Authors Note: I am already several chapters ahead, waiting to be posted. Please leave a comment letting me know what you think. I am trying to stay as true to the characterization as possible. While I do enjoy the English Dubbed version of the show, I also love the French names used and seen in many fanfictions. This story will use a combination of both versions.
This fic does take place before Season 2, so we will not be seeing any spoilers. However, we will see a reveal at some point.
Adrienette ship.
I will update a new chapter for every 5 reviews that come in. Enjoy!
A Miraculous Makeover
Chapter 1: Defiance
"Adrien," Gabriel Agreste said, his voice cold and monotone. He stood facing the painting of his wife, his back turned to his son.
"Father?" The blond boy fidgeted. He heard a small click as Nathalie softly left the room and closed the door behind her. Adrien cringed, suddenly wanting nothing more then the presence of the assistant that protected him from his fathers wrath. Why did she have to go and leave me in here alone? He internally groaned.
"I'm disappointed in you, Adrien," Gabriel continued, his hands unlinking from behind his back to drop at his side. He continued to stare at the painting. "We had agreed you would continue your lessons and photo shoots in exchange to going to," he paused thinking of the word, "public school." There was a hint of disgust in his voice.
"But I have Father!" Adrien frowned, knowing that he occasionally missed a lesson, but he always managed to make it up. The life of a super hero did keep him busy, but he did everything he could to keep to Nathalie's schedule. Have I done something wrong latley? He couldn't help but wonder why his father had called him into his office.
Gabriel signed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he turned to face his son. "Nathalie tells me you miss lessons all the time. You have several accounts of being late to school or leaving class early. You repeatedly manage to slip your body has been going on for far too long."
Adrien flinched, knowing all he said was true. He didnt bother to come up with an excuse.
"I've been mindful of your needs the last two years, Adrien. I even allow you time to spend with your friends, when time allows." Adrien could tell that last bit was added as an after thought. "For two years I have said nothing, letting you have your freedom, but this has got to stop."
"Gee, thanks." Adrien crossed his arms over his chest and turned slightly looking away from his father and out the window instead. "It's not like you and I get to spend any time together. You're busy so you keep me busy. Its no wonder why I miss lessons. I do have to think of myself sometimes."
Adrien was met with silence, but he refused to look at his father.
Gabriel took a hesitant step forward before returning to his stoic position. "You know I am very busy with work, Adrien. And you have obligations."
"Yea, so I'm told." He turned to look at his father, his green eyes slanted in fury. "I try to follow Nathalie's schedule as best I can, I really do. My friends are always inviting me out but I never seem to have enough time to do the things with them." Arms still crossed, he glared at his father. "And sometimes I just need the freedom away from this prison, with no body guard, just so I can be myself."
"Prison?" Gabriel questioned. "This is your home. This is where I know I can protect you."
"Don't you get it? I don't need protecting! I have awesome friends, Paris has two superheros, police are everywhere. Why do you feel like I need protection?"
"Because you are my son and I said so," was Gabriel's response. "There is a mad man out there turning people into monsters..."
"And Ladybug and Chat Noir always step in and save the day," Adrien interrupted. "Nothing bad ever happens."
"That won't always be the case," his father argued, glaring down at his son.
"But if you dont let me be my own person..." he trailed off. "I'm not going to want to model forever. I want to do something with my life. I need to experience… "
"Enough!" Gabriel shouted, his authority taking over the conversation and putting a stop to the argument.
Silence ensued, both father and son glaring at each other, the tension building in the room.
Adrien, tired of the way his father refused to acknowledge him and his needs, mumbled something inaudible before turning to exit the room. He reached for the door knob when his fathers voice stopped him.
"You have not been excused."
Adrien was fuming on the inside. His usual cool and collect self, the boy Gabriel had raised him to be, was quickly fading. He spun around. "Do you really think I need your permission to leave?"
Gabriel raised an eyebrow in surprise at his sons tone.
"I'm sick and tired of you telling me what to do. I have been your top model since before mom even left, have done everything you have asked of me, and you still treat me like some nuisance you can control as you see fit. I'm your damn son! But you can't even be bothered to spend time with me, or let me live my life the way I want."
"Adrien." Gabriel's voice held no tolerance at his son's sudden outburst. "You will apologize to me immediately. And you will continue to do as I say without question."
Adrien let out a strained laugh. "You want me to apologize? How about you be a father and you apologize to me instead?."
The two glared at each other, neither sure of where this conversation was going.
A knock interrupted their fuming. Nathalie opened the door and poked her head in. "Excuse me, Sir. Your meeting will be starting shortly."
Gabriel nodded. "Thank you, Nathalie." He shifted his gaze to her. "Escort Adrien to his room. He is to remain there until I say otherwise. Cancel his schedule for the remainder of the week." He turned his gaze back to his son. "And pull him from school. We can have all the time he wants in his room to think about his actions."
"What!?" Adrien cried, looking in disbelief at his father. "You cant do that! We had a deal!"
"Our deal is now void," Gabriel replied smoothly, his voice laced with anger. "We will talk about this later. Nathalie?"
"Of course, Sir." Nathalie opened the door to allow room for Adrien to follow her.
Without another word Adrien turned on his heels and stomped across the room, his arms swinging angrily at his side.
"Oh, and Adrien," Gabriel's voice stopped him in his tracks. "If I find out you have left your room, there will be consequences." Adrien balled his fist up and continued his trek out the door toward the stairs.
"Adrien!" Nathalie's soft voiced called to him as she followed him.
Adrien slowed down, slumping his squared shoulders. He wasnt mad at her. He looked over his shoulder at her, one hand on the banister as he looked down the staircase at her.
"I will talk to your father," she started to say.
"Don't bother. We both know when he's made up his mind about something there is no talking him out of it."
She nodded. "I will still try to talk some since to into him though."
Adrien smiled at her softly, relaxing somewhat. "Thanks, Nathalie." With human-cat like reflexes he bounded up the stairs two steps at a time and dashed down the hall until he made it to his room. He closed the door behind him and locked it.
Plagg flew out from Adrien's inner pocket and zoomed across the room. "Well, that was intense!" he exclaimed. "Didnt know you had it in you, kid."
"Pssh." Adrien threw himself on the white leather couch in front of his TV, putting his arms across it and tilting his head back to look at the ceiling. "He thinks he knows whats best for me. But he doesnt even know me!"
"Well, that does seem to be a problem," the little black cat sided, flying low and next to Adrien. "What are you going to do about it?"
"What can I do about it? He wants nothing to do with me." Adrien sighed leaning forward in contemplation.
"Maybe if you share some camembert with him?" Plagg grabbed a piece of his favorite cheese off the plate sitting on the coffee table and proceeded to float on his back nibbling on it. "Camembert makes everything better."
"I doubt my father would agree to eating that stinky cheese." His head shot up as his thought processes started to turn. "But… we do have something in common." His thoughts went to a certain blue haired schoolmate.
"Whats that, kid?"
"Marinette."
Puzzled, Plagg licked his claws, trying to get the rest of the cheese off. "The girl with pigtails?" Adrien nodded, a smile forming. "What does she have to do with your father?"
Adrien grabbed his phone, scrolling through his short contact list. He frowned when he realized he didnt have her number. Instead, he tapped on Nino. He wrote his best friend a short text.
Need to get a hold of Marinette.
Adrien looked at Plagg while he waited for his friends response, a smile on his face. "Marinette is a designer. My father actually likes her work."
"So?" Plagg lazily grabbed another piece of cambembert and started nibbling.
PING!
Adrien glanced down at his phone to see his friends response.
Give me a minute. I'll get it from Alya.
It took several minutes, but another text finally came though. Her number was listed, followed by a short message.
Good luck, Dude!
Adrien was too excited to really understand the context of Nino's response. He got up and opened his bedroom door calling to Nathalie.
"Yes, Adrien?" She was softly shutting a door down the hall, walking in his direction.
"My father said I couldn't go out, but he didn't say anything about inviting someone over?" he asked her hopefully.
She smiled at her charge and looked down at the schedule book in her hand. "Well, all your lessons have been canceled for the week, and your father has very little time in the next few days..." she trailed off hoping she had given him his answer.
He smiled brightly at her. "Thanks, Nathalie! And don't worry! I'm not throwing a party. I'm just going to invite a school friend over to help on something."
"Very well," she nodded. "Please let me know when to expect your friend and I will have the staff prepare some refreshments."
"Thanks, Nathalie! You're the best!" He gave her a hug, much to her surprise, before he bolted back to his room, shutting the door. Her response was vague, which was exactly as he had expected. It basically told him she would do all in her power to make sure his father didn't know, without right out lying to him, of course.
Plagg raised an eyebrow in question, floating to rest on the end of the couch. "So whats the plan?"
Adrien tapped the number Nino gave him and pulled up the text box. "Time to get creative."
He sent Marientte a text.
Hey, its Adrien. Nino gave me your number. Remember that favor you owe me? Was wondering if I could collect on it. Over a year ago he had helped her with translating Chinese for her when her great Uncle had come to Paris. She had promised to return the favor.
He pushed Send.
Seconds later, he had a response.
Adrien! Hi! Um, favor? What is it? Of course I will help! Just let me know what you need me to do.
He chuckled, envisioning her stuttering as if he was talking to her in person. He sent his reply. I was wondering when you would be available come over. I'm kind of on bedroom arrest right now.
Bedroom arrest? Her response came back.
Long story. I'm sort of grounded and won't be making it to school any time soon.
PING!
Oh my! I'm in the middle of helping my parents at the bakery, but I can come over tonight if thats ok?
Yea, no worries. Shoot me a text when you're on the way so I can let Nathalie know.
Nathalie?
My dad's assistant. She handles my schedule.
There was a longer pause between texts this time. He frowned.
PING!
He sighed in relief as he looked at his text.
Oh, ok! Should… I bring dinner?
Puzzled, Adrian looked at the clock. It was just after 14:00. Dinner would be ready around the time Marinette made it by.
Adrien smiled. He replied with one last text.
My chef will make us something. Bring your sketchbook if you wouldnt mind. I appreciate it!
After hitting send he sent Nathalie a text letting her know to expect his guest later that evening and to ask the Chef to prepare dinner for two.
He had some work to do. But first, he had to let Nino know he wouldnt be in school this week. His friend wouldnt be too thrilled about that.