TO KNOW 'KIM' IS TO LOVE 'KIM'!

It's happening people! Olympic Gold Medal Champ Lê Chiến Kim, 24, is finally tying the knot with his childhood sweetheart, Ondine, 25. The two met during their time training at their local swimming centre, where they fell in love at the tender age of fourteen.

Between them they are the proud owners of six Olympic medals, three being Kim's World Record winning Golds, and are known as Paris' number three couple, trailing behind superheroes Ladybug and Chat Noir, and supermodels, Adrien and Vivica Agreste.

It seems this 'super swimming' couple will be taking it back to their roots, holding the reception of their wedding in the exact place they fell in love. Their local swimming center has had a transformation into a underwater wonderland in homage to Ondine's akumatized form 'Syren'. The Olympic sized training pool has been boarded over, and from what has been leaked in photographs sent to us, the whole area has been turned into an underwater Paris.

Along with their Olympian counterparts, the couple will be joined with many of their other famous friends, including; comic book king Nathaniel Kurtzberg, musician Ivan Bruel, 'A Gift for Kidz' director Rose Lavillant, supermodel Juleka Couffaine, and A list actor Adrien Agreste.

We look forward to seeing what everyone is wearing, and will have a run down of outfits in our 'Valentines' edition of 'Mode Mania'.

Congratulations Kim and Ondine, and we wish you all the best for your future.

•••••

Adrien stood in front of his mirror straightening his silver tie as Plagg floated around, wedge of cheese in his hand and a smile on his face. The kwami loved staying at the rental, he had complete free reign and could go where he wanted doing what he wanted. The first two years Adrien had lived in the mansion with Vivica had been hell. Adrien had had to cut back on Camembert because Vivica disliked the smell so instead Plagg would travel to Marinette's and she'd keep him full of the gooey good stuff. Of course, she didn't know he was getting away from Vivica, she only knew that Chat's wife was a bitch. He'd told her enough stories himself.

Plagg enjoyed going over to Marinette's, it meant he got to spend time with Tikki and the others too, and it allowed him to get to know the Guardian a little more. He'd always liked pigtails, but since everything had transpired with their civilian selves, Marinette was giving Adrien more of a chance as Chat. Their relationship was something extremely special, it always had been, but now ... it was a solid bond. Tikki and Plagg knew nothing would break them, even when Marinette found out her cat partner was actually her first love, and both couldn't wait for that day.

"Do you think she'll be there tonight?" Adrien asked, messing around with the buttons on his suit jacket. One done? Two done? None done?

"Who?" Plagg asked, throwing the remainder of the chunk into the air, spinning himself around and swallowing it whole.

"Marinette," All Adrien could think about was how this would be the first time they'd been face to face since that night three years ago. The night he had to make a choice, and being honest it wasn't a hard one to make. When the options had been thrown out on the table he didn't have to think twice. Marrying Vivica was the only option, the only choice.

Plagg knew the answer, he also knew what she was doing trying to trap him. One thing Plagg also knew though was that Marinette was smart. If they could just talk, even in a brief summary, he was quite sure she'd see it for what it was ... a fake trap.

"Probably, she's friends with both right." Plagg commented, watching as Adrien went with the one button option before flying over and unfastening it, he didn't want his chosen looking bad, not when the idea was to hook Marinette before she hooked him.

"Keep it open." The small kwami said. Adrien twisted and turned in the mirror before nodding, obviously happy with the final look. With one last look he headed towards the hallway in the apartment. He'd polished his shoes for over an hour that morning. He just couldn't get the thought of the girl from the bar, or Marinette, out of his head. There was a chance he could see one, or both at the wedding and then if that was a failure there was a possibility he would see her at the school reunion. He grabbed his shoes, placing them on his feet and steadying his heart. He'd managed to calm down substantially until the thought hit him, that they might be the same girl.

"Should I try and talk to her about it? How much should I tell her?" His voice was high pitched, and his palms suddenly had a rather unappealing sheen of sweat layered over them.

"You know I'm not good at this kind of thing, but I am certain that at the moment you don't mention too much. Maybe just give her the run down ... your father was a dick, you made the only decision that could work for you both, and you regret it every single day."

Adrien nodded, that was about all he could say, apart from falling to his knees and kissing her feet whilst begging for forgiveness. He knew how much he'd destroyed her hopes, her heart and her dreams, he just hoped that when he could finally reveal the whole truth she could forgive him. He hated lying to her, it weighed heavily on his mind and heart day after day. Marinette hated liars, especially when it affected the ones she loved, and unfortunately his choice has caused an unknown chain reaction.

Heading to the door of the apartment he grabbed his keys, wallet and card for Kim and Ondine.

Tonight he knew he was going to have to make a choice. He just hoped, for once, he'd make the correct one, he owed it to a lot of people to start piecing things back together.

•••••

"Tikki, I can't find my tit tape!" Marinette was running around her apartment calling out instructions to her kwami. In normal Marinette fashion she'd fallen asleep watching 'Project Runway' dreamed of Tim Gunn correcting her honey trapping techniques, which apparently were not a vital part of fashion, and having to dress Vivica in a potato sack.

When she woke up she only had thirty minutes to get herself ready and out the door. She had managed to get her hair sorted, make up done and was now attempting to stick herself into her dress. Alya was going to be here in about five minutes and she had no idea where her tape was. Last thing she wanted to do was flash everyone from her old class. She removed her necklace and placed it on her vanity, dragging out the chain to make sure it wouldn't tangle.

"Here," the little kwami threw the tape to Marinette who swiftly moved to her mirror and began to stick the dress into place.

"One things for sure, I won't be having sex tonight." Tikki laughed as Marinette lifted and tugged material to lie flat across her chest. Her dress was beautiful, she'd spent a couple of months getting it exactly how she wanted, however it wasn't exactly practical. If anyone wanted to get up her skirt they'd have no problem, but the top would not be coming off for anyone.

"Marinette!"

"What? It's true!" The two laugh as Marinette finished preparing with her tan Louboutin pumps. Her dress was a blue very similar to her eyes, strappy and fanning out midthigh. The shine on the dress made it sparkle all over and the low 'V' front touched barely above her belly button, the backlessness of the dress adding to her sex appeal. All she needed now was someone in a grey or silvery suit to match her and she had it on good authority that that's exactly what Adrien would be wearing. Vivica had explained how that was his 'go to' occasion suit, and it had mysteriously disappeared from their bedroom closet the day before.

Tonight Adrien would know who she was, and it would also class as one of their meetups for this week, meaning she'd already completed the two she was contractually asked to do. A part of her wondered if he would try and explain himself about what had happened three years ago, or had he already forgotten about it?

The main aim for her, however, was to make sure she kept her cool. It would be so easy for her to lose it and tell him what she really thought, but that would lose her a shitload of money. Money she wanted!

A sudden knock on the door interrupted Marinette as she was placing on her precious pink lips so instead of going to see who it was she decided to just yell for them to enter. Nobody really came round Marinette's, she kept her home and her life quite private over the recent years and she could count on one hand those who knew her home address. Her parents, Alya, Rose, Juleka (and Luka by default), Myléne and Alix. Just the girls. The only other place it would be was in the secure system at Honeypot Inc.

"You know," she began as the door opened, "I think I might try and get Buttercup in the closet tonight."

"If you do make sure the handle works from the inside, you don't want a repeat of what happened to us."

Marinette's head turned to the voice. It was neither Alya's nor female and she could feel her throat closing. What the hell was he doing here?

"What's wrong Marinette? Shocked to see me?"

Marinette finished her lips and placed the stain back into her bag before grabbing her lipgloss for the final coat.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was like poison.

"I wanted to see you. I miss you!" Marinette didn't know if it was because she had been so fixated on Adrien again, but Dominic seemed weedy by comparison, and he sounded delusional. What had she seen in him? Marinette had to hold in the laugh that wanted to escape. Miss her? He obviously didn't miss her the night she found him getting up close and personal to a blonde's backside.

"Unfortunately I don't have the same feelings, so be a gem and get out of my home before I throw you out."

"It's Kim's wedding, I was invited, remember." Marinette hadn't noticed what he was wearing until that moment. He had arrived in an ill fitting black suit and a green tie. Not a nice green like Chat's eyes, but a gunky green. One that had been mixed with a little too much black.

"That's because we were together when they sent the invitations out, Dominic."

He stepped forward as if to approach her, only for another voice to be heard.

"M, why is your - " Alya stepped into the room, freezing when she noticed Dominic was standing in the middle of Marinette's living area. "Get out." If Marinette thought her voice sounded like poison, it was nothing compared to Alya's. Dominic looked between the two of them, his face unreadable.

"Nice to see you too, Alya."

"Get out, or I'll kick you out!"

Dominic smirked as he looked between the two. "You two spend way too much time together." He started to walk towards the door, smirking at Alya as he left. "I'll see you at the wedding."

Alya walked behind him and slammed the door as soon as he'd exited. "Why the fuck did you let him in?" Alya asked.

Marinette grabbed her clutch and checked Tikki had everything she needed in there before heading for her coat rake, grabbing her white cropped jacket. "I didn't let him in, I thought he was you and just shouted that the door was open. I didn't expect my ex fiance to turn up in my lounge."

"Do you think he'll be there?"

"Unfortunately if he said he was going to be, he will be." Marinette groaned and reached the heels of her palms to rub over her eyes only for Alya to smack them away from her. "Ouch! Why did you hit me?"

"Because your eyes look sexy and dramatic, and I didn't want you to ruin them."

"Yeah, well, do it in a nice way next time. By the way, the Wicked Witch of the West has asked you to sign a disclosure about the trap."

Alya burst out laughing, before walking to Marinette's full length mirror and checking herself out. "Wow! Because I really want to write a story about her wanting to Honey Trap her husband."

"Are you ready for this?" She smoothed her top over her stomach and made sure it was tucked exactly how she wanted into her skirt. She'd lost a lot of weight since her split with Nino, and where she looked good now, if she lost anymore she'd look ill. Marinette worried about her friend, and even more so that she would see Nino tonight.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Alya replied.

It was time to face the music and dance.

•••••

The room looked amazing.

Considering it was the local swimming baths, the decorators had really worked over time as now it looked like an undersea wonderland, and that's saying something to Ladybug who'd actually seen Paris' underwater numerous times. Marinette entered the room where groups were together chatting, and children were running around wild. She turned to Alya and they both smiled, before heading straight to the bar. Both had agreed to three drinks only tonight. Not enough to get inebriated, but enough to take the edge off who they might see, and of course Marinette was technically on the clock.

As she waited to be served, her eyes surveyed the area looking for her target. She was glad she'd gone for her higher shoes, because any lower and she wouldn't be able to see anything. The wedding dinner was due to start in about one hour, so he must be here. Adrien Agreste was punctual, he should be here. Browsing the area she noticed Mylene, Ivan and little Dylan, Rose and Juleka, Max, Alix and Nathaniel, no Adrien or Nino though.

"Are they not here yet?" Alya whispered in Marinette's ear, only to be met with the shake of her head.

"I can't see them." Ordering and purchasing their drinks, the girls made it over to their old college friends. They huddled together in the corner and the sound of laughter made Marinette smile, always the same gang. "Have you got room for two more?"

Greetings were passed around; kisses on cheeks, hugs, fist bumps, as the girls were accepted into the group. Marinette made her way round to speak to Juleka and Rose, leaving Alya to discuss recent superhero sightings with Nathaniel.

"Is Luka not here tonight?" Marinette asked, looking around as though she was looking for him, however, she was firmly set on finding her trap.

"No, he's still in England with Dad at the moment."

"Fair play to him." Marinette kept in touch with Luka via message but it had been at least four years since she'd properly spent time with him. They'd seen each other in passing, but that was about all. He wasn't even around for her twenty-first birthday party, though that was probably for the best.

They continued to talk for half an hour before Max suggested they all went to see where they were sitting.

The table plan was situated near the entrance to the ballroom, giving them a prime view of who was coming in and out. Alix led the way to the Aquarium themed table plan. Each table was named after a different type of fish, with six people around the table. Straight away Marinette knew she was in trouble. She found her name on the 'Angelfish' table inwardly cringing as she scanned the others.

Angelfish - Table #5
Marinette Dupain-Cheng
Dominic Barrande
Nino Lahiffe
Max Kantè
Alix Kubdel

Dominic was definitely going to be here, and she was sitting next to him. There was no way she was going to be able to eat tonight knowing that he was next to her. She looked for Alya's name and growled when she saw who was on her table. At least they'd been kind and split Alya and Nino up.

Discus - Table #6
Alya Cesaire
Adrien Agreste
Vivica Agreste
Ivan Bruel
Mylene Bruel
Dylan Bruel

As soon as Marinette had finished reading it, her blood ran cold. There was no way Vivica was going to be there? Right? She looked to Alya, who shrugged. That would be just her luck. Vivica would turn up in all her plastic glory, Adrien on her arm, and her unveiling Marinette as a Honey Trapper there and then on the spot. Shit!

"Please can you all make your way to your tables."

Marinette and Alya parted ways at their tables, Marinette knowing that for the next couple of hours she would have to sit next to her douchebag ex fiance with her best friend's ex on the other side. Oh, how her life had suddenly deteriorated!

•••••

Adrien and Nino rushed in. The latter had had a nervous breakdown before leaving his house. He'd gone through every possible scenario of what could happen with Alya and all he wanted to do was get on his knees and beg for forgiveness. They'd planned that afternoon how he was going to grovel and try to woo her with a dance to whatever romantic song came on.

Making their way into the foyer, they noticed the seating plan, quickly moved to find their names and find their table numbers. Neither took much notice of who else was on the table as they hurried to the bar. Adrien ordered two Perroni's before turning to look out over the room. He rested one elbow on the bar top, Nino mirroring the stance next to him.

His eyes looked over the crowds of people before turning to the decor in the room. Whoever had done this needed a pay rise, it looked beautiful. Ladybug would be impressed. Everyone had started to congregate around their tables when he spotted Nathaniel talking to a woman with long black hair and, by the looks of things, no back on her dress. He studied them for a moment and noticed how relaxed Nathaniel looked talking to her.

He was quite the introvert, and, remembering his school days, considered Nathaniel a bit of a loner. But his face was vibrant as he spoke to the woman. His arms flailed around as he explained something to her, her own mannerisms very similar as she replied. He looked down at her legs and the insanely high heels and couldn't ignore how toned they were. She must have been quite athletic.

"Twelve euros, please?" Adrien turned back around to pay the bartender, handing one beer to Nino and taking the other for himself. "Cheers." They clinked their glasses together and looked back to where their old school friends seem to be situated, when the woman Nathaniel had been talking to turned to find her seat, and his heart all but stopped.

"Holy shit! It's her!" Adrien hissed. Nino, turned his head, screwing his eyebrows at Adrien.

"Who?"

"The girl from the bar." Adrien nodded his head to where the beautiful woman was moving her dress, and tucking it under her legs to sit down. He took over how beautiful she looked again tonight and something suddenly hit him like a wrecking ball. He knew who she was. How had he not realised when they'd met up, it was so obvious now.

A fiery redhead walked over the girl he was gawking at and wrapped her arms around her shoulders, whispering something into her ear. The gasp next to him indicated his friend had seen them too. Both guys stood frozen as they looked at Alya Cèsaire and Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

"Swap with me?" Nino turned to Adrien, unaware of the blonde's own mental breakdown currently spiralling out of control. "Please, you sit next to Marinette and let me sit next to Alya, please Adrien. I need you to do this, please, for me!"

•••••

Alya had spotted them first, whispering to Marinette that they were standing and pretty much gwaping at the bar.

"This is how you play it," Marinette started, "if he swaps with Adrien to sit next to you, then he's worth an extra chance. If he sits in his normal seat then end your losses and we'll go and find you someone fitter. I'll give them his Miraculous too." Alya burst out laughing and squeezed Marinette into a tighter hug.

"What would I do without you?"

"You'd live a boring life because let's face it I'm amazing."

"You're big headed." She dropped Marinette a wink and headed over to her seat. Marinette quickly had a look at the bar only to see Adrien Agreste staring straight back at her. His eyes suddenly changed and she realised he'd placed her, and now he knew who she was. She moved her eyes from Adrien, trying not to make it obvious that she was searching for Vivica, only to notice a movement in the corner of her eye.

Oh dear Lord, no!

"Mari," her name from Dominic's lips, made her shiver as he sat beside her at the table.

"I thought I told you to stay away."

"And I explained to you I was invited on my own accord. Who knows, after the romance of this evening maybe you'd want to pick back up where we left off. I still have the ring in my pocket, you know." Dominic reached out for Marinette's hand, only for her to escape at the last minute and smack it away. As a Honey Trapper she got up close and personal with creepy guys all the time, but having Dominic this close after everything they'd been through was unnerving. He shuffled towards her, causing her to move out the way by pushing her body weight to the side, and into someone solid.

"Did you miss me that much, beautiful?" An arm wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her closer in. She felt lips press into the side of her hair, as his thick velvety voice introduced himself to Dominic. "I'm Adrien Agreste, and you are?"

Marinette was sure she was having an outer body experience. Not only was Adrien introducing himself to Dominic, and doing it with such ease, he'd also swapped places with Nino, meaning Alya was sitting next to her ex-boyfriend. It had been years since Marinette had got herself into a tizz, but it was building up spectacularly right now.

"Dominic, Marinette's fiance."

"Oh," Adrien said, looking at Marinette, "is he the idiot that cheated on you? Well, more fool him."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm just saying, why would you cheat on someone like this? I mean, I've only got her as my date for tonight, but I'm hoping if I play my cards right she might want to see me again."

Marinette couldn't help but smirk. Dominic's face was everything. He looked like he was about to throw his drink over them and Marinette loved it.

"I think I might go, I'm not feeling great all of a sudden."

"Oh, don't go on our account." Marinette said, lifting one hand to interlock her fingers with Adrien's. As her fingers slid against his left hand she noticed there wasn't a ring there. Was he wearing one the night at the bar? She hadn't noticed, but if he was there to meet his wife, why wouldn't he be wearing it? Her thoughts began to spiral and she didn't like it.

•••••

When Adrien saw Marinette flinch away from whoever the guy was next to her, he knew he needed to do something. So he did. He was now sitting with Marinette under his arm as he breathed in her fresh scent and comforted himself at the feeling of her in his arms. It had been a long time, but the wait was worth it. Even if this was the only thing that he got.

"You're that actor dude, aren't you?"

Adrien smirked back at the guy, he knew exactly where this was going, but luckily he was well trained in difficult conversations and hopefully he could get the guy to back off.

"Yes, I am."

"Aren't you married?"

Rule number one - Don't let them think that they have anything on you.

"Separated." A number of different things happened all at once and Adrien wasn't quite sure what to do first. Dominic's eyes widened, Marinette flinched, Max gasped, and Alya screamed something along the lines of 'what the fuck!' Whether that was to him or Nino he had no idea, but one thing was certain, Adrien didn't even bat an eyelid.

"Separated doesn't mean you can go around fucking who you want." Dominic was turning angry which is where the next rule came in.

Rule number two - defuse the situation.

"Definitely, which is why this is a first date between old friends. We're getting reacquainted and there's no chance I would sleep with someone on the first date. I have standards you know. Don't want a fiancée to come and throw a ring at my naked ass because I can't keep it in my pants."

The look on Dominic's face is one he would never forget. It was beautiful and everything he could have ever wanted. He felt Marinette twitch again under his arm. Using his thumb he slowly rubbed up and down her arm, soothing her with his slight touch. Well that was the aim, instead she tensed more and practically jumped out the chair before wiggling in her seat.

"She told you that?" He looked raging. Whoops!

"Told me what?"

Rule number three - try to defuse the situation again, if it didn't work the first time (or if you mess up!)

"About the engagement ring?"

"That actually happened?" Adrien asked, "I was just joking, oh wow! Okay." He let out a small laugh as he watched Dominic's face turn ashen. "Sorry man, that's harsh."

"I'm just going to," he pointed to the doorway before standing up and making a beeline out the exit. Neither himself or Marinette moved as they watched him go.

"You're welcome," Adrien removed his arm from Marinette's shoulders and took a drink from his glass. Success!

"I never said thank you." Marinette turned to face him, a smile prominent on her features.

"How ungrateful! I have two points now, Dupain-Cheng, one for the phone incident and now for saving you."

"You didn't save me." She laughed, "I could have handled it."

"I never said you couldn't, but sometimes I like to think I'm a hero." He dropped her a wink and picked up the menu from the centre of the table looking over the options.

"How did you know about the ring?"

Adrien slowly placed the menu down and scratched behind his neck. "Lucky guess, you seem like a girl that would throw a ring at someone's bare ass."

"You're not wrong there," she laughed and he couldn't help but smile, "so how's your phone?"

"You'll be pleased to know it is still in one piece, and I think we've made up since I treated it badly."

"Awww forgiveness is the key," she responded. He turned his attention back to the table in front of him, a smile stretching across his lips. Forgiveness is key? Perhaps he had hope after all.

"Do you think they'll be okay?" Her small voice was close to his ear and as he turned in her direction and noticed Marinette was looking over her shoulder discreetly. Almost brushing his nose against her cheek he turned to look too. Nino was talking to Alya, but she was busy checking her phone. Adrien prayed that she would at least hear him out.

"I think they need to talk, and I think we do too, but not here. Not today."

"Talk? Is this because I didn't tell you who I was the other evening."

"Yes, and no." Before Adrien could continue the first course was positioned on the table in front of them. The remainder of the meal turned to small talk and he suddenly felt the sun breaking through the clouds, if what she said was true maybe she would forgive him. He just needed to tell her the whole truth.

•••••

He knew so many random things about her. Things Alya didn't even know and she didn't understand. He kept telling her he could read her, and that she'd mentioned things when they'd spent time together in the past. But nobody remembered that much did they?

After the meal and all the speeches were done, Marinette needed a break. It was harder work than she thought it would be, and she was tired of putting on her 'flimsy' act. Being so close to Adrien made her want to scream at him, to ask him why he didn't turn up that night three years ago, why he'd broken her heart when she'd been waiting for him to keep good on his promise? On the promise that they would be together.

Walking around the pool, she greeted the people she knew, and made small talk with others that she didn't. She'd congratulated the newlyweds, and fawned over Ondine's mermaid style wedding dress. Personally, she would have used a satin instead of lace on her, but that didn't stop her from looking gorgeous, her face glowing with love, and pride, and Marinette knew in that moment that hers was glowing in jealousy.

Excusing herself, she wandered around trying to find Alya. It would be the first dance soon and Marinette wanted a low down on what had happened between her friend and her ex. Walking towards the toilets she heard a fumble in the storage room. Moving a little closer, she pressed one ear against the door and listened. It was quite obvious two people were 'doing things' in there, and by the sounds of it, it was going well.

"I didn't know you were a peeping Tom," Marinette stumbled away from the door, tripping on her heels and falling in the opposite direction. Marinette closed her eyes bracing for impact, only to land on something soft, yet strong. She opened her eyes and came face-to-face with Adrien. He was casually leaning against the wall with his jacket discarded and his tie loosened, his hands on her waist steadying her. He looked every bit the A list actor he was. Not knowing what to do next she said the first thing that came to her head. "There's people having sex in there." Her voice was low but from Adrien's reddened expression he definitely heard what she'd said. She stumbled backwards and out of his grasp, realising she was too close to the door again and could hear the commotion.

"And you were what exactly? Wanting to go and join them?"

Stepping forward again, Marinette folded her arms across her chest and glared Adrien down. "No." She replied.

"No smart come back? Interesting." She looked into his eyes and saw the twinkling of mischief and amusement. When he looked at her this way she didn't know how to control herself. "Leave them to it and come with me. They're about to do the first dance and I'm sure Alya would want you to film it for her."

Adrien's words struck her like lightning. "Noooooo!" She shrieked as her eyes popped out of her head, halting in her tracks and almost pulling Adrien, and his wonderful silver suit over and onto the floor. His was the perfect compliment to her dress.

"I think they're making up," Adrien's eyebrows wiggled and Marinette couldn't help the blast of a laugh that left her lips.

"It sounds like it!" They both snickered like naughty school children as they made their way back into the main hall.

Adrien led, every now and then looking back to check she was still near him and each time she threw reassuring glances his way as they weaved through the crowds to find a place to watch the dance. It seemed even with the height of the heels Marinette had chosen, she was still slightly too short. Adrien grabbed her hips and moved her in front of him, keeping his hands spread and her body close to his, helping her see through the gap of the people in front.

They watched as Kim swayed with Ondine in his arms, every now and then he would whisper in her ear and she'd laugh or kiss him, and it seemed like such an intimate moment they were all intruding on, Marinette couldn't help the slight blush on her cheeks.

"The bride and groom would like you all to join them on the dance floor." The DJ made an announcement, and Marinette went to head back to the bar, only to be stopped by a hand on her bicep.

"Will you?"

She looked into his emerald eyes, becoming enchanted by the glittering around the iris. His eyes had always been such a wonderful quality. A flashback to their time in New York made her feel nostalgic for their childhood days, everything was so free and easy. All she had to worry about was her stammering, and the occasional/daily akuma's.

"Sure." She told herself she was doing it just for the job, yet part of her was being selfish. Part of her wanted to be in Adrien's arms once again. He led her into a space on the outskirts of the makeshift dance floor, and took her in his arms like he had many times before. As his bare hand hit the skin on her back, a replay from the last time they were in this position hit her. It had quickly escalated from dancing, to kissing, to sex, and at the time it felt so damn right.

"I'm sorry about the other night," his voice was low and she knew he was whispering into her ear, making sure he could be heard over the music.

"What about?"

"For acting like a dick."

"Haven't you been doing that since the day I met you." He pulled back from her and she couldn't help but smile. He looked mortified.

"I have a lot of explaining to do,"

"You do." Marinette agreed, "but right now we're dancing."

They stayed silently swaying for a while before Adrien's voice floated into range.

"And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways. Maybe just the touch of a hand. Oh me I fall in love with you every single day and I just wanna tell you I am."

"You have a nice singing voice." She said with a soft sigh.

He started to laugh before burying one hand into the crook of his neck. "I didn't realise I was singing out loud."

"I think you'll find the song is 'Thinking out loud'."

"That too," he dropped her a wink and moved closer again, reconnecting the hand he had removed.

"You know what was the most disk-ish thing you've ever done?" She whispered in his ear, the close proximity was not good for her libido, especially when she had a job to do.

"Dick-ish?" He laughed.

"Yes, dick-ish. You let me borrow your phone when I needed help. How dare you?"

"I know," he sighed, "I suck." They both laughed as they continued to sway with the music. "I shouldn't have left you alone like that though, especially with your phone dying."

"Don't worry about it," she shrugged, "I didn't have any money left to get a ride home, so I just crashed in the alley behind the restaurant."

His eyes went wide as he stared into hers, and she couldn't stop laughing. "Always so gullible, Agreste. I was fine, I got home safely and I'm here now so all is good."

"Don't do that Mari, if anything happened I wouldn't have forgiven myself."

"You would have never known, so don't beat yourself up about it. You didn't even know who I was." She laughed even though she felt his shoulders tense under her hands.

"So," she coughed, a sudden need to break the tension, this was not how she worked a trap. "Did you beat any more of your items up when you got home? A Tablet? Television? Fridge?"

"Nah, I couldn't trust myself so I didn't go home. I like my Smeg too much to put it through that kind of pain."

Marinette burst out laughing. She hated the effect Adrien had on her. His relaxed calm way always made her smile, and he could be damn right funny too.

"How about tonight then?" She changed her voice and started her hit. "Can you trust yourself?" She looked up at him from under her eyelashes, and if the bobbing of his Adam's apple meant anything, he'd just done a tremendous gulp.

Trap initiated.

•••••

His heart almost stopped beating. Was she flirting with him? He was quite sure they weren't talking about the Smeg anymore.

He stood still, halting their sway and stared at her. For the first time ever he had no words. Zero. Zilch. Zip. He needed to say something. Anything?

"Did your date turn up?" What? Why the fuck did he say that?

"No, he didn't."

"His loss." He looked at Marinette and saw one of her eyebrows quirk up. "What? I'm being honest", and he was. Marinette was beautiful. He'd never seen someone 'glow up' this much before, especially when said person was already beautiful. She'd gone from cute and pretty to drop dead gorgeous.

"Wait a minute. It was you wasn't it ... that's why you ran. I knew I should have rated you higher."

"No, no, I'm still happy with my six." He smiled brightly at her, noting how she tried her hardest to not laugh at his jokes.

"Six point five." She answered him with a smugness that made his heart flip and he could only grin wider. "There's that smile. So, I suppose I can give you an eight now."

"I feel privileged."

They were silent for a little while longer, swaying with the music and just getting reacquainted. Adrien could feel his heart wanting to connect once more with this woman in his arms. He owed her so much, but the thought of the conversation had him terrified. How would she respond to knowing the full facts of that night?

"You're not wearing a wedding ring?" Her question came out the blue, and he automatically looked at his bare finger. "Are you trying to pick up other women?"

"I'm not a jerk, Marinette, regardless of some of my past behaviour. I don't do things without meaning." He looked at her face and could tell she was holding back something she wanted to say, and he was quite certain he knew what it was.

"I never said you were. It's just you said something to Dominic and it got me wondering"

"It's, um ... it's complicated."

"Well, if I asked you what your relationship status on Facebook is, you'd say ..."

"Single. I separated from Vivica nine months ago."

•••••

Marinette's heart was going to beat out of her chest. Single? But the honey trap? If they were separated, why would Vivica want to trap him? What would be the point?

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"There's a lot more to explain, but I can't here, too many prying ears. But we weren't happy. I haven't been since the day we got engaged."

"So, do you live together?"

He shook his head. "No, I have a rental in the City."

"But why isn't it in the press? I don't understand."

"When this comes out, a lot of other stories will be dragged out with it. I'm ready to face it and then move on, but she's struggling. Even though we don't get along, I can't do that to her. I've spent three years with her, I may not love her but I wouldn't wish ill of her." That was sweet. Even after all this time he was still smooth with his words.

"I'm sorry I didn't recognise who you were the other night, you've changed a lot over these past few years." More than he'd ever known. "You're beautiful."

"Thank you -" Marinette looked to the side of the dance floor and saw Alya waving frantically at her. Deciding she'd done enough for the night, she thanked Adrien for the dance and told him she needed to go home. "It seems I'm being summoned." Luckily he didn't try to argue it, instead thanking her for a lovely evening and allowing her to go.

Adrien turned to look where Marinette was, only for Alya to swap her small signals for frantic arm gestures.

"Please meet up with me soon, I really need to talk to you." He asked as she began to leave.

"You can count on it." She smiled, dropping him a wink, heading towards her friend and out of the room.

"Oh, and bring my jacket back with you. It's one of my favourites!" She turned and smiled back at him, exiting the floor and meeting up with a flushed Alya.