A/N: This is not an accidental repost. The last section of this chapter has been changed, please go reread it to stop in future confusion!
Okay, I know I said I was going to use the next few chapters for plot movement….but Sabine high jacked my story. I fully blame her for the lack of plot in this chapter. If you haven't read my one-shot 'His Place in the Family' I suggest checking it out. It shows Adrien's side of a bit of this chapter, and fills in a bit of background info. Also, fair warning guys: I cried while writing part of this. Things get emotional. You have been warned.
Sabine wakes in the middle of the night. After staring at the ceiling for a few minutes, she lets out a sigh. Knowing she won't be able to fall back asleep until she checked on her children, she pushes the blankets off and stands up. It's not that she's extremely worried, or had some kind of dream that put her on edge. It's just a mom thing. When Sabine steps into Marinette's room, she immediately notices that Adrien isn't there.
Sabine and Tom weren't surprised see the kids return early, they'd heard about Fred Harpele that morning after all. It's in character for both of them to drop what they're doing to help a friend in need. After visiting with Mylene, they had come back to help out in the bakery. When Sabine overheard that Adrien was going to an empty home because his cousin made plans to stay with Alya and his father is out of town, she invited him to stay the night. The way his face lit up made her heart hurt. Adrien is such a sweet boy and it's more than clear that he doesn't get the affection he deserves at home. Sometimes Sabine wonders if he gets any. She tries not to think badly of Gabriel, being a single parent can't be easy. Adrien had confided in her during one of his visits that his mother had disappeared without a trace four years ago. Dealing with that, it takes it toll. But to make your own son pay the price….
Sabine and Tom are happy to fill the void.
They welcomed his help in the shop, insisted he stay for dinner frequently, and always asked about his day. While at first shy and untrusting, he slowly started opening up when he realized they genuinely cared and wanted an answer to the questions they often asked.
When it became increasingly obvious that Adrien was developing feelings for their daughter, Sabine placed a hand on her husband's arm and quietly passed along the information while Adrien talked with Marinette behind the front counter. Tom grinned but was quick to add "Don't you start meddling." Of course she wouldn't, Sabine assured him. After all, it was painfully clear that Adrien himself had yet to realize the feelings were there. And then there was Marinette. While at one point Sabine had known that her daughter had a crush on Adrien, she didn't know if it still held true. Marinette had started pulling away by that point, keeping more and more behind closed doors. She understood of course, it was the price of the job. But in times like that, she wished her daughter didn't feel like she has to hide from her own parents.
Sabine find Adrien in the living room, staring at the family picture that sits on a shelf of the bookcase. She quietly walks up to him and speaks,
"We need to take a new photo." Adrien jumps at Sabine's sudden appearance beside him. "You two have changed so much in the past year."
"Yeah...I guess."
"Up for a midnight snack?" Sabine guesses with a gentle smile.
"No...just couldn't sleep. You?"
"When I wake up at night, I can't fall back asleep until I know my children are safe in their beds. When I saw you weren't in Marinette's room I came looking for you. As a parent, it's my job to worry about you."
"Sorry, I guess I should get back to bed."
"No, let's sit. I feel like we haven't really had a chance to talk in a while." Sabine pulls him to the couch and sits down. "Both of you have been so busy lately, we hardly see you."
"Yeah, sorry about that. It a lot of work to convince my dad to give me all of spring break off." Adrien replies, sitting next to her.
"So, anything you want to tell me about?" Yes. Tonight would be when Sabine let's Adrien know that she knows about everything. Well, his part in everything. Truthfully Tom and Sabine had been looking for a good time them both to sit them both down and talk, but they could never get one of them alone long enough to have that particular conversation. She needs to take advantage of this moment. But which to discuss first?
"Um...nothing particularly exciting has happened to me recently." The way his face reddens ever so slightly is not lost on Sabine. "But Marinette she…"
"Yes, Marinette. I wanted to talk to you about her actually."
"You-You did?"
"I just want to make sure you know that no matter what happens with Marinette, you'll always be part of this family." She raises her hand to cup Adrien's cheek.
"I'm not…I don't…" Adrien sputters, his face becoming very hot.
"Don't try to deny it." Sabine smiles. "I'm your mother, it's my job to notice these kinds of things."
"Oh…." Adrien's gaze drops to his lap. "I don't suppose you have any advice?"
Sabine sighs, dropping her hand. "Unfortunately, Marinette's reached a stage where she hides this kind of thing from me. I couldn't tell you if I wanted to. Just be honest with her." She lifts his chin to make Adrien look her in the eye. "I think it might be a good idea to tell you that you're Chat Noir."
Adrien's eyes widen, his lips moving soundlessly.
"See? Even she agrees!" The black Kwami flies up between the two. "I told you."
"P-Plagg! What are you doing?"
"Oh what's the use in hiding? She's clearly figured it out. I've been wondering about it for a while. When you've been around as long as I have, you learn to read people."
"So you're Plagg." Sabine smiles at the Kwami. "I've got caught glimpses of you. Tom and I were trying to figure out just what you are."
"I'm what's known as a Kwami. I'm the one who gives Adrien his powers." Plagg explains. "More importantly, your mom agrees with me. Proof that it was good advice."
"I never said I wasn't going to do it." Adrien argues.
"You're taking your sweet time with it."
"I'm working on it."
"Oh please, you had the perfect opportunity but you decided to get all mushy instead."
"Okay, I think we'd better get back to bed." Adrien shoves Plagg back into his pajama pocket, standing up. "He has a bit of an attitude, sorry."
"Adrien wait." Sabine pushes off the couch and grabs the teen's shoulder to stop him. "I know things are….hard at home. Tom and I are here for you, you can tell us anything. I promise that even your darkest thoughts can't make us stop loving you. More than anything, we want you to be happy. But you can't be if you keep everything buried inside."
"You don't want to hear it." Adrien mutters to the floor.
"Yes, I do. I want to hear anything that's on your mind. I know it's been hard having your mom gone, but I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."
"...There are things I can't tell you." Adrien shakes his head. "I've been sworn to secrecy."
"So tell me about everything else. Tom and I both want you to feel safe confiding in us." Sabine envelopes Adrien in a tight embrace.
In the scheme of things, Adrien's mom hasn't been gone that long. But for Adrien...it's been an eternity. An eternity since he's been held like this by a mother. He'd almost forgotten what it felt like.
"I love you Adrien, never forget that."
It's whispered like a promise.
This is what makes him crack. A broken sob escapes Adrien's lips as he confesses something he hasn't even dared tell Plagg. He shouldn't feel this way. He has no right to feel this way, and he hates himself for it. He's a horrible child, a failure. He doesn't deserve to be Chat Noir when he feels this way. A hero isn't selfish. A hero puts the needs of others before himself. A hero doesn't have these kinds of thoughts, he doesn't feel this way. Adrien is nothing more than a terribly selfish child stamping his foot because he can't have his way.
Adrien knows that when the time comes, he will only find disappointment in her eyes. She holds expectations for him, he knows that. And he's failed all of them. He's not strong. He's not selfless and endlessly caring. He's weak, broken, and so selfish. What will she think of him when she finds out? He can't bring himself to think of it.
Adrien's confession isn't news to Plagg. Truthfully, he'd been waiting for the day when Adrien would finally admit it out loud. Plagg is grateful for Sabine's presence now that he's finally admitted it. She holds him, whispering words that carry much more weight than if Plagg ever said them.
Plagg lingers in the living room as Sabine sends his boy back to bed. He needs to have a talk with this woman.
"I hope he doesn't continue to beat himself up over this." Sabine sighs, turning back to the Kwami.
"I'm not sworn to secrecy you know." Plagg says casually, floating over to the couch and dropping onto the arm rest. "I can tell you anything you want to know. Like how my boy is hopelessly in love with your daughter. Who is a much preferable choice than Ladybug."
"Do you not like Ladybug?" Sabine asks, joining him on the couch.
"No, it's not that. She's a good girl, she is." Plagg shakes his head with a sigh. "But she can't love Chat Noir."
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Call it fate, destiny. Heck, call it a side-effect, a curse. Being Chat Noir and Ladybug comes with a price." Plagg explains. "Ladybug can't love Chat Noir until she's fulfilled her destiny."
"You have rules that restrict feelings?" Sabine's eyebrows knit together.
"No, it's not like that. It's the magic. See, Ladybug's job is to cleanse the Akuma and eventually take down Papillon. It's her destiny. Their destiny really. Both Chat Noir and Ladybug are destined to take on Papillon. But if Ladybug were to fall in love with Chat Noir, her mind wouldn't be on her job. She would be worrying about Chat more than anything. He would be her top priority, not the citizens of Paris. To prevent this, there's ancient magic in place that suppresses her feelings until after Papillon has been defeated."
"Does this magic only affect Ladybug where Chat Noir is concerned? Or will it stop her from falling in love with anyone?"
"She's allowed to fall for a civilian. In that case, the magic actually...enhances the feelings. Making them stronger, bigger. If Ladybug has someone waiting for her after the final battle-"
"Then she'll have it in her mind that she can't lose, because some is waiting for her safe return." Sabine finishes. Plagg nods. "So...if Ladybug were to fall for Chat Noir's civilian form..."
"The moment she finds out his other identity, the magic would activate and suppress her feelings. We Kwami don't agree with it, but it's part of the deal. And it's not like it completely stops her feelings. Plenty of Ladybug's have been in relationships with their partners. They just couldn't fully commit until after Papillon was defeated...what's wrong?"
Sabine shakes her head, forcing a smile. "Nothing, just taking it all in."
"Now you see why I was so happy when he started falling for Marinette. She's a girl who actually can and does love him. If only my boy would open his eyes and realize it."
"She is? She does?"
Plagg chuckles, a smirk playing on his lips. "As sure as the sky is blue. Don't feel bad for not noticing it. I have the advantage of being an unseen observer. Marinette can't hide things from me. Marinette is a special one, I can tell. I just know she'll be the one heal Adrien."
"Yeah...she really is special." Sabine agrees. "Well, we probably should get back to bed. I'm sure even Kwami's need their rest."
"We do indeed." Plagg zooms across the room and stops in the doorway, turning to Sabine, who's paused to look at the family photo. He needs to tell her. It's a cruel truth, but it's even crueler not to warn her. "There is one thing I didn't tell you."
"Plagg, why doesn't Chat Noir have magic that stops him from falling in love with Ladybug?"
"This woman is perceptive as always." Plagg mutters to himself, to Sabine he says, "Because he's Ladybug's armor. Chat Noir has far more offensive power than Ladybug. He fights to take down the Akuma and Papillon, but mostly to keep his Lady safe. If Chat Noir is in love with her, it only enables that. And it's always been his destiny to fall for Ladybug."
"Would he die for her?"
"If that's what it takes, yes."
"...How many times has it happened?"
"More than I care to admit." Plagg sighs, flying over to her and placing a paw on her cheek. "The number is far too great for my liking."
"So...we might lose him then." Sabine whispers, tears welling in her eyes. "There's a good chance he won't come back to us after the final battle."
"I will not let Adrien die. I refuse to let it happen."
"Not even you can fight destiny Plagg." Sabine smiles sadly. "Fate and destiny are surely beyond even you."
"Watch me. I'm already doing it by pushing Adrien towards Marinette. I'm not losing my boy. Not this time." Plagg flies away, but once again stops in the doorway. This time he only half turns back to Sabine. "Just so you know, Adrien's mom left him."
"I know he feels that way, but she disappeared and that's not-"
"She didn't just disappear. She left him. And by doing so, she broke him." Plagg glares at the ground. "She chose to leave him. I know it and Adrien knows it too. I hate her and I will never forgive her for it, no matter what happens in the future."
A girl walks through the streets of Paris underneath a dark blue umbrella as the rain comes down around her. The weather is fitting for a day such as this. Another disappearance. Papillon must be behind them, she is sure. But why? What is he planning? This Papillon...what makes him more dangerous than those before him is not his power, but his brilliance. His earlier attempts all ended in failure, so he started strategizing. Looking back, there have been too many close calls for comfort.
The girl pulls open the door of an antique shop, the bell tinkling as she steps inside.
"A customer in this weather, what a surprise." A short man with brown eyes and a grey hair wearing a red button up shirt leans against the counter. "Will you please turn the sign to closed? I don't believe I'll be getting any more customers in this weather."
The girl closes her umbrella, and flips the sign then moves to the counter. She pulls a metal object from her pocket and holds it out. "I'm hoping that you could appraise this for me."
"This is quite beautiful." The man holds out his hand, palm up. "May I?"
With a small, confident smile, the girl drops it into his palm.
Instantly the object emits an almost unnoticeable soft blue glow.
"Interesting. Very interesting." The man gives a smile of his own. "You are wise, young one."
"And it seems you are more that just a mere shop owner, Master Fu."
Master Fu lets out a hearty laugh, handing the item back. "That I am. And you are no mere girl. I have been wondering when you would seek me out, Timekeeper."
"You know why I'm here I trust?"
"Of course. I may not be active like our young ones, but I have kept my eye on the war. Always watching from the background, waiting for a sign that the time has come for me to step in."
"We need everyone." Timekeeper says simply.
"Yes, I can see that. I know that The Master has been gathering the others." Master Fu walks around the counter to stand in front of the girl. "I know Volpina is in town. That you are here tells me that you want the yellow one."
"I told you, we need everyone."
"Very well. I have already found our girl. I have been watching her for years, she is a suitable candidate. I've been slowly training her over the past few years, she does her job well. It's because of her that we know Papillon's true identity."
"Who is she?"
Master Fu smiles. "I think that should stay my little secret for now. The girl has to put on quite the act, the fewer who know about it, the better."
"Why does she need to act?"
"Wearing the mask carries its risks, you know that. This girl does what she needs to in order to protect those she cares about. You need not worry. Now that the time has come, I will lead her down the path to her destiny and let the real training begin."
Timekeeper smiles and nods. "If the tales I heard are true, then I know for a fact I don't." She walks to the door and opens her umbrella. "I heard how you survived the massacre in China. I'm sorry for your lose, but I hope you will lend us your power once more. Those two…..they have parents waiting for them to come home this time. Parents shouldn't outlive their children, Master Fu."
"Indeed they should not. I will do what I can in this war. But whether they live or die is up to them, you know that."
"Yeah, well, we'll see." Timekeeper mutters in reply, and walks out into the pouring rain.
A/N: First, I want to explain something that's important to the scene between Sabine and Adrien. In my opinion, Adrien is not a crier. He holds a lot in, and I just don't think he would cry nearly as much as others do. He hides his sadness and pushes it down, refusing to let others see it. So the fact that I had him cry, says a lot about what is going on inside him. My poor Adrien is dealing with so much, you guys don't even know the half of it yet. The trials have just begun…
Secondly, I want to discuss part of what Sabine and Plagg talked about. I watched the French trailer(which is freaking amazing by the way.) and it inspired me. Part of the song is 'I'm afraid to love in vain, the one who cannot love me as she lives out her destiny'. The fact that it's 'cannot' got me thinking and created the idea. Which means yes, there will be complications in the future because of it. Review with you thoughts!
~Life is no Fairytale
Review Replies:
VM: If you're going to be rude, at least log in when you review so I reply to you directly and not bother my reviewers with it. I'm not going to bother replying to your first review, because it was rude. Now your questions: I thought the point was pretty clear. Plagg's chapter was to show a flash into the future, and get into Plagg's head. Before I get to your second question, cool it with the caps lock. To answer you though: No spoilers. Also, I would like to point out that you're wrong. Papillon's motives for wanting the Miraculous in the show are currently unknown.