#Adrien AUGreste 2019

[komorebirei]

Note- Nino’s ‘bird’ comment is a ‘pun,’ since the song Marinette is singing translates to ‘Act like a bird,’ Adrien calls her Ladybird, and ‘bird’ is slang for ‘girl’ in British English. I know, my puns are cheesy.

Also, I refer to him as ‘Adrien’ until Luka appears, since with Nino, he’s just Adrien, even though he’s dressed as Chat Noir.

Written back in August for @adrienaugust. A series of non-chronological drabbles to expand the Music School / Jazz Club AU I’m not allowed to write until my WIPs are done. -_-;

Full Series Links: [ YouTube / AO3 ]

–

Broken Fugue: Solfège – Day 28: Dadrien

- Transcript -

“Hey, dude.” Nino approached Adrien’s corner table, where his friend was watching the stage with a dreamy expression. Luka had taken over the piano to accompany Coccinelle on Fais comme l’oiseau, with Ivan on the drums.

Adrien had chosen a spot away from the fray, private enough for the two of them to speak frankly. He’d done it on purpose, so he could drop the Chat Noir act and just be himself.

Nino used his foot to pull out a chair, placing two perspiring glasses on the table—a seltzer with lime for Adrien, and a Red Bull on ice for himself. “You look cheerful. Thinking about your bird?”

“Nope,” Adrien answered lightly, assuming he was referring to Coccinelle. “I became a father today.”

Nino nearly choked on his drink. “What?!”

Adrien sniggered at Nino’s reaction and decided to push it. “We named him Émile.”

“‘We’? Who’s ‘we’? Since when—why didn’t you—” Nino cursed. “Dude, you know you don’t have to keep secrets from me. What the heck?!”

Adrien chortled into his fist. “Wanna see pictures?”

“You’re not gonna tell me who the mother of your child is?” Nino spluttered incredulously.

“Marinette,” Adrien answered offhandedly, then pushed his phone into Nino’s face before he could freak out.

Laying eyes on the photo of the hamster, Nino shoved Adrien’s hand away and cursed again. “Dude, you almost gave me a heart attack! That is cruel! No more free drinks.” He pulled the seltzer toward himself.

“Isn’t he cute?” Adrien gushed. “He’s my first pet.” That, and the fact that Marinette had agreed to be Émile’s ‘mom’ gave him a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.

Nino caught on, putting the pieces together. “I don’t get it, dude. All you ever talk about is Marinette. Why don’t you just ask her out instead of playing around with Coccinelle?”

The humor drained from Adrien’s face. He put his phone in his pocket. “I can’t.”

“Why not, dude?” Nino coaxed. “She’s Alya’s roommate. Landing a double date would be a piece of cake.”

“No, Nino.”

“Why don’t you invite her to the club, at least?”

“I did. She didn’t want to come.”

“Aww, man, why not? Didn’t you tell her how awesome it is?” Nino winked. When Adrien couldn’t muster a smile, instead tipping the tea candle side to side and watching the wax run, Nino clapped him on the back and slid his seltzer back in front of him. “Dude, cheer up. From what you describe, I’m pretty sure she likes you.”

“It doesn’t matter. I can’t be with her.”

Nino was about to protest when Luka dropped both hands on his shoulders from behind. “I’m here to collect on a promise. Where’s your sax, Nino?—Unless I’m interrupting something.”

“No, go ahead.” Chat Noir waved Nino off, his chipperness dial turned way up in contrast to his prior mood. “The stage awaits you, Nino. Your fans have been looking forward to this.”

Nino shot his friend a ‘we’re-not-done-here’ look before following Luka away.

#Miraculous Music AU #Miraculous Ladybug #ML AU #Miraculous Audio Fanfiction #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Adrien Agreste #Adrien AUGreste 2019 #Adrien August #Nino Lahiffe #Luka Couffaine #Miraculous Jazz Club AU

[adrienaugust]

Hello everyone!

Minetteenfers here! I made an AMV to signal boost onto youtube. Chimpukampu and I thought we would share it here too! ^-^ 

We are super excited for this and hope you are all excited too! Thank you all for reblogging, commenting, and loving Adrien AUGreste! 

WARNING: The amv does include Season 3 Spoilers. 

#Adrien Augreste #Adrien August #miraculous ladybug #Adrien appreciation month #August 2019 #signal boost #hype

[komorebirei]

Broken Fugue: Solfège - Day 32: Kitty

And voila... the final part of the extended movie trailer that is Broken Fugue: Solfège. I really can’t wait to write the actual series. This AU is my baby. I’ve been planning it since, what... May? With @miraculous-elcie ... XD Does anyone love it as much as I do? Probably not. I don’t care! ^__^

I have soo many notes about this series and a whole list of scenes I want to write. I’d been debating about where to start and what to include in the storyline so it doesn’t get too convoluted, but I decided to stick to a progressive storyline and do a side drabble series (Broken Fugue: Fantasie) where I can put the other scenes I want to write, with the extended cast. Like for example, Marc and Nathaniel who play the oboe* and cello respectively and run a YouTube channel together. Ughh I’m just a shameless music geek with a source of daily inspiration about it, and I need an outlet. ~__~;;

It’s mostly a love-square story though, which will take place in the main story.

( * and clarinet / bass clarinet whenever it’s more appropriate. By the way, there should be more oboe and cello duets. Those two instruments sound gorgeous together. )

But what I wanted to say was, I will write this after I’m done with my two WIPs (Carousel of Life and Nowhere Else to Go). ^_^;;

Full Series Links: [ YouTube | AO3 ] Written for @adrienaugust - a non-chronological drabble series to expand my music school / jazz club AU.

- Transcript Below the Cut -

“Hey, Adrien… do you still play at that jazz club?”

“Yeah, why?” Adrien looked hopeful. “Did you decide you wanna give it a spin?”

Marinette giggled nervously. “Not yet. I was just curious about something you said.”

“Hm? What?”

“That… no one knows who you are but the owner. What did you mean? How do you manage that?”

“Oh.” Adrien chuckled. “It’s kind of dumb, actually. I’m surprised my cover hasn’t been blown already… or maybe it has, but everyone’s playing along out of pity for me. I wear a mask and dress differently. Style my hair differently—and I always wear a hat. I guess I’ve made a sort of secret persona.”

“Oh?” Marinette’s eyebrows shot up. “You wear a fedora?”

“…Yeah, actually. How’d you know?”

Marinette shrugged. “I could just kind of… see it.”

Adrien laughed, missing her stunned expression. “I’d expect nothing less from Miss Fashionista here.”

Marinette needed confirmation. “Does this persona have a… name?”

“Yeah.” He wrinkled his nose. “I’ll tell you if you promise not to laugh.”

Marinette gulped. “Deadly serious.” Too serious, actually.

“Chat Noir.”

The color drained from Marinette’s face. “Ah,” she squeaked, at a loss for words. “That’s a… catchy name.”

#Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous Audio Fanfiction #Miraculous Podfic #Adrien August #Adrien AUGreste 2019 #Adrien Agreste #Marinette Dupain-Cheng #Adrienette #Adrinette #Miraculous Music AU #ML AU

[komorebirei]

[ Listen on YouTube | Listen from Chapter One ] [ Read on AO3 | Read from Chapter One ]

Written for @adrienaugust - a series of non-chronological drabbles to expand my music AU.

- Transcript -

Broken Fugue: Solfège - Day 27: Hamsters

“Honestly, Marinette, it was good. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

“No, my bow arm was stiff, the triplets were muddy—and those long notes!” Marinette sighed in frustration, the violin still propped under her chin, as if she stubbornly refused to relax completely. “I mean, they’re not hard, but I feel like… like I’m just playing the notes, but missing the feeling. How do I get the emotion in there? Ugh, I just don’t know how to close the gap...”

“First off,” Adrien cut into her rambling, “don’t obsess about it.”

Marinette scowled. “I’m not obsessing. Can we start over?” She raised her bow.

“Marinette…” Adrien stood and took the violin from her, placing it on the cover of the piano. Then he took the bow and placed it beside the violin.

Marinette watched him mutely, resigned to his guidance.

“You need to relax. It’s not about your technique—I mean, I’m not a violinist, so I can’t really give you any tips there. But the more you try to stubbornly plough through it, the more robotic it becomes. I have to be honest, it sounded better the first time we played it.”

“All right, let’s stop, then,” Marinette huffed, at her wit’s end.

“If you want to.” Adrien smiled apologetically, realizing he was putting her on the defensive. “But I have a suggestion, actually, if you’re up for it.”

“Sure,” Marinette sighed, reaching past Adrien for her violin, only to have him intercept with a warm hand on her forearm.

“You won’t need it.” He sat back down at the piano bench, looking over his shoulder at her. “Okay, just hear me out on this… I want you to sing the part.”

“Sing?” Marinette squeaked.

“Yup. Ready?” Adrien started the piano accompaniment to Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, only to stop after a few measures when Marinette didn’t come in. He twisted in the bench to find her biting her lip, red-faced. “Marinette, it’s only you and me in this room. I don’t care if you’re horribly out of tune or have the voice of a man—there’s no possible way you could embarrass yourself in front of me. Trust me, this is going to help.”

Marinette doubled over in peals of laughter, coaxing a sympathetic smile onto Adrien’s face as he waited patiently for her to ride out her fit of giggles.

“Sorry—okay. Right. I’m not embarrassed.” She collected herself, wiping away tears. “It’s just—nothing, never mind. Ignore me. Okay. I’m ready now.”

Adrien felt like he was missing out on an inside joke. “O… kay?” He shrugged and placed his fingertips on the keys, glancing over his shoulder again before starting to play. He caught her schooling a pout into a wide, sheepish smile, and suddenly wasn’t sure if the tears she was wiping away were from laughter, or if she had actually been crying. “Um… are you okay?” He asked, confused and concerned.

“Of course!” She flapped her hand at him to turn around. “Let’s do this.”

Not convincing, but he’d pursue it later. Adrien took a moment to get into the zone before he started playing. This was for Marinette. If he let his own worries feed into his playing, how could he help her loosen up?

After a deep breath, he started the accompaniment again. This time, she came in, voicing the violin part on “da da da” an octave down, sometimes jumping to two octaves when the melody soared into the stratosphere. And… her voice! Adrien had to fight the temptation to stop playing and stare at her.

She had a beautiful voice—a voice he felt like he could listen to for hours, and not only because he loved her and would be willing to listen to anything that came out of her mouth for hours. There was something strangely familiar about it. He tried to come up with which famous singer her voice reminded him of, but he couldn’t put a finger on it. Difficult to draw comparisons when she was singing an instrumental part in nonsensical syllables, anyway.

Marinette stopped when they got to the triplet runs, and Adrien finally spun around eagerly, eyes wide and mouth open in an expression of amazement. “Marinette, I never knew you could sing like that!”

She blushed. “Um, thanks. It wasn’t that great.”

Adrien shook his head in wonder. “No, that was perfect. The expression—you nailed it. Just play it like that. Don’t get caught up on the technicalities.”

“‘Just play it like that,’” Marinette parroted, snorting in self-deprecating humor. “I wish it were that easy.”

“It is! Let’s try it.” Adrien handed over her violin, unable to wipe the goofy smile off his face as he watched her assume position. He still couldn’t get over her voice, and was already brainstorming what he could ask her to sing for him later. Once she was ready, he launched into the accompaniment yet again.

This time, Marinette’s playing seemed to flow more naturally, mimicking the inflections her voice had taken.

“There you go,” Adrien cried, punching the air, when the first solo passage ended. “Yes! That sounded much better.”

“Yeah… that helped. Thanks,” Marinette tried to contain how pleased she was behind a modest smile. Adrien could tell she was proud of the result. He was proud of himself for bringing that out in her.

“Anytime, Angel.” He grinned mischievously. “Now, your turn to do me a favor.”

“Of course! I owe you big time for putting up with me and helping me even though you’re so busy…”

“Hey, stop that, I enjoy this. Priceless time with my dear friend.” His grin melted into a gentle, reassuring smile, but his tone remained playful. “However, you do owe me a favor. Do you have anything planned after this? I’d like to cash in this afternoon.”

“I was just going to practice…” She lifted a brow inquisitively. “What kind of favor is this? Should I be worried?”

“Could you come with me to the pet store?” Adrien pleaded hopefully, like a kid asking for candy.

Marinette laughed. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah. I’m getting a hamster.”

“A hamster?! Why?”

“Why not? My apartment gets quiet—it’s just the piano and me. We need an audience.” He stood up, gathering the Mendelssohn sheet music printouts and slipping them into his messenger bag. “And, because I can. Personal rebellion against my father. He never let me have pets while I was growing up.”

“Poor, deprived boy,” Marinette chuckled, wiping her violin strings with a microfiber cloth. “Sure. Of course I’ll go with you.”

The A string let out a deafening squeak. Adrien winced, while Marinette cackled.

“How are you guys immune to that?” he wailed.

“Years of struggling to make a non-painful sound come out of this instrument—you develop a tolerance.”

—

“I have an even bigger favor to ask of you,” Adrien admitted as they fondly watched their favorite little grey and white hamster nose around its cage, a piece of bedding stuck to its ear.

“What is it?”

“Would you be my hamster-sitter? For when I have to travel?”

“Ahh, the truth comes out— that’s why he brought me along,” Marinette commented, as a joking aside.

“Yup, thought I’d soften you up with the endearing sight of your future charge before popping the question.” Adrien turned his Puss-in-Boots eyes on Marinette. “Please? Look how cute he is. I love him.”

He certainly knew how cute he was, and wasn’t shy about flaunting it.

“Fine,” Marinette feigned reluctance. “I’ll be your hamster’s backup mom.”

Adrien turned to look at her, the gears in his head turning. “‘Backup mom’ implies he has another 'main' mom, but he doesn’t. That’d actually be you. Are you ready to be a hamster mom?”

“Joint custody. I accept.”

#Miraculous #Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous Audio Fanfiction #Miraculous Podfic #Broken Fugue #Broken Fugue: Solfege #Miraculous Music AU #Miraculous AU #Adrien Agreste #Marinette Dupain-Cheng #Adrienette #Adrinette #Adrien August #Adrien AUGreste 2019

[komorebirei]

Broken Fugue: Solfège - Chapter Twenty-Five: Flirt

After a long hiatus, here’s a new audio recording of Broken Fugue: Solfège. I had sort of put it off because there are singing lines and I didn’t want to mess it up, haha. But I’m really happy with the way this one turned out, with the background music.

I thoughtlessly recorded the singing without considering the background music (oops), so I had to Frankenstein-cobble together some piano music for the background. I think it worked out well enough. ^^;;

Also, accidentally said “twenty-four” instead of “twenty-five” for the opening and closing screens. Oops! It’s because I added an extra chapter earlier on, so the numbers in my Google doc are thrown off. Ah well, other than that I think it turned out pretty well? :D

[ Listen on YouTube | Listen from Chapter One ]

[ Read on AO3 | Read from Chapter One ]

Teaser:

“Tu sais je vais t’aimer.” (”You know I’m gonna love you.”)

Chat Noir perked up as the honey-sweet voice met his ears. He turned in time to see Coccinelle taking the steps up to the stage, looking stunning in a red sleeveless dress with a lace bodice. “Ah, really, Ladybird? If I may humbly say so, I don’t blame you—besides my good looks, I also have a great sense of humor.”

“Don’t give yourself too much credit, Chaton,” she chided, not unkindly. “Do you know the song, or not?”

“Of course. I’m prepared for you, Milady.”

She lifted the mic from the clip, and he played the opening chords.

“Tu sais je vais t’aimer… même sans ta presence, je vais t’aimer…” (”You know I’m gonna love you... even without your presence, I’m gonna love you...”)

Chat Noir closed his eyes as he played, savoring the way Coccinelle’s voice melted into the piano’s tones. Her voice was soft, soothing, easy to listen to—perhaps untrained, but beautiful nonetheless, like a rare wildflower.

The mood of the club had shifted as she sang, commanding the audience’s attention. Who was this girl who could cast such a spell with her voice? Or was it only him under the spell?

--

A drabble written for @adrienaugust for my Music AU, Broken Fugue.

#Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous Audio Fanfiction #Miraculous Music AU #Chat Noir #Ladybug #Coccinelle #Broken Fugue #Adrien AUGreste 2019 #Adrien August

[komorebirei]

So, I decided to stop being lazy and finish up these Broken Fugue recordings! Anyway, it was the singing that held me up with the last one, so I have no more excuses.

“Fun” fact: The background music is Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a dead princess) (full recording). I thought it was suitable because of Émilie’s life and death casting a shadow on Adrien’s relationship with his father. The mood seemed stately and dignified as interactions with Gabriel would feel, but also melancholy and ploddingly reluctant. I’m thankful this recording was in the public domain and available to be used.

Written for @adrienaugust - a collection of non-chronological drabbles to expand my music AU.

[ Listen on YouTube | Listen from Day One ] [ Read on AO3 | Read from Part One ]

Or read below:

“Adrien, we need to talk about your career.”

Adrien dragged an asparagus tip through the cream sauce of his chicken cordon bleu and put it in his mouth to avoid responding. The topic didn’t surprise him. He had been dreading lunch for this exact reason.

“I sense that you’re reluctant to move forward.”

Maybe because I am? Adrien sighed. “I’m graduating in the summer, then I’m off to the U.S. to play in some of the world’s top concert halls. What else do you want me to do?”

“Release an album. Tour the world, not just America. Appear on television. Are you utilizing social media?” Gabriel sounded like he was reading off a pre-existing list in his head.

Adrien pursed his lips in annoyance. “Father… how about I start with America?”

“Is Nathalie helping you arrange everything?” Gabriel pressed. “Or do I need to find a manager for you?”

“Nathalie is fine.” Adrien set down his fork, appetite lost. “Father, why do you want me to be famous? What if that life isn’t for me?”

“It pains me to see talents like you and your mother perish, unknown to the public,” Gabriel responded darkly.

The mention of his mother, and the reference to his ‘perishing,’ made Adrien feel vaguely sick. “What if I don’t make it?” he challenged. “Would my life be worthless, then?”

“Of course not, Adrien.” Gabriel’s tone was appeasing. “But that’s no reason to give up, is it? How has your health been? You haven’t… felt anything, have you?”

Adrien licked his lips, which had gone dry, a pit of discomfort opening up in his stomach. He shifted his left foot. The prickling sensation had started to climb past his ankle, but he could still move his toes. “No,” he lied, hoping his hesitation didn’t show.

#Adrien August #Adrien AUGreste 2019 #Broken Fugue #Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous Audio Fanfiction #Miraculous Podfic #Broken Fugue: Solfege #Miraculous Music AU #Adrien Agreste #Gabriel Agreste #ML AU #Miraculous AU

[komorebirei]

Broken Fugue: Solfège - Day 31: Tropical Island

Shamelessly overly dramatic. I used a clip from Totentanz in this one, mwahaha. Thanks for making me appreciate it, @mikauzoran​.

One part left!

Full Series Links: [ YouTube | AO3 ] Written for @adrienaugust - a non-chronological drabble series to expand my music school / jazz club AU.

- Transcript Below the Cut -

Adrien slowly became aware of the voices around him as his consciousness drifted to the surface. He must have fallen asleep reading in his mother’s bed last night. He buried deeper into the comforter.

The voices stilled for a moment, only resuming when Adrien didn’t show any further signs of wakefulness.

“I’m only doing it to make him happy, but I don’t see any hope, Nathalie.”

That was his mother. The bed shook as she moved with Nathalie’s help. She was breathing heavily, as if she had climbed a steep flight of steps.

“There’s only a five percent chance of a full recovery. Neither the treatments nor the therapy is working.”

“Even if you don’t recover fully,” Nathalie reassured her, “He’ll still love you.”

Émilie laughed derisively. “Gabriel is only satisfied with the best. He loves who I was.”

“Émilie, isn’t that a harsh judgment?”

“Is it?” Her tone was weary. “I’ve seen the way he looks at me.”

Adrien tried not to tremble as he cried.

—

As Adrien stood from the piano bench, Émilie flashed him her brightest smile, compensating for the applause she couldn’t give. “Well done, my love. Your father would be proud.”

“Are you proud?”

“Of course, Adrien.”

“I have an idea,” Adrien gasped, as if he’d landed on the answer to a problem that had been tormenting him. “Why don’t we move to a tropical island with no concert halls? No one will care whether you can play, and you can relax all day long.”

“Hurry and grow up, then, my little prince, so you can whisk me away.” Émilie’s eyes laughed.

—

During the funeral, when Adrien had a chance to look inside his mother’s casket, he felt empty inside.

You didn’t wait for me to grow up. Did it hurt too much to wait?

#Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous Ladybug #ML AU #Miraculous Music AU #Broken Fugue #Adrien Agreste #Adrien AUGreste 2019 #Adrien August #Emilie Agreste

[komorebirei]

Broken Fugue: Solfège - 17. Akumatized

Adrien curled under the blankets, holding a photo of his mother, letting a steady stream of tears drip over the bridge of his nose and down his temple. She had seemed to be back to normal. She had seemed fine. Now, all of a sudden, she was in the hospital.

He touched her cheek, frozen into a perpetual smile, and a fresh wave of tears leaked into his pillow.

A knock sounded on the door. His academic alarm had gone off and the sun was already shining brightly through his windows. He was probably in trouble for not making an appearance in the study, but what did it matter?

The door opened. Nathalie’s voice—the last thing he wanted to hear right now—grated on his ears.

“Good morning, Adrien. Your father told me to come in, since you didn’t come down for your lessons.”

“I can’t study right now,” he croaked, followed by a wet sniffle. He didn’t want to study with Nathalie. He wanted his mother.

“Your academic lessons are called off for today and until further notice. You’re joining the Amadeus Competition next week, and your father has signed you up for some rather ambitious pieces, so we’ll be starting on them today.”

Adrien squeezed his eyes shut. “Mom is dying,” he breathed faintly. “Why do I have to practice the piano?”

“I’m sorry, Adrien.” The bed shifted as Nathalie took a seat at the foot, breaking her professional demeanor. “These are your father’s orders. And besides, your mother is not dying. You’ll have a chance to visit her tonight.”

“Father said I wasn’t ready for Amadeus yet,” Adrien protested in a despondent monotone.

“Well, you have a week to make yourself ready. This competition could jump-start your career. The winners almost always become world-famous soloists.”

“‘Career’ … isn’t that something for grown-ups?”

Nathalie was silent for a moment, before explaining in a low voice, “Your father is preparing everything for you to have a successful career once you become an adult. Please, Adrien, get out of bed. You can ask your father all your questions when you accompany him to the hospital later.”

Pulling himself up slowly, Adrien placed the photo on his nightstand tenderly, wiped his tears, and plodded to his piano, still in pajamas. “I don’t feel like going downstairs. Can I use mine?”

Nathalie sighed, pitying the boy. “Yes, Adrien. That should be fine.”

–

400 words. Written for @adrienaugust - part of a collection of Music AU drabbles.

#Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Broken Fugue #Music AU #Miraculous Music AU #Adrien Agreste #Nathalie Sancoeur #Adrien August #Adrien AUGreste 2019

[komorebirei]

Broken Fugue: Solfège - Day 29: Nightmares

Notes:

This was the chapter I felt most nervous about publishing on AO3, because I wasn’t sure how it would be received. It seemed really dark and the style is different from all the previous chapters. I’ve since made some decisions and thought more about Adrien’s backstory and feel more confident committing to the decisions I made.

The ‘sleep paralysis’ is actually something that has happened to me often. It usually happens when I try to take a nap at odd hours when I’m extremely sleep-deprived, and it’s really scary. Something about the way the half-conscious state works in the brain makes everything feel like a scene from a horror movie.

Anyway, it’s really not too scary. I think this worked much better in audio than text.

Full Series Links: [ YouTube | AO3 ] Written for @adrienaugust - a non-chronological drabble series to expand my music school / jazz club AU.

- Transcript Below the Cut -

The light turned green, and Adrien stepped on the pedal.

It was dusk. He kept his eyes on the car in front, running a finger along the leather stitching on the steering wheel.

That was when he felt it—a numbness that started from his head and cascaded to his toes, as if water were filling the inside of his body. His hands fell away from the steering wheel, having lost all strength to grip.

Unable to react, he watched in horror as the distance began to close between his car and the one in front. No, he cried silently, his mind jumping ahead to assess the potential damage of an accident in this kind of traffic. Not this. Anywhere but here!

—He awoke, heart beating fast, shot with terror. The ceiling, faintly illuminated in green from the charging light on his phone, filled his vision.

He realized he wasn’t breathing, and tried to suck in air, but his lungs didn’t cooperate. Feeling a scream build in his chest, he tried to move an arm, but couldn’t turn his head to see whether it was working. Though he thought he felt his arm rising, nothing came into view when it should have. Sliding his eyes to the edge of his field of vision, he barely glimpsed the dreadful silhouette of his arm still lying in the same spot at his side.

Horrified, he tried to scream, but nothing came out. He was paralyzed in place, and his body started to cry for oxygen. Desperate, he lashed out and, as if breaking the surface of a lake, his body finally jerked into an upright position. He gasped, filling his lungs with air, clenching and unclenching hands that had regained their facility.

Sleep paralysis. It wasn’t the first time he had experienced it.

Drawing even breaths, he waited for his erratic heartbeat to slow down.

Too afraid of it happening again to go back to sleep, he swung his legs out of bed, feet making contact with cold carpet. When he got up and walked, the way his left foot was still slow to respond concerned him. It felt like he was wearing two layers of thick socks on that foot.

Adrien padded out into the living room and crouched beside the hamster cage. Émile was silent. Did hamsters sleep through the night? Squinting his eyes, Adrien tried to make out Émile’s whereabouts in the faint glow of moonlight that bled through the curtains.

Two beady eyes reflected white dots of light as the hamster emerged from the mouth of his plastic tunnel, the scratching sound a pleasant intruder to the silence of the room.

Maybe Adrien was worrying too much. It had happened twice before. He had been hospitalized when he lost all strength in his arms at the age of thirteen, a year after his mother’s death. After a round of testing, he was deemed perfectly healthy. The feeling returned to his arms, and the doctor surmised that he had experienced psychosomatic symptoms of trauma over his mother. It happened again when he was nineteen.

His worries weren’t groundless, though. When he was tested at the age of eight, after his mother started exhibiting symptoms, the doctors had found the mutation in his genes, meaning he was likely to develop the same symptoms at some point during his early adulthood. His father hadn’t told him until he was eighteen and ready to leave home for university. The resulting anxiety and pressure from his father to make the best use of his health were probably what spurred the second bout of stress-induced symptoms.

This time, though, he couldn’t be sure if the loss of feeling in his foot was due to his anxiety or not.

Opening the door of the cage, Adrien reached out for Émile, who darted into hiding upon contact with his hand. It wasn’t surprising—the woman at the pet store had told him to give the hamster some distance while he settled into his new habitat—yet, Adrien’s heart shriveled at the lost opportunity for warmth.

He wanted to call Marinette. She was good at cheering him up—but he hadn’t told her about this illness that haunted him and his mother’s memory, and plus, it was the middle of the night.

“How do you like your new home, buddy?” he asked Émile, trying to ground himself in the present reality. Émile rustled in the bedding, the fluffy curve of his side twitching just beyond the food bowl. “You’re a lucky little guy, you know? You have the best mom. I love her. But don’t tell her I said that.”

Adrien hugged his knees, wishing he weren’t alone at this moment.

The raw fear had subsided, at least.

Maybe he’d be able to go back to sleep.

#Broken Fugue #Adrien August #Adrien AUGreste 2019 #Adrien Agreste #Miraculous Music AU #Miraculous AU #ML AU #Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous Audio Fanfiction #Miraculous Podfic

[komorebirei]

Broken Fugue: Solfège (Audio) - Chapter Sixteen

Chapter 16 | Playlist

—

“Mom, why is Miss Nathalie teaching me piano?” Émilie smiled at her son and squeezed his hand. “It’s only for now.” It was cold enough for gloves, but they had both forgotten, so their fingers were rosy and numbing. Adrien buried his small hand deeper in hers, seeking solace. “But why?” His lips stung from the chill. “It’s nothing to worry about, Adrien.” Though gentle, her voice was laced with a sternness that made his questions die in his throat. Barely keeping up with her long strides, Adrien followed his mother into her favorite coffee shop on the corner a block away from the mansion, breathing a sigh of relief as the fragrant, warm air embraced them. “One small café au lait, and one small chocolat chaud, please.” She tugged her hand away from Adrien to pay. He got distracted ogling the artfully composed pastries lining the display. “Adrien, pay attention.” He looked up, to realize that she was already waiting at a table for their drinks to be served. He ran to join her. “I don’t like her.” He pouted petulantly, elbows propped on the table, cheekbones lifted on his palms. “She couldn’t tell me the story behind the Nocturne in C Sharp Minor, so it’s no fun learning.” Émilie reached out to stroke his bangs with her fingertips. “Listen to the music, my love, and the story will tell itself.” “Can’t you tell me? Now?” “You need to learn to hear the story for yourself. Maybe that’s what Miss Nathalie is trying to teach you.” “I don’t think so,” Adrien sulked. He wasn’t fooled. A waitress brought out their drinks in to-go cups. They stood up, feeling thoroughly revived after the brief respite from the winter weather. Curling his fingers around the warm cup, Adrien drifted to his mother’s left side, where he had been walking before, only to find her hand occupied by her coffee. He circled around her and took her other hand. It was cold, hanging limp at her side instead of molding around his. Horror-struck with a sense of eerie wrongness, he let go abruptly, frozen in place. Émilie had taken three steps before realizing he wasn’t with her, and looked back. “Come on, darling,” she called, answering his shell-shocked expression with a quizzical look. He blinked, returning to himself, and caught up, clutching his cup in both palms, afraid to take her hand again.

—

An audio recording of my music AU drabble collection for @adrienaugust.

#Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous Audio Fanfiction #Miraculous Podfic #Adrien Agreste #Emilie Agreste #Adrien August #Adrien AUGreste 2019

[komorebirei]

Broken Fugue: Solfège - 21. Modeling

(AO3)

Adrien wiped another tear from his mother’s cheek as it rolled silently from the corner of her eye. “Why are you crying, Mom?” The hard piano bench dug into his knees, folded under him as he pressed to her side.

“I’m not, darling,” she whispered, lips stretching in a faint smile. She mouthed, “Thank you.”

“Adrien, go to your room,” Gabriel commanded, but Émilie lifted her arm slightly to curl around his back, as if sheltering him.

“Can’t he be in the photos, too?” She asked softly.

“Fine.”

Adrien leaned his head against his mother’s side. When he felt her start to tilt, he sat up in shock and put an arm around his mother’s trim waist to steady her.

“Thank you, darling,” she murmured. “I’m sorry.” Another salty stream appeared under her eye, and Adrien dabbed it with his sleeve.

The camera shutter clicked, capturing the moment.

“I still don’t understand why we have to do this, Gabriel,” Émilie sighed.

“You deserve to be heard by the world, Émilie.” Gabriel came and placed his hand in the center of her back.

“Our magazine has immortalized legends in the classical music world,” the reporter boasted. “Your name will be placed alongside world-class talents. And the fact that you’ve only done a handful of recordings? Once your story hits the press—they’ll be like gold.”

Adrien watched his mother’s eyes for more tears and did his job dutifully. Her arms were too weak to wipe them for herself, after all. Couldn’t they see they were hurting his mother?

“Thank you, darling,” she leaned into her son, choosing not to respond to the reporter.

“I love you even if you never play the piano again,” he whispered in her ear.

“I love you too, sweetheart,” she pressed a kiss to his head.

--

Author’s Note:

Written for @adrienaugust - part of a collection of drabbles about my music AU. Copying my explanation from AO3, since this is pretty important in the series.

Émilie has a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the nerve cells. She was in the hospital receiving treatment for paralysis of most of her body and has recovered to some degree, but not fully, so it requires great exertion on her part to do simple tasks like walking or even hugging her son. Playing the piano is out of the question at this time; the best she could do now is pick out notes one by one.

I did a lot of research and had long conversations with my nurse friend about this disease, to make it medically plausible. I'm using the symptoms and patterns of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which is a real disease, but I've made some slight modifications to make it work for this series and keep things in the 'fictional' zone. Whatever needs to be known for the story to make sense will be mentioned in due time.

Émilie's disease and the family dynamic surrounding it play a crucial part in this story and Adrien's future mindset and behavior. What do you think? Did you expect this? Are you curious about what will happen?

#Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Adrien August #Adrien AUGreste 2019 #Broken Fugue #Adrien Agreste #Emilie Agreste #Gabriel Agreste

[komorebirei]

Gah, been busy lately and haven’t updated Broken Fugue in ages. Here’s a new one.

Listen from Chapter One (Playlist)

Written for @adrienaugust — a series of drabbles to expand my music AU.

#Adrien AUGreste 2019 #Adrien August #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous Ladybug #Adrien Agreste #Emilie Agreste #Gabriel Agreste #Miraculous Music AU

[komorebirei]

Broken Fugue: Solfège - 11. Childhood

(AO3)

“Who are you?”

Eight-year-old Adrien sat on the piano bench, hands clasped in his lap, eyeing the tall, dark-haired woman apprehensively.

A disapproving look flashed across her face at his blunt question, but she answered calmly, “My name is Nathalie. I’ll be your piano teacher from today.”

Adrien sat straighter, alarmed. “Where’s Mom?”

“I wasn’t told—you’ll have to ask your father. Now, where are you in your scales?”

“I can play them all. Working on accelerations.” Adrien wanted to run to his mother’s room to see if she was there and okay.

“Why don’t you start from C Major?”

–

Whoops, got behind in posting these on Tumblr! Written for @adrienaugust - part of a collection of drabbles to play around with my Music AU. Full story coming to AO3 at some point.

#Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Broken Fugue #Adrien Agreste #Nathalie #Emilie Agreste #Music AU #Music School AU #Adrien AUGreste 2019 #Adrien August

[komorebirei]

Sadly, this came out one day late. But twenty-one days is still a great streak, right? :D

Is the thumbnail showing up properly? It works on my phone, but not my computer.

Sorry-not-sorry for using so much Chopin. He has a lot of CC Attribution works on IMSLP. Anyway, Chopin is great.

Listen on YouTube Listen from Chapter One Read on AO3 Read from Chapter One

An audio recording of my fanfiction for @adrienaugust.

#Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous Audio Fanfiction #Miraculous Podfic #Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Music AU #Broken Fugue #Adrien Agreste #Emilie Agreste #Gabriel Agreste #Adrien AUGreste 2019 #Adrien August

[komorebirei]

Broken Fugue: Solfège (Audio) - Chapter Nine

Chapter 9 | Playlist

—

An audio narration of my fic for @adrienaugust. Read the whole series on AO3.

#Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous Audio Fanfiction #Miraculous Podfic #Miraculous Music AU #Adrien August #Adrien AUGreste 2019

[komorebirei]

Broken Fugue: Solfège - 20. Music

(AO3)

Adrien heard voices inside the music salon, on his way upstairs from breakfast with Nathalie.

He didn’t know anyone else was home. Father had been touring and Mom was in the hospital. Why didn’t they tell him they were home?

He pressed his ear against the closed door, hearing his mother’s muffled voice. He wanted to burst inside to see her, but was afraid of his father’s wrath if he didn’t want to be disturbed.

He lay on the floor and peered under the door, his practiced method of spying.

“What do you mean, he wasn’t sure?” his father’s voice seethed. “Either it’s possible, or it isn’t.”

“Then, it’s possible.” His mother's voice was clearer, unobstructed by solid wood.

“I’ll hire the best physical therapist.” His father’s curt voice matched the tap of his shoes crossing the floor. Adrien followed the reflections, shuddering when he saw where they stopped—beside a curve of steel and rubber. A wheelchair?

His father’s weight shifted from one foot to another in an indecipherable, wordless gesture.

“I’m sorry.” His mother’s voice was heavy with regret.

“No more of that, Émilie. This isn’t your fault.”

“My career is over,” she choked. “This ruins the dream you had for us.”

“Émilie, you’re an Agreste now. Agrestes don’t admit defeat so easily. You will play again—promise me you will.”

Silence.

Then, more insistently: “Promise me.”

“I can’t promise, Gabriel.” Her voice shook.

Adrien didn’t understand, but it felt like something very bad was happening. A tear leaked down his cheek.

“Promise me you’ll try your best, at least. Nothing less than your best,” Gabriel snapped.

Why was his father being so mean?

His mother said something too quietly to hear, and footsteps approached the door—terrified, Adrien leapt to his feet and fled to his room.

—

Written for @adrienaugust - part of a collection of Music AU drabbles. Adrien is nine in this one. Check out more drabbles on AO3.

Since my whole series centers around music, I took some liberties with this prompt. As usual, there is a connection, but it might not be obvious.

#Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous Music AU #Adrien AUGreste 2019 #Adrien August #Adrien Agreste #Gabriel Agreste #Émilie Agreste #Broken Fugue