"Ladybug?" Agent Burke scowled as the spotted-heroine got to her feet. Her blue hair was pulled back in messy pigtails, a wild glint in her eye. She looked between the men, and then to Adrien. Her face relaxed as she looked back at Agent Burke.
"I'm going to need you to release him. Superhero business." Ladybug stated, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
"We have orders-"
"I don't care." Ladybug countered, her voice strong and challenging. "Release him now."
The FBI agents exchanged glances before shrugging and letting go of Adrien. They stared at Ladybug as they walked past, muttering under their breath. Ladybug waited until they turned the corner before looking back at Adrien.
"Are you alright?" She couldn't help but let a hint of worry slip into her voice. Adrien was slumping, an arm wrapped around his chest and a disheveled look to him. She could see dried blood on his chin.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for getting them off my back." Adrien didn't look up.
Ladybug was silent a beat before stepping forwards. Her blue eyes peered at him. Her voice was soft. "You're injured."
"Nah, they just roughened me up a bit." Adrien lied, avoiding her gaze. He hated lying to her, but couldn't expose his identity.
Ladybug was quiet, and for a moment, he thought she didn't believe him. But she finally looked behind him. "Were you visiting Nino?"
Adrien nodded quickly, glad to change the subject. "Yeah, before they dragged me out. They'll probably be back."
Ladybug furrowed her brow. "I won't let them."
Adrien gave her a weak smile, keeping his arm locked around his pulsing chest. "I should probably get back to Nino."
Ladybug glanced behind him, "Let me know if those FBI men give you anymore trouble."
Adrien smirked, "Okay."
Ladybug turned and moved to the closest closet. She waited until Adrien was gone before transforming. Tikki landed in her palm, exhausted.
"I'm worried about him, Tikki." Marinette bit her lip.
The kwami flew up to her owner's face. "He will be okay, Marinette. Adrien is strong."
Marinette moved to grab a cookie from her purse, "Yes, he is. It just seems everyone's after him. Hawkmoth, the FBI… And when he was gone last night…"
Tikki gently nuzzled Marinette's cheek. "He will be okay with you looking out for him."
Marinette giggled, "I suppose he will. Thank goodness Alya told me where he was. I swear I need a tracker on that boy."
Tikki laughed, "Are you sure you're over your crush?"
A blush burned on Marinette's cheeks as she sputtered. "Yes- I mean- I don't know… "
"I'm just teasing, Marinette." Tikki smiled.
Marinette sighed, pulling open the closet door. "Thanks, Tikki."
The kwami flitted inside her purse as she moved towards Nino's room. His door was propped open, and Marinette slid inside easily.
Alya was sitting beside Nino, speaking to him quietly. Adrien was slouched in the corner, his face a grimace of pain. Something was bothering him. Her eyes flicked to his chest, which he continued to hold as if it hurt him. Where was he last night?
"Hey, girl!" Alya brought her back to reality, her best friend grinning happily.
"Hey, Alya. How's he doing?" Marinette moved closer to the bed.
"He's doing a lot better." Alya cupped the side of his face as he smiled lovingly at her. Marinette smiled before looking back to Adrien.
"Adrien… Where were you?" She asked softly, moving to stand in front of him. He looked agitated, running a hand through his tangled locks.
"I had to go out and look for my dad. He'd listen to me." Adrien shrugged.
Marinette frowned, "What happened to your chest?"
"Nothing." Adrien averted his gaze. "The FBI roughed me up a little, that's all."
Marinette knit her brows. "Let me see."
His arm tightened around his chest. "No. Marinette," his voice gentled. "I'm sorry, but I need to go. It's not safe for you guys if I'm here and the FBI are still after me."
Marinette blocked his path. "Adrien, you're not in any shape to go out there. Especially with Hawkmoth on the loose. Please, just go back home."
Adrien looked down, his hair falling into his face. "You know I can't do that."
Marinette reached out, her fingers grazing his chin, drawing his green eyes back up. "Adrien-" Her voice cracked and she let her hand fall away.
"Hey, hey," Adrien felt his heart shatter. "Hey, don't cry. Mari." He took her arms, begging her to look at him. "I'm sorry, I'll go home, okay? Please don't cry."
Marinette glanced up, her eyes shining with tears. She sniffled and pulled him into a hug. She buried her face in his chest, hugging him gently.
"I don't want to hurt you." He murmured into her hair.
Marinette shivered against him. She couldn't lose him. Adrien held her against him, breathing deeply into her neck. It felt surreal. Butterflies danced in Marinette's stomach.
Adrien pulled away, his expression sad and worried. "I'm going to head home, alright?"
Marinette nodded, trying to blink the tears from her eyes.
"I'll meet you there." He tried to smile before turning to Nino. "Feel better, man."
"Thanks, bro." Nino waved.
Adrien gave Alya a nod before leaving the hospital room. His thoughts swirled together. He made Marinette cry. That made his stomach turn into a knot. He sighed wearily as he reached the end of the hall.
The shadows grew darker. Adrien stopped, goosebumps icing his skin. He sucked in a breath, "Hello, father."
The man behind him scoffed, and Adrien turned around to see Hawkmoth standing before him. His eyes were black. His mask was curled and pointed. Adrien felt naked before him; exposed. His chest ached from his last encounter.
"What do you want?" Adrien pressed, glaring at Hawkmoth.
Hawkmoth curled his hand. "I want my family back."
Adrien's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You had a family. And you ruined it."
Hawkmoth's face grew hard. "You know nothing, boy."
"I know you're a murderer." Adrien spat with venom. "You killed some old man. It was on the news."
Hawkmoth huffed. "You don't even know why I do the things I do."
"I tried!" Adrien threw up his hands. "I tried- and you just kept pushing everyone away! You never left your office, but now I know you were actually in the basement terrorizing Paris!"
"Everything I did was for you." Hawkmoth snapped. "You never listened, boy. The truth of the matter is that you don't care. You just want to label me as the bad guy and feel better about yourself."
"That's not true!" Adrien yelled. "I wanted to defend you- but you, you've gone mad with power! You're not the father I once knew."
"And you are not the son I wanted." Hawkmoth growled. "My son would stand by me and support me. We would work together to bring back your mother. Your mother, Adrien. You loved her just as I had. How do you not see that?"
"I do miss her. I miss her more than anything." Adrien squeezed his eyes shut. "But this isn't what she would've wanted! She would never want anyone to get hurt!"
Hawkmoth stepped closer. "A small price to pay for her. I would do anything for her, but I can't say you would do the same."
Adrien stared at him.
"You're coming with me." Hawkmoth clipped.
"Like hell." Adrien stepped back.
"Don't make me hurt you." Hawkmoth snarled.
Adrien's eyes widened as he looked up at his father's eyes. But all he saw was black.
"HAWKMOTH IS HERE-" Adrien howled, a hand slapping over his mouth and squeezing his face. Adrien kicked out madly, his chest screaming with pain. Hawkmoth pushed him backward, slamming his son against a wall and clasping his neck with his other hand.
Adrien's eyes bulged. Not again. His air was cut off instantly, pressure building behind his eyes as he continued to wriggle in his father's hold. He looked up at his father, silently begging for mercy. There was none.
The room spun around him as black dots began to fill his vision. Pain seared through his head as he finally surrendered into the darkness.