Somewhere in the heart of the city, a young man walked out of the stadium leaving all his dreams behind, his face twisted in anguish.
And somewhere across the city, the man in front of his work screen felt the despair flooding the young boy. He looked up to the woman sitting at her desk right opposite him. "Nathalie, explain my absence and represent me at the meeting."
Nathalie immediately understood and looking up from her work, she nodded, "I thought you were going to stop."
"Hiatus is over, Nathalie. Marinette is fine and Adrien said she's home safely. And besides, Ladybug and Catnoir would miss me by now." A smirk coated his lips as he turned to the towering portrait of the woman hed given his heart and soul to.
He pressed the right buttons and was lowered to the base he'd been away from for so long.
"It's time, Nooroo."
"My wife just delivered two weeks ago. To the most beautiful girl in the world."
Ladybug froze for a second. What were the odds that the major events of their lives almost always seemed to coincide? It seemed almost unbelievable. She wanted to say she'd given birth the exact same time to a girl too but decided against it.
His expression dropped however, "That's actually what's been up."
Ladybug hesitated but then asked, "Did something happen with...with the baby?"
Catnoir sighed and hung his head, "Not the baby...It's just..." He paused swallowing the lump in his throat before daring to continue. He hated to remember the feeling. The feeling of almost losing Marinette. "I thought I would lose her. And the fear..." He turned to Ladybug locking gazes with her, "It almost drove me insane."
Ladybug's heartbeat sped. The look on in his eyes was so downright familiar. So agonizingly familiar.
"I would die if I lost her."
And if her heart was racing before, it was probably sprinting laps by now. She knew she shouldn't be thinking it, and she also shouldn't be trying to ask more and she should probably dispose the thought but she asked anyway, "What .uh...what happened to her?"
"The doctors didn't even know. But I swear I saw my life flash before my eyes when they rolled her away and told me she might not come back." He looked away, jaw clenched, chest tightened. And she could see just how much it hurt him so she tried to shift the topic, "She'll be okay." She gave his hand a tight squeeze.
Catnoir gave her a closed mouth smile, and nodded, "She will be. But she's so stubborn." He drawled and she chuckled, "You don't say?"
"Honestly, she never listens to me." He pouted, "Even when I just want her to be okay." His smile dropped as he mumbled the last part. Her expression dropped too, a frown drawing her brows. "I'm...I'm sure she doesn't do it to hurt you."
"I know she doesn't." He sighed, "I just...I'm so scared she'll leave me. I wouldn't be able to live with that. She's my whole world." A small smile formed on his lips, "She's my princess."
A dark blush coated Ladybug's cheeks and she shifted her gaze downward. He tapped his chin lightly, "Or since Emma's technically my princess now, she's my queen."
Ladybug's eyes widened, "Emma‽" She repeated, face creased in confusion.
"Oh sorry, I probably shouldn't have said that. It's my daughter's name." He rubbed his neck, a sheepish smile on his face.
Her head swiveled with thoughts but at the same time, she felt like she had no idea what to think. How on earth could it have been possible for their daughters to share the same name, born the same time and...
"I hope that's okay though." He continued. And then something in Ladybug shifted and she turned to him and beamed, "No, no, it's great!"
Everything seemed extremely different and familiar when she looked at him again. She tilted her head to the side a bit and then she could really see it. And there it was, that loving stare, the smile. Her eyes lit up, how much she wished it to be true.
"You can even tell me about her, I mean, it doesn't hurt right?" She added. She knew it was probably wrong to try to confirm what she knew should be a secret. But what would it matter when she could already see Adrien in him. She could see the man she'd fallen in love with in him.
He smiled back and she felt something shift in her. The little details she'd missed in him now coming into perfect light. "You're right." He paused then continued, "Emma's great, really. It feels so great knowing that I made her with Mar- my wife. To know that our love created her. She has her mother's eyes, the most beautiful blue in the world."
Ladybug's smile widened and she leaned into her arms and towards him giving him her full attention, "You must love them a lot."
He nodded immediately, a wide smile on his face. "I do!"
"She's so lucky to have a man like you." She muttered before she could stop herself. Her heart was fast on the road to self combusting in happiness. "Really? I'm the one who's lucky honestly."
"No, she's definitely the lucky one. There is no one as amazing as you, not in this world." As soon as the words left her lips, realization dawned on her that she most definitely was not supposed to say that to him since he had no idea that she was his lover and she was his.
Her cheeks flamed up and she looked away as he stared at her with wide eyes, "I mean... considering how much of an amazing friend you are...to..me.. You'll probably be greater...I mean... more amazing to your wife." She waved her hands awkwardly and relaxed seeing that he was buying it.
She sighed in relief. "It means so much to hear that from you. Thank you." He smiled softly and a small moment passes where they just stared at the other, none talking. Then he looked away, willing to ease a conversation.
"You're right tho, I am ameowzing." He wiggled his brows and for a few seconds, Ladybug stared at him, surprised. How on earth could she have missed that? Then she groaned, running her hands through her face. "Hey! That was a pretty good one. Don't pretend now, I know you like meow puns."
A louder groan, as she muttered under her breath, "How could I have missed that?" If anyone deserved an award for bad jokes, it had to be Adrien. It was one of the silly sides of him that she loved, not as much as she liked to admit tho. It was so Catnoir, yet so Adrien of him.
No. She stopped her thoughts for a moment. They weren't different people. They were the same, she smiled as all her senses absorbed the new found realization. Adrien was Catnoir. And it was great! No perfect! No! Purrfeçt! She giggled internally.
"Your puns are terrible, kitty. Seriously."
"Okay, that hurt!" He fake pouted, "Why doesn't any woman find my jokes funny?" She laughed at the soft look on his face and then she stared for a second, observing every contour, every feature, imprinting it in her memory forever, and for another second, she could see Adrien underneath the mask.
This man has loved her as her alter ego and then as Marinette. And she felt so light, it was like looking at someone and seeing the whole world. "Apparently they're purrible."
"You punned!" He exclaimed happily.
The moment along with any further conversation was disrupted as a loud blood curling scream from a small distance made them both freeze for a second.
"What was that?" She asked hesitantly fearing that she already knew what it was.
Shifting her gaze downwards, she could see people scrambled in the busy streets, almost so clear that they were running.
And that could only mean one...
"Ladybug! Catnoir!"
Muttering unintelligible curses under her breath, she pinched the bridge of her nose, "You gave got to be kidding me."
Catnoir also stared down, surprised as the sight of an suited built man yeeting people across the street. "It seems like Shadow moth's hiatus is over." He muttered.
"Of all the times." She cursed under her breath. If Adrien knew she was his supposed sick wife who was actually meant to be under bed rest, about to fight a villain and free an akuma, he'd probably freak. That aside, she knew fighting in that condition was an extremely stupid idea but Paris was her priority.
She sighed defeatedly and stood up, "Well...duty calls..." She retracted her yoyo and he followed suit, pulling out his staff. "It'll be nice being Paris' iconic duo again, it's been a while." He smiled at her and she calmed.
"It will be." She smiled back and swung her yoyo ready to jump into action. Then she winced as the new position made her stomach twist in pain. She lost her stance and he was at her side supporting her up in a blink.
He looked disturbed, "Are you sure you can handle this?"
She forced a smile, "There's no other way, kitty. Paris would also need Ladybug."
"Bu-"
"Besides, I'm fine." She straightened up, "Just little pains. But it's all okay." She placed her hand on his shoulder as he still didn't seem convinced. "Trust me, I'm fine."
He relaxed and she smiled, "Ready?"
"Ready!"
"It's like he's absorbing their energy, wherefore growing stronger."
They were both in an adjoining alley, out of the line of sight of the villain. They observed him enough to understand his power to a certain level.
"Lucky charm!" A blindfold fell into her hands and her brows furrowed in confusion. "What are you gonna do with that?" Catnoir matched her confusion.
Looking around, back, to the sides, everywhere, her brain came up with nothing. "I have no idea, I think I'm rusty." She kept the blindfold at her side. "We'll figure it out later."
"Finally, just the guests I've been waiting for." The villain clad in an orange body suit beamed as soon as he caught sight of the duo. "Paris has missed you." He scowled.
They both assumed a fighting stance, "Now hand me your miraculous the easy way because with Sinew, the hard way is never the right way." Sinew continued flexing his well built muscles. Maybe Shadow moth wasn't so dumb in granting powers. She didn't need to be told a second time that it would be a hard fight.
Catnoir let out a playful scoff, "Pfft- Give it all you've got!"
"As you wish."
It wasn't long before they were regretting his statement. Because Sinew was giving them all he'd got and despite their adult powers, they were still no match. Espresso with Ladybug twisting up in pain at every lurch of his attack.
"You don't have to do this." Catnoir helped her stand up and he even looked more worried when she winced again, "I'm fine, it's okay." She whispered again.
"What's the matter, you two? Tired? You haven't even seen half of my power." He lifted a random town car and flung in their direction. They jumped in opposite directions and he let out an evil cackle, "I'm just getting warmed up."
Catnoir rushed to Ladybug's side after she fell yet again. His eyes held that same look. That fear and horror. "Stop trying, we won't win like this." She wanted to contest but she really had no strength to. Catnoir lifted her up in his arms, "We need to get you out of here."
"And where do you think you're going?" Sinew sneered at them as Catnoir attempted to launch them up with his staff. He launched himself up to collide with them and they ended up falling. They rolled a few times before they stopped, Catnoir's whole weight on her.
Ladybug almost screamed at the twisting pain that travelled through her stomach. Her body beginning to surrender to the after effects of her unwise decisions. Almost immediately, Catnoir lifted himself off her sensing her pain. He put his weight on his hands and looked down at her. Her eyes were already moist.
"I'm so sorry!" His ears twitched sensing Sinew's incoming attack and he jumped off her to block the attack, spining his staff to form a shield.
Ladybug tried but failed to stand up so she slowly pulled herself back while Sinew and Catnoir were in a serious staff-hand combat.
A sinister smirk formed on the villain's lips as he saw Ladybug helpless on the ground, along with a light bulb forming over his head.
He directed his stolen energy into his fist and landed a punch square on the building behind Catnoir. In a blink, the building was crumbling and it's debris falling on Catnoir. Sinew smirked at how perfectly it worked. That would keep him busy for sure.
And then he made a beeline to where Ladybug was curled up. She slowly retreated as he approached her but he only smirked in victory. "Catnoir! Help!" She screamed when Sinew lifted her up by the shoulders.
His ears perked up at her call and he made quick work to escape the debris, despite how much it actually hurt even with the magical suit.
Ladybug could've sworn she saw white, like the world was fading to completely nothing as Sinew pressed his hands into her shoulders, absorbing the little strength she barely had. And after it felt like every ounce of strength was drained out, everything went black.
"Ladybug! No!" Catnoir ran towards Sinew but he was too late because the villain yeeted her, throwing her hard into an alleyway. Her weak body collided hard with the wall before she landed on the ground, her transformation dropping momentarily. Luckily the alley was out of sight of both Cat noir and Sinew.
"How dare you?" Anger clouded the blonde's vision, his eyes almost glowing as he turned nearly feral. He immediately lurched himself at Sinew, "How dare you‽" Seeing Ladybug in pain still riled up the same anger in him. Pure and utter anger. The kind made him lose all thought.
"Cataclysm!" He aimed at the villain without any form of hesitation.
"Sinew get out of there! Now!" Shadow moth spoke and immediately the villain obeyed, retreating. "I'll be back!" He yelled as he scaled the rooftops.
Almost immediately, Catnoir came back to his senses, his face twisting up at the extent of his anger. He threw all thought away and ran towards were the villain had thrown her. Clearing all debris from his path, he was relieved to see her midnight hair from a distance.
He hurried into the alley but his world stopped when he saw her. Because it wasn't Ladybug laying on the ground, half conscious. He felt his throat burn and tears come to his tears as he took slow hesitant steps wishing and praying to all the Gods that this was some sick dream and not real.
Tikki was curled up next to her, also weak from the impact. Catnoir knelt down beside her. "Marinette..." He choked out as tears escaped his eyes.
He immediately scooped her up and cradled her to his chest shaking her as much as he could, "No! No! No! This can't be happening. Why? Why?" His voice broke with tears, "Why don't you ever listen to me?" He felt stabbed right in the chest, like someone was twisting a knife right there over and over again. "Why would you do this?"
He held her tight to his chest and cried.
"Adrien." He pulled away at the sound of her soft whisper. "Marinette..." He cupped her cheek as her eyes slowly fluttered open. "I'm sorry, Adrien." She whispered, leaning into him.
"Where's the miracle box?" Adrien asked the kwami as soon as she finished eating to regain her lost strength.
"The storage." Adrien nodded and walked out of the room leaving the Kwamis who sat next to where Marinette lay on the bed. They looked sadly at each other and back at Marinette who made no other sound aside occasional silent sobs.
When Adrien walked back in, he was holding the horse miraculous. "C'mon Plagg." On cue, the black Kwami flew up to him. He called his transformation words and in a flash of green, he was Catnoir again.
Tikki flew up to him right after, "What's your plan, Adrien?"
He opened his hand, revealing the glasses, "We're going to get Scarabella."
Marinette was restless all through the rest of the evening into the night. She spent most of the time waiting for Adrien in Emma's playroom, watching her sleep, playing with her or feeding her.
Since Adrien had brought her home, he spoke no word to her. Not even one. If he was surprised that she knew his identity, he didn't show it. He only brought her back, prepared an bath with ointment for her wounds, helped her in and out of it, fed her, and then went back to the villain. Zero words to her.
It was as clear as day that he was upset with her. She wouldn't blame him, she knew taking on a villain after a near death child delivery was extremely stupid, especially since her stitching was fresh.
He'd only ever cared for her and all she'd done was double his worry. The night was already so far gone and she vaguely wondered if he was having trouble defeating the villain with Alya.
Just then, a swarm of magical ladybugs washed over her healing any wound left from the earlier battle. She smiled softly, they did it.
On cue, she heard some shuffling and sound of doors opening and shutting. Her eyes lit up at the thought of his arrival. After one last glance at Emma in her crib, she made a beeline for their bedroom.
The light was turned off as she walked in. She could make out his silhouette on the bed, he lay on his side at the other end of the bed facing the wall. She knew he must've heard her walk in but she still tried to be as quiet as possible as she slid into the bed.
With slight hesitation in her movement, she moved closer to him on the bed. When she was close enough, she whispered, "Adrien..."
No reply. She sighed. Not like she didn't expect it. But it didn't mean she was giving up. Witting up, she slid even closer to him till there was no distance between them. Her chest was pressed up against his back and she could feel his body heat seeping through her pores.
She placed her hand on him, moving it slowly till it was at his chest, "I'm really sorry, Adrien. I'm sorry, I know you're mad at me, I don't blame, what I did was totally stupid."
There was a beat of silence before she heard his low voice, "I'm not mad at you."
"Bu-" He interrupted her as he turned around to face her. The night light from the window gave him a perfect and clear view of her face. He moved his hand to cup her cheek.
"You scared me, Marinette. I meant what I said, the thought of losing you drives me insane. I would die without you, you have to understand what." He pulled her closer to him fearing to relieve the moment of seeing the most precious highlight of his life slipping away from him.
"I love you so much. Too much that it even scares me."
"I love you too, I'm sorry." Tears welled up in her eyes and she leaned into him when he leaned down. Their lips met in a sweet union. It was so amazing how her stomach could still flutter at the feel of his lips.
The pulled apart after a while and he caressed her face.
"Does it change anything? Our secret identities?"
Adrien smiled and after a small thought he spoke, "What could it change? I really just found out that I've loved you since I was 14 and probably since the first day I met you. That is great."
Marinette smiled, this was the life she'd dreamed off. This was the man she wanted forever. And it was almost unbelievable that she was actually had it. Had him.
"It is." She whispered.