Adrien Augreste: Day 10 & 11
Ugh, sorry all. I had a deadline this morning that took all my time this weekend. Here's a combined day 10 & 11. I still owe you a day 12, but I'm running late this morning lol. Oh, well. Tis life right?
Ladybug found that the next room was full of tiny kittens. Their cries filled the air and melted her heart. Momentarily forgetting Adrien for a moment, she squatted down and gently scratched a grey and black striped kitten between the ears. The kitten purred at her touch and several more walked up to her. She smiled and proceeded to pet them all in turn. Before she knew it, she was sitting cross-legged on the floor covered with kittens.
"Will you take one home?" a voice asked her. Looking up she saw a small version of Adrien. He appeared to be ten or so and was wearing an orange shirt with camo pants; a rather interesting look for the blonde-haired boy.
"They were all abandoned by their mother," he was saying with sad eyes. "Will you take one?"
"Adrien, this is your mind. I don't think I can take one home." She said. The boy nodded and she could tell he was upset. She glanced around and then realized what the connection was.
"You miss her," she said gently. "Your mother I mean."
The boy looked her in the eye and she could see his pain. He sniffled slightly and Ladybug quickly got to her feet.
"It isn't fair," he cried as she pulled him into a tight hug. "Why did she have to leave? Why did she abandon me?"
"Oh, Adrien," she sighed, not knowing what to say to him. "She loved you very much. You know that."
"Then why did she have to go on that trip? She could have stayed home! Why did she have to leave?"
"Adrien, I don't have the answer, but I know that she never would have left if she knew she wouldn't come back." Ladybug felt like she was drowning. She didn't know the circumstances of his mother's death, but she was trying her best to comfort him with the little information she had.
"I need her back," he said, his voice breaking with tears. "I need her to come home."
"She can't do that, Adrien. You know that."
The boy buried his face deeper into Ladybug's chest as he cried. Looking around the room, she saw that the cats were no longer paying attention to her. She also saw that they were in a large room. The style of the room suggested this was a part of the Agreste mansion, however, this room was set up with a large chalkboard and a student desk; a school room.
"Is this where you do your school?" she asked, recalling that Adrien had been homeschooled until just a few years ago. "Did your mother used to teach you?"
"She made it fun," he said. "I didn't mind being homeschool when she was here. We played games and laughed. Natalie is nice, but it isn't the same."
"What kind of games?" she asked, curoius to know more about Adrien's childhood.
"Hopscotch. That was her favorite. I really liked playing it, but Natalie and Father don't approve of hopscotch. They say you look 'undignified' when you're playing it."
"Then let's play hopscotch," she said with a smile. The boy pulled back and looked up at her.
"Really? You'll play with me?" he asked, his green eyes slightly red from crying.
"Really. I love hopscotch. Let's play a game together. It might make you feel better."
Adrien smiled and ran off towards the desk. He quickly pulled out a piece of chalk and together they drew the necessary pattern on the floor. Soon enough, they were taking turns throwing a green beanbag and hopping along the tile floor. Ladybug smiled as she saw Adrien start to relax and seem happier. His eyes still looked a little sad, but she assumed they always would. This was a part of him that needed his mother. She couldn't imagine how painful her death had been for him and she found that she had a deeper respect for her crush. Life hadn't always been easy for him, but he was always managing to smile.
"Thank you for playing with me, but I think you had better get going," Adrien said after several games. "The akuma is still out there."
"Alright. Maybe we can play hopscotch another time." She replied, handing the beanbag to him.
"Don't you think we are a little old for hopscotch?" he asked with a look that seemed much older than ten.
"Adrien, I literally play with a yo-yo every day. You're never too old to play anything."
"Alright, alright," Adrien said as he laughed and shook his head. "You're right. Remind me when this attack is over and we can play."
"Sounds like a date then," she said without thinking.
"Sounds like." He confirmed, giving her a wink before disappearing in a burst of green light.
