Adult-FanFiction.org : Cartoons

Redemption	By : Cat_Eyes Category: +M through R > Miraculous LadyBug Views: 2815 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug. Miraculous Ladybug is the intellectual property of Thomas Astruc and released by Zag studios. No profit was made writing this story.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
'Marinette,' Sabine called, 'visitors.'
Marinette tossed her pen down with a defeated sigh. Despite Adrien tutoring her over the last three days, no matter how hard she tried, or how many times Adrien had repeated the formula, it still eluded her. She stood up, stuck her tongue out at her text book, and turned her back on it. As she descended the stairs, she heard Sabine talking with two familiar voices.
'I must say, gentlemen, when I heard what had happened, I was deeply upset, as were Tom and Marinette,' Sabine told them.
'That is why were here today, Madame. I would like to begin to make amends,' Monsieur Kubdel replied, one hand clamped firmly on Alix's shoulder.
Roger Raincomprix also had Sabrina in his grasp. 'As would we,' he added. 'Isn't that right, Sabrina?'
'Yes, Dad,' she responded, meekly.
Sabine motioned them to the couch, and the four of then sat, while Marinette slowly made her way down the rest of the stairs.
'Maman,' Marinette whispered, 'what's going on?'
Sabine indicated Marinette should follow her as she moved to stand behind the coffee table to face their guests. Marinette obeyed, perplexed.
Monsieur Kubdel cleared his throat, pointedly. 'Alix, is there something you would like to say to Madame Cheng and Marinette?'
Without looking up, Alix muttered, 'sorry.'
'Alix,' Monsieur Kubdel said, warningly.
Alix screwed her eyes shut and got to her feet. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, fists clenched by her sides. 'I'm sorry I threw garbage on you, and Adrien,' she added, grudgingly, when Monsieur Kubdel nudged her in the ribs. 'It was out of line, cruel, and in no way had anything to do with you. Please accept my heartfelt apology, Marinette.'
Her tone indicated the line was scripted and thoroughly rehearsed, but Marinette didn't want to begin another conflict by drawing attention to that. 'Thank you,' she said, instead, with a polite nod.
Alix slouched gracelessly back into her seat, and folded her arms with a pout.
Roger nudged Sabrina in the arm. She stood up, with her hands clasped in front of her. 'I realise what we did was wrong,' she began, trying, and failing, to look Marinette and Sabine in the eyes. 'I should never have treated you and Adrien the way I did. I'm sorry, Marinette.' She sat down again as Marinette considered her carefully for a moment.
'Thank you, Sabrina. I appreciate it.'
'Have you spoken to Adrien yet?' asked Sabine.
'We're going to, once we have completed our business here,' Monsieur Kubdel replied.
Sabine nodded. 'Very good. He's a good kid, you'll see that for yourselves when you see him.'
Roger nodded. 'I know. I've spoken to him myself a few times. He seems genuinely repentant.'
'He is,' Marinette confirmed, earnestly. 'He's very sorry for what he, and Papillon, did.'
Sabine nodded in agreement. 'I believe so as well.'
'I've already spoken to these two, explaining that that level of schoolyard bullying is harassment, and can be interpreted as assault,' Roger explained. 'They know it's illegal, and that they can be charged. You don't have to worry about it happening again.'
'I should hope not,' Sabine huffed.
Monsieur Kubdel wiped his glasses. 'Yes, I was appalled when Principal Damocles sent me that email. I never thought Alix could behave so poorly. It was very generous of you not to press charges.'
Roger nodded. 'It would've been within your rights.'
'Your girls come from good families,' Sabine replied. 'I wouldn't want to do anything which could jeopardise your careers or standing. Besides, kids should be allowed to fight their own battles, to a point,' she elaborated, eyeing Alix and Sabrina sternly. Neither of them met her steady gaze.
Marinette held up a hand, as if she were in class. The adults turned to her, expectantly.
'If it's ok, could I talk to Alix and Sabrina, upstairs, for a bit?'
Monsieur Kubdel and Roger assented, so Alix and Sabrina stood, and followed Marinette to her room. She sat in a desk chair, Sabrina took the other, while Alix opted to sit on the chaise. Neither of them looked at her, or spoke.
Marinette rubbed her face as she carefully considered her phrasing. 'Look, I know you're angry. It's not wrong to feel that way, but how you're expressing it is only hurting yourselves, and the people you care about.'
They both continued to look at their feet, but Alix's shoulders were tense.
'Adrien's not such a bad person,' Marinette continued. 'He's actually nice, once you get to know him. I mean, I'm not saying you have to get to know him, I just want you to know that he's not the monster you think he is.'
'What do you want from us?' Alix demanded, through gritted teeth. 'He was Chat Noir, Papillon's own son. Not that I could ever expect you to understand, you were never akumatised,' she finished, bitterly.
Marinette rolled her chair over to Alix, and took hold of her hands. Alix looked up in surprise, meeting Marinette's eyes for the first time.
'Who are you really mad at?' Marinette asked. 'It was Papillon who akumatised you. Are you just lashing out at Adrien because he's an easy target? Because it's gratifying to see him suffering because of something you did? Yes, he was Papillon's son, but what did he do that was so horrible?'
Alix stood up, wrenching her hands from Marinette's grip. 'He was there. Don't talk like you understand what it was like.'
Marinette got up as well. 'I wasn't, and you don't even remember what happened. None of the akumatised do.'
'That's not the point,' Sabrina murmured. 'It's terrifying, coming to your senses in a strange place, with no memory of how you got there. Then, to see Ladybug standing over you, so you know you've done something bad, I can't even begin to explain. For weeks, I had to check the news, to make sure my actions hadn't hurt anybody, that I didn't kill anyone. I had nightmares about it. Even though I couldn't remember, the knowledge was still there. Tell us, Marinette, how are we supposed to live with ourselves, knowing we could've killed someone?'
Marinette collapsed back into her chair. 'I never knew.'
'Yeah, well, why would you?' muttered Alix, as she sank back down.
Marinette shook her head. 'That doesn't make what you did right, either, you know.'
'We're in pain, too, Marinette,' Sabrina said, her voice heated. 'This isn't all just about Adrien. How do you think we felt, seeing him avoid punishment? Then to see him in our own school, a representation of everything Papillon did. It felt like there was no justice in the world.'
'Can you blame us for making our own?' Alix added.
'To a point,' Marinette replied. 'But two wrongs don't make a right. There comes a time when you have to admit that enough is enough. At the end of the day, what have you got? You still have your friends, your families, your homes, and money. Adrien has none of those things. He's lost everything that matters. At the end of the day, you still have everything, while he has nothing. I think you can rest easy with the knowledge that you never hurt anyone with your powers.'
'I could've wiped people from existence,' Alix yelled, leaping to her feet once more.
Marinette regarded her. 'So, that's why you're mad.'
Alix blinked. 'What?'
'Like Sabrina said, you're more scared of what could have been. Your fear has turned into hate, now that it has a target. Seeing Adrien suffer satiates that hate, but what are you going to do, now that you're no longer allowed to hurt him?'
'Quit trying to psychoanalyse me, I'm not crazy or irrational.'
'You're mad at Adrien for what he represents,' Marinette continued. 'But it doesn't have to be like this. He isn't like Papillon. Maybe you could see that, if you just gave him a chance.'
Alix stared at her in disbelief. 'Are you saying I should forgive him?'
Marinette shook her head. 'I just think it's important that you realise he's not the same person he once was, that he isn't Papillon. If you acknowledge that difference, maybe it'll help your own recovery.'
'I see what you're saying, Marinette,' Sabrina interjected, 'but I'm just not ready for that, yet.'
'That's ok,' Marinette replied.
Sabina looked up at her. 'It is?'
'Of course. It would be insensitive and unrealistic to tell you to "just get over it." Healing takes time, so you should never try to rush, or force, it. So no, you don't have to forgive Adrien, but I ask you, for your own sakes, not to torment him anymore. I think that'll only make you feel worse in the long run.'
Sabrina gave her a timid smile. 'Thank you, Marinette. I think I needed to hear that.'
She smiled warmly back. 'I hope we can get along better, now, too.'
Sabrina nodded. 'Sure.'
They both turned back to Alix. 'I don't like him, and I never will.'
Marinette nodded, aware that was the most she could expect from her.
Monsieur Kubdel and Roger called for Alix and Sabrina, then. They all trooped obediently down the stairs and bade each other farewell. Marinette closed the door behind them.
'How did you go?' Sabine asked, quirking an eyebrow.
Marinette smiled back. 'I think things will be ok. There'll be some hurdles, but definite progress was made.'
'That's my girl,' Sabine said, proudly.
Marinette went back upstairs to fetch her phone. Heads up. Alix and Sabrina are coming over to talk, Marinette texted Adrien.
Oh, no. Should I prepare my last will and testament? he sent back.
Marinette laughed. No, just be calm and gracious. It'll be over quicker that way.
More time for them to dispose of my body.
Marinette rolled her eyes. Their dads will be there, too, Drama Queen.
Witnesses? This is the worst surprise murder in history.
Stop it. You know Sabrina's dad is a cop, right?
He'll know how to cover up the evidence.
Marinette paused, staring thoughtfully at her phone. Are you scared? Do you want me to be there?
No, it's ok, he assured her. I just know they hate me.
Marinette sighed. The girls do, but their dads are reasonable men.
I believe you. Should I prepare tea and snacks?
Get it set up, but let them see you prepare it. Alix is not above accusing you of poisoning it.
I see. I should probably go and make everything presentable. See you on Monday?
Absolutely.
Great, and thanks. I'm really lucky to have you for a friend.
Marinette smiled warmly at the screen. You sure are. See you later.
- 8
- 9
- 10
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Redemption