The Peacock And The Bee (Chloe Bourgeois × OC)

~16~

"Chloe... Shit. This is all my fault. I'm so, so, sorr-"

"You do realise that she can't hear a word you're saying, loverboy?" Adrien asked Rob irritably, running a hand through his hair. He didn't mean for his tone to sound so harsh but he had already been stressed before with all that had happened and now, he had to rush to the nurse's office when he heard people talking about how Chloe had passed out. He was especially worried when the nurse informed them all that it was partly due to emotional strain and the fact that she hadn't been eating that the minor hit she got from the half-full bottle of bleach led to her unconsciousness. He needed someone to blame and since Rob had been there with her, he channelled his emotions to him.

"Seriously, Agreste? You don't understand. You never have! At least I was there, you're the one who's left her by herself for God knows how long-"

"That doesn't relate to this at all!" Adrian yelled defensively, glaring at Rob. "Don't change the subject-"

"You left her just because she was a bit mean? Seriously?"

"A bit? You're saying that because she changed when you came. You were actually the reason for that and I'm grateful, I am but what she was doing wasn't right-"

"So leaving her was?! Your best friend?! And you expected things to be all honky dory for her after her only true friend walked out on her?" Adrien balled his hands into fists, shaking his head. He already blamed himself for Chloe's sudden change into a bully just like Rob blamed himself for Chloe's sudden unconsciousness. He didn't need to hear it all again from someone else.

"Shut up!"

"You didn't even try to talk to her! You just gave up on her! Do you know how hurt she feels, Adrien?!"

"I said, shu-"

"Every single time she looks at you, the hurt is right there on her face. But you never notice it because you're too busy snogging with Marinette! And did it occur to you that the reason she acted so weird around you was because she had a crush on you?! And then you just ditch her and go hang out with this other guy?! What kind of best friend are you?! You know her mother died just like yours and you never tried to talk to her! I mean, what the-" I squirmed as I felt myself gain control over my body. I had heard the whole exchange and I needed to put an end to it before the quarrel turned into a full-on fistfight.

"ENOUGH!" He finally shut up and I rubbed my temples, gazing right at Rob. "Everyone, please leave. I need to talk to Robert. Alone." They all left, Alya making stupid 'ooh' noises while Adrien's gaze lingering on me before he disappeared through the door. I turned to face Rob, my arms folded. "What is wrong with you?"

"What? I was just trying to-"

"Come over here." He slowly dragged himself over and I wrapped my arms around him. He gasped from his surprise and I ran my hand through his hair, sighing cheekily. "What am I gonna do with you, Robert Matthews?"

"Who knows, lo- er, I mean Chloe. Who knows." I cleared my throat and let go, looking up at him.

"I'm sorry for screaming and stuff. I shouldn't have done that but we have to keep this a secret." He scrunched up his nose and gestured for me to scoot over, proceeding to sit beside me on the bed and wrap an arm around my shoulders.

"You never answered me, though. Are... are you afraid that you don't deserve me? That you're too broken?" I looked away, wishing I could refuse but the repeated chanting of 'yes, of course, I am' in my head kept me from the lie. My kwami suddenly flew out of my bag, not being able to hold herself anymore and hugged my cheek.

"Aww, Chloe, don't be so sad! I was so worried about you when we crashed. Cheer up! With life comes honey icecream. And that's quite a good life, don't you think?" I nodded softly, wishing it were that simple and smiled when they both sized each other up. A smile broke out on Rob's face and he held out a hand.