Love Bug

Chapter 12

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Half an hour later, the police stuffed Gabriel Agreste and Nathalie in the back of a cop car. Both Ladybug and Chat Noir gave statements to Officer Raincomprix before running off to find a place to detransform. At least, that's the excuse Ladybug gave so that they could get away. She knew Adrien would probably prefer to be away from the crowd that was forming around his house.

They landed on Marinette's balcony and climbed down the stairs before calling off their transformations. 

Adrien sat down on the chaise with his head in his hands. "Marinette, I don't know what I'm supposed to do now."

Marinette sat down and put her arm around him. "I know this has to be really hard. I'm sorry that you have to go through this."

"I'm just in shock right now. Watching them drive away in the police car made it real, you know? I'm just like, what? How is this even happening?" He stood up and started pacing the room.

Marinette watched with a frown. She had no idea what she could say to make this better. "Do you want to stay here for a few days while you figure everything out?"

"I wouldn't want to be an imposition. I'll probably just stay in a hotel with the Gorilla."

"Adrien, it wouldn't be an imposition. I want to be here for you. Besides, my parents love you and I'm sure they wouldn't mind at all."

"Are you sure?" He met her gaze.

"I'm sure. I'll go talk to them right now if you want."

"Thank you Marinette." he pulled her into a hug and didn't let go for a few minutes. He let go and backed away. "Sorry about that. I just needed a hug."

"It's okay Adrien. I'm for anything you need." She kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be right back."

He watched her leave with a grateful smile. 

Plagg floated up beside Adrien and gave him a pitying look. He had seen a lot of things as a kwami, but this, the father of Chat Noir using a miraculous to become a supervillain  with the intention of stealing the two most powerful miraculous to bring his wife back to life was not one of them. 

"You know, I never liked him." Plagg said bluntly.

"Plagg! You shouldn't say that." Tikki said, scolding him.

"It's okay, Tikki." Adrien said sadly. "I know that my father is not a good person. I always thought that maybe deep down he truly did love me, but now I really don't think so."

"Adrien, your father does love you, or else he wouldn't have given up his miraculous the way that he did. I believe he was blinded by grief and it pushed him to make some really bad decisions." Tikki said, hugging his cheek.

"At least now you don't have to model anymore." Plagg said, trying to be optimistic.

Adrien let out a little laugh. "I guess that's the one good thing that came from all of this."

"I know that doesn't make up for all that you're going through..." Plagg said as he sat on Adrien's shoulder. "you don't deserve any of it. You're a good kid."

"I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me Plagg."

"That's not true. I've said plenty of nice heartfelt things to you before. I even told you that you're my favorite Chat Noir."

"Well, thank you Plagg, for everything."

"Okay, that's enough of that mushy stuff for now." He flew away from Adrien.