Flashback Cutscene: Photo stash

10 years previously...

"No, please! Don't look in there!"

Laughing, Ladybug ignored Adrien's protests as she ran around his room trying to figure out a way to get past him.

"Oh come on, Agreste! Got something to hide, have you?" She headed closer to his cupboard door; Adrien sprinted and skidded to a halt, blocking her entrance into the small wooden cabinet.

"I beg, for both of our sakes, you keep that door closed!"

He held out his arms in a blockade, only causing her to giggle louder and increase her curiosity.

When she'd arrived at the mansion a few moments earlier, Adrien had been busy messing around in one of his cupboards; a cupboard in which Marinette had never had the joy of experiencing as either herself, or as Ladybug.

The quick slam of the door and the way Adrien had gone a guilty red, plus the rather strong defence he was suddenly on, made the cupboard seem highly suspicious. Has he got a dead body in there or something?

If this cupboard really was nothing, then why wouldn't he let her see what was inside? And even more importantly... Why had his face turned from a suspicious red, to a full on beetroot purple?

"Oh, come on Adrien! It can't be that embarrassing," she giggled, attempting to dance around him and towards it. He moved just as quickly, blocking each step she tried to take. He was very fast and very perceptive for a civilian.

"Please, you don't want to see what's in there. It's boring. Honestly, there's nothing of any interest!"

Moving to the other side and trying to duck through his arm, she laughed again. "How about you let me see and then I'll give you some feedback?"

As she made her next move, Adrien wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into him, restricting her from getting any closer and pinning her hostage to his chest.

She moved herself as close as she could, rearranging them slightly so she could absorb herself in his warmth and smell. He always smelt so good.

Shaking herself out of it before she did something stupid, like claim his lips with her own, Ladybug grabbed her yo-yo and moved away; sending out her magical string, and watching as it wrapped around the height of Adrien's body, restricting any further movement of his arms or legs.

"That's cheating!" he yelped, struggling to pull himself away from the tight hold.

Now that Adrien was completely immobile, Ladybug lunged forwards and opened the cupboard, a shriek of glee coming from her lips as a clump of photographs fell to the ground, scattering around her like colourful confetti.

Rectangle after rectangle pixelated the floor, revealing the hidden treasure Adrien had been guarding. She bent down slowly, picking up a few of the photographs now laying sporadically across the ground.

"What... is... this?" Dropping to her knees, she continued to collect the photographs, her eyes widening with each and every one. Absent-mindedly, she pulled the yo-yo from his body, sending Adrien in a wild spin before he ended up on his hands and knees on the floor.

"I promise I'm not a weird stalker or anything," Adrien crawled towards her and settled with his legs crossed. His hand reached up to fret at the back of his neck.

Waving one of the photographs in his direction, Ladybug raised her eyebrows. "I'm quite sure these disagree with that statement."

He nibbled on his lower lip and she swore she'd never seen anything more adorable. Ladybug watched Adrien grab some of the fallen photographs, gathering them in his hands and stopping every now and then to study the top one – his eyes softening and smile growing.

"I used to have a huge crush on you," he said as matter-of-fact as telling her the sky was blue.

"Really?"

Shocked, she studied him inquisitively. A nostalgic look took over his face as he looked at the pictures of her all clad out in supersuit, however, those weren't the photographs which had gained her attention. It was the ones in her hands which she meant.

Next to the mountains of magazine clippings and blog printouts were a whole array of natural photographs. Ones without her looking at the camera or even being aware they were being taken. Photographs of her — without a supersuit.

"So does Marinette know you have a strange obsession with her?" Ladybug said, gathering the remaining photographs together in a pile and helping to place them back, neatly, in the cupboard.

A quick look at Adrien showed she had completely caught him off guard. His face had once again grown in colour, becoming a perfect match to her suit, which only caused her to giggle more – her own cheeks battling Adrien's for most radioactive glow.

"Does she know you have all these photographs of her?"

Adrien shook his head. "God, no! We've only been dating a couple of weeks, she'll think I'm insane."

"Insanely in love!" Ladybug teased, marvelling at how soft his face had suddenly grown.

"You could definitely say that."

"Looks like I missed my chance then?" Ladybug sighed, moving to settle back on her hands and stretch her legs out in front of her, crossing them over at the ankles.

Adrien laughed and took the pile beside her hand, giving them a quick look before placing them back into the cupboard.

"Unfortunately, yes. I love her so much." He hesitated, then quickly grabbed one of the photographs before closing the door with such delicateness, it was as though he was shutting Marinette herself inside it.

"She's a lucky girl."

"No," Adrien argued. "I'm the lucky one. Honestly she's amazing."

He sighed and looked at the picture in his hand. Pushing himself up onto his feet, he turned in the direction of his computer desk.

"Then why hide the photographs?"

He shrugged. "The last thing I want to do is scare her away. She's my everything. She makes me happy." He trailed his fingers across her face in the picture, the look in his eyes melting her heart.

Ladybug smiled, standing up and following over to where he was placing the picture in a rather beautiful frame. Her fingers itched to stretch out for his hand; however, she could only hold them back. She wasn't Marinette at the moment, she was only Ladybug.

"That's great to hear."

*****

Ready Player Two...

"What are you going to do?"

Marinette stood on the balcony, hands poised on the edge as she looked down and into the park. Alya approached her with a drink in hand and a softness in her eyes which made Marinette feel vulnerable.

The statue was still covered in a large white tent, police and news crews hovering around the scene, each trying to be the first to get the latest update. Luka and Nathaniel had left about an hour ago, Alya staying and examining the scene with Marinette.

"They want us. I'm going to have to go," Marinette replied, looking down into her side bag, watching as Tikki finished eating her most recent snack. Though still active in her role as Ladybug, she hadn't transformed in six months; finally giving up on looking for her partner and instead coming to terms with the fact she wouldn't be seeing him again. She couldn't blame him either. 9 years she had searched, 9 years she had left messages on his communicator – from daily, to weekly, to monthly, to nothing. He had made it clear he wanted out, so why couldn't she just respect that?

"Do you think he'll turn up?"

"You can say his name Alya, I won't break," she sighed, "not anymore."

The sound of the crowds below reached her ears. The name of her alter ego echoing amongst the rooftops before meeting her ears, along with the chant of Chat Noir. The heroes were wanted. Needed. And she couldn't blame them. In times of uncertainty they were called upon to once again be a symbol of hope to calm the masses, along with promoting normality in Paris, even if they lacked the belief themselves.

"Marinette?" Alya's voice was once again one of worry. A usual tone when her partner came into conversation. God, she missed him so much. Everything from his greatest assets down to those which annoyed the hell out of her. She missed everything. She missed him.

"I'm okay." She wiped under her eyes, brushing away the moisture she hadn't even realised had gathered. She'd cried over him so many times throughout the years, she was surprised there was anything left to come out.

"Don't do it if you feel you can't. He turned the cold shoulder on you, Marinette, he didn't even give you an opportunity to explain or —"

"He was right to do what he did, Alya. I know you want to defend me, I know you want to believe that I did the right thing; but now, with hindsight, I know I was an idiot for doing it. I promised, Alya. No more secrets."

Her friend sighed, collapsing down into one of the chairs which remained on the balcony. Marinette headed over to seat herself beside her and grasped a hold of her hand. "I know you want to believe in me, and I love you so much for it, but I think it's time I faced the music and if he appears then I will deal with it. Our jobs are bigger than we are."

Marinette moved into a hug with Alya and thanked her. After all, it wasn't everyday you met someone that was willing to support you no matter what. She loved her best friend but sometimes Alya just needed to tell her the truth. She was a big girl now. She could take the criticism – everyone knew she deserved them.

"Do what you need to," Alya began, pushing on her knees to stand up. "I'll be here if you need me." Leaning down, Alya kissed Marinette on the cheek before heading to the trapdoor with one last look.

"Are you okay?" Tikki flew to her holder, hovering in front of her – eyes filled with concern.

A huffed laugh left Marinette's mouth as she stared back at the kwami. "There's a girl dead in the park and I'm worried about seeing my magical soulmate. My priorities are considerably out of whack."

"They're still valid Marinette." Paris' heroine stood and headed back to the edge of the balcony, looking out at the park once more. "Yeah, well, so are his!" she sighed.

Turning away from the scene and leaning back against the railing, Marinette closed her eyes and began to picture her friends, her life... steadying her breathing and stopping the panic attack which was teetering dangerously close to the edge.

Not again, not again!

Deep breathes and visualisations were the only thing between her passing out and staying on her own two feet. She'd become accustomed to this, a panic attack creeping up on her every time she thought of him, every time she thought she might see him. It shouldn't be like this. He was her world. He still is her world. She'd just blown it... big time.

"Breathe, Marinette. I'm here with you. It's going to be okay. In 1... 2... 3... out! In 1... 2... 3... out! Do you need me to call your —"

"No," Marinette huffed out, placing a hand over her bag and restricting Tikki from reaching her phone.

"No," she said again, this time a lot more calmly. "I'm okay, I'm okay. We're needed. We're both professional, and if he does turn up... well... it's been years, maybe he'll have forgotten how much he hates me?"

"He doesn't hate you, Marinette. He's just —"

"Angry," she sighed, finishing it off for her kwami. "Let's get this over and done with. It would look horrendous if he turned up and I didn't. I've already abandoned him, I don't want to abandon Paris too."

For the first time ever, Marinette called her transformation praying that her partner wouldn't. It had been 9 years. Maybe he found Su-Han and handed his ring back... or maybe that was him already down there talking to the police?

Lifting up onto her toes, she peered over her balcony, and studied the silhouette down below — a black shape standing just outside the white tent. Instantly, she knew it was her partner. His stance was undeniable; so powerful and strong — and domineering. He was talking with the police, every now and then his eyes flicking to the sky and glancing around. Was he looking for her?

They both knew if an emergency ever came again in Paris they would both be there, no questions asked. But she'd never truly considered the fact that it might actually happen, and what it would mean if it did.

Taking a deep breath, she launched her yo-yo out into the night sky and took herself closer to the scene of the crime... closer to her partner.

"Ahh, Miss Ladybug," Detective Raincomprix greeted as she landed over the crime tape. Ladybug recognised her instantly as one of her classmates from their years in collége. "So glad you could make it. Your partner is already here. We knew we could trust in you."

Ladybug looked around the scene, disguising the fact she was looking for her partner but allowing her looks to linger everywhere and anywhere a little too long. With each perusal of the area, she picked up a couple more details about the boy she hadn't seen in 9 years. A boy who had fully turned into a man.

Even from the distance between them, she could tell he had grown even taller, pushing their height difference greater. His muscles had bulked out, his hair was shorter and more refined; but it was his eyes that held the most change. No longer were they unknowing and pure, instead they were full of knowledge and weariness. They had experienced and lived, and the fine lines surrounding them made her want to question what he'd been up to. To know more about the past.

Walking forward on shaky legs, Ladybug moved over towards her partner, preparing herself for what could be the worst reunion in the history of all reunions.

Chat Noir was in deep conversation with the forensic doctor currently examining the body hanging over the statue, a body they hadn't removed yet. Seeing the greying corpse made her stomach churn and suddenly she wished she hadn't had the extra croissant at her parents. If she threw up, the blame would certainly be on Adrien and Nino for standing her up, and causing her to eat more than intended.

"Ladybug, lovely to see you."

"Yeah," she responded, breathing deep to try and pass the nausea circulating in her body. "Glad to be here."

She felt his eyes move over her body, unsure whether he was curious of her appearance or whether he was judging her for the look of pure pain on her face. She moved a hand over her mouth, unsure whether talking at the moment would be a good idea.

"We thought you'd like to see the scene before we move the body."

Over all the years of superheroing, Ladybug had never wanted to pluck her earrings out and throw them straight into the depths of the Seine as much as she did right now. Lying over the statue was none other than Aurore Beauréal, dressed in the outfit from her teen years. But that wasn't all, through the material of her dress, blood had soaked in a shape, one that looked eerily like a butterfly. Like Monarch.

Her stomach ground against itself and this time she couldn't hold it back. Leaning over the side of the plinth, every single thing she'd eaten that day emptied itself from her stomach. She moved onto her knees and closed her eyes, in hope of steading her breath. In all her years of fighting crime, nothing had ever affected her this way — or this much.

Eyes still tightly closed, the calming nature of circles being rubbed on her back allowed her a chance to grasp back onto reality.

"Okay?"

His voice was different to what she remembered. It was deeper and harder... and there wasn't an ounce of care in it. The word leaving his lips as more of a well trained reaction than an actual check in.

"Yeah, fine," she said, trying to mirror his tone. She stood up and came face to face with her partner.

To be this close to him again almost sent her spiralling out of control; dropping to her knees and begging for him to forgive her, to understand the reasons behind her choice, a reason that wasn't personal. At least not to him.

A stuttering breath shook her lungs as she wiped the moisture away from her eyes. Some hero she was.

"Who would do such a thing?" Ladybug whispered, trying to hold down whatever was left in her stomach as she looked at Aurore's body — a wave of nausea hitting her again.

"Someone who wanted us back out on the streets," Chat Noir responded, Ladybug looking straight to him once more. The set line of his jaw caused shadows to take over his face. If he was seen as cute in his younger days, she would love to know what he was seen as now.

"We know it's not Gabriel Agreste and I'm quite sure Lila Rossi is still locked up." Chat Noir crossed his arms over his chest and set his attention on Detective Raincomprix — ignoring the fact that she was there, standing right beside him.

They stood staring for a while, each deep in consideration as to what this could mean, or who might be behind it. Apart from Gabriel and Lila, there were no clear names that stood out and even if both were roaming Paris, neither had this as their MO, neither had had ever resorted to cold blooded murder.

The way Aurore had been positioned over the statue of Chat Noir, plus the outfit and the butterfly could only mean one thing...

"Whoever did this, made it personal."