Chapter 1 – Of Happiness and Love
Adrien's breathing finally eased as the plane finally settled into a steady position. Not because he was scared of flights or takeoff – no, he was quite used to that by now – but because it meant that he was finally free. His father couldn't get him, not from up here.
He couldn't be tracked anymore – he'd left his phone in his room – and he'd made sure that the plane ticket he'd purchased was done through an account that his father couldn't track the purchases off. His father couldn't control him. He wasn't trapped. He was free.
And alone.
Though the thought should have frightened him, it exhilarated him. Being alone wasn't all that scary, not when he'd been alone all his life. And even though it was in a – mostly – foreign place all Adrien felt was excitement. It was a completely fresh start. There was no one to tie him down, tie him to his father. He could be himself, whoever that was once separated from his father. Whoever that was, it was up to him. He got to decide who he was, he got to reinvent himself the way that he wanted.
And, somehow, that was the thought that truly terrified him as much as it was exciting.
There was no more dictating who his 'friends' were. His diet. His girlfriends. No more dictating anything. His life was his, his to choose, for the first time.
The first thing Adrien did once he left the airport was go to the bank and open an account with all the money that he'd taken – money which was rightfully his. Money he'd earned. It was enough, more than enough, to restart his life.
He'd already found and paid for an apartment. Nothing like the luxury he'd known his whole life, but comfortable. More comfortable than the many excessive rooms. It felt welcoming. It felt like a home. It was his home. Home.
The apartment had been progressively furnished over the last few months, done in bits to avoid detection from his father. He'd done all the preparations like that, and each time his excitement and pride had grown, until the week before, when finally, finally, he had done it. Everything had been finished, and he was ready to go.
He'd packed only what was necessary the day before, a few shirts and pairs of shorts, planning to get more once he arrived.
He'd purposefully booked a flight for 1 in the morning, so that everyone – his father, assistant Nathalie and bodyguard – would be asleep and wouldn't be suspicious of his phone being in his room, until it was much too late and he was already halfway gone on the plane.
The first night free, sleeping in a double – a sizeable downgrade which was surprisingly nicer than the oversized bed he once used – was one of the most peaceful sleeps he could ever remember having. He fell asleep with a smile on his face, comfortable knowing he was free.
A week in, Adrien was fully settled and decided to explore the area. It was nice, even for the downtown area of a city. It had the vibe a city that he liked, yet he wasn't in an area overpopulated with people. The stores were nice, and it was around 2 when Adrien stumbled on a small bakery-café 5 minutes from his apartment while making his way back.
The smell of the bakery overwhelmed and welcomed him, drawing him in.
It wasn't busy, with only 2 patrons sitting at the tables, decorated in table cloths with black spots on a red background.
It was immediately clear that this was a nice café.
From the smell alone, to the overall feel of the place, Adrien wanted to stay here for the rest of his life.
He was greeted by a large man, beaming from ear to ear to welcome him.
"Welcome to the Dupain-Cheng Bakery. What treat can I get for you today?"
"Oh, uh, hi. I'm...not really sure. What do you recommend?" Adrien said, an awkward red blooming on his cheeks.
The large man nodded, and gestured to the macarons. "I have to say that my daughter's macarons are the best. Any flavor you like?"
"Uh, passionfruit." The few things he'd been able to have a dessert or treat, he'd always gone for passionfruit, finding it was something he quite loved.
"A smart choice, those seem to be the favorite among our customers. How many?"
"2, please."
"Of course, that's $8."
Adrien handed him the bills, and took a bite into one of the treats.
His face immediately lit up.
The man smiled widely again, "That's how everyone reacts the first way," the man says with a slight laugh to his voice.
"I'll bet, they're amazing. Your daughter must be a very talented baker!"
"She is, she learnt from the best." A young woman says, appearing from what appears to be a back room to stand next to the man.
"Ah, and here she is now. This is Marinette, my daughter." The man says, beaming with what can only be pride as he rests a – very large, hand around her shoulders, hugging her close to his side.
The girl – Marinette – laughs and smooths her dyed blue hair back in what seems to be embarrassment, a large smile also on her face.
"Thank you, again." He finished the rest of the macaron before speaking again. "I just moved here a week ago, into an apartment about 5 minutes from here, so I'll definitely make it a habit to come back often try more of your baking." His mouth stretched into a large smile, enjoying the sweets more because he could. He could have treats, when he wanted. What he wanted. He had that choice.
And that was almost sweeter than the desserts themselves.
"That would be lovely!" A small Asian woman said from next to Adrien, walking over from cleaning tables. "I'm Sabine Cheng. It would be lovely if you became a regular." The woman also had a smile – smile's all round! - and it suddenly dawned on Adrien that in all his life, he'd never been around people with such large, genuine smiles. His life had never been filled with any smiles at all, really, if they weren't put on for some kind of show.
And...they were a family. A happy, close, family. Who loved each other.
It was like a gut punch. He'd always known that other families were…not like his. But it made him mourn something he'd never even had.
It was such a strange feeling, such an odd grief and suddenly all of his happiness was gone.
Replaced by something ugly, absolute envy. He'd never known envy quite like that before.
He almost expected to hate the Dupain-Cheng's in that moment. And though there was hate, it wasn't hate for them. It was hate for his father, for robbing, depriving him of a family like this.
Of happiness and love.
Of such care, such comfort, such security.
Of a life so different to one he'd had to live.
But not anymore. Not again.
There was a fire ignited in him again, a rejuvenated determination for something better.
And he was going to get it.
Adrien stayed in the café for another half an hour, content in the comfort it gave him and the need to cling onto it for just a little longer.
It was around 3 when he entered, and moved behind the counter, putting an apron on over the casual black tee and ripped jeans.
"Has it been half an hour already?" The large man, whose name he learned was Tom, said to the boy, clapping him on the back.
"Yeah, it goes fast." The boy laughed.
His hair was a light teal, with natural black roots starting to come through. He looked to be a couple years older than Adrien, and he noticed that he wore black nail polish.
The man smiled and walked over. "Hi, can I interest you in a treat or a coffee?"
"Uh- yes. Sure. Thank you. A passion fruit macaron. Thank you. Please." He handed the man $4, and could have sworn he saw Tom smiling out of the corner of his eye.
The boy left and returned with a passionfruit macaron, what looked like an amused smile on his face.
"I can't say I've ever seen you around here before, and I'm good with faces." He said, sitting across from Adrien.
"Yeah, I've just moved into the area, and I happened to find this place while looking around."
"Ah, fair enough. I hope you'll like it here, both in the area and the café." He smiled, and offered out a hand, "I'm Luka, by the way. I hope I can be a friendly face."
"Adrien. It's nice to meet you. And, yeah, I really like it around here. The café is also super nice, I'll definitely keep coming around." Luka's hand was…rough. Callused. And yet…pleasant to hold. He liked the feel of the rough skin against his own soft.
Adrien guessed he might have been a musician. Guitar, probably.
"Nice to meet you, Adrien. I'll keep you to your word, I'd better see you back in here at least semi-often."
"Well, I am a man of my word. I'm sure by the end of it, you'll be sick of seeing me in here." Adrien joked, smiling softly.
"With a face like yours? Never."
Adrien's face heated.
To distract himself, he ate the macaron he remembered he still had.
Luka's eyes glowed with amusement, the vibrant blue shining. Adrien couldn't help but smile, slightly awkwardly.
Luka returned it, and his eyes shone brighter.
So beautiful. Their color was so beautiful.
Teal hair fell to partially cover his eyes, Luka brushing it back only for it to fall again.
The bell chimed, and Marinette walked in. He didn't remember when she'd left. He hadn't paid attention.
Luka turned to see who'd entered, and rose from his seat to give Marinette a big hug.
They were dating, then? Good for them. They looked cute together.
He decided it was probably time to leave when two others, who were obviously also dating, entered and the 4 of them started talking as close friends did.
He slipped out the door, with a small wave and a smile of thanks at Tom who watched him go.
Adrien ran into Luka the next day.
Ran
It was about 6:30 in the morning, and Adrien had decided to go for a run at a park he'd found yesterday, about a 2-minute walk from his apartment.
He hadn't been paying proper attention, and clearly neither had Luka.
They slammed, quite hard, into each other, sending them both sprawling on their asses.
It took a few seconds for it to register who it was, once the initial daze wore off.
"Shit, Luka, I'm sorry!" Adrien was quick to apologize.
"Adrien? Nah, no sweat. I wasn't paying attention." Luka was the first to stand up, and offered a hand down to Adrien.
He took it.
"Are you hurt at all?" They both asked at the same time. They laughed, before Luka went on, "No, I'm good. Are you?"
"Other than being embarrassed and having a sore ass? Yeah, I'm fine."
"Good." Luka paused, watching. "You going to come around the café today? I didn't see you leave yesterday, and didn't get a chance to say goodbye."
"Oh, yeah, maybe. I don't have much to do."
Luka nodded once. "Cool. I'll see you later on then, I should get home and get to work."
"Yeah, later."
It was around 1 this time when Adrien went to the café.
And, this time, he noticed a notice that they were hiring.
Bingo.
He went straight up to the counter, where Tom was already standing, smiling.
Adrien wanted a job anyway. What better place than this?
"I want a job. I've never worked in a bakery, but I can learn, and I can do all the customer service stuff." He had a hopeful, determined look in his eyes.
Tom smiled wider.
He was to start the very next week.
To celebrate, he bought a slice of chocolate cake this time.
It was as he was sitting down, at the same table from last time, that he saw Luka coming out from the back room.
All of them came from another area of the café, and all collectively turned to look at Adrien as he put a bite in his mouth.
And all broke into a smile.