When his alarm went off, Felix hoped he'd woken up in London, the events of the day before all a dream. Everything would be normal; his mother was his mother, Adrien and Gabriel were far away in Paris, and there was no annoying bat creature at his side.
But when he opened his eyes, he was in the smallest bedroom in the Agreste mansion. Felix groaned, turned over, and shut his eyes again. His phone rang. Without opening his eyes, he reached a hand out from his covers to silence it. He knew it was Amelie; she'd called five times the night before. Wingg shimmied out from under the covers beside him. Wingg landed on Felix's head and kicked.
"How am I awake but not you? Bats are supposed to be the nocturnal ones." Felix swatted at Wingg but missed. Wingg kicked harder. "You were supposed to be downstairs half-an-hour ago."
Felix sighed and got up. Gabriel loved his schedules. Adrien had followed one since he could walk. Felix still had plenty of time before school. Back home he'd always slept in. Mom would never fuss about that. Felix brushed that thought away. That wasn't his home anymore. Amelie wasn't his mother.
Adrien was at the table when Felix got downstairs, already finished with breakfast. Gabriel sat across from him. Adrien complained that he never saw his father, not even for meals. But Gabriel had been at dinner last night as well. Felix wished he'd be absent.
"You're late," Gabriel said, "I know Nathalie showed you the schedule yesterday. I expect you to follow it."
Felix shrugged. "I'll eat quickly."
He wouldn't need much time at all if breakfast was as small as dinner had been. When Felix complained, Gabriel had lectured about how everything was perfectly portioned and how it wouldn't hurt Felix to learn some discipline when it came to food. Felix might have been insulted by that last quip if he wasn't as skinny as Adrien.
"Breakfast is for those who make it to the table on time," Gabriel said, not bothering to look up from his tablet.
The look Adrien shot Felix told him to keep his mouth shut. Unfortunately for him, riling up Uncle Gabriel had been Felix's favorite childhood activity. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to starve me, Father."
Felix had called Gabriel "father" six times since he found out. Each time Gabriel's face would twist like he stepped on a nail. "I told you yesterday you'd be held to the same rules as Adrien. Be warned, I wouldn't let Adrien talk back to me again. It's time for school." Gabriel slid his tablet across the table to Felix. "You'll need this. You have to meet with the principal, Nathalie will do the talking. She was hoping she'd feel well enough to go in person, but not today."
Felix took the tablet. No one bothered to explain whatever was wrong with Nathalie. He'd been surprised to see her stuck in bed last night. He'd met her a handful of times on visits to Paris and she'd never shown any sign of illness. Adrien said she started getting dizzy, a few weeks later she couldn't leave her bed.
"You're not coming, Father?" Adrien asked.
"I'm far too busy."
The bodyguard appeared in the doorway. For a big man, he always seemed to be sneaking around. Adrien walked toward him. Felix followed.
"Oh, one more thing before I forget. I would like my ring back, Felix."
Felix froze. The ring was on his finger, unhidden. That was stupid; he knew Gabrel wanted it. Gabriel had barely looked at him this morning, he might have missed it. Felix slid it off and dropped it down his sleeve, then turned to meet Gabriel's eye. "Of course, Father. It's upstairs. I'll have to get it later."
Gabriel stood. "I can get it myself."
"I'm not sure where it is. Things got all disorganized in the move. You're welcome to look."
Gabriel stared back at him, his cold eyes cutting through Felix's confidence. Gabriel didn't believe his excuse at all. Felix frowned, he was losing his touch.
"I expect you to find it for me,"
Felix nodded. "Of course."
Felix didn't breathe again until he was safely outside. He followed Adrien into the car. The second the door was shut, Adrien glared at Felix. "Father didn't give you the ring, did he?"
"Well, I got it from him." Felix pulled the ring out and put it with Wingg in his shirt pocket. Best not to wear it anymore. "He just didn't know."
Adrien's eyes narrowed. "So you stole it."
"Yes. And I feel terrible about it, but I can't fix that now." The bodyguard opened the driver's door. Felix leaned in close to Adrien's ear and whispered, "could you imagine your father with a miraculous?"
"Our father." Adrien spent the night pleading with Felix and Gabriel to get along. Their failure to be a happy family had upset him. Adrien needed more realistic expectations.
But Felix didn't want to deal with it anymore. "Sure. Our father. And I noticed you didn't tell him you lost the other ring." Felix's phone buzzed. It was a text. He dismissed it without a glance.
"Don't you think you should answer her?" Adrien asked.
"Why do you care? She's not our mother."
. . .
It made him feel guilty, but Adrien was glad to have a moment away from Felix when he got to school. He'd been too gloomy after that message from Aunt Amelie. Then there was the ring. Felix must have stolen it the last time he was in Paris. The thought made Adrien frown. Sure, they'd had plenty of trouble then, but when Felix left Adrien thought everything was apologized for. If Father hadn't said anything, Adrien wondered if Felix have told him the truth.
Adrien didn't want to think about that anymore. He needed to have things be normal, even just for a few hours. He wanted to sit next to Nino and talk to his friends. He even looked forward to fencing practice later, even with how awkward things were with Kagami.
But things wouldn't be normal. Even if Felix wasn't in his class, his friends would find out at some point. No one had talked about the video incident since Adrien explained everything. But Adrien had forgiven Felix for it, his friends must've too.
Everything in Miss Bustier's classroom was exactly as it'd been before he left, the first thing since he returned that felt unchanged. Felix's presence seemed to change the air in the house, especially when Father was around. But the class felt normal.
Most of the class still wasn't there, Miss Bustier hadn't even arrived yet. Nino was in his seat, his eyes glued to his phone until he noticed Adrien walking toward their desk.
"Dude, I'm so glad your back," Nino said.
Adrien forced a smile as he slid into his seat. Nino seemed happy to see him, but Adrien couldn't forget he'd gone weeks without a word from him or any of his friends, except Marinette.
Kim and Max made their way over from their seats across the room. "You're back already?" Kim asked.
"My father decided to come home a few days early," Adrien said.
"Coolest thing your old man's ever done," Nino lightly punched Adrien's arm. "So much for the surprise."
"Surprise?"
"We were going to come to London to see you," Max explained, "we wanted to go yesterday, but someone just couldn't miss their swim practice."
A smile erupted on Adrien's face. "You guys were going to go all that way just to see me?"
"Course dude. You didn't think we forgot about you," Nino laughed.
Adrien looked away but the smile did not drop from his face. He'd been so worried for nothing. It felt like he hadn't left at all. Nino's story of the welcome-back party he wanted to throw Adrien—he had a playlist in mind and everything—diverged into a rant about Adrien's father. Kim bragged about how he bet Max he could swim to London before the train got there. Max chimed in with how that would be impossible. Adrien couldn't help but laugh with his friends. For a moment, everything was okay.
Marinette walked into the classroom. She dragged her to her desk. Adrien chuckled, Marinette was never a morning person. He leaned back in his chair once she sat down. "You're here early."
Marinette yawned. "Yeah, I couldn't sleep —Adrien?" Marinette shrieked and nearly fell out of her chair. Her cheeks and nose glowed red. "I-I thought you wouldn't be back yet."
"We left early after everything that happened yesterday. I hope you're okay, you ran off so fast." Adrien bowed his head. He felt so ashamed. He'd been defeated in front of her and barely helped save her. No one had gotten hurt, even Adrien was fine once that Miraculous was off of him, but things could have been worse. He should have jumped in to save her as Chat Noir from the start. That would have avoided, well, a lot.
"Oh yeah, I was totally fine. I just remembered I had . . . promised . . . to help my parents bake some macarons! It was really important, I had to get home. Besides, you were with your family, I didn't want to interrupt."
Marinette smiled, but Adrien felt his joy fade. That had to be a lie. She probably thought he was an idiot who couldn't even handle a Miraculous for a few minutes.
Nino leaned over his desk and waved toward the door. "Alya look, Adrien's back!"
Alya looked up from her phone just long enough to glance at Adrien. She didn't seem surprised or happy to see him. She ran over.
"I know. Adrien, your family is all over the internet right now." Alya held her phone out to them. It was an article from some gossip blog. Adrien never paid attention to those things, but he heard Nathalie and Father complain about them on occasion when the Agrestes fell victim to them. This time it was one of the photos taken yesterday, the article all about how Gabriel returned with two Adriens. At least it would make Chat's lie to Felix more convincing.
"Dude, is that your cousin? The one who made that video?"
Adrien chewed his bottom lip. There was no point in lying; they'd find out about Felix eventually. Adrien told them as much as he could. By the time he was done half the class had listened in too.
"So, he's living with you now? And coming to school here?" Kim asked.
"Yes, but it's okay. Felix isn't bad when you get to know him."
"Eh, I don't know about that, dude. He tried to ruin your life." Nino said. to him. "You know, it's okay to be mad. It's like with Chloe, you don't have to keep being friends with people like that."
None of them would understand; they'd only seen Felix at his worst. The classroom door flew up. Chloe strode in. Behind Sabrina followed, Chloe's books and bags piled in her arms. Adrien hadn't felt so glad to see Chloe in a long time. She'd known Felix for years, they'd all played together as children. "Chloe, you know Felix isn't all bad, right?"
Chloe blinked at him. "Who?"
Adrien's face dropped. Since Audrey returned from New York, Chloe started to take on her worst traits. Including forgetting anyone she didn't deem important. "My cousin? You've met him multiple times?" Another blank look. "We look the same."
"Oh, you mean knock-off Adrien. No, he's the worst. He belongs where all the other cheap imitations do, in the garbage." Kim chuckled, a remnant of his old Chloe crush. If Chloe heard, she didn't react. "Why ask about him? He's nothing." Alya showed Chloe the article on her phone. Chloe's mouth dropped from its usual pout. "That ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! Don't worry Adrikins, I will end this ridiculous rumor!"
"I know you guys are upset about the video, but Felix isn't usually like that." Adrien was cut off by everyone around him. They all talked at once. They were worried Felix would be in their class, or that they'd never know if they were talking to Adrien or him.
Adrien slumped in his chair. Even Nino wouldn't listen. He needed someone who could understand. Marinette! Adrien spun around to face her. Marinette was amazing; she always saw the best in people. Felix might have been cold toward her, but he had saved her from Volpina. More so than Adrien.
"I know what happened before was awful, but Felix is important to me. You know he can't be all bad, right? Could you say something?"
"Me?" Marinette gasped. Her eyes went wide, and her nose and cheeks glowed pink. "Adrien's right! We can't just judge someone for one bad thing they did. I ran into him in London the other day and he seemed . . . better? If Felix is willing to apologize, then we should give him another chance!"
Marinette sat back down in her seat. Adrien leaned over to her. "Thanks,"
Marinette smiled, her face blushed a deeper red. Alya leaned close to her, a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips, "you went to London?"
"F-for completely unrelated reasons!" Marinette exclaimed. "It's not like I went to see Adrien or anything. He just happened to be there." Marinette buried her face in her desk. Adrien smiled; she got flustered so easily, and for no reason. Adrien knew she wouldn't go all that way for him.
Miss Bustier stepped into the classroom, followed by Mr. Damocles and after him, Felix. They must have heard what the class said from the hallway. Felix kept his head down.
Mr. Damocles opened his mouth to speak, but before he could Chloe jumped to her feet. "Mr. Damocles, I demand you put the fake Adrien in another class."
"I can't, Mr. Agreste insisted he be in this class," Mr. Damocles explained. "Besides, Ms. Mendeleieve's class doesn't have an open seat."
"Then he can sit on the floor, as he deserves," Chloe said.
Mr. Damocles went silent for a second, probably contemplating whether he'd rather deal with an angry Mr. Agreste or Mayor Bourgeois. He shook his head. "No, I can't do that. Just take that empty seat near the back." Mr. Damocles pointed to the spot next to Ivan. Chloe grumbled but sat back down.
Felix went; he did not look at anyone, even Adrien, as he passed. Mr. Damocles left, and Miss Bustier started to teach. Everyone was silent, but even Adrien could feel the tension in the air. He stole a look back. Felix was as far to the end of the bench as he could be, eyes down. Lila sat behind Felix; Adrien hadn't even seen her come in. She'd been quiet. Hadn't said one word about their trip or even mentioned the fact Felix caused her to be akumatized. She just sat there, a sly smile on her face.
. . .
Felix had never gone home for lunch before. At first, when Nathalie told him he had to it sounded like a waste of time. But, as he pushed his plate aside in the safety of the manor, he felt grateful he wasn't surrounded by his classmates.
They hated him. He wasn't surprised and he didn't care. That didn't make it any more pleasant to be around them. He hadn't uttered a word but he could feel their disgust toward him.
"I was thinking," Adrien said once he finished his lunch. He'd been silent since they sat at the table. "Maybe I could introduce you to some of the guys later. And then you could apologize to them."
Felix stood up. "They already know who I am, and I have nothing to apologize for."
Felix left the dining room. There was plenty of time before they'd go back to school, and he wanted to be alone. Adrien was already at his heels when he got to the stairs.
"Well, you kind of do," he started. "What you said in that video was really—"
The bodyguard walked by, a pile of clothes in his arms. Felix's clothes. "What are doing?"
The bodyguard nodded toward his bedroom. The door was open with Gabriel inside. The bodyguard left, he hadn't spoken a word to Felix yet; he'd have to ask Adrien about that later. He went to his room.
"What are you doing with my stuff?" He demanded.
Gabriel didn't bother to turn to him. "You told me I could come in and look for my ring." Felix frowned; the ring wasn't buried in his closet. "I didn't find it, but I did realize your wardrobe was unacceptable. I replaced it."
Felix crossed his arms. "My clothes are fine." It was true; Amelie always made sure he was well dressed.
"It would be unacceptable for my son not to wear my designs. That's what Adrien does."
Felix shot a look at Adrien, who watched from the doorway. "So you want me to look like Adrien?"
"And risk ruining his reputation if people confuse you? No. Here." Gabriel handed him a stack of clothes. "Try to look presentable."
Gabriel shut the door, leaving Felix alone. The clothes weren't awful, he might have them himself. Except for the sweater; it was too bright a shade of red. Felix kept to darker colors since he was a little kid, Gabriel knew that.
Felix took off his vest and let it drop to the floor. No doubt Gabriel would throw that out with the rest. Wingg leaned out of his pocket. "I'm with your father on this one, you dress like you're going to a funeral."
The shirt Gabriel left him did not have a pocket. It was white like the one he wore, and only the collar would show under the sweater. Felix tossed the new shirt into his closet. "I'm sure he won't notice."
"Yeah," Wingg agreed, "he doesn't look at you much."
"Lucky for you, it's your hiding spot."
"I wouldn't call being stuck in your sweaty shirt lucky."
Felix pulled the sweater over his head. Wingg muttered something, but it was lost under the thicker fabric. Once Felix changed his pants he pushed the door open. Gabriel barged right in, Adrien stood behind him. "It looks good on you," Adrien said.
"It's an improvement." Gabriel nodded. "There's still the matter of my ring."
"I told you, I don't know where it is. I might have left it in London."
"Don't lie to me. I saw you wearing it on the train."
"You're mistaken, Father." This time the twitch in Gabriel's face was only minor. "That was a different ring. I wouldn't wear the one I stole in front of you." Not wearing it would have been smart. Felix backed up to his desk and grabbed the ring from the top drawer. It had been his dad's wedding ring. Like the twin ring it was silver, but it would be hard to mistake them. They were different shapes; this one flat and angled rather than round throughout. "This is the one you saw me wearing."
"I would recognize my ring. Do not lie to me. Where is it?"
Felix's mouth went dry. He managed to keep his face neutral, but his heart raced. He'd worn down Gabriel's patience. The ring rested heavy in his shirt pocket. No one could see it, especially under the sweater, but Felix felt sure Gabriel knew it was there.
"Felix isn't lying." Adrien's voice came from the doorway. One of his hands rubbed at the back of his neck. "I lost both of the rings." Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "I saw the ring in Felix's room and got jealous because I thought you gave him one before me. I took it, Felix had no idea. I lost them both during the akuma attack." Adrien hung his head. "I'm so sorry, Father, I know how much those rings meant to you."
Felix's mouth fell open. In all his life, Adrien had never lied about anything serious to his father. Little lies on occasion, like when the two of them would switch places as kids. But that was fun, and even then Adrien almost gave it away with his nervous laugh.
Gabriel's eyes shut. His fists trembled at his side, doing all he could to avoid blowing up. "Go back to school."
"Lunch break isn't over," Adrien said.
"I don't care,' Gabriel snapped. "I don't wish to see either of you right now."
With that, Gabriel stormed from the room. A moment later a door down the hall slammed. Felix had managed to anger Gabriel a few times as a child, but could never recall him acting like that. Adrien seemed less surprised, but he was shaken up.
"Um, thanks," Felix said, "I don't know how I would have talked my way out of that." Felix would have thought of something, he always did. But Gabriel wouldn't think Adrien lied.
Adrien flashed him a smile. Any other sign of fear of Gabriel washed from his face. "Glad you feel that way because I do want one thing in return. Or I'll tell Father the truth."
First the lying, now blackmail. Felix had to admit it, he was impressed. Maybe he'd underestimated Adrien all this time. "Let me guess, you want me to apologize and play nice?" If possible, Adrien's smile stretched even further. "Fine."
Adrien wrapped his arms around Felix's torso. Felix didn't hug back, and Adrien's grip was a bit too tight, but he didn't pull away. "Thank you. My friends are important to me, just like you are."
Felix froze. No one had ever said he was important before. Except for Amelie, but she'd lied to him. He tried to laugh Adrien off and ignore the warm feeling that grew in his chest. "I'm important to you?"
Adrien pulled back but kept his arms locked around Felix's shoulders. "Of course. We're brothers, aren't we?"
Felix had never been one for hugs, but Adrien was. Felix wondered where that came from; certainly not Gabriel. Felix took after Father with hugs. But, he pulled Adrien toward him again. It was the first genuine hug he'd given in a while. Amelie, though a hugger herself, knew Felix didn't like them, so she never forced it. Still, having Adrien hug him felt nice. "Yeah," Felix said, "We're brothers."