Cry Baby [ Adrien Agreste / Chat Noir X Reader ]

Thirteenth: Milk and Cookies

[A/N: Hey there, guys! Look, I know I haven't been considerate on placing trigger warnings the past few chapters, but I'm gonna do that now so you'll know if any... Uh... Bad stuff happens. Since this is 'Milk and Cookies', I suggest you prepare yourself for the brutality. Also, this part takes place during the 'Le Gamer' episode, where Max was akumatized.]

Representing the school for the Ultimate Mecha Strike ||| tournament was truly a great honor to bestow on anyone - any passionate gamer was eager to win it with his or her partner.

But with (Y/N) gone, Adrien was having second thoughts about it. He loved College François-Dupont, he really did. And he was sure to participate in any contest in the name of their school when they wanted him to - if only it didn't involve his and (Y/N)'s favourite video game.

Guilt leered at him. Ever since (Y/N)'s mysterious disappearance, Adrien, as his alter ego Chat Noir, had been relentlessly searching for her every night, going to the lengths of ditching nightly patrols with Ladybug even. He looked everywhere; every nick and corner of the City of Paris, but still, his (H/C)-haired princess was nowhere to be seen.

At day, he would pretend that nothing was wrong- that he was still the perfect model Adrien Agreste everyone admired. Although he tried his best to cover up (Y/N)'s absence, his laid back facade didn't work on two people- Nathanaël and Nino.

Nino, he understood; but Nathanaël? Who did he think he is?

The red-head was a bothersome one, always butting in (Y/N)'s business like he was a part of it. Though Adrien knew that he was only concerned about her and was attempting to help, Adrien didn't need his pity. It was admittedly pretty pathetic that the artist actually thought that he was as close to her as he was.

It was a relief that he was nowhere in sight inside the Stadium of the Princesses. Otherwise, Adrien might have completely lost it. Too bad he had to win the tournament with Marinette first...

He shuddered. Now that he was there, he felt like he was betraying (Y/N) by leaving her out. He wasn't used to partnering up with someone else - not that Marinette was a bad player, but he wasn't... Comfortable with her. The training at her house was supposed to lighten up his spirits, though that brought him the opposite.

Either that, or he didn't want to replace (Y/N) as his female pair.

"... Actually, I decided to leave you my place." Adrien's ears perked up as he accidentally heard the young Dupain-Cheng say to Max, surprising him, "Just to be clear, I'm a big fan of video games!" Marinette chirped, smiling, before looking down at her controllers. "But it's not really a passion..."

That was all Adrien needed to hear; he casually sauntered over to them simultaneously when Marinette gave Max the controller, "By winning the tournament with her!" Adrien jeered, placing his hand on Mariette's shoulder.

She gasped in shock, staring at him in disbelief. Adrien smiled. "Go on, Marinette." He coaxed, "You're way better than me. Your place is in the team!" giving her his own controller, he added, "Win, for the school's honor! I know you guys can do it!"

'While you're at it, I can scan the streets for (Y/N) again.'

Nino briefly interrupted his unspoken plan. "Come on, let's go. The public awaits you!" He said, sticking his thumb out.

"No, I--" Marinette began to protest, defeated, "Well, er, if you insist." She stupidly grinned as she and Max were escorted towards the platform.

For a minute, Adrien waited. Once everyone left, he squeezed into a secluded area, double checking for any signs of life besides his and Plagg's.

"Ready?" He asked his cheese obsessed companion, peeking in his white jacket.