Understand love

Prologue

Chat Noir and Ladybug sat in silence on the rooftop, overlooking the Eiffel Tower as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon. TAround them, silence reigned as Chat Noir sank into his thoughts, haunted by fresh memories of recent events. Only five days had passed since that day, yet he felt as if he were reliving it over and over, blaming himself for the separation between his father and Nathalie. He still remembered the words of the past Nathalie, who had told him not to hold himself responsible for the mistakes of adults, mistakes over which he had no control. Yet, each time he saw Nathalie, he couldn't help but hold himself—and his mother's actions—responsible. He was pulled out of his reverie by Ladybug, who placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

L: Adrien, what's bothering you?

CN: Shouldn't we call each other by our superhero names?

L: We're alone, and I can see how your thoughts are eating you up from the inside, so we can let go of the rules for now.

CN: "Thank you Marinette". Adrien smiled cockily.

L: What's bothering you so much?

CN: Our adventure in the past. I still remember it as if we had just returned to our times, even though almost a week has passed.

L: You still blame yourself?

CN: Yes, even though I know I shouldn't. I had no influence on my mother's decisions but...

Ladybug grabbed Chat Noir's hand, intertwining her fingers.

L:But?

CN: However, seeing Nathalie put on a brave face, as if my father's death meant nothing to her, wounds me deeply. I know she's trying to be strong for me, but that's not what I want. I've tried many times to tell her that she doesn't have to be strong for me; she has the right to be vulnerable, and I'll always be there for her. But she just smiles at me and says she appreciates my words. I blame myself for Nathalie's suffering—she lost my father for the second time, and once again, it was my fault, and I can't do anything about it.

L: You know, Adrien, everyone grieves differently. Your father is a perfect example of this.

CN: But he was forced to love, probably if he really loved my mother he would have behaved differently.

L: You don't know it. Even though your father was forced to love, in his subconscious these feelings were real. I'm not defending your mother at this point, but she only made your father fall in love with her and the rest was up to him.

CN: Do you think if Nathalie died he would act the same way?

L: Maybe. People do stupid things for love.

CN: Maybe you're right.

L: As for your father's death, you are not to blame for anything. It was your father who decided to use cataclysm on himself, taking my lucky charm and dooming himself to death. He could have tried to ask us for help, but he didn't.

CN: But if there had been no cataclysm in our plan, nothing would have happened.

L: You can't know that. Your father acted like he had nothing to lose. If he had not been injured by the cataclysm, he could have been injured in other ways. His actions became thoughtless and they led him to his undoing.

CN: But why did his actions become thoughtless. He still had me and Nathalie?

L: You remember your mother's words: Nathalie stood up to your father. Although your father denied his feelings for Nathalie, her actions likely caused him to act recklessly, trying to hide his pain.