This was not fair, Adrien decided.
Not fair for Tikki to pressure this secret.
Not fair that he knew and couldn't share, or tell her that he knew.
He couldn't even approach Marinette any differently, at Tikki's insistence.
It sucked.
It was awful.
And this, this had to be the icing on the cake.
Adrien watched Chat pace back and forth, agitation rolling off of her, her tail slashing about. Every few minutes she brought out her baton, calling Ladybug, who has yet to show up, who has yet to answer.
To them all, this was the worst time for Ladybug to be out of reach.
They were all trapped in his house with an akuma coming after his father. A father who wouldn't let Adrien leave his sight, who wanted him close while he managed the security system. He was unnerving Adrien with how often he looked back to his mother's portrait, looking like he was debating something as the akuma pounded on their doors.
Adrien felt Tikki shift in his pocket, anxious to have him transform. If he did, he could've already maybe taken care of this akuma.
But his father and Chat were watching him like hawks, stressing the importance of staying together.
So no Ladybug.
But he was starting to reach that snapping point.
Sparing a glance at his father, Adrien drew near the annoyed cat, catching onto her stressed, quiet growls. He winced, and greeted, "Hey."
Chat jumped, turning to him with her wide eyes. She shuffled nervously, fiddling with her baton and snapping the call close. "Hi," she returned quietly.
The two stood there quietly, faint booms echoing throughout the building as the possessed tried to get in. Licking his lips, Adrien asked, "You doing ok?"
She offered him a small smile.
He peered at her, not buying it.
She slumped, sighing. "I'm stressed," she admitted. "Ladybug's not picking up, we're trapped, I'm trying to come up with a plan…" She narrowed her eyes, turning her blue eyes to the ring on her finger. "Maybe I can tempt the akuma away…"
But Jackady was pretty set on getting back at his father.
She sighed, running a hand through her hair.
This was like Pixelator all over again.
Only this time, she couldn't just let the akuma catch her and destroy what he had trapped. She'd just fall under his control then that'd be no help.
"I'm sure Ladybug will come soon," Adrien reassured, feeling Tikki shift in his pocket.
Chat spared him a glance, then offered him a slight smile. "I'm sure he will," she agreed. "Till then don't, don't worry. I, I got this."
But she was so unsure, and looked so small, and it hurt and Adrien wanted to do nothing more than reach of her, wrap her up in his arms and hold her close. "I'm here," he wanted to say. "I'm right here."
But Tikki tapped his chest.
And Chat turned to pace once more, trying to call Ladybug. With her occupied, Adrien turned away, opening his jacket and shooting Tikki a slight glare. He mouthed, "How's this working out for us."
The kwami grimaced.
He was reaching a point where he wanted to ask Plagg, see what that kwami had to say about identities. He didn't seem too bothered about Adrien discovering him. He seemed rather fine with it. Adrien wondered if Plagg possibly didn't care if they knew or not.
Turning Adrien headed out of the room, declaring, "I need to use the bathroom."
He left before either Chat or Gabriel could call for him.
Alone, he allowed Tikki to drift out, a grimace on his face. "We got to tell her," he stressed.
Tikki frowned, considering the wall before her.
"The situation's critical enough-"
"There have been worse," Tikki cut in.
Growling, he grabbed his hair and tugged. "It's my decision, isn't it?!" he demanded.
Tikki flinches, then sighs. "Ultimately yes," she said. Adrien peeked to her. "I can't stop you if you want to reveal yourself, but I can advise you. I advise not revealing yourself."
"But this situation-"
"Ladybug could appear now," Tikki said, "A Lucky Charm was used to help you sneak in."
"The system would have sounded off if Ladybug did! This, I need to tell her."
"What about your father?" Tikki cuts in, "He's there too."
"Chat will be there to help fib."
Tikki sighed, running a paw over her face. "Adrien, I've lost Ladybugs through reveals. It's not-"
She was cut off when the system sounded off, making the two jump.
Not caring anymore, Adrien summoned the transformation and tore off, rushing back to the room just in time to see his father getting dragged off, Chat nowhere in sight.
He ran after them, not noticing the portrait of his mother open in the scuffle.
Ladybug left before Chat could ask where he was, why he came so late. He sped away as fast as he could, intent on getting home before his father, before Chat dropped him off or the Gorilla drove him up. Safely inside, he dropped the transformation and stomped off, letting the tired Tikki drift behind him.
He was intent on simply going to his room, let Tikki recharge on tic tacs, then he was transforming and calling Chat. It was his decision, he got that much from the kwami.
He wanted to reveal himself now that he knew.
He was going to, no matter what Tikki said or thought.
He wanted it.
She had a right to know.
Adrien stopped though when he came across the control room, eyes locked on his Maman's portrait.
He doesn't recall ever seeing it like this, slanted open.
Confused, he went to it, peeking inside. Tikki rushed after him, peeking in as well.
She gasped at what she saw.
Zipping in, she fluttered between a large brown book, and a peacock pin. She turned to Adrien with wide eyes, tense, awed, and scared. "He shouldn't have these," she whispered.
Adrien furrowed his brow at her. "What?"
Tikki shook her head, pushing the book out into Adrien's arms, then delicately, she picked up the pin, looking over it with great care. "We got to get these back to the Guardian," she said.
"Guardian?"
Tikki drew near, starting, "He's-"
Only to get cut off when a sound rang out through the mansion, coming steps drawing near behind him.
Tikki and Adrien panicked. Clutching the book close to his chest, Adrien closed the portrait and ran to his room, Tikki coming up behind him, clutching the peacock pin tightly. Those steps followed him. In a scramble, he rushed to his room and shoved the book beneath his bed. Tikki and the pin followed. Adrien stood up sharply just as Gabriel came into the room. "Père," Adrien tensely greeted. "I'm glad you're ok."
"Are you ok?" Gabriel pressed, coming near.
Adrien nodded.
Slumping with relief, Gabriel pulled him into a hug. Giving a start, Adrien slumped down a little, leaning into his hug and returning it.
Gabriel spared a glance down at his ears, where black jewels gleamed at him, then withdrew, straightening his clothes. "I rather you stay in for the rest of the night," Gabriel stated.
Adrien nodded, watching his father turn and leave.
"Adrien."
Adrien turned to his bed, meeting Tikki's wide gaze, her still clutching the pin to her small frame. "This, this is the peacock miraculous. This, this is Duusu."
Adrien tensed.
Why did his father have that?
Slipping into the control room to overlook the damage, Gabriel was relieved to see the portrait closed and unbothered.
Safe.
Everything was safe.
Hawk Moth didn't find the book or miraculous.
