Adrien sat back down in the chair as Marinette raced away from him and out into the crowded hallway. He looked around the stage. It was still buzzing with the energy from the show. The lights were still on around the large circle mirrors, and the clothes were hung on the large carrying racks. The stage was empty, and the designing team and hair and makeup teams were gone. But the stage still had a small feeling of life to it. He smiled, this was the part of modelling he enjoyed, the spirit of the backstage hands. The life behind the curtains. He sighed. He would have to go soon. There was likely another show about to begin.
As if on cue, a packing team arrived to gather the Dupain-Cheng line, stuff it all in bags, and send it back the the Square home office. They bustled around him for a moment before he felt like he was in the way. He stood, and walked out into the hall. He looked towards the direction Marinette had run, towards the crowds of people. He turned and walked away from the swarms of people that were likely waiting for him to come and sign things. His popularity was overwhelming. Books, magazines, arms, hands, faces, he'd signed so many things already. He didn't want to sign his name another time. He wandered through the empty parts of the museum and found a bench to sit and think. It was good to have some time alone every now and again. Especially now that Adrien had things he needed to think about.
He wanted to really think about his position in his father's company. Did he really want to grow up as a model, and then be expected to head the company? He knew about fashion, about clothing and design. He had grown up in a world where that was all that mattered. But if he really thought about it, is that really what he wanted? Did it really matter? If he didn't find a way to escape from his father, he would face that as his future. He wanted to marry Robyn, but what did that mean for her? Would she really want to be the wife of the head of the Agreste Company? And looking at Marinette, here at Fashion Week, shining like he never had, had opened his eyes to his situation. Despite his high praises from people in his profession, he had never felt the way she looked. He had never felt like he belonged here. He sighed, and rested his head on his hands.
Plagg was happily asleep in the hood of Adrien's designer jacket, and Adrien didn't want to wake him. He smiled at the thought of the small, black kwami. After all of these years, and despite his whining, Plagg had stayed with him and supported him. He had tried many times to convince Plagg to leave him, to return to wherever he'd come from to find a more worthy miraculous holder. Plagg had refused. Adrien was grateful for his friendship and loyalty, though he didn't always feel he deserved it. Then, he wasn't sure that Plagg always deserved all the nice things he got, either.
As he looked around at the artwork hanging around him, his thoughts wound their way back to the lively designer. He was still a little shocked. Marinette was the shining star his father talked about over dinner a few weeks ago. It was Miss Dupain-Cheng that had taken the world of fashion by storm. He smiled at the thought of her in her element. She truly thrived there, under the harsh scrutiny of others and showing off her best abilities.
Adrien had never felt that passionately about modeling. He had never really felt that passionately about anything. He had never felt exceptionally attractive or that well built. Somewhere inside him he knew he must be good looking, since he hadn't been fired or passed over for a job yet, but he'd always longed for the life of a normal person. Working hard for what he wanted, and feeling the satisfaction of everything he did. That was why he'd wanted so badly to attend public school. He wanted to have days where the rules that affected everyone else ruled his life too. He didn't feel that way about modeling. Everything about his career now felt like it had been handed to him.
He looked down at the miraculous stone on his right hand. It had become something of a trademark for him. He never took it off, but when it wasn't activated it was just a silver ring. People had asked him about it multiple times, and he'd merely told them it was a good luck charm. It was a simple silver ring that had changed his life once. People didn't pry after that.
But it wasn't a lie to say that it was a charm. His days as Chat Noir were some of the happiest he could remember. He had been free, and he had been a hero. People loved him and respected him just for being himself. His love of puns and sweet treats earned him a place in the hearts of the people of Paris. No one knew or cared who his father was. He'd made a name for himself all in his own.
People in the world he lived in now only loved him for his looks, his involvement in the healthy eating community, and the title he possessed as the only child of the famous Gabriel Agreste. He was also a frequent model for fencing magazines, martial arts tournaments, and fitness journals. These things he did because he enjoyed the benefits of healthy eating and frequent exercise. He loved the endorphins that came with being physically active and the clean feeling he had since eating healthy foods. It had been a personal choice a long time ago, but it had only won him more points with the press. The golden boy of France was also the face of personal health. But that wasn't what he longed for either.
He wanted to shine the way Marinette did when she looked at clothes. He wanted to feel the passion he could feel radiating off of her when she was talking about designs. He craved that feeling of belonging and success more than most things. As a model he felt more like a fragile statue that had to be carefully chiseled and protected. He felt like he was experiencing life by looking through a glass window. So close, almost involved, he could see everything, but he couldn't touch it. People kept their distance from him, and didn't take their time to get to know him. They only admired him for his lineage and blonde hair. He wanted to do something with his life that meant something to him. Almost out of the blue, he thought back to the career test he had taken during his year of classes with his friends.
All of the students of his class were ushered to the computer lab and seated to take a career placement assessment. Chloe had refused, saying she didn't need a job since she would be taken care of for the rest of her life. Nino took it, knowing exactly what he would get. And then there was Adrien. He'd taken the test against his father's wishes. His father had told him not to even take it, as thoughts of other occupations would cloud his ambition to do well as a model. He had been right. Adrien had gotten results that he hadn't been expecting. They all had to do with public service, and serving at a community level. Firefighter. Policeman. Teacher. Counselor. EMT. Therapist.
The test had told him what areas of employment he would thrive in, but it hadn't told him that he would still long for that feeling of usefulness after years of fame. He was tired of people who knew his name and wanted his autograph. He wanted something real. He wanted to be himself. He wanted to shine like Nino had when talking about music.
He stood from the bench, a new resolve forming in his chest. He was almost twenty-four. He was almost too old to be a model anyway. He would have to tell his father. Adrien paled, telling his father would be hard. At the same time, he had learned that he couldn't judge his father's reactions. With that in mind, Adrien made his way to his car. He asked the driver to take him to see his father.
While they drove, Adrien continued to think about the career test and the things he'd been good at in school. He had been an A student, both in private tutoring and in public school. Subjects like math and physics were intriguing to him, and he loved the arts. He was athletic and smart, yet somehow he'd ended up in the shadow of his father, a model. The same career he'd had since he was young. He'd never even had the chance to try anything else. The car drove smoothly through the streets of his childhood home, and pulled into the grand driveway of the Agreste Mansion. He thanked the driver and walked inside. He was greeted with as much warmth as was to be expected. A wave from a few of the staff members and a shallow bow from Nathalie.
"Nathalie, is my father home, by chance?" He smiled at her.
"Yes, actually he is. He's in his office." She reported.
"Can you ask him if I can speak with him for a few minutes?" He shoved his hands in his pockets.
Nathalie turned and walked into his father's office. After a few moments she returned, "He will send for you when he is free. Until then, can I get you something to eat or drink, Sir?" She smiled a bit.
"I'd love some tea. And I'll wait here for him if that's okay." Adrien gestured to the chair in the front room. If he left now he'd lose his resolve to talk to his father about his wish to stop modeling.
"Very well." Nathalie turned, and walked away. She probably had a meeting to manage or a schedule to organize. Adrien looked around the large, modern mansion and was glad once again that he no longer lived here in the great empty space. It still felt cold, even if it was a nice day outside.
A man appeared with a cup of tea, and Adrien took it from him gratefully. He sipped at the warm drink while he waited for his father to come get him from his office.
His father came to get him almost an hour later, and Adrien had finished his tea and two more cups in that time.
"Adrien?" His father's voice rattled in his ears. Adrien jumped up and turned around.
"Yes, Sir?" He answered apprehensively.
"Come in, my boy. Nathalie tells me you have things to discuss with me." Gabriel retreated to his office, leaving the door ajar for Adrien to follow him.
Adrien swallowed and walked through the tall door. He closed it quietly behind him.
"Sit." His father gestured to a chair.
Adrien sat quickly and looked at his father as he jotted down notes on his desk calendar for Nathalie to transcribe into a legible schedule later. He crossed his ankles.
After a moment Gabriel looked up at him, "What is it? What was so important that you couldn't just leave a message?"
Adrien sighed, "Well, I wanted to talk to you about my future and my career as a model and about Robyn."
"Robyn is a bright girl. What about her?" Gabriel was suddenly entranced by the conversation.
"Well, it's a little bit about Robyn, but mostly about me. I don't think I want to continue to be a model." Adrien sucked in his breath.
Gabriel was quiet for a moment, "I had hoped you would model a bit longer, though I can see how being older would change that. Many of the models that are younger than you are more competitive. However I think that you are capable of working hard and maintaining your status. We can hire another trainer."
Adrien held up his hands, "No, Father. That's not what I mean. I cannot be a model forever, and while I may be young and good looking now, I will have to support myself after that is no longer an option." Adrien could feel his soul trying to escape back out the door. His father hadn't understood him. This wasn't going to end well, or it wasn't going to end the way Adrien wanted.
Gabriel looked at Adrien with surprised eyes, "I am impressed by your foresight. I would be glad to have someone show you around the company. You could be conditioned to be my successor as the head of Agreste Designs."
Adrien smiled sadly, "That sounds interesting. But, Sir, I was think of more along the lines of attending college or a specialized school to become a scholar to teach others, or perhaps using my good health for the benefit of others. Like, maybe becoming a firefighter. Or perhaps finding a way to contribute to the community, for example I could be a school counselor." Adrien spoke quickly and stared at his father with timid eyes, "I want to do more than just be admired."
Gabriel frowned, "You would walk away from the empire I have built? You would shirk your responsibility as my only heir to do something as menial as fighting fires or teaching?"
Adrien felt his courage fading, "It was a thought, yes."
"Absolutely not." Gabriel turned away from him, "Leave. You have upset me with your selfish and useless ideas."
Adrien frowned, and stood quickly. He walked back out of the door without saying goodbye, and walked back to the chair. He hadn't even gotten to ask him about his proposal to Robyn. He should have opened with that. His father would have been in a better mood if they had talked about Robyn first. Nathalie was waiting for him outside the office.
She sighed, and they sat down together. She looked at him through the corners of her eyes, "You came here to tell him that you want to quit being his son? What possessed you to do something like that?"
Adrien sighed, "I saw an old friend from school today. There was something about her. She was so full of life and so happy to be doing exactly what she was doing. I just want a chance to try to find that." He leaned back in the chair.
"I don't think that's the best idea." She sighed, "I have to go. But you and Miss Handen are still planning to stay the night here is that correct?"
Adrien groaned, "Yes, we are. We have an early flight in the morning."
"Very good." She pulled out her phone and sent a message, "I'll send for Miss Handen. It will lift your father from his sour mood to see her. Until she arrives I would suggest you find a way to sweep the dreams from your eyes, Adrien. They will only cloud your judgement and keep you from seeing what is real."
"Yes, I know." He sighed.
Nathalie stood and walked away again, leaving Adrien with his thoughts. He mulled over the meeting with his father again, and tried to think of how it could have gone better, but there were no choices to be had. In fact, he had probably gotten the best reaction he could have. His father could have done much worse. Adrien leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes.
The more he thought about it, the more tantalizing the idea of a new life became. He had made many attempts to free himself before. Going to public school, changing modelling agencies, and moving out of Paris. But, none of these were truly freedom, he was still connected to his father and the world of fashion. He wanted to feel the pure thrill of life, all of its failures and challenges, like he had when he had been Chat Noir. He helped people then, saved people even, and now he was just something for people to look at. And what for?
He could leave, but he would miss Robyn, since she would definitely not want to leave the world of fashion for a life with him outside of the empire she would be marrying into. He could follow in his father's footsteps and lead the company, but feel no amount of satisfaction from that for the rest of his life.
He was pulled from his thoughts by a loud crash outside the front door, and Robyn was followed by three other people with all of her things through the main door of the house.
"Oh!" She beamed, "I have missed this house." She pushed her sunglasses up into her brown hair and sighed happily, "It's so big and gorgeous. Like, the perfect place. It almost feels like a princess castle."
"Welcome," Adrien smiled over the back of the chair, "It's good to see you."
Robyn smiled and set a hand on her hip, "Come over here and kiss me. I haven't seen you in more than a week."
Adrien laughed, the weight on his heart lifted a little, and stood up. Robyn ran to meet him and jumped into his arms. He caught her with ease, and she lightly set her lips to his.
Adrien hummed, "I have missed you."
"You better have," she raised an eyebrow, and then laughed, "How was Fashion Week? I'm so super jealous that you were selected as a model. I wanna be a model for Fashion Week so bad." She pushed herself out of his arms and landed lightly on the floor.
Adrien smiled sadly, "It was fantastic. And you are beautiful and talented, just new. Once you get your name out there, you'll make it to Fashion week. I can guarantee it."
"Of course I will, I'm close personal friends with the Agreste Family, didn't you know?" Robyn winked at him, "I've got Adrien wrapped around my finger, and Gabriel in my pocket."
Nathalie interrupted them, "I have prepared rooms for you both. It is not suitable that you sleep in the same room, though arrangements were made so that you could be next to each other."
Adrien smiled, "Thanks, Nathalie." He turned back to Robyn, "Can I help you carry your bags, Miss Handen?"
"Sure thing!" She smiled, and handed Adrien the largest of her bags.
Adrien easily held the weight, and smirked at her, "Come on, I'll show you to your room."
They walked up the large staircase past the large framed painting of his family and up towards the bedrooms of the house. Adrien would be staying in his old room, and Robyn in the guest room next door. He kicked the door open and set her bags inside.
"Here you are, Byn." He kissed her cheek, "You get settled and I'll be back. I'm gonna go and chat with my father."
"Actually, I think I'll turn in, I know it's only late afternoon but we have a big day ahead of us, and I want to enjoy our trip to the fullest. I miss you terribly but a tired Robyn is a grouchy Robyn. Kiss me goodnight?" She raised an eyebrow.
He leaned down and kissed her quickly, "Goodnight, Robyn. Sleep well."
"Goodnight, Adrien." She wiggled her fingers at him and closed the door.
Adrien sighed, and walked back down to the main hall, glancing at his father's office door. It was true that he still wanted to talk to his father about his proposal to Robyn, but he also knew better than to approach his father again so soon after the last tiff they'd had. Instead he turned and walked to the kitchen. The staff didn't shoo him away like they had when he was younger, instead they moved out of his way so that he could dig through the large fridge and freezer for a snack on his own. He grabbed a bag of crisp veggies and walked back out and towards his room.
Once inside he shut the door, and sat down on his bed. He looked at his phone while he munched at the vegetables. There was nothing in the news except excitement over fashion week, the recaps and best-ofs that were all over the internet. He didn't care much for them. He started to feel the exhaustion of the day catch up with him, and he set an alarm on his phone to let him sleep for a few hours. He was asleep before he knew it.
He woke to Plagg pulling his hair.
He sat up, annoyed, and swatted at the small kwami with a tired hand, "What do you want?" Adrien huffed, "I was sleeping."
"There's no time for sleeping right now. Something is wrong."
Adrien looked at Plagg for a moment, making sure that the mischievous kwami wasn't just playing a trick on him. After confirming that Plagg was indeed being serious, Adrien snapped to attention, quickly sobering from his dreamy state.
"What do you mean something is wrong? Like you're out of cheese, or the bed isn't warm enough?" Adrien teased, "I can get you a heated blanket."
"No." Plagg groaned, "Like it might be time for you to get the claws back out, kid. I can't feel that there is for sure an akuma, but there is more than just partying going on in the streets of Paris tonight."
Adrien looked at Plagg, and a wide smile spread across his face, "Really? Does that mean it's time for Chat Noir to make an appearance?"
Plagg huffed, "Don't be hasty, now. Let's check it out before you get all feline on me."
Adrien looked at Plagg, "How certain are you that it could be an akuma? Like as a percentage?"
Plagg hummed, "Uh, seventy percent."
Adrien beamed, "That's more than fifty. Plagg, Claws Out!"
Adrien felt the electricity of the transformation envelop him. The familiar suit replaced his street clothes, and as the transformation ended he looked in the mirror. An older Chat Noir was more intimidating, and certainly more handsome. He smiled, and moved quickly to the window, and pushed it quietly open. He perched on the edge of the opening and looked out at the dark streets of Paris. Across the city he could see the bright lights of an outdoor party. It seemed like the best idea to head in that direction. If there really was an akuma, it would be drawn to a large group of people just like he was. He would start there. He lept from the window and down into the garden. He scaled the wall, and pulled his baton from his back, The old familiar feeling of metal against leather was good for his soul. He jumped from the edge of the wall and raced across the rooftops towards the celebrations.
As he approached the party, he noticed another figure crouched low in the shadows of the nearest building. He blinked. It couldn't possibly be her. After all of these years what were the chances that she'd be here too. With renewed excitement he jumped to the building and landed softly behind her. She spun around, obviously surprised by his arrival.
Before he could stop himself, he teased her, "Well well well, look at what the cat dragged in." He purred as he stepped into the lights.
Ladybug raised an eyebrow, and her muscles relaxed a little, "Chat Noir, is that you?"
He drank in the sight of her. He was surprised to find that his heart was beating faster, and he felt his cheeks burn. He was spoken for, his heart belonged to the beautiful American model. He was planning to be engaged soon. But Ladybug was standing there in the lights of a nighttime Paris, looking like she'd stepped from the pages of a fairytale book. She was even more beautiful than she'd been when they were children. That was to be expected, as she was now a woman, but she was somehow more alluring that he'd imagined she would be. Her hair was pulled back with red ribbons, but was now longer than her shoulders. It curled gently past her shoulder blades, and floated in the breeze. Her blue eyes were just as striking as they had always been, but somehow they were more beautiful, more blue if that was possible, and while they were older, they were just as kind. Chat Noir couldn't stop himself from staring at her. Her spotted uniform hugging her curves. Her lips. Her eyes, oh, her lovely blue eyes. Something stirred inside him, like a drop in a still lake, the ripples were slow, but they distorted and disrupted everything.
A cheshire grin spread across his face, "It's good to see you, My Lady."
She smiled, "My mischievous Kitty-Cat. It's good to see you, too." She stopped, "Your outfit is different." She added. Chat Noir looked down at his outfit, It was still dark grey and black. It was her outfit that had truly changed. It suited her, making her seem more mature.
"Well, we both grew up a bit didn't we?" She smiled up at him, and Chat Noir felt his heart leap, "Goodness," she whispered, then snapped back to attention, "How have you been, Chat Noir?"
Chat Noir put his hand over his heart, and said the first and most flirtatious thing he could think, "My Lady, my world has been dark and dreary since I saw you last. To see you again is like rising from the dead."
She rolled her eyes, and Chat Noir felt a small sense of victory as she sneered at him, "You haven't changed."
"Cat's out of the bag, My Lady." He winked at her, "You bring out the best in me."
"If that's your best, I don't want to see your worst." She teased a bit, but smiled at him.
He felt his whole body warm, starting at his heart and spreading through to his fingers and toes. The familiar feeling of comradery and puppy love settled over him. But just when he expected the feeling to stop, to pale in comparison for his love for Robyn, he felt his heart almost break. Like his heart wasn't big enough to hold all of the things he was feeling. Ladybug was staring at the lights of the city, and down into the plaza. He gulped, he'd once said that he loved her, no matter who she was. He realized with another flip of his stomach that he still loved her. And not some kind of childish affection. No, his heart belonged to her, which is why it was currently trying to burst out of his chest, through his ribs and out to her. He shook his head a little. That couldn't be, he was practically married to Robyn. It was just good to see her again, he was remembering his affection for her. It couldn't be after all this time that he still felt like this.
She laughed a little, glancing at him, "I'm glad you're here. Looks like we're back into the frying pan, huh?"
"So it seems." Chat Noir peered over her, and looked down into the lively square below. He ignored the hammering of his heart, and blamed it on the long run he'd taken to get here. It definitely wasn't because he was falling for Ladybug. Again.
"It's strange to have this happen again after so long." He commented.
"I agree." She sighed, "but at least we're together."
"We could stay together if you'd like." His eyebrow raised beneath his mask, and he leaned down close to her. He looked at her in the glittering lights of the party, the lights dancing in her blue eyes. His heart leapt.
Her eyes widened and she pushed him away. Even though she seemed annoyed, she smiled, "Not this time, Kitty-cat. Right now we have an akuma to catch."
Chat Noir sighed, and looked down into the plaza once again, "So who do you think it is?" He hummed.
Ladybug folded her arms, "I'm not sure. But my guess is on the girl at the gate stamping people's hands. She seems to control who comes in, so maybe she controls who leaves?" She looked back at him with a hopeful look.
He shrugged, "Your guess is as good as mine, My Lady. Well," he smirked, "Your guess is probably better."
"Well," she ignored his flirting, "the only way to know, is to go down there and check it out." She sighed.
"Ladies first." He smirked at her again and bowed, motioning for her to jump off the building first.
She rang the small bell that still remained around his neck, "How very gentlemanly of you, Chat Noir." She flicked her wrist and jumped down to the ground using her yoyo to slow her fall.
Chat Noir felt his cheeks set fire. What was he doing? He'd left his life of heroism behind after the akuma had stopped showing up. Along with that, he'd left behind his childish love for Ladybug. At least, he'd thought he had. Yet, there she was, striking a match inside his heart. His mind screamed at him to remember that his heart was spoken for, that his beautiful American girlfriend was waiting for him, to remind him of his plans for marriage and a happy future with Robyn. He tried to care, but could only think of Ladybug and how beautiful she'd become. He could only remember the safe and comforting feeling that he'd had every time they'd been together as children. The long nights spent talking during night-time patrols of the city, and the friendship that he hadn't realized he missed so much. His best friend, and his closest friend. She was still brave and flirtatious, but there was something about her. Something enchanting. If he didn't get his feeling under control soon, he would be done for before he'd even had a chance.
From the ground he heard her voice, shaking him from his thoughts, "Are you coming, Kitty?"
His heart skipped, and he looked over the edge of the roof, "Yes, My Lady." He flipped off the ledge and landed lightly next to her. He stood up smoothly and looked down at her, "So what's the plan?"
She turned to him with sparkling eyes, "Wanna go to a party with me?"
He grinned, "Sounds purrfect."
88888888
The rest of the fight with the Akuma passed in a daze as he found himself distracted by the way Ladybug walked and the way her twin ponytails fell in soft curls behind her. Before he could catch up, the fight was over, and she was waving to a white butterfly as it fluttered off into the distance.
The plaza was washed in red light as the speakers disappeared, and the invisible barrier came down. The girl that had been akumatized stood confused in the center of the square, and looked around as the people that had come to the party slowly started to make their way out of the plaza.
"Well done, My Lady." Chat Noir smirked, and held out his fist.
She smiled, and lightly knocked her fist against his. He felt his heart melt. Now it was confirmed, he was truly in love with Ladybug. Current girlfriend and life troubles aside, she'd stolen his heart long ago, and he'd never taken it back.
Her earrings bleeped. She looked surprised, then smiled sadly, "Looks like I have to go. See you around, Kitty-cat." She winked and waved as she ran out of the plaza and up onto the rooftops of Paris.
Chat Noir stood there, lovestruck, watching her disappear into the shadows of Paris. He sighed, and made his way across the city, very confused and conflicted as he stumbled through the streets of Paris. His mind was going a million different directions at a million miles an hour. Somewhere in his mind he knew that he was leaving for California in a few hours, and that he should hurry home so that he could sleep for a bit before leaving for the trip. But he also somehow knew that he would never make it to California with Robyn. His desire to get away from his hectic life was gone now that adventures with Ladybug were potentially included. He could never sleep again, go to every modelling session he was called to, and endure his father's wrath if Ladybug would be waiting for him when he came to patrol every night. Every fleeting happy daydream he'd ever imagined with Robyn was rewritten in his mind, and Robyn had been replaced with Ladybug. Brown hair was traded in for blue-ish black, and green eyes switched for blue ones. He was pulled from his musings as he approached the great Agreste Estate.
He had walked back to his father's house, where he and Robyn were staying until the morning. He stopped outside the gate, looking up at the tall stone archway. It had been his prison for so long, and now it was just another house with too many rooms. He sighed and lept over the large wall, then climbed nimbly up the side of the building and into his old bedroom. He let the transformation go, and stood in the darkness. The moon shone in through the large window, lighting up the silhouettes of the objects in the quiet space. Robyn was sleeping in the next room over, and Adrien was suddenly glad that he was alone. Plagg buzzed around his head like a bee, and whined at him.
"I can't believe the akuma are back. We were having such a good time! Seeing the world, taking naps, eating cheese!" He sighed, "And now we're back to cleaning up after La Papillon."
"Plagg," Adrien chided him, "don't complain so much. Besides, it's not that bad to be a hero again." Adrien turned to look out the window over the partially lit city of Paris.
Plagg huffed, "You're only excited about seeing Ladybug again. Seriously, kid, you're a hopeless mess."
Adrien sighed, and walked to his bed, "Plagg, what am I going to do? I thought that I didn't have feelings for Ladybug anymore. I was going to ask Robyn to marry me." He flopped face-down onto the soft mattress.
Plagg groaned, "Do I look like your psychiatrist? No, because I'm not. You have to make the call on this one, kid."
Adrien turned over in his large bed, and looked at the ceiling. He'd been blind. He'd been so suffocated by his father and the world of fashion that he had convinced himself that his life was never going to get any better than it was. People told him so often that he was so lucky to have a famous father and his own fame to live on that he'd started to believe them. And his relationship with Robyn made everyone jealous. She was beautiful, and he was the heir to the Agreste fortune, they were a match made in heaven. At least, that's what everyone thought. Everyone had told them that they belonged together, and with nothing to say otherwise, they had drifted together. They had fallen in love, or so Adrien had believed.
Now here he was, a hero of Paris and hopelessly in love with Ladybug once again. He knew he wouldn't be able to love Robyn the way she wanted him to anymore. That is, if he had ever really loved her. Robyn didn't consume his thoughts like Ladybug did. He would never be able to marry her now. Even if he only met Ladybug one more time, he would always want her more than any other girl. He would have to break up with Robyn. He would have to cancel their trip. Breaking up with girls was something Adrien had gotten good at. Both with girls he dated and with girls that thought they were dating. He would conquer that in the morning.
He rolled onto his side and closed his eyes, hoping for a restful sleep before he broke Robyn's heart. He tried to feel sad, or feel heartbroken, but he only felt hopeful. He was reunited with Ladybug, and he was Chat Noir. There was a light at the end of a tunnel he thought he'd be stuck in forever. There was hope that he could be free.