Adrien bit his lip, watching as Marinette sprinted away into the rain with only a small shout of goodbye. His grip tightened on the handle of the umbrella, and god - it was stupid, but he was so… upset to see her go. He knew she liked (or was at least interested in) Chat Noir, but still. It hurt him to see the girl he adored just barely glance at him before running away.

"Kid?"

Adrien's breathing was growing shallower, and inwardly, he knew he was panicking for nothing - Marinette liked him, Chat, and had been friendlier than ever for Adrien. But… what if she found out he was Adrien and realized she didn't actually have feelings for him because she only saw him as a friend?

"Kitten - "

Adrien's umbrella fell to the ground with a soft splash, but he could care less about it; he stared into the rainy streets of Paris, and his chest was slowly constricting while feeling as hollow as a shell. He was so stupid - of course Marinette wouldn't like Adrien. Adrien couldn't match up to Marinette, who was sweet and kind and offered him the best ear rubs. She was the most popular girl in school, and she was so selfless . How could plain, polite Adrien ever be anything more than another friend in her eyes?

"Adrien!"

The boy blinked, watching as Plagg zoomed around his face, patting him furiously with his little paws.

Plagg's voice was more serious than ever as he said, "kid, listen to me. Listen to me. You have to breathe, okay? In, and out. We can't let you have all these negative emotions - Hawk Moth is going to catch you if you keep thinking like that. We can't let that happen, ever. So look at me, okay? Breathe. Breathe."

The kwami floated closer, and slowly, he began purring, rubbing his cheek against Adrien's to let the soothing vibrations calm him down. Adrien closed his eyes, his shallow breaths slowly returning to normal, the tight coil within his chest unwinding.

They stood like that for another moment in silence, until Plagg slowly pulled back and floated around to scrutinize his Chosen with careful eyes. "You okay, kid?"

Adrien took in a deep breath, and finally, he said, "I need to leave."

"Plagg, claws out."

Chat Noir leapt away, his teeth gnashing and tail furiously waving as he jumped from building to building. A loud, threatening hiss escaped his lips as he desperately tried to make his way back home. It wasn't until he realized that he was going in the opposite direction of the Agreste mansion that he realized he was in fact going towards the Seine, where Luka was - at this point, Chat was desperate for him. For his soft voice and his even softer touches, and Chat liked him so much it hurt -

He paused, panting, shivering miserably as he crouched on top of a building right beside the Seine, across from the ship and allowing Chat the perfect angle to jump onto the deck. He wiggled his hips, ready to take the leap, only to let out a small yelp of confusion as he saw a bright red and black spotted figure swinging towards his destination. Chat pressed himself down onto the roof, claws digging into the concrete as he felt wetness seep onto his stomach.

He watched, more than perplexed when Ladybug (hanging upside down from the mast Spider-Man style, no less) handed Luka a bag. They talked, and something happened. Chat couldn't see properly because of both the fact he was starting to get a little fuzzy with his vision and Ladybug was blocking his view a little bit, but whatever it was, it had Ladybug's sweet laughter tinkling in the air as she swung away. Luka stared out, mouth slightly agape with cheeks as crimson as the heroine's suit.

Luka shook his head and smiled, before leaning back inside - and through the glass of the window, Chat could see him as he took the item out of the bag Ladybug had given him. Luka's shoulders shook with laughter, and Chat could see why. The umbrella in his hand was uncannily the same red and black spots of Ladybug.

Chat swallowed. He suddenly didn't feel very good. In fact, if he didn't get home right now, he was going to throw up.

The pain in his stomach had nothing to do with the rain as he leapt away, biting his lip to the point he tasted copper, his eyes stinging as he swung into his bedroom. A green light surrounded him, and Adrien Agreste hit the bed as Plagg groaned weakly and threw himself at a tin of camembert.

Adrien buried his face into a pillow, and he couldn't hope to hide the muffled sob that left him.

"Adrien," Plagg murmured, his voice exhausted, but his touch was gentle as he floated down and sat on top of his chosen's head.

"Don't," he immediately whispered. He buried his head even deeper into the pillow, shoulders shaking. "Don't, Plagg."

Plagg sighed, before curling up on the bed of Adrien's soft hair, muttering, "I wish you knew people loved you."

"Marinette likes Chat Noir," Adrien whimpered. His fist tightened on his blanket, and if he still had his claws, his bed would have been ruined far long ago. "But she doesn't like Adrien, and - and - Luka likes Ladybug."

"Kid - "

"No , listen to me, Plagg. You saw it, right? Ladybug was there, and she gave him that umbrella - they were blushing, and I'm not stupid. Oh my god," Adrien whispered. "Luka likes Ladybug. God, I feel stupid. I can't compare to Ladybug, I'm just the sidekick, and I like him and Marinette so much it hurts - "

"If you would stop interrupting me," Plagg spat, tugging insistently on a golden strand of hair, successfully capturing the boy's attention. "Then you'd know that you're being ridiculous. Ridiculous. Honestly, you humans never cease to disgust me. What on earth makes you think Luka likes Ladybug?"

"She - "

"So she flirted with him," Plagg snorted almost violently as he chewed on his camembert. "And he blushed. Hard not to, kid, the girl's a superhero, I'd be worried if he didn't get flustered."

Adrien contemplated Plagg's harsh words, and slowly, he lifted his head, staring out of his window and blinking as the soft patters of rain splashing against the glass filled the air. "... Yeah?" Adrien left out a little breathless laugh, the rope around his heart loosening as he suddenly sat straight up before plopping back down, this time face up. "You think so?"

"Have I ever been wrong before?" Plagg sneered smuggly.

Adrien gave a snort of his own at that. "Plenty of times, actually."

"Eh, we all make mistakes," the kwami waved off lazily. "And besides, you know what I've learned over my years as an all powerful god, kitten?"

Adrien's lips twitched up into a smile as he eyed the tiny deity with amusement. "I don't know about all powerful."

Plagg rolled his eyes before downing the rest of the camembert in one go, and began cleaning his whiskers with his little paws. "Not gonna lie, kid. Looks like your bug's got a little something for that boyfriend of yours, which I haven't seen in a long time. Usually the bug and kitten get together or don't touch on their - ugh - romantic lives at all."

"He's not my - "

"Whatever," Plagg cut the red-faced boy off, and he grinned, sharp teeth glinting in the pale light of Adrien's dimmed lamp. The smile was definitely feral and cattish, and with his tail swinging slowly in the air with pleasure, Plagg purrs, "let me just say this, kitten. In all of my years of having different Chat Noirs, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that wooing will definitely get the girl. Boy. Girl and boy, in your case. Christ, kid, you really have too big of a heart. Don't take it as a compliment."

"Plagg!" Adrien hissed, cheeks flushing even further, the tips of his ears beginning to burn, and the red even traveling down to his collarbone. "Andwooing? You know this isn't the 18th century, right?"

"Oh for - " Plagg rolled his eyes. "Fine, call it seducing, or whatever. See, you capture their attention, and make them forget about anyone else by showering them in your attention."

Adrien stared, and it was seriously bad that Plagg was actually making sense with his Victorian-era way of thinking. Adrien wasn't at all familiar with dating (the closest he got to was watching a lot of anime and also Ladybug, which ended in… well, this), much less somehow demanding Marinette and Luka's attention to the point they forgot about anyone else. And it didn't help that Adrien knows someone else had gotten their attention. Marinette had told her about that boy she had a crush on (despite the fact that she also said she liked Chat, which he's still over the moon about), and from what Adrien's seen, it looked like Luka was at least interested enough in Ladybug to get flustered.

It was hard enough juggling for Ladybug's attention, but to try and uphold Marinette and Luka's? It seriously seemed more daunting than any Akuma he's ever faced. Adrien likes them. Like, really, really, like them. And he gets why maybe Marinette and Luka might not be ready to get in a relationship, because it'll be difficult and hard and even Adrien's still a little hung up over Ladybug himself. But god he's never wanted to fight for something more than this. (Also, he knows that rationally, he probably had a good chance of asking them out and getting a good answer, but he'd also kneel over and die if he even tried, so.)(It's kind of hard to be all Chat and suave when he doesn't have the mask on twenty-four seven.)

"This is a stupid idea," Adrien giggled nervously, but he was already jumping off of his bed and rushing to his computer.

"Good ideas always are," Plagg cackled.

Adrien beamed at his kwami, and then stared at the blaring screen as it turned on.

Time to get to work.

XxXxXxXxXxX

Luka proudly used his gift from Ladybug as he went on another run to the grocery store. He hated seeing Juleka so sick - she became too quiet, curled up in her bed, and refused to even let him touch her. He'd tried pressing his hand against her cheek to check her temperature, and she had merely whimpered before springing up and running to the bathroom to dry heave.

She had said she didn't want any solid foods, so maybe Luka could make her some tea.

The boy stood in the tea aisle, wet red and black spotted umbrella in hand while the other carried a basket. He eyed the rows of tea, and hesitated, not able to decide which one. There were just so many - earl grey, green tea, jasmine, oolong…

"Can I help you, young man?"

Luka jumped slightly, and he blinked as he looked down to see a short man wearing a hawaiian-printed shirt looking up at him patiently. He was old, hair grey and voice a quiet roughness, but his eyes were kind and his smile kind as well.

Luka smiled.

"I want to get a tea for my sister, she has the flu. Can't really keep anything down, so I thought she might want some tea, but I don't really know which one to get," Luka scratched the back of his neck in slight embarrassment. He probably should have done some research, but in all honesty had just run out as quick as he could because he didn't want to leave Juleka on her own for longer than he had to.

"Ah, I see," the man's smile grew. "A good, strong brother you are, then. I assume you are the older?"

"Yes," Luka grinned. "Juleka's still a little baby compared to me."

The man laughed, the sound genuine and his eyes twinkling as he looked up at Luka with something akin to admiration. He wasn't sure what to make of the look. The man hummed, and he searched the aisle with his eyes, before landing on a small box. He pointed. "A good ginger tea will soothe the stomach. If she dislikes it, mint can also help. But these teas are not worth anything, my boy. Come."

Luka blinked when the man started walking.

"Come," the man repeated, and looked back at him. "I will show you how to make tea of the ginger root. It will be far more effective than anything you will find here."

"I - of course, I'd love to," Luka said, and truly, he did. Homemade tea did sound a lot better than some boxed up thing that probably didn't taste too good. "But Juleka, I can't leave her for long."

The twinkle in the man's eyes grew brighter. "Do not worry, young man. Your sister will remain safe, and we will not be long. Come, come."

It's how ten minutes later, Luka found himself carefully cutting up thin slices of ginger before handing them to the now named Master Fu, who took them and placed them carefully into a pot of boiling water.

"You add some cinnamon," Master Fu said quietly, adding some sticks of the aromatic spice. "To help the throat as well as favor."

"You really like tea, huh?" Luka said softly as he lifted the ceramic cup at Master Fu's gesture. The man poured the amber liquid into the cup, steaming greatly, and Luka had to take a moment to smell the tea. He'd never been the biggest tea fan, but even he had to admit that it smelled amazing.

"It is a good cure to a rainy day." Master Fu smiled, pouring a cup himself and taking a sip. He sighed in satisfaction, and when Luka took a swallow himself, he made a similar noise. It tasted great and was warm and good inside his stomach - he was sure that Juleka would enjoy it.

Luka couldn't help but let out a bark of laughter. "I don't know." He looked outside, eyes fond as he thought about green eyes and yo-yos. "I'm really liking the rain."

Master Fu's laughter was even louder than Luka's. "Dear boy, I am well aware of how fond you are of the rain." He took another sip of his tea, eyes twinkling brightly. "After all, it brought you closer to them, did it not?"

Luka jolted, and he felt his cheeks warm up slightly. He coughed awkwardly, smiling crookedly and asking hesitantly, "uh… who?"

Master Fu hummed. "She is quite fond of you, you know. Her gift," he nodded at the umbrella lying innocently beside Luka, "was a bold statement. Something she wouldn't have done before you. You have given her courage, the strength to overcome her fear of disappointing those she cherishes. And that silly cat of yours… well, he always was fragile. But you give him comfort and constance, something he never had before. Ladybug was only there for him during confrontations with villains, and even then, she held him at an arm's length due to her fear."

Luka swallowed. "How do you know all this?"

"My boy," Master Fu chuckled, and he leaned forward slightly, as if about to tell Luka something akin to a secret. "I know many things. I have been on this earth for a long time, and have overseen other heroes similar to those of your cat and bug. I know what things are meant to be."

He leaned back, sipping his tea as he went. "There are many wondrous things, out there. Things that most people can't explain." Master Fu's voice went lower, almost whispering, but his gaze was bright and beaming, almost filled with childish excitement. "But others are well in tune with those unseen things. That's why I am here. That's why you are here."

"Me?" Luka shook his head, and he gazed at this short man with slight awe and a tiny hint of fear. "I'm just a boy, sir. I-I like Marinette and Adrien. A lot. But I'm not a hero like them, and I honestly don't think I can be one, even if you somehow… did something. Right? That's what you do?"

Master Fu threw his head back and laughed, the sound jovial and belly-shaking. His face was slightly pink from exertion, but his smile wider than ever as he says, "no, Luka, I understand. Do not worry - you and I both know you would make a rather poor hero."

Luka blushed in embarrassment.

"What a clever boy you are," Master Fu chuckled. "Here you are, sitting with me for only five minutes, and yet you seem to understand everything I am saying. You pick up on the things I have not said, but take them in stride. You are wise in that you make decisions to decide what is best for each person, instead of disregarding their uniqueness and making choices on your own."

Master Fu's eyes were bright.

"You will make an excellent Guardian."

Luka stared, before grasping the cup in his hands tightly, the warmth seeping into his skin and somehow grounding him. Because Master Fu was right - this was crazy. Like, actually crazy. He met this man, what, twenty minutes ago, and yet he was at comfort, he was understanding everything he said, and he wasn't even worried about any of it. He was just… confused. "A Guardian?"

"A protector," Master Fu offered. "The one to guide your heroes, and to Choose those who are worthy." Master Fu sighed, and suddenly he seemed weary. "I hope you will make better choices than I did, young man. I have made some poor decisions in the past, and as a result, the people of your city are suffering from it."

Luka softened at that, and he understood. Really, he did. This… Guardian, thing. Whatever it was - it was heavy. The weight on Master Fu's shoulders was probably heavier than the world, and it was wearing him down. Maybe he did really cause Hawk Moth to become who he was now, and maybe he really did cause the people of Paris to sometimes be in his claws, "but if it weren't for you, we wouldn't have Ladybug and Chat Noir, either."

Luka smiled. "I think you made some good choices, too."

Master Fu reached over and patted the back of his hand gently. "Come. I have much to show you, young Guardian. You will do just fine in the future, I am sure."

Luka stared, tipping his head just slightly as the short man stood up and began trailing further away. It was strange, he thought. He wasn't really sure what a Guardian did - a guider, and a protector apparently. The protector of what, he wasn't sure, and inside, he had a swirling storm of doubt and fear. He was Luka Couffaine. A boy who was only sixteen years old, and still had some physics homework to do when he gets home. He had a younger sister, lying sick in bed, passed out from her pills making her sleepy, and he currently had a bug and a cat wrapped tightly around his arms. But god, he thought. Marinette and Adrien were important to him. Really important. And yes, maybe Master Fu was right - he knew that secretly, Ladybug was so afraid of disappointing people with who she really was, that she unintentionally hurt them instead. He knew that secretly, Chat Noir was lonely and scared and had a heart empty of love where his family and Ladybug should have filled. He knew that secretly, he, Luka, was what was healing them, and he was never more happy or proud to do so.

But he also knew that secretly, they were healing him too, and he'd do anything to keep them safe and happy…

Even if it meant becoming a Guardian.

So, huffing with laughter, Luka stood up, abandoning his cooling tea, and went after Master Fu.

XxXxXxXxXxX

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