#lukalovesadrien

[ajwinter-is-a-nerd]

Le Chat et Le Serpent

Chapter 1 - As My Heart Beats

Notes:

Hello! This is the first story that I have decided to share. It is after the finale of Ladybug and Chat Noir Season 4 Finale. ***TRIGGER WARNING*** Mention of child abuse, general graphic violence, alcohol use, mental health, basically, I have decided to put the characters through the meat grinder***

Disclaimer*The characters and original plot were written and created by Thomas Astruc. This writing is merely an interpretation in a sad gay type of way.

The Note

March 3, 2024

Dear Adrien, 

When you were four years old, you fell off your bike. The defiant boy that you were, you had refused to buckle your helmet. Your mother was adamant that that was the day my hair turned grey. The whole night, I held your hand, desperately hoping your heart would keep beating. Never had I felt so helpless, or so guilt ridden. That was, until the light faded from your mother’s eyes. When you finally began to get back on your two feet, with each step I feared the image of your fall. Every time you were away from me, I knew that you might take off your helmet, or forget to look both ways before crossing the street. Nothing between us was ever the same after that accident. Your mother always fought to bring me back, to remind me that our lives were worth living. But I just wanted to keep us safe. When your mother died, any sense of control I believed I had was whisked away. 

For years, I tried to protect the young boy who refused to wear a helmet, never noting the time passing. The young boy was growing into a man, who was forced to live with a shadow of his father. With a villain. 

Through the eyes of an orderly, I visited you. The only indication that you were alive was your rhythmic heartbeat. The bicycle image no longer taunted me. Instead, I saw the terror on your face as blood stuttered out of your mouth, your eyes boring into mine. When you were younger, I felt at fault for not double checking your helmet. Last night, there was no question of fault. Each rasping breath was caused by my own hand. 

I hope that this letter will help you understand, but I could never ask for forgiveness. There are no possible steps forward. Your letter was my last to write. My will has been finalised, and considering your eighteenth birthday is mere days away, I foresee no legal issues in the transferring of assets. If all has gone according to plan, Nathalie will hand you this letter. I understand if you want to dispel her from your life, but know that she saved your life. She may have stood by me, but she always fought for you. If she did not work with me, she knew that she would have risked her place within this household - which would have left you alone with me. Nathalie is the reason your heart was able to beat, and she will take your secret to the grave. 

Now, I offer you the freedom you so deserve. Whatever you choose to do with it, know that I am proud of you. You stood for what was right, and fought someone who should have never been your foe.

I love you Adrien. 

Your father, 

Gabriel Agreste

* From the Office of Gabriel Agreste Industries*

The Recovery

“Good morning handsome,” Nurse Jacquie greeted Adrien with a glowing smile. 

“Isn’t it frowned upon to flirt with your patients?” Adrien teased.

“Hey! If Olivier heard you say that he might wage war!” 

“Oh I see, now it’s a battle for your love. I can do that.” Adrien smirked as he tilted his head to the side.

“Don’t be so confident, he may be 90, but that man can throw a punch!” She chortled while noting his vitals. 

“Now, I know that I may be -dashing- but how are my insides looking?” He tried to dispel his discomfort through theatrical hand motions. 

“Pretty good for someone who died,” her flat tone barely carried over her clipboard. 

Picking at the adhesive on his IV he asked, “How much longer do you think I’m going to be in here?” 

“Hard to tell Mr. Agreste, but we will keep doing our best.” 

“I guess that’s better than nothing…” 

“Also, Mr. Sadface, I heard you have some friends coming today!” 

His face lit up as he remembered that Nino, Aly, Chloe, and Marinette would be coming. They had promised a belated birthday celebration. Though Adrien would rather celebrate his birthday with pants on, it would help to break the monotony of the white walls. As if beckoned by his thoughts, a soft knock tapped at his open door. 

“Looking sharp Agreste!” Nino nearly shouted as he sped to Adrien's bed side. His shoes skidded to a halt as he tried to stop himself from colliding with Adrien’s wires with his outstretched arms. Awkwardly trying to fidget around the tubes, clearly confused on what he should do, Adrien offered a fist for him to bump. Nino breathed a sigh of relief as he accepted the friendly gesture. Once they had adequately faked the explosion on their fist bump, Alya hipchecked Nino so that she could greet the birthday boy. 

“Holy shit Adrien,” she gasped, “How do you still look so good after basically getting hit by a freight train?” As Nino feigned a jealous pout, Alya tried to push out her memories of her last hospital visit. Under the pretence of the Ladyblog, she had checked on the civilians that had been injured in the battle. The hospital was so overcrowded that staff had come in on their days off to provide care in the waiting rooms. The air was thick with the scent of iron and the sound of children’s cries. There was only so much Ladybug’s Lucky Charm could fix. Leaving a bittersweet taste, the only injury that had nearly been fatal was Adrien’s. On her Ladyblog, she kept the comment on Adrien’s injury short, “the only civilian currently requiring intensive care is fashion model, Adrien Agreste.” Thankfully, Nino had not pried, assuming that she had gained her information from the hospital staff. In reality, she couldn’t shake the memory of Adrien’s limp body. His marred face contorted around the breathing tube that had been forced down his throat. Considering the tension Nino was already enduring, and the guilt Marinette held in her heart, Alya chose to keep her burden to herself. No one could understand the degree of her relief in his current state. He truly resembled an Angel. Trying to hide her wavering strength, Adrien cut through the ice with his iconic humour. 

“Do I really look so bad that everyone needs to boost my ego? Should I be afraid of mirrors?” Adrien half-heartedly joked. 

“No!” Marionette piped in as she walked through the door. “You - oh my- seri-ah- how? Beautiful.” She instinctively slapped her forehead. 

“See?” Nino gestured to Marinette, “you’ve left Marinette speechless!” 

Alya refrained from a sarcastic comment, not wanting anything to seem as an attack on Adrien’s state. 

“It’s good to see you Mare,” his sparkling green eyes resting upon the girl reddening at the foot of his bed. She instinctively pushed out the double chocolate cheesecake that Sabine had specially made for Adrien. Hovering the cake, she kept her eyes closed, blind to the fact that he would not be able to reach it without disconnecting himself. 

“Here,” a calming voice rumbled from behind Marinette. He grabbed the cake from her hands and set it on the bedside table. It was Adrien's turn to become speechless. He hadn’t expected Luka on this visit. Normally, he could coolly hide his reaction, but his heart monitor began to give him away. 

The screeching monitor seemed to prove Luka’s suspicions that Adrien would not want him here. Hiding his discomfort, he chose a corner to rest in. He would never want to make him uncomfortable, but he had to take the opportunity while he had it. 

Uncomfortable with silence, Alya began to loudly recap what had occurred since his hospitalisation. She could be using the speakers from the concert on Luka’s family’s ship, the Liberty, and Adrien still wouldn’t have been able to hear her. He was too distracted by Luka’s fingers tapping against his black ripped jeans. The viper was normally so calm, this rare demonstration of a nervous tick pulled Adrien into a trance. Was he forced to be here? Maybe he and Marinette were back together and he was here only out of duty. Did he actually want to see Adrien? The last thing he wanted was to be the one who made Luka shrink in his chair. 

“Can you even believe that?” Alya awaited a response from Adrien. 

“Hmm?” Adrien's eyes snapped to her, finally breaking from his trance. Luka couldn’t help but notice that Adrien's heartbeat started to even out the moment he looked away from him. 

“Boy! You are so like Marinette! Chloe and Sabrina! Sabrina got fed up and finally walked out. Now Chloe is so behind on everything that she couldn’t come.” Alya quickly recapped the story he had missed. 

“Serves her right.” Marinette grumbled. 

Adrien sighed at the negative connotations. He was blatantly aware of the vicious acts that Chloe had committed against his friends, but he was also forced to be aware of what they did not know. Losing Sabrina must have shattered Chloe. Sabrina was one of the only people, besides him, that Chloe let see under her mask. Chloe had likely used the excuse of assignments to avoid Adrien’s gaze; he had a way of breaking through her shell. 

Performing his protective best-friend duty, Nino swiftly changed the subject. “Dude, wait till you see what I got you!”

For the first time since a flat tone had resonated through the rushed hospital, he felt alive. When he had first opened his eyes, the bleached walls convinced him he had passed. Surprising as it may be, a floating god of destruction spouting sarcastic comments regarding Adrien’s code blue was not a convincing sign that he had survived the battle. Adrien honestly believed he was in hell, trapped in isolation and controlled by machines. It didn’t help that as much as the Kwami cared for him, affirming adoration was not in his repertoire. Unless, of course, there was cheese involved; the Kwami would be sure to share his love when he learned that Adrien had hidden him a piece of cheesecake. 

Gushing his appreciation, Adrien snuggled in his new blankets while waving his knit slippers. “Thank you so much guys, you didn’t have to do all of this.”

“Dude, there’s no way I would pass up an opportunity to miss your idiotic smile in little slippers,” Nino lovingly quipped. 

Luka raised his eyebrow at Adrien. Beyond wanting to witness Adrien’s childlike smile, he knew the Prettyboy honestly believed that he didn’t deserve this. Luka was barely granted a second to appreciate the knit slippers before Adrien’s green eyes bounded towards him. Taking a calming breath, Luka stood to his feet. He tried to ignore the quickening beats echoing through the room as he pulled the small gift out of his hoodie pocket.  

After seeing the thoughtfulness of the other’s gifts, Luka debated even giving him the gift. They came together to warm the room, whereas Luka’s gift held a selfish tinge. He knew as he had taken the book off the shelf that he had picked it in hopes that he and Adrien could have something to talk about, anything to break the ice that lay so thick between them. 

Not only had Luka’s presence been a shock, but Luka being there with a gift was nearly enough to give Adrien a heart attack. Breathlessly, he watched as the tall blue haired man stepped towards him. The package was small, heavy, and badly wrapped in old newspaper. Luka knew when he wrapped it that there was a chance it could appear cheap and poorly thought through but, unbeknownst to him, Adrien immediately noted that the wrapping design was from Luka carefully ensuring not to tape over the puzzles. 

Returning to tapping his jeans, he watched as Adrien continued to inspect the wrapping job. His rhythmic tapping helped to keep him from collapsing in shame on the floor. Adrien’s fingers gently picked at the tape, finally indicating to Luka that he appreciated the additional entertainment. Carefully placing the newspaper separate from the wrapping paper, Adrien ran his hand along the book's cover. 

Before Adrien could have the opportunity to reveal the transcription on the first page, Luka forced himself to speak. “It’s one of my favourites. I figured you could use some entertainment in here.” 

Even though Luka was controlling the urge to bolt from the room, his voice still sang in calm notes. 

“Yeah, thanks! It uh - the isolation here kind of reminds me of home.” Though his words were meant to lighten the mood, they released the cold reality which they were all aware of. Sensing the shift of mood, he went to flip the cover, sending a surge of panic through Luka. His tanned fingers were quick to pull the book out of Adrien’s wired hands. To decrease suspicion, Luka grabbed the other gifts and activities that were strewn around Adrien. He gently set them on the bedside table, and used the clearing of wrapping paper and dirty plates to step away from the bed. 

Tuning into Adrien’s melody, with his heart monitor as the metronome, a shiver of awareness hissed down Luka’s spine. The increased pace may not be related to hate afterall. 

-

Once everyone had left, Adrien eagerly grabbed for the book that Luka had gifted him. The Wars by Timothy Findley. He had never heard of it, but was enthralled at the chance to learn more about the mysterious Luka. As he read the inscription, he understood why Luka had seized the book. Short on breath, he ran his fingers along Luka’s penmanship. 

Thudding footsteps echoed towards his room. “What’s going on?” Nurse Jackie panted, her face stricken with worry. 

Flipping his hair up to meet her paled face, he became aware that the heart monitor was sending off an alert. 

“Uh - nothing - just… surprised.” Adrien tried to calm her with a forced grin. Considering the crinkling of Jacquie’s face, he imagined that his smile reflected that of Kagami's robot smile. 

Listening to her steps fade away, he once again pulled his attention to his books cover page. 

Dearest Adrien,

This book helped me see the world a little bit differently. Heroes and villains cannot always be so easily defined. 

I know you are facing a war in yourself, fighting battles that it seems no one understands. If you need someone to speak to about this life, or your other, know that you can reach out to me. Even the strongest cats need a lap to lay on. 

Luka

“He knows,” Adrien muttered. 

[ajwinter-is-a-nerd]

Le Chat et Le Serpent

Please note that the entirety of this story is a ****TRIGGER WARNING***** - mentions of child abuse, graphic violence, alcohol use, mental health, suicide, suicidal ideation, self-harm - basically a constant blow of pain towards the characters - as well as some "steamy" moments.

Chapter 4: The Truth Within our Lies

Delusory

“Bye bye, Kitty.” 

Plagg, no longer able to hold on, was pushed from Adrien’s body. The severity of the wounds became far more visible against his light clothing. 

“Kid, you’re okay, Ladybug will fix this, I-,” Plagg’s eyes turned to Gabriel, whose Miraculous’ had also split off. 

“Fix this, this is your fucking kid!” Plagg boomed, hoping that Gabriel could do something. 

“Oh, this will be so easy,” Gabriel chuckled as he stepped closer to Adrien’s faltering body. 

Rage built within Plagg, black blotches quickly building behind him. “I’d think twice about that buddy, you have nothing on the dinosaurs.” 

“NO!” Nathalie screamed, jumping in front of Adrien. 

Trying to spread her arms out between Gabriel and Plagg, Nathalie’s voice screeched to the point of hysteria. “Go find the nearest holder!”

“AND LEAVE ADRIEN WITH THIS SOCIOPATH?” 

“If he had just followed my orders, this would have never happened!” Gabriel bellowed back, struggling to remember which Kwamis he had not depleted. 

“Plagg, listen to me, you need to get help.” Nathalie yelled again. “Gabriel, take off your ring.” 

“How dare you defy me!” 

“Plagg!” Nathalie desperately tried to control the situation. “You and I both know that will seal Adrien’s fate. Go. Get. Help.” 

Enraged, Plagg looked down at Adrien’s ring. While he still breathed, he could not force the Miraculous off his finger. “If you try anything, you’ll regret it,” Plagg warned as he burst through the door. 

Delusory

Nathalie spun the platinum rings in her fingers. To the naked eye, they appeared simply plain and normal; but, the moment they began to touch your skin their power began to demand use. 

Once Nathalie had begun to understand the full power of the rings, she sought to destroy them. She touched her hip as she remembered the night where she tried to eradicate Emelie’s with a sledge hammer. The ring deflected the force, remaining in pristine condition, as Nathalie’s hip shattered. When she had attempted to use a blow torch, hiding her raw skin had been more manageable, but far more excruciating. 

When she and Gabriel finally received Master Fu’s partial decoding of the Grimoire, she was jubilant in the prospect of finding a magical answer. Unfortunately, even through listed foes, nothing resembled the Graham de Vanity rings. 

The night of Adrien’s revealed alter ego, she considered attempting to cataclysm them. But Adrien was in too dire a need of medical attention to understand why she would want the ring, and Plagg would have reaped destruction had she tried to approach the ring in any way. Additionally, with everything she had already abetted in putting Adrien through, taking a gamble on his life was of no interest to her. The goal was to save him. 

The thought of throwing the cursed objects in the sea, or sending them on a plane to a foreign country, crossed her mind. But these rings would be akin to the Jumanji board, infinitely sirening for a holder. Any human wearing the ring would become enraptured with the power alone, but far worse, they would always lead back to Adrien’s bloodline. The greatest tragedy would be Adrien forced to mirror his own childhood nightmares. Before the rings, Gabriel had a gleam in his eyes that faded long before Emelie passed. 

“Gabriel, please! It was just an accident!” Emelie screamed. 

Nathalie stifled tears as she continued her work in her office. Emelie had her researching the deactivation of the rings, but it was a never ending maze of dead ends.  

“Did you see what he did? Stand boy.” Nathalie didn’t need to be in the room to know that Adrien would have obediently stood. The crack of Gabriel’s hit echoed against the walls. 

“No!” Emelie cried, likely embracing the boy. 

“Stop worrying so much, it’s not like the marks will show. Pull yourself together, this is not appropriate Agreste behaviour.”

Nathalie straightened her posture as his steps approached. 

She needed to give it to someone who would not be swayed by their promises, their euphoric sensation of utopia. 

Pushing down the knot in her throat, she tried to swallow away her shame. After Emelie left, Gabriel’s gleam momentarily returned. He suddenly had a goal, his heart grew out of necessity to care for his family. Gabriel’s emanating glitter was what morphed him into her own dark ring. 

Wavering the rings over the bag, her stomach twisted in horror. Her mind began to find reasons for her to hold them. She could pass them to Adrien for him to inspect. If he only wore his mother’s, he would merely have obedient children. His father’s ring, however… 

“Stop, you have no power over me, I will be rid of you,” she spoke to the rings, the vocal rejection giving her an extra shot of courage. 

Ladybug was Nathalie’s last hope. She was the only other person who may have the means to discover the end of the rings. Fear electrocuted her as she threw the rings into the bag, they did not want to leave. 

Distorted Truth

Fragments of Luka were still resentful towards Nathalie for leaving him to pick up the pieces from the unholy mess her and Gabriel had left. For cowering instead of telling Adrien herself. But the rest of him understood. Those words from her mouth would resonate as lies, but from Gabriel’s hand, they were impossible to challenge. 

In an impossible situation Luka did the only thing he could. He was there. He sat through Adrien swinging back and forth between hatred and love. Between betrayal and salvation. There were no answers or secret fixes. 

Thankfully, he had Sass to mediate Plagg’s voice and anger. 

Nurse Jacquie did her best to provide the boys with space. Though there was no way for her to comprehend the totality of what was occurring between those four walls, she recognized the profound pain within Adrien’s wails. But the sand in her imaginary hourglass was on its last grains. With a delicate knock, Nurse Jacquie announced her presence. 

Luka appreciated the strides that he and Adrien had made in their relationship, but recognized that the proud man would not want an audience as he got his bed sores checked while discussing bowel movements. He opted to visit the café. 

“You’re still here?” Juleka’s low voice mused behind Luka as he tapped his credit card. 

“I guess so,” Luka was pleased that she couldn’t revel in his smitten smirk. 

“Rose is going to be so excited.” Should anyone else have overheard, they would likely assume that Juleka’s tone sang with sarcasm. But Luka responded with a blush as he scurried past her. 

Luka began drinking his espresso laden beverage as soon as he could bite the lid open. Adrien may have finally slept like an Angel, but Luka had been too apprehensive about Adrien’s well being to catch a proper sleep. 

Incidentally, Luka had timed his excursion perfectly. He expected that he would need to hover outside the door, but Nurse Jacquie was in the process of turning the knob as he neared. 

“Luka!” She exclaimed. “Your boy is looking a lot better.” 

Idiotically grinning, he pulled her coffee out of the tray. 

“Seriously? You are the sweetest.” She graciously took the steaming fuel. “Adrien is so lucky to have you.” 

Adrien’s heart monitor began to speed. 

Trying to pretend he didn’t notice, Luka briefly responded with a thanks. 

“You two are beyond the cutest couple in here,” she announced as she picked her coffee lid open. 

Adrien’s heart monitor continued to speed up. 

“Oh, we’re not-,” Luka began. 

“Oh sorry! I just thought because you guys were so close and-,”

Adrien’s heart picked up to a worryingly abnormal rate. Nurse Jacquie set down her coffee, peering back and forth from the monitor to Adrien. “Sorry love, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” she said carefully watching his heart’s reactions to her words. 

“Oh, it’s, it’s fine,” Adrien’s heart began to set off the pager on her side. 

She held the pager confused as she watched pain flush through Adrien’s face. “Are you sure? You’re setting off my alarm.” She pulled the blaring machine off her hip to demonstrate her verity. 

“Seriously, I’m fi-fine, we just haven’t - ugghh - we haven’t had the-,” his voice began to whistle. 

Luka froze in horror as Adrien’s face contorted from his inability to breathe. 

“Honey, you need to go!” Nurse Jacquie firmly ordered Luka as she switched modes. 

Dazed, Luka walked through the nurses running towards Adrien’s room. It wasn’t until he reached his car that he noticed he still had Adrien’s drink in his tray. 

[ajwinter-is-a-nerd]

Le Chat et Le Serpent - Chapter 2

Hello! This is the first story that I have decided to share. It is after the finale of Ladybug and Chat Noir Season 4 Finale. ***TRIGGER WARNING*** Mention of child abuse, general graphic violence, alcohol use, mental health, basically, I have decided to put the characters through the meat grinder***

*this chapter quotes "The Wars" by Timothy Findley. It's an amazing book. You should read it. After you've read this chapter of course.

Chapter 2: Touch These Pages and You Have Me

Make Your Prayers Against Despair

The spine of the book that Luka had given him had begun to crack from Adrien’s use. The story was captivating and dark, and each time he read it, he found a detail that he had missed before. However, no matter how many times he read it, a particular moment forced him to shudder.

As the protagonist, Robert, separated from his fellow soldiers, Rodwell passed along a letter. The two men had witnessed death and devastation in every definition of the word, Rodwell knew he may not make it back. The letter Rodwell wrote was delicate and raw, the truth behind his mask. 

“To my daughter, Laurine;

Love your mother.

Make your prayers against despair.

I am alive in everything I touch. Touch these pages and you have me in your fingertips. We survive in one another. Everything lives forever. Believe it. Nothing dies.

I am your father always.”

Even after the sixth read, Adrien could not identify what affected him the most. The mere suicide of Rodwell could bring a tear to a grown man’s eye, or the fact that his daughter would never again see her father. But the letter layered the pain. Rodwell’s loving words, written in a moment of desperation, forced Adrien to reflect on his own devastated relationship with Gabriel. The next time he would read this book, he would skip these pages, all too aware of what would hurt the most. 

We Survive in One Another

Kagami muttered unintelligibly as she checked all of Adrien’s machines and bandages. Had he not known Kagami for so long, he would have been bewildered by her audacity and thoroughness. She did not show affection like everybody else; she was clinical in every move. In fact, it would be worrisome if she hadn’t asked him about his last blood pressure ratings.

“It does appear that you are getting better, Adrien.” 

“Thanks Kagami, Nurse Jacquie says I’ve been steadily improving since I could have visitors.”

“Mmm… Yes, there have been psychological tests that indicate social support may be a significant determinant in our body’s efficacy to heal itself.” Kagami stated with a stoic face.

“Seems like you’ve begun your studies,” Adrien mused, inciting a faint blush upon Kagami’s cheeks.

“I decided to challenge a select number of classes, therefore, I am technically in my second year of pre-medical studies.”

 “Of course you did, top of your class no doubt. You truly are amazing. I am so proud that you chose your own direction.” Adrien knew she never received praise from her family, so he always took every opportunity to remind her that she was exceptional. Though his words were true, today, they were conveyed with an additional objective. Adrien was preparing his stance to change the conversation’s target.

“It’s really nothing,” Kagami brushed off Adrien’s compliment, but her hands nervously wringing behind her back indicated to Adrien that she was charmed.

“Maybe one day you should bring your textbooks here, it would be nice to at least learn something while I’m stuck in solitary confinement.”

Kagami scanned his room, there were no mobile devices, and the TV was mysteriously out of order. Someone was ensuring that Adrien was disconnected. “As long as they’re not too advanced for you.”

Analysing Kagami’s stance, Adrien could tell that her defence was beginning to fall. He grinned to show Kagami that he recognized the humour. “I’m sure I could handle them. What I can’t handle,” Adrien sucked in his breath, hoping his timing was accurate, “is being cut off from the world.”

Noting the gleam in Adrien’s eye, Kagami realised Adrien had unsheathed his epee. “I understand.” She replied curtly, enforcing a defensive stance.

“What has been happening on the news Kagami? Why is everyone afraid to talk to me?” The drop of Kagami’s head indicated he scored a point. “I’m aware the world continues to spin, regardless of how still I am.”

“If your friends have not said anything, I must assume that they are only doing what they think is best for you. Perhaps it would be better if I followed suit. We may discuss the operations of the hospital, if that is more enticing for you?” Point – Kagami.

Seeing that his approach was not cracking past her wit, he chose a different strategy. “That would be great! I’ve been trying to determine exactly what scent this detergent is, what do you think?” Adrien sarcastically lifted his blanket. Kagami instinctively leaned forward to smell. As she sniffed the blanket, Adrien’s eyes narrowed towards her. 

“Oh, were you trying to be funny?” 

Snorting, Adrien recalled how much he enjoyed Kagami’s straightforward nature. “Obviously failing at it, but now I have to know your detergent deduction.”

“They used a standard unscented bleach-based sanitization method. I should also let you know that storing cheese within your sheets is likely to entice insects.”

Adrien reddened; he had been surrounded by the stench of camembert for so long that he had managed to tune it out. Clearing his head, he lunged once again, stripping the vagueness from his words, “has anyone seen my father, or Nathalie?”

Kagami’s stoic face broke as she dipped her head. “They really haven’t told you anything, have they?”

Adrien’s bewilderment answered for him.

“There have been no Akuma sightings since your hospitalisation began.” She veered off the topic of Gabriel Agreste.

Match – Kagami.

“Oh,” Adrien mumbled, recognizing his loss.

Grasping to satiate him, she began to debrief him on other matters. “Ladybug and Viperion have continued patrolling. The news continues to question whether Chat Noir will be returning to battle or not.”

The thought of Viperion and Ladybug spending every night together sent a tinge of jealousy through Adrien’s stomach. Thankfully, Kagami did not notice it as she continued her summary.  “Personally, I believe that Chat Noir is merely taking respite. The coverage that was collected from the battle demonstrated a significant amount of damage to the superhero.”

Chewing his lip, Adrien decided to further pry, “what happened with Felix? Did the Miraculous that Ladybug thought she gave to me ever return?” Adrien was sharp enough to know that if there was a triumphant return of the stolen Miraculous’, she would have opened with that. However, considering the familial relation, she was more likely to omit news if Felix’s malfeasances had been brought to justice. 

“Your cousin.” She affirmed to demonstrate her comprehension. “He has not been seen since the last battle, along with Lila DeRossi. It has been suggested that they are plotting something, but that seems to juxtaposition the fact that there have been no forms of magical attacks since the last battle.”

“Maybe I should try to contact him. Not that I think he would reply, but it might be worth attempting.”

Kagami nodded, instinctually gripping her phone, knowing that there was a significant reason that Adrien did not have access to current events. “Perhaps, once you have healed, you can try to intercept one of the nightly patrols. I’m certain they are highly interested in your personal connection with Felix. You should prepare to contact Lila as well.”

Adrien seethed at her name. He knew Kagami was right, but the idea of contacting Lila willingly was nearly a greater evil than battling Papillion. Forcing control over his breath, he changed his target. “So, you have taken an interest in psychology classes? I am surprised you didn’t decide to challenge that class as well.”

“I thought it may help me become more approachable,” Kagami flashed her robot smile.  

“That might be a good idea. Have you continued fencing, or has university been a sufficient challenge for you?” He emphasised ‘challenge’ to incite a more honest reply. 

“I will continue the sport for my own personal improvement, but I am rapidly losing interest from a lack of strong competitors.” 

“Good, so you’ll be off your game when I come back.” 

A sense of satisfaction warmed Kagami’s face, “even in your best, you don’t stand a chance against me.”

Speaking in competition was the most natural for Kagami, it was the primary reason that she admired Adrien. He was the only one that could confidently rebut her. 

I am Your Father, Always

Adrien drooped against the railing, exhaustion had seemingly blurred the connection between his brain and his legs. He hoped that Ladybug would actually get the rest she needed. When they parted, the white of her eyes shot red. Had her mask been shorter, he was certain that substantial dark circles would rest below them. But Ladybug was determined. Adrien guessed that he would likely only get a few hours of sleep before Ladybug was out patrolling again. She wouldn’t expect him to be there, but he couldn’t imagine leaving her alone. 

Almost reaching the sweet reprieve of his room, a thundering smash shook the chandelier. Crouching, he peered through the railing’s posts. A weakened Papillion trembled on all fours. 

How did he find out where he lived? Why would he choose to attack Adrien when he, himself, had trouble standing? With a flash of rage, Adrien thought that Papillion must have believed he was weak too. Silently, Adrien called for his claws, waiting for Papillion to make the first move. Carefully opening his baton’s screen, he began to type a message to Ladybug. His typing was interrupted by a scream emanating from the man. 

Instead of standing to fight, Papillon stayed upon the floor, hollering for Nathalie. 

“No,” Chat gasped, praying that his fatigue had led to an incorrect assumption of the villain’s identity. His gasp, however, notified Papillion of his presence. 

Furiously, Papillon jumped up. “You mangy cat! How dare you come here!” 

Chat swallowed a brick as he recognized the familiar tone of rage. Pushing reality out of his head, he played Chat. A hero dressed in black, who had managed to catch Papillion at his house. “How dare you take the Miraculous’!” He boomed in feigned confidence. 

By the time Papillion began throwing blows, the opportunity to send for help disappeared. Chat, who could typically avoid attacks with poised ease, was dragged by his and Plagg’s shared depletion. Though Papillion and his Miraculous’ were also overexerted, Papillon simply had more cards in his hands. If one shot missed, he could easily call upon another. In pure desperation, Chat called upon his cataclysm as he rushed towards Papillion’s face. 

Papillon shell-tered himself against the cataclysm, followed by a fatal counter attack. As Chat’s body spiralled across the floor, his head cracked against the marble, leaving a thick trail of blood. 

Papillon sneered as he watched Chat Noir struggle to breathe. His cat ears hung limply as his chest heaved. “How kind of you, laying down a red carpet to finalise my defeat.” He sneered as he strode confidently through the scarlett streaks. 

Chat’s ring began to sing its final tune.

Allowing his weapon to materialise above his hand, Papillion relished the chance to finally learn his foe’s identity. “Bye bye, Kitty.”