Something was wrong, the others in the class could tell. But they didn't know what it was.

Adrien looked miserable. His eyebags had their own eyebags, he hadn't brushed his hair in days, his usually model status outfits were reduced to hoodies and shorts. He looked numb, depressed. He wasn't talking as much, he couldn't focus on his work and wasn't replying to messages like he usually did with pep and energy. Something was wrong, and bestie Nino could tell it must have something to do with Luka since he hadn't taken off that tour hoodie that was sent to him in days.

It was time for an intervention, and determined as ever he caught Adrien before class and before he could even enter the building grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him into one of the empty classrooms.

"Wh- dude-" Adrien stammered, confused and having been pulled from his thoughts by the sudden shove.

"Alright man, something is up with you and I'm getting to the bottom of it. What's wrong? I can tell there's something eating you up inside" he replied.

"I'm fine, just tired from all the photoshoots recently..."

Lies. That was the one excuse depressed person made, the old 'just tired'. Nino knew better than that.

"Dude, you're a mess. Don't think I haven't noticed that same hoodie being the only article of clothing you've worn all week. You look a wreck, you aren't replying to messages, you're barely talking. Seriously Adrien, what's wrong? I won't snitch" Nino asked.

Adrien was silent a moment, he knew Nino was onto him and he had no idea what to say in return about it. How does he even explain the whole situation?

"... is it Luka?"

He knew. How did he know? How did he figure it out? The mere mention of the boys name just made tears well up in the blondes eyes. Seeing the silent reaction confirmed everything to Nino, who sighed remorsefully and sat down next to him.

"He's not gone forever man, he'll be back eventually. We all miss him, I'm sure his sister misses him just as bad too" Nino said, trying to comfort his friend.

Maybe it was how long Adrien had been keeping it bottled up, but something about the fact everyone had noticed how badly this had affected him made him finally crack. He couldn't keep it in anymore, and in a burst of emotion, it spilled out.

"That's not it! I mean... yes I miss him. But it's not just that, it's the fact I'm such a fucking idiot I didn't tell him when I had the chance and now I've lost him! The fact I'm so shit at social cues I accidentally lead a girl on and now I'll hurt her if I reject her. The fact that she's his ex girlfriend! I lost him and I created a huge mess all because I'm incompetent at relationships, I'm an idiot! I love him, ok? I love him, I'm in love with Luka and now he's gone and by the time he gets back he'll probably have someone else or not be as close to us anymore and- and..." Adrien rambled, through choked sobs.

"Woah- wait slow down! Dude... you're in love with him? Like in LOVE-LOVE. Like kissing and stuff?" Nino asked.

Adrien just nodded, burying his face in his hands trying to wipe away the tears. Obviously Nino didn't give two shits Adrien liked boys, half the damn class was some kind of gay. It was the fact he'd been under the impression there was something going on with Marinette this whole time. But now that Adrien mentioned it... he and Luka were really, really close.

"Damn. I've been doing some hetero-normative bullshit, I didn't even consider- it's obvious! And I didn't notice it? Fuck dude, I'm sorry. If I'd known I'd have totally shoved the two of you together or something" Nino said.

"No, nothing is your fault. I'm the dumbass who accidentally lead Mari on... I don't know how to fix it. I just didn't understand that mirroring her enthusiasm came off as me returning the crush. Fuck I didn't even realise it WAS a crush until recently..." Adrien replied.

"Dude don't beat yourself up over that. We ALL know you're not great at that kind of stuff, I mean half our running jokes are about you being oblivious"

Adrien was very aware of his lack of social understanding and while he could joke about it, it definitely got in the way of things a lot. It was partly due to him being majorly sheltered as a kid, partly because he was definitely autistic and his dad just didn't acknowledge that and get him the accommodations needed. But he still felt guilty about accidentally leading Marinette on even though he knew it was because of something out of his control.

"And the fact that Luka is her EX BOYFRIEND?! That makes it so much worse. She'll hate me if she found out about this, and Luka still cares for Mari even though they aren't romantically involved anymore, he'd hate me for hurting her! And then the friendship group is ruined and I drove away the love of my life after I already lost him-" Adrien rambled, struggling to keep himself together.

"Ok, ok- stop, no, that's enough-" Nino cut him off.

He sighed, he didn't like seeing his friends hurt. He knew why Adrien was freaking out and depressed over this, he was overwhelmed and jumping to all the worst possible conclusions.

"Dude, none of that's going to happen. Mari is a big girl, she'll understand. Sure maybe it'll sting for a bit but she'll get over it. And there's literally no way on this earth Luka could hate you, have you seen that man? He loves everyone, especially you. He's like the most understanding person on the planet. And you haven't lost him just yet, he's not gone forever remember? You can still tell him when he gets back. The fact he's been sending you the coolest gifts out of everyone in the group is proof enough he has some kind of feelings for you. I mean dude a working vintage record player? That shit ain't cheap" Nino assured.

Adrien sniffled, slowly but surely calming down. Before he could reply the doors to the classroom opened, the teacher walking in to get ready just before class was to start. She was surprised to see the two here early, and immediately a bit worried when she saw one of her students in tears.

"What's going on in here? Is everything ok?" She asked.

"Oh- uh, it's fine, we're sorting it out. Can we maybe come back to class a bit later? So we can figure this out?" Nino asked.

"Hmm... alright. But seriously is everything alright? Do I have to call parents?" Miss Bustier replied.

"NO! I-I mean... it's fine I'm just... having a moment..." Adrien explained.

She wasn't going to pry, but she did make a mental note to keep an eye on Adrien during class today. She had noticed he'd been gloomy the past few weeks.

"Alright, but tell me if somethings wrong alright? I'll make you two down as present" she agreed.

"Thanks Miss" Nino replied, taking Adrien and dragging him out of the class.

It'd be a bit overwhelming and embarrassing to have the whole class catch him crying and wanting an explanation right now, so it was best they continued this away from the classroom. The bell went, the students piling into their classes and leaving the courtyard empty. The boys sat on one of the benches, talking the situation over. Adrien vented everything, Nino just listened. The advice and such could come later, Adrien just needed to get everything out.

And clearly he was down REAL bad because Nino had never heard someone gush so hard over a boy before. The way Adrien talked about Luka was like listening to some kind of romance novel. Up until now he'd been on board with Marinette going after Adrien, but now he was going hard core team Lukadrien. He knew it'd be a pointless endeavour if he pushed Adrien toward a girl he didn't even like romantically. It'd end up a pretty one sided relationship. But it was very clear Adrien was head over heels for Luka and Luka showed quite a few signs of liking him back now that he put the gay glasses on and stopped thinking in a 'bro' way about their friendship.

One thing was for sure, Adrien had a real chance with Luka. And Nino was absolutely rooting for that. But Adrien needed to stop jumping to the worst possible conclusion and cam the hell down.

"Alright man, this is the 4-1-1 so listen up" he began.

Adrien, now much more calm, wiped his tears away and listened up.

"You've got a serious chance with Luka, don't worry about Mari. She'll understand, Alya and I can talk to her about it if we have to. You haven't lost him, he's just uhh... out of reach right now. But he clearly cares very deeply for you and probably likes you back. So here's what you're gonna do, until he comes back in person you're gonna rizz him the fuck up over the phone and via text. You two already talk a lot as it is you just gotta turn up the flirting. If he reciprocates then bet your ass as soon as he gets back you've got a boyfriend. If he doesn't, oh well at least you tried and expressed that desire. That's a heartbreak we can deal with together, but I highly doubt that will happen. You got this man, lay the seeds for a relationship and take it where the branches grow" Nino explained.

Adrien couldn't help but laugh at the way he explained it like a spy mission or something, Nino always knew how to cheer him up. He was really the best friend you could ask for.

"You make it sound like some big mission" Adrien said.

"It is! Getting a boyfriend that's currently on the other side of the world will be some work but it'll be worth it. Call it operation get Adrien Lukas di-" Nino began, teasingly.

"HOW ABOUT just... operation Lukadrien" Adrien cut him off before he could make that joke.

Nino snickered at Adrien's flustered reaction and gave him a friendly nudge.

"Alright man, operation Lukadrien it is. But seriously, you got a real chance with him. Don't give up now and dwell in self pity, you got this" he assured.

Adrien sighed, all the overwhelming emotions finally out. Nino pulled him into a comforting hug and he happily accepted, needing his besties comfort after all that emotion spilled out.

"Thank you, you're literally the best" Adrien smiled.

"I gotchu bro..." Nino replied, a teasing grin on his face "Now let's get you that emo boy dick-"

"NINO I SWEAR TO-"