Emilie Agreste's funeral had been scheduled for the day after Nathalie's trial. To say that those two days took a toll on Adrien was an understatement.

Marinette sighs as she runs her fingers through Adrien's hair. His head lay on her lap as he sobs.

"I didn't want to say goodbye, I just—"

"Shh. I know, minou."

He sniffles, "I just saw her again—"

"Kitty, I know. But she's finally at peace, and trust me. She is so proud of you, Adrien. So so proud, minou."

As he continues to cry, the bluenette hears a ding and looks next to her on the bed to see that Alya had texted. Scanning her eyes quickly over the message before the screen dims to black. She exhales.

"Alya and Nino are here with some ice cream and a movie," she whispers.

Adrien whimpers softly before lifting his head and looking into her eyes for the first time in an hour.

"What movie?" He manages.

She cracks a smile, "Lady and The Tramp."

It lifts her spirits when she sees him smile.

"That's my favorite!"

"I know, I told them it was," she winks.

He sighs, burrowing his head in her lap again.

"Thanks, m'lady," he mumbles.

"Anytime, chaton."

Like clockwork, the hatch to her bedroom opens. Marinette looks over to see Alya walking up the stairs.

"Hey, guys. Brought some ice cream!"

Nino pipes up, "And Lady and The Tramp! Dude, come on! I know that's your favorite!"

Adrien groans, picking his head up again and sitting up so that he can look at his best friends.

"Thanks, guys. I'm not hungry right now, though."

Alya rolls her eyes.

"You don't eat ice cream when you're hungry, silly. You eat it when you're feeling emotions," she sets a pint of strawberry ice cream and a spoon in front of him, "so eat up, kitty cat!"

He has to chuckle at her words. His mom used to say something similar, and it made him laugh every time.

His mom.

Tears pricked at his eyes again, and he reached for the pint of ice cream, opening it as quick as he could.

Maybe it would cease his emotions for a bit.

Marinette gets out of the bed, greeting her best friend and her best friend's boyfriend.

"How was school?"

Alya shrugs, "Same old same old. Ms. Bustier still won't tell us who her baby daddy is."

The bluenette's jaw drops.

"You're really asking her that? It's none of your business, Alya!"

"It's the reporter in me! By the way, your reveal video has over a million views!"

Nino shakes his head, "It makes sense. That's been the one question this whole time."

Marinette agrees.

"It does make sense. Also, my parents talked to those who run Gabriel. He's not being forced to take over the company anymore."

Big smiles break out on Alya and NIno's faces. They both look over to Adrien, who sits on the edge of the bed while eating his feelings in ice cream. He raises his eyebrows.

"What?"

Nino runs over to him, taking a step up the ladder and wrapping his arms around his friend.

"You're FREEEEEE!"

Adrien has to laugh, using his free hand to pat his best bud's back.

"Thanks, dude."

Marinette grins at the scene.

He really is free. No one is forcing him to be someone he doesn't want to be anymore.

He may have lost his parents, but he's just now gaining his freedom.


They sit, transformed, near the top of the Eiffel Tower. The moon is glowing, shining out for them. Ladybug rests her head on Chat Noir's shoulder and they sit quietly; peacefully.

Owls coo in the distance, cars rumble, and distant, muffled conversations between Parisians are heard from below. The wind blows, giving the bluenette a slight chill, despite her suit being a full-body shield. Chat notices and puts an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.

He takes a deep breath.

"I miss when things weren't so complicated."

"Things were always complicated, minou."

With a shake of his head, he responds, "Not as much as they are right now."

She hums.

"I guess you're right. I know that I'll never truly understand what you're going through."

His breath hitches and he nods.

"It's a lot. But I have you. And your parents, and Nino and Alya…"

She smiles.

"I'm glad you know that you have a support system that you can always count on."

Chat nods, swallowing and leaning his head onto hers'.

"I do know. Thank you, for always being there."

"Of course."

"Thanks," he whispers, dropping a kiss on the top of her head.

The conversation lulls, but they don't need to say a word.

Maybe it's the way the streets are busy. Maybe it's how, just holding each other, they feel complete. Maybe it's that they know things will never be the same… and they've embraced the change.

Hawkmoth's identity was discovered, and it should have been a victory… but it wasn't.

Battles were won, but the war was lost.

There was no real threat anymore, but Paris was still swimming in the aftermath.

Butterflies were still flinch-worthy. Parisians struggled with experiencing emotions. Nightmares still occurred.

No one would truly recover for a while.

It would be okay. Eventually.

For now, though…

The memory of the man who terrorized the city; who terrorized his son; who terrorized his family….

It would remain Unveiled.


The end.

Thank you all for supporting this story. I've had a lot of fun writing it. Any questions? If you have an account, PM me and I'll answer it for you. Have a story/oneshot/spinoff request? Add it to your review!

Ugh I don't wanna say goodbye. I love this story sm. But it's for the best. I don't want to offer mediocre quality writing. I appreciate every follow, favorite, and review. I appreciate every one of you!

Oh! p.s. follow my Tumblr, writtenvisionary :)

Have a great day, y'all.

xx Lis