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Paris in the early afternoon carried the crisp scent of pastries drifting from every bakery door. Adrien immediately thought, biased as he was, that none of them smelled nearly as wonderful as anything from Marinette’s family bakery.
He stood on the sidewalk feeling strangely out of place. Going out without a bodyguard still didn’t feel natural… maybe it never would. Every time someone glanced his way, his stomach tightened, half-expecting them to whisper about his father or his fame.
At least he was getting better at blending in. Today, he wore a hat and a scarf that hid his features.
This outing was supposed to be simple: Christmas shopping with his cousin Félix. Kagami had suggested it after mentioning that she and Marinette were doing something similar. It had seemed harmless enough… in theory.
He spotted Félix across the street and lifted a hand. Félix looked up, took him in from head to toe, but didn’t wave back or hurry to meet him. He simply watched, expression unreadable.
Something flickered in that look.
Adrien jogged across the street anyway. “Hey, Félix!”
“Hi, Adrien.” Félix’s gaze swept over him again, quietly searching. “How are you doing?”
“I’m great! Really great, actually. How are you?”
Félix’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Fine. I’m surprised you’re here. Nathalie let you out?”
“Huh?” Adrien tilted his head.
“Well, since you said no to living with my mother and me, she’s responsible for you now, correct?”
“Well… yeah. Um, haha.” Adrien suddenly remembered how easily he’d made that decision. Leaving Paris hadn’t felt right. There was Marinette. His friends. And his responsibility as Cat Noir. Though with Hawk Moth fallen, he sometimes wondered how much he was still needed. Standing in front of Félix now, that ease left behind a faint, uncomfortable guilt. “She said it would be nice for us to catch up, so she dropped me off here.”
“Hmm. Surprising,” Félix muttered, glancing toward the nearest shop. “Let’s get going.”
Adrien nodded, tugged his scarf higher, and fell into step beside him. The narrow street was lined with boutiques. It would have been charming, if not for the thick, awkward silence between them.
He nudged a pebble along the cobblestones, glancing sideways at Félix, who walked with perfectly measured steps and shoulders drawn tight. After a long stretch of quiet, Adrien tried again.
“Um… so… when was the last time we saw each other? Sorry, I’m trying to remember,” he asked, landing somewhere between polite and panicked.
“At the pool party. But you mostly talked to your friends. Before that was when I tried to erase the entire world.”
Adrien stumbled. “Yeah… you still have that, uh, peacock thing?”
“I will never let it out of my sight,” Félix replied flatly. “It’s mine now.”
He lifted his scarf just enough for the gold edge of the disguised Peacock Miraculous to catch the light beneath his coat before letting the fabric fall back into place.
“…Oh,” Adrien said, fighting the urge to look down at his own Miraculous.
And that was that. No follow-up. No commentary. Just the most uncomfortable silence.
Adrien couldn’t help wondering why Ladybug had been willing to let Félix keep it. Somehow, Argos was part of the team now. Adrien did believe Félix could be better.
But still… It felt out of character for Ladybug to forgive him so easily after everything he’d done, especially after stealing the other Miraculous. But that was something Félix didn’t know Adrien knew, thanks to being Cat Noir.
So maybe it was better to try to avoid that topic as much as possible.
They stepped into the first store—a quaint, overpriced boutique with lace curtains and a soft bell that jingled as they entered. The air smelled faintly of lavender and perfume samples.
Adrien tried again. Someone had to.
“So… what are you thinking of getting Kagami?” he asked, pretending to browse earrings he couldn’t imagine Kagami wearing.
“Vacuum,” Félix said immediately.
Adrien turned slowly. “…What?”
“A vacuum,” Félix said with complete sincerity. “Her mother likes to make her feel responsible for all the housework. She even fired the staff. I told Kagami she should stand up to her, but she said this was a middle ground. I respect her. So I want to get her something that makes it easier.”
Adrien stared at him. “Félix, I don’t want to sound rude, but… a vacuum isn’t exactly romantic.”
“She needs one,” His voice softened just slightly, frustration threading through it. “I asked what she wanted. She told me directly. Getting her one will help her.”
“I know,” Adrien said gently. “But maybe you could get her something more personal?”
“What do you mean?” Félix countered. “What are you getting, Marinette?”
Adrien sighed. “I don’t know yet. Maybe a scrapbook? She likes crafty stuff.”
“That will only clutter her house,” Félix replied instantly. “We have phones that store pictures.”
“Félix… Marinette and I have been through a lot together,” Adrien said gently. “I think she’d like something that reflects that. The ups and downs. Everything in between.”
“Did you ask her?” Félix countered.
“Well, no,” Adrien admitted. “But that’s part of the fun. Surprising the person.”
Félix frowned. “But if they didn’t ask for it, what’s the point?”
Adrien hesitated. “Uh… it’s the thought that counts?”
Félix rolled his eyes and walked to the other side of the store, stopping to inspect a display of small glass statues.
Adrien glanced back down, pretending to browse as well, but his mind drifted. He kept turning over the same question—why Félix couldn’t understand.
For Adrien, Christmas had always been… strange, in a way most of his classmates never understood. While other kids talked excitedly about surprises and the things they’d begged their parents for, Adrien had grown up knowing that if they wanted something, they usually got it. Immediately. Privilege had a way of stripping the magic out of things.
But when his mother was still around, she had found ways to make things special anyway. She gave him small crafts they could work on together. She asked him to help make handwritten cards. Adrien remembered, as a child, wondering why she didn’t just buy something more professional-looking.
Now, he understood.
After his mother was gone, Christmas became less personal. His father would ask what he wanted, and Adrien would receive exactly that. Or he’d be given something practical. A new fencing sword. Equipment for an extracurricular he was expected to excel in. Useful. Expensive. But not always meaningful.
Because of his mother, Adrien had learned that gifts weren’t meant to be practical or impressive. They were meant to carry feelings.
His gaze flicked briefly to Félix, standing rigid by the glass display, and Adrien wondered if it had been the same for him. Adrien knew enough about Félix’s father to suspect it hadn’t been warm or easy. He wondered if Félix’s gifts had been limited to school supplies, lessons, and expectations.
Adrien didn’t ask.
Some questions, he knew, weren’t meant to be spoken aloud.
“Are you ready to go?” Félix said at last, glancing around the boutique. “There’s nothing here.”
“Yeah… let’s go,” Adrien nodded. He felt a brief twinge of guilt at leaving empty-handed. He pushed the feeling aside and followed Félix back out into the cold.
As they walked, Adrien tried to lighten the mood. “We could check a variety store?” he offered with a weak laugh. “You know… somewhere that sells vacuums.”
Félix shot him a look. “Are you mocking me, cousin?”
“What? No! I mean… That is what you said you wanted to get her.”
“You also said it was a bad idea.”
“Well… we could still get one,” Adrien said quickly. “And maybe something else too? Something more personal.”
“More personal,” Félix echoed. His jaw tightened. “You said it’s the thought that counts. But there are conditions, aren’t there? My vacuum wouldn’t be a problem if there weren’t.”
Adrien slowed, confusion and fatigue creeping in. “Conditions?”
“Yes.” Félix’s voice sharpened, though he forced it back under control. “Rules. Criteria. A correct way to do it. Otherwise you fail. You fail to please them. Isn’t that how it works?”
Adrien stopped walking. “…Félix, are you okay?” he asked carefully. “I’m really confused about what you’re talking about.”
Félix didn’t answer.
His gaze drifted to the window of a passing jewelry store. Necklaces, earrings, rings arranged in soft velvet. His fingers twitched toward the ring on his own hand, then flicked briefly to the one on Adrien’s—a tiny movement, too small for Adrien to notice, and one Félix intended to keep that way.
The cold metal pressed into his skin, a constant reminder.
A reminder that he wasn’t meant to exist freely. Not naturally. Not human in the way Adrien believed himself to be. Not in the way Adrien believed Félix was.
Kagami knows what she is, Félix thought. I know what I am. But Adrien… doesn’t know anything.
Something tightened painfully in his chest.
He knew he cared for Kagami. He admired her discipline, her honesty, the clarity with which she faced the world. But was that love—or was it something constructed? If his existence had been shaped by someone else’s will, then how much of what he felt truly belonged to him?
And if his feelings weren’t real… what did that mean for hers?
How could Adrien understand romance so easily? Sentiment. Nostalgia. How could he instinctively know how to give something heartfelt, when Félix had to dissect every emotion like a problem to be solved?
Of course a vacuum made more sense than a scrapbook. Feelings weren’t instincts to him. They were learned behaviors.
And Adrien—
Adrien with his open heart, his relentless kindness, his stubborn belief in everyone’s goodness—
felt things too easily. He clung to optimism because the alternative would shatter him.
Félix didn’t deserve that kind of trust. Didn’t deserve him.
Around them, Paris hummed with life—couples laughing together, and storefronts dressed in tinsel and ribbons.
Félix exhaled sharply.
“Let’s drop this,” he said suddenly, voice clipped and controlled. “Forget I said anything.”
Adrien blinked. “Félix—”
“I said forget it.” Félix straightened his posture, already turning away. His expression was calm again, perfectly composed, but something sharp burned just beneath it. “We’re here to shop.”
He started walking before Adrien could respond.
Adrien hesitated, then followed, unease settling quietly in his chest.
On their way to the variety store, Adrien searched for something to talk about that wouldn’t end in tension. He opened his mouth to speak when a cheerful voice chimed behind them.
“Bonjour, messieurs! A moment of your time?”
Adrien turned automatically.
A man with a flimsy folding table had appeared as if conjured from thin air. Three cups sat neatly arranged on top. An unmistakable street scam.
“Oh! Hi?” Adrien smiled.
“Care to play a fun little game?” the man asked, his eyes flicking between them. “You two twins must have an advantage. Two sets of eyes, yes?”
Adrien blinked, then laughed lightly. “Oh! No, we’re actually cousins.”
Félix stiffened.
“Ah, still! Family resemblance, then,” the man waved it off easily, already sliding one of the cups aside just long enough to flash the marble. “Very simple. Very fair. You look sharp, monsieur—quick eyes like yours should have no trouble at all.”
“I love games,” Adrien brightened. “I’ve seen videos of this!”
“Adrien, don’t—” Félix started.
“Ah, then you already know how it works!” the man cut in cheerfully. “Skill, focus, a little luck.”
Adrien laughed, flattered despite himself. “Oh! I don’t know about that, but—”
“Adrien, let’s go,” Félix said sharply. “This man shouldn’t be trusted.”
Adrien glanced back at him, confused. “What? It’s just a game.”
Félix stared at him in disbelief. “How do you not know this scam?” he hissed. “You’ve lived in France your whole life.”
“Maybe he’s just trying to earn a little money,” Adrien replied, already stepping closer. “Everyone deserves—”
“Exactly!” the man said smoothly, already shuffling the cups with practiced ease. “Just a small game, a small price. Five euros. No tricks—only skill. Win once, and you take double.”
Félix’s jaw tightened.
The cups moved faster.
“Watch carefully,” the man encouraged. “I’ll even make it easy for you.”
Adrien leaned in, eyes tracking the motion, utterly convinced.
“Adrien,” Félix warned, voice sharp now. “Stop.”
But Adrien was already reaching for his wallet.
“Oui, exactement!” the man pressed. “Just five euros to play—”
Félix moved.
His hand shot out, clamping around Adrien’s wrist and yanking him backward. Adrien stumbled, nearly crashing into him.
“HEY!” Adrien yelped. “Félix—!”
Félix didn’t look at him. His eyes were locked on the man.
“Try that again,” Félix said quietly.
The man raised his hands, smile faltering. “Whoa, monsieur, no need for—”
Félix’s stare turned cold. The scammer disappeared into the crowd in under three seconds .The moment he was gone, Félix spun on Adrien.
“Are you insane?” Félix hissed.
“What? I was just—trying to be polite!” Adrien said.
“Polite?” Félix snapped. “He was about to rob you blind!”
“He just looked like he needed—”
“Adrien.” Félix grabbed his shoulders, his grip tight, almost shaking. “Do you have to trust everyone?”
“I don’t trust everyone…” Adrien shrank back slightly. “I just don’t want to assume the worst in people.”
“You should,” Félix snapped. “Because the world is the worst. People lie. People take advantage. People hurt you.”
“But…” Adrien insisted softly. “It’s good to believe in people.”
Félix let out a short, bitter laugh. “Yeah. And look what happened when you believed in me.”
Adrien’s eyes widened. His expression softened instantly. “Félix…”
“No.” Félix stepped back abruptly, dragging a hand through his hair. “Don’t say my name like that. Just forget it.”
“What…? I’m so confused.”
Félix turned as if to leave—but Adrien, fueled by a sudden jolt of adrenaline, stepped in front of him.
“You can’t keep telling me to forget,” Adrien said, voice tight. “You keep saying things I don’t understand. I can tell something’s been on your mind. Please—just tell me.”
For a split second, Félix considered pushing past him and running. Disappearing into the crowd without a second thought. A reckless part of him even imagined the familiar weight of the Peacock Miraculous, the escape it offered, one leap and he’d be gone.
But…
He couldn’t run from Adrien forever.
Félix exhaled.
“I don’t understand why you even agreed to come today,” he said quietly.
Adrien didn’t hesitate. “I missed you.”
Félix swallowed.
“But why?” His voice wavered despite himself. “Why are you acting so kind to me after everything I’ve done? How do you look at me and not see a monster?”
Silence fell between them.
Félix’s chest rose and fell, uneven and strained.
“In Paris,” he said quietly, staring at the ground, “Most people who do terrible things because they’re akumatized.”
He let out a hollow breath.
“But I wasn’t.”
He finally looked up at Adrien, eyes dark and unflinching.
“I knew exactly what I was doing. I acted on my own will.” His voice dropped to a whisper.
His hands curled into fists.
“So no,” he murmured. “I wouldn’t trust me.”
Adrien stepped forward without hesitation, closing the space between them, and placed a steady hand on Félix’s trembling shoulder.
“But I do.”
Félix flinched.
“…Why?”
“I trust you, Félix,” Adrien repeated. “Not because I’m naïve, but because—”
He met Félix’s gaze. Félix’s eyes darted away.
“Because I know you feel guilty,” Adrien continued quietly. “You realized what you did was wrong, and you stopped. I know you’re trying to be better. And…” He hesitated, then added gently, “I have this feeling you did what you did for a reason. Didn’t you?”
Félix’s throat bobbed.
He did.
He’d thought about telling Adrien everything. About the rings and what they truly were, about the invisible strings that had dictated their lives. About freeing Adrien from his father’s control. About his uncle. About Hawk Moth. All of it.
That morning, he’d stood in front of the mirror and imagined Adrien’s face when the truth finally surfaced. The disbelief. The horror. The way his world would fracture all at once.
Félix had broken under that knowledge. He couldn’t let Adrien shatter the same way.
Not yet.
The thought made his jaw tighten because he hated that this restraint echoed Marinette’s choice. He despised how easily she framed it as protection, how gently she spoke about secrets and timing, as if silence itself were some great kindness to Adrien.
Their reasons were similar. That part irritated him most.
But it wasn’t the same.
Adrien was his family. His blood. Someone bound to him by the same curse, the same creation. Marinette was Adrien’s girlfriend, important, yes, but she didn’t carry the same weight. She didn’t have to live with what the truth had done to him.
And more than that, she wasn’t waiting to tell Adrien. Not really.
Félix was.
Marinette spoke as if the truth were something that could be postponed forever. Félix never believed that. He had always planned to tell Adrien. He wanted to. The question had never been if, only when.
Kagami understood that.
They’d spoken about it late one night. Kagami, precise as always, had said it plainly: Adrien deserves the truth—but only when it won’t destroy him. One day, it would have to happen. Félix knew that. Secrets like these never stay buried forever. But Adrien wasn’t ready, and their bond wasn’t strong enough yet.
Félix needed to rebuild what he’d damaged first.
Even if Gabriel Agreste being praised as a hero made Félix sick.
Not now.
“I did,” Félix whispered at last. “But… I can’t tell you yet.”
Adrien’s brows drew together just slightly, something unasked flickering behind his eyes. For a brief moment, it looked like he might push for Félix’s reasons.
But then he let the moment pass.
“That’s okay,” Adrien exhaled. “I’m sure one day you’ll tell me when you’re ready. I’m just glad… we’re talking about what happened at all.”
“Yeah…” Félix admitted quietly, suddenly feeling guilty at how easily Adrien dropped it. “I thought we never would.”
Adrien shifted, trying to lighten the mood. “Plus, Félix—aren’t you part of Ladybug’s team now? If she trusts you, then… things must be okay.”
“Oh god.” Félix rolled his eyes. “You and your crush on Ladybug.”
“What? Félix—I’m with Marinette! I don’t have a crush,” Adrien protested, cheeks flushing. He would later blame the cold.
“I’m joking,” Félix said dryly.
Adrien laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Still… It must be kind of fun. Being a superhero.”
“…Yeah,” Félix replied, but the word felt hollow. He didn’t feel like one. Not really.
“I love you,” Adrien blurted.
Félix froze. The wind stirred between them, sharp and cold.
“W-what? You shouldn’t say that,” he snapped, too fast.
“But I want to!” Adrien said, smiling anyway. “I do love you a lot. I’m glad we’re hanging out.”
Félix stared at him like he’d spoken an impossible sentence. The city around them seemed to be quiet, like it was holding its breath.
“…You’re an idiot,” Félix murmured, voice rough. Then, barely audible, “I’m sorry. And I… I love you too.”
He sniffed once before straightening his collar.
Adrien’s face beamed before, without thinking, he stepped forward and wrapped Félix in a firm, warm embrace. Félix stiffened for a moment, then slowly relaxed against him. Adrien rested his cheek against Félix’s shoulder.
“See? Everything’s okay,” Adrien murmured.
They held each other a bit more before Félix pulled back with a faint blush on his cheeks.
“…So! It’s cold, and we should… keep shopping,” he muttered, trying to regain composure.
Adrien nodded, still smiling, but gave him the space he needed. “Yeah. Let’s go!”
They walked on in silence at first, their breath fogging in the winter air. But then Félix cleared his throat.
“…Adrien.”
Adrien glanced over with a small smile. “Hmm?”
“The vacuum.”
Adrien tried not to laugh. “Yes?”
“I’ve reconsidered,” Félix said stiffly. “It’s still practical. And she did ask for it. But… you implied she might also appreciate something more… personal.”
Adrien’s smile softened. “I did imply that.”
Félix sighed. “You’re good at sentimental things.” He paused. “What else could I get her?”
Adrien brightened. “You want my help?”
“You were her boyfriend once, and you’re her friend,” Félix muttered. “Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
Adrien laughed. “Okay, okay… let’s think. Uh… you could bake something for her…”
“…Absolutely not,” Félix said firmly, shaking his head. “I do not do baking. Not everyone is like your girlfriend.”
Adrien raised his hands in surrender, still chuckling. “Fair enough. Flowers are always nice.”
“I will get her flowers,” Félix stated, as if taking notes. “Anything else?”
“Uh—oh! Wait. Kagami does a lot of calligraphy,” Adrien said.
“You’re right…” Félix admitted.
“Maybe you can try some calligraphy yourself or get her another kit?”
“…That sounds acceptable,” he said at last.
Adrien bumped his shoulder lightly. “It shows you pay attention to her.”
Félix huffed. “Or that I’m letting you influence my decisions.”
“It shows you’re willing to ask for help,” Adrien countered gently. “For her.”
Félix didn’t respond right away. He just stared straight ahead, clearly thinking far too hard.
Then—“…Thank you,” he said quietly.
Adrien beamed. “Anytime.”
Félix was lost in thought, planning which gifts to get and where to find them. A fleeting idea crossed his mind; maybe he could pick something out for Adrien, too. But he shoved it aside. That could wait for another day; right now, he had to focus on Kagami. Wait…
Félix paused. “…Um, wait… where would I even buy a calligraphy gift?”
Adrien frowned. “Uh… you know what? I actually have no idea.”
They stared at each other for a beat before Adrien snorted.
“WAIT,” Adrien said, suddenly laughing harder. “Félix, I just realized something.”
“What?”
“If you bought a vacuum and we kept shopping, you’d have to drag it around. You’d look ridiculous.”
Félix’s lips twitched. “…That would be unacceptable.”
“And difficult,” Adrien added seriously. “People might even assume you were a delivery person! And you don’t even have one of those metal carts.”
Félix let out a real laugh. “You mean a box trolley?”
“I don’t know, haha,” Adrien said. “Okay, new plan: we buy the big stuff online. But let’s get lunch first,” he continued. “Maybe we can still grab some candies and a nice necklace for them, though.”
“Sounds perfect,” Félix nodded.
“Oh! And Félix,” Adrien added casually.“You should come to the Christmas party at my school before going back to London. Kagami’s going.”
“I remember her mentioning it,” Félix hummed, voice even, though a shadow of reluctance lingered. “I’ll consider it. Small steps, Adrien. I’m still not convinced your friends would forgive me… after, you know…” He trailed off, thinking of the time he’d dressed as Adrien and said those awful things.
Part of him didn’t care to be around Adrien’s friends; they disinterested him. And though he regretted the past, a quiet, gray part of him still clung to some of the cynicism he’d expressed back then. Yet he didn’t want to disappoint Adrien, so he offered a hesitant, noncommittal “maybe.”
Adrien tilted his head, sensing the weight behind Félix’s words. “Oh… right. I forgot about that. But I think… it’ll be fine.”
“God, Adrien…” Félix muttered, rolling his eyes, a hint of exasperation in his voice.
“But yeah… you’re right. Small steps,” Adrien said. “Lunch? I know just the place that has the best croque-monsieur in Paris.”
Félix arched an eyebrow. “Fine. But only because your taste in sandwiches is tolerable.”
Adrien laughed before linking his arm lightly with Félix’s. Félix flinched but didn’t pull away as Adrien tugged him through the bustling streets, the scent of pine and cinnamon drifting in the winter air.
And as they went, the city seemed a little warmer. For now, the awkwardness and the gray edges of Félix’s mood softened.
He was happy to be with his cousin.
A week and a half had passed since his shopping trip with Adrien. Félix’s carefully chosen gifts had all arrived in the mail, each one neatly wrapped and ready.
Félix had decided to attend the Christmas party at Adrien’s school. Kagami pushed him to go. Although a part of him still hesitated, he mainly wanted to go because he wanted to give some gifts early. He was determined to give Kagami the present Adrien had suggested.
When they arrived, Adrien was the first to greet them. But the party quickly pulled him away as his friends from school arrived. But Adrien did promise that they’d catch up later in the night. Félix didn’t mind. He found himself looking forward to when the noise would die down, and they’d finally have time alone. Especially since Félix had a surprise for him.
As the party went on, he and Kagami kept to themselves. Kagami would occasionally chat with his friends as well while Félix stood beside her, forcing small talk when necessary.
Thankfully, though, gift exchanges started happening.
When he handed Kagami the gift from his bag, she took it delicately, her fingers brushing the wrapping, and glanced down with a small, appreciative smile. She opened it carefully. Though subtle, Félix saw her approval.
“This is much appreciated,” she said softly. But then she offered a frown, “But what about my vacuum?”
Félix grinned, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Direct as always, my love,” he replied, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “Don’t worry. I got it too. It was a bit difficult to bring here, though.”
“Perfect.” She laughed. She then brought out her own present, which was rather heavy. Félix unwrapped and saw that it was a book set about philosophy. Even better, they were books he had not read yet.
“Thank you,” he said.
She leaned up and kissed him lightly, and he returned it with equal warmth, savoring the brief, comfortable intimacy. As they pulled back, Félix’s gaze lingered on her. Kagami looked effortlessly striking tonight. She wore a fitted cream sweater that tucked neatly into the high-waisted skirt.
She always seemed to carry herself with a quiet elegance that drew his attention, making the simple act of standing near her feel almost luxurious.
Félix couldn’t stop thinking about how incredibly pretty she was.
The moment fizzled out when footsteps approached. Both of them turned to see Marinette standing there, looking nervous and uncertain.
“Oh—um, Félix… can we talk?” she asked hesitantly.
“Are you okay, Marinette?” Kagami prompted, tilting her head.
“Yes… I just… I wanted to ask something—about… uh… The punch. And whether Félix likes… uh… cranberry or…”
“I’ll be right back, Kagami,” Félix said calmly, hoping to not hear any more of Marinette’s rambling. He wondered what it was and why she couldn’t just speak in front of Kagami, after all, Kagami already knew the situation with Adrien.
They moved to a quieter corner of the room. Félix felt a slight unease at being alone with Marinette again, the familiarity tinged with past mistakes. A part of him silently hoped she wasn’t thinking about that like he was. Wait, was that what she was going to talk to him about? Did he ever apologize?
“Thank you… for not telling him,” Marinette blurted, relief and tension colliding in her voice.
Félix’s brow furrowed as understanding clicked into place. Adrien. Of course.
“About what, exactly, Marinette?” he asked, keeping his tone gentle.
She froze, clearly scrambling for the right words.
So it was about Hawk Moth and that secret. He exhaled slowly. She must have already talked this through with Kagami.
“You thought I was going to tell him when we were shopping?” Félix said quietly.
“Well… I just hadn’t been able to talk to you,” Marinette admitted.
“Look, I’m not going to tell him,” Félix said, a sharp edge slipping into his voice. “My goal was to free him. And I did.” He let out a tight breath. “I understand—it’s not the right moment. Let’s leave it at that.”
Marinette nodded a little too quickly. “Exactly.”
“But,” Félix cut in, gaze dropping to the floor, jaw tight. “Don’t mistake that for agreement.” His voice stayed low, clipped. “I don’t agree with all your reasons.” He paused, then added, flat but certain, “One day, Marinette. One day.”
She didn’t answer. The silence between them was thick. He sensed her frustration and denial. But Félix didn’t press further. Not tonight.
“This isn’t the time,” he said shortly, glancing back toward the warm glow of the party. “Tonight isn’t about secrets or guilt.”Then he exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing. His voice lowered, losing its edge. “I just want to appreciate the fact that he’s free. That’s enough for now.”
Marinette hesitated. “Okay.”
She took a step back, then stopped herself.
“…Félix,” she said quietly.
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry,” Marinette blurted, the words tumbling out all at once. “If it feels like I cornered you tonight. Or like I don’t trust you.” Her hands twisted together. “That wasn’t fair to you.”
Félix didn’t interrupt.
“I couldn’t have saved him, or the day if you hadn’t told me what was going on,” Marinette continued, her voice wavering. “I just—” She swallowed hard. “Keeping this secret is eating me alive. Every time I look at him, I feel like I’m lying.”
Félix watched her shoulders tense, the way she fought to keep herself together. It was impossible not to see how exhausted she looked, how much weight she carried so quietly.
“I feel similar,” he admitted, exhaling. “Marinette… I get it.”
“Yeah…” Her voice choked, and she turned slightly, as if embarrassed by it.
Félix’s chest tightened. He knew who she was. Not just Adrien’s girlfriend or Ladybug, but someone forced to make impossible decisions every day. Someone who carried the weight of the city on her shoulders and still blamed herself when things went wrong. She didn’t deserve to carry guilt alone. And she didn’t deserve everything she’d been through, especially the things he had done.
He took a breath, then stopped her before she could turn away.
“Marinette.”
“Y-yes?”
The sharp composure he’d been holding finally cracked. His voice softened, stripped of its usual edge.
“I’m sorry,” Félix said quietly. He met her eyes, steady and sincere. “About that time when I—” He swallowed. “When I tried to force a kiss.”
There were no excuses in his tone. Only acknowledgment.
“You didn’t deserve that,” he continued, low and earnest. “Not from me. Not from anyone.”
“And I’m sorry for more than that,” Félix added after a beat. His jaw tightened once before relaxing. “For stealing the Miraculous. For handing them to my uncle.” His gaze dropped briefly, then lifted again. “I made everything harder for you. I put you in danger. I made your job—your life, worse.”
Marinette’s eyes flicked with something unreadable.
“There’s no justification for it,” Félix said steadily. “I never should have done that. And I should have apologized a long time ago. I don’t expect you to forgive me.” His voice softened further. “I just needed you to hear it.”
Marinette’s shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension in her chest easing. “Thank you… for saying that,” she admitted softly. “I… I know you’re trying to be better. And I appreciate it. Really.” Her lips curved into a small, shy smile, though her eyes held the weight of everything that had happened.
“I’m trying to be better,” Félix added, almost under his breath. “And… if I can’t undo what I did, then I want to make things better from now on. For you… and everyone else.”
Marinette nodded, blinking a little, her gaze lingering on him. “I can see that,” she said quietly, a flicker of genuine relief in her voice.
Before either of them could say more, Adrien appeared. His face was cheerful and curious, completely unaware of the delicate conversation that had just taken place.
“Oh! Félix! Marinette! Hey, what are you two doing?” he started, looking between them.
Félix and Marinette both tensed slightly.
“Uh, nothing! Just… talking about, uh, the food! Félix loves the macaroons my parents made,” Marinette said quickly, forcing a small smile.
“Yeah, totally!” Félix added, his tone a little sharper than intended, but Adrien didn’t seem to notice.
Adrien tilted his head, still smiling, sensing a tiny edge in the air but too naïve to know the full story.
“Okay… if you say so!” He stepped closer, his energy bright. “I have gifts that I want to give you two.”
Félix perked up at that. He didn’t expect a gift from Adrien, but it made him happy knowing his cousin had the same idea.
“What? Today?! I didn’t bring my gift for you!” Marinette exclaimed, a flush of panic rising in her cheeks. “I’m so sorry—”
“That’s okay,” Adrien said gently, his eyes softening. He leaned closer slightly, a reassuring smile on his face. “Honestly, Marinette… if it makes you more comfortable, we can hold off on exchanging your gifts for now. It’s not a big deal.”
Marinette’s expression brightened at his thoughtfulness. She nudged him playfully. “You’re too good to me, Adrien! How about this… You go spend some time with your cousin Félix for a bit? I’ll go over and hang out with Ayla. And I get Kagami too, for a little girl’s time!”
Adrien grinned, nodding. “Okay, sounds perfect. I’ll see you in a bit!”
“Bye!” She hurried off, giving them both a little wave over her shoulder.
Adrien turned toward Félix, his eyes shining. “Are you having a good time tonight?”
“I am,” Félix said quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Kagami loved her gift.”
“Aw yay.”
“And I have a gift for you too,” Félix proclaimed. And Before Adrien could ask further question, Félix pulled out a neatly wrapped package from his bag and handed it over.
Adrien’s face lit up. He carefully tore the wrapping paper away, revealing a beautifully bound photo album. His eyes widened as he began flipping through the pages, pausing at the older snapshots.
“Oh wow….I haven’t seen some of these photos!” Adrien exclaimed, a mixture of nostalgia and delight in his voice. Overcome with gratitude, he leaned over and pulled Félix into a warm embrace. Félix stiffened slightly at first but then relaxed into it, letting himself feel the sincerity in the gesture.“Thank you… really! This means a lot.”
“You’re welcome,” Félix murmured. “I just… wanted to give you something… After you helped me.”
“Any time, Félix,” Adrien’s eyes twinkled, pulling away. “And here’s mine.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out two paper slip-like items. “Sorry, I should’ve gotten a card to put them in.”
Félix took them and peered at the contents, a smile breaking across his face. “Tickets!? Tickets to see the Les French Twins?”
“Yes,” Adrien said, grinning. “I heard their magic show is amazing. You can go with me… or anyone you want.”
“Of course I’ll go with you! Thank you, Adrien. I’m really looking forward to this.”
They shared a brief, comfortable smile before returning to their girlfriends. The warmth of the party wrapped around them. Félix allowed himself to just be present—not weighed down by past mistakes or looming responsibilities, but simply here, with the people he cared about most.
For the first time in a long while, he has unquestioned hope and trust.
And he was going to fight for it to stay that way.