Album opened the door to the apartment and saw Adrien leaned forward on the couch playing a video game. "I wouldn't turn your back to me if I were you. I could easily kill you that way."
"Then do so." Adrien said flatly.
Album narrowed his eyes and then moved on deeper into the house. "I am surprised that you haven't been expelled yet though." Adrien gave him a sideways glance. "Is it possible that you actually care about your education."
"No, I don't. I just… it's not time yet."
"Sure. They say good things come to those who wait."
"Exactly."
"But those who wait also miss once and a lifetime opportunity, so I suppose it's all in perspective."
"Are you done criticizing me."
"You're the one planning murder, not me."
Album crossed his arms, "You're ridiculously calm about this. Do you think I can't do it because you're a little kid?"
"I'll be thirteen soon. And no, I don't think it's because I'm a 'little kid.' I think it's because you're a coward."
Album clenched his fists. "Maybe it's not time to kill you, but you're asking for a massive beating."
"Go ahead. I'll get you kicked out of here so fast you'll get whiplash."
"That's what I want!"
"Then why are you hesitating?"
"Because I…" Album took a minute to come up with an acceptable excuse. "Because I haven't killed you yet!"
"Okay, then you can't do anything."
"Why don't you go crawl into a hole and disappear forever."
"I would… but I've got family, friends, a controller, and people to save with it. Unlike someone else I know."
Album set down his bag and walked into his room, slamming the door.
Adrien peered at the closed door. Maybe he should feel bad for teasing his new almost-brother so much, but he really didn't. The guy openly admitted he wanted to kill him. And sometimes it was hard to sleep in the same room, but at the same time he knew Album. The guy tried to act tough, and he was entirely capable of some nasty things, but he knew some of Album's deepest secrets. That alone made him a viable target, but it also meant Adrien knew how he ticked. And he knew Album hated opening his heart to absolutely anyone, but when someone managed to worm their way in there, they were there to stay.
And sometime long-ago Adrien had partially managed. In that way Adrien knew he was different from Album. Adrien was quick to like or love someone, but when they made a mistake he was just as quick to push them away or shut them out completely.
And after so long, of living with his father, Adrien had become somewhat immune to threats, empty or otherwise. Immune to pain too, he just wished he could block the inside as well.
Adrien hit resume on his game and kept doing missions, saving people. He admitted that he'd always wanted to save people, like a good guy. He never had, however, wanted to be hero. Never wanted to be anything his father ever was. Never. Yet here he was, and he knew Daniel was going to try and send him to a hero high school. There was nothing he could really do about it.
Because even though Daniel was kind, he was the most stubborn person Adrien had ever met, and that was saying a lot. His cousin was very close-minded. And he didn't know what Daniel would do if he ever found out what he and Album actually were. He thought Adrien was his adorable young cousin, who had the misfortune of being born to a psychotic witch. And he thought Album was a poor high school dropout with nowhere to go, who had resorted to stealing to get what he needed.
Adrien almost felt bad for lying to him. Daniel was his cousin, and he'd been taking care of him. It felt wrong to lie, but just the thought of telling Daniel he'd killed people made him want to throw up.
Setting down the controller, Adrien took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. It was okay, everything was going to be okay. "Adrien, what are you doing?"
Adrien whirled around. "Uh, playing video games."
"Do you have any homework?" Daniel asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"No," Adrien lied.
"Uh huh, well you better get it done before it's due."
"I said I didn't have any!"
"Well your teacher seems to think otherwise. She called me today and said that she didn't need a repeat of last year. Where you barely passed with a C. She was worried if you don't pick up the pace you won't graduate middle school."
"Yeah, keyword, passing. Besides, it's not as if middle school counts. It's high school that really matters."
"That doesn't mean you can just not do the work! You should be working harder."
"Fine, I will." Adrien said.
"Great, then you can quit playing games and go make up some assignments."
"Can't I at least finish the mission, please."
"Fine. But we moved here so that you could get one of the best educations in the world. Don't make me regret it."
"Yeah, yeah, I know you loved living in America before moving here to be closer to us after me and my parents moved."
"That's right. So be grateful."
"I am, you don't need to worry about that. But Daniel, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."
"What?"
"Look, I know you like helping people and stuff, but why did you adopt Album and let him live here with us."
"I don't understand what you mean."
"Well, I don't think he likes me very much, and it's not like you've ever adopted an orphan before."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "You know what I mean, someone not related by blood."
"Actually, I had been thinking of adopting. I figured you would want a sibling. Why, I always wanted one," Daniel said wistfully. "Too bad I never got one, am I right? And I figured you might want to be a brother, although I had opted for someone a little closer to your age."
"Well I was a brother. And my little sister's dead. Album will never be a brother to me, but if you had adopted someone, I didn't hate I would not have looked forward to failing as a brother again."
Daniel sighed, "There was nothing anyone could've done, Adrien. Especially not you, you were so young. I know you weren't any older than ten when it happened. And I'm sure you and Album have your differences, but I'm also sure you can work them out."
Adrien doubted it, but he nodded anyway and smiled. "Speaking of which, where is he? I wanted to ask you two how your first day back to school was." Daniel paused as if thinking, "And besides barely passing, how was it?"
"Fine. And Album's in our room. He's mad because he didn't get expelled today."
"Is that so."
"He told me that himself. There's a reason Album dropped out the first time, and it's because he hates school and thinks it is a waste of time."
"Except it isn't."
"I tried to tell him exactly that, but he doesn't listen to me."
Daniel was silent for a minute, obviously mulling over something, before he said, "I'll go talk to him then."
Adrien watched as Daniel knocked and then without waiting for a reply, entered. Having close to zero interest in talking about anything else school-related, Adrien turned back to his video game and tried not to think about all the secrets and lies he was hiding from Daniel, one of the only people who he'd come to care about in a long time. And who would probably hate him, if he found out what Adrien had done.
Album looked up from the spread of assignments he'd been given to Daniel in the doorway. "Knocking's a start, any way you could wait for an answer?"
"How was school today?" he asked, ignoring Album's question.
"Fine."
"Make any friends?"
"Lots." Album said sarcastically.
"Really?" Daniel asked doubtfully, "I mean, really! That's great! You should invite them over."
"Nah, they're really busy."
"It never hurts to ask."
"Okay then, I'll ask." Album lied, "but don't be surprised if they say no."
"I won't. I'm going to go make dinner, you keep on doing your homework. I only wish Adrien would take as much initiative as you are."
Album nodded and waited for Daniel to leave before returning to his homework.
The next morning, Album just walked into class when his phone buzzed with a reminder to ask if people could come over today after school. Album sighed and slipped the phone back in his pocket, wondering how on Earth that man was so punctual. Left at exactly 7:00 and returned home at exactly 5:00 every single day.
It was unreal.
Album soon sat down in his seat, in the middle of the classroom, children flocking on every side of him. How had he managed to be so unlucky? Was there a quirk for unluckiness? Could you have two quirks?
Album took out his textbooks. "Hey, Chonice-san." Midoriya said, coming over to Album's desk. How had he learned Album's name?
"Uh, hi. Did you need something? And I never told you my name."
"Oh, I asked Aizawa-sensei yesterday. And I don't need anything, I just came over to talk to you."
"About what?"
"Well, how about we start with an introduction. I'm Midoriya Izuku, it's nice to meet you Chonice-san." He said, bowing slightly.
"A pleasure to meet you too Midoriya… ah, san."
"Is something wrong?"
"Not really," Album said. "I'm just not used to using honorifics. It's not like we use them at the house."
"Really?"
"Yes, they were originally American and I'm… well, whatever the hell I am. So, we don't use them."
"Wow, that's interesting." Midoriya said, thinking.
"Yeah, right, anyway I'm busy so could you leave?" Album asked, hoping to scare the boy off with how blunt and rude he was.
"Actually, my mom was wondering if you could come over to our house tonight for dinner, along with Ochako-chan and Iida-kun."
"Sorry, I'm busy tonight, maybe some other time."
"Oh, okay," Midoriya sounded a bit disappointed but he smiled and nodded. "I understand. I told my mom that might be the case, but she was insistent that I at least ask."
Midoriya's mother sounded like someone else he knew. "Maybe next time." Album said, staring impassively. Maybe he was supposed to give a small smile now, to make it seem like he was actually disappointed, but really it was just too much effort.
"Then how about you eat lunch with us today."
"I actually didn't finish all my homework last night, so I'm going to work on it a bit before class."
"Oh, well I hope I see you around."
Album nodded numbly and watched as Midoriya gave him a little wave and then went to his seat. Album rolled his eyes and turned forward, chin resting on his hand. Heroes were so annoying, just who did Midoriya even think he was, being so nice to a complete stranger.
No one was ever nice just because, and those that were, they were fools that hadn't seen the darkness in the light. Album had seen that shadow, lived in it, all his life. The darkness knew his name, and it would never let him go, that much he was certain.
Album turned to the front of the classroom as the teacher finally walked in. Right as his phone dinged. Album sneakily took a glance at it. An anonymous number, saying they had to meet.
Not this joker again, he didn't want to do anymore infiltration missions, it was a bad deal. He figured he'd reply to the text after class though the knowledge of it made it hard for him to concentrate on the lessons.
Album waited, foot tapping on the floor impatiently. Glancing at the clock he saw that there was still thirty minutes of class left and internally sighed. He hated being a teenager, it was just massively inconvenient while leading a double life.
After class, Album hurried out into the hallway and opened his phone to tell the anonymous caller he'd meet him at five. But before he could do so, Midoriya wandered his way over.
"Hey, um, Chonice-san…" Midoriya blushed slightly, peering down at his shoes as if embarrassed by something. Album had the very strong urge to snap at Midoriya and tell him to go away. But he also had the suspecting feeling that would do more harm than good.
"Yes?" he asked rather sharply, glancing up narrowly at Midoriya who seemed rather startled by his outburst, but quickly composed himself.
"So, my mom, she actually wanted to know your parent's number. She's really insistent on eventually meeting everyone from my class and their families so she wanted to get in touch to see when a good time was. And I know it's really none of our business, and I know you're all probably really busy, but my mom's really good at persuading. I'm sorry for being a bother."
"Apology accepted." Album said dryly, rolling his eyes. "If you want to know the truth, I lied about being busy tonight."
"Oh, that's great… I guess, I'll call my mom and—"
"—Let me finish." Album interrupted. "I lied about being busy tonight because honestly I'm just not interested in getting to know you or your family. It's not as if I'll be here long anyway, this is just a stage. Soon I'll be back where I belong which is not at U.A. obviously."
Midoriya frowned, "A phase? You mean, you don't even want to be here?"
"Not really, no."
"Well why not!" Midoriya cried. "There were people who worked very hard to get what into this school and here you come, claiming you don't want to get to know anyone, being standoffish, rude, cold, not even wanting to be here. So, could you possibly be nice and just agree to have a dinner with someone. My mom really wanted you to come."
"I don't care what your mom does and doesn't want. And actually, earlier I said my evening was free, but now it's not. I actually just booked something to do today, so your little party will have to be postponed."
Album said before walking off in the other direction. He could feel Midoriya's eyes on him as he stalked off and Album tried not to pay attention to it but staring at someone for so long was rather strange.
Moving to a different part of the school where he didn't have to worry about teenagers with half a brain, Album finally sent the text.
The reply to the text was almost immediate, and surprise, the man wanted Album to go. He hoped the job paid well, otherwise he'd be doing all this for nothing. Missing food was a bit of a letdown but taking down pro heroes was much better. Even though it wasn't food, playing the game gave him some sort of sugar rush.
All he had to do first was go home and tell Daniel he was going out or his phone would be ringing through the entire session, stupid heroes, always worrying.
Then, he heard the bell ring. Right, he still had class.
Album sighed and quickly went to his locker to grab his books for the next class.
After opening the locker and grabbing his books he went to walk away, but when he turned, he bumped into someone, just their shoulders, and the other kept walking. "Hey, watch where you're going." Album said, giving the boy's back his most intimidating stare.
The blonde turned to him, holding his own books, probably late too. "Make me," He retorted, eyes wandering up and down his body, like sizing Album up. "brute." The boy added and then turned, walking away.
Album glared down the hallway but ignored it and focused on making it to class at a reasonable time.
By the time he arrived, the teacher still wasn't there so technically he wasn't late. And he sat down right before Aizawa-sensei entered. Honestly, it was like he resolved not to enter until every student was in the classroom.
Album could feel Midoriya's burning stare on the back of his head. Album vaguely wondered if he'd made an enemy out of the boy, and if he had it wouldn't surprise him. When he was a villain, he would've gotten shot for lesser things than what he'd just done.
When the lesson started though Album no longer felt Midoriya looking at him, so Album let it go and just focused.
Finally, school was over, and Album could leave. He tried to avoid all his classmates as he was leaving and just hurry home. Although, while he was walking, he saw Midoriya on his phone. As he walked past him, the younger boy glanced up and locked eyes with him. He had a small smirk on his face and Album didn't even want to know why so he just hurried out of school before a heavy boulder dropped from the ceiling and crushed him.
He got home at around 3:30 and basically just popped in to tell Daniel he was going out and then leaving. He would have to wait for a little while until Daniel got home, but an hour and a half wasn't too long.
"Welcome home, Ugly." Adrien said walking past.
"Doesn't change the fact I'm gonna kill you."
"Sure."
Album rolled his eyes. On second thought, maybe this hour and a half would be a while.
Album sat, waiting patiently for Daniel to come home, glancing at the clock every five minutes.
Finally, after what seemed like eternity the door opened right at 5 and Daniel walked in. "Hey, Daniel so, about going out tonight—"
"I already know." Daniel said.
Well that was a bit disconcerting. "What exactly do you know?"
"Mrs. Midoriya, she invited us over. Apparently, she follows me on social media, and I had recently talked about you and going to U.A. and she messaged me saying she had a son going to U.A. and today, we talked about meeting up for dinner with a few others. Isn't that exciting!"
"Yeah." Album said, through gritted teeth, trying not to sound to forced. Well now he knew why Midoriya seemed so happy. "… Great."
A/N So what did you guys think of this one? Album's a bit of a jerk, isn't he? Don't worry, I plan to have him change somewhere down the way... somewhere. And I couldn't help but subtly add Monoma into this chapter, but he won't make an actual appearance or be relevant for a couple more chapters. I want to use this time to help Album bond with his class and come to terms with heroes. Well, he won't actually come to terms with it for quite a while, but I do want him to start thinking about it. Anyway, thanks for reading, I would like to hear any thoughts you had on this chapter, and the next one should be out next week. Bye!
