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Adrien doesn’t know what he’s expecting when he walks into his father’s office. He's not sure why he even tries; he doesn’t know why he bothers thinking that maybe this time, it’ll be different.
Yet… he can’t help it, he thinks as he calls for his father. Perhaps this time, something will change. Maybe today, his father will want to spend time with him. Perhaps now, finally, his father will acknowledge his birthday and—
“What is it this time, Adrien?”
Oh.
Adrien subconsciously finds himself looking down at Gabriel's scathing tone. Of course this hasn’t changed.
But he can still try.
“I was wondering if you’d eat dinner with me tonight?” He manages to keep his voice steady, despite how shaky his hands are.
“And why in the world will I do that? I’m busy, Adrien. You should know this.”
“Of course, Father. I was just hoping you could spare some time today.”
“What's so special about today?”
“It’s my birthday,” Adrien murmurs.
“Oh. Happy birthday, then.” Gabriel waves a hand dismissively.
Adrien’s heart sinks to the floor as he leaves.
His father hadn’t even remembered.
Adrien is a fool for thinking this time it would be different.
He makes his way up to his bedroom, not even bothering to hide his annoyance as he stomps up the stairs and slams the door behind him. This has happened too many times at this point for Adrien to feel as upset as he normally would've.
No, he doesn't exactly feel upset.
Instead, Adrien feels a burning anger simmering inside of him when he paces his room - his hands are in fists against his sides and his feet kick at the floor as if it'll help numb the emotions he's feeling.
But nothing will change the fact that his father... just doesn't care.
The thought makes Adrien clench his jaw and kick so hard at the floor that he stumbles, but he can't bring himself to fuss over the throbbing pain in his toes.
This just isn't fair.
How could his father just forget him like this? A few years ago he'd cared enough to give him the scarf he treasured so dearly, and now he can't even give him the time of day?
It doesn't make sense.
Adrien makes his way to his desk and picks up a photo next to his computer. It's one from his fifth birthday. He's on his mother's shoulders, who's laughing at his father's face covered in frosting. He remembers this day well.
It's one of his fondest memories of what it was like when he had a family.
He grips the picture frame tighter. What the hell happened to them?
His mother suddenly disappeared one day, and now his father doesn't give a shit about him.
Adrien finds his hands shaking as he stares at the photo. He wishes, more than anything, that his family was still whole like in this photo. That this is what family is supposed to be like, not whatever shambles his family is now.
He's standing here, alone, on a day that he's supposed to celebrate with both of them by his side.
He shouldn't have to be alone.
He should be with them.
But he's not.
And it seems he never will be.
Adrien suddenly grits his teeth and forcefully throws the picture down at the ground, letting the frame shatter into pieces as it hits the floor. The picture crumples under the weight of the now-broken frame, but Adrien can't bring himself to care. All he can do is fight back a sob as he stares at the remnants of what his family once was.
He misses this place being filled with joy. He misses hearing laughter ringing through the halls. He misses being held by people who love him.
his phone buzzes loudly on the desk. He almost scoffs. Was Nathalie now texting him to quiet down, to not be such a nuisance?
His annoyance is instantly replaced with a soft smile when he sees who it’s from.
Marinette.
hi chaton!! happy birthday <3 if you have time, can you meet me on our rooftop? I have something special for you
He lets her know he’ll be on his way and calls for his transformation. His heart warms as he swings out the window.
He's all too eager to get there, and soon enough, he spots Ladybug at their usual rooftop spot. He lands beside her and looks at her in awe.
"Hey," she says with a smile, turning to look at him.
"Hi," he whispers back, "what's this?"
Ladybug has two boxes in her hand; one box has the familiar seal of the Dupain-Cheng Bakery, while the other is wrapped like... a gift?
"My parents made some cake for you," Marinette says as she lets her transformation fall, "and I had something I wanted to give you, too! So I brought both."
"I..." Adrien detransforms and sits down beside her. "This... is for me?"
"Of course it's for you." She boops his nose and sits down, placing the present in his hands. "Who else would it be for?"
He stares at the box and carefully unwraps it, pulling out a handmade jacket. Adrien gasps in surprise.
"It's perfect, Marinette," he breathes, running his fingers over the stitching. It was so intricate and clearly done with love. "Thank you."
“Of course! I love you, Adrien.” She presses a kiss to his forehead before pulling him into her arms.
Oh.
She loves him.
They've said those three words to each other a million times before, but she says it so earnestly that he can’t help but hope that maybe, she means it in the same way he loves her too.
He smiles and rests his head on her shoulder. There’s plenty of time to talk about their feelings another day.
Right now, he’s happy to be here in her arms, to be held by someone he loves.
To be held by someone who loves him.