Our Heroes (mlb x pjo x avengers)

(24) Cough, Cough...Looks Like it's Back to Bed For Me...

[Natasha's POV]

"So, how did you guys get your powers?" Tony asked the four teenagers as they all finished demonstrating their various battle strengths.

All four of them averted their eyes, trying to focus on something else.

"Well?" Natasha pressed. Each of the teenagers looked like they were having an inner battle on the subject.

Finally, Nico decided to break the silence and simply said, "Genetics."

"What? How? I think we would have noticed if more people had powers," Steve added.

"Well, you clearly didn't," Nico said curtly. No one but Natasha noticed that Ladybug and Chat Noir avoided the question.

The Avengers looked put off by Nico's short answers. "Anyway," Nico said, sitting down on a yoga mat on the ground, "Are you guys going to be staying in this...ship thingy the entire time you're in Paris? It doesn't seem very convenient to meet here each time."

He's not wrong, Natasha thought.

"Good point," Steve said. "We'll look for somewhere better to stay." Nico nodded, appearing satisfied.

Natasha thought, Why does he look so relieved? Does he not like the helicarrier? Or...Oh. Maybe he doesn't like that we're underwater.

Chat Noir cleared his throat and said, "We should be getting back soon. People will start wondering where we are." Ladybug nodded in agreement. They all decided to walk outside with the Parisians and watched them swing away.

"Now what?" Steve asked, looking at the others.

Tony sighed and said, "I'll go look for places we can stay while we're in Paris."

"I'll go with you," Bruce offered. The two of them walked back into the helicarrier.

"Want me to teach you guys how to use a sword?" Nico offered to Steve and Natasha. He looked like he was planning something but Natasha couldn't think of what it could be.

"Sure, that'd be great," Steve replied, not one to shy from any potentially bonding experience he could have with the newcomers.

"Will, can you go get me a coffee? From that cafe we went to the other day, please," Nico asked.

"And you don't want to go yourself because...?" Will asked, already getting ready to go.

Nico replied, "Because I want you to do it. Plus, I just offered to teach sword-fighting. You're the one that said I should be more sociable. Are you really going to stand in the way of me making friends just because you don't want to get me coffee?"

Will snorted and said, "Yeah, whatever, I'm going, I'm going. No need for dramatics, Neeks." He smiled good-naturedly. Natasha wondered how this happy boy could ever lash out at them like he did the other day. Then again, there's always more to people than meets the eye. Will set off in the direction of the cafe, waving behind him. 

"There, now's your chance," Nico said once Will was out of earshot. It finally hit Natasha what he was trying to do. He nudged Clint forward with his foot and turned around nonchalantly, returning to the helicarrier.

He acts like he doesn't care about anything, but he clearly notices and cares more than he shows, Natasha realized.

She and Steve followed him in while Clint was still frozen in place. Out of the corner of her eye, Natasha saw him finally begin walking in the direction Will went.

[Chat Noir's POV]

After splitting ways with the others and Ladybug, Adrien made his way home quickly.

Please don't be home, please don't be home, he repeated to himself as he entered the house. His father hadn't said anything about him being late last time, but he didn't want to push his luck.

"Nathalie, I'm home," he called out. No one responded.

"Nathalie?" he questioned, beginning to grow worried. He rushed up the stairs and into her room, knocking and waiting for a little before entering.

He gasped at the sight of her laying on the bed and clutching her chest. She was coughing violently, leaning over the side of the bed.

"Nathalie!" he exclaimed, pouring her a glass of water and patting her back.

After she stopped coughing for a bit he asked, "Are you okay? I thought you were getting better, what happened?"

Nathalie gave him a small smile and replied, "It's nothing to worry about, the dizzy spells have just returned. I'm fine, I'll be better before you know it."

Adrien had tears in his eyes. That's what Mom would always say, he thought. "Are you sure?" he asked, trying to hold back the crack in his voice.

"I'm sure," she responded kindly.

"Okay. I'll just be in my room if you need me then," Adrien replied glumly. He exited the room quietly and leaned against the wall as soon as he was out of sight. He put his hand to his mouth, trying to keep his tears back. He didn't know what he would do if anything happened to Nathalie too. His body shuddered involuntarily as he thought about it.

"Adrien! Hey, it's okay. She'll be better soon, okay? Humans might seem to be fragile but, most of the time, they're also really really strong," Plagg whispered from his shirt collar. "She'll get better."

"But what if she doesn't? What'll I do then?" Adrien whispered, tears beginning to fall from his eyes.

Plagg didn't answer and opted to hug Adrien's collarbone. Adrien slid down the wall, hugging his Kwami and wrapping his arms around himself as well.

ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ

After calming down a little, Adrien wiped his tears and rushed to his room. He transformed quickly and jumped out his window. His lady must be wondering where he was by now since he got sidetracked.

He dropped down next to her in a small alleyway. "Greetings, m'lady. Sorry for being late," he said, bowing down over her hand. Ladybug giggled and replied, "Hey, kitty-cat. You ready to get started?"

"Definitely," he said brightly.

[Ladybug's POV]

Why does he look like he's forcing that smile? she thought.

"Is everything okay, Chat?" she worriedly asked.

Chat Noir looked a little surprised as he answered, "Yeah, of course. Come on, let's go already."

Before she could protest, he extended his baton and held his hand out for her. Ladybug decided to ask him about it later when he wouldn't be able to avoid her. She pulled out the Bee Miraculous and secured it to her hair. "Tikki, Pollen, unify," she said. Her outfit grew yellow accents and her hair tightened into a ponytail with blonde highlights.

She held his hand and he pulled the two of them up onto his baton. He crossed his legs around his baton, allowing her to sit on his leg comfortably.

"Now, I'll just circle us around so you can focus on looking around," he said proudly. She nodded and kept her eyes open, taking in all the sights, hoping beyond hope that Pollen would be able to recognize some of the buildings or angles.

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