Adrien went home that day and pretended like he wasn't planning anything. He played videogames like normal, ate dinner like normal, and did his homework like normal.
Okay doing his homework wasn't normal, but Daniel made him, and Adrien was too tired to put up a proper fight.
Everything was happening too quickly. He'd only just found out about Album's plan today, and Friday was tomorrow.
He pretended not to notice, Album packing his bag with more clothes and essential things than school work. He pretended not to notice anything at all. And maybe that was more suspicious, but Adrien didn't really care.
That morning, Adrien did everything he normally would except one.
He got up early.
Daniel was still home when he got up, which alerted Adrien that it really was early, but he couldn't go back to sleep. He felt like he should tell Daniel something before he left for the entire weekend without any warning. The words were on the tip of his tongue, and he knew he wanted to say something, he just wasn't quite sure what.
"You're up early." Daniel commented. "Everything alright?"
Adrien silently nodded, staring at his older cousin. Daniel accepted his answer and turned back to the eggs.
They stood silently for several minutes before Daniel dished some out on a plate and turned around only to nearly drop the plate when something crashed into him.
Looking down, he saw Adrien's tufts of brown hair and felt his arms around his waist. "Adrien, are you okay, are you sick?" Daniel put the plate down and wrestled his face away to feel his forehead. It felt normal, but then it didn't explain the odd behavior. Then Daniel wondered if Adrien was about to do something bad, or if he'd already done something.
"Did you break something? I'm not angry if you did."
"Can't I just hug you?"
"Well…" Daniel paused, "I mean yes it's just that… oh nothing, never mind." Daniel said, wrapping his arms around Adrien too.
They stayed together for a minute or two before Adrien pulled away. He couldn't describe the feeling in his gut, but it didn't make him feel good.
He shook it off though, everything was going to be fine. It was just one weekend… just one.
Album got up later, after Daniel had already left. "You're up early." He commented to Adrien who shrugged.
"Not that early."
"Don't give me that. You're literally never up till the last minute."
"Well I just woke up earlier today, Aldumb! Leave me alone would ya."
"Fine." Album said, still glaring. He couldn't believe it, Adrien had used the name Monoma always called him. Both of them would be the death of Album someday. "Idiot." He grumbled.
He went off to school that day, deciding to ignore Adrien's weirdness of that morning. But Monoma was acting weird too. He ignored Album all day long, which hadn't happened ever in the time that Album had known him.
Monoma was always looking to start an argument with him, always looking to make his life that much more miserable. But today he didn't say anything. Not. One. Thing. All day.
But Album decided to ignore that too, Monoma must be having an off day, or maybe he was still shaken up. It didn't matter, neither Adrien's nor Monoma's weirdness mattered.
He was leaving today, for the whole weekend. And he was going to burn that wretched school the ground. No more long nights in complete darkness, no more beatings, no more blood, for him or any other kid ever again.
Monoma watched Album out of the corner of his eye but didn't go up to him all day. He realized that might appear suspicious, but he didn't want his mouth to accidentally run away with him and tell Album all of his plans.
Regardless, he could feel Album's stare on him all day, Midoriya's too. He wanted to march up to that green-haired suck up and poke his eyeballs. He was all about politeness except when it came to staring, apparently.
It was even more annoying because whenever he looked at Midoriya, Midoriya looked away. Brat.
Later into the school day, Monoma started feeling nervous, and he wasn't exactly sure why. Well, he did know why, but this plan shouldn't affect him so much. Unlike Adrien and Midoriya, he didn't have anyone who would miss him. He was the only person who wasn't really taking a huge risk here.
He was still nervous though.
When the school bell finally rung, Monoma followed Album out, careful to stick to the shadows as to not give himself away. The hallways were so busy, Album didn't even think to notice him.
Album met Ila behind the school where they were talking in such quiet voices, Monoma couldn't hear a thing they were saying. He huffed and tried to pay closer attention, but nothing worked.
Then he felt a hand on his shoulder and jumped, letting out an involuntary squeak before whirling around. It was just Midoriya, big green eyes blinking innocently at him as if he hadn't just caused a heart attack.
"There you are, don't scare me like that." Monoma hissed and slapped his shoulder. Midoriya frowned and muttered an apology.
"Anyway, are they going yet?" Midoriya asked.
"No, they're just talking. Besides, we have to wait for Adrien," Not that he would if the idiot took too long, but still.
"Oh, okay. Are we going to go up to them and ask to come?"
"No, we're following them you idiot."
Midoriya frowned again, he didn't think he was an idiot. "Monoma, that is not a nice thing to call someone."
"Then quit acting like a moron."
Midoriya shut his mouth, pouting slightly at the harsh words but he said nothing more.
Adrien arrived a couple minutes later, out of breath. Monoma elbowed him as a way of telling him to shut up because now Album was looking around as if he'd heard something.
After that though, they kept silent, and Album dropped his guard again. "Good." Monoma murmured and watched as they started walking away.
In the city, it would be easy to dodge them, hiding behind buildings, and in the large crowds of people. But when they got outside, Monoma knew it was going to be harder to stay out of sight. At that point, he figured he'd just make their presence known. There wasn't really much else that could be done at that point.
They made their way out of the city. It was a long walk, Monoma's feet hurt. He questioned whether this was really a good idea or not. Or rather, he questioned again. Album didn't want him here, and with how long they had been walking, Monoma wasn't sure if he wanted to be here either.
After a long while of walking they got to the outskirts of town where there was now only open road and country for miles. Where exactly were they going.
As they got closer to see what was happening better, the closer view revealed several more people that Monoma didn't know and had never seen before. They all seemed to know each other though. "Album-san has strange connections." Midoriya murmured.
"Really." Monoma said flatly. "I didn't know."
"Well are we going to go out there and tell him we're here and he can't stop us?" Adrien asked.
"I can start begging." Midioriya said.
"No one cares if he wants us here or not, but go ahead and beg him to accept you if that will make you feel better."
"It will."
"Then I will enjoy watching you."
"Great, we're all here." Ila said as they all gathered round. "I assume we all know what we're here for so I don't have to explain it." There were lots of murmured 'no's' and shaking of heads. "Then let's march." She said, her voice solemn.
Before they left, Album heard something behind him. He turned to find nothing but something that looked like a green tuft of hair poking out of a bush.
Album frowned and glanced at the group leaving before hurrying over to take a quick look. It was probably nothing, but better to be safe than sorry. And indeed he found something. Midoriya, Monoma, and Adrien.
One he hadn't noticed today because he was acting nervous, but he was always nervous. And the other two had been acting strange. He should've known. "You morons, I told you not to follow me." Album hissed.
"Well we didn't care what you told us, and we did it anyway. Now we're here so… you know, we're staying."
"No you are NOT! The three of you need to go home, I don't need you meddling in my business."
"We aren't meddling we just want to observe." Monoma said.
"I told you no though!" He grabbed Monoma's wrist and yanked him from his crouching position. "You all need to go home. I won't be the only pissed person to see you here."
"You're acting like I care whether I piss people off or not." Monoma rolled his eyes. "The thing is, Aldumb, I'm here, and I'm here to stay and there's really nothing you can do about it." He smirked when Album grabbed the collar of his shirt and lifted his heels off the ground.
"Bastard. Keep your nose out of places it doesn't belong."
"No. I'll keep my nose wherever I please. And right now I want to be right here, in the midst of whatever crime you're about to commit."
"How would you know if it's a crime or not?"
"When it involves you, how can it not be a crime?"
Album ground his teeth together. He was already starting to figure that there was no way to force any of them to go home. It wasn't like he could drag them back and then try to catch up. "Give me one reason I shouldn't knock all of you out."
"Midoriya." Monoma said innocently. "Sure you might get me, maybe Adrien, but I seriously doubt you'd manage all three of us."
"I am STILL not letting you come!"
"You don't have to let us do anything. We're coming whether you want it to or not."
Bull. "Fine, then I'll let Adrien and Midoriya come and knock out just you instead!"
"Well…" Monoma hesitated, "Let's not be too rash."
"Why not?" Album growled.
"Um, because, I have a deal to make you."
Album glanced behind him at the group of figures still walking. He had to finish this up quickly so he could catch up. "What deal? Why would I be interested in anything you have to give me?"
"Well because I would do whatever you want, this coming Monday, for 24 hours."
"Fucking liar."
"No, it's true. Why would I lie? I came all this way to see what was happening, I simply want to see it through to the end."
"That so?"
"Yes. Is that a yes on your end?"
"Fine! But I'm going to make those 24 hours a living hell for you, got it!"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it." Monoma raised his hands in mock surrender and Album finally let go.
"Then let's hurry up, thanks to you, we're running behind. Oh, and if they get pissed at you for being here, don't blame me."
"Aw, don't worry. Everything will work out just fine."
Album rolled his eyes, stress and tension levels already increasing by tenfold. He should've known this would happen because whenever Monoma was involved, nothing good ever came out of it. Oh well, he supposed he'd just have to deal with his presence for a couple days. And Adrien's, that little brat who looked too smug for having done nothing special. And the idiot Midoriya who was the only one with enough sense to at least look nervous.
"Yeah, sure. Just fine." Album shook his head.
He was already exhausted by this stupid trip and it was only the first day. How unlucky.
A/N A bit of a boring filler chapter, but the next couple will be more interesting, I promise! Hope you enjoyed, reviews are love!