HBBIC (Head Bitches & Bastard In Charge)

Beware of the Red Lion

Nathaniel stared up at the menacing gate that stood between him... And whatever the fuck Gabriel Agreste had in store for him.

"Hey, Nathaniel," Adrien greeted, looking a bit nervous and also a tad confused. "So, my father talked to me yesterday and asked me to tell you to come to the manor on Saturday," he said, though it sounded more like a question, and Nathaniel completely understood. A grown man asking his son to invite a boy from school over to their house? That's a little sus.

Nathaniel arched an eyebrow and leaned against his locker. "Your dad wants me to come to the manor?" Adrien nodded. "For what exactly?"

"I asked, but he said it was business." The blonde shrugged. "I-I don't know."

Nathaniel could only stare at the blonde. "Oh... I see." Ignoring Adrien's confusion, he turns on his heel and makes his way out the door.

Adrien called after him, "Nathaniel? Is everything alright?" His only response was the other male turning towards him with an ominous smirk that sent chills down his spine before leaving.

Nathaniel often wondered to himself, 'Is it wrong to enjoy other people fearing you?' But he shoved those feelings to the side ages ago when he made Travis Nicholson cry like a baby. Yeah, good times.

Straightening his black blazer, he goes to press the doorbell, not flinching when a camera shoots out from the wall and looks him up and down.

"Nathaniel Kurtzberg, I presume?" Nathalie's voice asked through the speaker. What Nathaniel noticed though, was the slight wavering tone in her voice. He decides to keep that in mind for later while wondering if she knew something about this "business' Gabriel wants to discuss with him.

Yes, Nathaniel knows exactly what "business" means. So it's like this- When a family member is invited over to come and talk "business" with a powerful person, whether it's a politician, tech mogul, just some stuffy rich person, or in this case- An asshole fashion mogul, there's usually a catch. One that ends horribly for one party.

"Nathan, my boy," his grandfather said to him when he was seven. "Remember this: There are eyes and ears all around. And once they catch you, they'll ask for... Let's call them 'favors.'"

The young red-haired boy tilted his head, making the elder man chuckle as he tussled his hair.

"See, when I was in my thirties, a man... Let's call him 'Diablo' asked me to help him out."

"Did you?" Nathaniel asked innocently.

"Oh no. Nathan, you know what I do for a living, right?"

He nodded enthusiastically with a grin to match. "Uh-huh! You get rid of bad guys like Batman."

His grandfather chuckled. "You're a nerd, kid, you know that? Anyway, Diablo is like a Batman villain, but no one knew because of his wealth and ability to make the bad things he's done disappear using his influence. Although, I had my suspicions. When we met up, he asked me for protection so he could get away with bad things that are against the law."

"Like robbing a bank?"

The man went silent for a moment. This story wasn't exactly suitable for kids, especially this part. "... Let's just say this- He enjoyed hurting women."

Nathaniel frowned. "But hurting girls is wrong!"

"That's my boy," he said, giving the redhead a hearty pat on the back. "And you're right, hurting girls is wrong. Not only was he doing that, but he was also hurting poor people like those you see living in the streets, and so much other stuff. So, I did the smart thing. I recorded my conversation with the wretched man and gave the recording to the police. Of course, though, I never met with them face-to-face."