(Ahahaha wow I can't believe I've been writing this chapter for six months. Insert tmi vent about college and exams and being tired here. Anyways, now it's the holiday I hope to get more out. Hopefully. And uhh I guess Season 4 spoilers? For the episode Truth. Enjoy!)
Passing Papers - Chapter 8.
A Lukadrien fanfic by InfamamousAmooogle.
No amount of warning could have prepared Adrien for the news his father set before him the following morning. It's not like Gabriel making his Agreste ambassador attend an event on his behalf was odd, but the asterisk next to Jagged Stone's name was practically begging for Adrien's attention.
"Father, what is this by Jagged Stone's name?"
Gabriel eyes Adrien with mild annoyance that he would be required to answer questions that - in his mind - are irrelevant to the event at hand.
"In light of the man finally admitting to having children, he's trying to make up for his absence by inviting them to all these events," Gabriel replies, pausing occasionally to punctuate how little he cares about the personal life of a (in his mind, callous) rock celebrity. "If you ask me, the entire situation is unnecessary and a waste of time."
But Adrien doesn't register his father's cold remarks, having stopped listening once something clicks in his mind.
So Luka will be there?
He shakes his head with a small smile.
Best not to get ahead of himself, besides, it's not like he'd probably get to spend much time with him; being the face of the Agreste company means he has obligations after all.
...
But,
what if Luka doesn't want to see Adrien?
It's not like they'd spoken in a while, because awkward chatter with his superhero alter ego hardly counts.
Just as Adrien felt his mind begin to reel at the possibility Luka might not want to see him, avoid him even, he became aware of Gabriel's eye on him. It's his father who speaks next.
"I know you're somewhat fond of his children, I expect you not to get distracted by frivolous classroom chat."
Adrien tries not to let the bitterness resting in the back of his throat slip out, "yes, of course, Father. I wouldn't want to ruin the event for you."
Of course this event was for Gabriel and Gabriel only. That's how it always has been, always will be. But at least this time, perhaps Adrien can try to make it go his way - in some way or another. He'll be sure of it.
The hall was bigger than expected. The lights too bright. The blues in the wallpaper too muted. Everything in the space brimming with the highest tier names in Paris and their families felt so familiar yet still so wrong to Adrien. The fake friendly conversations he was pulled into just couldn't hold his attention, no matter how hard he tried (and he didn't really want to be trying, either).
At the entrance to the event, a certain celebrity stands with his two shivering children, arguing with the security about his pet. Apparently they deemed Jagged Stone's beloved crocodile too wild an animal to be let in, completely ignoring how many photographs the man pulled out to show how Fang was far better behaved than many of the pet dogs they'd let slip by.
Eventually, Jagged sighs with indignance, turning to the teens. "You kids go ahead-", the smile on his face going from sweet and soft to his children, to passive aggression unsubtly aimed at the guards.
Luka and Juleka had already agreed they would be sticking together for the evening, planning on seeking out the buffet and a table as far from the crowd as possible. Jagged Stone earlier admitted to them that the idle celebrity talk would be as boring for his children as it is for him, and that it'd be best to stay away from prying eyes and those fond of ignoring boundaries. Luka had whispered promises of protecting Juleka as he brushed her hair through. But upon setting foot in the overly glamorous hall bustling with the uppermost tier of French society and Luka feeling Juleka freeze up at his side, he questions how well he'd be able to do this. Taking initiative, Luka seeks out and finds an outdoor space mostly unattended save the few couples wanting to share an intimate moment or two away from critical eyes and curious ears.
Sitting beside one another in the still evening air, they silently agree the extravagance and noise of the upper-class' events were unnecessary, making no attempt to move when a sudden bustle and hush left them alone on the outdoor mezzanine. The light so harsh when inside, became soft and noninvasive when the irritating conversation didn't come with it.
Unfortunately for Adrien Agreste, the overstimulating sights and sounds of the rich life are far less avoidable for he who is presently sitting beside some fashion luminary as they babble on about the promise of the upcoming Gabriel line. He has become rather adept at nodding and smiling at just the right time. Adrien Agreste - the inoffensive face of the Agreste brand, who can do no wrong is capable of upholding any conversation regarding fashion. The image of perfection. Only this Perfection Personified is currently using all in his power not to leap from his seat and sprint til he gives way, letting out an accidentally unsubtle sigh of relief when his conversational captor found a person of interest above him. There's no way he's allowing himself to get swept up again, he decides, taking a step aside to breathe before his customary speech later on in the evening. God how those crowds make his head hurt, but what can he do? It's his job.
He practically collapses as the cooler air hits his lungs, sliding with a lack of poise unfit for an Agreste. His hands brush through his hair, as if doing so can arrange the overwhelming after-effects of so much conversation. Deep breaths savour the cool air. It's so quiet outside. So calm. So peaceful. The perfect oxymoron for the socialite mess inside.
A cold laugh escapes Adrien's lips as he thinks back on how eager he had originally been to come today. How naive was he to think he could ever have a good time when he's forced to act like this.
