Chapter Eleven

Two years after Hawkmoth's defeat

Days and months had been blurring together for some time now. Adrien chalked it up to a life of continuous travel, heck he felt like his existence revolved around airports. Lifting the sleeping mask from his blurry eyes, the model stretched in his business class seat and reached for his shoes. He'd barely slipped his foot in when he let out an unimpressed snort. Plagg had been stashing peanuts in his shoes again. The cheeky pranks had been non-stop since Adrien had put his miraculous back on. He'd only managed to go three months without his kwami before he'd relented and placed the ring in its rightful place. Apparently, that had been three months too long and his kwami never failed to remind him.

With a shake of his head, Adrien emptied the contents of his shoes out into his empty coffee cup. At least it hadn't been chocolate this time. His nose scrunched up at the memory of socks that would never be the same. With a smirk he flicked the breast pocket of his sports coat and chuckled at the resulting hiss.

Ambling off the plane with a yawn, the model suddenly remembered the sleep mask was still on his head. He swiftly removed it and dropped it in with Plagg. Reaching for his plane ticket, he reminded himself of which city he was currently in, ah yes, Melbourne. Sunny Australia. Actually, it was cloudy but then Melbourne was known to have all four seasons in a day. It would probably rain later.

Checking the monitors, Adrien headed to the baggage carousals to pick up his luggage. He quirked an eyebrow as he overheard people talking about frequent-flyer points. It made him wonder if he'd obtained enough to buy his own plane yet. He was still in the process of waking up when he noticed his entourage roll in, as usual his two bodyguards gave him grumpy looks due to his solo exit. So far no one had noticed him, he didn't see what the problem was.

With a bored expression on his face, the model tucked his hands in his jacket pockets as he waited for his luggage to arrive. Growing impatient, his eyes were drawn to the overhead TV. Ladybug's face dominated the screen, but the sound was muted so he had to read the teletext. 'Yes, I've decided it is time to put down the mask. Hawkmoth has been out of the picture now for two years and there is little need for my services anymore.'

Adrien rocked back on his heels. This was unexpected. What was predictable was the next question. Ladybug didn't even hesitate in her answer. 'I don't know where Chat Noir is. He's entitled to his privacy and that should be respected. If he wants to return, he will.'

Running a hand through his hair, Adrien tried to calculate how long it had been since he'd had contact with his partner. Crap, was it really over a year? Once again, his incredibly hectic life had gotten in the way. It was no wonder she was giving up on her time as a superhero. There had been little emotion expressed on her face when she'd spoken of Chat Noir, did that mean she'd given up on him too? He raised his fist and looked at his miraculous. Plagg never complained about its lack of use. The threat of Hawkmoth was long gone and with it the need for magical protection.

Snagging his bag from the carousal, Adrien headed out to the driver waiting for him with his bodyguards. In the backseat he sat, spinning his silver ring around his finger. If Ladybug retired, what did that mean for him? Would he ever be able to contact her again? His throat tightened at the thought. As busy as his life currently was, he'd always assumed he'd be able to speak to Ladybug when he was ready. Had he left it too late?

As soon as he got to his accommodation, Adrien ditched his bag and made his way to his bedroom. Chat Noir made his first appearance in seventeen months and once again his baton vibrated and buzzed. This time there were only 28 messages. Before he looked at them though, he flicked on his tracker but Ladybug wasn't active. Given that he was in the opposite hemisphere there was little he could do anyway. That left him with reviewing the messages, again from the oldest to newest.

It started with the last voicemail he'd listened to. Hi Chat, I got your message. You don't have to explain to me why you disappeared if it makes you uncomfortable. If you needed space after Hawkmoth's defeat, I understand. I know I was shocked to find out it was Gabriel Agreste and I can only assume you must know him in some way. It would explain your reaction. Whatever your reasons, it's okay. I want to see you again. Can we meet up? And just so you know, you never let me down. Talk soon. The end of his tail twitched, he really did owe her more than a brief message.

Up with the next one. Chat, please don't go dark on me again. I don't know what's going on in your life but it's important that we talk. Don't you think it's time we got to know each other out of the masks? I know you always wanted to break that particular rule, and now that Hawkmoth is gone we can. Chat let out a sigh. "She must have been getting desperate to wave that carrot at me."

He continued through all the messages but the final one threatened to break his heart. Chaton, I can't do this anymore. Ladybug's lip quivered and her eyes darted away briefly. It's not the same without you. I know I always pushed you away but now that you're gone, I've realised just how much I really care about you. There is no one I trust more than you and now that I can finally tell you who I am, you're not here. A sob escaped her but she quickly wiped the back of her gloved hand across her face. I miss your puns and crazy antics. Heck, I miss the way you flirt with me. But most of all, I just miss being with you. I'm not going to ask you to come back again. I think I've said that enough. But Chat, I want you in my life.

Chat Noir's hand began to shake as he felt his own sob catch in his throat. He immediately flicked to the tracker, but still nothing. He dialled her but a knock sounded at his door and he had to hang up so he could transform back. Much to Adrien's dismay, his insane schedule didn't give him a chance to call her again for a week. By that time, he'd missed his chance to speak directly to Ladybug, as she too vanished from the public eye.

Three years after Hawkmoth's defeat

It was finally over. No more travel, no more pressure. Life could slow down. Yet time was a strange thing. In some regards it seemed to pass quickly, other times it seemed to drag with a painful sluggishness. Adrien wondered where the hell three years had gone. His life was now his own. He'd managed to find a happy medium by selling part of his father's business while remaining a partner who modelled on request. As expected, Gabriel had been furious with the decision, although Adrien really didn't give a rat's ass about his father's opinion these days.

The weight and weariness of overwhelming responsibility had been lifted from his shoulders. The sallowness to his features was finally fading as he got some decent rest and food. He also had the chance to finally catch up with his true friends. Nino and Alya had always been a phone call or email away, so their friendships had stayed strong. Chloe continued to badger him about fashion events which was her way of being friendly. But his relationship with Marinette had suffered recently, perhaps the 'incident' was why.

Prior to that, things had been going strong. Two years ago, she'd reluctantly accepted a casual position with the Gabriel brand, working closely with Adrien when he wasn't travelling. He'd enjoyed the easy connection they'd deepened and he had secretly been considering the idea of dating her. But an office romance wasn't really on the cards. At the time, his hectic schedule wasn't compatible with any sort of serious relationship. And he wasn't interested in a mere fling with Marinette. Even so, there was another element to his hesitation. Revealing the whole truth.

Three years after the event and he still felt obligated to keep his secret. There was only one person he should disclose that to, but Ladybug had been out of the picture for a year. Every month he'd find a night to transform, checking his messages and tracker for any sign of his partner. She stayed true to her word and completely dropped off the radar. Never telling her why Chat Noir had disappeared was his biggest regret.

Adrien made himself a coffee and headed outside. The day was slightly cloudy but pleasant. Settling onto a wooden recliner, he picked up his book and attempted to read. But it was hard to concentrate with the anniversary of his father's capture so near. The media hornet's nest would flare up again as if kicked. Yet he was trying to counter that particular nuisance before it got started. As if reading his mind, a call from Alya flashed on his phone.

"Alya?" he said with mock surprise.

The bubbly voice of the feisty reporter greeted him. "Hey Adrien, I hope you haven't forgotten about our interview?"

He let out a dramatic groan as he sat down his coffee. "No. You seriously want to grill me about the anniversary of my father's arrest?"

"Come on it's been three years. No one blames you for the things he did. Plus, there may be other benefits."

"Such as?"

"Drawing Ladybug out of her self-imposed retirement."

Adrien balanced the phone between his ear and shoulder as he walked to the kitchen. "Always looking for an angle, aren't you?"

A chuckle was her response. "Come on, I miss the old days. Paris is far too boring now."

"Boring can be good you know."

"You need to work on your acting skills, Agreste. That was woefully delivered."

A smirk spread across his face. "So, you're saying I should stick to modelling?"

"Definitely. Are you strutting your stuff at the charity gala?"

"Of course. Chloe will kill me if I don't."

There was a faint grunt. "Honestly, you've got to stop letting that girl boss you around."

"It's fine. I said I'd do it with the organisers before she even knew about it."

There was a slight pause. "Marinette's going to be there."

Adrien swallowed. "Do you think she'll talk to me?"

"Hard to say. She still blushes something furious when I mention your name."

"Why doesn't she believe that I'm okay with what happened?"

"She was extremely embarrassed. You know what she's like."

"Hey, I was pretty embarrassed too. It's not every day that a girl trips over and manages to land face first in my crotch during a photoshoot."

"Don't forget that you were half naked too."

Adrien let out a frustrated growl. "It was for swimwear and she was bringing over my sunglasses."

"I think it was the photos that made it online that were the real kicker. I must say, the look on your face was priceless."

"Thanks, Alya. You're a real pal."

"I know. Anyway, you've got to say hello to her. She needs to get over this 'I'm so embarrassed, I'm going to die' whenever she sees you phase."

"I will and I promise I'll be fully clothed."

Alya cracked up. "I'm glad to hear it."

Adrien couldn't help but smile as they ended the call. Plagg finally dragged himself from his slumber in an empty cheese box. "Do you really have an interview?"

"Yeah, but it's not until tomorrow."

"So, what did Alya want?"

"She hopes to draw out Ladybug."

"I already told you how to do that. Transform into Chat Noir and get yourself on TV."

Adrien winced. "I think I've had enough media coverage for a lifetime."

"If she isn't transforming, that's the only way she's going to know you're still around."

The model huffed. "Fine. I suppose we are due for a jaunt through the city. But I'm still not sure that I want to be seen."

"Whatever, just transform tonight and if somebody manages to see you, let them get it on video."

Adrien still had his reservations by sunset, but the temptation to transform was too much. He desperately wanted to find Ladybug, he just didn't want to do it in front of the media. Loath to deviate from his current habit, Chat Noir kept to the dark rooftops, longing to remain an unnoticed shadow. Normally, he picked moonless nights for his jaunts around Paris but tonight the crescent sliver sat high, constantly dulled by the movement of thick clouds.

His clawed fingers itched to climb the Eiffel Tower but he didn't dare. Such a place was too visible if Chat Noir wanted to remain out of the limelight, Plagg would have rolled his eyes at him. Instead the feline hero found a darkened vantage point on top of a vacant apartment block, awaiting renovation, to admire the view. The wind tossed his hair and he closed his eyes, imagining it was Ladybug's fingers running through his shaggy mop. Swinging to a flag pole, Chat spiralled artfully in and around before bounding to the next roof.

With the deftness of his namesake, he landed gracefully on the flat expanse of the nearest rooftop courtyard. He was considering his next move when light spilled from the opening door. Lifting his arm, Chat shaded his masked face from the light as he shuffled backward. His impulse was to stay out of sight. With his free hand he snatched up his baton and extended it as he prepared to launch but then he heard a voice that froze him in his tracks.

"Chat Noir?"

Slowly he lowered his raised arm. Feline eyes adjusted to the brightness then bulged at the silhouetted figure in the doorway. The light was too harsh for him to see clearly but that body shape was undeniably similar to his partner's. His lips parted as his heart thundered. Her voice was familiar, could it be his lady? Torn between running and staying, the black clad hero stepped to the side and out of the blinding light. Back in the darkness his eyes adjusted and he gasped. It wasn't Ladybug. It was Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Glancing away, Chat Noir's instinct was to flee. He needed to retreat to the shadows, allowing her to think that she'd simply imagined seeing him. But Marinette was no fool. She'd had some interaction with Chat in his akuma fighting days, and she'd always been a friend to him, no matter which guise he wore. Plus, Plagg would no doubt scold him for the missed opportunity to get filmed. Yet he continued to edge away from her.

"Wait!" she called, and the urgency in her tone made him pause. Suddenly she stood in front of him, tears pooling in her eyes as she latched onto the cuff of his glove. "It really is you!"

What on earth could he say? Clawed fingers curled, one to a fist and the other tightened on his staff, as he continued to look awkwardly away. "Yes, it's me," he said simply.

"What happened to you? Where have you been?" She caught his chin and forced him to look at her.

Chat Noir swallowed. Tears streaked Marinette's face as she looked at him with a desperation he didn't understand. Why was she so concerned about him? She'd always been closer to him as Adrien than as his alter ego. He didn't know what to say so he remained silent.

"Chat, talk to me. Don't you recognise me? It's Marinette."

The corner of his lip curved upward. "I know who you are." Her fingers tightened their grip and he swore he saw her quiver at the sound of his voice. "As for an explanation, I don't really have one that I can share with you."

"Why is that?"

"Because I owe it to Ladybug before anyone else."

"But Chat, I am-"

He cut her off with a hand to her mouth as his cat ears pricked up. Heavy footfalls were coming up the stairs Marinette had just exited. Having been caught by one person was enough, he didn't want to be questioned by two. "I've got to go."

"No, wait!" She said as she tried to get a better hold on him. Instead, he danced out of her grip with an apologetic expression and leapt away.

And after a long wait, we have first contact! Let the chase begin :)

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