As a heads up, updates are probably going to slow down with classes picking up.
The instant the teacher turned away, Alya pounced, prompting in Marinette's ear. "How do you know him?!"
Marinette shrugged and made an 'I-don't-know' noise. "I bumped into him a few times," she said. Shooting Alya a look, she stressed, "We're pretty much strangers." She was not to get any ideas.
Not that Alya was going to be swayed.
"You look friendlier than that," Alya points out, eagerly leaning into Marinette's space as she eyed the blond. "Especially on his end."
Marinette purses her lips.
Alya nudged her shoulder, grinning, "I think he likes you."
"Seems so."
Eyeing the teacher to make sure she wouldn't be heard, Alya pressed. "You do know I mean like-like, right? Interested?"
Marinette didn't answer, sparing a fast glance at this blond that kinda keeps popping up in her life. She really wonders why was he at her school? And now, in the middle of the semester?
Marinette frowns at his head.
What was up with this kid?
Alya gives her an odd look. Marinette meets it tiredly. With a frown, Alya asked, "He's not another Lila, is he?"
Marinette moves to reply, an instant,"No," on her tongue; only to falter.
Technically, she had no reason to say no, that this wasn't another Lila.
She didn't know him that well.
He was a friend of Chloe.
Whenever she met him his green eyes were practically shining with mischief and plots, it left her a little leery. Curious and intrigued, but also leery.
And now seeing him pop up here, in the middle of the semester?
It was... curious.
She didn't find it to be a good curious.
And yet, he didn't rub her wrong like Lila did. Even before Marinette picked up on her lies.
Sighing, she just shook her head and focused on the lesson.
She'll figure it out soon enough.
Just... just keep an eye on him.
Something was off.
That was for sure.
What, she didn't know yet, but something was certainly off.
Who knew it would be so hard to sit in class and ignore the hammering factor that she was right behind him.
It was hard.
He so desperately wanted to twist around, chat with her, and preen at this discovery.
Only he was also left cringing, because she was there and he had learned that she was a distraction, just as his father knew she'd be. More likely he'd be paying attention to her than Ladybug. That could not happen.
He shouldn't let it happen.
Ladybug was priority.
He just had to remember that. Focus on the mission. The sooner the objective was met, the sooner he wouldn't have to stress about being distracted by her. Even if it was really tempting to press into her space.
Sighing quietly, Adrien glared at the board, barely listening to the teacher as she lectured.
He was quick to learn that this was a topic that he already knew.
Père had him ahead of the learning curve with his homeschooling.
Something he could make use of...
What better way to check out the student body and the most promising candidates, than offering to be a free tutor?
It's a friendly offer, students would trust him, and he'd get a chance to observe them, to see if they were Ladybug. Added bonus of making friends.
His thoughts flickered to the girl behind him.
Yes, it was a good idea and opportunity.
The bell rang out above them and the teacher called out their homework. Adrien turned to the girl behind him, only to find her already walking past him, looping arms with the redhead that sat beside her, and talking with his seatmate. All three slipped out together, oblivious to Adrien staring after them, feeling a little dishearten. He jumped a little when nails clung to his shoulder. Chloe eagerly leaned into his space, asking, "Shall I show you around, Adrikins?"
Leaning away slightly, and trying to buffer the wrinkling of his nose, Adrien declined.
He already had a fair idea of the school's layout, having joined akumas in chasing Ladybug around.
Before Chloe could try and pressure him into agreeing, he quickly drew away from her, partly heading to his next class, partly to look over more students, a certain dark haired girl on the mind.
He almost didn't know who.
He was happy to find that he practically had every class with her. Only one class on his schedule did he not have her.
He was sad to find that no one jumped out at him to be Ladybug.
It was the same issues as before.
Either they had the wrong hair, eye, and skin color; or their dark hair was just too dark, too long, too short, the wrong shade of blue, their skin didn't have that soft peach pearl color, and no freckles.
He didn't let it get to him though.
It was just the first day.
And all miraculouses use a glamour.
It was going to take more than a day to peel it away, to discover Ladybug.
He just had to be patient, observant, and focused.
So when Gorilla arrived to pick him, Adrien was grinning as he slipped into the limo. Gorilla peeked at him in the review mirror, humming questionably. Adrien beamed all the brightly, excitedly telling him, "It was great! There were so many students! And most of the stuff I know, but I could..." while Adrien excitedly talked about his day and plans, Gorilla smiled and drove home.
Reaching it, Adrien hurried out with a fast thanks, burst into his house, and almost slammed into Père. Nooroo floated off Gabriel's shoulder just in case, smiling down at the boy, purple eyes bright and pleased.
Raising a pale, almost silver brow, Père notes aloud, "You seem lively."
Wiggling in spot, Adrien gushed, "It was so cool, Père! And it's so weird seeing students not, well, running around and being scared! And-"
"Ladybug," Père gently prompts, a slight pleased smile on his lips.
Adrien falters, wincing. "I... I couldn't find her today."
Humming, Gabriel nods. "It's is to be expected. She is very devious. And the miraculous do have a protective glamour, and will make changes to our appearances to help hide them. I'd expect it'd take a while longer." A silent, not too long, hung in the air between them.
"Hopefully," Adrien agrees.
The two blonds stood silently across each other, Adrien grinning, Gabriel peering, looking him over. Awkwardly, Gabriel asked, "Was it a good first day?"
"It was!" Adrien gushed out, "and I had the most amazing idea Père!"
While the two walked off down a hall, Adrien discussing his plan with his father, Plagg zoomed towards Nooroo's side, grimacing as they left the humans alone. "Well," he said, "I don't miss hiding away all the time, that's for sure."
Nooroo nods, not really paying attention. Clasping his paws together, the butterfly kwami gushes, "He's so happy." Turning to Plagg, he rushes, "Gabriel was so worried and fretful throughout the day, he wanted to be here to greet Adrien when he got back."
"How nice of him," Plagg huffs, bored and hungry. He floated off towards the kitchen, eager for a snack.
Nooroo followed, excitedly asking, "How was Ladybug? And Tikki? Do they have a healthy school environment? Are they doing well?"
Plagg gives him an unimpressed look, before dicing into the fridge, carrying out Camembert. "They're both fine. They're in school, it's school. It's as healthy as it's going to be."
Sparing a glance to the kitchen door, Nooroo dropped down beside Plagg, quietly asking, "How close is he?"
Plagg raises a brow, then grunts.
Nooroo droops, sighing. Of course he was close to Ladybg. Frowning, he utters, "We'll have to be ready."
Plagg hums in bored agreement, popping open the container and starting to chow down. Nooroo peered out the window, nervously optimistic.
Chances were slim that he would discover her.
But he was in a near constant close quarters now.
And Ladybug's luck was bound to run out sometime.
Their best hope was that the sweet boy has been swayed.
Despite his optimism, Adrien's first week went slowly.
Slow in finding Ladybug, slow in making friends.
Latter part was mostly Chloe's fault, and his own fame.
The only ones to really approach him were fans, fans that got old fast. They only wanted pictures with him, signed autographs, and a chance to get popular quick. He did find a small irony that the girl who was Climatika was a big fan of his. She had not liked him as Chat, and had blown him away half the time refusing to work with him. It was amusingly ironic to see her gushing over him.
And then there was Chloe.
Constantly scaring away others, specifically potential Ladybugs.
Or got into fights with them, turning them away from Adrien more and more...
It was real annoying.
But he was managing it.
The closest he's found was a sweet girl named Mireille, only her eyes and skin tone were wrong, and no freckles.
And a girl whose name he wasn't able to catch, but she was close. A similar shade of peach pearl skin, freckles, dark hair kept in pigtails, about the right height; though eyes might've been a bit too dark but miraculouses did change hair and eyes.
But she was proven to be not be Ladybug when she had tripped down the stairs and hurt her leg, and through her humiliation and pain, became the akuma Paralyzer, freezing people in place and leaving them unable to move.
A fight he wasn't able to join due to getting hit before he could transform.
It was actually quite embarrassing.
Paralyzer had another way of keeping people from moving, having a violent beam to work with her, sending unfortunate students and teachers flying back and bruising themselves.
A wild shot had been sent his way, and just who had to swoop in and save him?
Ladybug.
Immobile, he couldn't escape from that coming angry ray, and could do nothing as familiar, firm, warm arms wrapped around his being and spirited him away. He had just registered the sweet smell of her scent when she stopped on a higher floor and gently leaned him against the wall. Adrien stared at her gleaming earrings, right there, inches from him, and Ladybug had her guard down; if he wasn't immobilized, he could've taken them. He could've gotten away before she even mlved.
"Ladybug," he managed out, his voice hoarse and frustrated.
She looked up, flashed him a friendly smile. "I'll have this taken care of soon," she reassured, giving his shoulder a squeeze before jumping away to deal with Paralyzer, leaving Adrien to fume. And be very consciously aware of the lingering heat of her hand.
It was so embarrassing...
"You look quite pensive."
Adrien gave a start, looking up to seeing a girl lean across from him with a friendly smile, her olive eyes gleaming with excited glee. With a smaller smile, Adrien confirmed, "A bit."
Grinning, she slid her seat closer to him, leaning further into his space than Adrien would like. His nose twitched, the blond trying hard not to wrinkle it on front of her. But that was too strong a smell of pumpkin spice... "Lila Rossi," she introduces, "it's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Adrien Agreste."
"Hi," he greeted, sliding away from her for personal space.
She persistently followed and he fought a sigh, not hiding his frown as she leaned into his space one more.
Evidently Chloe wasn't enough...
"So how are you enjoying the school?" she asked.
"Fine," he said.
"You know I'm pretty new too," she declared, wrapping her arms around his elbow and tugging him close. Adrien cringed slightly and drew away, turning to his bag and pretending to reach for a book. Only to pause when his eyes met familiar blue eyes.
Marinette stood across from them, a small frown on her lips as she eyed them curiously.
Adrien perked, wondering in slight excitement if she was jealous.
Only for Marinette to turn away in disinterest, disappearing among the shelves. Adrien stared after her, pouting. Behind him, in a tight tone, Lila notes, "You like Marinette?"
Adrien stiffened, then turned to her sheepishly with a blush, rubbing the back of his neck. "She's cute," he offered.
He blinked at the narrow of Lila's eyes, bordering a glare at him for his interest.
Adrien narrowed his eyes back, metaphoric hackles raising back.
Then Lila relaxed and smiled broadly. "I'm good friends with her!" she declared, "Maybe I can help you get to know her better."
He burst out laughing at that, hand on his side. At Lila's surprised and offended look, he tried to reassure, "Thanks, but I got it covered... we know each other pretty well." His cheeks went pink at the facts. They really did know each other pretty well. He knew pink was her favorite color, she enjoyed designing skirts most, she liked gardening, and could not live without chocolate chip cookies. It was silly how they were constantly around her one way or another. She declared to be a true hamster fan, nut he knew in reality she was a secret cat fan. He's seen bits of her doodles.
She's been fond of drawing black cat lately.
He could purr.
And she knew him pretty well. Knew that he was a huge anime fan, knew his favorite color was blue, that he liked his croissants extra buttery, that he liked being free and running around. His favorite hobby was fencing. And his favorite spots to be scratched.
And he liked to cuddle.
And she did too.
They were the best cuddle buddies ever.
Even if she didn't know it was him, she knew him well, just as he knew her.
Giddy, he all but jumped out of his seat and hurried after her, eager to be near her after trying to resist for a near wwek. He did not see the furious olive eyes staring after him.
Sniffing, he caught the barest hint of her scent and followed the trail of sweets. He found her reaching for a book, making soft angry noises as she tried to get it out. At best she could only touch the bottom of the spine. With an amused smile, he drew near, asking, "Need help?"
She jumped, looking up to see him. "Hi," she said, surprised.
Turning to the shelf, he easily pulled the book out for her, offering it to her.
"Thank you."
"A little extra physics reading?" he asked, eyeing the cover.
She hugged it to her chest, "Yeah, trying to get a little more in, the book we have for class don't... offer too many explanations," she said sheepishly.
Adrien grinned. "I'm great at physics, if you need a tutor..." he tempts.
"I may take you up on that. Not the best at physics."
Before Adrien could boast about his favorite subject and how good he was at it, screams filled the library. Jumping the two went to a shelf's edge, peeking around to see what the latest trouble was.
He caught sight of Lila on the ground, trying to tug a piece of paper off her mouth, looking very frustrated and upset. The other students were in similar situation, unable to get the paper off their mouths.
Before them stood the akuma, muttering under her breath.
Adrien managed to catch the name Librarian before huffing. Of course, his father just had to send out an akuma now. Just as Adrien was getting his groove on and so close to impressing Marinette. Turning to her, he was just about to tell her to run and hide, only to blink when he found her gone.
Oh, she was quick.
Hidden away already, he called for his transformation and slipped towards the akuma, grinning cheeikly. "So," he greets, "I hear we'll be checking out a Ladybug toda-"
"SILENCE!" Librarian snarled, slapping a piece of paper over Chat's mouth, muffling him.
Oh maman that hurt.
"I didn't know you knew Adrien."
Marinette gives a slight start at Lila's furious tone.
Sighing tiredly, she turned to the Italian, frowning. "It matters?" she asked.
"You made me a fool!" Lila seethe, stomping down the steps to glare down at Marinette. "You, you let me-"
"I made you a fool?" Marinette cuts in sharply, raising a dark brow. "I didn't make you lie, Lila."
"I'm humiliated!"
"It's your own damn fault," Marinette grits out, slamming her sketchbook closed. She stood up, not tearing her eyes away from the olive glare. Lila's gaze narrowed sharply, ready to fight. Only for Marinette to huff back. Ripping her gaze away, she stomped passed the furious Italian, not in the mood to get in a fight because the girl was upset that she was caught in her lies. She ignored the glares burning at her back.
"That could've been handled better," Tikki pipes up, popping the purse open to peer up at Marinette in slight disappointment.
"I know," the dark haired girl grits out.
The kwami stays quiet, letting the girl quietly fume as she stomps on.
"You know," Marinette sudden voices, jerking her hands about, "sometimes, sometimes I'm sick and tired of being the reasonable one. It takes two to tango! It's not asking much for someone else to be reasonable! You know?"
Tikki made an agreeable hum.
"I, I don't want to bother if she's going to be childish like that! Getting upset that she got caught? It's her own fault for starting it! She can't pin that on me!"
"She shouldn't," Tikki gently agrees. "And I'm glad you left before an argument can break out, but Ladybug does have to be responsible. Childishly snapping back isn't being very responsible."
"I'm fifteen," Marinette grumbles, "most adults don't think I can be responsible."
"You are very mature," Tikki reassures. "Just try to keep at it."
"I'm human."
"I know. Learn from this, there's always a better ways to handle people like that." Glancing around, the kwami boldly floated out, nuzzling Marinette's cheek. "And sometimes, people like that just aren't worth getting upset over." Drawing away, the little god gently bids, "Don't let Lila ruin your day."
"I'll try."
Tikki smiles.
Only, despite this, Marinette's mood didn't improve the remainder of the day.
Sourness clung to her like goo, and from the corner of her eye, she saw similarity with Lila, shooting her displeased glares from the back each and every classroom. She wouldn't answer Alya or Nino when they asked what was up, she just scowled down at her paper, moodily drawing and trying to forget the encouter today like Tikki suggested.
Only her likes came out bold and dark, dark enough to stain the page if she tried to erase it.
Seeing the aggressively done lines didn't improve her mood in the slightest.
When she came home to a busy bakery and a busy Papa, he spared a moment to pull her into a hug, pressing a prickly kiss to her brow, and gave her a plate of croissants. Taking it up to her room, she went immediately to her balcony and sat in her lounge chair, and ignored Tikki knowing eyes, staring after her. Taking an angry bite of her croissant, she glared out at the Parisian roofs, miffed and tired.
"Who ruffled you up?"
She spared a glance to across her terrace, seeing Chat perched on the railing, eyeing her with a frown.
She didn't say, instead she just offered him a buttery croissant.
Eyeing her curiously, he accepted it, taking an eager bite.
"It's just dumb," she said with a tired sigh, leaning back in her lounge chair. At his curious look, she insisted, "It is dumb, Chat. It's, I'll get over it." She needed too.
Shrugging he plopped down beside her, and nudged her hand with his head, beckoning her to pet his head.
She caved, tangling her fingers in his hair and waving through the soft strands. She focused on them, the soft leather of his ears, and the pleased purrs coming off the of the cat boy.
By the time the sun was setting, her mood was far better than before.
Adrien stood a little outside the class, watching them group up and chat, getting ready for the school picture. They all seemed pretty hyped with their friends, except for one dark haired girl with purple highlights, she wasn't looking to excited, despite her friend in pink trying to perk her up.
Adrien eyed her knowingly, already predicting who the next akuma will be.
Just needed the right catalyst.
But he almost didn't want it.
First school photo.
He should enjoy it, no akuma to ruin it.
Will Père think the same?
Unlikely.
Adrien sighed. If he was lucky, an akuma would happen post picture, and maybe he would be standing close to Marinette.
"You nervous?"
Speaking up the beauty. Turning to her with a light snort, Adrien said, "In front of a camera? Nah." Looking over to his usual photographer, watching him work, he said, "I'm more excited. This is my first school picture."
"It's not really that amazing," Marinette said, turning to watch the man work as well. "Typically the school takes the chance to get a little extra money. We want a good, framed photo, we got to pay a bit of a sum."
He'd be willing.
Before he could reply, Marinette suddenly shoved forward. Reacting instantly, Adrien grabbed her wrist, pulling her back and helping her balance on her feet. Eyeing her shocked, relieved eyes, he whipped around, hissing, "Chloe?!"
Chloe ignored him, sliding her arm around his neck and declaring, "You'll stand next to me this picture, right Adrihoney?"
Rolling her eyes, Marinette drew away, leaving him to handle Chloe while she went up to the dark haired girl and the blonde beside her, evidently trying to brighten up the gloomy girl.
"We'll see," he said, gently withdrawing from Chloe. "It's up to the photographer."
"No it's no," Chloe said.
"It is," he stressed.
When the photographer waved them over, choosing who comes first, Adrien gave Chloe a shrug, and went to his place. After a bit of adjustment and shuffling about, particularity with Ivan, and a few complaints from Chloe; everyone was settled for the photo. And Adrien was pleased to find that he was behind Marinette.
Only before the perfect picture could be taken, the photographer huffed to find a low battery.
The dark haired girl beside him sighed, and departed for the bathroom.
Seeing how they had a little time, Adrien leaned forward, resting his arms on the back of the bench. "Does it usually take this long?" he asks lightly.
She snorts, leaning back to peek up at him. "I guess you never took a picture with Chloe, have you?"
"Not really," he said. Then after a thought, he asks, "Do selfies count?"
She grins and shakes her head. She states, "She always makes it longer than it needs to be."
Before Adrien could comment, he was grabbed and pulled back, Chloe loudly declaring, "Now it's perfect!"
"Chloe!" Marinette hisses from the front. "That's Juleka's spot!"
Chloe glares down at her. "Well she's not here now, is she? We're on a time limit. We don't want the school to pay more than it has too, right?"
"Alright we ready?" the photographer called.
"Yes," the principle declared.
"Wait!" Marinette cried, reaching for the camera man, just as the clicks sounded in the air.
Adrien sighed loudly beside the beaming blonde.
That wasn't going to turn out pretty...
He called it.
He so called it.
And he should really learn to keep his mouth shut. Reflekta didn't appreciate his comment of, "Well I heard of being pretty in pink..."
And now he's like everyone else...
There was a perk.
Sneaking up on Ladybug.
The red heroine was crouched down, trying to pick out who the real akuma was.
And was completely unaware of him.
It sent a thrill through Chat.
She was unaware of him.
With eager twitch of his fingers, Chat crept closer, mindful and careful with the heels. When he was close, he pounced. Wrapping his arms around the surprised heroine, he pulled her tightly against his chest, boastfully mocking, "Ladybug."
She stiffened in his arms, not struggling anymore.
He almost lax his hold in surprised.
Only to jerk in alarm when she asked, "Adrien?"
"C-Chat!" he choked out, "Chat Noir!"
How did she know Adrien? He hasn't really talked to that many people!
Did he know Ladybug?!
Laybug twisted in is rasp, trying to peek at him. Se raises a brow. "Why are you...?"
"N-none of your business!" he snaps, thankful he can't exactly blush in this body, with his face caked in heavy makeup.
Ladybug snorts. Jabbing the heel of her foot into Chat's shin, she easily flipped him over, looking down at him with an amused grin. Chat glares up at her. "Personally Chat," she voices, "I like your old set of claws better."
She flew away before he could respond, leaving the cat turned doll to gape after her. "W-wait!" Shaking his head, he scrambled up, trying to pursue her, only to trip over his heels. "Gosh darn these things," he mutters.
"Adrien!"
He stopped, quickly turning to Marinette as she ran up to him. "Yeah?" he asked, curious and excited.
"We're going to redo the picture!" she said, waving the students behind her. Most of them were giving her odd looks. "For Juleka, you want in?"
"Yes!" Adrien said quickly, his smile growing when she grabbed his wrist and pulled him along. His photographer flashed Adrien an encouraging smile, looking very happy to see the blond with other kids.
Ignoring the odd and wary looks from the classmates, the photographer shuffled them about, and Adrien was happy to find that he was next to Marinette once more.
Shots were snapped, and he could feel the beam coming off the dark haired girl.
Leaning over to Marinette, he softly told her, "This is really nice of you."
"I try," she said.
"...And thanks for including me," he adds. Especially since no one else seemed crazy about having him around. It touched him that she did bother to invite him.
She did like his civilian self.
"You look like you wanted to be included," she confessed. Meeting his surprised gaze, she asked, "You want to make friends right?" She waved to the group, grinning as they started a series of silly photos, all resolving around Juleka. "You got to start joining these things to make friends." Beaming at him, she declared, "Thought it'd be a great opportunity, you know?"
Adrien gaped at her, touched and overwhelmed and... she had noticed. Noticed that he wanted to reach out and connect to people and... he wanted to pull her into a tight hug, nuzzle her head and purr, lift her chin up and catch her lips in an infatuated kiss.
Only he couldn't.
Adrien and Marientte weren't close.
A sudden tackle of affection may do more harm than good.
"Final picture!" the photographer called.
"Let's do this!" A tall boy, Kim Adrien believes, calls out.
Marinette jumps in excitement. "Come on!" Marinette beckons, grabbing his wrist and dragging him closer to join the last shot.
He echoed is classmates eagerly as they all pointed to Juleka, earning a huge, watery beam from the quiet girl, looking like she's never been so loved before.
It was so touching and enlightening and he was actually apart of it and he had Marinette to thank.
If Adrien couldn't shower her in thankful affections, Chat certainly would tonight.
Adrien gave a slight start when he had gotten a text from is father, warning him to 'be ready'.
Ready for what?
He got his answer from a gurgle of angry groans behind him. Looking behind him, Adrien gave a start when he saw a group of people coming for him, sort of looking like zombies. And they were coming for him?
Why?!
And there in the center of them was a very obvious akuma.
His eyes were locked on Adrien, holding up a plain card menacingly. "Let's turn you against him!" The akuma declared menacingly.
Adrien stared at him.
Didn't this akuma know he was an ally?!
The akuma threw the card at him, faster than Adrien was ready for. Before he could even dodged, a red blur dropped in front of him, a whir filling the air. The card bounced off the yo yo harmlessly as Ladybug straightened, glaring at the akuma. Adrien tensed behind her, breath caught in his throat.
Ladybug was here.
Ladybug was right here before him.
Turning around, Adrien jolted when sky blue eyes locked onto him. Before he could move, she grabbed him, through her yo yo out, and the two were airborne. Adrien's arms came around her tightly, eyes stinging slightly as the air whipped around him. Setting them down on a room, Ladybug made sure he was steady before withdrawing and peeking down to the streets below, grimacing.
"You should be fine up here," she declared, her back to him.
Heart pounding, Adrien stared at her, fingers twitching.
They were on a roof alone.
Ladybug's guard was down, her back to him.
He could get her miraculous before she even realized what was happening.
He could-
Plagg shifted in his pocket, pressing against his chest. He could feel hints of claws digging into his skin through the fabric. A silent dare for Adrien to try. Adrien relaxed and drew near, glancing down with her, though he did spare a glance at her ear, seeing the gleaming red earring with black spots.
It was right there.
In his reach.
He could bring his maman back...
Licking his lips, he tore his gaze down, watching the army of controlled civilians stalking down the street, the cackling akuma leading them. "What's going on?" he asked.
She sighed heavily. "Your father pissed off a magician," she said, "Jackady is seeking revenge."
Adrien tensed.
What was Père thinking?!
Having one of his own akumas coming after him?!
It, it was... it was crazy!
Was he that desperate?!
Turning to him, Ladybug set a hand on his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Stay here," she bid with gentle strictness. "It'll be safe here."
Before she could leave, he pleads, "But Père-"
"I'll keep him safe," she reassures, her other hand finding his shoulder, her light blue eyes narrowed. "But you need to stay safe too, Adrien. And right now, safe is here." She waved to the roof, high above the attack.
"But," he started.
"I'll come back for you," she promises, withdrawing.
"Ladybug please," he pleads, grabbing her hands and giving them a nervous squeeze. His gaze flickered to her earrings before locking onto her eyes. "I'm worried about Père-"
"I'll keep him safe," she stresses, "but I need to go-"
A roar exploded out below, and they peeked down, seeing the crowd rushing into the building they were on. "Oh great," she mutters. Sighing, she reached for him, stating, "Ok, home we go." Adrien allowed her to wrap an arm around his torso, her hair slightly tickling his nose.
"Ready?" she asked.
He nods, and the two went zipping through the air.
Père looked surprised when Adrien and Ladybug slipped into his foyer. He spared a fast glance to Adrien, raising a pale brow, before turning to the red heroine, greeting, Ladybug, a pleasure."
"Monsieur Agreste," she hurriedly returned, coming up the steps to him, Adrien trailing behind her, wincing slightly.
Then narrows his eyes and voices a little tightly, "Are you aware of the situation, Père?"
Before Gabriel could respond, Ladybug cuts in, "You're under an akuma attack, both of you need to stay inside while I take care of it."
"Ladybug," Gabriel quickly voices, coming down the steps towards the superheroine, "I'd feel much safer if you were here with us."
"You'd be much safer if I'm out there taking care of-"
"The akuma doesn't know my home," Gabriel states, "My son and I do, we can take advantage of that."
"But-"
"Our home has a high tech security system," Adrien voices, coming up beside Ladybug and setting a hand on her shoulder. He offered an encouraging smile when she turned to him. "Wouldn't it be nice to have some help?"
He saw her flinch, felt the tension in her shoulders, the small grimace tugging at her lips.
It made Adrien subconscious, made him draw away sharply like she had burned him.
Plagg seemed to echoing, shifting anxiously in his pocket.
Whether it was for Adrien or Ladybug, he didn't know.
It reminded Adrien of what Nooroo told him, of Ladybug and Black Cat always being partners. Of always being a team. Working together.
He never stopped to consider if she wished and wanted them to be partners. Did she? Did she hide the hurt behind retorts and teases and eye rolls?
Why did it matter to him?
It shouldn't.
"We can help you Ladybug," Père voices. "We can set a trap for the akuma."
Ladybug grimaced as she eyed to two Agrestes. Then, gave a reluctant slow nod. "Alright," she agreed slowly, "let's catch the akuma."
Gabriel smiled down at her, pleased. Waving up the steps, he went up towards the main security controls, Ladybug shadowing him, listening as he told her about the system and how she could use it to her advantage.
Adrien trailed after them, frowning as he eyed the silver ring on his finger.
Didn't it stop trying to get him to Ladybug's side...?
He could've sworn it did...
Why did she agree to this?
Working with two civilians, willingly.
She could imagine Tikki having a buzzing fit once this was over.
She sighed, anxiously wandering around the room while Gabriel worked the controls, locking up the building. Adrien stood at his, lips pursed as he watched the windows lock up. It added to her nerves. It just made the home all the darker, even with the lights on.
Why did she agree to this?
She should be out there, looking over the situation, trying to find the akuma, handling it.
As far as she knows, it could be all taken care of by now.
But she was here, some reason agreeing to this.
Trying to distract herself, she glanced up at the wall, littered with portraits of Adrien, some of the best modeling shots she's seen, and some of Gabriel's best work. And some, just really good portraits of the boy.
"Amazing, isn't he?"
She gives a start, looking up to see Gabriel standing beside her, beaming as he stared up at the pictures.
She offered a weak smile, letting it grow warm as she looked up to the wall of portraits. "You love him a lot," she notes aloud.
"I would give the world to him," Gabriel confirmed.
"Most parents would," she agrees, chuckling a little.
"It's how you know they're a good parent," Gabriel bids, turning to eye her near earring. He reached for it, only to draw back when Ladybug sharply drew away, giving him an odd look. "Apologizes," he offered, "I've recently taken up making animal based jewelry, and those earrings looked nice..."
"I'm aware," Ladybug cuts in, "a good friend of mine, she, she doesn't really like that line of jewelry."
"A pity."
"Yeah," she agreed slowly.
Pointing to one picture, he eagerly boasts, "This is when he won his first fencing tournament, he was thirteen years old; and there he is at basketball, shooting a winning shot. And this was one of his first modeling shoots, already he was perfect at it, and-"
"P-Père?!" Adrien squeaked behind them, drawing the two to him.
Gabriel awkwardly clears his throat. "Right, Adrien, show Ladybug around, I'll keep a lookout." Going to the control panel, he handed his baffled son a small walkie talkie. Giving the two a nod, Adrien escorted Ladybug out and around the manor.
"S-sorry about that," Adrien uttered, red faced, rubbing the back of his neck.
Ladybug giggled. "It's ok," she said, grinning. "That's just what parents do."
"It is?" Adrien asked.
Ladybug echoed his surprise. "Yeah," she said, "my parents do it all the time, drives me up the wall. They're like the noisiest people in the world." Despite the complaint, there was a fond, amused smile on her lips, her light eyes gleaming with affection.
Adrien stared, a little put off and surprised. "You have parents?" he uttered.
She snorts, amusement tickling her gaze. "I do." Reaching for him, she grabbed his sleeve and gently pulled him along, bidding,"Come on, show me some exits we can use just in case."
Adrien allowed her to pull him along, trying to guide her as best he could, all the while he tried to wrap his mind around the fact that yes, Ladybug had parents, and had a family to come back to. It should be an obvious fact with how young she was, but, it was one he never thought of, one that never really clicked in his head.
She had parents of her own.
She had a family.
It made her very... human.
Adrien didn't know what to think or feel about this.
Adrien sighed, leaning heavily against his window.
That was a close call, the akuma had successfully broken, and even with Ladybug being there, they, they had...
Adrien couldn't even finish the thought.
It was... it was too close.
"Adrien."
The blond gave a start, whipping around to see Père standing there behind him. Adrien gave a hissing growl, snarling, "Don't do that! Don't do that ever again! That, you... you almost..." he shuddered, his voice breaking as the afternoon came back to him.
"I know," Père said gently, drawing near and pulling the upset boy into an awkward hug. "I'm sorry, that was closer than I expected."
"I had to work with Ladybug," Adrien half babbled, half growled into the dress shirt. His arms lashed around his father, squeezing him back tightly. "I had too, to make sure that you, you-"
"I know. I won't be doing that again."
You better not," Adrien uttered, slumping against the older man, breathing shakily.
Gabriel didn't breathe another word, lightly resting his jaw on Adrien head, soaking in his son's presence, relieved for once that Ladybug did manage to save the day.
That was much closer than he had predicted...
Can I have more proud daddy Gabriel bragging about his son? There needs to be more.