Hi everyone,
This chapter was a lot of fun to write and I hope you enjoy it. And dn't worry there will be more of Adrien being hurt (grins evilly).
Enjoy and review!
Nino could see something was wrong. He was sure he wasn't the only one. You didn't need to be a genius to know Adrien was hiding something. He was constantly cringing, walking slower and dragging his feet. It was a rather strong contrast with his usual steady and confident walk. Something was off, but his best friend wouldn't tell him what it was even if he pried. He kept repeating he was" fine". But by doing so he was giving himself away: his voice was more of grumble, a hoarse, pained tone. All the class had noticed and everyone was asking him to investigate. Like he wouldn't have done by himself.
"Bro, seriously, tell me what's wrong or I'll call your dad so he comes pick you up." Adrien's head shot up. So, it did have to do with his dad, again.
"No need. I'm fine. Stop asking." Nino froze. He sounded just like his father. That couldn't be good. He gently put a hand in his shoulder. But instead of comfort all he saw in his bro's eyes was pain. Maybe… No, Gabriel wouldn't. One thing was neglecting him and a completely different thing abusing him. He became dead silent and moved Adrien's shirt ever so slightly to find a gigantic purple bruise visible on the edges of a bloody bandage.
"Dude. Who did this to you?" pushed the DJ aspirant.
"I…." He could see it in his friend face: he had nothing. No excuse. That gave his theory more sense: he wouldn't want his father to be in trouble.
"Who?"
"I… ehm… fell in the park?" he excused himself poorly. The brown-haired boy shot him a death glare. The blond just looked at his shoes.
"That is it! I'm calling the police!" yelled Nino. He didn't anyone to confirm his theory. The facts spoke plenty.
"For what?" asked Alya approaching them with Marinette by her side. "Is there an akuma?" she sounded so excited it was almost ironic.
"What? No! This about Adrien…" responded the tanned boy.
"Adrien?! Are you okay? What happened?" the ravenette was going ballistic, circling the model to get a better look. In one of her many motions she lifted his left arm. The little scream that let out their classmate didn't go unnoticed. Everyone's expression turned into a worried grimace. The center of attention took a step back and prepared to run.
In that moment, the bell rang. Adrien couldn't be happier. He loved his friends and all but the last thing he needed right now was more people on his back. He had had his share of that last night, thank you very much. His best friend glared at him one last time before the four head down to their class. It might not be the last thing he would hear about this but the break was appreciated. Climbing up th stairs proved to be a challenge, his body screamed in pain with every step. He was sure he wouldn't make but still he kept going higher until eventually he found himself in his classroom. To his surprise Nino wasn't there yet. He wasn't even in the hallway.
Shit. He wouldn't actually call the police, would he? He didn't even have the facts. Who would he accuse? a weight settled in his stomach. This was not gonna end up well for him. Why did he let them notice? How could he have done that? Stupid, stupid. He thought he had learned his lesson after his interminable talk with his brother last night. Apparently, he was too dumb to learn, though. Before he could go out and stop him his best friend entered the room, his phone in his hand. He had to think the future DJ hadn't managed. It was the only way to stay sane. Still he knew it was a lie. If only he had been more careful, if only he had prevented this from happening.
Marinette knew for sure that something was wrong. Had someone hurt Adrien on purpose? Did Nino know who it was? She needed answer and most of all she needed to react. Problem was her crush wouldn't trust her with a secret this big. They weren't that close. But maybe Ladybug could do something…
She patiently waited for lunchtime and shook of her inquisitive best friend off and then proceeded to change into the Parisian superhero. Staying the shadows, she spied on Nino and Alya who were talking at the bottom of the stairs; the love of her life hadn't even come out of the classroom.
"I'm telling you, someone attacked him." said the teenager.
"Saying that is one thing but accusing his father of child abuse is completely different. Please tell you didn't actually call the police." Contradicted his girlfriend.
"What else was I supposed to do? I know he was home all day. It had to be someone there and saying it was his bodyguard would be a little weird. It has to be his dad and he's just not saying 'cause he doesn't want him to be in trouble."
Marinette froze and almost showed herself. Not only was Adrien hurt it had been because someone in his household had attacked him. She needed to do something. Even if the police was already involved she couldn't stand still. But first she needed more information. There were too many blanks, too many possible misunderstandings. First thing first, she would talk to the victim and hear his side of the story. Surely, he wouldn't lie to her alter-ego. But when she was about to go upstairs an older version of Adrien entered the schoolyard. Everyone froze to stare at him, no one seemed to be able to process the existence of the model's twin. No one except Chloe.
"What the heck are you doing here? Stay away from Adrien or I'll swear I'll have daddy put a restriction order on you!" Exclaimed the blond girl, planting herself in front of him and pushing him ever so slightly in the chest which was slightly comical considering how was much taller he was. The handsome young adult just stared her down with icy grey eyes and kept walking. The pest shouted after him but he was undisturbed.
'This is too weird. I have to investigate' thought the teenager in a polka dot suit. If he was trying to get to Adrien she could spy on them from the window. She swung her yoyo a couple of times to get an optimal view. The two men were standing in front of each other both looking so tired and yet so on guard.
"Listen, I told you I wouldn't tell father this happened but I need to know if it's his doing. Adrien, you can't protect to the cost of your own health. No one deserves that, especially not him. I didn't pry before but I want an answer. Now." Demanded the new comer. The anguish in his voice was unsettling. But that didn't matter. He had called Gabriel his father. He was Adrien's brother. Why did she not know? How come no one knew? It just didn't make sense. There had to be more to that story.
"Felix, it wasn't father. I had an accident coming back from school. And no, that doesn't mean I can't be trusted to go to school. Get off my back. We're not siblings. You are no one to me and that is on you. So stop this charade. I'll tell the police it isn't what they think." Responded the youngest with venom in his voice.
"Well that is going to have to wait. The police wants you in a hospital so they can get a better look at your wounds. Father will be in custody until it is established that your physical state won't affect the truth behind your statement. They told me to come look for you. So grab your things." Contoured the grey eyed brother. There was some more arguing until Adrien complied.
This couldn't be good.