Updated C10
He could see it in her eyes; unwavering loyalty to her partner- to Adrien. This reassurance was enough to allow him to share the pain in his heart. Sensing a long tale at hand, Marinette pulled back the covers and climbed into his lap.
"Marinette, I often used to envy the bonds shared between other families and their friends; such as what you share with your parents and Alya, I had never truly experienced what you have myself- until I met you!"
Adrien rested his head on hers and closed his eyes as he once again called on the past- though now he would be speaking of it aloud rather than witnessing it through haunting nightmares in his mind. Allowing his eyes to mist over as he recalled the events of that fateful night, Adrien held her close to him for comfort.
Cat Noir watched as his lady once again fled into the night. Would he ever get to know her for real? After taking a moment to relish the warmth in his heart that she always left with him, he turned around to head back home.
Hawkmoth had been keeping a closer watch on him, how much longer would Cat Noir need to fight him? Would they eventually win? It would never be safe for him and Ladybug to reveal their identities to one another as long as Hawkmoth was adamant that Cat Noir should be alone.
He chuckled bitterly to himself; he was no superhero, it was fun to pretend that he and his Ladybug had super powers capable of defeating Hawkmoth, but his father didn't need evil powers- his money was enough to give him anything he wanted. No matter how much he willed it- Adrien would always be under his father's power.
As usual, Adrien had escaped through his bedroom window- leaving it open for him to climb back through upon his return, however tonight that would seemingly prove difficult.
Feeling his stomach squirm uncomfortably, he wondered why the window was now shut! This could only mean that his father was now undoubtedly aware that he had left the house.
He walked miserably around the house towards the front door, while preparing himself for the harsh scolding from his father! Though, he had not expected no welcome at all! Why wasn't his father waiting at the top of the stairs for him? Or Natalie? The gorilla? What was going on?!
Sure enough, the door to his father's office opened, and Natalie emerged with an apologetic smile as she addressed Adrien, "Your father is waiting for you in his study." Responding with only a nod, he proceeded to knock on his father's door.
As always, Gabriel was simply staring at the portrait of Adrien's mother as he entered the room. Without even waiting for the door to close, his father spoke over his shoulder, "where have you been, Adrien?"
His voice was quiet and calm but somehow this only unnerved Adrien more! He swallowed hard against his dry throat, "I…I was just…" Gabriel shook his head and turned around with a smug face! "You needn't bother lying to me Adrien. I know all about your friend!"
A shadowy feeling had settled in the pit of his stomach as Natalie appeared once again and this time she held a small remote in her hand. The nearby screen turned on and Adrien watched in horror as he jumped from his window and into the night. The camera jumped from one to another as it remained on Adrien's trail- straight to his rendezvous with Ladybug!
"I recently saw fit to increase security for our safety; I never imagined that my own son was lying to me this whole time! Let me show you why I can't ever let you leave Adrien!" His fingers pressed against the portrait to reveal a hidden hole in front of it.
Adrien was afraid; but nonetheless he obediently followed his father into the hole, standing in silence as the elevator took them down to whatever was waiting below.
The room was dimly lit, though through the darkness there was an eerie glow! Adrien walked towards it slowly- before becoming paralysed in shock.
He was stood in a small garden! Luscious grass surrounded him with tiny wildflowers. White butterflies were lazily fluttering around the room and on the whole it should have been a serene picture- had it not also brought Adrien to his knees!
In the middle of this beautiful scene with arms crossed over her chest beneath a glass coffin, laid his mother! She matched this garden perfectly; beautiful, pure- but horrifying! She had disappeared six years ago and no one had ever told Adrien anything more.
Emilie Agreste was seemingly asleep beneath the glass, at least he hoped she was only sleeping! Anger boiled throughout him as he turned to his father, "what is this!? Release her!"
Gabriel glanced regretfully at his wife and Adrien came to quickly see that he was perhaps not to blame. His father stroked the glass sadly, before facing Adrien once more.
"I wish I could. She is dead Adrien! Your Mother was taken from us! She was always too kind to her fans; I told her it was too dangerous, people who idolise those with fame or power act crazy in our presence! She ignored my advice and welcomed someone into her life…she believed him to be a friend but he betrayed her and killed her!"
The hope that had been alive inside him this whole time disappeared, his mother was dead. She had been here this whole time- and she would never return. His father's arms surrounded him for the first time in years.
Adrien finally understood the source of his father's coldness, his mother had been his father's warmth. He could understand this much because Ladybug had been his only source of warmth too- but his father would undoubtedly stop him from seeing her again!
Falling to his knees, Adrien forced himself to meet the intense gaze of his father, "I realise now why I was never allowed a friend. I realise why I could never tell anyone who I was- you feared that I would suffer as mother did! But please…I can't lose my friend! I love her! I can't leave her!"
Gabriel shook his head pitifully, "I'm sorry son, but you must stay under my protection. If someone here truly does know your name then we must leave- you won't be safe. I made a mistake and I can't allow you to pay the price!"
Marinette held on to Adrien's hand as it trembled beneath hers, "he never intended for me take a step outside but eventually I ran away! I was instantly hired as one of the models in my fathers company- that is once I told them he was my father. But when he found out he was furious!"
A scoff escaped him as he remembered his father's fury- but also his fear, "not wanting to attract attention to the fact he had locked me up my whole life, he agreed that I could continue to model as long as I remained under his protection."
Adrien took a calming breath, appreciating Marinette's comforting hold on his hand as he carried on, "I told you that I would return after ten years because I had hoped that it would be enough time for me to convince my father to release his hold on me."
Marinette shuffled uncomfortably in Adrien's lap as a small silence came between them, "you failed to escape didn't you?" He growled in frustration before he nodded, "Yes…at first; but as the time drew closer and he still refused to relent- I decided to run again. I had saved up all of my money from the modelling and so I took it and ran."
Adrien placed Marinette back into the bed and walked away from her with his hands curled up into balls, "even now, my father is searching desperately to find me. I fear what he will do- what lengths he will go to in order to get me back! He was probably responsible for your crash! I stupidly joined up for another project, he will have found me through my work again and has sent a warning by hurting you!"
Marinette stood unsteadily to face him, "Adrien, you can't be sure that it was your father who had hurt me! I was responsible for the crash, I was driving carelessly! Why are you so sure that he would hurt me?"
Adrien's temper finally escaped him as he banged a fist down angrily, "because he has done it before- I didn't finish my story earlier! My father confessed to me, he killed my mother's murderer! He hunts me now; not only for my protection against those who seek revenge on him- but also so I don't reveal his crime to anyone!"
Adrien sat down in shame as tears once again fell from Marinette's eyes, she pulled him close and cradled him lovingly in her arms, "your father couldn't have been responsible for my crash! I was going too fast."
How could she ease his suffering? How could she free him! "You were right my Cat Noir, 'our battle is still not yet won'. I only regret that you had to endure this alone- for ten years! But only together can we win this! Only together can we fight for your freedom! I'm Ladybug remember? I'm not scared of him and he can't hurt me!"
Adrien recalled the white butterfly and shook his head again, "he already has Marinette, I'm not sure how he did it, but I know he did!" Marinette's eyes opened inquisitively, despite the seriousness of their conversation, Adrien couldn't help but marvel at her beauty.
"Why are you so sure Adrien?" With deep sorrow, Adrien stroked one of the cuts that ran down her cheek, before sighing, "because I saw one of his butterflies- the same ones that he kept around my mother, when I found you. He left it there on purpose as a message to me. It was also probably him who called for help- they told me it was an anonymous caller! My Father wants me to know that he has found me!"
