Author's Note: Collab fic with HiddenEye, who is such a pleasure to work with! Please enjoy :)
Second Chances
Chapter 1
Adrien's face was scrunched up with concentration, the tip of his tongue poking out slightly as he focused on the delicate process before him. There was a small tremble in his hands and his fingers ached with exhaustion, but still he pressed on. One wrong move – even a hair out of place – could ruin everything, and he was not about to let all his hard work in the past two hours go to waste.
"Anndddd done!" he exclaimed with a relieved sigh, leaning back and smiling proudly. "What do you think?"
"It's… okay."
"Just 'okay'?"
"Nah, I'm kidding." From the reflection in the hand mirror, a pair of bright blue eyes glanced at him, accompanied by a cheeky grin. "It looks terrible!"
Adrien gasped dramatically and brandished the comb in his hand with mock indignation. "Hey, I did my best! French braids aren't the easiest to do, you know?"
Giggling loudly, the preteen in his lap patted his knee sympathetically. "You're the one who wanted to try. Next time, maybe you should just leave it to the professionals."
"Excuse you, I am a professional."
"But you're a model! You have hairstylists to – Ah, Madeleine's here!" At the sound of the doorbell, she hopped down and rushed to greet her friend. "Thanks dad, I love it!" She pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before running off, haphazard braid and all.
Chuckling fondly, Adrien began to clean up the mess of hair ties and clips scattered across the couch. Despite the end results, it had been two hours well spent indeed. Today was a special day for his daughter and she wanted to look her best, so imagine his surprise when she had approached him shyly and asked if he could do her hair for her. He was only too happy to oblige of course, but he couldn't help thinking there was someone else more qualified for the job that she should have been able to ask.
The sudden pang of nostalgia that hit him was not unexpected, and Adrien felt his gaze travel towards the collection of photos above the mantelpiece in the living room. Abandoning the small pouch of hair accessories on the cushions, he walked over to one in particular, ghosting reverent touches over the red and pink frame. A portrait of his late wife stared back at him, her eyes and smile just as radiant and kind as he remembered.
"I wish you were here Mari," he murmured, tracing the outlines of her face wistfully. "I wish you could see our girl now. You'd be so proud of her."
Obstetrical hemorrhage, the doctors had said.
"Emma," Marinette had gasped, fighting to hold on as Adrien gently placed their newborn daughter in her trembling arms.
A breathless laugh, tears spilling over their cheeks, final whispers of 'I love you' –
Then she was gone, and Emma started to wail.
He hadn't seen or heard from Tikki for almost a decade now. The red kwami had left in search of a new wielder for her Miraculous while Plagg had chosen to stay with him, even though Chat Noir had effectively disappeared the night Emma was born. It didn't feel right, transforming and roaming the streets of Paris without his Lady by his side. More importantly, raising Emma was his top priority now, and he was immensely thankful that she was able to grow up in peaceful times.
Nevertheless, the war was far from over.
Although Ladybug and Chat Noir had defeated Hawk Moth years ago, his rogue kwami was still on the loose. It would be a long while before another host was possessed and the akumas unleashed again, but Tikki had insisted on finding a new Ladybug as soon as possible to prepare for the inevitable threat. Whether she had succeeded already he did not know, and just in case he was ever needed again Adrien had also kept up his skills, fencing and stick fighting regularly.
"Happy birthday, Emma!"
The chorus of jubilant voices at the door shook him out of his thoughts, and Adrien looked up just in time to see Plagg zipping out of the kitchen and into his breast pocket.
"Don't be such a sour puss," the kwami said, patting his round belly as he made himself comfortable. No doubt he'd been gorging himself on all the cheese he could find again – Adrien made a mental note to replenish the supply later and come up with better hiding places. "It's not every day your kid turns twelve, so quit moping around and celebrate!"
"You're only saying that because you just finished a whole month's worth of camembert," Adrien huffed, pinching his nose in disgust as the kwami gave a satisfied belch in response.
Still, Plagg had a point. There was no use dwelling on past events now, not when today was supposed to be a happy day. Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Adrien squashed down the lurking remnants of heartache in his chest before making his way to the foyer to greet Nino and his family.
"– and I'll be right there with you, okay? I'll even hold your hand if you want!" Madeleine was saying, one arm wrapped around Emma's shoulders in reassurance. The sixteen year old perked up when she spotted him. "Oh, hey uncle Adrien!"
"Good to see you, Madeleine." Adrien nodded at her with a friendly smile. He exchanged fist bumps with Nino while Alya gave him a warm hug, and the three friends caught up with one another as their daughters posed for selfies.
Despite four years of age difference, Emma and Madeleine were as close as sisters. They had practically grown up together, especially since their parents would take turns dropping them off at the other's place for playdates when they were younger. Madeleine definitely took after her mother, if her spirited personality was anything to go by. In terms of looks, she had inherited her father's golden eyes and dark brown hair, which was styled in a pixie cut.
"Alright people, time to head out!" Alya declared, ushering the group outside. "Emma's been waiting for this a long time, so let's go grant her birthday wish!"
The two girls cheered excitedly and raced each other towards the car, chattering about whether to get studs or hoops once Emma finally had her ears pierced. Nino and Alya trailed after them while Adrien hung back to lock up. The blond was just about to put away his keys when Plagg suddenly shot out of his pocket with a startled squeak.
"Plagg!" Adrien hissed in shock, grabbing him out of the air before anyone could see. The black kwami's head swiveled about as though he was searching for something, and an all too familiar feeling of dread began to pool in Adrien's stomach. "What is it?" he asked, desperately praying that it wasn't trouble with a capital 'A'.
"…Nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me!" Plagg sent him a toothy grin, much too mischievous for Adrien's liking. "Now hurry up and get going! They're waiting for you!"
Adrien frowned in suspicion, but shoved Plagg back into his pocket anyway. He jogged after the rest of the group, their calls for him muffling the quiet snickers of his kwami.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Let us know what you think :)
