Backstage smelled like metal, polish, and nerves.
Adrien stood in front of the long mirror, shoulders squared, eyes half-lidded as he inhaled slowly through his nose and exhaled through his mouth. Again. And again.
Control.
That was all this was.
Breath in.
Breath out.
Everything else—noise, expectations, people—faded into the background.
His reflection stared back at him, calm, composed, perfect.
But his fingers curled slightly at his sides.
Not nervous.
Never nervous.
Just… aware.
"Arrête de bouger."
Ji-won's voice cut through his thoughts as she stepped closer, gently pushing a strand of his hair away from his forehead.
("Stop moving.")
"I'm not moving," Adrien replied flatly.
She huffed softly, focused as she fixed the last details.
"Tu es insupportable, vraiment."
("You're impossible, honestly.")
Adrien didn't answer.
Instead, he closed his eyes briefly, centering himself again.
Ji-won studied him for a moment.
Then her tone softened.
"Tu vas gagner."
("You're going to win.")
Adrien opened his eyes.
"…Je sais."
("…I know.")
But something about the way he said it wasn't arrogance.
It was expectation.
Across the arena, his opponent was already ready.
Leaning lazily against the wall like he had all the time in the world.
A lollipop rested between his lips, tilting slightly as he shifted it from one side to the other.
Dyed ash-blue hair fell over his eyes in messy layers, contrasting sharply with the piercings—one on his ear, two on his lips—that caught the light every time he moved.
Glasses framed his face, giving him an almost intellectual look.
Almost.
Because everything else about him screamed the opposite.
Relaxed.
Unbothered.
Dangerous in a way that didn't need to prove itself.
"Yo."
He pushed off the wall, rolling his shoulders as a staff member called his name.
Kael Moreau.
He smirked faintly, biting down on the lollipop stick before pulling it out and tossing it into a nearby bin.
"Let's get this over with."
In the stands—
Zane sat stiffly in his seat.
Not because he was uncomfortable.
Because he couldn't sit still.
His eyes were glued to the entrance.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting—
"Relax," Leo's voice came from beside him, amused.
Zane didn't look at him.
"I am relaxed."
Leo laughed softly.
"Sure you are."
Zane ignored him.
Leo leaned back, casually crossing one leg over the other.
"You know… you're kind of obvious."
That got Zane's attention.
He turned slightly, brows furrowed.
"What?"
Leo tilted his head toward the arena.
"Him."
Zane's jaw tightened.
"…So what?"
Leo smiled.
"Nothing. Just interesting."
A pause.
Then Leo pointed lazily toward the opposite side of the arena.
"See him?"
Zane followed his gaze.
And blinked.
"…That's your cousin?"
Kael stood there, adjusting his gloves, completely at ease like he wasn't about to face one of the best fencers in the country.
"Yeah," Leo said, almost proudly. "Kael."
Zane let out a short laugh.
"They're complete opposites."
"Exactly why this is fun."
Zane shook his head slightly.
But his focus snapped back instantly when—
Adrien stepped in.
Everything else faded.
Zane leaned forward without realizing it, his heart kicking harder in his chest.
Adrien was already in uniform, movements precise, controlled, effortless.
He placed his helmet on.
And in that moment—
He looked untouchable.
Zane started clapping.
Loud.
Sharp.
Alone.
The sound echoed awkwardly through the section.
People glanced at him.
Leo burst out laughing.
"…You're serious?"
Zane froze.
"…Shut up."
He quickly stopped, clearing his throat as he sat back down, suddenly very aware of himself.
But it was too late.
Because Adrien had already seen him.
Even through the helmet—
Zane knew.
Adrien paused.
Just for a second.
And somehow—
That was enough.
His shoulders relaxed.
His stance settled.
And when he stepped onto the mat—
He was steady.
The match began.
Sharp.
Fast.
Controlled.
Adrien moved like precision itself.
Every step calculated.
Every strike clean.
Kael, on the other hand—
Was unpredictable.
Loose.
Fluid.
He moved like he didn't care about the rules—but followed them perfectly anyway.
A smirk lingered in everything he did.
Even in defense.
Even when pushed back.
Zane leaned forward again.
This time, no one noticed.
Or maybe they just didn't care.
Ji-won stood near the coach, clapping elegantly, calling out encouragement in French.
"Adrien! Continue! Plus vite!"
("Adrien! Keep going! Faster!")
On the other side—
A completely different presence sat.
Legs spread wide.
Motorbike helmet resting against his thigh.
Hair cut in a wolf style, the ends dyed a deep, striking red.
A lollipop rested in his mouth, mirroring Kael's earlier look.
His gaze never left the match.
Focused.
Sharp.
Possessive.
Zane glanced at him briefly.
"…Who's that?"
Leo followed his gaze.
"Oh," he said casually. "That's Riven."
Zane raised a brow.
"Let me guess."
Leo smirked.
"Yeah. Kael's boyfriend."
Zane exhaled.
"Figures."
The match intensified.
Point after point.
Strike after strike.
Kael pushed harder than expected.
Faster.
More aggressive.
But Adrien—
Adapted.
Controlled.
Dominated.
And then—
Final point.
Silence.
A strike.
The buzzer.
Adrien won.
For a second—
Everything froze.
Then—
Zane was on his feet.
Clapping again.
Louder this time.
And this time—
Others joined.
Polite.
Refined.
But present.
Adrien removed his helmet.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Not wide.
Not exaggerated.
But real.
He extended his hand.
Helped Kael up.
And Kael—
Smirked.
"Not bad," he muttered.
Adrien raised a brow slightly.
"…You too."
They shook hands.
Held it for the cameras.
Pictures flashed.
Then separated.
Adrien was handed his cup.
He bowed slightly.
Graceful.
Perfect.
And stepped away.
Ji-won rushed to him immediately, wrapping her arms around him.
"Tu as été incroyable!"
("You were incredible!")
Adrien allowed it.
Barely.
But he didn't push her away.
On the other side—
Kael walked back casually.
Riven stood up.
"Lost," he said flatly.
Kael rolled his eyes.
"Shut up."
Riven smirked, grabbing his hand anyway.
"Still hot though."
Kael snorted.
"Obviously."
Zane sat back down slowly.
His heart was still racing.
He grabbed his phone.
Typed.
You did great.
Sent.
A second later—
Adrien replied.
I know.
Zane laughed under his breath.
Then—
Come outside.
Zane stood up immediately.
Leo watched him, amused.
"Leaving already?"
Zane shrugged.
"Yeah."
A pause.
Then—
"See you."
Leo waved lazily.
"Have fun."
Outside—
The air felt cooler.
Quieter.
Adrien stood near the entrance, already changed, hands in his pockets.
Zane walked toward him.
And stopped.
For a second—
Neither spoke.
Then Zane smiled.
"…You were insane out there."
Adrien looked at him.
"…You were loud."
Zane laughed.
"Only a little."
Adrien shook his head.
But there was something softer in his expression.
Something that hadn't been there before.
"Come," Adrien said simply.
Zane followed.
Without question.
From a distance—
Leo sat in his car.
A luxurious interior.
A plate of Kobe beef resting on his lap.
Caviar beside it.
He ate slowly.
Calmly.
Watching.
Through the tinted window—
He saw them.
Adrien.
Zane.
Walking side by side.
Getting into the same car.
Leaving together.
Leo chewed thoughtfully.
Then smiled faintly.
"…Interesting."
And took another bite.