LONG CHAPTER.

So long, I thought about splitting this into two, but really wanted to end this in 9 chapters though... so here! Long chapter!

Like most kids his age, Adrien liked to think that he knew what was best. That he had a solution to a problem most adults couldn't figure out. That he knew what he was doing. Thus, this made it a cruel reality for the blond to realize he didn't always have an answer, and that answer didn't come easy.

What he should do was obvious.

If Plagg and Nooroo were right, this was a foolish mission, one that they should put a stop to.

Only Adrien found the same issue as the kwamis.

How to approach this matter, how to stop it. If she wasn't truly coming back they, they had no reason to go after Ladybug. They had no reason to continue doing this to people.

But there was still that same issue.

Would Père listen if Adrien revealed this?

Would he believe him? His own son?

First answer Adrien had was no. Père wouldn't listen to him. He wouldn't believe him. He would very likely accuse Adrien of being manipulated by the kwamis, take the ring, and keep at it till he reached his goal. And face that harsh reality that what he created wouldn't be Maman. The blond could see no way to convince his father to stop.

He spared a fretful glance at his silver ring, absently twirling it on his finger.

He didn't know what to do.

It was just as Nooroo warned, no matter what side he chose, someone was going to be upset and betrayed.

Père or Mari...

Adrien falters.

He... he still wasn't sure if Marinette was Ladybug. If she was...he chuckles dryly, scoffing to himself. How ironic it would be if it really was Marinette. First time he met her, it would have been a great opportunity. He would have been so delighted! He'd knew her identity, taken her earrings, would have tried to have gotten her back and... she would've been hurt, broken, left to do nothing while...

He shook his head, ridding those thoughts. That was then.

But now...

If this was Marientte, this whole time he's been, he's been...

Narrowing his eyes, tension filling him, Adrien scooted to his desk, pulling a sheet of paper close, drawing out two columns.

Marinette was Ladybug.

Marinette wasn't.

He tapped the pencil to his chin, glaring down.

Both smelled like sweets.

Both had the same hair, eyes, peach skin, freckles.

Same height and build.

Ladybug seemed friendlier with Chat...

The only real argument he had against Marinette being Ladybug was Timebreaker, where Ladybug was there when Marinette was right beside him. But he had overheard the akuma declare that she could travel back in time, and Ladybug seemed to have known what was going to happen before it happened so...

It was, it was likely that...

Adrien jumped at a loud vibration, looking over to his cell.

The text highlighted, the dreaded word akuma gleamed on it's screen.

Adrien felt his stomach drop.

At Bourgeois' hotel, he found Chloe as an akuma, dressed in the reverse colors of Ladybug. Nose in the air, a sneer on her lips, Antibug explained that Ladybug was detransformed, and was hiding somewhere in the hotel.

This was their chance.

It made Chat feel sick.

It made him nervous and scared.

Humoring the akuma, he sought for Ladybug, deciding that if he saw her, this could confirm it and he...

He didn't know what he'd do.

The earrings weren't going to help them. Hunting her was pointless; but not doing anything if he discovered her, if Père found out he-

Movement caught his eye.

Chat looked down, meeting the nervous gaze of Marinette peering back up at him from where she was trying to hide. From what he could see, it appeared she wasn't sure if he could see her or not, and she nervously pressed deeper into the corner she hid behind, trying to stay hidden.

There was no reason he could think of for Marinette to be here.

Not at this hotel, not in the room of the girl that disliked her.

There was only one explanation.

And Chat felt exhausted.

"Do you see her?!" Antibug snarled out, drawing Chat's gaze to her.

With a grimace, he shook his head and leapt away, looking on for "Ladybug".

He didn't know what he was going to do, he didn't know what to do or how to talk to his father on this matter.

He settled with helping her as much as he could while he tried to figure this out.

"Just take the brooch," Plagg said to the frustrated boy. "Believe me, Nooroo would rather be taken and brought to Ladybug than sit around waiting for you to get over your conscious." This could be all over with by now.

"This is my father I'm dealing with," Adrien uttered tired. "The last of my family, who... I don't want to hurt him Plagg." Adrien ran a hand through his hair, tired.

"Then give the ring up."

Adrien gave a slight start at the statement. His expression darkened, feeling the ring tingle and spark, echoing his agitation. "So it'll be out of his grasp," Adrien puts out with an angry bite. So he couldn't be Chat Noir anymlre? So his connection could be severed?

...Would it even really do that?

He didn't know.

He didn't want to give it up.

Plagg hums. "You know it's not going to work for you two."

"I know it won't because of what you two told me."

Plagg narrows his green eyes back at the boy, ears falling flat on his head. "We don't lie kid," Plagg growled. "Especially not about this. You two do this, you're going to get nothing but some warm, pretty shell. An empty pretty shell."

Adrien sighed heavily dropping his head on his desk.

"Take the brooch," Plagg repeats, "or if it's too much, give up the ring. This is just going to hurt you two more than you can imagine."

Adrien makes no comment, peering out at his wall, not seeing it.

Humming, Plagg adds, "...Or maybe talk to Ladybug."

Adrien turned away, jittery.

Marinette was Ladybug.

How could he approach her now?

How could he face her, the girl he loved, knowing that he had bared his claws at her, swiped at her, tried to steal from her.

And evidently all for nothing.

Nothing but a stupid wish and longing that they couldn't even reach with the two miraculouses.

How, how could he face her again?

He doesn't even know how he'll face Père...

Sighing aloud Plagg flew away and dove for the waste bin. "Don't take too long Kid," the kwami called out. "It'll just get worse the longer this goes on."

Adrien suspected that too.

Only, he just didn't know what to do.

And was afraid of making that first move.

When his cell went off with another alert of an akuma, Adrien silenced it, returning that he wasn't feeling well, and skipping out on it.

There was a lot that was unnerving Marinette these days.

First Chat just... disappears on her.

He just, just disappeared. She hasn't seen him since Antibug, her last interaction with him was her break down at his "death" with Timebreaker (a nightmare now, that lingers). Even during akuma attacks, she hasn't seen that black cat prowling around. She considered the possibility that something's come up, that maybe Hawk Moth did something to Chat for reasons she couldn't imagine... maybe Hawk Moth didn't like Chat hanging with a civilian? Maybe the cat was given a different task? Maybe he ran away?

Maybe... maybe Chat was just avoiding her, her breakdown on him being too much?

But that didn't explain why he hasn't been showing at akuma attacks.

Now that she's thought about it, he's seemed a little more reluctant during the attacks a few times...

"You're stressing."

Marinette gives a start, looking down to see Tikki peeking up at her, purse gaping open.

"I know," Marinette sighed, waving her hand about as she tried to gather her words, tried to express her thoughts. "I'm, I'm just..."

"Worried," Tikki puts in helpfully.

"He disappeared Tikki, I, I don't know what's going on."

"Perhaps something came up," the god gently reasons. There have been times her chosen has been late to akuma attacks, largely personal choice, but still made it because she had too.

Marinette slumps. "I suppose..."

A quick glance around, Tikki darted up to her chosen, nuzzling her cheek. "I doubt he's gone because of you," she reassured. "Get that idea out of your head." Marinette offered a small smile, reaching up to cup the small god. When she lowered her hand, Tikki dropped down back into her purse, just as Marinette slipped back into school when the finale bell sounded.

Welp, another school day missed.

She'll catch up later.

Running a hand through her hair, the exhausted girl went down the steps, not looking where she was going and not seeing the gaping backpack lying in wait for her.

When her foot sunk into it's belly, she squealed in alarm as she surged forward, purse flying up high into the air. Stumbling forward, Marinette braced for the hard ground below. Only her chin dug into something far softer, a soft grunt sounded above her. Stiffening as she became conscious of the firm fingers wrapped around her biceps, she looked up, meeting wide green eyes.

"You, you ok?" Adrien asks, his grip tightening slightly.

"Y-yeah," she returned shakily, letting Adrien straighten her up, not tearing her gaze from his eyes.

She missed those green eyes.

Green eyes that peered back, contemplative, sad, nervous.

It jerked her back, clearing her throat and blushing slightly as she drew, sheepish smile on her lips. "Th-thanks," she uttered.

"N-no problem," he returned, rubbing the back of his neck, looking away, then spared a fast glance back to her. Then looked hurriedly away again.

Marinette frowned, feeling another worry weigh on her shoulders.

Did their almost kiss ruin their friendship?

"Adrien?" she beckoned, bringing his gaze back to her as he jumped slightly, eyes a little wide. The the sound of his name on her lips surprised him. For a moment, his gaze flickered down to her lips, then quickly darted back to her eyes, cheeks pink in his flustered state. And Marinette took it as a confirmation that their almost kiss did damage their relationship. Wincing, she started, "Adrien I..."

She trailed, stiffening when her gaze flickered behind him, locking eyes on Chloe as she reached down and picked something up.

Something small and red and very familiar.

Tikki.

Marinette hurriedly glanced down, finding her purse gone from her side.

No kwami secured at her side.

Said kwami was in Chloe's grasp.

"Igottago!" Marinette rushed out, zipping past the surprised blond and racing to the other, calling for her.

All she got was a mocking smirk before Chloe slipped into her limo, Sabrina closing the door behind her, and it zipping away before Marinette could reach it. With a fretful squeal, Marinette gave chase, not noticing the depressed Rose sitting behind her, staring down at a torn up letter.

Adrien did.

He sighed, slipping away to transform and be ready.

Coming to school today, he had no excuse to not come and help the akuma of the day.

...He was still unsure if seeing Marinette again was a great idea or not.

He arrived later than his father would've liked, but at this moment, Chat couldn't bring himself to care. He was too unsettled and tired to even think of trying to keep this up, and it didn't help with Plagg pressuring him to act.

He knows he should.

He knows this can't continue.

But that first step was a frightening one.

And painful.

It was worse knowing that Père may never understand or listen to his reasoning or...

Chat jerked up at a loud pound of rushing feet. Sighing, he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, startling the akuma's prey to a stop. A slick smile easily slid up his lips as he greeted them, tail twitching coyly.

It felt like acting.

Half-hearted acting.

A front to put up before the scared civilians.

Done well enough that they believed him.

"I'm coming for you my Prince!" he heard the akuma sing behind them, melodious and gentle and just so Rose.

The boy she sought turned behind him timidly, and Chat tensed when he caught sight of red sticking out of his shirt pocket.

It looked like a strange toy, some strange ladybug plush that was just hanging out, with a stiff creepy and unnerved smile on it's lips.

But Chat knew better.

Living with two, he should know what a kwami looks like.

The boy had a kwami sticking out of his pocket.

A ladybug kwami.

What an opportunity this would've have been before.

With an excited twitch of his ears, Chat dove forward, faster than they were ready for. The prey squealed in alarm when he was on them, and before they could move to get away, he brought his claws down fast on the prince.

His shirt ripped with an alarmed hiss, the kwami squeaked quietly in surprise, and made no other move as his claws wrapped around it's small frame. He held it up, wicked smile on his lips as he stared down into the prince's scared, surprised eyes. "Mine," Chat bids.

"You ruffian!" Rose shouted below, shooting him the weakest glare Chat's ever seen. "You dare scratch My Prin-"

The akuma was rammed from behind and shoved into another room, and Chat's heart gave an instinctive flutter at the sight of her, saving the day out of costume.

Mostly.

This had to be the most ridiculous disguise he's ever seen.

And yet she still could pull it off.

Shaking his head and scoffing to himself, he let the civilians run past him, meeting the gaze of the tense vigilante, knowing her eyes were locked on the kwami in his claws. With a crouch, he jumped down, landing before her and startling her back. She fell into a crouch, ready to fight.

Only he surprised her when he opened his claws, holding the kwami out to her.

Even the little god shared her surprise, staring up at him with big blue eyes, looking like it couldn't believe what was happening.

With a sad, tight smile, he softly greets, "Princess."

Before she could respond, he shoved the ladybug god into her hands and shoved her into the room behind her, closing the door just as Rose burst into the hall, furious.

He met her wild gaze, calmly staring down at the weapon she pointed at him.

"I've had enough!" she cried, and that was the last thing Chat knew.

He woke up almost thirty minutes later, soaked to the bone, stinking of the Seine and perfume.

The worst was the realization that Ladybug knew that he knew.

He just took that first step.

He didn't know if it was the right one.

Marinette was panicking.

Chat knew.

Chat knew.

He knew she was Ladybug. Knew that Marientte was her, knew that it was Marinette that came rushing into the hotel, ready to fight and save the day and he had Tikki and he had just... just... handed the little god to her, distracted the akuma and left her alone to transform.

Outside behind being controlled by Princess Fragrance, he hadn't made any move to come for her earrings.

That still didn't ease her enough, sitting stiffly in her bed, eyes locked on her trapdoor, waiting for those green eyes to peer down at her.

She didn't know if she was waiting for an attack, or waiting for him to come and talk.

She was just...

She didn't even know.

She was scared, nervous, and unsteady with the rug ripped out from under her feet.

She didn't know what to do about this.

What should she do about this?

Hide away?

Meet with Chat?

Trust him?

Look for-

"How about you have some tea?" Tikki suggests loudly, eyeing Marinette from where she sat on the cat's head.

"I don't want to relax," Marinette returns.

"Being stressed and tense won't help you," the little god points out. "And you need to sleep."

"But Chat-"

"Hasn't come yet," Tikki points out, antennas twitching. "You've been sitting in the dark, waiting for him for about an hour now. I don't think he's coming for your earrings anytime soon." With a tilt of her head, she adds, "And I don't think he told Hawk Moth either."

Marinette met her patient, knowing stare. She licked her lips, gaze flickering up to the trapdoor once more. "What... what do you think is happening?" Marinette asked, pulling her sheets closer to her body, shrinking down into her bed.

With a soft hum, the god surmised, "I think your cat finally woke up." Finally had some sense.

Marinette peered at her trapdoor, frowning, still unsure and weary.

Tikki peered at her back, frowning. "Do you trust Chat Noir?"

Marinette gives a start, turning her wide eyes to the god, her loose hair bouncing around her shoulders. "I... yes. I, I do... but, but this-"

"Surprised you," Tikki put in, nodding patiently. She smiled encouragingly. "I think it'll work out Marinette. It usually does." When Marinette moved to ask about when it doesn't, Tikki quickly said, "Go to sleep, stressing about what he may do won't help you. You'll need to be ready for what's to come, if he does make a move for you. I want you rested and prepared."

Marinette turned her gaze back to the window above her room, frowning. Slowly, she eased back in her bed, curling up into the tightest ball she could make, pulling the sheets close to her body. Trying to hush her nervous mind, she peered up to the night sky above, waiting with heavy eyes for the cat to peer down at her.

She woke that morning with her earrings still there, and a dozing Tikki at her side.

Chat never came for her last night.

He twirled the ring, staring down at it, a slight grimace on his lips.

Plagg sat near, enjoying a warm patch of sun, seemingly content for once not to drill Adrien. He seemed satisfied that the blond finally took some step forward, revealing that he knew who Ladybug is.

It wasn't enough though, Adrien knew this.

But he still had yet to approach her, discuss this.

He should.

He should secure that she'd be his ally if it came to it.

Secure and reassure that he wasn't going to try and take her earrings anymore.

That he, that he was going to do what he was supposed to do, be her shadow, be her helper, her protector.

He snorts, chuckling humorlessly and drawing Plagg's curious gaze to the boy. "What's so funny?" the kwami asked.

"It did it," Adrien uttered, twisting his miraculous on his finger again.

At Plagg's curious blink, Adrien clarified, "The ring did it. It, it swayed me. I, I want to protect her, work with her, and it... I was drawn to Ladybug in the end. Didn't know it was her, but it was. All along and I, I fell..." He let go, running a hand through his hair, sighing as he sunk heavily into his couch. "She's probably going to refuse me," he mumbles. "This was probably all a huge mistake and I-"

"Jumping to conclusions," Plagg pipes in, rolling his eyes.

"You think she would forgive me? For what I've done?"

Blinking at him, Plagg sits up, asking, "You love her?"

Raising a blond brow, Adrien answered, "Yes!"

"Then she loves you," the kwami stated simply, like it was an obvious fact.

Adrien stared at the little god, then shook his head, muttering, "Why do I bother?"

"Your miraculouses are drawn together," Plagg said tersely, narrowing his eyes at Adrien. "You're two halves of a whole, balancing out each other, bound to be together through thick and thin. Love is inevitable. Romantic, platonic; you'll love each other no matter what. Pretty much every chosen have loved each other at the same time, in some way or another. If you love her, I can say in full confidence she loves you back. She'll forgive you for this. She'll talk to you."

Adrien looks hopeful, but still nervous, a blush on his cheeks.

Plagg dives in close, startling the blond as he hissed, "But you have to talk to her first!"

"R-right!"

Nooroo looked up at Gabriel's sigh.

The man was glaring down at his iPad, grimacing. The kwami watched as he reached up, rubbing his eyes tiredly. Nooroo almost voiced a suggestion for Gabriel to retire to bed, to go to sleep, only the man moved before the god could speak up.

He watched his chosen go to the portrait of his late wife.

He stared at her gentle smile, unmoving and longing.

Nooroo peered at him sadly.

Gabriel surprised the kwami when he reached for the painting, opening it to reveal a safe behind it.

Gasping to himself, Nooroo huddled deeper into the dark corner of the shelf he was seated on, watching Gabriel with wide eyes. The man stepped away from the safe with a very familiar book, one that left Nooroo stiff with fear.

"There has to be something here," he heard Gabriel mutter, flipping it open to the page about the butterfly miraculous, it's hero, and abilities.

All the information he could want.

Information Nooroo won't reveal unless he wants his chosen to know.

Despite knowing this, that the information was safe from him, the kwami's body quivered with nervous energy as Gabriel glared at the scribble, trying hard to decipher it. With a quiet growl, Gabriel closed the book and set back in the safe, closing it up with a huff. He prowled off, unaware of the wide purple eyes following him.

Nervously, Nooroo floated up, staring after his chosen. With a jerky flutter, he dove for the painting, phasing through it and into the safe.

He gasped at what else he found.

"Y-you..." he whispers, purple eyes locked on a peacock shaped jewel. "You, you're here... you've, you've been here this whole time..."

Quivering, Nooroo dropped down, breath shaky as he reached for the miraculous. Familiar magic sparked under his touch. Magic that tingled with heavy, tired relief. With a whimper, Nooroo grabbed the jewel, hugging it tightly to his chest, sniffing and shaking as he rocked back and forth, rubbing his paws over the blue jewel. It glowed back, soft and shy. Nooroo whispered aloud, "It's ok, I found you, I got you, I got you..."

He would see it home.

He'll see the jewel and book back home.

He'll see to it that they're all back home.

Nooroo cracks his eyes open, glancing at the safe's door.

He had to tell Plagg as soon as possible.

Two days after Princess Fragrance and Marinette was still stressing.

There was still no sign of Chat.

Not even when she went out looking for him, the cat wouldn't show.

Of all times that he'd avoid her, it'd be now, with him knowing who she was.

Marinette sighed, pouting slightly at the skyline. A plate of untouched cookies sat beside her, waiting to be touched. Tikki sat on Marinette's shoulder, snuggled up in her hair. Like her chosen, she too peered out, searching for the cat that needed to talk to them.

"I'm sure we'll talk to him soon," Tikki reassured.

"I know," Marinette huffs, resting her chin in her hand. "I would like to just get it over with though..."

Tikki hums in agreement, shifting about and starting to weak Marinette's hair into a little braid, humming the Steven Universe song Here Comes a Thought. Marientte leans back, sighing as she listened to Tikki him, occasionally mumbling an echo of the lyrics. "...you're loosing sight, you're loosing touch. All these little things seem to matter so much, that they confuse you, that I might lose you..."

Marinette gives a small start when she saw a flicker of green in the distance.

Tikki perks when her chosen goes quiet.

Looking out, they watched together as Chat drew near, his green gaze locked on them. Marinette tightened her grip on her blanket, tensing a little, unsure just what to expect.

Tikki stroked her cheek reassuringly, not fleeing as the cat landed on the balcony railing.

He gripped it tightly, eyeing them.

They peered back, just as stiff.

"Princess," he greets tentatively.

"Chat," she returned, wincing at the stiffness.

"And Tikki!" the kwami greets, floating up and surprising Chat. She offered a big grin and bows to him. "Thank you for helping me back there, Chat Noir."

"I, uh, n-no problem," he returns awkwardly.

She beams, then dives to the table, offering, "Cookie?"

He stares.

Tikki just smiles.

Clearing her throat awkwardly, Marinette said, "You can have one..."

He offers a weak, cheeky smile. "Only one?"

She huffs, "You know what I mean."

He chuckles, dropping down and taking a cookie. He nibbles on it absently, not looking at Marinette and just peering out. He was frantically trying to gather his thoughts, prepare for what may come or will come and...

It was nerve wracking that he didn't know what to expect.

He jumped at the light touch on his claws, meeting the soft gaze of the ladybug kwami.

It'll be ok, she seemed to reassure.

He gives her a stiff, jerky nod, then leans against the railing, taking another bite. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Marinette take a cookie as well, though she didn't bite into it. She simply peered at it, likely gathering her thoughts. Licking her lips, she quietly asked, "Does... does he know?"

Chat blinked at her, confused, then quickly shook his head. "No! No, he, he doesn't. I, I haven't told him. You, you're safe."

He wanted to dig his claws into his scalp and pull his hair.

He was smoother than this.

He should be.

"How long have you known?" she asked, sparing him a glance.

"Uhm, I, I got suspicious with Mylène..." At her curious stare, he elaborates shakily, "You, you weren't there. With the class, or in the basement. You were gone, and Ladybug was there and... Chloe confirmed it, when I saw you. At the hotel."

"I wondered if you saw me," she murmured, looking away sheepishly.

"I did," he confirmed dumbly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Silence hung in the air between them, leaving the shuffling two awkwardly sparing glances at each other. Between them, Tikki sat quietly, observing them. With a shuffle, Marinette finally asked, "Now what?"

Chat jumped. "N-now?"

"Well, it seems like you're not going to take my miraculous, and you're not going to reveal me to Hawk Moth so..." Marinette trails, waving her hand about, "so what's the plan?"

"I... I don't know..."

She peers at him, frowning, contemplating. Licking her lips and tugging her hair, she nervously asked, "Are, are you going to, to help me?"

Chat stared back.

Tikki hums aloud, thoughtful.

Marinette tried a different approach, "Ok. Um, Hawk Moth. You know who he is-"

Chat turned away, tail twitching.

Marinette falters, and sighs.

"I," he starts, shuffling on his feet, "I..." He turns, meeting her patient, nervous eyes. They seemed to burn him. He couldn't do this. He, he could't... "I gotta go," he rushed out, turning tail and fleeing. He tried hard to ignore the sad blue eyes staring after him.

Licking her lips, she turned to Tikki, weakly asking, "Did, did I mess up?" Did she ruin her chance with Chat? Did she push too far? Should she have just...

"It's ok," Tikki chimes out, drawing the girl's focus back to her. "It's ok." Marinette flopped back in her seat, sighing heavily. "Situation like these are scary and stressful, it's best to take a little time."

"But, we, we're close to facing Hawk Moth; Chat, I, I think, thought that he..."

"Have a little more patience," Tikki repeats gently. "These things shouldn't be rushed." With a tilt of her head, she comments, "He probably feels torn on his loyalties."

Marinette nods, and finally takes a bite of her cookie.

Chat fell into his room, his transformation falling away as he rolled across the floor. Plagg whipped about, peering down at the boy with a grimace. Adrien breathed heavily, body twitching a little from his rush back home.

"Impressively done," Plagg comments.

Adrien groans, running a hand over his face. "That, that was awful."

"Yep."

"What am I doing?" Adrien wondered out, tired.

"That's a good question."

He gives the little cat an exaggerated look. "Are you not going to help me?"

Plagg hums.

"Don't suggest giving up my ring. I, I'm not going to give it up. And, and I'm not going to misuse it, not anymore."

"Then you just need to ask your self the right question," Plagg states.

Adrien droops tiredly. "What question's that?"

"What do you want then?" He spares a glance at Plagg. He meets it coolly. "Figure out what you want Kid. Probably then you'll know what to do."

Adrien stares at the kwami, considering his words. "What I want..." he slowly repeats, turning his gaze to the window. What did he want?

He wanted her back.

He wanted his family whole.

He wanted to see his father smile, hear him laugh like he used too.

He wanted to hear her laugh, hear her tease, feel her warm touch.

He wanted her home.

He... he wanted to be by her side.

He wanted to shadow her, he actually wanted to be her guarding shadow. He wanted to hear her laugh, see her smile, see her eyes glow and gleam in bliss; be the cause of that mirth she was feeling.

He wanted her touch, her warmth, her presence.

He felt centered with her. He felt alive.

He couldn't turn his back to her, couldn't flash his claws at her anymore.

Even if it meant going against him...

He couldn't fight against her anymore.

The idea left him feeling sick.

He couldn't do that.

So, it was that question.

What did he want?

What mattered more?

He glanced down at his ring, feel a warm pulse of magic coming off of it.

He curled his hands into a fist, determination filling him as the ring echoed with a proud tingle. He turned, meeting Plagg's pleased eyes. "Do you know what you want?" the little god asked.

"I do."

Nooroo looked up when Adrien came in, eyes wide, wings fluttering.

Adrien wondered if the kwami could pick up on his excited energy.

And when his father looked up at him, curious, Adrien faltered for a moment, afraid that his father could pick up his intentions. Only to quickly push that back. He wasn't acting out. Not on his own. He just... he wanted to try.

He had a right to try.

Even if it was going to be a useless effort.

He wanted to try, wanted to hope...

"Adrien?" Père murmured, eyeing his son curiously.

"Père," Adrien returned, shuffling on his feet.

Plagg gave him a nudge from his shirt pocket. "I, I wanted to asked a question..."

Gabriel raised a silver brow, before nodding. "Yes?"

"Are, are you sure it's going to work?" Adrien asked.

Père blinked at him, a curious realization clicking in his blue eyes. "You're having doubts?"

"S-some..."

"...If it's too hard, I can take the ring son-"

"It's not about being Chat Noir Père," Adrien quickly cut in. "I, I'm doubting if the miraculouses really could bring her back."

Nooroo spares Gabriel a timid glance.

Gabriel straightens, staring at his son. "As I said," he starts, "with the ladybug and black cat miraculous, we shall obtain the powers of god. Creation and destruction. There is no limit to that power. Bringing someone back from the dead would be no issue."

Adrien spares a glance at Nooroo, meeting the kwami's flinching gaze.

Gabriel notices it. "Have you been talking to them?" he asks.

Adrien didn't say.

"You shouldn't listen to them. They're against this Adrien. Always have been. I don't doubt that they've lied to us few times."

Adrien felt Plagg shift in his pocket, a soft growl of agitation coming from the kwami.

"Reap that doubt away Adrien. We'll get her back once we get those earrings."

"Are, are you really, truly sure?"

"Adrien, I told yo-"

"What if it doesn't work? Not, not in the way we were expecting?" Adrien pleads, gripping his shirt nervously. "What if-"

"It will work," Gabriel said sharply, his eyes turning icy.

Adrien flinched, looking away and grimacing.

Gabriel peered at him, intense and aware. Sighing, he got up and drew near his unsure son. He held out his hand, drawing Adrien's gaze to it.

For a moment the two stood still.

Gabriel reaching out expectantly.

Adrien staring at his hand, his mind blank.

"Give me the ring," Gabriel said softly.

Plagg jolted in Adrien's pocket.

"W-what?" Adrien uttered.

"The ring," Gabriel repeats. "I'll become Chat Noir. I'll do what needs to be done. I know you've been holding back, you've been helping less and less. I'll finish this, do what needs to be done. Give me the ring son."

Adrien doesn't doubt that Père's offer was from the bottom of his heart, looking out for his best interest, thinking that Adrien couldn't handle it anymore.

That maybe it took someone with more emotional control to do it.

Maybe he could do it right.

But the idea of his father, as Chat Noir, coming after Ladybug, Marinette; it made Adrien's blood cold.

He wouldn't hold back.

He'd bare his claws, pin her down, slash at her.

"No," Adrien said, drawing away.

Gabriel blinks at him. "No?" he repeats.

"No," Adrien said again, taking another step back, urged by Plagg's nervous shifts.

Nooroo shuffles nervously behind them, wings fluttering.

"I, I'm not giving up my ring. I'm, I'm not going to let you hurt her," Adrien declared shakily, hands curling into fists as he met his father's stare. "It's, it's not going to work Père. She's, she won't come back."

"I told you not to listen to them-"

"She won't come back!"

Gabriel's expression darkened, his eyes calculating as he glared down at his son. "You're letting your emotions get the best of you," Gabriel warned, hand out stretching to Adrien again. "Give me the ring, son."

"No!" Adrien cried.

Gabriel took a step to him, reaching for it. "I did not let you use it for your own whims, I let you keep it to help me, you agreed to help me; I tolerated you using it to see that girl, but I won't stand for it brainwashing you. Give it."

In a panic as that hand drew near, Adrien called, "Claws out!" The magic wrapped around him, strong and supporting. Chat gave an instinctive swipe at that near hand, missing it by inches. He watched Gabriel draw away, looking surprised.

For a moment, Chat stiffened, stricken at what he just did.

He defied his father.

Slashed at him.

He ruined his chance for a peaceful outcome.

Gabriel narrowed his gaze at him. "Nooroo," he calls out, making the god flinch. "Wings rise." Purple magic wrapped around him, leaving the grimacing Hawk Moth looming over Chat. "You will give up that ring, son."

Marinette sighed, laying back in her bed, a warm cup of hot chocolate in hand, hoping the sweet heat would help soothe her nerves.

She still didn't know what she was going to do about Chat.

What she could do.

Only thing she could do was what Tikki bid, wait it out.

For this all depended on him.

Whose side he was going to choose, what he revealed to her... it was all up to him.

And Marinette didn't know how to convince him.

She didn't know how to approach this matter.

All she knew was that she wanted to get this over with, have the butterfly miraculous safe, and hopefully have her partner. And she couldn't push this, not when she was close, not when he was so unsure.

She's been dreaming, awaiting the day that he would run beside her instead of just chasing after her. It had to happen... shouldn't it? She spared a glance at the dozing kwami on her cat plush.

It should, she reasoned.

Sighing, she brought her cup to her lips, taking a slight sip.

She gave a start at a loud thud above her, nearly spilling her drink on her sheets. She looked up in slight alarm, Tikki jumping up to peer up as well. Tensing, Marinette sat up, set her cup on a shelf above her bed, and stood up, lifting the latch to peek out.

She gasps when she found Chat hunched over on the floor, clutching his side and gritting his teeth. "Chat!" she cried, shoving the trapdoor open and pulling herself out, rushing to him. Tikki zipped behind her, blue eyes narrowed as she took in the cat.

"Pr-Princess," he greets huskily, wincing as he clutched his side, curling up in pain.

"What, what happened?" she demanded, trying to pry his arms away, trying to see what was wrong.

"I, I got into a... a disagreement," he winces, pressing his face against her thigh. "It's just, just a bruise," he mumbled to her pant leg.

"I want to see it," she said, still trying to move his hands.

"How about bringing him inside?" Tikki suggests, peering out with a frown. "If he had gotten into a fight with Hawk Moth..."

Marinette stiffens, turning to look out as well, half expecting to see an akuma in the distance.

She didn't doubt the possibility, especially when he wanted their miraculouses.

And Chat just escaped with one.

Giving his shoulder a squeeze, she warns, "I'm going to move you."

He gives a jerky nod, wincing a little when she half carries, half drags him across her terrace. "Drop," she warns, then dumps them down the trapdoor, Marinette reying to take the worse of the bounce. Settled, she reached for him again as he tried to curl up.

"It's just a bruise," he insists. "Just a nasty bruise from a cane."

She frowns.

Chat closes his eyes, rubbing his face against the mattress. "In his defense," he reasons weakly, "I scratched him first."

"Why?" she asks, lightly touching the bell clasped to his neck. When he didn't push her hand away, she gave it a shy tug, a little startled to see it come down.

"I, I tried to reason with him."

Rolling Chat onto his back, she pulled the bell down slowly, waiting for him to protest, or ask her to stop. She stopped a little above his waist, pushing the fabric away enough to see the edge of the bruise on his side, an angry red mark on his side. A shape of a cane's edge. She reaches for it, lightly touching the skin, only for Chat to hastily twist away with a painful mew.

"Ribs aren't broken," Tikki comments. "He wouldn't be able to move like that if so."

"I can grab some ice," Marinette bid, zipping the suit back up. It was magic. It was probably helping him. She knows her suit buffers a lot of the damage she takes during battle.

His should do the same, help speed his healing.

Pulling her cat plush close, she helps Chat flop over it, making sure he was comfortable. "Be right back," she told him, giving his claws a squeeze. She rushed down before Chat could grab her, a weak plea for her to stay on his lips.

Tikki settled on his head, patting him reassuringly. "You're safe," she promised.

He gives a stiff nod, mumbling, "I'm home."

Marinette couldn't fall asleep.

She peered up at her trapdoor, half expecting to see some minion peer back with a twisted smile, ready to reclaim the cat, his miraculous, and snatch her earrings.

It left her nervous and scared.

Only ounce of reassurance she had was the soft, warm breath of Chat tickling her forearm as he dozed, forehead resting against her shoulder, his blond hair soft and tickling. She turned and pressed a relieved kiss to his crown, one hand reaching over to weave through the strands.

She was glad he made it out alright.

That Hawk Moth did no worse than a bruise.

...And it confirmed that Chat knew where Hawk Moth was. Probably even who he was.

She was close to finishing this.

So close...

"You shouldn't frown so much, Princess."

She blinked, meeting slanted green eyes peering at her tiredly. "Ah, hi..." she greets.

He hums, closing his eyes and nuzzling her.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Achy."

She chuckles, leaning her cheek on his head. "The blanket should help," she tried to ease, mindfully pulling it a little closer to their forms.

Chat hums, relaxing into her bed. "I'm sorry for running away earlier," he utters.

"I, I did kinda push..."

"You were trying to get answers, get a plan, do... do your job. Our job."

She stiffens against him, withdrawing to meet his green eyes. "You, you'll help?" she mumbled, surprise and hopeful.

He nods. "You're my Ladybug," he said, slowly holding out a claw to her. She reached back, intertwining their fingers, not minding the points of claws lightly resting on her knuckles. "I should've been helping you from the start." She gives his hand a reassuring squeeze.

Chat licks his lips. "I, I know who Hawk Moth is. I, I can take you to him. I'll help you stop him."

"Chat-"

He drops the transformation, startling Marinette as she peered back at Adrien Agreste lying beside her on her bed, holding her hand tightly as he peered at her. "I'm Adrien Agreste," he greets stiffly, "and, and Hawk Moth is my father." He licks his lips, continuing, "We need to stop him. This... this can't go on anymore..."

Wide eyed, Marinette blinked at his rapidly, mind flying at this reveal.

It's been Adrien this whole time... breathing out, she pushed those thoughts back as he droops, looking away from her. She draws near, resting her forehead against his, giving his hand a squeeze. "We will," she murmurs. She had him now, and he had her.

They'll put a stop to this.

She doesn't doubt that.

Near them, Tikki buzzed softly, approvingly, releasing bouts of reassuring, soothing magic over the two. Plagg settled against her, soaking in the familiar touch of his counter, relieved.

Everything was on the right course.

Where did he go wrong?

It was the one question running through his head frantically as he treated the slash Adrien left, wrapping it up tight.

Nooroo hovered close, ever the silent companion.

Never scolding him, never supporting him.

Despite how neutral the kwami's been, Gabriel couldn't help the bite of his words, "Did you lie to him? Turn him against me?"

"No," the butterfly kwami said.

"...Then what brought this on?" Gabriel wondered, grimacing at his wrist.

"The truth," Nooroo said simply, drawing Gabriel's sharp gaze to the butterfly.

He didn't flinch away like Gabriel expected. He peered back, calm and sure and just so ever knowing it made Gabriel's skin crawl. Tightly, Gabriel demanded, "And what truth is that?"

"That this won't work."

Gabriel wrinkled his nose. "Of course."

"It is the truth," Nooroo utters gently. "You cannot recreate a soul." Nooroo looks away. "You can remake the body, but the soul, who she was, you, you can't-"

"I don't believe you," Gabriel cuts in sharply.

"...I know."

"Now, is there anyone I can reach out too? I don't doubt that he'd be coming back, that he'd have help when he does. And I know the butterfly has little use for fighting."

Nooroo droops, frowning.

"Give me a champion, Nooroo."

He needed to be ready.

Who knows when that foolish boy would be back.

But it had to be soon.

He'll see reason, he'll see that this was a stupid move.

Grimacing, Gabriel let the sharp ache in his chest fuel his purpose. He could work with this. This brought them both to his doorstep. He would get them then. He will, he'll-

"He does still love you," Nooroo utters gently, slicing Gabriel's frantic thoughts, leaving him stiff for a moment.

Gabriel didn't reply.

Slipping out of the bakery, Marinette dashed down the street towards school, only to speed right by it, slowly to one of the alleys where Chat waited for her. She stopped for a moment, eyeing the black cat, seeing how tense he was, his claws gripping his elbow, his eyes locked on an opposing wall, not seeing her. She grimaced, drawing near.

Still he didn't turn to her, not noticing her.

"Hey," she greets aoftly, watching him jerk up, turning to her with wide eyes.

He quickly relaxes. "Hey," he returns throatily, tail twisting nervously, his ears flat on his head.

Marinette fiddles with her strap, frowning at him. "How's your side...?"

"Fine."

He turns away, glaring at the wall. She stood stiffly beside him, nervous. Licking her lips, she offered, "...I can, I can go and face him alo-"

"Absolutely not," he cuts in, sharply turning to her. "We, we're doing this together."

Marinette nods and summons her transformation, trying to ignore the look of wonder on Chat's face as she changed. "That, that's going to take some getting use too," he murmurs with a weak chuckle. It was just another confirmation. He knows it, he saw her with Tikki, but to see the transformation...

It was pretty wild.

"You ready?" Ladybug asked.

He looked her over, seeing Marinette under the mask.

He wondered how could he not see it before.

He gives a nod, offering her a small smile.

She reached out, setting a hand on his bicep and giving it a squeeze. "I got your back," she said.

"I know," he utters, claws wrapping around the red gloves. "And I have your's."

He'll have it for the future. He'll watch out for her for as long as he could.

She smiled, blue eyes glowing and he felt his breath leave him. "I missed you," she confessed, drawing away to grab her yo yo, cheeks a little pink.

"I missed you too," he echoed fondly, pulling out his baton. He was hit by a wave of nervousness, the reality of what he was about to do crashing on him.

He was going to stop Hawk Moth.

He was going to face his father.

He was not panicking.

Gabriel Agreste did not panic.

He was a man with a plan, he was always prepared. Nothing unnerved him, he did the unnerving.

But this... this was a rare moment that he was... unsure.

Not scared, or nervous; unsure, he definitely was unsure.

The butterfly miraculous was not a fighting miraculous, it had others do the fighting for it. It was like the king piece in a chest game. It held the power, but could do nothing with it. Not on his own. He needed pawns, pieces to use at his whim, to be his protection, his knights.

But right now he... he hated to admit it, but he was scrambling.

No matter how far he reached out, no matter where he looked, he couldn't find a champion.

No one clicked to his magic, no one drew him in, no one that would be strongly interested in power.

Hawk Moth was going to be on his own.

And it seemed like there was nothing he could do.

Nooroo was no help.

The kwami wouldn't breath a word about any other power, anything Gabriel could do to increase his chances.

Only thing he got was, "Surrender or flee."

Butterflies did not fight.

With a jittery grimace, Gabriel spared a glance at the safe, considering what was inside, his wife's miraculous. The peacock.

He went to it, opening it up and taking the blue jewel.

It was cold in his palm, unresponsive like always.

It wouldn't activate.

Wouldn't rouse for him.

Grimacing, he set it back in the safe, locked it up. He spared a glance out the window, catching sight of a red and black spots coming towards his home. His heart skipped a nervous beat.

They were here.

"Nooroo," he beckoned.

The kwami floated up behind him, peering at his wielder patiently.

Gabriel grimaced at the window, tense. "I want her back," he told the kwami.

"I know," came the gentle answer.

"I have a right to try."

He gave a little start when Nooroo floated before him, peering up at him with those damn knowing, patient eyes. "You do," Nooroo agreed, "but is it worth it?"

Gabriel scowled at him, summoning the transformation and tucking the kwami away. Hawk Moth gripped his cane tightly, trying to fight off the swarm of nerves filling him. Out of the brooch clipped to his neck, butterflies fluttered out, echoing his nervousness and flying in a slight, jerky panic.

This was it.

It was time.

They landed outside the Agreste manor, peering down at the still building.

The building where Hawk Moth laid in wait.

Ladybug looked it over while Chat sat tense beside her. It was a bit wild and nerve wracking to think that about a week earlier she had slipped into there, had come to Hawk Moth's home, had her earrings in his reach.

She shuddered a little, drawing Chat's gaze to her. "You ok?" he asked.

"Are you?" she asked back.

He looked away.

She turned back to the manor, focusing on the task at hand. "Anything I need to know?" she asked.

"He can hit hard with his cane," Chat offered.

Avoid cane. She can do that.

"Otherwise..." Chat trailed, "there isn't too much he can do on his own." Lightly, he suggests, "Maybe shove butterflies in our faces?" He grins at her scoff.

"This is what I have to put up with?" she wonders aloud, earning a chuckle from him.

His smile fell away, and he seriously bid, "Follow me Princess." At her glance, he confirmed, "I'm ready."

Chat leapt down, leading Ladybug inside to where Hawk Moth awaited.

Silence and stillness welcomed them, making the two heroes pause, listening, searching.

No peep of Hawk Moth.

No flutter of butterflies.

Ladybug reached for Chat's hands, squeezing it reassuringly. He squeezed back, not letting go as he guided her around the manor, searching for his father.

Minutes dragged on.

Not a single shadow of Hawk Moth to be found, not a single butterfly around.

Chat feared he might've fled.

He learned he didn't when Ladybug sharply pushed him forward, avoiding an angry swarm of butterflies zooming by. They turned, finding Hawk Moth glaring down at them from the top of the foyer stairs. "I had a feeling we'd have a guest today," he voices coldly, glaring down at Ladybug.

Chat pulled her close, lightly slinging an arm over her shoulder, lightly jesting, "Père, Ladybug, Ladybug, Père."

"Hawk Moth," she tersely greets.

"Ladybug," he icily returns. "What a pleasure. It'd be an even greater pleasure if you two gave up your miraculouses."

"Or you give up yours," Chat returns. "No fight breaking out today."

Hawk Moth glared down at his son, grip tightening on his cane. "You will give up yours," Hawk Moth repeats, the butterflies swarming dangerously behind him.

"No," Chat said, "this has got to stop, Père."

"It will when you give me the ring and earrings."

"They won't bring her back," Chat said sharply.

"And I told you not to believe them!" Hawk Moth snarls, sending the swarm down on them. Jumping in front of Chat, Ladybug spun her yo yo, trying to deter the swarm, forcing them to fly around her less they got hit.

Spinning his baton, Chat echoed her, defending the rear.

The ivory butterflies flew around, a gleaming silver twister wrapped around them. One that dared not come near in fear of the weapons.

Hawk Moth prowled down, eyes locked on them. "Do you truly think you can win?" Hawk Moth voiced, "That you have a right to stop me? That you have a right to prevent me from being reunited with her?!" He stopped before them, the butterflies pressing closer. "You will hand me the miraculouses, I will get my wife back."

"She won't come back!" Chat snarled, jumping when a butterfly hit his staff.

A slight shift from Ladybug was Chat's only warning. She jumped through the twister, scattering butterflies and diving down on Hawk Moth. He jerked back in surprise, eyes wide at the heroine's aggressiveness.

He twisted and jerked away as Ladybug swiped and kicked at him, occasionally throwing a yo yo at him. She ignored the butterflies that flew at her, landing on her, bouncing off her head. Hawk Moth moved to bring his cane down on her, only jump when claws grabbed it and snarl reached his ears, "You're not going to hurt her."

Hawk Moth jerked against Chat, trying to get his cane free while his butterflies swarmed Ladybug, buffering her for a moment.

Chat and Hawk Moth circled each other, trying to get the weapon free as they glared at each other. "Give up, son."

"It won't work!"

"It will!"

"You really think it'd be her!" Chat snarled, "That you could bring her back! That it would be her?!"

"I do!"

Chat stopped, gripping the cane tight as they stood at a stand still, glaring at each other. Shakily, Chat asked, "Do you think, if you did bring her back, she'd want to be back this way?"

Hawk Moth falters.

"She'd want to hear what you've done. What you've, we've, been doing?" He took a shaky breath. "Half the people you've twisted up are my friends, I don't like remembering or seeing how twisted up they had become, seeing you encourage that negativity." He jerked forward, demanding, "What would she have said about this?"

The butterflies flew away from Ladybug, drifting about nervously, unsure.

Hawk Moth gripped his cane tightly, Nooroo's gentle voice echoing in his head.

"...but is it worth it?"

He stared down at his son, watch him breath hard, watch him shake and tremble as he glared up at him.

He spared a glance at Ladybug, a girl his child's own age, looking ready to cut in if he made a move she didn't like.

He turned back to his son, meet the achingly familiar green eyes, eyes that held pain, regret, fear, indecision, unease...

He could see that reflected in her gaze. See these tearing emotions shing in her summer green eyes.

"Gabe... what are you doing?" her memory uttered in his ear, leaving him still, shaking, and lost.

...What was he doing?

His son was a mess before him.

There was a child waiting to fight him.

He had nervous butterflies fluttering around.

...A deceased wife that wouldn't be happy if he... if he did bring her back. For what he did... done...

His grip on the caje relaxed, his body falling forward, heavy and tired.

Chat faltered before him, eyes wide and unsteady.

Ladybug perks.

"Wings lower," Hawk Moth murmurs, breaking the transformation, leaving him bare and bone before the children.

He met Nooroo's gaze, feeling exhausted.

He expected to see relief from the little creature, only was surprised to see the kwami's expression twisted up in sorrow. Sorrow for him. The god drew near, resting his head on Gabriel's cheek.

Faintly he was aware of the children, peering at him.

He reached up, clasped the dark brooch.

Nooroo was gone the instant it was unclipped.

Gabriel felt hollow when he handed it to Ladybug.

He felt weak when his arms clasped around Chat's shoulders when his son tackled him in a tight embrace, magic washing away to leave Adrien in his arms.

Neither heard the kwami murmur to Ladybug, neither noticed when Ladybug follow the little god out.

They just stayed, holding each other tightly.

Marinette stared down at the two miraculouses in her hands.

The butterfly and the peacock.

Gabriel had both.

And a book filled with so many others.

It was a bit overwhelming.

Tikki echoed her, sitting boldly in the open running her paws over the two jewels. They sparked and flared pleasantly at her touch, that relief in her being there echoing into Marientte. So tired and relieved to be found, it made Marinette want to bring them to her chest and curl around them protectively.

Tikki reassured her that they would feel far better once they were home.

Home with the Guardian.

The one that gave them their miraculouses.

To her, and to Adrien...

She looked when when she saw said boy approaching, a weary smile on his lips.

She stood up, clutching the the miraculouses while Tikki settled on her shoulder. Plagg peeked out from under Adrien's jacket, offering a small smile. "How are you doing?" she asked.

"We're ok," he said, slouching as he came to stop by her. "Père's been quiet for a while now."

"Give him time," Tikki said.

Adeien nods, still looking a bit queasy. Plagg harrumphs. Meeting the twin blue gazes, he grumbles, "Kid's nervous that the old man's going to take his ring away."

"Oh he won't!" Tikki reassured, floating up and resting a paw on Adrien's cheek. "He's going to be so proud of you!"

"And happy to get these two back, and that book," Plagg adds, floating up to eye the jewels in Marinette's hands. They sparked warmly at Plagg's near presence.

Adrien nods, still unsure.

Setting the miraculouses in her purse, she reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze. With an encouraging smile, she asked, "You ready?"

Blinking at her, he smiled tightly, bringing her hand up and pressing a kiss to her knuckles, enjoying the feel of their bare hands clasped together. "So long as you're at my side, Princess," he uttered.

She beamed, cheeks a little pink. "Then let's go, partner."

Partner.

Never has a word sounded so right to his ears.

DOOOOOONE.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR READING!

This Enemies AU has been a fun ride, I am really glad I wound up continuing it. Hope to see you guys in future upcoming fics!