Story of a first kiss.

Part 7: Everything alright?

Adrien was feeling uneasy by the next morning, he trusted Luka, but he had to admit that Simon had been right. The situation had been suspicious.

It was noon and the bodyguard was cleaning the limo. With his bedroom window wide open, Simon could hear Adrien playing the piano. At that moment he was playing vigorously. His emotions were clearly reflected in the intensity with which he was hitting each key.
Simon sat for a moment and ran a hand over his face. That was no way to spend a summer vacation, he thought to himself.

Adrien did not know for how long he had been playing, but when he stopped to drink water he became aware of the pain he felt in his fingers. He went to the window and for a moment stared at the birds flying and playing on the edge of the high wall that surrounded the mansion. He sighed and looked down. Simon was there, sitting up with both hands at the side of his head, his elbows resting on his legs.

Simon felt guilty when Adrien called him 'dad', Adrien knew that. But when this happened, Adrien didn't do it consciously.
Simon listened him patiently, respected his opinions, and gave him advice rather than orders. He was there when he needed him no matter how busy he was. He spent time with him and it was clear that he enjoyed his company too. Of course internally he would become a father figure to Adrien.

"Alright. You win. ...again." Adrien said to himself, taking the cell phone out from his pocket.

Plagg started coughing up from having tried to speak at the same time he was eating a large piece of camembert.
Still coughing, he flew to Adrien's shoulder and caught sight of him sending a series of emojis to the bodyguard's number.
They saw Simon taking out his phone. He jumped to his feet when he saw the message and quickly looked up towards the window.
Adrien nodded. Simon responded the gesture in the same way. For a second Simon gave him the thumbs up to tell him that he wished him good luck.

"Whaaaaat? I can not believe this! So... are we really going to go snooping through your future husband's things?!? " Plagg asked excitedly.

"Of course not." Adrien responded slightly offended. "We are going to take the road less traveled."

Plagg stared at him with an expression that told him he didn't understand.

"The adult alternative." Adrien added.

"Talk clearly to me!" Plagg said impatiently.

"I'm going to go talk to him. Ask him directly. " Adrien said.

Plagg laughed out loud. Adrien crossed his arms as he waited for the kwami to finish.

"Please Adrien, who tells the truth when questions are asked directly?" Plagg asked.

"Many people! Not all people are what you think. " Adrien said.

"Oh yeah? Let's see, then. Tell me... why do you apologize to Simon every time you call him 'dad'? " Plagg said with a smile from ear to ear.

"Well, it's just that ... he's not my father." Adrien said, avoiding looking the kwami directly into his eyes.

"But it's not like that is an insult. I think it is rather the opposite. So I do not understand why the need for an apology. Explain it to me, please." Plagg insisted.

"At another time. It's getting late." Adrien said.

Adrien saw Plagg smirking.

"I trust Luka, Plagg." Adrien said before transforming.

* * *

By the time he arrived at the Couffaine boathouse, Chat Noir was no longer feeling so confident about his plan. He feared it would be too invasive to reach out and question Luka about his activities.

He started pacing on the deck, wondering what would be the best way to ask the question when he suddenly felt like he was being watched. He looked around and saw Luka's head poking out, looking at him curiously.
Taken by surprise, Chat Noir jumped back.

"Hello there. Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. It's just that I heard someone's footsteps on deck. It sounded as if they were dancing so I came to see if I could join." Luka said jokingly.

Chat Noir blushed. "Oh, right. My boots can be a bit noisy. Sorry."

"It's okay don't worry." Luka smiled. "Tell me, how can I help you?"

Luka's eyes widened when something occurred to him. Chat swallowed when he saw Luka coming closer until he was very close.
"Do you need the help from..." Luka said, pausing to look around him. "Viperion?"

Chat Noir couldn't help himself and looked down from Luka's eyes to his lips for a moment. Luka noticed this and nervously looked away from him.

"N-no. It's not that. I just wanted to ask you if everything was okay with you. " Chat Noir responded, walking to the starboard side of the ship and leaning on the side of the ship. He hoped he was succeeding in his act of feeling calm, because inside him he was actually feeling very nervous to be alone with Luka.

"Huh? Yeah... everything is fine." Luka replied, taken by surprise by the question. He walked to the side and leaned back next to Chat.

"Whyyy do you ask me that?" Luka said.

"Oh, it's just that yesterday while on patrol I was surprised to see lights in the park, I went down to see and when I was there I noticed you leaving a part of the park that is somewhat dangerous. I just wanted to make sure that no one was bothering you. Forcing you to go there or something like that. " Chat Noir said.

"Oh, that! No, nobody bothers me. " Luka answered relieved. "I know it is a place that can be dangerous because of how lonely it can be, but that is precisely why I like to go there. I like to be in contact with nature. "

The spontaneity in Luka's response and the way he was smiling at him were proof enough for Chat Noir to believe that he was hearing the truth. He was so relieved that without thinking about what he was doing, he hugged Luka.
Luka didn't know what to do. The superhero's gesture was very unexpected. His arms were trapped under Chat's, so he couldn't try to hug him back either.
Chat Noir was lost in the moment, his head high in the clouds. He leaned his head against Luka's. Feeling the hair of his loved against his face. Suddenly, he became aware of what he was doing and quickly ended the hug.

Still very close to Luka, he smiled shyly at him. "It's just that I've been having a bit of a rough day and I... I think I'm a bit emotional." Chat said, apologizing.

"Well... we all need a good hug from time to time." Luka said still a little nervous.

Chat Noir smiled. He seemed to see something in Luka's gaze.
With his identity protected by the mask he felt brave enough to dare to do something that Adrien had not accomplished.
He slowly brought his face closer to Luka's.
Luka held his breath. His heart began to beat rapidly when he saw Chat Noir pulling his face even closer as he closed his eyes.
He hurriedly placed his hands on Chat's shoulders to keep him from getting any closer. Chat opened his eyes.

"I'm very flattered Chat, but..." Luka said, looking down. "There is already a boy with whom I am completely in love."

Chat Noir wanted to fall back and fall into the water thinking that Luka could be referring to him, to Adrien.

"He is a very lucky boy." Chat said, kissing him on the cheek.

Luka blushed.

"Well... I came to see that everything was fine with you." Chat said. "Now I must go."

"Thank you for worrying about me." Luka said with a shy smile.

"It has been a pleasure. Let Ladybug or me know if you need our help." Chat said before flying off, propelled by his staff.

Luka smirked. He turned to go back inside and stumbled when he saw his mother in the doorway. Her hands on her mouth. Her eyes reflecting the emotion she felt.

"My son and Chat Noir!!!" Anarka Couffaine exclaimed. "Let's go to the kitchen son. Mom wants to hear the whooole story!"