Cutscene: Love Notes

Adrien and Marinette's wedding day...

Marinette looked around the room full of her nearest and dearest. The whole ballroom was buzzing as people drank, chatted and danced. She couldn't believe the day was almost over and she would be off on her honeymoon, a whole three weeks with Adrien to herself. Paris had been quiet for years, and for the past few months Tikki had laid dormant in her bag without a need to transform.

She walked around the edge of the dance floor, watched Adrien bounce around with his friends to some rock song he adored. He was a wonderful sight of love, life and happiness, enthralling to anyone who happened to gaze upon him. Adrien and the rest of the guys had taken their ties off and tied them around their heads, just as they'd all done at Ivan's wedding the year before and what had suddenly become their group's tradition.

Nino was currently on his knees playing air guitar, as Ivan had his arm around Félix, and Adrien and Kim chest bumped. Marinette let out a giggle as she continued the survey of the room. Alya sat with the other girls all laughing and joking, Myléne gently rocking the sleeping baby in her arms.

Her mother and father were dancing on the floor, along with Nathalie and Emilie, Gorilla standing guard on the edge of the floor. He wasn't fooling anyone though. As stone-like as he looked, Marinette noticed the small taps of his foot, and the bob of his head. She couldn't help but giggle, making a mental note to invite him for a dance later.

They'd worked hard to get to this point. Through tears and tribulations, they'd made it, even when the world wanted to be against them. The first year they were back together, Marinette was walking on eggshells; not because of her secret identity, but because she didn't want to break the newfound trust Adrien had placed on her. He'd forgiven her and accepted what she'd done, and even though sometimes it came into conversation they had moved past it – and she'd never been more grateful. His kind and caring personality was just another reason to love him.

Marinette next moved to the 'art table'. Kagami was in deep conversation with Marc, Nathaniel and Max, she had no doubts that the technology whizz was informing her feisty friend all about the game he was creating. The guys had gone mental over it, as had a lot of Paris.

Max had approached Ladybug for the all clear to use Akuma's in the game – not the actual person but what they represented. She hadn't seen any harm in it, and those she could contact seemed rather enthusiastic – including Nino and Ivan.

Her eyes moved again, landing on a pair staring straight back at her. A pair of eyes which had slowly started to lose their sparkle a couple of years ago. Moving his head to the side, Luka indicated for Marinette to follow him out and into the hallway.

She trailed him. Watching as he weaved in and out of people and corridors to lead them both to a quiet area in the hotel. She continued on his path, giving a quick 'hi' to those she passed.

Finally, Luka stopped just outside a doorway, pulling it open and offering her a hand in.

"Ladies, first!" he exclaimed. The look on his face had her second guessing whether she should or should not follow her friend inside. Was it wrong to be running off with someone who wasn't your husband on your wedding day? Husband! The word sent her giddy every time she thought about it. She was finally Mrs. Agreste.

Luka entered the room behind her, closing the door and blocking the one and only exit.

"What's this about? You said you needed to talk to me." Marinette looked over to him, waiting for him to speak. He'd been back from the Temple a year now, only toing and froing for assessments and meetings.

He reached into his back pocket and pulled a letter, handing it over to her.

"A love letter from the Guardians."

The envelope hung in the air between them, Marinette unsure whether she wanted to know what was in there or not.

"Why are you giving this to me today?" she asked, the whole thing seeming nothing more than an interference on the best day of her life.

"I don't have a choice," Luka responded. "I've got to go back next week and I won't have a chance to see you again after today."

His hand was steady, the envelope barely moving as it remained out in front of Luka's body.

Stretching up, she took it, her eyes firmly placed on Luka's. Ripping it open, she skimmed over the ancient Chinese language before scoffing.

"Tikki, spots on!" Her pure white dress was replaced by her strong red, as the bride became the saviour. Flicking a finger over the top of her yo-yo she placed her hand in and summoned his bracelet.

"Yes, you can have this back," she said, handing the bracelet over. "But the rest stay with me."

"Marinette, be reasonable!"

"I am being reasonable! And to do this, on my wedding day of all days, it makes me wonder whose side you're on now, Luka?"

He crossed his arms over his chest, pulling his body into a strong defensive position.

"I'm on the side of the greater good!"

"You could fool me!"

"It's not safe to keep the Miraculous box in such an unprotected environment! What if it was found, or Adrien asked about it? What would you do then?"

Ladybug stood for a while and glared at him.

"What's happened to you?" she whispered, his eyes locked with hers.

"I'm putting everything right that was wrong. The universe is unbalanced and it's my job to even it out."

Ladybug continued to stare. He could not be serious! Stepping forwards, she took both his hands with her own, pulling them tightly into her chest. "Stay here! Don't go back! I can keep you safe. Please, Luka."

His eyes darkened as he looked her over, the look foreign to what she knew and loved about her friend. He fell into a trance of some sort, one which she'd noticed for the first time just over a year ago.

"I don't know if you can," he whispered, blinking and bringing his blue stare back. "I don't think I can."

"Yes," she demanded, feeling the tell-tale prickles in her eyes. "You can. Please, Luka, trust me the way I've always trusted you."

She watched as a glistening took over Luka's eyes, a stray tear following behind. "Okay," he said, positioning his bracelet back where it belonged — on his wrist.

"You'll stay?"

He nodded without words, but she took that as a good thing. She pushed forwards, launching herself onto him and wrapping her arms around his neck. "I promise I'll keep you safe. Nothing will happen to you."

He uttered something in her ears but she wasn't clear on what he'd said, too engulfed in the hug to worry about asking him to repeat it.

"Thanks, Marinette."

"Now excuse me, I need to go and do something about the Guardians." Remaining in her transformation, she left the room and headed up onto the rooftop of the hotel. She dropped down onto the balcony outside the ballroom and grabbed her yo-yo from her hip, bashing down on it and calling through to Su-Han.

The line was ringing out and out, a strange sign considering he always answered in the matter of seconds. The guardian was always on his phone watching videos, why was he not answering now?

She paced like a lioness, thumbnail in mouth as she waited for an answer.

"You look as nervous as I feel." The sudden sound of a voice had her turning around. In her anger and disappointment with the guardians she hadn't realised someone else was on the balcony, someone that just so happened to be her new husband.

"Nervous? Why?"

Adrien stood from where he was leaning on the balcony and grabbed a piece of paper pushed down into his jacket pocket. He waved it at her with a soft smile.

"Speeches, you know."

Ladybug smiled, closing her yo-yo and replacing it on her hip she headed over to Adrien. "I've heard from Marinette you're really good with words."

He huffed. "Of course she'd say that."

"What's wrong with it?"

"I've written her so many love letters over the years, but this one, the one that matters... I just can't help but think it's ridiculous."

"I'm quite sure your new wife would love anything you write, Mr Agreste. She adores you. She wouldn't care if you didn't do a speech at all, you know she's not all about that." She couldn't help the pride take over at her husband doing whatever he could to make her happy. She just wished he understood that he didn't need to keep going out of his way with these big gestures; it was always the smallest ones that counted.

"Thanks. How are you? It's been a while."

"I'm okay now, just —" She looked out into the distance. There was something — someone — missing today and she couldn't shake the overwhelming feeling of disappointment. Chat Noir should have been there. He should have been a groomsman joking around with Adrien about her being late 'once again', he should have toasted with her, danced with her... she missed him.

"I understand," Adrien said quietly.

A sudden ruckus sounded from down in the ballroom, the clings of metal against glass as the speeches were called to the stage.

"That's my cue," Adrien said, standing and heading to the doorway. He stopped before crossing the threshold and looking back. "D-do you want to come in? See Marinette? She looks insanely beautiful today."

His eyes were wide and vibrant, and a shiver ran down her spine. Adrien's love was the purest essence of the emotion she'd ever seen.

"Unfortunately, I have something on. See you around?"

He smiled and she understood.

*****

Level 23: Scars

1 week after Bastille Day

The sun began to set over another day in Paris, the days and weeks continuing like nothing new had happened, that a serial killer hadn't been locked away and once again the citizens of Paris were safe.

Nobody knew Chat Noir had risked his life in a battle he was fated to lose, no one knew Gabriel Agreste had once again became 'Hawkmoth', aka Papillon, and saved the heroes who he'd spent a year trying to defeat. No one knew that Ladybug had been stabbed and almost lost her child, no one knew that that child was her estranged partner's.

But what Paris did know was that Luka Couffaine, sweet humble son of Jagged Stone, had gotten involved with drugs and alcohol. That he had lost control of himself, being overcome by the effect of drugs and freedom. He'd got in with the wrong crowd. He'd been failed by society, by life... by his friends. And as Ladybug sat face-to-face with Juleka, Anarka and Jagged Stone she was barely keeping it together.

Over the years of their friendship, Luka had been an important part of her life. Not just in the Miraculous sense but in growing up. He'd been her first boyfriend. One of her best friends. She always went to him for advice and comfort, and he always delivered – even when it came to Adrien. He had been a constant, there for both of them.

The guilt was strong. All consuming. The nightmares. The Pain. The heartache. But nothing hurt more than her friend attempting to take her husband's life, and her unborn child's. She couldn't thank Tikki enough. The small kwami being the lucky charm that stopped Luka's blade from stabbing in her stomach, but instead inserting itself between her hip bone and rib cage. Adrien wasn't quite so lucky.

Ladybug looked to her partner and reached out, placing her hand on his as he spoke to Luka's family. His strength, as always, was truly remarkable. He sat tall and powerful, doing all the talking for them. She couldn't speak. It was too fresh. Too raw. She had done this to Luka. He shouldn't have loved her. He should have left her alone... she should have been more careful.

"So, you're telling me Luka's been... what? Groomed to behave like this?"

"Not so much groomed as conditioned. He was tortured and manipulated."

Anarka scoffed before standing up and marching over to the window. "So, ye're tellin' me some o' these so called Guardians tortured 'n hurt me son? Where are they? I'll scuttle 'em!"

"You'd have a hard time, they're already dead." Chat Noir grasped her hand tighter as he spoke. She loved him dearly for doing this, for taking the reins on something she'd rather be a thousand miles away from.

"What about Marinette and Adrien? Why were they involved in this?" Juleka asked, Rose sitting beside her, an arm thrown over her girlfriend's shoulder.

They'd spoken about this. Discussing in depth the reason they could give for Luka's attack on them, without revealing the truth, the truth which would surely only make things worse.

They felt despicable for the lie they were about to tell, but it was their only option to keep themselves, and their child, safe.

"It seems he didn't deal too well with their marriage. It seemed to trigger something inside him."

"Pfft," Anarka replied again. "Ye're jokin', savvy? She was ne'er good enough fer 'im anyway. She used 'im whilst waitin' fer that good fer naught ol' mate o' hers. He did everythin' fer the two o' 'em, 'n how do they repay 'im? But gettin' together 'n askin' 'im fer advice. Scum!"

"Now, Anarka! The blame can't be put on Marinette. She is free to love who she wants." Jagged Stone stood from where he was currently cuddled with Penny, heading over to Anarka and standing face-to-face.

"Ye're as much t' blame! Takin' 'im away 'n allowin' 'im t' train wit' the Guardians. Ye're jus' as guilty as the lass!" Ankara announced, jabbing a finger into Jagged chest.

"Dad's right, Mum. You can't blame Marinette. Luka knew what he was getting into with her. He knew she loved Adrien and just took the opportunity when it arose. He was over it though, he had been over it for years." Juleka turned her head to look at Ladybug and Chat Noir, her eyes fluctuating over the two before fixing her gaze on the heroine. "It's the secrets he had to protect that was the issue. The constant need to do what others wanted him to do and to spend his time thinking and worrying about them."

Juleka stood, her eyes challenging Ladybug to respond. She felt sick to her stomach. Juleka was right and she knew it. Ladybug stood to match the girl, Chat Noir moving with her.

"I think you know where the exit is," Juleka said. "You can let yourselves out."

Chat Noir grabbed Ladybug's hand, leading her to the staircase and back up onto the deck. The deck where only a few days ago her husband was fighting for his life. Blood still stained some of the wooden floorboards as they stood back to back and examined the last crime scene, the one which had taken down Chat Noir.

"Ladybug," Juleka ran outside, Ladybug and Chat Noir stopped they're examination of the scene and turned to the girl. They watched as she fumbled with something. The intricate jewellery was pulled aggressively from her wrist and fingers. Once the Miraculous was clean from her body, she threw it hard at the heroes, Chat Noir reaching out quickly and catching it before it landed in the Seine. "Stay out of my life and don't ever speak to me again! I don't care what my parents say, this is your fault! Everything that has happened to him was because of you. I hope you're happy!"

Ladybug turned into her partner, burying her head into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, giving her the stability she lacked herself.

"Juleka's right," she whispered, her head trying to bury into him further. "It's my fault."

Before she could comprehend what was happening, Chat Noir had wrapped an arm around her and extended his staff, taking them both up into the sky and over towards their rooftop. He lowered her down so gently, so carefully, she could have cried.

"Come here!" He grabbed her and pulled her into his body, holding her tight and preventing her from breaking. They were living with overwhelming guilt themselves.

Since Luka had been taken into custody, and Adrien made it out of surgery, Marinette hadn't left her husband's side, fear overwhelming her that the one moment she was away, he'd be taken from her... and she'd only just found him.

Letting go of her, he turned around and placed his back against hers, linking their fingers. "Speak, M'Lady. It's just Chat Noir here."

Her laugh was watery as she gripped him tighter. "How much are we to blame, Chaton?"

She felt him move. His head slowly rotating from side to side. "We have a choice. We can blame Luka's choices on ourselves, or we can blame the situation we have all been forced into. We were 14 when this all started. We were essentially child soldiers, forced to fight a magical war against real monsters. You were clumsy and unappreciated, I was depressed and home-schooled. You were bullied. I was neglected and abused. Maybe Luka's right, that I am –"

"No," she shouted, holding his hands tighter. "No," she said, softer than the first time.

They stood in silence looking out over Paris, watching as the day continued oblivious to the turmoil left in the wake of the past few weeks. Few weeks? Couple of weeks? Days?

Ladybug looked out towards the church where they had gotten married and Ivan was laid to rest. It would take a long time to recuperate and get over this, but she had something she needed to focus on. Placing a hand on her stomach, she would make herself get through this for herself, her baby and her husband.

Friendships had been torn apart, stretched to breaking points, and each and every one of them had come out with scars, but there was one thing that would keep her going, and it was who she was drawing strength from at this very minute.

Turning around, she wrapped her arms around her partner – her husband – and buried her head into his chest one again; she took comfort in the gentle purr and warmth.

"Never let me go."