based on the writing prompt "is that a ghost?"


Adrien groaned and rubbed his eyes, happy that the photo shoot had finally ended. He would never actually say anything to his father, but this "Midnight in Paris" photo shoot was the worst idea he'd ever had, especially since he insisted on shooting very late at night to minimize traffic and swarming fans. The photographer started taking down his equipment, calling, "See you tomorrow night, Adrien!"

He grimaced and replied, "See you tomorrow …" That was right … this shoot was going to last a few days, which meant he had to show up at a Parisian landmark every day this week at midnight. Adrien grabbed a cup of tea and took a sip, ignoring how hot it was. It was like his father didn't care that he had his final exams at the end of the week. Luckily, tonight's shoot was at the Eiffel Tower, so his home wasn't too far away.

A shadow shot across his path. Adrien flinched, splashing some of the tea on his hand. Grumbling, he looked to the sky and saw a flock of birds flying away. He figured it was the birds and left it at that; it slipped his mind that if it really was the birds, there would have been smaller, multiple shadows.

After about three seconds of deliberation, he chose to take a detour through a small alleyway; he needed to stop somewhere before going home. He shuffled down the dark path, trying to ignore the odd clattering of trashcans and the whoosh of something far bigger than a bird dashing through the air.

What?

He glanced up at the sky again, only to see nothing. Adrien downed the rest of the tea and resolved to make his detour as short as possible. He sprinted down the alleyway and rounded the corner, now on his street. However, he ran past the gates to his estate, a few more blocks down, and stopped to catch his breath at the entrance to a small graveyard. He glanced behind him, but no shadow seemed to follow him. Was it a ghost? Nah. An akuma victim? Perhaps. He reached into his pocket to wake up Plagg, only to remember that the kwami was sleeping in his room. Adrien cursed under his breath. He'd have to make this quick, then.

Adrien wound his way through the gravestones, heading towards the largest one in the cemetery. His father had spared no expense, and he distinctly remember his father's words: "If you ever need her, she's right there. The biggest, most beautiful one." Those were some of the last kind words he had heard from his father. He stopped in front of it, glancing around to make sure he was alone.

He extended his hand to trace the words on the marble gravestone: "Loving wife and mother." Maybe if she were still here, his father would still have a heart. Maybe his father would take time off work to see Adrien, to talk with him more. Maybe his father would stop being so distant. And maybe Adrien wouldn't feel so alone in that large, empty estate.

The tears were welling up now, obscuring his vision. He pressed his cheek to the cold marble, pretending it was the warm skin of his mother. On days like this, the ever present ache in his heart burst and the tears flowed. He remembered the first time it had happened: he was holding a stuffed black cat his mother had given to him and thinking about her and suddenly, he couldn't stop crying. His father had come in, face crinkled at the sight of the display. He had snatched it up, curtly told him off, and left him in the room to cry. (Strangely enough, he had found the stuffed cat years later, in pristine condition. Naturally, Adrien took it back.)

Adrien heard a soft thump as someone landed behind him. "Stop right there!"

Now that sounded familiar. Wiping the tears from his eyes, he turned around to see Ladybug, whirling her yo-yo around and searching the area behind him.

"My la -" He bit down on his own tongue to swallow his words; it would be awkward if she figured out he was Cat Noir right now. "Ladybug? Why are you here?" he called.

She drew her yo-yo back, her blue eyes still searching the graveyard. "Stay right there," she ordered. Adrien's eyes followed her as she circled his mother's grave. Finally, she sighed and said, "Sorry. I thought there was someone behind the grave."

"Trick of the light?" he chuckled. As he looked at Ladybug, the memories of the strange shadows and noises came back to him. Cautiously, he asked, "Uh … have you been following me?"

Was that a blush he saw spreading across her face? She looked away and chuckled nervously. "I, uh, I was on patrol, came across the photo shoot - great work, by the way - and I wanted to make sure everyone got home safe. Then you ran past your home and …" Curiously, she stepped forward to inspect the gravestone. Her face fell as she realized who Adrien came to visit.

"Oh …" she murmured. "I'm sorry, Adrien."

"It's alright," he replied, mostly out of habit. He dabbed at his eyes, making sure the last of his tears had dried. "You mind walking me home, then?"

With a smile, she said, "That's what I'm here for."

As they walked away, the pearly, translucent figure appeared once more by the gravestone. She smiled, happy that her son had found a friend.