Sometimes We Just Need A Bit of Cheering Up

Adrien

    "Son, come near. I have something to tell you," Gabriel said. Scared, Adrien pulled a chair that was nearby, close to his father's wide bed. He had a strong feeling that he did something wrong without knowing it. He already thought that his father thought he was a disappointment.
     "Son, I don't have very much time left. I don't know for sure how long until then, but I want you to take over the company." Adrien had gotten so used to Gabriel's scary and intimidating demeanor that it had shocked him that his father spoke so quietly right now.
     "Why, Father? Why do you say you have limited time?" Adrien asked curiously.
     "I have Melanoma. It's not a very common type of cancer." He paused for a moment. "I know what you're going to say, and yes, I have gone to the best doctors in Paris. They all say that it's curable, but it can come back at any time." Nathalie, who had been standing close by, nodded and looked at him sadly. The man she had fallen in love with might be gone forever. All because those stupid magical creatures, the kwamis, had caused him this illness.
     Obviously Adrien didn't know about him and the Miraculous of the Butterfly. Nathalie did. She knew that the Miraculous had weakened him immensely. She tried to warn him, but as stubborn as he was, he didn't listen. Nathalie excused herself out of the room. She couldn't bear it any longer. She went to her room and as soon as she closed her bedroom door, she burst to tears.
     Adrien knew he had to get his father's approval for a wife, and even though he hadn't asked the question yet, his father somehow magically read his mind.
     "Before you ask, yes, I really like Marinette. She has great talent and some amazing designs. If you want to marry her... go head. She seems really kind and it looks like she loves you for who you are, not because of your looks or wealth or fame." Adrien was speechless. Of course, he was going to marry her wether his father liked it or not. Yes, that made him very happy, but getting approval from Gabriel Agreste was more awesome than awesome. Gabriel pulled out a small box with black velvet surrounding it. Slowly, he opened it to reveal what was inside.
     "Mother's engagement ring?" Adrien was more than a little surprised to see that his father likes his girlfriend well enough to give him the exact ring that Gabriel had proposed to Emilie with. He was hesitant to take it, but Gabriel shoved the box into Adrien's hand before he changed his mind about giving him his precious Emilie's engagement ring.
     My mind was still stuck on my father's words.
I have Melanoma. It's not a very common type of cancer.
I have Melanoma.
Melanoma.
Melanoma.
   Since I got out of the mansion that I grew up in, that hardly ever felt like a home, all the way to our small apartment. Plagg came back to me with a huge piece of Camembert. I was tempted to say my transformation words, but there was no where to go. The thing is... I can't even go out for a run without thinking of those three words. Thankfully, Hawk Moth's latest akumas haven't been too powerful. Maybe he's giving up? Plagg offered me some of his cheese, but I politely rejected his offer.
     "Cheese?"
     "No, thanks, Plagg."
      I know Plagg knows something is off, and I'm pretty sure that Tikki and Marinette know, too. Even Nino thinks so, but I can't bring myself to tell them. I don't want them to have to suffer because of my problems.
       "Kid, I'm not gonna try and pressure you into telling, but Pigtails and Sugar cube know something is off." He said. "Even if you don't say anything, all three of us are in pain, too. Trust me on this. I know pain. I've experienced it before with previous holders. When people are hurting, everyone who loves you and cares about you, they suffer along with you. No matter how much you try to hide it, as long as you're hurting, sometimes their pain is worse than your own. We just want to let you know that we are all here for you. Everyone, Alya, Nino, Marinette, Tikki, and I, will be with you by your side all the time, okay?"
     "Thanks, Plagg." I hugged the black floating cat. Sometimes, when he really wanted to, he could be really expressive and show his softer side. To my surprise, Marinette and Tikki were standing at my door, smiling softly. Marinette came up to me and hugged me. I hugged back, squeezing her. She may not have been able to breathe for some time, but she didn't try to move. Instead she whispered in my ear.
     "We'll give you as much time as you need. We love you. I love you."
     I was shocked, but those 8 letters was what I really needed.
    "I love you, too, Marinette." I whispered back. It was Tikki's turn to hug me by giving me a small cheek hug. Catching me off guard, the other Kwamis hug-attacked me, making me fall on my bed. I gotta say, it was the cutest attack ever. It was the first time in months that someone, other than Marinette, made me genuinely laugh.