To Fall

Phase Two

Felix sighed as he sat across from Adrien, the two boys enjoying coffee in Adrien's dorm. Adrien took a sip and hummed, the warm liquid sliding down his throat. Felix watched him with a soft smile and placed his cup down, leaning back in the recliner and crossing his legs. 

"Adrien."

Adrien raised a brow as he took another sip, Felix chuckling at the coffee mustache along his lips. "Tell me about them." Adrien looked at him in confusion, setting his mug down. "Who?" Felix smirked and leaned forward, propping his elbows on the arms of the seat.

"Your lovers, of course."

Adrien froze and eyed him, Felix grinning back at him. "Come on Adrien. You have told me hardly anything besides their names, I need the juicy details." Adrien smiled softly and laid back across the couch, basking in the company of his cousin. 

"They are great Fe. Marinette is super talented in fashion and some of the things she makes are just, wow! She's sweet and funny and the most caring person I know. Don't get me started on her baking! You have to try her macarons!"

Felix smiled as Adrien's eyes lit up, a silly smile on his face. "Luka, well, Luka is like my rock. You can tell him anything and he's a gentle soul. His music is great and, get this, his dad is Jagged Stone! When he's around, everything just clicks." Felix got up from his chair and grabbed Adrien's legs, setting them on his lap after he plopped himself down next to him. He rubbed his shins slowly, smiling softly down at the blonde. 

"I'm so happy for you Adrien. You have two great people by your side." 

Adrien blushed and nodded, looking down at the Ladybug shirt Luka had given him. He frowned and Felix raised a brow, tapping his leg to pull his attention. "What is it?" Adrien sighed and pointed to the printed Ladybug, her blue eyes grinning up at him.

"Ever since I met Ladybug, I felt this pull to her. Plagg said it's because of our miraculous and I mean that makes sense. Then Viperion entered the picture, and I felt the same to him, I wanted him. Is that bad? This love pentagram?"

Felix sighed and gripped his leg, massaging the muscles. 

"Listen Adrien, you are the only one who can sort that out. I can tell what you have with Marinette and Luka is best for you. If you feel something for the heroes, then that is your choice. Just make sure you are transparent with your partners."

Adrien smiled softly and reached his hand out, grasping Felix's free hand. "Thank you, Fe." Felix smiled and flicked his eyes to the kitchen, watching the black cat munching on cheese. "Mind if I speak to your Kwami alone?" Adrien raised a brow and looked to Plagg, the god's ears perked and grinning at Felix. 

"Doesn't look like I have much of a choice."

Adrien got up and moved to his room, giving the two one last look before closing the door. Plagg zipped over and slammed into Felix's chest, dragging Duusu out and wrapping the peacock in a hug. Felix smiled at the gods and cleared his throat, gaining the cat's attention.

"I believe it's time that Gabriel Agreste caught a little bad luck."

Plagg grinned and come to hover in front of Felix, his eyes slits and his tail swishing. "It's about time! I was getting impatient!" Felix nodded and paced the room, hands behind his back as he schemed with the god, Duusu just happy to be present.

"Here's what we can do."

Gabriel growled as he watched the security tape from the MPD, his informant delivering the flash drive just an hour before. His eyes landed on the purple figure, hatred burning inside as he replayed the video over and over, watching as the man calmed his weapon down. 

Felix.

He stared at the jewel pinned on the vigilante, fists clenching. Felix knew he was Hawkmoth and now, according to this evidence, he was working with Ladybug and the heroes. His time was running out. He pulled out his phone and dialed Nathalie, sighing as she picked up. 

"Sir?"

"Nathalie, there has been a change of schedule. Move on to phase two." 

Nathalie gave a clipped confirmation before hanging up, leaving a smirking Gabriel in silence. He sent a message to his informant, grinning as the message was marked read. He reached into his office drawer, hand clamping around the broken miraculous inside. He clipped it to his suit and smirked down at the butterfly Kwami, fear bouncing in the god's eyes. Gabriel reached out and gripped Nooroo, grinning savagely down at them. 

"Are you ready for a new world, little Nooroo?'

His phone dinged and he slid it open, taking in the sight of a slim waste, duty belt tightly fastened around them and service pistol held in a tight grip. The message lit him up with a lust for victory, his plan falling into place. Ladybug would be helpless to stop this. The retched police would be unable to stand to his might. He would win. He looked at the words one more time before calling his transformation, groaning under the strain of the broken miraculous. The message lit his face up, dark eyes shining. 

FOR HAWKMOTH

Adrien sighed as he lay on his bed, closing his eyes and attempting to nap while his cousin harassed his Kwami. He felt a pull on his consciousness as he sat up, eyes wide as the voice filled his head.

"Adrien, get up."

He obeyed. He grit his teeth as Gabriel's voice filled him, fear gripping him. "Turn on your television." Adrien's body moved on its own, walking past a confused Felix as he turned on the television, the news on full display. His eyes widened; his heart stopping as he took in the reporter in front of the MPD. Bullet holes littered the glass doors as the camera zoomed in, a tall and slender woman with thick brown hair holding her weapon to a bleeding Halsey in the middle of the lobby. Bodies littered the floor, few moving. His eyes flashed to the headline, breath freezing as he scanned the words. 

Officer opens fire inside MPD precinct. Motive- unclear.

He growled as the officer reached over and grabbed a megaphone, pushing the injured Halsey to the side as she moved to the door, cracking it open. 

"Ladybug. Viperion. Hand over your miraculous and surrender to Hawkmoth. This is your only chance to end this. You have until midnight."

Adrien shook with anger as he watched, the woman grabbing Halsey again and dragging him out of view. Another officer made his way to the door, grinning as a painted Akuma symbol shone in the lights. Adrien felt sick as he watched him follow the other, realization sinking in.

Gabriel had more than one man on the inside. Everyone was in danger.

Felix's hand came to rest on his shoulder, his eyes wide. "Adrien, if we get going, we can help out." Adrien nodded and moved to call on Plagg, freezing as Gabriel entered his mind again. 

"Adrien. Aid your allies in the takeover. Bring me those miraculous' boy, or you forfeit your existence. You cannot afford another failure." 

Tears stung his eyes as he called on Plagg, his eyes locking on Felix. He quickly grabbed him and pulled him into a quick embrace. Felix froze at the faraway look in his eyes, recognizing the signs.

"Adrien, what did he tell you to do?"

Adrien shook as he held Felix, holding out for desperate seconds. "I have to help with the takedown. If I don't.." Felix pulled away and grabbed his cheeks, forcing Adrien to look at him. "Or what Adrien?" Adrien bit his lips and tossed the burner phone he carried to Felix, Ladybug's number on display. Felix nodded at the silent command and kept the eye contact, determined to help. 

"What will he do if you don't, Adrien?"

A tear slipped from Adrien's eyes as his body moved, carrying him to his balcony. He looked back at Felix, a scared smile on his face. 

"I succeed, or I will be destroyed."