Adrien woke up the next morning with a smile gracing his face. For the first morning since his injury he didn't feel like a let down. He felt good about himself. He felt good about his impending interview at SciencePro, and he felt good about his relationship. He was beginning to wonder if it was actually as fake as they both thought because that kiss last night felt real. It didn't feel fake in the slightest, and he'd enjoyed it to the point where he wanted to kiss her again.

Sighing, he placed an arm over his eyes. He needed to snap out of this. Marinette deserved more. She deserved a lot more than some washed up has-been. But he didn't want her to want more, he wanted her to want him. For the first time in his life he wanted a woman to want him, maybe even to need him. With another exasperated sigh, he made his way out of his bed and into the kitchen.

Perhaps it was the thrill of the chase with Marinette that was inspiring him? Knowing he couldn't have her. Nah, there's no point him lying to himself. It was her. Everything about her made him happy. Her smile, her laugh, her selflessness, her anger. He let out a laugh as he pulled his coffee cup out the cupboard. Ms. Dupain-Cheng was certainly something.

His phone vibrated against the granite worktop, where he'd left to charge the previous night. Leaving his coffee under the machine, he picked up his phone. He wasn't going to admit it out loud, but he was hoping the message was from a certain blunette. Unfortunately it was from another blunette. Kagami.

Hello. When are you free today?

Obviously Kagami still had her loving attitude, he laughed to himself. She was demanding and blunt. When he thought back to it, he couldn't understand why he'd taken the relationship with Kagami so seriously. Trailing through their past, he realised she was the one who he thought was going to change him. She was so adamant they were meant to be he believed it.

Not sure. Why? He responded.

If he had the choice he wouldn't see her again at all. Unfortunately, though, fate had other plans and she'd managed to wiggle herself into his friendship group. How had she made it there anyway? She'd been friends with Marinette, but no one else seemed to have liked her.

Making his way back to the fridge, he pulled out the cream to add to his coffee. Why would she be contacting him? They hadn't exactly parted on friendly terms. It had been almost a year since they had any contact at all. Plus it wasn't like he'd actually meet up with her until he'd spoken to Marinette about it anyway. Meeting up with his ex-girlfriend would not be seen as family friendly. His phone signalled again.

There's things we need to discuss, for example your new relationship.

He quickly tapped his response.

I'm not quite sure why we need to do that.

Placing his phone down again, he couldn't help but feel baffled. What had any of this got to do with her? Finishing his coffee creation he took it into the lounge area, along with his phone, before settling down and turning on the television. The first thing he saw was his fathers face on the news.

"What a bastard!" The urge to throw the coffee cup at the television was unbelievable.

"We always create the most original designs for Paris Fashion Week and I'm sure this year we'll be the talk of Paris again."

"Yeah right." Adrien sneered at his fathers televised face. He was interrupted from his rant by the sound of his phone receiving his next message of the day.

Morning kitty! Just watching the news and want to smash my tv. Any guesses why? x

He laughed to himself as he thought about how he was just feeling and thinking the exact same thing.

You're not alone, Princess. I almost wasted a cup of coffee by throwing it at his smug, obnoxious face x

One message from her and he was already smiling. He just couldn't help himself. Picking up the remote control he was ready to look for something a lot more entertaining. After going from top to bottom of his crazy amount of channels he decided to stick with an old episode of Criminal Minds.

As his phone signalled an incoming message he couldn't help the acceleration of his heart. Perhaps he should see if she was busy later? They could chill and watch a film, or go for a bite to eat, or a walk, or anything to be exact. No such luck. New message received from Kagami.

I will be at the Café de la Paix at midday. I suggest you meet me. See you then.

Even when they weren't together he was being bossed around by her. What was it with women? He settled back onto the sofa as he watched a teenage boy kill another. Perhaps Criminal Minds this early in the day wasn't his greatest idea.

His phone sounded again. He prayed it wasn't Kagami messaging because he hadn't responded within eight point two-one seconds. Her usual game when it came to texting. He was shocked to see it was Marinette again. Opening the message he smiled.

What a way to waste a coffee Agreste! And I thought you were better than that x

It had foamed milk too! 🤭 x read his reply.

That's it Adrien, we're over! x

He burst out laughing as he read the last message. He couldn't help it. She really did know how to put him in a good mood. Unfortunately he was about to bring that mood down to zero.

I promise I'll drink it. No coffee being wasted here. Listen Mari, Kagami wants me to meet her today for a chat. I'm not sure what about but she seems to think it's important. I'll only go if it's ok with you though? xxx

He squirmed as he placed his phone down next to him. She wasn't going to like this. She wasn't going to like it at all. Every scene played through his head. The tears, the tantrums, the aggression. He'd seen the way women had reacted around him before, he just never wanted her to feel the way they used to.

This was the exact reason why this "relationship" would end when they were both happy with the outcome. As his phone signalled to him, he froze. His heart felt like it'd actually stopped before beginning to aggressively beat against his chest.

That's fine Adrien. Why wouldn't it be? Just no kissing or other antics please. It wouldn't look good for our family friendly prospective, which by the way seems to be working well. Have you checked out the tabloids this morning? We're hot news, Chaton xxx

The relief he felt was overwhelming. She didn't hate him, she wasn't upset and she wasn't trying to trap him. But she also didn't seem to care about anything but their family friendly imagine.

Flicking onto a news app he scrolled down to the showbiz section. There they were again. Adrien Agreste and his girlfriend. They still hadn't got a name for Marinette, which is surprising as he truly believed his father would already be on the beat down. Adrien continued to scroll through the pictures and the story.

The final picture was of Adrien and Marinette kissing in his car. The paparazzi were following them everywhere. He needed to be careful nothing could be interpreted the wrong way.

I must say Marinette, we're one hot looking couple! xxx

Her response came instantly.

Watch it Adrien. I might think you're coming on to me. Kisses and compliments, I'm a lucky girl xxx

Don't forget the flowers 😉 I'll message later with what happens. I need to make sure my girl is kept in the loop xxx

He stood up and made his way back to his room. It was getting close to eleven giving him only a short time before he had to meet Kagami. Jumping in the shower, he had a quick wash over before shaving and making himself look presentable. A black 'V' neck tee and dark blue jeans. He looked the ever dashing model he was. With one last check on his phone he left the apartment and made his way to the cafe. There was one message waiting for him as he reached his destination.

If you want, come around tonight. That's if you're free. I mean I don't want you to feel like I'm making you, the choice is completely yours. No pressure xxx

Suddenly a thirteen year old Marinette appeared in his mind. Piggy tails, bright eyes, big smile and verbal diarrhoea. He spotted Kagami sitting at her table and he walked towards her, phone still in hand as it buzzed again.

Just me again. If you did want to come round, which you don't have to if you don't want to, but I thought I'd let you know I'm making a lasagna. I'll stop messaging you now xxx

He couldn't contain the laughter which escaped his mouth. How could a girl ramble on text? That was the hardest thing to do. Kagami stood to meet Adrien as he got near.

"You look well." She commented.

"You too." Adrien replied. He indicated for her to sit down before taking a seat of his own.

"So why have you called me here Kagami?"

"My-my Adrien. Pleasantries first."

Adrien let out a huffed breath and looked at the girl in from of him. She really was beautiful. A beautiful girl which contained a block of ice for her heart. Adrien thought back to all the times they'd slept together and truly he had no fondness of it. They both went through the actions with hardly any kissing. The more he recalled it all, the more strange it was. Passionate was not a word you would link to their past relationship.

He felt awful looking at her now that it went as badly as it did. He'd used her. She was the proof that he couldn't change, that he didn't deserve someone as sweet, pure and loving as Marinette.

As Kagami was explaining to Adrien about how great her fencing was going a waiter came round to take their drinks order. Going for just a cappuccino he continued to listen to Kagami. It didn't take long for the drinks to be served before Kagami sent the waiter on his way.

"You didn't want to eat did you?" She asked.

"No, I'm going to Marinette's for dinner."

Kagami nodded and looked over Adrien's shoulder before turned back to meet his eyes with her own.

"How's it going with you two? She's such a wonderful woman." Kagami spoke with so much adoration about Marinette he could feel himself deflate, perhaps this was going to be ok.

"Yeah she is." He broke out into a smile just thinking about the blunette he would be seeing shortly.

"That smile tells me everything I need to know." She ended that part of the conversation without cracking any part of her face. One thing was for sure, she'd never have frown lines, or smile lines.

"Listen, Kagami. I am sorry about everything, I shouldn't have treated you the way I did. I shouldn't have used you."

"That's why I wanted to speak to you." Kagami turned somber as she stared Adrien up and down. "You never used me, Adrien. I used you."

"What? How? No you didn't!" Adrien's speech came over rushed and all over itself.

"Adrien! Let me speak. I used you when we were on tour. You see I've had to keep something from my mother for quite a while and dating you was the perfect cover up."

"So you never loved me?"

"No." Kagami sadly shook her head to the sides. "You see, there's someone else. There's always been someone else. We were actually together the whole length of our relationship. We've been together for years."

Adrien felt quite hurt. So that's why she wasn't over enthusiastic with the sex or overly sad when they split up. He also now understood how the others felt when he'd used them for his own agenda.

"Oh ok. So what have you brought me here to tell me?" He asked.

"There's going to be a story out in the press next Friday. I'm engaged, Adrien."

"Congratulations Kagami. That's the great news." Adrien responded, not feeling quite as happy as he thought he would have been. "Who's the lucky guy?"

"Her name is Chantelle."

"Sorry? Her?"

"Yes Adrien her. I'm marrying a woman." And for the first time ever, Adrien saw a genuine smile make its way across Kagami's lips.