A/N: It's been a while. I am so sorry. Life is throwing a lot of curveballs. And it's kicking my butt. It's hard to write these super long chapters. So I think I may cut them into smaller chapters. It will probably end up with 70 chapters instead of 36 though. Plus the sequel mini series. So I hope you are enjoying the story so far. I am going to write more often now that I am in lockdown.

Chapter 5

At the top of an apartment building across the street, Mayura observed the scene unfold. The two friends climbed onto the bus. Some laughter was heard before the buses doors closed and the transportation disappeared around a corner.

Mayura had examined them enter the building after following Adrien from his work, and she had stayed on a roof across the street and waited. She had seen the two friends from afar, but the distance was hard to make out any details or any words. She looked as Nino and Alya had returned home, and soon after Marinette left, Adrien following suit. Mayura wouldn't be able to get close enough to learn where they were going, but she could certainly follow Adrien and his friend.

The Peacock owner didn't, however. She understood the concerns of a father who lost his son, but she understood Adrien more. Every day, Nathalie had watched Adrien come home and looked at his father's office with a hope that his father would be there for him. Every meal when he asked if Gabriel would join him, Nathalie's heart broke a bit every day. Her alliance would always be to Gabriel foremost, but Adrien was an adult and decided if his father wouldn't bother with him, he'd move on with his life.

It was only natural for her boss to panic and want to make things right when the mistake was made. But Adrien reached his breaking point. Nathalie had recognized it when Adrien graduated high school, and he had wanted to stay and celebrate with his friends. Forced away from his friends again, Adrien had high hopes his father would at least spend time with him, but he was dropped off at a photoshoot no one had told him about.

There was no hint of sadness in Adrien's eyes, or surprise for that matter. There was understanding. Adrien stopped asking about his father after, and no longer spoke to even Nathalie other than to ask about the jobs he clearly had zero interest in. Still, she was surprised that he found the resolve to run away. Part of her was relieved and found solace seeing him at peace.

But she kept her promise to Gabriel and she checked on Adrien. There had been no promise to report back everything to her boss. All he needed to know was that Adrien was in one piece and happy. Surely that would be enough for the grieving father.

8 8 8

Gabriel stared out his window, and watched the city's skyline, and scanned it for any trace of Mayura's return. His ever faithful assistant checked on Adrien for him when they figured out where all his friends lived. A few days of stalking the roof's and streets, and Mayura located the apartment Adrien was staying in with that friend, Nino. And where he had gotten a job. By himself he somehow managed to run away without a trace and secure a place to stay, a job and probably a bank account and new cellphone.

Gabriel would find the independence impressive if it also didn't make him furious as well. He expected Adrien would someday show some sort of rebellion, but running away was far too juvenile for an Agreste.

A shadow jumped over the gate around the property and jumped into the courtyard below. Gabriel's eyes stared transfixed on the figure and stared as it ran to below Gabriel's office window. It was already open, so the person had an easy entrance, and they jumped inside. With an utter under her breath, the spell she cast was broken and Nathalie rose to her feet. Her body remained weak from all the times she used the damaged kwami, and while it was fixed now, her body remained damaged years later. She grabbed the window sill for support and caught herself. Her kwami, Dusuu, floated nearby and looked regretfully at his weakened user.

Gabriel offered Nathalie a hand, and she took it. The fashion designer helped her over to a chair, and she sat. Once she was off her feet, she let out a sigh and closed her eyes for a second. Gabriel offered that moment's rest and sat across from her.

"How is Adrien?"

"Adrien is doing fine. He came back from work and had met a friend on the way home. He was trying to do laundry, and they visited to help him out. After he got them home safely," Nathalie explained.

Nathalie hoped that would be enough. She recognized how her employer felt about the baker's daughter. Nathalie was indifferent to the girl herself, but she didn't sense any real reason Gabriel should dislike her. Right now, she was one of the best options for Adrien out there.

"So, he's safe?" Gabriel asked. His usual stern tone was softened, and Nathalie stole a peak. His face softened and his brows were turned upwards with a painted expression of worry. Nathalie's heart raced in her chest, a pain tugged at her heart as she observed him worry about his son. Though Nathalie supposed it was years too late. Adrien needed a present father years ago, not at age nineteen, and already moved out. She'd never convince Gabriel otherwise. This was the best she could offer him right now.

"I wish to see Adrien in the morning," Gabriel stated.

Nathalie's eyes grew wide. "Sir?"

"I am going to pay my son a visit," Gabriel stated. "Before he leaves to work at that cafe. First thing. Please make arrangements."

Nathalie wanted to protest, but she only gave him a nod. "I will let the driver know."

8 8 8

Adrien got Marinette home safely, and they said goodbye with the promise to be in contact tomorrow about their plans for the market trip. Once Marinette was safely inside, Adrien found a secure place to transform and took to the roof's. He'd be able to get home faster and save himself a bus ticket, but it was also his turn for a solo patrol.

His way around the city was quick. Everything was quite peaceful, which only was the cherry on top of his day. While it was a little emotional in the middle, it was a perfect day in his book. He had a fun evening with Marinette. Full of laughter, new skills and all around, just everything he could have hoped for, and more. Patrol flew by like a pleasant breeze, and by the time he got to his neighbourhood, he landed in an alley, checked the area and then detransformed. He placed Plagg inside his hoodie and then walked across the street and down a block. His apartment was just ahead, and he picked up his pace and took out his keys, unlocked the front door and walked inside the lobby.

He walked up the stairs and entered the first apartment on the left side at the top. Adrien used his keys to unlock the door, but carefully opened it, first listening for anything he wasn't meant to see or hear, followed by him peeking inside. He saw Alya on the couch by herself, and when he came inside, she turned to look at him. She greeted him with a smile.

"Did Marinette get home safely?"

"Of course," Adrien replied.

"Good," Alya replied. As Adrien took off his boots and came inside, he spotted Alya. She sat on the couch wearing a shirt and pants painfully large for her, and realized that it likely belonged to Nino, but he tried to not draw attention to that, even as his face reddened a little as he remembered what Marinette told him earlier.

"Where's Nino?" Adrien asked, hoping for an innocent answer.

"He passed out cold," Alya answered.

Adrien noted she had paused the television and had been watching a movie on a streaming service. "Anything good?"

Alya shrugged. "It's okay. I was just checking it out while I waited for you to get home."

Adrien froze. "Me?"

She nodded and motioned for him to take a seat at the other end of the couch. Adrien was still frozen and stared for a moment and struggled to find his words or actions. He crept to the other end of the couch and took a seat. "S-something up?"

"Actually, yes," Alya replied.

He waited for Alya to continue, and it didn't take long for her to speak up. "So, I got a text from Marinette after you left. Around the time she probably got home. She told me she told you about the crush she had on you."

"Oh."

"My concern, as her best friend, is that things will become complicated with her. I have to know your intentions with her are purely platonic," she explained. "She tells me she's been over it for years, and I believe her. I just don't want things to get confusing between you two."

"Yes, of course," Adrien blurted out, barely after she finished her sentence. "We talked about that. I want her as a friend, and she wants to be friends. Just friends."

"And that won't change?" Ayla asked. "You won't accidentally lead her on? There was a time when half your female classmates wanted you two together. Now that you are grown ass adults, I don't want her getting hurt again."

"Why is this crossing your mind?" Adrien asked.

Alya gave him a sly smile. "Oh, just that she helped you with laundry, you made dinner together and you walked her home."

"You two asked me to get her home," Adrien cut in.

"My point is, those are total boyfriend girlfriend things to do together," Alya said. "There was no confusion this time, but what about next time, or the time after that?"

Adrien wanted to be offended, but after Marinette's confession earlier, he knew Alya had a point. Those were all things he saw in movies and overheard from friends. Marinette and he didn't seem to even realize, but his two friends clearly had. Others would as well. Did he dare tell Alya about the plans for the trip to the flea market with Marinette? Perhaps he should contact her and tell her they should cancel?

"I just don't want either of you to get hurt," Alya explained.

"No, no, no, I get it," he replied. "I like Marinette a lot, and want her to remain in my life. Especially while I adjust."

Alya smiled. "Nino and I will be here too."

Adrien returned the smile. "I appreciate that."

Alya reached for the tv remote and turned the television off. After putting it on the coffee table, she stood and stretched. "I'm glad we could talk about this. I need to sleep. My class is at noon and I need to finish an assignment before then."

Adrien stood and agreed. He moved out of the way, and she shifted past him and headed into Nino's room. He was left alone, minus Plagg, who hid in Adrien's sweater. Now, with them in the living room alone, Adrien moved over to the refrigerator and opened it up. He took the package of Camembert and used his hands to break off a small piece. While he had used none of his powers on patrol to drain Plagg's energy, Adrien still thought the little cat deserved a little something. And the cat kwami was all too happy to snatch it up and inhale it in a single bite. The ex-model could tell that it was hardly enough to satisfy Plagg, and the kwami, who normally had little self control, thanked Adrien in a low whisper.

He was thankful that Plagg, while less than pleased with the new strict rules regarding the cheese consumption, was following the rules regardless of his feelings on the subject. Adrien moved over to his bedroom next and closed his bedroom door. Plagg flew out of his hoodie and then landed on the dresser and watched Adrien in silence. Another rule Adrien had made. When someone may discover them in the small apartment, it is better to whisper or not speak at all. Adrien hated this rule, because even if Plagg drove him crazy all these years, at least he was someone he'd been able to talk to.

Adrien picked up the basket he put on his bed earlier and put the clean clothes in the drawers they belonged to, leaving most of the clothes he couldn't wash earlier. He'd have to figure out what to do with them because he knew he wouldn't make enough to dry clean them sometimes, let alone all the time. Adrien sighed and changed out of his clothes and into his pajamas. He offered a hand to Plagg, who climbed into his palm. Adrien turned and reached for the light switch and flicked it off with a stretch of his arm. Cast in the dark, Adrien found his way to his bedroom and pulled the blanket aside. He crawled in and let Plagg down at the other end of his pillow. Plagg moved into a sleeping position and curled up, while Adrien rolled on his side and faced his wall, and cuddled up under his sheets.

"Good night, Plagg," Adrien whispered.

"Night, Adrien," the kwami whispered back.

8 8 8

The morning had been rather typical to any other morning thus far, but this time Alya was thrown into the mix, who had made pancakes from box mix. Much like Nino's meal, it was delicious. Made even better by his best friend and his girlfriend spending the meal with him. It was incredible how a simple meal with friends could lighten his mood.

Even after his shower, his mood was flying high, and he was happy to dress for work. He was in the bathroom, trying to style his hair. Adrien had no plans to style it like he had in his father's household, but it was frustrating to find a new style. He ended up deciding on a brushed back style rather than a luscious hair model. Adrien wanted to get a haircut as soon as possible. Shorter like many other guys his age. Anything that required little effort. Heck, he'd like it short enough where he could just buy a two in one shampoo. Anything to make his life easier.

Adrien brushed his teeth in the bathroom, listening to Alya and Nino talking about a possible DJ gig Nino had in a few weeks. Though he noted a noise that sounded like wood being knocked on. Adrien listened for a moment, but continued to brushing his teeth. It was likely something moved around the counter. He was about to rinse when another knock happened, this one against the bathroom door.

"Yeah?" he asked, his mouth still full of toothpaste.

He spat it out before the voice could continue. "Um... dude… I don't know how, but your dad and his assistant are here and they just kinda forced their way in when we checked to see who it was. Your dad wants to talk."

He froze, his eyes grew in horror and to his surprise, he shook a little. His father found him already? But how? He had planned this move for months, and he thought he'd have a lot more time before his father found him. But just outside this bathroom door, his father and Nathalie were waiting. He turned to the bathroom window and wished it wasn't both so tiny and so high up. And Plagg was in the bedroom still, so there was no way he could just transform and flee, which is exactly what he wanted to do.

"... Okay…"

They were the only words that Adrien could form. He put his toothbrush back in its place and found the cup to rinse out his mouth. He could still hear Nino outside the door. "Alya and I aren't going anywhere," Nino said aloud through the door.

Adrien's nerves settled when Nino spoke. That was some comfort. He at least knew his father couldn't physically drag Adrien away with them nearby. He decided he'd bring Plagg with him everywhere from now on, even as just a security blanket.

Even with the strength he was sure Alya and Nino would bring him, the need to vomit was still present, and he leaned on the sink to brace himself for whatever awaited him outside that door.

Knowing that he wouldn't be able to hide forever, Adrien took a deep breath and left the bathroom and came face to face with Nino when he exited. He flicked off the bathroom light and turned to the living area, where he saw Nathalie and his father, who stood by the door. Though there was little room to stand there, the living space offered little standing room.

"Adrien," his father said, his usual stern, emotionless face greeted Adrien. It both angered and frightened him.

"Father."

There was an awkward silence for a moment, but Nathalie broke through that with her own greeting. "You look well, Adrien."

Adrien only glanced at her, but appreciated her attempt at a compliment. His gaze returned to his paternal parent again and waited for his father to speak whatever he came all this way to say. "I'm here to bring you home."

His eyes narrowed into a glare at his father. "Then you came here for no reason, and you need to leave."

Gabriel had no response right away, and studied his offspring in silence for a moment before he reacted. "You are my son, and your actions reflect on my brand and myself. And as your parent, you are better than…." Gabriel looked around the small apartment, his lip curled in disgust. "... this place."

Alya and Nino stood back to let the father and son hash it out, but prepared to step in if they had to. Even Nathalie stood back and didn't step in. Adrien was ready to raise his voice, in a way he had never spoken to his father, but he wanted to remain cool. He needed to keep collected to maintain a mature front to prove to this man that Adrien wasn't a child anymore, but an adult.

"I am nineteen years old, legally an adult, and I'm living an adult life. I've gotten a job, paying my own bills, and eventually I'd like to go to school and have a career of my own, but I won't have that in your home. It's time that I live my own life," Adrien stated, maintaining a mellow tone.

Gabriel placed his hands behind his back, a position that Adrien recognized as the fashion designer's power pose, but Adrien wouldn't let that overpower him this time. He stood firm, even as Gabriel spoke again.

"Why do you feel a need to live here when you have every comfort at home?" Gabriel asked.

Adrien broke a little and chuckled, "I guess you didn't bother to read my letter."

"I have, many times, but I still don't understand where these feelings are coming from," Gabriel said. He reached into his suit and pulled out the letter and showed it to Adrien. It looked like it had been folded and refolded plenty of times, but it didn't weaken Adrien, or calm the anger growing.

"Well then, let me illuminate it for you," Adrien snapped. "Mother disappeared in my early teens, and it devastated me, and I needed my father more than ever. But you never spent time with me, even before she disappeared. But then when she went missing, you acted like the only person missing her. I needed a father. I needed my dad. No one said you couldn't grieve, but you damn well needed to step up as a parent. Instead you threw me into modeling and all these other activities without asking me if that's what I wanted. Maybe it was just your way to keep my mind busy like you were with your brand, but would it have killed you to act like a parent once in a while?"

The anger was boiling over, and when Gabriel didn't speak up right away, Adrien continued. "Nathalie was more of a damn parent to me than you ever were. And I don't even think she gave a shit half the time. You think I have everything I need in that big, sad, empty house? How laughable is that? I was alone, constantly. You couldn't even have a meal with me. I sat at that large dining room table alone, three meals a day for years. I know you think this place is beneath me or whatever, but you know what, I have had more company at meals here than I have with you in nineteen fucking years. That place you call home, was a cage, and I would rather die than ever get dragged back there," he screamed at his father.

The room was silent, and Adrien took in a few deep breaths, trying to regain his composure. "That is all I have to say. Now I want you out of here. Return to your house, and you can continue to pretend you never had a son and you can perfect that brand. That was always your priority, and it can be for the rest of your life, but I won't be."

Adrien thought time stopped with how still everyone was. Nathalie broke the silence and stepped forward. "Take care of yourself, Adrien." She turned to Gabriel and placed a hand on his shoulder and directed him towards the door. Gabriel's expression had never changed. The occupants of the apartment remained silent even after the door closed behind Nathalie. Adrien hadn't realized he was holding his breath until he braced himself against the wall and exhaled, catching himself before he could fall to the floor.

Nino spoke first. "Dude! Are you alright?"

Adrien shook his head. "I don't think so."

Alya moved and walked around the couch to get Adrien a glass of water and offered it to him. He took it, but slid to the floor. He took a few short sips, but he could only try to process what had just happened.

A/N: Again, I am so sorry this took as long as it did. I found this to be an extremely hard chapter to finish. I'm going to decide if I should cut these chapters into shorter chapters depending on people's responses. That's not a "i won't update without reviews!' threat. I just mean, if people like the longer chapter, I'll stick with that, but if the response seems cold, I'll try shorter chapters which means more frequent chapters, but a lot more.

Thank you!