Leclerc

P19

The girl gets home excitedly, quickly taking off her jacket and slipping out of her shoes before rushing into the kitchen. Pascale had left her some food from the day before out that she could eat when she got back from school, so she put that into the microwave.

Before she could even go to find Arthur, he already appeared in the doorway. "Hey, Adi. How was school?" He asked, not able to stop himself from smiling when he saw his sisters bright expression. "It was okay!! I wanted to ask you something the whole day already!" She said and walked over to him with a fast pace, looking at him with pleading eyes to make him feel some sort of sympathy for her and maybe agree.

"What's up?" he asked amused as he looked down at her, waiting for the younger to go on. "So, at school, we have this special day where we can bring someone that we look up to... and i was wondering if you had time tomorrow?" The French got shy the more she spoke, but the Monegasque only laughed.

"Aww, you look up to me?" He asked with a smug expression. Adeline knew she was just feeding his ego here and making him feel like the favorite. She just rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, please??" She pleaded once more, hoping to get him to stop teasing her and answer instead.

"I don't know if that's a good idea..." he said with a shrug, thinking about it. There was some silence until Adi decided to just tell him the real reason.

"Please, Arthur. There's these guys at school who make fun of me every time because i never have anyone to bring with me. And i told them that i would bring someone this year, if i don't they'd probably just laugh at me more..."

Seeing his sisters expression and hearing her reasoning, a switch instantly flicked. "You know what? I'm actually free tomorrow, i'll go with you." She smiled instantly and hugged him tightly, muttering repeated thank you's.

The older gently wrapped his arms around her shoulders, hugging her back as he looked down at her. "I never knew you were getting bullied at school?" He asked softly, waiting for an answer as she just went quiet.

"I, eh.. i don't think it's bullying, really.." she muttered. "Does Charles know?" She nodded, making him sigh. "You could've told me, i would've tried to help.." "It's not that bad.." she murmured, not letting go of the hug.

"What are they saying, or doing?" "They're just.. mean, i guess." "Did they ever hit you?" Adeline paused.

"Adi?" Arthur looked at her worriedly. "It was only once." She eventually got out, looking away from him. "That's not okay" His tone softened and he gently placed a hand on her cheek to make her look back at him.

His thumb gently caressed her cheekbone as he spoke "If they do all that, then that's bullying. I don't want you to get bullied, you don't deserve that." The Monegasque told her.

Adeline opened her mouth to say something, but she didn't know what. So he continued. "If you would've told me, i would've taken care of it." Arthur then gently placed a kiss on the crown of her head.

"I'll go with you, okay?" He said once more. "And if there's anyone bothering you, i'll deal with them." The older said as he gave the younger a small squeeze, making her smile.

"Okay..."

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