Quick note regarding this fic... so I started writing this in January 2023. I didn't quite realise how in tune with canon it would be. If you are waiting to watch season 5, I recommend reading this AFTER, as it follows on quite effortlessly. 

SPOILER ALERT FOR SEASON 5... If you're not planning on watching it, please read ahead, everything is explained as the fic develops.

*****

Flashback Cutscene: Gossip

10 years previously...

A tentative rap was heard against Adrien's window, pulling his attention away from the family portrait in his hands and in search of its source.

Adrien blinked, releasing the flooding in his eyes and clearing his vision to see what or who was behind the crystal clear glass. His eyes fell upon black spots dazzling in the light from the late morning sun and becoming disfigured by the pools of tears, once more, forming in his eyes.

Adrien lifted a hand and signalled for the polka dotted hero to enter his room, turning back to the photograph in his hand and looking at the three smiling faces gazing back at him — his mother, his father and him. Each face full of love and life, completely opposite to what he remembered.

Almost silently, Ladybug moved closer, her footfall soft and gentle, Adrien only aware of the movement thanks to years of coordinated partnership and his intuition when it came to her.

"How are you?" she said softly, keeping her distance from him as he continued to stare down into the photograph. A lone tear escaped, landing on the glass surface and expanding into a puddle of grief — another following mere seconds later.

Tightly, he screwed his eyes together, the action sending two, three, four more tears down and onto the picture of his family, distorting each of them, especially his father's face.

"I didn't think I would miss him, but I do!" Adrien sniffed, bringing a fist to his nose and wiping sharply.

"You have every right to miss him," Ladybug said, coming to sit beside him. "He's your father."

Adrien shook his head. "No!" he stated. "He was never a father to me. He was more of an owner. He controlled me, Ladybug. You know it and I know it." He looked down to the ring on his left hand.

"He's still your father though, Adrien. You don't just stop loving your parents — regardless of what they've done."

Reaching out, she took his hand in hers. An alien feeling considering how close he knew they actually were.

"What do you think happened to him?" Adrien asked, turning his attention from the photograph in his lap to the girl beside him; his best friend; one of his consistent supporters.

He could see her debate with herself and he knew her well enough to tell she was holding something back, hiding something from him she was worried to tell. Though, this time it was more understandable. Maybe whatever it was that was bothering her she'd tell him as Chat Noir. They promised to be more open with each other, to be more supportive and right now he wasn't sure who needed the support more.

"He made the trade and just... disappeared. He was a hero. He saved your mother," she whispered, barely audible.

The rather large exhale of air was easily readable; she didn't believe a word of what she'd just said. She had been there when it happened. She had experienced the sacrifice his father had made to save his mother, but he just couldn't imagine his father so easily volunteering for his son's happiness. Gabriel hadn't even allowed him to date Marinette, instead locking him away from the world as if that'd make him come to his senses.

However, the gossip was all the same. Good old Gabriel Agreste. The man who had sacrificed himself to defeat Monarch and save his wife, disappearing from the world as if he'd never existed. Not a word, or trace; but that didn't sit right with him. He knew his father and the guy was anything but sacrificial. He was almost certain that there was more to the story and that Ladybug herself had spread the gossip to placate him. The reason was still unclear.

"Pfft!" Air left his mouth as he sniffed and looked away, dropping her hand to stand and place the picture down beside the one he had of Marinette on his nightstand. "Like he could ever be a hero. Thank you anyway for trying to make it sound better than it was." He took a deep breath before continuing. "If I'm being honest, I never want to know what went down, I can't and don't want to handle it."

She reached out and held his hand again, her gloved thumb caressing over his knuckles as she soothed him in a way Ladybug could; part of him wished this was Marinette beside him, comforting the way no one else could, with words of wisdom and meaningful hugs.

"How's your mother feeling?" Ladybug suddenly asked, changing the subject.

Adrien went with the flow, wanting to keep her here; if she left he would be alone once again. Just himself and his photographs. He stood again, moving to his computer desk and looking at the individual photograph of his mother. He turned to face the hero, perching on the edge; his hands either side of him gripped hard against the work surface, his knuckles turning white under the pressure.

"She's good. Nathalie's helping her with her mobility."

"Is it good to have her back?"

A smile slowly tugged on his lips. As much as he missed his father, having his mother back was special. It felt right.

"It's amazing," he said.

His eyes lit with love and happiness, and although his father wasn't forgotten he was ready to move on.

*****

Ready Player One...

Present Day...

Adrien Agreste, 27 years old... and late.

He stumbled into the coffee shop complete with ruffled hair and wild breaths; nothing like the perfect persona the world knew — or which his friends teased. He would have been here on time but something — or should he say someone — had most certainly put a stop to it.

"She let you out of the house then?"

"Very funny."

Collapsing down in his seat, the ex-supermodel grabbed the coffee cup in front of him and drained half the lukewarm caffeinated liquid.

He was close to 15 minutes late, which wasn't too bad by recent standards, but that meant Nino had been waiting here for him for over 15 minutes and his drink — just under. Not ideal, but he had no intention of stopping his midmorning workout for a coffee date with his best friend.

Adrien raked a hand through his hair and attempted to make himself look less bedraggled — quite the challenge when someone had spent the better part of the last hour pulling at it.

"I thought she would have had enough of you after three weeks stuck in Agreste confinement."

Adrien wiggled his eyebrows at his friend. "Are you kidding? She can't keep her hands off me. Deciding to take my last name seems to have made her more wild."

Nino laughed as he greeted Adrien with their usual handshake, one perfected by years of practice and unique to them.

"She's probably just buttering you up before she ignores you for that new building project."

"You believe that if you want, but believe me when I say there will be no ignoring going on here."

"So, apart from you almost causing her a cardiac arrest from being in bed with you, how is the old ball and chain?" Nino mused.

Adrien's eyes sparkled. "Great!"

He knew his face was lighting up like a thousand watt light bulb just like he did everytime his new wife was mentioned in conversation.

"We're both just gutted to be home and, you're right, she has a meeting with Ivan tomorrow to start looking at the interiors."

"That's what happens when you marry someone super talented, Adrien, work before pleasure."

Adrien rolled his eyes. He'd just returned two days prior from his honeymoon, and what a great event that was! The wedding had gone off without a hitch, and as soon as the evening was done, himself and his new wife jetted off on a three week tour around the globe. He completely understood why people stated it was the best days of their lives!

Three words could easily sum him up: happy, content and madly in love... okay maybe that was more than three, but who was counting when you lived in a constant state of bliss.

A buzz vibrated against the table, Adrien picking up the object and smiling to himself as he read over the recently received message. As much as he missed his 5 star luxury vacation, he'd missed his friends and was happy to be home.

"The girls will meet us in an hour," he announced to Nino, turning the phone over and placing it back on the table face down. "Marinette needs to go to the bakery for something."

"I'm guessing croissants and macarons?"

Adrien laughed, sending a wink in Nino's direction. "Don't you know it!"

He turned his attention to look around the room, his eyes searching the cafe for any familiar faces he might have missed. "Who else is meeting us here?"

Nino flipped his own phone over, his eyes curiously glancing over the screen. "Max is going to try, Nathaniel and Luka I believe."

"Oh!" Adrien exclaimed, "I didn't realise Nathaniel was back in the city. That's great news."

"He didn't leave after your wedding, said something about reconnecting with old ties and finalising some designs on the new game with Max."

"It's a good excuse to stay and catch up with us, Max's itching fingers with this game and all. I heard Marc's not overly happy though. They'd spent ages renovating that cottage."

Time Adrien knew all too well, as his wife would disappear weeks at a time to go and help.

"I think he's threatening for divorce, and even worse, he's keeping the dog."

Both laughed, amusement aimed at Nino's obvious joke.

The two broke into easy conversation as they continued to discuss both the wedding and the honeymoon; Adrien giving Nino the 'low down' to try and control what went back to Alya.

The chime of the door signalled a new arrival, or should he say, arrivals. Adrien's quick look indicated both Luka and Nathaniel had just entered the building, his hand raising to call them over.

"What time do you two call this?" Nino stood first, heading to Luka and Nathaniel greeting both of them with their own unique handshakes. Adrien rose as they reached the table sending his own greetings their way in the form of hugs.

"Sorry, there's some sort of commotion near the collége. The emergency services were there and the traffic was hell," Nathaniel explained.

The mention of their old collége had Adrien jumping towards his phone, flipping it open and trying to find Marinette's contact. His stomach clenched with worry as he searched for her name.

"Don't worry, Agreste. I called Mari on the way here. They're fine, but apparently there's something happening in the park."

Even with Luka's reassurance, Adrien couldn't help the protective need he felt over both the girls. After all, the years of previously being Chat Noir had embedded deeply into his character — serve and protect.

He picked up his phone and found Marinette's number and placed it against his ear; with every single ring, he swore he lost one of his nine lives. He willed the receiver to answer the phone and save him from having a nervous breakdown in the middle of the coffee shop.

'Before you say anything we're both fine.'

"Oh, thank fuck!" Adrien let out his breath in a hurry and almost passed out from taking in the next too quickly.

'Marinette's just downstairs with her folks trying to calm the situation. It's crazy here.'

Adrien tried to find reassurance in Alya's words before turning to Nino and giving him a thumbs up. The DJ gave him his own back in response.

"What the hell's going on?" Adrien asked, looking towards the others who now seemed to be listening in on the conversation with intent.

'I'm not entirely sure. When we arrived the park was cordoned off and from the balcony it looked like something was happening on the statue of Ladybug and Chat Noir. It's covered over at the moment with some sort of white tent. News crews are flooding in now, we've just seen Nadja and Alec.'

His blood ran cold at the mention of his alter ego, the one he hadn't been in almost a decade... ever since that day. He looked down at his hands, only two rings both giving him life and support. The other ring — The ring — sat alongside his kwagatama hanging around his neck.

"Do you think we can get to you?" he asked, not wanting the girls to be alone especially if the bakery was getting crazy. He was certainly sure Tom and Sabine could use the extra hands too.

'No, no, we're fine. Seriously, take the time to catch up with Nino. If things get any worse we'll call in some of the B team to help.'

Adrien looked at his friends around the table. "How about if Luka and Nathaniel still come over?"

The sound of cogs turning in thought was almost all the evidence he needed to know she was considering the idea.

'Fine! But you have to spend some time with my man. He was going insane without you the past few weeks.'

"Yes, ma'am," Adrien agreed, ending the call and turning to his friends. "Alya gave me strict orders that myself and Nino must stay here; however, you two have been welcomed to go. I am not at all jealous that you get to eat Tom and Sabine's treats. Will Max be joining you?"

Nathaniel shook his head. "No, he's caught up in a new level and said he wanted to put the finishing touches onto it before sending it to his alpha betas tomorrow night. Listen, is it okay if I just call Marc?" Nathaniel said, standing up and making his way to the door. Adrien couldn't help but think the guy was in a hurry to escape.

Luka stood ready to say his goodbyes, lingering a little longer than necessary, his foot shuffling as he slouched over.

"You okay, man?" Adrien asked. Luka's usual calm aura eluded him as he stood in front of the ex model.

"Yeah, yeah! Just I really need your help and I know you're, like, crazy busy with everything at the moment but —" Luka trailed off. One thing Adrien knew about Luka was that the guy could fix anything; Luka could take an issue and resolve it in a matter of seconds, so curiosity struck Adrien about what was the matter.

"If I can help, please, just ask."

"It's Nathaniel and Max's game. They've asked me to do the music and it's just not fitting right. I don't know what's going on with me, but I can't seem to get the 'feel'."

"Any ideas why?" Adrien asked, crossing his arms and thinking through any possible hiccup Luka might have hit.

"I don't know. I just can't seem to work it out. I think I've got it sorted then suddenly there's a new outfit design, or the scene has changed, or Nathaniel has a new idea he wants to run by Max first and I'm not privy to the knowledge."

"Come by tomorrow and bring what you've put together so far."

"Are you sure? It seems a little harsh piling that on top of you, but I can't think of anyone else."

"It's fine, honestly. What are friends for? I still have a couple of days before I'm back at work, so I'd planned to have brunch with Marinette. You're more than welcome to join us."

Luka stepped forward, taking Adrien into a hug and slapping him on the back. "That's amazing! Thanks dude."

"You know where the new house is right?" Adrien asked, settling back down into his seat.

"Yeah, Mrs Agreste made sure it was all over the thank you cards."

Adrien began to laugh, of course she did.

With a final goodbye the guys headed in their separate directions, Nino turning his attention back to Adrien.

"So, now the others have gone tell me the truth," the DJ said, "is sex really still as wild even after getting married?"

Rolling his eyes, Adrien settled into what he was sure would be a fun-filled afternoon.

*****

Returning home, Adrien threw the keys onto the table by the front door smiling at one of the many wedding gifts welcoming him back. A beautiful picture of him and his wife just after they had rekindled their romance. When they were more mature and understanding of their needs; when she was looser and he was free.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. Stretching around his back, Adrien pulled it out to see Kagami had texted him, a smile stretching across his face as he viewed the words on the screen.

Kagami: You weren't in, so I've left a casserole in the oven, and there's a bottle of wine in the fridge. You can thank me later x

Texting back, he made sure to let her know how grateful he was that she was feeding him. He may have slightly overdone the message but when the smell hit his senses and made his mouth water he swore he would have done anything for her. Lamb. His favourite. Walking closer, he switched the oven onto a low temperature allowing it to heat through the food in preparation for his wife's arrival.

As usual, Adrien headed into the lounge to turn on the tv, the usual background noise to his dinner preparation. But the sound of the news captured his attention. His legs taking him down to perch on the edge of the sofa.

'Former police officer Roger Raincomprix was the first one on the scene.

"I was on my way home when I thought someone was messing around with the Ladynoir statue again. I've found many people in the past trying to climb or vandalise a piece of our history."'

Adrien's whole body suddenly shifted to high alert as he watched Roger Raincomprix talking to Nadja Chamack on the screen. This was why the bakery was suddenly overrun with customers; nosey onlookers attempting to gather around and see a murder scene.

'After climbing the statue himself, he found the girl had been murdered and placed there.'

'I don't know who would do such a thing but it seems Paris is safe no more.'

'Though it has been a while without our crime fighting heroes, we hope they will grace the city with their presence once more.'

'People have speculated over the past years the lack of superpowered heroes are to do with the rumoured secret wedding between the two in civilian form. The perfect match of soulmates.'

'However, Ladybug, Chat Noir, if you're still around and are watching, please we need your help.'

Sitting in silence, Adrien turned the tv off and grabbed hold of his ring under his tee. Moving it slowly between his fingers, his nerves transferred from a warm fluid, to an ice cold liquid. He hadn't transformed in years, there hadn't been a need — or want — to.

Exhaling sharply, he yanked the necklace off and dropped the ring into his hand. The weight felt so foreign now. Something that was once the weight of freedom now just weighed heavily in his palm. Could he really do this again? Did he want to do this again?

His knuckles grew white as he clenched the ring in his fist. This was a lot. His life was great now, he'd even go as far as saying it was perfect. Throwing this back into the mix could ruin everything he worked hard for — everything he'd given up.

Standing up, he headed back to the table in the hallway, the apartment suddenly suffocating. His phone signalled a call, as if it knew he was on his way. He was not at all surprised by the name flashing on the screen. He clutched his Miraculous tighter as he answered the call.

"Hey beautiful." Even through uncertain times just knowing she was where he needed her put a smile on his face. An unlucky cat should not be lucky enough to have her.

'Hey yourself, handsome. I'm sorry I wasn't at home to greet you.'

A smug smirk took over his lips, the teasing in her tone obvious she was indicating something else.

"You'll have to make it up to me later."

'I'm sure that could be arranged.' It was then he realised the sound behind her. 'I should be home in about an hour or so, is that okay?'

Looking down at the ring in his hand it seemed the decision had been made for him. He could either sit here alone and wait for his wife's return or help the city he adored so much. Walking back into the kitchen, he flicked the oven off again and headed towards the balcony, slipping the ring onto his right hand as he walked. The feeling he hadn't been acquainted with for so long took over every inch of his body — once again filling him with magic and power. And just as the feeling began to settle and feel natural again, his eyes came face to face with that of his Miraculous counterpart.

"That's fine, honey. Drop me a message on your way home and I'll get the food ready."

'You really are perfect, Mr Agreste. I love you.'

The words warmed him from the inside out. No doubt in knowing that she did. She really was his everything... So why had he put his Miraculous on again?

"I love you too, Mrs Agreste. Don't work too hard."

Ending the call, Adrien waited to hear from the small kwami in front of him, almost certain he was about to get an earful for leaving him confined for so long.

In what was becoming an uncertain stare off, it was finally broken by the black blob flying forwards and holding onto Adrien's face and tilting it from side to side, examining every single inch.

"You look so well, Kitten. So, so well."

His hands came up and cupped Plagg to his cheek, nuzzling the furball and feeling his nose prickling.

"Thank you, Plagg. I've missed you."

"I missed you too, but I knew you'd come around at some point." Plagg pulled away and moved back to look around the room. "Nice place the two of you have here."

Adrien laughed. "I'm a kept man now. The wife's the breadwinner."

"I always knew she'd succeed."

"She's amazing!" sighed Adrien.

"And you're still love sick." Plagg wiggled his little eyebrows and Adrien couldn't help but laugh. He really had missed his small friend. "Are you ready to transform again? I'm guessing that's why I'm here?"

"Something's happened in the park near Tom and Sabine's. They're calling on Ladybug and Chat Noir to come and settle the city."

"Always the hero. But are you ready to see her again?"

Adrien shrugged, ignoring the tightening in his chest from the mention of his partner. "Paris first always, right?"

"Only if you're feeling ready for it, Kitten."

Adrien looked at his ring before looking out over Paris. "I don't have a choice."

"In that case," Plagg began, "you know what to do."

In a flash of green, Chat Noir once again took to the rooftops. Ready to come face-to-face with his other half... his partner.

And he couldn't think of anything he wanted to do less.