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Chapter Text

A sixteen-year-old Nathalie Sancoeur sits quietly on the couch of her living room. A French history book rests wide open in between her hands as she rereads the words of that specific page needing to memorize it before the upcoming exam.

“The French Revolution began in 1789.” She mumbles under her breath. “Napoleon Bonaparte appointed himself France’s first consul, marking the end of the revolution.” She reaches for her notebook, making note of that when suddenly her younger sister appears.

“Nathalie.” Camille calls her name despite Nathalie’s eyes being glued onto the notebook.

“What?” She responds, still not looking up as she continues to write.

“I need you to help me with my algebra homework, I don’t understand any of it.”

“I thought we had progressed last night.” She finally glances up, readjusting her glasses as she looks into Camille’s stressed gaze.

“But I’m confused again.” The younger girl begs her sister, “please help me.”

“Fine.”

The sound of their mother’s voice coming from the kitchen alerts them. “Dinner will be served soon, girls. Please go wash your hands, you can work on your homework after we eat.”

The girls are ready to obey when the sudden sound of the front door frightens them, making them instantly pause. It opens loudly and abruptly, and they watch their father race into the house in a state of terror and shock. They have never before seen such fear reflected on their father’s face and despite their confusion, the man continues to move around in an unexplained desperation.

“Mathilde.” His hyperventilating voice calls out his wife’s name. “We need to go right now, pack as much as possible. The girls are in danger, we’re in danger.”

“What?” The woman exclaims through her confusion. “You need to calm down, Lucas. Please explain to me what is going on.”

“I - I,” the man can barely speak, stumbling through his words. His face is as white as chalk and sweat drips down his forehead in a rapid manner. “I saw him detransform!” He finally manages to say.

“Detransform?” Mathilde asks, “What are you talking about?!”

“He de-transformed in front of me. I saw him, Mathilde, and now we’re-“

But the man falls silent when their front door flies open again. They all freeze, a chilling coldness invades their home the moment the uninvited visitor steps inside.

“The Supreme?” Nathalie breathes out in fear. “What are you doing here?”

“Stay back, Nathalie.” Her father commands in a trembling voice, moving forward to stand protectively in front of his wife and daughters.

“Lucas Sancoeur.” The evil voice slithers through the silence of their living room where only their labored breathing can be heard. Throughout his body, every single miraculous is attached, letting them know he is practically invincible.

Everything has transformed into something dark and unexplainable. Nathalie’s eyes scan it all with great intensity as she watches the villain of Paris enter their home while speaking to her father in such a perverse and frightening manner.

The villain who’s been taunting Paris for the past three years.

“Lucas, my friend.” The terrifying man continues, “you saw something you weren’t supposed to, and I’m afraid I can’t let you live.”

“No, no.” The man begs, “I promise I won’t say anything-“

“I can’t risk it.” He speaks as if he were talking about something plain and simple, his voice reflecting his calmness while Nathalie and her family tremble in fear. The Supreme begins to approach the frightened man, the mask of his face conceals his identity yet nothing can conceal the evilness of his dark gaze.

“Leave with the girls.” Lucas tells his wife, except the woman won’t move an inch. Her black hair scrambles over her shoulders as she walks closer to her husband in an attempt to protect him.

“No, I won’t leave you, Lucas.”

“Nathalie, Camille!” Their father barely manages to say as The Supreme pushes him against the nearest wall, his hand quickly making way to his throat. “Run away, run as fast as you can!”

Then he goes mute, the tightness around his throat silences him immediately.

“Let go of my husband!” Mathilde begs.

“He saw my true face. I’m sorry, Mathilde, he must die.” His eyes sparkle strangely and with a specific sense of familiarity, the woman’s face quickly morphs into one of uncertainty.

Who truly hides behind that mask?

Could it possibly be someone they know? He speaks so calmly as if he knew them.

Her blue eyes begin to gush a river of desperate tears as she watches the villain of Paris squeeze the life out of her husband as she uselessly begs him to let go of her husband.

Putting aside their shock and fear, Nathalie and Camille begin to do as their father commanded.

They run with all their willingness towards the back exit of their home. “Let’s go, Camille!” Nathalie holds onto her sister’s wrist. “We can't stop now!”

And just as they are about to make it out of the house and into the garden, The Supreme releases the grip on their father, instantly aiming the yoyo pertaining to the Ladybug miraculous onto the chandelier above them.

“You aren’t going anywhere!” It’s a loud sound, adding onto their fear and desperation. Glass is crashing and shattering around them as the crystal pieces glide down from the ceiling onto the fleeing girls. The enormous chandelier falls, crashing straight onto Camille.

“Camille!” Nathalie exclaims at the sight of her sister trapped under a large piece of glass. Blood seeping from under her injured leg, the sounds of her distress echo through Nathalie’s blazing ears.

“Go without me.” Camille begs in a near whisper as Nathalie kneels beside her. “Go, Nathalie.” She pleads again, “run to the neighbors house, ask for help, tell them to call the police, hurry.”

Nathalie nods through her tears. “I’ll bring help, I promise.” She reaches for her sister's hand, “I love you, Camille.”

The younger girl smiles even through their current misery, and then Nathalie runs as fast as she can, the screams of terror sound through her ears as The Supreme taunts her family.

“If only Betterfly would surrender his miraculous, you wouldn’t be in this situation!”

That’s the last thing Nathalie hears The Supreme say before she leaps over the wooden fence that divides their home from her neighbor’s.

Fists balled up as she bangs with all her strength and all her desperation. The door seems to nearly shake to Nathalie’s violent bangs yet for all her willingness in that moment, no response is heard. Her fists burn and bleed to the immense force she’s putting into it, but the silence from behind the door is loud making her realize no one is coming to her aide.

“Help, help me!” She screams for what seems like forever until a loud explosion coming from behind stops her dead on tracks. Her body freezes, it’s an overwhelming sight as her family home burns down in flames.

The heat reflects against her as she slides down the door where only seconds ago she had been pleading for someone to open.

“Mom, dad!” Nathalie screams out in horror. Her throat burning with every breath, “Camille!”

She wants to run in, she wants to do something but her brain is in a state of shock. The world has stopped, her thoughts are colliding between reality and fantasy.

This must all be a horrible nightmare of some sort. This can’t be happening, her family has to be safe.

Then the door behind her suddenly flies open. “Nathalie?” An older woman stumbles breathlessly to the sight of the burning house. “Nathalie, is that you? What is going on?”

Except, she’s in some kind of strange trance.

Not able to react, Nathalie only drags herself over the slippery and wet grass. The cold breeze of the night hits her with force as if she were being slapped repeatedly.

“We were afraid, what’s going on?” The woman rushes into her house, ready to call emergency services as the house next to hers continues to burn and collapse.

“My parents, my sister.” She mumbles as her eyes continue to lose themselves in the flames before her.

“Help is on the way.” The woman tells her as she helps her stand up.

Minutes drift away until the sirens are heard, announcing the arrival of the firefighters. “They’re here.” Nathalie hears her neighbor say as she holds onto her with force, making her stand up.

“Is anyone inside the house?” A firefighter asks them.

“Yes, yes!” Nathalie suddenly stammers breathlessly, “my parents and my sister are in there.”

She watches them enter the home while others actively work on putting an end to the blazing fire created by the cruelest man alive.

Time has paused. She can see it on the firefighters faces as they exit her crumbling house.

The somber expressions on their ashed eyes makes her heart sink down to her stomach.

“Where are they?” Nathalie asks in between her desperate tears, wanting to hang onto hope, needing to believe her family is okay. “Please say something!”

A single firefighter looks down at her with a pitiful expression, “we’re sorry, there are no survivors.”

Her world has fallen apart.

“No, no!” A sixteen-year-old Nathalie Sancoeur collapses as she screams out her pain, denial taking over her weak body.

Her world has changed forever.

That night, they killed the young and innocent girl that lived within her to replace it with something else.

Something unimaginable.

Something indescribable.

———

Twenty Years Later-

Nathalie watches through her apartment window as the sentimonster dissolves into nothingness. She rolls her eyes at the sight as she reaches into the pockets of her coat.

Needing to calm her rising anger, Nathalie pulls out a cigarette. Her thumb flickers with the lighter until she’s able to see the bright wavy flame. The cigarette lights up in an instant and the smoke enters her lungs in a soothing and pleasant manner.

“Betterfly.” She utters the hero's name as smoke floats out of her mouth and nostrils. “You continue your useless war against The Supreme as if you had any chance.” The sight of the magical butterflies sweeping through the damage created moments ago by The Supreme infuriates her even more. Soon all the damage is gone, looking as if nothing had occurred.

“Don’t you see that you can’t win?” She asks as if the hero were in front of her. “Twenty-three years fighting yet you’re still trying to do the undoable. You’re a pathetic and useless hero.” She mouths with such hatred.

Aiming the cigarette into the ashtray nearby, Nathalie soon lets her nails dig into the skin of her aching palm. “The Supreme.” The words slip away from her parted lips, “I’ll have my turn, and then you’ll regret it all.”

The ringing of the doorbell alerts her, putting her thoughts on a momentary pause.

Feet moving in direction to the door with no real desire to see anyone. Her fingers twirl around the knob, revealing a gleeful looking Dylan Monet standing on the doorway of her apartment.

“Hello, Nathalie.” The man says as he steps in.

“What are you doing here, Dylan?”

A stack of math, geography, and history books rests on his arm. “The books,” he motions to them as he prepares to set them down, “remember?”

“Oh, that’s right.” Nathalie wants to shake the grogginess out of her brain since she’s been overly absentminded these past days. “Just put them there.” She says in her usual plain and firm voice as she points at the small coffee table.

“I’m sorry it took me so long, the road was blocked.” The man’s eyes drift to the large window in her apartment, “The Supreme again.” He says it practically under his breath, causing a major annoyance in Nathalie.

She hates when he starts acting that way. “Don’t act that way, I’ve already told you I don’t like it.”

“Forgive me.” He quickly goes to apologize, “I just don’t want to trigger you.”

“You don’t trigger me.” Her hatred is so present in her bright blue gaze, and he could never ignore it. It’s taken him years to realize the wreck she truly is. One perfect disaster that he will never comprehend, but he doesn’t need to either.

She’s unpredictable.

As best as she can, Nathalie Sancoeur hides her feelings to the world. She hides her thoughts, her knowledge, her emotions. A stone is what she reflects as she diminishes any feelings of sympathy for others to only appear as an expressionless human with only brief words sitting at the back of her throat.

Hands reach out for the math and geography book, “I’ll take these, I’m not sure what type of tutoring the student will require.”

“You’re leaving now?” Dylan asks as he watches her reach for her bag to then place the books inside.

“Yes.” Nathalie responds, “the interview with the father is in one hour, but it’s a bit of a distance so I should get going.”

“Will you mind if I stay? I'd like to get the history books I lent you last week.”

“Sure, whatever.” She says clearly uninterested, “lock the door before you leave.”

She walks out the front door, leaving Dylan all alone in her apartment.

The man’s lips form a sinister smile, one he’s never revealed to her. “You’re as naive as always, Nathalie Sancoeur.”

———

The cab stations itself at the entrance of a black iron gate. With her coat wrapped around her cold body, Nathalie exits the car in direction to the house. Her index finger presses onto the doorbell, and soon a camera appears.

“How can I help you?” A voice is heard from behind the doorbell camera.

“I have an interview with Mr. Agreste.” Nathalie answers.

The gates open, revealing a quiet luxury mansion with vintage accents. It exudes the essence of elegance and comfort rather nicely, and Nathalie immediately thinks that this might be the wealthiest neighborhood where her services have ever been required.

The main entrance door is already open and when she climbs the natural stone steps, she finds a woman waiting next to the large door.

“Good evening.” The woman greets her. “You must be Nathalie Sancoeur.”

Nathalie nods, “Yes.”

“I’m Ines, Mr. Agreste’s assistant.” Ines motions for her to enter the home. “He’s on a phone call, but he should be wrapping up any minute now.”

Nathalie scans the mansion with curiosity yet dissimulation. However, she’s never before been inside such an elegant home. The sight of the large staircase is somewhat intimidating, but Ines continues speaking, not allowing her to think much.

“He will interview you, mainly on your previous tutoring experience, your education, things like that.” The assistant guides her to a sitting area near a set of large double doors. “Wait here, when Mr. Agreste is done, he’ll come to get you.”

Nathalie nods once again. “Thank you.”

She watches the woman leave, and then she’s left all alone. Her eyes continue to scan the house until the sound of the doors nearby make her pause completely.

“Good evening.” A firm and very masculine voice sounds through, cutting into the silence of the mansion.

Nathalie quickly stands up, coming into sight is a very tall and warm looking man. “Good evening.” She responds, and the emotionless expression of her pale face and lost gaze causes a sudden wonder in the man in front of her.

Gabriel Agreste is used to people wanting to please him always. Being overly polite and charismatic is something he sees in individuals often. Except the woman who currently stands in front of him is so different from what he’s used to seeing. She simply stands there, showing no particular concern to please him or make herself likable to him, and he likes that about her.

“I’m Gabriel Agreste.” He extends his hand to her, and she immediately grabs it.

“Nathalie Sancoeur.” The nails of her fingers dig into the back of her aching palm as usual the second he lets go. Scratching into the old and new wounds on the back of her hand.

It’s a habit by now, she can’t help it.

“Please.” He motions for her to enter his office.

The moment Nathalie steps inside, she comes across a well organized atelier. It's clean and sophisticated with mannequins wearing elegant couture dresses and hats. There’s a runway, and photo frames of fashion shows, models, and high fashion clothes decorate the tall walls of that place.

“Have a seat.”

As they take a seat, Gabriel’s questions come right in. “How long have you been tutoring, Ms. Sancoeur?”

“Fifteen years.”

“All subjects?”

“Yes, all subjects.” She agrees.

“I’ve seen your resume, and it’s impeccable.” He reaches for the folder resting on the corner of his desk where he knows he’ll find that perfect resume. “There’s no doubt you’re qualified, but you should know that my son is a bit difficult.”

That isn’t a surprise to hear. Nathalie has dealt with a number of difficult students throughout the years.

“He has trouble staying on track with school work, which is what made me consider a tutor for him. He’s been having a lot of trouble with mathematics, so I’d like you to focus on that subject.” Gabriel sighs heavily, “I just ask that you’re patient with him.”

“Patient.” She breathes out, “of course, I’ll be patient with him.”

“He’s fourteen, so I think school is getting a bit more challenging for him. But given your resume, I think you can manage.” He smiles, but Nathalie makes no attempt to mimic his gesture.

“Yes, sir.” Her plain voice merely responds.

“I would like for you to begin tomorrow, it’ll be four times a week in the evenings. Can you do that?”

“Yes, I can do that.” She responds.

“Great, then I’ll see you tomorrow evening.” He stands up, extending his hand to her once again. “Thank you so much, this means a lot to me. I want the best for my son, and I know you’ll be great for him.” He smiles again but Nathalie simply keeps her serious expression and nods at him.

He walks her to the front door of the mansion, and as he watches her leave, he can’t help but think how strange she is.

The strangest person he has met in recent years.

———

Nathalie walks through the darkness and down the sidewalks and alleyways of a silent Paris as she returns home from the interview at the Agreste mansion. The coldness of the night makes her hands go numb but that doesn’t really seem to bother her. The emptiness of her heart is that persistent feeling that never allows her to feel peace.

Twenty years have gone by since the murder of her family and the years don't change her pain. All it does is make her anger and hatred grow, and then she thinks that perhaps she’s wasted her time. It’s been too many years, and she’s never had the chance to make anyone pay for what occurred that night.

The darkness continues to settle around her, leaving nothing but her vengeful soul lingering around along with the bitter reminder that she hasn’t had her revenge. Once again, the stinging of her left palm wriggles in making her wince out loud as she leans against the brick wall of an isolated alleyway.

This time, Nathalie looks down at the wounds of her palm and upper wrist. All created by herself in moments where her anger and pain wanted to overflow so she instinctively began to claw at her own worn out skin. Blood is an odd mixture. A single red sight of betrayal that only reminds her of that night. When a detective brought her to identify the burned and wounded bodies of her parents and sister. The dried blood on her sister’s leg made her nauseous, Camille had suffered until her last breath.

And then she blames herself.

If only she had reacted faster.

As Nathalie prepares to abandon the alleyway, the sight of a shadow nearby makes her movements fade away. A guttural voice, a harsh-sounding loud whisper echoes through the dark and thick air around her.

“Hello, Nathalie.” She turns in all directions, wanting to find the figure who’s wanting to taunt her, calling her name in such a perverse manner. “I can smell your hatred from miles away.” The voice continues, and in a split and unexpected second, he is in front of her. His hands push her back into the brick wall, and then she’s trapped in between The Supreme and a filthy wall in a random alleyway in the middle of Paris.

The only light that reflects is that of a worn out lamp post standing high above them. The dim yellowed light reflects perfectly onto the face of the feared villain of Paris.

The man who’s been taunting Paris for the past twenty-three years.

The man who murdered her family.

The man who made her into this emotionless looking human who’s full of hatred and deep desires of revenge.

Adrenaline immediately courses through her body, her breathing is labored and nearly out of control as an explosion of emotions and anger branches through her chest and down her spine. Reaching out for her weakened limbs, and then she wants to scream.

“Get off of me.” Nathalie is the first to speak, uselessly attempting to push him off of her, but her eyes don’t reveal any sign of fear whatsoever.

“It always surprises me how you’re never afraid.”

“You’re just a man.” She says as if it were the first time he’s cornered her this way. “A man that would be nothing if not for those jewels you were lucky enough to steal.”

The Supreme’s eyes begin to glow with a deep sense of anger to her words yet Nathalie makes no attempt to stop herself.

“Look at you.” She scans him from top to bottom as her blue gaze focuses on the magical jewels pinned all over his body. “You’ve been fighting Betterfly for decades, and not once have you been close to succeeding. You’re pathetic, you’re a loser, you’re a joke.” She lets out a mocking little giggle, and that finally sets him off.

“Shut up!” He snaps in anger. “You shut your mouth, Nathalie Sancoeur.” His hand makes its way up to her exposed throat, “I could kill you right now, and no one would know.”

“Do it.” She manages to say despite the grip on her throat, “Kill me like you killed my family.” And she means it, many times she’s wished that he would end her life. His grip tightens around her neck, and this time Nathalie thinks he isn’t going to let go. Still, she manages to stare at him, his eyes are darkened with pure evilness.

Then the same question arises amongst her shallow breaths.

Who truly hides behind that mask?

Is it someone she knows?

Her father saw the face of the man who now wants to squeeze the life out of her.

He saw it, and that’s what drove him, her mother, and her sister to their deaths.

“I should’ve killed you years ago.” He mumbles close to her ear as Nathalie is at the verge of losing consciousness. “You’re as naive as your father was.”

Instinctively, Nathalie reaches out to dig her nails into the exposed skin of his face. Despite her previous comments of not being afraid, her body instinctively finds a way to latch onto life. Desperately fighting in hopes of not dying.

“But I like to play,” and suddenly he lets go.

Her back slides down the brick wall, crashing forcefully into the pavement underneath them as her lungs greedily gasp for air. The Supreme gets on his knees, staring straight into her pale gaze, her eyes are watery and red as the lack of oxygen was starting to melt her down.

“Look at you.” It’s he who now repeats her same words. “You're just a woman, you’re pathetic, you’re a joke.” Nathalie watches him stand up as he continues his rant, “I on the other hand am the feared villain of Paris. I can do as I please-“

“But you still can’t take the butterfly miraculous from Betterfly.” She interrupts him, and once again he snaps in anger. The images of his defeats hurt his ego immensely.

Twenty-three years of defeats yet he can't imagine giving up. He needs that miraculous in order to feel a sense of accomplishment. He reaches down to take a grip of her hair and lifts her up from the ground again as she groans out in pain at his violent actions on her weary body. “You’re playing with fire, Nathalie.”

“Maybe I like it.” Her hair sticks to her sweaty forehead without mercy as she attempts to pull away from him. “I like to watch as you prove that you’re nothing but a fool who can’t defeat one little hero who only wears one miraculous while you wear them all.”

“You don’t change.” He utters close to her face, his hot breath hitting the side of her cheek and suddenly she’s sure she will vomit. “But never forget your family is dead because of Betterfly. If only he would surrender his miraculous, I wouldn’t be this, I wouldn’t be The Supreme.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” she agrees, “you’d be far worse than this.” Her eyes begin to glisten with angry tears, and soon they betray her. They roll down her cheeks as the monster who murdered her family delights himself to the sight.

And she hates crying.

She despises it immensely.

It makes her appear weak and fragile, but she can’t control herself in this particular moment.

“You see.” He catches a tear with his thumb. “You’re nothing but a pathetic woman who can’t even control her emotions.” And as sudden as her tears appeared is now the sound of a voice coming from the end of the alleyway.

“Let go of her!” The voice echoes loudly around them.

Neither Nathalie nor The Supreme have a chance to respond.

Beside him stands the hero of Paris, Betterfly.

Nathalie feels her body freeze all over again.

She stands motionless against the brick aside from the heaving of her chest.

It’s The Supreme who wastes no time to react.

“Betterfly?” He turns to look at the hero. “How dare you?”

“You have no right to be harassing this woman,” Betterfly looks over at her face, and instantly notices the bruises on her throat and jaw.

“Don’t worry.” The Supreme says in a brassy statement. “Similar to you and I, Nathalie has an extensive history with me.” He attempts to touch her cheek, but Nathalie slaps his hand away, “but I shouldn’t be wasting my time with her. I should be trying to take that brooch away from you.”

The Supreme pushes Betterfly onto the ground, quickly getting on him. “Give me the brooch, Betterfly. Spare Paris of this misery that’s been going on for over two decades.”

“I can’t give you the brooch.” The hero responds as he uses his purple cane to make a pressuring distance between him and the villain. “The miraculous aren’t supposed to be used for evil only for the greater good.”

“I’m tired of that story!” The Supreme spits out.

“You must surrender all the miraculous you stole from the guardian.” Betterfly pushes the man off of him, quickly standing up. “Don’t you see that you won’t win?”

“I already have them all.” The villain responds. “All you have to do is give me that last one, and Paris will be free.” He clutches the flute pertaining to the Fox miraculous in between his hands. His anger at having lost the butterfly miraculous has haunted him for years.

After all, he didn’t think it’d all turn out this way.

Years ago when he decided to steal the miracle box from the old guardian, The Supreme didn’t think he’d drop the butterfly miraculous on the way home.

And the old guardian wasted no time.

He quickly found himself a young and willing hero to protect Paris and find a way to take back all the miraculous. The very man who currently stands in front of him.

The Supreme steps back, ready to disappear. “The war isn’t over until I have that brooch.” And then he’s gone, leaping into the high skies above them.

Betterfly stands there, breathing heavily to the encounter with The Supreme. It’s always a shock and disappointment when he’s able to get away. It makes Betterfly think that perhaps he should give him the brooch.

It’s been too long, and nothing has changed.

“I’m sorry.” He whispers as he turns to look at the woman who The Supreme was apparently taunting and tormenting. “Are you okay, do you-“

Except, her loud voice stops him, frightening him completely.

“Did I ask for your help?”

“Forgive me, I only wanted-“

But she interrupts him again. “I don’t need your help, you stay away from me.”

“I only wanted to make sure you were safe.” Betterfly attempts to explain his actions. “Besides, you’re injured. I can see it, and I know it was The Supreme who caused those injuries. Let me take you home.”

“Leave me alone!” Nathalie eventually yells out loud as she begins to run down the alleyway. “I don’t need the help of a selfish hero who pretends to protect Paris when in reality all you’re doing is destroying the lives of families with your endless war with that monster.”

Betterfly watches her leave, utterly stunned by her harsh words and odd behavior. After all, he didn’t expect to find her cornered and trapped by The Supreme the moment he decided to do his nightly patrol of the city. It’s all been so unexpected just as her jarring words.

“I knew she was strange.” He mouths as she disappears into the darkness of a silent Paris.

Chapter Text

Betterfly abandons the alleyway where just moments ago he had an unexpected encounter with The Supreme. Leaving in direction to the only human he can explain his troubles to, the woman’s words continue to echo throughout his brain, and soon he realizes that she may be right.

It’s been far too long since he began his war against The Supreme.

Twenty-three years ago, a fourteen-year-old Gabriel Agreste was chosen by the guardian to protect Paris. The miraculous of the butterfly had been the only magical jewel left after a complete stranger invaded the temple in Tibet. Soon, forcing the guardian to abandon that place and leave in direction to Paris since his magical staff guided him there. Less than a year after Master Fu’s arrival in Paris, The Supreme began to taunt the city.

Power can be a harmful thing, Betterfly sees it now even as his strength wants to diminish. It’s more than just a position one might hold, it’s a bound that can deepen into something harsh if not guarded properly. It’ll burst and it’ll transform, making one person evil, selfish, and dangerous. And that’s exactly what The Supreme has become in these past decades.

Yet for all their years searching and fighting, neither Betterfly nor Master Fu have been able to discover his secret identity.

Who is he?

That’s the question that haunts Betterfly.

As he arrives at Master Fu’s home, Betterfly drops his transformation. Despite all the years, the risk continues to be there.

The Supreme is no idiot, they know that.

Quickly, the villain pieced it all together.

The guardian had followed him into Paris because nothing could destroy that unbreakable bond between the miracle box and the magical staff.

Both Master Fu and The Supreme could equally sense they were near each other. The staff just as the box glowed as if a magical force called them.

And it was indeed a magical force.

It was the power that the miraculous held.

It’s what caused The Supreme to present himself to the city. Which subsequently led Master Fu to pick a willing and brave soul to protect the fearful citizens whose lives were at risk.

Gabriel walks into the small place, knowing well it’s unlocked. He stumbles through a few broken pieces of bamboo sticks and English lavender petals all which are scattered around the edges of the house until he reaches the living room. Little scents of oils and healing plants, things Master Fu uses in hopes of creating potions to enhance Betterfly’s powers.

“Gabriel.” The old man says in surprise. “It’s been a couple of long weeks, I suppose you were busy.”

“I was.” Gabriel agrees as he takes a seat on a nearby chair. “I’m working on a new collection, we actually have an important photoshoot scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.”

He smiles. “It always amazes me how you were able to build an empire despite having to secretly protect Paris at such a young age.” Master Fu sighs heavily, “You know I feel guilty sometimes. You’re fighting The Supreme all alone, and it’s been so long. All I can do is make these potions for you, hoping it’ll enhance your powers.”

“Don’t feel guilty, master.” Gabriel quickly lets his fingers dip under the delicate fabric of his ascot, soon finding the camouflaged brooch. “Someone needs to protect Paris.” That brooch that sits on him like a heavy nearly unbearable brick.

The brooch that’s been pinned on him for the past twenty-three years. Something that has become a part of him almost as if it’s engraved itself on his skin. Digging deeply, creating secrets and haunting memories.

“But at what cost?” Master Fu mumbles sadly.

And that’s the same question Gabriel Agreste has been asking himself for the past years.

At what cost?

He thinks of his son, his late wife, and all those around him. That’s what tortures him. Then he thinks of the woman he saw before arriving at Master Fu’s home. Her words were a chill as harsh as ice to his weary bones. Memories of the secrets he conceals, things that are hidden beneath him, pouring out from the shadows of his past.

Painfully aware of how she was right.

Perhaps all he is doing by continuing the war with The Supreme is destroying the lives of families.

Just as his was destroyed years ago.

“Maybe we should’ve stopped a long time ago.” Gabriel finally speaks after long minutes of silence.

Those words aren’t a surprise to Master Fu.

After all, Gabriel is tired.

Sometimes he’ll seem optimistic, but then a minute later he falls back into his own somber and empty shell. One that he wishes he didn’t have to leave.

Negatively speaking of everything they’ve done in order to protect Paris.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Gabriel apologizes in a briskly manner, “I shouldn’t say that, but before we got here, I had a rather strange encounter with a woman.”

“A woman?”

“Yes, master.” Nooroo exclaims as he floats out of Gabriel’s jacket. “The Supreme was taunting a woman in an alleyway, and Betterfly stepped in to help but she was overly aggressive.”

“That man is finding ways to disturb the citizens directly.” Master Fu says as it’s the first time in a while they hear of The Supreme having direct contact with a person. “But what do you mean she was aggressive?”

“That’s what she was, aggressive.” Gabriel repeats the word, “she told me I was selfish for continuing my war against The Supreme. That I pretend to protect the city when in reality all I’m doing is destroying the lives of families.”

“In any case, you have never been exempt from anything The Supreme has done.” Master Fu recalls the tragedy that came upon Gabriel’s family years ago. “After all, you know first hand what he is capable of doing, the way in which he murdered Emilie was cruel. And if that woman has suffered any type of harm due to The Supreme, she can’t hold it against you. Not when you’ve suffered as well. Not when your son didn’t even have the chance to meet his mother.”

“I know.” Gabriel whispers, “but it’s not like I can go around and tell people that. So it’s only natural they see Betterfly as a selfish person. They don’t know the truth, they’ll never know the truth of what Betterfly has gone through.”

For a long time, Gabriel wished he could scream it all out. The murmuring of the city was a pain in his heart. For years they’ve viewed Betterfly as a fearless hero. A sort of powerful being that only serves to protect them and nothing more.

Never knowing that he’s suffered.

Gabriel Agreste has suffered from the moment he pinned that magical brooch onto his chest all those years ago.

———

It’s early afternoon and Nathalie arrives right on time at the Agreste mansion. A stack of books resting perfectly inside her large tote bag as she mentally prepares for the lesson she’s soon to give. It's always a challenge when she’s introduced to new students. She comes across a variety of attitudes and personalities. Some are fine while others are intolerable. Wondering how this student will be, she walks up the stoned steps that lead to the main entrance of the home.

Except, Nathalie suddenly hears loud voices and music coming from the other side of the door. Her nails begin to dig into her palm as usual while her other hand reaches up to clutch her neck in nervousness as she isn’t sure what she’s about to walk into. But she stops her actions, removing her hand away from her neck as she winces out in pain at the touch of her own hand.

Recalling what occurred last night in that alleyway makes her nauseous all over again. Luckily the rib knit turtleneck sweater she currently wears conceals the bruises of her pale neck perfectly.

She rings the doorbell, waiting for a response as the sounds coming from inside seem to intensify.

The door eventually opens, Ines motioning for her to enter. “Good afternoon, Nathalie.”

“Good afternoon.” She says in return with her usual inexpressive voice as she steps inside.

It’s an unexpected sight, the one she walks into.

After all, the foyer wasn’t at all like this when she stepped inside yesterday evening. She sees an entire setup of cameras and backdrops. There’s a clothing rack packed with various pieces of clothing and makeup and hair tools rest just behind it.

There’s too many people here, Nathalie instantly feels uncomfortable. The flashes of the camera snap over and over again, and the director’s commands are heard loudly and continuously.

“Lovely, Odette.” A man says to the model who sits on the floor, striking various poses at a time. “Now turn just a few inches towards the camera.”

Nathalie watches it all with great annoyance.

“I’m sorry, it’s usually not like this.” Ines soon apologizes, “but Mr. Agreste is launching a new campaign soon, that’s why the photoshoot is taking place.”

Nathalie couldn’t care less. She simply wants to do her job and then get out of here.

“He went into the atelier for a moment, but let me tell him you’re here.”

Nathalie nods, waiting impatiently for the man to appear. The atelier doors eventually open, and Nathalie watches him exit the room with lightened up eyes. Something she hadn’t seen in him yesterday, almost as if he wants to say something yet she ignores all of it.

It’s Gabriel who feels his insides tighten to the sight of Nathalie Sancoeur. The woman he found last night trapped against a wall in a random alleyway by The Supreme.

The woman who called him selfish.

The woman whose jarring words didn't let him sleep all night long.

“Hello, Nathalie.” He says in his best voice possible. “Adrien is upstairs.”

“Shall I take her to him, sir?” Ines asks.

“That’s alright, Ines.” Gabriel tells his assistant, “I’ll take Ms. Sancoeur.”

Nathalie begins to follow him upstairs yet she can’t help but feel as if he were staring at her as his head seems to unconsciously move in her direction.

Nathalie avoids all eye contact.

It’s Gabriel who notices the faint red marks on her jawline, the ones she attempted to cover up with makeup. Those marks that The Supreme left behind as a bitter reminder that he isn’t willing to stop tormenting others until he obtains the brooch Gabriel Agreste wears in secret.

And yet again, Gabriel feels awfully guilty.

He delivers a firm knock onto his son’s door.

“Come in.” They both hear, and Gabriel quickly pulls open the door.

“Adrien.” He calls out his son’s name. The boy sits on the desk area where a computer and math book rest wide open. “This is Nathalie, and she’ll be your tutor. She’s well aware of your struggles so don’t be shy.”

“Okay, father.” The boy plainly responds.

Gabriel exits the room, leaving them all alone.

Nathalie moves in direction to Adrien’s desk, quickly taking a seat on a nearby chair. “Your father mentioned that you’re having the most difficulty with mathematics.”

“Yes.” Adrien agrees, “it's algebra. I don’t understand any of it.”

Nathalie’s bitter heart shrinks to his words.

It’s almost as if her fourteen-year-old sister Camille were here again. Repeating those same words as she did on the night she was murdered.

Blue gaze loses itself on a single spot, staring stoically into nothingness as the memories invade her like one horrid nightmare. Feeling as if the world is against her since the night her parents and sister died, Nathalie isn’t able to comprehend why this boy so suddenly reminds her of Camille. She’s tutored hundreds of students throughout the years, and not once had anything like this occurred.

“Is everything okay?” Adrien suddenly asks.

“What?”

“You’re staring down as if something were wrong.”

“It’s nothing.” Nathalie shakes her head, her firm voice stiffens through the air as she pulls the math book into her hands. “Let’s begin.”

———

Adrien was surprised by his new tutor. She made it seem so simple, he almost couldn’t believe how much they had progressed in one day.

“We’re done for today.” Nathalie closes the book, placing her own items into her bag. “You did well for your first day.”

“It’s because you’re so good at explaining it, you’re even better than my math professor.” Adrien says in a jolly voice yet he gets no reaction from her.

He finds it strange.

Doesn’t she know how to take a compliment?

Her face remains completely neutral, nearly numb.

Adrien squints his eyes in confusion at her odd behavior, but soon brushes it off.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Nathalie says. “Make sure you study-“

Except her words die out as the loud voices coming from outside echo through Adrien’s bedroom.

The open windows of his bedroom allow the noise to come in, and soon they are able to hear the words spoken by the individuals who are seemingly arguing outside of the house.

“You can’t do this to me, Gabriel.” A woman’s voice exclaims, and Nathalie watches Adrien roll his eyes in annoyance as he approaches the window in hopes of having a glimpse of what’s going on.

“Please stop, Odette.” Gabriel’s voice follows, “I beg you to calm down.”

“I won’t calm down!” Her voice gets louder. “You’re pushing me aside as if I didn’t matter-,” but Adrien reaches out to close the window, not allowing for anything more to be heard.

“My father’s ex, ugh, I can’t stand her.” Nathalie hears Adrien complain, but she only remains silent to his words. “She’s probably making a scene again.” He eventually turns to look at Nathalie, and her eyes reflect no interest in anything he’s saying, but Adrien continues speaking. “Did you see a blonde woman when you arrived at the house?”

“Yes.” Nathalie responds. She supposes he’s talking about the model who was on the floor posing and smiling when she entered the house.

“She’s my father’s ex-girlfriend.” The boy says as if Nathalie cares about anything he’s saying. “He couldn’t get her out of the shoot since the campaign is soon to launch and there’s contracts in between, but he wanted to.” Adrien takes a seat on his bed, an amused expression suddenly sweeps across his face. “They broke up a few months ago, and she won’t stop begging, she’s pathetic.” He giggles out loud.

Nathalie narrows her eyebrows, not willing to comment on anything Adrien’s just said.

“Ok, make sure you study what we practiced.”

She then walks over towards the door, leaving him all alone. The walk through the front door is more pleasant than it was when she arrived. Apparently the shoot is over.

Upon exiting the house, Nathalie spots Gabriel Agreste and the model. Their voices are low, a major difference to what they were a few moments ago. Her stern gaze meets Gabriel’s just as she’s about to cross the black iron gate, and Nathalie watches him drift away from the woman, leaving her behind to then walk in direction to her.

“Gabriel?” The blonde woman exclaims in anger yet he ignores her as he continues to move towards Nathalie.

“How did your first day with Adrien go?” He asks her.

“Adrien did well, he’s a fast learner.”

“That’s good to hear.” Gabriel responds, relieved Adrien is getting the help he needs. “I’m amazed he hasn’t come out to complain yet, that means he likes you.” Gabriel smiles and as usual, Nathalie remains serious.

He extends his hand out to her. “See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.” She repeats.

As Gabriel watches her leave his home, he can’t seem to understand the sudden need to comprehend her emotionless personality.

That unexplained desire that has arisen within him to know more about her after what occurred in the alleyway last night.

It’s a shift in his spirit.

It’s calling him, he can hear it now. Needing him to reveal something that is hidden deep inside her.

“Who was that woman?” Gabriel hears Odette angrily ask once Nathalie disappears.

“She’s Adrien's new tutor.” Slowly he turns around, giving Odette a tired look.

And he is indeed tired.

He’s exhausted.

He didn’t want things to turn out this way with Odette. After all, he genuinely cares for her, but he can’t risk her. Not when every time he closes his eyes at night he recalls the tragic ending his late wife had.

Regrets are a part of his life now.

Nothing could compare to the pain of losing a loved one so unexpectedly.

And he’s blamed himself for years.

Perhaps if he hadn’t revealed his secret identity to Emilie, she wouldn’t have landed on the tragic ending that she did.

Murdered ruthlessly, and that’s not what he wants for Odette. Gabriel’s come to accept that he can’t be romantically involved with anyone. Not when The Supreme continues to linger around like the heaviest threat of them all.

“Go home, Odette,” Gabriel begs. “This constant arguing isn’t healthy for us and you know it.”

“No.” She cries, “you ended me so unexpectedly, and now you won’t say a thing. Is there someone else?” Odette asks as tears roll down her rosy cheeks. Her light blue eyes swell up like the pain in her heart.

“It’s not that at all.” Gabriel denies it immediately, “it’s things I wish I could tell you. You’re a lovely woman and you’re pretty, but I can’t be with you, not right now.”

“Tell me why.” The woman begs, her blonde hair sticking to the sides of her moist pink cheeks. “Don’t make me think the worst, don’t let me come up with insane conclusions, Gabriel. Tell me what is going on.”

Yet each time she begs, the images of Emilie’s bruised and beaten body invade his damaged memory. Broken souls and shattered lives, that is what The Supreme has created in the past twenty-three years, and he simply can’t risk Odette.

Not when Emilie’s tragic ending serves as the most compelling reminder that The Supreme has no limits. “I’m sorry.” He reaches for her hand, pressing a kiss to her pale knuckles. “This is why I didn’t want you in the shoot-“

Odette quickly interrupts him, pulling her hand away from him in a harsh manner. “We signed a contract, Gabriel. You can’t go around it, it’ll cost you millions.”

He knows that.

After all, Odette is an exclusive model.

“This is why you’re still here, but we can’t continue arguing like this,” he sighs heavily, “it’s torturing.”

Despite the tiredness of his voice, Odette recognizes the kindness and gentleness that lives within him. Those soft characteristics that make up his charm and personality. Little things that are enough to note that Gabriel Agreste isn’t like other men. Yet a certain curse has surrounded him despite his kindness and delicate nature. Things he won’t speak about even upon Odette's insistence.

And she would ask him despite his reluctance to speak. Secrets she knows are hidden, those regarding the mystery behind his wife’s death. Over the year they spent together, Odette began to ask too many questions. Catching onto something which subsequently led Gabriel to end their relationship. She’s an intelligent woman, and soon she realized Gabriel wasn’t what she thought he would be. He’d disappear like nothing, and that confused her. It made her realize something strange was happening. And the manner in which he ended their romance has only confirmed that he in fact is hiding something.

“We’re not done.” Odette says before she walks over to her car. Not brave enough to say out loud the conclusions her conflicted brain has started to make. Wandering into the depths of what occurred thirteen years ago when Emilie Agreste died.

As Gabriel watches her drive away, he knows she isn’t lying.

She in fact isn’t done.

———

That night, Gabriel tosses in bed, not able to find rest for his body. His conversation with Odette continues to roam his mind, but that’s not the only thing that’s stealing his sleep.

A weary gaze penetrates into the high ceiling above him as the image of what he witnessed last night replays inside his head all over again. The Supreme used strange words when referring to the woman.

He called her by her name.

He said they had an ‘extensive history’.

“What did he mean by that?” Gabriel whispers, “Nathalie…”

“What?” Nooroo’s voice sounds through the silence of the bedroom, snapping Gabriel out of his thoughts. “Did you say something, Gabriel?”

“I didn’t say anything.” He pauses, staring down into the kwami’s magenta eyes. “Well, actually I can’t stop thinking about Nathalie.”

“Adrien’s tutor?” The creature asks as he settles himself on Gabriel’s rising chest. “You think The Supreme has a connection with her?”

“I don’t know, her words were harsh, but her emotions were strong.” He recalls the moment again, the way in which her blue eyes glowed with a nearly disdainful and uncanny look.

One that frightened him.

One that confused him.

“The times she’s come to the house, she’s nearly emotionless, she’s awfully vague. I’ve never seen anyone like that, but when I saw her as Betterfly, I was able to recognize a look of hatred in her eyes, one of anger and deep bitterness.”

“Directed at you?” Nooroo asks.

“I think so.”

“But why would she hate Betterfly?”

“That’s what I’m going to figure out,” Gabriel stands up from the bed, “Nooroo, light wings rise.”

His feet guide him to the balcony of his bedroom, creating a path of dark shadows that he must follow in hopes of finding a light that will brighten it all up while also uncovering deep secrets from the past.

———

Betterfly stands on a particular roof of a single building that faces straight into the apartment complex Nathalie lives in. He didn’t have to go through much in order to find her address.

After all, Nathalie is now his employee.

Gray eyes stare at the building with uncertainty, not sure how he should approach her.

Nathalie Sancoeur was cold and aggressive when in his presence last night. And he could try and tell himself it was because of her heightened up emotions due to The Supreme’s presence, but he knows there’s far more to it.

It's what doesn’t allow him to stop thinking about her. He stares at the building for a couple of long minutes until he makes his way to the back of the tall place. He sees various balconies and windows, lights or on while others are off.

“I probably shouldn’t have come.” Betterfly whispers as he’s ready to leave. “It’s late, she’s probably asleep.” Besides, he doesn’t know which balcony belongs to her apartment. But suddenly, Betterfly feels the oxygen escape his lungs as his eyes fall into one specific spot.

There is Nathalie Sancoeur.

He can see her perfectly as she sits on the balcony of her apartment smoking a cigarette.

The smoke drifts through her parted lips as she blows it out into the dark night. Her sparkling eyes continue to reflect that specific look of emptiness and bitterness and as he continues to stare, Betterfly can’t help but notice the beauty her face reflects. It’s probably the first time since he met her that such thought crosses his mind.

He has watched long enough to see it now.

Nathalie Sancoeur is beautiful.

Like the beauty of a strayed angel that has lost its wings.

His lips form a soft smile at the sight, and as if a magnetic force were pulling him in her direction, Betterfly leaps into the darkness to then abruptly land on the bars of her balcony.

Nathalie gasps loudly, shaking in surprise to the sudden burst of the hero. Instantly, he feels bad at having frightened her but she’s the first to speak, not allowing him to apologize.

“Betterfly?” She breathes out in a breathy tone, “What on earth are you doing here?”

“I - I,” he begins to stutter mindlessly.

“How did you know where to find me?” She exclaims out loud as she crashes the cigarette into the ashtray nearby.

He instantly feels like an idiot.

Betterfly hadn’t thought what he’d tell her once he presented himself in her apartment.

He makes something up on the spot. “Don’t get upset, but I followed you home last night.”

“You followed me home?” Nathalie questions angrily. “How dare you? Just because you're the hero of Paris, doesn’t mean you can stalk me.”

“It wasn’t my intention.” Betterfly begins to explain himself. “I’ve felt so terrible for what occurred in the alleyway last night.” His words slowly fade away as his gray eyes focus on the bruises on her neck as she isn’t wearing a turtleneck anymore. “He hurt you-“

“That’s not your business.” Her hand travels up to her exposed skin, covering it with her hand. “I told you yesterday, I don’t need your help.”

“Why are you like this with me?” He sounds hurt, and she can’t help but notice. “We’ve never met, so I don’t understand your behavior.”

Nathalie prevents herself from spitting out everything that sits on her broken heart. “Not everyone has to like you, who do you think you are?”

The harsh tone of her voice hurts.

It makes him feel like he’s done something wrong.

“You’re just a man who wears a magical brooch while fighting that monster. You’re nothing special.”

“You’re right, I’m not special.” He agrees with to her words, “but years ago I was chosen to complete this mission. Now I see that it’s consumed me, and it’s consumed many people in this city, and I think you’re one of those people.”

“You don’t know anything.” Then her eyes drift onto the brooch pinned onto his purple suit. The jewel glows and shimmers, almost as if it were mocking her.

If only she could get her hands on it.

Then she’d really make The Supreme pay for the murder of her family.

It’d be her best revenge.

Obtaining the thing he’s been fighting for since the day he introduced himself to the city.

And suddenly, the idea latches onto her mind and to her bitter and vengeful heart.

If only she could have that brooch…

Except, Betterfly’s voice puts her thoughts on a pause. “I don’t know anything, but how about you tell me?” He’s so kind, he’s so soft, it almost shocks her the way in which he conducts himself. “Tell me why The Supreme was harassing you. How does he know your name, why did he say you two have an extensive history together.”

“You really want to know?” She asks with her eyes glued onto the brooch. It’s the first time she’s ever had Betterfly so close, and the thought of getting her hands on the brooch The Supreme so desperately wants makes her realize that would be her greatest accomplishment.

“Yes.” He utters softly.

“Fine.” Nathalie agrees, but it’s all a mere scheme of her own as she hides under the idea of getting her hands onto the magical jewel he wears. “It’s late, and I have a few things to do. But come tomorrow night at around this time, we’ll talk, and I’ll let you ask whatever you want.”

Nathalie watches his lips form into a warm smile, “thank you so much Nathalie. It means a lot to me that you’ll actually want to hear me. It’ll let me show you that I’m not the selfish person you think I am.”

She moves to the sliding door, “I’ll see you tomorrow night, Betterfly.”

“See you tomorrow.” And she watches him leap away as the essence of his warm and kind nature continues to linger around.

“I’m close to my vengeance.” Nathalie whispers in satisfaction.

Chapter Text

Nathalie opens the door of her apartment to find Dylan Monet standing on the doorway with a takeout bag in between his hands.

“Hello, Nathalie.” He immediately greets her in his typically friendly tone. “I assume you haven’t eaten yet.” He steps into the apartment, quickly placing the warm food onto the small dining table located near the large glass window.

“I won’t be able to chat for long, I must head to the Agreste mansion soon.”

Dylan’s insides shake upon hearing the name Agreste as it instantly brings an awful lot of twisted and malicious memories to the hidden side of his brain.

“So you ended up getting hired there?” He asks as if his brain weren’t currently recalling the worst things imaginable.

“Yes.” Nathalie confirms as Dylan begins to unbag the food. “I’m tutoring the Agreste son.”

“I’ve heard Gabriel Agreste is very wealthy. He’s a fashion designer, isn’t he?”

“I think so.” Nathalie takes a seat as she prepares to eat the food Dylan has brought, yet her gaze quickly loses itself as the man’s voice begins to die out since she’s now lost all focus. Her own mind races back to the night her family was murdered, and it’s been doing that all day long.

And she constantly recalls that night.

Day after day.

But Nathalie isn’t sure why today out of all days, she can’t stop having flashes of that terrible night.

The smells, the images, the blood, it’s been haunting her all day long.

Perhaps because tonight, she’ll meet up with Betterfly. The simple knowledge of that has her mind on edge as she prepares herself for the encounter with the hero. Except, she’s been asking herself too many questions about what truly occurred the night The Supreme invaded their home.

The same questions she’s been asking herself for the past twenty years.

“Nathalie?” Dylan calls her name, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“What?”

“I was talking, and you suddenly spaced out.”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about what occurred the night my parents and my sister were murdered.”

His face goes pale.

It’d been so long since Nathalie mentioned that night to him.

“Why?” He so plainly asks.

“You worked with my father, Dylan.” Nathalie begins as if it were the first time she was having such conversation with him. “Didn’t you see anything that night? A certain client that appeared suspicious, perhaps lurking around.”

Dylan shakes his head. “No, Nathalie. We’ve already had this conversation many times in the past twenty years.”

She sighs heavily. “I know, but I just can’t imagine how my father would’ve seen The Supreme’s true face.” The desperation settles into her bitter heart like it always has, “How?” Her voice fades away as she once again loses herself in her own world of uncertainty and despair.

Yet Dylan’s dark brown eyes stare at her face as he secretly hopes she would just drop the topic for good. Always afraid the glow of his darkened gaze betrays him. Because there’s a hidden life behind the man who currently sits next to Nathalie Sancoeur. It’s a hidden past he must never reveal to anyone.

Twenty-five years ago, an eighteen-year-old, Dylan Monet came across an incredible book hidden in between the shelves of Lucas Sancoeur’s library.

The library where Lucas had so kindly hired him to manage. Books inspired by what people called ‘the miraculous’ had always been around. Except, Dylan began to suspect that maybe those magical jewels truly did exist. Someplace in the universe, where perhaps no human had ever been. Scrambling through books and books, Dylan found a specific story which indicated the magical jewels were found in Tibet.

Greed is a powerful, nearly frightening thing, and as an eighteen-year-old Dylan Monet followed his darkest desires to become invincible, he eventually landed himself on the lands of a hidden temple where he in fact found the jewels.

A facade is what he’s always been.

Pretending to be what he isn’t in order to take advantage of those who trust him.

The greedy and ambitious young man stole the miraculous from the temple in Tibet. Returning to Paris was a sickening thing the moment he realized he’d left one jewel behind.

The miraculous of the butterfly.

He couldn’t get enough.

His ego and greed have always consumed him.

Leading a then twenty-year-old Dylan to present himself as The Supreme to the people of Paris. And just three years after that day, a naive Lucas Sancoeur accidentally discovered his secret identity.

He's a walking hoax.

He lives a double life.

He pretends to be what he isn’t.

After all, Dylan has been playing cat and mouse with Nathalie for the past twenty years. The daughter of the man he murdered in order to preserve his secret. And perhaps one day he’ll tire of having her around. He’ll tire of pretending to be her friend, and that ‘kind soul’ that took her in after the tragedy that he himself caused.

But as of now, Dylan continues to enjoy it.

A twisted and rotten soul that knows no limits.

A soul that carries a number of secrets and deaths on his bloody hands.

Nathalie pushes the food away from her, realizing she should get going soon. “I have to go.”

“So soon?” He asks in that fake tone he uses in order to pretend he cares. “You barely touched your food.”

“It’s late enough, and that house is rather far from here.”

Nathalie watches him as he begins to clean up the small dining table. “I prefer you don’t stay here after I leave.”

“Why?” He almost sounds shocked. Nathalie never minds if he stays.

“I’ll be back early, and I want alone time…”

She’s lying, Dylan can see it in her sparkling blue eyes. It doesn’t matter anyway, all he has to do is spy on her when she does return.

Because at the end of the day, Dylan Monet is The Supreme.

———

Nathalie sits with Adrien while he works through the math problems she has written for him. She watches him work in utter silence, until a certain photo positioned at the corner of Adrien’s desk catches her attention.

A woman, warm and bubbly, smiles a bright and happy smile. Her green eyes glow with the same happiness that is reflected on her pink lips and shimmering white teeth. Her long blonde hair flows as if wind had been blowing around her the moment the photo was captured.

Long seconds go by, and Nathalie continues to stare at the photo. It’s not until Adrien’s soft voice snaps her out of her light trance.

“That’s my mother.”

Her inexpressive blue gaze drifts back in his direction, but she says nothing at all to the boy.

“She was pretty, right?”

Nathalie nods lightly.

What else is she supposed to say?

It’s not like she wants to have this conversation, however, she can’t deny that the woman in the photograph is very pretty.

“I didn’t get to meet her.”

Nathalie narrows her eyebrows in confusion, but continues to remain silent.

“My mother died when I was only a year old.” He doesn’t seem hurt when talking about it, but Nathalie can’t help but notice a shift in his green gaze at this specific moment. The light in his eyes has seemed to diminish ever so slightly, “I don’t even remember her.”

Her eyes drift back to the picture. “You look just like her.” That’s all she can say, and it’s the truth.

Nathalie has never been good with soft words or with offering any type of emotional support. Not when she's far worse than anyone else around her.

Adrien smiles. “Everyone says that.” And it’s him who remains silent for a couple of long seconds now, recalling his father’s vague words whenever he brings up his mother’s death. It’s something Adrien doesn’t quite understand. Something he hasn’t understood for years. Doubts and fears exist within his own mind. He can’t quite grasp what exactly happened to his mother, and his father’s silence only confirms to him that something horrible occurred. Suspicions of who might’ve killed his mother have begun to arise among Adrien’s confusion, especially after having found her autopsy report.

“You know, I’ve begun to think The Supreme did something to her.”

Her breathing pauses upon Adrien’s direct words, her eyes blowing up. “Why would you think that?” Nathalie asks in a trembling voice.

“I found the autopsy report while searching through my father’s things.” Adrien grimaces to the remembrance of what he read. “She was brutally beaten to death. She had broken ribs, bruises and wounds all over her body. A blow to the back of her head is what eventually caused her death.”

Sounds like something The Supreme would do, “but why do you think The Supreme killed her?”

“It’s something my father said.”

“What did he say?” Nathalie needs to know.

“He said The Supreme, aside from causing chaos in the city, also murders people. It’s a type of strange occurrence that’s been going on in Paris for the past twenty-three years. Unexplained deaths that can only be linked to him.” Adrien flings himself out of the chair, walking away from Nathalie who continues to listen to him with attention. His green eyes stare out the window of his bedroom, the gray cloudy sky only serves as a reminder of the haunting shadow that lurks around the city.

A shadow that refuses to disappear. “It has made me think that perhaps it was he who murdered my mother. She was beaten, she was tortured, she suffered until her last breath. And if it’s true that The Supreme is behind the unexplained deaths that have occured in the city, then it’s very likely he’s the one responsible for her death.”

It’s very likely, Nathalie agrees.

After all, she’s seen first hand what that monster is capable of. But this new information is something she plans to use against him.

Something she’ll use in hopes of obtaining her long awaited revenge.

———

The moonlight reflects upon the balcony of her apartment while she waits for the hero to appear.

Adrien’s words continue to echo through her mind as she attempts to make sense of that new information. “Why would The Supreme murder Gabriel Agreste’s wife?” Nathalie asks herself, inhaling the smoke from the cigarette that’s in between her fingers.

Surrounded by the silent noises of the night and the cold breeze of the wind, Nathalie begins to ponder on that question.

From what she’s seen, Gabriel Agreste is a simple and boring man. Very wealthy, but everyone knows that. He’s a fashion designer, he has raised his son on his own since his wife’s death, and he recently ended his relationship with a model whom he met through the industry he works in. So why would The Supreme involve himself in the life of such a man?

Nathalie has tried to be aware of the little things throughout the years. But despite his incompetence to take the butterfly miraculous from Betterfly, The Supreme is no idiot. After all, he hasn’t been caught.

Each and every time he’s cornered her, Nathalie has tried to pick something up… Anything. Despite the sick and twisted thoughts roaming her bitter soul, she tries to keep up with his words and his actions. He always has a particular way of speaking to her. Almost as if he were playing a game, and she’s wondered why he hasn’t killed her yet.

At night when she’s in her bed, her anger rises even more than it does during the day. Not allowing her to find rest for her overly exhausted body, she’s been stripped from peace. And then she’ll find her reflection in the mirror. The seemingly fading blue eyes that stare back at her remind her of her mother’s frightened ones the night she died. And sometimes she’ll see something else within her own gaze.

Nathalie will find a stare without life and without strength. The tiredness reflects on her face, her heart pounding as it screams and begs for it to all end. All sounding through the screams of her parents and sister. Wishing she could simply run and escape from the misery she’s been forced to live in for the past twenty years.

Nails claw into her own skin, digging deeply into the new and old wounds Nathalie has made on herself. The back of her wrists ache, but not as much as her revengeful feeling heart. She swallows roughly, aiming the cigarette into the ashtray nearby as she expects Betterfly to appear any second now. Trying her hardest to not explode in front of the hero, Nathalie takes a deep breath.

As the seconds tick away, Nathalie begins to feel impatient. It’s not until she hears a subtle noise coming from the roof above her that she pauses her movements.

“Betterfly?” She calls out.

The hero lands so gently onto the bars of her balcony, a warm smile adorns his face. “Hello, Nathalie.”

She makes no attempt to return the smile. “You’re here.” She says in a plain and simple voice.

“I tried to be gentle this time, I didn’t want to frighten you again.”

She says nothing to that, only suggesting, “shall we go inside.”

“If you’d like.” He watches her slide open the glass door to then enter, and he simply follows her into the warm apartment.

Unbeknownst to Nathalie and Betterfly, on the roof of the tall building behind the apartment complex, watches The Supreme. From a distance, spying with intent to figure out what just happened, the man gasps in disbelief. Nathalie Sancoeur just let Betterfly into her apartment. “I knew you were up to something, Nathalie.” He mumbles under his breath yet the scene unfolding before him looks awfully familiar.

Thirteen years ago, The Supreme watched Emilie Agreste chatting and laughing with Betterfly in an alleyway. It’d been shortly after a battle with the hero. It all seemed too suspicious until he began to stalk the woman with the intention of finding out more. But he only found out that Emilie Agreste had a very boring life. She was married to an aspiring fashion designer, they had a one-year-old son, and she was barely beginning her acting career. She came from a wealthy background and had incredible connections in the film industry.

Until The Supreme witnessed something unbelievable.

Emilie and Betterfly were kissing.

It was a warm and short kiss, but a kiss nonetheless.

She’s cheating on her husband, Gabriel Agreste, that was The Supreme’s initial thought.

Or perhaps Gabriel Agreste was Betterfly?

There was only one way to find out.

He kidnapped her, he beat her, and he eventually killed her. Yet it was all in vain, Emilie had confirmed to the villain that his initial thought was the truth. She was in fact cheating on her husband with the hero, she stuck to that until her last breath, and he believed her. He hadn’t meant to kill her, he only went too hard on her, until her body gave up, and she died on the ground of his lair. And even upon her death, The Supreme kept a close eye on Gabriel Agreste. He watched him day and night for a while, but soon realized that a weak and pathetic man like him couldn’t ever be the invincible and powerful Betterfly…

———

Betterfly watches in silence as Nathalie takes a seat on the couch of her living room.

“You won’t sit down?” She continues to be cold and indifferent towards him, but Betterfly moves to take a seat on the couch regardless of the intense feeling of awkwardness drifting in between them.

“Thank you.” He shyly smiles, and his irritating kindness infuriates her so much and as she watches the hero settle himself, Nathalie begins to ask herself a million times the same question.

Is she imagining this?

Is Betterfly really here?

She is as expressionless as the other times they’ve met, and it makes him feel exposed and vulnerable all at the same time. It makes him wonder if he’s doing the right thing by being here, inside her apartment. In the presence of a woman who is so different to anyone else he’s ever met.

He can’t read her.

He can’t analyze her.

She’s sealed herself completely.

What will it take for him to understand who Nathalie Sancoeur truly is?

As she begins to speak, he lets himself stare at her, needing to see if he catches onto anything specific. Wanting to know what the woman in front of him conceals.

“You’re here because you’d like to know why The Supreme was in the alleyway with me?”

“Yes.” Betterfly replies, “I’ve begun to notice that he’s picked up a certain pattern lately. He’s been taunting citizens, harassing them, threatening them, but there was something different about how he spoke to you.”

“Different?”

“Yes, different,” he repeats. “How does he know your name?”

“Before I answer, I’d like you to tell me why you continue your war against The Supreme? Hasn’t it been long enough?”

Nathalie’s questions remind Betterfly of himself.

Years ago he would ask himself the same thing.

Wanting none of the duties that come with being a superhero, Betterfly thought of renouncing, he thought of handing over his miraculous.

What difference did one more jewel make? After all, The Supreme already had them all.

“I’ve learned a lot through the years.” Betterfly begins, “and one of the things I’ve learned is that the miraculous aren’t supposed to be used for evil, only for the greater good. If I’d let him keep the jewels he stole, then I’d be going against everything the miraculous represent.”

“So he stole them?” Nathalie asks, attempting to understand his words. “Did he steal them from you?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“You’re selfish, that’s what you are.” She hadn’t meant to jump into such behavior again as the one she displayed in the alleyway, but his words angered her far more than she had expected.

“Nathalie-“

“Don’t,” she snaps. “Do you know how many times I’ve been over your supposed heroic actions?”

“Please let me explain.” Betterfly pleads as he watches her rise from the couch. Her eyes boiling with deep anger and beneath that anger, Betterfly thinks he can see hatred.

“I always come to the same conclusion. You are as awful and as cruel as The Supreme.”

Those words hurt him immensely.

His eyes begin to prickle with tears to the pain she has caused him.

“I’ve come to realize that you’re a monster dressed as a hero. I’ve known it for years, but now I understand that you’re far worse than I thought.”

“What’s wrong with you?!” Betterfly exclaims out loud as the strength of her jarring words penetrate deep into his aching heart.

Nathalie freezes to the sound of his loud holler.

“You asked me to come here, it was you who asked me to step inside your apartment.” He shakes his head helplessly attempting to grasp onto what is happening inside her. “You did it with the intention to insult me, to hurt me? I’ve done nothing to you so you would speak to me in such a hurtful manner, we’ve never even met.”

“I don’t need to know you to know what type of selfish person you really are.” She finally speaks again. “You hide behind that mask pretending to care, but you don’t realize the lives you’ve destroyed as you continue your war with that monster.”

“I know the lives that have been destroyed.” He defends himself. “You have no idea what I know, and everything I’ve seen. But I can’t stop until he’s defeated, those are the rules, and I’m sorry that you don’t like them.”

“There’s no justification, Betterfly.”

“No justification to what?” He asks in between his confusion. “I don’t understand you, Nathalie.”

She suddenly changes erratically.

Her body trembling, her nails clawing at her own skin in desperation as the glimmering brooch pinned to his suit seems to mock her.

Fiercely and angrily.

Blue eyes burning and bitter soul bursting.

The words come flying out. “There’s no justification to what he’s done to me!” She screams out in such pain. Blood drips down as the scabs from her wrists are harshly torn off her pale skin by her own nails.

“What did he do to you?” He asks in kindness despite the chaotic situation they are now in.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s done, nothing will change the past.” She cries, showing her vulnerability to him, and this isn’t what she intended to do when she asked him to come over.

She feels pathetic and drained.

“I can endure this misery, Betterfly.” Nathalie says as she starts to walk towards him. “I can because I have for the past twenty years, but I want you to know how much I despise you. You’re a pathetic human in a costume who can’t defeat that man, you’re as stupid and as useless as he is.”

He blinks at her as tears gush from his eyes.

No one has ever said such things to him before,

The sight of his tears shocks her immediately.

Betterfly isn’t like The Supreme at all.

He’s soft, and he has feelings.

But she doesn’t let such thoughts stop her as she stares at him with disdain and contempt.

“Are you done?” His broken voice asks. “You’ve hurt me, and I see that’s what you wanted, but you don’t know what I’ve been through. Like you, The Supreme has done awful things to me.”

“I doubt you understand-“

“Enough!” He won’t take another insult.

Betterfly is the one who steps a bit closer to her, closing up the distance between them.

“What are you going to do?” She asks as he’s now so close to her. “Are you going to hit me in order to make me stop? Are you going to choke me and drag me so I won’t spit the truth of what you are?”

“That’s what he does to you, isn’t it?” Betterfly recalls the scene he walked into just a couple of nights ago, and once again he sees the purple bruises on her neck. “That’s why you hate him?”

“It’s far more than that.” She responds, “but I don’t humble myself before him. I never will, and I’ll never hide behind this either.” She reaches out to press her hands to the mask that covers his face, “like you and he have for the past twenty-three years.”

He feels her fingers follow the outlines of his mask, leaving the trace of something wet behind yet he isn’t sure what it is.

A vision that glares at him with that same look as before, but now calm and steady.

“If only I could-,” Nathalie murmurs only to get aggressive but this time with her movements rather than her words.

Fingers dig into the mask on his face, pulling it with force as Betterfly groans out in pain.

He reaches for her wrists in a harsh manner, “Stop it, Nathalie. Whatever you’re trying to do, I beg you to stop.”

But she pulls and squirms in his grasp despite his strength on her. “What’s wrong with you?” He barks out in desperation to her violent rage.

“I hate you, I hate you!” She repeats over and over again.

And suddenly, Betterfly brings her down to the floor.

His hands still hold onto her wrists with force until he realizes there’s blood on them.

The sight frightens him.

Thinking he has hurt her, the hero attempts to reach out for her again. “Don’t touch me!”

“Please, Nathalie-“

“Get out!” She screams out. “Leave from here, leave, go away!”

He watches as she sits on the floor of her apartment in desperate tears. She wails and she sobs uncontrollably until all he can do is disappear from there with a heavy heart.

Nathalie stays behind as she realizes that the rage of her soul has expanded in a way that it never did before.

“What did I just do?” She presses her face into the floor as she bitterly cries out her pain and growing embarrassment.

———

The Supreme watches Betterfly leave Nathalie’s apartment. A somber look paints his face, and he smiles in satisfaction. “Looks like nothing went well.”

Soon the hero disappears into the night…

Betterfly enters his bedroom, still trembling to the encounter with Nathalie.

He didn’t think it would have turned out this way.

And he cries at his own foolishness as he recalls his excitement from earlier. He’d been so happy to meet up with her. He couldn’t stop thinking about her and the softened glow of her blue blue eyes.

Now he feels like an idiot.

“Why Nathalie?” He whispers out loud.

Glancing down at his glove covered hands, he still sees the blood that seeped out from her wrists.

The way he left her on the floor of her apartment in tears, it makes him sick.

“Light wings fall.”

The kwami floats out the brooch, shock also paints its face.

“Gabriel.” Nooroo utters lightly. “Why did she-“

“I don’t know, Nooroo.” Gabriel says as tears roll down his cheeks to the remembrance of her words and everything that happened.

“Something is very wrong with her.”

Chapter Text

The path is marked with bloody footprints which subsequently lead into a wooded forest on the outskirts of the city. The wind whistles loudly and the branches creak almost as if they were alerting him as he continues to follow the bloody trail left behind.

His heart beats in fear, seemingly preparing for the worse. “Emilie?” Betterfly calls out her name.

There’s no response, and he continues walking around until the sight of what appears to be blonde hair tangled in with sticks and crispy leaves makes him pause. Betterfly kneels down, digging through the dirt and twigs in order to unravel whatever is underneath in rapid and uncontrollable movements.

It’s a horrifying sight.

His hands fly to his mouth, muffling the sound of his gasp. Nearly breathless, Betterfly reaches out to lift the body of his dead wife that he just unburied.

Tears gush from his eyes, the blood flowing in his veins suddenly feels icy cold.

“Emilie!” He screams out in pain.

Then Gabriel suddenly wakes from his nightmare.

His chest heaving as he can still hear the sounds of his own screams on the night he found his wife’s dead body.

Gabriel slips out of bed, heading to the bathroom in hopes of calming himself down. He switches the faucet on, cold water flows out as he dips his trembling hands into it to then splash some onto his sweaty face.

“Are you okay?” Nooroo asks as he floats into the bathroom.

He shakes his head. “It was that nightmare again.”

“You haven’t had it in so long,” and Nooroo is indeed right. Gabriel hadn’t had that specific nightmare in many months. “Why is it returning now?”

Gabriel doesn’t respond as he exits the bathroom, yet he has a vague idea of why that haunting nightmare might’ve decided to return so suddenly.

It’s because of Nathalie Sancoeur.

He hasn’t had a day of peace since their encounter at her apartment three weeks ago. And he still sees her almost everyday.

That is when she comes to tutor Adrien. But it’s not like he can go up to her and talk about what occurred that night. He’s thought of dismissing her from his home for good. It hurts too much to see her every afternoon and not be able to say everything his pounding heart conceals.

“That wouldn’t be fair.” Gabriel whispers to himself, he can’t dismiss her with no explanation whatsoever.

So he’s let her stay.

And he’s seen the improvement in Adrien’s grades, but Nathalie continues to be the same. Just as inexpressive and as distant as always.

Tempted he’s been to return to her apartment after what occurred all those nights ago. Fighting the urge of revealing the truth of his past to her and everything The Supreme has done to him.

Gabriel sighs heavily, knowing well he can’t do that.

At the end of the day, his tragic story and his forced silence were written and sealed years ago.

His mistake was telling Emilie his secret identity in the first place. Guilty he’s felt for years, knowing his wife would still be here if not for his daunting mistake.

“I took Adrien from his mother, Nooroo.” Gabriel cries to his kwami. “Nathalie was right when she called me a monster.”

“Don’t say that, Gabriel.” He attempts to console him, “you were too young back then-“

“But you warned me about the consequences,” Gabriel interrupts him, “Master Fu also warned me, but I didn’t listen.”

“Emilie wasn’t afraid, remember?”

Gabriel does remember.

Emilie loved him far too deeply.

More than anything, she would’ve died for him. And she did die for him. Emilie died, taking Betterfly’s secret identity to the grave.

“She loved you so much, but both of your mistakes were to be in each other’s presence while you were transformed.”

“I know, that’s why I can’t ever make that mistake again.” Gabriel stands up, the morning sunlight begins to lightly shine through his curtains as he prepares himself to start his day. “That’s why I had to end it with Odette, that’s why I can’t tell Nathalie anything.” Gabriel whispers that last part.

“But that doesn’t mean you have to stay away from Nathalie completely.”

Gabriel turns to look at the tiny creature. “What do you mean?”

“Go find her, Gabriel. I know you want to, and don’t be afraid of what she might say, she’s already said the worst anyway.”

Gabriel smiles at his old friend. “You’re right. I need to do that in order to feel peace again.”

———

Gabriel sits on one of the many seats that surround the runway located in the middle of his spacious atelier. Vincent the photographer snaps photos of Odette as she models the elegant pieces of his latest collection while his assistant takes notes.

Except, Gabriel’s attention is elsewhere. His gray eyes stare out the window as if he were waiting for someone.

And he is waiting for someone.

He’s waiting for Nathalie to appear.

He wants to see her as he does every afternoon that she comes to his house. Although, it’s a bit different this time. After all, Gabriel will follow Nooroo’s advice. He will go see her tonight in hopes of clearing up what occurred.

In the short time he’s known her, Gabriel has come to realize that Nathalie is one of those people whose life was struck by The Supreme’s evilness.

Causing an everlasting sting to her soul and a bitterness in her heart, fading away her emotions and smile.

Then he thinks about that.

Gabriel Agreste has never seen Nathalie Sancoeur smile. “I bet it’s beautiful.” He mumbles, unaware that he’s said that out loud, but his assistant brings him out of his thoughts.

“Did you say something, sir?” Ines asks, ready to write down any changes he’d like to make.

“No, no,” he stutters as his cheeks begin to redden to the realization of what he’s done.

The sound of the gate alerts him, announcing the arrival of Nathalie to the mansion. Gabriel smiles, on his way to stand up and meet her.

“Where are you going?” Odette asks as he’s about to exit the room. Her own blue eyes drift towards the window, noticing that Adrien’s tutor has arrived. “You were waiting for her?” Everyone in the atelier pauses upon Odette’s question.

“No, I mean yes, I mean-“, his cheeks redden even more to the scene they’re making.

Odette has noticed, yet she’s been too busy to say anything about it. She steps off the runway in anger, “you have something with that woman?”

Ines and Vincent stare in shock to the scene unfolding before their eyes.

“Don’t do this, Odette.”

“Answer my question!” She exclaims in anger. “I’ve seen you, Gabriel. These past weeks when she arrives, you stare out the window like an idiot, waiting for her.”

“She’s Adrien’s tutor.” He attempts to explain himself, “How can you think such a thing?”

“I’m not stupid-“

“Miss Odette?” Ines eventually intervenes. “We must continue, you as a model know time is a precious thing when preparing for a campaign.”

Gabriel sighs in relief at his assistant’s interference, “Thank you, Ines. Let’s continue, please.”

Gabriel takes a seat, wishing he had the ability to remove Odette from the campaign and spare them both this humiliation, but there’s nothing he can do. He only watches as she steps back onto the runway in anger. Her own mind coming up with insane conclusions to Gabriel’s sudden distraction.

———

Nathalie concludes Adrien’s tutoring session, but walks out of his bedroom more confused than what she had been all those weeks ago.

During the lesson, the boy made a rather strange comment. “Do you think The Supreme murdered my mother because she somehow discovered Betterfly’s secret identity but refused to tell him?” Adrien’s words echo through her brain all over again.

She hadn’t meant to bring up the topic of his mother’s murder and The Supreme again, it was Adrien who suddenly began talking about it as they were soon to conclude. But now that she thinks through his recent words, that would be the only reason The Supreme would’ve murdered Gabriel’s wife.

Or perhaps Emilie Agreste saw his true face, the same way her father did, and he had no choice but to eliminate her as he did with her family. There’s a strong possibility to that as well.

“But her cause of death is strange.” She mumbles to herself. “Beaten to death, almost as if he had tortured her in hopes of getting a secret out of her.”

Nathalie’s feet begin to guide her through the mansion and in direction to Gabriel’s atelier.

Questions continue to arise, and she needs to know what truly happened to his wife. Hoping it’ll serve her in her revenge against The Supreme.

With a tight fist, Nathalie delivers a firm knock onto the double doors that lead to Gabriel’s atelier.

The seconds are long, and she thinks that perhaps he isn’t in there but as she’s about to knock again, Nathalie realizes the door is actually slightly open.

She peeks through the cracks, attempting to see if anyone is inside. “Someone is at the door, Odette. I beg you to drop the topic and go home.” Nathalie hears Gabriel speak in a quiet tone.

“I won’t let you push me away as if I were trash, Gabriel.” It’s the model, Nathalie recognizes her voice. “I gave you an entire year of my life. What do you think I am, a rag doll you can push aside once you tire of me?”

“Why can’t you accept that this relationship is over?” Gabriel says in exhaustion.

“No, I refuse!” Her voice gets loud. And through the crack of the door, Nathalie watches the blonde woman wrap her arms around him in a desperate embrace. “Don’t you miss me?” She tries to kiss him, barely touching his lips when he pushes her away.

“Don’t do this.”

Nathalie is ready to leave, thinking she should try to speak to Gabriel some other day when suddenly, Odette storms out of the atelier in anger. Her blazing light blue eyes meet with Nathalie’s bright blue ones. “What are you doing here?”

She doesn’t answer, it’s not like she needs to give the woman any type of explanation.

“You were listening behind the door?” Odette asks in an accusatory manner.

“I have a few things I need to discuss with Mr. Agreste regarding his son's progress.” Nathalie decides to speak, not wanting the woman to think she was intentionally eavesdropping.

Gabriel hears Nathalie’s voice coming from the outside of the atelier. Mentally exhausted with Odette’s constant pleading and begging, Gabriel waits to calm down before stepping out.

Except, Odette’s absurd comments begin flying out one after another. “Don’t latch onto your job, honey. I’ve seen how many tutors Adrien goes through in a span of six months.”

Nathalie raises an eyebrow to her comment, “Noted,” she responds in an almost sarcastic tone that makes Gabriel giggle.

When Nathalie thinks the woman is about to leave, her feet stop moving again. Not understanding why she’s behaving so insolently towards her, Nathalie only stands there, staring at her in confusion. It’s not like Odette would have a reason to be so upset towards her, they’ve never even spoken before.

Yet, the blonde woman continues her absurd comments to an inexpressive Nathalie.

“I’ve seen that you’ve witnessed our past arguments, but don’t rely on those to make conclusions about my relationship with Gabriel.”

“I’ve made no conclusions because I don’t care.”

“Whatever.” Odette cuts her off, her jealousy rising as she’s noticed Gabriel’s obvious interest in Adrien’s new tutor. So without measuring her words, she continues to spit them out as if Nathalie understands what she means by them. “Gabriel is used to people wanting to please him all the time, so don’t try so hard because at the end of the day, employees will always be employees. I on the other hand belong to his world, and sooner than later I’ll have him by my side and in my bed again.”

“Good for you, but I still don’t care,” and Nathalie isn’t able to say much more because Gabriel exits the atelier with embarrassment glowing in his bluish-gray eyes.

“Please go home, Odette. This conversation is over.”

Odette storms out in anger upon Gabriel’s harsh command, leaving him all alone with the woman she’s sure has captured his attention in a way she’s never seen before.

“Forgive Odette,” Gabriel begins to apologize, “she’s having random bursts, and isn’t very aware of what she’s doing or saying.”

Nathalie shakes her head, finding the entire situation pathetic. “I only came here because I want to show you a report on Adrien’s progression.”

“Please come in.” And as he watches her settle into his office, Gabriel can’t help the images that come flashing through his head of that horrible night three weeks ago. It’s hard to be so different and so formal with her when all he can do is picture her on the floor of her apartment sobbing uncontrollably.

Nathalie hands him the report. “These were Adrien’s grades weeks before we began the tutoring, and these are his grades now. As you can see, there’s been a major improvement.”

“Impressive.” Gabriel says with a smile as looks through his son’s grades. “Thank you so much, Nathalie. I had so much trouble finding a tutor Adrien was comfortable with, your work here means so much.”

Nathalie firmly nods, thinking through Adrien’s words once again. It’s now or never… “I wanted to comment on something Adrien told me, but I don’t want you to take it as me interfering into your personal life.”

Gabriel squints his eyes in confusion. “What is it?”

“Adrien said he believes The Supreme murdered his mother.” She lets it out like nothing, and Gabriel’s breathing pauses to the surprise her words have caused him. Shaking his head with force, Gabriel recalls Nathalie’s deep hatred towards The Supreme.

Knowing he must be very careful with his next words, never playing with luck nor his secret identity. “Adrien has always been troubled by what occurred to his mother, so he will randomly make certain comments. Is that something that bothers you?”

“No, of course not.” Nathalie replies, “but you must understand I was surprised when he brought it up.”

Nathalie stares at his face, attempting to grasp onto any specific emotions, but she finds none.

Still, she can’t let go, regardless of his reserved expressions. She’s sacrificed too much through the years. Her integrity, her ability to be a better person, all in hopes of finding that sweet revenge.

It can’t end in a game.

The game that The Supreme has been playing for the past twenty years with her, and if for some miracle she’s able to find valuable pieces that will complete the broken puzzle The Supreme represents, then Nathalie shall not hold back.

“I understand you were surprised.” Gabriel eventually says in a gentle tone, “but I assure you that there is no danger to us.”

“That’s not what I intended to say-“

He interrupts her, “but that’s what I’m saying. Thank you, Nathalie. You know the way to the front door,” and he watches her exit in utter silence.

“Maybe you were too harsh with her?” Nooroo whispers as Nathalie disappears from the atelier.

“You know I can’t talk about what happened to Emilie, Nooroo.” Gabriel whispers in return as a heavy sigh abandons his parted lips, “not now and not ever…”

———

On her way back home, Nathalie sees the long shadows the evening sun casts upon the ground beneath her as Gabriel’s plain words continue to echo through her mind. His reluctance to mention anything about what truly occurred to his wife only makes her curiosity expand. It makes her think there might have existed a deep connection between Emilie Agreste and Betterfly that would’ve eventually led The Supreme to murder her.

Suddenly the sounds of heavy footsteps stomping onto thick metal make way through Nathalie’s ears.

Not sure where it’s all coming from, she stops and listens only to realize that they are coming from high above her. Creaking sounds and faint whistles follow her in the evenings and late nights, Nathalie is used to it by now.

It’s why she’s allowed to know when he’s about to appear. It’s that little game he’s been playing for the past twenty years.

“You’re getting so obvious.” Nathalie says out loud, only to hear a voice respond almost immediately.

“Playing cat and mouse with you is getting boring, my Nathalie.” The voice is coming from the high building above her, she can hear it. “You catch onto me too easily nowadays.”

“You need new tactics.” She responds, and then she sees him.

His darkened eyes and evil face reflect through the evening causing her insides to tighten.

“Maybe I should kill you then.”

Nathalie looks up, squinting in order to focus as he’s so high on the building.

“A cat plays with its meal for a long time before it kills it. The same thing I’ve done with you, except I think my game has unintentionally extended itself.”

“Unintentionally?” She asks.

There’s no quick response this time, only the yoyo of ladybug miraculous comes swinging down, wrapping her up completely to then pull her limp body to the top of the building. Once there, Nathalie notices the metal floor beneath them, her breathing labored to the proximity of The Supreme’s body to hers.

The man untangles her, bringing his hand to touch her cheek. “You look as lovely as always, Nathalie.”

She reaches up to catch his wrist to then push it away, “Believe it or not, but I was thinking of you.”

The Supreme’s eyes widened, “really?”

“Yes, I want you to tell me why you murdered Emilie Agreste.”

The man freezes. “Who told you that?”

She lets out a light giggle to the look of his face almost as if his heart fell into a sudden freeze, leaving him utterly breathless in front of her.

“So you did kill her?” Nathalie asks again. “Tell me why? She was just a simple woman-“

“Not so simple,” the man interrupts her. “Emilie Agreste was cheating on her husband.”

“With Betterfly?” She asks in shock.

“With who else?”

“Mmm,” she mumbles. There is much more hidden truths than she thought. Perhaps why Gabriel Agreste refuses to speak of the topic. “Everyday, I confirm you are far worse than I thought. Aside from being useless and pathetic, you murdered a young mother for no reason at all because you still weren’t able to discover Betterfly’s secret identity.”

“Don’t tempt me, Nathalie.” The man drags her to the edge of the building. “I could just kill you right now.” Her breathing rises, but she remains motionless to it all. And suddenly, the man picks her up. His arms wrap around her body as he leaps off the building, “but I’m not done with our game yet.” On the solid ground again, the man pushes her into a nearby wall, “you think you’re so much more intelligent than I, but you haven’t even noticed who I truly am.”

Then the man pulls away, leaping into the evening sky. “I don’t need to know who you are.” Nathalie whispers to herself as he disappears, “I’ll have my revenge regardless of it.”

———

When Nathalie arrives at her apartment after her encounter with The Supreme, she almost loses her balance to the sight of Betterfly pressed against her glass window like a trapped moth.

“What on earth?” She mumbles breathlessly. After all, Nathalie was sure she would never see the hero again after the incident that occurred three weeks ago.

Slowly and with hesitation, Nathalie walks towards the glass door. A warm smile covers his lips which oddly causes her to feel a sense of security and comfort.

“Good evening, Nathalie.” His voice speaks with such sweetness.

“I thought I wouldn’t see you again.” She says in embarrassment.

“Can I come in?”

She makes a little motion with her head, and then Betterfly enters the warm apartment. The walls of that small place prevent the coldness that reigns outside from reaching in making everything seem more natural despite her rigid frame and tense demeanor.

“What are you doing here?” She avoids all eye contact, and Betterfly notices immediately. Stepping away as if she were afraid, her blue gaze stares at the rug that covers her living room floor, her hands and knees tremble uncontrollably. It’s so different to be in her presence as Betterfly, he sees it now as she shows her fear and the embarrassment that unwillingly controls her. It makes him feel guilty about being this. About being here once again even as she seems utterly helpless.

Like the strayed angel he sees in his daydreams, because Nathalie Sancoeur has secretly become the one who leads his thoughts and uncertainties, the one he feels a desperate desire to understand and protect.

A set of warm gloved fingers dip under her chin, making her gasp in surprise. “Don’t hide your eyes from me, Nathalie.”

She pushes his hand away almost instantly, “I’m not,” she so foolishly lies. “Tell me why you’re here, Betterfly.”

“I came to apologize for what happened, you should know that I haven't had a day of peace since I last saw you.” The sincerity of his words strikes her, no one had ever spoken to her so wholeheartedly before. “Please, Nathalie,” the hero reaches for her hands, “please forgive me for not representing true heroism. Forgive me for not being able to defeat The Supreme after so long. I see now that I’ve failed you and every single person who lives in this city.”

Nathalie stands there, utterly stunned by the sincerity he reflects as she begins to pull her hands away from his him. Something she hasn’t seen from anyone in years. But then she remembers her mother, her father, her sister, and it’s a weakening shift to her own weary spirit. It’s what doesn’t allow her to succumb to the sweetness his words carry despite it all being so pure. And it’s been that way for years. Nathalie has forcefully closed herself to everything, creating deep lines between hatred and love as she’s promised herself to never love anyone.

Perhaps she’s convinced herself that love doesn’t matter when it comes to real life. It’s only a feeling that is found in fairy tales and romance novels. A feeling that only serves to weaken oneself, that makes one appear vulnerable and pathetic, and Nathalie Sancoeur wishes to be none of those things. So she stands there, holding a firm grip onto her aching wrist as she pretends his words have no effect over her bitter heart. But yet again, Betterfly has come to apologize for something she herself created. How can anyone be so kindhearted? That question echoes repeatedly through her brain as she attempts to act as neutral as possible before him.

“Is that all you wanted to say?” She coldly states as if Betterfly hasn’t just given her the warmest apology ever.

“Why are you like that with me, Nathalie?” Betterfly asks in sadness. “I’ve done nothing to you, but maybe I can help you surpass your brokenness.”

“No one can help me.”

The bottom of his heart wrinkles to her words.

How can anyone be so broken, but refuse help?

“I’ve been through hardships, you know.” He suddenly turns to take a seat without asking, but Nathalie doesn’t care. She only moves to sit down as well. “I was chosen to protect Paris at a very young age, and that somehow altered my perception of life. It made me realize the evilness that exists within certain individuals.”

“Like The Supreme?”

“Yes,” he quickly agrees. “The Supreme is far more than just the person who causes chaos in the city, he’s something indescribable and horrifying.”

“Oh, I know.” She mumbles, and Betterfly wonders how she knows yet doesn’t ask.

“He did something terrible to someone I loved.” Betterfly’s eyes begin to prickle with mournful tears, remembering the tragedy that occurred thirteen years ago.

“Emilie Agreste, the woman you loved.” Nathalie so plainly says.

Betterfly’s teary gray eyes blow up in surprise at her words. Even if he knows Nathalie is aware of what occurred to Emilie, he wouldn’t have thought that she would mention her now. But even so, how is Nathalie aware that he loved Emilie as Betterfly?

“How do you know about her?”

“I’m working in the Agreste mansion.” Nathalie thinks if she should tell him more.

“And?”

“And?” She repeats. “You should know that Emilie Agreste was married to Gabriel Agreste. He’s a very well known fashion designer. I tutor his son, and he made a few comments about his mother.”

“Okay, but how do you know that I loved her?”

Nathalie stays mute. Maybe she shouldn’t have mentioned Emilie Agreste.

“Nathalie?” The hero questions her again. “How do you know I loved Emilie Agreste?”

“The Supreme.” It’s all she can say.

Betterfly nods, “Well you’re right. I did love Emilie Agreste. I loved her more than anything.”

“You made her your mistress.” Nathalie spits out. “You did that which eventually led her to her death, you left a little boy without his mother and a man without his wife.”

Of course, the bitterness in her voice makes it obvious that she thinks bad of him. But how is Betterfly supposed to explain himself without exposing his secret identity? So he must let her make up terrible conclusions about him and his story with Emilie even if they aren’t at all the truth.

Betterfly sighs heavily, and Nathalie can recognize the burden he carries, but it’s something she can’t understand for only he knows what truly torments him.

When will he be free from the burden of having to carry a double life?

When will he be able to have a normal life without having to worry about his safety, about his son’s safety?

When will the madness The Supreme started twenty-three years ago end?

When?

When?

When?

He almost wants to scream out, unpin the brooch from his chest and throw it far far away.

Eyes doze off, recalling what his life has been since the moment Master Fu handed him the brooch and the mission to defeat a man he knows nothing of.

“Betterfly?” Nathalie’s voice sounds, snapping him back to reality.

“Will you let me take you somewhere?” The hero gently asks, not wanting to frighten her.

“What?” She utters in surprise. “Where?”

“It’s a special place, one that holds many painful memories, but I’d like you to see it.”

“Me?” Her breathing begins to tremble through her immense surprise. “Why me?”

“I want to share with you that part of me. I want you to know me despite being this,” he points at the mask that covers his face, “even if I can only show you a little bit, let me show you something.”

Nathalie slowly nods, not sure where all this is going. Her feet slowly move in direction to the glass door, soon stepping outside into the cold night.

Betterfly follows her. “May I?”

She gasps at his touch on her back, but soon nods in response.

The hero lifts her off the ground, wrapping his arms around her completely. Nathalie can feel one arm on her mid back while the other rests gently behind her thighs. “Don’t be afraid.” He whispers so close to her face since they are now only millimeters apart.

“I’m not afraid.” She utters in her usual firm voice.

Except, she’s lying. Nathalie is afraid, her heart is beating out of control and her trembling arms barely find any courage to wrap themselves around his neck.

“Are you ready?”

She wordlessly nods.

“Good,” he gives her the warmest smile, and soon Betterfly leaps into the high skies above him with Nathalie in his arms.

They don’t know it, but their adventure is just beginning.

Chapter Text

The nightly wind whistles gently through the darkness, and Nathalie still isn’t sure where Betterfly has brought her to. He sets her down onto her feet again, and suddenly her legs tremble making her feel slightly dizzy.

“Are you okay?” He asks as he watches a drift of faintness cross her pretty blue eyes.

Nathalie swallows sharply, ignoring his question but instead asking, “Where are we?” As she slowly begins to scan her surroundings with deep attention.

A chestnut-brown colored forest with tall trees and warm colored wildflowers surround them completely. Every little step she takes is a loud reminder of the twigs and crunchy leaves that lay just beneath her trembling feet.

“A wooded forest?”

Betterfly nods, his emotions growing strong to the painful memories this place unravels. “For a long time, it was hard for me to come here. I had created a nearly unbearable fort between this forest and I, but as the years went by, I learned to embrace its beauty despite the tragedy that occurred here.”

“Tragedy?” Nathalie narrows her eyebrows in confusion. “What tragedy occurred here?”

His chest expands as he sighs heavily, images of that early morning flash through his mind. The ones that follow him in his nightmares. “This is where I found Emilie’s beaten body.” He finally reveals, “buried under the twigs and leaves as if she were nothing but those insignificant little insects you’ll find in between the filthy dirt if you play with it for long enough.”

Nathalie remains silent as she watches the wetness roll down his half covered cheeks. The purple mask glows slightly darker to the stains his own tears have caused on it.

“The Supreme murdered her here?”

“I’m not sure. I only found her body here, but he could have murdered her someplace else and only intended to dump her body here.” Betterfly begins to walk around, leaves crunching with every step he takes, “Ironically, The Supreme chose a lovely place to leave her before he ran away like the coward he is.”

Nathalie looks around again, and it’s a lovely and pleasant place indeed.

“Come,” he says. Gently extending his hand out to her. “Let me show you something.”

Nathalie hesitantly takes his hand. “It’s getting too dark.” She says with a bit of uncertainty. He only smiles with that soft smile that’s able to shake her broken world in a way that’s hard to comprehend, something she’s never felt before.

“Don’t worry about that.” And suddenly, the magical jewel pinned to his chest lightens up so intensely, creating their own personal glowing lamp and allowing them to see everything perfectly and truly.

It’s a wake up call to her troubled and lonely spirit, reminding her that she isn’t here to play games but rather take that thing she knows will be her greatest revenge. Nothing like presenting herself in front of the man who murdered her family with the thing he’s been chasing for years.

Nathalie must take that brooch…

“Everything okay?” Betterfly asks, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“Will you guide me?” Her voice softly asks.

“Always.”

“Let’s go.”

Through the forest Nathalie walks while Betterfly holds her hand. Guiding her as he so recently promised. It’s a short and silent walk until they arrive at the most beautiful flower bed Nathalie has ever seen. A breathtaking view, and her lips can’t help but form the softest yet most beautiful smile Betterfly has ever seen. It’s an explosion straight into the hero’s heart, making him feel utterly enchanted to her and everything she is.

“Nathalie,” he delicately breathes. His eyes staring at her with a mere captivating expression, “Do you like it.”

Almost immediately, the smile fades away to the realization of what she’s doing. “It’s really pretty,” she responds in a cold tone. Pretending as if the flower’s beauty had no effect on her bitter heart.

“I’m glad you like it.” Yet his sadness creeps in, now that her smile has disappeared. He guides her through the process of recognizing each and every pretty flower that’s there. “I planted them myself.”

“You did this?”

“Yes.” He says as the bottom of his foot taps onto the ground making Nathalie look down. “This is the exact spot I found Emilie’s body. I wanted it to be a place of refuge and comfort after the storm I went through in the morning I found her. Now I want to share this with you. Whatever you’ve been through, let it all fall apart here, Nathalie.”

Deeply hurt, the wounds of the past hang over her like a dark cloud. Nathalie has never had time to heal nor to find peace. No one had ever offered her any type of comfort, she’s had to bury it all within her for years and years. But now the man who she’s always believed to be one of the reasons her family was so ruthlessly murdered is the one offering her that comfort her soul has secretly yearned for since the night that tragedy occurred.

Mysteriously enough, Nathalie holds oddly strong beneath him. Not letting her emotions overflow as they did on the night she first met up with Betterfly.

“Nothing needs to fall apart here or anywhere,” she utters in her usually cold voice. “In any case, why not bring Gabriel Agreste. At the end of the day, it was his wife that was buried here.“

“Nathalie, please understand how difficult it is for me to explain certain things-“

She raises her hand, stopping him completely. “I don’t want to hear you attempt to explain with excuses right now.” She walks away and into the flower bed to have a closer view. Leaving Betterfly behind while he wishes he could just tell her the truth of his life with Emilie. It hurts to live in a lie, the pain of it is intense as he recalls her pretty smile that has so easily lightened up his heart. Wishing he had the ability to wash away her own pain to then bring out that smile that has enchanted him completely in such a short time to never ever let it fade away again.

The minutes are long, and Nathalie only finds delight in staring at the beauty of the flowers Betterfly has grown despite the tension between them. There’s a sway in the very deep of her stomach as she looks down onto the solid ground, knowing this is where The Supreme buried Emilie Agreste.

Does Gabriel Agreste know that his wife was once here?

Did he know she had an affair with Betterfly?

She guesses that he did know. It would explain Gabriel’s reluctance when asked about her. It would also explain why Betterfly has never brought him here either.

“You don’t see these types of flowers in the city.” Nathalie suddenly says as she examines their freshness and ignores the questions in her brain.

“That’s because these only grow in the forest, the soil is different here than in the city.”

“It’d be nice if these were in the city.” Nathalie glances over at him. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” he replies.

“Why were you having an affair with a married woman?” The air freezes in his lungs to her question, but Nathalie continues unaware of what her words cause in him. “That wasn’t very heroic.”

“It’s a complicated story, Nathalie.” He remembers the day he met a young and bubbly Emilie Graham de Vanily. Funny how just her mere smile was enough to make him love her. But Emilie met him as Betterfly first, falling madly in love with a person who she didn’t even truly know. They existed in a world where their love was perhaps condemned from the very beginning, and no warning was enough to stop Betterfly from revealing his true identity to her. Foolish they were, thinking they could get away with it. Her brilliant mind and his vivid imagination weren’t enough to keep them from falling into a dark hole that had no escape. Playing with their luck and being in each other’s presence while he was transformed as the hero that protects Paris was their downfall. “I accept I made mistakes,” Betterfly eventually says. “I also accept that if I hadn’t been involved with Emilie, she would still be here.”

“Well at least you accept what you did.” Nathalie states at him with a certain look of disdain, and he notices, feeling terrible. “Now that I know you had an affair with Emilie Agreste, I can confirm that you are selfish. My words shouldn’t offend you this time, right?”

He says nothing because maybe she’s right. He was selfish and if it weren’t for him perhaps Emilie would still be here.

“I want to go home.” She suddenly turns away from the flower bed. “Take me home now or I’ll have to walk out of here and find another way back into the city.”

“There’s no need for that.” He gets close to her, his eyes prickling with tears yet again. Tears that confuse a bitter Nathalie Sancoeur. It makes her realize how sensitive he truly is. “Let’s go.” The hero lifts her up and into his arms again.

They return to the city where the reality of everything that follows them lives and flourishes in the most haunting way possible.

———

The next morning, the sun shines softly through the slightly open curtains in her bedroom. Nathalie stares blankly into the ceiling above her as she recalls last night’s events.

No matter what way she looks at it, Nathalie continues to view Betterfly as the same selfish person she’s always thought he is. Not only does he refuse to surrender to The Supreme, he also had an affair with a married woman. An affair that eventually led her to a brutal death.

Her body rolls into the warm sheets of her bed, knowing she’ll have to get up soon. The tutoring lesson with the Agreste son is much earlier than usual but she doesn’t mind. What bothers her is Gabriel Agreste’s cold demeanor after she mentioned his wife. Although, she is aware she shouldn’t care. After all, it’s Betterfly who’s at fault.

Bewitching a woman.

A young mother, the wife of a successful businessman, and transforming her into his dirty secret.

“Ugh!” Nathalie gruffs out loud. “I hate him!” Her voice echoes through the bare walls of her bedroom. “I will take that brooch from you, Betterfly. Then I will present myself to The Supreme with the thing he so desperately desires.”

Finally, a determined Nathalie slips out of bed ready to begin her day. But most importantly, ready to begin her journey that will lead her into the world of sweet revenge.

Arriving at the Agreste mansion right on time, Nathalie is surprised to see Gabriel standing near the front door with his assistant and a bulky man.

“Good morning, Nathalie.” Gabriel greets her as she walks up the stoned steps.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Excuse us for being in your way, but as you can see there was an incident with the tires of all the cars.”

Nathalie turns around, finding all the tires flat as if someone had intentionally popped them. “How did that happen?”

“We don’t know, we found them-“

“I’m sure it was Miss Odette.” Ines suddenly says.

Gabriel swiftly turns around, giving her a firm stare.

“I’m sorry, sir.” The woman begins to stutter, “I stepped out of line.” Her cheeks burn in embarrassment.

“We cannot be accusing anyone without proof, Ines.” Gabriel moves away to step inside, “I will check the surveillance cameras. Placide please take care of getting the tires replaced on all the vehicles.”

The silent man nods, disappearing as well and leaving Nathalie and Ines all alone.

“I messed up, I shouldn’t be accusing Mr. Agreste’s ex-girlfriend that way.” Ines begins to reprimand herself out loud in front of Nathalie. “He’s a kind man, I’m lucky to have found such a generous boss. And you Nathalie, how lucky have you been with your previous employers?”

Nathalie shrugs her shoulders. “I mainly work with the students, but I’ve had unpleasant experiences with a few people here and there.”

Taking advantage that she already has Ines here, Nathalie asks her a question that’s been roaming her mind. “Did you ever meet Emilie Agreste?”

Ines shakes her head in response. “I started working with Mr. Agreste when Adrien was about five years old, his wife had already passed away at that point. That was around the same time his brand went international. Why the question?” Ines asks her.

“For no particular reason.” Nathalie lies. “Adrien has made a few comments about his mother, that’s all.”

“He’s been doing that recently.” Ines says in a long sigh. “He’s been having a lot of arguments with his father lately. It all started when Mr. Agreste began dating Miss Odette, Adrien doesn’t like her very much.”

“That woman is insufferable.” Nathalie mumbles nearly under her breath, recalling the show she made just yesterday afternoon.

“Let’s go to Adrien’s bedroom.”

Nathalie nods, following the woman into the house.

Upon entering the bedroom, Nathalie doesn’t find Adrien anywhere insight. “Adrien?” She calls out his name. “It’s Nathalie, are you ready for the lesson?”

The boy finally walks out of the bathroom. His cheeks red as he appears extremely disheveled.

She squints her eyes in confusion to the sight of him, standing there as if he were in some sort of trance.

He walks to his bed, fumbling with his hands. “I’ve done something stupid, Nathalie.” The boy says out loud.

“Something stupid?” Nathalie repeats. “What are you-“

Except, there’s no time to finish her question because the bedroom door suddenly flies open. An angry Gabriel Agreste steps into the large space with a look of disbelief and frustration drawn on his face.

“Adrien!” He exclaims out loud. “I can’t believe it was you who popped the tires.”

“Father, I - I,” he stutters as his heart beats out of control.

Nathalie watches it all with immense shock.

Adrien was the one who caused the incident with the tires. He doesn’t appear to be a destructive boy, she would’ve never thought that of him.

“Tell me why you did that?” Gabriel asks his son, “explain to me what on earth was going through your head?!”

His voice is loud, echoing through the tall walls, making Nathalie feel uncomfortable. Perhaps she should leave, but she only stands there uncomfortably as the argument continues.

“You lie!” He exclaims through a broken voice. “You keep secrets, you don’t tell me the truth of what happened to my mother!”

Gabriel freezes to his son’s words. He realizes that it’s all Adrien’s own desperate attempt to get to the truth. The truth his father hides in order to protect him. In a way he didn’t protect Emilie all those years ago.

He shakes his head in defeat. “I’m sorry my boy, but I can’t tell you anything. You’re too young to understand, but I’m protecting you-“

“It was The Supreme?” He yells out loud, interrupting his father. “Tell me, I know it was him, but why did he do it?”

“I’m not having this conversation, Adrien.” He walks away, leaving him alone with Nathalie.

“I’m not doing any tutoring today, so leave now.”

Nathalie says nothing, silently walking away from the bedroom. She walks down the large staircase and into the foyer. Not sure if she should leave without informing Gabriel or Ines that the lesson was canceled, she moves in the direction to the kitchen.

There she finds Ines, an apologetic look paints her face. “I assume Adrien didn’t want to tutor today.”

“That’s right.” She replies. “Will you please tell Mr. Agreste the lesson is canceled for today.”

“I will.” The woman agrees. “Thank you, Nathalie.”

But just as Nathalie is about to exit the kitchen, Gabriel appears. A somber expression on his face after the argument with his son. “Wait a minute, please Nathalie.” He glances over at his assistant, “Will you please leave us, Ines.”

The woman nods, exiting the kitchen and leaving them all alone. “Firstly, I’d like to apologize for what you had to witness. Secondly for the way I spoke to you yesterday when you asked me about Emilie.”

“I-“

“Let me finish.” He gently says. “Adrien is confused, he’s broken. But for his safety, I must refrain from mentioning anything about what occurred to his mother.”

“The Supreme is a threat to you?”

“He’s a threat to everyone.” Gabriel whispers as he once again recalls Nathalie’s personal hatred towards the villain and then his alter ego. “I only ask that when he makes comments to you about his mother, you try to avoid the topic as much as possible.”

“Understood.”

The glow of her eyes is different from when he’s with her as Betterfly. The wrath is low and lighter, he can see it now. Her angel-like face reflects like that strayed away vision he sees in his mind day and night, begging for help.

“Do you hate The Supreme?” She suddenly asks.

“Hate?”

“He murdered your wife?” Perhaps she asks because she wants to know what kind of world Gabriel Agreste lives in. A world of hatred and despair as she does or has he learned to surpass the brutal murder of his beloved Emilie.

Beloved?

Maybe not?

Perhaps his hurt ego due to her betrayal with Betterfly. Nathalie has never heard him make a loving comment about her. Not the way Betterfly does…

“I ask you the same. Do you hate The Supreme, Nathalie?” Gabriel figures this is his chance.

“What?” She breathes out as the question flips over to her.

“Did he do something terrible to you like he did to me?”

So slowly, she nods. “He’s beyond a monster, and just like you, he brutally murdered the people I loved the most.”

Her stare is cold and her voice even colder, she pauses so abruptly. “Good day to you, sir. I won’t return until next week.”

Gabriel stays behind, shock reflected on his pale face. “Poor Nathalie.” He mumbles. “What did that man do to you?”

———

The days have drifted away quickly since the last time Nathalie was at the Agreste home. In her mind, she makes plans or maybe she should call them schemes. A single idea that will put Betterfly’s miraculous in her hands.

Nathalie walks out to her balcony, lighting up a cigarette. She inhales the smoke in a relaxed breathing pattern to then let it out into the freshly afternoon breeze.

“When will he come back?” She asks herself, referring to Betterfly. But she also needs to find a way to make him come back always, when she needs him that is. “I need that miraculous.”

And almost as if fate were on her side, Nathalie spots a figure standing on the tall building across from the apartment complex. Her eyes go wide in surprise at the realization of who it is.

“Betterfly?” She mumbles so utterly pleased. “He has returned.” An arm swings up, waving at him in hopes of getting his attention.

Betterfly reacts almost immediately, waving back to then leap out and in her direction. “Nathalie,” he says with that sweet voice that characterizes him.

“Hello, Betterfly,” she greets in return. “What brings you out here?” She asks as if she wasn’t just wishing he would come back to her.

“I wanted to see you again.” His cheeks burn behind the mask, knowing he’s missed seeing her angel-like face since she hasn’t showed up to tutor Adrien. After all, Gabriel has gotten used to seeing her, and her mere presence is enough to cause a stir of unexplained emotions to grow inside him.

What is Nathalie Sancoeur doing to him?

But he can only show up as Betterfly. So following his impulse to see her, Betterfly stands in front of her, hoping to fulfill the lingering emptiness of his heart. And she fills it up so perfectly. He sees her in his dreams as her angelic face forms the clouds of his sky and the light of his day.

Once again, he asks himself the same question.

What is she doing to him?

Why does he feel the need to see her again and again?

“Have a seat.”

Betterfly sits down slowly, the smoke of her cigarette invades their space. Eyes fixing rather intently onto it as it rests in between her fingers, and Nathalie notices him staring.

“Would you like one?”

“No thank you.” He responds quickly. “That’s not a habit I ever picked up.”

Nathalie inhales from the cigarette again. “I probably started smoking way too young. I was only sixteen.” She eventually crashes it into the ashtray nearby, “but it’s not like I had anyone around to tell me not to do it, so I just did it.”

Betterfly looks at her in confusion. “What do you mean you didn’t have anyone around?”

“Forget it.” She says in a briskly manner. “Tell me what brings you here this time.”

His eyes drift over to the window nearby, taking a peek into her apartment. It’s rather plain, the only thing that stands out are the flowers in a vase. He sees some on the table, the counter, the living room.

She must like them, Betterfly assumes and then he recalls her obvious love for the ones in the forest.

The ones that made her smile.

The smile he wishes to see again.

“I want to take you to the forest again.”

“What for?”

“I noticed that you liked the flower bed.” He smiles softly, recalling the glow of her eyes that night. “I want to take you so you can pick some for yourself.”

“You wouldn’t mind if I took some of those flowers,” she asks him, “the flowers you planted for Emilie?”

“Not at all. Some things are meant to be shared, and flowers are one of them.”

She stares at him then at the brooch pinned to his purple suit.

Knowing she can’t let him get away until she has what she needs, Nathalie only agrees. “Fine, wait here. I need to get a coat.”

Betterfly nods, happy that she has agreed to join him once again.

———

Arriving in the wooded forest is a somewhat different experience this time around.

The sun is out bright despite the cold weather, and the breezy air causes the branches and leaves to sway so gently, creating a calming sensation for their equally troubled hearts. The forest birds chirp, unknowingly singing their own sweet tune. And through the calmness of it all, Betterfly desires to leave behind their past experiences, probably even try to start over with her yet he isn’t sure where any of this will take him. Because each day, he wants to see her more and more, he wants to know her, and understand everything she is, perhaps have her willingly reveal the secrets she hides and traumas she conceals.

So delicate is their surroundings, a beauty of nature that secretly comforts their hearts. Aromas spike up, and noises ring gently. Nathalie walks in direction to the flower bed, admiring the flowers once again.

Amazing it is to know Betterfly planted them himself.

“Grab as many as you’d like.” He watches her kneel down, tracing the outlines of the petal with her index finger.

A shadowy figure invades her space and when Nathalie glances up, she sees Betterfly close to her wanting to hand her a basket. “So you can put the flowers in.”

She wordlessly grabs it.

“I keep it here, but it’s yours now.” He says as he too kneels beside her. “Now every time you’d like to come to get flowers, you’ll have somewhere to put them.”

She begins to pick the flowers.

Thoughts invade her mind, wondering whether she’s wasting her time or not. But she can’t find a way to get him where she needs him to be. Utterly vulnerable in order to take the brooch, and despite her own lack of sympathy for him or for anyone, Nathalie is able to recognize this specific sense of honesty in Betterfly. The way his eyes stare at her as if he were searching for something, and even if it may be hard to admit, Nathalie feels an odd sense of peace when he’s nearby. She felt it when they first met up, then when he came to apologize, and she feels it now. So soft yet so overwhelming that it somehow calms her anxiety and the absence that comes with the pain of missing her family. But she shakes it all away, she simply cannot stray away from her mission. Taking that brooch and presenting herself to The Supreme is all that should matter.

Feeling a pair of eyes on her, Nathalie glances up once more only to find Betterfly staring at her with a seemingly enchanting look of some sort.

“What?” She mumbles somewhat uncomfortably.

Her voice snaps him out of his trance. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”

She says nothing as she continues her task, yet Betterfly continues to watch her every move.

“Will you stop staring at me?”

“Yes, yes.” He stumbles away from her just a little bit to look out into the wooded area instead.

The squirrels run around and chirp through their paws, and now it’s Nathalie who watches Betterfly as he stares at the small creatures. The rustle of the animals is the only sound she can hear as they slink in between the hollow trees.

Betterfly giggles at the sight, and Nathalie finally decides to join him.

“Squirrels are amusing to you?”

He turns around, and she holds the basket in one hand. Filled with lovely flowers, he’s happy that he decided to bring her here again.

“Yes,” he replies. “You see how quick they are?”

Nathalie turns over to look at the small furry creature as it rushes up the tree trunk. Not that she hasn’t ever seen a squirrel before, but she hasn’t ever paid much attention to one so intently as she’s doing now.

“Despite their quickness,” Betterfly continues, “they carry themselves with playful movements. You ever wonder what they think?” He asks her, turning his gaze from the squirrel and over to her instead.

“Who ever wonders what a squirrel thinks?” She asks, clearly uninterested. “They are just sort of annoyingly small squirrely things. Who cares about them anyway?”

“I like to imagine what they think.”

Nathalie raises an eyebrow.

“They might view humans as non threatening from their perspective, but I think they would rather have the forest to themselves. Everything must seem enormous, but they seem so unpredictable, it’s hard to tell what they’ll do next. Perhaps stay still or run away?”

Nathalie can’t help but laugh out loud to Betterfly’s strangeness. A laugh that unbeknownst to her has shook his entire heart and soul. Betterfly watches her in complete enchantment as she laughs at his silly little comments.

What a beautiful smile she truly has.

It makes her look more beautiful than what she already is.

Like an angel or something more than that if possible. The most lovely woman he has ever seen.

“You’re a cheesy man.” She finally says as her laughter settles down. “Are you always this strange?”

“You think I’m strange?” His eyes focus on her face as the remnants of her pretty smile continue to linger around.

“You’re talking about a squirrel and what you imagine it thinks. If that’s not strange, then I don’t know what is.”

He reaches for her wrist, gently pulling her closer to him. “Examine nature Nathalie, let yourself find peace in it. Look at the animals, the plants, everything.”

She smiles yet again, reaching for a flower into the basket he gave her earlier. “Flowers are nature, and I like flowers.” The petals touch her cheek as she brings it close to her face. Their freshly sweet scent is a comfort for her weakened heart. “They’re pretty.”

“But not as pretty as you.” He says almost without thinking.

Nathalie drops the flower back into the basket, “You’re complimenting me now?”

“I’m sorry, I-,” but he pauses because he isn’t sure what he wants to say anymore. His heart beats loudly in his chest so suddenly as his emotions spike up. Nearly unconsciously, Betterfly reaches out to caress her cheek. “Am I not allowed to compliment you?” He kindly asks as he delicately places her hair behind her ear.

“Receiving compliments isn’t really my thing, I don’t know what to say.” Her own heart beats faster to his soft touch, and she isn’t sure why she isn’t stopping him but for some unexplained reason, his touch feels so nice on her skin despite the gloves that cover his hands.

“You could maybe say thank you.”

“Well, I-,” she stutters as her cheeks begin to blush, feeling so flustered.

“You’re beautiful, Nathalie.” He compliments her again. “Especially when you smile. You have the most wonderful smile I’ve ever seen.”

Nathalie remains mute, staring at him with watery blue eyes and redden cheeks. Her heart beats nearly out of control, she’s almost afraid he can hear it given how close they are to each other.

“What can I do to make you smile again?” He asks nearly in a silent whisper as he leans closer to her, their faces now only slightly apart. “Shall I make more squirrel jokes?”

“Don’t make any more squirrel jokes.” She responds in a breathy tone as he seems to get closer and closer.

A gloved hand lands itself on her back shoulder so subtly, Nathalie barely feels it. Her breathing rises and her cheeks feel as if they were on fire. And so unexpectedly, Betterfly leans down to press a peck on her nose. Not aware why he’s doing this, Betterfly only feels as if a magnetic force were pulling him towards her. Making it impossible for him to resist the urge to have her near.

Nathalie gasps to the light kiss yet doesn’t move or say anything.

Noticing she remains nearly motionless, Betterfly descends further down until he’s able to press a kiss onto her pink lips. It’s a soft one, only a peck, but enough to send an explosion to the very bottom of her stomach.

Again, he kisses her but this time, Betterfly opens his mouth ever so slightly in order to kiss her lips properly. And to his pleasant surprise, Nathalie kisses him back. A kiss that starts off slow and unhurried as they get used to each other’s touch.

The back of her brain screams out for her to stop, she can’t be kissing the person she’s supposed to defeat, but the touch of his warm lips feels so delightful, Nathalie continues to lose herself in the moment.

Betterfly on the other hand, feels a wave of joy to her proximity. The fact that she’s so close to him is enough to make him feel as if he were in a dream.

The most lovely dream ever.

As the kiss continues, they equally feel as it slowly grows deeper and more precious. Their lips touch and their breaths mix, the sounds of the forest only serve to make the moment more magical and intimate. Except, the alarm rings loudly in Nathalie’s head when she feels his hand land on her waist, causing her to freeze. Quickly, she pushes him away with a single shove on his shoulders.

Breathing heavily, her lips swollen to their kiss, Nathalie steps away from Betterfly almost as if she were frightened by him.

“Nathalie-,” he attempts to speak, but her trembling voice stops him.

“Is this what you did to Emilie?”

“What?” He asks in confusion, his fears growing as he’s aware that he’s messed up yet again.

“What kind of game do you think I am?”

“You’re misunderstanding it all, please let me explain.” Betterfly begs, trying to get close to her but Nathalie continues to step away each time.

“I will not have Emilie's fate, Betterfly.” Nathalie throws the basket full of flowers at him, striking his chest and causing the flowers to pour out onto the ground. “You created the hell her son lives in. He’s tormented, not knowing what occurred to his mother. You destroyed a family by bewitching that woman and making her your mistress.” Nathalie looks into the gaze of the man she hates. “You will not do the same to me.”

She runs away.

Fast and far from him.

From a distance, she hears Betterfly call her name out repeatedly.

“Nathalie!” His voice echoes in the forest as she runs faster and further. “You’ll get lost here, it’s dangerous. Please wait!”

But she hears no reasons.

Running fast until she’s sure she’s lost him, Nathalie crashes down into the ground. The twigs scratching her palms and stinging her skin. Sobbing uncontrollably, she leans against a hollow tree, hugging her knees up against her heaving chest. Her skull pounding and her heart racing. “What am I doing?” She cries out loud.

Rolling her body into a ball, Nathalie lies down onto the dirty and dusty ground. Her face pressing against the sharp twigs and crunchy leaves.

The minutes are eternal, her eyes are beginning to flutter shut as the tiredness slowly creeps in. “Now I’m lost here.” She whispers to herself.

The noise coming from behind alerts her. Too afraid to move thinking it may be a wild animal, Nathalie remains utterly still. A touch on her shoulder startles her.

She knows who it is.

“Betterfly.” Her broken voice whispers. The hero says nothing. Only picking up her limp body from the ground and cradling her in his warm arms.

Leaping into the sunset, Betterfly silently makes his way back into the city. Nathalie only listens to his heartbeat until he lands on the balcony of her apartment.

Gently setting her down, he can only give her an apologetic look. “I won’t come back,” he says with such sadness. “It’s obvious you and I can’t get along.” He steps away from her, his eyes glistening with tears, “I’m sorry I ever disturbed you.”

She remains silent.

“Goodbye, Nathalie.”

And then he’s gone.

Nathalie lets her body fall onto one of the nearby chairs. “I’m so stupid.” She almost wants to scream it out loud. “I’m supposed to make him stay, not push him away.”

Her coat is a mess, dirty and wet causing her to shiver. Her nails dig into her injured skin of her bruised wrists as her anxiousness grows to the immense mistake she has made. “Now how am I supposed to make him come back?”

Chapter Text

Nathalie drags her sore body out of bed. She’s had the worst sleep since the first night she spent without her family. Her extremities are weak and her eyes are swollen from all the tears she spent shedding all night long. Walking in direction to her bathroom, Nathalie finally sees her reflection on the mirror hanging above the sink. She looks awful, and she hates all the crying she did. It makes her feel embarrassed and defeated.

“Crying is for the weak and pathetic.” She says as she dips her hands into the running water. It’s cold and refreshing against her trembling skin. “I’m so stupid,” Nathalie yells out loud for the millionth time since she came back from the forest. “I pushed him away forever.”

She leans her body up against the sink, the hard surface digs into her lower abdomen as a lifeless look sweeps across her eyes. The look that has been haunting her for years. Despite the deep pain and endless wrath filling her weary heart, Nathalie nearly feels sorry for herself. Her lungs gasp as the tears form yet again, realizing it’s all her own fault. It’s all shifted against her, making it impossible for her to succeed. Yet she continues to pity herself, knowing she’s consumed her entire life in a revenge she’ll perhaps never have.

Exiting the bedroom and walking in direction to the kitchen, her swollen blue eyes unconsciously drift over to the glass door that leads to the balcony.

Instantly recalling how Betterfly stood there yesterday evening while he nearly promised to never return, her heart wishes it all were over because she isn’t sure how she will deal with the aftermath of her defeat. If only she would’ve been able to get his miraculous from the very beginning, she wouldn’t be trapped in such a mess. With no chance of ever seeing him again or the brooch she so desperately needs in order to make The Supreme pay. But even if Nathalie wants to convince herself that her tears are due to having failed at her own given mission, a little voice echoes at the back of her brain telling her there’s more to this than just losing the miraculous that was just under her grasp. A voice she ignores, never able to hear what it’s trying to say.

“Betterfly,” she whispers his name unconsciously. The sweetness of his kiss causes her stomach to flutter all over again.

Suddenly, Nathalie spots a basket sitting on one of the chairs on her balcony. “What in the world?” She unlocks the door, slipping out into the cold morning in order to have a closer look.

Her heart jumps at the realization of what it is.

It’s the basket Betterfly had given her last night, filled with freshly picked flowers.

“He came back.” She smiles, staring down at the smooth petals of the colorful flowers. Then she spots a note, hidden in between the stems.

Quickly opening it as her smile grows bigger, Nathalie begins to read the note out loud. “Take these as a way for me to say I’m sorry. I wish you all the best now and always,” her voice slowly dies out as she reaches the end of the written note, “signed Betterfly.” She sighs heavily, realizing it was his last goodbye. “He’s not coming back.” Nathalie storms back into her apartment, placing the flower filled basket onto the small dining table.

“How do I make you come back to me?” She asks almost as if she missed him yet her pride won’t let her accept what she’s truly feeling. Pretending it’s all from her desperate need of obtaining the miraculous.

The doorbell rings, startling her out of her thoughts.

“Dylan.” The man stands there with a small book bag in between his hands when Nathalie opens the door.

“Good morning, Nathalie.”

“I’m not in the mood for visitors right now.”

His eyes almost can’t hide his anger at her rejection. “What’s wrong?” He asks as if he cared.

“I told you I’m not in the mood.” Nathalie repeats herself. “What do you need, Dylan?”

“I came to get the books I gave you last week, and then I’ll be on my way since you’re obviously upset.”

Nathalie says nothing. She only leaves him in order to grab the books.

Dylan stays behind, scanning the apartment vehemently as he finds Nathalie’s behavior odd yet he won’t dare question her. His eyes eventually land on the flower filled basket that rests on the dining table.

When Nathalie returns with the books, she finds Dylan staring down at the basket. A single flower twirls around his finger. “You’re seeing someone.” He utters as he senses she has returned, but doesn’t turn around. “Is that why you’re upset?”

She hates being questioned, by him or by anyone.

“I’m not.” She angrily responds, “but in any case, that is none of your business.”

He laughs lightly, turning around to meet her glistening gaze. “I only say what I see, Nathalie.”

“I-“

“Shhh”, he interrupts her, and as he now stands in front of her, Dylan slips the flower he holds behind her ear. “You don’t have to say anything. See you later.”

Then he’s gone, leaving Nathalie all alone.

She roughly yanks the flower away from her ear, crumbling it into her palm as her anger rises.

And on the outside of her apartment stands Dylan Monet while his mind comes up with insane conclusions. “Are you following Emilie Agreste’s same path, Nathalie?” He chuckles, “I’ll have to keep a closer eye on you.”

———

“It’s for the best, Gabriel.” Nooroo attempts to comfort him, but Gabriel hears nothing but the sounds of her heart wrenching words ringing in his ears. “If things begin to escalate as they did with Emilie-“

“No.” Gabriel stops his kwami. “I can’t let Nathalie have Emilie’s same ending.”

“You see,” Nooroo repeats himself, “it’s all for the best.”

Gabriel collapses back into bed. Recalling his early romance with Emilie is painful. It had all been a little fantasy until their time together was cut short by The Supreme, and imagining Nathalie beaten to death as Emilie was makes him sick to his stomach.

It makes him realize Nooroo is right. “I was so stupid, Nooroo.” Gabriel mumbles as he buries himself further into bed. The creature only listens to him in silence. “I exposed Nathalie one too many times by going to her apartment. I can’t ever go there again.” He falls silent again as his tears betray him.

Condemned is what he feels.

Trapped in a dark world where he has so painfully been chosen to be the protector of the Parisians.

A job he never asked for yet must accomplish regardless of his desires.

Growing up in such a place is difficult, Gabriel knows that now. It’s a place that strips away dreams and hope. It steals the peace of the soul and of the mind. But above all, it strips away love.

There is no love for him.

Not from Emilie, not from Odette, and especially not from Nathalie.

After all, Nathalie never loved him.

She hates him and he knows it.

“Love isn’t for me.” Gabriel reaches for the magical brooch, clutching it with his palm. “It’s a nice feeling, but I’ve discovered that I can’t ever have it.”

“Gabriel-,” Nooroo attempts to speak but Gabriel’s loud holler makes him freeze.

“Don’t!” He snaps. “You see this?” He shows him the brooch. “I’m condemned to this, this is my life, it’ll always be my life. Everything that happens in this city reminds me that I can’t have love.” He throws the brooch across his bedroom, the sound of it crashing against the wall sounds indescribably familiar. As the sound of Nathalie throwing the flower filled basket against his chest. “Love isn’t meant for me. I only hurt those around me.”

“Love is a normal human emotion. Don’t feel bad for loving someone despite it being difficult for you to have a normal relationship.”

“I know you’re trying to help, but I do feel bad.” Gabriel goes to grab the brooch he so recently threw across the room. The thing that ties him to the ground, not letting him fly free. “I feel more than bad, I feel like a monster. I feel like I’m only dragging those around me to their graves like I did with Emilie. The Supreme isn’t forgiving, and you know that.”

Nooroo nods, knowing well Gabriel is right.

The Supreme isn’t forgiving.

Not now and not ever.

The knock on his door startles him. “Hide, Nooroo,” Gabriel commands.

The kwami obeys.

“Yes?”

The door pushes open, and Gabriel watches Adrien poke his head in. “May I come in.”

“Come in Adrien.”

They haven’t spoken since the incident with the car tires, but they have equally felt awful about what occurred all those days ago. Secrets follow him, and Gabriel always knew the day would come when Adrien asked about what really occurred to his mother. Things he wishes he didn’t have to explain, but there is no escape from it regardless of his wishes.

Gabriel pats the space next to him, motioning for Adrien to sit down. “I came to apologize for what I did. My behavior was unacceptable, and I know that now.”

“Adrien,” Gabriel mumbles, overly touched by his son’s apology. “Thank you for apologizing, but I must apologize as well.”

“What for?”

“You ask for the truth, a truth that is hard to reveal for a variety of reasons.”

“What reasons?”

He sighs heavily, knowing he must be careful with his words. “You’re right, Adrien,” he will finally confirm it. “Your mother was murdered by The Supreme.”

“Why?” Adrien asks, nearly begging for the truth. “I don’t understand why he would do that to her.”

“It’s certain details I cannot explain at the moment, but just know it wasn’t her fault. He attacked her, but not because she ever got in his way. He’s simply a cruel person.”

Adrien says nothing more. He only leans forward, embracing his father because that’s all he has left.

———

As the days go by, Nathalie has slowly become a disaster. She’s yet to return to the Agreste mansion since Adrien asked for an entire week off. Meaning that she's been trapped in her apartment for days and days while she sits out on her balcony like everyday since she last saw Betterfly.

Waiting and wishing to see him again.

But through the rays of light that come from the sunset high above, Nathalie is finally able to understand that Betterfly isn’t going to come back.

Each time she feels weaker and more pathetic, waiting for a person who isn’t even able to get by in the world without concealing himself to her and everyone else. Except, none of that seems to matter right now when all she wants is to see him again. It’s a natural impulse that’s greater than her own ego. She waits and waits, and her entire mind depends upon that, lowering her inhibitions and making her feel as if she were losing her mind.

“Betterfly.” Her voice calls him. The sweetness that characterized him echoes within her heart as she realizes no one has ever been so nice to her since the murder of her family.

“That’s it,” she rushes back into the apartment, reaching for a coat and her keys.

If Betterfly won’t come to her then she’ll go to him.

To the only place she knows he’ll be.

———

Nathalie stations the car well into the forest. The squirrels scurry around to the sounds of the vehicle, and she smiles at the sight as she recalls Betterfly’s comments about the small creatures.

Certain things look familiar, but she isn’t quite sure where she is. Nathalie only hops off the car, walking around through the cold and windy forest. She glances up, the dark clouds that rule the sky are a constant alert that a rainstorm is on its way. Her steps are slow until she finally spots something very familiar.

It’s the flower bed, but Betterfly is nowhere in sight.

Nathalie approaches it, kneeling beside it while tracing the outlines of the pretty flowers with her trembling fingers.

“Where are you, Betterfly?” Her voice utters in a whisper as her tears finally betray her. And through her found nostalgia, Nathalie still isn’t able to comprehend why she’s feeling this way.

Missing a man she’s supposed to defeat.

“What’s wrong with me?” She yanks a flower from the bed, bringing it up to her nostrils as she inhales deeply. “I’m only wasting my time. I always have…”

Suddenly, the touch on her shoulder startles her, and Nathalie swiftly turns around only to find Betterfly standing there with lost eyes.

“Betterfly.” She smiles in utter happiness as she stands up again. A bright smile paints her face causing his entire world to shake.

What is this woman doing to him?

“What are you doing here, Nathalie?” He sounds broken and looks even worse. Pretending as if he weren’t happy to see her again after so long.

“I - I ,” she stutters, aware she’s making a fool of herself. “You never came back.”

“I told you I wouldn’t.”

“I know, but I thought-“

“You thought what?” He interrupts her in a harsh manner. “You thought I would return like before only for you to humiliate me like you always do? Is that what you thought, Nathalie?”

“No, no,” she wants to explain, “I see now that I was mistaken for the way I behaved. It’s just that after we kissed-,” she pauses, instantly blushing and so does he, “it was hard for me to understand my feelings. No one has ever been as kind to me as you have. I’m not used to it, I don’t know how to react.”

“Are you telling the truth?” He asks in a hopeful tone. Wishing he’s finally able to understand her.

“Yes.”

And Nathalie is telling the truth.

It’s all the truth.

No one has ever treated her the way he does.

No one has ever been able to shake her entire world the way Betterfly has since the moment they met.

Slowly, she leans closer to him until she’s able to press a kiss onto his lips.

Betterfly freezes, not expecting that at all despite their previous kiss on those days ago.

“Can you show me what love is?” Nathalie breathes next to his lips. “Please show me, Betterfly.”

He nods gently, leaning in to kiss her once again.

A kiss that heals their wounded hearts, even if it’s only meant to last for that moment.

Then the rain begins to pour. Starting off slow and intensifying with every passing second. “A rainstorm is coming.”

“I should’ve not driven here,” Nathalie says as the rain begins to wet her completely. “I won’t be able to get out. Well I can maybe try-“

“No,” Betterfly stops her worriedly. “The roads are wet and slippery, it's dangerous. There’s a cabin a few feet from where those trees are at.” He points in direction towards a couple of hollow tree trunks.

“Take me.”

———

Dripping wet, Betterfly enters the cabin with Nathalie by his side. It’s small, but it protects them from the cold wind and heavy rainfall that has now taken over the forest.

“Have a seat.” He guides her to a cot in the middle of the wooden cabin.

“Where did all this come from?” Nathalie asks as she looks around the small place. There’s a flashlight, a couple of blankets, a basket filled with more things, and the cot she’s sitting on.

“I brought it.” Betterfly responds. “I tend to spend lots of time here, so when I found the cabin, I decided to stalk it up with a few things.”

“Here,” Betterfly offers her a water bottle.

“Thank you.” Nathalie drinks slowly, feeling incredibly awkward, exposed, or perhaps just stupid.

Is this what she wanted?

Days and days of anxiousness only to be here now.

“Do you mind if I sit down?” Betterfly asks, not wanting to frighten her.

Nathalie scoots over, “I’ve wet the cot.” She stands up, removing her coat to then have a seat again.

“That’s alright.”

They remain silent for a while, the awkwardness becoming mutual as they both didn’t expect to be here. In each other’s presence after many days of silent tears and unspoken truths.

The touch on her bare wrist frightens her. “What’s that?”

“Nothing.” She roughly pulls away from him. “It’s nothing at all.”

But Betterfly reaches for her wrist again, flipping it over in order to have a closer view. He glances at the other one, and sees the same exact thing.

They’re injured.

They’re deeply scarred and above the old scars exist freshly carved out wounds. His heart wrinkles in pain at the sight. “You do this to yourself?”

“I - I,” she feels embarrassed, he can see it.

“Why, Nathalie?” His thumb gently caresses the wounds. “Why do you hurt yourself that way?”

“I get anxious, I do it in order to control my emotions.”

“You can’t control everything, dear.” Her heart expands at his kindness. “We have to learn to let go sometimes.”

“I can’t let go.” The tears roll down her cheeks, recalling the tragedy that follows her. The one that changed her life twenty years ago.

“What did The Supreme do to you?” He remembers the day he met her in the alleyway. “Why did he say that he has an extensive history with you?”

Flashes invade her memory.

The things from her past that haunt her day and night.

“Twenty years ago, when I was only sixteen, The Supreme invaded our home.”

Betterfly looks at her in confusion.

The nightmare that has been planted in Nathalie’s life is similar to his. He knows it now as she continues to reveal the secrets of her past.

“He barged into our home, he accused my father of having seen his true face.”

“Your father saw The Supreme’s face?”

Nathalie shrugs her shoulders. “I’m not sure what really happened, but my father only begged for him to have mercy but that monster had none. Not on my father or my mother, not even on my poor little sister.”

Betterfly is almost afraid to ask. “What did he do?”

“My father yelled at Camille and I to run, my mother wouldn’t move.” Nathalie begins to heave, recalling the events that led to their deaths.

“Shhh,” he attempts to calm her down, rubbing her back in a comforting manner. “Take deep breaths, it’s okay.”

“I remember he knocked over the chandelier that hung above our dining table.” Nathalie trembles as the sound of it crashing down echoes in the back of her damaged memory. “Camille and I were almost out, but the chandelier suddenly fell on her. It struck her leg, and she was trapped. I tried to help her, but she begged for me to leave. Camille begged for me to get help while she told me she loved me one last time.”

“And then what did you do?” He softly asks as his thumb reaches out to wipe the tears from her moist cheeks.

“I ran to the neighbors house, I screamed and begged for them to open but no one came. It was all too late after that, The Supreme set the house on fire with my family inside.”

His heart shatters. “Oh Nathalie, you’ve suffered too much.”

A pair of warm arms wrap around her, and Nathalie doesn’t reject it. She freely sobs on his chest, the miraculous unbelievably close to her as she lets herself go completely. Her teary eyes open, still pressed against his chest, the source of her revenge is only a few inches away. But the comfort he offers her is what she’s longed for since the very beginning, and Nathalie almost doesn’t care about the brooch pinned to his chest. She only relishes in his warmth and sweet affection.

“I know your story now.” He mumbles into her sweet scented hair. “And it’s what makes me realize that I’ve failed in my mission. The mission I began twenty-three years ago.”

Nathalie doesn’t respond to Betterfly’s obvious guilt.

There’s nothing she can say, she only listens to his heart wrenching apologies.

“Please forgive me, Nathalie,” his tears roll down to her pain and her tragedy. “Forgive me for being a mediocre person who can’t do what’s expected of me. I feel terrible-“

Nathalie leans off him. “I don’t need you to feel sorry for me,” she utters in a cold tone.

“It’s not that.” He says in between tears, and she notices them, confirming his kindness once again. “I feel useless, I feel helpless, I feel like I’ve done it all wrong. If only I would’ve been able to defeat The Supreme from the very beginning, you wouldn’t have gone through that.”

It’s hard to accept his words.

It’s hard to accept his kindness.

Especially when his brooch glows in front of her, mocking her so intensely. Nathalie wipes her tears away, wanting to behave as cold and as indifferent as always. “What’s done is done. I only wait for the day to come when I can-“

She pauses rather abruptly.

“When you can, what?”

Her sparkling blue eyes fall onto the brooch yet again.

“Nathalie?” His voice snaps her out of her trance, “you were saying.”

She shakes her head, a feeling of want and need suddenly fills her pounding heart as she looks into those mysterious eyes of his. Silently yet swiftly, Nathalie leans over to kiss him.

It’s a different kiss from their previous one.

It’s a deep, nearly intense one. Reflecting the intimacy of their current situation. Nathalie picks up the pace, Betterfly can feel it. Her lips move fast around his. Wrapped around a growing passion that he didn’t expect from her. Fingers lace in between his hair as she moves closer and closer without separating their lips. Her breathing sounds heavy, he can hear it and when Nathalie begins to push him down into the cot, Betterfly abruptly ends their kiss.

“What?” She asks, nearly out of breath from their kiss. “You don’t like what I’m doing?”

“It’s not that,” of course he likes it, “it’s just that I think we’re moving a little too fast.”

Her finger touches his swollen lips. “You’ve been here before, haven’t you, Betterfly?”

“I-,”

“You had Emilie, so love me the way you loved Emilie.”

He doesn’t like what she’s saying at all. “I can’t love you the way I loved her because you’re two different people.”

She kisses him again, “then love me differently,” she stammers in between kisses, “but just love me.”

Betterfly can’t hold back from her warmth as she swiftly pushes him into the cot to then crawl over him as their passionate kiss continues. She feels so light, tastes so sweet, and smells so good. He feels as if he’s just lost his mind to her and everything she is.

Nathalie on the other hand isn't able to comprehend what exactly she’s doing. Her mind has shut off as she only enjoys the moment. Her hands run down his chest, her fingers twirl around the magical brooch that she so desperately needs in order to get her revenge as she kisses him deeper and more intensely. Feeling secure yet oddly exposed, but she lets herself relax regardless of her mixed emotions.

The moment transforms into something grand and sublime as their bodies meet in a multitude of clashes where they only search for each other relentlessly. Enjoying what it is to have one another as they tenderly caress each other’s bodies, unconsciously reaching into their aching hearts and wounded souls. Their hearts beat in unison, they can almost hear them. He demands for her as his kisses sprinkle all over her weary body while she nearly begs for him to make her forget about all her pain and suffering. Their souls merge along with their bodies making the universe place itself exactly where it needs to be at least for a moment. And when it’s all over, Nathalie lies silent next to Betterfly as the reality of what she’s done finally begins to settle in.

Wrapped in the warm cape of his purple suit, her nude body faces away from him as embarrassment begins to creep in. He lies behind her, his breathing slow and unhurried as he presses sweet kisses on the bare skin of her shoulder. And after a few minutes of kissing her soft skin, Betterfly whispers gently into her ear, “I’m glad you decided to spend the night.”

She swiftly turns around, “I never said-“

“Shhh.” He silences her, pressing a kiss to her lips, “you hear that?” He points up to the wooden ceiling, “it’s still raining, Nathalie. You must wait,” he kisses her again, and she can’t help but reciprocate. Hugging him, bringing him closer as he reaches for a blanket to cover them up. She feels him entwine his legs with hers and despite her confused heart, sleep quickly claims her.

Resting in the arms of the man that she is meant to defeat.

———

The next time Nathalie wakes up, it’s morning time.

The sun shines softly through the cracks of the cabin, and the touch on her hair makes her realize that Betterfly is already awake. He plays with the strands of her hair that unwittingly invaded his space all night long. Nathalie had eventually turned around during their sleep, resting her head on his chest, feeling completely comfortable in his arms.

“Good morning.” He smiles at her with such fondness.

“Good morning.” She scans the cabin, slightly embarrassed, “I need to use the bathroom.”

“There’s toilet paper in those baskets, but you should know there’s no bathrooms here.”

Nathalie giggles. “So I must find a comfortable spot outside I assume.”

He loves her lovely smile. “That’s right.”

She wants to get up, but her prudence is starting to kick in. “I want to get up, will you please turn around?” Her cheeks turn red as an apple to her silly request as if he hasn’t already seen all of her.

Betterfly smiles, placing a quick kiss on her lips.

Doing as she’s just asked, Betterfly turns away from her.

Nathalie is quick to hop off the cot. He can hear the rustling of fabrics as she swiftly puts her clothes back on. Searching for it on the ground, and finding that some of it is still slightly wet from yesterday’s rain.

“I’ll be right back.” She exits the cabin, hearing the chirping of the birds and the whistling of the wind.

Nathalie leans against a tree. “What on earth did I do?” She angrily asks herself.

When she finally returns, Nathalie is aware that she must get going. “I think I should go.” She says as Betterfly folds the blankets.

“Will you come back?”

Her eyes fall onto the brooch. “Of course I’ll come back.”

“Thank you, my Nathalie.” He embraces her, inhaling her hypnotizing scent once again. “I had the best night of my life. You’re beautiful, you’re perfect, you’re everything I now adore.”

She melts to his words, but her face remains neutral.

How can anyone find such perfect words, and put them all together?

“I enjoyed it as well.” They let their lips meet in a slowed yet passionate dance as their fingers touch each other with tenderness.

When the kiss ends, Betterfly remains close to her while his lips press light kisses on her nose and then her forehead. “When can I expect you?”

“I’ll be here in two days, I promise.”

Betterfly nods. His mind is already counting down the hours until he can see her again.

“See you soon, Nathalie.”

“See you soon, Betterfly.”

She exits the cabin, walking in direction to her vehicle as her stomach trembles to everything that just occurred. “I need to get that brooch.”

Chapter Text

Betterfly quietly slips through the window and into his bedroom. There’s no noise coming from inside the house, letting him know his son is still sound asleep.

“Light wings fall.”

The kwami exits the brooch, bringing Betterfly to his civilian form once again. He can feel Nooroo’s eyes on him, but he won’t turn to look at him.

“You let things go way too far with that woman, Gabriel.” The kwami finally speaks. “And the worst part is that you told her you’d meet up with her again.”

Gabriel collapses into bed, knowing well Nooroo is right. “I know, but now I know what happened to her with The Supreme. I can’t leave her alone, Nooroo. Especially not after what we did, it wouldn’t be right.”

“We’re supposed to focus on defeating The Supreme, Nathalie is only getting in the way.”

He looks up, sharp gray eyes meeting with Nooroo’s magenta ones as he attempts to fool himself into believing he’s done nothing wrong.

“You’re exaggerating.”

“Exaggerating?” The kwami almost can’t believe what Gabriel has said. “Don’t ever forget what happened to Emilie. You’re doing it all over again with Nathalie.”

“I won’t forget. I will never forget what happened to Emilie, but it’s different this time.”

“How is it different?” Nooroo asks, attempting to understand the nonsensical beliefs Gabriel has fallen into after just one night with Nathalie.

“We meet up in the forest, there’s no risk there-“

Nooroo stops him with a daunting question. “What will happen when Nathalie asks to know your secret identity the way Emilie did?”

Gabriel’s face goes pale to the question.

“Will you reveal yourself to her?”

“I don’t know.” He shamefully whispers, “I don’t know what I will do.”

“I just hope you don’t regret this.” Nooroo drifts away, leaving Gabriel all alone.

And on the other side of that city, Nathalie is inside her apartment once again as she exits the shower. Her wet body wrapped up in a white towel, her hand reaching out to wipe away the fog from the steamed covered mirror. Quickly, she finds her reflection staring back at her with hatred and disappointment. “I slept with Betterfly,” she utters, needing to say it out loud because that is the only way it’ll register into her conflicted brain. “What was I thinking?”

Then she remembers her promise to him. “I told him I’d be back, and I have to go back. I have to take the brooch.” And as she continues to stare at her pathetic reflection, her eyes suddenly flutter shut to the memories of what occurred last night.

Betterfly was gentle yet passionate.

He was kind and he was loving.

He was more than what she could’ve imagined.

How can anyone be so perfect?

Her stomach trembles to the remembrance of his lips and hands over her body. The way he was able to make her forget about her misery with only the mere glow of his softened gaze. But then she opens her eyes again, “my mission is to take the brooch, and I cannot fail.”

The chiming sound of her phone makes her exit the bathroom, going to the nightstand where the phone rests.

She reads the message on the screen.

-Good morning, Nathalie, this is Ines. Adrien has requested to resume his tutoring sessions. Can we expect you this evening?

Nathalie is quick to respond, confirming her arrival at the Agreste mansion.

———

When the evening arrives, Nathalie stands in front of the tall doors, waiting to be let in. To her surprise, it’s Adrien who answers the door.

“Hello, Nathalie.” He greets in a jolly tone. “Long time no see.”

“Yes, but that was on you.”

“I know, and I’m sorry for how I behaved.”

She follows him up into his bedroom ready to begin their lesson, but Adrien begins to search through his school bag instead of having a seat.

“There’s something I want to show you.”

Nathalie watches, completely unamused despite Adrien’s content expression. “Look.” He shows her what appears to be a math test, a perfect score marked on the corner. “I aced my exam.”

“Congratulations,” she says in a neutral tone. “I’m glad you’re doing so well-“

Except, Adrien doesn’t wait for her to finish what she’s saying. He only leans in to give her a warm hug, utterly delighted to have her back.

Nathalie freezes, stunned by his sudden action, her arms don’t move despite his hug. “I’m so glad I met you, Nathalie. You’ve been the best help I’ve ever had.” Her hands land on his shoulders, gently pulling him away from her. “I’m just doing my job.”

“I know,” and then they have a seat, ready to begin the lesson. Yet her heart feels warm and nearly full to Adrien’s kind behavior. It makes her feel appreciated in a way she hasn’t felt ever.

Math problems are written down by her, and he solves them without hesitation. The minutes drift away from them rather quickly until they realize the lesson has come to an end for today.

“Ines is taking me to an ice cream shop a few blocks from here.” Adrien says as Nathalie packs her bag. “Would you like to join us?” He sheepishly asks.

“Join you?”

“Yes, as a thank you for all the help you’ve given me.”

“Adrien,” she hesitates, “I don’t know-“

“Please,” he begs. “Please join us, Nathalie.”

She agrees upon his pleading.

Soon, Nathalie finds herself walking back to the Agreste home with a cherry chip flavored ice cream along with Adrien and Ines. The sunset has faded away, and the night sky has come sweeping through the crowded city.

“The traffic gets heavy at night.” Ines comments as they watch the cars pass one after another.

Nathalie examines the heavy traffic as well. “That’s why I rather take the metro when coming here. If I’d drive, I’d never get home.”

They continue their journey through the busy streets while Adrien speaks about anything and everything, the two women only listen in silence but intently.

Eventually, they enter a rather solitary alleyway, not too far away from the home. Adrien’s voice bounces off the brick walls as he continues speaking, except an odd sound invades Nathalie’s ears.

The sound of footsteps that aren’t their own.

She swiftly turns around, but sees nothing at all.

Yet she has a strange feeling that they’re being followed, perhaps even observed. “Let’s hurry up,” she calmly suggests, not wanting to alert Ines or Adrien.

They pick up their pace, but they aren’t fast enough.

So unexpectedly, a dark figure blocks their way making them gasp as they retrieve back with indecisive steps. “What is that?” Ines exclaims, pulling Adrien towards her while Nathalie stands protectively in front of them.

“What do you want?” She’s the first to direct herself to him once she confirms it’s The Supreme.

“Hello, Nathalie,” the evil man greets her as if it were a casual encounter. “I’m sorry I’ve interrupted your outing with your friends.” He turns to look over at Adrien and Ines who tremble in fear.

“Leave them alone.” Nathalie commands.

“What are you now?” He asks, “Are you the protector of the vulnerable, Nathalie?”

“Let them get by, you and I can talk if that’s what you want.”

“That’s not what I want.” He utters through the smirk that covers his lips. “I actually came because I want to see you, Adrien.”

“How do you know my name?” The boy asks in between heavy breaths.

He chuckles perversely, the sounds echoing off the walls of the isolated alleyway. “Your mother had such a good taste in names. It was she who chose your name, wasn’t it?”

“I - I, I’m not sure,” Adrien stammers through his racing heart.

“Don’t listen to anything he has to say!” Nathalie exclaims but in that moment, The Supreme strikes her. Delivering a firm blow to her cheek and knocking her onto the ground. “Shut up, Nathalie! You know I don’t like being interrupted.”

She stands up quickly, despite the throbbing of her left cheek.

“Adrien Agreste.” He slowly approaches the frightened boy who buries himself next to Ines who also trembles in fear. “You look like your mother, she was a beautiful woman.”

“You murdered my mother?” Adrien finds the courage to speak. Remembering his doubts and uncertainties regarding the death of his mother.

“I see you’re all filled up.”

“Why?”

The Supreme stares at Adrien almost as if he were analyzing him. Nathalie walks closer to them, placing herself next to Adrien very gently, not wanting to infuriate him more to the point he’ll strike her again.

“I suppose it was your father who told you that.”

Adrien nods in response.

“But I bet he didn’t tell you about your mother’s little fling with Betterfly.”

“What are you talking about?” Adrien asks in confusion.

Nathalie shakes her head, knowing exactly where the man is heading to. “Why are you tormenting the boy? She asks through chattering teeth as the nightly wind blows roughly through the dark alleyway.

The man ignores her. “Your mother, Emilie Agreste, was an unfaithful wife. She had an affair with Betterfly. She was his mistress, and that’s why I killed her. I beat her to death, hoping she’d reveal Betterfly’s secret identity, but it turns out she never knew it.”

Adrien nearly collapses to his words, Nathalie and Ines barely have any time to catch him as tears gush from his bright green eyes.

“You’ve done enough,” Nathalie tells him. “Let us go now.”

“Oh, but I’m not done.” The Supreme roughly pushes both Nathalie and Ines away from Adrien, standing alone with him until he corners him against the brick wall of the alleyway. “You could very well be Betterfly’s son. Nothing is for sure here, except that your mother was a loose woman.”

“Don’t speak about her that way!” Adrien snaps.

“You still defend her?” He laughs at the boy, “Gabriel Agreste could very well not be your father, little boy.”

Nathalie has had enough.

Swiftly she pushes Adrien away from The Supreme, distracting him by getting in between him and the frightened boy. “Run Adrien!” She desperately commands. “Run away with Ines to the house, I’ll meet you both there!”

They obey, running as fast as they can, and leaving Nathalie alone with The Supreme.

“Nathalie!” He grabs her by the neck, pushing her into the wall. “What can I do to make you afraid?”

“Nothing.” She responds in heavy breaths. “You’ve gone as low as tormenting an innocent boy in order to satisfy your twisted mind. What did you gain?”

“I saw that stupid boy’s eyes as they filled with tears, I love that.”

“You’re disgusting.”

He gets close to her, inhaling her scent as his hands tighten around her neck. “I can show you how much more disgusting I can be. I can murder the boy and then I can murder you-“

He’s not able to finish. Nathalie kicks The Supreme in the abdomen causing his lungs to cramp. He’s able to grab a handful of her coat, tearing a piece off before she yanks it away from him and runs out of there for good.

As fast as she can and in direction to the Agreste mansion. She runs through the gate, Adrien and Ines are already waiting for her.

Once inside the house, she finds them along with Gabriel and Placide. “Make sure all the doors and windows are locked,” Gabriel orders to the bulky man, relieved to have Nathalie back safe and sound. “That man cornered all three of you, I can’t believe it.”

Nathalie walks weakly, collapsing onto a nearby chair as her cheek and neck continue to ache.

“Get the first aid kit,” he asks Ines and the woman quickly obeys. But despite Nathalie’s act of bravery, Adrien’s mind isn’t at peace after everything The Supreme said.

“Father,” he cries out. Nathalie turns to look up at the desperate boy, aware of what he will say.

“The Supreme said very horrible things to me before Nathalie was able to help Ines and I escape.”

Gabriel’s heart drops. He doesn’t want to imagine what that monster would’ve said. “Don’t believe anything he said-“

Except, Adrien’s loud holler interrupts him. “He said my mother had an affair with Betterfly!”

Gabriel goes numb.

His worst nightmare has come true.

“Please Adrien-“

“Is it true?!” The boy asks in between tears. “Answer me, is it true!”

“That man only wanted to torment you, Adrien.”

He shakes his head. “He sounded convinced, he said that’s why he murdered her. And I feel like he was telling the truth.”

Gabriel can’t deny it but he can’t confirm it either.

Years ago, his nightmares consisted of this.

On the day his son would question him about Emilie’s supposed romance with Betterfly and as he sees Nathalie sitting there bruised and weak, Gabriel is able to confirm Nooroo was right this morning.

He’s doing it all over again with her.

He has unwittingly let history repeat itself.

“The Supreme said something else.” Adrien utters in a trembling voice.

Gabriel doesn’t want to know, but he has no choice but to listen. “What was it?”

“He said that I could be Betterfly’s son. He said that you’re probably not my father.”

Gabriel shakes his head, a loud sigh abandoning his throat. “Listen to me Adrien.” He gets close to him, making their eyes connect. “You are my son, and never ever doubt it. Do you understand?”

“But-“

Gabriel stops him. “But nothing, that man wanted to torment you. I am your father, you are my son, there is no other truth than that. And you must always love and respect your mother’s memory because she loved you more than anything.”

Adrien leans in for a hug. “I will.”

He kisses his son’s forehead. “Go rest, it’s been a long night.” Adrien agrees as he makes his way upstairs.

Slowly, he moves towards her. Tears begin to creep in as he’s able to understand once again that he has failed miserably at his mission. Truths resound within him, realities settle in, Gabriel Agreste is only risking the lives of the people he loves. The Supreme continues to be a lingering threat, one that will never disappear unless he’s able to defeat him.

Hope fades away like a rainbow after a rainstorm, Gabriel is utterly exhausted, and twenty-three years don’t go by in vain. His past memory nor supposed heroism will never be enough to keep him from the betrayal of his own actions. Feeling as if he’s forever meant to fail and never succeed. Everything keeps him from winning, even his own heart. As he watches Nathalie wince in pain to the injuries the man he can’t defeat caused her. The same woman he spent the night with while he made sweet love to her. The same woman Nooroo says will only get in the way. The one he’s risking if he doesn’t stop the game he has unwittingly begun, a game that has no winners. But in the heart there is no command, he knows it and he knows it well. It strays away, searching until it finds what it needs even if secrets and lives are at stake. He can't help getting close to her until he kneels beside her trembling legs. His heart jumps, recognizing the beauty she is. In such a short time, Nathalie has captivated him.

A feeling he hasn’t felt in years.

It’s love, and he can’t deny it.

Gabriel Agreste is in love with Nathalie Sancoeur.

Deeply and intensely. So subtly, Gabriel reaches her hand. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.” Nathalie quickly responds.

“Thank you, Nathalie. For what you did for Adrien and Ines, it was really brave of you.”

“I’m just glad we’re all okay.”

He smiles, his eyes unconsciously landing on the torn coat that covers her body. “Your coat,” he says.

“It’s alright-“

“Let me mend it for you.”

“Now?”

“Yes, besides, it’d be a good idea for you to spend the night here.”

Nathalie’s eyes blow up in surprise. She doesn’t want to spend the night, all she wants is to go home. “No, sir.” She quickly rejects his offer, “I’d prefer to go home.”

“It’s not safe.” Gabriel stands up, glancing out the windows. “The Supreme attacked you directly, he could still be lurking around.”

She gets the chills, thinking of him cornering her again on the way home. Perhaps Gabriel is right.

“I’ll stay, thank you.”

“I’ll ask Ines to prepare a bedroom.” He begins to walk in direction to the atelier. “Aren’t you coming so I can mend your coat?”

Nathalie stands up slowly, her body still aching.

“I’ll ask Ines to get you pain relievers and an ice pack.”

Nathalie nods, following Gabriel into the atelier.

She watches him search through the drawers of his office, immediately finding a sewing kit. “This fabric will fit your coat fine.” He shows it to her. “What do you think?”

Nathalie agrees. “Yes, they’re the same color.” It's just black anyway.

“May I have it?” He points at her coat.

Her hands untie the belt of the coat, silently slipping it off to then hand it to him. Nathalie observes him as he takes a seat, concentrating all of his attention in mending the coat. Carefully and precisely, Gabriel inserts a black string into the tiny hole at the end of the slender metal needle.

“Have a seat,” he says without taking his eyes off his task.

Gabriel Agreste is strange to her.

Certain characteristics she cannot comprehend.

The Supreme murdered his wife, he also just attacked his son, yet Gabriel sits there mending her coat as if nothing had happened. Perhaps she saw a drift of distress flow across him when she returned to the house, but now he seems as calm as ever.

“How do you do it?” She suddenly asks.

“Excuse me?” Gabriel finally glances up at her.

“Yes, how do you do it?”

“Do what?”

“The Supreme murdered your wife, he just attacked your son, but you’re so calm.”

Gabriel sighs heavily. “I deal with it in silence, I always have.” He waits for a response but there is none from her at the moment as she loses herself in the thoughts that control her. Nathalie doesn’t tell him anything, at least not yet. She allows for his words to flow through her mind, hiding away from the fact that her actions betray her in a way they never did before. Speaking about The Supreme’s attack towards Adrien, and what he did to Gabriel’s wife as if she isn’t currently doing the same Emilie did years ago. Yes, Nathalie Sancoeur is doing the same thing Emilie Agreste did thirteen years ago despite knowing how awfully she ended. She has become Betterfly’s lover, his dearest beloved. As Betterfly said himself, Nathalie is now everything he adores, and her heart beats faster to the remembrance of his sweet words.

“I’ve asked you if you hate The Supreme, but I never asked you if you hate Betterfly.”

Gabriel pauses to her question. His hands stop moving, and his eyes move up to focus on her.

What is she even asking?

Nathalie asks again, “Do you hate Betterfly?”

“Why would I-“

“Emilie had an affair with him according to The Supreme,” she interrupts, “an affair that eventually led her to her death. So if it’s true what that man said, then It’s Betterfly’s fault, don’t you think?”

Gabriel is perplexed with her question, not knowing what to respond. “That’s how you view it?”

“It is his fault,” she repeats herself. “What kind of supposed hero begins an affair with a married woman, he was knowingly risking her life.”

Harsh words but they’re the truth.

Truths he can’t deny.

Except, Nathalie’s words cause a shift in his pounding heart. Gabriel attempts to make sense of her behavior since only last night, he stood in front of her while she begged him to love her. And Betterfly did love her, he loved her all night long, for as long as he could until their bodies became exhausted, imploring for them to rest. They’re lips burned from their endless shared kisses, and Nathalie didn’t reject him but accepted everything he was willing to give her. Yet now, Nathalie sits in front of Gabriel while asking him if he hates Betterfly.

“Do you hate Betterfly?” Gabriel asks her, immediately dreading her response.

“Tragedy has followed this city for decades. Perhaps that hero should surrender his miraculous, after all, we’ve already seen that The Supreme won’t stop.”

“I’m afraid he can’t do that.” Gabriel slowly murmurs, blinking through his tears. “The outcome would be far worse than what we’ve seen.”

Nathalie doesn’t bother to continue the conversation, only standing up. “I’m tired, sir. Would you please indicate to me the bedroom I’ll be sleeping in tonight?”

“Sure,” he replies in a saddened tone. “Ask Ines, she should have everything ready.”

Nathalie nods, exiting the atelier, and leaving Gabriel all alone to his thoughts and everlasting guilt.

———

When morning arrives, Nathalie is up bright and early, ready to go home. She exits the guest bedroom and heads downstairs.

Immediately, she finds Ines. “Good morning, Nathalie,” the woman greets.

“Good morning, Ines.”

“Would you like some breakfast, the chef is nearly done.”

Nathalie quickly declines the offer. “I’ll be on my way, but first I’d like to thank Mr. Agreste for the hospitality.”

“He hasn’t come out from his bedroom, he must be sleeping still, but I can tell him.”

As she walks down the foyer, nearly reaching the front door, a voice calls her name. “Nathalie.” It’s Gabriel, standing at the top of the staircase.

“I told Ines that I was leaving, I wanted to thank you for your hospitality, but she said you were still sleeping.”

“That’s alright,” he smiles at her. “I only want to give you this.” He descends the long staircase, his leather shoes make a loud clicking sound against the marble floor.

It’s her coat he holds. “Thank you, sir.” Her eyes examine it and it’s as good as new.

“It’s me who thanks you once again for your bravery last night, you saved my son, and you should know that he’s what I love the most.”

“I’m glad I was there to help.” Nathalie softly smiles at him and despite the fact that Gabriel has already seen her smile before, it causes his entire heart to fill with joy and love. After all, Nathalie has never smiled at him when he’s Gabriel Agreste.

“See you soon, Nathalie,” and he’s insides tremble knowing he’ll indeed see her soon. At that forest where they’ve consumed their secret and unspoken love. Where only nature stands as witness to everything that he loves her.

“See you soon, sir,” she says in return, unaware of his thoughts.

“Just Gabriel.”

“What?” She mumbles in confusion.

“Just call me Gabriel.”

Nathalie lightly giggles, his world shaking once more to her beauty. “Fine. See you soon, Gabriel.”

Then she’s gone, and Gabriel only counts the hours until he can kiss her again. As Betterfly and not himself, and that’s what hurts the most.

———

Dylan waits by her door, well aware that Nathalie didn’t make it out of the Agreste mansion last night.

The sounds coming from down the hall alert him, soon he spots Nathalie as she returns to her apartment. “I didn’t know you were out.” He pretends to have just arrived as if he hadn’t been waiting for her for the past hour.

Nathalie unlocks the door, letting him in.

“What happened to your face?” He’s so fake, Nathalie doesn’t suspect a thing. “You’re injured.”

“It’s just a bruise,” she slowly glances up at him, not wanting to make a scene yet she mouths, “it was The Supreme.”

“Oh no, Nathalie. How terrible that he continues to harass you.”

“Not just me but also Gabriel Agreste’s son.”

He pretends to be shocked. “Gabriel’s son, how so?”

Nathalie takes a seat on the sofa, motioning for Dylan to do the same. “I’ve found out something very strange about the Agreste family.”

“What did you find out?” His eyes glow with expectancy to her words.

“Emilie Agreste had an affair with Betterfly.”

“That is very strange, but,” he suddenly pauses, staring at Nathalie with a nearly indescribable gaze.

Eyebrows narrow in confusion, “but what?” She asks in a breathy tone, feeling exposed. “Why are you looking at me like that, Dylan?”

“You wouldn’t follow Emilie Agreste’s same path, right Nathalie?”

A silent gasp escapes her lungs, her stomach violently sways. What is Dylan insinuating?

“What-“

“You wouldn’t begin an affair with a hero.”

She stands up aggressively from the sofa. “What’s wrong with you, Dylan?” Nathalie snaps in anger, “why would you even ask me such a thing.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” The man quickly apologizes.

“You and I have been friends for years, you knew my father. How could you think something so terrible of me?”

She seems so offended, and he would have believed her if he hadn’t seen Betterfly at her apartment. If he hadn’t seen the basket full of flowers he left her.

Nathalie on the other hand wonders why Dylan has assumed such a thing. Yet her actions betray her since only yesterday night she was in Betterfly’s arms.

“I ask you to forgive me once again.”

She settles down. “I exaggerated, let’s just relax.”

Dylan watches her enter the kitchen, her hands reaching for the coffee pot in order to fill it up with water. “You’ve only confirmed to me what I know, Nathalie.” The words echo throughout the evil man’s twisted brain. “You have in fact followed Emilie’s same path.”

———

The day has arrived, Betterfly is supposed to see her again. Except he waits and waits, but there seems to be no sign of her. He falls back into the cot that he’s been sitting on for hours, finally becoming impatient and frustrated. Perhaps she got lost in the way or maybe she simply didn’t want to come, and the thought of that hurts deeply. It makes him wonder, and even if Nathalie gave him the gift of allowing him to kiss her two nights ago, she’s perhaps come to the realization that what they did was wrong.

Betterfly finally stands up, ready to head back to the city. He begins to gather the things he brought, the wine and the cheese. The bread and the spread, and just as he’s about to put it back into the basket, a knock on the cabin door startles him. He gasps, a smile immediately paints his face, putting aside the frown and bringing the joy she produces in him.

“Come in.”

The wooden door opens, and she quickly steps inside. “You were leaving?”

“I, well,” his face feels so warm. “I thought you wouldn’t come anymore.”

“I was busy, the forest is also somewhat of a distance from the city.”

“You’re right, it is.” Betterfly slowly approaches her, and her body tenses for an unexplained reason. His lips press a kiss to her forehead, “thank you for being here.” He reaches for her wrist, pulling her all the way inside, making sure the door is closed to prevent the cold wind from entering the cozy cabin.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” He says as he has her take a seat on the cot. He continues speaking even as he searches through the baskets on the ground. “I know it was only two days, but I missed you so much Nathalie.”

She faintly smiles. “I missed you too,” and her brain screams that she’s telling him the truth. That she indeed missed him all those hours she was away from him.

Those words are enough for him to fill with love for her. “Would you like some wine?”

Nathalie lightly giggles, her eyebrows raising as well. “You brought wine?”

“Yes, and it’s a very fine and delicious wine.”

“Sure.”

The sound of the bottle snapping open echoes off the wooden walls of the small cabin. Nathalie watches Betterfly pour the wine into two glasses, and when he’s ready, he moves to take a seat beside her on the cot. Nathalie gets comfortable, bringing her knees up to her chest as she leans back into the soft and warm blankets. He can only observe her in adoration, knowing that he has her near him once again. The scent of her hair, the scent of her clothes, and the glow of her soft and pale skin is what he’s dreamt of every night since he last saw her. She’s captivating, a walking beauty with the face of a strayed angel. How he loves her, in such little time, but he loves her.

“You won’t lie down?” She asks as he’s still sitting on the edge of the cot. Nathalie pats the spot next to her, motioning him to join her.

Taking small sips from the wine, Nathalie twirls the glass in her hand. The taste of the wine is delightfully sweet. “Is it good?” He asks as she continues to drink the dark red liquid.

“It is.” But he watches her set the glass down on the ground. To his surprise, Nathalie snuggles up against him, causing Betterfly to set the glass down as well. They lie down in between the warm blankets, her arms wrapping around his torso and her head resting on his chest. He’s in heaven, and there’s no doubt.

Except, Nathalie is far from heaven. Something more like hell as the magical brooch pinned to his chest grazes her left cheek as she attempts to rest. But there is no found rest when it glows intensely, causing her to focus all of her energy on that single piece of jewelry. Her body begins to tense, her breathing becomes heavy, moving with uneasiness to the fact that she’s meant to take it yet she finds no courage within her to act on the idea that haunts her day and night.

“What’s the matter?” His question frightens her, Nathalie pretends to not know what he’s talking about. “What do you mean?”

“You feel tense.” He says worriedly. “Is everything okay?”

“Well,” she lifts her head off of him, ready to simply make something up. Betterfly finds her bright blue eyes that stare down at him with a certain look that seemingly begs for answers. “I recently had an encounter with The Supreme.”

Betterfly sighs heavily, yet he already knew that, and he had also expected for her to bring it up once she arrived. “Oh, my Nathalie.” His gloved hand caresses her cheek, quickly finding that haunting bruise the evil man left behind. “He did this?”

She pushes his hand away. “That’s not what matters, but I did want to ask you something.”

“Tell me.”

“Is Adrien Agreste your son?”

Betterfly’s heart drops.

It’s somewhat of an ironic question. After all, Adrien Agreste is in fact his son, but he can’t tell her that.

“Emilie’s son?” He wants to act naive.

She nods.

“Where are you coming from with such nonsense?”

Nathalie’s eyes widened to his words. “So he isn’t your son?”

“Emilie had a husband, and that man is her son’s father.”

“But The Supreme said-“

Betterfly gently stops her. Feeling awfully bad, but there's nothing he can do without risking his own identity. “He’s lying,” he simply says.

“How are you so sure?”

Wishing nothing more than to rip that brooch off his chest, Betterfly can only answer, “Emilie already had her son when we started seeing each other. I hope that puts your mind at ease, Nathalie.”

Her body moves in silence, lying back down into the cot. For a moment, Nathalie had believed that Betterfly’s romance with Emilie had been long and extensive. Enough for her to birth his son and pin it on her husband, but it appears she was mistaken since Emilie died when her son was only a year old.

“How did you meet Emilie?”

He can tell the truth on this one. “One night when The Supreme created a sentimonster at Sorbonne University.” Instinctively, Betterfly smiles to the remembrance of Emilie’s frightened self hiding underneath the desks, waiting to be rescued.

He was captivated. Her emerald gem eyes were as if a spell had been thrown upon him. Dragging him towards her until her last breath a year after their son was born.

“She was a student there?”

“Not at the time I met her.” Betterfly lies, Emilie was in fact a student there when they met. “I’m not sure what she was doing at the university that night.”

“Did you ever reveal your secret identity to her?”

The heart inside his chest cavity beats out of control to Nathalie’s question. Recalling Nooroo’s words from only two days prior, Betterfly becomes extremely agitated. She won’t ask him to reveal himself, right?

“Everything okay?” It’s she who asks now. Given how close she is to his chest, it's inevitable not to hear the pounding of his heart. “Did you ever reveal yourself to her?” She asks again.

“No.”

It’s plain and simple, and she believes him. Yet another lie from him. Betterfly did reveal himself to Emilie, and it’s the sole regret of his life.

The story is only beginning, Nathalie can feel it. Her eyes close, awaiting for something, perhaps for him to say he’ll reveal himself to her. But he doesn’t, and strangely enough, Nathalie doesn’t want him to do so either.

“You wouldn’t ask me to reveal myself?”

She opens her eyes again. Firmly shaking her head in response as she lifts herself off him only to put her face in front of his. Inches apart as they breath each other’s scent in. Her fingers reach out to trace the outlines of his mask.

Beliefs grow within him. Stronger and nearly unbreakable. Making him believe that he belongs with her. Foolish are his thoughts, but he’s unaware of that now.

“I won’t ask you to do anything.” Nathalie breathes close to his face, pulling her hand away from his purple mask.

“Thank you.” He touches her face with tenderness, amazed at the sight she is. “You’re so pretty, I could stay here forever only staring at your face, and never get bored.”

No one had ever spoken to her as beautifully as he does.

Why him?

Why did it have to be him?

The man that makes her feel so good and so special.

The man she is meant to destroy.

Internal conflicts are shattered momentarily when Nathalie presses her lips against his in a passionate kiss, letting herself enjoy while Betterfly devours her in return. His gloved fingers hang around the outlines of her sweater until he boldly pulls it off of her, revealing her perfectly soft and delicate skin.

She doesn’t stop him.

She doesn’t know what she’s doing once again.

She doesn’t even want to ask herself.

Nathalie only allows herself to grab onto him, letting their bodies unite in a familiar dance. One they can’t stop themselves from repeating over and over again in a single night. A dance in which she closes her eyes, reaching for the skies while wishing she could stay there forever without having to think about anything else other than the happiness she currently feels.

———

Nathalie lies in his arms in silence as his gloved fingers tenderly caress the bare skin of her nude back. Questions arise within her even as she rests in the arms of the hero, feeling so utterly spent yet very content. “Is the life of a hero always like this?”

“Like how?”

“Spending the night in a random cabin with women, sweet talking to them, and then having sex.”

“I've never had other women here.” Betterfly sounds concerned, thinking Nathalie may believe such a thing.

She laughs. “That’s not what I’m saying, but good to know.”

“Then what are you saying?”

“Nevermind.” Nathalie turns around, facing her back to him.

Betterfly reaches for a blanket, covering them up to then wrap his arm around her stomach. Pressing his body to hers as he begins to leave light and warm kisses at the back of her neck and shoulder that bring shivers all over her body.

“You won’t ask me anything else?” He nibbles close to her ear, his hot breath tickling her. “You won’t be imagining things, my dear. Thinking I’m the kind of man who is just sleeping around with random women.”

“Mmm,” she mumbles through sleepy eyes. “Only you know that.”

“I’m not, I promise I'm not.”

“Relax.” She pats his arm, the one that’s wrapped around her stomach. “I believe you.”

“You’re spending the night?”

The wind howling outside sounds through her ears before she can answer. Aware of the dark sky and the sleepiness of her eyes, Nathalie only snuggles herself into his warm embrace. “I’m too sleepy to drive home now.”

He can hear the tiredness in her voice, yet his joy rises to the fact that he’ll spend the night with her once more. “Whatever you want, my dear. I love you,” but Nathalie is far too sleepy to have heard that last part.

Then the morning sun arrives in the depths of that chestnut forest. The chirping of the birds and the crackling of the swaying leaves sound gently through the silent cabin.

Nathalie is the first to wake up.

Betterfly is still deep asleep, and she’s quick to hop off the cot and put her clothes back on. Her blue gaze focuses on the sleeping man who lies on his back. He seems so vulnerable, so defenseless, she slowly approaches him as her eyes fix themselves on the brooch pinned to his chest. The chest rises and then descends at a slow and unhurried pace. It’s Nathalie who begins to breathe rapidly to what she’s seemingly intending to do.

Close enough, her hand reaches out for the brooch.

Except, there is no found courage within her.

What’s wrong with her?

Why can’t she take it?

It’s practically the perfect opportunity.

Betterfly groans lightly, shifting and moving until his eyes open. Nathalie is frightened, aware that she’s too close to him while standing up. Quickly she moves away.

“You’re up early this time?” His hoarse morning voice sounds.

“I must get going.”

The hero nods. “When will we meet up again?”

“I have a lot of work for the remainder of the week, but I’ll be here on the weekend.”

“I’ll be counting the days,” he stands up, walking towards her to then kiss her lips with such love.

“I will too.” Nathalie pulls away from him, heading towards the door. “See you soon, Betterfly.”

“See you soon, my Nathalie.”

———

“What’s wrong with me!” Nathalie barges in through the door as she screams out loud into her apartment. Her angry voice bouncing off the bare walls of the place, her mistake is only just settling in her bitter heart. “I could’ve grabbed the brooch, it was under my grasp!” She paces in direction to her bathroom, staring angrily at her reflection. “You’re so stupid, Nathalie Sancoeur.” Trembling hands run harshly across the bathroom counter, knocking everything down onto the floor, not caring at all what breaks.

“I won’t fail, I won’t fail, I won’t fail!” She chants as if that will help her regain control of her emotions.

The shower is switched on, and Nathalie begins to undress herself. “Yes, a shower.” She whispers even as her chest continues to heave from her recent burst.

A shower is what she needs.

She must rid herself of Betterfly’s scent. The one that lingers all over her body, so much so that when she inhales deeply, she’s almost sure she can feel him all over again. Although it’s a pleasant scent, she simply cannot have it lingering around any longer. Nathalie steps into the shower, letting the water soak her body, immediately washing away the traces of his kisses on her skin. The least she recalls his passionate nature, the better.

“Why didn’t I react?” The question haunts her as the bubbles of her sweet blossom scented shower gel cover her entire body. “I won't fail next time, I can’t.”

But what exactly will happen next time?

Chapter Text

Time has become an illusion. The months continue to drift away like the moon and stars do when morning arrives, but it seems to be a mere phantom of her mind since she no longer perceives anything the same anymore. Spring wasn’t at all like this for her, not even when she was growing up. But spring is much more magical and beautiful in the forest. The sky is bluer and the leaves are greener. The flowers are fresher and even more vibrant than usual. The cold and howling wind is gone. It’s been replaced with a delicate and delightful warm breeze instead, and whenever she sits at the edge of the river, Nathalie can feel that sweet warmth cradling her hair as it blows gently over the wooded forest. Slowly, she dips her feet into the water. The river flows through the forest with such gentleness, she’s able to hear the sounds the water makes when it falls over the rocks. Inhaling deeply and taking in that spring freshness, the sound of footsteps invades her silence causing her to turn around.

There he is, the man she’s lost herself in. The one she’s been attempting to defeat for months, but it appears that he’s unknowingly defeated her instead. With his kindness and comprehension, with his love and fiery passion.

What has Betterfly done to her?

Why can’t she just take that brooch?

She’s tried. For many months, Nathalie has tried to take the brooch from him. There’s been one too many opportunities yet she glitches every single time, and she hates herself because of it. She hates her weakness and stupidity. Because all he has to do is kiss her, touch her, make her feel loved, and quickly all her courage and determination fade away. Unwittingly losing herself in his arms every single time. It’s become a cycle she can’t stop herself from repeating. There’s guilt and there’s anger within her and through those emotions, exists something else. Something she’s never ever felt before, something she cannot comprehend…

“How’s the water temperature?” He sits behind her, holding onto her shoulders and bringing the back of her head to rest over his chest.

“Still cold but pleasant enough.”

Betterfly fills her hair with kisses, he inhales her scent and for the first time in years, he’s able to understand that he’s deeply in love. “I love you,” he whispers into her ear. Nathalie’s bright blue eyes go wide. In her dreams and grogginess after their passionate encounters, she’s probably heard him utter such words. Yet, she always assumed that it was a product of her own imagination. But now, she’s not sleeping or dreaming, she’s wide awake and those words sound clear as day. “I love you Nathalie,” he repeats, and her heart swells up to the peace he produces in her.

She turns around, their gazes crashing as his chin rests on her shoulder. “You love me?” It’s a question, he can hear it in her somber voice.

“Of course I do.” He smiles, and it all makes her teary and sad. Realizing she has found love in a complete stranger. In a man she is meant to defeat and not love. In a man she will one day betray.

“You’re the melody of my heart and soul. You’re what I love and adore, you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met.”

Her body turns around completely in order to face him, her feet abandoning the cool water. The tears soon betray her and roll down her flustered pink cheeks. “Is that what you’d tell Emilie?”

Betterfly giggles lightly. “You think I’m making it all up?”

“Not exactly,” she shakes her head, “but I know you loved her.”

“I loved her very much.” Betterfly agrees, “but I find something in you that I never found in her. They’re different kinds of love, and I can’t really explain it. All I know is that I love you in a way I’ve never loved anyone.”

The tears continue to flow, wetting her nose and her lips. “Why me?”

“I ask myself the same, but then I look at your beauty and perfectness and all my questions are answered.” She melts in an instant, and he only leans in to kiss her lips with such gentleness and sweetness.

The saltiness of her tears fall on his own lips, and Betterfly softly ends their kiss. “Why are you crying, my dear?”

Nathalie shrugs her shoulders, her hands traveling up to caress his face. The face she doesn’t know, but that’s not something that stops her from feeling the way she does. “I think I love you too.” She finally admits what her heart has been screaming for months.

He smiles with such happiness at her words.

“I love you, Betterfly.” The words resound through the quietness of nature. “I love you like I’ve never loved anyone, but you’re not the man for me.”

She stands up from the grass, quickly slipping her shoes back on her feet, leaving him utterly stunned.

“Nathalie,” he too stands up. Confused by her sudden behavior, Bettefly can only imagine it all has to do with the mask that conceals his identity to her, not knowing he is far from the truth. “Why are you behaving so strangely?”

“You’re not the man for me,” she repeats those words. “You’ll never be the man for me, and I won’t ever be the woman for you.”

“It’s because of my secret identity, that’s why.” He feels awful, knowing he still can’t reveal himself to her.

“It’s more than that.” Nathalie knows deep inside she doesn’t care about the mask. It’s her plans of revenge that don’t allow her to freely love him the way she’d like. “It’s things I can’t explain to you, but they make me a terrible person.”

“You aren’t terrible, how can you say that?” He asks in an attempt to understand her. “You’re the most wonderful person I’ve ever met. You’ve captivated me like no one has ever.”

She sweetly smiles at him, her lips press against his as she relishes in the tenderness of his kisses. “The day is near when you’ll finally understand what I mean.” She mumbles close to his lips as she pulls away from the kiss. Her fingers lingering around his chest, consciously touching the magical brooch pinned to his suit.

“I have to go now.”

Nathalie reaches down for her bag that still lies on the grass. Her feet step over the picnic blanket and the food basket that sits just in front of the river. He’s been so perfect in everything he does, it hurts to know she’s close to betraying him.

“When will you come back?”

“Soon.”

“But when?” He asks with deep concern.

Nathalie says nothing at all while she continues to head in direction to her car parked a few feet away.

Betterfly watches her drive away as an unsettling feeling begins to invade his chest. “What’s gotten into you, Nathalie?”

When she’s sure she’s out of his sight, Nathalie stops her car. Still in the depths of the forest where she has found all the happiness and love possible, she leans against the steering wheel. The tears invade her uncontrollably, and she weeps loudly and bitterly to her misery. “Forgive me, Betterfly,” her broken voice cries out in deep pain.

———

Nathalie returns home rather early.

When she opens the door of her apartment, she gasps in surprise to the sight of Dylan sitting on the couch of her living room.

“What are you doing here?” She immediately asks him. “How did you get in?”

“I have my ways.” The man responds.

“You have your ways?” She repeats his words in annoyance. “What do you mean? Why did you think it was okay to invade my personal space?”

“Relax, Nathalie,” the man says in a nonchalant manner. “We used to live together, don’t you remember?”

She sets her things down, finding his behavior so out of place. “I want you to leave, Dylan. I’m not in the mood for games right now.”

“Games,” he giggles perversely, causing her to feel a wave of nausea that she’s never felt with him before. “We’ve played a lot of games, we’ve been teammates for years. Or should I say rivals?”

“What?” She stares at him in confusion, and he slowly approaches her. Nathalie instinctively steps away as a disturbing sensation begins to emerge between them. “What’s wrong with you, why are you acting so strange.”

Footsteps get closer and closer to her, and Nathalie steps further and further away until she bumps into the wall behind her. So unexpectedly, Nathalie feels trapped in her own apartment.

“I was just saying that you and I have played the same old game for years.” His face leans closer to hers, and Nathalie pretends to not be afraid despite the pounding of her heart.

“Really?” Her voice hides her growing nervousness, “and what game would that be?”

“Cat and mouse.”

Her heart drops down to her stomach.

Only one person has ever used those words with her before.

“What are you talking about?” Her voice grows shaky, “cat and mouse. I don’t play cat and mouse with anyone.”

“Are you sure?” His hand reaches out to touch her cheek in a gentle yet torturous manner.

She harshly pushes his hand away. “Get out, Dylan,” Nathalie exclaims angrily. “I want you to leave right now!”

“That’s no way to dismiss a friend.” A pair of rough hands land on her waist, pulling her close to him with force. “You were asking for it with that hero, I know you were. You wanted to be his the way Emilie Agreste was.”

Blue eyes go wide to his words, her body begins to tremble and Nathalie puts her hands over his wrists.

Her nails dig into the flesh of his skin, attempting to make him let go of her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about!” He yells in a way that frightens her. “You’ve been up to something with him for months, you’re doing what Emilie did.”

“Let go of me!” Nathalie screams as her nails begin to claw him repeatedly. “Get your hands off of me or I will scream loud enough to alert the neighbors.”

The man steps away from her. “I’ll leave-“

“And don’t come back!” Nathalie rushes to the front door, pulling it open. “I don’t want to see you ever again!”

Those words strike him with anger as he steps out of the apartment. Nathalie slams the door shut, locking it and using the latch on top of the door as well. Her heart pounds, her hands sweat, her fears grow. Quickly she rushes to push a large bookshelf in front of the door. She also makes sure the balcony glass door is locked, and the curtains are drawn.

On the other side of that door continues to stand Dylan Monet. He fills with anger, knowing he intends to put their cat and mouse game to an end very soon.

Suspicions have grown through the months.

Nathalie glows in a way similar to Emilie in the weeks before he murdered her. It’s only confirmed to him what he knows deep down.

Paths are the same.

Memories are made.

And Nathalie Sancoeur sleeps in the arms of Betterfly.

“You’ll have Emilie’s same ending.” Then he exits the apartment complex.

Unaware Nathalie is planning her own revenge against his alter ego.

Who shall get who first?

———

Early the next morning, Nathalie arrives at the Agreste mansion. She walked out of her apartment in fear of bumping into Dylan again, but she knew she had to get to work. Elaborating on thoughts is what her night consisted of and now she knows exactly where she’ll go once she gets that brooch…

The gates are opened, and she quickly enters the home. Nathalie intends to go upstairs and into Adrien’s bedroom, but a voice from behind makes her pause.

“Adrien isn’t here.” It’s Gabriel who is barely exiting his atelier.

“Wasn’t he informed that the lesson would be early in the morning?”

“He was informed, but I let him go out with a few friends this morning.” He doesn’t want to upset her, but he can see that he has. “You see, my son never asks to go out, but this outing was important for him, so I agreed on letting him skip tutoring just for today.”

Nathalie sighs heavily. “That’s fine, but I’d like to be informed beforehand. You should know that your home is a bit of a distance from mine.”

“I’m sorry about that, but this was unexpected.”

“I’ll get going then, we can reschedule-“

“Wait,” Gabriel utters in a briskly manner that catches Nathalie by surprise. “Since you’re already here, why won’t you stay for breakfast.” His cheeks crimson at his request.

“I’ve already eaten.” She’s lying, she left her apartment on an empty stomach.

“At least a coffee?”

Nathalie agrees, following him into the kitchen.

As she takes a seat on the tall stools, Gabriel is quick to place a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. “I apologize once again for the inconvenience, but Adrien hardly ever goes out. I didn’t want to deny him the fun, he’s been a little down these past months.”

“I’ve noticed,” she says as she blows into the hot drink. “Is he still asking about what happened to his mother?”

“He’s come to the conclusion that I won’t say anything about it, but I know he’s still deeply troubled. I can see it in his eyes.”

Nathalie drifts her gaze away from him as she thinks that perhaps she can find some way to bring peace to Adrien’s mind once she obtains the brooch, however she isn’t sure how she would do it.

It’s Gabriel who stares at her intensely. Their interaction at the forest yesterday afternoon left him utterly confused. He wishes to see her again, but Nathalie didn’t even tell him when she would return, and that’s not something she’s ever done. In the months that they’ve been seeing each other, she always informs him of when she will return.

The sudden change of behavior frightens him.

“Will you ever be able to tell your son how things really happened?”

“I have to wait, Nathalie.”

“Wait for what?”

How he wishes he could simply tell her the truth of who he is. “You wouldn’t understand...”

“Yes, I know that feeling.” She murmurs through the haze of her bitterness. “The feeling of knowing no one will understand you even if you attempt to explain, so you must keep it all for yourself.”

His heart aches at the fact that he can’t be there for her as he’d wish.

“Have you ever felt like you love someone, but your own plans are greater than that love? It’s things that go beyond the love and joy they produce, despite feeling absolute peace with that person.”

He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t know, but is that something you feel?”

Nathalie slowly nods as tears begin glistening over her pretty blue gaze. The ones Gabriel has learned to love and adore.

“There’s this person I love so much, more than anything.”

It’s a pounce on his own heart.

Nathalie loves him, but then he shatters right there and then. Because Nathalie Sancoeur loves him as Betterfly and not as Gabriel Agreste.

“Who is this person?” He dares ask her.

“He’s a mystery even to me, but I love him regardless.”

“You love him?” He needs to confirm it.

“Like I’ve never loved anyone.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I have a mission I must complete, and I cannot fail.”

“A mission?” He stares at her in confusion, wondering what Nathalie is talking about.

“It’s the things I can’t explain because no one will understand.”

Gabriel boldly yet slowly reaches for her hands, wanting to offer comfort. “I know I’m no one to you, but I’m here if you need me, Nathalie.”

She smiles at him, feeling a deep sense of support.

“Thank you, Gabriel.” Her mind drifts off to Dylan, realizing he was never a true friend. “I think you’re the first real friend I’ve ever had.”

It hurts that he must stand as just her friend. “I’m honored,” he still manages to whisper.

Gabriel walks her to the front door, watching her abandon his home as the uncertainty of their future comes into haunt him.

Nooroo slowly floats out of Gabriel’s blazer, watching through the window as Nathalie disappears into the busy Paris streets.

“If I would’ve known that this was going to happen, I would’ve never suggested you’d go find her after your first encounter at her apartment.”

“Love is a gift I’ve found in her, but now I think it’s been a curse disguised all along.”

“A curse?” The kwami asks, saddened to see his longtime companion in pain.

“Yes, because I won’t ever be able to reveal myself to her.” The tears escape his eyes, rolling down his pale cheeks in a slow pace, “because Nathalie loves Betterfly and not me.”

———

The days have been long and torturous.

Ten days since he last saw her at the forest, and Nathalie is yet to return. They’ve never been apart for this long, and the worst part is that he doesn’t know when she’ll return since she didn’t tell him.

Like everyday since he last saw her, Betterfly waits inside the cabin for her to appear. Hours and hours go by, and there’s no sign of her. He’s ready to head back into the city, wishing he had the ability to go to her apartment. Except, he knows he can’t risk her.

“It’s obvious she isn’t going to come today either,” he utters in sadness.

He wipes his tears away and tidies up the cabin, hoping it’s ready for when she does return.

And just a few feet away from the cabin arrives Nathalie. She stations her vehicle in between two hollow trees, ready to put an end to this nightmare.

Her own personal nightmare, but doing so means she’ll also have to put an end to her little fantasy with Betterfly. She takes a deep breath, attempting to calm her nerves. “Today is the day, I won’t fail.”

Nathalie exits the vehicle, heading towards the cabin. Her eyes scan the beautiful forest one last time knowing she won’t ever return again.

With a heavy heart and a determined soul, Nathalie enters the cabin.

There he is.

Betterfly.

The man she loves but will soon betray.

Betterfly’s eyes go wide to her presence. “Finally, my dear.” He rushes towards her, wrapping his arms around her in a desperate embrace. “I missed you so much.” He cradles her angelic face in between his gloved hands. “Don’t ask me why, but I thought I wouldn’t see you again.”

Those words crush her, knowing this is the last time she’ll see him. “I’m here now.”

“Come,” he tries to pull her further inside in order for them to have a seat but Nathalie tenses, and her legs don’t move at all. “What's wrong, Nathalie?”

“I - I,” she can’t speak. Nathalie only breaks down in tears. “I’m so sorry, Betterfly.” She leans towards him, wrapping her arms around him with deep desperation.

“What for?”

She doesn’t answer, only uttering, “I want you to know that I love you.”

He smiles, his own emotions growing as well. “I love you too.”

That’s something she needs to hear right now, hoping for those words to remain engraved in her memory until the end of time. Then Nathalie leans towards him and presses her lips against his in a desperate kiss. A kiss that reflects all the love she feels for him, but also her overwhelming guilt. The kiss grows stronger and nearly out of control, they’re hands desperately searching for each other as their hearts beat in unison. Betterfly reacts with the same energy she does, reaching out to undo the buttons of her blouse as her fingers lace through his hair. They fall onto the cot, consuming their love like they always have, but this encounter is completely different for her. Nathalie allows herself to enjoy and prolong it as much as she can, needing to memorize it all before she takes the magical brooch and abandons him forever. And when it’s all over, the tears betray her as he settles behind her. His lips kissing the soft skin of her back and as much as she’d like to close her eyes and rest, Nathalie is aware she must remain awake.

Betterfly’s breathing slows down after long minutes of silence, and she’s finally able to confirm that he has fallen asleep. She lets the minutes drift away, making sure he falls deeper and deeper into his slumber.

Slowly, so utterly slowly, Nathalie gets off the cot.

Almost too afraid to breathe, thinking she’ll wake him up, Nathalie searches for her clothes in utter silence.

A muted gasp abandons her throat to Betterfly moving around in his sleep. But as she sees that he’s still deeply asleep, Nathalie continues her silent task.

It’s now or never.

Fully dressed and ready to act, she slowly approaches him.

Betterfly lies on his back like he always does, his chest rising up to then descend back down.

The brooch pinned to his chest glows like she’s never seen before. Her hand reaches out to hover over it, trembling as it does. Her palms are sweaty and her heart is racing. The adrenaline is starting to increase like never before.

“Do it!” The voice inside her commands. “Do it now, Nathalie!”

And she obeys.

Nathalie Sancoeur reaches out to yank the brooch off his chest.

A bright purple light shines around them and as she feels the brooch in between her hands, Nathalie steps away in fear.

It’s almost as if she's lost Betterfly forever, she nearly doesn’t want to look back at who now sits on the cot.

It’s Betterfly who’s eyes snap open in shock to what he’s currently feeling. Thinking he’s in a dream where he’s just de-transformed, Gabriel sits up in confusion.

Nathalie stands in the corner of the cabin, the brooch already pinned to the tank top under her blouse.

“Gabriel Agreste?”

Chapter Text

“No, no, it’s not possible!” That’s all Nathalie is capable of saying, her chest heaving through her labored breathing. She leans further and further into the wooden wall, her extremities are numb and her legs are threatening to give up. Feeling at the verge of collapsing, Nathalie finally lets her back slide down against the wall until her body crashes into the ground beneath her. The brooch is still pinned underneath her blouse, but he doesn’t know that.

Betterfly only looks down at himself, and realizes that he isn’t Betterfly anymore. Now he is just Gabriel Agreste, the man who’s seemingly been playing with Nathalie Sancoeur for months. Ironically, his first thought isn’t that Nathalie has unpinned the miraculous from his chest with the intention of stealing it from him. On the contrary, Gabriel believes she has done it with the intention of discovering his true identity.

Nooroo floats between them as Gabriel stands up from the cot. The emotions are strong and since the second that brooch was unpinned from his holder, the kwami has understood Nathalie’s intentions.

She hasn’t taken it in hopes of revealing Betterfly’s identity.

Nathalie has taken the miraculous with the intention of stealing it. “Gabriel-,” Nooroo attempts to speak in hopes of alerting him, but Gabriel’s hand in the air silences him.

Despite the hectic situation they are now involved in, Gabriel isn’t at all worried.

At least not yet…

He only moves to where Nathalie sits and sobs uncontrollably in the corner of the cabin. Her face is buried into her arms not daring to glance up at the man who she barely even knows. Because now her lovely Betterfly is gone, and she feels as if she’s lost him forever. Slowly, not wanting to frighten her more than what she already is, Gabriel kneels down beside her.

Nathalie can feel him near and despite his gentle nature, she is very afraid. Her hands lift up in a defensive stance, crawling away from him as quickly as she can.

Afraid to have him near.

Afraid to even look at him.

“Don’t get near me.”

Her words crush him. “Nathalie,” he wants to talk to her. “Let me explain this.”

She shifts to the other end of the cabin, they are now face to face but still standing far away from each other. The cot in the middle of the small cabin serves as that unbearable barrier between them.

“Don’t you dare come near me!”

“Please,” he begs.

“I’ve been nothing but a game to you. You’ve seen my face for months, I’ve been through your home countless times, I’ve tutored your son, you even called yourself my friend.” It all seems to make sense now. Everything is falling into place, “how was I so stupid? I should’ve known it was you.”

“Forgive me Nathalie, but you need to understand I had no choice.”

“You had no choice?” She questions him in disbelief at his plain words. “You always had a choice. It was the choice to not humiliate me, to not embarrass me. I can’t even look at you, I don’t know who you are.”

“And what about you?” Gabriel dares ask.

“What about me?”

“You said you’d never ask me to reveal myself, you said you didn’t care.” Foolish it sounds as he repeats her words from months ago. “And look at what you’ve done.” He attempts to get close to her, but Nathalie moves from him, aware she can’t lose the brooch pinned to her undershirt. “Regardless of what you think of me, I did this to protect you. Now you know what The Supreme did to Emilie, I couldn’t let you have her same ending.”

“Nothing excuses the fact that you lied to me the way that you did.”

“Give me back the brooch, we can fix this.”

She shakes her head in denial.

Her actions confuse him.

A look of deep anger and perhaps hatred drifts across her watery blue gaze. “I can’t do that.”

“What do you mean?” His heart begins to pound out of control. “Don’t do this to me Nathalie,” and suddenly, Gabriel begins to feel fear.

“Why do you think I got close to you?”

Gray eyes stare at her with a mixture of fear and disappointment.

“I need the brooch!” She exclaims, and his heart drops down to his stomach. “The Supreme murdered my parents, my little sister died young because of him, and what did the supposed hero of Paris do? Nothing!”

“I know what you’re feeling, that monster stole Emilie from me as well-“

“I won’t stand another day without my revenge,” her harsh voice interrupts him.

“Revenge?” It soon makes sense. “That’s why you allowed me to get close to you? You wanted to steal the brooch from me.” He pauses, a wave of tears streaming down his face. “Have you ever loved me, I mean have you ever loved Betterfly?”

“You should know the answer to that.”

Nathalie is wrong.

Gabriel doesn’t know the answer to that anymore.

They are now just two tormented souls with no apparent direction or purpose. Even if she wants to believe she has a purpose. The one for revenge, not knowing that the destination to that is sickening and cruel to the mind and to the heart.

Taking advantage of his distraction, Nathalie attempts to get through the door.

Nearly pushing it open, but Gabriel catches her arm.

“Let go of me,” she firmly commands.

“You’re not leaving with the brooch, I can’t let you do that.”

Gabriel drags her back into the cabin, pushing her against the wall and getting in front of her. Nathalie feels trapped, the kwami floats near them, knowing he must obey whoever wears the miraculous now.

“I’ll tell everyone you’re Betterfly,” Nathalie threatens him. “I didn’t come this far only for you to stop me. Let me go or I’ll expose you once I return to the city.”

“I don’t know you anymore, but I thought I did,” he whispers in between tears. “All I know is that you never really loved Betterfly.”

Her hands push him away from her.

“You!” She directs her attention to the kwami, “I have the brooch now. I order you to tell me how I must proceed.”

Nooroo hesitates.

“Tell me now!”

“Please don’t say anything, Nooroo.” Gabriel begs, needing to stop Nathalie from committing the biggest mistake of her life. “You’re risking yourself, The Supreme isn’t forgiving and you should know that.”

“Oh I know, but now I know where to go. I know something you don’t.”

Gabriel thinks for a moment. “You know his secret identity.”

“Maybe, but I-,” He rushes towards her again, making her fall silent in shock as he drags her towards the cot in hopes of searching her pockets.

“Stop!” She screams, attempting to escape as she strikes him repeatedly. “Let go of me!” But Gabriel only lies her down at the edge of the disorganized cot, his body serving as the barrier that doesn’t allow her to move.

“I’m sorry,” he says in between her loud screams. “I won’t let you leave with that brooch. Its power isn’t something you understand.”

Nathalie feels his hands wander around her rigid body as her arms tighten around her own torso in an attempt to hide the fact that the brooch is pinned underneath her blouse. Gabriel slips his hands into the pockets of her pants and when he finds them empty, his hands want to move elsewhere. That’s when she directs her attention to the kwami once again.

“You must obey me!” She yells with all her strength upon Gabriel’s body over hers. “I order you to tell me how to transform.”

Nooroo gives Gabriel an apologetic look. “I’m sorry Gabriel, but I must obey her.”

“No!” Gabriel screams. “His hands holding onto hers as he attempts to remove her arms from around her torso.

“You must say ‘Nooroo, light wings rise,’ and that will transform you immediately.”

Using her legs to push him off, Nathalie kicks Gabriel off herself. “Nooroo, light wings rise!”

The kwami is sucked into the brooch almost instantly. The gaps between the buttons of her blouse allow for Nooroo to enter smoothly.

Gabriel stands there in shock.

Now he’s utterly helpless.

Now he’s truly lost.

Quickly he recognizes that it’s his own fault.

“Years ago I pledged my life to this, I’ve finally accomplished it,” the tremble of her voice is noticeable through the adrenaline rushing through her body.

Gabriel stares at her, his heart broken and destroyed. “I can’t stop you now.”

“No one can.” She looks at him one last time before rushing out of the cabin and into the woods.

Disappearing from his sight and from his life.

“It’s all my fault, and I’m sorry Nathalie,” he whispers now that he’s all alone.

———

Gabriel feels lonelier than ever.

Nooroo isn’t by his side anymore, Nathalie hates him, and he’s lost against The Supreme.

At what moment in time did Gabriel Agreste’s life give such a wild turn?

He drives Nathalie’s car into the city, and the first place he drives to is Master Fu’s home. Despite the current situation he is now in, Gabriel can’t bring himself to search for her. At least not yet.

With a somber expression and completely broken, Gabriel walks in direction to the guardian’s home. His hands are inside his pockets and his eyes are redder than they’ve ever been. But no tears are enough to change his reality.

Gabriel Agreste has lost the miraculous of the butterfly.

The woman he loves is on her way to destruction and there’s nothing he can do to stop her.

The scent of herbs and spices immediately invades his nostrils the moment he steps inside. There he spots Master Fu, but the shame he currently feels makes him want to run away rather than stay.

“Master,” it sounds more like a broken plea for help than anything else.

The old man glances up from his position on the floor, his eyes expand to the sight of a disheveled Gabriel Agreste standing at the entrance of his home.

“Gabriel?” Master Fu stands up, quickly going to Gabriel’s side in order to pull him inside. “What’s the matter with you?” He can see the tears in his eyes, and Master Fu can’t remember when was the last time he saw Gabriel cry. “Have a seat, you look terrible.”

The tired and limp body of a seemingly defeated man falls onto the couch of Master Fu’s living room.

“What’s going on?” The man asks. “Why are you like this?”

Gabriel only lets his hands cover his eyes as he begins to sob uncontrollably. No words are enough to explain the mess he is now in, and for years Master Fu and Nooroo have spoken about the consequences of romantic relationships amongst heroes and civilians. As if Emilie’s death hadn’t been enough.

Look at what he’s done now?

“I’ve lost, Master,” Gabriel manages to say in between sobs. “I’ve failed miserably, and there’s no turning back now.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ve lost the miraculous, I’ve lost it forever.” He finally lets out, and Master Fu feels a wave of shock and fear invade him. His chest is invaded with a sharp pain to the reality of losing the last miraculous they had left.

“How?” His mind begins creating endless scenarios, “Did The Supreme-,” he’s almost afraid to utter the words.

“No,” Gabriel interrupts him. “It wasn’t he who took it from me.”

“Then I don’t understand.”

“I did something stupid, something I knew that would put me at risk of losing the miraculous, but I suppose my own heart had more power than my mind. I wasn’t able to stop,” he whispers in such shame, “I lost myself in my own emotions, and now I’ve lost it all.”

“Gabriel,” Master Fu’s most inner voice tells him Gabriel has tripped over the same old stone again. That stone being his own feelings. “What did you do?”

Gabriel hesitates before answering.

Embarrassed for falling into the world of love and bliss once again. “I began a romance with a woman.”

Master Fu sighs heavily.

He was right, after all.

“You revealed yourself to her?”

“No, she didn’t know who I was until the moment she unpinned the brooch from me. She only used me in order to steal the miraculous from me, she never wanted me… She never loved me…”

And that’s what hurts the most.

“Oh, Gabriel.” He almost doesn’t know what to say to the mess they are now in. “Perhaps it’s my fault, you were far too young to be chosen for this mission. I should’ve chosen someone older-“

“No,” Gabriel stops him. “I have no one to blame but myself. I knew what happened to Emilie, that should’ve been enough for me to never initiate a relationship with anyone else again.”

“What have I done to you?” Master Fu unwittingly blames himself for Gabriel’s misfortune.

Gabriel stands up from the couch, moving in direction to the window and staring into the darkness of the night. “The real question is what have we done to the city? What will be of the people?”

He won’t know where to begin.

Where should he search for her?

Then Gabriel arrives home, not before leaving her car outside the apartment complex where she lives.

Hopes came up.

Hoping he’d find her there. Gabriel went into the building, searching but found nothing.

Nathalie wasn’t there.

It’d be too obvious, of course she wouldn’t be there, but Gabriel held onto hope.

Now he’s home.

Lost in his own world of guilt and shame.

Gabriel Agreste is utterly helpless.

———

Nathalie has been hiding at an abandoned apartment complex in one of the most unsafe neighborhoods of Paris. She isn’t afraid, she spotted this building months ago, knowing that’s where she would come once she had the miraculous.

But why isn’t she happy?

Isn’t this what she wanted?

It’s been days of hideout as she prepares herself mentally and physically, but each day that goes by only makes her feel worse. She recalls Gabriel’s face on that last day she saw him. His tears and his disappointment, but then she also recalls what he did to her. Gabriel hid under the mask of Betterfly for months.

Months in which she went to the cabin to see him.

Where he would make love to her as if he hadn't seen her hours prior at his home tutoring his son.

It’s embarrassing.

It’s humiliating.

She hates what he did.

How he so easily was able to lie and manipulate her, making things up about what happened to Emilie, about their relationship. “I shouldn’t feel bad, he lied anyway.” Nathalie wipes away her tears, but the kwami’s stare makes her lose focus. “Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t you think I have the right to be angry about his lies?”

Nooroo shakes his head in sadness. “Regardless of what you may think, Gabriel loves you.”

Nathalie feels her entire heart flutter at Nooroo’s words.

“He’s never loved anyone the way he loves you, and believe me when I tell you that what hurts him the most isn’t that you stole the miraculous. It’s that he thinks you don’t love him.”

“You don’t know that,” her cheeks are red as an apple while she attempts to defend herself.

Nooroo politely rejects her words, “I’m the kwami of transmission. I can sense emotions and I can’t lie. I know exactly what he felt that day, and I also know that you’re pretending to not love him.”

Nathalie stands up from the ground, suddenly feeling extremely exposed and uncomfortable, but Nooroo continues anyway. “You feel guilty because you love Betterfly, and even if you aren’t sure what you feel for Gabriel, we can still fix this. All you have to do is go back to him, give him the brooch. Gabriel won’t be angry. Don’t forget he loves you, please reconsider-“

“Silence!” Nathalie exclaims, and Nooroo can only bring his head down in obedience. “There is no such thing as going back for me. You’re right, and I can’t lie to you.” She begins to accept Nooroo’s words. “I do love Betterfly like I’ve never loved anyone before. I’m also not sure what I feel for Gabriel, but if you really can feel my emotions then you should also feel my hatred and desire for revenge. Feelings that are greater than my love for Betterfly. Even if I never stop loving him, I can’t go back now, and I wish I could have both my revenge and Betterfly’s love, but I know that’s impossible.”

The miraculous fumbles in between her trembling fingers, knowing well she must act soon. “I’ll go to my apartment, get a few things and then it’s time.”

The brooch attaches to her shirt smoothly, and Nathalie utters the transformation words almost immediately. “Light wings rise.”

Heavy footsteps are heard from down the hallway of the building. Nathalie drops the transformation, unlocking her apartment door to let herself in.

It’s been days since she’s come here.

It smells dusty and empty and feels colder than usual. Nooroo floats beside her as Nathalie goes through her small pantry, stocking up on snacks and water.

There’s already clothes inside her bag, she doesn’t need much more. Needing one more thing, she heads in the direction of her bedroom. Except as she’s searching, the sound of the front door frightens her. She goes to hide, slipping under her bed in order to not be seen. Footsteps are heard around the silent apartment, Nathalie holds her breath wondering how on earth someone was able to get in.

Dylan, that’s her first thought.

The footsteps get louder, seemingly getting closer and closer to her bedroom. She can now hear the breathing of the person inside her bedroom, her eyes peek out from under the bed finally spotting a pair of shiny leather boots.

It’s him.

It’s Dylan Monet.

Unaware that Nathalie hides underneath the bed, Dylan takes a seat on the edge of the mattress.

A giggle is heard causing her to silently grimace at the sound. “Where are you, Nathalie?” The man asks himself, “did you run away with your little lover Betterfly.”

Nathalie’s eyes go watery at his comments, perhaps wishing that would’ve been the case.

“Or are you at Gabriel Agreste’s home?”

Nathalie must suppress a gasp upon Dylan’s words.

“That’s where I’ll go look for you.” She almost wants to scream at him to not go, but she can’t expose herself. Not yet…

The man stands up from the bed, ready to head out in direction to Gabriel’s home, and completely unaware that Nathalie Sancoeur will follow him.

———

It’s all from a distance.

The power of the miraculous allows her to stand on the roof of Gabriel Agreste’s home without being seen but to her disadvantage, Nathalie isn’t able to hear much. She only watches as Dylan rings the doorbell, the camera appearing almost immediately.

Words are exchanged and then the black iron gate opens, letting Dylan into the mansion.

Except he isn’t let inside the home.

To Nathalie’s surprise, Gabriel exits the house in order to meet up with Dylan. She watches intently, hoping to grasp onto what is being said.

On the other hand, Dylan oddly tenses up to Gabriel Agreste’s presence. He’s strangely uncomfortable to have him in front of him when he was the one to murder his wife. “Good afternoon,” Dylan feignedly greets.

“How can I help you?” Gabriel asks, only stepping out because the man mentioned Nathalie’s name.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, but I’m looking for Nathalie Sancoeur. I haven’t seen her in a couple of days, and I thought she could be here.”

It’s a sting in his heart. “No, Nathalie hasn’t shown up to work in days,” he must pretend to not know anything. “You’re a friend of hers?”

Dylan nods but says, “her boyfriend actually,” the man lies, and Gabriel’s heart shatters even deeper than before. It’s all a mere hindrance in order to see what reaction he gets from Gabriel. It’s that evil side of Dylan Monet that no one really comprehends.

“Her boyfriend?” Gabriel’s trembling voice mumbles, his throat tightening with pain and his eyes watering with tears. “I didn’t know Nathalie had a boyfriend.”

“Well it’s not like she has to be spilling her personal life at work. Anyway, I’m really worried for her.” Dylan pulls out a small card with his address and phone number. “Please contact me if you have any news about her whereabouts.”

Gabriel takes the card, nearly feeling as if he were to collapse.

What has Nathalie Sancoeur done to him?

What type of betrayal is this?

And just above the roof of his home observes Nathalie as she wonders what on earth Dylan told Gabriel. Wearing the miraculous has given her the ability to sense emotions, and now she can sense Gabriel’s emotions.

Strong but at the same time weak.

Sadness.

Loss of confidence.

Betrayal.

Again, Nathalie feels guilty.

Attempting to ignore it once more, she decides to follow Dylan. Except, the sound of the front door closing loudly catches her attention.

It’s Odette.

Her eyes go wide to the sight of the woman.

Unable to hear what’s going on, Nathalie observes it all with great attention, and for the first time since she met the woman and Gabriel, Nathalie feels a wave of jealousy take over her. Feelings she had never felt before, but now that she knows Gabriel is Betterfly, that’s all changed.

Odette approaches him in a calm and gentle manner. Her eyes free from the anxiousness that has been accompanying her since her breakup with Gabriel. “I’ll be on my way.”

Gabriel nods, “thank you, Odette.”

The sadness is obvious in his gray gaze, and she knows well something is going on. “Is everything alright?” The model asks. “You’ve seemed down these past couple of days.”

“Yes, it’s nothing.”

“I know we aren’t together anymore, but you know you can count on me.”

He smiles, “thank you.”

“I want to tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“Since the campaign launched, I’ll be leaving for New York in about a week. The agency offered me to walk a few shows for New York’s fashion week, and I agreed. I think I need to be away from Paris, and from you.” Her voice is light and soft, her words are genuine.

Calmness glows through her eyes, Gabriel recognizes the effort in her. Slowly and sweetly he walks closer to her, reaching for her hands. “I wish you all the best, and you know I’ll be pleased to work with you again so long as you remember to keep everything professional.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she lightly giggles.

A gentle kiss is left on her knuckles by him, always marked with that kindness that characterizes him.

That wave of jealousy and bitterness grows within Nathalie’s heart upon witnessing such a moment.

Perhaps Odette was right all those months ago.

Despite loving Betterfly, Gabriel Agreste isn’t for Nathalie and she sees it now. She glances down at Odette, a model who belongs to his world of fashion and elegance. “He has his woman, and that’s not me,” the tears unwittingly betray her. “I have my mission, my revenge is all that matters.” And Nathalie silently leaps away, needing to follow Dylan.

———

More and more days go by.

Days in which both Nathalie and Gabriel feel utterly helpless. Even if she has the miraculous, it’s hard for her to proceed.

“Today is the day.” Nathalie says out loud, gathering her courage in order to proceed. “I will confront Dylan. He either knows more than what he’s said all these years, perhaps he works for The Supreme, or maybe he is The Supreme...”

Chills invade her to the mere thought.

Nooroo doesn’t attempt to talk her out of it anymore, he can only obey. “I will escape my misery, I will have my vengeance.”

Destiny is an old storyline that perhaps has its own rules. Rules no one really understands as it takes unexpected turns and twists. Because it’s destiny that has made both Nathalie and Gabriel unknowingly arrive at Dylan’s home at the same moment. But it’s she who doesn’t notice him arriving.

Gabriel’s heart goes wild with the rapid pounding.

His body goes numb.

There she is, “Nathalie,” and it comes out as a murmur through his riding breath. The name of the woman he loves and adores despite her recent betrayal. She’s everything he’s ever dreamed of and yet, they are destined to remain apart through the circumstances. Their shared moments are engraved deep inside him, hidden away from the world but on display to his hurting heart. Eventually, he hides behind the steering wheel of his car as Nathalie goes up the steps to then enter the home.

Deciding to come to Dylan’s home wasn’t easy, he wanted to ask about Nathalie, but now he’s glad that he did come. He’s finally seen her, and he won’t let her get away this time. Gabriel allows for Nathalie to fully enter the place, he then exits his vehicle. He walks in the direction to the townhouse, finding that the door has remained open after Nathalie entered.

This is his only chance.

Gabriel quietly pushes the door open, allowing himself inside. The living room is empty, so he walks further inside.

The walls are thin and the ceilings are high.

Walls that are shared with the neighboring units nearby. Sounds are coming from the kitchen, Gabriel can hear them. “Nathalie,” Dylan exclaims in surprise.

“I heard you were looking for me.”

“How did you get in?” His eyes scan her with nervousness at her unexpected presence.

“I have my ways.” She only repeats what he said to her all those weeks ago when he invaded her apartment without permission.

“You disappeared for weeks. I know you didn’t want to see me again, but I did go searching for you.” He glances down at her feet since the sound of her flats tap rather annoyingly into the marble floor of his kitchen. “Where have you been?”

“I did something magnificent, something the villain of Paris has been attempting to do for twenty-three years.”

His eyebrows narrow in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“I will be straightforward with you, Dylan.” Nathalie stops the tapping of her foot, creating a deafening silence around them. “Tell me what really happened the night my father saw The Supreme’s face, and I won’t have anymore of your lies.”

Trapped and exposed, that’s what he feels.

What has Nathalie truly discovered?

How will this unexpected encounter end?

Chapter Text

In the dimly lit kitchen, Nathalie Sancoeur waits for the words of the man she’s begun to suspect. Years she’s waited for this moment and with the miraculous of the butterfly tightly clasped onto her rising chest, Nathalie prepares herself to act. Her heart racing with every passing breath, the adrenaline pumping through her body. Similar to when she’s had encounters with The Supreme, that’s how she currently feels.

Dylan Monet stands utterly still in front of her. His eyes are dark, darker than she’s ever seen. A figure cloaked in the shadows of the dimly lit kitchen and for the first time in years, Nathalie doesn’t recognize him. Almost as if he were an utter stranger, someone she doesn’t know. Yet, she doesn’t stay behind to this sudden unfamiliarity growing between them. Her eyes glow with vengeance and hatred, she expects the truth and won’t have anything less than that. Her family was murdered, their absence stings every single day. A heart fueled by rage and sadness, that only waits for revenge.

“Nathalie,” the man begins. “I’ve told you all I know, there is nothing more to say.”

“I suppose you’re wondering why I’m asking you this?”

The man only nods.

“Cat and mouse,” she lets out.

“What?”

“You know what I’m talking about.”

A thought crosses his mind.

The thought to end her life.

After all, Dylan has wanted to end their game for weeks now.

A loud chuckle abandons his throat, shivers invades her to the sound of his unamused laughter. “Tell me, Nathalie.” He won’t lie anymore. “What does the game of cat and mouse consist of?”

She doesn’t answer.

“I’ll tell you,” the man says, seeing she won’t respond. “The cat plays with the mouse, knowingly and willfully. After all, the cat’s intention is to kill the mouse.”

“You have that instinct?” She boldly asks.

“I always have.”

Her anger rises and in a quick movement, Nathalie lunges at him. A force, almost unknown to her. She uses all her strength to push him into the counter nearby. “Tell me what happened the night my father saw The Supreme’s face!”

A sinister smile paints his lips. “Lucas was naive just as you are. Years knowing me, yet you haven’t realized who I am.”

With a tremble she asks, “you’re The Supreme?”

“What do you think?”

Suddenly it all makes sense.

Feet step away with caution. “I can say the same about you. Years knowing me, yet you never realized I’d be the one to get what you’ve been wanting for years.”

“I only want one thing.”

“I know you do.” She utters with deep satisfaction, “you want the miraculous of the butterfly.” She doesn’t wait, but instead transforms before his eyes.

Almost immediately, Nathalie becomes a fierce warrior who’s only mission is to destroy the one who destroyed her first.

Dylan stands there in shock.

“This is my greatest revenge.” The man backs away in utter shock. “I have what you’ve wanted for years, and now I know that you’re nothing but a pathetic man. How long have you fought for this?” She laughs at him in a mocking manner.

“Shut up!” He exclaims. “Give me the brooch, Nathalie or I’ll kill you the way I killed your father. He was an idiot, he begged for mercy, but I showed him none, and that’s what I’ll do to you.”

“No!” She exclaims in return. “You shut up. I’m powerful now, I can destroy you the way you destroyed my family.”

Once again, Nathalie lunges at him.

This time, Gabriel who continues to lurk nearby watches through the window on the kitchen door. Stunned by their words, Dylan Monet is The Supreme. Gabriel is aware he cannot enter the kitchen just yet. As much as he wants to help, he knows he’s completely helpless. He can only watch with a mixture of admiration and dreadfulness to what is about to occur.

The kitchen gets noisy.

Plates and pots crash onto the floor. “I have a miraculous as well!” The man yells as he is under Nathalie’s grip. “Longg, bring the storm!”

He transforms, instantly kicking her off of him.

The battle rages on.

Nathalie isn’t afraid.

Her only thought is her family.

The sight of Camille’s precious eyes on her final night.

The kitchen transforms into a battlefield. Nathalie fights him with all her strength and willingness. “It’s the end this time!”

“What will you do?!” He asks as he uses the sword to protect himself from her blows. “Will you kill me?”

There’s no answer.

Not yet.

Each strike is done as the haunting memories of the night he murdered her family replays within her damaged memory. Fueled by the love she has for her parents and sister, Nathalie finally is able to get on top of him, trapping him under her body. “I swore I’d have you like this.” Gloved hands move to his throat, forcefully pressing down on him. “I am the invincible one, this vengeance is mine!”

Except, as she’s about to squeeze the life out of him, a voice from behind makes her pause.

“Nathalie!”

It’s Gabriel Agreste.

Nathalie freezes.

Her strength diminishes, her heart flutters to the mere sight of him despite the current situation she is in. “Please don’t.” He pleads. “Don’t become a murderer like him. You’re better than that, my love.”

Her world collides between Gabriel’s words and the raging fire of her aching heart. “Leave,” she whispers. “Don’t watch this. I am what I am, he made me this. Leave, I beg you.”

“Not without you, Nathalie. Please let go of him, you don’t deserve to spend your life in prison for a criminal like him.”

Her hands release Dylan.

Finding the perfect opportunity, Dylan kicks Nathalie off of him. Unleashing his power, ready to kill her as he mentioned on numerous occasions, blinded by his own desire to be unstoppable, The Supreme lifts the sword up, aiming it in both Gabriel and Nathalie’s direction.

It’s a blur, Nathalie stands protectively in front of Gabriel, but for a turn of events, The Supreme trips over a pot lying on the kitchen floor. A twist to his wrist is enough for the sword to enter straight into his heart. Blood fills the place immediately.

Dylan Monet, The Supreme has killed himself.

He mumbles a bit, Nathalie stares in disbelief.

A mixture of victory and despair.

Gabriel kneels beside him, quickly checking for a pulse and finding none. “He’s dead.”

Her eyes go wide, Dylan Monet is dead.

Who would’ve thought.

The Supreme became his own executioner.

Now she knows, her revenge came with an unexpected twist. It's the price of having to carry such a thing for the rest of her life.

———

Betterfly has returned.

The hero stands at the top of the Eiffel Tower as he delivers a speech regarding the defeat of the man who taunted Paris for twenty-three years. As he leaps down from the tower, the media is there as expected. Microphones are aimed at him, questions come flying in one after another. “Betterfly, Betterfly,” the reporters exclaim. “How did you know The Supreme lived in that place? Was there a tip?”

He shakes his head. “I’ve said all that needs to be said, I won’t answer anymore questions. Just know that The Supreme has been defeated, and all the miraculous will be placed under the guardian’s care.” Betterfly finally leaps away, going in direction to Master Fu’s home. He drops his transformation, entering the old man’s house with deep relief, thinking that this day would never come.

“I was waiting for you.”

“Master,” Gabriel kneels down beside him. “I’ve brought you all the miraculous, including the butterfly.”

Master Fu smiles. “Deep down, I knew this day would come. You finally did it, Gabriel.”

“We did it.”

“How did it happen?”

“It was a coincidence more than anything.”

“How so?”

“I arrived at Dylan Monet’s house, there I found Nathalie. She confronted him about the murder of her family, and he eventually admitted he was The Supreme.”

“She willingly gave you the butterfly brooch back?”

Gabriel sighs heavily, recalling the moments after Dylan’s death is incredibly difficult. “It was hard for her, but I think-,” he pauses for a moment.

“You think what?” Master Fu asks upon Gabriel’s silence.

“Perhaps there might be some love in her heart for me.” His cheeks go warm and his stomach sways to the mere thought.

“I know there is.” Nooroo suddenly says, floating in between the two men. “That’s what made her stop, Gabriel. That love she feels for you made her react before it was too late. Your mere presence was enough to make her revengeful heart ease up.”

He smiles, a wave of hope slowly wriggles in.

Maybe just maybe, all isn’t lost...

———

Nathalie stares blankly into the ceiling of her bedroom, the moonlight casting gently over her bed which subsequently creates the softest shadows over her weary body. The memories of what occurred yesterday evening continue to feel unreal and unbearable. Her heart had been consumed in a deep desire for revenge. An unimaginable feeling of rage and despair that nearly led her to commit such a heinous act.

“I was about to become him,” she whispers into the darkness of her bedroom, her voice broken to the mere thought of what she was about to do. “I was about to become The Supreme.”

Only being in such a situation made her realize that she was wrong about it all. Years of wanting only that, but there exists no such thing as the perfect vengeance, and now she knows that.

“If it hadn’t been for him.” Because on that day, Gabriel Agreste saved her in a way no one else would have ever done, and she wouldn’t be here now but instead in a jailhouse awaiting a trial for murder. And now she realizes that Gabriel isn’t the horrible person she thought he was. Perhaps her thoughts were on a rollercoaster as she unmasked him and discovered he is Betterfly, yet these memories are like nothing she’s ever felt before. His loving gaze and unwavering kindness continue to linger around her healing heart like the most precious thing ever. He pulled her back from her mistake, bringing her into reality once more.

Leaving Dylan’s home was a long process.

Betterfly brought her into his embrace, leaping into the skies and taking her back to her apartment.

Surreal it was to be in Betterfly’s sweet and warm embrace again. He kissed her forehead, and said goodbye.

He promised no one would know she was at Dylan’s home that day nor that she had stolen the miraculous of the butterfly. But despite all his words, all Nathalie wanted to hear was that he’d return to her, but he didn’t say that.

How she wishes he would’ve promised to return.

She misses him deeply.

Warmth and love spread through her body, and there’s a flicker of hope. Nathalie realizes that she loves him. In the purest yet most intense form possible. A love that can heal even the deepest wounds and as she closes her eyes, a single thought sprinkles over her heart. Imagining a love where their souls will mingle together, free from the ghosts of the past.

And on the other side of the city, Gabriel Agreste calls her name.

Drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

He’s the moth.

She’s the flame.

Will there exist a life for them?

Perhaps there is something there. And just like her, Gabriel holds onto hope.

Chapter Text

Weeks turn into months. Long months of missing each other. They whisper each other’s name in a sad melody of silent sobs and moist tears, and Nathalie has begun to realize that Gabriel isn’t going to come back.

At first, she wanted alone time.

She needed it in order to properly heal from all that occurred. But now, her heart aches and falls into a place of deep sorrow thinking she may never see him again. At night, she’ll drive by his house, the lights are off, telling her that he and his son rest.

Tears flow like a cold river as she thinks she’s lost him forever. And maybe that’s what she deserves, her brain screams at her. After all, she did steal the miraculous from him, only searching for her own benefit. Then she wonders if he misses her the same way she misses him.

Unbeknownst to Nathalie, he probably misses her more than she misses him. His nights are similar to hers and throughout the months, Gabriel has secretly driven by her apartment. Finding her car parked outside is such a relief. Knowing she’s inside that building gives him comfort and peace.

Yet, Gabriel hasn’t been brave enough to take it a step further. He only limits himself to stare at her apartment window from a distance, but never goes inside. The thought of her rejecting him makes him afraid and weak. So he’s kept his distance, not knowing Nathalie cries for him every single night.

Until one evening, Nathalie finds herself at the edge of the wooded forest. His absence hurts too much, she needed to find a way to escape her misery for once. Months of not coming here, it almost feels like home. Her heart is heavy with memories of Betterfly. Their nights together were filled with passion and laughter, but also filled with unspoken secrets and broken promises. Where she promised she’d never ask him to reveal himself yet she unpinned the brooch from him. The reality of that hurts, and she recognizes her mistakes now.

As she continues to walk through the forest, she spots the cabin. Her heart flutters, the memories of his fingers dancing along her skin causes her to burst with that sweet love. The sweet love he produced and gave. And now she knows that the love and passion that brought them together will never disappear even as it seems she’s lost him forever.

Tired and lonely, Nathalie takes a seat on a nearby log. Too afraid to enter the cabin, knowing her heart cannot take it.

Months of not seeing Gabriel Agreste, the man who unwittingly stole her heart, but just then… A figure silently emerges through the shadows of the forest.

Slowly, Nathalie stands up. “What is that?”

The figure gets closer and when she sees the outlines of the cape, Nathalie gasps in surprise.

“Betterfly?” For a moment, she thinks her mind is playing tricks on her. But it is him, it’s Betterfly.

With his piercing gaze and soft smile.

Their eyes lock as time seems to stand utterly still, fading away the difficulty of their past and leaving only the echo of unspoken words and their lingering love for each other.

His heart goes wild.

Months of coming here, and not once had he seen Nathalie.

“Nathalie?” He can’t help but whisper she probably didn’t even notice.

They're close to each other now, standing there in shock. No words are spoken, Nathalie only lunges at him in a desperate embrace. Betterfly hugs her in return, bringing his arms to wrap around her tightly.

Her heart races, thinking he’ll push her way but he doesn’t. “Betterfly,” she finally mumbles softly as her tears flow down her cheeks. “I’ve missed you so much.”

His heart shrinks. “I’ve missed you too, my dear.”

And as he has her in his arms again, Betterfly knows their love continues to exist. Passing through the fires and longing was perhaps all worth it because before he notices, Nathalie’s lips are on his. It's a kiss full of love and warmth as they get familiar with each other’s touch once more.

But he gently stops her. “Can we talk?”

Nathalie nods, taking a seat on the log, and he mimics her action. The weight of the past months begins to hang heavily over them as silence comes through again.

“I’m sorry,” he begins. “I’m sorry I left you alone all these months, but I was afraid you wouldn’t want me again.”

Nathalie quickly shakes her head. “All I’ve wanted is you.”

His heart burst with joy. “Really?”

She nods. “I’m sorry for what I was when we met, but in our months together, I did learn to love you.”

“You love Betterfly, not me.” And suddenly, Betterfly de-transforms, becoming Gabriel Agreste once again. “Will you ever love me?”

“I already love you.” Her hands reach out to grab his hands. Finally free from the gloves and the masks, free from the secrets and the pain. “I have loved you since the moment you saved me. I wouldn’t be here if not for you, and it was you who did it Gabriel, not Betterfly.”

“Oh, my Nathalie.” He kisses her cheek then her hands. “I must say I’m sorry too. Sorry for lying about who I was. I’m sorry because our relationship started with lies and secrets.”

“Can we fix this?” She whispers.

“Yes.”

He kisses her.

And for the first time, Nathalie realizes that she’s kissing Gabriel Agreste and not Betterfly.

Lips taste the same, but the mask is gone.

Her hand slowly goes to caress his face, finding only his glasses and nothing else.

“Adrien misses you.” He says as they pull apart.

“I miss him too.”

“Will you tutor him again?”

“If you let me?” She shyly murmurs, her lips still near his.

He nods. “And will you let me be the man who loves you as me and not the hero of Paris? Let me give you the world.”

Tears of happiness invade her. “Yes,” is Nathalie’s response. Because she wants everything he’s willing to give her.

Their love once overshadowed by desires of revenge is now able to blossom in the most beautiful way possible. Because she won’t ever have to say goodbye nor this ‘vengeance is mine’.