Adrien looked in the mirror as his hair was twisted back off his face with only a few stray hairs left to roam free down his cheek bones and framing his vibrant green eyes, it was a lot less prim and proper than what he was used to but it looked good. Turning left and right, he was starting to become quite fond of it. It seemed to flip the bird at his father and the way he'd been bought up.

He had to admit, when Marinette first came up with the idea he thought she was joking. Not that he is a Latin champion or anything, but he just didn't get it. Then she started to piece it together and he had to admit as crazy as the girl was, he actually liked what she'd created. The routine and the music just worked, in the most bizarre ways.

He was kitted out in a black overall/mechanic suit which had been lowered from his chest and tied around his waist. The top half of him was decked out in a white vest top, smeared in something resembling dirt and oil. His father wasn't too impressed with the combination, but it was the only option, afterall they'd gone for a theme and it was ... exciting.

"We'll be doing the introductions first, then we'll start the performances. There is a two minute delay between the filming and output, so any drastic issues can be fixed or altered. Good luck and enjoy yourselves."

Adrien sat amongst singers, actors, football players, newscasters and even a children's television clown, as they were given the run down for the evening's events. The programme was going out live on the BBC, and just the thought made Adrien want to go and find a toilet to stick his head down. He looked around the room at the other nervous stars and was thankful for his English lessons so he could keep conversation with them. Each spitting out reason upon reason why they shouldn't be here and that they were going to fail. This did nothing to help Adrien's nerves..

It all seemed simple enough. Walk on, smile, dance and then get ripped to pieces by the judges. Why had he agreed to this again? He wasn't a dancer, he could move to a beat, but sometimes it was questioned whether the beat was the music or his own. Sighing, he headed out the green room in search of his partner. After the outburst she'd had at him in rehearsals, he now had a new nickname for her. Maleficent. Any more problems, and he was sure he'd be going home with a note.

Walking towards the backstage area, his eyes met those of his French siren. Her eyes pulled you in, only to destroy you, and at the moment he couldn't deny it, she looked hot. He would follow her anywhere. He shook himself off to remind him not to fall for pretty looks. That had happened too many times in the past and his heart was still scarred from the circumstances.

He looked her over and studied her outfit. It mirrored his own, only the jumpsuit swamped her lower body, and the tight vest left very little to the imagination. Where his own fit the entirety of his upper body, Marinette's was cut just under her bust, revealing the edge of a heavily rhinestoned bra.

Her hair was pulled up into a tight ponytail, leaving her bangs down and volumized over her forehead . Her make up was vibrant, her lips coated in a pastel pink lipgloss, and two oil streaks on her cheeks, which he also adorned on his own. She looked incredible.

"Adrien," she was smiling and he couldn't help but think maybe things were going to be ok, perhaps now they were here she would take a chill pill. "Have you managed to practise the turn combo? You messed up pretty badly in rehearsal."

... and there she was again. His darling partner. How this woman was single he'd never know, cue the eye roll. How could someone so cute and adorable be so ... so ... he couldn't even explain it. Bossy and pretentious just didn't seem right, there was more to it. More to her.

"I did," he said through gritted teeth.

"Good."

"Places everyone." A producer ran into the backstage area, lining up the stars and their partners on either side of the entrance. They would be alternating between both sides to move the flow of contestants down the stairs in an efficient manner.

They would enter onto a balcony and walk down the stairs to a place marked out on the dance floor for them. Simple enough right. All he needed to do was wait for the cue.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, how interesting?"

Both Marinette and Adrien turned their heads to the right to find a brunette looking dazzling in a skintight orange catsuit, and a fake fur fox's tail hanging from one hip.

"Lila," Marinette responded back. Her voice was cold and even though he'd been on the receiving end of Marinette's frustration, it was nothing compared to this.

"I thought you'd retired after not seeing you at World's last year. Thought maybe you'd finally given up on dancing after your last defeat"

Adrien noticed the guy Lila was with was one of the Premier league football players that he had spoken to earlier in the green room, Paul or Peter or something like that.

"Luka retired a while back, and I didn't want another partner." Marinette's words were short and sharp. There was definitely something between the two girls.

"It's fine to be scared about losing your title, Marinette, especially after you lost the European's. It was such a shame, especially as you'd both been on such a winning streak."

"Second is not losing Lila, we were happy with the result. We messed up the steps, we didn't deserve to win over you."

Adrien and Percy? Pete? Stood staring between the two. The tension radiating between the two was making Adrien feel uncomfortable. He wasn't sure if there was something more there, more than just friendly competition rivalry.

"That's so nice of you to say." Lila looked at Adrien and he couldn't help but be pulled in by her smile. Another stunning lady, no wonder the Strictly curse was a thing. He was a model and had never been around so much beauty before.

"I'm Lila Rossi, current ballroom and Latin World Champion."

Lila is a lot taller than Marinette, was his first thought. She placed a hand on Adrien's shoulder and kissed him on each cheek, very much in line with European customs.

"Adrien Agreste, fashion model," he smiled at the woman in front of him and couldn't help the swirl in his stomach. She was looking at him with such desire it made his cheeks turn a little pink. Even though he was partnered with a dancing dictator, perhaps this show wasn't going to be too bad afterall. Maybe, if he played his cards right, he could get to know and befriend some of the other dancers and contestants. He could start with Lila.

"In ten seconds," Adrien's gaze was torn from Lila's as he moved to his position with Marinette. She seemed uncomfortable as they stood and waited for his name to be announced.

"You ok?" He questioned, placing a hand on her lower back.

"Just dandy," she replied. He looked her over and caught her gritting her teeth. She wasn't ok, but to be honest, at the moment neither was he. His fake smile was plastered on his face just like he'd rehearsed time and time again, so all he needed to do now was dance.

How hard could it be?

The answer to that question is very hard.

He'd never been so nervous in all his life. At the moment he was lying under the front of a fake Dodge Charger car laying back back on a car creeper pretending to fix something. He'd never had a car, or been near one in this context. He had to act, he could do this. He had to make it seem real. His heart was pounding a thousand beats per minute, and the nervous wee's were plaguing him to hurry up and finish.

"Dancing the cha cha, please welcome to the floor Agrien Agreste and his partner Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

And as if someone had turned off the lights, his mind went blank.

What the hell was the first move?

The music started and he prayed that something, anything, would come back to him. Just the first step would do, it would at least set him up in the correct way.

He couldn't go out first week, his father would murder him and Nino would tease him for the remainder of his life. This was not happening.

Before he could go into a massive freak out which would most likely resort in a panic attack, he was being rolled backwards on his car creeper and being pulled to his feet. He looked into Marinette's eyes and saw the same sparkle that he saw the day he met her.

It was as though she'd sprinkled magic over him, as suddenly it all made sense again. Everything was there, from the first move to the last. They moved in sync, with perfect coordination. It felt so easy to dance with her whilst she was in performance mode. She glowed like the sun, and was heck of a lot more relaxed. He melted into step with her and put his all into the routine.

1 ... 2 ... cha cha cha, spin Marinette, cha cha cha.

Place her on the car, cha cha cha.

The steps came back as every beat of 'Danza Kuduro' rang in his ears. He was Dom Toretto. She was Letty Ortiz-Toretto, they were family and they were 'Fast and Furious'. Well, at least for the next minute and half they were.

Adrien felt alive, and towards the end of the routine, he felt like he was actually enjoying it. For the first time in years he felt free.

He caught Marinette's eyes and felt the support from the smile she was giving him. A simple bob of the head and a quirk of her lips, encouraged him that he was doing well and he felt like he'd just received an award from the headteacher.

He'd got this. He could do it.

All too soon he was dipping Marinette into the ending position and the sound of applause broke through his dance induced fog. He pulled Marinette up into a hug. He'd done it and he swore he'd done good enough to stay in, it felt amazing.

Walking to stand by the presenter, Adrien and Marinette wrapped their arms around each other's waists, as they'd been directed to, ready for the judges comments. He could feel a slight shake from her and looked down to see her eyes filling up.

Was Maleficent about to cry?

Why?

Nooroo Papillon was first to speak as the show's head judge.

"Firstly, I'd like to welcome Marinette to the show. It's always nice to have some fresh faces come and join us on the show."

Marinette thanked the judge and placed a hand over Adrien's on her hip. He couldn't be sure but it felt as though she was holding onto him for support. Was she really that nervous? As serious as she took all this, she'd done a great job on the routine. He'd almost felt like a professional dancer.

Nooroo continued. "This was a very unique performance with an interesting theme and music choice. I must say, when I heard what you were doing I thought it would be too fast for a cha cha but you pulled it off well, Adrien. As you move forward, I want to see more chemistry between the two of you. I need to see fire and passion as a couple, or you're going to struggle with the Paso Doble, Tango and Rumba. I can tell there's something there waiting to be lit, so hopefully you'll still be in the show when you both get to the point of giving everything to your partner. Good start though Adrien, well done."

Adrien smiled down at Marinette getting caught in her returning shine. Beautiful.

"Dusuu?" Dusuu Feathers was next to speak, calling to the two who seemed to have been mesmerised by each other..

"I'm a big Fast and Furious fan so I loved what you did here. Great start, but Adrien, you need to look a little less scared. Once you gain your confidence, you'll put on a cracking performance."

"Egg-cellent," Adrien replied, gaining a laugh not only from the audience but Marinette too. She quickly placed a hand over her mouth to cover it, and immediately he missed the warmth of her hand holding his.

"Tikki De Bug?"

"Oh my, Marinette. The creativity here was fantastic. You made it all about Adrien, which we haven't seen a lot of tonight, and you really allowed him to lead you through the dance. And Adrien, those hips? Where did they come from? I feel like the fashion world has been missing out."

The crowd laughed, as did Adrien. He quickly let go of Marinette to give the crowd another performance of his cha cha hips, causing Tikki to fan herself with her scorecard.

"Thank you," he responded, after the crowd had died down.

"No thank you. All the young females in the UK are going to be happy with what you served them tonight. Marinette's going to end up with a lot of jealous girls contacting her."

Laughter rang through the studio again as they moved onto the last judge.

Plagg Noir.

"Well, it was ok for the first week. There's a lot to be worked on, especially with your alignments, posture and performance ability. At some points you looked scared to be touching her when you should be the one sweeping her off her feet. The turning section wasn't too horrible, though Adrien, you probably could have practised a little more to make sure you were hitting the right counts."

Adrien cringed, Plagg was harsh but correct. He felt Marinette shift from one foot to the other. Why did Plagg have to bring up the turning section?

Adrien and Marinette thanked the judges as the presenter guided them towards the seating area.

Sitting down they discussed the comments from the judges, and laughed again at the commotion Adrien's hips had caused.

"The feedback was great for the first performance. I was terrified I was going to mess up so badly, and destroy the story Marinette was trying to tell. Luckily, it seemed to go ok."

"Now next week, if you make it through, you'll be performing either the foxtrot or quickstep, are you excited about that?" The presenter asked.

"I think I'll be a lot more comfortable with ballroom, and it'll give me chance to implement the comments about holding Marinette correctly."

"Well, the results are in. Let's see how you did."

"Plagg Noir,"

"Six."

"Dusuu Feathers"

"Seven."

"Nooroo Papillon"

"Seven."

"Tikki De Bug,"

"Eight."

"Adrien that gives you a score of twenty eight points and you are currently third on the leaderboard. Great start, well done."

And third place they remained, keeping them safe to dance another week.

•••••••

Time to vote for the next dance
❤️Foxtrot
🖤Quickstep