Found in Twilight: A Miraculous Match

Twilight Moth

Realizing he still had time before meeting Carapace for patrol and trying to shift his focus from the amazing kiss he had just shared with Marinette, Adrien decided to snoop through his father's personal library. Since it was now his own, he was eager to see what other potentially terrible things lurked there. His search was rewarded with the discovery of a planner Gabriel had kept. Adrien began angrily pacing around the manor, frustrated with himself for being hopeful he wouldn't find any more evidence of his father's abhorrent choices. He was also upset that his father had the audacity to think he could control Adrien after graduation. He muttered and thudded about bitterly until he roughly bumped into Nathalie outside his room.

"What's wrong?" She worriedly asked. She had heard his heavy footsteps and came to find out what was going on. Adrien was a typically calm person, using fencing or basketball to let out his aggression, not stomping around the house like a moody teenager.

"Did you know about this?" Adrien asked, shoving the planner into her hands.

Nathalie looked over it. The ideas Gabriel had were intense. He had planned a very rigorous schedule for Adrien after graduation. The agenda included more modeling in new spots around the world, more business meetings with clients' daughters, and more studies. No doubt, Gabriel was willing to push Adrien's boundaries for the sake of a business deal and he expected a doctorate degree from Adrien in two years. Adrien would be an empty shell if he attempted that. Even Nathalie was appalled at the list. How did Gabriel expect to enforce this absurd agenda upon Adrien who was an adult? More disregard for Adrien and barbaric restrictions? Nathalie sighed. Why hadn't she seen the signs of Gabriel's mental deterioration before it was too late? She could have stopped him from walking down that path if she had just paid better attention. Ultimately, she didn't even know of the power he gained as Hawk Moth or the adverse effects from using that power until it was too late. But Nathalie couldn't give in to her guilt. She had to be strong. For Adrien.

"I did not," Nathalie answered, closing the planner and handing it back. "This is too lofty, even for someone as talented and driven as you."

Adrien looked up at Nathalie. He had characterized her wrong as a child. He saw her standoffishness as cold and calculating when it was merely a tool to keep herself protected. She did care about him. If he thought about it, he could clearly see moments when she had stuck out her neck for him.

"Why did he not want to spend time with me?" Adrien asked, allowing his shoulders to drop in hopelessness.

"Don't blame yourself, Adrien." Nathalie spoke softly. "He was a corrupt man blinded by his selfish desires."

"Thanks." Adrien replied half-heartedly. "Now I'm left to clean up his mess."

Nathalie nodded, "It might help if you wrote down all these feelings." She wisely added. "It doesn't do you any good to keep them bottled up. Your mother wouldn't want that."

Adrien shrugged his shoulders. Nathalie wasn't the first to suggest writing a letter. His grief support group leaders, along with Tikki and Kaalki, had done so as well. "Thanks, Nathalie." He turned and opened his door, plopping down on the chair in front of his desk, tossing the planner down.

Plagg floated out of his pocket and grabbed some cheese. He had learned it was best to let Adrien mope a little, then tease him.

Marinette's soft smile after he had kissed her tonight came rushing to mind and Adrien sat up quickly, a renewed energy rushing through him. He grabbed a pen from the drawer and ripped a sheet of paper from the planner on the floor. If he ever wanted to have a fulfilling relationship with Marinette, he was going to have to tell her his identity one day. He couldn't possibly have a heartfelt talk about his past with her and not have worked through some of his pain himself. Adrien wanted to give only the best to Marinette, if ever given the chance, which meant his best self. This included trying to work on the issues left behind by a cold, distant father who kept his son overworked and undervalued.