Without his lucky charm

3

Watching the clock slowly tick by, Adrien proceeded to get lost in his thoughts. He reminisced on happy memories with his lady. Fighting with her, laughing with her, patrolling with her. And then there was Marinette; dancing with her, hiding with her, talking with her. He wished that he had realised they were the same person. Maybe he would have been there for her... in all the ways he couldn't. She was the light of his lives, both as Chat Noir and as Adrien. He felt dumb for not piecing it together, if he did then maybe they'd be together now, him helping her every step of the way. Now, instead, she's sat behind him in detention for being late, them not conversing with each other at all. He knew that he could start a conversation with her but he also knew that she felt like she didn't fit in and that she also didn't know what to talk about, considering it was like she was just reborn and has no idea with what's going on in the world.

"Alright delinquents," the teacher said, eyeing each of the people in the detention. "You're free to go." Letting a sigh escape his mouth, Adrien picked up is bag and headed out of the classroom.
"Adrien!" He stopped by the stairs and waited for the owner of that voice.
"So you remember my name now?" Adrien asked with a raised eyebrow. Marinette began to feel uncomfortable and sensing this, Adrien quickly apologised.
"I'm sorry for earlier. I'm also a little confused about something," Marinette said as they began walking down the stairs.
"What's up?" he asked.
"Why is it that you don't hang around anybody?" she asked. "I have seen you around. You're supposed to be Nino's best friend but in the few weeks that I've... remembered, you haven't been around anyone. Is everything alright?"
"Even with memory loss, you're still the sweetest person I know," he said softly, making Marinette blush. "Something happened and I don't want to make people uncomfortable."
"What did you do?" she asked.
"Have you ever heard of Hawkmoth?" he asked, opening the door to the school and letting Marinette walk out first. He quickly followed after her and they walked down the stairs.
"Briefly. Who was he?" Marinette asked.
"A really bad guy. But basically I'm his son and people think I'm just like him," Adrien responded as they began walking to the bakery.
"I don't think so. You're like the embodiment of a croissant!" Marinette exclaimed.

Adrien stopped walking and burst out laughing. Marinette stoped and chuckled along with him.
"Elaborate?" he said, trying to calm down.
"Well there are different types of croissants. But they're all sweet, like you. And there are different versions of you. There's happy Adrien, isolated Adrien, sad Adrien and energetic Adrien. Like croissants there are butter croissants, chocolate croissants, plain croissants and ham and cheese croissants," she explained.
"That.. makes no sense," he said with a frown.
"I know. Just like you!" she said with a happy smile before continuing to walk.

Eventually, they arrived at the bakery.
"Bye Adrien!" she said with a wave as he continued to walk.

Adrien sighed in content. He just had a normal conversation with Marinette for the first time in weeks. He felt so happy, happier than he has been for a long time.

He walked into an alleyway, making sure no one could see him and there were no cameras before transforming. He jumped to the rooftop and gradually made his way home.

"Adrien." It was a few hours later and he was sat in his room, pondering some homework questions when a familiar voice was at his bedroom door. Widening his eyes, he scrambled to the miracle box and hid it in a cupboard.
"Come in!" he cried, trying to act normal as he made his way back to his chair.
"Your father sent me to collect you," Natalie informed him. Adrien rolled his eyes.
"Tell him that I don't want to see him," Adrien said defiantly.
"Adrien, he misses you. It's visiting hours and he was hoping to see you. He hasn't seen you in weeks," Natalie urged, guilt building inside her for her past actions and his father's behaviour.
"He should've thought about that. And last I checked, you don't work for me or him," Adrien said bitterly. This comment hurt the secretary, but she had trained to never show her emotions.

"Adrien, I-" she paused. "I'm sorry.. for all the harm that he.. we caused you. And I know that you may hate him right now, but he is still your father and he loves you."
"You're lucky I don't report you for conspiring with Hawkmoth," he said, ignoring her sadness. Natalie sighed.
"I'm sorry Adrien. I'm just trying to look out for you," she said sadly. Adrien was surprised at her sadness and he took a moment to contemplate letting her go. The former secretary turned to leave.
"Natalie wait!" he called out. "Perhaps you can stay and help... you know, take over your old job. Just... don't talk to me about my father."
Natalie found herself smiling as she nodded.
"Thank you Adrien."

And so their life continued as how normal it could've been. She reminded him about the little photoshoots he had with the remaining companies still invested in the Agreste company. She cooked dinner for him, drove him to and from school, woke him up for school, etc.

A few days later, Adrien was transformed as Chat Noir, patrolling the city. He took time to sit on a rooftop staring at the stars.
"Tikki, I don't understand," he said with a soft sigh. He decided he would take Tikki out for some fresh air as she had been hiding herself away from everyone.
"What's up?" she asked, feeling a little better being outside.
"So I know you won't tell me what happened or you simply don't know, but something bad must have happened if she were to give up being Ladybug. Like a new villain," he started to explain his thought process. "But if there was a new villain, why haven't they attacked the city?"
"I'm not sure," Tikki answered, being careful about her answers.
"I just wish m'lady was here to help me. She'd know exactly what was going on if it were me in this situation," he finished. He began to hum his song before spotting his blue-haired friend staring up at the sky. His ears twitched as he heard her talking to herself.

Tikki seemed to notice as she hid behind his shoulder.
"I want to go home now. I can't bear to face her," she whispered.
"How do I always end up here when I think?" Chat Noir asked himself, ignoring the kwami's request.
"Chat Noir, please," Tikki said sadly.
"Of course," he said, snapping out of his thoughts. "We'll go home now." He frowned slightly, watching her continue to talk to herself, as if someone else was there. It wasn't like conversing with yourself like people do, it was like she was actually talking to someone who wasn't there. He smiled softly before hopping away.