Chapter Text

Adrien couldn’t help but feel a mixture of trepidation and elation as he stood before the large doors to his father’s private work room. When Natalie had called him after a fitting to say that his father had something to discuss with Adrien, the young model had been elated.

Now however the blond boy’s mind had also been overrun with dread as well.

Had something happened?

Was there a break in his mother’s disappearance?

Had Gabriel decided that school life on top of Adrien’s work schedule was causing too much interference and forcing him to leave?

After oscillating for a moment in front of the doors, Adrien decided that knowing was better then speculating and pushed them open. The well oiled hinged gave to his light touch and Natalie was there in an instant with a bag in her hands.

“Good.” She said, “your father was getting worried.” She walked past him and down the hallway that led to the indoor garage.

“Father?” Adrien asked as Gabriel stood up from a counter, the sketch book in his hands being placed into another bag.

“Adrien good. There has been a change in my schedule.” Gabriel said without looking at his son, still moving around the room collecting various things. “I have to leave for Beijing for two weeks to deal with a matter in person. During that time, I am canceling all of your appointments. You will be allowed to go to school and nothing else.”

Adrien felt like someone had struck him in the face. Two weeks with only school! That was a nightmare.

“I have already had Natalie reschedule and cancel all of your appointments during that time. Fencing, Piano, Chinese and all modeling related activities have already been taken care of. Natalie will be remining here to ensure that my orders are fulfilled.”

Gabriel paused for a moment, still refusing to look at his son. In the mean time Adrien sputtered in place. Trying to come up with an argument to counter his father’s edict.

After the moment passed Gabriel turned to Adrien and smiled. Now for the carrot. Gabriel through to himself.

“In exchange… you will be allowed to have two friends over of a maximum of two hours every day, four on a weekend. Provided they have passed a background check.”

Adrien was unable to process that. Gabriel Agreset, notorious recluse, was allowing people over while he was not only out of the house, but out of the country.

Slowly Adrien confirmed, “So I can invite over whoever I want?”

“As long as Natalie has cleared them yes.” Gabriel corrected coolly. “And I will be receiving daily updates. If I believe anything unsavory has transpired, this privilege will be revoked.”

However Adrien wasn’t listening anymore. He ran up to his father and hugged the older man.

Gabriel tensed only for a second before returning the gesture. “Take care while I am gone.” He whispered into his son’s hair before they both released the hug and Gabriel took his leave. The Gorilla driving the older Agrest to a private jet on the tarmac.

Adrien waved goodbye to his father and then sent out a mass text message. Soon his phone was exploding with responses.

Chapter Text

Sunday.

Day 1.

Kagami made one final lunge at Adrien. Her fencing foil just missing him by a hairs breath before she falls to the ground panting.

Adrien was only a second behind her. Lying face down on the perfectly manicured grass of the Agreste mansion’s back lawn. “I think we need a break.” He said in jest.

“Really Adrien.” Kagami responds was as much sarcasm as she could muster as she panted. “We have only been at this for,” she checks her watch, “2 hours and 38 minutes.”

“Correction.” Adrien responds. Somehow dragging himself to his feet shuffling over to a water cooler only to return with both their water bottles. “I KNOW we need a break.”

“Weakling.” Kagami muttered without any hint of malice as she accepted the refreshment.

She had been the first to respond to his invitation over by luck as much as by design. Her own mother had some former students over. In what passed as the older Tsurugi’s ‘girl time’ she had allowed Kagami a brief reprieve from the schedule that had happened to coincide the with possible openings the assistant had allowed. Between that and the fact that Kagami had a full background check done yearly that fulfilled the criteria set forth by the assistant, Kagami had gotten to be the first one to see Adrien in his ‘confinement’.

Adrien hadn’t even finished his greeting before Kagami challenged her toughest opponent to a duel. Because of her curt nature, Kagami had at times had difficulty expressing herself verbally. However actions, especially violent actions, allowed her to communicate freely. Adrien had been so quick to respond Kagami also though he expected it.

Now they both drank greedily during their brief rest.

“What next?” She asked while watching Adrien’s adams apple bob as he drank. She found it alluring in a way that slightly disturbed her.

Finishing his drink and refilling both their bottles Adrien responded. “We have covered the Foil, Epee and Sabre styles of fencing. That means we have the Olympic styles done. With a 2 to 1 victory going to you.”
Kagami snorted as she interrupted him, something that she never would have had the nerve to do with anyone else. “I refuse to except that I won the Epee.” She stated. “You struck me in in the left outer thigh

and the right knee. I don’t understand why you refuse to accept that.”

Adrien just kept talking as if she said nothing. “We could repeat the events with a body cord or…” Adrien paused for a second before saying, “I’ll be right back.”

Before Kagami could respond he dashed off. Leaving the Japanese fencer to wonder where Adrien got his energy from. Just a minute ago they were both barely able to stand and now he was running again like he has just gotten up from an afternoon nap while she was using all of her energy just to prevent her legs from shaking.

Taking this moment to sit down and rest, Kagami looked over to see the aid sitting in the distance under a tree. A book in her hand. While Kagami had not gotten her name, the Japanese girl knew that she acted as Adrien’s gatekeeper and it was she whom Kagami had to make an effort not to offend.

She heard Adrien return a minute before she saw him. He was carrying a large bag over his shoulder with pads sticking out that looked a bit bulkier then the ones they used to fence with.

She gave her partner a quizzical look. “What are these?” Kagami asked as she opened the bag while Adrien panted quickly.

“Kali.. (pant) … stick fighting.”

“Kali?”

“Also called Eskrima or Arnis.”

“I don’t know how to uses these.” Kagami responded. Standing up from the ground while Adrien took another drink, accidentally having some splash down his shirt.

After he finished Adrien looked at her with a smile that always reminded Kagami of the sun. “I am teaching myself some.”

“Trying to leave me behind?” Kagami half challenged, half worried.

Adrien chuckled. “More like trying to keep up. I don’t want you to grow board with me so I am trying something new to learn to improve myself.”

Kagami chuckled at that. While she may have a slight edge on him when it came to speed, Adrien was able to think far faster then the Japanese girl. He had been accurately calling all the points in their matches all day and at times she suspected even giving her a handy cap. She had no idea how his perception of the physical world was so acute when his social understanding was so limited.

“So you want to…?” Kagami trailed off not following what Adrien was implying.

“I want to teach you.” Adrien responded standing tall in the sunlight. His exhaustion apparently gone. “Plagg says the best was to learn is to teach.”

Kagami had heard that name mentioned before. She knew it wasn’t anyone in Adrien’s class. Adrien himself passed it off as a pen pal he had taken behind his father’s back and Kagami was willing to keep the secret.

After contemplating for a moment Kagami nodded. “Alright.”

With that Adrien pulled out two stick made from rattan wood that he called Baston and started to instruct her in the appropriate holding and use. Kagami was not one to disappoint and they were soon doing a slow step sparring match.

However Kagami forgot herself and made a too fast of a swipe at one of Adrien’s legs. Rather than connect, Adrien somehow did a no hand cartwheel to escape leaving them both speechless for different reasons.

“What was that?” Kagami demanded. Her voice with an edge to it that was never good.

“An… accident?” Adrien tried to defend. His voice breaking slightly in worry.

“Do it again.”

So Adrien did it again but purposefully failed and Kagami was not amused.

“Again.” She demanded before adding. “Correctly.”

Knowing he was caught, Adrien did the move and landed it… before stumbling slightly as his legs gave way from fatigue.

“You’re keeping your center of gravity too low.” Kagami responded. Eyeing him like he was some kind of animal she was trying to tame. “And your arms are too far out. You need to keep them closer to your body like this.” She then did the same move only with a bit more flare.

Adrien had to pick his jaw off the ground. Literally from his prone position.

“How do you know how to do that?” He couldn’t help but ask.

“Before fencing my grandfather insisted that I take gymnastics for a few years. He said that a good woman is flexible in the face of anything.” Kagami responded, careful to not betray any emotions. That particular quip was mean as an insult both to Kagami and her mother. Her time with Adrien was for enjoyment, not to relive bad memories of a dysfunctional family.

“Can you do it again?”

And so they spend the last of their time together with Kagami showing Adrien both stretching exercises and acrobatics. The Kali sticks back in their bag for later use.

As the sun began to sink in the sky the pair found themselves once again excused on the ground. Adrien was having some trouble with the acrobatics and Kagami was tired enough to fall asleep on the grass itself.

“I think we may have to…” Kagami’s voice trailed off as she looked over to see Adrien was actually asleep next to her. Both hands outstretched like he was about to dive into a pool.

Instead to talking she reached out a hand to touch Adrien’s lightly. However before she could make contact a shadow fell over her.

Looking up Kagami saw the assistant standing over them with narrow eyes and a tablet in hand. “Your car will be here in ten minutes Miss. Tsurugi. I hope you will be ready by then.” With that the assistant walked to the background again.

Kagami sighed before shaking Adrien’s shoulder. To her surprise he sat bolt up right with a small yell. Causing Kagami to jump back.

“Adrien?” She asked.

“Oh. Kagami. Sorry.” Adrien blushed and didn’t look at her. “I guess I fell asleep.”

“No surprise. You’ve been like a hamster on caffeine all day.”

“That’s not nice. Hamsters only drink espresso.” Adrien joked.

They sat for a moment just enjoying the setting sun before Adrien spoke up. “You have to go soon don’t you.”

“Yes.” Kagami confirmed.

“All right.” Adrien pulled himself off the ground and Kagami did the same. They started to pack the things up.

“I only have 12 of the 14 days occupied with people coming over. Any chance you want a rematch next week about Thursday?” Adrien asked.

Kagami keep her head and tried to be disinterested. “I might be able to swing something.” She responded before smiling at Adrien.

“Cool.”

Natalie appeared at the back doorway of the house. “Your car is here.”

Kagami and Adrien bowed to each other before Kagami left.

Adrien made it up to his room before taking a shower and falling asleep. Pointedly ignoring Plagg’s comments about his second girlfriend.

Chapter Text

Monday.
Day 2.
Nino all but danced around Adrien’s room as he entered after school let out.

Adrien had stayed at school over lunch rather then return home so he and Nino could plan what they wanted to do afterwards.

“Ok.” Nino declared as he put on his knee pads. “I am so going to rock you on this half pipe.”

“I don’t know Nino. Have you ever heard of ‘home field advantage’?” Adrien asked as he hit a few commands to configure the room to allow the two boys the most room to skate board.

“Home field, smome field. I rock wherever I go.” Nino boasted as he finished suiting up. “Besides, we don’t want to ruin your million euro smile.”

“It’s fine. Father will just hire someone to fix it like when I was 10.”

Nino built up a bit of speed and launched himself off the half pipe ramp, not preforming any trick. He was just trying to get a feel for the surface before he broke out some crazy moves.

“What happened?” Nino asked as he came to a halt next to his best buddy.

“I was playing with Chloe at a park and someone knocked me off a slide. Feel to the ground and nearly bit my tongue off.”

“Wow dude. Seriously?”

In response Adrien opened his mouth and stuck his tongue out.

“First, gross. Second I can’t see anything.”

“Oh… Hang on a second.” Adrien rooted through several draws of his, throwing random empty cheese tins away as he went muttering something that Nino couldn’t hear.

While model was at it. Nino took a few more practice runs on the half pipe.

“Found it!” Adrien declared.

“Found what?” Nino asked coming to rest next to his friend to see a small pen light. “Why do you have one of those anyway?”

“Father says it’s a gentlemanly thing or something.” Adrien responded before handing it over to Nino and sticking out his tongue again.

Understanding what Adrien wanted Nino couldn’t help but make a jab at his best friend. “You know, Dentist get paid good money for this.” Before shining the light inside his mouth. It took a second but Nino saw two large scars on Adrien’s tongue part way back. Nino turned the light off as Adrien closed his mouth. “I repeat my first comment of ‘gross’. Also that must have hurt.”

“It did.” Adrien confirmed. “Father was furious.” Then his voice changed, imitating a deeper Gabriel Agreste. “I want the finest surgeon in all of France. No, the entire European continent! It don’t matter how much it costs! Get them here immediately! Even if you have to fly them in by air balloon!”

Adrien laughed at that before falling silent. “Mother was beside herself with worry. She kept holding my head and stroking my hair while the nurse tried to mop up the blood and clean the wound. Mother was afraid they wouldn’t be able to reattach it and I couldn’t talk.”

Adrien fell silent in memory while Nino stared. Adrien was always tight lipped about his mother. Nino always assumed that the wound of her disappearance was still to fresh in his best bud’s mind.

After giving Adrien a minute Nino took it upon himself to change the subject. “Enough mopping around. I am here to beat the pants off you.”

Adrien smirked. “You couldn’t afford my pants.” He shot back.

“Oh really. Wanna make a bet on that?” Nino challenged.

Adrian raised his eyebrows. He knew that Nino was more willing to push the envelope when it came to rules but… “How much?” At the same time Adrien was feeling daring himself.

“How about 63.17 Euros.*” Nino said a little too quickly for Adrien’s taste.

“Exactly 63.17 Euros?”

“I wanna take my dude-ette out to a nice restaurant. It’s our three month anniversary and I wanna knock her socks off.”

“And you obviously have one in mind.”

“Du.”

Adrien stared at Nino for a second. “Alright. How do we score this little game?”

Nino smiled as he pulled out a set of rules that were too perfectly put together to be happenstance. Adrien felt he was being hustled. But he went along with it. While neither boy would say it, the wage gap between Adrien and almost everyone in the school was noticeable. According to Max, Adrien’s yearly income was equal to that of Professor Damocles and Madame Bustier combine. What made it more outrageous was that Adrien was only beginning to realize how well off he was. Not that Nino was ever one to really complain, however it did irritate the DJ every once in a while that his best friend could buy Nino’s entire apartment building without much trouble.

But Nino wasn’t going to let that effect him now. Now he had to prove himself a skateboarding master and win his lady love a fine dinner.

“You got the rules?” Nino confirmed.

Adrien nodded. His eyes gleaming in challenge.

“But first…” Adrien went over to his computer and opened the CD tray. “We need some music to rock out too.”

Nino’s eyes lit up. “I love you brother.”

-------

As Natalie slammed the door open two hours later she nearly had to cover her ears due to the music coming out of the sound system. “Adrien!” She yelled into the room only to nearly be flattened by Nino as the dark haired boy flew by. Seeing the computer playing the sound, the secretary hit the mute button.

“Dude-ette! What gives?” Nino demanded. "They were just about to hit the base line."

“No Mr. Lahiffe. Your time is up and this… MUSIC will be turned off.” Natalie reprimanded.

“One minute Natalie. Nino, what’s the score?” Adrien asked.

“77 Me. 73 You.”

“One more minute Natalie. Please!” Adrien begged. He looked so hopeful that the woman paused for a moment.

“One moment.” Natalie conceded, getting out of the way of the half pipe.

“Sweet. Ok Adrien. I am up by 4 points. You’ll need to grind the entire length of the lip or perform a 720 flip to beat me.”

“Easy.”

Adrien built up speed before going up the ramp, when he hit the top he started to spin. Nino counting out loud. “180. 360. 540! And OH!” Adrien didn’t get enough elevation for the 720 and had to stick the landing or risk getting injured.

“A 540 only gets you 3 points my man. Making the final score 77 Me. 76 You. I win.” Nino did a little dance with his index fingers up in the air and his hips swaying side to side.

“Win WHAT!” Natalie demanded. Causing Nino to freeze in place.

“A bet he and I made.” Adrien responded.

Natalie’s eyes turned to her charge as he was taking off the helmet. “What KIND of bet?” She demanded. Behind her Nino was trying to shoosh Adrien but the blond would have none of it.

“I am working with Nino’s girlfriend Alya in a project we have for history class next week while he is working with Alix. The bet was to switch partners. He won so he gets to work with Alya instead of me.” Adrien lied with such perfection that Nino let his arms drop, dumfounded at the ease of it. While it was true there was a project in History the following week, Adrien had always been paired with Alex and Nino had to trade with Max to work with Alya.

Natalie looked between Adrien and Nino, as if she could somehow glare the truth out of them… before relenting. “It’s time to go.” She said as she and Adrien walked Nino to the door.

“See you tomorrow dude.” Nino happily chirped as he was ushered out of the front door and it was promptly shut behind him by the Gorilla.

As Adrien turned to go Nataile put a hand on his shoulder stopping him.

“Yes?” Adrien asked, not quite looking her in the eyes but rather focusing the beauty mark on her face.

“You could have made that last half spin and won.” She responded and paused for a moment, much like Gabriel had done on Saturday when he told Adrien about the trip. “You are a good friend.” She finished before releasing his shoulder and turning to leave him be.

Adrien let a breath out that he had been holding and went to the kitchen to get a small snack before dinner. As he entered his phone when off.

DJ Bubbles: DUDE that was a perfect lie. Thanks for saving my bacon.

Model Mayhem: It’s my pleasure. Just don’t do that to me again any time soon. Though I was going to have a heart attack.

DJ Bubbles: No sweat dude. And forget about the bet.

Model Mayhem: I lost fair and square. When’s the anniversary?

Chapter Text

Tuesday Day 3

Natale stood at the doorway to the Agreste mansion. Preventing Lila from entering.

“But I filled out the form. I know I did. Just let me talk to Adrien. I’m sure he will vouch for me.” Lili pleaded. However Natale was unmoving. “I am aware of that Miss Rossi. And that is precisely the problem. Almost everything you put on the form was either a gross exaggeration or an out right lie. You have not been to the kingdom of Apu at the behest of Prince Ali. Jagged Stone did not write a song about you. And according to the school you have multiple unexcused absences. I’m sure Adrien told you that any lying in your background check would mean you would be denied entry.”

Natalie could see the gears in Lili’s head turning. Trying to figure some way around the secretary. Before giving up and going for what she felt was her trump card. “Let me in or I will tell Gabriel Agreste that you prevented me from seeing Adrien.” Lili went for her phone.

“Then call him. Just please remember the 11-hour time difference between here and China. Meaning it’s 4:10 in the morning. I am sure he will be pleased to be woken up at such an early hour to hear from you.” Natalie shot back.

The red head held the phone for a moment before folding her bluff. “I’ll tell Gabriel when he gets back.” She growled at the older woman.

“And I will be taking the call when you do. Good day Miss Rossi.” With that Natalie closed the door in Lili’s face. Just as the Gorilla came out from around the back of the house and folded his arms. Glaring down at the Italian girl. With no other option, Lili left through the open front gate.

Natalie went up to Adrien’s room and knocked on the door. “I am sorry Adrien. Miss Rossi will not be joining you this evening.”

Adrien looked up from the piano. “She lied on the background check didn’t she?”

“Yes.”

“All right.” Adrien went back to his music. He was disappointed that Lili would try to continue her tall tales but there was nothing he could do about it. He had even explicitly told her not to fabricate anything.

His phone when off.

Fox Fire: I am soooo sorry Adrien. Something came up at the pet shelter I volunteer at and I can’t make it over tonight. Let’s try again when your Father is back in town.

Adrien hesitated form a moment. Knowing that to respond to her would be feeding her desire for recognition but in the end couldn’t ignore her.

Model Mayhem: I understand. Have a good night Lili.

Chapter Text

Mylene cowered into Ivan’s massive shoulder as the red cloaked figure of the Red Death flew off the screen and the words “And the darkness and decay of the Red Death held illimitable domination over all the world.”

As the credits rolled over the screen Mylene squeaked out, “Is it over?”

“Yes Mylene.”  Ivan comforted as she peeked one eye out. 

“Why did we watch that again?”  She asked relaxing.

“Because,” Adrien responded, “The Masque of Red Death by Roger Corman is one of the greatest horror movies of all time.  You are trying to overcome your fear and I though that it would help you to see it.”

Mylene looked at Adrien like he grew a second head.  “And how would a horror movie do that?”  She asked with a bit more edge and skepticism then was usual for her.

“Because Edgar Allan Poe is one of the masters of horror and the macabre.”  Ivan responded for Adrien.  “And also…”

Ivan pulled out a worn piece of paper form his shirt pocket. 

“It was many and many years ago…

in a kingdom by the sea…

that a madin there lived whom you may know…

by the name of Annabel Lee;

And this maiden she lived with no other though…

Than to love and be loved by me.

“I was a child and she was a child…

in this kingdom by the sea…

but we love with a love that was more than love-

I and my Annabel Lee-

With a love that the winged seraphs of Heaven coveted her and me.”

“And this was the reason that, long ago…

in this kingdom by the sea…

a wind blew out of a cloud, chilling…

my beautiful Annabel Lee…

so that her highborn kinsmen came…

and bore her away from me…

to shut her up in a sepulcher…

in this kingdom by the sea…”

“The angels, not half so happy in Heaven…

went envying her and me-

Yes!- that was the reason (as all men know…

in this kingdom by the sea)…

That the wind came out of the cloud by night…

chilling and killing my Annabel Lee..”

“But our love it was stronger by far than the love…

of those who were older then we…

of many far wiser than we- and neither the angels in heaven about…

nor the demons down under the sea…

can ever dissever my soul form the soul…

of the beautiful Annabel Lee”

“For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams…

of the beautiful Annabel Lee…

And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes…

of the beautiful Annabel Lee…

and so all the night-tide, I lie down by the sea…

of my darling- my darling-

my life and my bride…

in her sepulcher there by the sea- in her tomb by the sounding sea.”

Mylene looked at Ivan with slightly misty eyes. 

Ivan continued, “Not all that is dark and morbid is necessarily scary.  Just look at Cat Noir.”  At this Adrien nearly choked on air.  “His power is litterly to cause anything to decay with a touch.  And you have never been afraid of him.”

“That’s because I know he will never harm anyone.”  Mylene defended the cat hero.  “Yes he has a terrifying power, but he is aware of it and his light personality makes me feel so at ease that it doesn’t matter if he is an untouchable beauty, he is our hero.”

“That’s my point my little Lene.  You aren’t afraid of him because you’re familiar with him.  If we can do that with more stuff, you will get even better.”

Mylene opened her mouth to say something, paused, closed it and nodded.  Just as the timed went off causing all three of them to jump.

Letting out a small laugh Adrien silenced his phone.  “I guess that is everything for today guys.  Hope you enjoyed.”

As the couple got up Mylene turned to Adrien, “Can I… borrow the move?”  She asked, not quite looking at him. 

“Sure Mylene.”  Adrien ejected the DVD and handed it to her.  “Hang on a second.”  He ran up the circular steps to the second floor and was down a second later with another DVD.  “We have seen some of the best Americans have to offer, but lets try a French classic as well.”

Mylene looked down at the title.  Eyes without a Face.  Dated 1960.  She looked back at him.  “Try it during the day first and then once you are accustomed to it, again at night.”

Mylene nodded as the trio went out to the foryee. 

As she was reading the synopsis on the back cover Ivan leaned into Adrien.  “The same goes for you man.”

“What do you mean?”  Adrien asked.

“You keep glancing over at your father’s study like you expect him to kick us all out any minute.  It’s not healthy.”

Adrien tried to brush it off.  “It’s not-”

Ivan cut him off.  “It’s not nothing.  If you need an escape, for whatever reason.  You call and I’ve got your back.  I left something for you in your room just in case.”

At that Fred Harprele rung the doorbell to pick up his daughter and her boyfriend. 

Ivan clapped Adrien on the shoulder once and left with his girlfriend. 

After seeing them off Adrien ran back to his room and looked around for a second.   “Plagg did Ivan leave anything?”  He questioned the cat kwami.

“What?  Oh you mean the bag behind the door that’s has no cheese in it?”

Adrien was over in an instant.  As he unzipped it he saw a bunch of silver and plastic.  It took Adrien a moment of pulling it out before he realized what it was. 

“A ladder.  No… a fire escape ladder.”  Adrien couldn’t help but let out a little bit of a laugh. 

“What use is that?”  Plagg called from across the room.  “When you have me to let you out.”

“It means that Ivan is giving me an escape when I want one.”  Adrien explained thinking quickly.  “Plus if I even need a reason to be out while I am Cat Noir now I have a legitimate means of escape without arousing Father or Nathalie’s attention.

“Whatever.”  Plagg dismissed but looked out of the corner of his eye as Adrien hid the contraption away, fully planning on figuring out how it worked later should Adrien need it.

Chapter Text

Thursday

Day 5

Max and Kim rode home with Adrien in his car.  All three talking so rapidly that the Gorilla was having some trouble following them.  Something about games but none of the names the three were mentioning made much sense to the driver.  On top of collecting action figures, the Gorilla was also a gamer.  He was a part of an online gaming clan called Jungle Village. 

“Listen Max, I know you are excited about your stuff after getting akumatized and being able to play it, but don’t you think it’s a little… simple?”  The tall Korean boy asked.

“Simple!”  The short black kid responded.  “I will have you know that I am designing the most complex game yet seen.  No other game will allow for such dynamic shifts in play.  The mere idea is 100% insanity.”

“I’m sure that’s not what Kim meant, RIGHT KIM.”  The gorilla could see Adrien elbowing the tall kid.  Kim?

“Ow.  Hey.”

The Gorilla knew it was time for him to step it.  Technically the clock didn’t start until he returned Adrien to the house, but if they get out of hand he could use the car ride to cut the visit short.  It would be a jerk move but Adrien’s safety was his first concern.

“HM!”  He grunted to get their attention before holding up his wrist and watch. 

“I understand.”  Adrien responded with a dower look.

The other two glanced at Adrien.  “What does that mean?”

“I means we’re on the clock.  So we can’t afford to fight if we want to get the work done.”  Adrien responded before turning to the short one.  “So Max, have you though to add any new akuma villains?”

“Of course I have.”  The short one, Max, responded.  “We have had several akuma that could make for adequate characters.  Chameleon is a bit difficult however she could be doable.  Oni-chan could also work when I get around to making actual backgrounds rather then the neon mesh I am currently using for a stand in.  So would Prime Queen.  Then there is also the option of making the Magician of Misfortune into a character as well.” 

The little Max rattled on for a minute or two before Kim butted in.  “What about Bakerix?”

“Who?”  Max asked while Adrien remained quite the Gorilla noticed.  But his front pocket shifted slightly. 

“Bakerix, the one that they just fought.”  Kim elaborated.  “He kind of liked that comic strip character my dad likes, the Viking Fool Asterix.”

Max shifted his glasses and looked perturbed before looking something up on his phone.  “I have no data on him.”

“His power was that when he drank honey form his hip flask he grew in size and strength but lost it as he slowly used it.”  Adrien supplied. 

“A time limit character maybe.  When in his weaker form he could take more damage but be able to preform longer combos but while he is super strength from…” looking at Adrien again for clarification Max asked, “milk?”

“Honey.”  Adrien corrected.

“Yes, honey.   He gets strength and a few new moves but at the cost of reduced mobility.”

“This is all well and good, but I can’t help but feel that your game is still missing something Max.”  Kim said.  “I mean you have the versus mode all but figured out but what kind of game only has one mode in this day and age.”

“Then what do you suggest?”  Max asked, leaning around Adrien to look at Kim only for the Gorilla to grunt again as he made a turn into the Agreste driveway and keyed in the security code. 

“Well I mean, a story mode would be nice… but perhaps a bit too labor intensive for one person.  Oh I know.  What about a side scrolling beat ‘em up like those old 8 bit games about the plumber?”

Max though about it while Kim remained silent, letting the shortest boy think.  “It could be possible.  Program some basic enemies and have an akuma or two as a boss battle.” 

The Gorilla opened the door to the house and the three teenagers shuffled inside.  Natalie were working on something in the design studio while Mr. Agreste was away.  Leaving the Gorilla to act as chaperone for the day.

The bulky man lead the trio into Adrien’s room as sat down in a corner, pulling out the latest issue of Knightowl from America to read while listening to the conversation. 

The three had booted up Adrien’s computer and linked it to Max’s and were going over game details for the side scrolling fighter idea. 

“And Cat Noir can have a move like Ryu from Street fighter with his Cataclysm, only rather then Hodoken he cries out Catoken.”  Kim exclaimed only to receive flat looks from the other two.  “What, Cat Noir likes puns, I would be surprised if he wouldn’t make one about the popular fighting move if he could.”  Kim defended with an indignant huff.

“I think I agree with him.”  Adrien said and after a moment Max relented.

The Gorilla turned the page but wasn’t really reading anymore.  He had already finished the issue while waiting to pick Adrien up and was more interested in what the teenagers were discussing. 

The game seemed to be interesting concept and if he could get an alpha copy to send to his gaming clan, they would be most pleased.

But he couldn’t help but agree with Kim that something was missing.  Something besides an arcade mode.  But the hulking man couldn’t think of it. 

Finishing the copy for a third time the alarm on his phone went off. 

Getting up the chofer went to get Adrien his daily health food snack and protein shake.  He also had to be a good host and provide light refreshments for the two boys as well. 

When he got back.  The Gorilla set down a wedge of wrapped cemembert cheese on the table along side his comic book before walking over to the hunched trio with the plate of food.  Looking over their shoulders at the digitally rendered image of Hawkmoth he stopped. 

“what about a Centi-monster?”  The gorilla asked making the three of them jump.   The Gorilla set down the plate of food before them.

“What do you mean?”  Adrien asked while the other two looked on in shock.  Despite his appearance, the Gorilla had a very soft voice, part of the reason he didn’t talk much.  It ruined the tough guy persona. 

“Hawkmoth’s new assistant can make Centi-monsters to support an Akuma like with that Reflecta.  Why not set up the game so there is a 5% chance that a character gets a secondary monster to support them in the form of a Centi-monster?” 

The three of them looked at him in shock for a moment.  With Adrien being the first to shake out of it.  “That could work.  It would mix up gameplay.  Rather then keep fighting the same old characters it would add a different dimension to the gameplay.  But to balance things out both side would have to get one at the same time.”

“But then I would have to do 2x time programing!”  Max almost wailed as the Gorilla made his way back to his seat. 

“No problem Maxie.”  Kim said.  “that’s why you asked for our help.”

“Besides, I have the best hardware around.”  Adrien agreed.  “We can get some stellar graphics.”

As the Gorilla returned to his chair in the corner, he saw the wedge of cheese eaten and the wrapper rolled up.  From the corner of his eye the chauffer saw something black fly away into the piano but didn’t react. 

He just sat back down an picked up a new comic book.

The Gorilla was many things, but he wasn’t oblivious.  While Natalie and Gabriel only saw the safe being opened to get to the missing book form a few months back that had resulted in Gabriel being akumatized into the Collector, the Gorilla saw that Adrien hadn’t touched the combination to open the safe.  Nor did they see that the boy was talking to someone that couldn’t be caught on video several times.  Add that with the small purple thing that Gabriel Agreste had hiding and the black thing that Adrien had, and he knew something more was going on here. 

But he didn’t mind.  The job was relatively easy and the people were far more likeable then his youth in a gang. 

So the Gorilla just went back to his comics and let the people have their odd fun. 

Looking down as his wristwatch the Gorilla realized he forget to set the timer for the two hours people were allowed over. 

Ops.

He had better start it now.  27 minutes after he parked the car. 

Chapter Text

Friday

Day 6

Today was the day that Adrien had perhaps been looking forward to the most this week after Kagami. 

Alya and Marinette got the Friday lot.

Meaning that he didn’t have to worry about school and without his additional events, he could devout all his efforts to interacting with two of his best female friends. 

Female friends… a few months ago interacting with any women who weren’t models, Chloe or Natalie would have seen outrageous.  Now he had two that he was very close to to, and another four that he was on good terms with.  It felt odd in a way, but not unpleasant. 

The two had said they wanted to return to Alya’s apartment quickly before coming over and Adrien promised to send the Gorilla with the car to pick them up. 

Now it was just a waiting game.  Adrien passed his room nervously. 

“Kid!”  Plagg moaned to his charge.  “Stop that and have some cheese.”  The black fairy flew out of sight for a second and then returned.  “I’ve been aging this one for three weeks.”  The kwami took a deep whiff of the offered offense.  “perfection.” 

“No thanks Pagg.”  Adrien declined.  “I don’t want to have to brush my teeth before they get here.”

“Your loss.”  Plagg said as he somehow swallowed a lump of cheese large then he was in one bite.  “I don’t know what you’re so worried about.  It’s just that reporter girl and the class prez.”  While Adrien’s back was to him, Plagg opened one eye to gauge the boy’s reaction.  “Or do you like something about them?”

“Plagg!”  Adrien half yelled before restraining himself, “no it’s just… after the heroes day, when we were all in the park, as I was leaving Marinette gave me a kiss and… then the wax museum.. we haven’t really addressed anything about it since.  I don’t know if it meant anything or if it was merely her induging in a fantasy or not.  All of that well…”  He trailed off with his back still to Plagg, not noticing the Kwami rolling its eyes. 

“Then just ask her… duffus.” 

“But I-“  He was interrupted by the chime of the front door. 

As Adrien hurried out of the room Plagg flipped into his belly in the air.  “I’m beginning to think that Fu purposefully saddles me with the idiots.”

Adrien opened the door to find… Marinette alone.  Adrien looked around for a second thinking that by some miracle he was missing Alya. 

“She’s not here.”  Marinette says, not looking at Adrien.  “Something came up with the twins and she couldn’t make it.” 

It was a lie.  Adrien could tell.  Marinette was good at it when she needed to be, but she also had a tell.  Her hand would move to the pink polo doted purse of hers.  Sometimes only slightly but it almost always did when she was ‘stretching the truth’. 

He would have to see sometime if that extended to poker.  But not today.

“I guess it’s just the two of us then.”  Adrien responded, rubbing the back of his neck in a nervus tick of his own before stepping aside.  “Come on in.” 

He lead Marinette up to his room.  Because for the life of him, Adrien couldn’t think of a time that the class president had been over to his house… Not that it was a rare thing.  Before this week, his only friends who had made it past the front door were Nino, Chloe and potentially Lila (Adrien was having trouble working out if he was really friends with the conspiratorial girl, or just a status symbol.  He was hoping for the former, but couldn’t rule out the latter.) 

Marinette looked around the room for a moment in silence before focusing in on the tv and multiple gaming systems Adrien had around them.  “Since our original plan is a bust without Alya, want me to beat at Mecha Strike 3?”  She asked, not looking at Adrien.

Adrien took a breath to calm himself before starting.  “Actually… there was something that I wanted to address first.”

Marinette looked at him in surprise and a little bit of concern. 

“I just want to clear the air about something between us.”  Adrien continued, looking just over Marinette’s shoulder. 

“About what?”  Marinette asked, her voice cracking a little.

“Several things that don’t make sense.”  Adrien began, still not meeting her gaze. 

“The near kiss that you gave me at the wax museum.” 

Marinette felt her hands get sweaty. 

“The actual kiss in the aftermath of Hero’s Day.” 

A hot flush was creeping up her neck.

“The fact that while Jagged Stone was doing that cooking show at your family’s bakery you had all those pictures of me around your room.”

Now the flush was now visible on her face and even though Adrien shifted his gaze outside the window Marinette was sure she was radiating heat like a furnace.

“And the fact that you sometimes develop a studder around me.”  Adrien finished.

She was going to combust.  She knew it.

“Do you have a celebrity crush on me?” 

Marinette nearly fell over at the words.  In fact, she did, only to realize that she had fallen onto Adrien’s bed.

She was silent for an agonizing moment before… “NO!  No of course not!”  She nearly screeched.  “Why would I have a crush on you!  It’s not like you are that great of anything!”  She immediately kicked herself for saying that and tried to backpedal.  “Not that I don’t like you or enjoy your company.  COMPANY!  HAhaHa.  But CELEBREITY CRUSH!  Come on.  Who do you think I am.  I’m not like Aurore or Mireillle who just obsess over your body and status as model.  I mean SEE the appear but at the same time I DON’T.”  Marinette tried to keep herself from either killing herself on the spot or blowing the lid off her feelings for him and all to could do was babble almost incoherently to try and recover.

At that Adrien looked reviled.  “That’s good.”  He said with a sigh looking at her in the eyes now.  “I am so use to people, especially girls becoming rabid fans or even stalking me that I sometimes have difficulty realizing it.” 

He smiled at her and Marinette felt her knees quake a little.  “I am almost desensitized to it and it has caused problems in the past.  That’s part of the reason why my father is so possessive.  A woman that I would occasionally work with on shoots became a stalker.  I liked the attention at first but then she started showing even when she wasn’t suppose to and got… disturbingly possessive.  I didn’t see it for what it was and… well my Mother hired the Gorilla after that.”

Marinette focused on Adrien.  She knew that at times her behavior was a bit… stalkerish.  But that that someone would go that far made her skin crawl.  She would cut back, she had to, if for no other reason then to become… THAT.

“In a way I’m glad you don’t have a celebrity crush on me.”  Adrien said, “Because I know that you like me for who I am rather then WHAT I am.”  He kept smiling.  “It makes me feel that I can trust you all the more Marinette.”

Marinette couldn’t decide that she was feeling.  She had just blown another opportunity to confess to Adrien.  However he had reinvested in their friendship and even opened up to her a little about a traumatic past experience.  Something she didn’t even think he had do with Nino yet.  Meaning that he was in some ways more comfortable around her then he was his designated best friends.  It was all so complicated.  Why couldn’t this be like a cartoon where the guy and girl are destined to be together?

Adrien let her sit and process everything for a minute.  Then he said, “So, still ready to play a game?”

This drew Marinette out with her competitive streak.  “I’ll so crush you.”  She responded.

“I was thinking something a bit different.”  Adrien responded before pulling out a deck of cards and two bags of gummy snacks.  “Winner eat all.”

Marinette just grinned back and took her currency for the game.

Chapter Text

Saturday

Day 7

Natalie was having difficulty believing what was in front of her.  Today a mister Luka Couffaine had come over at a little before noon for his time with Adrien.  However after exchanging basic pleasantries at the door, the two boys had almost refused to speak to each other.

Not as in they were not communicating.  But it appeared to her outside opinion as if they either had the entire day pre-planned down to the minute, or that they had somehow developed the ability to communicate telepathically.   At this point both seemed equally likely. 

After entering the Agreste manor, Adrien lead Luka to a disused game room in the back. 

Before her ‘disappearance’, Emilie had taken upon herself knock down the wall between the former nursery and an adjoining room to make a recreation room.  The idea being that as Adrien grew older, he could entertain guests in there without disturbing his parents.  After her disappearance, the idea was all but scrapped by the mourning Gabriel. 

Adrien apparently found it and had put in enough work to make it serviceable again.  In the center stood an English Billiards table just over 3 meters in length. 

It was upon entering the room that Luka and Adrien ceased talking.   After flipping a coin to apparently see who would go first, Luka winning, the game commenced. 

An all that could be heard the was the racking and cracking of the plastic balls against each other and the occasional grunts of the two young men whenever they wanted to make a point… without talking.  Natalie had never seen the likes of it before.  It was almost primitive how they were having entire nuanced conversations with nothing more then “Hm”, “Mmmmm”, and “Um”.  She had to check to make sure that they hadn’t traveled back in time to the stone age.  Odder thing happened when you work for Hakwmoth. 

It didn’t even look like they were keeping score.  At least not in any way she could understand. 

For example, when Luka scratched the cue ball, Adrien proceeded to take three of the balls that were knocked in the pocket and put then back on the table before letting Luka go again.  According to the rules as she know them, Luka’s turn should have been over and Adrien was given control. 

When Adrien sunk both a stripe and a solid color ball, he was forced to then try and sink the cue ball into a pocket WITHOUT hitting any of the other balls on the table. 

It made no sense.  Finally, her curiosity go the better of her.  “What kind of cue sport are you playing?”  She asked. 

Adrien just shrugged before re-racking the balls, while all of the odd number ones were still on the table.

“We are just making the rule up as we go along.”  Luka said to her, his melodic voice sounding like he had take some kind of methamphetamines. 

“That how do you know WHAT the rules are?”  She asked, looking between the two. 

Adrien shrugged again before an alarm when off on his phone.  At that the pair started putting the game away. 

Natalie checked her watch but Luka’s allotted four hour time frame was only half way up.  She was about to ask why they planned on doing next when the door to the recreation room opened and the Gorilla squeezed his massive frame into the room holding several large boxed. 

The large man spared her a glance and a nod before turning to the two younger men and passing out two of the three packages. 

Luka opened his to reveal a bass guitar.  Adrien’s was a synthesizer keyboard.  The third in the Gorilla’s hands revealed itself to be a… saxophone. 

Natalie was well versed in music.  Her first declared major was the French Chanson music before she realized that there was no way to make a living off such a degree and switched to a business degree.  But she had not lost her love for the performing arts.  And she had no clue what kind of sound such a mismatched collection of instruments would create.  But she had a feeling that she was about to find out.  And probably bleed form the ears in the process. 

Adrien started off with a fast beat only for Luka to contrast with a slow strumming of the strings that seems to purposefully contrast with what Adrien’s pace.  Then the Gorilla came in with a loud blast that drowned both others out before lowering in volume and setting a middle ground between the two. 

Natalia had to admit, she didn’t even know the Gorilla knew how to play the saxophone… or any instrument. 

After a few minutes like this then Luka picked up the pace and the Gorilla lagged giving slow notes that almost seemed too gentle for the brass instrument and Adrien stopped playing completely for the length of a few heartbeats before coming in and meeting Luka’s fast pace.  Then both of the younger men cut off and the Gorilla let out a low solo that seemed to shake some dust off the floor. 

It continued like this forever and Natalie was frozen in place.  Trying to comprehend what was happening under her watch.  She didn’t even realize the alarm she had set to signal the end of the Luka’s visitation had went off because Adrien was playing what she was sure was a Gregorian Chant, Luka looked like he was an extra in a Jagged Stone concert with the way he was whipping his multi-colored hair back and forth and the Gorilla was producing a sound that she swore was smooth jazz. 

As the last notes faded from the room, Adrien looked down at his watch before letting out a sigh.  “Sorry Luka.  It looks like our time is up.”

This caught the other boy’s attention.  “Already?”  He questioned before looking at the wall clock to see that they had actually exceeded the time limit by over 35 minutes.  Luka slumped his shoulder like someone just told him just missed the deadline for a project.  “Do you think we could do this again some time?  While my mother is all for experimentation, Juleka has threatened to castrate me if I tried this on the houseboat.”

Adrien laughed at that but the shudder that went through Luka implied it was not an empty threat.  “I’d love to but,” he sent a look at the still stupefied Natalie, “Maybe not with Natalie around.  She looked like she was about to burs a blood vessel when I started to play Bach while you were doing the bass line for that Elvis song.”

Luka looked over at Natalie with surprise, apparently forgetting she was still in the room.  “Oh.  Sorry about that.”  The musician rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.  “You just have to cut loose sometime.  If you know what I mean.  And when your house’s wall are sometimes only canvas, it can be difficult to get some alone time.”

Natalie just nodded, not trust herself to speak. 

The three men cleaned up the room and the Gorilla was driving Luka away in a few minutes while Adrien fled to his room to upload the ‘jam session’ onto kitty section’s private group chat and see what the other’s though. 

Chapter Text

Sunday 2

Day 8

Alex threw her hands up in the air.  “I cannot get this!”  She cried out loud, causing Adrien to wince as he worked on the project with her.  “How is it my father is a historical director at the Louve museum I am barely passing history?  And despite my Brother’s crackpot theories he still gets perfect grades on his graduate course.  Me!  I can’t even remember how we got to the current 4^th Republic of France.”

Adrien couldn’t help but chuckle a little.

Alex rounded on him.  “What are YOU laughing at?”

“We are currently in the 5^th Republic.”  

Alex dropped her head into har folded arms. “Shoot me now.”  She said to nobody before glancing up.  “Or give me another round on your rock wall.”

“You’ve spent more time on the wall then you have on the project.”  Adrien responded as he made another source notation on their project.  In all honesty, a diagram of French colonization of the Mississippi river valley wasn’t that difficult, merely time consuming.

“That’s not a no.”  Alex said before standing up from the desk and grabbing the climbing pads Adrien let her use.

“What I find funny,” Adrien began while not looking up, “is that for the future miraculous holder of time travel you have poor time management skills.”  He waited for the response.

Alex froze as she was putting on the knee pads.  What did he know?  How did he know?  Could he be Hawkmoth?  It seemed unlikely.  He was the class buddy.  She probably had the worst relationship with him out of the entire class as casual acquaintances.  But then again… Hawkmoth was good a manipulating and Adrien seemed set to blackmail her.  How to get around this?  Marc would freeze up then run away.  Marinette would sputter, make a dumb excuse and leave… but then again Marinette would do that in any situation with Adrien.  Alya would turn it around and try to interview him.  Rose… she was sunshine and unicorns on a bad day.  Julika would mutter something incoherent and then pretend the comment never happened.  Ivan would get intimidating, he hated the fact he was Hawkmoth’s first victim.  So, Ivan and Alya. 

Alex marched up to Adrien and drew herself up to her full, all be it diminutive, height.  “Care to say that again Agreste.”

“What, all I said was that you are due for a late puberty growth spurt and a lot of piercings before you get a miraculous.”  Adrien continued like it was nothing.

“I am not a miraculous holder.”  Alex said as wondered if beating Adrien upside the head with a helmet would cause memory loss.

“Not yet but if Bunnxy’s powers work on the concept of a stable time loop rather then the Multi-verse hypothesis you will have one by the time your in your early 20s.”  As an after though he added, “Were those tattoos on your or see through sleeves with pictures on them.  I couldn’t tell from my hiding place.”

Alex tried to remain fierce but the moment Adrien locked eyes with her, she folded.  There was something about that boy’s gaze that brokered no defiance.

She slumped into her chair.  “Where were you hiding?”  She asked with resignation. 

“In the same bathroom you were having your conversation at.” 

It took Alex a second to realize something.  “That was a women’s toilet.”

To his credit, Adrien did blush and look ashamed.  “I realized that after the fact.”

When Alex glared at him, the boy responded, “Don’t judge me.  I saw you hiding behind a light pole from an akuma once.  The wrong restroom is far less humiliating.”

Alex hated that photo on the Ladyblog.  And Alya refused to take it down as it was the only photos anyone had of the Magician of Misfortune.  Professional new media didn’t even get a photo of that akuma.  So Alya refused to compromise and Alex was know as ‘she-who-hides-behind-lamp-poles’. 

“Why tell me?”  Alex asked at last while draping her arm over her eyes.

“You know the saying ‘three people can keep a secret when two of them are dead’?”

“…Yes.”

“I don’t believe it.  Besides, you have a big future ahead of you.  I didn’t want you to face it alone.”  Adrien responded as he checked another book.  Still working on the project through the conversation. 

“So you want to be my miraculous therapy buddy or something?”

Adrien looked up and smiled.  “I was thinking more along the lines of a stress ball but if therapy buddy  work for you then ok.”

“There is one good thing about you being the therapy buddy then.  Nobody will akumatize the Disney princess.”

Adrien spluttered and lost his composure completely.  “I’m a what?” 

Alex laughed at his reaction.  “Everyone in the class has called you that at one point or another.  The only ones I can think of you haven’t called you that are Nino, Marinette and Chloe.  However I don’t think Chloe knows what Disney is.”  She failed to mention that Marinette could call him a prince… but that sappy kind of love stuff was Rose’s department, not Alex’s.

“How am I a Disney Princess?”  Adrien demanded.

“I don’t know.”  Alex faked thinking about it.  “What with you being taken hostage by Style Queen and forced to be saved by Ladybug and all that.  Then having Kagami akumatized over her feelings for you, twice.  The fact your father is rich and locks you away in a mansion.  The idea that you always yearn for freedom form said rich mansion.”  She paused for effect.  “Need I go on?”

It was now Adrien’s turn to slump in the chair.  “No you don’t.” 

“Good.”  She looked at Adrien for a moment.  “Buck up.  It’s not all bad.  You have this sweet room after all.”

Adrien looked around it in distaste.  “Ya, and it gets old fast when you can’t have people over.  That’s why this week has been so important to me.  Getting to have so many of you over…. I just know what it’s like not to be able to interact with people.  And I didn’t want you to get trapped like I am.” 

Alex now felt a bit like a jerk.  She knew Adrien had some self-worth issues but this was more then she expected.  And she was not a good person for the job of dealing with feelings.

She put her hand on Adrien’s shoulder.  “I know you dad can be a pain.  But hey, you have the class.  We care about you.”  Adrien looked up hopefully.  “And even if your old man pulls you out, we’ll figure some way to bust you out of here.”  Alex smiled and Adrien mirrored it.  She knew it wasn’t’ a real smile, but she would take it for now.  At least until she could talk to the girls about what to do… and maybe Marc, he was good with this feeling stuff as well. 

“So what do you say we crank out the rest of this project than I can beat you butt at shooting hoops.”

Adrien smiled at that.  “Oh I’m almost done.”

“WHAT?”

“All that is left is the conclusion paragraph and the works cited page.  When we present it, you will state that I did the work cited page in regular format rather than the required Chicago style and that you had to spent part of the night redoing it.  Also read over these notes,” he handed her a few index cards, “just incase they have us present it before the class. 

Alex looked down at the cards and back at him.  “I-“

“Know that you suck at history so I am covering you backside.  Trust me.  We will get an A on this and your father will get off your back for a while about doing bad in history class.”

Alex looked at Adrien for a moment as she tried to figure him out.  “You have been messing with me this entire time haven’t you?”

“No.”  Adrien responded.  “I am proving to you that I can carry a heavy burden so you can trust me in the future.”

“We’ll see princess.  We will see.”

-)-)-)

Epilogue

Alix and Adrien sat inside a private cafe booth.   Plagg regaling, lying, to Fluff about the destruction kwami’s latest misadventures while Fluff sat in rapped attention, munching on a carrot.

Alex glared at Adrien, a common practice she had with him over the past decade.  “you were screwing with me that entire time.” 

“In my defense, I only lied about where I was hiding.  Everything else I said was true.”

Alex groaned.  “This is why you are my least favorite person on the team.”  She said to convince herself as much as him. 

Adrien shrugged.  Use to Alex’s abrasive personality.  “You still came to me for miraculous advice and venting for seven year before you found out my alternative lifestyle.  So I consider my gamble a success.”

“You sound like your father.”  Alex said before freezing, fearful of his response. 

While Adrien didn’t look at her, he said, “My father used manipulation of people to further his own selfish goal.  I use them to minimize the damage on other people.”  He smiled and the tension broke.  “Helped Marc when he came out to his parents.”

Alex grumbled in admission. 

Both her and Adrien’s phone’s beeped an Akuma alert. 

Adrien stood up.  “Time for work.”

“I’m sitting this one out.”  Alex said as she passed another carrot to Fluff.

“Because you know you wouldn’t be needed or because you’re lazy?”  Adrien teased.

“I don’t look into the future… all the time.”  She said while being fixated on her kwaimi.

“The former it is.”  He said before he left, placing enough Euros on the table to cover the meal and leave to tip for the Alex to cover.

After making sure he was gone she responded to nobody, “Because Marinette-bug is going to propose to you and I’ll make her abort.”  She smirked.  Adrien isn’t the only one who can play the game. 

Chapter Text

Monday 2
Day 9
Wind whipped through the Parisian streets as the dark clouds loomed overhead. A lone yellow limousine flying along the roadway to its destination on this dark Monday morning.
The ominous clouds framed the car’s destination like a gothic painting.
However the occupants of the car could care less about the weather unless it messed up their hair.
“Come on Jane Frollo!” Chloe demanded despite the fact that this was not her personal butler but a hired driver from Spain name Enrique. “we were suppose to be at Adrien’s house 12 minutes ago!”
“Um Chloe. We would have been there sooner but you insisted on-” Sabrina began only to be cut off.
“I KNOW Sabrina. That doesn’t explain why this sorry excuse for a driver isn’t going FASTER. He should have sped through that last stop light.”
“It was red.”
“Yes but before that it was yellow. Don’t you know anything Sabrina? Red means stop. Green means go. Yellow means GO FASTER!” Chloe punctuated the statement with a kick to the floor of the limo.
The driver rolled his eyes. Everyone at the Grand Paris hotel drew lots to wait on Chloe and this time he lost.
He finally rolled up to the Agreste Manor and Chloe jumped out and practically flew up to the door and opened it without bothering with the bell.
“ADRIKINS!” Chloe bellowed as she swept through the main room and up the stairs to find Adrien still asleep in bed.
Chloe harrumphed to herself. It was 5:42 in the morning. On HER DAY. What was he doing asleep?
Without any pretext Chloe jumped into the bed, nearly crushing the sleeping boy in her haste.
Adrien had the expected reaction. “Hu… What… CHLOE?”
“That’s right Adrien.” Chloe beamed as she straddled him with only a comforter between them. “Mua. The best friend you could ask for. Now get up.” She said getting off of him. “We only have an hour before we have to be at school and I am going to need every MINIUTE to make you properly presentable.”
Adrien for his part took the intrusion into his room with grace as he got up to re-adjust his sleep clothing. “I can get dressed you know.” He said with the dry sarcasm that was all his father would let him get away with before glancing at his clock. “It’s not even 6 in the morning. You said you would be here tonight.”
“I wrote down 6. I didn’t specify AM or PM because frankly, who needs to. When you are me you can go where you want when you want. Now Sabrina set up…” Chloe looked around the room only to see that her follower was nowhere to be seen and a rather irate looking Gorilla was blocking the doorway.
“SABRINA!” Chloe called sliding past the big man to find her henchwoman.
The Gorilla gave Adrien a look.
“I know. I know.” Adrien said as he got out of bed. “Please don’t tell Natalie… Where is she anyway?”
“ADRIEN!”
Adrien stopped worrying about the woman, if she didn’t come in after all this noise she was either too deeply asleep to be woken or not around. Both worked for him at the moment.
He hurried to the foryae to see Chloe and Sabrina pulling a large suitcase through the front door. Adrien moved to help them only to be waved off by Chloe. “Please Adrikins. All you need to do is point us to the nearest bathroom with a tub.”
“A… tub?” Adrien asked. He must still be asleep because Chloe was making, well less sense then usual.
“Yes Adrien. I know you have brain up there so start using it and tell us were to go.” Chloe chided about as gently as a self-centered teen could.
Adrien decided to just give up on logic for the day. Trying to figure any of this out would just give him a migraine. “This way.”
Adrien let the two girls through a door behind the stair case and past a the game room he and Luka had been using on Saturday. He opened the door and turned the lights on only to be nearly run over by Sabrina as the shorter red-head pulled the case inside. Chloe just stood passively by and looked at her nails.
As Sabrina set up Adrien felt compelled to ask, “So… Chloe… what are you doing?”
Chloe looked up at Adrien with a huff. “If I am going to give you a makeover, I need some material.”
“Make…over?” Adrien repeated to himself while Sabrina expertly assembled the contents, taking over the sink counter, the back of the toilet and even the side of the bathtub. In less time then he though possible, an entire store’s worth of material was laid out before them.
Sabrina stepped back to admire her handwork while Chole gave a nod of approval.
“Now Adrikin. Sit down!” Chloe commanded
Reflex kicked in and Adrien did as he was told.
“We will be done quickly.” Sabrina said as she snapped on a pair of rubber gloves that made the young man flinch slightly. Chloe supervising in the background.
Adrien couldn’t help but sweat and begin to fear for his life.
By the time the Gorilla found them to be driven to school, the damage was done. The bulky man looked between Adrien and the two young women who were as content as could be at the end result. After Adrien gave a tired nod that everything was fine, the choffer shrugged and lead the three of them to the car, the bathroom left a mess for a maid to clean up.
As they approached the school, Adrien was having second thoughts. “I’m not sure about this girls.” He confessed, looking at his new reflection.
“You look amazing Adrien.” Sabrina gushed while Chloe was checking her own reflection in a compact. “Of course you do.” The blond woman said, “I did the makeup after all.”
“But Chloe-”
“No butts.” Chloe cut him off, snapping the small mirror shut. “You have been modeling since you were in dippers Adrien. That’s all this is. A large modeling spread. You WILL get out of this car, you WILLL rock that look and YOU WILL HAVE FUN spitting in the face of your father’s image while he can do nothing about it. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!” Chloe demanded, her own face a little pink from the force of her words.
Sabrina held her breath, fearful that Chloe may have crossed the line. Adrien was a magnanimous soul but even he could be pushed by his oldest friend.
But Adrien’s eyes hardened at the peptalk. “Yes. That’s why I agreed to this.” He took a deep breath and let it out as the car pulled up to the school.
“We are going out first.” Chloe insisted. “You wait a few seconds for us to get clear then come out as well.”
Before they got out, Adrien grabbed both their wrists. “Girls… thank you.”
For the first time all day, both Sabrina and Chloe let out a genuine smile. “Always Adrien.”
He took a breath, a second breath, then stepped out of the car. The sun was fighting to be seen from behind the clouds from earlier that morning but for one instant, it burst through to shine a light down on Adrien Agreste in all of Chloe and Sabrina’s work and glory.
They had darkened his skin with a spray tan. Not anything cheep, in fact Adrien didn’t even see a label on the bottle, making him suspect it was a home brew by one of the girls. Chloe may not exert herself but she did know chemistry of cosmetics and as Sabrina usually did the work of two, she was capable of surprising feats.
Then came the hair, his blond locks were bleached… just a shade of two then the ends of it were dipped in black tips. With Coal around the eyes for a look not dissimilar to that of some akuma, if slightly less extreme.
Followed by the toe, alternating between black and while so his fingers looked like a chess board. He didn’t like that a lot, Adrien was never a fan of nail polish on himself not matter the reason. They had wanted to do the same with his hands but he had put his foot down on that… only to nearly kick over a few bottles. But he won that one.
The clothing came next. A bush of soft brown leather gear that he had forgotten about in the back of his closet. The edges embroidered with interlocking triangles of different colors that went along the bottom of the shirt, at the edges of the sleeves and around the neck. A black skin tight undershirt was underneath that was long enough to just peek out. The pants were of the same soft brown leather with a low crotch but that only went part way down his calves.
To end it his feet had on some black sandals that wrapped up around the ankle. He had gotten them on a 2 week shoot on the Island of Reunion off the coast of Madagascar the previous year but had not had a change to weir the since.
Over all the effect made him look like he was from India rather then France and while still attractive, was a far cry from what would be considered acceptable in any Parisian setting.
“When did we get a new kid?” Kim asked.
“We are not scheduled to get any…” Max trailed off as he looked up from a pocket computer to recognize Adrien.
Nino, apparently only seeing the car without actually paying attention to Adrien’s new appearance yelled, “Adrien-“ Only to stop short as well.
Lila looked over at the name only to be struck dumb. Adrien’s skin was now as dark as her own. “What?” Was all she could whisper.
Adrien, feeling a surge of Cat Noir confidence that Adrien himself rarely express, he leaned in. “Come on Lila. Fox got your toung?” Before strolling past to meet up with a still befuddled Nino.
Alya and Marinette were looking on from the sidelines. Alya snapping photos like mad over the new appearance while Marinette seemed unable to move.
Adrien ushered Nino to the front door of the school where Sabrina and Chloe waited. Both of them looking like the cat the just ate the canary.
“What are you waiting for people. School is about to start.” Chloe chided as she sashayed in with her arm around Adrien.
“Yes people. Chop chop.” Sabrina chided.
If anyone realized that both girls were dressed to match Adrien, nobody commented.
Needles to say, very little was accomplished in class that day.

Chapter Text

Adrien flopped onto his bed with a pang of regret.  None of his classmates were able to make it over today.  He had hoped to squeeze someone in… anyone.  But Wayham hadn’t been able to make.  And most of the other people who wanted it were merely fans that wanted his attention then real friends. 

So he was left to sit the entire day alone in his room. 

Until a knock came on his door. 

Adrien pulled himself out of the bed and made his way over sluggishly. 

When he opened it he saw Natalie standing there with a chess set. 

Adrien moved aside to let her in.  It may not have been his preferred way to spend a day, but some company was better then none.

Chapter Text

Adrien wiped the sweat off his brow as he surveyed his handwork.  He had spent all of his lunch break and the time between school’s end and now clearing out the walk-in closet on the first floor of the Agreste Manor.  He then proceeded to cover it with a painter’s drop cloth.  All of this at the behest of his two guests of the evening. 

It felt a little extreme however from what he had seen, it would be necessary.  Today was Rose and Juleka’s day to visit.  Rose had been ecstatic at the idea for the past two weeks and was nearly ruptured his eardrums in her excitement.  And while Juleka had been far less vocal, she had pulled Adrien aside to say that Rose wanted to do some scrap booking and that due to the amount of stuff the petite flower was likely to bring, a first floor room would be best.  She also recommended the drop cloth citing “unforeseen side effects”.  Adrien didn’t quite know what that meant but he was airing on the side of caution.  

Adrien had attempted to rise to the challenge set before him.  Between himself and the Gorilla, they had the room all set.  Now all that was needed were the girls in question.

He only had to wait a few moments more before he heard a horn form the front followed by a frantic ringing of the bell.  Adrien moved to the door, contemplating the manic unicorn girl’s energy.  He didn’t even get a chance to open the door fully before Juleka fell through it.  Her arms waylaid with supplies.  “What-” Adrien couldn’t finish his question before the Gorilla followed suit with what looked like three suitcases on wheels.  The large man sent a fearful look at Adrien before directing Juleka to the now empty closet. 

Rose came in last.  “Thank you for this Adrien.”  She trilled, “I always run out of room at my house.  Could you get the last case and the two tabled please?” 

Before Adrien could respond Rose was off after the other two.  Wondering what he had gotten himself into, Adrien pulled two small folding tables and a duffle bag out of the boot of the car.  Once back inside he saw the Gorilla partially fleeing the closet.  The large man shot a look at Adrien before shaking his head and running away. 

Adrien couldn’t help but stare in bewilderment before the weight in his arms forced him onward.  Nudging the door open Adrien saw what could be barely controlled chaos as Rose stood and instructed Juleka on the organization of the room.

Adrien knew that Juleka saw strong for her build but after this demonstration, he would have to reassess the class placement with the gothic girl now taking third place after the large Ivan and the athletic Kim. 

Adrien set the tables and the bag down.

“Oh.”  Rose exclaimed.  “Thank you Adrien.  Could you help me set those up against this wall?”

Adrien did as he was bid, helping Rose set the tables up side by side along the longest wall.

“I didn’t realize you were bringing all of your scrapbooking stuff.”  Adrien said after they finished. 

“This isn’t all of it.”  Juleka muttered into Adrien’s shoulder. 

“No.”  Rose affirmed. “I have another few suit cases full.  This is just my travel gear.” 

Adrien felt himself feel relieved that this was ‘traveling light’ for Rose.  He also made a note on what to get her for her birthday.

“Oh.”  Rose clapped her hands together once.  “Lets get started.  Juleka, could you turn on the cutting press?  Adrien, that bag there has some colored paper.  I’ll get the stencils out and some of the cards I have partly finished.  We will get these done or my favorite animal isn’t a unicorn!”  Rose exclaimed.

Rose pulled out a dozen partly done flowery cards.

Adrien looked over the collection with some apprehension.  “What can I do to help?”

“Come over here Adrien.”  Juleka responded gesturing to a white contraption that looked like a small printer.  “This is called in Ink Jet Press.  You put this thick plastic layer on the bottom, then the colored paper that you want to make the etching out of, then the etching on top and finally another layer of plastic over everything.”  The gothic girl demonstrated.  “Then you make sure the group is aligned before putting in on the press over here.”  She put the collection into the white printer like contraption.  “You turn the handle to work the grouping through, then when it is almost all the way through, you reverse the handle and work it backwards to make sure you cut the paper properly.”  She rolled the paper through as she talked.  “Then take it apart and hand it to Rose for her to put it on.”

Adrien looked between the machine to Juleka and back.  “Seems easy enough.” 

He then looked hard at Juleka.

“What?”  She asked.

“I think that’s the most I have ever heard you talk.  You have a pleasant voice.”  Adrien responded. 

Juleka froze for a second before hiding herself behind her hair to hide the blush. 

Adrien wasn’t a complete idiot, he knew that he could get a girl to blush and succeeding with the reserved Juleka was a bonus. 

“Which one first?”  He asked. 

Rose handed him a paper of vines and flowers and a pattern.  Adrien got to work, realizing that it was harder then Juleka made it look, but it also explained the dark girls notable strength. 

It was more then just cutting out designs.  He had to get his laptop computer and bring it down so Rose could print designs out on specialty paper from a machine that was called a Cricket.  There were laminated designs that had to have the lamination removed so they could maintain the sheen without blocking the color and design behind it which involved some precise work with scissors and a small needle like thing that Adrien couldn’t remember the name of but wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Agreste sewing room. 

“What are we doing with these cards anyway?”  Adrien asked as they finished their second one.

“Oh, Prince Ali and I trade cards between ourselves.  I also give them to people in our class on special days.  You know, birthdays.  Holidays.  Parents anniversaries.  Then Juleka sends hers to her pen pall in Panama.”  Rose rattled off while gluing down a golden tree to a blue and white background.

Juleka didn’t look up as she attached the fifth layer of swaying trees to her card created a 3D look with golden eyes staring up at you through a forest of dark purples and blacks.  “FIFA or bust baby.”  Her low voice sounded from behind a curtain of hair.  Making reference to Pamana's chances at the World Cup.

After working through several cards under Rose’s careful direction and some commentary on color composition, Adrien felt something hit him with a small explosion of purple and gold.  Whirling around he saw Juleka looking at him.

“It was her.”  She pointed at Rose as she was on her knees rummaging through suitcase.  Only for Adrien to see Juleka holding a small paper orb in her hands.

Adrien’s gaze didn’t falter from Juleka. “Did you just glitter bomb me?” 

“Juleka?”  Rose questioned, looking over her shoulder.

Juleka stared down at the offending evidence in her hand for a second.  “Crud.”  She muttered before throwing said paper ball at the kneeling Rose. 

“Juleka!”  Rose cried in protest before smiling.  “Game on!”

----

Natalie knocked on the door once before opening it without bothering to wait for a response.  “Adrien, it’s time for-” she stopped as pink dust fell onto her jacket from a trap set above the door frame. 

She looked around to see Miss Couffaine bound by what looked like red decorative tape.  A smile made up of unicorn stickers covering her face.  Adrien had all manner of patterned paper glue to his shirt making him look like a poorly dressed harlequin.  Miss Lavillant rounded off the trio with her face tapped in what was probably meant to be a scowl but some of the tape had come loose, making her appear like the Arthur Conan Doyle short story, “The man with the twisted lip.”

“Sorry about that Natalie.”  Adrien said, blushing and getting a small dust brush from the table to knock glitter off the severe woman.  “I was trying to prevent them from escaping.  I didn’t mean to get you.” 

Natalie looked around the room to buy time to school her features before looking back at Adrien.  “It is time for the young ladies to go and you” she said pointedly, “Need to clean this up… without help.”

Adrien’s smile fell off his face.  Wither from the loss of his friends or the impending work he had to do, she wasn’t sure. 

“Understood.”  Adrien responded as he turned to pack up the room. 

Natalie walked away and returned with a dust pan and vacuum just as the cleanup finished.  The elder woman ushered the two younger ones out to the Gorilla and the car.  As she returned to see Adrien beginning his cleanup work she stood in the doorway until Adrien noticed her.

“Yes Natalie.  What can I do for you?”  His voice was neutral, guarded.  Much like when he was around his father.

“Should we have miss Lavillant and Miss Couffaine back again, I would recommend the garage rather then the closet.  It is easier to work on such projects.” Natalie said as she turned to leave, purposefully ignoring the look of joy on Adrien’s face at the prospect of having them back again rather then Natalie canceling the rest of the week!

Chapter Text

Day 12
Kagami approached the door to the Agreste manor with some trepidation. Being over to his house two times in as many weeks was… not concerning but unusual. Adrien was the person she was closest to in the world outside of her family. To see him so regularly in an informal setting was… pleasant… enjoyable. She couldn’t place the word but it was one she treasured.
Just as she was about to knock on the door someone yelled her name.
Looking over to the side, Kagami saw Adrien rounding the corner of the house.
“Lets get to this, we only have two hours today.” Adrien said as he jogged up.
“Right. Of course.” Kagami replied. Gathering her things.
Adrien couldn’t help but notice that rather then just the basic one bag she always brought to fencing class, now she had three.
He couldn’t help but tease her about it. “And I though models were suppose to pack a lot of things.” His eyes never leaving the bags in Kagami’s hands as he offered to carry one of them.

The hours flew by like butterflies on the wind.

Chapter Text

It was late in the evening before the bell rang at the Agreste Manor. 

The Gorilla had left for the evening leaving only Natalie and Adrien in the house.  “Who is it?”  She demanded over the intercom while scrutinizing the two young men outside the gates. 

“Um…”  The red head stammered for a moment while looking at his dark haired companion. 

“Nathaniel Kurtzberg and Marc Anciel.”  The darker one said after a pause.  “We were… scheduled to see Adrien Agreste.” 

“Do you have your conformation code?”  Natalie asked without letting up.  Only to hear someone coming down the steps behind her. 

“It’s them Natalie.”  Adrien confirmed with a smile she could practically hear in his voice.

“I need to-”

“It’s them.”  Adrien cut her off with a little more force.  Resembling his father for a moment before smiling again. “There is nothing to be worried about.”

Natalie tried to glare at the blond boy for a moment before relenting.  She had approved them after all.  It was too late to get cold feet.

“Come in.”  She said to the intercom and hit the lock for the front door.

She then stepped back and looked at Adrien full in the face.  “If he tries anything I want you to come and get me.”  She half warned, half worried.  “Please.”

Adrien nodded back to her.  “I promise.” 

All she could do was accept that and step back as Adrien opened the front door to let the two in.  The sun had set to the point where the front porch light was needed. 

He shook hands with both of them as they entered and help them with the single rolling bag they were carrying.  “I am so glad you could make it.”  Adrien said after greeting them.  Not looking at Natalie as she glowered in the corner. 

“Ya… Sorry about that.  Something came up and we had to stay late in the art room.”  Nathanial said as he rubbed the back of his hand nervously. 

“It was my fault.”  Marc put in.  His hands still stained with die.  “I was the one who didn’t put the stuff away properly.”

Adrien tried to sooth the both of them.  “It’s not a big deal.  I have nothing else going on today so I was fine waiting.”

An awkward silence feel and the two guests looked over at the hovering Natalie.  Looking like she was just forced to drink an entire bottle of lemon juice. 

“Is she angry at us for something?”  Marc asked, trying to hid the question behind his bangs and he moved to pick up the bag.

“No she’s just” Adrien paused.  There were a few reasons to give Natalie pause.  What the two artists wanted to do could be a breach of contract for Adrien and the Agreste Brand.  Then there was also the late discovered information about Nathanael that Adrien hadn’t been aware of.  And he was unsure if Marc was told about it either.  But it wasn’t Adrien’s secret to tell.  Why did the background checks have to be so detailed?

“Lets get this set up.  Where would you like it?”  Adrien asked trying to cover for his momentary laps. 

Marc was looking around the hall in contemplation while Nathanael gave Adrien a searching look.  Clearly noticing the delay. 

“Can I look at some of the other rooms?”  Marc asked as he scanned the area.  “I want to be certain before we begin.”

“Sure.”  Adrien said.  “Lets leave this here for now.”  He nudged the case at their feet.

Both artists agreed before Adrien gave them a brief tour of the rooms they were allowed in. 

Natalie stayed where she was for a moment after the trio left before signing.  The die was cast and she would just have to deal with the consequences.  She went to the kitchen to make herself a cup of warm strawberry milk.  It always helped calm her nerves from when she was a child and even years later was a source of comfort for her. 

As they moved through the building, Adrien couldn’t help but shoot looks at Nathanael every so often.  Adrien knew he shouldn’t.  That the small discovery meant nothing to the friendship he was cultivating with the artist but what Adrien wanted to be true was rarely ever the case. 

Finally Nathanial stopped in the middle of the second floor hallway.  Causing the other two to pause as well.

“Adrien.”  He began.  “What is wrong?”

Adrien choaked.  “What makes you thing anything is up?”  He tried to answer a question with a question.  Hoping to be non-committal.  

“You keep looking at me like you expect me to explode or something.”  Nathanial was surprised he didn’t back down.  Confrontation wasn’t his way but Adrien had never behaved like this around him and it was making Nathanial’s skin crawl. 

“I… um…” Adrien glanced at Marc.  “Something… came up… in your check… when we…”  Adrien looked away.  He wished he didn’t have this Sword of Damocles hanging over his head.  Why couldn’t Natalie have left well enough alone.

Nathanial paled and so did Marc.  “They found out about… THAT.”  Marc was torn between exploding and retreating inward.  It wasn’t illegal.  What they did.  Quite the opposite.  The law was on their side.  But it was still awkward.  Nobody knew yet.  And for Adrien to have found out, through someone else no less.  The Agreste back ground check was really in-depth.  It had only happened the previous week!

“There is nothing wrong.”  Nathanial said too quickly.  “It’s not!”

“What do you mean nothing is wrong.  It’s illegal!”  Adrien said right back.  “The police know and everything.”

If possible Nathanial got even whiter.  “The police know?”

“Of course they know.  Spain has put out a warrant and everything.” 

“Spain?”  Marc asked.  Now looking more bewildered then scared. 

Adrien looked at Marc for a second.  “Maybe we would do this in another room.”  He said.  Trying to shield the dark haired artist.  It was obvious that he didn’t know.

“What does Spain have to do with it?”  Nathanial shot back. 

Adrien didn’t like it.  “We should really do this-”

“NO!”  Nathanial said.  “I will not hide form this.  I expected better from you Adrien.”

“From me?  I haven’t done anything.”

“Except give us that look.  You know the one.  The judgmental one.” 

Marc tried to butt in.  “What are we talking about?” 

“I am not trying to judge.  But I have never met anyone who’s uncle-”

Nathanial cut Adrien off.  His face getting as red as his hair.  “What does my UNCLE have to do with me kissing Marc for the first time?”

At that Marc also went red.  While Adrien blinked in confusion.  “You kissed Marc?”  Adrien asked.  Looking from the now steaming Nathanial to Marc who was trying to fold in on himself and hide.  “When?”

“Like you don’t know.”  Nathanial hissed.  “Last Thursday.”

“Oh… Con…gradualtion?”  Adrien was unsure how to respond to that.  Romance was still a bit of a foreign concept to him.  He liked people.  He liked Kagami.  He loved ladybug.  But that wasn’t… he didn’t even know how to finish that sentence.  “But what does that have to do with your uncle being a fugitive?” 

Nathanial went from red to white.  “My uncle.  This isn’t about me being…”  He looked at Marc.  “About us being…”

“Why would I care about that?  HOW would I KNOW about that?”  Adrien asked.  Feeling like this conversation was spiraling out of control.  As if they weren’t talking about the same thing.

“Lets calm down guys.”  Marc tried.  He looked around and saw an open room leading to what looked like a bathroom.  “Lets go in here.”

“Well.  This isn’t awkward.”  Adrien muttered as he sat on the floor, his inner cat noir showing for a second.  Marc perched himself on the lip of the tub and Nathanial sat on the closed toilet seat. 

“Adrien.”  Marc began.  “Lets start with you.  What do you mean about Nathanial’s uncle?”

Adrien looked at the boy in question.  However they came this far.  There was no way out except letting Nathanial and Marc storm out of his house upset at him.  And Adrien didn’t want that.  “Natalie found that Nathanial’s uncle on his mother’s side helped with the illegal referendum in Catalonia, Spain.  And afterwards helped the organizers of that referendum flee the country before they could be arrested.  Spain has petitioned the French government for him to be turned over for interrogation.”

As Adrien spoke, Nathanial got paler and stiffer. 

Marc then turned to Nathanial.  “Is this true Nat?” 

Nathanial took a moment to respond.  “I don’t know.  Possibly.  My mom’s family is rather… excessive.  She doesn’t talk to them often.”  He trailed off.

It was Adrien’s turn to push.  “So you two…”  He was unsure how to continue.  “Kissed?”  

Both Nathanial and Marc went red.  “Yes.”  One of them said but it was so low that Adrien couldn’t tell who. 

“And you though I was,” Adrien searched for the work, “Being judgmental about it?” 

 “Yes.”  Was one monosyllable reply.  Again Adrien couldn’t tell where it came from. 

The room went silence for a long while.  Adrien finally couldn’t stand it.  “How was it?” 

“We…” Marc looked at Nathanial who finished, “We are trying to figure it out ourselves.” 

“Ok.”  Adrien said.  “But it has nothing to do with radical family members right?” 

“No.”  Nathanial said.  Not looking up. 

“Then I will say nothing.”  Adrien responded. 

This caused both boys to look up. 

“It’s obvious that we were having two different conversations without realizing it.  And in the process I learned something that is uncomfortable for us all.  So until you two tell me otherwise.  I will say nothing.  I will know nothing.  And I will do nothing.”  Adrien smiled slightly in an attempt to defuse the tension.  “It is none of my business until you guys say otherwise.” 

“Just like that?”  Nathanial asked.  Unsure if he was believing what he was hearing. 

“I am a master of not letting things out.”  Adrien responded.  His smile still a little plastic but keeping it on anyway.  This wasn’t about him. 

Marc and Nathanial shared a look before they both nodded and smiled slightly as well.

“So,” Adrien began as he stood up.  “Are you going to sketch me or not?”

This got both artist to jump up with a start.  They had completely forgotten why they were at Adrien’s house to begin with. 

“Uh… Sure.” 

“I think the parlor will be best.”

“Alright then.”  Adrien opened the door to the hallway. 

The trio shuffled out and collected the easel they had left in the entrance hall before going to the parlor.  It was uncomfortable for the rest of the remaining 70 minutes of time that Marc and Nathanial had at the Agreste mansion.  Talking little except to give or respond to instructions. 

As Natalie came to usher the boys out Marc stopped Adrien.  “Are we cool?”  Marc asked, looking at the design on Adrien’s shirt.

“We were never not cool.”  Adrien responded.  His smile more genuine now then it had been in the bathroom.  “And I hope that you guys figure out if you are as well.” 

Marc met Adrien’s eye then looked over at the red head packing up the last of their supplies.  “I think we will.  One way or another.”

After they left Adrien retreated back into his room.  Natalie giving him a final look before she went to lay down for the evening herself.

“That was a hunk of baloney.”  Plagg laughed as soon as Adrien was cloistered away.  

“I am so embarrassed.”  Adrien said not quite in response to Plagg’s taught.  Burying his face in his pillow.  “People are complicated.” 

“That while cheese exists.”  Plagg said as he moved to grab some from his stash.  The cat god didn’t even try to dodge the shoe that was thrown his way. 

Chapter Text

Saturday 2

Adrien stretched out in his room.  He had just finished a round on the rock wall and was lying back, basking in the fatigue of his muscles after hanging by his fingers and toes for so long that they had went to sleep and were now getting that pins and needles feeling as the blood rushed back into them.

His father would be retuning tomorrow. 

It had been an eventful two weeks.  For the better he would say.  Only one amok attack in that time frame and that had felt like a halfhearted attempt.  He had gotten to see so many of his friends in the reclusive sections of his home.  Making it feel a little more lived in.  Not everything had been perfect.  Lila and the boys standing out as slight sore spots but overall, it was a good 13 days. 

Adrien hoped that with this successful test run, his father would be willing to do something like this again in the future.  Or at least ease up on the restrictions of having people over a bit so the house didn’t feel so suffocatingly empty all the time.

Just as he was feeling well enough to play a game of pig against himself a knock came on the door. 

Opening it Adrien found the Gorilla out there.  His larger than life bulk almost taking up the entire frame.   

“Is something the matter?”  Adrien asked. 

The chuffer just indicated for Adrien to follow him.

Slightly confused Adrien did as he was instructed.  Walking down to the entrance way and out the front door to see the gates open.  The small fuse box next to it removed. 

Natalie was there as well.  Drawing a line of chalk in the ground and talking to someone Adrien couldn’t see.  “If he sets so much as one toe across this line.  I am calling the entire thing off and you will all be prosecuted.” 

“Don’t worry ma’am.  We won’t.”  A too sweat voice responded. 

As Adrien looked around the corner to see Lila standing there with… Adrien blinked to confirm he wasn’t seeing things.  He then looked down the street the other way.  He must have fallen asleep in his bed because there was no way what he was seeing could be true.  The street in front of the Agreste house was blocked off to traffic.  With several booths set up on what could only be described as rollers. 

“Adrien!”  Lila screamed as she tried to rush past Natalie only to be stopped by the taller woman. 

“The reverse goes for you as well.  You didn’t pass the background check so you are not allowed on the premises.”  Natalie turned back to Adrien.  “I will be watching.”  She said as if that explained anything before moving back to the house and likely gluing herself to the security feed of the front entrance.   

Adrien stumbled forward as the Gorilla set up a foldable table and two chairs right at the boarder of the property and the street beyond. 

“Adrien!”  Lila exclaimed ushering him forward, “I’m so glad you-”

Only for her to be cut off by Chloe stepping around the table and throwing her arms around Adrien’s neck.  “Adrikins!”  The blond cried in glee.  “I hope what I have done with the place.  Daddy was confused at first but I made him see reason.”  Chloe swept her arm around the street.  Indicating the nearly dozen booths that had been set up. 

“Chloe what… you can’t close off an entire street in the middle of Paris!”  Adrein exclaimed.

“Oh please Adrien.  After all of the stuff you have seen me do.  This is where you draw the line?”  She let go of his neck only to grab his arm and pull him forward to see more.  “I had to talk Natata into it of course but in the end she folded like a good little girl.”

“Actually,” Lila interjected, still not crossing the line but now within range of Adrien to make a fake kiss on each of his cheeks.  “I was the one who came up with the idea and instituted it.  After all,” she pouted, “we didn’t get our special day together.” 

“Yay yay.  Whatever what’s your name.”  Chloe dismissed Lila.  “Oh there is Alya.  I need to make sure she has the facts right about her next article on Queen Bee.  See you later Adrikins.  Do try the sushi.  I had it made just for the occasion.”  With that Chloe marched off to where Adrien assumed was the classes resident blogger. 

“I hope you enjoy it Adrien.”  Lila purred into his ear.  “I had it all done especially for you.”

Adrien was unsure how to react and his default politeness kicked in.  “That you Lila.  This means a lot.  But don’t you want to enjoy it as well?”

“Oh I will.  Just wanted you to remember who did this all for you.”  She winked before moving off to a vender who appeared to be selling hot roasted nuts. 

“Due!”  Nino exclaimed as he ran up to Adrien and wrestled the blond boy into a hug.  “Look at this stuff.  We have a shooting gallery.  A couple of food venders.  A game of darts.  Kim says he was even able to convince the Gorilla to an Arm Wrestling tournament later.  This is going to be sweet!” 

“But what is it?”  Adrien couldn’t help but ask.

“It’s a party bro.  We found a loop hole in your old man’s rules.  So long as only 2 of us are inside the boarder at a time for the next 4 hours we are allowed to do what we wants.  Nobody said anything about it being the same 2 people that entire time.  So that’s what we are going to do.”

Adrien beamed even as he saw a flaw in the logic.  “I don’t think this is what my father intended.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Ivan said as he crossed into he yard as well.  Carrying two ice cream cones that he passed to Adrien and Nino.  “He isn’t here.  It took some convincing but we were able to get Natalie to agree but Marinette can be quite convincing.”  He gave Adrien a light pat on the shoulder.  “I want to challenge you to a game of rings later.”  With that he left to talk to Max.

“Who did all this?”  Adrien could help but ask. 

“Lila came up with the idea but Marinette was the one to picked it up and ran with it.  She even convinced Chloe of all people to help if you would believe it.”  Nino responded between licks of his Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.  “Our girl is awesome.” 

“That she is.”  Adrien agreed as he saw something being set up right in front of his table.  “What is this?”  He asked. 

Rose crossed over the boundary and took Adrien’s arm.  Guiding him to the seat at the table.  “Just a little something the girls cooked up.”  She said in response to his question.  “Just sit back and enjoy!” 

Adrien saw Mylene applying some highly colorful lipstick to Marinette before looking up at the cardboard sign now above his head.  It read “Kissing booth.  10: 15 to 10:25.” 

Already a line was forming with Kagami and Aurora next. 

Adrien gulped.  This day was going to either be amazing or would scar him for life.