Art credit: Mona Edulesco

One might ask why a certain hero chooses to lurk in the streets of Paris in the dead of night.

If I had an honest answer, it would be to sate the growing fervour at the hollow of my chest. After all, in a place like Paris, the time of day can only mean so much.

Midnight.

I stand here like all the nights before, perched on top of the Eiffel Tower with no intention to climb down.

My eyes wander over the miniature bodies walking in and out of buildings.

Even into the wee small hours, the city's still alive and bustling as ever, a wonder to look at. It's also a time when Parisians are the most vulnerable. Maybe that's why I'm on patrol today. It surely doesn't have to do with the fact that I've been feeling overwhelmed as of late.

Okay. Maybe a little.

For me, it is the best time to cool off and to forget.

Paris did seem to be the most beautiful place to be in. The night sky view of the city is simply astonishing. Looking over all the people, hearing the distant sound of church bells and the soft wind against my ear, the atmosphere felt just right and normally that would be reason enough to calm me down. But that's not the case tonight.

Ever since Queen Wasp's appearance, it feels like I have no time left. I am this close to finding Hawkmoth, to end his miserly games once and for all.

To finally rid Paris of this terror...

It's hard to accept after futile searching but perhaps that's why I'm here; to fulfil this hope that I will find him soon. Maybe this day would be different. Maybe not. Soon feels too far away.

I jump down onto a ledge having little consideration for myself, only thoughts of what step I should take next.

My feet move on their own. Due to the lack of sleep, it takes me a moment to realise where I'm headed. I feel a familiar uneasiness form in the pit of my stomach as I mindlessly leap into place.

My mind is set on a destination. I lunge my way towards where I had spent my patrols for a few nights now.

Somewhere north-west of Notre Dame, encompassing the Pont au Change that bridged the Seine from the Saint-Chapelle to Place du Châtelet.

I completely enshrined that area in my mind. I sensed it when I had my vision.

Feeling indeed confident, I had been scouting the spot every night since then, trying to find something that resembled the images I'd seen in my head.

An observatory. A large circular window with the frame of a papillon. Tons and tons of butterflies.

It felt like a transient taste of triumph, fleeting at the tip of my tongue. A phantom. So ravishing, it felt intoxicating. What I would give to feel that sensation of fuel in my veins again.

Strangely, of course, there's not one observatory in the area that has a large circular window with the frame of a papillon.

Hawkmoth's pretty good, I hate to admit. Everything he's done so far feels so well-thought-out and articulate as if he's been planning this for a long time now. He undoubtedly disguised his hideout.

What's up with villains and hideouts?

I pout, finding that the question felt redundant at this point. Of course, Hawkmoth has a secret lair hidden somewhere in Paris.

That means we're looking for someone who's loaded enough to own a secret lair, to disguise it. Someone who's also isolated enough to make sure no one knows about it because literally, NO ONE knows about an observatory in the area. Not even Master Fu who's been living here for who knows how long.

I leap past Saint-Chapelle, carefully scanning the buildings one by one like I'd done these past few weeks, as I make my way up to Notre Dame.

Do I know any lonely rich guy who has too much time on their hands?

I ponder, grudgingly. Paris is filled with desolate rich people.

But, of course...

One person comes into mind. I grimace at the thought of him, more so the strike of denial that makes bile rise in my throat.

I snap out of my thoughts with a shake of my head. I did not want to go through the same reflections of regret again. Right now, my main focus is finding Hawkmoth, or rather his location, to be precise.

"I'm finished with this side of the river..." I speak to myself as I turn to face the other side of the banks with slight unwillingness. Another persistent predicament.

It takes some time for me to clench my fists with resolve. No matter how much I discern the overwhelming urge to leave, it has to be surveyed like all the other streets.

With a heavy sigh, I drop onto a roof, detaching my whip and placing it back on my holster as I stare across the place I always dread to look at.

Agreste mansion, encompassing Place du Châtelet.

"The coincidences keep on piling up, huh..." I mumble as I breathe shallowly. His mansion is in the area I'm patrolling. Fantastic.

Even though I knew already, every time I'd pass by his mansion felt like an unshaken stone wall for me to pass through which was mostly my conscience trying to convince myself it was too far-fetched. But honestly, I knew it wasn't.

Adrien...

My thoughts are mangled with strange conspiracies of a particular Agreste. I remember Master Fu's words of warning, that whoever had possession of the grimoire would most likely be...him.

I click my tongue as guilt washes within my chest like a flood.

Only for now...

I take a deep breath and survey the area like the nights before. But something's different this time. Adrien's window is open.

My breath hitches as I wonder if it'd be okay to peek in for a second.

Not stalker-ish at all.

I swallow hard, trying to get a closer look at his location from behind a roof chimney. Surprisingly, he's still awake. Well, I am too, only for different reasons.

He's on his desk, watching something on his computer. I can't get a clear look at his face from my angle but the way he taps his foot anxiously is apparent. Whyever would he be awake?

I try to take a peek at his computer screen when all of a sudden he pushes his chair and rolls around bored before he finally turns to the open window. Alarmed, I duck my head to make sure he doesn't notice me.

Even though I am probably a little far ways from his line of sight anyway, it feels dreadful to see his face at the moment, considering why I'm here. I'd rather not take any chances.

He surely didn't see me.

My heart races in panic as I beat the urge of checking whether he saw me or not.

Did he?

I peek through a crack between the chimney I've ducked under. He's not there.

My shoulders relax when I realise he's probably gone to the bathroom or somewhere else.

Of course, he can't see me from this far.

"Stop it, you creep." I reprimand myself for my behaviour, continuing to smack my feverish face before turning to leave. I take a glance back before exhaling steadily, a frown setting upon my lips.

Then, with a heavy heart, I whisper a silent goodbye, grabbing my whip to swing away.

.

"I assume you still haven't gotten any luck after your last patrol." Master Fu takes a sip of his tea, placing it back onto the table between us. I hum in a frustrated tone with a lazy shake of my head, gazing blankly at the steam rising from my teacup.

It hadn't been long since my last visit to his shrine. Being in Master Fu's presence oddly made me feel comforted, like a warm duvet on a cold stormy night.

"It's been a while since Hawkmoth last akumatized Chloé," I state sourly, taking a sip. "He probably knows we're onto him."

"Ah." I hear him hum.

"That is highly possible. But more of a reason we're certain he fears we're closer to uncovering his identity, as you promised." He says offering a bit of consolation to calm my displeasure.

"Still not close enough..." I mumble softly but he catches my words.

"You certainly have a lot in your mind." He says, trying to catch a glance from me as I evade his gaze. "There's no point in hiding your true feelings, (Y/N). Are you disappointed you haven't found Hawkmoth yet?"

No words leave my mouth, just a strangled nod that earns a troubled look from him.

"Frustrating...is what it is, Master." I exhale the breath I didn't know I'd been holding. "What's the point in scouring for a destination without knowing where to start?" I grumble, unable to hold my frustration at this point.

"All this time...I thought..." I grip my hands tightly under the table furiously, unable to let out my frustration.

"It all feels so futile..."

He takes another sip of his tea when I turn to him, sending me a sympathetic look.

"You say that like you already know what you're going to find." He says. I purse my lips at that.

"Tell me, Primvère Rosé. What is it that you think you'll find?" He asks inquisitively and a small sigh leaves my lips. The look on his face tells me he knows something I don't.

"I fear...that I might find something that I won't like." I look at him regretful of my thoughts. He gazes at me with concern.

"Is that so?"

I nod slowly. He places his palms together and turns to me wholely, letting a few moments of silence pass between us.

"You must be ready to face whatever the truth brings forth, (Y/N). No matter how much you think that it is going to be challenging for you. It is the only way we can get rid of Hawkmoth once and for all." He says begrudgingly which makes me look down in despair.

"I know, Master. It's just that I don't have much to work with..." I say, placing my head on the table poutingly.

"What you have discovered is far more valuable than you think, (Y/N)." Master Fu responds, and I know it's true. "Searching for an answer is not always easy. But as long as one keeps seeking, the answer will build itself towards you." He says sincerely. His wisdom sparks a light in me.

I chuckle at his words, turning to him with a small smile.

"Jeez, Master Fu. Where'd you learn that?" I mutter with which he laughs.

"Something a little fortune cookie told me." He winks jokingly, "Nevertheless, wise words from a delicious snack."

We share a hearty laugh at the fact and I face him again, this time a little less dejected.

"I get your point, Master Fu. I'm just feeling impatient, I guess." I admit, pressing my arms together for ease.

"You're already on the right track. You just need to recentre yourself and let the destination take you towards it."

I agree with a sharp nod, trying to soothe my restlessness.

My willpower feels replenished as I lift the cup from the table and take my final sip, ready to leave.

"Right now, you require a bit of relaxing." The old man says as we rise from our seats and head to the entrance.

How desperately I wish to find Hawkmoth, to bring him down once and for all. But that can wait, for a few hours at least. What I need now is peace of mind, a distraction.

"Maybe I can give you a soothing massage using a technique I learned from my old days," He suggests, making me chuckle.

"Although that does sound very tempting..." I say heartily, "I'm hanging out with my friends this afternoon. Maybe next time."

He laughs noddingly as he shows me to the door.

"Tell Marinette I said hi." He says and I nod as I wave at him. "I will. Goodbye, Master Fu." I wave and trudge down the shrine steps.

Seven pokes her head out of my pocket.

"You told Marinette you were going to patrol this evening." She sounds relieved at my change of plans.

"I did, but it's been too long since we've had a nice day off. Don't you think?" I say to her who nods back at me. I pull out my phone from my pocket and dial Marinette's number, letting out my held breath as I try not to think about my troubles for the evening.

"Yes, this is Marinette, your BFF and super-buddy! How can I help?" Just hearing her voice makes me feel better already.

"Hey, Marinette." I can't contain the smile her goofy tone brings me. "Are we still up for tonight?"

"OH, YES...yes, of course!"

"Alya's place?"

"Yeah, and we're going to the Ferris Wheel for tonight's firework show!"

The sound of having a night out with my friends feels like bliss and a way better distraction than sulking at home.

"Count me in," I say although with a little hesitation in my tone. Surely, she notices it.

"No patrolling tonight?"

"Eh. Changed my mind. I need to 'relax and recentre' as Master Fu says. It might help me refresh my mind from all the unfruitful nights of worthless wander. Sounds nice. He also says 'Hi' to you and Tikki."

She giggles, "That's great! I was worried you were going to turn into a vampire looking at all the patrolling you were doing."

I laugh lightheartedly at that. "Not turning into Dracula yet, Marinette. It's not like one day of no patrol can make a difference."

She laughs with me and I can hear Tikki quipping in the background.

"Alright, nighthawk. See you then~"

"Yeah, see you later, superbug." I hang up, sighing at the gentle reprieve that lifts the weight off my shoulders.

"Let's take it easy, alright, Seven?" I say as I make my way to Alya's apartment.

End Chapter.

Gimme a kith. (︶ε╰✿)

I know I've been deviant. *DBH Connor's theme blasts through the speakers* :')