Author's Note: Once again a big thank you to the amazing Freedom-Shamrock for her advice on this chapter. It is now much better than before.

Please enjoy this last part of Gabriel's journey. I hope you'll find it satisfying.

Chapter 5. Nooroo's Request

There were voices in Gabriel's head. Some wept. Some screamed. Some demanded.

'Hawkmoth?'

'Hawkmoth! Wake up!'

It hurt to do anything but breathe, so Gabriel settled for that. He lay in the darkness of his thoughts and listened to the voices of past, present and future. He had a lot to listen to. The two new voices that seemed to be coming from outside got tuned out quite easily.

'Tik, he's not responding.'

'Gabriel, do you hear me?...

He did, but he had no interest in reacting. His body seemed to be collapsing on itself. And Gabriel was fine with that. After what he'd seen, after what he'd felt, nonexistence was more than tempting. But he probably didn't deserve such mercy.

'Plagg, cataclysm the brooch for me. Try not to break anything else.'

'For the last time, it wasn't my fault! I barely even touched it-'

'Oh, just shut up and do it!'

Once again Gabriel felt the destructive power within him. If he had any strength left, it would probably feed off it. Alas he was already drained beyond any level he had experienced.

'Miraculous Ladybug!'

The words sank deep into his fading consciousness, followed by the susurration of hundreds of little wings and then emptiness.

'Father? Father, what happened?!'

Somewhere far, far away Adrien was shouting at him. Gabriel tried replying but the distance was too large.

'Oh thank god, he's breathing.'

Strong hands lifted him carefully and moved to a softer surface where he was laid on his left side. His arms and legs were locked to stabilize his position, his head slightly elevated.

'Nathalie, I need help… Father's unconscious… I don't know, I just found him… Already called 112, the ambulance is on the way… Thank you. I'll be waiting.'

Gabriel felt something damp and warm on his forehead. Tender fingers brushed the ruffled hair out of his face. It must have been Adrien.

'Everything will be fine, Father,' his son whispered, voice tight. 'Just stay with me, stay with me please, Dad. I need you.'

He had no power left moments before, but somehow Gabriel managed to find that last resource of energy. His hand found Adrien's hand and he squeezed it as much as he could.

'I…' he rasped. 'I'm sorry.'

Then the world went black again.

Gabriel woke up in his bedroom, to soft snoring coming from the top of his chest. A light weight rested there and when he raised his head he spotted Nooroo curled into a tight ball. It was the first time he found the kwami out in the open and it crossed his mind that he should be panicked that someone could spot the sprite.

But he didn't panic; he didn't fear. In fact he felt better than in months. As if he'd been wrapped in a soothing cocoon. As if no negative emotion could reach him. And the source of the calm that enveloped him seemed to be centered where Nooroo slept.

He let himself immerse in the emotions his kwami sent his way. So much positivity, happiness, a festive spirit. For a brief moment he wondered if that's how the moth wielder could feel. He had never allowed himself to feel anything else than disturbance, discord, despair. How could he not see what he'd been doing to himself?

Gratitude filled him, so he reached out and petted the kwami, regretting he'd wasted Nooroo's potential. Maybe if he hadn't detached himself to such extent…

But it didn't matter anymore. The recollections of the evening's events crawled to the front of his mind as he noticed daylight peeking through the curtains. It was already Christmas morning. He must have missed the Réveillon.

He tried to get up when a new sensation presented itself. His vision blurred and he seemed to break into sweat in an instant.

'Easy, Master,' Nooroo murmured from his place, popping one eye open. 'Your body has been through a lot lately. We need to take care of it.'

'My body…?' Gabriel repeated. Glimpses from last night chased the earlier memories. His weakness, Tikki purifying the akuma, Adrien finding him, paramedics...

'You suffered from… what was it called… saint scope,' his kwami explained. 'At least I think so.'

'Syncope,' he groaned. 'I must have scared Adrien.'

'He did great,' Nooroo announced proudly. 'He knew exactly what needed to be done and he did it.'

'Heroes tend to keep their cool and act well under pressure,' Gabriel muttered. 'That's in the job description.'

The little butterfly took flight nearing his head. 'Now that you know...' he trailed off.

'Everything needs to change,' the man finished. 'Starting with this.' He sat up and opened his hand invitingly.

Nooroo wordlessly rested in his palm.

'I'm sorry,' Gabriel said after a long pause. 'For everything I've done.'

The kwami bowed respectfully accepting his apology.

'I'm going to renounce the moth miraculous and give it back to Adrien, together with the broken peacock brooch,' the man continued. 'He must know how to return you to the Guardian.'

The violet sprite looked to him with saddened eyes. 'Master, if I may be so bold and request something?'

Gabriel raised a surprised brow.

'A Christmas wish or gift, if you will,' the kwami added quickly.

'You can ask for anything within my powers, Nooroo,' the man replied softly. That was the least he could do.

'Then I ask for one last day to spend it with you in the open. I'll keep out of Adrien's sight, I promise,' the sprite assured him. 'I know you probably need some time to figure out how to give the miraculous back to Adrien and… I don't want to say goodbye just yet,' he ducked his head shyly.

Gabriel's fingers brushed over his miraculous. Up to this point he rarely considered Nooroo as something more than a tool. Now he knew he had done the kwami wrong.

'Of course, Nooroo,' he whispered. 'You can have this day and my vow, that I will try to make it up to you, for all my… ' his voice broke.

'Thank you,' the kwami interrupted him and after a moment of hesitation he flew up to nuzzle his holder's cheek.

'But a fair warning,' the man raised a finger. 'I have a lot of things to make up for today. It's going to get rather busy.'

Nooroo's lower lip quivered. 'I can't wait, Master.'

They started with raiding Gabriel's wardrobe. After half an hour of frantic searching Nooroo located a dusted cardboard box on the top shelf and helped Gabriel to get it down. The sculpture was intact and the box kept the dust away.

Nooroo danced joyously with the wooden butterfly and it was the funniest and most endearing thing Gabriel ever witnessed him doing.

'You think I should wrap it somehow?' the man mused pulling the walls of the container up again.

The little sprite looked at the box critically. 'Maybe just a color accent?' he suggested. 'And I know just the right thing!' he squeaked and ducked into one of the drawers. Soon he emerged carrying a violet ribbon.

'Ah, my dear Nooroo,' Gabriel murmured appreciatively. 'I see you've picked up a few things in the last months.'

'I learned from the best,' the kwami chirped timidly.

'Flatterer,' the designer shot back, but he didn't hide the amused smile.

After a little detour to the kitchens Gabriel finally arrived at Adrien's door, armed with a plate of finest cheeses he could find. Up until that moment he felt contented and determined. Now he actually faltered in his step. In his mind he'd seen himself prancing into his son's room with an honest gift and a promise to fix everything. It was one thing to declare his intention, but quite another to actually do it. What if it was too late? What if he'd already burned that bridge or if his absence at Réveillon had been the last straw?

And somewhere under those doubts the finality of his decision lurked. He'd seen what would happen if he kept doing what he'd been doing. By trying to have both Emilie and Adrien, he'd only lose them both. But it didn't make it easier to choose his son over his wife. It didn't make it easier to let Emilie go and not to blame Adrien. That would have to be Gabriel's decision, his choice and his consequences. Once he enters Adrien's room there would be no going back.

His trembling hand hovered millimeters from the door. How could he ever think playing god would be a good idea?

'It's going to be okay, Master,' Nooroo whispered from his place in Gabriel's pocket. 'Like Tikki and Plagg said yesterday, you were granted a chance. This is it. Just…'

'Don't let it go to waste,' the man muttered.

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Adrien's messy hair appeared after a short moment.

'Father!' the boy exclaimed. 'You should be resting!'

'I'm fine, Adrien,' he bristled out of habit.

Adrien winced and Gabriel caught himself right on time. He backpedalled immediately. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. I woke up rested and wanted to make up for my absence at Réveillon.' He pointed to the package tucked under his arm. 'I have something I wanted to give you personally and I also ordered breakfast to be served in your room, if you don't mind.'

'Oh.' The door opened wider and Adrien moved to the side to let him in. 'If you're sure you're feeling better.'

'I really am,' Gabriel said as he entered.

He put the plate he took from kitchen on the coffee table. The package was still resting under his arm, anchoring him. A reminder of the reason he was here.

Adrien inspected the contents of the plate and looked to him stunned. 'Why cheese?' he finally asked.

'No particular reason,' Gabriel shrugged. 'I thought maybe you'd like some, but if not, maybe I'll just put it here, out of our sight,' he moved the plate to Adrien's desk and gave a short nod when he spied two green cat eyes peeking at him from between the huge monitors.

'Thank you for yesterday,' he said taking a seat on the sofa next to a dumbfounded Adrien. 'I'm sorry I ruined Christmas Eve for you.'

'You didn't,' the boy assured him. 'Please, don't apologize for something you had no control over. I was relieved it was just syncope. For a moment I thought you were having a heart attack or something,' he rubbed the back of his neck.

'Thank god I didn't,' the older Agreste patted Adrien over his shoulder. 'I probably should take better care of my health,' he admitted.

His son shot him another surprised look. At this rate he'd get a whiplash any second now.

'I promise I will,' Gabriel added. 'Starting today with a healthy breakfast in good company.'

Adrien kept staring at him. He was probably wondering if Gabriel hadn't bashed his head when he fainted yesterday. Maybe he needed to tone down the "new man" thing a bit.

He cleared his throat. 'But before the food gets here, there's something I wanted you to have.' He put the box in front of the boy. 'I didn't put it under the tree because it's very precious to me,' he explained. 'It was a gift from your grandfather. He made it himself.'

Adrien raised his brows. 'Grandfather Pascal?'

Gabriel nodded. 'Go on. Open it.'

The boy did as he was told. His reaction to the butterfly was similar to Gabriel's from thirty years back.

'Wow,' Adrien whispered. 'It looks so real! I can't believe grandfather made this himself.'

Slowly, reverently he touched a wing with a tip of his finger and the butterfly started its dance. The boy watched the spectacle in awe.

Gabriel put a flat package next to the sculpture. 'I also want you to have this,' he said. 'This is where the idea came from.'

Adrien unwrapped the package and stared at the second butterfly captured between the frames. 'You painted this!' He exclaimed tapping the signature in the bottom corner.

'I did,' he confirmed. 'As a gift for your grandfather a year before he made that sculpture.'

Now the boy compared the two art pieces. His eyes shone with excitement. Gabriel felt a pang of guilt that he had waited so long to share those things with his son. He couldn't take back the time, but he could make a better use of what time he had left.

'Have I ever told you about your grandfather's workshop?' he asked and the story unraveled sweeping them into the past.

They spent the whole morning reminiscing about Gabriel's and Adrien's childhoods. Breakfast never tasted better than next to his son, as they looked at old photo albums and memorabilia that mysteriously found their way to Adrien's coffee table. Gabriel managed to steal a few hugs from his son, ignoring the confused looks the boy had been casting him. If anyone asked, he'd chalk it up to the syncope thing.

He really tried playing a few of Adrien's games, but it was difficult not to frown at the controller. It didn't want to obey him, no matter how hard he pushed the buttons and how much he scowled at it. At least he won the chess match, or things would get embarrassing. And no one needed to know that his pride was saved only thanks to Nooroo's subtle hints.

After a while Adrien got bold enough to put the flat package in front of his father. He ducked his head and wrung his fingers as he explained he'd made it himself. He went for something practical - a tablet case made out of silver felt, decorated with a geometrical pattern of black butterflies, similar to their brand's logo. The butterflies had been painstakingly cut out and sewed onto the case with only mild errors and Gabriel couldn't help but to whistle at the final result. It definitely wasn't something Marinette would make - the thing lacked her distinctive style and skills, but for a beginner's work it was impressive and thoughtful. That's what Adrien heard before the designer ran to try out his gift. It was a perfect fit.

And thus the afternoon came. More food was served and enjoyed. More albums were retrieved from shelves. More hugs were exchanged. More gifts were opened and appreciated. And old ties were renewed.

They were just finishing with the presents in the foyer when the doorbell rang. An old Chinese man was waiting on the doorstep with a huge leather bag, that looked a bit like old fashioned medical kit. Gabriel recalled the man had visited them before introducing himself as Adrien's tutor.

'Good afternoon, sir,' the man gave him a deep bow. 'I was told there's a patient here who requires a house call,' he said.

Gabriel turned to Adrien. The boy took a place behind his father's back. He looked as if he was about to faint, but he shook his head.

'It wasn't me,' he mouthed.

'Good afternoon,' Gabriel returned the greeting. 'There must have been a misunderstanding.'

'I assure you there wasn't,' the man stated confidently. 'I am in the right place. You suffered from syncope last night, is that correct?'

The older Agreste frowned. 'Yes. But I feel much better now. There's no need for medical assistance.'

'Ah, but you see, my area of expertise is closer to the initial reasons for your state last night,' the man smiled goodnaturedly. 'I am Master Wang Fu. Our mutual acquaintance called me here. He said my experience with the more mysterious and long lasting cases might come in handy.'

Gabriel hesitated. He knew he was an intimidating man even when he wasn't trying, but the newcomer seemed determined and persistent. And his choice of words clearly suggested a second meaning to them.

Wang Fu narrowed his eyes and produced a business card. 'Maybe this will be enough of a proof for my credentials.'

As he passed the card Nooroo stuck his head out of his place in Gabriel's pocket, causing his wielder's mild panic attack. But Wang Fu not only didn't flinch, but gave the kwami a little wink.

The designer took the card and froze. The piece of paper was devoid of letters or titles. It was marked only with the familiar symbols young Gabriel had chased for so long. The symbols that had become his obsession, that had led him to Tibet and to Emilie. They adorned the box that had brought him Nooroo.

'You can trust him, Master,' the little sprite whispered.

Wang Fu bowed again and this time the designer noticed a small green head popping out from under his coat. Wayzz gave him an encouraging smile.

With one last look at his son Gabriel reached a decision.

'Adrien, I'm sorry,' he said, 'but I need to talk to Master Wang Fu. Would you mind if we take a little break from our celebrations? I'll get back to you as soon as I can.'

The boy gulped and only then did Gabriel realize, that he was probably panicking over his Chinese tutor claiming to be a doctor now.

'Everything will be okay, Adrien,' he squeezed the boy's shoulder. 'I promise.'

Having no other choice his son gave him a short nod and bowed to Wang Fu. 'I'll be in my room,' he said and left them.

'This way, sir,' Gabriel invited the man to his study.

The two sprites flew out of their hideouts as soon as the door closed. Wayzz pulled Nooroo into a hug so tight that for a moment they looked like one very weird two-headed kwami. And then they broke into an aerial chase leaving sparkles in their wake. With a high pitched squeak an orange dash spaced through Wang Fu's bag dragging an indignant bee behind it, urging her to join the race over the room.

The kwami whirlwind circled Gabriel covering him in glitter. A joyous laughter broke from his chest, similar to hundreds he had already uttered that day in Adrien's company, but this time something snapped in his chest relieving him of a weight he had no idea he had been carrying. He raised his hand to let the sparkles land on it and blinked as his surroundings transformed again.

He was in the leisure room, the space drowned in Christmas decorations, with Emilie at his side, her arm wrapped around his shoulder. There was silver in her hair and tiny wrinkles showed around her eyes as she smiled at him. In front of them three children and a horde of kwamis stormed the Christmas tree in search for gifts, with an adult Adrien and his raven haired wife trying to put some order to this holiday madness. The noise was inconceivable, especially since Duusu took over a tube and was chirping excitedly into it, her voice echoing in the vast space. Nooroo got tangled in branches and Plagg was about to cataclysm his trap away, when Marinette intercepted the black cat in time to prevent a major disaster.

That was his future. The future worth changing for, so much better than anything he could have hoped. So much brighter than he could fathom. And Gabriel laughed. He laughed with all he had in him, the scene bringing him immense delight.

He closed his eyes to blink the joyous tears away and when he opened them he was in his study again, hand outstretched in the air, with the last sparkle flickering and disappearing into thin air.

Wang Fu was watching him with an amused grin. 'And thus one journey ends, Gabriel,' he said, 'and a new one begins. One I hope you're going to take in a more traditional way.'

Gabriel bowed, still rendered speechless with the vision he'd seen.

His guest pulled up his sleeves. 'Now where's our patient? I believe we have a lot to do.'

AN: Thank you for reading this story, for your favs, follows and reviews. I am extremely happy with reactions "A Christmas Gabriel" gathered. Gabriel-centric fics, at least among my stories, aren't really popular, so this means the world to me.

Please share your thoughts on this story now that it is completed. I appreciate your opinions greatly 3

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