"So let me get this right? You sent her a dozen red roses because you thought she didn't see herself as beautiful?"

"What did the card say again?"

The guys were sat around in Nino's kitchen talking to Adrien. For once in his life he felt out of his depth. Kim and Nino seem to be indicating that for a new relationship he might be coming on slightly too strong. Adrien placed his face in his hands as he answered the guys.

"To me, you're always beautiful." Kim burst out laughing as Adrien spoke.

"She's got you whipped man. You've only been with her a week." Kim was finding it hilarious, he never thought the big mighty lothario Agreste would ever succumb to making a girl happy; and in more than just the sexual department that was.

"I agree Adrien. The statistics of you remaining in this relationship is a lowly 5%." Max had spoken for the first time regarding the situation. Unlike the others he didn't usually push his point across, that is unless it was factually true of course.

"Why?" Adrien wasn't shocked at all by this. What they didn't know, though, was this one was going to last at least for a while. One positive of the fake relationship.

"Let's be honest Adrien, if she's not giving you any you'll be off to find it somewhere else. That's what you always do." Kim took a swig of his beer, looking over Adrien. He knew his friend and there's no way he'd stay with Marinette, she was too pure, too much into love and romance. His buddy couldn't even remain faithful to a toothpaste brand.

"Not this time lads, I'm a changed man."

They all started laughing at Adrien and he could feel the annoyance start to radiate up in his body. No one believed he could do anything, and to be honest he'd bought it on himself, yet that didn't stop it from hurting.

"I must admit Marinette has grown into quite a woman." Max spoke again and Adrien couldn't help the inner growl at Max's words. She was his. For his eyes only. Kim looked and saw a deadly glare begin to form on Adrien's face.

"Chill man! She is beautiful, though, and her body is hot! Yikes! Hey Nino, remember when we went to the beach last year and she wore that tiny bikini? Every guy on the beach was drooling! I remember having to stay in the water for a while until I was in a suitable position to walk along the beach." Kim couldn't help himself, he could tell it was winding Adrien up and he just couldn't stop. Adrien, meanwhile, was trying to understand why he was getting so eaten up over a girl.

Adrien stood up and walked out the room, there was no way he was hanging around for them to be talking about Marinette like she was a piece of meat. She was right, no one saw her serious either. They were made for this arrangement and he was going to do a damn good job of making her seem like the wonderful woman she was.

He couldn't deny she was starting to get under his skin. Seeing her so ill two days again, and so vulnerable, hit him harder than he wanted to admit. Having her fall asleep on him was just an added bonus. When she was next to him, or on him, she just seemed to fit perfectly. It felt natural and easy. Being that close to Marinette seemed the most natural thing in his life.

He let out a sigh as he pulled out his phone. He hadn't spoken to her since she'd thanked him for the roses, the lack of messages played on his mind. How was she finding it so much easier than him to play the game? He thought back to how Nino told him about Marinette's crush on him when they were younger. Somewhere deep inside him, he knew he wanted her to still want him. To still like him.

The doorbell rang and Adrien placed the phone back into his pocket. He needed to be separate from the guys for a little while longer so shouted to Nino he'd answer the door. Low and behold, the God's must have been listening to his inner most thoughts and dreams as on the door step stood none other than his fake girlfriend, Marinette.

"Hey you." She said with a smile. She was quite sure her acting skills would be Oscar worthy. Here she was looking at Adrien, and talking normally as her heart raced a million miles an hour. She was quite sure that if she checked the watch on her wrist she'd see a very high increase in her fat burn rate.

He stood expressionless and she couldn't help feel slightly transparent. He was staring. Properly staring at her. She wanted to look down, unsure what she was wearing and wondering if that's what was causing Adrien some quite obvious troubles.

"Hi." He breathed back as she stepped forward and took him into a hug.

"What are you doing Mari?"

"I'm giving you a hug because that's what girlfriends do."

Adrien could feel his face begin to heat. Was he really making such a big issue about a hug? He pulled away and looked at her again. Her smile was bright and white, and her body was almost fully on display. He could tell she was making the most of France's summer heatwave.

She stood before him in a short denim skirt and a Jagged Stone vest. He could barely control the tightening in his trousers as he looked her over. Then he'd remember the hug and it was game over for any self control.

"You look amazing."

"Thanks Kitty, my hot date thought so too." She walked past him and winked.

Staring wide eyed at her he began to panic. A hot date? She wouldn't, would she? It would look so bad if his family friendly girlfriend started sticking her tongue down someone else's throat especially as they had now been verified in the press as a couple. Marinette wouldn't do that to him, would she?

Adrien chased Marinette's swaying hips down the hall and heard the wolf whistles as she entered the kitchen. His possessiveness with this girl was way over the top. Why did it matter? He wasn't fooling anyone, he knew why. It's because even a damn hug with her could turn him on more than any other woman he had been with prior.

"Shut up Kim!" Marinette stated as she walked to Nino's fridge and helped herself to a bottle of water. As she bent down every guy in the room tilted their head to see the tightening of Marinette's skirt around her butt. Adrien moved quickly to stand in front of her blocking the view from the predators licking their lips at the sight.

"Alya's running late Mari, but she should be back in the next few minutes." Nino informed Marinette as she stood up and turned, curious as to why Adrien was right behind her.

"That's fine. I can hang with you guys for a bit." She walked over and sat on Adrien's vacated chair. "What you all talking about?" She questioned as she opened her bottle and took a drink.

"You." Kim replied, leaning forward and wiggling his eyebrows.

Marinette almost drowned on her water. Her? Why were they talking about her? She was about as interesting as watching paint dry.

"Kim, back off." Adrien's voice was hard and threatening. Kim visibly moved back and positioned his hands up in surrender.

"So any more info about the bachelor party guys?" Nino quizzed, he needed to move the conversation on before Adrien took Kim down. He was quite sure if it came to it, Adrien would cause a lot of physical pain to Kim.

"I've found us a villa. It's a friends and he's allowing us to use it at a very good price." Adrien said as he walked up behind Marinette and placed his big hands on her small delicate shoulders. She leant her head back into his chest and his heartrate accelerated at the close contact. Unconsciously he began to move his hands, massaging her neck and shoulders by circulating his thumbs.

"What's a very good price?" Marinette asked as she began to succumb to the pleasure of Adrien's hands working her shoulders. His hands really were magic and she couldn't help imagine them on different parts of her body. Massaging and making them feel amazing. He leant down towards her ear and she almost melted as his hot breath hit her neck.

"Free."

She sucked in a noisy breath as she tried to regain her composure. She was a grown woman, she needed to get some sort of control over herself. All he was doing was talking and she was ready to rip off her clothes and beg him to take her.

"Shot gun the room furthest away from their room." Kim broke the tension between the fake couple and Adrien moved away to another chair.

Marinette knew her eyes had dilated. How had she come to that conclusion? He's had too. A thrill coursed through her veins. Perhaps he did like her more than as just a friend. He winked at her from across the kitchen table as the front door slammed open.

"Marinette ... lounge ... now!" Alya was home and by the sounds of it not in a good mood.

"Duty calls." Standing up she followed the storm of Alya, as she past Adrien she placed a quick kiss on his cheek. Leaving him startled, but overall very pleased.

"You ok?" Marinette made her way to Alya, who was currently storming around the room muttering to herself like a crazy lady.

"I can't believe she did this! Does she not think about anyone but herself? Such a selfish bitch!"

"Hold up Alya, what are you talking about?"

"Etta's found out she's pregnant." Marinette stood looking blank at her best friend.

"Well say something!" Marinette continued to stare. What could she say? Alya was desperate to be an Auntie so she didn't understand why she was so anti her younger sisters news. She'd even suggested her sister try for a baby.

"I'm ... sorry?"

"Why are you not angry?" Alya stood staring at Marinette.

"Should I be?" This made no sense at all. Why would Marinette be angry?

"You're going to have to change her dress now! She's being an absolute idiot! Why not wait until the night of the wedding to try or at least after! She's going to be seven months pregnant at the wedding, Mari! You probably won't be able to make her dress until just before! Does she not understand the stress?" Marinette walked forward and placed her hands on Alya shoulders.

"Stop! You're being crazy. I'm fine about it. I can adapt the designs to make sure it fits her ok, just take the time to enjoy being an auntie and a soon to be wife."

Alya sprung forward and took Marinette in her arms. How could a girl be so sweet and forgiving? She was the power of positivity and the greatest friend anyone could have.

"Come on Mrs soon-to-be Lahiffe, let's get you a drink."

Marinette walked into the kitchen with her arm around Alya's waist. She loved her friend so much. She couldn't believe Alya was that defensive of her.

"You girls ok?" Nino asked, walking over to Alya and giving her a hug.

"I am now! Christ Marinette's an angel! Honestly, she breaks the laws of friendship."

"Well you know, I can't help it if I'm perfect." Marinette winked at Alya and Nino before making her way around the kitchen to grab her bottle of water. As she reached over Adrien to grab it, he took the opportunity to pull her onto his lap. With a slight squeal she sat down and turned her sky blue eyes, to his grassy green ones.

"You're definitely perfect, Princess." Adrien stated as he rubbed his nose into her neck causing the small blunette to giggle.

"Geez, get a room will you." Kim downed the rest of his bottle glaring fiercely at Adrien and Marinette.

Adrien laughed and stood up taking Marinette with him.

"You hungry?" He asked her.

"I could eat." She replied smiling at the whole lot of muscle that was currently carrying her.

"Then may I take you out for dinner?"

"Of course." He placed her down on the floor and she tapped his nose with her pointer finger. "As long as you're paying." She turned around and began to walk out the house, throwing a look back over her shoulder after a couple of steps.

Adrien's lips made an 'ooo' position as he quirked one eyebrow and followed her out the house.