Spread My Wings
Chapter 2/?
Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug or the quotes I use at the beginning of each chapter.
AN: Thank you for the positive feedback. I'm thinking I'll be able to update once a week. My work schedule is still hectic. As always, you can check out my tumblr mergewithme for updates on things and or to just check out the randomness that is my blog.
"You can fall in love at first sight with a place, as well as a person." -Alec Waugh.
Chapter Two
Days dragged by slowly, as did a need for freedom that grew daily. As the semester dwindled down to the months of warmer weather, Adrien felt excited and anxious. Free time from school normally meant hanging out with friends, and sleeping in. However, Gabriel saw this as a chance of using his son's time for modeling new fashion lines and traveling for more photo shoots.
The blond sighed heavily, gazing out of the large wall of windows in his bedroom, a forlorn expression marring his soft features.
Plagg hovered above his head, nosily munching on a piece of Camembert cheese.
Neither spoke, both knowing that today would be a long one. A half day of school one of his few freedoms his father allowed, followed by an eight hour photo shoot debuting his father's new summer line.
The thought of this was not exactly pleasant. While modeling was not a favorite pastime of his, Adrien did it because of his father.
The day would be grueling. The teen knew that he wouldn't have a decent meal for the day. He was already on low meal portions due to his particular spread of photos.
Glancing down at his phone, the model knew that his father's assistant would soon barge into his room, ready to take him off to school.
'Right on schedule.' Adrien thought, the familiar sound of the door opening to his bedroom. He prepared his usual smile, the fake one reserved for his father and Nathalie.
He turned toward the door, waiting to meet the familiar stoic gaze of his father's assistant. Although, it appeared today was going to throw him for a loop. Gabriel Agreste stood quietly in the midst of his son's bedroom, cold calculating eyes focused on the model's hunched form.
"Adrien, gather your things. You will not attend school today."
Emerald eyes met cobalt, a questioning stare gracing the younger Agreste's face.
"Wha-"
"Do not waste any more time. We are already behind schedule," the man warned, annoyance evident in his stern features. He wasn't in the mood to deal with his son's dramatics.
"The photo shoot has been rescheduled to take place in an hour. Once that ends you and I are flying out to Milan. I need to handle some last minute adjustments with my other fashion line."
Adrien blinked, taking in this new bit of information. Normally, he would obey his father's requests without any haste. Yet, he couldn't help but feel his curiosity spark as to why his father wanted him to accompany him to Milan. He usually only went to be apart of the fashion shows.
"Father, why am I accompanying you on this trip?"
The designer's eyes narrowed at his son's innocent question that appeared to irritate him. He adjusted his glasses with one hand, eyes never leaving Adrien's own.
"It does not matter, Adrien. You will accompany me to Milan, no questions asked. Do you understand?"
The command pierced through the blond's facade. His face broke into a frown as his brows knitted together irritation evident.
"I don't understand. How can I when you won't explain it to me. I'm not a child, father."
Adrien's tone held a hint of defiance, along with an undetectable emotion. The boy took after his mother in nearly all aspects. From his appearance to his emotional outbursts. He held his father's stubborn nature. Moments such as this irritated Gabriel to no end.
His wife could handle Adrien in the child's bouts of emotion as he did not have the patience to do such a thing himself.
"Adrien Bryce Agreste! You are still a child and I am your father. Do not test my patience or you will return to homeschooling. Is that clear?"
Any other day this threat would have sent the usually submissive teen begging for his father's forgiveness. Today was definitely a new day and Adrien was tired of his father's antics.
"Excuse me?"
The elder Agreste's eyes narrowed, a subtle hint of shock evident within his cold eyes.
"You do not have a say in the matter, Adrien. You will go to Milan. Is that clear?"
Hurt cut through Adrien's expressive eyes. He bit back a retort, already knowing how this fight would end. Gabriel made it clear how he felt about the teen.
"Yeah it's clear that I am an investment in your company rather than being your son." After he said these words, the teen turned away from the famous designer, concentrating on keeping his emotions in check.
The elder man's hands curled into fists, knuckles turning white. He never denied his child's accusations. He knew that Adrien was unstable at times, something he inherited from his mother.
Anger radiated off the designer in waves. He bit his tongue, knowing he would regret it. With a heavy sigh, he stepped out of the teen's room, only leaving with a simple, statement.
"I expect you to be ready in the next hour for the photo shoot."
Nothing else was said as the man slammed the door to Adrien's bedroom, leaving distraught blond alone.
Adrien stood in his closet, grabbing random articles of clothing. He threw them into a pile, caring little for their wrinkled state.
Plagg floated near by, finishing up another piece of Camembert. His neon green eyes gauged Adrien curiously, and closely.
"Not that it's my business, but are you really going to give into your dad's orders?"
A black shirt landed on top of the kwami, sending him down to the floor.
The cat kwami hissed in displeasure, pulling the garment from his small form.
"Hey, watch it, kid!"
His kitten sighed, gazing at him sadly. "Sorry, Plagg." He bent down and took the shirt from the black cat's grasp, tossing it into the growing pile of clothing.
"No, I'm not going to Milan. I'm not going to the photo shoot either."
The model's assertive tone took Plagg by surprise. He finished eating his piece of cheese and flew up level to his chosen's face.
"How do you plan on doing this? You're watched twenty-four-seven, kid."
Amusement danced in the blond's eyes. "The same way we usually do, Plagg. We're going as Chat Noir."
Adrien's words made the small cat god groan. He would force his kitten to feed him ridiculous amounts of cheese in return for this. Well that is if Adrien managed to pull this off.
Plagg turned, floating over to his charge's bed, taking a seat atop of the soft pillows he loved.
The model threw the scattered clothing into a now visible duffel bag. Other items such as: money, toiletries, and other miscellaneous things were throw into it as well.
"I think that's everything."
Plagg cleared his throat, eyes narrowing at his kitten.
"Uh, I think you're forgetting something very important."
The teen blinked, brows rising in confusion. "What? I'm pretty sure I have everything packed that I'll need."
"I know that you're thick headed, but come on, Adrien!" the cat whined. "You forgot the love of my life! My precious Camembert!"
Adrien ran a hand through his hair, biting back the groan at his friend's antics.
"You're such a pig, Plagg. You have to love something or someone other than your stupid smelly cheese."
"Don't disgrace my cheese with your negativity."
"No wonder you're such a lazy cat. Again, you should have an interest in something other than eating cheese."
Plagg snorted, turning his eyes toward his charge once again.
"For your information I do have an interest in someone other than my precious cheese."
"What? An even smellier cheese?"
Plagg abandoned his spot on the teen's pillows, choosing to nestle himself within the model's soft, golden hair.
"No, idiot. I'm talking about my better half. My lucky side so to speak."
"If you're talking about Ladybug, I've got news for you, pal."
Said kwami pulled the teen's hair, earning a groan in response.
"Shut up, Adrien. I'm not interested in your precious lady. I'm into another lady with spots. A goody too-shoes by the name of Tikki."
Realization dawned on the blond. So Plagg had a lady for himself? This would definitely make teasing the stupid cat interesting.
"So, who's this Tikki? Sounds like you're a smitten kitten."
"I can deal with the puns, but that was just terrible. No wonder Ladybug groans when you use them."
"Stop avoiding the questions at hand. Tell me about this Tikki.," the boy asked again, curiously.
"Tikki is my opposite. She is the kwami of creation and good luck." The god of destruction mentioned, leaving his charge's hair, choosing to float within his line of vision.
"She's Ladybug's kwami."
"Your sweetheart, huh? Sounds like I'm not the only fan of a lady with spots."
"Shut it, kid. Tikki and I have been together for thousands of years, if not longer. But we haven't seen each other in over a century."
Adrien seemed to frown at Plagg's words. How had they been separated so long and still held such a strong bond? He tried to reach out for his friend, but was left with empty air as he dodged his hands.
"So you've settled for cheese. That really makes a lot of sense now. You miss her, don't you?"
The cat didn't answer the question, simply floating off toward the teen's desk. He lifted the lid of of cheese tin and tossed it at the blond's face.
A thud echoed through the room as the lid hit Adrien's face dead on, clattering to the floor moments later.
"Ow!" Adrien hissed, rubbing his forehead. "That's it. You're getting cheddar cheese for that. No more of that stupid Camembert."
The god's eyes widened considerably. "Cheddar is nothing compared to my precious love of Camembert. If you withhold my cheese, I'm not transforming you into Chat Noir."
"Whatever, Plagg. That's besides the point. We need to get your stupid cheese and get the heck out of here."
The black cat shook his head, watching his charge pack three wheels of cheese into the bag. Upon seeing this, he hovered in front of the teen impatiently, annoyed that he was being ignored.
"Well if you're so ready to leave, come on. I'm ready now, kid."
The blond shook his head, amazed by his kwami's sudden change of heart. Without a second thought, Adrien called out the magic words, "Plagg! Claws out!"
Green light enveloped the teen, washing over him and transforming him into his alter ego, Chat Noir.
A familiar cheshire grin graced his lips as he threw the duffel bag over his shoulder, gazing out the window once more.
"Goodbye room. Hello freedom!" Chat left the comfort of the bedroom, jumping out of the wall of windows with ease.
It was time to prove his point. Freedom was near and Adrien could not wait to enjoy it.
"Woohoo!" he shouted, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, a joyous laugh leaving him.
Gabriel would regret this later. Adrien was gone and nothing would bring him back.
