Warped Reality

Chapter Fourteen

Adrien

He took a breath of fresh, crisp air, shivering as it swarmed into lungs that felt like fire. He heard footsteps behind him, and a blush raced across his face. She probably thought he was a coward.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that." He mumbled, turning around to look at her.

Her arms were filled with her bookbag and his jacket. He smiled sheepishly, pulling his jacket from her and putting it on.

"I'm not. Made you seem more real, I guess."

She smiled, and he raked his gaze over her, taking in everything that had happened. He had slept with her, a supposed enemy, and she had comforted him, when he seemed to be losing it.

"Besides, that makes us even. Now I know you won't tell anyone about that, because if you did, I'd just tell them about your fear."

And just like that, sour hatred tainted his tounge.

"Of course that's what you would care about."

"Excuse me?"

He watched her for a moment, before shaking his head. It would be a long road to get them to the level of friendship he and the real Marinette had. Even if that wasn't all he wanted anymore. But baby steps. He reached forward, pulling free the strand of hair she had been inspecting earlier. He held it between them, twisting it in his fingers until the light hit it just right.

"See? Raven feathers."

He glanced up at her, and was suprised to find her eyes on his, a dark blush evident on her cheeks. He slowly let go of her hair, sticking his hands into his pockets.

"I don't suppose we could revisit the whole 'never speak of it again, never happening again' thing, could we?"

She looked away at his words, a small smile touching her mouth as she shook her head.

"Ask me again in a few weeks."

Fair enough. He could wait for her. Not like he was waiting around for his lady to show up anyway.

"I'm gonna go back to class. The principal will kill me if I leave."

He nodded in agreement, his mind dancing back to the conversation the entire class had overheard. He wondered what she could have done to make Chat Noir think she was crazy.

"I'll see you later then?"

She nodded, turning and taking off back up the steps. He watched her go, before turning in the direction of his house. He wasn't really one to skip school, but he didn't feel like staying locked up in a classroom after that vent incident. He'd just have to return for detention.

* * * * *

"You're home from school early." His mother commented when he walked into the kitchen, and he gave her a small smile.

"Another fight?" His father piped in, stepping into the kitchen with a now empty mug.

"Ah, no sir. Acuma attack this time. I needed a break."

His mother turned to him, her eyes wide with worry.

"Another one? Why don't they just close down the schools? It obviously isn't safe anymore."

He felt his chest tighten at the thought of homeschooling. But maybe it wouldn't be so bad. He'd have his mother and his father seemed to care about him more here.

"Oh relax honey. I'm sure it's fine. Ladybug and Chat Noir will always save us."

Gabriel smiled, refilling his coffee.