A/N : Hello hello and happy holidays my lovely readers, I'm so sorry I didn't post yesterday! Troubles with connection, traveling! Also if you're following me as an author I'm going to apologize beforehand because I'm running out of my more lighthearted fics, so, I will be posting some of my hurt/comfort fics. Don't worry! I like happy endings! For this fic the comfort will come next chapter and some warm fuzzies in the first bonus. Also because of yesterday, double chapter today :) ;)

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Adrien took labored breaths as he propped himself against a wall in his room, he sunk to the floor, fingers digging into his blonde locks in devastation.

His father...

Was Hawkmoth...

Adrien leaned his forehead against the the wall, and closed his eyes tightly, as if that would make the issue disappear. He placed a hand beside his face on the wall and let it slide a little, tensing as new thoughts tore through his mind.

Why. His father was already cold and removed toward his very own son.

Now he was a super villain too?

Adrien's hand curled into a fist. So he didn't have time for his own son because he was trying to take over the world eh? He ground his teeth together.

And Adrien would have to deal with the fallout when Hawkmoth was defeated, and his identity revealed.

Not that his father cared about inconveniencing Adrien in any way, quite the opposite actually.

Adrien could already imagine the media, dragging his name through the mud just because he had been Hawkmoth's son. Their family would probably lose all their wealth, their home.

Adrien would be without a guardian. And. And. Then where would he be? Homeless? No one would surely want him.

Even if his home was cold and empty now, at least he had his memories of his Mom, memories made in this mansion.

How could his father throw everything he neglected Adrien for - his career, his reputation, and his money - away?

Adrien grimaced and banged his clenched fist against the wall.

What would his friends think of him? He imagined Alya writing a scathing article and Nino no longer wanting to be friends. And Marinette? The sweet girl would probably be terrified of him, even more nervous than she already seems.

He let out a bitter laugh. He never thought he'd rather be Adrien the model over, well, anything else really. But now the idea of Adrien son of a super villain felt even lonelier than that small span of time between losing his mother and meeting his friends.

He dropped his fist from the wall as tears pricked his eyes. He would be so lonely. He couldn't stand the thought of it. After meeting his friend there was no way he could ever go back to that way things used to be, that lonely life.

No. Losing them would be even worse than that. At least before he never knew what having a real friend was like. Laughing at terrible jokes and enjoying another person's company alone, warmed by their smiles and treated with unconditional love with their friendship.

Adrien hung his head. At least he had met them. But Adrien knew he was weak. That one thought alone was little consolation in the bigger picture. A life of loneliness and rejection.

Not even his fake golden boy facade would help him. People wouldn't even want to look at him.

Everything he had done for his father for the little he got in return and was able to enjoy... And now Gabriel was going to take that away too. The hands at Adrien's sides became fists again.

He may be sunk because of his last name. But if Adrien defeated his own father... well nothing would ever take that from him. He smirked a bit, consoled by the thought.

His eyes suddenly widened as he thought of his Lady.

What would she think of Adrien once she found out that his father was Hawkmoth? Would she lose all her trust in him? Would she even want to work with him?

The pain in Adrien's heart made him double over. Tears he had held back streamed down his face.

Apparently any happiness he ever managed to find would be torn away from him.

His father would pay. He wouldn't let him hurt anyone else. Least of all his Lady.

This new concept formed in his head, it made things different. The idea of his father - his very own father - hurting his friends and his Lady made his blood boil.

He could mess with Adrien, but not them. He had turned them into villains. He tried to hurt Ladybug. And he didn't care.

No, his father was a remorseless Monster who had to be stopped.

Adrien made up his mind. He would stop Hawkmoth. And he would do it alone.

He'd never admit it was because he felt somewhat responsible for his father's actions, regardless of how ridiculous the notion was. He felt stupid he'd never realized that Paris' biggest threat was living in his house.

He sighed. His friends, Ladybug - well they were better off without him.

Adrien turned his head to the center of his room, there on the floor was his ring.

When he had found out Plagg had been worried about his chosen. When he tried to talk to Adrien, the boy had ripped off his ring, needing to process the whole thing alone.

Adrien took a deep breath. He was ready to face Plagg's concerned fury, lecture and billion questions.

But none of it would change his mind. He knew Plagg would protest, arguing that Ladybug was supposed to be his partner.

While it's true Adrien couldn't purify an akuma, he didn't need to in order to defeat Hawkmoth, the source. All he needed to do was get his miraculous.

When Adrien defeated his father, he would remind Gabriel that he wasn't one to be easily forgotten or taken for granted. That his son was so much more than Gabriel could've imagined. He would show no mercy.

~ The Next Day ~

Adrien got to class right at the bell so he could avoid his friends as much as possible. When Nino greeted him Adrien acted like he didn't hear him. The confused look on Nino's face made Adrien's stomach twist.

Thankfully the aspiring DJ didn't get a chance to question his behavior as their lesson started. Adrien basically ran from the classroom when the lunch bell rang. Chloe trailed him taking his unease with his friends as an invitation to be with him.

He coldly told her to leave him alone, twisting out of her unwanted embrace, unaware of Marinette watching. Marinette looked at Chloe who seemed sad, which was uncharacteristic for her.

"Adrien..." the blonde girl whispered, sensing something was wrong with her oldest friend. Even Marinette felt bad for her. Adrien turned on his heel and walked away.

Marinette actually approached an almost crying Chloe and placed a gentle hand on her arm. The usually mean girl just looked at her, eyes filled with hurt and concern over the model.

For that moment they both bonded over their concern and love for Adrien.

Marinette was tempted to follow him but stopped herself. She wasn't close enough for him to pry. Maybe he'd snap out of it in a day or two. Or at least be more approachable.

After break, Adrien came back just as the lesson began, ignoring any attempt Nino made at communication. Marinette glanced at Alya who looked at a loss in regards to Adrien's behavior.

When class ended Marinette and Alya watched Nino race after his best friend. He grabbed Adrien's shoulders when the model shrugged out of his grip and said something in a low voice that apparently upset Nino.

"Dude, what's wrong!" The girls heard Nino yell. "This isn't like you at all. I get it if you don't want to talk about it but c'mon. Please dont just ignore me."

Adrien's response chilled Marinette to the bone.

"It's none of your business." He said, his face a mask of indifference.

Nino angrily shook his head.

"Of course its my business! I'm your friend. I'm worried about you man! And I said I'd let it go, you don't have to tell me anything but God, snap out of it!"

Nino paused.

Marinette knew he had been about to tell the blonde he was acting like a jerk, exactly like how everybody expected a model to be.

Marinette frowned as Adrien turned his back to the boy. "Then don't be my friend anymore," he said loudly.

Everyone in the hall had turned their heads, watching the exchange in shock. With that Adrien walked away. Marinette recognized the hurt Nino was feeling by the way his shoulders sagged and he seemed to curl in on himself.

Alya rushed over to her boyfriend, a look of distress on her face. It was clear she felt his pain. She tucked herself under Nino's arm and rested her head against him while Nino just stared quietly at the school's main door.

Marinette stared at the door too. What had happened to Adrien? How could he say that to Nino? Marinette felt like a mess, as if she had absorbed all the pain and tension around her today. Including Adrien's.

She didn't know why, but he was hurting too, and apparently he was taking it out on everyone around him.

Marinette left Alya and Nino alone. She hoped Adrien would see the light tomorrow and apologize. Alya was bound to be murderous if he kept it up. She knew how Alya felt about people who were like the way Adrien had acted today.

She wouldn't stand for it, especially since she knew Adrien knew better. Alya was probably hurt too. Adrien lashing out at them felt like a betrayal after they had all become good friends.

The following day was no better. Despite being hurt Nino had still tried to talk to Adrien, only to get brushed off in class.

They got into another verbal fight at Lunch and even Chloe seemed to be avoiding Adrien.

Alya was fuming, despite knowing Marinette's feelings she went up to him and confronted him immediately after class ended.

"What the hell is your problem Agreste?!" Alya shouted as she grabbed a fistful of Adrien's shirt. Adrien's face was not indifferent this time but cold. When he said nothing Alya's anger intensified. "Is this how you treat your friends" she hissed.

Adrien closed his eyes for a second before knocking Alya's hand away with his own.

"I don't have to explain myself." Alya stood there fuming while Nino held her, preventing her from attacking Adrien most likely.

Marinette looked down at the floor. She hated to see her friends in so much pain and she hated to see them fight.

After that Adrien sat at the back of the class alone, nobody wanted to sit with him. Not even Chloe. Alya and Nino stopped trying to talk to him, their hurt feelings and pride now a wall.

Marinette chewed her lip as she watched Alya and Nino whisper to one another in reassurance about the Adrien situation. They held hands tightly as if holding on for dear life in a world where Adrien Agreste was a jerk.

She only hoped they'd forgive him should he ever come to his senses. Marinette watched Adrien who sat alone across the cafeteria, everyone gave him a wide berth, afraid of who he had become.

She closed her eyes, trying to hold back tears of stress. Both Adrien and Chat Noir seemed distant lately, thankfully Chat wasn't as cold as Adrien, but he was quieter and never joked anymore. He only spoke when she prompted him or when necessary, always quick to leave. It was clear something was on his mind as well, but he didn't seem to want to talk about it, brushing her off in a polite but cool manner.

Marinette prayed hard that Adrien would snap out of it soon, the longer he waited, the less hopeful Marinette was that they could repair their old friendship circle.

A week later Marinette found Alya crying in the bathroom. Marinette hugged her best friend. In all her time with Alya, even when Chloe had made her go Akuma, the girl had never cried. Marinette petted her hair and promised her everything would be okay.

"It's not okay, Nino missed school today because he's so upset that he made himself sick," Alya sobbed.

Marinette frowned, she'd notice Nino tense everytime Adrien entered a room, or the burning gaze he'd put on the blonde's back as he left for home at the end of the day. "I don't know what to do Marinette, it seems like nothing I do is helping, I'm such a useless girlfriend."

"Don't say that Alya, you're an amazing person, an amazing best friend and an amazing girlfriend!" Marinette reassured. "I'm sure Nino would be much worse off without you."

Marinette knew for certain he would be.

Nino didn't always adjust to change well as Marinette had learned from the years of knowing him. Losing his best friend must be killing him. Marinette sagged, she knew it was killing her. She couldn't help Chat or Adrien. She was the useless one, not Alya.

She wished they would confide in her, but she knew she couldn't force it, or risk pushing them even further away.

Two more weeks pass, Nino and Alya were no better and Adrien was still acting different. Nothing had been the same, Alya and Nino are very quiet now, unsure of how to handle the situation.

Marinette has finally had enough and cornered Adrien outside during Lunch.

"Adrien!" She yelled firmly.

He stiffened before turning to look at her. He looked genuinely surprised before masking his emotions with a look of disinterest.

She strode over to him, feeling her anger building with ever step. She stopped right in front of him, looking at him fiercely.

"Look you need to stop, you're really hurting Alya and Nino. And." Marinette paused, gauging his reaction. His eyes flickered with regret and guilt for just a millisecond, but she had seen it.

As if sensing she'd read him, Adrien stopped looking her in the eye, gazing at a point above her head.

Marinette puffed up at this. How dare he.

"Would you quit it with this stupid act? C'mon Adrien we miss you, it's not too late to come back and apologize. We might not be able to fix your problems but maybe we can help you get your mind off it for a bit?" Marinette pleaded.

Adrien's expression darkened at the mention of his problems. "Look would you just butt out? If you wanted to pester me you should've done it with Nino and Alya. It's a bit late for this now isn't it?" He snapped. His frustration genuine and palpable.

Marinette ignored the sharp pain in her chest, refusing to shrink back or cry. She looked down, bangs falling over her eyes.

"How can you say that about your friends?" she said softly. "We're just worried about you.

"Well don't waste your worry then, I didn't ask for your concern. I don't need Alya." Adrien snarled, his voice trembling slightly, "I - I don't need Nino and I don't need you."

Marinette's fists clenched at her side. "What did you say?" She demanded, her voice barely a whisper. Though Adrien picked up the words, he didn't detect the danger in them.

"I said stop worrying about me because I don't need you guys in my life and I don't want you-"

A loud slap echoed in the schoolyard, cutting off Adrien's unwanted reply.

His eyes were as wide as saucers and he held a hand to his cheek which still stung. Marinette wouldn't look him in the eyes, instead staring at her feet, but her furious expression and deep set frown told Adrien all her needed to know.

He had gone too far.

He wasn't sure whether he should try to backtrack or push her even more. Regardless he had crossed a line that now changed everything.

Marinette took a shaky breath and Adrien was worried she would start crying. He opened his mouth, still unsure of what to say when she cut him off.

"Okay so something is clearly up with you, but fine, push us all away. And when you need us. You better have one hell of an apology." She stiffly turned her back to him and walked away, hands still clenched tightly into balls.

Adrien dropped his hand from his cheek, and swallowed as he watched her retreating figure. He let out a shaky breath. He wanted to slump to the ground and punch it until his hands were a bloody mess.

This was so hard. The first time Marinette had ever not stuttered around him and it was for a scolding. But that was so like her, to stand up for her friends... And then that slap... well he definitely deserved it. But it was so unexpected, in more ways than one...the sting hadn't just been physical, but emotional too. He had felt it in his soul. And it had really hurt.

Damn it all. He trembled, dropping his gaze to the ground. He hated hurting his friends.

But... it was all for the best right? He was sparing them from the dark shadow his father would cast on him once Hawkmoth was beaten. Adrien Agreste might not be able to escape such a heavy legacy, but his friends could. He never wanted to drag them down.

He would sink alone in his ship and drown there too.

~ Later That Night ~

Ladybug sat on the rooftop, her cheek resting on her palm. Chat was sitting beside her, the normal distance between them now feeling like a chasm.

She'd expected him to comment on her crestfallen expression, but of course whatever was eating away at him as of late stopped him, either because he didn't notice or he didn't want to.

Finally he said something on his own accord, slicing through the heaviness in the air around them.

"Who do you think Hawkmoth is?" He said slowly.

Marinette's mind flickered to the incident with Volpina, the book, Master Fu and Gabriel Agreste. Sure he'd been The Collecter, but if Hawkmoth was Gabriel, then he was smart. Therefore that could've been a red herring.

Not even thinking of a filter or the explanation she'd have to give afterwords, the words popped out of her mouth.

"Gabriel Agreste," she muttered. Chat whipped around to look at her, startling the heroine.

"Seriously? Why?" He demanded, his eyes wide. Marinette explained her red herring theory.

"And I mean even Fu was being suggestive. I - I'm not saying he is, but he's my main suspect." Ladybug finished, squirming under the intensity of Chat's gaze. It almost burned with the ferocity behind it.

"I think it's Gabriel Agreste too," he admitted. Ladybug's jaw dropped. So they were on the same page and Chat had figured it out without the incident with the book.

Marinette suddenly felt her stomach coil unpleasantly. Adrien. This was the last thing he needed on top of whatever other problem was currently having. Her mind going back to their exchange earlier.

She didn't regret anything. Everything she had said and done. She had meant. She would wait for him to come around but she was serious. He better have one hell of an apology.

She refused to tell Alya any details and was quiet the rest of the day, curious about the mystery of Adrien. At least now she knew why Chat had been so off. He'd been working on figuring out Hawkmoth's identity! Speaking of her partner, his quiet voice brought her out of her thoughts, commanding all her attention.

"I think I'm going to investigate further, you know to confirm it's him? Then I'm going to study his behavior, patterns and motives and stuff. After that..." Marinette frowned, suddenly noticing the repetition of the I.

"Wait, what about me?"she asked, interrupting. Chat looked down, blonde hair shadowing his face. He stood up, back to her.

"I'm going after Hawkmoth alone." He announced. Marinette was floored. She jumped up and leaned towards Chat slightly.

"You can't be serious right? This guy is a super villain, his akumas alone are quite difficult to handle! And you can't purify akumas... what if something happens to you!" She protested.

"Please try and understand. I have to do this." He replied firmly.

Marinette felt the tears well up in her eyes. He was going to abandon her too. Just like Adrien. The two boys that mattered most to her.

"I can't do this without you." Marinette cried. Chat said nothing, his figure stiffening though.

"At least tell me why!" Marinette demanded.

"I can't... but I'll still help you out with akumas. Expect a scarce and quiet Chat Noir, I'm going on the prowl," he joked lightly.

Marinette felt like her whole world was crumbling around her. She made her last stand, walking around Chat to face him. He wouldn't meet her gaze, instead looking down.

"You stupid cat we're partners!" She exclaimed. Chat smiled softly, almost wistfully which made Marinette nervous.

"Not anymore m'Lady." Marinette's blood ran cold.

"What did you say?" She said quietly, hands curling into fists, her muscles tensing.

The words felt oddly familiar to Adrien, but he didn't have time to dwell on it because he had to make sure his Lady would let him go. This was the only way.

"Please try and under-"

The calm night was broken as the slap echoed over the rooftops.

Adrien raises a hand to his stinging cheek, the light pain seeping into the pores of his very being. And then the light bulb went off.

His eyes met fierce passionate deep blue ones.

Marinette... Ladybug was Marinette. He swallowed. Of course she was. How could he have missed it? He could see the warm sweet fashion designer now.

He swallowed. He had to get away.

Marinette stared at him, her breathing ragged while he held his cheek in shock. Suddenly he leaped back from her and fled. Marinette collapsed and cried.

~ Later ~

Adrien scrambled into his room through the open window, falling onto the floor.

Marinette's cries were still haunting him. She probably thought she drove Chat Noir away with her slap. She was probably beating herself up because he didn't have the strength to face her.

It had been so hard to not drop to his knees in front of her and beg for the forgiveness of his shining star. His Princess. His Lady. His Love.

He thought he would've been ecstatic to find her... but right now it just made everything so much worse.

Adrien's pushed himself off the floor. "Plagg, claws in," he whispered softly.

As Plagg whooshed out, he eyed his chosen warily, knowing better than to comment on Adrien's revelation.

"You can still turn back, it's not too late kid." He advised, knowing it wouldn't work.

Adrien shook his head. "This is all for them. I'm doing this all for them."

Plagg shook his head, glad it was dark so his chosen couldn't see him.

Adrien was in a deep mess of pain, anger and concern for his friends.

His vendetta against Hawkmoth now was in a way entirely about him. He felt resentful over Gabriel's neglect, scared for the future and inevitable backlash, guilty he never realized the truth and therefore felt responsible to beat him. But he was also punishing himself, feeling so low that he was pushing his friends and loved ones away under the guise he was protecting them.

Exactly what Gabriel had done to him. Not that Plagg would ever point that out if he wanted to live.

He watched his chosen climb into bed, his eyelids flickering. "It's all for the best," he mumbled before the exhaustion pulled him into a well-needed sleep.