Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug, it's characters, or the song lyrics in this chapter.
Chapter 48,
The park boomed with life as the high schoolers practiced possible songs and dance numbers to perform.
"No one ever starts that way, but this is how villains are made."
"But I wanna know the truth, instead of wondering why, I wanna know the answers, no more lies."
"Left, together, and do you think a dip would be appropriate, or is that more of a finishing move?"
"You can have anything you want, but you better not take it from me. In the jungle, welcome to the jungle."
"I would really like to do a fun operatic number with some beautiful looking ballet. That really ought to wow the audience."
And while Marinette and Nathalie were the quote 'leaders' of this mob, they hardly had any real control. And besides, Marinette kept getting distracted by Adrien.
"I try to make you see my side, always try to stay inline, but your eyes see right through, that's all they do." Adrien sang. Marinette stole glances and admired the blond boy.
"Sometimes I forget how grown up he's become." Armand said to Marinette.
"You must have been guarding the Agreste family sometime." Marinette said and Armand paused.
"In some ways yes. In others no." Armand said and Marinette blinked.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Well... originally I was hired to protect Emily and Adrien." Armand shared.
"I didn't know that." Marinette said and Armand smiled softly.
"Well it was a while ago. was always concerned that her fame would cause a crazed fan to attack her and Adrien. See, back then, they thought it would be safer for Adrien to be with Emily. Though he was mostly bored out of his mind in her dressing room." Armand said, and Marinette giggled.
"I use to bring him toys and books to keep him occupied. As long as his homework was completed however. And somewhere along the way Emily told me that she would feel better if I made that she would feel better if I made Adrien my priority, while protecting her on occasion; instead of the other way around. Things changed a bit after 's line launched. He became an overnight sensation. Hiring more help, growing his business, making more restrictive security... I suppose it was all for the best, but on occasion, I do wish that things could return to those old days. A ridiculous notion, I realize, but still." Armand said.
"I didn't realize you and Adrien were so close. Anytime he talks about you, he just calls you his bodyguard."Marinette said and Armand smiled.
"As a young one, he probably thought that was my name. After he started modelling wanted us to maintain a more professional relationship. Bodyguards are suppose to be aloof anf tough, not like a nanny." Armand stated.
"Wow. What was it like to watch a kid grow up like that?" Marinette asked and Armand paused.
"It's bittersweet. On one hand Adrien is like a son to me in many ways. When I see him happy, I know that all is right with the world and everything will be ok. On the other hand, Adrien is not my child. So it's difficult to watch him be miserable and be overtly punished for miniscule errors. Adrien is good kind, and I want him to be happy, but there is only so much I can do, while also doing my job." Armand said and Marinette blinked.
She turned and looked at Adrien singing on the stage. She knew what he was planning to do at the fashion show. She also knew it would probably make really upset, and possibly overreact. But Marinette hadn't really considered how this would effect the other people Adrien lived with; Nathalie and Armand. Then again, why would she? As far as anyone else is concerned, the only person they would need to worry about is Gabriel, since the others were hired employees.
"I guess I don't know the situation that well. Sometimes I feel b ad for him and I wish things were better for him." Marinette admitted and Armand looked at her.
"If someone we love is unhappy, it is only natural to want better for them." Armand said and Marinette blushed.
"What do you mean by that?" Marinette asked and Armand smiled at her.
"I think I'll go check on Nathalie." Armand said and he walked away.
"I'm taking care of it. And all the things you've left behind. I don't care; you won't be there for me. I don't care... at all." Adrien finished his song, and he stepped off the stage to allow someone else a chance to practice on the stage. He grabbed a water bottle and came over to Marinette.
"So that's the song I was thinking about for my big reveal. What do you think?" Adrien said and Marinette hesitated as she considered the song lyrics.
"I'm not sure that's the song you want to go with." Marinette said.
"No?" Adrien asked.
"Well, it's just... do you really want to tell your dad that you don't care if he's 'dead or still alive'?" Marinette asked and Adrien bit his lip.
"I guess I do care about that." Adrien admitted and Marinette smiled at him.
"I'm not sure you'll like it, but there was this one song I thought would be good for the reveal." Marinette said bashfully.
"Can I hear it?" Adrien asked. Marinette pulled out her phone and a set of earbuds to hear the song over the noise around them.
"Now the song was written by this German singer named Anna Blue. But her boyfriend Damien Dawn sings this song too, if you'd like to hear that." Marinette explained.
They both inserted an earbud and she pressed play. and as the song played and Adrien watched the video, he was mesmerized. How much can he related to this song? And he was surprised at how honest a singer could be with their music. When it was over, he looked at Marinette.
"I wasn't sure anyone would know her, but I like her a lot." Marinette said, feeling as if she needed to explain herself.
"Well, I'm glad you are; because this song is perfect." Adrien said.
At first, Marinette could only stare at him, surprised that he liked it. But then she smiled at the boy and she bit her lip to try and suppress the joy she was feeling in that moment.