Marinette marched backwards and forwards in the dressing room chewing on her thumb nail. Adrien was due back thirty minutes ago along with their costume saviour. Apparently one of his friends lived in Paris and was coming over for the show, so it seemed like an oblivious option to ask him to bring them with him. It would save both the money and worry of using a delivery service. So, Marinette had phoned her parents, and asked them to prepare her dress and pass it on to Adrien's friend, whoever this guy was?

This costume was like a child to her. If anything had happened, well a model and his friend would have to be able to run pretty fast. She didn't design costumes normally, but she was inspired one day and just went with it. No one had ever seen it, and to be honest she wasn't sure if it was passable for the Argentine Tango but it was their only option. She began to panic and prayed that Adrien would walk through the door with his friend, and her costume within the next five minutes or she swore she was going to have a mental breakdown.

Why was it just Marinette's costume? Because good old Gabriel Agreste still kitted out his son, but refused to design or make anything for her. It probably helped that Adrien's outfit consisted simply of black slacks and a white shirt which was left open to his midsection displaying every toned inch of the models body. This was the most flesh Adrien had displayed since the show started and Marinette had to admit she liked the view.

Gabriel had indeed denied any chance of a rush job, putting his point across about how unprofessional she was and that he'd be speaking to the producers. The joke was on him though as the producers had already belittled her to the point of heartbreak. There wasn't a lot more they could say.

Turning her back to the door, she made her way to the mirror and checked over her makeup. At least if she had to go out wearing her tracksuit for tonight's show, she'd look good in the face. Thick eyeliner and some glitter went a long way. Picking up her makeup bag she searched for the one remaining item, her flamethrower red lipstick.

Gazing into the mirror she saw the reflection of the door opening and admitted a loud scream, which started off a chain reaction of screaming.

Marinette screamed, then the next person, and the next, then back to her before another person joined in, then the first again before the second ended the session. The girl who was standing in the doorway bolted forward and knocked Marinette into the dressing room chair.

"I've missed you, M!"

Marinette hugged Alya tightly around the shoulders unsure where she had come from. She had no idea her best friend would come. Last she'd heard Alya was completely tied up with work.

"You didn't tell me you were coming," Marinette stated.

"I didn't know until yesterday when Nino asked me."

Marinette looked over at her best friend's boyfriend and smiled, before noticing something hanging over his forearm. She gasped and pointed towards it, her eyes growing wide.

"Ni-no!" She exclaimed, shocked.

"Ni-yes!" Her bespectacled friend said with a laugh. Marinette squeaked, pushed Alya away from her and bounded towards the door and Nino. "It would have arrived first class yesterday, but my bro wouldn't splurge for it."

Nino placed a hand on Adrien's shoulder and watched as the blonde model rolled his eyes.

"Wait, wait, wait, you two know each other?" Marinette questioned, looking between Adrien and Nino.

"This dude is who those blind dates were meant to be with, fate is a funny thing." Nino said, handing the suit bag over to Marinette.

Adrien rubbed the back of his neck, before looking over at Marinette and then back to Nino.

"So, this is 'Miss always too busy'?" Adrien smirked, looking over to Marinette.

"And you are, 'Mr. Too Good for us'!" Marinette laughed, sticking her tongue out at Adrien.

"I am very insulted by this," the laughter in his voice completely betrayed the hurt demeanour he was trying to put across.

"I'm just glad you two have finally met," Alya said, siding up to Nino and turning her attention to Adrien, "good to see you again Adrien."

"Good to see you too," he bent down and placed a kiss on Alya's cheek causing Nino to pout and point to his own. Adrien laughed and quickly gave Nino a peck, causing the latter to overreact and pretend to swoon.

"Is everyone kissing the model? Because if so I'm next in line."

Heads all turned to see Luka approach wearing his costume. Black with dark blue rhinestones. The top was netting that displayed an intricate pattern placed on with the diamantés, and trousers made of pure black lycra. It matched his hair perfectly, as it would Marinette's, and he looked stunning. Her dress for the professional showcase mirrored his, with her black and crystal clear blue.

"Hey Luka," Alya gave him a hug and quick kiss on the cheek before they began a catch up.

Marinette found out that Nino and Adrien met at a fashion show where Nino was DJing, whilst Adrien discovered Marinette was one of Nino's oldest friends. Apparently it was her clumsiness that trapped Nino and Alya in a cage at the zoo, therefore getting the two of them together.

Adrien found himself in a situation he'd never been in before. One of a group of friends, each expressing a fondness for each other, and including him as part of it. Adrien had never been included in banter before, and whether it was about him or something he said himself, he enjoyed it. It felt homely, and normal.

"I best get changed," Marinette said, taking the bag from Nino's arms and placing a quick kiss on his cheek.

"Sure," Adrien replied, giving her a quick, but awkward, side hug. She closed the door to the dressing room behind herself and Adrien found himself looking a few seconds too long. As he turned back to the group he noticed Alya staring at him quizzically. She opened her mouth but was beaten to the bullet by Nino.

"We best get to our seats, too. Luka are you out front with us?" He spoke, pulling Alya away from what Adrien was sure to be an assassination. The look in Alya's eyes could definitely be read as 'don't hurt my friend'.

Luka shook his head.

"Unfortunately not. I'm stuck with my old man until he performs."

"Shame," Nino replied before looking at Adrien and widening his eyes. "Please tell me you've met him."

"I have," Adrien grinned, "one of the best days of my life."

"He even got Mari to sign a CD cover for him," Luka placed a hand on Adrien's shoulder with a proud smile. "And asked him about kittens." Luka finished.

Nino and Alya started to laugh, until they both stopped abruptly.

"Look dude, I really need to tell you about -"

"Adrien!"

Nino was stopped mid sentence by the grey haired Satan. A shiver ran down his spine as he came face to face with none other than Gabriel Agreste.

"Father?" Adrien queried.

Gabriel looked down his nose at the others and it was quite obvious their time with his son was up.

"I'll speak to you later, dude." Nino took Alya by the hand with a slight shake (Gabriel Agreste did that to people) and walked past the man in question.

"Nicholas," Gabriel nodded.

"Nino," Nino replied.

"No need for fire engine noises, you're a grown man. Act like it."

Nino's mouth dropped open as he stared dumbfounded at Gabriel Agreste. Luka walked up behind him and helped Alya drag him out the room as he continued to mumble.

"That man - that man - he is - he -" Nino's muttering was heard right until the moment the door closed and Gabriel Agreste could go back to addressing his son.

"I've spoken to the producers and they're more than happy to switch your partner to Lila. Once she and what's-his-face have been kicked out, they'll make up some sort of story and move her to dance with you."

Adrien looked at him with his eyebrows creased.

"What?" He exclaimed.

"Pardon!" His father corrected.

"Excuse me?"

"I think she's going to perform badly tonight to get herself out of the competition, that way you can partner with her and stop ruining my reputation with the BBC."

Adrien had no idea what was happening, he couldn't understand what or why his father was speaking like this.

"I don't underst-"

"You don't need to!" Gabriel cut him off:

"We're favourites for the final father! What more could you want?"

"I need someone who can sell the brand, who's worthy of wearing Gabriel designs."

"Yes, which is Marinette."

"Adrien think about it logically-"

"I am!" Adrien's voice was raised. For the first time in his life he was standing up to his father. "If I'm not with Marinette, I want out!"

"You're not thinking with your head, son! Just because she has a pretty face doesn't mean she's right for this company. You can do what you want with her on the side, I don't care! But that's all she's worth. Do what you need to, get it out of your system and have your bit of fun and then make the right choice."

"Is that what you want me to say? You want me to say that 'yes' there are only certain things I want from Marinette, that I want to use my fame and power to get my way with her. That I only see her body as desirable, that I -"

"Adrien?"

A small voice was heard behind him, and he closed his eyes exasperated. How much had she heard?

"Marinette I swear I -" he turned around to look at her only to stop short. She was gorgeous!

She'd placed her hair into a tight bun, slicked back and held tightly against her forehead. Her dress looked like a snake had coiled it's way around her body, the dark green gemstones blending in with emerald splashes. The dress started at her neck, wrapping tightly to all the right places and a triangular skirt dropping to one side skimming her knee.

Her arms were laced with gloves that travelled up to her mid bicep and cuffed around her hands, allowing her fingers and thumb freedom from the material.

"I suppose that's not hideous," Gabriel announced as the two continued to stare each other out. "Remember what I said, Adrien, and make the right choice. Don't, and there will be consequences."

Gabriel left the room, the atmosphere between Marinette and Adrien thick and tense.

"Marinette, what you heard -"

"I know what I heard, Adrien. Just let's get ready. It's going to be a hard night."

Adrien watched as Marinette walked away from him. His heart was heavy, and his blood was boiling. He was angry and, for once, he didn't think he'd be letting his father get his own way.

••••••

Time to vote

So emotions are running high and, of course, with these two communication is severely lacking.

How do they perform?
❤️ Mess up as they're both angry, and score low
🖤 The tension makes it hot, score high