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Ladybug landed heavily onto her balcony. She stumbled exhaustedly to her hatch, opened it, and dropped onto her bed. Ah, her bed. So soft and comfortable. It was the perfect thing after a vicious late-night akuma.
“Spots….hmmm….off,” she mumbled.
Ladybug didn’t care about getting ready for bed. She was far too tired for that. She pulled out her (Bug)phone and checked the time.
3:27 am.
She groaned. She had to get up for school so soon. How ever would she find the energy to wake up and make it to school? Well, at least she could look forward to seeing Alya. And Adrien.
Adrien. Ladybug smiled sleepily as she navigated to his Instagram page. He was so cute. He deserved so much better than being cooped up in that mansion during the Christmas season. It was only two weeks away and so far, his father hadn’t allowed him to go to any parties or events. It wasn’t fair.
Well, the least she could do was to wish him a Joyeux Noel. She was sure her greeting would get buried in the massive amounts of fan messages he got daily on his Instagram, but she didn’t care.
“Joyeux Noel, Adrien!” Ladybug commented on his latest post. With a satisfied smile, she put her (Bug)phone away and snuggled down under her covers to sleep.
Marinette woke up to a combination of her alarm going off and Tikki patting her none-too-gently on the cheek.
“Wh-wha?” she groaned groggily.
“It’s time to get up, Marinette,” Tikki said, her tone sharp with annoyance. “You’re going to be late for school.”
“School…ugh…” Marinette couldn’t think. From pure muscle memory, she got out of bed, climbed down her ladder, and got dressed. She stumbled through breakfast and walked to school.
“Hey, girl. Are you doing okay?” Alya seemed concerned.
“I’m fine,” Marinette mumbled. “Just tired. Stayed up too late.”
“Not that. Didn’t you see?”
“See what?”
In response, Alya pulled out her phone and showed her an internet article
LADYBUG IN LOVE? COULD PARIS’S SUPERHEROINE HAVE HER EYES ON SOMEONE?
Paris’s famed superhero, Ladybug, is well-known for following nobody on social media, not even her own partner, Chat Noir. She also famously never comments unless it directly has to do with superhero business or Hawk Moth.
It came as a surprise to everyone, then, when she commented on Adrien Agreste’s most recent Instagram post, wishing the supermodel a “Merry Christmas”.
The article continued on, but Marinette had seen enough.
“I didn’t-” she began to protest before thinking better. “I mean, I can’t imagine Ladybug would do that. She’s normally so careful.”
“I’m sorry,” Alya said sympathetically. “It seems like you have a rival for Adrien.”
“There’s no way…” Marinette murmured to herself. “No way.” She pulled out her phone and opened the Instagram app. And there it was, plain as day. A comment from Ladybug.
“H-how?” she stammered.
Alya shrugged. “I mean, he is a supermodel. Ladybug has eyes.”
“No, I mean…well, I’m not sure what I mean,” Marinette stammered nervously. She was reeling, unable to comprehend what had happened. Ladybug did not play favorites. She kept things absolutely professional when in the suit. How on earth could she have messed up that badly?
Marinette glanced down into her bag and found Tikki glaring daggers up at her. What? Tikki was normally so calm. What could she have done to upset the little god?
Suddenly, it all became clear in an instant.
“Um, I have to go. Get ready for class and all that. You know.” Marinette made her excuses and ran to find a secluded corner where she could talk to her kwami.
“Um, Tikki. Did I not detransform last night?” Marinette asked once she had found a good spot.
“No. You didn’t,” came the irritated reply. “I had to force the detransformation so I could replenish my energy.”
“Oh, Tikki, I'm so sorry," Marinette said, feeling guilty. "I would have sworn I did.”
“You didn’t say the phrase properly, so the magic wasn’t deactivated.”
“I’m going to guess that’s when I commented on Adrien’s post as Ladybug, huh?”
“Bingo.”
Marinette blew out her breath hard. This was not good. She had worked so hard to craft Ladybug’s image as perfectly professional. This was a major blow to that image.
“The bell is about to ring,” Tikki said, her voice still dripping with annoyance.
“Oh, right. I guess I’d better get to class. I’ll give you a whole plate of cookies when we get back to the bakery today, okay?”
“Two plates.”
“Two plates,” Marinette agreed.
She closed her purse and stood up. Picking up her backpack, she walked quickly to class.
“I thought you liked Ladybug.”
“I do. I just don’t think she meant to comment on my post.”
“She obviously did mean to. Perhaps not as Ladybug, but that indicates that the girl behind the mask thinks highly of you.”
“I don’t think she would want me to draw any more attention to it than already has.”
Gabriel waved a hand dismissively. “You won’t be drawing any attention to it. You will simply be inviting her over to share Christmas with us. She could hardly refuse since it’s apparent she likes you.”
“She probably has her own family to do Christmas with,” Adrien argued. “She’s going to refuse.”
“That’s easily remedied. We’ll just do our Christmas on the 26th. She can spend the 25th with her family. Then she can come over here on the 26th.”
“I thought you hated Ladybug and Chat Noir. Why do you want to invite her over?”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t try to help my son connect with the girl he’s been crushing on for two years? I thought you would appreciate my effort.”
“I-I do. I mean, yes, I like Ladybug and it would be fun to see her on Christmas. I just…I don’t know. She’s never done anything like this before and I think it might be a mistake.”
“The only mistake would be letting this chance pass you by. She made a move; now you need to return the serve. You will talk to the Ladyblogger today at school, yes?”
Adrien sighed, his stomach clenching at the thought. “Yes, Father.”
“You want me to do what?”
“I need you to send a message to Ladybug on your blog asking her if she wants to come spend Christmas at the mansion.”
Alya gaped at him for a moment. “Your father is allowing you to invite someone over for Christmas?”
“It was his idea, actually,” Adrien said. He picked at his lunch. “He said that she is clearly interested in me and insisted that I have to ‘return the serve’, in his words.”
“Dude, that’s not like your father at all. Remember when I tried to get him to let you have a birthday party?”
“We all remember that, Nino,” Marinette said.
“That’s why it’s so weird,” Adrien responded. “I’m well aware that he hates Ladybug and Chat Noir, for whatever reason. When I saw her comment, I thought he was going to be furious. Instead, he actually had breakfast with me for the first time in ages and told me to invite her over for Christmas.”
“You do realize that she probably has her own family that she will want to spend Christmas with,” Alya told him.
“I said that, too. Father told me that we’ll do our Christmas on the 26th so she can come.”
Marinette chewed her lip thoughtfully. “This is very strange,” she observed. “Completely out of character for your father. That makes me think he’s got some other angle.”
“Of course he has some other angle,” Adrien replied. “This is my father we’re talking about. The only question is, what is that other angle?”
“Could he be wanting to get exclusive rights to a Ladybug fashion line, maybe?” Alya suggested.
“Doubtful. He hates Ladybug enough that I don’t think even money would sway him,” Adrien said.
“Money is basically what his life revolves around,” Marinette said. “So the motivation would have to be something bigger than money. Is there anything else he cares about?”
“The only thing I could think of would be my mother,” Adrien said. “He loved her more than anything. But she passed away well over two years.”
“Hmm,” Marinette hummed thoughtfully. “So she’s the only thing he’s ever cared about more than money?”
“Pretty much.”
“Hmmm.” Marinette was thinking hard. She felt like the answer was just evading her. Famously reclusive and famously cold and distant, Gabriel Agreste wanted Adrien to invite her alter ego to spend a family holiday at the mansion. It definitely had to be something to do with Ladybug as a hero or her powers. Or…
Marinette gasped, her eyes suddenly widening as a terrible thought occurred to her. No, it couldn’t be! Could it? Could Adrien’s father possibly be…
Marinette suddenly realized that her three friends were staring at her, their lunches forgotten.
“You okay, girl?” Alya asked, her voice concerned.
“I-I’m fine!” Marinette squeaked, her voice an octave higher than normal. “I-I need to go!”
Marinette swiftly packed up her bag and left, leaving her lunch tray behind.
Adrien stared after her. “Was it something I said?” he asked quietly, his voice sounding hurt.
“Oh, that’s just Marinette,” Alya rushed to comfort him. “She can be erratic sometimes. Don’t worry. It’s not you.”
But Adrien didn’t look convinced.
“It can’t be!” Marinette exclaimed, hiding with Tikki after she ran out from lunch. “It’s just…it can’t be. That would be so messed up!”
“It’s just a possibility, Marinette. Don’t forget that you don’t actually know why Hawk Moth is trying to get your Miraculous.”
“But it would make so much sense. Gabriel Agreste is obsessive. He’s well-known in the fashion industry for it. Is he obsessed enough with his wife to do what Hawk Moth is doing? He’s also ruthless enough, that’s for sure. He also has plenty of time to himself and plenty of room in that mansion to hide his activities. It just…it makes too much sense when you put it all together like that.”
“It does,” Tikki agreed. “But for now, it’s only a theory. I agree that it could easily be him, but all of your evidence is circumstantial.”
“Well, then let’s get some more concrete evidence, shall we?” Marinette said determinedly. “Sounds like we’re going to be having Christmas at the Agreste Mansion.”
“She actually said yes?” Adrien asked incredulously the next day at lunch.
Alya nodded, giving a quick side-glance to her best friend to see how she was taking the news. Very well it seemed, oddly enough. Marinette didn’t seem upset. If anything, she seemed to be only half-paying attention to the conversation.
“Ladybug came by to see me last night and she agreed to visit you and your father for Christmas.”
Adrien almost looked faint. “I cannot believe she agreed,” he murmured to himself. “I can’t believe it.”
“Better clean your room, Sunshine boy,” Alya said cheekily. “Sounds like you’re having company.”
Adrien chuckled. “My father might have invited her over for Christmas, but there is not a snowball’s chance in you-know-where that he’ll let her be in my bedroom. Honestly, it’s probably going to end up being a super awkward thing where we all make small talk in the parlor before Father gets bored and makes her leave.”
“So, what are you going to give her for Christmas?” Alya asked.
“Give? Oh, shoot! I hadn’t even thought about that! What on earth could I give to Ladybug for Christmas?”
“How about a kiss?” Marinette said unthinkingly. She immediately clapped her hands over her mouth and her eyes went wide as she realized what she said.
Her three friends stared at her. “Um, Marinette?” Alya asked hesitantly. “Are you okay?”
“Fine! Fine! I’m just fine!” Marinette squeaked out behind her hands. Her face turned bright red with embarrassment. She wanted to flee, but she really didn’t think she’d get away with that. Not after she did the same thing yesterday. She would have to tough it out or Alya might start getting suspicious. She tried to compose herself.
“I didn’t mean a kiss kiss, exactly,” Marinette said, trying to recover. “I was using it as-as a metaphor. I mean, Ladybug must like you, so something super personal might be the way to go. A kiss is just a good metaphor for something personal and intimate.”
Alya didn’t look convinced. “Whatever you say, girl.”
Adrien, on the other hand, looked thoughtful. “That’s a really good idea, actually,” he said. “Something personal and intimate. I like that. Thank you, Marinette.”
“You’re…welcome?” Marinette wasn’t quite sure what to make of the look on Adrien’s face.
Adrien quickly finished his lunch and stood up. “I’ve got something I need to do,” he said. “I’ll see you guys in class.”
Adrien quickly took off out of the lunchroom. Nino followed soon after, leaving the two girls by themselves.
“A kiss?? Are you serious?” Alya asked.
“I wasn’t thinking!” Marinette protested.
“That much is obvious. Were you daydreaming about being Ladybug or something?”
Alya was getting uncomfortably close to the truth.
“Ladybug is way more graceful than I could ever hope to be,” Marinette deflected. “I was just thinking about how nice it would be to spend Christmas at Adrien’s house.”
“And then you go and give him an idea for the perfect gift to give to your rival,” Alya told her. “You’re shooting yourself in the foot!”
“Maybe. But you saw how excited he was. I don’t think Adrien will ever be able to love me unless he gets his chance with Ladybug.” Marinette was thinking fast, trying to come up with a plausible-sounding excuse. “If she wants him, then there would have been no hope for me anyway. If she doesn’t, well, then he’ll hopefully be able to move past her and see me someday.”
Alya shook her head. “You are being way more mature about this than I thought you would be,” she said.
“Hey! Are you saying I’m immature?”
“When it comes to Adrien? Yes. One hundred percent.”
“Mean.”
“I just…if you need someone to hang out with on the 26th, you know, to keep your mind off of things, just let me know. Okay?”
“I will. Thank you, Alya.”
Adrien awoke on December 26th feeling more excited than he had in a long time. Ladybug herself would be coming to his house. She wouldn’t have to rush off like she did after an akuma attack. She would be able to stay for as long as he could get his father to allow. Which could be quite a while, all things considered.
Adrien hopped out of bed, leaving a groaning Plagg on a pillow. He practically skipped into the bathroom where he turned on the shower. He hummed happily to himself while he washed, making sure to miss a single spot. Hopping out and drying himself off, he applied deodorant and cologne (not the Gabriel brand, thank you very much). He wanted to make sure he smelled good for his Lady.
And looked good, too. Adrien pulled on the clothes he had laid out the night before. He had spent hours agonizing over exactly what to wear. He wanted to look good, but not be too formal. And he definitely didn’t want to look like he was trying too hard. A t-shirt wouldn’t cut it, but a suit would be too much. In the end, he settled on casually dressy, a deep red button-down shirt with black casual slacks. He hoped the nod to Ladybug’s colors would subtly incline her to think more highly of him.
“You’re putting me off my cheese,” a nasally voice said from behind his ear.
Adrien rolled his eyes. “Nothing can put you off your cheese, Plagg,” he said. “Which, speaking of, please try not to make me smell like old cheese. I’d like to make a good impression on Ladybug.”
“I don’t smell bad!” Plagg protested, his ear flicking in annoyance.
“Yeah. You do. And you make me smell like rotten cheese. Ladybug already thinks Chat Noir smells bad. I don’t want her thinking Adrien smells bad, too.”
Still grumbling, Plagg zoomed off back to the bedroom and went to sulk in his cheese fridge. Adrien turned back to the mirror to finish getting ready. A knock sounded on his door.
“Adrien?” Natalie called. “Ladybug should be arriving in a few minutes. Please come down so you’re ready to greet our guest.”
“Coming, Natalie,” Adrien called back. With one last look in the mirror, he turned away and headed out of his bedroom.
Gabriel was already standing in his usual power position on the stair landing overlooking the entry hall. Contrary to Adrien, he was immaculately dressed in a three-piece suit.
“Adrien, please be ready to greet our guest at the door,” Gabriel ordered, gesturing for Adrien to descend the stairs.
Adrien hurried to comply, both to obey and because he was anxious to have Ladybug at his house. They waited only a few more moments before there came an almost tentative knock at the door. Natalie nodded to Adrien, so he opened it.
“Ladybug!” Adrien exclaimed. “Come in!”
“Thank you,” Ladybug said, entering. Adrien closed the door behind her.
“Welcome, Ladybug,” Gabriel intoned formally from his place on the landing. “We are so pleased that you could join us today.”
“Thank you, Mr. Agreste,” Ladybug responded, equally as formal. “Your invitation was most gracious.”
“Adrien, why don’t you show your guest to the dining room? Natalie, please inform the chef that we will be dining immediately.”
“Yes, sir,” Natalie replied. She tapped on her tablet.
“Come on, Ladybug,” Adrien said, grabbing her hand in his excitement. “The dining room is this way.”
Neither teen saw it, but Adrien’s actions caused a small, dark smile to flit across Gabriel’s face.
“This is our dining room,” Adrien said, opening the door and leading Ladybug inside. He suddenly realized that her hand was in his. “Oh! I’m so sorry!” Adrien exclaimed, dropping her hand.
“It’s okay, Adrien,” Ladybug said, dazzling him with a smile. He felt his knees go weak.
“Um, thi-this is your place,” Adrien stammered, pointing to a place card with her name on it. “I-I’ll be next to you. Here, let me get your seat.”
Adrien pulled out her seat and helped scoot her in.
“Thank you,” Ladybug said.
Gabriel and Natalie entered the dining room and took their seats. The first course was served right away.
“So, Ladybug,” Gabriel opened the conversation as they all started eating. “How was your Christmas with your own family?”
“It was very good, thank you,” Ladybug responded.
“I trust your family is well?” Gabriel said.
“They are well, yes. And yours?”
“Other than my wife who passed away some time ago, we are all well,” Gabriel replied. “You see all of us here in front of you.”
“I’m sorry about your wife,” Ladybug said. “That must have been very difficult.”
“It was,” Gabriel said softly. “Especially around the holidays. I would give anything to have her here with us today.”
“I can only imagine.”
“But,” Gabriel said, “that’s not a topic for Christmas Day. My wife might be gone, but at least I have my son here. A fact I think you appreciate, too.”
It seemed to Adrien like Ladybug hesitated for a moment, considering what she should say. He didn’t think she liked being put on the spot. Heh, on the spot.
“Adrien is a good young man,” Ladybug said finally. “From the little I’ve seen of him, he seems to make the world a better place.”
“He certainly does that,” Gabriel agreed. “From what I can tell, he also makes your world a better place.”
Ladybug glanced at Adrien before looking back at Gabriel.
“There would be no purpose denying that,” she said.
This had to be one of the weirder conversations Adrien had ever witnessed. His father seemed intent on prying a love confession out of Ladybug who seemed just as adamant not to. But at the same time, Ladybug also seemed to be trying to avoid saying anything that might be construed as negative about him. The verbal dance was fascinating to watch.
The conversational sparring continued throughout breakfast and into the living room where Gabriel had ordered the staff to erect a Christmas tree and hang decorations. A fire crackled merrily in the fireplace by which shoes were placed according to tradition. Gabriel settled himself into a large wingback chair while Natalie had the teens sit next to one another on the sofa.
This was already far more celebration of Christmas than Adrien had gotten since his mother died, but Gabriel didn’t seem to be slowing down at all. Not only did they have a Christmas tree, but there were actually gifts placed underneath. Surprised, Adrien glanced at his father, but Gabriel acted completely nonplussed.
“Natalie, if you please,” he said. “Adrien first.”
Natalie picked up a rather large present and placed it in front of Adrien on the floor as it was too big to fit on his lap. It was long and rectangular. Adrien tore off the wrapping to reveal…
“A keyboard?” he asked, his voice trembling slightly. “But my piano…”
“A piano can only stay in one place,” Gabriel said. “But a keyboard is quite a bit more transportable. Such as to a certain boat, for example.”
Adrien stared at his father in complete shock and disbelief.
“Do-does this mean what I think it means?” he asked tremulously.
“It does indeed,” Gabriel replied. “I know you don’t think I’ve noticed that your interest in the piano has stalled. Perhaps some fresh musical genres will reignite your interest.”
“Th-thank you, Father!” Adrien exclaimed, jumping up and giving him a hug that Gabriel returned awkwardly. “Thank you so much!”
“You’re welcome, Adrien,” Gabriel said, his voice formal.
Adrien was so excited he was practically bouncing in his seat. He couldn’t wait to officially join Kitty Section. The keyboard was top-of-the-line (naturally), and would sound incredible with the rest of the band. His fingers were itching to play.
“Now for Ladybug, please Natalie,” Gabriel said.
Natalie retrieved a cubic package, about 30-40 centimeters on a side. She placed it on Ladybug’s lap whereupon Ladybug opened the gift methodically, undoing the tape rather than simply tearing the paper. The wrapping fell away to reveal a wooden box with small drawers. The wood was carved with flowing designs. Ladybug opened the top drawer and gasped, a hand flying to her mouth and her eyes wide.
Sitting in the velvet-lined drawer was a stunning diamond jewelry set complete with pure silver earrings set with diamonds, a necklace, two rings, and two bracelets. Ladybug closed that drawer and opened the second one down to reveal a similar set inlaid with sapphires. The third drawer held one with emeralds. The fourth was rubies. The fifth was black opals. All the metals were either pure silver or pure gold. The whole thing had to have cost tens of thousands of Euros, maybe even over one hundred thousand.
It was several moments before Ladybug spoke again. When she did, her voice was shaky.
“This…this is incredibly generous, Mr. Agreste,” she said. “It’s…I don’t even have words for it. It’s beautiful. But you know I can’t accept something like this.”
“I anticipated that you might say that,” Gabriel said. “I think you’ll find that you can accept my gift. For a few reasons. First of all, you have already attended formal events in your capacity as a superhero correct?”
Ladybug nodded.
“And you have always gone in a more plain fashion? No jewelry?”
“Yes.”
“In the circles of high society, if you want to be respected then you have to dress the part,” Gabriel explained. “A fine set of jewelry would go a long way to ensuring that you remain respected where it matters. Your autonomy to do your duty depends a lot on the goodwill of those in power. Maintaining that goodwill will depend on your ability to command their respect both on and off the battlefield.
“Secondly,” Gabriel continued, “I am well aware that you always try to remain neutral. However, you also must understand the reality of politics. You have been granted an extraordinary amount of freedom to battle Hawk Moth. That freedom, again, comes from the goodwill of the political establishment. It would not do to offend anyone in that establishment or they might decide to revoke that freedom. Does that make sense?”
“It does,” Ladybug said carefully.
“I am well-entrenched in that establishment and in high society,” Gabriel continued. “I am not trying to curry your favor today. Instead, I am giving you a chance to curry mine. I can be a powerful ally to you or I could be a powerful enemy. As Adrien can attest, I haven’t been a big fan of you or your partner. However, it is Christmas and in the spirit of the season I have decided to try to change my outlook. One way I build connections is by gift-giving. Accepting my gifts would indicate to me that you want to be allies. Rejecting them would mean the opposite. I’d really rather be on your side, Ladybug. But the choice is obviously yours.”
Ladybug took a few moments before answering.
“I understand what you are saying,” she said. “I want it to be completely clear that my role as a superhero is not for sale. I don’t align with any political party or politician. I don’t endorse anyone. My sole purpose is to protect Paris and its citizens.
“That being said, I do understand the privilege that Chat and I have been granted in order to fight Hawk Moth unimpeded. In the interest of preserving that privilege, I will accept your generous gift. Thank you, Mr. Agreste.”
“You are most welcome, Ladybug,” Gabriel said graciously. “I hope this jewelry serves you well both as a superhero and in your civilian life.”
Ladybug just nodded, seemingly still stunned.
“Adrien, do you have a gift for Ladybug?” Gabriel asked.
Adrien took a deep breath. “I do, Father,” he said. “But it’s a special gift. Something I made for her. Wou-would it be okay if we went to my room for a few minutes?”
“Of course, Adrien,” Gabriel said graciously. “Go ahead. But in about thirty minutes or so, I will ask for a few minutes to speak with Ladybug before we serve lunch.”
“Yes, Father,” Adrien said. “We’ll be back downstairs by then.”
“Good. Off you go.”
That…was odd. But Adrien wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He immediately stood up and offered a hand to Ladybug. She took it and he helped her stand. Wordlessly, he led her out of the living room and up the stairs to his bedroom.
After closing the door, he said, “I’m not sure what game my father is playing, but I think you should know that this whole thing is extremely unusual behavior for him.”
“Thank you for the heads up,” Ladybug replied. “I was getting that impression.”
“But I wasn’t lying about the gift,” Adrien continued. “I made something special for you. Come over here.”
Adrien led Ladybug over to the piano. He sat on the bench and nervously began to play a soft tune.
I’ll never forget, the first time we met,
How your eyes sparkled like sapphires.
I felt my breath catch, it never came back,
My chest felt like it was on fire.
I wished I could dance, holding your hands,
Whirling around two as one,
You’re so far out of reach, never thought you’d see me,
Burning with a red flame of love,
But now you’re here beside me and my words get stuck in my chest,
I don’t know how else to say all the things that I want to express.
My heart resonates with the simple power of your Joyeux Noel,
Now my only way forward is clear and bright as a bell,
Ladybug, I have one thing to say, to you on this bright Christmas Day,
Despite the trials we’ll face or who might get in our way,
At the end of the day,
This simply is true:
Ladybug, I love you.
As the final notes shimmered away, Adrien risked an apprehensive glance at the girl standing by his piano. He was hopeful when he saw a smile on her face.
“Adrien, that…that was so sweet,” Ladybug breathed.
“Did-did you like it?”
In response, Ladybug leaned down, took his face in her hands, and kissed him. Adrien felt stars explode behind his eyes and his heartbeat took off like a racecar. Her lips, soft against his, sent electric thrills running through his whole body. Tentatively, he put his hand on her waist and drew her down to the piano bench. She sat, their lips not breaking contact, and kissed him deeper.
Adrien’s entire perception of time and space disappeared, condensed down to a single beautiful girl sitting on his piano bench and kissing him with a passion he never knew was possible. Inch by inch, they scooted closer until Ladybug was sitting on his lap. Her tongue flicked briefly against his lips, sending another electric shock through him. His hand found the back of her neck and pressed her lips harder against his own.
Adrien lost himself in the wonderful, beautiful thing that was happening. All thought of the thirty-minute time limit that Gabriel had set until a sharp knock at the door caused them to jump apart.
Blushing furiously, Adrien opened the door with Ladybug right behind him to find Natalie.
“Adrien, please escort Ladybug to the sitting room,” she said. “Then I will require your assistance in the dining room.”
“Yes, Natalie,” Adrien replied. He watched her go down the stairs before turning to Ladybug. “Um, so, um, the sitting room is this way.”
Still bright red, Adrien led Ladybug down the stairs and into another room. There was another fireplace in this room with a merrily crackling fire. Two chairs were pulled up in front of the fireplace at a conversational angle with each other. Gabriel was already seated. He gestured toward the second chair.
“Ladybug, please, have a seat,” he said.
“Thank you.” She took a seat in the indicated chair.
Adrien hesitated for a moment, not wanting to leave her alone, but a look from Gabriel sent him out the door just as one of their staff was coming in bearing a tray with steaming mugs on it. Adrien decided it would be better to retreat for now. But he determined that he would listen to the conversation from outside the door.
“Ah, Raphael, thank you,” Gabriel said as the man set the silver tray down between them. “Hot cocoa, Ladybug?”
“Thank you,” Ladybug said, accepting a mug from Raphael. The man simply nodded and retreated, closing the door behind him. Adrien quickly took his place to listen at the keyhole.
Gabriel sat silently for a moment, blowing on his drink. When he spoke, his voice was soft and low.
“I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your notice that Adrien loves you,” he said.
“I…I’m aware,” Ladybug answered.
“Did he sing you the song he wrote?”
“…yes. He did.”
“I heard him practicing it. He’s a very talented young man.”
“He certainly is.”
“From what I can tell, you seem to have feelings for him, too.”
Ladybug sighed. “I really can’t deny that, can I?”
“Why would you? It’s important to be true to your feelings.”
“I’m Ladybug. I’m supposed to be impartial always. I put the safety of Paris above my own desires.”
Gabriel took a sip. “So, what you are saying is that the only thing preventing you from being with Adrien is your duty as a superhero?”
Ladybug didn’t answer.
“Would you like to be with Adrien?” Gabriel asked softly.
“There’s no point thinking about it,” Ladybug responded. “I have a duty to perform and dating Adrien would only put him in danger. I could never do that to him.”
“What if…what if someone could protect both of you?”
“Protect us? Not meaning to offend, but who could protect a superhero?”
“Another superhero, perhaps?” Gabriel suggested.
“Another superhero? Who? I don’t know of any besides Chat Noir.”
“Ladybug,” Gabriel said, his voice almost kind. “This burden should never have been forced upon you. Don’t get me wrong; you and Chat Noir have done an incredible job defending the city and you are both to be highly commended.
“But you are teenagers. You should be going out with friends, eating ice cream, going to the movies, and dating whomever you wish. That’s what being young is all about. Not waking up at two in the morning to fight akumas. It is so supremely unfair that you are missing out on all of that because some guy decided you had to.”
“What are you suggesting?” Ladybug asked.
Gabriel sighed hard. “Please understand that I’m not trying to offend you or anything,” he said. “I just hate to see you both grow up wishing for love and not being able to take advantage of what’s already there.”
“I understand.”
Gabriel took another deep breath. “It might not be the worst thing in the world to consider training a replacement,” he said. He held up his hand to stem her immediate protests. “Ladybug, please. You have done an amazing job. But you should have the opportunity to be a normal teenager. You could train a replacement and once they’re ready, you wouldn’t have to be Ladybug anymore. You could be a normal girl with a normal life. You could date my son. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
Adrien, listening at the door, felt his breath catch. No, there was no way his Lady would give up her Miraculous. Would she? Although it was tempting, Adrien knew that they couldn’t give up their Miraculous. As much as he wanted to date Ladybug and the girl behind the mask, they had to win the battle against Hawk Moth first. He kept listening, praying that Ladybug wouldn’t say yes.
“It would be wonderful,” Ladybug agreed. “Adrien is a wonderful young man and any girl would be lucky to date him. And that is why these are some of the hardest words I have ever had to say in my life. I have a duty. It was entrusted to me, and I can’t give it up. I’m sure Adrien would understand. And maybe, someday in the future, Chat Noir and I will defeat Hawk Moth and I’ll be able to date Adrien without abandoning my duty.”
Adrien felt a surge of pride. That’s the Ladybug he knew.
“Are you sure?” Gabriel pressed. “I know how important you are to one another. I can see it. Your decision hurts not just yourself, you know. You’re hurting Adrien, too.”
“Hawk Moth would hurt Adrien worse,” Ladybug said quietly. “He’s already proven that he’s not above hurting children. Adrien would understand. I fight to protect him and everyone else.”
“You’re making the wrong decision, Ladybug,” Gabriel said, his voice hardening. “You haven’t managed to defeat Hawk Moth in over two years. All it would take is one slip-up and he would get your earrings. Then what would all of your effort be for?”
“I can’t give up just because I might lose,” Ladybug responded.
Adrien decided it was time to intervene. He opened the door and stepped inside.
“Adrien!” Gabriel exclaimed. “I thought you were helping Natalie. I was having a private conversation with Ladybug.”
“I just wanted to make sure that Ladybug had enough cocoa,” Adrien replied, thinking fast. “And-and you too, of course.” He felt pleased with his quick excuse. It sounded plausible that he was thinking about Ladybug first and his father second.
“This conversation between myself and Ladybug needs to remain private,” Gabriel said, leaning forward in his chair to punctuate his point. “I will send for more when we need more. In the meantime, you need to leave.”
When Gabriel leaned forward, his tie bowed outward, exposing his shirt underneath. Adrien caught a glimpse of something glinting…something metallic. A brooch?
Adrien felt a sudden surge of fear and panic. “Ye-yes, Father,” he stammered out. “I’ll see you at lunch.”
Adrien practically ran out of the room. He didn’t stop until he was upstairs and alone in his bedroom. He stood for a moment by the door hyperventilating. Then he pulled himself together. Ladybug was downstairs and had no idea that she had walked into a trap. He needed to be her shield.
Purposefully now, Adrien strode to Plagg’s cheese fridge and opened it.
“Plagg,” he hissed, “I need you to stay with me the rest of the day.”
“Really? On Christmas?” came the annoyed drawl.
“I think my father is Hawk Moth,” Adrien said. “I saw a brooch pinned under his tie. I need you to confirm it for me without my father catching you. Can you do that? They’re still in the sitting room.”
“You owe me extra cheese for this,” Plagg said.
“Plagg, if you can confirm it for me and we can get it away from him, I’ll buy you ten wheels.”
“Deal!”
Plagg zoomed out of Adrien’s bedroom and disappeared. Adrien sat on the end of his bed and thought hard. Assuming it was the Butterfly Miraculous, how was he supposed to get it away from his father? He had to find an excuse to touch his tie. But what? Spill something on him? No, that would make him recoil and piss him off. Angering Hawk Moth was last on Adrien’s to-do list for the day.
Maybe a hug? Oh, maybe he could find an excuse to hug his father and mess up his suit in the process. Maybe rub his face against his father’s chest or something. That might work, then he could pretend to straighten it while trying to get the Miraculous off. If he was fast, it might work. If worse came to worst, he could always transform and try to simply rip it off before his father could transform.
Adrien took a few deep, steadying breaths. This could work. This would work. His Lady was depending on him whether she knew it or not. Before he knew it, Plagg was back, his face solemn.
“So?” Adrien prompted.
“I hate to tell you this, kid, but that’s the Butterfly Miraculous,” Plagg said.
Adrien felt his heart sink. There it was, confirmed. His father was Hawk Moth and he found out on Christmas right after he sang a love song to Ladybug. The emotional rollercoaster of the day was already intense and it wasn’t going to be over anytime soon.
“Alright then,” Adrien said, bracing himself. “Looks like Father will be giving me a Miraculous for Christmas.”
“Are you sure about this?” Plagg asked. “It is Christmas. You could end up starting a fight on a holiday.”
“Ladybug would do it,” Adrien told him. “She wouldn’t back down just because it’s a holiday. I won’t either. I’m going to be the type of man that Ladybug deserves.”
Plagg nodded. “You’re a good kitten. You’ll succeed. I have faith in you,” he said before zipping into Adrien’s pocket. Adrien could only hope Plagg was right.
It wasn’t much longer before Natalie was calling him down for Christmas lunch. Adrien steeled his resolve and headed downstairs. Ladybug and Gabriel were already in the entry hall waiting for him. Ladybug looked grim and Gabriel looked annoyed. It seemed like the rest of their talk didn’t go his way. Adrien tried to give Ladybug an encouraging smile, but he wasn’t really feeling it.
“Did you two have a good talk?” Adrien asked, trying to force the conversation.
“It was…not as productive as I had hoped,” Gabriel responded.
Throwing caution to the wind, Adrien went up to his father and wrapped his arms around him.
“Thank you, Father,” he said into his chest. He could feel the brooch against his cheek. “Thank you for inviting Ladybug over for Christmas. This has been such a good day with her here.”
Gabriel seemed briefly dumbfounded by Adrien’s actions. After a moment, he jerkily put his arms around Adrien to return the hug. Adrien rubbed his face against his father’s chest, both to mess up his clothes and to make sure he knew exactly where the Miraculous was. Then he pulled back slightly.
“Oh, Father, I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to mess up your clothes. Sorry.”
Adrien started straightening Gabriel’s tie. Before Gabriel could do anything to react, Adrien twisted his right hand over, closed his fingers over the Miraculous of the Butterfly, and pulled hard.
To his surprise, it came away very easily. Both father and son stood in stunned silence for an instant before Gabriel dove at Adrien and several things happened at once.
“What do you think you’re doing?!” he shrieked.
“Plagg, claws out!”
Gabriel lashed out with abandon, pummeling every inch of his son that he could reach. Chat Noir reeled back unable to defend himself until suddenly he wasn’t being punched anymore.
He opened his eyes to find Gabriel crumpled against the stairs with Ladybug seething over him.
“How dare you!” she shouted angrily. “How dare you hit your own son! I don’t care what he did to your tie! You don’t hit a child, even if he is a…a superhero!” Ladybug seemed to choke on those last words before turning around to face Chat Noir.
“He-hey, Ladybug,” Chat said, rubbing the back of his neck. “S-sorry to reveal myself to you this way. Um, here. You should take this.”
Chat held out his hand. Ladybug stepped forward and took the brooch.
“Is this…is this real?” she whispered, staring at it. “Is this…the Butterfly Miraculous?”
Chat nodded. “Plagg told me it was. I swear, Ladybug, I had no idea my father was Hawk Moth. I only caught a glimpse of it today and started to suspect. Please, believe me.”
“I believe you, Chat,” Ladybug murmured, still staring at the brooch in disbelief. “I just…I can’t believe it. We finally found Hawk Moth.”
Ladybug pinned the brooch on herself. Nooroo appeared and immediately pressed himself against her cheek. The kwami started to sob.
“Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou,” he cried, nuzzling Ladybug. She cupped him against her face, glaring at Gabriel. Chat’s face darkened at the sight.
“You’ve ruined everything, Adrien,” Gabriel said angrily from his place on the floor. “I was going to bring your mother back and now you’ll never see her again.”
“Bring Maman back?” Chat asked. “What do you mean?”
“Your mother isn’t dead. She’s in a coma, a magical coma. I needed the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculouses to make a wish to bring her back. Now, it’s over.”
“Where is she?” Chat asked, suddenly standing straighter and looming over Gabriel. “Answer me!”
“She-she’s underneath the house. I’ll-I’ll show you.”
“Show me. Now.”
Chat hauled Gabriel up by his collar and placed him on his feet.
“No funny business,” he snarled.
With his hands up, Gabriel walked toward his atelier with Chat and Ladybug right behind. He went up to the painting and gestured at the floor.
“Stand here,” he said.
Chat stood directly behind Gabriel and placed his baton across Gabriel’s throat.
“Remember, if you try anything, I’ll make sure you regret it,” Chat hissed.
Gabriel swallowed nervously and pressed the hidden buttons on the painting. Chat and Ladybug were a bit startled by the elevator, but they recovered quickly. The elevator deposited them at one end of a catwalk that stretched into the darkness with a light beyond.
Chat pushed Gabriel forward none-too-gently. With his hands still up, Gabriel led them across the catwalk to the other side where a sarcophagus lay. With a nudge from Chat, Gabriel opened the cover. Chat gasped.
Inside a clear glass case lay his mother. Her eyes were closed as if asleep and her hands were folded across her chest with a bouquet of roses clutched in her fingers. Momentarily, Adrien forgot about Gabriel and stepped forward to get a better look. Gabriel took advantage of this momentary lapse and grabbed Chat’s hand, trying to pry the ring off his finger.
Thankfully, he had a partner. Ladybug didn’t hesitate to whack Gabriel across the head with her open palm. The resounding crack echoed around the chamber and Gabriel fell senseless to the floor.
“I’m so sorry, Chat,” Ladybug said quickly, clapping her hands over her mouth. “I didn’t mean to hit him so hard.”
“I would have hit him harder,” Chat said angrily. “He had my mother under the house this whole time?! And he tried to steal my ring?”
Chat picked up Gabriel’s unconscious form and slung him over his shoulder.
“Come on, Ladybug,” he said. “Let’s go back upstairs and sort this whole mess out.”
Once back upstairs, Chat settled Gabriel into a chair and called for Natalie. She came quickly.
“Before my father wakes up, I want you to tell me everything you know about his activities as Hawk Moth,” Chat ordered. When Natalie hesitated, he said, “Don’t even try to lie to me about it. You are as close to my father as anyone, you set up his schedule, and you would have had to cover for him whenever he made an akuma. I just saw my mother lying in the basement in a coma and right now I’m not feeling particularly charitable. So, I suggest you talk.”
Natalie took another nervous look at Gabriel and sat down in a chair.
“This all started some years ago…” she started.
About an hour later, Gabriel started to come to. He groaned and slowly opened his eyes.
“Welcome back, Father,” Chat said coldly. “I’ve got some questions for you. First, where is the Peacock Miraculous? I’m certain you have it.”
“I…I don’t have it.”
“Don’t lie to me,” Chat hissed. “Natalie already told us everything. She just doesn’t know where the Peacock Miraculous and Grimoire actually are.”
Gabriel shook his head as if to clear it, a cold, calculating look coming on to his face.
“I want amnesty,” he said.
“What?” Chat asked, taken off guard.
“I want amnesty,” Gabriel repeated. “In exchange for the Peacock Miraculous, I want all of this to be kept quiet.”
“Not a chance-” Chat started to say, but Ladybug interjected.
“That’s an enormous ask,” she said calmly. “I’m sure if we tried, with Natalie’s help we could tear this house apart and find it ourselves. Eventually.”
“Obviously I mean that you can have the Grimoire along with the Peacock, of course,” Gabriel amended.
“Still a big ask,” Ladybug replied. “I feel like the people of Paris deserve to know who has been tormenting them for the past couple of years. And you deserve prison time.”
“What do you want?” Gabriel asked. “My house? My business? My fortune?”
“I want Adrien’s freedom,” Ladybug answered. Chat’s head whipped toward her in surprise. “I want you to stop controlling his life. Let Adrien make choices for himself, such as going to school, hanging out with friends, being in a band, or being a model. Those are all choices that Adrien should be able to make for himself.”
Gabriel hesitated, apparently torn.
“You won’t be able to control him from prison anyway,” Ladybug said softly. It worked.
“Fine,” Gabriel snapped. “I’ll give Adrien more autonomy. Is that all?”
“Mostly,” Ladybug said. “Here are the terms. You will give up the Peacock Miraculous and the Grimoire. You will stay silent about Adrien’s identity as Chat Noir. You will not restrict his freedom any more than a normal parent should. You will allow him to experience things like dating, birthday parties, nights out with friends, and so on. In return, we will remain silent about your identity. We will not make any public statements regarding the nature of our final confrontation. And we will work with the Guardian to see if there is a way to heal your wife. If any of our conditions are broken, you will find yourself in prison faster than you can blink. This is our deal. You have thirty seconds.”
Gabriel stared Ladybug in the eye as if trying to intimidate her. She held his gaze unflinchingly.
“You really think the Guardian might be able to help my wife?” he asked, his voice quiet.
“I honestly have no idea,” Ladybug said. “But we will do our best to find a solution. And it’s got to be more of a chance than trying to take our Miraculouses for two years.”
Gabriel glanced at Chat who glared back. He looked down at his lap and back up at Ladybug.
“I accept,” he said finally.
“Good. Where is the Peacock?” Ladybug asked.
“In a safe behind the painting over there,” Gabriel said. “The Grimoire is in there, too. The code is in the painting, just like the elevator. Let me show you.”
Ladybug stepped back and allowed Gabriel to stand. He walked a little unsteadily over to the painting and pressed the hidden buttons. The painting swung forward to reveal a safe tucked into the wall. Gabriel twisted the dial to input the combo and then it opened.
“There they are,” he said. Ladybug stepped forward and took the Peacock brooch and the Grimoire out of the safe.
“Nooroo,” she said softly. “Can you come out and please confirm that this is the real Peacock Miraculous?”
Tentatively, Nooroo exited his Miraculous. He floated over to the brooch and nodded.
“This is it,” he said. “But it’s broken. Duusu is in pain and anyone who uses it will be hurt, too.”
“That’s how Emilie got hurt,” Gabriel volunteered. “She tried to use the Peacock and, well, now she’s in a coma.”
“We’ll see if we can help Duusu,” Ladybug told Nooroo. “Thank you for your help.”
Nooroo nodded and returned to his Miraculous. Ladybug turned to Chat.
“I need to return these to the Guardian,” she told him. “Will you meet me tonight for patrol?”
“Yes, my Lady,” Chat said with a small bow. “Will you need anything else before then?”
“No,” she responded. “I’ll see you tonight at the usual time and place.”
Chat took her hand and brushed a kiss over her knuckles. “Until then,” he said.
Chat was already waiting for her when she landed lightly on the railing at the very top of the Eiffel Tower later that night. She slung her yo-yo on her waist and hopped down to the deck.
“Hey,” she said quietly.
“Hey. How did it go with the Guardian?”
“He was very pleased to get the Miraculous back. And the Grimoire,” she replied.
“Good.”
Chat seemed terse. Ladybug couldn’t blame him. It had been a very difficult day.
“So, Kittycat, um, I brought some snacks. Would you like some?”
Chat looked over at her, his expression unreadable.
“Sure.”
Ladybug spread out a blanket from the pack she brought with her and they both settled down in their usual places. She put the pack in the center and opened it.
“Please. Help yourself,” she said.
Slowly, Chat reached inside and pulled out a pastry. Ladybug followed suit. They munched in silence for a few minutes before Ladybug spoke again.
“Chat, I’m…I’m so sorry about your father,” she said quietly. “After he invited me over for Christmas, I considered the possibility that he could be Hawk Moth. But I never anticipated actually confronting him on Christmas. And your mother. It’s just…I understand if you’re angry at me since all of this only happened because I was there. And I’ll understand if you don’t want to see me for a while. But I want you to know that I was so happy to spend Christmas with you. I loved your gift. It was the best gift I got by far. And…I…Kitty, I love you, too.”
Before she had even finished talking, Chat crawled across the blanket to her. He stared into her eyes, then his own started welling up with tears. Before Ladybug could react, Chat curled up in her lap and began to sob. His body shook so violently that the entire platform vibrated. Ladybug immediately wrapped her arms around him and began stroking his hair, cat ears, and back.
“I’m so sorry, Minou,” she murmured. “So sorry. It’s okay. Let it all out. I’m here for you. Always here for you.”
Chat cried in Ladybug’s arms for a long time, so long that her tailbone started to ache from sitting on the hard metal of the tower. But she refused to disturb him, letting him vent all of his feelings. After the terrible day he had, it was the least she could do.
Finally, Chat’s cries subsided and his body stilled. He didn’t uncurl himself for several more minutes, though, pressing himself as hard as he could against Ladybug. She continued petting him, unsure of what else she could do.
“I’m sorry, Ladybug,” Chat finally murmured.
“Sorry? For what?” she asked in surprise.
“I’m sorry I revealed my identity,” he said. “I just…I couldn’t have fought my father without my suit on. And I didn’t want him to get the Butterfly back. I…I’m sorry.”
“Adrien Chaton Noir,” Ladybug said sternly. “You have nothing to apologize for and I don’t want to hear another one. Do you understand? You were a hero today. You discovered Hawk Moth, took his Miraculous as a civilian, and then stayed in the game even though what he showed you would have broken most other people. I could not have done any better.”
Chat looked up at her for the first time since he started crying. “You mean that?” he whispered, his eyes watering again.
Ladybug took his face between her hands. “Kittycat,” she said softly, “you did an amazing job today. I wish I could tell the whole world how heroically you acted. I’m so proud of you that I can’t even say. But maybe this will help.”
Ladybug pulled his face to hers and pressed her lips against his. She felt the tension seep out of him as his whole body relaxed into the kiss. He kissed her hungrily, desperately seeking not just the joy of the intimate contact, but also the validation of her love for him. She ran her hands through his hair, brushing his cat ears with her fingertips and smiling internally as they twitched at her touch. Chat’s tail wrapped itself around her waist at the same time his hands found her face. His thumbs brushed gently across her cheeks while his fingers interlaced on the back of her neck.
Her tears mingled with his as they kissed, tears of relief, happiness, and pain for her partner. They had defeated Hawk Moth, but it had come at a cost. But the future could also be brighter. If Adrien still wanted her, that is.
Ladybug broke the kiss. “Chat, I need to be honest with you,” she said, touching her forehead to his. “I love you. I know you love Ladybug. But I don’t know if you’re going to love the girl underneath the mask. Before we go any farther, I need you to know who I am.”
“You’re going to reveal yourself to me?” Chat asked in shock.
“Yes. The whole reason we didn’t reveal ourselves before was because Hawk Moth could read minds. That threat is gone now. Before you fall any more in love with the girl in the mask, it’s only fair that you know who the girl behind the mask is.”
Chat sat up, but he didn’t scoot away, instead keeping one hand on her leg.
“I’m ready,” he said. “I can’t wait to love both sides of you.”
Ladybug smiled uncertainly at him. “Don’t be too eager,” she said. “Under this mask, I’m just a normal girl, nothing special. Please don’t be too disappointed.”
“I’m only going to be disappointed if you keep stalling,” Chat said, his tail twitching with impatience. “Please, Ladybug. Please. Drop the mask.”
Ladybug closed her eyes and screwed up her courage. She didn’t want to see his face when the mask fell.
“…Spots…spots off,” she said.
She felt the magic leave her and also felt Adrien stiffen in surprise. She braced herself for the worst. She was therefore completely unprepared for Chat’s lips to crash against hers again, kissing her with a renewed vigor. After the initial shock, she kissed him back, tears flowing again in relief.
“What are the chances?” Chat said, pulling back for a moment. “What are the freaking chances that my Everyday Ladybug is the actual Ladybug?”
“So…you’re not disappointed?”
“Disappointed? I couldn’t be happier! I’ve loved both Marinette and Ladybug since the days I met them, I just happened to have met Ladybug first. Now I can love them both and not feel bad! This is the best moment of my life.”
Chat sighed happily. “I want to touch you without my suit. Claws in.”
Adrien gently stroked her face, staring into her eyes. “I love you, Marinette Ladybug Dupain-Cheng. I love you. Would you…would you be my girlfriend?”
“Yes! Of course! I’d love to be your girlfriend,” Marinette giggled.
A gust of wind reminded them of where they were and what time of year it was.
“Brr. Tikki, spots on.”
“Claws out.”
Safely back in their supersuits, they continued cuddling for a few more minutes.
“I really don’t want to go home,” Chat said. “Do you think your parents would let me sleep on the couch?”
“We have a guest bedroom, Kitty,” Ladybug said. “I’m sure they’d let you stay there, if you want.”
“Please?”
Ladybug untangled herself from her new boyfriend. He stood and helped her to her feet. She took his hand in hers.
“Come on, Minou. Let’s go home.”