The Identity Problem •Luka x Reader x Adrien•

Breath

I shoot him a text about it, and by the time I look back up, the conversation has switched again. I lock eyes with Michael, and he's already looking at me with the same expression he gets when he is nervous about something and thinking really hard about it. He looks a little constipated.

I already resigned myself to staying behind to explain when he stood and crossed the room over to us. He painted on a usual bright grin as he approached.

"Can one of you girls help me with the printer in the art room? Louis used to help me out and still can't quite manage it."

'Super subtle of him.'

I take a deep breath and stand from my seat. I shot the girls a lazy smirk while I put on my coat to go outside with him.

"Watch my sandwich, Juleka's been eyeing that BLT."

"And don't be surprised when you get back and it's gone."

She shoots back timidly, and the girls burst into a fit of giggles. I turn to hide my fondness and begin to follow Michael out of the music room doors. When we make it outside, the air is cold and the snow crunches under our feet as we cross the courtyard. I try to keep it light-hearted.

"So are you gonna ask about it, or do you actually need help with the printer?"

"Well, it's a little of both?"

He has the forethought to at least sheepishly glance at me as we walk. I sigh for what feels like the hundredth time today. The conversation topic feels like a weight hanging over my head.

"In short, Poppy's been making deals with Adrien's wack job family, and they're trying to manipulate us into getting together for their own financial and social gain."

His eyebrows started to raise at the beginning of my statement, and now they've almost reached his hairline.

"It doesn't sound that bad, I guess, but like they're trying to give us the illusion of a choice but using us for their own gain-"

We reach the art room and open the doors to a quiet room. I wave to Nathaniel and Marc in the corner and continue.

"-I know there are worse problems out there, but it makes me...sad?"

He nods along slightly, the usual flamboyant flair subdued for the moment.

"We actually wanted to talk to you about all of this, Louis and I. But I wanted to check in now-"

He talks quietly so the other students won't hear, while he jams buttons on the computer increasingly more aggressively. I reach over gently and push the right button; the papers start to print a moment later.

"-thank you. Your feelings are valid, kid. We can get into it more on Wednesday, but if you want to talk about it more, please stay after. I promise I'll be here."