When Album awoke the next morning, Monoma was still curled into his chest, and Album still had his arms wrapped around him. Despite the uncomfortable position, Album hadn't woken up once last night.

He didn't have the heart to wake Monoma either, he'd be up soon enough.

Trying to fish his phone out of his pocket without waking Monoma, Album unlocked it to see ten texts, seven missed phone calls, and five voicemails from Daniel, each sounding more worried than the last. Album felt a little bad for not telling him, but it was hard when he knew he was going to be gone for this entire weekend. Compared to that one night was nothing.

Besides, Album was seventeen. He could mostly handle himself. He checked the time next, only to see it was ten o'clock. Which basically meant it wasn't worth going to school today. Album was about to put his phone away when he remembered Monoma.

Getting a picture of him sleeping and then teasing him about it later sounded fun. So he did that before putting the phone away and resettling his arms against Monoma.

Monoma slept nicely for about another hour and a half before waking up.

Which allowed Album another hour and a half of rest before having to deal with Monoma's temper tantrum. "Why didn't you wake me up! So we might've been a little late, but I'm not about to turn into a moron like you who just skips class whenever he feels like it!"

Album rolled his eyes and pushed Monoma off, before standing up. "Whatever, go to class if you want then."

"Well what's the point now! I've already missed half the day thanks to you, you gorilla!"

"Hey, hey, I went out of my way to help you last night so you can just shut up now and be happy I even stayed."

"Please, I did you a favor by letting you stay."

"What? That was not what happened, you begged me to stay here last night."

"I don't remember that at all."

"Pretty conveniently."

"Whatever, you can go now." Monoma crossed his arms and turned around with his back facing Album.

"I don't know why you're always so difficult and moody, but fine, I'll leave."

And he did, as fast as he could. Once outside, he could breathe a little easier and then sighed, walking away from the apartment. He hoped he didn't run into anyone else that was shady. He wouldn't be surprised if he did though, this really was a bad neighborhood.

Thankfully, he didn't run into anyone though and walked all the way home.

It was afternoon by the time he got home and Album didn't know how, but as soon as he opened the door, he was greeted by Daniel on the couch, with his hands folded, staring straight at the door.

Album raised an eyebrow and shut the door with a bam. "How long have you been sitting there hoping I would come through the door to see you looking very disapproving?"

"You don't need to know that."

"Shouldn't you be at work?"

"I took the day off. Now stop dodging questions."

"You didn't ask me anything."

"Where were you last night?"

"I was at a friend's." Album said, going to the kitchen for a glass of water. It was a half lie. He was at someone's place, but Monoma wasn't exactly a friend.

"Why didn't you tell me? You have that phone for a reason you know."

"I forgot."

"Well didn't you get all my texts and phone calls and voicemails?"

"Yeah, I got them this morning."

"Why didn't you get them earlier?"

"My phone was on silent. I always keep it that way because of school."

"Oh… well why didn't you tell me you were staying at a friend's house!"

"I'm pretty sure you already asked that, and I'm pretty sure I told you I forgot."

"Oh, right." Daniel frowned. "Well, is there a reason you're all bloody?"

Album looked at his arm. The bleeding had stopped a long time ago. He'd actually forgotten it was there. But now that Daniel mentioned it, the wound did hurt quite a bit. "I fell."

"It looks like something sharp stabbed you."

"There was a rock."

"Must've been a pretty sharp rock."

"It was."

They stared at each other for another minute before Daniel sighed, "Fine, you don't have to tell me what happened. But next time you go missing for an entire night I'm calling the police to search for you and if it turns out everything was fine and you wasted their time I will be mad."

"Okay." But Album didn't know how he was the one who wasted the police's time if Daniel was the one who called them. Something told him he shouldn't say that though.

So for the rest of the day it was just him and Daniel. But Album went in his room and Daniel went to the store, so he supposed it was mostly just himself.

Adrien came home from school later that day, unfortunately, because now that brat was whining to Daniel. "You didn't even ground him. You would've killed me, that's not fair. He was out the entire night without even telling you and skipped an entire day of school!"
"Shut up." Album growled.

Adrien glared at him and then tugged on Daniel's sleeve while he was trying to make dinner. Daniel sighed, "Well, Adrien, Album's seventeen and so he's going to be an adult in less than a year. So he needs to start taking responsibility and when he gets a job, he won't be able to just skip work because he was out all night."

"So, he's not an adult yet. You should still ground him."

"Meanwhile," Daniel continued like Adrien hadn't said anything, "you're only twelve, and you still have lots of time before you're an adult, so it's my job to give you consequences for your actions. But since Album's going off soon, life will be the one giving him consequences, so I don't have to as much."

Adrien crossed his arms, "But—"

"Now why don't you go set the table."

"Album should have to do it. He's the one that skipped school all day."

"But I asked you to do it."

"Well then my answer is no."

"I told you to do it."

"Then my response is no."

Album was about to wring that kid's neck himself. Just shout at him that if he didn't do it Album was going to beat his ass. "If you set the table, you can have ice cream after dinner."

Adrien paused and then walked off to go set the table. "You briber." Album grumbled.

"I prefer to call it strategic bargaining."

They fell silent and then Daniel asked, "So are you leaving to get a job right after you turn eighteen?"

Album shrugged, "I guess probably." Album realized he didn't really know what he was going to do. If he was going to try to stay in school longer to catch up on all his missed school work.

Or if he would just go into the work force. "I don't actually know." He murmured.

"Well, don't worry about it too much quite yet. You don't have to stress too much."

"Well when should I start stressing."

"You should start stressing when you're eighteen and still have no fucking idea what you're going to do yet."

Album had a hard time believing Daniel just cussed like that but accepted it after three long minutes of thinking and just nodded in reply. That was probably a pretty good time to start panicking. "Hey, how come you can cuss and I can't." Adrien demanded, poking his head into the kitchen.

"Because I'm an adult and this is my apartment."

"Yeah, well Album's not an adult, and this isn't his apartment but you still let him cuss."

"Well Album's almost an adult."

"He's just your favorite so you let him get away with everything."

"No I don't, you're being delusional. I don't like Album better than you. And besides, if I liked Album better would I be making your favorite food right now?"

"I guess not." Adrien grumbled and poked his head out of the kitchen and back into the dining room, thank god. Album wasn't sure how much longer he was going to sanely hear Adrien's annoying voice.

Soon, dinner was done and they all sat at the dinner table. They didn't say much because most things had been said before the dinner. But they still ate and when they were done, Album went to his room and started on his homework.

He had a lot of makeup work to do.

With everything going on lately, school had been the last thing on his mind for a long time.

When Album was done doing homework, he went to bed and as soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out like a lightbulb.

The next morning Album dressed quickly, and made sure all the stuff he would need was in his backpack before taking off for school.

He got there somewhat early, surprisingly, because Album was almost never early, and he certainly wasn't usually early after doing lots of homework the night before. He figured it was because he'd gotten lots of rest the night before and skipped school yesterday.

School honestly sapped so much energy out of him he found it nearly impossible to work up the motivation to get ready for the next day or do anything at all after he got home. Like why did schools expect students to get up so early, go to school all day, and then have to come home and do more school?

It didn't really make sense to him.

Either way, Friday was drawing near. At first, it'd seemed so far away, but now it was like it was right upon him, ready to swallow him whole.

He also had to look after Monoma now and make sure the dumb brat didn't do anything he'd regret later. Album wasn't sure when that had become his job, but looking back, somewhere along the way Monoma had wormed his way into Album's life like a fucking rat.

And now it would feel weird if he were to suddenly leave. So Album wanted Monoma out of his business, yet didn't want him out of his life. And everything had been so much easier when they'd just hated each other.

But then Monoma went and messed it up by kissing him that night. And everything since had been different somehow. He hadn't noticed at first. But last night, when that man had Monoma and was doing things, all Album had wanted in that moment was to gut that man and feed his insides to Adrien.

Speaking of that other brat, Adrien had been staying out of his business lately. Album wished he could say it was because Adrien had a change of heart, but he knew it was just because Adrien was planning something big.

And it almost worried him, because Album didn't need Adrien pulling some stupid big stunt right now of all times. And it worried him because it was bad enough Monoma knew about everything but if Adrien somehow found out he'd just kill the damn kid and be done with it.

Adrien sighed and leaned back in his classroom chair. Things had been so boring lately. Where was all the trouble that usually followed Album wherever he went?

Adrien had nothing, Album had nothing. And if trouble wouldn't come Adrien was the type to make trouble. He'd tried to get Album in trouble with Daniel last night, but it hadn't worked. Nothing ever seemed to get under Daniel's stupid skin, and he had a way of calming Album down too when all Adrien wanted to do was rile him up.

It didn't really matter, because Adrien got the feeling that Album was about to pull something. He didn't know what, but he would figure it out. And he knew how he was going to get help too.

If there was one person that was in Album's business more than Adrien it was Monoma. And Adrien knew not only did Monoma know what was going on and why Album had been acting sort of distant lately (at least to Adrien) but he also knew how to tag along.

Monoma had a hard time keeping his mouth shut, so Adrien figured all he had to do was ask. U.A. was kind of far from his middle school, but if he ran maybe he could catch Monoma some time after school.

That was all Adrien could do really, and if it didn't work then it didn't, but he really hoped it did.

It wasn't like Adrien was worried or anything, he just hated not knowing what was going on. That's why this was such a big deal to him.

So, after school that day, Adrien started walking towards UA. Quickly, but he'd always hated running with his backpack because it was painful and weighed him down.

Normally most high schoolers would be long gone, but the way Album made him sound, Monoma seemed like the type to hold people hostage in uncomfortable conversations for the hell of it, or get himself in trouble and start a fight.

Sure enough, when he got to the building, Monoma was still there talking to that green-haired kid with freckles Adrien didn't like. He looked uncomfortable. "Hey there," Adrien said, walking up to them.

Monoma stopped talking and turned to glare at Adrien. Probably for interrupting him. "Oh yes, hello there Album's little brother."

"Name's Adrien."

"How cute." Monoma didn't sound like he thought it was very cute though.

"Hi Adrien-kun." Freckles waved at him, smiling politely, though he actually looked like he wanted nothing more than to just leave.

"What are you doing here? Album already left, if he's who you're after."

"Actually I was looking for you."

Now Monoma looked suspicious. "Why?"

"Well, it was Album that I want to discuss, but with you. He's been acting distant lately, and I just want to know the tea. And I know you have it."

"The tea?" Monoma, despite the question in his tone, smirked down at Adrien. "Little boy I do not know what you're talking about."

"I know there's a reason he's acting strange and ignoring me."

"Are you sad he's not giving you attention?"

Adrien gritted his teeth tightly. Monoma's voice was so condescending, Adrien just really wanted a knife he could ram into his throat. "That's not it."

"Oh, then you're worried."

"NO! I just hate not knowing things. Especially about the idiot since he can't keep a secret to save his damn life except his own secrets!"

"Okay then," Monoma paused, glancing at his nails in mock disinterest, "what will you give me?"

Adrien narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

"Oh you don't have to worry about that right now. It'll just be a little favor I've tucked away for later. I have no need for anything much right now."

"Fine." Adrien bit out, still scowling. "Now tell me what's going on with Album!"

"Alright then, I don't know everything." Monoma paused. "But, a new student joined the school recently. I assume she transferred from somewhere a little far from here. But apparently she's known Album for a long time." Monoma's smirk widened, "even longer than you. Basically she asked Album to go on this mission with her to burn down this school they hate a lot.

They're meeting this Friday, right after school. And I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't planning to go with them. You can tag along, I suppose."

"You're so generous." Adrien grumbled sarcastically, but Monoma only shrugged.

"Are you planning to come or not."

"Of course I'm planning to come. I still want to understand what's going on and your crap explanation isn't helping."

Monoma was about to respond, but another voice cut them off. "Um, what are you guys talking about." Freckles asked.

"Oh nothing to worry your pretty little head about Izuku. Now run along."

Adrien actually forgot the guy was there. Adrien only hoped that he didn't remember anything that was said or else Album would be pissed they told someone else.

Actually, he would probably already be pissed because Adrien knew, but that was beside the point.

"If it's about Album I think I can help." Izuku said.

"How?" Adrien asked doubtfully.

"Well, if you plan on joining him on this trip he's taking, wouldn't it be best if he allowed you to be there?"

"Well of course it would be best," Adrien rolled his eyes, "but that doesn't mean it's happening."

"I could make it happen."

"How?"

"I have ways of making people give me what I want."

"You know," Monoma smirked, "if I didn't know any better I'd say that was almost something sinister out of your mouth."

"Sinister? I just meant I'm really good at begging people."

Monoma pursed his lips and nodded, "Of course you are." He paused and then continued, "Well then, now that we have that settled I think there's something else to be said. Izuku,"

"Yes?"

"You can't tell anyone about this, alright?"

"Okay! I won't Monoma-sama. I'm just happy we get to help Album-san."

"Oh yes, me too. Just so ecstatic. It's definitely something a hero would do."

"I think so too." Izuku sighed and smiled, "Well, I'll see you later!"

Monoma hummed in agreement, "Yes, we'll see you later, darling."

They waved to Izuku as he ran off. "So. How'd you do that?"

"Do what?" Monoma asked, turning.

"Get him to call you 'sama'."

"Oh that. Well you see I just asked."

Adrien got the feeling he didn't "just ask" but he didn't feel like arguing. He didn't really want Izuku involved in this, but he supposed there was no changing this now. Album was irritable anyway, so either he would kill Izuku which he probably wouldn't because he as much of an idiot as he was, Album knew that would expose himself.

His thoughts, however, were interrupted by Monoma, "Well, Adrien, I should probably go. Nice talking to you."

Adrien didn't know how Monoma managed to make his smile so fake sometimes and his voice so annoying, but somehow he managed. Adrien really didn't know what Album liked about this guy but it obviously wasn't his personality.

"Well it wasn't very nice to talk to you." Adrien said bluntly.

"Aw, you're so cute when you act like a jackass."

Adrien opened his mouth to say something but was stopped by a finger to his lips. "Shh, I'm done talking to you." And Monoma took his finger away and started walking the opposite direction of Adrien.

Adrien's mouth went dry and he was a little speechless. He wiped his mouth where the jerks' hand had touched and grinded his teeth together. Of course he had to get the last word in. What a fucking asshole.

A/N I have no excuse for why this took so long. Sorry for any errors tho, I wrote this when I was half asleep so yeah. I read through it, but might not have caught everything. Hope you enjoyed it! Reviews are love!