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"Hey Viperion!" Chat greeted, eager to hang out on patrol.
Thanks to Ladybug's scheduling for everyone's patrols, it had been a few weeks since Chat had last seen Viperion outside of an akuma fight.
Of course, Adrien saw Luka more often than that- but not only did Luka not know who Chat was, Chat wasn't supposed to know who Viperion was.
Only Ladybug knew that Adrien was aware of Viperion's identity, and Ladybug didn't know that Adrien was also Chat Noir.
Keeping these things straight in his head was proving to be difficult for Adrien, but he was managing.
"Heya, alleycat," Viperion replied. "Been a while."
Adrien nodded, smiling. "It's good to see you. How's the band?"
Viperion had shared the vague information that he was in a band, and Adrien had to pretend not to know all about Kitty Section from being their keyboard player.
"Doing alright. Can't share much, of course." Viperion had a betraying smile, thanks to the good news Kitty Section had received earlier in the week. They'd managed to land a gig at a city event, thanks to Adrien persuading Chloé to talk to her father.
Adrien smirked. "Is that why you have a goofy grin?" He asked smartly.
"How is it you can always see right through me?" Luka asked, his tone accusatory but his expression jovial.
"That's for me to know and you to wonder," Chat retorted.
"Only Ladybug can read me as well as you," Luka muttered. "And that's because she knows who I am..."
Chat just winked.
"Do you?" Viperion asked, narrowing his eyes at Chat.
Adrien swallowed. He probably shouldn't admit to that- it could get back to Ladybug, and that could lead to a reveal that she had said she wasn't ready for.
But then, he could never bring himself to actually lie to his fellow heroes, least of all Luka. It felt like Luka was his closest friend, the one person who he spent time with on both sides of the black mask.
"Only two people know your identity, Vipe. Ladybug and a civilian- though she won't tell me who." It was a perfect half-truth, and Adrien was proud of himself for it.
"That's funny," Viperion said quietly. "She never mentioned that a civilian knew my identity."
Adrien blinked. Officially, noone was supposed to know that anyone other than Ladybug knew; but he'd figured Ladybug would at least tell Luka that someone knew.
"You'd think," Luka continued, "That she'd tell me before she told you."
Chat took a breath. "What can I say?" He asked, with the best grin he could muster. "We're the bug and cat team."
The moment hung in the air, Luka maintaining eye contact and Adrien feeling almost nude under his gaze.
"She didn't actually tell you, did she?" Luka asked, his expression betraying that he likely already knew the answer.
Adrien said nothing.
"The civilian who knows- it's you."
Adrien remained silent, breaking their eye contact. A moment passed, and then he spoke. "I can't lie to you, Luka."
"Can you tell me how you found out?" Luka asked. "Unless that would give you away."
Chat turned back to look at Viperion, feeling confused. "You don't..." He started to say, a lump forming in his throat. Swallowing, he got tried again. "You don't want to know who I am in return?" He asked sheepishly. It felt a little like a betrayal, the idea that the person who he felt closest to didn't want to know more about him.
Viperion smiled warmly. "It's your choice, Chat. Of course I'd like to know, but I wouldn't pressure you by asking."
Chat felt speechless. Luka cared enough to want to know- not only that, but he cared enough to be okay with not knowing, despite the imbalance between them. It was a level of trust beyond even what he had with Ladybug.
Luka's hand on his shoulder jolted Adrien out of his thoughts.
"Sorry," Adrien muttered. "I mean, I'd like you to know, but Ladybug and I promised we'd tell each other first."
"That's okay, Kitty-cat," Luka said with a warm smile that melted Adrien's heart. "I don't mind. I do have one question, though." He paused, until Adrien nodded his consent. "Are you a fan of Kitty Section?"
Chat bit back a laugh, amused by the idea. "Something like that," he said cheerily. "I know a lot about the band."
"Ever seen us live?"
"You wouldn't be trying to figure out who I am, would you?" Adrien asked with a smirk. He knew Luka better than to actually think that, of course, but the banter was fun.
"Not at all, Kitten. I was just thinking I might be able to hook you up with tickets."
"Your venues don't usually need tickets," Chat said, trying to pretend he didn't know what was going on.
"I figured a fan like you would've seen the announcement," Luka said slyly. "We're playing a gig at the Grand Paris."
"Of course I saw the announcement," Chat said with a grin. He'd seen it as Adrien, but hadn't known it was public yet. "I just like seeing how happy you are talking about it."
Luka grinned madly. "Of course I'm excited. It's our first actual show, for us, rather than as part of something else."
Adrien smiled, equally happy to see Luka this excited and excited for himself.
"What do you say, Chat? Want me to hook you up with a couple of tickets?"
"Bold of you to assume I don't already have a way in."
"Do you?"
"Well, there are rumours that not even the rest of the band knows who the masked keyboardist is. For all you know, it's me."
"I hate to break it to you, Chat, but we actually do know who our keyboardist is."
"Still could be me."
"Somehow, I doubt it. I'd be really impressed if he managed to be a superhero on top of his already busy schedule."
"Impressive is my middle name."
"Of course it is, Chat. Come on, we have a patrol to do."
"I bet I'll beat you to the Eiffel Tower!"
"Not a chance, kitten!"
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Adrien was backstage with Luka, packing up after their first show. The rest of the band had other obligations, so the way they'd split responsibilities for the show left Luka and Adrien packing up. ((Rose and Juleka had been in charge of setup, and while Ivan had been scheduled to help with takedown he'd had something come up))
Adrien only had about an hour to finish packing up before he was supposed to go on patrol with Rena Rouge, so he was eager to finish packing up quickly- he didn't want to leave Luka to finish off alone.
Of course, all thoughts of that went out the window when Ladybug arrived.
Adrien dropped the cords he was carrying in surprise when she turned the corner in front of him. "L- Ladybug! Hi!"
Ladybug smiled her gorgeous smile. "Hi, Adrien. Is Luka around?"
Adrien nodded dumbly, before leading her to where Luka was coiling up some more audio cables.
"Luka," Ladybug said calmly. "Sorry to barge in here like this. You weren't answering your phone."
Luka just smiled. "No worries, Ladybug. What can I do for you?"
"I need you to take over patrol tonight; Rena's had something come up and is unavailable."
Adrien was silently cheering that he'd be on patrol with Luka, and getting to spend more time with him, when Luka's voice shattered the moment.
"Um, Ladybug?" He asked, looking pointedly at Adrien. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."
Ladybug looked back and forth between Adrien and Luka for a moment. "Sorry, Luka- I thought he'd have told you. He already knows you're Viperion."
Adrien swallowed. "I, um. I didn't want him to worry about it?" He said nervously. Having spent so long as Chat, he'd gotten used to keeping secrets as the default. And then once Luka knew that Chat knew his identity, he could hardly tell him Adrien knew.
Luka gave Adrien a look, one that very clearly said 'we'll talk later,' before returning his attention to Ladybug. "Well, I'm pretty sure I have enough time to finish up here. Let Rena know I wish her well."
Ladybug smiled. "Of course. I'd let Chat know to expect you, but I can't reach him until he's transformed."
Luka smiled. "I'm sure he'll understand. Besides, he and I have a lot to talk about."
Ladybug raised an eyebrow, but didn't question it. "I need to get back to Rena," she said instead. "See you around."
With that, she left- leaving Adrien and Luka in an uncomfortable sort of silence.
"So," Luka ventured. "How long have you known?"
Adrien swallowed, not sure how much Luka had pieced together. More than likely, he'd figured it out and was looking for confirmation.
"I had to turn down the snake miraculous," Adrien said quietly. "I know you were the only other person nearby."
Luka nodded thoughtfully. "Why'd you have to turn it down?"
"I'd already bonded with another kwami. When I tried to use the snake miraculous, it didn't go well."
Luka raised an eyebrow. "Define not going well."
"25,913 loops."
Luka's eyes went wide. "Thats-"
"Nearly three months, I know. I try not to think about it. At least now I know how Ladybug feels."
"Oh?"
"Every time, she was the one to take the hit so I could reset the loop. Now I know how she feels when I'm the one to take the hit."
Luka gave him a knowing look, and Adrien knew he'd stopped just short of confirming Luka's suspicions.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I've ever seen Adrien Agreste take a hit for Ladybug."
"You wouldn't have."
"Is that because of the other kwami you mentioned, that you were already bonded to?"
"It is."
"I see. And Ladybug didn't know you had that other kwami?"
"She didn't."
"Even though she's been the one to recruit every hero since Rena Rouge?"
"That's right."
"There's only three kwami that she doesn't know who has them, Adrien."
"Right again."
"Are you going to tell me which one is yours?"
"Maybe. I don't know. I mean, I know you've figured it out but actually saying it? I promised someone else they'd be the first to know."
"She'll understand, Adrien. It's not like you meant for me to find out."
"That doesn't make it easier to say."
"Do you want to say it? Or would you rather leave it unsaid?"
"I'm not sure."
"I understand. If you decide you want to say it, let me know. I think I know how to help you say it."
"Really?"
"I know you pretty well, Adrien. Better than I thought I did an hour ago."
"Noone's ever known both sides of me."
"What about your kwami?"
"He's not around when I'm transformed. Knowing about me, and actually knowing me, are two different things."
"That makes sense. I think it's different for the rest of us- Ladybug knows who we all are. But for you and her..."
"I'm scared, Luka."
"What part scares you?"
"Am I still... Me?"
"What do you mean? Of course you're you."
"I know I'm different when I'm transformed. I don't know which me is the real one."
"You're not as different as you think, Adrien. Maybe a long time ago, you were, but that was before 'Adrien' got a chance to find out who he was."
"But, I told you I might be your keyboardist and you said you'd be surprised."
"Not surprised. Impressed- and I am. You're a busy person, Adrien, even before you add in hero duties. How anyone could manage all that is beyond me."
"Well, part of it is making sure we finish packing up early enough to make it to patrol."
"You make a good point."
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