Ch8
Adrien sat between Felix and Kagami his heart racing in his chest. "So um thanks for deciding to help us Kagami," he said as his cousin and friend looked at each other with guarded looks. To be honest he didn't know what their deal was, sometimes they tolerated each other sometimes they annoyed each other.
Kagami looked at him and nodded. "No problem Adrien. I was worried about you when you left Paris."
He nodded. "Anyway just remember what I told you about my secret can't be revealed outside of this room ok?"
Kagami nodded her gaze resolute. "I understand. Your secret is safe with me."
"Thank you," he said. It was weird telling her his secret. He didn't want many people to know but he trusted Kagami and knew she wouldn't tell a soul.
"Anyway whatever your differences are I need both of you now," he said as he rested in his chair. "During this tour I plan on getting in touch with my kwami. Hopefully we can talk, if not." He paused and avoided both of their gazes. "Well I'll decide where to go from there, worst-case scenario we fight the new Cat Noir." He really hoped it wouldn't turn out badly but he was going to stand up for something he wanted for once in his life.
Felix nodded. "It won't be easy but I'll do all I can."
Kagami folded her arms "This miraculous seems interesting. If you wish to obtain it I'll help you with all that I can."
He smiled at his cousin. "Thanks guys but remember Cat Noir won't be an easy opponent. I don't want you both to risk yourselves fighting him."
"Don't worry I've been making preparations," Felix said as he placed a suitcase on the desk. His cousin opened it and took out what looked like a dark jumpsuit. "I made this for special occasions."
"Are you going to cosplay as a ninja?" Kagami asked sounding half sarcastic.
Felix frowned. "This suit is made to withstand strong blows and falls. If worse comes to worse it may come in handy."
"Well hopefully it doesn't come to that," he said as he looked at his phone. "I'll be leaving for Paris soon. My dad has already made a few modeling appointments."
Kagami looked at him and nodded. "Sounds good. Will there be any threats that we should be on the alert for?"
He shook his head. "Ladybug never knew my identity other than that I don't expect to have any threats."
"Except for that stalker girl," Felix said folding his arms. "No doubt she is planning on how to get into your life as we speak.
He sighed as a shiver went down his spine. "Stalker?" Kagami asked curiously her voice half concerned.
"There is this girl in my class who might have an unhealthy obsession with me," he said scratching his head. Personally he tried not to think of Marinette but a part of him knew he would have to face her when he got back. Whatever her deal was with him it wasn't healthy.
"From what you told me of her she is a stalker," Felix said turning to Kagami. "Trust me she should be kept away from Adrien."
"Fine," he sighed. He was planning on just talking to Marinette about giving him privacy but right now he was concerned about other things. Plagg I really wish we could just talk. If we get that chance I really would like it.
Looking down at his hand he stroked the finger that had his miraculous. If you would be willing to give me another chance and be honest with me I'd be willing to work with again.
Marinette looked at the pictures of Adrien on her wall her heart pounding in her chest. "He's coming back!" She nearly let out a squeal when she read the news from one of the many fan sites she followed. "Tikki Adrien is coming back!"
Her kwami smiled. "Th-That's good."
She nodded and picked up one of the many pictures of Adrien and kissed the photo on the lips before hugging it. "He'll come back to school for sure! Then everything will fall into place as I planned it! We'll go out and eventually marry and everything!"
Of course he still hadn't messaged her but that didn't matter she could tell he was trying to communicate with her by how he dressed, they were close like that and during these past few weeks of stress that came from being Ladybug, she could see the signals he gave her through his clothing. For example, whenever wore his black shirt without his white jacket it meant he was cold and needed her to give him hers so he could feel warm.
Twirling around with the picture in her hand she sat down and kissed it a few more times. Everything will be back to normal. She placed the picture on her desk and smiled at it. "Adrien I missed you."
Grabbing her phone she scanned the messages but frowned at not seeing one from Adrien. "He must be busy that's all," she said with a small laugh. "I'm sure he'll respond to me soon." He's busy that's all he doesn't know how much I missed him.
She then quickly called her best friend Alya. Her friend quickly picked up. "Hey Marinette what's up?"
"Hey did you hear that Adrien is coming back?" she said. "I just read it from a fan site."
"Yeah Nino just told me," Alya said. "I also overheard Chloe brag about it to Sabrina. Apparently Adrien called her."
"Oh I see," she said with a nervous laugh doing her best to ignore the knife wound in her heart. She still is his childhood friend even if she is my bully. I'm sure he will write me soon.
"Yeah apparently he only called her to tell her that he is coming back that's all," Alya said.
"Of course," She said forcing a smile on her face. "A-Anyway I was wondering if we could all get together and make a video to send him. I'm sure he would like it."
"I don't know," Alya said. "From what I overheard Adrien may have left for personal problems, it might be best to give him some space."
"But if he has personal problems then as his friends we should let him know we care about him," she said. "Please Alya we should do this for him."
Alya sighed. "Fine I'll get Nino and see what we can do."
"Thanks lets meet at the school and do it," she said before hanging up. "Come on Tikki lets make this video. I know Adrien will love it."
"Me too. It would be nice for him to know how much you care about him," Tikki said. "But if he left for personal reasons wouldn't it be a good idea to give him some personal space?"
She frowned at her kwami. "We are meant to be together. As his future girlfriend I have to be there for him. Come on lets go we have a video to make."
He's going to love it! Her heart raced in her chest as she thought of Adrien's reaction. How he would see it and know that she cared for him and would tell her how much she meant to him. We'll be together one day I know it!
She quickly ran to her school where she found Nino, Alya, and various other classmates waiting for her. "Hey guys!" She said as she caught her breath. "Thank you for coming, As you all may know Adrien is coming back soon!"
"He hasn't spoken to me though I'm sure he'll love it," Nino said. "Has he spoken to you Marinette?"
Her eye twitched. "Um no but I'm sure he is just busy," She said with a nervous laugh.
"Yeah looks like he only spoke to Chloe and his biggest fan Wayhem," Alya said.
I'm his biggest fan. She clenched her fists but shook her head, this is for Adrien. I'm sure he is just busy he'll write me soon. Until then I'll have to wait for him to give me signals through how he dresses.
"Anyway come on lets make a video and send it to him," she said as she took out her phone. "I'll send it to him personally."
Everyone nodded and recorded something to say for Adrien. When it was her turn Nino held her phone as she looked into the camera.
She swallowed a lump in her throat her eyes beginning to water up. "Adrien I miss you. Please know that you mean the world to me." She swallowed some tears as she looked into the camera. "Please I cannot bear to live without you, Adrien come back home to us."
She noticed Nino and some of her friends shift uncomfortably and avoid her gaze. "Um alright good job Marinette," Nino said as he finished the recording.
She smiled at him and nodded. "Thanks Nino. I'll send it to Adrien right away, I know he'll love it." Taking her phone she reviewed the video and sent it to Adrien. "There! I'm sure he'll love it! He didn't wear his white vest in his last photo he must miss us a lot."
Her friends looked at each other as if she said something crazy, even Nino raised an eyebrow.
Alya cleared her throat. "I'm sure he will. Whatever he is going through I'm sure he'll appreciate our message."
"Yeah I really hope we can reconnect when he comes here," Nino said. "I miss Adrien a lot."
Not as much as me. Adrien was everything to her, him just leaving without saying anything really did hurt her. I know one day we'll be together. It will be a dream come true for me the day we get married. Her heart raced as the image of their wedding played in her head. The dress she made for herself and her Adrien dressed in a suit she designed. Just like a fairytale.
"Anyway we'll let you know if we hear anything else," Alya said snapping her out of her train of thought.
"Oh great," she said. "I'll let you guys know if Adrien responds to the video. I know he'll like it."
Adrien took a deep breath as he stepped out of the plane. Flanked by Felix and Kagami they made their way through the airport ignoring the paparazzi taking photos of him. Just be calm. With a smile, he waved at the flashing cameras. He knew how to deal with the paparazzi, yet since realizing that a former classmate of his may be stalking him every flash seemed to send a shiver down his spine.
I'm back home. He was quickly met by his bodyguard and Nathalie who already had their things waiting for them. "Hello Adrien your father has requested that I take you and Felix to our place."
He turned to Kagami who grabbed her bags. "I'll see you later."
She nodded. "My mother has already arranged a ride for me. I'll see her later." Then to his surprise she hugged him. "Don't worry I won't tell her anything," she whispered into his ears.
He hugged her back and nodded. "Thanks."
During the car ride home he sat next to Felix who said nothing while Nathalie spoke. "Well Adrien I hope you are doing well. Your father has calmed down and arranged a few photo shoots for you."
He smiled and nodded at her. "Thank you Nathalie." He could detect the sincerity in her voice, he knew Nathalie cared for him deep down and was grateful for her. "How's my dad doing?"
"He's ok," Nathalie said looking down at her tablet. "Anyway rest up I'm sure you'll want to rest a few days. I convinced your father to allow you to rest for a few days."
"Thanks I'll need it," he said.
When they arrived at the family mansion his bodyguard helped him and Felix settle in. His father was out on business but he wasn't expecting him anyway.
"Well home sweet home," he muttered as he entered his room and collapsed on his bed. His phone dinged and he noticed another message from Marinette. "Oh great what now," he muttered as he saw that it was a video.
Curiosity got the better of him as he noticed his other classmates in the video. He tapped on it and began to see the various recorded messages from his friends. "This is kind of nice," he said to himself as he sat up and heard the words of welcome from his friends.
Then Marinette came on screen. Her eyes were red and watery as they peered into the camera like a man desperate for food. Oh boy. His stomach turned as she began to say how she missed him and how they were meant to be. Oh god she needs help.
Shaking his head his anxiety flared as he ended the video. I'll try to talk it out with her if I can and set some boundaries. His body shuddered at the many times Marinette always happened to be near him with that creepy grin. If she wanted to be his friend she'd have to respect his privacy.
Still I should talk to Nino he is my best friend at the school. He quickly texted Nino apologizing for not keeping in touch and thanking him for the video. Maybe I should talk to him about Marinette's behavior. After all they were friends.
Setting his phone down he went over to his window and opened feeling the nice air of the Parisian night. Taking a deep breath he sighed as he looked out into the sky. "It is good to be home but no I'm back in a cage." Hopefully father doesn't put too many restrictions on me. The thought sent shivers down his spine as he went over to the piano.
Taking a deep breath he began to practice a piece he learned when he was younger. His fingers moved through the keys with grace. Pouring his emotions into the piece he played through the song.
When it was done he rested his fingers on the piano and opened his eyes to see a familiar figure sitting on top of the piano was Plagg. He froze, his mouth dropping as he saw his old friend.
"Uh hello Adrien," Plagg said awkwardly. "N-Nice to see you again."
He nodded feeling a wave of emotions inside of him. "Yeah you too Plagg."
They stared at each other not knowing what to say, there were so many emotions and feelings inside of him he thought he was going to burst.
Plagg looked at him with wide eyes before flying up to him and hugging his chest. "Adrien I'm sorry please forgive me," Plagg begged. "I shouldn't have said those things."
Tears fell down his face as he hugged the kwami. "Plagg it's alright. I should've respected your privacy sorry for acting up."
Plagg looked at him and shook his head. "I'm sorry. I was told not to tell you the full truth. The Guardian wouldn't alllow"
"It's all in the past," he said as hugged Plagg. "We all made mistakes."
The kwami went and rested on the piano. "Adrien I have to talk to you about something important."
He noticed the kwami avoided his gaze and guessed it. "Let me guess about your new owner?"
"She isn't my owner," Plagg muttered before looking up at him. "You are Adrien. But the guardian wants to make her my new owner. I barely managed to slip out since he doesn't think it is a good idea to return the miraculous to you."
The words hit him in the heart. Plagg then explained that the guardian who was the person Ladybug refused to tell him about who was in charge of the miraculous wanted to make the new Cat Noir his owner. "Are you sure?" He croaked.
"Adrien I don't want her," Plagg said firmly. "I want you."
His eyes began to water up, Plagg wanted him still. "If you want to be with me I'll do it. I'll be Cat Noir again."
"I do too but how can we get the miraculous back?" Plagg said. "I doubt the guardian will just give it to you."
"Plagg I have someone important that is helping me," he said softly. "He and I have come here to get you back."
"Y-You told this guy about me?" Plagg asked incredulously.
He looked at his kwami and nodded. "He helped me in many ways. Plagg I know he can help us get the miraculous back, if we want to we'll make a plan to get you back."
Plagg avoided his gaze for a second before looking directly at him. "I want to be with you again Adrien. If you can get the miraculous back somehow that will be great. I'll do what I can on my end."
There was something in Plagg's voice that made his hairs stand up, he knew the kwami was a being of destruction and a part of him was fearful of what he could do on his own.. "We will. Don't worry about it."
Plagg went up and hugged him. "You are the best Cat Noir I've had in a long time."
He hugged the kwami as tears formed in his eyes. "Thank you. I want to be a great hero and if you're willing to be partner again then I'll gladly do it. I'm sorry for being a brat at times."
"Are you crazy! You're the best Cat Noir I've ever had," Plagg said half sobbing.
He smiled at his kwami as the tears fell down his face, the two hugged and at that moment even his father wouldn't be able to dampen his mood.