Chapter 3: Hoarry Situation

(Season 3 spoiler warning)

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The next morning, Marinette managed to wake up to her alarm, shower, and make it to her second day of classes on time. Seemed her best friend, however, didn't.

"Hey, Nino. Where's Alya?"

"Out sick, I guess. She texted me last night, but I haven't heard from her since." He shrugged, then pouted.

"You know Alya, she's never out for long." Once, Alya had had the flu and chased Ladybug for an interview until she passed out. Stubborn girl. Marinette made a mental note to message her later.

After class she passed by Adrien in the hall. He knocked into her shoulder, apologized with a straight face, then kept walking. If modeling didn't work out, he really should go into acting. But she'd have to remind him not to use so much force. The spot on her shoulder complained, but it made her smile anyway.

The whole day passed without her having to suddenly flee. She high-fived Tikki at home, then transformed early for her patrols with Cat.

Perched atop Le Grand Paris hotel, waiting for her knight in shining cat uniform, a familiar creature zoomed at Ladybug's face. She ducked, narrowly avoiding the snowy white bat-like Kwami.

This couldn't be good. Her shoulders slumped. "Hello, Hoarry."

He fluttered closer. "Miss Ladybug! Apologies. I didn't see you."

In Hoarry's defense, he really did have poor eyesight. Still, he could travel incredible distances... like from the Guardian's temple to Paris. The first time he showed up she was in the middle of a battle with a Sentimonster. He'd been trying to deliver a message and got so fed up with her that he froze half the city to get her attention. It had worked to stop the fight, and to deliver a warning from the Order of the Guardians.

"I have a letter for you." He stuck out his little foot, which had an old-style carrier pigeon's scroll canister.

"Will you be waiting for me to write a reply?"

"Not today. Take care, Miss!"

Hoarry, his little furry back and belly white with frost, fluttered high and scattered into a drift of ice crystals. When the Guardians returned, so did a few more Miraculous Boxes. Hoarry wasn't one of Ladybug's, so she wasn't sure how far his ice abilities went, but she knew her simple ice powerup couldn't compete.

She was just unraveling the note when Cat jumped over the building, landing beside her on silent feet. "What's that M'lady?"

"Another report from the Guardians." She tried not to keep many secrets from Cat, but she also didn't war to shove her problems in his face, so she crumpled the paper up and shoved it in her yoyo. It was the same dribble anyway. The Order of Guardians didn't recognize her as a proper Miraculous holder or Guardian. Return the Miracle Box: you have until the end of the year to comply. That sort of thing. She only had a couple months left to figure out how to retain her guardianship of the Miracle Box, but if she told Cat, he'd panic and do something rash. Besides, ever since Gabriel found out her identity, she knew her time was limited. Now she had a deadline.

"Everything looks quiet tonight." He leaned into her space and tugged at one of her pigtails.

"We could move our weekly training up," she suggested with a smirk. He made a face. "I'm kidding." She bumped his shoulder. "Oh! Before I forget, you're a bit stronger than me outside these suits, so watch those" She pointed at her shoulder.

He turned a little pink and made a guilty-as-charged face. "Sorry, love."

"Don't be too sorry, you're looking rather…" She let her eyes do the talking.

He leaned in, his nose almost touching hers. "Oh?"

She shook herself. "We can watch the city and still have a date. Meet at the usual?"

"I'll bring the champagne."

"I'm still seventeen, and no drinking on the job." She still had another month until she joined him in the land of eighteen.

"Of course, M'lady." He bowed his head, but somehow looked more mischievous. "I'll meet you up there, non-alcoholic beverages only."

As he dashed off into the night, Ladybug retraced her steps and grabbed a couple of pastries from the bakery. She was halfway to the tower when a familiar streak of teal met up at her side.

"Nice to see you out tonight. Everything okay?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing. Isn't it our night for patrol? I was expecting Ryuko." Viperion shook his teal hair back and out of his face.

"Cat and I are on tonight. You two have Friday." She couldn't help but smile at him. Luka was such as sweet guy, and a damn reliable ally. Ladybug only trusted four allies to keep their Miraculous full time, so of course it was her four best friends. Well, five if you counted Cat, but Master Fu had made that decision.

"Ah, my mistake. In that case I'll head back. Have a nice date!"

"We're not—" but he was already gone. She and Cat needed to work on a more professional relationship... at least on the surface. She was letting thing slide between them. Which was allowing her focus to drift. But the letter was a harsh reminder that her time was limited, and her priorities were askew.

If she defeated Mayura, the Guardians might accept her. They weren't around to see the fall of Hawkmoth, which meant they also weren't around to see her identity revealed to him and Adrien, but she had to prove she was competent. Master Fu even said she was one of the best, and Tikki constantly assured her she was an excellent Ladybug. She wanted to make them proud.

Duty needed to come first. Not their relationship. She'd tell Cat tonight on their platform up the Eiffel Tower.

Really, she would this time.

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After patrols, Cat's sour mood persisted all the way home. What did she mean they had to start acting more professional? She'd been the one to offer the date, and to look at him like she was undressing him.

Of course, their mission to protect Paris was important. It's not like they loved each other so desperately that it interfered with taking out an Amok. Her sudden desire to take out Mayura before the end of the year wasn't bad, per say. After Mayura forced Master Fu to relinquish the Miracle Box, she'd been a nuisance, but nothing as dangerous as Father had been. Plus, Cat and their allies were stronger now. Honestly all he cared about was sticking by Marinette's side and doing good, but apparently, he wasn't allowed to be close to her in either guise.

"Plagg, claws in." He detransformed and grabbed a bottle of water from the mini fridge, chugging away his frustration.

"And what about me?" Plagg listed in air.

He set down the bottle and tossed Plagg a hunk of cheese. He could have flown over and gotten it himself, lazy Kwami. He devoured it in one bite. "You'd enjoy that better if you chewed."

"And you'd enjoy that better if it were cheese." Plagg pointed at the water bottle.

Adrien scoffed and took another swig. Actually, he'd enjoy it better if it were wine.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with his Lady. The Guardians had been sending her regular messages since the temple reappeared at the beginning of the year, but she didn't share their content.

Mayura's attacks picked up after that, too. They'd been on their own for a little over a year now. Ladybug excelled as the new Guardian, though he suspected she kept some secrets about the Miracle Box. He didn't need to know the details of her role as Guardian, but he wanted to help. She was always buried under her responsibility. He used to feel that way, too, but being Cat freed him. Knowing Father was under the same roof, (probably) not plotting or being evil was also a relief.

There was a knock at his door, which startled him. It was past eleven. The security alerts hadn't gone off, so no one had been in his room since he left.

Nathalie's voice called through the door. "Adrien? I have the updated schedule for your electives and personal training."

He opened the door accepted the tablet from Nathalie. He was a little taller than her and looked down at her tired expression. Her executive assistant duties had lessened after Mother returned, but she had dark circles under her eyes and looked ready to fall asleep where she stood. "You're welcome to email me any changes on the master calendar. You don't have to stay up so late to tell me."

She must have caught something in his tone. "I realize you're not a child anymore, but you didn't join your parents for dinner tonight, so I thought I'd find an excuse to check on you."

Her kindness made him soften. She'd covered for his sneaking out more than once over the years, and he hadn't been the easiest after Mother returned. Delayed rebellion, she'd called it. Hating Father was more accurate. Once he learned Father was a supervillain, following arbitrary rules really didn't appeal.

"Thank you, I'm fine."

Her hard expression eased. "I worry about you sometimes. Your friends are... questionable."

"What's wrong with Nino?"

She smiled at herself and shook her head. "I'm not talking about him. You seem to have more than a few admirers, and I know you're eighteen now, but do keep your father's wishes on dating in mind. He's rather adamant about it."

He made a face. He really wasn't a kid anymore, and allowing Father coax him into anything rankled, even if it worked to his benefit. "I'll do my best to respect his wishes." Because it's not like he could tell the world he was secretly dating the city's favorite heroine, so having a pain-in-the-ass father was the next best excuse to turn down his fellow models and classmates.

Adrien shut the door. He probably should be more careful with Marinette at school. Maybe they did need some guidelines. Not that he was about to give up his flirtations with her as Cat, or being inappropriate when the opportunity presented itself, but more caution might be wise.

"Cat got your tongue?" Plagg floated up, but his eyes narrowed on him. "Or rather, Ladybug?"

"Go drown yourself in cheese." Adrien waved Plagg away, then put the tablet on his desk.

"Gladly. But you're thinking about it, aren't you?"

"You drowning in a vat of milk curds? Constantly." Adrien smirked and then split a grin at his own joke.

Plagg rolled his eyes. "What Ladybug said. You two have been too carefree. And I don't know if you've noticed, but she's definitely hiding something from you."

"Is she now?" It wouldn't be the first time Plagg knew more than he led on.

"Did you see the way she stuffed away that message? The Guardians are watching her. And that's one group of people I wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of. Again."

Again? He didn't want to know. Instead he flopped on the bed and swore.

Plagg hung in the air by him. "Don't worry, kid. Just remind her you're on her side and you've got her back without trying to... you know." He made a suggestive gesture with his hips. Adrien swatted him with a pillow, flattening him onto the bed. He zipped through the plush with a cross expression and demanded more cheese.

Nino was in a state Thursday morning over Alya's absence, which was problematic since Adrien relied on Alya and Nino to keep Marinette close. He wanted to talk with her about yesterday but supposed it would have to wait until training tonight. He couldn't help but glance at her now and again as his mind wandered. Today she wore her hair in a sleek braid, trailing down her back like the time she'd used his Miraculous. Images of her in his suit gave him a rush.

It was killing him not to talk to her, today worse than ever. Normally he was only a few steps away from her thanks to Alya and Nino, but after their conversation last night the extra distance felt endless and she hadn't noticed the three taps he kept repeating.

Tap tap tap. I love you.

The signal was a call and response of reassurance and support, and for once she was too focused to notice it. Usually he avoided using Plagg for things like this, but he scribbled a quick note and passed it to his Kwami who, for the price of specialty cheese, would zip it over to Tikki.

Chloe and Lila were watching him—at least someone had noticed the taps—but they always kept him in their sights. His lack of dating after the quick stint being public with Marinette had caused plenty of drama.

He and Marinette had returned to class three years ago with an excuse about him being Akumatized and not remembering any of it. Lame, yes, but they were fourteen and had just barely taken his father down.

Adrien had laughed it off to his classmates, making it clear he wasn't allowed to date anyway. Chloe and Lila clung to him after that, like staking a future claim. It was a whole thing.

Classes ended and Adrien headed for the locker room. Training tonight would be an excellent treat, but first he had fencing and then a family dinner. Sitting down with his father to play nice made him nauseated. How was he ever supposed to forgive the man for endangering the entire city, including Adrien's life multiple times and the woman all of Paris loved, all because he was desperate to bring back his wife? If something ever happened to Marinette, he'd do whatever he could, but he'd never put others at risk. He'd never terrorize an entire city and thousands of people like his father had.

He changed in the locker room, slipping on his foil mask and greeting Kagami. She was attached to her phone texting her—also secret—boyfriend. When Marinette wanted to bring Kagami on full time he was in full support. She was a direct and loyal fighter who was now dating Luka/Viperion. They'd discovered their alter egos by accident, otherwise, like Nino and Alya, they didn't know anyone else's identities. Adrien was only a tad jealous they'd been allowed to know so early on in their hero careers. Still, he rather liked the couples-know-each-other's-identities rule.

Kagami was a fierce opponent, and he considered fencing an excellent warm up for their sparring later. They worked up a sweat as she scored more against him than he did her. They laughed and caught up, but as much as he wanted to ask her about Luka, it was meant to be a secret even from him. Keeping track of what he knew with his allies in and out of their alter egos took a tole on his mental energy, but it was worth it.

His bodyguard waited in the silver BMW outside the front steps of Francoise Dupont High School as per usual. It felt ridiculous to use him like a ride service, but this was one of his mother's few requests and... well, he couldn't quite say no to her.

The house was cavernous and quiet as he walked in. The library door was ajar, golden sunlight streaming into the hall and reflecting off the cold marble floor. He peeked inside. Mother was curled up with a book in hand and a blanket on her lap. She did that a lot, reading by the warmth of the sun, soaking it into the same blond hair that he inherited. Something in him calmed whenever he came home, and she was still there. It felt like she never left, but also like he'd only dreamed her return.

Which was silly. In his actual dreams she'd never come back, and Hawkmoth had won.

"Adrien, you're home. Come in, darling." She set the book aside and picked up a delicate cup of coffee off a silver tray.

He smiled at her, then joined, grabbing a biscuit off the tray and sitting opposite her.

"How was school?"

"Fine. I'm getting used to the new schedule."

"The year of my BAC was a nightmare, so let me know if you need a break from the modeling contracts to focus on your studies."

Adrien nodded while running his hand over the leather armrest. The reddish brown complimented the wall-to-wall shelving full of books and knick-knacks. The room had always smelled musty whenever he'd snuck in after she disappeared, but now it smelled somewhat floral, like peonies. She seemed content being back and being with Father, even knowing what he'd done.

"Can I ask you something?" He studied his biscuit and nibbled the edge.

"Anything, darling." She tucked her hair behind and ear and sat up. He loved the way she focused on him. She really saw him, even if he didn't show all of himself to her.

"What made you fall in love with Father? Why did you choose him?"

She tapped her sharp chin and glanced out the window. "His confidence, tenacity, and, well… he's terribly handsome." She winked.

"Talking about me?" Father strolled through the door with a warmth to his expression that Adrien knew he reserved for her.

"There you are." She held out her arms and he sat with her on the couch for a quick hug and kiss. It was strange, Adrien had good memories of moment like this. Of them being affectionate, but all he could see was the face of a man who never loved him enough to put down his weapons.

Adrien looked away from them as the anger bit into the back of his throat. Three years. Father had been good for three years.

"Dinner's ready," Father said and helped Mother to stand. She was relatively healthy, but tired easily and still had her dizzy spells. It had become habit for one of them to support her. Just in case.

"Go ahead, dear. I'll be in with Adrien in a minute." She shooed him on until he disappeared out the door. She turned back to Adrien and crossed her arms. "Why the sudden interest in why I married Gabriel?"

"It's nothing."

She made a face like a fox, all clever and knowing. "It's about a girl, isn't it?"

Adrien felt his cheeks grow hot. He'd wanted to know so he could believe his father wasn't all evil, but now all he could think about was his future with Marinette.

Mother held her finger to her lips and winked. "Your father doesn't need to know everything."

Adrien took a leap of faith. "Yes, there's a woman I..." Adrien cleared his throat. He told Marinette he loved her at every chance, but admitting it here left him vulnerable.

Mother's grin was radiant in response. She clapped her hands once then reached for Adrien's arm. "Promise me you'll find a way for me to meet her. Host a study group. I've got to meet the woman capable of captivating an Agreste."

Adrien laughed and squeezed her arm. If only it were that simple. Bringing Marinette over would crack his weak defenses. She was right, he wasn't keeping the walls up between them like he needed to. She was his heart and his joy and maybe—by only the smallest amount—he could sympathize with Father's desperation five years ago.

While Mother led them to the dining table, he made a silent promise to find a way for him and Marinette to be together. And another to never, ever, follow in Father's footsteps.