Miraculous Team ✔️

20

"Curse those kids!" Gabriel cried, punching his fist against the worn out wall. It looked less painful in movies and he rubbed his knuckles right after.

Including your own son? Nathalie thought to herself. She tutted and leaned back in her chair. She's been stuck in the house for days now, and having a very moody Gabriel around 24/7 wasn't fun either. Notifications were blowing up her phone, asking for favors from Gabriel Agreste and modeling from Adrien Agreste.

"Sir, you need a better plan."

"Oh, I didn't think of that." Gabriel said sarcastically, "I just don't understand how a bunch of teenagers can always be one step ahead..." He lit up. "of me..."

He walked out of the kitchen, and Nathalie wondered after him. Gabriel picked up the small black box that he left on the table and looked at his assistant.

"Put them on." He instructed, holding out the box in Nathalie's direction.

Both Nathalie and Nooroo's jaw dropped in sync. Nathalie stared at the earrings, baffled, then looked at Nooroo, who was hiding behind his master's back. Nooroo frantically shook his head.

"Do it." Gabriel demanded, "Think about Emilie, and how much happier we were when she was here. Remember every Christmas, she would make ornaments for the tree and she would always leave the star for Adrien when he was tall enough. Remember the Friday nights we spent in front of the TV, watching old movies and cartoons, eating pretzels because she didn't like popcorn. Remember the time we went to the park and how terrible she was at baseball..."

Nathalie was convinced it was a mind trick. Of course she remembered. But she also remembered the way Gabriel changed so dramatically, became a completely different person without her. He was so blinded by his love for his wife that he forgot to love his son. How would Adrien feel about this? He had been so unhappy. He needed a mother figure in his life, but Nathalie could never bring herself to take Emilie's place. Was it worth it? To go with Gabriel's selfish deeds, to gain back someone who was missing for too long? Was it right?

Nathalie put on the earrings.

(At Mae's House)

The teenagers and kwamis spread out, digging into the boxes and being careful not to leave a mess. Adrien opened a wooden box with a broken lock. There were old Chinese paintings of goldfish and cranes. And a small bottle of black ink. Adrien inspected it and got a whiff of the foul smell.

"Smells as bad as your camembert." Adrien said to Plagg, who stuck his tongue out in response.

Chloe wasn't having much luck either. She went through the thick photo album, flipping over pictures to find anything related to the Miraculous. Pollen watched closely, trying to distinguish between the Chinese characters and the characters only Master Fu could read. The photos gave Chloe an insight of the family. There were many photos of Juliek and a boy with similar features, probably his brother, Jake. Jake looked a couple years older. Some of the photos had descriptions written on the back. It was messy but legible.

"First time trying peas"

"Second time trying peas"

Chloe chuckled to herself. Then a shadow loomed over her.

"What are you guys doing?" Juliek said. No one heard him creep up the rope ladder.

"Uh..." Nino pursed his lips. Going through your dad's stuff wasn't a nice answer.

"Leave his stuff alone." Juliek said bitterly, fully that boxes don't open themselves. He took the photo album out of Chloe's hands.

"Listen, we're looking for something important." Alya said, "Your mom gave us permission."

"My mom must've gone mad" Juliek murmured, shaking his head, "letting some strangers in like this"

"You can go talk to her if you want." Alya said, raising an eyebrow.

Juliek pursed his lips and climbed down the rope ladder with the photo album tucked under his arm.

"I feel kinda bad." Marinette admitted after Juliek disappeared downstairs.

"Me too." Chloe said, "I mean, we did just barge in with no warning. And the poor guy lost his daddy."

"Guys, I don't mean to sound heartless but we need to focus right now." Alya said, turning back to the boxes.

"That does sound very heartless." Marinette said acidly.

"Says the girl who was so worried about concentrating on our mission." Alya snapped back.

Nino butted in when the two girls eyed each other. "Woah, calm down."

Alya turned to him sharply. "Why are you always on Marinette's side?"

"I'm not on anyone's side!" Nino exclaimed.

Adrien watched sadly as his friends argued. He bit his lip in frustration, and felt his nails dig into his skin as he balled up his fists. His head hurt. He couldn't take it anymore. He needed it to stop.