Thanks so much for your patience! I had a crazy week, so I couldn't update. On Monday, I got a commission with a deadline for Friday. The client wanted me to do a painting and a live chalk piece representing their business. I agreed without much thought. The business? A colorectal cancer center. In their own words, "you poo into a bag, and then we check to see if you have butt cancer." The only rules they gave me was 'it can't be funny and it has to have a bar stool in it.'
So that was my week. I got 500 bucks out of it though, so not too bad! You can check out my paint on my instagram if you're interested.
I'm very musically minded. I was voted 'Most Likely to Break Out Into Song' in Highschool. So it's no surprise when I have a songfic chapter. I had a similar chapter in my previous ML fic 'Nine Lives' where Jagged performs. I've always thought Jagged Stone's music would sound a lot like Radiohead, despite his name being a pun on the Rolling Stones.
Song list and link to playlist at the end of the chapter.
—
Four weeks earlier
Luka was four hours late coming home from work. As a delivery driver, work was often impeded by akuma attacks. As it was, Paris had yet to be given the all clear from the newest akuma, a wreck ball man who was causing absolute chaos through the town. As it grew later and later, Luka's boss decidedly sent him home, with the warning to be careful.
So Luka biked home. In a city as big as Paris, as accustomed it was to Akumas, people were still out and about, rushing to get where they needed to go. There was no slowing down.
It helped keep life to some sort of normality.
When Luka arrived back home, he parked his bike and headed inside.
"Home, ma!" He called.
"Aye laddie! About time! I'll warm up yer dinner."
Luka sat on the couch, catching his breath from his rushed trip home. "Where's Jules?"
"Oh!" called Anarka, with a gasp. "Her and Rose went off with their classmates! Seems Marinette's gone missing!"
Luka was back on his feet and hurrying into his shoes. "Where did they go? I'll catch up with them!"
"You'll do no such thing! You're going to eat your dinner, and then you'll wait here. I was worried sick having you both out there with that akuma still on the loose!"
"The akuma hasn't been seen in several hours," he pleaded. "Come on ma, you know how much I like Marinette!"
"Butt! Chair! Now!"
Luka did as his mother instructed, but not without crossing his arms in protest.
As he waited, he flicked on the TV. The cooking channel was on. He didn't much care about cooking, but he didn't feel like watching anything else.
Any news about Marinette? He texted his sister.
Then it was back to waiting, his foot tapping too quickly, and his eyes darting between the TV and his phone.
Five minutes passed before Juleka texted back, 'No, Adrien is missing too.'
He was already feeling sick to his stomach, but a knot coiled in his gut. He couldn't help but feel like their disappearance wasn't just a coincidence.
Think positive. He told himself. Maybe Adrien finally opened his eyes, and they're together, and just lost track of time.
Luka knew what was going on at school. Juleka had told him, confessing that Lila's story didn't sit right with her. It sure as hell sounded like utter garbage to him. Marinette had been forced to confess her crush in front of her class, in front of Adrien.
That had to have been painful, and Luka bemoaned the fact he wasn't in her grade. He would have protected her from this! He would have done something!
"Here ya go, boy-o. Hot soup!" Anarka handed him a tray with a bowl and a baguette.
"Thanks ma."
Still not hungry, Luka stirred the soup with his spoon, unable to do anything else.
He felt useless. Utterly useless.
Suddenly, the TV turned to static, the show cutting out.
"Damn antenna…" he muttered as he lifted the tray off his lap.
The picture came back, but there was a woman with reflective sunglasses instead.
"Good evening Paris. Please excuse me for interrupting whatever pointless drivel you were consumed with. My name is Salo. I'm not an akuma, but you'll soon wish I was. I have succeeded where all the others have failed." She stepped back to show Ladybug and Chat Noir, bound and gagged.
That had been nearly a month ago, and the truth that Ladybug and Chat noir were Marinette and Adrien still hadn't sunk all the way in.
Yes, Luka acknowledged it. Yes, he believed they were both more than capable.
But he didn't want it to be true.
Because that meant he didn't stand a chance.
And that was a very selfish thought.
Ladybug, Marinette, had entrusted him with a Miraculous of his own (on loan of course) a couple of times. That had to mean something, right?
If she trusted him enough for that, then that was enough. She did care about him.
But now it was time to move on from liking her, to supporting her. Things would get rough once they got out. And he was absolutely confident that they would! Ladybug and Chat Noir! Heroes!
Still, as he sat back stage, there a flash of anger that course through his veins.
How did he not notice earlier? Surely, Chat Noir was pretty different from Adrien, but he should have at least had a hunch about Ladybug. He was usually pretty good about reading people.
And yet, the girl he cared about the most…he hadn't even suspected it.
He shook his head in frustration.
"Nervous?" A voice cut into his thoughts.
Looking up, Luka made eye-contact with Jagged Stone, who was wearing an outfit Gabriel designed to match their costumes. Another fact that he hadn't quite gotten over yet. He was playing a concert with Jagged Stone tonight!
In front of millions of people.
"No…well, yeah, of course, but…I was just thinking about Marinette."
"Ah, a young heart in love. A lot of pain, a lot of joy…a pain in the arse."
Luka chuckled at that.
"Look kid, you're not gonna be alone out there…for the most part. That solo was your idea."
"I won't even be alone for that," Luka smirked. "I'll have Adrien with me."
Jagged gave a hard pat to his shoulder. "I know it's a somber occasion, but try to have some fun, huh? I know they'd really want it."
"Yeah, I'll do my best."
The city had set up a stage under the Eiffel Tower, one that had no curtains, so the crowd could surround it on all sides. Technically, the band was under the stage, until it was time to begin.
Luka was all ready to go, having tuned his guitars, one electric, one acoustic. He glanced around the space watching people scurry about. Jagged's band, Kitty Section, Clara Nightingale, Alya and Nino, and a handful of staff. There were some other people he didn't know.
When he was approached about the concert, he had enthusiastically agreed, though he was warned what could happen if the people who took Marinette found out he was close to them.
They hadn't taken anyone else yet, but it was just a matter of time.
Still, Luka wasn't afraid, and he wanted to do this for them.
"Luka?" A girl asked.
He blinked out of his reverie again. "Uh…Kagami, right?"
"Yeah, it's been a while."
"Yeah."
She sat next to him, without another word.
Without much thought, he started to pick at his strings, a soft little melody hanging in the air.
"That's nice," said Kagami.
"Thanks…it's not much."
"You're playing tonight, right?"
"Yeah."
"Nervous?"
"Who wouldn't be?" He shrugged. He really hoped he wasn't coming off as short. He just didn't feel much like talking. That was something Marinette was good about, just willing share her presence and allow herself to get lost in the music with him.
But now she was lost in silence. And even after all was said and done, she'd probably be listening for a piano.
He hit a bad chord, and winced. Then he sighed, and stopped.
"You are fond of her, aren't you? You went on that double date with us, after all."
He began to play again. "Yeah, you could say I was fond of her."
"Did you love her?"
He paused. And then continued to strum. "You know, for all the love songs I've ever played and ever wrote…I don't think I've ever been in love before. I think I liked her, a lot. But…"
"Knowing who she is, and seeing it in comparison…it's not love, right?" She finished for him.
"Yeah…you—you got it right on the head. What about you? Did you love Adrien?"
She shook her head. "Same as you. Thought I did…but…Adrien was my first real friend. I think I assumed the admiration I felt for him was love, when it was just…well, love. But not in the way that I thought. I'm sorry, I'm not great at explaining my feelings. I didn't mean to heap this on you. You're about to perform and I'm bothering you—" She stood.
"Hey, no, Kagami…you're not bothering me at all." And she wasn't. Not anymore. "You put what I've been feeling into words, and I'm really thankful for that."
"Really?" She asked, sitting back down.
"For sure! I've felt…kind of selfish lately. Like…really really selfish. I should be worried sick for both of them, and I am! Believe me! But…I'm also hurting. Knowing the feelings I had for her are nothing in comparison for how Adrien feels for her…"
"Hey." She said sternly. "You felt for her. That's enough. You're allowed to be upset. Everyone in this whole darn city is upset. No one will judge your reasoning."
His lip twitched in a smile. "Darn?"
"I'm not allowed to swear."
"Well, I won't tell."
She glanced around and then finally uttered a soft, "…damn."
Luka snickered. "That's the spirit."
"Thanks for talking with me, Luka."
"Of course, any time." And when she stood, he gently grasped her wrist. "I mean it. Any time. We broken hearts have to stick together, right?"
She smirked at him. "Just don't expect me to fall for you right away."
His eyes widened. "Right away?"
"Uh—" She blushed. "Or at all." She cleared her throat. "Well, break a leg."
Luka felt himself missing her once she had left, even though she'd only been here for a moment.
Maybe he was just lonely. Despite his still conflicted heart.
"Five minutes!" The stage manager shouted.
And just like that, all of Luka's frustrations and sadness disappeared to be replaced with total and complete nervousness.
He exhaled slowly, and put on his mask—the one Marinette had made—and got into position.
He was a few steps behind Jagged, surrounded by other band members, waiting on a hydraulic lift. Any minute now, it would raise up and he'd see the thousands and thousands of people that had come out.
He could already hear them. The crowd was talking, voices muddled together in waves and waves of humming garbage.
His heart pounded in his chest as he swallowed thickly.
Jagged looked over to Clara and nodded. Then they both looked to Luka, who nodded too.
He wanted to do this. For Adrien. For Marinette.
The floor started to move.
Oh god
Oh god
Oh god
Jagged strummed his guitar, beginning the first song. A favorite of Adrien's, he was told. The whole set list was made up of their favorite songs from the three bands.
Including one that Luka wrote.
Jagged started to sing.
I do not
Understand
What it is
I've done wrong
Full of holes
Check for pulse
Blink your eyes
One for yes
Two for no
I have no idea what I am talking about
I'm trapped in this body and can't get out
Oh, oh
Now that the music started, it was a lot easier to breathe. If he just focused on his guitar and on Jagged and Clara, he'd be fine, totally fine.
Make a sound
Move back home
Pale imitation
With the edges
Sawn off
I have no idea what you are talking about
I'm trapped in this body and can't get out
Oh, oh
Feeling braver, Luka looked up and out into the audience. He almost stopped playing completely. It was an ocean of people, jumping up and down, cheering and singing along. They flooded the entirety of Champ de Mars, so far back he couldn't see the end of the crowd. Speakers dotted the edge of the park, assuring that everyone could hear the music.
The concert of the century.
Has the light gone out for you?
'Cause the light's gone for me
It is the 21st century
It is the 21st century
You can fight it like a dog
And they brought me to my knees
They got scared and they put me in
They got scared and they put me in
All the lies run around my face
All the lies run around my face
And for anyone else to see
And for anyone else to see
I'm alive
I've seen it coming
The roar of the crowd was incredible. Thousands and thousands of people gathering together, to support his friends. It made Luka nearly weak in the knees.
"Thank you!" Jagged called, the crowd quieting down more. "Thank you all for coming out tonight. It is my esteemed honor to play tribute to the heroes of Paris…Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste…that's Ladybug and Chat Noir, if you didn't already know."
More cheering, a sonic boom of devotion and praise.
It was touching to hear Jagged refer to them by their real names first, and not their titles.
"The first time I encountered Marinette was not too many months after she debuted as a superhero. She was helping out at Le Grand Hotel where I was staying, and she was assigned as my gopher. I tasked her with finding a pair of glasses with Eiffel Towers on them, nice and big and totally rock and roll. The first pair she brought back weren't what I wanted, and I told her as much. She went away and returned an hour later with these glasses," he gestured to his face. "She couldn't find the ones I wanted, so she decided to make them herself. I was so thrilled with them! They're still my favorite accessory! Of course, that same day, Ladybug and Chat Noir both saved my butt from an akuma. Since then, Marinette has designed two of my album covers, and Ladybug and Chat Noir have saved me from akumas, and from akumatization. The moment I saw what happened…I was devastated. Marinette's become like a little sister to me. I appreciate all the things that she and Adrien do for Paris. And tonight I want to give back. I want to let the world know that we're not giving up! We are looking! And eventually, we will find them!"
Again, the roar of the crowd was incredible. The sound made the strings of his guitar vibrate against his fingers. It almost hurt!
"This is a song—This song is called Lucky, and I wrote it for Ladybug the first time she saved me."
The bass guitar started in, a rolling chord setting the tone.
I'm on a roll
I'm on a roll this time
I feel my luck could change
Kill me, cera
Kill me again with love
It's gonna be a glorious day
Pull me out of the aircrash
Pull me out of the lake
'Cause I'm your superhero
We are standing on the edge
The sun hadn't quite set yet, but the light in the park was rapidly dimming. As the crowd sang along with Jagged and Clara, little lights flickered on in the throng of people. Lighters, cell phones, and candles were raised and swayed in time with the beat.
The head of state has called for me by name
But I don't have time for him
It's gonna be a glorious day
I feel my luck could change
Pull me out of the aircrash
Pull me out of the lake
'Cause I'm your superhero
We are standing on the edge
We are standing on the edge
When the song ended, Luka had to take a steadying breath as he was overwhelmed with emotion. It was just too much.
Above them was a giant screen. Several others were on the edges of the park, with the speakers, assuring that everyone could see the band and the footage that was shown.
What followed was Clara Nightingale's music video she had created for Ladybug and Chat Noir back when they started out. It was an edited version, instead of shots of Clara, it was B-Roll footage that was taken while Adrien and Marinette were auditioning for Ladybug and Chat Noir. It was almost startling to see them in the costumes without the masks.
Because it was so painfully obvious at that point, and yet no one had noticed.
Luka had gotten to be in the final product, wearing a Ladybug mask and dancing with Marinette and Adrien. That was an incredible experience, one he treasured.
He watched as there were pictures of Adrien and Marinette posing together in costume, looking to all the world like the happiest couple.
The ache in his heart started to subside the longer he watched.
Clara spoke as the video ended. "Such wonderful heroes, together they make,
Marinette and Adrien are truly the best.
To raise awareness for both of their sake,
And so with this concert, I just couldn't rest!
I met them first one warm November,
Adrien was naturally the perfect cat.
Nervous at first, but his eyes full of ember,
he picked up the role in no time flat!
Ladybug was hard to cast,
My blue eyed, black haired beauty missing,
And Marinette auditioned next to last.
I was becoming dismayed spending the whole day dismissing.
Marinette wasn't even auditioning for the role,
But Adrien batted his eyes big and green,
And tickled something deep inside her soul.
She was whisked off to makeup and we started the scene!
But alas, what a shame!
Both of their masks had completely disappeared!
It was hard to know who was to blame,
But in the end the video wasn't even cleared!
How sad I was, and angry too,
For my tribute to be shattered.
My heroes then came to push through,
And finished the battle only slightly battered!
I'm thankful for them every single day,
And hope they come home soon.
But their trials have inspired me in a new way,
So I'll say it all with a brand new tune."
She had a ukulele, plucked out a little melody, and started to sing.
When I am with you
I feel naked
I can't hide my scars
Piece by piece
You put me together
Till I am no longer
Broken
In between shots of Clara singing, there were photos of Marinette and Adrien together, with friends, in costume, anywhere together. One such was them asleep together on the train to London, looking absolutely adorable.
When I am with you
I can be myself
I don't have to wear a mask anymore
You see who I am
Deep down inside
I grow by the light of your gaze
You fill me with wonder
Fill me with hope
You have opened up my mind
I see eternity in every little thing
When you're by my side
Luka took more calming breaths and tried to think about the concert, rather than his suffering friends. He had two songs coming up, and it wouldn't do them justice if he burst out into tears in the middle of them.
He glanced over at his band mates for Kitty Section. Rose was standing by Juleka, and she looked like she was shaking like a leaf. Quietly, he went over and rested a hand on her shoulder. "You okay?"
"Yeah…just nervous, and I miss Marinette and Adrien. They were both really good at comforting."
Luka sighed softly, noting that Rose had said 'were' and not 'are'. Past tense.
"There's nothing to be nervous about. Everyone here is here to support them. If you get emotional, they'll understand."
Rose nodded.
"Besides, this is a battle song. We're waging a war! We're fighting back."
Rose nodded harder. "Yeah!" She said a bit too loudly, though the mics didn't pick her up.
When I am with you
I don't fear silence
The voices in my head
Leave me peace
Piece by piece
You put me together
And now
I am no longer
Broken.
The song ended and the applause was much more subdued from Jagged's songs. It was obvious that people had been moved, and not hyped. Still there were whistles and tearful cheers.
A video began to play on the screen, one that Alya had shot a while ago. It showed Marinette outside of school, a bright blush on her face as she clenched the bottom of her shirt.
Alya's voice spoke from behind the camera, in a nature documenter's voice. "Here we see the nervousous pigtailious, commonly known as a Marinette, as she prepares to attract a mate."
Marinette's head swiveled over to look at her. "Are you seriously recording me right now?"
"A Marinette cannot detect our camera's if we stay still. Perhaps we can capture the Marinette's mating ritual for the first time."
"You are mean and unhelpful." Marinette said flatly.
"The Marinette is not typically a hostile creature, but will, on occasion, protect itself with a verbal lashing."
"Well, I'm officially not nervous anymore, but I am annoyed. At you. If this blows up in my face, purge the evidence. If I succeed…play this at my wedding."
Alya giggled as she said, "The Marinette has targeted her perspective mate," she turned the camera to lock onto Adrien and Nino, who were a few feet away, chatting by the stairs of the school. "Her target is the sunshinious handsomous, a gentle and docile creature, most commonly known as an Adrien. Here, we see him interacting with a dorkus maximus."
"I'm telling Nino you said that."
"The Marinette gathers her courage to approach."
Marinette glared back, and then inhaled deeply, her shoulders heaving. Then she stormed over to Adrien and Nino, who both beamed at her approach. From this distance, it wasn't possible to hear what Marinette was saying.
"And thus begins the dance," said Alya. "The Marinette is a creature of vast ingenuity, and capable of many surprises, but when it comes to finding a mate, she has had no such luck this season."
The shot showed Marinette flailing her arms, as she backpedalled over her words. She was now shouting. "Not falling for you! Falling here! I fell!"
"And now the Marinette begins her mating call. A different one to be sure, unlike any other in nature. The Adrien has responded to it, but not with a mating call of his own…"
Adrien had taken his bag off his shoulder, digging through it before he took out a little white bottle, and a bottle of water. He tapped the white bottle on her hand, and then gave her the water.
"It seems the Adrien has misunderstood the call, and has determined the Marinette is in distress. A common miscommunication between the Marinette and the Adrien."
Adrien patted her shoulder warmly, waved to Nino and walked over to his car.
"Once the situation is rectified, the Adrien takes his leave."
Marinette stomped back over to Alya, her face red and shoulders hunched, as Nino followed behind, laughing uproariously.
"I tried to do the old, 'did it hurt when you fell from heaven?' schtick, but instead I said, 'it hurt when I fell for you. No, when I fell down the stairs, not falling for you. Falling here. I fell. I think I hit my head, and I'm loosing my mind.' Then he gave me some ibuprofen from his bag and I love him so much!"
After Alya stopped laughing so hard, she finished the recording by saying, "Nature is beautiful."
Luka watched the video fondly, having seen it earlier in rehearsal. But now it was his turn. Jagged Stone and Clara Nightingale both nodded him on.
Oh god
Oh god
Oh god
Rose cleared her throat and spoke into the mic, with her incredibly sweet voice, "It's been said a dozen times already, but thank you all for coming out tonight. We're Kitty Section. Adrien played the piano for us on occasion, and Marinette designed our costumes. Tonight we'll be performing a song called 'Take Me to War'. It wasn't originally written with Adrien or Marinette in mind, but I think it certainly fits. And they both really liked it too."
Luka had originally written the song as a response to all the negative feedback they were receiving online. Metal heads didn't take kindly to metal about glitter and unicorns.
But after watching the stream, Luka had tweaked the lyrics ever so slightly, and found it was a perfect fit.
He started out with a funky beat, before Rose came in on vocals.
I've earned myself a reputation
That my bark is much worse than my bite
But I keep snapping at Goliath's hands
With all of my tiny might
There are no stones at my disposal
There's no God to award me a crown
But I am always swinging at
Somebody I can't knock down
All of the fire I've swallowed
All of the sparks that went dark in my gut
I am always burning up
Luka tried to focus on the music, as his heart thundered in his ears. The sun had set now, and all he could see was an ocean of glittering stars, swaying in time with the music.
Dress me in red and throw your roses
And I'll rankle the beasts with words
It's a graceless dance of epithets
We learn to make someone hurt
They will consume your sweet resistance
And they'll carry your heart in their teeth
But I am always feeding them
The ugliest parts of me
All of the words I've swallowed
All of the sharp things I've kept in my mouth
I am always bleeding out
Up on the screen, between shots of the band members, there were photos and short videos of Ladybug and Chat Noir, fighting their battles. Whether it was akumas or the media, Paris was getting another reminder of the hard work and dedication the heroes always put forward.
Take me to war
Honey, I dare you
I'll be the sweetest thing
To ever scare you
Give me a fight I can't resist
Give me something to break with my fists
Take me to war
Oh, honey, I dare you
Distantly, Luka thought about the parents. Alya had told them that Tom, Sabine, and Gabriel wouldn't be at the concert, for their own safety, but he at least hoped they were watching. He had seen Nadja Chamack somewhere under the stage, right? They were broadcasting this, right?
Oh god he was on TV!
I watched a weed usurp the garden
And it poisoned the rest of the crops
It would take days of fighting stubborn roots
To tear the whole damn thing out
So I will leave it where it's standing
And instead I will find me a match
I'll turn it all to kindling
I'll burn it all down to ash
All of the ire I've swallowed
All of the coals that still sit in my gut
I am always burning up
As they came back to the chorus, Luka pushed all other thoughts out of his head, and played his heart out. This was for Marinette!
Take me to war
Honey, I dare you
I'll be the sweetest thing
To ever scare you
Give me a fight I can't resist
Give me something to break with my fists
Take me to war
Oh, honey, I dare you
The applause this time was breathtaking. Maybe it was a little selfish, but he reveled in the praise, savoring it. He worked hard, practiced day after day, and wrote the words in his heart. This concert was for Adrien and Marinette, but the applause was for him, for his sister, for all of Kitty Section. It felt nice.
Another video began to play. One of a young Ladybug, right at the beginning of their run during Stoneheart. She stood on the beams of the Eiffel Tower, proclaiming to all of Paris:
"Nice try, Hawkmoth, but we know who the bad guy is. Let's not reverse the roles here. Without you, none of these innocent victims would be transformed into villains. Hawkmoth, no matter how long it takes, we will find you, and you will hand us your Miraculous!" Using amazing acrobatics, Ladybug proceeded to capture every akuma that had appeared, destroying the hideous mask that Hawkmoth had conjured. "Let me make this promise to you. No matter who wants to harm you, Ladybug and Cat Noir will do everything in our power to keep you safe!" She opened her yo-yo, a cloud of Butterflies bursting forth and disappearing into the sky, the video transitioning to black.
While the video played, Luka had switched out his electric guitar with an acoustic, and took a seat on a stool. The lights on the rest of the stage went out, bringing the focus to Luka.
The crowd settled down, to a small murmur.
Luka swallowed, and spoke. "I…I'm not much of gamer." He began. "Of course, I like a round or two of UMS, but, I'm not the dedicated fan that Adrien apparently is." He licked his lips as his mouth felt incredibly dry with ten thousand eyes staring at him. "I was watching the stream really late one night, just checking up on them, since I couldn't sleep, and I saw this moment…well, you'll see."
Up on the screen, there was a clip of Adrien from the stream, in his dark cage. The film was green, being shot with night vision. He had his head rested against the wall, and looked up towards the ceiling. The word 'chatte' was perfectly visible on the side of his head.
Luka picked out the notes, before Adrien began to sing.
Alduin's wings, they did darken the sky.
His roar fury's fire and his scales sharpened scythes.
Men ran and they cowered and they fought and they died.
They burned and they bled as they issued their cries.
Immediately, people recognized the song, as Luka could hear little gasps. But no one sang along right away, just listening to Adrien. When the chorus broke, a murmur of voices rolled over the stage, in a cloud of harmony, as kindred spirits sang together.
Dovahkiin Dovahkiin naal ok zin los vahriin
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan
Dovahkiin fah hin kogaan mu draal
As Adrien sang, he became a little more triumphant in tune, as his notes filled the silence he was suffocating with.
The crowd fell silent again, listening to Adrien's tale.
We need saviors to free us from Alduin's rage.
Heroes on the field of this new war to wage.
And if Alduin wins, man is gone from this world.
Lost in the shadow of the black wings unfurled.
Adrien closed his eyes, rocking back and forth, letting the music transport him out and away. To a land of dragons and warriors. It was the best thing for him, pretending to be somewhere where he wasn't.
But then came the Tongues on that terrible day.
Steadfast as winter, they entered the fray.
And all heard the music of Alduin's doom.
The sweet song of Skyrim, sky-shattering Thu'um.
And so the Tongues freed us from Alduin's rage.
Gave the gift of the Voice, ushered in a new Age.
If Alduin is eternal, then eternity's done.
For his story is over and the dragons... are gone.
When the song was over, and the video cut out, the cheers were deafening. People were crying and sobbing. Adrien was the least prepared to sing in front of an audience. His voice was raw and breaking, some of his notes a little sour. The mic he had wasn't great, and his throat was dry. He was singing for himself only.
But it was him. He was here with them all. It was his voice.
And that was enough to make everyone that felt completely useless to feel just a little bit better.
"One last song," said Jagged, with his own acoustic. "A favorite of Adrien's…and a bit ironic, if I'm being honest."
Wake from your sleep
The drying of your tears
Today we escape
We escape
Pack and get dressed
Before your father hears us
Before all hell breaks loose
Breathe
Keep breathing
Don't loose your nerve
Breathe
Keep breathing
I can't do this alone
Sing us a song
A song to keep us warm
There's such a chill
Such a chill
You can laugh
A spineless laugh
We hope your rules and wisdom choke you
Now
We are one
In everlasting peace
We hope that you choke
That you choke
We hope that you choke
That you choke
We hope
That you choke
That you choke
—
Radiohead songs in order:
'Bodysnatchers'
'Lucky'
'Exit Music'
Then I used 'Piece by Piece' by Eivør for Clara's song.
Kitty Section's song was 'Take Me To War' by the Crane Wives.
Then the song that Adrien sang was 'Song of the Tongues' from Skyrim.
I made a playlist of all the songs that are (or will be) in this fic, and those that inspired it at on youtube at:
/playlist?list=PLCFvfHQFx6TL68Nt9zq5HEMh3eeMAfMTf