Chapter Text
3.I don't trust you
“I don't want this.” Adrian says handing the card to Natalie later that night after supper.
“Is there a problem?” she asks, taking the card from him and looking it over.
“Yes. I want cash. 200 is fine. Put the rest in a savings account till I ask for it.” Adrian tells her.
“Why don't you want to use your card?” Natalie asks.
“Because I don't want someone nosing around seeing where I have been, and with whom and when and how.” he says.
“I would never do that,” she tells him.
“I'm sorry, but I don't trust you.” he says sadly, turning and walking away.
“I'm sorry you feel that way.” Adrian hears her say and pauses.
“Me too.”
…..
4. Going out for the weekend. Fancy hotel
“I'm going out for the weekend,” Adrian says, taking a bite of his supper. Not asking for permission, simply telling his father a fact.
“Where?” his father pauses mid bite. The risotto and lobster for their meal, perfectly done and plated like artwork forgotten instantly.
“Same place,” Adrian replies.
“Why should I allow this?” the older man asks, eyes narrowing.
“Because,” Adrian replies, taking a sip of his iced tea. Gabriel pauses for a moment choosing his words carefully before speaking again.
“It would be irresponsible of me as a parent to allow my child to go out for the weekend to an unknown location with strangers I have never met.” his father informs him.
“It would be,” Adrian agrees.
“So you understand why I prefer you to stay home.”
“Yes I understand father.”
“Good,”
“I'm going anyway,” Adrian adds. “with or without your permission.” he takes another bite. It tastes more like spite than lobster and it's all he can do not to smile.
“Adrian,” his father says voice stern
“Yes?” Adrian replies evenly.
“I do not want you to leave this house this weekend,”
“I do not want to stay here this weekend,” Adrian says voice still surprisingly even.
“This is not up for debate,” Gabriel's no longer able to hide the growl in his voice.
“You're right, it isn't.” Adrian says standing from his chair and leaving the room.
“Do not walk away from me!... Adrian!”
Adrian doesn't bother to reply as he walks past Natalie and into the hall back to his room. In the distance he hears dishes hitting the floor. A memory of blood and broken china flashes across his mind and he runs the rest of the way. Locking the door behind him he grabs a pillow from his bed and throws it as hard as he can across the room. It falls short of the wall rolling once before going still.
“Your hand is feeling much better, didn't even see you wince that time.” Plagg tells him sitting on the other pillow. Adrian flexes his hand a few times. The pain is there, and at this point he's pretty sure it will be there the rest of his life. But it's nothing like it once was.
He just scowls for a moment before taking a deep breath of air and letting it out slowly, before going to take a shower to calm down.
Exiting the bathroom in sweatpants he flops on the bed towel still over his damp hair and changes his phone to his Chat Noir account.
Kitty: hey, you there?
It's a few moments before he sees her typing a reply.
Princess: i'm here, whats up?
Kitty: nothing
Princess: what happened?
Adrian should have known better. She can read Chat like a book.
Kitty: Just told dad i was going out for the weekend... he didn't like it
Princess: are you hurt?!
Kitty: No no! He just yelled..
Pincess: still.. you want to come over for a visit?
Kitty: Yes but I can't. Just talk with me a bit.
Princess: Anytime chaton :)
Adrian finds himself smiling when Marinette calls him by the same name as Ladybug does once in a while.
Kitty: thanks. What did you do today?
Princess: School, homework, the usual. How about you?
Kitty: Same... I told him I wanted to go out for the weekend.
Princess: didn't go well did it
Kitty: not overly. I'm coming over anyway.
Princess: We'll be here. Come over early if you need to. We got clothes here for you.
Kitty: thanks. I'll keep that option open if needed. Work on any new projects lately?
Princess: Still working on that blue dress.
Kitty: Need me to model it again?
Princess: You don't have the figure i need, but thanks for the offer lol
Kitty: have you seen this figure? I am fabulous! strikes pose
Princess: XD i can see you doing that now! Lol
Kitty: oh my! Didn't realize i had the camera on! Let me grab some pants!
Princess: Lmao! Stupid cat.
Kitty: 0:3
Princess:I think you might be a bit of a camera hog
Kitty: it's fun!
Princess: I perfer the limelight.
Kitty: I doubt that! You work with Jagged Stone! Your always winning contest with your fashion designs, your class prez as i recall, you take the lead when push
comes to shove. You might not jump up and down for attention, but your not shy about it.
Princess: Okay i see your point. Some things just happen.
Princess: it's been pretty quiet this week when it comes to akumas' thats kinda nice.
Kitty: It is. Though I have to be honest, i kinda dread the day Hawk Moth gets defeated
“What?” Marinette mutters looking over the sentence again. Yes, that is what Chat Noir had typed and sent her. Her partner, a loyal friend. Someone who would jumpjust head first into an akuma attack and not think twice about trying to save the victim. Why would he want that to keep going?!
Princess: why?
Kitty: Well i won't be chat noir anymore, and i won't be able to see ladybug... or you or your parents.
“Once it's over, you don't need to keep your identity hidden anymore, he can just visit like a normal person,” Tikki says from her place on the pillow next to her head. Marinette response.
Princess: we'll when that day comes you won't need your secret identity anymore anyway. So just come over and have dinner with us like a regular person.
Kitty: What if you don't like me under the mask?
Princess: Why would I like you better with a mask than without? You're still you silly kitty. You can just keep being you.
Kitty: I like that idea... but I still want to be chat noir for a while longer.
Princess: you'll have to be till hawk moth gives up or gets caught, there is still time to run across roof tops.
Kitty: It's so much fun! I'm going to take you out this weekend to see the city from my pov!
Princess: You don't need to do that
Kitty: don't worry, I won't drop you! Cats honor!
Princess: Lol alright then.
*knock knock
“Adrian. Are you alright in there?” Natalie calls through the door. Adrian pushes himself to his feet and moves to the door.
“Doesn't matter, does it?” he spits.
“To me it does.” Natalie replies. Adrian feels a twinge of guilt at his harshness to her.
“I'm fine, just pissed off.” he answers.
“Do you need anything?”
“No, I'm just doing some homework then going to bed.” he tells her.
“Alright then, good night.”
“Night,” he replies before returning to bed. He tosses the towel in the direction of the bathroom.
Princess: did you want to make pizza again this weekend?
Princess: Kitty?
Princess: You there?
Kitty:Ya, just working on some homework before bed.
Princess: Alright, i'll let you get to it.
Kitty: No thats okay, i'm just about done.
Princess: Ok.. what else you want to talk about?
Kitty: I don't really know.. 20 questions?
Princess: Shoot
“Damn it.... ok Google, help me,” Adrian says Googling questions to ask a girl.
Kitty: What is the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in primary school?
Princess: I sat in gum and no one told me.
“That explains why she really didn't like me on the first day” Adrian mutters reading her reply.
Princess: What would you do if you had a million dollars?
“I do have a million dollars.” Adrian grins, “just can't get it.”
Kitty: Travel the world!! I wanna see it all!!
Princess: lol i think i asked that already.
Kitty: No take backs!! What would you grab if your house was on fire?
Princess: I wanna say my sewing machine, but logicaly i think my phone would be best. It's a lot harder to replace and has all my pics on it
Kitty: Good choice
Princess: Which fictional character scares you the most and why?
Kitty: Damn, gonna give me nightmare tonight. When i was little mom and dad thought i was to bed so they put on a scary movie. I snuck out of my room to watch it, when i got to the door and saw the tv. There was a women on it walking out of a room, and there was this bigfoot monster walking behind her eating her brain out of her skull as she walked with this look of horror on her face and there was jsut gushing blood ever where. I didn't really understand what i was seeing and it scared the life out of me. So i don't know the movie but that bigfoot looking thing that was eating the womans brains out of the back of her head. That thing will haunt me the rest of my life.
Princess: I”m sorry i asked, i'll never sleep again.
Kitty: I think it was some kinda comidy horror movie but I was so little i only got the horror part.
Princess: Mama and papa were never much for horror movie, so i got lucky i never had that kinda encounter with the tv. If you got stuck in the elevator and was forced to listen to only one song, which would it be?
Kitty: Logically something calm and classical would be a good choice, but i'd still test my luck with anything Jagged stone!
Princess: You know it!
Kitty: If you could jump into a pool of anything, what would it be?
Princess: OH so many things i could say, but gonna keep it simple with chocolate! What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
Kitty is typing
Kitty has stopped tying.
Kitty is typing.
Marinette keeps an eye on the time watching it go form one minute to the next. Maybe she should toss him an out if he doesn't want to answer.
Kitty: It's okay not to be okay. You mama told me that. I think I really needed to hear it.
“That's nice to hear,” Tikii says, reading over her shoulder.
“It is,” Marinette replies, tying again.
Princess: She's pretty smart when it comes to what others need. She always seems to know.
Kitty: Your just like her
Princess: I try
Kitty: You do good.
Princess: feeling better?
Kitty: ya, thanks for chatting with me.
Princess: anytime.
Kitty: think its time to turn in.
Princess: ok night night kitty
Kitty: Night princess
Adrian yawns, plugging in his phone and setting it on the nightstand. He grabs a shirt and pulls it on before tucking himself in bed next to Plagg feeling much better.
“So how's Princess?” Plagg asks.
“She's good.” Adrian answers feeling the pull of sleep.
“Not going to see her tonight?”
“No, I'll be there on the weekend, and I'll see her tomorrow at school.”
“Good! I don't feel like transforming you tonight, just so you can sneak off to see your new crush.”
“I do not have a crush on Marinette, Plagg.” Adrian says feeling much like a broken record.
“Not yet anyway” the kwami says with a yawn before rolling over and falling into a deep sleep.
Adrian just rolls his eyes. At this point he knows there is no point in arguing.
.......
Adrian doesn't see his father for the next two days. Normally not something strange, but this time it actively feels like his father is avoiding him. Adrian brings extra clothes to school and hides them in the bottom of his locker in preparation for the weekend if he is unable to leave the house of his own free will.
Friday comes too quickly and Adrian is standing there on the school steps feeling very much like throwing up.
“I can't believe we're going to be staying at The Plaza Athénée the entire weekend! Oh this is going to be so much fun Adrikins! We're gonna have the penthouse all to ourselves and -” Chloe howls hanging off his arm. The limo was waiting a few feet away from them. Natalie and his father inside the vehicle waiting for him.
It seems that Gabriel believes that Adrian will not cause a scene on the street with so many eyes on him. His gamble was right. Adrian weighs his options, which are limited at best.
**Some note about Gabe's counter move**
If he physically runs for it, it will draw attention. The media, the fans. Things he doesn't want. He can't make an excuse not to go, because really? What excuse could there be NOT to stay a weekend in Paris's most expensive and luxurious resort? On top of that his father also invited Chloe along, which would serve as Adrian's own personal ball n chain. Making sneaking off 1000% harder.
He glances over his shoulder at his friends with a look of despair as he's pulled into the back of the limo by Chloe, still talking about nothing. He lets her get in first causing her to sit between him and his father. This is the first time his father has been within the 10 foot radius established in the agreement. He sits as close to the door as he can.
There is conversation around him, but he keeps his eyes trained on the building and people passing outside the window. His insides feel like they are going to bubble over. He never should have walked out the front door of the school thinking it would be fine to go home, pack then leave.
He consciously keeps an eye on his hands to make sure they don't ball into fists. Thinking it over, maybe breaking out into a dead sprint in the middle of the street in the middle of the day might not have been such a bad idea. How much drama would it cause really? He could make up an excuse about thinking he saw an akuma and was running for a place to hide. Maybe say he suddenly wanted to join the school's running team...
“Adrian!”
He snaps his head back to the others.
“What do you think Adrian?” Natalie asks.
“About what?” Adrian asks.
“About moving the spring photo shoot a few weeks earlier.” she repeats.
“It's impolite to ignore people around you simply because you're in a sour mood.” his father scolds him.
“I believe that works both ways, Father.” Adrian snaps before he's even aware of what he's just said. The silence in the car is like thunder. Adrian stares down the older man a few seats away from him challenging him to do or say something. His father might not hold his tongue when Natalie was in the room, but Chloe is another matter. And in that moment he realized his father's biggest mistake. Not for Adrian but for himself.
By bringing Chloe along he's essentially tied his own hands when it comes to what he can do or say to his son. Adrian feels the pull of a smile at his lips. He will get out of this, and be at Marinette's in time to help make pizza for supper.
“I don't mind.” Adrian says to Natalie. The limo pulls up in front of the hotel and they all step out. In the lobby Adrian listens to the blonde next to him waiting for the cue he knows is coming.
“Really! I can't believe they let tourists in here!” she hisses watching a tourist take a pic of the flowers on the center table.
There it is.
“I know right? Walking in here like they are important as you.” Adrian says.
“Oh thank goodness you understand Adrian!” Chloe coos.
“Not a single person even looked up when you walked in.” he reminds her. A complete lie as there was someone to open the door and greet them before they were over the threshold, but those are minor details. He feels Gorilla's massive presence behind him blocking his escape.“If I didn't know better, I would say they think you're no one important. Just another girl.” Adrian pushes.
Chloe gets even louder, barking demands, ordering people around and causing a scene.
The look he gets from his father is enough to kill a normal man, but Adrian is not a normal man. He is a pissed off teen hell bent on causing enough chaos around him to make it easy enough to walk out without a single person noticing, and give his father’s platinum blond locks some gray.
Adrian leans over and whispers in her ear, “If you were to trip on this rug and fall down, could you imagine the scandal? The trouble they would be in? Someone, everyone, would be fired on the spot.”
Out of context this would seem evil for him to suggest. And maybe to anyone it would be, but this is Chloe and if there is one thing Chloe loves more then being the center of attention is being the center of attention and getting someone fired for it. The fake fall is something she had learned young when her mother and father were always too busy to be around. Chloe would trip or fall and 'hurt' her knee or ankle and have to be pampered back to health. It was also the few times her real parents bothered to check in on her. Only when it became a commonplace occurrence and she was confined to her room to the point of insanity from boredom did it stop.
He catches the sparkle in her eye before she takes three steps forward and falls flat on her face.
“OW! Something tripped me! Oh it hurts! My ankle! I need a doctor! I'll sue!” she wails from the floor gripping her leg.
Gorilla and Natalie are by her side in seconds all attention is on Chloe and not a single person is looking at him. Adrian turns and walks right out the door he just came in, pulls his hood up over his head and face and walks away.
Gabriel's eyes just catch the back of his son's jacket in the window to the right of the door before he's simply gone. Chloe is still howling on the floor in pain; he can not order Gorilla or Natalie to go after him, and he doesn't dare risk it himself for fear of what Adrian might do.
Adrian's changed since he left and Gabriel doesn't know how to deal with this new person that has taken over his son's body. Adrian used to be so kind and quiet and obedient. Always did what he was told and never fussed.
This person is sharp tongued, devious, and angry. He isn't pulling punches when it comes to getting what he wants. He demands it, and if he doesn't get it, takes it anyway or twists the situation to fit his needs and get what he wants. Gabriel knows Adrian does not like to make a public scene almost as much as he does. So he bet the public pickup at school and the weekend at the hotel where he could at least have his bodyguard keep an eye on him would work easily. He added Chloe to the mix because she would be hanging off him every second preventing him from having time to sneak off to wherever he's been hiding.
His miscalculation was Adrian knew Chloe better then he did it seemed, looking at the drama a few feet away. From the car to the lobby he had wound her up enough to get her on the floor literally screaming for attention with every pair of eyes on her. And Adrian simply walked away. He was gone, just like that. Someplace he doesn't know with people he knows nothing about. His palms have imprints of his fingernails in them when he finally manages to unclench his fist.
He feels Nuuroo shiver in his pocket.
Once the drama is over he gets back in the car and goes home.
................
“Hey!” Marinette greets when he slips in the skylight silently. She's concerned less then a second later when he doesn't reply, have his bag of clothes for the weekend or make eye contact. Just sits on her bed looking at the pattern in the quilt, cat ears stuck to his head. She climbs the ladder and crawls over to him. He turns his face away from her avoiding her eyes, still not talking.
“Are you hurt?” she asks.
He shakes his head no.. then yes. Brings his hand up to his chest and taps his heart. He can't say out loud but she seems to understand and hugs him. He hugs her back feeling himself calm down.
It doesn't matter what happened at the school or the hotel. All that matters is that he's here with them and it's going to be alright. Even just for the weekend.
“I want pineapple on my pizza,” he says quietly.
“Fine! But only your half!” she sighssigns.
Chat grins.
“Let's go make that pizza,” she says, rustling his hair with her hand. He nods, following Marinette to the kitchen where her parents are already relaxing. Sabine is watching tv, while Tom putters around the kitchen stacking ingredients on the counter.
“You made it!” Tom says giving Chat a hug that lifts the blond off his feet.
“I made it!” he says, being hugged by Sabine once Tom lets him go. Chat revels in the human contact more than he should.
Pizza is a grand creation that Marinette isn't sure even should exist with the amount of pineapple on it. They are all chilling on the couch watching a sitcom about nerds vs geeks trying to take over the school while the rest of the students just watch the madness with no idea what is really going on.
“How was school this week Chat?” Tom asks.
“Good, passed both my tests.” he says, reaching for his ice tea.
“That's good. Has anyone been picking on you?” Sabine asks.
“No. No one really picks on me that I can think of.” Chat says mulling over the question.
“That's good. Marinette, what about you? Chloe is still bothering you?”
Marinette shrugs, “She's not as bad as she used to be.” she says taking another bite of her pizza. Chat watches the conversation around him. Most parents ask, 'how was your day?' or 'what did you learn today?' and get the typical reply of, 'good' or 'nothing'. Asking a kid who is picking on them directly opens up an interesting branch of conversation.
“She is getting older, so hopefully she will grow out of it soon,” her father says.
“I won't hold my breath,” Marinette mutters.
“Are you ready to go?” Chat asks stretching as he stands.
“Ya, just let me get my boots and jacket,” Marinette says, putting the dishes in the sink.
“Where are you two going?”
“Chat is going to take me around the city to see some of the sights from the rooftops.” Marinette tells them.
“Alright, be safe and don't stay out too long. The temperature is going to drop tonight.” Tom says, flipping through the channels.
“We will! Bye!” they wave heading up the steps to the balcony.
“Our little girl is on a date with the hero of Paris!” Sabine chimes, unable to keep the smile off her face.
“Yep, they grow up so fast.” he replies.
“Do you think they know it's a date?” she asks.
“Probably not. Best not tell them, might scare them off.” Tom says. Sabine agrees and they both settle down for a relaxing evening.
"So... how long before they actually get together?"
“Do you wanna make a bet?”
....
“Wow! This is amazing!” Marinette says standing on the rooftop looking over at the Eiffel tower. Lights shimmering in the dark. She's seen it before, but it's still breathtaking.
“Ya, there are some other places too that just blow your mind.” he says leaning back against the giant metal air conditioner on the roof. This is their second stop in this little 'Paris by night via rooftop' tour he's taking her on. He's got two more places in mind to show her, and any place else she wants to see.
Marinette takes a few pics and sends them to her parents before stepping back over to Chat. He's wearing a borrowed brown jacket over his costume again. There isn't a cloud in the sky letting the stars sparkle.
“Thanks for taking me out to see this.” she tells him. He can only see her eyes over the dark blue scarf around the bottom of her face covering her nose and mouth. The rest is hidden under layers of jackets, mittens and sweaters.
“The least I can do for the Princess who took care of me.” he tells her. He can see her eyes crinkle as she smiles.
“Where to next?” she asks.
“If we go now, we might be able to catch Versailles Night Fountain Show.” he says checking the time and map on his staff.
“That sounds amazing!” she says. Chat laughs, kneeling down to allow her to climb onto his back again. She wraps her arms around him tight as he extends his staff and they jump into the night.
“We might be early, or late.” she says looking around.
“I forgot they shut the water fountains off for the winter.” Chat says smacking himself in the forehead.
“I mean that makes sense, they would just freeze, and the spray would make everything covered in ice.” Marinette explains.
They walk around the frozen garden. The ice and snow crunching under their feet as they pass. Marinette then runs out into one of the open lawns and makes a snowball. She lays it in the snow and then starts to roll it.
"A snowman?" Chat asks.
"Yep! Help me make the rest."
Chat does as he's told and soon they are both standing in front of a lopsided snowpile. Some broken twigs and a few stones finish the creation and it stands there smiling back at them.
"Not bad." Marinette says adjusting an eyebrow.
"That was pretty simple." Chat says.
"This is your first one?"
"No, but it has been a few years."
"Let's take a pic and send it to mama and papa."
Chat grins like a mad man as he stands with an arm over the shoulders of his creations.
"As photogenic as always," Marinette says, showing him the pic. While Chat isn't looking, Marinette grabs a handful of snow, forming it into a ball. she throws it at him hitting him square in the back.
"Hey!" he cries, turning around. Marinette giggles, diving behind the snowman for cover as she makes another ball.
"Think fast!" she yells, launching another at him. He dodges it easily, grabbing snow for a counter attack.
"I don't have cover!" he complains, hitting the snowman in the face by mistake.
"You have super powers!! No excuse!" she laughs getting hit in the shoulder, her shot going wide.
"Got ya!" he cheers.
"Need to do better than that Kitty!" she teases as they run around the snowman. She tries to keep it between him and her but she slips in the snow and gets tackled. They both end up in a laughing pile in the snow. She laughs as she watches the snowflakes get stuck in his hair.
Cheeks rosy, laying there in the snow next to her she wonders how often he's just been this happy. He turns his head catching her eyes. His green cat eyes still sparkling from playing around.
Little moments make him so happy. She thinks, shoving a handful of fluffy snow into his face. An action she regrets soon after when he pins her down with his super strength as she kicks and screams returning the favor. After a few more hand fulls of snow a truce is called. Along with a later date of a proper snow ball fight with forts and teams, if she can convince her mama and papa to join them.
They start walking again down another frozen flower path. Marinette leads the way just ahead of him taking pictures of random things. Chat opens his mouth to speak, then closes it again. She didn't ask, but he feels like he needs to tell her. Like he owes her an explanation of his mood earlier. Or maybe he just wants to talk to someone about what happened. But then again, she did see Adrian be taken away by his father with Chloe.
"What do you want to do tomorrow? What's wrong?" She asks when she turns and sees him not really looking at anything.
"Nothing,"
"Something's bothering you."
He shrugs
"Tell me about it." she says.
"I can't."
"Tell me a lie then." she says.
"What?"
"You can't tell me the truth, then tell me a lie. Tell me something that will make you feel better. A half truth. Part of what happened. Talk to me till you feel better." Marinette tells him sitting on a snowy bench and beckoning him to join her. He hesitates before sitting.
Chat wrings his hands together, and after a moment starts to talk.
“He.. I.. I was put in a situation where I had limited options to get away. But I have a friend who I've known since we were little. Asked him for a distraction and he made a pretty big fool of himself for me so I could just walk away before anyone noticed. I owe him pretty big for that.” Chat explains as simply as he can.
“It's good you had someone like that around.” Marinette says.
“Probably gonna have repercussions when I get back.” Chat mutters.
“If things ever go south, come home to us. Doesn't matter if it's the weekend or not.” she tells him. He's heard this so many times by now, but it still makes his stomach flutter knowing he has a place he's welcome.
Chat looks at her and smiles.
"Did that help?"
"Yes, thank you." he says
He watches her yawn out of the corner of his eye. It's contagious and he's yawning soon too.
“I think it's time to head back,” she says. Her breath visible in the air. He can feel the temperature dropping even through his layers and leather.
“I think you're right, princess.” he stands before kneeling in front of her allowing her to climb on his back.
“This was nice though. Thanks for bringing me." Marinette says, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Next time we'll go out when it's snowing. Maybe even go sledding on the hill.” he offers.
It's not long before they land on her roof again and climb down. Marinette's parents are already in bed. A set of sleeping clothes, his fabric mask, pillow and blanket are on the couch waiting for him. He changes and tucks himself onto the couch he didn't realize he missed so much.
“Claws in,”
Plagg yawns as he zips over to the fridge and helps himself to a snack.
“I have to admit, I was kinda impressed with how you got away from your father today.”
And just like that Adrian is once again in a bad mood. He frowns, turning over to face the couch.
“What?”
“Could you not remind me, that would be great.” Adrian grumbles.
“It was a compliment!”
“Yep! Just amazing! Nothing like being kidnaped in public by your own father where you can't say a thing, and then getting put in a situation where there is NO way out other than to trick your friend into making a fool of themselves so you can escape in the chaos just so you can feel happy for a few days. Ignore the fact that he's been avoiding me all week, and then pulling this little stunt just to control me, and where I go, and what I do, and who I talk to!! I can't even remember the last time he willingly wanted to go anywhere with me for a weekend and the only reason he does is because I have plans and he doesn't want me to do what I want! No! He can get stuffed! I'm done!" Adrian snaps bitterly. Plagg can feel the waves of anger almost come from the boy. He wonders if Hawk Moth has Adrian's emotions on mute or something.
"Sorry," Plagg says.
"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be yelling at you." he says letting out a long breath as he calms himself down.
"No, but you do need to talk to someone about your feelings." Plagg tells him.
"You mean like a therapist?"
"Shrink, whatever they are called." Plagg says sliding down the back of the couch to him.
"Won't work. I know I would ramble over into Chat Noir stuff... and if Natalie or Father ever saw my personal files it would be a mess. Or he could just do what he does best and bribe them to tell him everything." Adrian tells him.
"Probably. He isn't much for personal space." Plagg says.
"I get more personal space on a stranger's couch then I do at home." Adrian says, pulling the blanket up over Plagg on the pillow next to his head.
"We don't need to worry about it again till Monday, night kid."
"Night Plagg." Adrian says, closing his eyes and falling asleep.
....
"What happened today?" Tikki asks when Plagg and her meet down in the bakery a little bit later.
*Kwamis can't say holder's names
"After the school we got to the hotel and Adrian made Chloe cause a big scene so he could just walk out without being noticed. He's not happy about it." Plagg explains eating a cheese biscuit.
"I can imagine."
"You think Marinette has put together that Chat and Adrian are the same person?"
"Not yet. Remember, people only see what they want to see. If she isn't looking for Adrian she won't see him."
"Humans are pretty dumb. He's sleeping on her couch"
"I know."
"We'll he's here till Sunday, so he's got time to relax and be himself."
"You alright with the half transformation so long?"
"I want more cheese."
"Night Plagg"
"Night."
Pancakes are what is on the stove when he opens his eyes the next morning.
He hasn't had pancakes since his first time here and he threw them up. Thankfully he doesn't have a repeat performance. Also he finds out he prefers waffles to pancakes.
.....