Ladybug takes a few steps toward Hawkmoth, he is so distracted that he doesn't notice. His obliviousness had always been one of his greatest downfalls. She swipes his miraculous off his chest revealing Gabriel Agreste.
"Liar!" Gabriel shouts, "you promised to help me!"
Ladybug is stunned, she didn't expect to see her idol as the villain of Paris.
Mayura is quick to arrive on the scene, she knew she shouldn't have let him go out by himself. He was worse than the actual baby he had akumatized before.
She kicks the superheroine to the ground. When Chat Noir shows up he seems even more shocked to see Gabriel Agreste standing there. She knows she can't fight them both and as much as she wants the butterfly brooch back, it's not a fight she can win. She does the only thing she can do, she picks up Gabriel Agreste and runs back to the mansion. Mayura is surprised to see the heroes don't follow her, but they have to be close behind now that they know his identity.
"What do you think you were doing?" Mayura's voice is raised as she sets Gabriel down in an armchair, "you're lucky the cops aren't banging on the gates yet!"
"She had sworn to help me," Gabriel points out.
"And you trusted a hero?" Mayura rolls her eyes, how stupid was the man she loved, "was it clear she was being deceitful until she could steal your miraculous?"
"I was trying to steal her miraculous."
"You stupid, stupid, man," Mayura says hysterically and starts crying, she can't possibly lose him and she knows he is going to jail, "I can't lose you."
Gabriel stands up and holds onto Mayura's hands, "Hey, I'm going to be fine. Don't try to help me, I'll be fine in prison."
"No, I should've been there sooner! I should've stopped her! I could've-" Mayura's words slur together as she fails at calming herself down.
Gabriel kisses her quickly, hoping to quiet and calm her down at the same time.
"It's to be fine, Mayura," he promises, he isn't too sure he can keep that promise but he is going to try.
"No, she has your brooch, and we'll never get it back. We'll never get Ladybug or Chat Noir's miraculous and we'll never get her back, and- and I failed you-" Mayura could go on but Gabriel cuts her off with another kiss.
"I don't know how to make it any more clear that I don't care about those things anymore."
"You, you don't?"
"No, Mayura, you've always been there, and I appreciate that more than I can express."
"Don't lie to me," Mayura says between gritted teeth.
"Why do you believe I'm lying?"
"Because you're so incredibly oblivious and I want to believe you love me like I love you but sometimes I think I'm more stupid than you are!"
"If you love me, why are you making this so complicated?" Gabriel asks.
"Because I'm so scared of losing you," Mayura tells him, "I don't know what's going to happen after today."
"And you think I'm not worried about you?" Gabriel asks her, "you don't think I'm scared every time you cough that it might be the last time you breathe. I don't want to lose you either, Nathalie," his voice has risen too.
They don't know what they have turned into, they aren't supposed to be fighting, especially when their immediate future is so uncertain. As they glare at each other, they both soften, and they lean in to kiss each other once more. This time though it's full of passion and their hands roam the other's body desperate to memorize each other in the unknown limit of time.
Ladybug and Chat Noir finally roll in through a window though they regret their timing with the awkward scene they interrupt. The couple break apart slightly embarrassed. Mayura steps in front of Gabriel, willing to protect him at all costs.
"We won't tell the police if Mayura gives us her miraculous," Ladybug finally says.
Mayura puts a hand over her miraculous, to protect it, even after all it's put her through she still can't imagine giving it up now.
"Can she keep her identity a secret?" Gabriel asks still behind Mayura, "if you go back on your word, I don't want her to be taken down with me."
Ladybug and Chat Noir turn to each other and start whispering before turning back to the villains.
"We suppose, but just know if you try to run or do anything the consequences will be worse for both of you," Chat Noir tells them.
Mayura and Gabriel go to a separate room.
"What do you want me to do?" Mayura asks Gabriel because she will do whatever he asks.
"Give the miraculous to me, I'll give it to Ladybug and Chat Noir so they'll never know who you are."
"But-" Mayura starts to object, but looking up at Gabriel the words never reach her tongue, "fall my feathers."
"I'm going to miss you, miss Nathalie!" Duusu cries.
Nathalie hands the brooch to Gabriel as the kwami gives Nathalie the biggest hug they can.
Gabriel hands it over to the superheroes and it's all over. He has to move on because even if Emilie is still alive there is no way to get her back. He knows who he loves though because he just kissed her, he loves that woman that would've done anything for him regardless if it benefited herself.
"I'm sorry, sir," Nathalie says, later on, the scenes replay in her head as she tries to think of what she could've done.
"Nathalie, it wasn't your fault and it wasn't Mayura's either. You two did the best you could do. I'm the one that messed up, I was the one that now surrendered, and if they take me down, it's not with you. I don't want to see any more harm come to you and it took me a while to realize why but it's because I love you, Nathalie."
Nathalie looks at the man she has known for so long as her boss. She had thought her feelings had been foolish and not reciprocated.
"Nathalie, say something, are you alright?"
Nathalie thinks she might pass out instead she breaks into a coughing fit and struggles to catch her breath.
Gabriel runs over to her and holds her carefully, scared she might fall to the ground. She wipes her mouth quickly but he sees the blood that ends up on her sleeve. This had happened to his late wife, how much time did she have afterward? How much time did Nathalie have?
"I love you," Nathalie whispers, her voice is hoarse and her throat hurts as she pushes the words out.
"I'm glad they have the miraculous, you'll get better I swear," it wasn't something he was sure that he could promise but he wanted to believe it.
The heroes did keep their word this time, Gabriel was never reported. This allowed him to watch carefully over Nathalie who was constantly making sure he was really alright with giving up Emilie. He loved Nathalie though, and he didn't often consider himself a liar.