Waiting

"Quick, Cat Noir, the akuma is in his mask!" Ladybug called to her partner as she dodged a powerful blast of water. She tossed her yoyo overhead to anchor around the top of the streetlight and used it to swing behind the akumatized victim. Without hesitation, she cinched the oversized red and black-spotted zip tie tight around the firehose and grinned as the steady stream of water slowed to a trickle. Cat Noir jumped at the opening and used his baton to knock the oxygen mask off the victim's face and in Ladybug's direction. She stomped on it as hard as she could. A small, purple and black butterfly fluttered up from the crack down the front. With a practiced throw, she caught the akuma up in her yoyo, cleansed it, and sent the little white butterfly that remained on its way. She snatched up the zip tie and threw it up into the air above them. Hundreds of little ladybugs burst from her Lucky Charm and went to work repairing the city, leaving a very confused fireman sitting in the middle of the street.

"Pound it!" the heroes said in unison with their customary fistbump.

"So, M'ladybug, now that the akuma is out of the way, how about we go cat-ch up over a milkshake. I know the purrfect spot," Cat Noir flirted hopelessly with a waggle of his eyebrows.

Ladybug rolled her eyes and shook her head, but she couldn't hide the trace of a smile on her lips. "As tempting as that is, Kitty, I've got a very time-sensitive wardrobe problem." She tapped one of her red earrings to show only two of the normal five spots left. With a wink, she shot her yoyo over his head and swung away, disappearing into the bustle of Paris. Cat Noir watched her go with a goofy grin on his face before dashing off himself. Nearby, two very oblivious classmates made their way back to school.

The rest of morning classes passed quickly. The school bell chimed, marking the start of lunch, and the students began to pack up their things.

"Soooo?" Alya poked Adrien in the back with her pencil. He turned and looked at her questioningly. "Well? We've been waiting! What does the letter from your brother say?!" Marinette and Nino stopped gathering their things and leaned in as well to hear his response.

"Oh, well-"

"Ugh, Adrikins," a nasally, grating voice interrupted. "Don't tell me you got a letter from Felix." Chloe stood beside him, her ever present lackey, Sabrina just behind her, holding both their things. She said the last word with a note of disgust and flicked a hand out as if trying to get something gross off her. "He's a reject! I mean, first off, who sends letters these days? Doesn't he know texting is the best way to communicate? Second, he ruins everything he touches!"

"C'mon, Chloe, he's not that bad," Adrien said and pulled the letter out of his notebook. "Felix is my brother. He's just a little... unlucky."

Chloe harrumphed and flicked her blond ponytail over one shoulder. "I'm sorry, Adrikins. He may be your brother, but I still say he's bad news." She huffed off toward the door. "Let's go, Sabrina."

"Y-yes, Chloe," the redhead replied and shuffled the things in her arms awkwardly as she followed.

While Marinette and Alya ground their teeth in irritation and Nino rolled his eyes, Adrien just shook his head. Chloe never changed, and she and Felix had never gotten along. Adrien unfolded the letter and read to himself silently.

The three friends held their breath and leaned closer, Alya trying desperately to get a glimpse over Adrien's shoulder. She caught the words "expelled" and "school in Paris" before Adrien jumped out of his seat, his eyes wide. "Nino, today's the tenth, right?"

"Uh, yeah, why?"

"Because Felix was supposed to fly back to Paris last night!"

Felix sat on the airport bench feeling quite disheveled and exhausted. His flight had arrived right on time at 19:00 the night before, and he thought it might have been his first stroke of good luck. Unfortunately, no one was waiting for him. He'd spent the last of his money on his airline ticket, figuring his father would send Nathalie with the car to pick him up when he arrived. He didn't have any money for a taxi, and by the time he realized Nathalie wasn't just running late, it was already too dark to try and walk it. He'd found a corner seat in the airport and got what rest he could.

When he woke, it was mid morning, and his stomach growled unhappily. Thankfully, his uncle Anton had packed him some potato croquettes for the trip. He pulled them out of his bag and frowned at the squashed box. He shook his head and picked at a now flat croquet.

"Hey, I smell food. Where's mine?" A small, petulant voice groused from his vest pocket.

"Be quiet, Shade," Felix snapped back. "Besides, it's not cheese. You wouldn't like it, you fickle creature."

There was a quiet sniff followed by, "I smell Romano." Felix didn't respond and just continued to eat. Bright purple eyes peered out of the pocket and stared at him. "You know, if you hadn't broken your phone, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"It wouldn't have been an issue if the phone lines hadn't been knocked out by that storm last week," Felix grumbled.

"Don't forget the internet, too." The eyes vanished, and his pocket sighed. "Your bad luck is really something. At least your uncle said everything would be back up sometime today. He'll probably call Nathalie to make sure you made it in safe."

"If he remembers," Felix reminded the voice.

"Hey, your luck could change. Unlikely, but it could happen."

Felix closed his eyes and leaned his head back. If his luck could change so easily, it would have done so long ago. He would have to walk, if he could find someone to give him directions. No phone meant no gps, and he hadn't been home since he was twelve. "Let's go."

He picked up his bags and made his way outside. He'd just turned toward the sidewalk when an expensive looking car drove up alongside. He stopped and watched, his fatigue spurring a flicker of hope. The door swung open, and a relieved Nathalie stepped out. An even more relieved Felix stepped up to meet her.

"Felix, I'm glad you're alright and made it back to Paris safely. I apologize for the delay in picking you up. There was a... slight mixup with your letter." She ushered him into the car, and they were soon on their way into the city, toward home.

A/N: Thank you for the encouraging words! It has really been helping to keep me motivated! As always, thanks for reading.

PS- Please don't listen to Chloe. Texting is not the best way to communicate!