Chapter Text
As always, the Agreste Mansion looms large and foreboding as Luka approaches it. No wonder its’ family has so many secrets. Its’ very walls invite scandal. Staring up at the house, Luka has absolutely no idea which one of those rooms is Adrien’s, and rather than risk breaking into a bathroom, he opts to press the buzzer beside the large metal gates.
He jumps back in shock as a camera and microphone suddenly appear out of the wall. He really should have been expecting at this point.
“I’m one of the Miraculers. Adrien sent me.” He keeps his voice confident but calm. “Could you let him know that Harmony is here to see him please?”
What a ridiculous name. And yet Pigella had meant something when she had suggested it. Something else for him to worry about later…
The camera and microphone retract, and the large metal gates swing open. A man waits for him by the front doors. Adrien’s bodyguard. He’s hulking and intimidating, and although Adrien has often described him as kind, Luka can only see suspicion in his face as he walks towards him.
The man points to an orange sofa in the corner of the white, soulless lobby.
“I’m to wait there?” He nods in response. “Thanks.”
As Luka heads over, something suddenly catches his eye. Wide black doors are open where Adrien’s father’s office once was, and standing in its’ centre is a large effigy of Gabriel Agreste.
Now knowing the man was Hawkmoth, it gives Luka shivers just looking at it. The statue is so lifelike – the stern twist of the mouth, the harsh folding of the arms, and the constant look if displeasure in his eyes. And as Luka moves closer, he sees that the statue is not in isolation. Around the room are framed photos of Gabriel Agreste in all sorts of horrific poses. His life’s ork is displayed on the main table in the centre. There are even drawings of Gabriel Agreste- badly done but still recognisable.
Luka backs away, feeling sickened. Who did this? Was it Adrien? It has to have been. The museum – if it can even be termed that – is hardly hidden and Chat Noir would have destroyed it in a heartbeat if he had stumbled across it.
Does Adrien…worship his father now? Does Marinette know? She must do. Just what has been happening whilst he’s been in Brazil?
“Yeah, it’s appalling,” a voice says. Forcing his expression into neutrality, Luka turns and sees that the sofa isn’t unoccupied. Sitting with his legs on the armrest is Luka’s least favourite human being. Félix Fathom eyes him, his blond hair swept back so perfectly that it could have been sculpted. “Not pleased to see me?” He asks languidly, smiling. “No one is these days.”
Luka doesn’t say anything. The two of them have never actually spoken, but he knows enough second-hand information about this boy. Félix’s betrayal, whilst expected, had hurt. Doubly so for Luka. Because he’d seen the devastation on Ladybug’s face, the determination on Chat Noir’s and had known exactly who they were.
“You’d think,” Félix drawls, as Luka moves to perch awkwardly on the other end of the sofa, “that going to therapy would help my cousin, but if anything, it seems to have made things worse. But you would know, wouldn’t you? Therapy seems to be your thing after all.”
Luka stills. He’s in his Viperbug get-up. There’s no way…. Félix isn’t suggesting… “What are you talking about?”
“Ooh I’ve riled you.” Félix’s smile widens, “Now apparently that’s a hard thing to do. Especially for one with the patience of a Snake. But I’ve heard a lot about you.” Lifting a hand, he sweeps back his hair, and widens his eyes as he moves his legs from the armrest to sit upright. In Adrien’s voice, he gasps, “Oh how I miss Luka! I could tell him anything. He’s the only person who’d actually listen to me, being as pathetic as I am-” He smooths his hair, lies back, and lifts an eyebrow, “See?”
“He doesn’t sound like that,” Luka frowns.
“No, it’s even worse. I would have thought you’d have broken up with him the way he’s been going on…”
Luka sighs. Much like Adrien, Félix’s sarcastic insults are his defensive mechanism, but whilst Adrien tends to keep his teasing friendly, Félix seems to really enjoy getting under other people’s skin.
“What makes you think I’m Luka?”
Félix sighs, sounding disappointed. “Well, you just told me. Also, it’s fairly easy to figure out. Ladybug can call on any Miraculous hero she likes. Now which two are useful for most fights? The Horse and the Snake, right? Teleporting and going back in time is incredibly useful for getting the team out of binds- which they always seem to be getting into – but which one has she been calling on most? The Horse. Poor Pegasus has been doing overtime. No sign of the Snake. Everyone in Adrien’s friendship group knew Luka Couffaine left Paris to protect the identities of Ladybug and Chat Noir. Only way he could have known was if he was a superhero himself, and what’s the best Miraculous to unearth secrets? The Snake.”
Félix looks so animated compared to moments ago. For someone who apparently finds most of humanity dull and stupid, he really does enjoy sharing his reasoning. He likes praise, Luka realises, which must stem in some way from parental neglect.
So, he says: “Impressive.”
Félix rolls his eyes, but seems to smile in spite of himself. “So what brings you here? Was it Marinette? Pathetic. Our dear Guardian may be wise and brave, but she has no idea what to do in her own love life.”
Luka, who has just come to terms with Félix knowing his identity and is still grappling with Adrien’s wretched memorial, freezes. “What?”
Félix’s grin widens. “Please. Kagami figured it out a while ago.” How is his voice so soft when saying Kagami’s name? Luka hadn’t thought such a gentleness in Félix’s voice was even possible. “It’s perfectly obvious to anyone with a brain. I’m surprised more people haven’t connected the dots, but then again, considering this city’s collective IQ…”
He waves a hand, letting the sentence trail off.
“And Chat Noir?” Luka manages.
“Oh, he’s a dark horse,” Félix says offhandedly “No one’s managed to figure him out, except for you of course.” His glittering green eyes land on Luka. “Care to give me a hint? No? A pity.” Félix stretches carelessly. “Well, don’t tell me. It will be more fun figuring it out for myself…”
“I’d advise spending your time working out the identity of the Butterfly Holder,” Luka says coldly. How is it that even Adrien’s cousin knows Marinette’s identity but not Adrien’s?
“Oh, we’ll catch them,” Félix murmurs, unconcerned, “I’m sure of that. But the best made plans take time, don’t they? I think you and I are similar in that regard.”
“We have nothing in common,” Luka says, a little too sharply for his own liking.
Félix glances over, his eyes running over Luka curiously. “Don’t we? Fashion aside, I think we ae very much alike.”
The thought unnerves Luka. “What are you doing here?”
“Same reason as you, though you needn’t be here. I’d rather my cousin heard it from me. It is my family secret, after all.”
He knows about Gabriel too? Luka’s voice betrays his shock. “You mean you’re here to-”
“Tell Adrien about the Sentimonster thing, yes,” Félix sounds irritated, as if he’s frustrated that he’s had to voice is aloud. “Perhaps I overestimated your intelligence…”
The what?
“Harmony, you’re here!” Adrien appears at the top of the stairs. Félix shifts away from Luka, suddenly appearing disinterested, and Luka wishes Adrien had appeared at any point other than now, because he really needs Félix to continue talking and find out what he knows. What Sentimonster thing? Is thing something else Marinette is aware of? It must be, otherwise Félix wouldn’t have assumed that she had sent Luka…
Oh Marinette, what have you done now?
“Harmony,” Adrien calls, “come on up!”
“Hang on,” Félix protests, urgency breaking through his unruffled demeanour. “I was here first. And as your cousin, I have privileges.”
“You forfeited those privileges when you gave the Miraculous to Monarch.” Adrien says, his voice low.
“Ladybug got them back, didn’t she?”
“Harmony!”
“Coming.” Luka feels unsteady as he rises to his feet. He feels so uncertain than he did hours before. A hand catches him as he moves past.
“Don’t you dare,” Félix hisses, green eyes wide. “Don’t you dare tell him.”
Secrets wrapped in lies tied in a ribbon of pain. Luka doesn’t know the whole web. Maybe he should let Félix talk to Adrien…
But then he thinks of Adrien akumatised. No. He’s come this far. He can’t stop now. He shakes off Félix, and walks up the stairs towards Adrien, who beams expectantly. He feels the weight again settling over him, as resolve flows through him.
He can do this. Adrien will be okay. Marinette will be okay. Paris will be okay. And to save them all, he only has to do one thing first - break Adrien's heart.