Ladybug turned slightly and the arms around her tightened possessively. A flutter of pleasure rippled through her body for a second before she squashed it. She had woken up in a strange place, being held by some mysterious stranger who...just happen...
"Curses, defeated once again." Hawkmoth fumed as the circular window closed. He sighed, exhausted, pinching the bridge of his nose as a headache raged. He had to prepare for another fashion show this weekend and the stress of unveiling a new Spring Line while playing supervillain was weighing him down. Hopefully someone else on his design team was dealing with the stress as well – maybe he should crack down on one of the newbies and exploit their fragile self-esteem for another akumatization. Topher seemed like an easy target, he had talent but not much of a thick skin or Zane, he would take offense if someone tried to change a thread color on his masterpiece.
He stepped onto the lift, changing out of his alter-ego before he had reached his office.
Natalie, dear, hard-working, loyal, supportive Natalie was waiting for him with a cup of hot tea.
"I'm sorry your plan with The Muse didn't succeed as you hoped, sir." She handed Gabriel the cup.
"Nothing worth having is ever easy, Natalie." Gabriel took a sip of tea and sighed in appreciation. It was exactly the right temperature, with the perfect amount of honey added for sweetness. Gabriel sighed again, his troubles alleviated as he savored the precious cup of tea. "Perhaps it was too much to ask that a humble bookshop owner would be able to take over the city with characters from his favorite stories."
He sipped. "It would have helped if he'd preferred a good horror story instead of classic romance novels."
"Chat Noir seemed to have a few problems dealing with the Count of Monte Cristo and the Three Musketeers."
"Yes but Ladybug still gained the upperhand by stealing a horse from the Scarlet Pimpernel and using a Lucky Charm inkpot to temporarily blind The Muse while she broke his pen." Gabriel Agreste put down his empty cup. "What am I doing wrong, Natalie? No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to win."
"Perhaps I could-"
"No, not Mayura." Gabriel cut her off before she could finish. "The damage the Peacock Miraculous has infected your body with is too much already. I will not allow you to put your health on the line for me."
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"Sir, I am more than willing to risk becoming Mayura again if it helps you finally defeat Ladybug and Chat. Whatever you need sir, I will do in order to help you succeed."
A ghost of a smile crossed Gabriel's face, and he rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"My dear Natalie, what would I do without you by my side?" His eyes, usually a hard slate grey, were soft as mist, and gentle. Natalie felt her heart pounding faster as she stared back at him.
"Sir, I may have found a way to repair the Peacock Miraculous but it would involve using Ladybug's weapon."
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