Chapter 19
Marinette placed the red-and-black spotted Miracle box in her backpack, then called on her transformation. Today was one day she was grateful to have a mask over her eyes. She slipped out the skylight of her bedroom, listened carefully for any passersby, crawled behind the chimney and—
"Chat! What are you doing up here?"
He stood and stretched his back, "I thought you might like a little support."
"Oh," she started, "y-yeah, I guess I would."
"Look," he smiled, removing his own messenger bag and showing its contents, "Your parents love me."
She laughed in spite of herself, "That they do. What'd they give you this time—macarons?"
"The favorite flavors of the whole team. It'll be a nice gift. I figured you couldn't bring them; it might be a giveaway. But if I brought them…"
She nodded away the tears, "That was really thoughtful, Adrien."
"Hey," he crooned, cupping her cheek in his hand, "it's going to be ok. They'll understand, I promise."
"I know; that's the problem. Sometimes being the guardian just sucks."
He leaned forward and kissed her nose softly. "It does. That's why you have a partner."
"Still," she countered, "you've got enough to deal with right now, you shouldn't have to shoulder my burdens as well."
"Don't do that, Marinette, seriously."
"Do what?"
"Carry everything alone. You've been there for me even when I didn't know it was you. Let me be here for you too."
She nodded slowly, "You're right. But truly—how are you?"
He smirked, "As well as can be expected, for having to deal with everthing at the business, a mother still in the hospital, and dealing with the aftermath of having one's own father be a magical terrorist…"
"Interesting, is that all you have going on?" she teased. He snuggled against her shoulder.
"I do have something amazing going for me, though," he whispered, "I've got an incredible girlfriend and her parents make amazing macarons."
She laughed and took the time to wrap her arms around him. "You don't need to carry everything alone either."
"I know," he crooned back as she ran her fingers through his hair and kissed him softly. "I'm beginning to realize why the Black Cat and the Ladybug are a pair. It's not because their powers compliment each other, it's because the weight of bearing either one alone is too heavy to ever do alone."
She nodded, hugged him in gratitude, and then the two vaulted across the street to the school courtyard. They were the first to arrive by design, but the others weren't far behind. Kim, Chloe, Max and Mylene all arrived separately but within seconds of each other. Alya and Nino showed up hand-in hand. Luka quietly made his way to the back of the crowd, sharing a long look with Ladybug. Kagami came last and took a seat beside Luka.
"Ok, now that we're all here, I…" Ladybug tried to say, but her voice caught in her throat, "I… just wanted to thank you all…" she couldn't breathe.
Chat Noir placed a hand on her shoulder and took over, "Ladybug and I have been talking a lot recently. With Hawkmoth gone but with Mayura on the run and no clue of her whereabouts, we feel—"
Ladybug regained her composure and took over, "I made the decision, Chat, and it's on me."
Luka quietly stated, "It's time to say goodbye to our Miraculous, huh."
Kagami added, "We all figured as much."
Max chimed in, "The Miraculous will be one-hundred-percent safer in the Miracle Box."
Ladybug swallowed and nodded, "Yes, that's how it must be. But I thought you all might like one last chance to—to say goodbye."
She took off her backpack and pulled out the Miracle Box. Kim's face lit up like a Christmas Tree. The others were all smiling. "Oh sweet! I've always wanted to try—"
"Hang on," Kagami interrupted, "we're not supposed to use our Miraculous for personal reasons."
Ladybug ran her fingers over the box, then gave everyone a cryptic wink, "I've been thinking a lot about the term 'personal.' What even is that? All along, I've been so careful about not using my power for anything other than fighting Hawkmoth. I kept my family and loved ones at arm's length to keep them safe, but I ended up alone and in pain."
"Does that mean you're going to tell us your identity?" Chloe chirped hopefully.
Ladybug smiled and shook her head, "No, that's a secret that's already gotten too far out of control—" she sent a meaningful look to Chat Noir, Luka, and Alya, "and while I trust you all implicitly, the future is just too uncertain for me to share that information just yet. But I don't want you guys to make the same mistakes I have. Don't forget to keep living. Tell the people you love how much you care. Have fun every day. The Miraculous is about inspiring hope and saving others—you certainly don't need a supervillain to do that!" then added, "I'll give you three hours and permission to enjoy your Miraculous for a while, then meet back here. Have fun!"
The team whooped in delight. Ladybug opened the box for each member to retrieve their jewelry. The courtyard flashed a variety of colors as everyone called on their transformations, and then it grew quiet as the group dissipated to their various adventures. Ladybug looked over her nearly empty box as black gloved hands traced her shoulder blades.
"That was a great speech and all," Chat whispered in her ear, "but I totally disagree. You didn't forget to live. And we certainly had a lot of fun."
She set the box down and turned to Chat, nodding noncommittally, "But I pushed you away. I almost lost you."
He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, "You never almost lost me." She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. He caressed her hair softly, then a wicked little smile quirked the edge of his mouth, "Hey, the Guardian just said we had three hours to do whatever we want with our Miraculous, and I do not intend to waste them!" He wagged his eyebrows at her, then extended his staff and lifted himself up and over the roof.
"Chat, I did NOT say anything you wanted—CHAT!"
Author's note: This story is almost done! I had too many loose ends to wrap up, and too many disparate elements to do it all in one chapter, so this is the first of three short chapters that comprise the epilogue.