It was about twenty minutes later that a rather flustered yet grinning Marinette came back down followed by a goofily smiling Adrien; they had a lot of.. talking to do, but they needed to be responsible heroes - at least while there were adults in the house.
Pretending not to notice how Jagged and Penny had leaped apart when she and Adrien entered the room, she at least tried to keep her smile down. Unlike Adrien who had snapped out of his daze - she wasn't exactly vain, but putting that expression on his face was a rather substantial boost to her ego - and was now openly grinning at them.
He opened his mouth to say something (knowing him, likely a teasing remark), but was interrupted by Jagged raising a brow and saying:
"Before stating what I think you want to be stating, keep in mind that you and Marinette still had a lovely blush each when you came down, yeah?"
The deadpan tone in which he spoke had Adrien choking on air, and Marinette felt her entire face blush from the implication, though it amused her to see Penny swat Jagged's shoulder with her own blush on her face.
Shaking her head to try and get back her composure, she and Adrien took a seat on the crouch across from Jagged and Penny, where they had been sitting before Jagged dropped their identities like it wasn't supposed to be their most guarded secrets - even from each other! Which is why they needed to find out how he knew.
"Jagged, we need to talk about what you said earlier - about how you know our identities. I'm not sure how long you've known them, but I'm guessing it's been a while based on your reaction when you told us. While I wish there wasn't anyone who knew, we'll trust you to keep them secret - but we need to know how you found out. How were you able to see through our magical defences?"
Being the somewhat absent-minded musician that he was, Jagged had started to tune his guitar again while listening to her.
"Ah that! Well to be honest, I never did. Still can't really - looking at the two of you, my eyes tell me you look nothing like Ladybug and Chat Noir. Right freaky, that is."
That.. honestly wasn't what she expected him to say. Two separate occasions of coincidentally seeing both her and Adrien transform? Unlikely, but sure. Fang somehow smelling and identifying them both from their scents? Somewhat scary thought, but why not. Heck, the 'Power of Rock' he always goes on about informing him through the power of music? Sounds ridiculous, but their nemesis was a Butterfly themed villain who un-ironically created a akuma called Mr. Pigeon - her entire superhero life screamed ridiculous. Jagged saying he couldn't see they were Ladybug and Chat Noir after letting slip he knew they were Ladybug and Chat Noir? That was.. confusing.
It seemed she wasn't the only one to think so as Penny turned to Jagged with a questioning look and settled a hand on his arm, while Adrien asked:
"How.. What? Then how did find out our identities? Were you.. told by someone?"
Marinette froze - she hadn't even considered that. If he had been told by someone else, someone who also knew their identities.. though her fears were quickly assuaged when Jagged waved his concerns aside.
"Ah no, nothing like that, worry not little rockers! I figured it out meself, just not by seeing the truth. See, I've always been a talented musician which me Mum did her best to encourage, and so when I met Chat Noir and Ladybug and my eyes told me one thing but my ears told me another.. well. A musician's gotta be able to count on their hearing! 'Cept that Beethoven fellow, but I'm halfway convinced myself that he had one of those magic things himself."
Marinette experienced a strange moment of both fangirling about the fact that Jagged Stone was undoubtedly one of the greatest musicians in the world and worry about what was apparently a weak point in the magical defences of their miraculouses.
"Can I have your autograph as Chat Noir?!" Adrien blurted out; seemed like her partner had no worry about deciding between being awestruck or being worried. She was about to scold him, before realising if she did that it would look too hypocritical to also ask for one as Ladybug..
It was three days after Jagged Stone's concert, and Marinette was relaxing on her balcony with two cups of hot chocolate and a plate of croissants on the table next to her seat. It had been a hectic few days, with Lila's deceit becoming public very quickly and people trying to make sense of why she would do it. That, combined with how tired they were after the concert and dealing with the fact that they were both now aware of each other's identity..
Her parents had gone out on a date night (a tradition they started for unwinding after dealing with extremely taxing jobs) and Adrien's father had gone to Barcelona to negotiate some business deal he only vaguely mentioned to his son on his way out - which worked out great, as they had a lot of things they needed to talk about. Even Tikki had decided to wait until tonight to answer her questions, so they wouldn't have to repeat everything for Chat Noir - according to her there was almost no chance that Plagg would make the effort beforehand, so Tikki would handle it.
She was.. oddly nervous though. Sure, when they had found out the other's identity they had both reacted the same way (which probably involved a lot more kissing and a lot less talking than was wise), but they hadn't had a chance to discuss where they would go from here. What if it was just a momentary loss of control, and he wasn't interested in dating her? Or what if they did start dating, but it.. changed their dynamic, damaged it even..?
'Not to mention the fact that Gabriel Agreste is Chat Noir's father, which means my fashion idol is also Chat's asshole father who I promised myself I was going to slap for neglecting my best friend - that could become awkward..'
"I'd make a joke about the dangers of young maidens sitting on their balconies this late at night, but that truly terrifying scowl on your otherwise beautiful face would surely frighten off all but the most daring rogues.." Chat's voice suddenly came from in front of her, and she blinked owlishly at him; she'd been so lost in thought she hadn't noticed his arrival.
Still, she was glad to see him and smiled as she stood up and held her hand out to him without even thinking about it; until she saw the momentary surprise flash in his eyes and realised that he was likely as nervous as her. Before she could withdraw her hand, however, he had reached out as usual to place a kiss on the back of her hand. Unlike his usual flamboyant-over-the-top manner, this time it was done without exaggerated gestures - simply raising her hand to his lips while looking her in the eyes.
And if the kiss lingered a bit longer than usual, and she blushed a bit darker.. well, neither of them commented on it. It did help the both of them relax though - the simple gesture carrying years of memories and emotions.
Gesturing to the seat next to hers and the waiting cup of hot chocolate nearby, he smiled lopsidedly at her before taking a seat - followed by a green flash, and suddenly Chat Noir was replaced by Adrien Agreste.
For a moment they just sat there in silence, he taking sips from his drink, she nibbling absentmindedly on croissant. Plagg had been dragged off by Tikki after his detransformation and the two of them were floating a little ways off; just far enough that there whispered conversation remained private.
Deciding she might as well discuss her worries with Adrien while they were waiting on their kwamis, she turned to him and asked:
"Have you thought about what Jagged figuring our identities through our voices mean? If one person was able to recognise us that way, others might too.. and we can't suddenly start to try and change our voices as Ladybug and Chat Noir! People would notice, and it would only make them wonder why."
"I.. admit to a mild sense of panic at the idea has been on my mind lately. Sure Jagged probably has an excellent ear for voices, but are we going to gamble our identities on him being the only one? What about Kitty Section? We interact with them as both civilians and heroes! It's.. pretty nerve-racking," Adrien said before taking another croissant and Marinette blanched; she hadn't even considered that yet and-
"I know you kids are worried, but you can relax.. at least with regards to your identities. The magic hiding you from being revealed isn't set in stone - it can be improved to account for new or old flaws; we've even done it in recent years since the invention of cameras!"
Marinette did relax upon hearing Tikki's words, though she was bemused by the notion that the kwamis considered roughly 200 years as recent.. It wasn't that she didn't realise how old they were, it was just something that slipped her mind.
'At least until they say something like that.. Chat was really weirded out the day Plagg apparently told him Socrates would have loved him.'
"We'd need to go to Master Fu to awaken Uhoo the Owl - where the Turtle is the one responsible for the physical state of the other miraculouses, the Owl is responsible for our magical defences. Uhoo is.. different though. He never has a wielder, and must magically link with other transformed wielders nearby in order to alter the magical defences; he uses our wielders as anchors in a way. It's not a problem usually, except in this case we don't know the identity of Hawk Moth - if Uhoo forms the link, there is a chance he may link to Hawk Moth as well," Plagg said grimly.
There was a pause, and then Adrien chuckled mirthlessly before staring at his kwami and saying:
"You know Plagg, you have a remarkable talent for saying something that both gives hope and terrifies. What does this mean though? If he does become linked up as well, would he be able to see our thoughts? Discern our identities? If he could.. does it mean the reverse is true as well? Would we be able to find out who is behind his mask?"
Marinette held her breath; risking their own identities to find out Hawk Moth's? It was a gamble.. a dangerous gamble, but the idea of finally ending the constant battles, the lies they had to tell their families and friends..? She would be lying if she said she wasn't tempted.. but any thoughts of the like were quickly stopped when she noticed Tikki shaking her head in the negative.
"It isn't something is invasive or complicated as sharing your thoughts with everyone in the connection. You can speak to each other and hear everything as if you were in the same room, but you only share what you mean to. At best we might be able to open a dialogue with Hawk Moth, perhaps find out his end goals.. but neither side will be able to determine the identity of the other."
Marinette took a moment to try and think of how they could use this to their advantage, when she suddenly became aware of the goosebumps on her skin; the night was getting colder, but the view of the starry sky was one of the only things keeping her calm during this discussion. Looking over at Adrien and noticing he didn't seem nearly as cold as her.
Without even really thinking about it, she got up from her chair and moved over to sit on his lap with her side leaning against his chest; his arms immediately went around her waist pulling her closer, and she had about two seconds of thinking 'warm' before she registered his expression and realised what he had just done.
Her entire face became crimson and she started to stutter an apology, but it got cut off quickly when Adrien placed a gentle kiss against her lips - quite efficiently shutting her up.
Adrien realises they should probably talk about it.
He really doesn't want to talk about it.
Talking about it might ruin it.
He loves her, he really does.. but she had a tendency to overthink things, and he was worried that she might talk herself out of accepting.. whatever is between them. That he doesn't really love her, or doesn't know enough about her - but their identities have proven to him that there is only one girl for him; whether it was Marinette or Ladybug, she was the same girl on either side of the mask and he would chase her as Adrien or Chat Noir or anything in between.
So when she sat on his lap, his arms going around her without a second thought, it was like the final piece of the puzzle being placed. She started to apologise and made to get up, but he tightened his arms around her slightly (not enough to hold her, but enough to make her pause) and then he kissed her - it wasn't anything amazing like their first one after finding out, it didn't have the intense (if somewhat fuzzy) emotion behind it like their kiss during Oblivio - it was just a quick way to say 'Don't forget, I already love you'.
He was by no means an expert (or even acceptably competent) when it came to emotions, but judging by her soft smile and how she settled back into him, he figured she understood his message..
..so naturally the mood had to be crushed by He-Who-Must-Devour-Cheese.
"Gaah! Sugarcube, why do we even bother to talk to them? I mean look at those faces! They literally cannot wait until we're done so they can proceed to suck faces again!"
Adrien was about to deny that no, that wasn't what he was thinking, when he noticed Marinette's cheeks turning slightly redder and realised that maybe considering the exceptionally pretty and considerably badass girl that was currently residing in his arms that was what he should have been thinking.
It seemed as if Tikki had noticed his change of mind, as she shot him a small grin and a wink before turning and dragging Plagg behind her through the roof into Marinette's room saying something about them watching a movie while their chosen were busy.
Taking a breath and pausing for a bit, trying to think of a way to bring it up without sounding like making out was all he was interested in, he was surprised by Marinette moving so that she was now effectively straddling him on the lounge chair.
'Oh right, things work out much better when she's the one who makes the plans' were the last coherent words in his mind before his thoughts were consumed by her name reverberating through his mind.
…..
It was the next day, and Adrien couldn't help but be glad he and Marinette hadn't spent their parent-and-friend-and-akuma-free night worrying about any possible telepathic meeting with Hawk Moth - not only because what they had been doing was far more enjoyable, but because it wasn't even an issue in the end. Uhoo had been awoken (he looked so much like a mini Wan Shi Tong that Adrien actually freaked out a little bit), he had formed the link which, other than the ability to have temporary conversations with Marinette and Master Fu without speaking aloud, hadn't really been all that different from just sitting there quietly.
'I realise this is reality and not some cartoon or magical girl anime, but I at least expected a glow or aura around us while it happened.'
"Done. The magic concealing your identities will now prevent people from making the connection between your civilian selves and your hero identities. It won't affect the one who first noticed it though; quite a remarkable human. I unintentionally left a hole in your defences because I simply hadn't considered the idea that an individual would trust their hearing above their sight; quite remarkable indeed.." Uhoo rumbled out. Uhoo himself didn't have a voice, and spoke in their minds in a voice that would most impress them - he heard the deep rumble of Michael Clarke Duncan, Marinette said she heard James Earl Jones, and though Master Fu didn't share who he heard he had angrily muttered something that sounded like Miyagi.
"Now that it is done, we must speak of the Peacock Miraculous and what actions to take to save it," Uhoo started, "and I am not speaking of the fact that it has been missing for years. When I was working on the enchantments, I detected that it has been damaged in a way that I do not understand. Miraculouses are exceptionally durable; the problem, however, is not that it has been damaged but rather the effect it has. I am unsure of who had the Peacock before this Mayura found it, but they have likely fallen into a coma - just like this new user eventually will."
Adrien was vaguely aware of the grim look on Master Fu's face, yet most of his attention was on Marinette - he knew her, knew the type of person she was and so he wasn't surprised when her face shifted from shocked horror to steely determination.
"We can't let that happen; I don't care if they're currently enemies, we have to warn them!" here she turned to Uhoo and asked:
"And what about the previous holder? The one you said was already in a coma; is there anything we can do to help them?"
The little Owl kwami closed his eyes and started tilting his head side to side, likely trying to determine if they could do something - it would have been adorable if he hadn't been so freaked out by that particular Avatar episode. Ironically it was also the episode he had developed a slight crush on Toph.
Adrien frowned. Did he have a type? And was that type girls-who-could-kick-my-ass? Glancing at Marinette from the corner of his eye, he suddenly thought of a memory from last year - they (being Adrien, Nino, Marinette and Alya) had been heading out from class when a couple of upperclassmen had been insulting Chat Noir, only to be put down hard by a furious Marinette.
'Oh yeah, definitely have a type.'
He was shaken out of his musings by Uhoo suddenly sighing loudly; it seemed he had a plan, but he wasn't particularly happy with it.
When he started explaining it, Adrien decided he wasn't particularly happy with it either.
Even before he started hearing the voice in his head, Gabriel Agreste was having a bad day.
He had got back about mid-morning from his trip to Barcelona, which had been irritating since he had to leave immediately due to a disaster on their side, but flying always gave him the worst migraines. He had hoped to see his son as well; he had been trying to distance himself emotionally in the hopes that should he be able to awaken Emilie at the cost of succumbing to her coma himself it wouldn't affect his son too harshly, but he still cared for him. Unfortunately he hadn't informed his son that he'd be back so soon, and his son had gone out for the day though no one knew where - Gabriel knew his son's bodyguard likely knew, but he was under no delusions; Gabriel might be the one paying him, but his loyalty was to his son first. It was sometimes irksome, but he did value the man's skills - his reputation alone was enough to frighten off most would-be kidnappers.
He was exhausted, suffering from a migraine and just generally irritated - luckily Nathalie had predicted this turn of events and pre-emptively cleared his day from any appointments or meetings. He should probably give her a raise, come to think of it..
"Hawk Moth, can you hear me? Fear not that I know your identity, as this is merely a method of communication. I am the kwami known as Uhoo; He-Who-Knows-Ten-Thousand-Things and Magical-Protector to the miraculouses."
Suddenly Nooroo flew out of his jacket and turned to stare at him with shock; it would seem he was aware of this Uhoo and was shocked by this turn of events. Gabriel narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.. he wasn't sure what this would mean for his plans going forward, though his kwami's quickly whispered words that Uhoo was bound to remain neutral did calm him down.
"What is it that you wish from me? I assure you trying to talk me away from my current path is pointless; I cannot stop until I accomplish my goals," he responded, making sure to keep any and all inflection out of his voice.
"Mmm.. you follow the path of fools, Hawk Moth, though that is neither here nor there. I have reached out to you through your miraculous due to a problem with the Peacock Miraculous. I do not know how this Mayura obtained it from its previous wielder, but I do know the damaged miraculous has placed that wielder in a magical coma.."
Gabriel felt his heart-rate speed up and heard a rushing noise in his head; it was his fault. He had theorised that Emilie's strange coma was linked to her miraculous, but it just got confirmed! He would need to stop Nathalie from using it, lest she succumb as well.. he was vaguely aware that this Uhoo was still speaking, but he felt like the room was spinning.. until he registered his final words:
"..your help to heal them."
Suddenly his world stopped completely - he didn't breath, he didn't think, his mind blanked out everything but the words.. he dropped to his knees, overwhelmed by his raging emotions of raging fear and hope. If.. what he was saying was true.. he could get Emilie back! He could get her back without losing himself as price, his family could be restored!
Using every ounce of his self-control to supress his emotions enough to think and speak clearly.
"What is it you require of me then?" he managed in a slightly hoarse voice.
"Merely your permission to draw upon you for the healing process. I cannot sense much from this distance, but I believe the person has been in a coma for years-" 1277 days, his mind supplied, "-and it will likely take a large amount of power. Both Ladybug and Chat Noir, as well as the Guardian, has agreed to assist and should you agree as well the magical drain will prevent any of you from transforming for roughly two weeks, perhaps less. Do you agree to this? Know that if you refuse and hope to take advantage of their inability to transform, you will be seen as endangering the miraculouses and I would be free to..-" was as far as he got, before Gabriel lost his patience.
"Yes I agree, yes I swear! Just get it over with already!"
There was silence from the kwami, and for a moment Gabriel worried that nothing would happen.. but then Nooroo was suddenly sucked into his brooch, as if he were to transform and his mind started to feel fuzzy..
When he next shook of his daze, he noticed that an hour had passed and he felt more exhausted than he had since the week leading up to his first ever fashion show.
"I thank you all for your willingness to assist me in this, and it seems.. ah yes, we have indeed been successful. The wielder has awoken - but I must warn you Hawk Moth, Mayura seems to be an ally of yours, so you must warn her that if she continues using it, the same fate will befall her. I'd advise you all to get some rest.."
Gabriel was still frozen in place five minutes after the kwami Uhoo's voice had faded, when the words suddenly registered.
Been successful..
Been successful..
Been successful..
Been successful..
Been successful..
Suddenly he was moving, no not just moving he was sprinting towards the entrance to his - for lack of a better term - secret lair. When the elevator doors finally opened into the room he ran again to the place where his wife had been.. only to crash to his knees at the sight of her standing there, looking around confusedly. He could feel tears start to form in his eyes and realised he was openly weeping.
When she noticed him there on his knees crying, she immediately ran over and kneeled beside him:
"Gabriel? What's going on, are you hurt? What can I do?" she asked in a concerned voice; a voice he realised he had almost forgotten, despite it being the most beautiful voice he had ever heard.
He started laughing through his tears - the woman woke up in a daze, in a room she's never seen with no idea how she got there, and her first words were asking about his welfare. Gabriel still wasn't sure how he had managed to marry this woman, but he loved her too much to worry about specifics.
Looking her in the eyes, he managed to take a deep breath and compose himself before saying:
"Welcome back, my love. There is much I need to tell you.."
Marinette sat drinking tea with Master Fu, just recovering her energy from helping Uhoo heal the previous Peacock. They had been discussing what Uhoo had told them about Hawk Moth's unexpected willingness to assist, though had just written it off as an eagerness to help his ally Mayura from falling into the same danger when Adrien had gotten a call from his father - an actual call from his father, rather than Nathalie, which had shocked them both so much he almost hadn't answered in time.
He had gotten up to talk in the next room, and she was just waiting for him to finish the call before dragging him to her home; they had plans involving numerous pastries and unhealthy amounts of video games!
When he came back, however, she was completely confused - he had tears running down his face so she had almost thought he'd received some tragic news, but the smile on his face was too real and too happy to be brought on by hysteria.
"Marinette, my father, and- and- mother! The thing to Barcelona was.. he.." he started to mumble out, but he must have noticed her confusion as he shook his head and wiped off his tears before starting again:
"It's my mother! My father found her! That's what the trip to Barcelona was about; he was contacted by a private clinic there and he flew immediately!" he spoke excitedly, and she felt her jaw drop.
"Your mother?! Is she alright? Has she been there all this time? Oh Adrien, I'm so happy for you!" she said, jumping up to hug him tightly.
Hugging her back just as tightly, he spoke in her ear:
"I don't know all the details yet, but it sounds as if she had an injury that caused amnesia or something similar, but the clinic she was in managed to restore her memories and she called my father immediately..! Marinette.. I'm getting my family back."
And now Marinette had tears in her eyes too; yet she kept her composure enough to lightly shove him before saying:
"Then why are you still here Adrien? Go see them! I'll call you tonight, but for now you need to reunite with your mother!"
He didn't pull back though; rather he started looking a bit sheepish, before kissing her quickly.
"I.. know that. I'm just.. wondering if you'd come with me? This is probably going to be one of the best moments of my life.. and you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, mean a lot to me. I want you to be there, I want you to meet my family - my mother, and the man my father was when she was with us. And one day perhaps.. become part of my family as well.."
Her tears had been close to drying, but at his sincere hope that he wanted them to be a family one day they started to tear up anew, yet she managed to smile at him lovingly enough that he blushed again - she was rather enjoying being the one to make him blush, rather than vice versa.
"I'd love that Chaton; let's go see your family."
The part about Marinette putting down upperclassmen who were insulting Chat Noir was a reference to "Hold My Purse!" by Lady-Lombax, which I had reread while writing this chapter. The author writes good stuff, would recommend checking it out.