Work Text:
Adrien was nervous as he stood at the edge of the stage, waiting his turn. Of course he was used to all eyes being on him, being a model and all. Otherwise, he wouldn't have even signed up for the school talent show they were hosting for a festival College Francoise Dupont was putting on.
But, this time, he had asked his father to come. While he was expecting him to decline as usual, his father had actually agreed. Adrien peeked out behind the curtain, and sure enough, Gabriel was sitting in the front row. His heart pounded in his chest. Now was the time he could prove that he could do more than what his father wanted.
His name was called by the announcer, but he barely noticed it in all his restlessness, quickly hurrying out once the announcer quietly repeated his name twice. Adrien stood in front of everyone, meeting his father's gaze once before turning away quickly.
"Hello, everyone. I will be playing and singing Pianoforte Monologue."
It was a song from a game and anime franchise, one he immensely enjoyed, seeing all the characters hanging out as friends and enjoying life together. It was something he yearned for strongly.
Adrien sat down, biting his lip. This was the first time he was singing in front of an audience. Sure, he had gotten praises from Nino and other classmates about his voice, but that was in front of people he was comfortable around. What if he suddenly couldn't sing in front of everyone here? Adrien took a quick glance towards Gabriel, to seek some comfort. Even meeting his eyes would've been fine.
In the audience, Gabriel felt the anger of someone on the other side of the city. Wordlessly, he stood up, walking away from the stage to go hide in a bathroom to akumatize the person.
Adrien froze from where he was on stage. He had only announced the name of the song he was going to be playing and his father already disliked it enough to leave. Was it because it wasn't a classical song like the ones father always wanted him to practice? Did he see how nervous Adrien was and decided that it was too much for it to be a good performance?
He was drawn out of his thoughts by a quiet whoop. Adrien quickly looked over to the source of the sound.
A little to the right of where Gabriel was sitting, Nino was beaming brightly, fist in the air as he cheered on Adrien. The rest of his class were there too, smiling and wordlessly encouraging him to play.
Adrien stared at them in an awed shock. They were here to watch him. He hadn't done anything and they were already cheering. A small grin slipped onto his face at the sight. He took a deep breath before beginning the song.
It was a calm and gentle song, alongside a soothing voice for the vocals. Adrien wanted so much to express his true feelings through his singing, putting his all into letting his emotions seeping through his words as his fingers played the piano almost instinctively from how long he had practiced this song.
Although the keys can't hold me
I'll never be alone
His class, and the rest of the audience, swayed in their seats to the rhythm. The tender looks on his classmates' faces told Adrien they were enjoying this immensely. He would've looked at everyone else in the room too, but at this point, the only opinion he cared about was theirs.
Let the music guide us
It'll reunite us
Adrien couldn't believe how long it took him to realize that friendship was just as important as romance. The daydream of Ladybug going on a million dates with him couldn't compare to the limitless amount of elation he felt making his friends happy.
That is why I will try to live without regrets
Adrien's face softened. Even if his father wasn't here, his friends would be enough to support him.
And fearlessly, I'll play
The pianist smiled at his friends as he sang the next lyric, hoping to convey just how much he loved and appreciated them all.
Growing stronger every day
Applause rang out form the audience as Adrien finished playing his song, standing up and bowing to the crowd with an grateful grin, before walking offstage.
---
Adrien held the medal around his neck in pride as he showed it to his friends near the side of the stage. Nino wrapped an arm around his shoulder as everyone else oohed and aahed at the trophy proudly flaunting Adrien's achievement of second place. Normally, he would upset and angry at himself for not earning the rank proclaiming him the best. But somehow, surrounded by everyone supporting his accomplishment made Adrien okay with his placement.
Gabriel, already ticked off by the negative emotions having vanished by the time he transformed, strode up to his son, "Second place only Adrien?"
He froze in place, turning around to meekly look at his father. "S...Sorry, father."
Gabriel sighed, disappointment clear in that short breath, "It's clear that doing that was a waste of your time and effort. I'll have Nathalie monitor your practice sessions to make sure that you practice productively."
"Woah, woah," Nino interrupted, stepping in front of Adrien, "You can't expect him to just get first place right away, especially when this was his first time singing too."
The designer stiffened at that detail, having not known about it due to leaving.
"Besides, how do you even know the judging wasn't rigged?" Nino pushed further, "Chloe was the one who won and she already abuses her dad's power everyday here. What if Adrien was great but other circumstances meant he didn't get the prize?" He looked towards Adrien, "Not that it matters, since you were super great up there!" Adrien beamed at his best friend.
"He would've gotten first place if that was the case," Gabriel firmly stated, narrowing his eyes at the boy, "What this shows me is that he wasn't good enough."
"Oh, how would you know?" Nino glared at the man, crossing his arms, "You weren't even there! You walked out before it even started!"
Gabriel gasped in indignation as the rest of the teenagers stared at Nino, wide-eyed and shocked at his boldness.
"Mhm, can't say anything because I'm right," Nino huffed at the man, gently leading Adrien away, "Come on, dude, I heard the art teacher is doing face paint over here."
Everyone else quickly joined them, excitedly talking to Adrien and complimenting his performance, coincidentally blocking the way so Gabriel and Nathalie couldn't reach him. Adrien beamed brightly, surrounded by his friends.
Yeah. He'd love the rest of his life to be like this. Making happy memories with people he cares about and who care about him.