Shadowteer

Epilogue

"I... I know that name... When I was seven or eight and my brother woke up after being akumatised, you... He said your name but then just like that, he forgot. They both did. Every single akumatisation in Paris from that point was all you, Papillon."

"I know, I'm great," I muttered with a small smile, rolling my eyes when he glared at me. "You realise I can't see your eyes through that giant hoodie that blocks out the sun- could you buy me one too, by the way, you know my skin is just allergic to the sun and humans and animals and more humans and their nasty bodies and diseases and damn... Everything on this gross planet. Literally everything. Could you consult your friends on the other side and ask em if they dumped me in the wrong galaxy?"

"They got tortured, dammit! Heck, the only reason I was left alone with my... 'dad' because you decided to do all of that elaborate scheming just for one ship." I pushed away the fact that he had completely ignored my statement, particularly the Disney reference I worked very hard on and glanced at him lazily, my expression sullen.

"Oh yeah, like I did to you two? I know, I'm great. You're welcome, btw." The door opened slightly and I grinned when I saw Nino and Alya standing at the doorway, their eyes wide. I cleared my throat as non-awkwardly as possible and did my best rendition of jazz hands, internally hoping Alya wouldn't go nuts and murder me.

"Wait a sec... You... YOU!" She seemed like she was about to lunge at me, making Nino reach out to her and I prepared myself to teleport right back to my zone to avoid her wrath but she stopped, looking at me questioningly. "Wow. Just... Wow. You're the reason all this happened, aren't you?"

"The reason Manon is in the hospital and Chris is akumatised? Maybe a little bit-"

"No... Well, yes but... You got me together with Nino. And even when he left me, you brought him, and Chris back to me and I've never seen him happier than when he's with Manon. Not right now, anyway, but..." Her eyes softened and she smiled at me. I felt an obligation to push away my social awkwardness and smile back so I did. "You've matched so many people. Your methods might be strange and just... Downright wrong sometimes, but still. Thank you."

"Huh, did not expect that from you, Gryffindor." I looked up when I saw how uncomfortable Nino looked and sighed. "Great, here we go again. I'm sorry, I know that only you can call Alya your little Gryffindor or Gryff for short, won't happen again bubble boy."

I saw the way her eyes narrowed and turned to Manon, smiling softly. "Why are you so happy? Could you please bring her back, Papillon?"

"Me? No way. She's in her mind now. She's on some Planet called Rispa, I believe and she loves it there. It's a lot better than reality, it's the world she's always wanted right in her head." Chris let out a breath and knelt down next to her, ignoring everyone else in the room and holding Manon's hand, wishing he could see those beautiful golden-brown eyes again once more. I squatted next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, tilting my head to the side with a small grin. "Maybe you should remind her of why she needs to come back?"

"Damn, still the same Miss Unicorn after all these years... I should have been there for her. I should've known her mother was neglecting her and she was depressed, I should've..." She sobbed and Nino wrapped his arms around her waist kissing her temple.

"It's okay, Alya. I think my brother and jelly bean need some time alone." She nodded, scowling when she was suddenly face-to-face with Nadia as they close the door.

"Where were you?"

"None of your business, Mrs Lahiffe." Her tone was stiff and she didn't even bother checking on her daughter as she scolded Alya about being so openly emotional when she had the reputation of their news station to uphold. "But for your information, I do not neglect my daughter."