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Adrien runs away on a Tuesday with 5000 euros and a decorative knife he stole from his father’s office.
Not now anxiety, he says, and surges forward.
He walks out the front door, inconspicuously, past the front garden, inconspicuously, past the ajar gate, inconspicuously, before bolting down the street, semi-inconspicuously.
-- -- -- --
“Meow.”
“You’re not actually a cat.”
“Meow.”
“Oh, stop it. I’m busy.”
“Meow. I’m homeless. Meow. Pity me, please. Meow.”
“You don’t even have a cardboard box.”
They found some discarded next to the dumpster and chose the biggest one.
“Hold on,” Marinette said, “Let me go get some tape.”
They retaped the flattened box, and taped it again and again for good measure, before Adrien stepped into it and tentatively crouched down. Reassured, he sat hugging his knees.
“How is it?”
He gave two thumbs up.
She managed to drag him through the front door and push him up a few steps before she needed a break.
“Wait, I have a better idea.”
He hopped out and she climbed in and he pushes her up the remaining flights.
“You’re right, that was better.”
“So, what are you doing here.”
“I’m homeless.”
She looked out the window, where in the very far distance she could see the stark white of the Agreste mansion stand out from the Parisian landscape. “No, you’re not.”
“I’ve run away from home.”
“Well, run back.”
“Please let me stay here.”
“I’m really busy…”
“Pity me. Meow.”
“Stop doing that. I’m going to develop a complex.”
“What if you develop a kink instead.”
“Get out.”
“Watch this,” he rolls into a handstand.
“Why would—” Well. Hello abs.
“Do it again. I’m not convinced yet.”
It took five more handstands before Marinette was sold.
“Alright, you can stay.”
“I’ve adopted a cat.”
“Meow.”
Sabine smiled, “Hello, Adrien.” She got up from her seat and grabbed him a plate and utensils.
“Thank you. Meow.”
“Is he going to be doing this all night?” Tom inquired.
“I’m developing a complex,” Marinette explained.
“Ah. Will you be staying the night, Adrien?”
“Yes, sir. For the foreseeable future if that’s alright. Meow.”
“Alright, that’s enough.”
“Sorry, sir.”
“And does your father know about this Adrien?” Sabine asked, placing a glass of water in front of him before taking her seat.
“What father? I’m just a cat. Meow.”
Tom turned to Sabine, gesturing at Adrien with an open palm. “Seriously? This is the guy she chose?”
“Look, I know finding out your father is Hawkmoth is devastating.”
“I’m going to go take a bath.”
“I really think there’s healthier ways to cope with this. Like, besides avoidance and cat roleplay.”
“Oh, like you’re one to talk. Would it help if I wore cat ears?”
“No, and I’ve never roleplayed as a cat before.”
“But you’ve slept with one. Bestiality is a serious crime.”
She threw a pillow at him.
He let it hit him in the face. “Animal abuse,” he whispered.
“I’m sleeping with a model. That gives me street cred.”
“Is that all I am to you?” He grabbed the edge of his shirt and revealed his nipples. “Ou la la.”
“Adrien. I’m trying to be serious.”
“How about you join me in the bath instead. Did you buy more bubbles?”
“Adrien.”
“Oh, no. My pants are seductively falling down.”
She flashed him.
“Hsss. My one weakness.”
-- -- -- --
Nino showed up the next day at noon.
“Uh, dude. Your dad wants me to convince you to come home? What’s going on.”
“I’m a sugar baby now, Nino. I’m living the sugar baby life.”
“No, he’s not,” Marinette’s voice called through the open skylight.
“Are you sunbathing? It looks like it’s going to rain.”
On cue, raindrops started falling from the sky.
“You jinx,” Adrien chided, and they climbed back downstairs.
“Look, man. The last thing I was expecting—dude, could you put on a shirt first.”
“Marinette likes to keep me in the nude,” Adrien flexed.
“I do,” she hummed, focused primarily on hemming…something with flower prints. Very spring.
“Ew.”
“I’m her muse.”
“I’ve developed a complex.”
“Just put a shirt on.”
“You’re the one who interrupted me while I was getting a tan.”
“In this weather?”
They all looked out the window. On cue, lighting struck.
“You jinx.”
“Dude, seriously, what’s going on? Your dad is spamming my phone.” He squinted, accusingly, “Did you give him my phone number?”
“I had to. For safety reasons.”
“Bro, you doxed me. To Hawkmoth.”
“I was naïve and suggestable,” he assured.
“You didn’t tell him you’re staying at Marinette’s?”
“It’s none of his business.”
“Uh, well, it’s kinda becoming my business now and I don’t really know how I feel about all these calls.”
“Call the cops. It’s harassment.”
“I think you should block him,” Marinette chimed in.
“No, he can’t. You think?”
“This is insane. Okay, wow, I’m doing it.”
“He’s really doing it.”
“Wow, I just did it.”
“Whoa.”
“Whoa.”
“Wanna see me do a back flip?”
They applauded politely. “Nice. But seriously dude, are you okay? The wrong Agreste has been blowing up my phone while you’ve been radio silence.”
“I’m a runaway.”
“Where?”
“Here.”
“Dude, you can’t run away to your girlfriend’s parent’s home.”
“What do you think is happening here.”
“And you’re eighteen. It legally doesn’t count as running away anymore.”
“I was a lonely stray till a beautiful girl carried me home in a box.”
“Adrien, c’mon.”
“No, he’s serious. There’s the box,” Marinette pointed to the corner of the room where it still sat.
-- -- -- --
“—so I told this guy, look back off, I have a boyfriend. Plus, you look like a frog and I’m really more into turtles, you know?”
“Mmhm.”
“But he just wasn’t taking the hint so I poured my drink on his lap.”
“Ha!”
“He looked like he pissed himself. Now he’s going on about demanding restitution or whatever. Like, c’mon, those khaki’s had to be worth less than my drink. If anything he should owe me.”
“Oh, for sure.”
“So, anyways, that was my week. How’s yours been?”
“Good. Nothing much to report. Adrien helped my parents put up the Christmas tree last night.”
“In April?”
“I think they’re trying to cheer him up.”
“He’s still living with you?”
“Yep.”
“So it’s looking pretty permanent, huh?”
“Looks like it.”
“Your parents don’t mind?”
“They love him. I love him. He loves us. We’re all very much anti-Gabe.”
“Has he tried contacting you?”
“Nope.”
“Nino told me that Gabriel showed up at his door.”
“No way.”
“He just stood there, saying nothing. He didn’t even ring the doorbell or knock or anything. Nino only found him when he had to leave the house. We have no idea how long he’d been standing there.”
“That is so many levels of creepy.”
“And pathetic.”
“And sad.”
“Do you feel bad for him?”
She looked at the blond tuffs poking out of her blanket. “No.”
“Me neither. He really hasn’t tried to contact you? Or your parents?”
“Honestly, I think he’s too much of a coward. He’s surprisingly capable of self-awareness.”
“Captain Hindsight.”
“Right?”
“What’s Adrien up to?”
“Right now? He’s sleeping.”
“Taking a little nap?”
She rested her hand on the pink covered lump. “He hasn’t been sleeping well.”
“Poor thing.”
“He either sleeps all day or he’s up at all hours,” she whispered.
“Has he talked to you about all this yet?”
“No,” she sighed. “I really don’t want to pressure him. I want to let him have some space and…process all this.”
“Yeah. And you, Marinette? How’re you handling all this.”
“Fine,” she lied. “I’m just…I want him to be okay. But he won’t talk to me.”
“Nino told me he’s been ignoring his messages.”
“I noticed.”
“I’ve gotta go. My lunch break is over. Take care of yourself, Marinette. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. Good luck with your internship!”
“I’ll be home soon. Please, please—message me, anytime, anywhere, about anything. I’m here for you. For both of you.”
“You too, Alya.” she smiled.
The call ended and she set her phone to the side. She pulled the sheets slightly back but all she could see was messy hair where Adrien curled into himself under the fuzzy blanket.
“Baby?”
No reaction, again. She lay down next to him and reached for his hand under the sheets.
-- -- -- --
“Wow, that is one ugly tree.”
“Hey.”
“What’s the idea here?”
“There’s a theme.”
“Which is…?”
They both looked at the stout evergreen sitting in the corner of the living room.
“Um. Maximalism.”
“Oh my god.”
“It’s very on trend.”
“Is it?”
“Yes,” he assured.
Nino put down the grocery bag on the coffee table. “I brought some snacks.”
“Ou, snackies.”
“Dude, please.”
They emptied the bag. “You want anything to drink?”
“Uh, what’re you having?”
“Chocolate syrup.”
“Like…straight?”
“Do you want it diluted?”
“Just water, you psychopath. Thanks.”
“How’s Alya?”
“She’s good. Busy, though. We barely have time to call.”
“Well, you have time to call me.”
“And then you don’t answer.”
“Wink.”
“What?”
“Wink.”
“Dude, just do it. I know you can, winkstar. Wankstar.”
“Wanker.”
“Haha.”
“I can’t. I lost it. Look.”
“Why are you twitching like that.”
“It’s new.”
“Have you been sleeping?”
“Yeah, obviously. So Alya’s back next week?”
“Hello Nino,” Tom entered the room and walked to the fridge.
“Hi Tom.”
“Did you see our Christmas tree?”
“Yes, I did.” He rubbed his palms together and hoped he sounded enthused.
“Doesn’t it look great?”
“It sure…looks.”
“It’s called Marxism.”
“Maximalism.”
“Yes, that! Thank you, Adrien. Adrien told us how it’s all the range these days.”
“Rage. Meow.”
“Do not.”
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”
Tom grabbed something from the fridge, “Nino, why don’t you boys go on a walk. Enjoy the weather.”
“Sounds good, Tom.”
“Good seeing you. You’re a good kid. This one too.”
“See you, Tom.”
When the coffee was done, Adrien poured a cup and walked back to the living room, handing it over.
“What?”
“Coffee.”
“Yeah, I know. I asked for water.”
“Ah.”
“It’s fine, dude. Thanks. Wait. No sugar, cream?
“I’ve never aspired to be a barista and I don’t plan on starting.”
Adrien settled next to him with his shot of chocolate syrup.
“Do you wanna go for a walk or something?”
“Not really.”
“When’s the last time you left the house.”
“I sunbathe.”
“When’s the last time you left the house.”
“Not sure. A couple weeks ago?”
“Dude. Like when you first got here?”
“I don’t really have anywhere to go.”
“Sad.”
“So sad.”
“Okay, so, let’s go on a walk. Maybe find a pick-up game we can join in?”
“No thanks.”
“Adrien. I’m seriously worried about you.”
“I’m fine, Nino.”
“At least come out to the country with us next week. You and Marinette. It’ll be fun.”
“Paris needs us.”
“Not now.”
“Oh.”
“I meant,” he placed a hand on his friend’s slumped shoulders, “Paris will always need the two of you. But right now you need to be there for yourself first.”
“How about that walk.”
“Consider it,” he sighed. “At least for the weekend. Please.”
“Well since you asked so nicely.”
Nino got up. “Alright, finish your…no, actually don’t. Let’s head out. Do you need to grab a jacket?”
“I changed my mind. I have a lot to consider now.”
“Ha ha. Get up.”
“!!!!”
“What are you doing? Why are you making that face? Stop that.”
“!!!!”
“Dude, quit it. Your face is going to get stuck.”
“!!!!”
“Do you honestly think this is enough to distract me?”
“!!!!”
“C’mon, just a nice brisk walk. It’s beautiful outside.”
They both looked out the window as a sudden onslaught of rain slammed against the windows.
“You jinx,” Adrien laughed.
-- -- -- --
”Your shopping habit is out of control.”
“And you have trouble with you’re and your and I think that’s a travesty.”
“Where are even getting all this money from.”
“Marinette. I’m a glamorous model. I have an expensive face.”
There was a knock on the trapdoor before it popped open. “Adrien, you have another delivery.”
“Oh, great,” he crawled over and lifted the box from Sabine’s arms. “Thanks.”
“Sweetie, please remember to have it delivered to our home address, and not the bakery.”
“Definitely,” he winked. He was getting his groove back.
He dragged the box with him back to his corner. “Did you see where I put the exacto knife?”
“No,” she said, unhelpfully. “That’s way too many boxes. You have an addiction.”
“Look, all my clothes were made and paid for by father,” he said, scratching at the tape, “It’s time I branch out and discover my own style. As a burgeoning fashion designer I’d expect you to be more supportive.”
“Adrien, you bought ten pairs of the same jeans.”
“It’s a uniform. I don’t like to think in the morning if I don’t have to.”
She started to spin in her chair. “I’m not helping you bring down all the boxes when you’re done.”
“No need. I’m building a house.”
She spun to face him, “What? Where?”
“Right here.”
“You’re not building a fort in my room.”
“Not a fort. A house. An homage to dumpster box.”
They both glanced over at said box, retaped with love, covered in dust and grit.
“Get rid of that too. I don’t want to touch it.”
“My house will be quaint and cozy.”
“Then you should invest in some throw pillows. I know a great website.”
“Can’t you make me some?”
“No.”
She watched him pull out his phone.
“What about now?”
He sent her a close-up pic of his foot.
“You can do better than that.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Arch your feet a little. Point your toes. But a little elbow grease into it, baby.”
Ding.
“Now that’s a feet pic.”
“So how ‘bout it gorgeous.
“What colour scheme are we thinking.”
-- -- -- --
“Wait, you’re serious?”
“Yeah. Sorry, Alya.”
“See, I knew we should’ve waited to buy the grocery’s till after you got here.”
In the background she could hear Nino demand to have the phone, “Let me talk to him.”
“Nino wants to talk to Adrien.”
“Uh,” Marinette looked over to where Adrien was lying on his back on the floor, playing on his phone. “He’s kind of busy.”
“We were really looking forward to you guys coming. Especially Nino,” she added in a whisper.
“Adrien!” Both heads swivelled towards the window.
“Adrien!” They gave each other a look before Marinette started to climb through the skylight and Adrien rolled out from under his hideous cardboard project and came up behind her.
“Uh, what was that?”
“Hold on, Alya. I think we have visitors.”
Looking down from her balcony, they saw Nathalie with a speaker at her feet and holding a mic, “Adrien!”
“Uh.”
Marinette knelt down. “Adrien,” she whispered.
“Yep,” he responded, crouched behind a plant.
“We can’t both hide.”
“By all means, be my guest.”
“Adrien!” Nathalie called into the mic again.
“She’s here for you.”
“Not just her.”
“What?”
“Look behind her,” he whispered.
Marinette stood back up to find Gabriel Agreste standing on the other side of the street.
“Is he…why does he have balloons.”
“He’s trying to be inconspicuous.”
“I don’t think either of you knows what that word means.”
“Adrien!” Nathalie called. “Your father has come to take you home!”
“No, thank you!” he called back, still crouching.
“Adrien! Please! It’s time to come home!”
“I’m in the process of building one, so no thank you!”
“You can’t do that, Adrien! You don’t have the resources!”
“I’m personally overseeing the renovations!”
“Adrien! You have no applicable skills!”
“You’re harshing my mellow Nathalie!”
“I’m very concerned about the structural integrity!”
“She has a point,” Marinette muttered.
“Hsss.”
“Hey! Look what you’ve done! He’s regressing!” she called down.
“Adrien! Think of poor Francis!”
“Who’s Francis?”
“Why would I know?”
“Who’s poor Francis!”
“Our accountant! It’s tax season, Adrien!”
“What does that have to do with me? Meow!”
“Adrien! Did you just meow! Marinette! Did he just meow!”
“Uh—”
“Meow!!”
“You’re not a cat, Adrien!”
“He’s not!” joined Tom.
“Well—”
“Adrien! Your father would like you to attend family therapy this weekend!”
“We’ll be gone this weekend, actually, but you guys have fun with that!”
“Where are you going!” Gabriel called.
“Hsss.”
“Yeah, where are you going?” Tom called.
“Papa! Not right now!”
“Adrien! Please! There’s a cancellation fee!”
“You problem! Not a me problem! We will be gone! Bye now!”
“Adrien! Be reasonable!”
“Bye now! Meow!!”
“You’re stressing him out! I don’t want to be arrested for bestiality!”
“Meow!!”
“I’ve genuinely developed a complex!”
“Marinette! I don’t think you’re using that word right!”
“Am I not?”
Adrien shrugged.
“Nathalie! Are you sure!”
“Well, what’s the context!”
“So, you guys are definitely coming now, right?”
-- -- -- --
“We bought five different types of pasta.”
“Oh…why…”
“Nino stress eats pasta.”
“Ah.”
“He’s been very stressed about Adrien.”
“Oh.”
“So, pasta for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All weekend.”
“That’s…wow…great…”
“I just want my girls to succeed.”
“Yeah.”
“It’s really hard being an idol. But I know they can do it.”
“For sure.”
“The download time is taking a while. Is the wifi slow here?”
“Uh, yeah, it’s not the best. I was thinking we could take the bikes out to the lake.”
“Is there wifi there?”
“No?”
“Then why would we do that?”
“To go for a swim??”
“You should download this game too.”
“C’mon bro, let’s do something.”
“Hide and seek?”
“Oh, no. No, no, no, not after last time.”
“You weren’t even in there that long!”
“Adrien, you forgot me for four hours!!”
“There was an akuma attack!!”
“Boo! No!”
“Okay, this time I’ll hide. How’s that?”
“No! You just want to play your stupid game!”
“Hey, take that back!”
“If I do, will you come to the lake?”
“Yeah…”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes…?”
“I take it back. It’s a great game. Let’s go.”
“…’kay.”
“Weeb,” Nino coughed.
Before they could get the bikes, the blue, blue sky turned very, very grey and a stealthy retreat was made before they could be thoroughly soaked.
“Dude, are you doing this on purpose?”
“I am not a jinx!” Nino shook his fist at the sky.
“What’s our signal?”
“Frankenstein?”
“Like, in a sentence?”
“Doesn’t matter. Just say Frankenstein, and I’ll know,” Adrien winked.
“You guys ready?” asked Alya.
“Uh—”
“Yep!”
Cards were discarded and picked in a flurry of movements.
“So, the other day—”
“Don’t try to distract us, Nino, it’s not gonna work.”
“Whoa, hey, I was just saying the other day—”
“No time to talk!”
“What, I can’t even—”
“No talking!”
“Oh, c’mon guys—"
“Frankenstein!!!” Marinette screamed.
“???”
“Uh, what?”
“Frankenstein!!!”
“What?”
“!!!”
“Frankenstein!!!”
“Oh! Sig—”
“Signal…?”
“Adrien!!!”
“I’m sorry! It happened so suddenly!”
“Wait, really? That’s the signal you came up with??”
“We could’ve won! They had no idea!”
“No, no, it was pretty obvious. Maybe try using it in a sentence next time.”
“I told you!”
“Ah!!”
“Can we play Monopoly now?”
“Monopoly sucks Nino,” Alya sighed
“You dare—”
“You suck at Monopoly Nino. I honestly don’t understand why you love it so much,” Adrien agreed.
“Hey!!”
“I just wanted to say once again that I was right,” Marinette shook her fist before throwing a pillow at Adrien. Who caught it and tossed it back at her. Who caught it and tossed it back at him. And again. And again.
“Stop it! I’m not playing catch with you!”
“So you admit to animal abuse!” Adrien cried.
“I am not into bestiality,” Marinette reassured Alya.
“Um, I didn’t think you were?"
“Thank you,” she said as she hugged her. “It’s really important to me that you don’t.”
“He’s sleeping a lot.”
“We’re at the beach.”
“And?”
“And. What else do you expect him to do?”
“I dunno. Read? Listen to music? Swim?”
“Is this because he wouldn’t build sandcastles with you?”
“No.” A beat of silence. “Yes. But also no. I mean, in general. They’ve been here for a day and a half. He slept most of that time.”
“Marinette says he’s been having trouble sleeping. He probably needs this.”
“I’m worried about him.”
She kissed his cheek. “I know, babe.”
Secretly, Alya was convinced the pasta had at least 30% to do with it.
-- -- -- --
The start of the week saw them back home and Adrien decided it was time to really double down on getting his (god awful) home project done.
“Can I borrow some paper?”
“Yeah, go grab some from—no, that’s my notebook, let go!”
“Sharing is caring, Marinette!”
“Go get some from the printer!”
“Just one page! Please!”
She bit his hand.
“Cheater,” he scowled.
He grabbed some from the printer. “Can I get a pen?”
“Yeah, here.”
“Thanks.”
“What do you need this for.”
“I have a plan.”
“…okay.”
She saw the plan. Art wasn’t his best subject be she understood the general idea. The trash heap in front of her looked nothing like his blueprint.
“Are you…sure…you’re done?”
“Oh, yeah,” he answered with confidence.
“This is what you envisioned?”
“Pretty much.”
“Baby, no.”
“You haven’t even given it a chance! Here watch.”
She watched him crawl under, lay on his back, and crawl back out before the ceiling could slouch all the way to his face.
“See?” He sneezed.
“How much scotch tape is that?”
“All of it.”
“How much is all of it?”
“I couldn’t find your duct tape.”
“Nope. No.”
“I stapled a few pieces together as well.”
“How about you take this down and I’ll buy you Happy Home Paradise.”
“That’s not home building, Marinette. Get it right.”
“Sims. We have Sims.”
“I want to feel ambitious.”
They played Civ 6 for eight hours before Adrien cried: “Ah! I knew I should have gone for Domination!”
“Oh, don’t bother. You always end up going for Cultural.”
“I’m a man with taste, you philistine.”
“Says the loser.” She stood up and stretched. “I won. Cardboard house gets taken down.”
“Home Depot.”
“What?”
“That’s what I named it.”
“…”
“Haha.”
“Take it down!”
“I never agreed to that!”
“Oh, no. My shirts slowly coming off. Maybe if there wasn’t trash taking up half my room the whole thing will come off.”
“Hey! That’s my schtick!”
“And I’m not even wearing a bra,” she winked.
“Oh, you temptress.”
He started unbuckling his belt. “Oh, gosh. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if my pants slowly slid off and I was wearing…a thong? Gasp!”
“Wait, are you really? Is it one of mine?”
“Maybe,” he whispered.
“No, seriously, are you? Not a cute one right. If you stretch it out I have to throw it away.”
“No, I’m kidding. I tried but my balls hurt. Haha.”
They were at a stalemate. Marinette refused to let him in bed so he initiated a one-man strike by living in the box permanently.
“Marinette, come down for dinner!” Sabine crawled through the trapdoor and placed a plate at Adrien’s front door. “And this is for you. You’ll need energy for your strike.”
“Maman, please don’t encourage him.”
“Thank you, Sabine. I won’t forget your kindness.”
“Oh, I forgot to bring you some utensils. Let me bring some up.”
“No need,” Adrien intoned. “That’s what hands are for.”
“Gross, Adrien. Go wash your hands at least.”
“All good. Watch, no hands!”
“You’re not a cat, Adrien,” Tom called up.
“Yes, sir!” he called back. “Meow,” he whispered to himself.
On the third night Marinette gave in. Blanket in hand, she climbed down her bed and crawled under Home Depot to lay with Adrien.
“Did you miss me?” he whispered.
“You’re awake?” she whispered back.
He pressed his nose to hers. “Mmhm.”
“Did I wake you?”
“Mm mm. Was up.”
She pressed her forehead to his. “Can’t sleep?”
“Played to much proSEKAI. Darks too bright now.”
“Overstimulated?”
“Mmhm. What about you?”
“Can’t sleep.”
“Can’t sleep?”
“Miss you.”
“Miss you, too,” he whispered. “Can I get a kiss?”
“Hmm…”
“Please, pretty lady. Have pity for this poor chat.”
“This poor chat has a perfectly good bed to sleep in if he takes down his fort.”
“House.”
“Lean-to.”
“Home Depot.” He leaned in and kissed her anyways.
-- -- -- --
“Alright. I think I’m ready to talk about it now.”
“Mnn.”
“I know it’s been a long time coming. I’m still struggling to put all this into words.”
“Ahh.”
“I honestly can’t say I even fully understand what I’m feeling. It’s like, even now, I can’t comprehend all of it.”
“Mm, uh, wait, what—”
“It makes sense and it doesn’t, you know? I feel so lost. I don’t know what my place in the world is anymore. I don’t know who I am.”
“Oh, you’re serious. Right now?”
“My entire life is a façade. I live in a fairy tale my father wrote, living in sets he designed, plots he orchestrated. This revelation doesn’t even shock me as bad as it should. Even as Chat Noir, he was still directing my life behind the scenes.”
“Um, yeah, could you…”
“We have his miraculous. He won’t cause anymore damage. And that’s just supposed to be it? Everyone’s satisfied with that? I feel for his victims, I do. I feel so guilty it hurts to exist sometimes. My blood is his blood, his mess is my mess. It’s almost like everything I’ve done as Chat, all the good, is irrelevant because of course that’s what I’m supposed to do. I should clean up my father’s mess. There’s no recognition in that. Accepting praise would be hypocritical.”
“Adrien, you’re being unfair to yourself.”
“Sins of the father are the sins of the son. How apt.”
“No, it’s not. This is a horrible revelation for you to shoulder. We expect you to hurt, not to punish yourself for hurting.”
“I’m not—”
“You are.”
“I have to. No one else knows, so I have to.”
“But everyone who does know doesn’t blame you. Can’t you see that you’re a victim too? Not just as Chat. He abused you, Adrien. He’s your father and you love him but he’s hurt you more than anyone else. The things he’s done to you aren’t things that can be fixed by Ladybug.”
“I know. I know that. But—”
“Do you?”
“But, then, now what. We’re expected to collectively move on? Yes, there’s therapy and group session, help lines, support groups. But what am I supposed to do? Find a therapist, reveal I’m Chat Noir and Hawkmoth’s son? That after everything, he’s still booking photoshoots and scheduling dinner together? Did he expect me to just show up and act like we both don’t know what we’ve done to one another? I’m so tired of playing house with him.”
“Baby—”
“Is it bad that even now I want him? To just…be there? Show up, be a dad for once? After everything I still feel that way. It’s like being at a school performance and constantly checking the crowd because maybe he’ll show up this time. It’s like I’m still looking into the crowd hoping to see his face. Which, I know, sounds so insignificant and juvenile.”
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting your father. No matter what he’s done, he’ll always be your dad.”
“He’s horrible. He’s a horrible, horrible man and a horrible, horrible father.”
“He is. I’m sorry.”
“It’s all over. It’s finally over. We found Hawkmoth, we took him down. He has no miraculous, he has nothing, and still, he still can’t find time for me.”
“I’m so sorry, baby.”
“He had Nathalie give me a portfolio of universities he expects me to apply to. Can you believe that?”
“Oh, Adrien.”
“And I applied. I actually went through with it! I sent in applications to every school he suggested. Do you know how many different Statement of Purpose letters I had to write? Too many! Too many, Marinette! Not just in France, he wants me to consider going international! I wrote essays, cover letters, filled out questionnaire’s, did interviews. I don’t know when was the last time we actually talked and still! I still did all that for him! I don’t want to go international! I don’t want to be sent away! How dare he try to send me away. After everything!”
“But you’re not going anywhere, remember? You got accepted to all your first choices. We’re going to start apartment hunting in the summer. You get to study anything you want. You get to do whatever you want.”
“Yeah, I…yeah, you’re right. I’m not going anywhere. I…I get to…just be me, with you. I just…sorry. I was spiraling, wasn’t I?”
“I love you, Adrien. Nino loves you. My parents adore you. You have so many genuine people in your life who would do anything for you, at the drop of a hat. Because even if you’re lost to yourself, we see you and we love you for you. You know that, right?”
“I do.” He hid his face in the crook of her neck.
“No one blames you for not wanting to go back. No one expects you to go on with your life like this wasn’t one of the most momentous betrayal’s and heartbreak you’ve had to experience. Even your father and Nathalie know that. I’m sure they could find a way to drag you back by force—”
“Ha!”
“—but they won’t, because even they can’t delude themselves into forgetting everything they put you through.”
“Do you think I’m being a baby? I know I wasn’t the only one they terrorized. This is so much bigger than me. After everything he put Paris through. After everything he put you through.”
“Just because someone else in the world is hurting doesn’t mean you can’t hurt. Your pain is just as valid, as is mine, and completely our own. And I know therapy isn’t exactly an option. Not while we still hold our miraculous, but I’m here for you. I promise, even if everything burns down, I’ll always be a constant in your life. There will always be a place for you to belong and someone to come home to. Talk to me. Talk to our friends. And call Nino back.”
“I can’t offer you the world yet, but I can offer you my world, for as long as you’ll have me.”
“Always,” she kissed forehead, “Always,” the corners of his lips, “Always,” and all the spaces in between. “I love you.”
“I love you more.”
“Yeah. Can you pull out now?”
“Oh. But I’m still—”
“No.”
“Ah. Alrighty.”
-- -- -- --
The next morning he dismantled Home Depot. She was so happy she fucked him with cat ears on.