Ch21
Marinette is Ladybug. The image of Ladybug turning into Marinette was still etched into Adrien's mind. He spent the entire night awake unable to sleep as he processed that information; he wasn't ashamed to admit that he cried and drank a lot resulting in a hangover.
"Adrien are you ok?" Plagg asked with concern.
"I'm not," he muttered. Rubbing his head the image of Ladybug and Marinette pass through his head.
His gaze drifted towards the photo of his father on his desk. Gabriel Agreste was Hawkmoth. When Ladybug first said it he thought she was lying then when she detransformed it all hit him. She meant it. It was slowly all coming together and he could no longer run from it or deny it.
Plagg landed on his hand. "Please Adrien don't do anything, I can't lose you." The pleading in his kwami's voice made his heart sink. "You mean a lot to me and other people."
He winced and grabbed a tissue. "I'm an Agreste. My family has survived a lot of things and so have I." Taking out the burner phone from his desk he saw a message from Mr. Dubois that read the butterflies are being released. Well at least we have something good. This Hawkmoth is different. It was a fact he couldn't deny.
A knock at the door snapped him out of his train of thought. "Come in!" Plagg flew into the miraculous as the door opened.
Looking up he saw Nathaniel come into the room. The red head looked like he hadn't slept, and he imagined that was why his eyes were red.
"Uh you wanted to see me?" Nathaniel asked.
He nodded. "Yes have a seat." The red head sat across from him his face unreadable. "Well I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your work for the advertisements for this fashion show, your artwork was praised by many people."
A small blush passed over Nathaniel's face. "Thank you." The red head shifted in his seat and avoided his gaze. "I'm glad you enjoyed my work."
"Are you ok? You seem tense?"
Nathaniel turned rigid. "N-Nothing. I just didn't get enough sleep last night."
"Yeah me too," He said as he fought the urge to appear tired.
He raised an eyebrow at what was an obvious lie. What could be the problem? I doubt it's anything here, could it be a personal matter?
"Well anyway I was impressed by your work and dedication that is why I wanted to offer you a full-time position here at my company," he said.
Nathaniel looked at his gaze wide. "A full time position?"
He nodded. "I want you to work in my advertisement division, you're a talented artist and I think you can do great things here."
"Wow really?" Nathaniel scratched his head. "Thanks, this is a lot to take in do you mind if I think about it?"
"Sure," he said. "I know this probably isn't what you had in mind as a job but I think you could do great things here."
Nathaniel looked down. "Thanks. I'm grateful for this opportunity but I just want to think it over since I have school and other things."
"Well I always look for talent," he said as he folded his arms. "By the way I do own a publishing house, it mainly does design but if you want I can see what they can do about your comic."
Nathaniel's eyes lit up. "Really! That would be great, thank you."
"My pleasure," he said as his Nathaniel gathered his things.
He paused and looked at the ground. "Random question but when I left the school all those years back what was Marinette like?"
Nathaniel looked to the ground. "She was distraught. Not that it was your fault of course," he added quickly. "It seemed as if she had lost someone close to her, Ms. Bustier allowed her to do work at home because she kept on having nervous break downs."
The memory of his father's funeral along with his fights with Ladybug flashed through his mind. "Oh."
"It's not your fault. She just had a big crush on you," Nathaniel said politely.
"Yeah I remember she was everywhere I was back in the day. Almost as if she were stalking me," he said half-jokingly.
Nathaniel avoided his gaze. "Yeah."
There was bit of hesitation in Nathaniel's voice and the way his eyes darted around the room made him think of all the times Marinette just so happened to be near him that year, even at events that were private. "Did she follow me around or something?"
Nathaniel avoided his gaze. "Well I don't know the entire story but…" The red head paused and looked at the ground. "If I were to be honest, looking back on it she had some unhealthy feelings towards you. Frankly if even half of the things I heard she did to see you are true your family would've given her a restraining order."
"I see." Oh boy. He remembered seeing Marinette out of the corner of his eyes occasionally with a goofy/ creepy grin on her face. Yeah it wasn't an accident. Marinette definitely had some unhealthy behavior towards him.
There was a knock at the door and his heart froze as he saw Felix pop his head through the doorway. "Excuse me I have a personal matter to attend to."
"I understand. Thank you Adrien," Nathaniel said.
The red head quickly got up and left just as Felix came in and locked the door behind him. He looked at his cousin not knowing what to say but Felix's gaze said all. "I know the truth how did you find out?" He asked softly.
Felix took out his phone. "Your father has a layer beneath the mansion, he used it when he was Hawkmoth."
His heart froze as Felix showed him a few pictures. One was of his father's old office, the other of a painting, followed by a metal staircase, and finally a large room with butterflies. His heart sank as he looked at the photos not knowing what to say or how to respond.
"Before you ask I found out when I was snooping through his office," Felix said softly. "Something about him always was off and well I found the answer of why he was Hawkmoth."
His cousin showed him one photo and his heart sank. In the photo was his deceased mother in a pod of some sort. "Mom!"
He covered his mouth as he fought the emotions inside of him. "What the hell was going on!" His body shook as he looked at he image."
"The cat and ladybug miraculous can make a wish." Felix lowered his phone. "That is why Hawkmoth wanted them. The kwami of the peacock miraculous told me everything."
He grabbed a tissue and cleaned his eyes as he let out a sob. Plagg came out and comforted him. "I'm sorry Adrien."
"Me and Kagami always debated telling you," Felix said. "But we didn't want to open the wound." His cousin's gaze betrayed sympathy. "We honestly feared you'd do something drastic, your depression was pretty bad."
His body shook as he cleaned his eyes. He didn't know how to feel but the overwhelming sorrow was growing inside of him. Father how could you?
"Adrien!" Felix grabbed his shoulder. "Look at me, you cannot go into another depression you understand?"
He cleaned his eyes and nodded. "Is she still down there."
Felix nodded. "We mut her in a cryogenic holding chamber. I'll show you when you want to but for now you have to be strong, whoever Hawkmoth is toying with you and will continue to terrorize Paris." His cousin's gaze hardened. "You need to strong because others are depending on you and others love you."
Plagg floated in between them. "He's right Adrien."
Taking a deep breath he slowly calmed himself. "It wasn't easy back then but this time I'm different." He looked at the miraculous on his hand and thought of all the memories he had as Cat Noir.
Father you did unspeakable things. Yeah his father loved him but he knew he couldn't excuse all of this or any of his crimes. "I won't let the city down."
A burning determination ignited in him. "Felix will you help me?"
Felix smirked. "Of course. Will Ladybug be helping us."
He nodded. "She showed me her identity." His gaze drifted to his miraculous. "When the time is right I'll reveal mine. I don't want anymore secrets between us."
Was it a bad idea to reveal his identity to his old stalker? Probably. But right now he would do all it takes to defeat Hawkmoth. I won't be a fool anymore. I won't let emotions cloud my judgement.
"Sounds reasonable," Felix said. "Anyway I'll do what I can to search for this new Hawkmoth."
"Sounds good," he said.
That night he patrolled the city alone deep in his own thoughts. Whoever this Hawkmoth is they are as sneaky as a snake. His blood boiled, whoever they were played him like a fool and he wasn't going to let them string him along anymore.
Felix is smart though, if anyone can help track Hawkmoth it is him.
Shaking his head he leaped off the building and headed to his favorite park. As he arrived he noticed a familiar figure drinking a bottle of wine. "Nathaniel? What are you doing out here so late?"
The red head nearly leaped out of his seat and dropped his bottle. "C-Cat Noir. I uh was just taking a drink."
"I get that," he said as he sat across from Nathaniel whose looked red from crying. "Are you sure you are ok?"
Nathaniel sighed and shook his head. "Have you ever had a relationship that started out good but ended horribly?"
"Yup." He shrugged. "Basically what happened with me and Ladybug. Though it is something I am trying to repair.
"Well with me and Marc is started out good but slowly he changed," Nathaniel shook his head.
He folded his arms. "How so? I thought you two had a good relationship?"
"We did," Nathaniel said softly his eyes tearing up. "But he is so insecure about me, I try to reassure him but it just has grown more and more over the years." The red head let out a sigh. "It's so suffocating, I can't even go to work without him thinking I'm seeing someone else."
He scratched his head. "Sorry to hear about that. Do you still have feelings for him."
Nathaniel froze and looked up at the moon. "A little. Though I admit sometimes I want a break." The red head took a drink from his bottle and looked at him with a drunk gaze. "Can I tell you something private?"
"Uh sure what is it?"
Nathaniel avoided his gaze. "You sort of were my bi awakening when I was younger, on offense."
He resisted the urge to laugh. "None taken, I'm flattered."
"It's just that I always knew deep down that he was insecure about my attraction to women. Even though I have been faithful to him he always has been suspicious with me," Nathaniel said as he took another few drinks from his bottle. "I kind of had enough of walking on egg shells around him."
"Relationships are complicated," he said softly as he thought of Ladybug. "In the end you have to make the right choice for yourself. Only you can make yourself happy in the end."
"Thanks," Nathaniel muttered.
"Come on lets get you home," he said.
The red head only nodded as he allowed himself to be carried bridal style. Poor guy he'll only continue to get hurt if he stays in this relationship.
"Why can't I find someone as loyal like you," Nathaniel muttered. "Or Marinette."
"I'm sure the right opportunity will come," he said as they arrived at Nathaniel's apartment building.
Taking out his baton he extended it to get to Nathaniel's room. He carefully got inside and placed Nathaniel on his feet. "Alright need anything else?"
Nathaniel yawned and shook his head. "No I think I'm going to bed now."
The red head took a step back but ended up tripping. "Watch out!" He quickly grabbed Nathaniel who in his drunken state pulled him closer.
He fell on top of Nathaniel who wrapped his arms around his neck as they fell onto his bed. Their faces were awkward close and Nathaniel's face turned a few shades redder. "S-Sorry."
"No problem," he said awkwardly.
However, as his luck would have it the door opened just at that moment. Marc stormed into the room. "What's going on!"
There was an awkward pause as Marc awkwardly stared at him on top of Nathaniel who had his hands wrapped around his neck.
"Uh it's not what it looks like," he said awkwardly.
"N-N-Nathaniel," Marc covered his mouth his body shaking as the color drained from his face.
"It's not what it thinks," Nathaniel sighed. "Can you just chill for a moment."
Marc looked as if his entire world had fallen on him. "I knew it!" He yelled. "You're cheating on me! With Cat Noir!"
"Wait it's not what it looks like!" Nathaniel said as they both quickly untangled themselves from each other.
"Then what is it!" Marc yelled tears falling down on him. "Why is he in your room on top of you!"
Well I wouldn't exactly be on the bottom.
He awkwardly stood behind Nathaniel who took a drunken step forward. "You know I'm tired of this Marc, if you are just going to yell and scream get out. I'm done, we can talk in the morning."
Tears fell down Marc's face. "Fine!" He stormed out of the room and not long after stormed out of the house.
"Well that'll be another thing I have to deal with in the morning," Nathaniel muttered before collapsing on his bed.
"Sorry about that," he said awkwardly. "If you need me tell Adrien Agreste."
Nathaniel nodded slowly. "I'm done Cat I'm done. I can't do this anymore with him."
He gave him a sympathetic look. "I'll stay here with you unless you want me to take you somewhere else?"
"Unless Adrien has a place to stay I doubt I have anywhere else to go," Nathaniel muttered.
A smile spread across his face. "Oh he does." He had a few properties here and there.
Away in her studio Lila as Hawkmoth felt a strong sorrow. "Betrayal is the worst," she said as she watched her akuma hit Marc Ancel.
The man turned rigid as the connection was made. "Silent Tear I am Hawkmoth. I sense your deep betrayal and broken heart. I'll give you the strenght to unleash your anger upon Cat Noir in exchange I want his miraculous along with Cat Noir's."
"Of course my lady," Marc said as he transformed into Silent Tear. He wore a red and blue outfit that covered his entire body with the shapes of flames and tears all over his suit. "I'll destroy that home wrecker if it is the last thing I do."
Excellent. A smile spread across her face. Once she acquired both miraculouses the world will be her oyster. She chuckled to herself as she saw Silent Tear go off into the city.
"Marinette wake up!" Alya said.
"What is it?" She muttered as she woke up and saw that Alya was transformed into Rena Rouge. "What's going on?"
Rena Rouge showed her a video. "An akuma attack."
Cat Noir was doing battle against an akumatized villain yet what caught his attention was that he was holding someone. "Is that Nathaniel?"
If this is a dream it is a very strange dream.
"I don't know but we better get going quickly," Rena Rouge said.
"Tikki spots on!"
They both quickly leaped out of her room and into the night sky. "What do you think happened?" Rena Rouge asked.
"If Nathaniel is involved, I think it may be Marc; they've been having difficulties," she said.
They both landed in the middle of a square. Cat Noir was doing his best to avoid the tear bombs the akuma was firing while holding onto Nathaniel.
"Let go of him!" The akuma yelled. "He doesn't belong to you!"
"I got this," Rena Rouge said as she took out her flew. Various illusions of Cat Noir appeared causing the akuma to shoot randomly.
Cat Noir eyed them with caution as they landed next to him. "Thanks for the help. A misunderstanding occurred. Now Silent Tear is after me and Nathaniel."
"We'll talk about it later," she said. "Rena Rouge can take him somewhere safe."
Cat Noir looked at Rena and nodded, if he was upset his eyes didn't betray it. "Take care of him."
"I will," Rena Rouge said as she took Nathaniel in her arms and quickly leaving.
"Lets end this quickly," she said as she spun her yoyo in her hand.
Cat Noir extended his baton and assumed a fighting stance. "Lets do this."
Silent Tear yelled as he destroyed the last of the illusions Rena made. "Cat Noir you are so dead you homewrecker."
They charged at Silent Tear avoiding his explosive tears as they tried to get close to him. Cat Noir lunged at him and hit him with his baton. "I don't want to hurt you Marc."
"You took him form me," Silent Tear said his voice a mixture of sorrow and anger. "You turned him against me!"
"Look out!" she said as Silent Tear fired a series of tear bombs at Cat Noir.
Her partner avoided the attacks and leaped away. "You caused the rift yourself with your own jealousy."
Not really helping Cat Noir. Silent Tear roared in anger as he fired a series of tear bombs. She dodged the attacks but most of them were headed towards her partner who didn't seem that phased by the onslaught.
"Lucky charm!" A pair of handcuffs appeared in her hand, it wasn't the most creative thing but she could work with it. I just need an opening.
"Marc Nathaniel cares about you but you have to give him space," Cat Noir said as he dodged a few tears and lunged at him. He kicked Silent Tear so hard he was sent flying.
Silent Tear got up and spat out blood. "You'll pay for turning him against me."
"I didn't turn him against you," Cat Noir said. "You did that yourself with your own jealousy."
Silent Tear screamed as he charged at Cat Noir. Her partner quickly caught up with him and knocked him down with his baton.
"Catch!" She threw the hand cuffs at her partner who quickly took them and put them on Silent Tear.
"Cataclysm!" Cat Noir brought his attack on the collar around Silent Tear's neck destroying the akumatized object.
She quickly caught the akuma with her yoyo. "Miraculous Ladybug!"
In a flash all the damages were fixed leaving Marc on the ground. "Hey are you ok?" She asked softly as she knelt down next to him.
Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Cat Noir capture the butterfly. She frowned wondering what he was up to but there were other things at hand.
Marc cleaned his face. "Sorry Ladybug but he stole him from me."
Cat Noir rolled his eyes. "I found him drunk and brought him home where we tripped on each other."
Marc glared at Cat Noir but broke down crying. "He broke up with me because of you!"
"There there," she patted his back calmly. "Just go to sleep and talk to him tomorrow ok?"
Marc took a deep breath. "Fine I will." He smiled at her. "Sorry for the trouble."
She gave him a hug. "Let me know if you need anything ok?" Then reaching into her yoyo she took a small pendant out of it. "Here take this, it'll keep you safe. Promise me you'll wear it?"
Marc smiled and took. "I promise."
With that Marc got up and left leaving her alone with Cat Noir. She stared at him awkwardly not knowing what to say or do.
"Good job," he said calmly.
"Y-You too," she said. "I never tell you enough but you are a great partner, thank you for everything."
Cat Noir nodded. "Good to know." He avoided her gaze and held his bell in his hand. "Um we should talk sometime."
She nodded. "D-Do you believe me?"
Cat Noir looked at her calmly. "I do." He then leaned in closer. "I also know where the peacock miraculous is."
Her eyes widened. "Really? Where is it?"
Cat Noir eyed the area carefully. "Lets speak of it some other time, I have my own things I want to share with you too." Then to her surprise he held out his fist and smiled his gaze betraying a bit of light.
It took all her willpower to not tear up. "Pound it!"
Lila swore as she paced her office in the Daily Horn. These damn fools can't do anything right. Her akumas were getting defeated and her minions the Butterfly Legion were mostly in police custody by now.
She sighed as she rested against the wall and felt the butterfly miraculous beneath her close. Still the longer my identity is safe the better off I am. She could talk her way out of any situation and so far no one gave a second thought that a different Hawkmoth was in control. So long as I control the narrative I'm good.
The sound of the door opening made her freeze up. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Thomas Astruc walk in with a grin on his face as he came up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Her skin crawled as she took a step back. "Mr. Astruc what is it?"
Thomas Astruc smiled widely. "Oh I just wanted to know if you wanted to get some coffee."
She smiled politely as she fought the urge to kick him where he deserved. "I'm good thank you."
"Oh." Mr. Astruc's eyes betrayed disappointment. "Perhaps some other time."
He reached out and tried to grab her arm but she pulled away. "Of course." She politely moved out of the way and exited her office. Disgusting.