Passing Papers - Chapter 4.
A Lukadrien fanfic by InfamousAmooogle.
When Adrien says he likes Luka, he doesn't mean he likes Luka, y'know? At least, that's what he tells himself, but after a dream involving himself and Viperion… sort of… well...
Adrien recognised the scene clearly, it was the rooftop he'd taken Ladybug to after the battle with Glaciator. It felt strange being the invitee instead of the inviter, but was flattered nonetheless. Standing before him was Ladybug; the lady of his dreams held out a rose, which he gratefully accepted. When he went to thank her, she pressed a finger to his lips, making his face burn at the intimate contact, but when Ladybug tried to speak, no words came out. It was at that moment Adrien's blissful reve took a turn- Wind whipped and howled, forcing Adrien to shut his eyes, opening them to see Viperion in Ladybug's place, eyes full of affection, while Adrien himself was now Chat Noir. Viperion kissed Chat's cheek before pulling him into a dance under the moonlight.
Since Adrien is in love with Ladybug and nobody else, it's undoubtedly unsettling to him what his dream could mean, nobody could ever replace his lady afterall.
This had been praying on his mind all day, and had spent pretty much the entire school day tapping pencils and deflecting questions from his classmates. Come lunch time, Nino snapped and dragged him to an empty room.
"Okay what's up?" he asks, unintentionally with a hint of irritation.
"I don't know what you mean", Adrien replies, with his head turned away, unable to meet Nino's worried gaze.
Nino sits himself next to Adrien, resting a tentative hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Listen, I don't know what's gone on, but it's clearly bothering you and as your friend, I want to help."
From Adrien's lack of response, he continues, "you left school looking upset or something yesterday, does it have something to do with that?"
Adrien sighs, ready to make a mean quip, "Nino–"
He blinks at him, crumpling the bothered boy's resolve, shoulders slumping and false anger leaving his eyes to show sad perplexion.
Much to Adrien's appreciation, Nino doesn't take this chance to interrogate him, instead softening his expression to let the boy know he cares and will wait as long as needed.
He began speaking without thinking, "I ran into Luka yesterday… A few times actually…"
"Did he say something to upset you? I don't know the dude personally but he's never seemed like a mean guy. I thought he was pretty chill."
"It wasn't really mean…"
"So he wasn't mean or cruel?"
"No, what are you talking about? Luka could never be mean!"
"So… What happened between you two?"
Adrien's eyes shot up, "woah who said anything about that?!"
"... What?"
"I'm just saying, he…" Adrien pauses, searching his mind for something to say to cover his tracks, "he made a comment about my piano playing. I had a bad day and overreacted, and now I feel bad, that's all."
Knowing he's lying, Adrien can't face his friend, but disguises it as feeling self-conscious about telling the 'truth'.
Nino nods with understanding, removing his hand from Adrien's shoulder, standing to leave. "We should probably go before class starts and y'know dude, if you feel bad you should just talk to the dude, he'll understand."
"Maybe."
- ~ - ~ -
"And that's what happened, what do you think I should do?"
At fencing, Kagami and Adrien stand to the side of the practice hall, taking what they call a 'hydration and tactics discussion'. In actuality they're discussing Adrien's dream (leaving out the superhero identities part), and what it could possibly mean.
"If you want my opinion", she begins, "it's that you have feelings for him."
"What? But Luka? Why would I like him?"
Kagami narrows her eyes at him incredulously, "I don't know about you Adrien, but neither I nor most people tend to have romantic dreams about just anybody."
"... You think I have a crush on Luka?"
"Obviously. Yes."
"You must be mistaken, Kagami, I already like somebody else."
Just then, Kagami leans in to Adrien, making sure he keeps her gaze and pays attention. "People don't react this way if the person doesn't mean anything to them. If you didn't feel anything towards him, you'd probably have brushed it off as strange and moved on, but instead we're here having this conversation."
"Oh c'mon, I'm only bothered because he replaced the girl I like", conveniently skipping over who that person is.
"Alright, I understand you don't agree with me, but if you want to discuss this again, you know when to call."
With that, Kagami leaves, back to the lesson, leaving a concerned Adrien having a minor crisis behind.
"I can't believe she thinks I'd replace Ladybug with Luka, that's crazy!"
- ~ - ~ -
Being cooped up in his boat was driving Luka insane, so he ended up taking a walk in hopes of clearing his head. With any luck he'd be able to get Adrien off his mind, and convince himself that the rejection - as admittedly rude as it was, was better than being left questioning the possibility of them together.
Cold wind blew past, making him shiver and draw his arms across his chest. He thought he heard a bell, and glancing around to see a pair of green eyes peering at him from behind a bush.
Kneeling on the ground, he whistled a gentle tune, and a small black cat approached him carefully, brushing its head against Luka's hand, purring gently. This brings a smile to his face. Luka can't help but be reminded of Chat Noir's strange visit the other night, and what his true purpose was. It seems rather fantastical to believe, but he can't help but be flattered by the appearance. The cat continues to purr, the rumbling rather soothing.
Little did he know, another cat lay watching from above, with a slip over heart-shaped paper in hand, feeling something along the lines of… jealousy-?
"...I don't have a crush on Luka, I like Ladybug….. Right?"
