Bonding?

Chapter 3

Marinette had always wondered what happened to Adrien, it wasn't a type of worry that the others had. She always subconsciously knew he wasn't dead or sick like they first thought. Maybe it was because she worked at his father's company and probably would've heard about it, or maybe it was her Ladybug senses. It didn't make a lot of sense on why he left but to her it was just important that he was back, she didn't love him in a romantic way anymore but she considered him a friend. She could tell Nino was happy that he had his old friend back, even if Alya was cautious about letting the blonde back into their lives.
Emma and Louis were staying at the family bakery that night. Marinette had organised it days before because tonight was the night of her half yearly patrol. She didn't enjoy going out as Ladybug as much as she used to. However, that would be expected, she didn't have her partner anymore, she didn't have her best friend.

Adrien knew tonight was the night he would face Ladybug, he only had to look on the very rarely updated Ladyblog, to find Ladybug's patrol schedule. As much as he wanted more time to prepare, if he didn't do it tonight, he would have to wait six months. He suited up, running along the rooftops like it was a onetime opportunity, the breeze in his hair, making him feel so, very, incredibly alive.
He reached the old meeting place in no time, actually he was early, the red and black hero wasn't even there yet. So, he sat on the roof, the view of the Eiffel Tower was as perfect as it had always been. Admiring the view for about ten minutes, his heighten cat senses picked up on a small thud from the other side of the roof. He stood, waiting for the ladybuged themed hero. The figure walked over the top of the roof, walking into the dim light radiating from the moon. The eyes behind the mask scanned the view briefly, just does his had done. The bell around his neck reflected the Paris moonlight as it shifted from behind the clouds, also catching the attention of the hero in red. Adrien watched as she squinted, trying to get a view of the person also on the rooftop. It didn't take long for her to realise who the person in all black clothing was. Blue almost filled the mask completely as her eyes widen, a small breath of shock could be heard. He could feel her wanting to run away, but almost as if she couldn't.

"Ladybug?" He almost said in a whisper.

"Ch-chat Noir... no... w-what? How... why now? I'm... what?"

"I know it might be surprising, but I am really here, I just want to talk to yo—" Chat was cut off abruptly. He had guessed Ladybug had time to process the information, because now Ladybug was hugging him. Every tightly, he might add. All of sudden she pulled away, tears started to well up in her eyes.

"I know I'm sorry. I should've done things differently, but everything's sorted out in my family. Though I put the time to good use and found what I was looking for." Chat said with a smile. He was a shot of guilt in Ladybug's eyes, he didn't understand why at first.

"I'm so sorry, Chat Noir, you shouldn't be apologizing to me. You have the right to be mad at me. I never meant the words I said, I swear on everything I didn't, my month had been so annoying and hearing my best friend was leaving... it was the tip of the iceberg. I'm so so sorry I took my anger out on you." Ladybug said, a single tear escaped the mask. Just as it had done all those years ago.

(Almost seven years ago, the last time Chat Noir saw Ladybug.)

"You said you wanted to talk Kitty? If it's about the masks, I know it's been awhile, but it just a difficult part of myself to give up."

"No, bugaboo, it's not about the masks. It's about something that's going on in my civilian life, that will also affect my superhero life."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Well, you see... in my uh, civilian life, I found out some important information, something I've been looking for. It's been maybe five-ish years now. I basically need to leave for a different country by late tomorrow."

"Wha... tomorrow...I... no."

"I'm incredibly sorry Bugaboo, you know I would never leave you unless I well and truly had to."

"Please Chat, don't go. I've already had the worst week, I can't lose you too, you're my best friend."

"I really do love you Ladybug but this...this is important... really important. I've wanted to have a clue to this since I was maybe... fourteen or fifteen years old... it was one of the most important and precious things in my life and I... I really need to do this." Chat said, the tremble in his voice was by far obvious.

"Wh-when... will you be b-ack...?"

"I... I don't know..." Chat sighed while watching tears form in her eyes.

"You... you don't know? What do you mean you don't know! How can you not know? You tell me you have to leave for a different country! And then not know when you will get back. How long until I can see my best friend again? Hear your incredibly annoying puns and bad timed jokes. It's not fair to do that to me Chat... I don't... I can't." Her tears being held back as she yelled.

"I'm... sorry Ladybug, I would never leave you unless I truly had too. I'm going to miss seeing you every day, I'm going to miss running along rooftops with you. I will miss you every single day until I set foot back on French soil, but... it's so important to me Ladybug... please, please don't be mad."

"Would never leave me? What are you doing right now Chat Noir?"

"Please Ladybug try to unde—"

"Understand? No, you're... you're just abandoning me." Ladybug said, the single tear she had been saving fell from her eye. Turning away from her partner, grabbing the all too familiar yo-yo and swinging off straight to her balcony. The last thing she heard was a distant 'Ladybug! Please wait M'lady.'

(Present day/time)

"It hurt me for a while Ladybug but I've had six years to get over it." Chat said with a weak laugh. Ladybug stepped back, raising not one, but both her eyebrows and her weak smile faded. "Too soon?" He asked.

"Way too soon, Kitty." Rolling her eye, just like old times. "But I do have one question."

"Ask away."

"Is Chat Noir the great black cat of Paris coming back to help 'his lady' fight crime?" She said making quotations when she said his lady.

"With an 'cattitude' like that... I couldn't think of anything better... M'lady."

Two days had past, Emma and Louis were back home and Marinette was as happy as ever. Everything seemed to be falling to place for her and all of her friends.
The clock struck midnight and while working on her spring fashion line, the rain started. She put her work down for a moment and went to the window, hoping to watch the rain fall down it. However, when she got there, there wasn't a single raindrop on it.

"Weird?" Marinette said aloud. The sound of rain still came, the consistent tap tap tap.

"Marinette? It's me, Chat Noir." His voice came from outside the window.

"Chat Noir?" Marinette opened the window and the black cat swung inside.

"Yeah... I'm back in Paris. For good this time."

"Really? That's great! I'm so happy your back." Marinette said, even though it sounded a little fake, it really wasn't. She was just nervous about having Chat so close to her—their children. Even after so long she wasn't mentally prepared enough for the conversation she knew would come one day.

"My poor heart, princess. You don't sound every happy I'm back." Chat laughed.

"No!... no, I'm just in shock, I guess." Marinette smiled weakly.

"I'm just kitten princess, I know you missed me." Chat laughed. It had been about thirty seconds of comfortable silence when a cry could be heard from down the hall. Chat couldn't help but smile to himself. Looking over at Marinette he saw her face freeze. Then it also hit him, Adrien knows about the twins... Chat Noir, however does not. 'Pull yourself together, Adrien.' He thought. "What's that?" He asked.

"I had a bad dream, can you sing me back to sleep?" A little girl's voice said from behind the door.

"Of course Emma, I'll be right there, just go back to bed for now, please." Marinette yelled. They heard a pitter patter of tiny footsteps disappear, when Marinette spoke again. "Just babysitting the neighbour's kid, I'll have to talk to you another time, but hope I get to see you again soon." Marinette said, leading him to the window. He left at her request with a quick goodbye. However, the only thought on his mind was... 'why did she lie?'. Something he would have to figure out later.

The next morning Adrien had woken up early, because of his usually full schedule, however today he had nothing planned. Giving Plagg some cheese, even if it wasn't the only thing he ate now days, he hopped in the shower (replaying last night's situation in his head over and over.)
Nathalie had given him breakfast and left him be, at about eight o'clock his phone buzzed with the name Nino flashing up on the screen. Unlocking the phone, he read the text.

8:06 am. Nino- 'Dude, you have anything planned today? Let me know quick, it's an emergency.'

8:08 am. Reply- "Not that I'm aware of? What's up?"

8:09 am. Nino- You wanted to win our trust back right? Well... your dad called a last minute meeting because it's like the first time he's been back in ages, but 'lucky' us, it's on a Saturday. Me and Alya are both working to at least two and Sabine & Tom are busy with the bakery until four. So Marinette's running around like a headless chicken, trying to find someone to look after the twins for a few hours. You up to it dude?'

8:11 am. Reply- "Of course, I'm up for a challenge, tell Marinette no need to worry, her kids are going to have the best day with Uncle Adrien."

8:12 am. Nino- 'That was the response I was hoping for. I'll text you the address in a minute.'

Nino had indeed texted Adrien the address, even though he didn't need it, but... Nino didn't know that. He was quite excited by the idea of spending time with the twins, even though they were only six (almost seven, as stated by them) they clicked really well. He honestly felt a little behind, all his friends were getting on with their lives and he hadn't had the time to think about getting married and having kids, actually following through with those ideas seemed so impossible with his life style. Although he had to admit seeing Marinette, Alya and Nino being such good parents the thought may of briefly cross his mind.

Adrien was standing at Marinette's front door, the bluette's eyes wide and month hanging open slightly. Adrien stood there awkwardly, wondering why the girl seemed so surprised when she found him there.

"When Nino told me he had found a trustworthy babysitter... I did not expect you to show up." She said bluntly. "Wait, that sounds really rude, I didn't mean it like that, it's just you're so busy all the time and have the idea of you actually wanting to take care of my kids when you finally get a break is surprising."

"It's no trouble Marinette, Louis and Emma are great, but with you as their mother I wouldn't expect anything less."

"Thank you Adrien, that's very kind— oh damn it, the time. I'm sorry I have to go. Good luck the instructions are on the kitchen bench." Marinette said, running inside and grabbing her bag. 'Instructions? I was told parenting doesn't come with instructions?' Adrien thought.

"Kids! Uncle Adrien is here and he's going to take care of you for a while. I'll be back in a few hours, and Emma... be nice." She said, looking into the little girl's eyes. "Love you both."

"Love you to mama." Both children said.

"Only Emma has to be nice?" Adrien laughed.

"Louis is the type, like if you lose him, you'll find him trying to read or taking a nap. Emma on the other hand is more like to start a fire if you leave her alone." Marinette warned. "Oh, and thanks for doing this for me, much appreciated. I'll be back in a few hours." Marinette waved goodbye to everyone and was gone a moment later. Leaving Adrien alone with the twins.

"So last time I was with you guys, I didn't really get to know you, so... Emma, Louis what's... ummm... your favourite colour?" Adrien usually would've slapped himself for that conversation started but their kids, they probably would answer without thinking it as awkward.

"Mines red and grey." Louis said, followed by Emma's answer of...

"And mines Pink and black. How about you? What's your favourite colour?"

"Well... I've always had a soft spot for green but I'm a fan of all the colours." Adrien smiled, before it turned into a smirk. "Okay... which one do you like more? Ladybug or Chat Noir?"

"Louis is the odd one out, because he likes Ladybug while me and mama like Chat Noir better."

"Really? Well, don't worry, Louis you're not the odd one out anymore. I'm a fan Ladybug too. But it's nice to know Marinette prefers Chat Noir."

"About time someone agrees with me." Louis laughs, Adrien swears this kid is too sarcastic for a six -year old, but no need to judge.

"Speaking about your mama, what's the best thing about her?"

"She's always there for us, she makes the best pancakes as well." Emma smiled brightly.

"She didn't use to though, but they got better." Emma and Adrien laughed at Louis's comment.

"Yeah, but one thing I don't like is that she doesn't talk about daddy." Emma suddenly said sadly.

"What do you mean?"

"Once me and Emma had woken up to mama talking to Aunty Alya, she was talking about how she doesn't talk about him because she scared to make us sad, but she really misses him and wants him to come back."

"Do you want him to come back?" Adrien asked.

"We think he already has, but we can't be sure." The twin's say at the same time.

End of Chapter.
This is the new and improved chapter, hope you enjoyed. Till next time...