Chapter Text
The hallway smelled like antiseptic and metal. Everything felt too bright, too quiet, except for the sobbing echoing down the corridor.
Adrian sat there, hoodie up, elbows on his knees, staring at the floor tiles like they might open up and swallow him. His leg bounced, but he didn’t even notice.
Tikki was curled up in his palm, tiny body shaking. “She has to be okay,” she whispered, her little voice cracking.
Plagg sat on Adrian’s shoulder, unusually quiet, tail flicking. “She’s strong,” he said finally, but even he sounded unsure.
Tom and Sabine were across from him, clinging to each other, crying so hard it hurt to listen. They didn’t look at him, didn’t look at anyone.
When the doctor came out, nobody said a word.
They just heard the words. The soft, careful words, and Sabine wailed like someone had ripped her heart out.
Adrian stood up, throat tight, and watched the hospital doors close again.
---
His alarm blared, dragging him out of sleep.
Adrian sat up slow, head pounding. He rubbed his eyes, hoodie falling off one shoulder.
“Rough night?” Plagg yawned, stretching on the pillow.
“No,” Adrian muttered, rolling out of bed. “but a rough two years.”
Tikki floated up, concern written all over her face. “You were talking in your sleep again.”
Adrian grabbed a clean shirt from the chair and tossed it on the bed. “Yah... I guess it became a habit."
“You could talk to someone about it,” she offered gently.
He gave her a look over his shoulder. “Who? My dad? He'd probley try to steal the miraculous again and try to make some outrageous wish before asking if I was okay."
Plagg snorted. “Facts.”
Adrian didn’t laugh. He stripped, grabbed a towel, and disappeared into the bathroom.
---
Fifteen minutes later, he came out smelling like body wash, hair dripping, towel around his shoulders. He shoved on joggers and the shirt, pulled his hoodie over it, and glanced at the calendar on his wall.
Classes started next week.
He stared at the date circled in red — Marinette’s birthday.
“Maybe I should visit her today,” he said out loud without meaning to.
Tikki floated closer, her little ears drooping. “She’d like that.”
Before he could answer, there was a knock at the door.
“Adrien?” A voice called. Too cheerful. Too polite.
He sighed. “What?!,”
The door cracked open and the new assistant poked her head in. “Good evening! Dinner’s ready.”
“Ok, cool.” Adrian said flatly, already pulling his hood up.
She blinked. “Would you like me to—”
“Nope,” he cut her off, grabbing his phone and heading for the door.
---
Dinner was quiet. Too quiet.
Adrian grabbed a plate and started serving himself, not even glancing at the head of the table.
“You could at least sit down,” Gabriel said, voice sharp but not angry. Not yet.
“I could,” Adrian replied, already heading for the stairs.
“You never stay anymore.”
“Neither did you,” Adrian muttered under his breath.
“What was that?”
“Goodnight, father.”
He didn’t wait for a reply.
---
Upstairs, he passed the assistant in the hall, who opened her mouth to say something — he kept walking.
“Nathalie never followed him like a ghost,” Adrian muttered to himself. His chest hurt for a second, but he swallowed it down.
Plagg floated out of his hoodie pocket as soon as they got back to his room. “You’re gonna explode one day if you keep doing this.”
“Sound fun,” Adrian said, dropping on the bed.
His phone buzzed — group chat blowing up with memes from Nino and Alya.
He stared at the screen for a minute, then finally cracked a small grin.
Tikki landed on his knee. “See? The world isn't ending.”
“Mm.” Adrian tossed the phone onto the pillow, flopped back, and closed his eyes.
“Maybe I’ll go tomorrow,” he mumbled.
“To visit?” Tikki asked softly.
“Yeah.”
The room fell quiet, except for Plagg opening a piece of camembert in the corner.
“Night,” Adrian said finally.
“Night,” they echoed.
Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Chapter Text
The morning came too fast.
Adrian dragged himself out of bed, hoodie hanging off one shoulder, hair sticking out in every direction.
“You look like shit,” Plagg said, floating lazily next to his head.
“Thanks,” Adrian muttered, grabbing his phone.
“You’re welcome.”
Tikki gave Plagg a glare before turning to Adrian. “You said you were going to visit today.”
“I am.” Adrian rubbed the back of his neck. “After class.”
Plagg snickered. “If you survive class without face-planting on the desk again.”
“Not funny.”
“Wasn’t joking.”
---
The bullet train was packed as usual, people glued to their phones or pretending to be asleep.
Adrian leaned against the window, hood up, earbuds in, zoning out to some playlist he barely paid attention to.
Alya’s text came through the group chat first: "WHERE ARE YOU. I NEED TO TELL YOU SOMETHING."
He rolled his eyes and typed back: "On the train. Chill."
By the time he got to the campus station, Alya was practically bouncing.
“Oh my god, you are NOT gonna believe this,” she said as soon as he walked up.
Adrian adjusted his bag. “Try me.”
“They’re back.”
He blinked. “Who’s ‘they’?”
“Luka and Juleka. Fresh off the plane from America, baby!” Alya grinned, clearly expecting him to match her energy.
Adrian froze mid-step. “…Luka?”
“Yeah. Luka Couffaine. You know, blue hair, guitar, the guy Broke up with Maran—”
“I know who he is,” Adrian cut in, a little too quickly.
Alya raised a brow but didn’t comment.
“Anyway, they’re enrolling this semester,” she continued. “Crazy, right?”
Adrian grunted. “Yeah. Crazy.”
---
Class was already filling up when Adrian walked in.
He scanned the room. Nothing. No blue hair.
Good.
He slid into the back row, dropped his bag, and let his head hit the desk. The lack of sleep was catching up fast.
Plagg peaked our Adriens hood, his tiny voice buzzed in his ear. “You know you’re asking for detention if you get caught napping.”
“It'll be worth it,” Adrian mumbled and shut his eyes.
---
He woke up to a low chuckle.
The kind that gets under your skin because you know exactly who it belongs to.
Adrian’s head shot up.
Luka was sitting next to him, leaned back in the chair like he’d been there the whole time. His hair was longer now, a little messy, ocean blue catching the light.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” Luka said, voice warm and annoyingly calm.
Adrian blinked, brain short-circuiting for a second. “The hell are you doing here?”
Luka smirked slightly. “Same as you, I guess. Class.”
“Didn’t realize you’d be in mine.”
“Guess you do now.”
Adrian stared at him for a moment, then looked away, pretending to dig through his bag. “Thought you were still in the States.”
“Got back last week.” Luka’s tone was easy, but there was something about the way he said it — like he was watching Adrian’s reaction carefully.
“Cool.” Adrian didn’t look at him.
Luka tilted his head. “You seem… different.”
Adrian glanced at him. “Thanks?”
“Not a bad different. Just… heavier.”
Adrian’s jaw clenched. “College does that.”
“Mm.” Luka let it go but didn’t stop looking at him. “I heard about Marinette.”
Adrian froze.
“I’m sorry,” Luka added softly.
For a second, Adrian thought about saying something — anything — but the words stuck in his throat.
“Thanks,” he muttered finally, staring hard at the front of the class.
Luka didn’t push. He just leaned back again, pulling out a notebook.
---
By the time class ended, Adrian practically bolted for the door.
Alya caught up with him outside. “So? You saw him, right?!”
“Yeah.”
“And?”
“And what?” Adrian muttered, pulling his hood up again.
“You guys used to be tight. Don’t tell me you’re still pissed about that fight—”
“I’m not talking about it.”
Alya frowned but didn’t push.
Adrian got to the station and, instead of taking the train home, bought a ticket going the opposite direction.
Plagg floated out of his hoodie pocket as they sat down. “Where are we even going?”
“Anywhere that’s not home.”
“You know he’s gonna notice.”
“Good,” Adrian said, leaning back against the seat as the train pulled away.
Chapter Text
The train ride felt too quiet.
Adrian kept his hood up, watching the blur of buildings roll by. His phone buzzed a couple times, but he ignored it.
“You’re not seriously gonna ghost everyone today, are you?” Plagg floated just in front of his face, blocking his view.
“whos gonna stop me?” Adrian said flatly.
Tikki popped out of his hoodie pocket, arms crossed. “You could at least tell Alya where you’re going. She worries too.”
“She’ll figure it out,” Adrian muttered, pulling his hood lower.
“You’re impossible,” Tikki huffed, but she didn’t sound sad — more like exasperated. “Marinette would scold you if she knew you were ignoring your friends like this.”
Adrian’s chest tightened. “Good thing she can’t right now.”
“Adrien,” Tikki said softly, her tone shifting.
“Relax, I’m just saying.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s been 2 years. And she’s still just… lying there.”
“That doesn’t mean she’s gone,” Tikki said firmly.
Plagg snorted. “Tikki’s right. You think Marinette would let something like that stop her from simping over you?"
That earned a small smile out of Adrian despite himself.
---
The hospital smelled the same as it did the night it happened — too clean, too sharp.
Adrian kept his hands shoved in his pockets as he made his way to her room. The nurse at the front desk just nodded when she saw him; he came here enough that they didn’t even ask anymore.
Marinette looked peaceful, at least.
Her dark hair was brushed neatly, face relaxed, breathing steady. If you didn’t know, you’d think she was just sleeping in.
“Hey,” Adrian said quietly, dragging the chair closer to her bed. “It’s me.”
He sat down, elbows on his knees.
“So… college starts next week.” He tried to laugh but it came out awkward. “Crazy, right? We were supposed to pick electives together.”
Tikki floated onto the edge of the bed. “She can hear you, you know.”
“That’s what the doctors say.” Adrian leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling. “Kinda feels like talking to a wall most days.”
“She’s still there,” Tikki said gently.
Adrian glanced at her. “You think?”
“I know.”
Plagg, surprisingly, didn’t crack a joke. “You’d better keep talking to her. She’d kill you if she woke up and you had nothing to catch her up on.”
That made Adrian chuckle. “Yeah. You’re right.”
He reached over and carefully took her hand.
“Luka’s back,” he said after a moment. “Saw him in class today.”
Tikki perked up. “Really?”
“Yeah. Guess he and Juleka are enrolling here now. Alya’s thrilled.”
“did you guys Talk?"
Adrian let out a breath, staring at the wall. “Not really. He brought her up.”
“Maybe he still has felling for her,” Tikki said.
“He broke her heart. Why would he suddenly want her back?”
"I don't know. But he still cares." Tikki said carefully.
Adrien sighed his attion back in Maranette.
---
Adrian stayed longer than usual, just talking about nothing and everything — random memories, funny things Alya sent in the group chat, a new song Nino had been obsessed with.
When the nurse came by to check on Marinette, Adrian stood.
“I miss you,” he said quietly, giving her hand a squeeze before letting go.
---
It was dark by the time he got back to the city.
The house was lit, but Adrian didn’t go inside right away. He sat on the steps for a while, scrolling through his phone until the chill made his fingers ache.
Finally, he went in.
“Welcome home,” the assistant said brightly from the hallway.
“Mm.” Adrian didn’t slow down.
“You missed the photoshoot so I rescdyled it to tommorow mornin. Your father said there’s a new campaign shoot and he wants you to be the star.”
“Of course he dose." Adrien muttered rolling his eyes.
---
Later that night, he lay on his bed staring at the ceiling.
“You gonna mope all night?” Plagg asked around a mouthful of cheese.
“What else so I have to do ,” Adrian said.
“you should probley tell them what happened,” Tikki said.
Adrian turned his phone over in his hand. The last message in the group chat was Alya dropping a selfie with Juleka at the campus café.
His thumb hovered over the keyboard for a second before he just locked the phone again.
“Not yet,” he muttered.
“but you'll tell them soon right?” Tikki asked, hopeful.
“Yeah,” he said softly. “soon.”
Chapter Text
Adrien slammed the front door a little too hard when he got home. The sound echoed in the huge, empty hall, and Gorilla peeked from the corner like he wasn’t sure if he should say something. Adrien just shook his head and walked straight to the living room.
Of course, Gabriel was already there. Sitting on one of the couches, legs crossed, reading something on a tablet. Like he hadn’t been waiting for this moment all day.
“Adrien,” his father said, calm as ever.
“Dad.” Adrien dropped his bag on the chair and stood there, still in his jacket, not even bothering to sit.
Gabriel sighed, putting the tablet down. “I heard you went to see Marinette today.”
Adrien clenched his jaw. “And?”
“I would’ve gone with you, if you’d told me,” Gabriel said quietly. “I still care about her too, you know.”
Adrien laughed — a bitter little sound that didn’t even feel like it belonged to him. “Yeah, sure. That’s why she’s in a hospital bed right now, right?”
Gabriel’s expression tightened, just for a second, before smoothing back into that neutral CEO mask he always wore. “I’ve told you before, Adrien. I’ve tried to make amends—”
“You don’t get to make amends for this.” Adrien’s voice cracked on the last word. He turned away before his father could see his eyes go glassy. “You’re lucky I didn’t go to the press and tell everyone who Hawk Moth really was.”
That got him silence. Adrien didn’t wait for an answer. He didn’t want one.
He grabbed his bag and stormed up to his room, skipping two steps at a time. Plagg zipped out of the bag as soon as the door shut behind him.
“Whew,” Plagg said, floating backward onto Adrien’s bed. “That was... something.”
Adrien threw himself on the mattress face-first. “I can’t keep doing this every time we’re in the same room.”
“Then stop,” Plagg said simply.
Adrien rolled onto his back, glaring at the ceiling. “It’s not that easy.”
“You’d rather keep screaming at each other until someone breaks a window?”
Tikki popped out of his jacket pocket, hovering near Adrien’s head. “Plagg, stop. Adrien’s allowed to be upset. He’s been carrying all this for two years.”
Adrien gave her a small smile. “Thanks, Tikki.”
She landed on his chest, her little feet warm through his shirt. “You don’t have to hold it in all the time, Adrien. But... maybe yelling at your dad every time isn’t going to fix anything either.”
Adrien let out a huff. “You sound like my therapist.”
Before he could say anything else, his phone dinged on the nightstand.
Alya: Group chat timeeee 🫡
Adrien frowned. “What group chat?”
Plagg floated closer. “Uh oh. She’s up to something.”
The next ding answered him.
Alya: Everybody say hi to our new members 😘
Luka: ...hey.
Juleka: Hi 😁
Adrien shot upright. “No way. No. She didn’t.”
Tikki giggled. “Looks like she did.”
Adrien opened the chat, scrolling fast.
Nino: Yo Luka, welcome man! 👊
Rose: oh my gosh Juleka!!! Hiiiii Luka!! 💛
Juleka: heh
Luka: thanks? what is this supposed to be for?
Alya: Consider this the "Make Adrien Talk To People" chat 😏
Adrien groaned out loud, typing furiously.
Adrien: Remove him. Now.
Alya: lol no
Luka: did i do something?
Adrien: yes. you exist.
Luka: rude lol
Alya: Adrien don't be mean.🤣
Plagg cackled, rolling in the air. “This is the best thing that’s happened all week.”
Adrien tossed his pillow at him. “Shut up.”
Tikki just smiled knowingly. “You could leave the chat, you know.”
Adrien slumped back on the bed. “It'll make it obvious that I'm avoiding him. Alya would drag me in person.”
His phone dinged again.
Luka: so… adrien. you good?
Adrien stared at the message a long second, feeling heat rise in his face.
Plagg smirked. “Oh, he’s good alright.”
Adrien threw the pillow at him again. “I hate all of you.”
Chapter Text
Adrien stared at his phone, thumb hovering over “Leave Chat.”
He wasn’t in the mood for this tonight. Not after today.
“Just do it,” Tikki said quietly, floating near his shoulder. “You don’t have to stay in the chat if you don’t want to.”
Plagg yawned from the corner of the pillow. “Yeah. Leave, stay, whatever. Just drag me into it.”
Adrien let out a humorless laugh. “Wish it was that simple.”
Before he could decide, a ping went off — then another.
Nino: yo adrien. leave this chat & the world gets to see u hit the high note in.
Alya: wait, WHEN HE SANG "LET IT GO,"?
Adrien’s stomach dropped. “…He wouldn’t.”
Plagg cracked one eye open, a grin forming. “He definitely would. You hit that high note like your life depended on it."
Adrien ran a hand through his hair. “I’m never drinking with them again.”
The chat blew up with spammy emojis from Rose and Juleka, demanding the video.
Adrien: fine. i’ll stay. happy?
Nino: yep 😎
Adrien groaned, throwing his phone onto the bed. “I'm actully gonna kill them.”
Tikki tilted her head. “You could still mute them.”
“I’ll look like a jerk if I mute the chat right after agreeing to stay,” Adrien muttered.
Plagg rolled over. “Or you could stop overthing it. It's now like you guys are dating.”
Adrien glared at him before his phone buzzed again.
Luka: glad you didn’t bail. feels weird enough being back in this chat after years.
Adrien stared at the screen a long moment before replying.
Adrien: didn’t have a choice.
There was a pause, then Luka replied.
Luka: still counts. how’ve you been?
Adrien frowned. This was too normal. Too calm.
Adrien: fine. busy with shoots. you?
Luka: better now that I'm back.
Adrien smirked despite himself. He could picture Luka typing that with a half-smile, hair falling into his face.
Adrien: Why'd you come back anyways?
Luka: I got over what happened to Marranette and I missed you guys.
Adrien’s smirk faded. Luka always had a way of saying things that sounded casual.
Adrien: …yeah.
Luka didn’t reply right away, but when his message came through, Adrien stared at it longer than he wanted to.
Luka: look, I know things are complicated. but it’s good to see you again. really
Adrien locked his phone without responding. His chest felt weirdly tight. Not angry, not sad, just… unsettled.
He set the phone on his nightstand and leaned back on the bed. His eyes landed on the framed picture next to his phone — his mom’s soft smile, her arm around him when he was barely a teenager.
He swallowed hard.
Tikki hovered closer. “Adrien…”
“I’m fine,” he said quickly, pulling the blanket over himself.
Plagg stretched lazily. “If you say so.”
The room fell quiet except for the soft hum of the city outside. Adrien stared at the celling hopping sleep would come faster, but Luka’s last message lingered in his head longer than he wanted it to.
"It's good to see you too I guess." He muttered before closing his eyes
Chapter Text
Adrien hated how predictable he’d become.
Same seat. Same hoodie. Same routine.
And now, apparently, same guy sitting next to him.
Luka was already there when Adrien walked in, leaning back casually with one leg crossed over the other, scrolling his phone. He glanced up when Adrien approached, smiling just enough to be polite.
“Morning,” Luka said.
Adrien hesitated before sitting. “Yeah. Morning.”
He dropped his bag on the desk and stared at the front of the room like the lecture had already started.
Luka chuckled softly. “You always this depressed in the morning?”
Adrien side-eyed him. “You always this comfortable sitting next to someone who wants you gone?”
Luka didn’t flinch, didn’t look offended — just tilted his head a little like Adrien had asked him a riddle.
“If you really wanted me gone,” Luka said, “you’d sit somewhere else.”
Adrien clenched his jaw. “I should hate you.”
The words were quiet, almost like he wasn’t sure he’d meant to say them out loud. Luka turned toward him fully now, blue eyes calm, steady.
“I know,” Luka said. “But Marinette wouldn’t want you to.”
Adrien’s chest tightened. “You think you know what she’d want?”
“I know she loved you,” Luka said, voice soft but firm. “More than me. That’s why I left. I was just in the way.”
Adrien blinked, thrown off by how matter-of-fact Luka sounded. No bitterness, no sarcasm. Just honesty.
“That’s not—” Adrien stopped, suddenly aware of how loud his voice had gotten. A couple of students glanced back. He lowered his tone. “You think that makes it better? She was so happy with you. You left right before she-.....”
Adrien didn't finish the scentence, the word getting caught in his brought. A part of his still didnt want to accept reality.
Luka’s face stayed calm, but something flickered in his expression. Guilt, maybe. “I know,” he said again, quieter this time. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”
Adrien looked away, staring at the desk like it held all the answers. His pulse was pounding too hard for first period.
“Right thing for who?” Adrien muttered.
Luka didn’t answer.
The professor walked in before Adrien could push further, and the conversation died. Luka leaned back in his chair, tapping a rhythm on his thigh with his fingers, like he wasn’t bothered at all.
Adrien, on the other hand, couldn’t focus on a single word of the lecture.
-
When class ended, Adrien shoved his notebook into his bag, ready to bolt. Luka didn’t try to stop him — just said, “See you tomorrow,” like this was all normal.
Adrien didn’t reply.
Out in the hallway, Tikki peeked out of his hoodie pocket. “That was… tense.”
Adrien snorted. “You think?”
“You’re still holding on to a lot of anger,” Tikki said gently. “Maybe it’s time to—”
“Don’t,” Adrien cut in, rubbing the back of his neck. “Don’t tell me to forgive him. Not yet.”
Tikki floated back down, looking like she wanted to argue but didn’t.
Adrien adjusted his bag strap and kept walking, heart pounding for reasons he didn’t want to unpack yet.
Chapter Text
Adrien wasn’t even home ten minutes before his phone buzzed with a notification from the group chat.
Alya: yooooo y’all wanna go shopping tonight??
Adrien frowned at the screen.
Adrien: why tf
Alya: bc my blog hit 2M views this week and we’re celebrating 🤭
Nino: she means karaoke too. u down or nah?
Rose: pls comeee!!
Juleka: 👀
Adrien sighed, already typing out an excuse.
Adrien: nah. busy.
Seconds later, Luka’s reply popped up.
Luka: I'll be there.
Adrien scowled at his phone. This guy.
Alya: omg yes!! it’s settled!! everyone’s coming. Adrien, i’m not taking no.
Adrien groaned, tossed his phone on the bed, and buried his face in a pillow.
“You’re going,” Plagg said from somewhere near Adrien’s desk.
“No I’m not,” Adrien mumbled into the pillow.
“Yeah you are,” Plagg replied. “If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be this mad about it.”
Adrien lifted his head to glare. “Mind you own fucking business ”
Plagg shrugged. “This is my business."
Tikki floated closer, arms crossed. “Seeing everyone would help. You’ve been avoiding them since Marinette—”
Adrien sat up sharply. “Don’t.”
Tikki flinched but stayed quiet.
Adrien grabbed his hoodie and headed downstairs. Maybe if he asked Gabriel to move the next photoshoot, he could use studying as an excuse not to go.
---
The house was too quiet. No clinking silverware, no faint piano music — just silence.
Adrien paused outside his father’s office when he heard his voice through the door.
“…he’s spoiled,” Gabriel was saying. “Everything we built is hanging by a thread and he refuses to cooperate. This family was ruined because of one girl—”
Adrien’s hand tightened on the doorknob. His chest felt like someone had just shoved a brick against it.
He knocked once.
There was a pause, then Gabriel’s voice: “Come in.”
When the door opened, Gabriel looked almost startled to see him, his assistant avoiding eye contact. “Adrien. I didn’t know you were back so soon.”
Adrien leaned against the frame, his expression flat. “You ruined this family long before Marinette.”
Gabriel stiffened. “That’s not what I—”
Adrien turned and walked away, ignoring whatever excuse was coming next.
He went upstairs, grabbed his phone, and opened the group chat.
Adrien: i’ll be there.
Alya spammed celebratory emojis. Luka just sent a single 👍 emoji, which somehow annoyed Adrien more than anything else.
Plagg hovered near the window as Adrien grabbed his ring. “You’re going out as Chat Noir?”
Adrien slid the ring on. Plagg shook his head violently “Wait do,-.”
Green light flashed, and a second later he was out the window, claws extending as he vaulted across rooftops.
The air hit colder at night, but it felt good against his skin. Sharp, enough to clear his head.
“Adrien,” Tikki said softly from inside his bag.
“What.”
“You’re not really going for karaoke, are you?”
Adrien smirked humorlessly. “Guess we’ll see.”
---
The mall was crowded and glowing when he landed on the roof, detransforming in the shadows. He adjusted his hoodie and slipped down to the entrance, hands shoved in his pockets.
“Adrien!”
He turned just in time to see Alya waving wildly from across the street. Rose and Juleka were with her, chatting and laughing. And next to them,
Blue.
Luka.
Adrien froze for half a second before walking over. He wasn’t about to look like he’d hesitated.
When he got close enough, Luka gave him a nod, casual as ever. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Adrien said back, keeping his tone flat.
Before anyone could say more, Luka stepped closer, and for some reason put a steadying hand around Adrien’s waist as someone in the crowd tumbled past them spilling their drink.
Adrien stiffened, blinking at him.
“Relax,” Luka said simply. The girl quickly apologized and Luka let go when the moment passed
Rose and Juleka exchanged a look but said nothing.
Adrien stepped back, heart thudding louder than he wanted to admit. He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets and reminded himself — out loud, under his breath — “I love Marinette.”
Luka’s head tilted, like he’d heard him, but didn’t comment.
Chapter Text
Adrien absentmindedly rubbed his side as he walked, the faint warmth from Luka’s hand still lingering like an unwanted reminder. He hated that it felt grounding. Comforting, even. You’re supposed to hate him, he scolded himself. You’re supposed to hate him for leaving Marinette when she needed him.
The group had split once they entered the mall. Alya had dragged Rose and Juleka toward the clothing racks while the guys veered into a sleek jewelry shop, mostly for Nino’s sake.
“Okay, dudes, help me out,” Nino said, tugging at his hat nervously. “I need something that says ‘I love you, but I’m not trying too hard because it’s not an anniversary.’”
Adrien chuckled softly despite himself. “So… you want something that says casual love?”
“Exactly.”
Luka scanned the display case, his expression calm but focused. “Maybe a bracelet,” he suggested, pointing toward a delicate gold chain.
“That’s cute, but not her style,” Adrien said, leaning over. His eyes scanned the case until something caught his attention. A charm necklace with a tiny fox pendant. His lips curled into a rare, wide smile as he imagined Alya’s face lighting up.
“Yeah,” Luka said quietly, watching him. His voice was softer this time, almost thoughtful. “That one suits her.”
Adrien froze, realizing Luka was watching him a little too closely. He quickly looked away, shoving his hands into his pockets as if he could hide the warmth rushing to his ears.
“Yeah,” Nino said smiling. “Let’s go with this one.”
They approached the cashier, who rang up the necklace with a polite smile until his eyes flicked up to Adrien’s face.
“Wait,” the man said suddenly, squinting. “Aren’t you Adrien Agreste?”
Adrien tensed, every muscle in his body stiffening.
“You’re the one whose classmate went into a coma a few years ago, right?” the cashier continued, tone deceptively casual. “The whole city was talking about it. And you… you’ve never said why.”
The air turned sharp. Luka’s jaw tightened, his usually calm expression sharpening into something almost dangerous. “That’s none of your business,” he said, his voice low but firm.
The cashier blinked but said nothing more. Nino quickly grabbed the bag and ushered Adrien and Luka out of the shop before things could escalate.
Outside, Adrien’s head felt like it was stuffed with cotton. The murmur of passing shoppers pressed in on him like a weight.
“Bro, don’t listen to that guy,” Nino said gently, trying to put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about—”
"Yah...” Adrien said under his breath, almost too quiet for either of them to hear.
They kept walking, but the whispers didn’t stop.
“Maybe he’s not telling anyone because he caused it,” a girl muttered behind them, her voice sharp like glass.
Adrien stopped dead in his tracks.
Her friend’s voice floated in, defensive but weak: “Don’t be ridiculous.....”
But it didn’t matter.
Adrien’s breath came shallow and quick, every word around him slicing deeper into his chest.
It’s my fault.
I should’ve been stronger.
His vision blurred as his thoughts spiraled, and before he could stop it, a single hot tear slid down his cheek. He didn’t bother wiping it away.
ILoveTrunks on Chapter 3 Sat 06 Sep 2025 08:24AM UTC
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ILoveTrunks on Chapter 4 Sat 06 Sep 2025 08:10PM UTC
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StardustAndBL on Chapter 4 Sat 06 Sep 2025 09:56PM UTC
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ILoveTrunks on Chapter 8 Sun 07 Sep 2025 05:07AM UTC
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