A/n: final chapter! Although the story isn't over. I'm definitely making a second one because there's still so much to explore in this AU. I'll add a chapter here to announce when it's out!

It was funny really, next year would be their final year in high-school. They'd be turning 17 and 18 respectively. They were effectively closing an old chapter of their lives and opening a new one. No Hawkmoth, no abusive fathers, no stress aside from the usual kind that came with school.

Adrien had lost a father, but gained a mother in his place. He'd come out to himself and the world, found love. He got his mum back, the one person he adored more than anyone else. Sure there were still things eating away at him, like what the hell was up with Felix and the trauma that Gabriel left him with. But for the most part, he was ok.

He'd never felt like he belonged before, he never related to anything or anyone. He was this perfectly curated identity fit for the screen, he was moulded into whatever the people wanted him to he. But now? He was himself. He was finding what he wanted to be.

He wanted to create, make lyrics into songs, maybe write a book. He wanted to inspire, be someone for other kids in his position to look up to. He wanted to be free, and now he was.  He'd been driven crazy, but he was free.

Luka always knew the kind of person he was. Reserved, compassionate, determined. He knew what he wanted to do with his life in terms of a career, in terms of a bucket list. He came from a family of go with the flow musicians. He new life was unpredictable, he knew there was no way he could prepare himself for the things he couldn't see coming, and he just had to face them as they came the best he could. Sometimes the road got tough, he didn't know why. It just did, and he always faced it as it came.

So when he was thrown three major twists after another, safe to say he was a bit overwhelmed. Finding out who his dad was was a bit of a shock, but through everything that's happened with being akumatized and such, he was able to fix things. Then there was the train wreck that was the relationship and subsequent fallout with Marinette, that wrecked him for a while. But as always he faced it, and things worked out. And of course, Adrien. Adrien was there for Luka just as much as he was for him.

When he was in that mess with Marinette who came to offer a shoulder to cry on? Adrien. When he needed someone to talk out life's troubled with who came to lend an ear? Adrien. Who was the one who'd accept him with open arms when he just needed a hug? Adrien.

They were truly soulmates. By every definition of the word.

Nathalie, boy has she been in one hell of a tough situation. Heart broken, manipulated, sick and weak. All while being the only adult Adrien could rely on and having to guide the teen out of the darkness. But after all was said and done, she finally felt like she could relax.

She had her long lost love back, a son, her abusive boss behind bars, health condition recovery and even the heroes had forgiven her for her acts as Mayura. She wasn't up to her neck in work, she was able to sleep in and take it easy for once. She was able to think about what she wanted to do when she recovered enough to go back with working. She was able to finally spend time with the people she truly cared about. That's all she'd ever wanted.

And Emilie, she'd been in a very strange situation. Dead for several years and suddenly thrust back into life, right in the middle of an abusive situation. The weight of her failing marriage has taken its toll, but she was forever grateful to Nathalie for the help even before she died. And Adrien for giving her the push to leave Gabriel. And of course Luka and his family for housing them.

She was still getting used to life again, having been gone for so long. Thanks to the wish the public just thought she'd gone into hiding and wasn't actually dead that whole time. So at least she didn't have to explain how the hell she'd managed to come back to life.

She was upset she'd wasted so many years with Gabriel, but she was exited to spend the rest of her years with people who actually cared for her. To watch her baby boy grow and one day marry the love of his life. To spend time with the woman she should have married in place of Gabriel, to explore what could have been a few years too late. But hey, later is better than never.

There was a lot to put behind them, but the future was bright.

Even small moments like sitting at the table eating dinner together as a family made her happy.

"I don't know where you find these recipes Hun, they're so good" Emilie muttered, scooping up the delicious fried rice Nathalie has cooked.

"I have my ways" Nathalie replied.

"Seriously, teach me. If you're ever sick or busy I want to know how to make this for you when you can't"

"I'll teach you next time I make it then"

Both girls noticed how quiet Adrien had been as he zoned out eating his dinner, Plagg practically devouring his cheese whole beside him.

"What's up honey? You're quiet" Emilie spoke up.

Adrien snapped out of his daze, his mothers voice brining him back to earth.

"Hm? Oh... just thinking" he said.

"What about?"

"When high school ends after next year. School goes back soon, I need to decide where I'm going after that"

Thanks to his previous work as a model and face of a massive company, he had plenty off opportunities he could take. And he did have an idea on what he wanted to do, he wasn't exactly sure how to get there though.

"Well, you could probably get into any university you wanted. Your grades are good enough for it" Nathalie said.

"I dunno if I want to go to university... I want to make music. I'm just not sure if it'll-"

Before he could finish, Emilie immediately perked up.

"Oh! I know a few people! Back from my days as an actor, there were plenty of people making soundtracks I got to know. AND your boyfriend is literally jagged stone. If you want to get signed to a record label there's definitely ways for you to get that" Emilie said.

"I want a very particular sound and aesthetic, I'm not sure if it'll be popular enough... everything I've written and had Luka help produce has a... I don't know... flair to it?" Adrien replied.

"Adrien if there's an audience of people who enjoy screaming into a microphone with drums so heavy they break the drumsticks I'm sure you'll have an audience. I'm sure a lot of your die hard fans will stick by you anyway. What about you get through school first, make some demos on the weekends and when you graduate we can go from there" Nathalie assured.

He could do that, that sounded like a good idea. He and Luka could team up, and the band could help out here and there as well. Adrien could write, sing and do the piano. Luka can do the guitar, violins and produce it. The band could help with the other instruments as well. And Luka would be able to follow his dream making instruments too, all Adriens instruments could be hand crafted by Luka to make just the right sound.

"That sounds like a good idea. And tell you what, I'll be your manager. A good one as well, not the kind of parent manager that financially abused their kid as well. You can have all the money you make and all the creative decisions, I'll just book the tours and help with the merchandise" Emilie offered.

"I haven't even started yet and you're already thinking about tours" Adrien snickered.

"I have no doubt you'll be touring one day. I've heard your songs so far, they're all so good. I'm not just saying that because I'm your mother too"

Emilie and Nathalie both had the experience to manage a musician, they'd both been in the media industry before and knew the ins and outs of it. They were glad to help Adrien reach his goals as a musician if that's what he wanted to do.

"Thanks. I guess you'll want to hear the next song when it's done then?" Adrien asked.

"Obviously. You and Luka have to perform it live for me and Nat ok?" Emilie replied.

"Yeah yeah, of course"

When they'd finished up their dinner, the mothers agreed to help wash up together and Adrien went up to his room to write. He'd just been struck with some inspiration after that conversation. He opened up his notebook, grabbed a pen and started writing.

"Let me guess, another sappy love song for Luka?" Plagg asked, looking over his shoulder.

"There might be a few lines for him but I have something else in mind" Adrien replied.

He started by writing down lines he thought would sound good and rearranged them to fit in with the best he had in his head. Midway through he needed a second opinion, so of course he called Luka over video chat.

When he picked up he was on the deck of the liberty helping his family clean up after a day out on the canals.

"Hey sunshine, what's up?" He spoke.

"I need a title for this, can you read it and give me ideas. I'm sending a picture" Adrien replied, sending a picture of what he had so far.

Quickly Luka received the image and read it over, already liking what he was seeing.

"This is going to be so good. I can already tell. There's themes of love, loss, struggle and finding the good in the bad sooo how about something bittersweet?" He suggested.

"Hmm, that's a good idea. How about... beautiful sadness, Light in the darkness... uhh..." Adrien pondered.

They were both silent a moment, thinking of something to fit the theme.

"Oh! How about 'pretty when I cry?" Luka suggested.

Adrien immediately perked up. That was PERFECT. A song about being trapped in the limelight by his father and desperately wanting to break free would fit perfectly with that title. He was a model, someone considered pretty. But the whole time he was miserable with it. He was a pretty picture on the screen crying off camera.

Pretty when I cry... that was perfect.

"Luka you're a genius! God I love you" he smiled.

"You're pretty when you smile too" Luka complimented.

Adrien was on a roll now, he'd been given the inspiration he needed to become a writing machine. Form the lower floors his mums could hear him and Luka laughing together and excitedly talking. It made them happy to see him so happy.

"Nathalie I know I've said it a million times, but thank you. He's so happy, you've done so well taking care of him" Emilie said.

"I love him like my own son Em, I'd never let him get hurt" Nathalie replied.

"He IS your son Nathalie. He's OUR son"

How she loved that woman... even though Adrien wasn't her blood related child, Emilie still considered him a son of Nathalie's. They gave each other a warm smile and a kiss on the peach pink lips. It felt so right, so perfect.

Two beautiful women, raising a son together, madly in love.

It was everything they'd ever wanted, and so much more.

THE END