Emotional Support [Complete]

S1 E17: Pet Names

The next day at school, Adrien searched for Marinette, finding her at her locker. "H-Hey, Marinette."

"Hi, Adrien," Marinette took notice of how anxious he was. "Are you okay? You look nervous."

"Me? Nervous?" He stammered, restlessly fidgeting with his ring. "I'm not nervous. Why would I be nervous? I'm not nervous!"

"You're rambling and playing with your ring," Marinette noted, placing her hand on his shoulder. "You're definitely nervous. What's wrong?"

"It's Chloé," Adrien told her. "I had to avoid her on the way here. I want to apologize to her but I'm scared she'll make another scene or something. Can you come with me, please?"

Marinette shook her head. "Absolutely not."

Adrien pouted. "Why?"

Marinette giggled, ruffling his hair, which he quickly went to fix. "Because, silly. This is something you have to do by yourself. Besides, seeing me will only upset Chloé."

Adrien whined. "Mariiiii!"

Marinette rolled her eyes, shaking her head. Then she saw Chloé open her locker, turning Adrien to her. "Look, there she is." Adrien swallowed anxiously as Marinette pushed him towards her. "Good luck! I'll be hear if you need me."

Marinette leaned up against her locker, arms folded, as she awaited the scene to unfold.

Adrien nearly bumped into Chloé as she closed her locker. The blonde girl backed up in surprise. "Oh! A-Adrien..."

"H-Hey, Chloé..." Adrien scratched his next before taking a deep breath. "I just wanted to apologize for yesterday. I was really mean and shouldn't have said those horrible, horrible things to you. I never meant to get you akumatized or make you think I hated you, because I really don't and you're my oldest friend. And I still hope you'd like to be mine?"

Chloé blinked. It's been a while since she'd seen Adrien flustered like that. Then, she broke into a smile. "It's okay, Adrikins. I forgive you."

Adrien smiled brightly. "Really?"

Chloé nodded, pulling him in for a hug. And it wasn't one of her overbearing hugs. It was just a sweet, gentle hug that Adrien was glad to return. He sighed into her embrace, thankful he hadn't lost Chloé's friendship, or completely screwed his father over.

"Chlo?" Adrien pulled from her easily without her trying to hold onto him. "I still don't like you speaking badly about Marinette. She's important to me. And, um, I know you have feelings for me, but I'm really sorry, I just don't like you that way..." He closed his eyes tightly. "Please, don't run away crying again. I still want to be your friend!"

Adrien expected her to have a fit, but she didn't. She just stood there. Adrien opened his eyes to see Chloé with a rather calm expression on her face. She had never seen Adrien upset like he was yesterday, and never wanted to see it again. She'd crushed on Adrien for years, but she couldn't say she was in love him. Chloé just wanted her friend to be happy. Even if it meant she was losing her first crush to the likes of Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Chloé looked at Marinette at her locker, who gave her a rather muddled look, before back at her Adrikins. She gave an exhausted sigh. "You really love that girl, don't you?"