The New Guardian

A Standoff

Previously: Right when I land I hear someone walking up to my door. Shit.

~~This chapter is in Adriens POV~~

I whisper my de-transformation and jump on the couch to the side of me, pretending to be scrolling on my phone and lounging on the couch. Knock knock.

"Adrien? It's Nathalie. May I come in?" The calm voice asks through the door.

"Yeah,"  I quip, kicking my shoes off quickly right before she walks in. "Do you need something or did Father tell you to come yell at me."

Her face flips through a series of emotions- calm, surprised, disappointed then back to a stern calm.

"Adrien, I know your Father can be a harsh, strict man but this is the most you've ever acted out. We're worried about you." She crosses the room and stands next to the couch. I gesture for her to sit and she does, making her self as comfortable as she can get, which really means not at all.

"Nathalie, I'm fine. I haven't felt this good since," I pause, looking away at the table, reminiscing about her, "mom left."

She sighs and tilts forward, trying to find my gaze again. "I understand, Adrien. But while you live under his roof, you have to follow his rules. I know you're eighteen but that's just how this has to work."

"I'm moving out." I blurt out. Fuck.

"What?" She says shocked.

Standing up, she follows my lead over to my computer. I pull up the apartment and all it's details as she looks at it in disbelief.

"W-when?" Is all she can mutter. "When did this happen? When did you decide this? Does your Father know? How did I not know?" The sound of her last question makes it clear I've hurt her.

"It's okay, it's okay!" I run over to the couch and bring over the paperwork. "I decided this yesterday," I lie. "I've been planning this for a few weeks, that's why I've been so forgetful." Another lie. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I just got the paperwork for it, I was gonna have you review it, since you're good with this kind of stuff. And no I haven't told Father yet. I didn't know how to especially after our fight today."

She takes the papers from me and skims them over in ice cold silence. Flip. Flip. Flip. Flip. She removes her glasses and presses the ridge of her nose.

After a long sigh she hands the stack of papers back. "They're perfect. My only concern is a minimum 6 month guarantee or you'll lose your down payment and owe an extra €800. Other than that," she flips her hand towards the stack, "it's a great deal. For the location and the amenities, it's worth the price."

"Are you upset, Nathalie?" I ask, getting closer to her.

"I'm just...shocked. I think. I didn't expect you to move out so suddenly. And now I have to tell your father and I-"

"No," I cut her off, "I will tell Father. It's my responsibility, he can be mad at me if he wants to but I'm not going to allow him to be mad at you, thinking you helped me." She gets visibly relieved for a moment.

"Adrien," she shifts in her seat, clearly uncomfortable. "Please excuse my overstepping but you are like a son to me. I will be very sad to see you go but I'm relieved to know this is something you want."

"Thank you, Nathalie. You're like a mother to me and I'm so grateful for you and everything you've done for me. You make me miss my mom less." Squeezing my eyes shut to keep the light tears back, I hurry over and hug her.

She's stiff at first but after a moment she hugs me tightly. I can't remember the last time I hugged Nathalie. It's a great feeling, like a mothers hug. The strength of our bond fills the room, the sound of sniffles brings me back to earth and I shoot up, scanning her face in awe.

"Are you crying? I didn't mean to make you cry!"

"No, no. It's a good tear. Thank you, Adrien." She wipes her eye before lightly patting her hand on mine. "You've always been a wonderful child, even if you weren't mine biologically."

I nod, sitting further back into the couch. Nathalie has been in my life as long as I can remember, always there to guide me. I can't imagine my life without her, she's always been my rock and my protection even against my father's rath in her own way. I'm really going to miss her.

As if sensing my thoughts she asks again when I'll be moving out. "Whenever I sign the paperwork and he approves it. After that he says I can move in anytime I'd like. I don't know how much I'll be actually moving out of here," I gesture around the room, "but I think just really my clothes and necessities. It comes fully furnished."

"I see." She stands, eyeing the room around her with a hint of sorrow. "I'll collect a few boxes for you tomorrow so you can begin packing."

"How about we wait until the paperwork is approved? It feels like kind of a bad omen to pack before I'm sure I can leave. Plus that gives me time to break the news to Father."

A small smile cracks through her serious face. "As you wish, Adrien." She bows her head and walks to my door, opening and passing mostly through before turning to me and wishing me a good night and leaving.

I exhale, not realizing I've been holding my breath for a while. Throwing my head back on the couch I close my eyes and take another deep breath. I can't believe I'm moving. I can't believe I have to tell Father I'm moving.

My phone starts to vibrate on the table, making a horrible noise as it slides across the glass. Grabbing my phone I notice Nino is calling me. That's strange?

"Hello?" I answer.

"Come outside. Now." He sounds pissed.

"Wait what? Are you at my house? Is everything okay?" I ask, noting his tone of voice.

Click. 

Something has to be wrong. Nino has never sounded that upset and he's never hung up on me. What could've happened while I was gone? I glance at my phone as I walk out of my room and see he's already called me 6 times. And texted me twice, once saying he needed answers and the other warning he was coming over. Answers? Answers to what? I need answers!

I grab a jacket by the front door and run out, towards the gate to let him in. He's standing there, drenched from the rain with his fists clenched and his head down.

"Nino?" I call through the gate as it slowly opens.

He says nothing until the gate is fully slid back at a rest. All he does is run forward and swing a punch at my face.