Seven

The silver car pulled up to the massive mansion in the dull moonlight. Natalie smiled as she nudged Adrien awake once more. He begrudgingly woke up slowly taking in his surroundings he noticed they were finally home.

"Come on Adrien let's get inside you need to get to bed already." Natalie smiled as he nodded still trying to wake up. Natalie collected the Mc Donald's trash before exiting the car and waited patiently for Adrien to follow her. Once all three of them were out of the car they made their way towards the gate in the front of the Agreste Mansion. Adrien rubbed his eyes as he watched Natalie put in the passcode that would grant them access past the gate. As soon as she finished inputting the code the gates opened in a swift movement. They all walked onto the property together, the gates slowly closing behind them. Natalie deterred away from the two and walked towards the outside garbage bin before heading inside with Adrien and the Gorilla. She hastily threw away the trash from their taboo meal knowing that no one would find it before the trash collector came later that week. Adrien noticed Natalie's actions and gave a tired laugh as he waited by the front door for her. He understood and knew that his father would throw a fit if he found out that his son ate something that was black listed from his diet.

"Just a precaution, we don't need anybody to know about our little snack." Natalie winked as she made her way inside with them. The house was quiet of course Natalie never expected anyone to be home except Adrien, his bodyguard, and of course herself. Very few times would Mr. Agreste actually be present in the home, and tonight was no exception.

"He isn't here?" Adrien asked noticing that the house was void of his father's presence. Usually after a photoshoot or fitting he would at least have his father at the base of the stairs waiting for him with a scowl. He would tell him off about how his photos weren't good enough quality and he would need to try harder. He would even on occasion go off on him about how he didn't get enough clothes fitted in the time slot he had. Adrien didn't mind the absence of his father anymore instead he welcomed it.

"Yes. He is very busy with this new fashion designs and the fashion show coming up next week. There is a lot for your Father to deal with as of right now so I'm afraid he won't be home much until after all the preparations are taken care of." Natalie answered him unsure how Adrien would take the news.

"It's not like he is home much anyways." Adrien sighed to himself as he grabbed the hand railing to the main stairs and started to make his way up them. He stopped walking for a moment then turned around sprinting down the stairs towards Natalie capturing her in a tight hug, something he rarely ever did.

"Thank you for today. I really mean it thank you." Adrien whispers out trying not to cry. His heart felt like it was under extreme stress as it beat against his ribcage at a lightning pace. Once he fully woke up he knew that once he was alone he would have to tell Plagg the truth about everything causing him to go into a panic attack. He hugged tighter into Natalie trying to calm himself while doing so.

Natalie was taken by surprise by Adrien's actions but hugged back after the initial shock of his out of character behavior. "You're welcome Adrien. Go get some rest okay? You need to sleep well tonight you have school and more work tomorrow. Try and get some rest." Natalie smiled as she gave him a tight squeeze back. Her hug helped to ground Adrien and help him feel calmer. His thoughts came flooding in once his panic started to go down. I hate to admit it, but she really does remind me of my mom sometimes… I really miss her… I'm afraid that Natalie is the only person I have that will ever truly be family to me… She has stepped up to raise me, and taken over the role of my mom, but she isn't my mom no matter how much she does care for me… Although without her around I really would be all alone… I'm happy I have her around... Adrien thought to himself as he felt Natalie rub his back in an attempt to give him comfort.

"Okay" Adrien finally responded to her while reluctantly letting go of the embrace, he gave her a small smile before turning back to head up the stairs.

"Goodnight Adrien." Natalie called as he left her sight; her worry for him grew after their little embrace. She could tell something was wrong but she didn't know what it could be or how to even help him.

"Looks like we will have a lot of work to do tomorrow." Natalie turned toward the Gorilla who raised his eyebrow in confusion at her statement.

Adrien slowly made his way to his room knowing that the faster he got there the faster he would have to tell Plagg the truth. He sighed to himself for what felt like the millionth time wondering which would kill him first, his father the next time he got mad at him, or the panic that was slowly creeping back into him. Every step he took he tried to make it slower but his heart beat increased and a cold sweat rolled down his back regardless of how slow he was going. He felt sick like telling the dark secret would cause him shame and humiliation, it almost felt as if it would be better to keep it locked away. He continued walking agonizingly slow to his room knowing that once he was inside he wouldn't have a choice in the matter it would all be up to Plagg and knowing Plagg he would push until he caved into telling him everything.

As Adrien reached the long hallway that lead to his room it seemed like time had slowed down and sped up all at once. He felt nauseous and took a few deep breaths as he approached his door slowly. His shoes made small clicks on the marble floor sending the sound echoing through the empty hallway, bouncing off the walls and back to Adrien's ears. His hearing felt amplified, each click of his shoes sounded louder than the last making his head spin in anticipation. He finally reached his door and slowly his hand went towards the handle. The cool medal taking his attention for a moment as he hesitated to open the door; he closed his eyes quickly taking in the silence of the hallway before he finally pushed open the door. Adrien stepped into his bedroom, which looked the same as it always did. He fully entering the room closing the door behind him making a small click as it shut, his heart beat faster knowing that he just sealed his fate for the night. He quickly walked to his bed setting down his backpack before flopping down himself, letting his exhaustion take over for a few brief seconds. Despite feeling like he was in the middle of having a heart attack he was still desperately tired. Adrien stared at the ceiling taking in the silence and as if on cue Plagg flew from his backpack to break it.

"Adrien! I'm hungry!" Plagg flew into Adrien's view and whined, holding his stomach acting like he was in pain.

"Yeah, yeah I'll get you something." Adrien propped himself up and headed to his mini fridge that sat next to his computer desk. He fished through the fridge for a decent size of Camembert looking for something that would take Plagg a little longer to eat. As if that is possible, he swallows everything in one bite... Adrien scoffed to himself knowing just how crazy Plagg really was for his beloved cheese. Satisfied with the size of piece he chose he turned to look at Plagg and handed him the piece watching as Plagg's eyes grew wide.

"And here I thought you were going to hold out on me! Boy oh boy!" Plagg yelled excitedly as he grabbed the cheese and flew over to his favorite spot on Adrien's pillow.

Adrien smiled and sat at his desk, not wanting to get near Plagg hoping that if he kept his distance it would somehow make the dreaded conversation stay at bay for the time being. He turned his attention to his computer and decided to turn it on in a last effort to distract himself. He waited anxiously as it booted up for what seemed like an eternity. The log in screen came up and he put his password in prompting his background on his computer to come up. He stared at it feeling even sadder than he was before. Mom. I wish you were here. I wish you never left. Maybe then Father wouldn't be like this if you never disappeared. Where are you now? Are you still… Alive? Adrien felt his eyes fill with tears that were threatening to spill. He quickly took the mouse and went to open up his browser to get the picture of his mom out of his line of sight. As soon as the search bar came up he felt his phone vibrate from his pocket. Adrien reached into his pocket and unlocked his phone noticing many unread texts from Nino. Shit I should have checked them earlier. He is probably worried… Adrien hesitantly opened the texts and read them in order.

'Hey dude I was thinking of making a study group for the History project but it would basically be an excuse for you to get out of the house and hang out, what do you think?'

'Hey man you seemed like something was really bothering you today… Are you okay?'

'Look you don't have to tell me what is wrong if you don't want to but I still think you should talk to someone if something is bothering you… Hit me up man you know I care about you.'

Crap it's been hours since he sent these I've probably made him worry this whole time. Adrien mentally freaked out as he frantically started to type back a reply.

'Sorry for the late reply I just got home.. but dude that study group sounds great! I don't know if I'd have time for that though… I'll try and get a bunch of modeling done as soon as possible though so maybe we can hang out… Today was just a tough day.. yesterday me and my dad got into an argument but other than that everything is fine. You know if anything bad happened you would be the first person I go to about it.' Adrien bit his lip as he reread the last sentence, knowing that it was a lie. He hit send before he could change what he wrote feeling guilty about keeping a dark secret from his best friend. After a few seconds his phone buzzed once more.

'Okay dude if you want to talk about the argument it might help make you feel better.' Nino insisted through his text.

'Maybe some other time I'm exhausted right now all I want to do is sleep.' Adrien text back quickly knowing that Nino wouldn't push it further.

"So is that why you are acting weird? You had a fight with your dad?" Plagg asked loudly in Adrien's ear.

"WHA?" Adrien yelled in surprise as he turned his head to see Plagg perched on his shoulder. He quickly closed his phone and shoved it back in his pocket even though he knew it was too late; Plagg had already seen what he told Nino.

"You don't have to yell!" Plagg shouted back at the obviously flustered Adrien.

"You shouldn't be ease dropping on my conversation!" Adrien argued back.

"Calm down Adrien you were going to have to tell me about it anyway at least this way you are halfway done explaining." Plagg burped in reply.

"Yeah well there you go that's it okay." Adrien swiveled in his chair so he was facing his computer and went back to look at his browser that was waiting for him to make a search. He glanced at the clock in the toolbar. It was 9 pm almost time for him to go on patrol with Ladybug, which was a perfect distraction from the conversation he didn't want to have.

"Hey we aren't done here I need details you promised me." Plagg landed on his head and watched Adrien type in the url for the Lady Blog.

"Plagg it's almost time to go on Patrol so we should wait till after to have this conversation." Adrien huffed a halfhearted reply hoping that he could just push the conversation off a bit longer.

"No if you don't tell me then we aren't going on patrol." Plagg replied stiffly not willing to budge.

"Do you really have a say in that though? Once I say the magic words it's not like you have much of a choice." Adrien sassed back, although he didn't want to force Plagg to transform unless it was an emergency.

"Adrien what are you trying to hide from? We've been together for a long time do you really not trust me enough to tell me what is really going on with you?" Plagg replied ignoring his threat.

"It's not that Plagg..." Adrien zoned out on the home screen of the Lady Blog and instinctively reached up to give Plagg a pet. Right when his hand reached his Kwami, Plagg grabbed his miraculous and pulled it off of his finger. Before Adrien even knew what had happened Plagg flew up just out of Adrien's reach.

"Hey! What are you doing Plagg!? Give that back we have to go soon!" Adrien yelled as he hopelessly jumped up trying to reach Plagg.

"No! Not until you tell me everything!" Plagg yelled back to Adrien holding tight on the ring.

"Plagg you are being ridiculous!" Adrien huffed as he leaned down on his desk to check the time seeing that it was 9:10pm.

"Plagg! We have to be at the top of the Eiffel tower at 9:30 stop messing around! We have 20 minutes!" Adrien climbed on his desk chair and jumped trying to reach his Kwami but Plagg floated higher and out of his reach.

"No I told you not until you are honest with me! We are partners Adrien, so why do you insist on keeping me in the dark?" Plagg shouted back holding back his tears, knowing that whatever Adrien was hiding couldn't be good.

"I had a fight with my Dad okay?! Is that what you wanted me to say?! I had an argument and I finally stood up for myself but it turns out that standing up for yourself is stupid and it's better to just do what he wants." Adrien mumbled the last part walking over to his bed he sat down hanging his head low.

"Adrien…" Plagg whispered still not coming down to his level afraid that he wouldn't continue if he gave him the ring back so soon.

"Yeah turns out I'm good at kicking ass as Chat but as Adrien Agreste I suck. I can't even keep myself from being hit by someone as old as him." Adrien clenched his fists letting the tears spill from his eyes onto the floor beneath him.

"Adrien.." Plagg whispered once more floating down to his chosen. He floated into his lap looking up at Adrien who was trying desperately to stop crying.

"I'm fine Plagg really." Adrien choked out trying his best to smile. Plagg had no words so he instead grabbed Adrien's hand and put his miraculous in his hand. Plagg turned back and floated to Adrien's face rubbing his cheek and purring trying to calm the poor boy down. Adrien's tears slowed as he put the ring back on slowly, all his emotions of the day felt like they were ripping out of him making him feel mentally exhausted more so than ever. He sniffed and wiped his eyes of the tears that still lingered.

"Show me where he hit you." Plagg stated as he perched on Adrien's shoulder. The way he said it made it clear that he wasn't asking him to show him but was demanding to see it.

"Plagg I don't think that is a good idea. We are already probably late." Adrien mumbled out as he continued to stare at his feet.

"Adrien show me." Plagg stated once more not willing to argue with Adrien. Adrien sighed in defeat and stood up from where he was sitting. Plagg floated off his shoulder and went in front of Adrien waiting for him to continue what he was doing, he watched him carefully. Adrien peeled off his jacket and set it behind him on the bed. He then took off his shirt showing the bruise that was on his bicep and stomach. As he turned around to set the shirt down Plagg saw a dark purple bruise on his back, something not even Adrien was aware of.

"What did he do to you?" Plagg asked holding back his emotions trying to stay strong for Adrien's sake.

"He s-slapped me in the face first for talking back… Then he punched me in the stomach and I fell… He wanted me to stand up but I didn't…. I didn't want to… So he made me. He grabbed me and threw me on the floor… That's when I thought that my stupid pride wasn't worth being injured, I mean Paris needs me and I can't help if I'm hurt so I just did what he wanted. It's for the best." Adrien explained the tears coming back to his eyes. "I didn't let him see me cry…" He gave a weak smile to Plagg who stared at him in shock.

"But he did hurt you Adrien and that's not right!" Plagg flew towards his bare chest hugging him the best he could. Adrien wrapped his arms around him his chest shaking from the cries he refused to let out.

"I deserved it." Adrien let out as he shook more violently trying not to cry out.

"What makes you think that? What makes you think that any of that is right?" Plagg demanded an explanation as he wiggled out of Adrien's grip and proceeded to float up to his face holding the uncomfortable eye contact. Adrien felt Plagg's eyes pierce his soul and he couldn't hold back the tears anymore his emerald green eyes overflowed and the tears spilled onto his cheeks. He looked away in shame feeling the weakest he had ever felt since his mother's disappearance. He instinctively sat down on the ground and brought his knees up to his chest, he held tight to his legs and set his head down. He cried the hardest he had ever cried before in his life. He couldn't stop, even if he wanted to. He felt himself lose control his sobs becoming louder and louder.

"Adrien it's okay. It's all going to be okay." He heard Plagg purr as he sat on his hunched shoulders. Plagg continued to coo and try to comfort Adrien whose sobs seemed endless.

"I'm worth-worthless…" He choked out from in-between sobs trying to help get out what he was thinking of in his head.

"Don't say that. You aren't worthless Adrien." Plagg opposed, as he continued to purr next to Adrien's neck.

"I have no-no…." Adrien took a shaky sigh as she lifted his head tears still running down his face, his chest still convulsing from him keeping down his sobs. His hair was disheveled and cheeks were red, snot was starting to run from his nose. "No family left…" He whispered out as he bit his lip in a last ditch effort at keeping his sobs from leaving his throat.

"I'm your family Adrien. You have me and I'll never leave you." Plagg floated in front of him and held eye contact for as long as Adrien would allow. "You hear me Adrien? I'm your family; I will never leave you I promise. I'll give you all the power you need to protect yourself. I'll stay by your side always." Plagg persisted. Adrien let out a few more sobs, his chest slowing the rise and fall as he got calmer and calmer.

"Y-you promise?" Adrien look towards Plagg who was still floating in front of him.

"I promise." Plagg nodded as he rubbed his cheek against Adrien's. They sat together in silence until Plagg spoke once more.

"You are going to be late, if you still wanted to go out tonight." It came out as a whisper but it still cut through the silence like a knife. Adrien didn't answer right away but instead he stood up wiping his face from all the tears he shed. He grabbed his jacket and slipped it on without a shirt. He considered what Plagg said for a few seconds. I feel so weak and exhausted… His thoughts coming to him through a mental mist, 'I can't leave Ladybug alone. What if she needs help.' He made up his mind thinking of his beloved partner he looked to Plagg who floated a few feet away.

"Claws out buddy." He gave a weak smile as Plagg gave a small nod transforming Adrien on the spot. The green light felt inviting and warm as it consumed Adrien whole and in its wake left the confidant Chat Noir.

"It's not polite to leave a Lady waiting." Chat told no one in particular as he strolled towards the large windows in the room, carefully opening one up. He grabbed his baton and vaulted onto a nearby roof making his way to Eiffel tower, hoping that he wasn't too late for his Lady.

"Humph I feel it, despair, loneliness, heartache, weakness.. Seems our little cat has slipped and fallen, surprisingly not landing on his feet. This may be our chance to get someone close to whoever Ladybug is…" A dark figure stared out of a massive window, starting into the moonlight lost in thought. "No time to waste, my little Akuma has been searching for days now of someone worthy enough to be changed. Go now my little butterfly and capture our little lost cat and bring him home." Hawkmoth walked into the dull light from the moon he closed his eyes picturing his Akuma which had been let loose aimlessly searching Paris for a victim. Once Hawkmoth connected with the butterfly it flew desperately to where Chat's negative energy was surging. Hawkmoth gave an eerie smile as he walked back into the darkness of the room, waiting to see his evil plan unravel.

"Shit Shit Shit!" Ladybug cursed under her breath as she raced from roof top to roof top towards the Eiffel tower. She continued to race to where her and Chat met every night for their joint patrols. Great I'm so late; I hope he is still there waiting for me. Fuck I should have paid more attention to the time! I'd be really lucky if he hasn't already left. Marinette thought to herself as she flung her body over the city. She saw the Eiffel tower in the distance which gave her strength to continue going at her fast pace. She flung herself a few more times and landed at the bottom of the tower. 'If I had night vision like Chat I bet I would be able to see if he was up there…' She thought to herself as she squinted her eyes trying to see if he was at the top. 'One way to find out!' She swung her yoyo in circles picking up an incredible speed and flung it as high as she could at the tower. It clung to one of the medal beams as she pulled the rope it zipped her up in the air at an incredible speed passing where her yoyo had originally clung. She jerked the small rope in her hands making her yoyo return to her. Again she threw it up and grappled near the top of the tower. Before her velocity had time to slow she pulled the rope again sending her high into the air now a good few feet higher than she needed. She created a loud thud sound as she landed, her yoyo zipping in return to her hand. She quickly wrapped the yoyo back around her waist as she looked up to see if Chat was indeed still there waiting for her. She didn't see anyone at first so she decided to walk the loop to make sure he wasn't hiding.

"Chat?" She called out quietly as she continued walking in the circle, around the bend she saw her partner staring down at the lights below. She quietly watched him for a few seconds taking in his features. He was resting against the railing with folded arms, his back hunched as he laid his head on his arms. He seemed intently watching the nearly silent city below, a cool breeze blew by causing her to shiver, but she continued to watch him as his blonde hair tussled slightly with the breeze. She couldn't help but stare at her partner, wondering if he always looked as handsome as he was now. She shook her head trying to free her thoughts as she decided to finally make her presence known. She silently started to make her way over to him reaching out to lay her hand on his shoulder.

"Hey Chat sorry I'm late. I came as fast as I could." She smiled to her partner whose eyes were still on the city below. "Chat, are you okay?" She asked as she leaned on the railing herself to get a better look at her partners face.

"It would have been easier to call you if I had your number." He turned to her and raised his eyebrows in an exaggerated fashion as he flashed a large smile as he leaned into her.

"Oh you, in your dreams!" Ladybug laughed as she pushed his face away from hers in a playful manner.

"My Lady you came very late and I thought that you had left me behind." Chat exaggerated his motions as he stood up straightening his back and put the back of his hand on his forehead. "But alas you were only running late. Thank god it's not midnight or your suit would disappear and I would have to find out who was behind the mask. Or maybe I would have to go around Paris and see whose face fit!" Chat smiled as he took a step towards his Lady.

"Well you are something else tonight. Were you waiting long for me?" Ladybug smiled as she grabbed her yoyo checking the time.

"No actually I was running late too. I've been here for maybe 15 minutes. I checked my baton to see if I could track you but you weren't transformed yet so I decided to wait for you." Chat explained as he turned to look back at the city.

"Really? I should have called you when I transformed then, I didn't even think about it I was in just a rush. Sorry for making you wait." She closed her yoyo sighing at the clock which read that it was 10:30 at night; she was a whole hour late tonight.

"No worries, I would have waited a life time for you My Lady." Chat bowed towards her with a smirk on his face.

"You know you could have gotten a head start instead that would have been more helpful for tonight." She huffed as she crossed her arms. Chats smirk fell as he stood up straight and scratched the back of his head as his cat ears folded back in shame.

"I guess you are right there." He looked to his feet in a pouting manner.

Crap now I made him feel bad and I'm supposed to cheer him up tonight too… Ladybug frowned as she stared at Chat wanting to fix her mistake.

"I didn't mean it like that Chat." She took a step forward toward him and scratched the bottom of his chin. "I appreciate that you decided to wait for me." She lifted his head keeping eye contact with him as she started to get lost in his eyes. "We should get going." She took her hand away from Chat and turned her back from him, feeling embarrassed for how long she stared at him; a light blush crept on her face.

"Yea." She heard Chat mumble out; a blush also creeping onto his face as well.

"So what do you want to do?" She asked him trying to keep the awkward silence away.

"You… I mean you choose My Lady." He coughed trying to cover up his little slip of the tongue. His heart was beating uncontrollable and he felt hot even with the cool night air blowing on him.

"Well we can patrol the city together or split up." She ignored his slip thinking of all the times she had done the same around Adrien and how he was always kind enough to ignore them. Maybe that means he does like me then… She thought to herself in silence.

"We can go together but that would take longer. We should split up that would take less time and if anything happens we can call each other for back up." She finally turned back to Chat who smiled at her.

"Sounds like a plan, but just so you know you can call me anytime Buggaboo." Chat smiled with a wink.

Ladybug chuckled before continuing, "So which part of Paris do you want?" she motioned out to the city. Chat looked out knowing exactly where he would be heading.

"East." He claimed with no hesitation knowing that the crime rate in the East side has spiked recently. The police had asked them in privacy to help patrol that area trying to save face from the public. I'll be able to handle a few thugs on my own. I don't want her to take it herself and get hurt, he thought to himself as he waited for her response.

"Alright… If you see anything go down wait for back up don't engage in anything if it can be helped Chat… Even if it isn't an Akumatized person you need to wait for backup." She warned him knowing that he picked the East on purpose. Of course he would pick the East side, he is so predictable, she sighed internally to herself.

"Got it. You don't have to worry about a thing My Lady." He smiled. "Where are you headed?" He asked waiting for her answer.

"Well I'll go North then West. You go East then to the South. Once we are done lets meet back here?" She looked to him for approval.

"Sounds good to me. Well then I'm off in the night. Call me if you need any help out there." He smiled as he grabbed his baton and extended it vaulting himself into the air.

"Those were my words.." Ladybug sighed as she watched him go off in the night alone. She turned the opposite direction and swung her yoyo so she too could get started on their patrol.