Adrien's POV
I wake up at sunrise, and a feeling of dread hits me.  Today is the day I go out with Mother. Any other day under any other circumstance would be wonderful, but now, I just want to hide in the apartment.  I can't believe how much things have changed.

My stomach growls.  It must be time for breakfast.  Slowly, I get out of bed and go to the kitchen.  The first thing I do is grab two plates and put some fruit on them.  Then I pour two cups of orange juice. Next I start toasting some tartine.  As I wait for it to cook, I sit at one of the chairs. What will today be like?  Is everyone in Paris okay? I hope they are. And Mother...

No.  Marinette wouldn't want me to worry too much yet.  Everything will be just fine. I take a deep breath and put my head in my arms.  Marinette. The love of my life. I close my eyes and picture her. My lady, my sweet bugaboo, with her lovely bluebell eyes and dark hair that reflects the sunshine... She's beautiful and kind and smart and... I need to be with her as long as I live.  She's done so much for me, as Marinette and as Ladybug. I would do anything for her. Her gorgeous smile, her adorable laugh... I love her. Gosh, I love her so much...

"Adrien!"

Bugaboo?

"Adrien!"

Wait... she's screaming!  What's going on? I lift my head and open my eyes.  Immediately, they start stinging. "Ahh!" I gasp in pain.  I go to inhale, and smoke fills my mouth and nose. I can't breathe!  I have to get out of here! The chair topples over as I jump up, coughing terribly.  Which way is the door? With all this smoke, it's impossible to tell!

Suddenly someone grabs me and pulls me away.  We start running down the hallway. As the smoke starts to thin, I rub my eyes and see Marinette's silhouette.  She coughs as she leads me toward the staircase. My hero!

Just then, all the smoke clears, and I feel just fine.  Marinette hugs me tight. Father comes up the stairs, looking disappointed.

"What happened?" he asks.

"I was cooking breakfast for Marinette and I," I explain.  "I was just sitting there, and I guess I fell asleep. Marinette got me out.  I'm sorry, Father."

"That was very irresponsible of you, Adrien," Father replies.  "You're lucky Marinette was there to save you." He nods at her, then turns back to me.  "You are no longer allowed to cook. I refuse to lose you."

I nod, bowing my head in shame.  Father has a way of making me feel constantly sorry, sorry for everything.  But this time, something's different.

I refuse to lose you.

So he does care somehow.  I'm not sure of all the details, but the notion gives me a sense of warmth.

Father takes a breath.  "Well, your mother's waiting for you downstairs so you can have your fun day.  Get ready, then meet her in the foyer. Stay safe." Without another glance at Marinette and I, he walks away.

"Adrien?  You seem..."

I hadn't realized it until now, but I'm suddenly tense - eyes focused on the floor, arms crossed.  With a sigh, I relax. "I just... I don't want to spend the day with my mother."

Marinette gives me a gentle hug.  "I understand."

"I don't have much of a choice, though."

She shakes her head, a sigh seeping through her lips, then smiles.  "No. But you'll make the most of it. You don't have to join her or be her friend, but just be polite and try to have fun."  She wraps her arms around me, leaning her cheek against my chest. "I know you can do it, Adrien."

I hug her in return, letting my hands move in circles on her back.  "Thank you, my lady, for always knowing how to help."

"Of course, kitty."  She pulls away from me.  "Now, go change. I'll make breakfast."

Leaving Marinette makes my chest hurt.  It's only for a few hours, Adrien. Calm down.  But each step down the stairs to the hallway gives me more anxiety.

You don't have to be Mother's friend.

You don't have to agree with her.

Just be cordial.

Everything will be okay.

Going down the hallway, my pulse is quickening.  I could turn back. Hide in the apartment. Accompany Marinette on her visit to her parents'.  But no. This is what I have to do.

"Adrien?"

My mother's blonde hair reflects some light, making it easy to see her standing in the foyer.  She looks up at me at the top of the staircase and smiles.

"Good morning, Mother," I say, attempting to smile back as I descend the stairs.

"Good morning, Adrien.  I'm so glad we're going out today.  It's really lovely out there!"

"Glad to hear."

She goes to the door and holds it open for me.  Here it goes. I step outside into...

A blue sky.

A warm breeze.

Birds singing.

Smells of flowers and fresh-baked treats somewhere nearby.

And the most unexpected of all - children laughing.

They're... happy?  Father didn't ruin their lives?

"Let's go get breakfast first," Mother says as we head toward the gate.  "You'll be able to see everything along the way."

"Sure."

We go out the gate, and the street looks the same as always, except there's less traffic, and the pedestrians have much more spring in their step.

"Good morning!" some kids chirp at us as they ride past on their bikes.

"Good morning!" we reply.

"A new café just opened a few blocks away," Mother tells me. "Should we go?"

This Paris, although strange, is amazing, and I'd love to see more of it!  "Yeah!"

"Well, let's go then!"  She starts dashing down the sidewalk.

"Mother!" I cry, laughing.  I start chasing after her, carefully dodging people, signs, and potted plants along the way.  And instead of being angry, the pedestrians are actually cheering us on! Adrenaline courses through my veins as I breathe in the fragrant air.  I never recalled it being this sweet.

"Adrien!"

I stop and realize that I've run right past Mother.  With a chuckle, I back up. "Sorry. Caught up in the moment."

"It's all right."  She gives me a quick hug.  "Come on, let's go inside."

The café's interior is decorated with blue and green accents.  It's a very cozy environment. A waitress brings Mother and I to a table and gets our drinks.

"What do you think about your father's Paris?" Mother asks me once she's gone.

"It's wonderful!"

She smiles serenely.  "I'm glad."

"What are we doing after lunch?"  I sip my hot chocolate. It's the best I've ever had.

"Anything you want, Adrien."

"Could we go to the zoo?  And the Louvre? And get ice cream?"

"Of course."

As I glance around the café, enjoying my hot chocolate with the mother I've missed for so long, I think that maybe this world my father's created isn't so terrible after all.

What do you think's going to happen with Adrien?

Song:  I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here from Annie (2014)

I do not own the music or the video.

I feel weird about putting music from other movies and stuff here, but this just fit LOL.  Also, it's a bop, so yeah.

Sorry I've been gone for like a bazillion years.  I had theater (the play went incredibly well and I have a ton of awesome friends!!!,) then just general busy-ness, and then the start of school, which has been the best yet so far!!!  Yay!!!

How have you been?