Chapter Text
It had been an entire day.
An entire day since his father died.
No one blamed Chat. They wouldn't dare to.
But it was his bad luck and power to destroy that did this and no one can deny this.
Reporters had gone wild at this sudden news of the death of Gabriel Agreste, who turned out to be Hawkmoth. Reporters annoyed Adrien about this and strangers gave their condolences.
Even Ladybug apologized.
Sweet, kind Ladybug, apologized and gave him her regards. She was ready to help him but he denied her. She had already done so much for him, even if she didn't know.
All his parents messaged him to meet them but he hadn't responded to any of those texts.
Aunt Amelie had given him a choice. Either live with them in London or live with them in Paris.
He was still yet to make his decision.
"Adrien! What a nice surprise to see you!" A voice chirped and Adrien turned back to see his least favorite person in the entire world.
Lila Rossi.
"Lila." He acknowledged and turned back and started to get up from the park bench.
"Don't need to get up Adrien, no." She placed a hand on his arm and he flinched.
"Its ok Lila. I was going anyway." He faked a small smile but the firm grip on his hand stopped him from moving.
She placed another hand on his shoulder and he flinched again. It was clear he was very uncomfortable with her but he stayed put.
"Oh come on Adrien, we're old friends. Anyways, how are you?" She asked him and sat right beside him, moving her arm to slip it around his neck.
"I am fine Lila. Nothing's wrong, really."
“Oh please, Adrien. You can’t really expect me to believe nothing wrong. That nothing happened, not when you flinch every time something or someone touches you.” Lila's face turned serious and sounded worried.
"Lila, isn't it obvious? My dad turned out to be Hawkmoth and he literally got cataclysmed." Adrien got and turned to shout at her.
"Oh right. Your father. What a pity." She said with no sadness in her voice.
"Look Lila, why are you here?" Adrien huffed, his anger was visible.
"Nothing really. Just wanted to remind you of something. But first I have a question. Do you hate Chat Noir for killing your dad?"
Adrien froze. How was he supposed to respond? Ladybug reassured him that it was his fault and Paris agreed on that. But Lila? She was a whole new story.
"I mean, from what I heard it wasn't his fault." Adrien said, looking away from Lila, who smiled smugly.
"Oh you're so naive Adrien. What you heard to what actually happened could be very different. " Lila tilted her heard, still maintaining her smile.
"How would you know what happened Lila? Looking at your history, I can't exactly trust you, can I?" Adrien looked solemn and of looks could kill, Lila would be fried.
"This isn't about what I say. Its about what you believe. Look, I am always present everywhere, even when I am not. Is Chat Noir truly not to fault?" Lila asked, feigning innocence.
"Look, I trust Ladybug. And if says its not his fault, then it's not." Adrien answered him firmly. But the truth was, he still blamed himself about his father’s death. The guilt still remained and no matter how much any one denied it, he felt it was true.
"Oh dear Adrien. So innocent, so pure. But one day this innocence will get you killed. You're still a villain's son and no one can change that. Your father was a terrorist." She simply said.
When Adrien didn't respond and looked down in response, she continued. "You may think of me as a villain," Lila got up. "But, just because I lie, I don't become a villain. You lie too."
"That is very different from what you do. You do it to create problems. I do it for the good of people."
"So good, you got your father killed. I know everything." Her eyes when to his ring."But the question is, do you know anything?"
She began to walk away but turned and winked and waved at him. Adrien shivered and looked at his ring. Was it truly a curse?
***
Marinette looked at the screen in front of her. She had no idea how her hand went to the news website but it did.
'Adrien Agreste spotted again! Claims he had no idea about his father, doesn't blame Chat Noir for anything.' The headlines flashed and a video of Adrien trying to get away from the reporters underneath it.
She was worried. Very worried. About both Chat and Adrien.
Adrien didn't respond to them and no matter how many messages they sent, he never even looked at them. No one knows how he was.
Chat on the other hand, was still guilty. No one blamed him for the death of Gabriel, but the guilt still reminded. He grew quieter and cracked lesser jokes. He seemed like he had lost his personality.
It pained to see two very important people in her life alone and full of sadness.
But what could she do? She was helpless and alone herself.
The man who she respected, who scared her, who called her talented was Hawkmoth. Gabriel Agreste was Hawkmoth. She could hardly believe it. The man she was searching for so close yet he felt far.
When she suspected Gabriel to be Hawkmoth, she prayed to god she was wrong. But he had somehow akumatized himself and threw them off track. If only they knew back then….
..If only…
"Marinette!" Plagg's voice came from behind and she turned to watch the little kwami enter her room through her window holding a….
Was that a ring?
"Plagg, please don't tell me that's the cat miraculous. " She begged him.
"I'm afraid it is, Bug. He gave up." He looked away and placed the ring at her table.
Marinette sobbed at the sight of the ring. The most important person in her life was gone.
"Why?"
"Someone figured out his identity. He didn't want to risk anything." Plagg told the sobbing dark haired girl.
"Who cares now? Hawkmoth's gone." She sobbed louder.
"He cared."
"Oh my god. Even after all this time, he always cared. I don't deserve him."
"You're the judge of that. But..if he had to give up, then wished he had done it in person." Plagg admitted and stared at the ring himself.
"Then why didn't he?"
"He was scared."