8 Letters

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own the series Miraculous Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. No copyright intended. I do own the story line, because I made that all up with my brain.

*Time Skip: 2 weeks later*

"Luka! It's you!" Nino yelled as he bumped the volleyball over to Luka.

I watched intently in a daze as I watched Luka's muscles work in sync to spike the ball to the other side. The guys and a few of the girls are playing volleyball while the rest of us relax on the warm sandy beach. All of us decided to go to the beach to hang out and officially start our summer break and pass on into the next grade. Seniors. Part of me still can't believe how far we've all come, together, in this moment. It was bittersweet.

"You're drooling again." Alya teased as she laid next to me.

Both of us were in our bikinis and tanning, not that Alya needs much help in that department but I on the other hand. Alya is wearing an orange halter top and bottoms that have stings to the side while my suit has similar bottoms but in red and my top is a bandeau style, as it ties in the back. My hair is back in its usual low ponytails and Alya has her up in a messy bun. Nino, Luka, Alix, Max, Nathaniel and Mylene were on one team. Kim, Ivan, Adrien, Rose, Juleka and Zoe were on the other. I hadn't really paid much attention to the score, which is what Alya and I were supposed to be keeping track of, but from the looks of it, they are tied.

I laughed and tore my gaze from him to look at her, "Still allowed to."

"Fair point. So are you going to finally tell me what happened on your date with Luka? We've both been too busy to even have a conversation lately."

I sighed, "I know, between akuma attacks and needing to help a lot more in the bakery, it's been a sad start to our summer. But when I tell you." I cut myself off getting all excited.

I nearly squealed in joy, "Oh my gosh Alya it was so amazing. Luka is just as a hopeless romantic as I am. He made reservations at a really nice restaurant and then we had a romantic moonlight walk along the River Seine. Then he surprised me with a homemade movie picnic set up with candles and twinkle lights as he played me the song he wrote for me, finished. He even sang to me! Then I asked him to marry me and-"

"Woah, wait. You asked him to what?!" Alya shouted, sitting up now.

I sat up with her, we got a few curious looks but they returned to the game. I nodded.

"I know and then we made love right there under the stars. It was just so perfect."

"You did what?! In public?!"

"Shhhh, Alya, chill out. You're going to cause unwanted attention." I said, shushing her.

"Marinette, you are way too young to be thinking about marriage. You and Luka have only been dating for a few months, that's a huge commitment to make. Did he even give you an answer?"

I bit my lip and my shoulders slumped, "I said it without realizing the words came out. I just felt so in love with him the moment he finished singing me the song, I knew in my soul I want to stay with him forever. And he didn't give me a yes and not a definite no either. He said our parents would kill us-"

Alya pinched the bridge of her nose, "He's right about that. Having a boyfriend is one thing but marriage?!"

I bit my lip and shrunk back, starting to understand her point. There's a lot to consider in taking that step.

She then sighed, "Regardless, I'm happy that you are happy, Marinette. You deserve it."

I smiled at her, "Thanks Alya."

"That's the game, guys." Ivan announces.

Luka's team won after all. Probably due to Luka's personal motivation to annihilate Adrien. Luka and Nino walked over to us and plopped down into the sand next to us, Luka got on his hands and knees, kissed me before laying his head in my lap.

"Did you see that last set babe? It was a perfect execution." Nino said after taking a swing of water from the water bottle next to our stuff.

"No sorry, honey, I just heard some crazy info." Alya said, shaking her head at me.

Nino chuckled and nodded, "What is it now?"

"Why don't we ask Luka. Luka, what is it that you do that makes this girl think crazy things like getting married at 17?" Alya asks.

Nino did a spit take of his water and looked over at us, shocked.

Luka smirked, "Question is what don't I do to her."

I smacked his shoulder, blushing, "Luka, you're shameless." I complained trying and failing not to smile.

He just laughed and made a kiss motion for me. Nino shook his head and smirked.

"That was bold, man. I salute you." Nino said, saluting him.

Alya shakes her head trying to hide her own blush. I laugh at that, well she did ask. It settled down for a moment then Nino took another drink and poured some water in his hand to put on the back of his neck, hoping to cool down. Noticing how sweaty Luka was, a very attractive quality, I tried being the nice girlfriend I am and reached behind me for my water bottle though mine was kiwi strawberry flavored.

"Are you thirsty too, Luka? You can have some of mine." I offered.

Then he did something totally unexpected, he kissed my inner thigh, in front of everyone, then said.

"Thanks baby but I'll quench my thirst later."

"Fuck man, two for two. What gives?" Nino asks,

Luka sighed, nonchalantly, "Just reminding someone that she's taken. Who hasn't stopped fucking looking at her like she's a piece of meat since we got here."

We all looked and sure enough, Adrien kept glancing over our way even though it looked like Kim was trying to have a conversation with him. But after what Luka did in the open made him look away, dejected. Nino sighed.

"Ah. Word got back to you. Cut him some slack okay? Adrien is going through a lot right now and he's not in the best state of mind. Practically hates himself for realizing too late how he really felt." Nino says, defending his friend.

"And of course it's so convenient how he came to terms with his truth when I've moved on and am perfectly happy with someone else." I mutter, annoyed.

Nino sighed, "Yeah that is shitty timing."

"Yeah well if he keeps making that look at my girlfriend, I'm going to say something." Luka said, warning in his tone.

Nino held his hands up, "That's your call, man. I wouldn't appreciate another dude looking at Alya like that either."

"Yeah and if he keeps it up, I'll beat the fuck outta him."

"No you won't. I'll go take care of it." I said and slid out from under Luka and stood up.

"Marinette!" Luka shouted after me but I ignored him.

I was determined to get this solved before anything bad happens. Adrien's gaze locked onto me as I walked over to him. I sighed.

"Hey Adrien." I said, smiling at him.

"Marinette, hi." He said, voice soft.

"Could I talk to you for a minute?" I asked him.

He blinked then nodded, "Yeah, of course."

I smiled brightly and took his hand, leading him away from the group so we could have some privacy. Adrien shifted uncomfortably and scratched the back of his head.

"Look, Marinette, I know word has probably gotten back to you-"

I held my hand up and shook my head, "No, I want to hear it from you. What happened? You seemed so happy with Kagami."

I crossed my arms over my chest and gave him my full attention. He sighed. Then explained to me how it started about him being concerned about me being with Luka given that he doesn't know him much. Yeah sure over the years they've been acquaintances but not really friends. Then that concern turned into feelings of anger toward Luka anytime he was around me. Kagami picked up on all of it and called him out one night about him being jealous and that he obviously has feelings for me he didn't realize. She told him to call her once he figured his shit out and broke up with him. He admitted how he noticed so much about me too late as he was blinded by having feelings for someone else who was neither me nor Kagami. He didn't say who but he didn't need to. I started to feel a little bad, I can understand to an extent how he felt because it's the same thing I went through when I first found out he was dating Kagami. He knows that he had his chance with me at one point and that he's too late now, the chance has passed him by.

"I'm so so sorry Marinette. I put you through so much and I had no clue. Then to find out that you once had feelings for me too, I feel like such an ass." He apologized again.

"Yes you did. And as crappy timing as it is now, I do understand what you're going through. But you have to know there will never be a chance between us now, you lost it. I love Luka and I'm not planning on leaving him. Ever. I'm very happy with him and I wish for nothing more than for you to find your own happiness someday. Granted it won't be with me, I'm confident that you'll find someone."

Adrien sighed in relief and nodded, "Thank you. I just want to say it once out loud. I love you Marinette but I understand that I'm going to have to let you go."

I smiled at him and looked at him with empathy, "I understand and it's okay if you can't talk to me for a while. I will understand but I know that eventually when you start healing, you'll come to me when you're ready."

He nodded and I smiled at him, extending my hand for him to shake.

"Friends?"

He smiled back and nodded, "Yeah, friends."

We shook hands and I thought that went rather well until I noticed the look of his face. For one selfish moment his eyes looked at me with so much bittersweet sadness. Feeling off I tried to let go of his hand as he pulled me to him. It was a move way too quick that caught me so off guard it was quick. I had no time to react. His lips crushed mine before I could stop him, my eyes widened. Then I felt his hand at the small of my back, trying to pull me closer as I fought to get out of his embrace. I started to panic a little then I got pissed and bit his lip while I pushed him off me then smacked him across the face.

"What the hell Adrien?!"

His face fell and shrieked back as he just realized what he just did, his tongue licking over the bite. He reached out for me and I flinched away, shaking in rage. He just forced a kiss onto me. Never would I have ever thought he would force himself onto me, no matter how desperate he was.

"Don't touch me! Don't you ever touch me!" I screamed at him.

Luka came out of nowhere and tackled him to the ground, both boys rolled around fighting. Adrien kicked Luka off him and got back on his feet, Luka just as quick. They became a blur as they fought. It was all happening so fast, I didn't know what to do. I was just numb.

"Adrien." Luka spat out with so much venom in his voice it scared me.

Both of them growled then attacked each other. I called out Luka's name so many times to get him to stop but he was too angry or just didn't hear me, maybe both. Luka was able to catch him off guard and swung his leg out, tripping Adrien then pushed him to the ground and pinned him down as he landed a blow. I shook my head and rushed in between them, just before Luka landed another, I held his fist back. Tears rolling down my face.

"Luka, stop. Please."

The darkness in his eyes flickered as he focused on me and relaxed. He let me move him off Adrien and let the latter stand, spitting blood in the sand. And looking at Luka with so much hatred I would've said he was incapable of feeling such intense hate because of how Adrien is but there's no denying that. I looked up at Luka, narrowing his eyes at the blonde, mutual hate swirling in his eyes.

"I suggest you leave, Agreste." Luka said, warning in his voice.

Adrien flicked his eyes over to me, softening a bit. "Marinette, I'm sorry."

"Don't look at her." Luka growled out, moving in front of me to shield Adrien's view of me.

"You fucked up big time. I know she came over here to resolve issues and be a friend to you but you just had to create more by pulling that shit." Luka said.

"Yeah man, that was messed up." Nino said, looking awkward.

By now everyone crowded Luka, Adrien and I and all of them were shocked at his actions. Adrien looked around at all our friends, not liking the attention on himself. That moment of selfishness had cost him so much and now he has to deal with the consequences. I can't believe I still want to make everything okay between us even though I know it never will be. Not after that.

"She is with me, Agreste. You know that. She loves me and moved on from you. You know that. You had your chance and you lost. Yet that still didn't stop you from stealing a kiss from her when she clearly didn't want you to. I don't want you looking at her, talking to her, even breathing the same air as her again. Are we clear?"

Adrien narrowed his eyes at him and scoffed. His whole demeanor changed, getting cocky. Wrong move.

"Oh so now all of a sudden Marinette can't make her own decisions. Sounds controlling if you ask me." He spat.

Luka looked taken aback being called controlling and was about to attack him when I grabbed his hand and shook my head. Luka looked at me confused. I looked into his eyes telling him to trust me.

I sighed, "Luka is not controlling, he's protecting me. From you. Adrien, please just go. You're not half the man you think that you are and you can't fill the hole inside of you by forcing something to happen. I tried to help you but it looks like it just made you mad."

Adrien looked as if I just tore his heart right out of his chest, "Marinette." He said, sounding so hurt.

I shook my head, "No."

Defeated, Adrien pushed his way through the crowd to go get his things then left. Once tensions subsided everyone dispersed and went back to trying to make the best out of today. But my mind couldn't help from wondering and hoping that Adrien can get through whatever is eating at him and be happy. Everyone deserves happiness not to mention that I don't want him to become akumatized. I sighed. I flinched as I was touched by someone, bringing me out of my thoughts, looking up realizing that it's only Luka. Luka clenched his fist.

"Mari..I'm not him." He said my name quietly, his expression turning to one of hurt.

I blinked and realized I just flinched away from him, as if he'd violate or hurt me. Adrien took something from me. Security.

"Mari, it's just me. You know I wouldn't-" He said, caressing my face and cutting himself off as a lump formed in his throat.

"I-I know. I'm sorry, I forgot where I was for a minute. Just felt so…numb. Your touch startled me, that's all." I explained.

He sighed, "Don't. Don't let him take away your feeling of safety."

I slowly nodded, "You're right. You're not him, you're my Luka. I'm safe with you."

He smiled and leaned down to kiss me but didn't brush our lips together until I wanted him too. I kissed him gently, hopefully letting him know that I'll be okay. We went back to the others. Alya dragged me along with her to swim and I happily went with her, the guys joining us soon after and all of us having such a good time. Briefly forgetting about what happened with Adrien. Alya splashed me with water, getting the salty ocean in my face and I went to splash her back but Luka was in the way and I ended up hitting him with water by mistake. I brought my hands up and gasped, trying to hide my giggles.

"Oh, my gosh, Luka. I'm so sorry."

He wiped the water from his face and gave me a mischievous grin. I knew what that meant so I started trying to run away from him but he was faster and caught up to me. Spinning me around then falling back into the water, both of us drenched. We laughed as we resurfaced, Luka pulling me into his arms and spinning me around again but this time I grab his face and crush my lips to his.

Adrien's P.O.V

I slammed the door of the car as I got out, dragging my bag with me and tossed it in the foyer as I entered the house. Why did I do that?! Ugh, I am so stupid! So pathetic! She's with Luka! And now I just fucked up any chances of staying her friend. I looked around the empty home, getting angrier, with how alone I am as well as at myself. I stared over at my father's office, the door slightly opened, and rage filled inside me. Ready to confront my father, consequences be damned.

"Father! I need to talk-"

I threw the doors open, expecting to find him standing at his podium but am shocked to see my mother's painting being lifted as a small elevator is bringing something or rather someone up. My eyes widen in shock as I see my father, dressed as the one person I never wanted to see so close, Monarch, getting out of the tube.

"Wh-what's going on? Father?" I asked him, backing away, growing afraid.

No, no it can't be. There has to be some mistake.

"Adrien, I can explain."

I backed up some more, shaking my head. "No, tell me it's not true. Tell me it's not you, the one terrorizing Paris all this time. Tell me that you're not him. You. Are. Not. Monarch."

He sighs and calls the kwami's to de-transform him and in a flash of light he's back to being the man I always knew, Gabriel Agreste, my father. Or more a ghost of the man I always knew, now he looks so exhausted and frail. This man standing here before me, I don't know him at all.

"Adrien, there's something I need to show you. I'm running out of time." He said sadly, holding up a blackened arm.

A hand flies to my mouth and tears fall before I can register that I'm crying, my cataclysm did that?!

"No." I said, still not believing what's before me.

He held out a hand to me and softened his gaze, "Adrien, my son, come with me."

I hesitated but nodded and followed him, he's still my father. There has to be a reason behind him doing all of this, he's not someone who would do this blindly. So many questions fly to my mind, it's hard for me to keep track of them all. He held me close to him on the side as we dropped down to wherever it was he's aking me. Once we came to a stop I looked around to some strange large room, a ramp making its way to what is that? A greenhouse? I looked up at him confused.

He stepped out first and ushered me to start walking, I saw water below us and getting closer I saw those familiar white butterflies flying all around the plants down here, where a single coffin sits out as if it's on display. What in the world? I look around it as we get to the landing, the grass crunching under my feet.

"I know you've always wondered what happened to your mother, Adrien. Loosing her so young has taken a part from you, a part that I would do anything to get back. To get her back."

He touched the pod and the cover pulled back and revealed a woman lying there in a red padded coffin suspended in a in-between state, not quite dead and not quite living. I gasped as I looked at her, putting my hand on the glass, I chocked back a sob.

"M-Mom?! I-I don't understand. Father, what did you do to her?!" I yelled, panicking.

"I'm keeping her alive this way by keeping her in a comatose state. Your mother used to hold the peacock miraculous, but when she used it while it was broken, I put a toll on her body. The same toll it put on Nathalie."

"Nathalie? That's why she's sick? Because she used the peacock miraculous before it was fixed." I said, connecting the dots.

My father nodded and started walking around, "I admit it wasn't my finest moment as a father to handle things as I did. But you have to know I did what's best for you. You were 8, you wouldn't understand. I needed to keep you safe while I dove everything I could into understanding the butterfly miraculous. Researching endlessly about the miraculous and learning how if you use the powers of creation and destruction, the divine beings will grant you a wish."

"Yes but father, with every wish an equal or greater cost there will be. It would through the world into chaos, you can't-"

"My world is chaos without her!" He shouted, turning into the villain he's become.

"I cannot breathe where she is not near, I cannot think or feel anything. I've become so…numb." He said, quietly, his eyes clouding over.

My heart sank as I could understand his sorrow, thinking of Marinette and how lonely I feel knowing I lost her. That stupid old saying rings true, you don't know what you have until it's gone.

"See, you understand this. I can feel your anguish, your rage, your loneliness. Join me, Adrien. Help me find Chat Noir and Ladybug's miraculous and we can put things right."

"Father, we can't take that risk-"

"Adrien, don't stand there and tell me you wouldn't wish for another chance with this girl you fell for. I can feel it inside you as I feel it inside me. We both have a lost love, by teaming up, we have a better chance at putting things right." He said, putting a hand on my shoulder.

My eyes search his face and I realize I've come up empty, I have nothing else to lose now. But can I do it? Can I really betray mi'lady like this? After all we have been through as partners, the times we always had each other's back and picked up where one fell. I look away from him and my eyes land on my mother's serene face, longing for her to just wake up and hold me again. I think of Marinette and her friendship over the years and looking deeper, seeing the love she had for me all in her eyes. Her smile, her laughter ringing in my ears in memory knowing I may never hear that sound again. It breaks my heart. I look back at my father and take a deep breath, pacing.

"Adrien, you deserve to be happy. We both do and you know as well as I do that happiness won't come until we are reunited with the ones we love. Love is a very powerful thing and without it, utter despair."

I looked at him and nodded, knowing that he was right. I feel as though my heart was being carved out of my chest. I hate this. I hate how I let this happen. I wish for anything right now to start over. I close my eyes knowing my decision, hating it, but knowing it is what I want. I'm sorry, Ladybug.

"The only thing stopping us is not knowing Ladybug's identity. We find out her identity the easier it would be to get her miraculous." I started to say as I got lost in thought.

"It's impossible, Adrien. I have tried everything to find them, everything and at every turn I've come up empty." He explained.

I smirked, "That's because that's what we wanted."

"We?"

"Plagg, claws out." I said and in a flash of green, I revealed myself to my father.

I opened my eyes to see him taken aback in shock and I smirked, "You aren't the only one with secrets, father."

End of Adrien's P.O.V