Notes: I’m sorry this is kinda short, I suck at writing long stories. And if I try, I become uninterested ad stop writing. So I had to do this little one-shot, sorry!
After Chat lost his chance to tell Ladybug he loved her, he felt a bit guilty. He should have told her. He should have worked up the courage and just told her.
But of course, he was reminded by the cruel truth that he was in fact Adrien Agreste. He may have been a model, and he may be dashingly handsome, but even he had insecurities. Even he had doubts. What if Ladybug could not return his feelings? What if she loved someone else? What if he made a fool of himself?
There were just too many possibilities of things going wrong. And he didn’t want to take the risk of any of them happening. He would just have to wait till the time was right… Which may even be never…
It was time. It was finally time to fight the man whom they hadn’t been waiting to fight all this time. Hawkmoth. The crazy man who had been sending even crazier akumas at them. Neither of the duo was sure if they were ready, but they had no time. This was now, and they had to take action.
Hawkmoth had become fed up with his minions. Everyone he sent was taken down. He had to take care of the job himself this time. And he was planning on doing just so.
Ladybug sat atop a rooftop, peering over the edge. She was trying to figure out a strategy, observing Hawkmoth closely as he roamed the streets, terrifying civilians. Maybe she could find a weakness. Or even an advantage that she could take hold of.
Well, that, and she was waiting for Chat Noir. She assumed that he must be busy, or hadn’t heard about the attack yet.
Hawkmoth screamed from down below her,“COME OUT AND FACE ME! I SHALL HAVE YOUR MIRACULOUS! I SWEAR IT!"
She rolled her eyes. He had never got them before, how should it be any different now?
She felt a warm breath on the back of her neck.
"He really wants to kill us doesn’t he?” Chat mumbled.
Ladybug jumped, spinning around to face him.
“Don’t do that!"
At first, she was worried that Hawkmoth may have heard her, but quickly put the thought out of her mind. She was probably drown out by the people’s horrified screams.
"Do what, My Lady?” Chat smirked, inching closer to her.
“Now is not the time, Kitty.” She held out her hand to his chest.
“Awww, why?” He whimpered.
“Do you not see our worst enemy down on the streets? Literally right there?” She gestured.
“Oh, that. Right. So what’s the plan? Cataclysm?"
Ladybug shook her head slowly, looking down,"I don’t know if that will be enough…”
He waltzed over to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder,“Come on, I’m so strong, he won’t even know what happened~”
“Chat,” She stiffened, still not looking up.
This sudden seriousness sent a chill down his back. Normally she would roll her eyes at a remark like that.
“I’m worried…I don’t want you to get hurt…” She glanced up at him, tears of sincerity stinging her eyes.
“…I would never leave you, My Lady…” He kissed her forehead softly, then muttered under his breath,“not without a goodbye…"
It was true that Chat would sacrifice his life for her. He didn’t care who she was behind the mask anymore. Sure, he’d like to know, but he loved her regardless. He would do anything for his beloved Ladybug. He didn’t care what happened to him…even if that meant he died. That was just how much he cared for her.
A quiet sniffle pulled him out of his thoughts. Ladybug straightened her back and took a deep, shuddering breath.
Chat hated to his partner like this. There had to be something he could do. He thought maybe he could tell jokes, but now didn’t really seem like the time. He felt that would only make things worse.
"Let’s go.” She said, looking him straight in the eye, as if she had to fear. He admired her for this. She hid her fear so well…but being him, and knowing her so well, he knew for sure that she was scared. He just feel it.
Chat nodded in response, getting onto the ledge of the building. Ladybug jumped to his side.
Now that they were both in plain site, Hawkmoth noticed them.
“There you are!” He snarled.
“Nice to finally meet you in person!” The cat said, smirking and giving a quick wink.
“If you give me the miraculous now, and I may spare your lives.” The man threatened, glaring up at them.
Chat took a quick glance at his partner then back the villain below.
“I don’t think it’s gonna be that easy,” he shrugged,“who would wanna give up this handsome look?"
Ladybug thought of telling him off, but his humor did, in fact, bring up her mood a little. It always did. Maybe that’s why she began to look forward to hearing it so much.
Before she even realized what was happening, Chat lunged down from the building and began fighting. But Hawkmoth was much too strong. Almost immediately, he had to use Ancient Destruction. This always drained his transformation time quite a lot.
The girl stood helplessly, frozen with fear, and watched her partner as he fought aimlessly. He punched, kicked, spun, and flipped. Nothing seemed to faze the evil mastermind.
"Ladybug! Come on!” Chat screamed, dodging a few moves the man threw at him.
“I’m coming!” She jumped down, knowing that she would have to use Lucky Charm.
Could they even defeat him? There was nothing to purify. Nothing to heal. What could they possibly do?
The few people that still remained in the streets hooted and cheered. They’re heroine had finally arrived.
“Still no plan?” Chat asked, running to her side, watching as the man came closer and closer.
He wasn’t running. He just slowly walked, wearing a horrifying grimace his face had twisted into.
Ladybug shook her head,“No plan yet… But I still have one thing,” she looked up at him,“lucky charm?"
Chat nodded furiously. That may be their only hope.
"Lucky Charm!” She yelled.
A slim sword plopped into her hands before her.
“What are we supposed to do with this? I don’t-”
“I take fencing,” Chat smirked, taking the sword from her,“Maybe it was meant for me.”
Chat ran to Hawkmoth, sword in hand. He sliced, and slashed, trying everything he could. But then…
He didn’t turn around fast enough. Hawkmoth had taken the sword so quickly he didn’t even realize it. Without hesitation, the evil man stabbed him straight through the back.
The young man’s body jumped at the sudden excruciating pain. As the sword was quickly yanked out of him, he fell the ground, almost seeming dead.
Everything seemed to be in slow motion. Ladybug watched for movement from his still body. Nothing.
She couldn’t hold back the warm tears flowing down her cheeks. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t fight.
Hawkmoth slowly turned to her,"I told you, child…you could have given me the miraculous…”
Ladybug backed away slowly, staring at him completely terrified.
A few coughs came from Chat as he tried to speak,“You wish…"
He was alive. Oh, thank the heavens.
"Chat! A-Are you ok?"
He gave a limp thumbs up, then flopped his arm back down beside him.
Ladybug looked around. There had to be something to use as a weapon. But what?
And there it was. The sword. Hawkmoth had dropped it after he had gotten to Chat. I guess she was too distracted to notice.
She dashed to it, ducking under Hawkmoth as he tried to grab her.
She picked up the sword, ready to kill this threat. She had never been so sure of anything in her life. This man needed to die what he has done…
She sprinted, stabbing and slicing. He dodged most, but Ladybug is fast. Much faster than most.
She finally got a good slash on his leg.
He fell to the ground, kneeling. He held his thigh tightly, wincing in pain.
Ladybug raised the sword, waisting no time.
"I will no longer tolerate you…” She growled through gritted teeth. It was almost like she wasn’t herself anymore. What was over taking her over?
“Accept your fate…"
Hawkmoth nodded, looking back up at her,"But don’t you think I won’t be back…I always will be…just as you and Chat noir. See you soon-” he smirked, as she stabbed him in the chest. She didn’t bother taking the sword out. He could die in any way, she didn’t care anymore.
He fell back, his body jerked as he coughed. She watched him as his chest slowly stopped moving.
She heard more coughing behind her. Chat.
She was there in the second, putting his head in her lap.
Tears were again inevitably streaming down her face. Chat wiped a few away with a weak hand.
“Don’t cry, My Lady."
"I-I knew this would happen…do you see what I mean now-"
She was silenced by a single finger put to her mouth.
"I need to tell you something before I go.” He rasped.
“You’re not leaving me, Chat, I’m gonna get help! You’re going to be ok!"
"Shhh…hush…we both know I won’t make it out of this."
A beep from his ring. Only a minute or so.
"You have to Chat…I need you…"
"I need you, too…”
A beep from her earring. Only a few seconds. Neither of them seemed to care or notice.
“I need to tell you…that I love you, My Lady…” He winced slightly, his detransformation starting.
“A-Adrien?”
She was sobbing. Her eyes were so filled with tears she could barely see him. It was like trying to look through a windshield when it was pouring rain.
Plagg flew to Adrien’s shoulder,“Come on, Adrien. Please! Wh-Who’s gonna get me cheese like you did?” He joked, tears forming.
“You’ll find someone, Plagg. Maybe someone who’s even better than me… I’m sure of it."
"D-don’t be like that, kid…” The little kwamu choked out.
Adrien held the small creature within his palm, trying his best to smile despite his pain. Plagg nuzzled his cheek against his thumb, urging him to keep himself together.
“Maybe if you transformed, you could-”
The boy shook his head. He would be ok with dying now. He could die in the arms of his lady. That’s all he had ever wanted.
Ladybug watched as Plagg attempted to reason with him. She couldn’t help but shake and tremble. She bit her lip, stifling a sob as Plagg finally gave up with reasoning.
A final beep came from Marinette’s earrings. Adrien didn’t want to look. He still had to respect her desire to keep her identity hidden. Even if he would never see her again.
There was a flash of red. It tickled under him as her legs went back to normal. He no longer felt her spandex suit. It was a soft Jean.
Tikki flew out from her home of Marinette’s earrings, and hovered beside Plagg. He hugged her tightly, patting her back.
Marinette took Adrien’s head and cradled it to her chest. She tried to steady her breathing, but it was hopeless. She took deep, shuddering breaths.
Adrien placed his hand weakly on her cheek, wet with tears, stroking it with his thumb.
“Open your eyes, Adrien…I-I want you to see me…” She managed between sobs.
“Are you sure?"
He could feel her nod under his hand. He was hesitant, but slowly and tiredly looked up.
His classmate, Marinette. He never would have known. How could he not have noticed the similarities? Her pigtails, her voice, her eyes…everything was so clear now…
The silence made her nervous.
"I’m not what you wanted, huh?” She chuckled dryly, tears still streaming down her face.
“You’re what I wanted, and so much more, Marinette…I wish I could have known sooner…” He frowned, tearing up.
“I don’t mind…I’m just happy that I know it was you…” She tried her best to smile. She didn’t want the last thing for him see be her crying face. She wanted him to remember her smile. A sincere and warm one. Although, she couldn’t stop her tears.
She thought for a moment, then leaned down and pecked his lips. The last chance for her to do anything. Maybe Alya would be proud of her, she hoped. Or maybe even herself for working up the courage to do this.
He couldn’t help but smile. He’d waited so long for a kiss from Ladybug. He wanted it for so long, he couldn’t even remember when the desire started.
He eyelids began to droop, telling Marinette she was running out of time.
“I’ve loved you…for so long…” He whispered.
She couldn’t believe it. The boy she had a crush on for so long had, in fact, liked her back. That couldn’t be possible. But it was; he had just said it.
“I…I love you, too…” She brushed his hair out of her eyes. She wanted to gaze into those beautiful seas of green one more time before they closed forever. He smiled at her, as everything starting to fade away. He could no longer feel pain. He could no longer feel Marinette’s warm tears dropping upon his face. He could no longer feel her hands holding him tightly.
The one thing he could feel, was Marinette’s smile…
“Goodnight, My Kitty Cat…"
