hawkmoth, seeing the dodge, pulled out of his attack and swung his cane around, hitting Chat Noir in the stomach, knocking the breath out of him.

The motion wasn’t strong enough to force him back. No, his body snapped up upon impact, but he continued to fall forwards, hands outstretched in a desperate and futile effort to maintain his balance, and his cataclysm…

Hawkmoth’s mouth opened in a silent gasp as he looked down at where Chat Noir’s hand had connected with his chest. Already, a dark stain spread out, across the purple of his suit.

Chat Noir snatched his hand back, as if he could undo what he had done, but it was too late. His green eyes went wide and his knees folded beneath him as he started in horror at the damage his cataclysm had caused.

Hawkmoth fell to the ground, onto his knees, hands pressed to his chest. The cataclysm had already spread to his neck and shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” Chat Noir sobbed. “I’m sorry I’m sorry, it was an accident, I’m sorry-” He got to his feet, stumbling towards where Ladybug had fallen. If she used her miraculous ladybug, maybe she could fix it. She could fix it.

There was no other option.

He froze as he got closer, seeing Ladybug’s feet peeking out from behind the railing. Her civilian form. He was too late. Her five minutes were up, she had detransformed, and he was too late.

He ended up back by his father’s side, tears streaking down his face. Somewhere between Ladybug and his father, he had detransformed, and Plagg hovered nearby, rendered speechless for the first time in centuries.

Adrien pulled the butterfly miraculous free, discarding it to the ground. His body shuddered as he tried to hold in his sobs. Gabriel’s skin cracked as the darkness spread, closer and closer to his face.

“I’m sorry, father,” Adrien said, choking on his words. “I’m so sorry.”

“Adrien…” Gabriel’s gaze turned upward, past Adrien’s face. “Emilie…”

His chest went still, his eyes dimming. Even the progress of the cataclysm stilled, for it had succeeded in its destruction.

Adrien didn’t know how long he knelt beside his father’s body, hands clenched, head bowed, body trembling. “Adrien-” Plagg tried to speak, only for Adrien to snap his head up, fury burning in his eyes.

“Don’t,” he said sharply. “This is your power, Plagg. It only ever destroys things! It’s destroyed everything! I’ve destroyed everything.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Adrien took a shaky breath. “Everything’s my fault. I never should have been a holder. I’m not worthy.”

Plagg’s eyes widened as he realised what came next. “Don’t-”

Adrien slipped his ring off his finger. “Plagg, I renounce you.”

The kwami disappeared from view, back into his miraculous. Adrien stared down at the ring. He remembered when he first found the miracle box. He had been so excited to be a hero, ignorant of the responsibilities.

And now he was a murderer. He had killed his own father with the cursed power of destruction.

He never should have been a hero. He wasn’t a hero anymore. Adrien doubted he ever had been. An imposter playing the hero, who couldn’t even save his only family when it really mattered.

Shakily, Adrien stood, swallowing as he looked down at the body of his father. His hands shook. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice cracking.

Then, Adrien turned and fled.

Chapter Text

When Marinette came to, the first thing she realised was that she was back in her civilian form. She panicked, hands flying to her ears, breath whooshing out as she realised both were still there.

Tikki hovered next to her anxiously. “Marinette! Are you okay?”

She pressed a hand to her pounding head. “I have no idea what happened. Wait. Chat Noir!” She leapt to her feet, rushing through her transformation words. She sprinted down the walkway, towards the prone form lying in the centre.

“No no no…” She stopped short at the unexpected face. “Gabriel Agreste?”

Hesitantly, she knelt beside him, feeling for a pulse. “Mr Agreste? Can you hear me?” she said. No response, no pulse. She stood, looking around. “Chat Noir? Are you here?”

She didn’t know what to do. She’d never had to deal with something like this without him by her side before. She spotted the butterfly miraculous, discarded haphazardly next to him, and the air whooshed out of her.

Slowly, the pieces clicked into place. Emilie Agreste in the coffin. Gabriel Agreste and the butterfly miraculous.

Gabriel Agreste was Hawkmoth.

At least, he had been.

Shakily, she reached for her yoyo, activating the phone. She punched in the number that had been drilled into her since she was little, waiting, with trembling hands, as it rung.

“Hello, you’ve reached the Dupain-Cheng bakery, Sabine speaking, how can I help you?”

At the sound of her mother’s voice, her legs nearly gave way beneath her. “Mom,” she said, voice shaking. “It’s me.”

“Marinette? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I… Something happened. Hawkmoth…”

“Are you hurt?” Her mother sounded panicked. “Where are you?”

“No, no, I’m fine. He… I think he’s dead and I don’t know what to do, we were fighting him and I got knocked out and now he’s dead and I don’t know what to do.” The words came out of her in a rushed mess, as the gravity of the situation slammed into her. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered.

“Okay, Marinette, first, I need you to tell me where you are.”

“I’m- I’m at the Agreste mansion. In the basement, I think. Hawkmoth, he is- he was Gabriel Agreste.”

“Okay. Darling, what I need you to do, is call an ambulance. Got it? And are you transformed at the moment?”

“I am- wait, how did you know?”

“Sweetie, we’ve known for a while. We suspected something was wrong, and we pieced it together from there. Right now, that doesn’t matter. The main thing is that we get through this. Okay?”

She nodded, then remembered her mom couldn’t see her. “Okay.”

“Once you’ve called the ambulance, come home. Okay? We’ll figure it out together from there.”

She thanked her mom and said goodbye, before dialling 112. She quickly explained where she was, and the situation. At first, she had to convince them she wasn’t a prank caller. No, she was actually Ladybug, Hawkmoth was actually dead, and he was Gabriel Agreste, please come quickly.

Once they were convinced enough to come, she shakily stood and made her way to the elevator. She supposed that was how Gabriel usually got down here from the main house, and the police and paramedics needed a way through. The sewers probably weren’t the best option.

The elevator took her into a room in the Agreste mansion, as she suspected, in front of Emilie’s portrait. The emergency services arrived mere moments later, mouths dropping open at the sight of Ladybug.

She didn’t say anything; she simply led them down to where Gabriel’s body was. The officers stared at the scene, eyes wide.

Ladybug scooped up the butterfly miraculous and strode towards the exit via the sewer. “I’ll leave you to deal with this,” she called behind her.

“Wait! Ladybug, where are you going?”

“I have business to take care of,” she returned, not looking back. She took off through the sewers, anxious to get out of there so she could call Chat Noir and find out what happened, and where he had gone.

The phone rang and rang, before going to voicemail. “Chat,” she said. “Where are you? We need to talk. Please.”

She continued on her way, towards the Dupain-Cheng bakery, a small map open on her yoyo screen. When she got close, she detransformed, pulling herself out of the sewer onto the street. Fortunately, no one was around to see her less than graceful entrance.

The moment she stepped foot inside the bakery, her parents were both there, enveloping her in a tight hug, and she broke down into tears, sobbing.

Her mom led her into the living room and sat her down gently, while her dad filled a glass of water for her. “Marinette,” her mom said, as softly as possible, “do you want to tell us what happened?”

Marinette stammered her way through an explanation, of how they had followed Hawkmoth back to his lair, and how she had been knocked out during the battle. How when she woke up, Chat Noir was gone and Hawkmoth – Gabriel Agreste – was dead.

“I think… I think Chat killed him,” she confessed. “I don’t know what else could have happened. But now he’s disappeared and I don’t know what happened to him and I need to know he’s okay-”

“Marinette.” Her mom pressed the glass of water into her hands. “It’s going to be okay. Just breathe. Let’s take this one step at a time, all right?”

She nodded, sipping on her water. “Okay.”

“All right. First, we should probably go to the hospital. You might have a concussion.”

Marinette winced. “I didn’t think I could get a concussion while transformed.”

“You’ve never been hit that hard before, though,” Tikki added, zipping into view. “Miraculous holders are way stronger than an akumatised villain.”

Marinette grudgingly agreed, if only because her head really was pounding at that point. On the drive over, she looked at her mom. “How long have you known that I’m…”

“A while now,” Sabine replied, eyes fixed on the road. “We figured something was going on, but we weren’t sure what. We looked for you, during an akuma attack near home, but couldn’t find you, only for you to miraculously appear after the villain had been defeated. After that… the pattern became clear.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“We didn’t want to stress you out. And we guessed there was a reason you didn’t want to tell us. We trust you, Marinette, and we believed you would come to us if you needed us.” She smiled.

They pulled into the hospital carpark. Once inside, Sabine spoke to the reception staff, inventing a story about how she got hit in the head. The receptionist told them to take a seat in the waiting room.

Marinette leaned her head against her mom’s shoulder, eyes drifting closed, when news coverage from the television mounted on the wall made her shoot upright, attention snapping to the screen.

“-Clara is on scene now, where the supervillain Hawkmoth was defeated, and unmasked. Clara, what’s going on?”

Clara stood in front of the Agreste mansion, reporters clamouring at the gates all around her. “The supervillain Hawkmoth was revealed just this afternoon to be the famous fashion designer, Gabriel Agreste, who operated from the basement of his home, here in Paris.” She gestured to the mansion behind her. “Emergency services received a call from Ladybug this afternoon, informing them of the location of Hawkmoth’s lair. When they arrived, Ladybug departed, and they found Gabriel Agreste, deceased. There has been no sign of Chat Noir amongst the chaos. Now, the question is, what happened to Gabriel Agreste? And where did the superheroes disappear to?”

Marinette felt sick, and she knew it wasn’t the potential concussion. Her mom squeezed her hand. “It’ll be all right,” she whispered.

But Marinette wasn’t convinced. Hawkmoth, dead. Chat Noir, missing.

And…

“Adrien!” she gasped. She had no idea where he was, or if he’d heard the news yet, but when he did…

She reached for her phone and called Alya. Her best friend answered almost immediately. “Marinette! Have you heard?”

“Yes,” she said. “Have you heard from Nino? Or Adrien?”

“Nino and I are having lunch together. But no, neither of us have spoken to Adrien. Have you?”

“No.” Marinette bit her lip. “He shouldn’t be alone when he hears the news, that’s all.”

“You’re right. Nino, call Adrien. Mari, where are you?”

“I…” she grimaced. “The hospital.”

“What? What are you doing there?”

“I… I hit my head,” she replied. “You know me. Superrr clumsy.”

Alya was too distracted to notice her awkward explanation. “I’ll be there right away. Nino is going to call Adrien.”

Ten minutes later, Alya was there in the waiting room with Marinette, twisting her hands. Adrien hadn’t answered any of Nino’s calls. Or Alya’s. Or Marinette’s.

Marinette was beginning to worry about him, but there was nothing she could do. At least, nothing she could do while she was sitting in the hospital waiting room.

By the time her name was called, Marinette was ready to run out the hospital to search for Adrien herself, concussion be damned. The doctor confirmed what she already knew: a concussion.

She listened half-heartedly to the doctor’s instructions for care, knowing full well the moment she was out she was going to transform and she was going to find both Chat Noir and Adrien.

She headed straight for the door the moment she could, and Alya ran after her, grabbing her arm. “Marinette, what are you doing? The doctor said you need to rest. And home is that way.” She jabbed her thumb in the opposite direction.

“I can’t rest now, Alya.”

“Mari, Adrien will be all right. The police are looking for him as well. Once he’s found, we’ll be there to support him.”

Marinette hesitated, before meeting Alya’s gaze, expression deadly serious. “If I tell you a secret, can you swear you won’t tell anyone?”

“What is it, Marinette?”

She looked around. “Not here. Come on.”

She led the way to a nearby park, with no one in sight. Marinette sat down on one of the benches, motioning for Alya to join her.

She looked at her best friend. “I’m… I have something I need to tell you,” she began, biting her lip. “I’m… I’m Ladybug.”

Alya stared at her in stunned silence.

“I need to look for Chat Noir,” she continued, her gaze dropping to the ground. “We fought Hawkmoth and now I don’t know where he is. He wasn’t answering any of my calls or messages and I’m worried about him. I was out for most of the fight and the Chat I know wouldn’t just leave me there.”

“You… you think Chat Noir killed Hawkmoth?” Alya whispered.

Slowly, Marinette dragged her gaze to her friend’s and nodded slightly. “I don’t think he meant to,” she said quietly. “I think it was an accident. But whatever happened, I just… I need to know that he’s okay.”

Alya nodded and pulled Marinette into a tight hug. “Thank you for trusting me with this,” she said, her words muffled. “I won’t tell anyone. I promise. And I’ll help you find Chat Noir. And Adrien.”

Marinette smiled. “Thank you, Alya. You have no idea how much that means to me. And… how does Rena Rouge feel about helping? I have a plan.”

Chat Noir fled across the rooftops of Paris, no destination in mind. He didn’t stop, not even as his legs shook and he could barely see through the haze of tears clouding his vision.

He stumbled as his transformation ran out, nearly falling off the edge of the roof he was on.

“Woah, woah, woah!” Plagg hovered in front of him. “Adrien…”

Adrien stared at him, a desperate rage building inside him. “This is all your fault,” he snapped. “Your cursed power. All it does is destroy, and ruin things.” He stared at the ring on his finger. “I wish I was never chosen for this.”

“You don’t mean that,” Plagg said, his tone betraying his hurt.

“I do! What good is destruction? I’m sick of ruining things. Everything I touch, I ruin. My mom is dead, my dad is dead, and Ladybug…” he shook his head. “Once she finds out what I did, she’s never going to want to see me again. Why would she? I’ve lost everything.”

“You haven’t lost me,” Plagg said softly. “I’m still with you.”

“I wish I didn’t have you,” Adrien snapped. “If it weren’t for the miraculous, my life would be normal! I wish I’d never met you.”

Plagg flinched as Adrien tore the ring off his finger. “Plagg, I renounce you.”

The kwami didn’t have the chance to say anything before he vanished back into the ring.

Adrien screamed and hurtled the ring across the roof, where it bounced, then rolled, and finally went still. His knees folded and he buried his face in his hands, body shaking as he sobbed.

Both his parents were dead, and it was all his fault. His mom had died because she saved his life. And he had killed his own father, with his own hands, and own poorly controlled powers.

Adrien didn’t know how long he sat there. His phone kept vibrating in his pocket. First, Nino, multiple times, then Alya, and Marinette. After their calls, came Nathalie’s and Gorilla’s, and then finally an unknown number.

He grew sick of it and pulled his phone out of his pocket and threw it across the roof. Then, for good measure, he stood up and walked over to it, picking it up and hurtling it over the edge of the roof.

It landed on the opposite side with a distant clatter. Adrien picked up his discarded miraculous and stared at it.

He considered throwing it over the side to join his phone, but then anyone could come along and use it. He couldn’t stand the thought of the miraculous being used to hurt someone again.

No, he knew just what to do with it.

“Nathalie Sancoeur, you’re under arrest.”

Nathalie stared at the officers in disbelief. “Excuse me?”

“You’re under arrest,” the officer repeated. “For terrorism and aiding the supervillain, Hawkmoth.”

Nathalie set down her clipboard on the edge of her desk. She had come into the fashion studio office that Gabriel owned in the efforts of actually getting through some paperwork, and this was what happened?

She let out a short laugh. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Your boss, Gabriel Agreste, was unmasked as Hawkmoth. We are bringing you, along with others close to Mr Agreste, for questioning.”

“Gabriel… what?” she shook her head, which to the officers looked like disbelief, but Nathalie was frustrated with the man who managed to get himself caught only hours after she had left. What a fool, she thought.

She straightened. “Fine. But I want a lawyer. I’m sure Mr Agreste will be able to supply one.”

The officer blinked. “You… haven’t heard? His identity was revealed because he was killed in a fight against the heroes.”

Nathalie’s head spun, and she grabbed the edge of the table to stabilise herself. “He… what?” He couldn’t be dead. He couldn’t. “How did that even happen?”

“We are not at liberty to reveal any such details,” the officer replied. “Please, Ms Sancoeur, come with us.”

She sighed. “Fine. But I still want a lawyer.”

Ladybug strode into the police precinct, head held high. Police officers stared at her as she made her way to the front desk, smiling politely. “Hello, I called in about Hawkmoth earlier and I’m here to make a statement.”

The receptionist scrambled for the phone. “Oh- uh, yes, of course, Ladybug, I’ll just let the detective know you’re here.”

Within a few minutes, the lead detective appeared, brows raising slightly at the sight of Ladybug in the waiting room. He appeared to be about the same age as her dad, with dark brown hair streaked with silver, and tired eyes. His badge read, Detective Laurent.

“Ladybug,” he said. “I understand you’re here to make a statement.”

“Yes.”

She followed him to one of the small interview rooms. “Can I get you anything? Coffee?” he offered.

“No, thank you.” She took a seat, crossing her arms. “To be honest, I’ve got a pretty busy afternoon, so I’d like to make this quick.”

“Of course.” He sat opposite her. “Can you tell me what happened?”

“Chat Noir and I made a plan to discover Hawkmoth’s true identity. We lured him out and followed him back to his lair, through the sewers.” Ladybug lifted her chin. “We fought, and his miraculous got knocked off in the process. He fell into the water and by the time we got to him… it was too late.”

Detective Laurent leaned back in his seat, studying her. Her expression remained passive, despite the intense pounding of her heart. She had had very little to do with law enforcement before, and now here she was, lying to them.

It was for Chat Noir, though. She would do anything for him.

He asked some follow up questions. How long Gabriel Agreste was in the water, what injuries they could find, etc. Ladybug, having already planned out her answers with Rena Rouge, answered without contradicting herself.

“And where’s Chat Noir now? Why didn’t he come with you?”

Ladybug hesitated. “He had to go take care of miraculous business.”

“And what would that be?”

She crossed her arms. “I’m sorry, detective, but the secrets of the miraculous are closely guarded. I’m not at liberty to reveal them to you.”

“Why did he go, instead of you?”

“I was the one who called, so we figured I should come make the statement on both our behalfs. His mission couldn’t wait, otherwise he would be here, too. Am I free to go now?”

Detective Laurent opened his mouth to respond, but the door flew open before he could. Another officer, much younger, stood in the doorway, breathing hard. “Sir! Something’s happened at the morgue!”

Both the detective and Ladybug stood. Detective Laurent grabbed his coat from the back of his chair. “What happened?” he asked.

“There was a fire. Protesters burned the place down. It somehow got out what happened to Gabriel Agreste, and that’s where his… his body was.”

Detective Laurent sucked in a sharp breath. “I’m heading there now. Can you escort Ladybug out, please?”

The moment Ladybug set foot outside, she took off into a sprint towards the morgue. She reached it in record time, finding Rena Rouge on the rooftop across the street. “What happened?” she asked, breathing heavily.

“I got here too late.” Rena Rouge gestured to the street below, where a large crowd had already amassed, standing outside the burning building. Angry shouts filled the air as the police arrived. “The building was already on fire.”

They watched the scene unfold together in silence. “Either way, I guess it solves the problem,” Ladybug said quietly. “No one will know what actually happened to Gabriel Agreste. Except Chat Noir. I have to find him.”

Rena Rouge’s phone rung. “It’s Carapace,” she said, before answering. “Hey. Any news?”

“I found him,” Carapace said. “He’s… at the police station. They arrested him and Nathalie to question them about their involvement in Hawkmoth’s… activities.”

Rena grimaced. “Thanks. We’ll head there now.”

“Don’t forget to tell Marinette,” Carapace added. “She sounded worried.”

Rena’s gaze flicked across to Ladybug. “I’ll tell her.”

The moment she ended the call, Ladybug jumped to her feet. “We have to go help him,” she said. “He didn’t have anything to do with what his dad was doing. And that’s so cruel, to put him through that now!”

Rena grabbed her arm. “There’s nothing we can do,” she said. “If we go as superheroes, it’ll only raise questions. You’ve already told them everything. We’ll sit with Nino outside until they release him. That’s the best we can do, Marinette.”

Alya had a point. She sighed. “Fine.”

Together, the two of them made their way back across the rooftops of Paris, towards the police station where both Nathalie and Adrien were being held for questioning. Before they destransformed, Ladybug called Chat Noir one more time.

Just like every other time, it rung before going to voicemail. Ladybug clenched her phone tightly. “Chaton, I don’t know where you are, but… everything’s a mess. I’ve done my best to smooth things over but I… I need you.” She choked a little on the last few words, her eyes welling with tears. “Please. Please, just… just call me. Message me. Something, just so I know you’re okay.”

She hung up before she let her emotions overwhelm her entirely. She straightened, brushing the stray tears from her face. She couldn’t collapse now. She had people relying on her.

She turned to Rena Rouge with a smile, tears still glistening in her eyes. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Text

Adrien’s hands wrapped around his now-cold cup of coffee, eyes remaining firmly fixed on the table rather than the detective sitting across from him. He didn’t even drink coffee, but he hadn’t had the option to say no.

“You understand why we’re in a difficult position, don’t you, Mr Agreste?” the detective asked, and Adrien flinched. Mr Agreste was his father. Not him. “Both your parents are deceased, and we have been unable to contact your closest relatives. Are there any other adults you trust to be here for this?”

Adrien didn’t respond. His grip tightened around the paper coffee cup, trying to silence the noise in his head, the voice repeating, over and over, I killed him I killed him I killed him-

“Adrien?” The detective’s tone was gentle, gentler than Adrien expected. Or deserved. “Who do you trust?”

When he didn’t respond, he distantly heard the detective talking to another officer, the words a hushed blur that he couldn’t understand. He folded his hands together in his lap, twisting them, running a finger over the bare spot where his miraculous had been.

He didn’t know how long he sat in that room, eyes down, as people moved in and out of the room around him. Someone placed a croissant on the table in front of him, and replaced his coffee with a glass of water. He didn’t touch either.

Eventually, the door opened again and two people entered the room. He recognised the footsteps of the detective from earlier and the second… he finally looked up, to see Ms Bustier approaching, her turquoise eyes wide with concern.

“Adrien! We’ve all been so worried about you,” she said, her brow creasing. “Detective Laurent contacted me and asked me to be here for your interview, since you’re still a minor. Adrien, is that okay with you?”

He nodded woodenly and Detective Laurent breathed a sigh of relief as he pulled out the chair opposite. Ms Bustier took a seat next to Adrien.

“Adrien. First of all, I’m sorry for your loss,” the detective said, and he had the decency to sound genuinely sorry. “I can’t even imagine how difficult this must be for you.”

He had no idea. He thought Adrien was simply a victim in all of this. He didn’t know that he was responsible for his own father’s death.

“But I have to ask you some questions,” he continued. “Due to the… unique case we’re dealing with.”

“What, the fact that my dad was a supervillain for almost a year and I had no idea?” Adrien said flatly. “That he’s a terrorist unlike any France has ever seen?”

“Yes. That.” Detective Laurent frowned. “You had no idea what was going on? Neither your father nor Ms Sancoeur ever gave any indication of what was going on?”

“Are you saying Nathalie was involved as well?” Adrien sank further into his seat. “I didn’t know about that, either.”

“Detective, is this really necessary?” Ms Bustier asked, brow creasing. “Adrien is only fourteen and clearly knew nothing about what was going on. It’s cruel to subject him to an interrogation like this.”

Detective Laurent leaned back in his seat, considering her words. “You have a point,” he admitted. “Besides, Ms Sancoeur has denied his involvement. Adrien, do you have any family you could stay with?”

Adrien finally looked up and spoke, his voice hoarse. “My… my aunt.”

“What’s her name?”

“Amélie Graham de Vanily.” Adrien twisted his hands together. “She lives in London.”

“London?” Detective Laurent blinked. “Er… Do you have any other family? Ones who live in Paris, perhaps?”

Adrien shook his head. The detective grimaced and stood from his seat. “I’ll be right back,” he said, before disappearing out the door.

In the hallway, Adrien could hear the low murmur of voices. Trying to figure out what they were supposed to do with him, probably.

“Adrien.” Ms Bustier placed her hand on his shoulder, and he flinched. “I’m sorry.” She pulled her hand away, but he could feel her gaze still on him. “Is… is there anything we can do?”

He shook his head. “No,” he said, his voice hoarse. They sat in silence until the detective returned, brows set firmly in a frown.

“Well. Adrien. We’ve contacted your Aunt Amélie, and she’s coming to Paris to discuss legal guardianship. Of course, that will take a few hours, so…” he grimaced. “Can I get you anything to eat? And Caline, can I have a word with you?”

Detective Laurent and Ms Bustier left once more and so Adrien remained, staring at the wall and doing his best to not let himself think about anything.

He didn’t know how long passed, but at one point, an officer brought him some water and lunch, consisting of a small salad and sandwich. He forced himself to eat a few bites before pushing the plate away.

The next time someone entered the room, it was his aunt Amélie, Felix by her side. “Adrien!” she cried, throwing her arms open and pulling him into a hug. “Have you been here by yourself this whole time?” She started berating the officers in the room.

Everything that happened next passed in a blur. Amélie agreeing to take temporary custody until everything could be finalised in court, a social worker whose name Adrien couldn’t remember asking if he was okay with that. He nodded woodenly, barely aware of what was going on.

He stayed overnight in Le Grand Paris with Amélie and Felix, but found sleeping impossible. He sat by the window, staring out into the darkness, his mind looping over and over what happened, searching for what he could’ve done differently.

He could’ve saved his father, if he had tried. He could’ve avoided cataclysming him, could’ve fixed things. But he didn’t, and now his entire world was in shambles.

Nothing would ever be the same again, and the only person to blame was himself.

A week passed, and Marinette still didn’t get a chance to see Adrien, nor did Nino or Alya. Whenever they tried to visit, he was always either involved in court custody proceedings, or ‘wasn’t seeing visitors’.

Calls went straight to voicemail. Texts were left unread, unanswered. The three of them were going crazy with worry, so much so that Marinette and Alya sat outside the hotel for several hours, until Felix emerged.

The leapt up immediately. “Is Adrien okay?” Marinette asked, brow creasing. “We’re really worried about him.”

Felix gave her a flat look. “His father was just exposed as a supervillain, and now he’s an orphan. Of course he’s not okay.”

“Why won’t he let us see him?” Alya pressed. “Why isn’t he answering any texts?”

“His phone is broken.” Felix sighed, stopping and turning to face them. “Look. Adrien just needs space to figure things out. I suggest you leave him be for now.” He walked away, leaving Marinette and Alya spluttering in outrage.

“Who does he think he is?” Alya grumbled as they walked back to the Dupain-Cheng bakery. “What right does he have to stop us from seeing Adrien?”

Marinette nodded along absentmindedly, her mind working overtime on a solution. If Felix wouldn’t let them see Adrien, then they would have to find another way. Adrien needed them, even if he himself didn’t realise it. And Chat Noir… she still had to find him. All her messages had gone unanswered. She’d sat on the rooftop at their usual meeting place for hours, waiting for him to show up.

Nothing.

She’d already lost Chat Noir; she wasn’t going to lose Adrien as well. And Adrien needed them. He needed Nino, his first real friend, someone who would stand by him through all the shit that he was going through.

And Nino would, Marinette knew. Nino was like that. A bit unpredictable at times, but he would do anything for his friends.

The next morning, Marinette was sitting in homeroom, staring at Adrien’s empty seat in front of her, when Ms Bustier entered, her usually warm disposition muted. She went through her morning announcements, reminding the students of upcoming events and assignment dates.

At the end, Marinette raised her hand. “Ms Bustier, do you know if Adrien is coming back?”

Ms Bustier stared at her. “I… No. He’s going to live in London with his aunt and cousin.”

Marinette stared at her, stunned silent, while Alya jumped to her feet. “What?”

“I thought you knew,” Ms Bustier said, brow creasing. “The train leaves this morning.”

Marinette stood, along with Nino, and the three of them stepped towards the door. “I just realised I forgot to… feed my cat!” Marinette called.

“And I need to go look after my sisters!” Alya added.

The train station wasn’t far. The three of them ran the entire way there, arriving puffing and panting. They navigated their way through the crowds of travellers, finding the platform of the next train to London.

Marinette scanned the crowd, searching desperately for a glimpse of blond. Alya grabbed her sleeve and pointed. “He’s there!”

They pushed their way towards him through the crowd. “Adrien!” Marinette yelled. “Wait!”

He paused next to the train, eyes searching the platform until they met hers. His face was unreadable from the distance that they were at, but he paused at the train door, ticket in hand.

Marinette stumbled towards him, their gazes still locked. She was only a few steps away when he turned away from her and handed his ticket to the conductor, stepping onto the train without a backward glance.

Alya and Nino caught up to her as she reached the door. The conductor blocked her way as she tried to follow Adrien onto the train. “Do you have a ticket, miss?”

“No, I… my friend just got on and I have to go talk to him and I-” she gasped, trying to catch her breath. “Please let us on. I promise we’ll get off before the train leaves.”

“I’m sorry. No ticket, no entry.”

Marinette turned to Alya and Nino. “What do we do?” she whispered.

“We go buy tickets.” Alya spun around, marching towards the ticket desk. One heated exchange with the salesclerk later, the three of them sat on the platform, dejected. Unfortunately, none of them had a spare € 200 with them.

The three of them watched in silence as the boarding closed, and finally, the train pulled out of the station.

“He’ll come back,” Marinette said uneasily. “Right?” But even as she said it, she wondered if they would ever see him again.