clarity | {indigo/adrien} blitz

As usual, he found the time to unwind with a book in the library. Life was full of lessons to learn, and every day was a chance to improve oneself. Malcolm had many manuals among other things, and now with his desire to cook satiated for the moment, Indigo was now deeply invested in learning how to properly whittle.

The door opened, shattering the silence in the library and Indigo looked up over the edge of his book to see Adrien making his way towards the table, a pencil and a piece of paper in hand. He took an empty seat and tossed the stuff he was carrying towards him. He wore a grin that quickly faded as he asked for help.

It surprised Indigo, if he was being honest. In his opinion, Adrien was the most put together of their dirty dozen. Most of their peers had issues that ranged from the interesting to the uncomfortable. Whether it be Coralie's snootiness or whatever the hell Beryl was hiding behind his facade, they all had problems. 

Even Indigo had his problems; between his tendency to say exactly what was on his mind, the weed to keep the stress off and his constant feeling of awkwardness in nearly every social setting, he found it hard to form lasting friendships.

But Adrien was genuine. Real. He was easy to be around; Indigo never felt awkward around him or ever felt the need to apologize when his mouth ran faster than his brain.When he won this competition; and given his track record, he honestly would, he’d make sure that Adrien got the house.

He had no need for it and Adrien seemed like he needed a break.

Help, he mused.

Well, there were any number of things he could need help with. Help, we’ve been living with my secret dad for four months. Help, for some reason Violet doesn’t like me. Help I’ve fallen and I can’t get up. But if Indigo were a betting man, and he was, he’d say that Adrien’s most pressing concern was the fact that he could be sent packing.

As if someone like Malcolm would turn their child away after going through the trouble of bringing them here. No, Indigo knew his friend was safe. Just like Poppy and somehow, Beryl of all people. Well, whatever the case, he’d help him to the best of his ability.

“Well then, class is now in session.” He said with a small smile, picking up the pencil and smoothing the sheet of paper out in front of him. “What is it you need to know? I assume this is competition related?”

As he talked, Indigo set about drawing the others. He was no artist, but he felt that the stick figures got the message across. One wearing a bow-tie, another holding a bag with a dollar sign on it, one with a stick cat on its shoulder, etc.

Adrien made some good points, debating the merits of strategy versus not wanting to make the hard decisions because he wasn’t qualified. Which wasn’t true. Perhaps Adrien wasn’t among the frontrunners, but he was by no means at the bottom of the barrel.

“Sometimes, the only choices you have are bad ones. But you still have to choose.” It was the most honest piece of advice he could give. “For this challenge, don’t think of our fellow interns as friends, enemies or competitors. Think of them as employees.” He drew a large square behind the twelve figures and wrote Nox Industries in the top.

“Profits are down this month. The only way to recoup losses is to fire three workers and so the most underperforming ones have to go.” He spun the paper around and handed the pencil off. “In this instance, it doesn’t matter who you like or who you hate. What matters is the results. Who does the company need?”

Indigo drummed his fingers on the table as he stared at the paper. “I plan to vote honestly and impartially.” It was the truth, and Indigo had never been one to hide from who he was. “Are there people who will vote for petty, selfish reasons? Certainly. Are there people that will vote strategically? Indubitably. But I think our host would be more impressed by those who vote with the good of the business in mind.”

Which brought him to the final part of his lecture, the man himself.

“Malcolm Nox. I’ve stayed ahead in this competition because I’ve made it a point to think like him. I believe he’s realized he isn’t getting any younger, and for all his money, fame and access to any number of vices, he’s come to the conclusion that its meaningless. It was fun for a time, but its left him empty. He yearns for something more, and thus the search for a suitable heir. He’s got to make up for lost time now.”


Indigo was quiet for a few seconds, wondering if he’d crossed the invisible line he’d drawn before. There were some things they didn’t talk about.

“However, thinking like him doesn’t mean becoming him. I quite like who I am.”

“I think I’ll leave the artwork to Whitney, from now on.” He responded with a good-natured chuckle. “But at least it gets the point across." Adrien stood, giving him a playful shove and crossing his arms.

“I’m going to say it, but you know already, right?”

As he turned, the war within evident in his shoulders, Indigo leaned back in his chair and studied him. His words had struck a chord with him after all. He’d expected this for a while. No one knew better than Indigo that secrets couldn’t be kept forever.

My last name, the reason I haven’t said it once, the reason I keep it to myself—

It’s Nox. Adrien Nox. That’s my name. That’s, It’s his name.

Indigo let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding in.
But you knew that already, right?


“Figured it out the first week,” he replied with a nod. “It’s in your body language. Both of you. The way he stares at you with a mixture of regret and pride. The way you tense up whenever he enters the room. And that’s not even taking into account the few features you share.” Indigo paused, staring down at the stick figures. “You both grimace the same way you know.” He shook his head.

“I might have been the first to pick up on this, but after four months I’d hazard a guess that some of the others have as well.”

Indigo sighed and clasped his hands together. He’d wanted this conversation for some time now, the missing pieces of the puzzle taunting him from the empty spaces of the full picture. But he hadn’t wanted Adrien to be uncomfortable either. He hoped he wasn’t.

"The nature of your relationship or lack thereof is your business. But honest opinion? Even if a majority of our peers vote you out, you’re not going anywhere. I doubt Malcolm would go through the trouble of bringing you here just to make you leave.”