"Can I, Can I sing a song?" She holds up the papers to show them. "I wrote this song for Cat Noir. A friend of mine wrote the music and said he'd play his guitar for it.
"I think that would be perfect. Just perfect. Better than some lame hymns." He chuckles, as he nods to the doors to open.
"Don't worry, you're up here with me. No one is allowed up to, or to touch you. I hated all the fake hugs and handshakes during my wife's funeral." The doctor shakes his head, as he grunts in annoyance.
She can't help but giggle slightly at him. He's so grumpy and mean, yet so kind and loving. What a strange combination.
The first people to enter the church, were the heroes. She had given the Miraculous to heroes at the last second. Ayla had asked while she was on the way to the church. She agreed, it only felt right for them to be there for him. He did love them all, once he got over his jealousy.
They all file in one by one. Trying to smile up at her, but she looks away purposely. Having ghosted them for the past 2 months, is starting to make her feel slightly guilty.
Suddenly a red head, appears in her vision. Seconds later hugging her, with enough strength to crush bones. Quiet sobbing can be heard, by those closest to her.
"Ayla... Ayla... please sit down." Ladybug whispers to Ayla, as she holds her sobbing form.
"No, no. Not until you let me come by and see you." Ayla whispers back, burying her face in her neck.
"Ok, ok. After. Just please... sit. I don't want people to think they can touch me." Ladybug shivers, at the thought of people swarming her for hugs.
"Sorry." Ayla whispers as she pulls away, and is lead to her seat, by Carapace.
Taking a deep breath, she turns to the heroes and gives them all a small smile, she can see instantly that they all relax and smile back sadly. For a second she almost forgets why they are all there. The last time they were all together like this, Cat was… No. she needs to keep it together.
Taking another breath she looks at the rest of the church. Next is school friends not invited to his personal funeral in a week. It's been decided, that this funeral will be the public one. And Adrien's personal funeral will be family and close friends only. They wanted Ladybug to attend, but she told them no. Marinette would rather by there as herself. Also, it would feel weird, to be there as Ladybug. In Adrien's life she was Marinette. So, Marinette will attend his funeral.
After them people from the fashion world who knew Adrien, then fans. But, no rabid fans. Only regular fans. The church was bursting at the seams.
All the people who showed up for Adrien/Cat Noir. Made her smile. He really is- was loved. All these people here, loved him. In one way or another. More guilt added to her already large pile. We'd all lost Adrien. Not just her.
"Thank you all for coming to the funeral for Cat Noir. Alas we did not know him well or long. But, if there's one thing we can all agree on. Is that he's a hero. He will always be a hero, in 20-30 years. Our children will tell theirs. About the great Cat Noir and his faithful partner and friend Ladybug. Why do all the good ones die young? I know we all would have loved another 10-20 years with him. Even 5 more minutes, just one hug, one last hug." Pastor looks down at the bible he's holding, tears hitting it.
Suddenly not being able to breathe, she slowly steps behind the podium and leans against it. Closing her eyes. There's nothing she wants more right now, then for her Kitty to hug her and tell her everything's going to be okay. But, that's not happening. She needs to breathe, or she'll never get through her song.
"Now, if she's ready. Ladybug has a song for us, in honour of Cat Noir." Pastor steps down and sits beside the doctor.
Looking up, she sees Luka walk over with his guitar. He nods to her and steps onto the platform. Taking a steadying breath, she steps out and walks to the microphone.
"Cat- Cat Noir was my partner, my best friend, and my… my soul mate. I will always love him, no matter the time or distance. I love you Kitty…" Sniffing she turns to Luka. "I wrote this song and my friend here, Luka. Put it to music for me."
Closing her eyes to block out the stares, and gossiping she could hear going on, about her statement. Him being her soul mate and that she loved him. Their opinions didn't matter to her.
Wish I could, I could've said goodbye
I would've said what I wanted to
Maybe even cried for you
If I knew it would be the last time
I would've broke my heart in two
Tryna save a part of you…
Luka slow melody to her words, has rendered the church silent. Even the gossiping whispers have ceased for now. All listening to her soul, cry out in pain and anguish.
Taking a deep beath she continues, trying to pour all the pain, angony, and guilt she feels into the melody.
Don't wanna feel another touch
Don't wanna start another fire
Don't wanna know another kiss
No other name fallin' off my lips
Don't wanna give my heart away
To another stranger
Or let another day begin
Won't even let the sunlight in
No, I'll never love again
I'll never love again, oh, oh, oh, oh…
Her eyes swell with tears, as she tries to keep her chest from collapsing from all the pain she's finally feeling. Finally, mourning and finally crying.
When we first met
I never thought that I would fall
I never thought that I'd find myself
Lying in your arms, mm, mm
And I wanna pretend that it's not true
Oh, baby, that you're gone
'Cause my world keeps turnin', and turnin', and turnin'
And I'm not movin' on…
She can no longer hold back the flood of tears, that erupts from her eyes. No matter how tightly she keeps them shut. Dropping her hands, she let's go out the mike as it not crush it with her super strength. Not bothering to wipe away the flow, as it runs down her face, dripping to the floor.
Don't wanna feel another touch
Don't wanna start another fire
Don't wanna know another kiss
No other name fallin' off my lips
Don't wanna give my heart away
To another stranger
Or let another day begin
Won't even let the sunlight in
No, I'll never love…
The tears turn slowly into silent sobs, as she fights for to breathe around the pain that's growing in her chest. The church is slowly filling with the sounds of hundreds crying quietly along with her. Feeling her pain, her anguish, her loss.
I don't wanna know this feelin'
Unless it's you and me
I don't wanna waste a moment, ooh
And I don't wanna give somebody else the better part of me
I would rather wait for you, ooh…
Learning on the pillar beside her, she takes in a few shaky breaths, trying to make it through the rest of the song. The church crowd, were as silent as church mice. Except for a few sobs here and there.
Don't wanna feel another touch
Don't wanna start another fire
Don't wanna know another kiss
Baby, unless they are your lips…
Taking a deep breath she steps away from the pillar, suddenly having the strength to finish the song and maybe even… survive.
Don't wanna give my heart away
To another stranger
Don't let another day begin
Won't let the sunlight in…
OH! I'll never love again…
Love again…
I'll never love again…
OH! I will never loooooove…
…again!
As the last note drops, so does she. Collapsing to the floor of the platform like a ton of bricks. Not knowing nothing else, but the blissful blackness she knows so well.
She doesn't see the fuss everyone makes, her the heroes rush forward and scoop her up into their arms and rush her away from the prying eyes of the public. How they lay her gently on a couch in the Pastor's office. The Doctor looking her over, how worried everyone is for her.
Maybe, she wouldn't feel so alone.