Despite his own protests, Adrien went back to school the day after the whole fiasco. Granted, most of the argument had been made by Nathalie and his father, but Ella had given him a pouty face that- in the end- broke his resolve and had the teen promising to go back to school. While he didn't want to, classes ended for the Christmas holiday a week from the coming Saturday and he needed to get all his assignments -and Ella's- in order.
So on Wednesday, after popping into the hospital to wish Ella good morning, Adrien walked up the school steps with dread in his chest.
Ella sighed, trying to release the tension she felt coiled in her chest as the door shut behind Adrien. The teen had stopped by to say good morning before school, but his absence only raised the anxiety in the girl. Though, luckily being alone for a few minutes...
Unclenching her hand, Ella felt that treasured choker tumble out of her hand and onto the bedsheet.
In a moment of utter panic the day before, Ella had removed the Miraculous before her father entered the room, not wanting it to get damaged in any way. And there had been no real opportunity to put it back on, with Adrien pressed against her side and doctors coming to and from.
Hooking the small clasp around her neck, Ella nearly broke into tears once more as that black orb emerged from the Miraculous and Kiismet reappeared before her.
"Elly-bean, thank god!" The kwami zipped forward, pressing herself to her holders cheek.
"Hey Kiisy... I'm glad you're safe."
"I thought I told you to never take my Miraculous off again!"
"I wasn't gonna risk it getting broken- I thought it was best..."
Kiismet pouted at her holders words, but nodded and moved to nest in the curtain of hair.
"Adrien!" The shout was instant, as his classmates swarmed around him. Questions and concerns were thrown from every direction, ranging from 'how's Ella' to 'what happened to your face'. But he ignored all of them, moving to find three people in particular. Spotting them at the back of the crowd, Adrien caught Nino's eye and motioned with his head for them to follow, before heading up the stairs to the library.
Adrien was barely in the seat before questions were pouring and tears were flowing (mainly from Marinette; his own tears were so dried up by this point).
"What happened?!" was the main shout, so Adrien focused on that.
"Elle's in the hospital. Yes, her father was arrested. Yes, for abusing her. She's okay right now but she's gonna be in the hospital for at least two weeks. Visitors aren't allowed right now- my father has the room on lockdown. No- she's not really up to talking to anyone, I asked her this morning."
Adrien sighed, running a hand through his hair. It's been a long time since he's been this exhausted.
"Are you okay, Adrien?" Alya asked, sitting in the seat beside him.
"Yeah, I'm... I'm okay." The redhead frowned at the hesitation before turning to the others.
"Nino, Mari- can you guys grab some water or juice from the vending machine? I think we could all use something to drink right now."
While Nino was oblivious, Marinette understood her best friends underlying tone and unhappily dragged Alya's boyfriend from the vast room.
"Adrien. Are you okay?" Alya asked again, and it proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back. The blond's body began to shake as his eyes started watering.
"She... sh-she's be-been hiding it f-for so l-long..!"
*Tuesday*
As the day continued, doctors and nurses came and went from Ella's room. Adrien never moved from his spot beside the girl, too afraid to leave. Around two in the afternoon, Ella's main physician came in with a police officer.
"I know this is going to be hard and while I know you can't physically speak at the moment, the officer and I need to know the depth of the abuse, Ella. We'll ask simple questions- you can write answers out or just motion with your head. Do you want Adrien to stay-"
The doctor's question was quickly cut off by Ella's insistent nod and a death grip on the teen's hand, as well as the look of utter panic at the thought of the blond leaving.
"That's alright, he can stay. Some of the things we need to know may just be too much for him to hear."
"I'll be here as long as you want me, Elle."
The girl nodded, burying her face into his neck.
"Very well. Let's get started."
The doctor handed Ella a pad of paper and a pen before taking a seat.
"Alright, Miss Maunt-" Adrien flinched along with Ella at the name, "first, we need to know how long the abuse has been going on for."
With a deep breath, Ella scribbled an answer.
'January would make it 12 years'
Adrien sucked in a breath, his limbs beginning to shake.
"Has it always been physical?"
'Yes'
"There's my first question. We found bruises on your thighs, Ella, that point to otherwise. A full assault exam for-"
Ella shook her head hard, biting her lip enough to draw blood.
"Elle- it's okay!" Adrien tried to calm her down, but the noirette began writing furiously.
'He never did! He- he said if I broke his rules, he'd do THAT to my friends! He'd hurt Mari or Alya! He just- he just held me down like that to prove his point...'
Now Adrien felt sick. His stomach twisted and acid rose in his throat. He swallowed as the doctor and officer nodded, both taking notes.
"Did he threaten anyone else to keep you in line?" The officer asked.
Ella nodded once, gingerly raising a finger to point at Adrien.
Yep, he was gonna be sick.
Ella's eyes filled with tears as Adrien pulled himself away and practically ran into the bathroom.
"It's okay, Ella. This is a lot for you to admit and for Adrien to take in." The doctor reassured but kept his hands to himself; the young girl wasn't letting anyone besides Adrien and the female nurses touch her at the moment.
The teen nodded, her gaze falling to her lap as tears slid down hollow cheeks.
"Do you want to wait for him, to continue?" The girl nodded. Her eyes remained staring at her lap until the blond boy returned to his spot beside her.
"I'm so sorry, angel..." Adrien whispered; Ella shook her head before burying it in the crook of Adrien's neck.
"You good to continue?"
Ella nodded, but didn't remove her face from its spot pressed against Adrien's skin.
The officer and doctor both continued with their questions for about a half an hour more. Some questions made Adrien's blood boil while others twisted his insides.
But most of all?
Pride swelled in his chest.
He was so proud of Ella. She answered every question she could, while still panicking at every set of footsteps echoing up the hall. She remained strong while her body shook, as she remembered the threats against her, and she cried when asked to describe certain moments... but she answered with strength nonetheless.
After the two men finished and left, Adrien pulled Ella close and just held her. The two didn't speak (well... he didn't at least), Ella falling asleep soon after all the anxiety.
*
Alya didn't get much out of Adrien besides that one sentence, but she wasn't looking for answers for once. She wanted to give the boy a moment to just... grieve. The whole situation was too much, and Alya's keen journalist eyes could see her friend needed to just let it out. He clearly had been keeping it together, for Ella's sake, but too much bottled up wasn't good.
So she just let Adrien cry. Or yell. The teen did both.
But once he started talking again, she had to open her mouth.
"She's lying in that bed and it's all-"
"Don't you dare say it's your fault, Adrien."
"But-"
"How would you have known something was wrong or something was going on unless Ella told you?"
"But the signs were there! I was too scared of pushing her away to say anything!"
"But what could you have done, Adrien? It's just like you said- you were scared of pushing her away. You couldn't know how Ella would react to you saying anything, nor could you have done anything without proof or Ella confirming it. You can't blame yourself for anything that's happened. You should be so proud of yourself though."
"Huh? How?"
"You saved her- duh!"
Adrien frowned, thinking about Alya's words. He remembered what the doctor had said, when he got Ella to the hospital... if she had been out in the cold any longer, she would've been dead. And if he hadn't run to her side when he heard her scream...
"I guess I did..."
"There's no guessing here, Agreste. You've been by her side basically since the start of the year, you saved her. No one else could've done what you did. Mari and I could try- being her best friends- but we haven't gotten as close to her as you have, and there's no replacing you in her heart or her life."
Adrien blushed at Alya's words, reminding him of yesterday...
"Thanks Alya..."
"No problem, dude. You looked like you needed the venting and pep talk."
Above the pair, the five minute warning bell rang. They collected their stuff (and in Adrien's case, his entire self) and headed down to the classroom. Marinette and Nino joined them, and the day went on. Most of the students seemed to get the hint that Adrien didn't wanna talk about what happened, so they left him alone. The teachers expressed their sympathies and gave Adrien instructions for Ella- that her homework for the end of the semester was to get better for next year.
Two weeks went by in a flurry of homework and hospital visits.
Adrien was struggling, in more ways than one.
Being almost Christmas, meant it was the first one without his mother; his father was even more distant than usual because of it.
He and Ella had also yet to talk about their confessions to one another...
Adrien decided to hold off on talking about it- with everything going on, and given Ella was going to be staying at his home, he figured there would be plenty of time to bring it up once she healed... but the police were searching for family members to take Ella in. Granted, neither teen wanted this; it left too great a chance they would be separated. He almost wanted his father to adopt Ella, but then she would be his sister in all but blood... and their relationship would be frowned upon and certainly not allowed.
Adrien sighed, trudging out of the school- it was December 22nd: finally the Christmas holiday break. The snow was falling again- perfect for the time of year, but the sight of it made the teen shiver. He was pretty sure he wasn't gonna like the snow for a while.
"Adrien!" The teen stopped and turned back, seeing Alya and Marinette running down the steps. Both girls slid to a stop on the sidewalk, panting.
"Hey."
"H-h-hey A-Adrien..!"
"Can we visit Ella yet?" Alya asked, pulling her scarf tighter and the attention away from her stuttering friend.
"Yeah. My dad texted me during lunch. Ella'll be happy to see everyone- she's been going stir crazy in the hospital."
"Yay! Mari and I will be over in a half hour with food! See ya!" The red-head waved and pulled the blunette down the road. Adrien waved after them, his smile and hand dropping after a moment. The teen sighed, running a hand through his hair as he turned to get in the car. So much for having the afternoon with Ella all to himself.
Deciding to give the girls time together, Adrien texted Ella about the impending visitors and headed to his interview.
"Bye!" Ella waved as Marinette and Alya left for the third day in a row. The teen waited just a moment before letting out an exhausted sigh and slumping back against her pillows.
"That was lots of fun!" Kiismet cheered, zipping from her hiding spot in Ella's bag.
"Yeah- it's been nice to see them after everything. I just forgot how tiring the pair of them can be together." Ella giggled, moving her gaze to the window. The snow was still falling, slower than before.
"The snow's really pretty tonight under the moon..." She whispered, smiling at the view.
"Let's just stay inside for now, beany."
"Yes ma'am!" The teen laughed at her kwami's words, moving her gaze to her journal and Adrien's scribbled poem.
"Christmas is tomorrow... and now my whole family's gone..." Ella whispered, the smile slowly changing to a frown. While the freedom was something she dreamed of, she couldn't help the odd feeling in her chest at the realization that without Adrien and Kiismet... she was basically alone in the world.
"If family counts as only the ones you're related to by blood, then yeah- you're alone. But you still have me, and Adrien. Also Marinette, Alya, Nino, Mr. Agreste, Ms. Nathalie. You're not alone, Ella- and I can promise you will never be again."
Ella couldn't help the little giggle that escaped.
"Are you saying that because you've seen that in my destiny?"
"Actually no. I've only ever looked to this point." Kiismet shrugged. Ella stared wide-eyed at the kwami.
"Really?! I thought you knew everything that was gonna happen!"
"Well it's a rule- you know that. I've broken it plenty of times to see when you would be free from everything, but never past that. When you end up meeting the Guardian of the Miraculous, I'm gonna get a scolding for breaking the rule."
"Well then we'll just have to explain why we broke the rules, won't we?" Both giggled, before Kiismet ducked out of sight as the door opened, the night nurse coming in.
Adrien smiled at the tree in the foyer. It had been a good day despite being Christmas tomorrow. He had spent almost the entire day with Ella, only leaving for dinner when Alya and Marinette arrived for another visit.
"Check it out, Nathalie. Do you think he will like all the decorations?" Adrien couldn't help but get his hopes up- that his father would actually appear and want to celebrate. Behind him, Gorilla arrived back from Marinette's parents bakery.
"He should be down here already. Did you call him?"
"Perhaps we should give him... a few more minutes." Adrien frowned, disappointed at Nathalie's words.
"What's the point? He's not coming." Adrien moved around the tree for the stairs, only stopping as his bodyguard handed him a present.
"Thank you. Merry Christmas both of you." Adrien grumbled, heading up to his room.
Adrien couldn't help but slam his door in anger. He couldn't help the fire raging in his chest; this stupid holiday just had to happen with everything else!
"He's still only thinking of himself! I just want this terrible day to be over and done with! I hate Christmas! Plagg, claws out!" Transforming into Cat Noir, the teen jumped out the window into the snowy night. He ran over the rooftops, watching others celebrate the coming holiday with anger and sadness in his heart.
"I hate this. I don't wanna be alone for Christmas!" Landing atop the Hôtel de Ville, he glared at the giant tree set up- like it was mocking him. Cat sneered, jumping from the roof and running across the yard.
"I hate Christmas! Cataclysm!"
His powered hand was inches from the tree when an image of his mother and Ella flashed before him. The hero slammed on the brakes, the anger leaving him instantly.
"I-I can't do it..!" Turning instead to one of his father's advertisements, the power of destruction disintegrated the metal and stone.
"I'm cold and alone, I don't want to be in pain. All that anger was all in vain. I need to go back home to try and find a way. Tomorrow will be a brand new day. Let's go home now. Plagg, claws in."
The little kwami appeared again, but instead of floating before his holder, collapsed in the snow.
"Plagg? Plagg!?"
"I'm running on empty, Adrien... I need something to eat..." The kwami groaned.
"Plagg? Plagg, what have I done? Wait, I'll help you!" Adrien searched for Camembert but found Marinette's present in his back pocket. He unwrapped it, pulling out the hat, and nestled Plagg into its fabric. He failed to notice a letter signed by Marinette as it fell out of the wrapping into the snow.
"We're going to fix you right up, Plagg!" The teen stood, his ears picking up on bells ringing.
"Do you hear that? It's Christmas! Merry Christmas, Plagg."
"Merry Christmas, Adrien."
The teen started down the road, looking for some store to be open- but it was now after midnight!
"Don't worry, Plagg, I'll find you something to eat. I can't promise it'll be Camembert."
Down the road, Adrien spotted a sleigh and reindeer... and a man dressed as Santa Claus handing presents to kids. Though, the kids seemed to be acting like brats, rather than being grateful.
"Hey! What's wrong with you? Even if he's not the real one, what would Santa think of your behavior?" Adrien couldn't help but step in, even if he hated the holiday at the moment.
"The young man's absolutely right. Kids, say sorry right now."
"Sorry, Santa Claus."
"It's no big deal, children. Merry Christmas anyway."
"Same to you."
"I'm sorry, sir, are you okay?" Adrien turned to Santa as the man led his kids away.
"Fine. Don't worry, I'm a tough old Santa. But, what are you doing out at this time of night? Are you lost? You're not exactly dressed for the cold weather. Maybe you'd like some hot chocolate, I've got some left."
"Yeah, I'd love some, Sir, doesn't get much better than that."
Plagg popped out of Adrien's hat with a little ahem.
"Except maybe a slice of Camembert?"
"Oh you're in luck! I've still got some sandwich leftover. This is some of the smelliest cheese I've ever come across."
"Hmm, that smells... perfect." Adrien grimaced, taking the slice and slipping it to Plagg.
"To each it's own. So you're not lost then, I hope." Adrien shook his head, the frown returning.
"It's my first Christmas without my mom, sir. And my father..."
"Doesn't know how to move on? I understand. But your dad must be wondering where you are, you know. He must be very worried about you. Now that you've gotten out of the house and cleared your thoughts a bit, don't you think it'd be a good idea to go home?"
"I'm not sure... I probably should, but there's someone I love who's alone for the first time this Christmas, and I'd rather be with her..."
"And that's what Christmas is all about. Families together. I'll take you there on my sleigh."
"Alright, but you put this on." Adrien slipped Plagg from the gifted hat to his jacket, and handed the hat to Santa.
"Hmm?"
"The friend who gave it to me would want you to have it."
"A present, for me?"
"Everyone deserves a Christmas present."
"Thanks a lot, son."
Ella rolled over at the sound of the door sliding open, panic striking her. She sat up quick, stifling the gasp of pain as she did so, and scrambled to turn on the light beside her bed.
"Adrien!?" She gasped, as her eyes adjusted to the light. The blond smiled shyly as he closed the door and tiptoed over to the bed.
"Hey Elle..." He whispered, sitting to her left atop the sheets.
"Adrien, what are you doing here? It's after midnight! How did you even get here!?" Ella almost demanded, shifting to sit up.
"Be careful- you don't wanna hurt yourself!" Adrien spoke quickly, reaching forward to help prop her up.
"Adrien- answer me! Why are you here?! Your father must be worried sick!" Ella panicked; what would Mr. Agreste think about his son sneaking out to see her!?
"Elle... it's the first Christmas without my mother and I didn't want to be stuck in the house. I snuck out my window, ran into Santa Claus and he brought me here. I'd rather be here with you than alone in my room..." Adrien hung his head. Ella's heart dropped at the utter sadness on her love's face, but she couldn't drop the panic.
"Adrien, you should've at least told you father you were coming here. You know how he is, he just wants you to be safe..." Ella sighed; she didn't really know what else to say about this. She knew (from being Raven) that Adrien's mother was gone and holidays were definitely hard when missing a loved one, but could she really blame him for wanting to not be alone?
Adrien sighed, moving his gaze from Ella's hands in his up to her face.
"Christmas without mom... I miss her, Elle..."
"Oh, Adrien..."
Ella gently pulled her love close, wrapping her arms around him. Adrien mirrored her moves, his own arms moving around her shoulders.
"I know he misses her too... but why does he have to push me away..?" Adrien hiccuped, tears beginning to trail down his cheeks.
"Shh... it's alright, mon étoile..."
Ella carded her fingers through the blond hair, whispering reassurances to the teen as he trembled and silently cried into her shoulder. After a few minutes, it seemed everything weighing the boy down won out, and he fell into a gentle sleep pressed against Ella's side. The girl smiled down at the boy and carefully reached for her phone.
"Who're you gonna call?" Kiismet whispered from her nest in Ella's hair.
-Hidden in Adrien's jacket, Plagg startled at the new voice, recognizing it after years of hearing the little raven tell stories in the miracle box. The cat kwami had almost forgotten Ella was Raven...-
"Who else, Kiisy?" Pressing a few spots on the screen, Ella held the phone up to her ear and waited.
Gabriel held in the anger and fear as he waited for news on Adrien's whereabouts. Nathalie had called the police and his son's friends... wait. The man pulled out his phone, to call one final number, when that very person's name popped up on his screen.
"Hello."
"Hi, Mr. Agreste- it's Ella."
"Miss Ella. It's late, is everything alright?"
"Umm... well, I uh- called to let you know where Adrien is."
Gabriel sighed in relief; of course that's where his son would go right now.
"Is he alright."
"Yes, sir. He's actually asleep right now. He's upset... about Christmas... sir, I know it's not my place but I do get where he's coming from. This is my second Christmas without my own mother and now with everything... I understand why all he wants is for you to be with him..."
Gabriel frowned at the words, knowing his own distance was upsetting his son, but not to this extent of sneaking out... though, to see Ella- when she knows what's going through his son's mind- maybe it wasn't such a bad thing after all...
"Thank you for letting me know where he is."
"Of course, sir. I assume his bodyguard will be here soon to get him?"
"No- just let him sleep. It seems he needs you today."
"Y-yes sir..." The young girl stammered, making Gabriel smirk. He could clearly picture the two teens, curled up on that hospital bed- he got plenty of pictures from Nathalie during the last two weeks.
"Sir?"
"Yes?"
"...is Adrien gonna be in trouble for this?"
Gabriel sighed.
"For sneaking out, yes. He knows he could have asked to go visit you. But not for anything else."
"Thank you, sir..."
The end of that sentence was marred by a yawn, making the older man tsk.
"It's late, Miss Ella. Go to bed."
"Yes sir. Good night... and thank you sir. For everything."
"...good night, Miss Ella."
Gabriel hung up, contemplating the scenario. His son snuck out of the house, being upset over the holiday and missing his mother, only to end up back at the hospital with Ella, the girl the boy was in love with and knew needed him more than anything... actually, the two needed each other more than anything.
"It's almost like looking back on us, Emilie..." Gabriel let out a little smile, as he turned to let Nathalie know where Adrien was and to call off the search.
Marinette scrambled up into her room, ready to transform into Ladybug to search for Adrien. Tikki floated behind her, her own little worry gleaming in her eyes.
"We've gotta find him! Tikki-"
The blunette's words were interrupted as her phone went off, signaling a text. She darted over to her desk, unlocking the screen and opening the message.
'It's all good, Marinette! Adrien's over at the hospital with Ella again- he snuck out to go see her apparently'
Alya's text shined bright up at the teen, making a wave of jealousy flood her chest.
"No, no... I shouldn't feel like this, Tikki..! I still have a chance to be with him- I know I do, right!? Right..?" Marinette's eyes filled with unshed tears, as she collapsed on her little loveseat.
"Oh Marinette..." Tikki frowned, floating over and pressing her little head to her holders cheek.
"I have to believe I still have a chance... I've never liked anyone like I love Adrien before..."
Tikki opened her mouth to say something when Marinette's phone went off again.
'Marinette, you okay girl?'
"Talk to Alya, Marinette. Trust me, getting it out will help." The kwami smiled, tapping the device and getting the phone to call the redhead.
"Alright, Tikki..."
Marinette barely got the phone up to her ear when Alya picked up.
"Mari- you okay girl?"
"Alya..."
"Oh girl..."
Christmas came with the sun shining bright over the snow. Adrien yawned and carefully stretched, nuzzling his face into his pillow...
Wait.
Was his pillow... giggling?
"Mm Plagg... knock it off..."
"If Plagg's the name of your pillow, I'd hate to see what you get up to, mon étoile~" A soft voice called down, fully pulling the blond from his sleepy state and making him sit up fast.
"Ella! I-I- forget you heard that!"
The noirette giggled, shifting herself to sit back up. Adrien snapped from his embarrassment and helped her sit up, one hand on her lower back and the other at her shoulders.
"Merry Christmas, Adrien~" Ella whispered, reaching over to the side table and grabbing some papers.
"Merry Christmas, Ella..." Adrien smiled, waiting till she was back in position before leaning forward and planting a kiss on her cheek. The girl blushed scarlet, her eyes going comically wide before she looked away.
"H-here... I stayed up last night to finish this for you..." Ella pushed two sheets of paper into his hands, her eyes remaining on the wall across from her. Adrien smiled at her silliness before moving his gaze to the papers, instantly recognizing some of the lyrics written out.
"This is the song you were working on after you were akumatized..."
"Yeah... I've added more to it over the last month and... I think the words could be uplifting to you..."
Adrien nodded, reading it over once... twice... three times before Ella's hand on his pulled his gaze up to meet hers.
"Well..?"
"I love it..!"
Ella smiled wide, her heart fluttering in her chest. She so badly wanted to address the poem Adrien had recited two weeks ago- his confession that he loves her... even despite knowing about them being fated together, Ella had fallen hard in love with the blond and wanted to be with him...
"I love you, Adrien."
The words tumbled out of her mouth like a river flowing from the mountain top. Ella could feel her face flush 'Ladybug' red, and it was hard to hold in the giggles at the matching color on Adrien's face. The blond sat stock still for a moment, before lunging forward and pulling Ella into a massive hug.
"I love you too, Ella..." The noirette reciprocated the hug, burying her face in the crook of Adrien's neck.
"Let's just keep it to yourselves for now... is that okay?" Ella whispered after a few minutes. Adrien nodded, not moving from his spot.
"Anything you want, angel..."
A knock on the door had the pair barely separating, Ella calling out for whoever it was to enter. Gabriel Agreste slid open the door, followed by Nathalie and Gorilla. Adrien scrambled and stood at the sight of his father.
"Relax, son. While I am angry you felt the need to sneak out, you coming here was the best option. Now, if I recall, it's Christmas and celebrations are in order."
Adrien smiled wide, running forward and hugging this father.
"Thank you, father! Merry Christmas!"
*Here we go! The Christmas special to tide everyone over before season two: A Raven's Bonds starts in a couple weeks! Hope you all like it! Season two is building to what I hope will be an exciting season for all my readers!*