[Narrator's POV]

Rena Rouge's mask is stained with tears and smudged mascara. Across from her sits Lila, covered in ash and soot. Her jacket is zipped up and peeking out of it is the fluffy face of a bunny. The waitress stands by their table staring at the two, unsure how to address them.

"Um, excuse me miss," She starts. "We aren't allowed animals in here."

"That's rude. Can't you see she's having a hard time?" Lila says, gesturing to Rena Rouge.

Rena sniffs and looks up at the waitress with watery eyes. "I-I'm an animal?"

The waitress awkwardly points a finger at the ears poking out from Lila's jacket. "I was talking about the rabbit..."

"There is no rabbit here. Clearly you need a break because you're tripping harder than Alice in Wonderland," Lila says. "So just get us some crepes with dark chocolate drizzle and leave us alone."

The waitress sighs and walks away.

Lila scratches her bunny's head with a smile. "So, tell me everything that happened to make you cry like this."

Rena Rouge twiddles her thumbs. "W-Why do you want to hear? You don't even know me..."

"Well, isn't that better? You're identity is supposed to be a secret." Lila says. "I don't really care about other people and their business but it'll make you feel better to talk about it."

Rena Rouge takes a deep breath. "Okay..."

.

[Adrien's POV]

My little date with Ladybug was cut short by Audrey's stupid press conference. I know our lives are hinging on its outcome and as Chloe's closest friends we should be here for support, but I really hate going back to reality. Nathaniel is here with Marinette and me so I feel even more restricted. It's back to being without Marinette, without my other half. Back to being incomplete and empty and fake. I feel like I can't be myself when I'm, well, myself.

Marinette twists her purse strap anxiously and bites her lip in anticipation. I reach out for her hand intensively, wishing to comfort her, but I hesitate. We can't be together. How can I possibly comfort her when I am just as powerless against this as she is?

Nathaniel gives Marinette a light nudge with his shoulder. "Don't be nervous, Marinette. Chloe told me that she sat down and had a good talk with Audrey."

Marinette nods, releasing the tension on her purse strap slightly. "Right. I have to trust Chloe."

Discouraged and dejected, I lower my eyes to the ground. The reporter's cameras snap away as Audrey finally makes her appearance. She taps the mic to test it and clears her throat before beginning.

"I am sure that many of you are expecting me to announce the exile of Paris' superhero team but let me put you to ease by assuring you that I will not be doing so."

The crowd bustles and murmurs in surprise. I can hear Marinette sighing in relief beside me. So the heroes are off the hook but what about us?

"I am retracting everything that I have said and done against the superheros, especially Queen Bee. She is not a criminal or a tyrant and she did not steal from me, she merely confiscated an item that I had stolen for the good of Paris. The Mayor's card...was not mine to use. I am a selfish and greedy and horrible human being who has done nothing but terrorise and rob others. I will be refunding all of the false taxes I wrongfully implemented from my personal bank account. Though, I would like to clarify that this is not an apology because I am not sorry and you should not forgive me. It is also not an attempt to recorrect my actions or make a change so do not empathise or reason with me either. I will always be a despicable person. The only reason I am doing this today is because of my daughter, Chloe, who has far more initiative and moral than I do. She has taken responsibility for an immature adult's actions and repaired them for the sake of her city. I am only complying due to self-interest, because if I don't restrain myself from harming others so much then Chloe will not tolerate me. She is the true hero of Paris."

With that, Audrey leaves the stage. The crowd is dead silent and I don't blame them.

"She—She just completely tarnished her reputation! She totally just stood there talking about how terrible she is. Why? Audrey would never!" I sputter in shock.

"Chloe finally put her foot down." Nathaniel says proudly.

My spirits lift a little.

"She's cleaned up her act for the public but the mess of my life remains the same." Marinette says, crossing her arms.

And then, my spirits sink again. Looks like we aren't off the hook. Mari doesn't think so at least.

Nathaniel turns to us with a bright smile. "Let's go see Chloe. The four of us should go out for lunch to celebrate her efforts. She really accomplished something great today."

I look at Marinette sorrowfully. She still doesn't feel safe. Does she need me to stay away from her? Of course. I've gotten too lost in my fantasy life of freedom as Cat Noir.

"I'm gonna go home." I say.

Back to isolation where Adrien Agreste belongs.

.

[Narrator's POV]

"So," Lila says as she munches on her crepe. "You've been dating this guy for like ages and you're totally head over heels in love which caused you to impulsively kiss him whilst transformed and now he is distressed because he thinks he has cheated on you...with you?"

Rena Rouge clasps her hands over her face. "I'm in such a mess! What do I do? I have to tell him my identity!"

"Don't freak out." Lila says sternly. "And don't tell him your secret identity, idiot."

"I can't lose him!" Rena Rouge replies.

"Listen." Lila leans forward. "All you have to do is wait for him to confess to cheating on you and forgive him because it's not his fault."

Rena Rouge pauses. She hadn't considered talking it out with him as his girlfriend. Although it is still a difficult situation to have to go through when she could just dismiss it by telling him the truth.

"Will it ever be the same though? I dunno if it'll be that easy for him to move on." Rena Rouge mopes.

"It's better than nothing." Lila says.

"That's true..." Rena Rouge replies unsurely.

"I know," Lila says. "I'm super wise."

Rena Rouge pokes her crepe with her fork, eyes flickering up to Lila every now and then until she works up the courage to ask, "Are you...interested in anyone?"

Lila heaves a sigh, debating whether or not she should bother saying. "Kinda...yeah. I guess I am, but...they're in love with someone else."

"I see." Concern weighs down Rena's heart. "I-I'm sorry to hear that."

Lila smiles softly. "It's alright, I like being friends."

"Thanks for helping me out anyways." Rena Rouge says.

"No problem," Lila replies. "I got a free meal out of it."

"What do you mean?" Rena Rouge questions.

"I mean you're shouting me." Lila answers.

"I don't have any money," Rena Rouge says. "I thought you were paying."

"I never pay." Lila replies.

"Crap." Rena sighs.

"Crap." Lila repeats.

Rena Rouge flinches in alarm as Lila slams her hands on the table and shoots up to her feet.

"A robbery!" She shouts. "There's a robbery happening! A purse-snatcher is making a run for it, we have to catch him!" Lila grabs Rena Rouge by the hand and bolts out the door. "You can thank us later. Superheros away!"

"W-Wait! What robber? Where?" Rena Rouge puffs as she sprints along with Lila. "You're not even a superhero! More importantly, we didn't pay! You should wait for me back at the restaurant and I'll get some money after I catch the thief."

"Idiot, the only thieves on the run are us!" Lila cackles madly.

"WHAT?" Rena Rouge shrieks in horror. "I'm a hero, I don't dine and dash!"

Lila throws her head back to give Rena a devilish grin. "Well I'm a monster so if you still wonna play hero then how about you chase after me? Catch me if you can, second-rate Volpina!"

Rena Rouge gasps in offense. "I'll show you who's better, you cheap knock-off!"

.

"Mom, you didn't have to go that far. You—You should go back up there before it's too late." Chloe says worriedly.

Audrey gently grips Chloe's shoulders. "It's fine. This is not even the least of what should be done. I want you to stop thinking of me so much and have the carefree childhood you deserve. If I ever do go back on my word, do not tolerate it."

"Oh...kay..." Chloe agrees reluctantly.

"Chloe!"

Nathaniel hurries over excitedly and gives Chloe a big hug. Marinette approaches more cautiously, eyeing Audrey.

"Marinette." Audrey says.

"Yes?" Marinette responds.

"I have paid back all of the money your parents were forced to spend on movers and temporary accommodation. Not only am I giving back your bakery, I have also renovated and refurnished it." Audrey says. "Your parents should be receiving a notification of the update as we speak."

Marinette stares at Audrey in disbelief. "W-What? You did what? For me? You're...letting me go?"

Audrey gives Marinette a nod. "I will ensure that you are never harmed again."

[Marinette's POV]

I narrow my eyes sceptically. Audrey is just putting on a show to gain trust. Surely she's trying to lure in Adrien like always. Adrien, I have to protect him. As long as Audrey is in this city, we are threatened.

"I still don't trust you." I tell her.

Audrey clears her throat uncomfortably. "I would do anything for my, er, Adrikins, so I'm giving you to him or something."

Okay Audrey is clearly forcing herself. She could at least put some more effort into making her voice less monotone... But she kind of has a point. How would hurting Adrien benefit her in any way? Maybe Chloe finally made her see that flaw in her plan.

"What mom is trying to say is that Adrien is totally miserable and broken without you. He needs you!" Chloe says.

"He doesn't need me at all...He's miserable because of me." I whisper painfully.

That's right. That's what I have been thinking this entire time. That's the reason I separated myself from him in the first place. That's the reason I still hesitate now.

Tears begin to drip down my cheeks. "It hurt so much...What if something happens again? Wouldn't he be better off moving on...?"

To my utter shock, Audrey steps forward to speak some sense into me. "Of course not! You know how he used to be when he was sealed off from the world. You broke him out of his prison and gave him life and love—You can't abandon him! Adrien is losing himself again with every second he spends alone."

Chloe's mouth spread into a grin as she claps for her mother. Meanwhile, I am stood gutted with guilt. What am I thinking? Adrien was right here with me and I let him go! Without wasting another minute, I turn to push through the crowd and sprint away.

"Marinette put your spots on," Tiki says. "You can find him in seconds as Ladybug."

"No Tiki," I reply. "This is a job for Marinette."

Cars honk and people yell as I carelessly hurl myself through the streets of Paris. Dogs bark and cats hiss and birds screech when I take shortcuts through parks and gardens. My clothes are sweaty and sticky. My legs are burning from running so hard. My throat is dry and stings with every heavy puff. But I power on. Any pain and discomfort seems to ease immediately once Adrien comes into sight. Happiness swells into adrenaline and unstoppable momentum. How can I slow down when everything I want is right in front of me?

"Adrien!" I shout as I push off the ground and leap for him.

Adrien barely has time to turn around before being tackled. I wrap my arms around his neck to make sure he doesn't hit his head and land on top of him with a hard thud.

Adrien groans. "Marinette...What are you doing?"

"I'm latching onto you and never letting go!" I declare happily. "We can overcome any challenges as long as we're together. I want to be together again. More than anything. I need to be with you."

Tears seep from the corners of Adrien's wide eyes. "Mari...Are we really free?"

I smile and nod. Adrien lets out a breath of relief, his mouth spreading into a smile.

"Thank god. Thank god, Marinette, I missed you so much. My precious princess, my love."

"I know, I've missed us too. Adrien Agreste, would you do me the honour of being my boyfriend again?"

"Of course, princess. Come here my cute little girlfriend!"

Adrien squeezes me into his chest and kisses my head over and over. Our hearts overwhelmed with joy, we don't care that we are laying on a hard and probably filthy sidewalk or that the many passer-by's think we are crazy. In this moment, apart from our love for each other we are without a care in the world.