Adrien choked down the food. God, it had been so long since he had eaten anything this substantial, even before he left that mansion. The voices would always quiet down after he started eating, but he would feel so much shame after he finished. Thanks to his acting skills, honed from living in the Agreste household for so long, he was able to keep the look of disgust off his face. If he wasn't the way he was, the food would probably taste great. This was a bakery after all, and it seemed to be doing pretty well.

Adrien knew he was being stared at by at least one, if not both of the Dupain-Chengs. They probably thought it was odd for someone who had been on the verge of starving to death to had taken so long to finish eating. He gently put down his silverware, as to not disturb the silence. Then, he spoke:

"I apologize for taking so long, it seems after living on so little for so long, my stomach isn't used to being this well fed." A truth, as to not raise suspicion.

"It's alright son, as long as you're full we don't mind," Monsieur- Tom says, his voice a deep, soothing quality.

"Yes, we only worry for your health," Sabine says, her smile wrinkling the corners of her eyes.

"T- Thank you," Adrien stutters in embarrassment, his cheeks a light pink against his pale skin.

An awkward smile reaches his face, as if confused on how to do so after being so out of use. Nothing like the "Dazzling Model Smile" he's known so well for. His smile grows a bit into a genuine, happy smile. One that wrinkles the corners of his eyes similar to the way Sabine's does. The way his own Maman's smile did. For once, the thought of his Maman didn't hurt. It warmed him to remember such a wonderful smile, to have one so similar to her's.

"You remind me of my daughter a bit to be honest," Sabine confessed, her expression one of slight embarrassment, "Marinette always had the brightest smile, yours is almost as bright when you do."

Adrien blushed, humbled by such a compliment. He had always been told how great a smile he had, but it was never over his real smile.

"C- Could you tell me a bit more about Marinette?" Adrien asked, genuinely curious.

"Marinette is a sweet heart, always thinking about others," Sabine gushed, "She once knit a sweater for a stray cat she found once, shame we couldn't keep it due to Tom's allergies."

"She's that good at knitting?" Adrien questioned.

"You bet!" Tom said, proud, "She's a designer! She used to talk about hoping to one day get an internship at Agreste Designs all the time."

Adrien blanched. Agreste? His Père? They said she was coming back from wherever she was tomorrow, what if she recognized him? Calm down Adrien, maybe it's a different Agreste?

"Y- You mean, G- Gabriel Agreste?" He stuttered, trying to keep the fear out of his voice.

"Yep! She was a fan of his designs before it slowed down quite a bit," Tom said, "I believe she said it was after the disappearance of his son, only a year after his wife vanished."

"It hurts my heart to hear about missing family," Sabine said quietly, a somber tone in her voice, "I can't imagine what it would feel like to lose Tom or Marinette."

Adrien looked to the ground. He felt awful about it, but he knew he'd have to leave tonight, or risk being taken back to that lonely mansion. He missed his Maman and Père so, so much. But they were gone. There was no one left in that house. He had nothing to go back to. Nothing at all.

"You can stay up as long as you like Adrien, but we're going to go to bed now," Sabine said, her tone more cheerful than before, "We have to get up early to man the shop, and you're welcome to the couch as long as you like."

"Thank you for your hospitality," Adrien said, hard worked to keep the regret out of his voice, "I deeply appreciate all of it."

Tom and Sabine smiled.

"It was our pleasure," Tom said, before they both went upstairs to rest.


Adrien did not sleep. He waited a few hours till he was absolutely sure they were both sound asleep. He took a few pieces of the leftover quiche and wrapped them up for the road, knowing they wouldn't miss it- hopefully. He changed into his now clean clothes, thanks to the couple, before checking that he had everything he needed so far. One he was sure of the previous statement he took the back door out, the front having a bell that would awaken the sleeping bakers. He grabbed one of the carboard boxes they had in the alley to dispose of to use as a shelter for later. Once he had everything he needed, he quickly bolted out of the area, stealth built up after months of hiding from the many authorities his Père was sure to have hired.

After Adrien was sure he was at least a mile away, he stopped to rest in a small alley next to a Chinese massage parlor of some sort. As he set up his small box shelter, he noticed a small, shivering old man curled up in the alley across from his. Adrien quickly finished his shelter, hiding it from view of the old man, or anyone else nearby, before taking out one of the quiche pieces. He walked over to the old Asian man, kneeling over to hand the piece to him.

"Here," He said, offering up the piece of quiche, "You seem like you need this more than I do."

The old man took in the sight of the thin, skeletal boy. Gently taking the quiche into his hands, the man thanked Adrien for his kindness. Adrien smiled, glad to be able to help someone the way the Dupain-Chengs did for him. Walking back over to his shelter, he hid himself in it, peacefully easing himself into a calm, fruitful sleep.

Adrien yawned, waking as the sun turned the sky a bright orange, just beginning to light the area outside his small alleyway. As he woke he noticed a weight in his pocket that wasn't there before. Digging his hand into his back pocket, he took out a small, hexagon shaped box. He looked over to the alley where the old man was yesterday, not a trace of man left, as if he was never there in the first place. Cautiously, he opened the small box to find an onyx ring, darker than the darkest night. At the center of the ring a bright emerald pawprint gleamed in the morning light.

The beautiful, handcrafted ring mesmerized Adrien. It was clearly made with love and care, and he felt a deep sorrow for whichever poor soul lost it. Just for a moment, he thought as he gently eased the ring on his finger. A bright green flash flooded the darkness of the alley, shocking him as he jumped, stumbling backwards into his box shelter, crushing it.

Groaning as he rubbed his now sore back, Adrien opened his eyes to a small, floating black cat, it's fur as dark and shimmering as the ring it came from. The creature yawned, opening its eyes to reveal a bright emerald, same as the gems shaping the pawprint on the ring.

"Hello kid, the name's Plagg," It said, it's voice a smooth, deep baritone, "Congratulations, you're a Miraculous Holder, my Chosen."