C'EST LA 'VIV'?

Hold on your hats people! We have some breaking news which is going to blow your mind!

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past twenty four hours, you will know that Paris has a new hero, but this time without a costume. Adrien Agreste, 24, is now going head-to-head with Chat Noir for France's favourite hero, all thanks to the ex-model's heroic actions saving two people from drowning in the Seine river yesterday.

We are still yet to receive any information about the young boy or woman that he saved, but we are sure they are grateful for the blonde's quick actions and incredible swimming skills. However, one person will be more grateful than the rest, and that is Adrien's wife. Vivica Agreste, 23.

The model has allowed us here at 'Mode Mania' to print a little exclusive and all we can say is prepare yourselves.

Vivica invited one of our reporters to spend the day with her as she prepared for her up and coming photoshoot alongside her cousin-in-law, Felix Graham de Vanily, 24, and we couldn't help but notice the huge eternity ring joining her engagement ring and wedding ring on her left hand. When questioned Vivica gave us some exclusive information.

'There could soon be a pitter patter of tiny feet running around Paris.'

It seems Paris' number two couple are in the midst of trying for their first child and the wide grin on her face could indicate they may have already succeeded on their journey to parenthood.

Only time will tell but we are all very excited to see the most beautiful baby.

•••• 

Adrien sat staring at the man in front of him. He didn't know why he'd bothered coming, it was the same feelings every time. At first he thought the visits were out of obligatory requirements; it was his father after all, so he should go see him. But over time he began to see it for what it really was; a way to make sure Gabriel didn't pull any more of his old tricks.

The sun shone down, causing Gabriel Agreste's silvery hair to shine brightly in the sunlight, the flickers of white becoming more prominent as the unblemished colour began to take over the bulk of his hair. As always it was pushed back and styled, even if he couldn't do it properly himself anymore.

The older male was in his silk pyjamas, different to the ones Adrien saw him in last week meaning Nathalie must have dropped by for a visit. She was here a lot more than he was, a regular visitor of Gabriel's.

Gabriel.

Adrien couldn't remember the last time he referred to his father as anything other than by name. He wasn't a father and there was no way he'd ever been a dad. He was nothing more than a sperm donor, a worthless piece of shit Adrien couldn't wait to see the back of. Adrien prided himself on trying to see the good in people, but Gabriel Agreste didn't even have the slightest morsel of good inside him. He was pure evil, he knew that now.

The years he would put Gabriel first were now far behind him. The want to please him had become a distant memory from another life and Adrien wanted nothing more than to get away from the Agreste name, but at the moment it needed to stay. It needed to stay with him whilst he completed this charade that he'd begun. Somewhere inside him was still the sweet, naive Adrien Agreste, and meeting with Marinette again had begun to revive it from the depths of his darkness, he was stronger with her, he always had been.

Adrien was now working for no one but himself. His life was now what he wanted it to be, his own needs and desires at the front - only one left to succeed with and that was getting through this divorce and finally shedding light on the web of secrets his father had captured him in.

Sitting back in the chair next to his 'father', Adrien slouched back, fingers intertwined and placed over his stomach. His jaw was set in a tight clench as he glared at the man in front of him. The man who he was meant to respect and want to be. Instead, he despised everything Gabriel represented. He needed to speak, to say something that would release his chest from the iron grip it always had when he stepped foot here, so he did.

"I've met up with Marinette again. After everything you tried to do you failed, Gabriel! It was always going to end with us being together, even after all this fucked up shit you got me involved with. It was always going to be me and her!

I spoke to Felix the other day too. He can't wait to run your company into the ground, and it sounds like he's going to have a lot of fun doing it too. You see, I know exactly what he does now, and there's not a chance in hell you're going to get away with it. I just wish there was a greater way we could make you pay for your crimes, but unfortunately you beat us to it by putting yourself in this coma. Just be glad I didn't catch on sooner because you may have not been so lucky."

Adrien pulled out his phone, looking at the latest message from Felix. He'd never say he and his cousin were best friends, but this they wholeheartedly agreed on, and when they worked together they were actually a pretty good team. A mutual enemy did them a world of good.

Once a week Adrien would come here, sit and just think. Think about everything Gabriel had put him through, and for what? For the old man to end up in the same condition as his mother, maybe even worse. His old man couldn't even allow Adrien the satisfaction of being found guilty of his neglect.

For nine whole months Adrien had come to this hospice and sat alongside his father, 'hate' piling up and up on his shoulders, the only good thing to come out of this was finally being able to breakaway.

He thought back to ten months ago and the day things began clear, and the hope of an out grew closer. Gabriel had called Adrien into his office needing to discuss business with him. When Adrien had walked in there, a small brown box sat on his desk with a weathered brown leather book alongside it. One he'd seen before.

As they sat face-to-face Gabriel had been supported by his assistant as they explained how Gabriel was getting ill, how he was slowly losing his mind. Over the past year Adrien had noticed the lack of Gabriel's appearances at work or at their family meals, and it seemed this memory loss was part of it.

He offered Adrien the box, the book, and a letter, with Nathalie informing him that they were part of his father's heritage and, hopefully, Adrien would continue his legacy. When Adrien had got home that night he didn't need to open the box to know what was inside with it. Everything clicked together so perfectly it made him sick.

He had taken both items to a secure vault at his bank, eventually moving them into the safe in the rental he was staying in. Even though he didn't look in the box or at the book, he took the time to read the letter. Everything he'd been thinking since the meeting in his fathers office came true in one sheet of A4 paper. He didn't like his father, that was a well known fact, but in that moment hatred overflowed.

Felix was the one that found him on the floor, unmoving and pale. The two talked a lot, and a plan was formed. A plan which would suit both of them well.

The day Gabriel went into the hospice nine months ago was the day Adrien started his divorce. He'd hired the top attorney he knew, Jess Keynes, flying her straight in from New York and filling her in on everything. Jess had stayed ever since, working side by side with Adrien to get the best he could out of the situation, and along with Felix, Adrien had found himself in a very powerful position. All he had to do now was play it smartly and safely.

He knew Vivica well, after all she was best friends with Lila Rossi, and it didn't take a lot to understand the woman's train of thought. But she wasn't going to win this. She didn't know what Adrien did, and she didn't know what Adrien and Felix were capable of.

The only spanner in the works came from Marinette.

She wasn't an issue, not by any means. She'd just come into the game a lot sooner than he'd expected. He always planned on finding her again, a thoughtful apology had already been written out and he was determined to get back into her good books. He was ready to beg, to beg in earnest for her to give him another chance, another shot.

But she was back now, and although it wasn't part of the plan yet she was here, and he didn't care what happened, he wasn't losing her again.

His phone began to ring.

Felix

"Hey," Adrien answered the phone, keeping his eyes firmly placed on his father.

"Have you seen the latest article in 'Mode Mania'?" No introductions usually meant bad news where Felix was concerned. He never beat around the bush, always being straightforward and to the point. Adrien could never understand how he and Kagami didn't hit it off. They were almost a perfect match.

"No, why?" Adrien hadn't bothered looking today.

After he'd finished messaging Marinette last night, they'd decided he needed to place a statement on social media, so he did via his Instagram account covering the underwater adventure they'd had together. Marinette was still laying low on the radar, remaining unnamed, and as just a 'woman' he happened to have saved. He'd also had conversations with Wayhem, getting him to retract his comment on the 'Mode Mania' forum. For now, Marinette was still unknown.

"Vivca's made a statement about you."

"What kind of statement?" Adrien rubbed the frown lines in between his eyebrows, what the fuck had she done now.

Whenever Vivica's name was mentioned in conversation his body reacted in extreme tension, every muscle in his body either going as solid as a rock or shrivelling up like a prune. Sometimes he wondered if he'd lose his manhood the amount of times it attempted to retreat.

"Hang on, I'll read it to you." Shuffling was heard on the other side of the phone line as Felix was obviously tapping away on a computer or a laptop. "Here we go. Vivica invited one of our reporters to spend the day with her as she prepared for her up and coming photoshoot alongside her cousin-in-law, Felix Graham de Vanily, 24, and we couldn't help but notice the huge eternity ring joining her engagement ring and wedding ring on her left hand. When questioned Vivica gave us some exclusive information.

'There could soon be a pitter patter of tiny feet running around Paris'."

"What the fuck?" Adrien sat up, moving the phone from his ear and switching it to speaker so he could search for the article in question. "Why? How? What?" Adrien couldn't vocalise how he was feeling.

Finally, with shaking hands, he found the article.

There it was, a picture of Vivica complete with a giant eternity diamond on her finger, and little booties at the side. "Felix, I'll speak to you later."

"Adrien, watch what you say okay? We've got this covered, don't ruin the plan."

He grunted in agreement as he ended the call and pulled up his 'wife's' number. After only two rings she answered, her voice being that annoying sing song which grated on his nerves. She was so fake she was pretty much plastic.

"What the fuck Vivica?"

"Oh, hey baby daddy."

"Don't start that with me. We had sex once three years ago, there is not a chance in hell we're having a baby."

"The courts don't know that, and it's not like you can get a paternity test at the moment if I was pregnant. Just imagine the headlines."

The anger boiled through his veins. If his father was going to make him marry someone, why couldn't it have at least been someone nice? Damn, even someone with half a heart would be nicer than Vivica.

"We're still meant to be happily married, remember." She continued, and he had to control every ounce of his anger so he wouldn't smash his phone against the wall.

"You've gotta be kidding me! Is this because of yesterday?"

"I don't know what you mean. I just want my hero husband to have a chance at a family. The world will go crazy when they realise what a superhero you are for giving your wife that baby she's been longing for."

"You do realise children are not just accessories, you need to actually look after them." Adrien snapped out quickly trying to calm himself down. He knew this is what she wanted. She wanted him to get snappy with her. Just another point on her chart to add to the detrimental picture of Adrien Agreste she was building.

"Oh Adrien, you'll never learn. You're too busy saving pretty women and children from drowning to even care about your poor pregnant wife." He clenched his teeth, the ache pulsating through his jaw.

"What do you want?" He said, voice harsh and uncaring.

"It's simple really. There's a black tie gala next Saturday. I want you to be there."

"What gala?"

"For that charity we're beneficiaries of." Adrien squinted, he was quite sure all the charities he supported didn't hold 'pissing contest' galas. Maybe family fundays but nothing big and fancy.

"If you can name the charity I'll go."

Silence came from the other side of the line.

Exactly.

"That's not important. What is important is the press might be there and we need to show a united front. We haven't been out and about together in quite a while and people are starting to talk. We need to show it's you and me against the world."

He heaved as she said those words. They were not for her to say. They were his and his Lady's only!

"You know it's my collège reunion that day." He responded.

"Oh, is that the same day? What a shame. I suppose you'll have to choose then; your seemingly pregnant wife or your lower class friends?"

"And if I chose the reunion?"

"Don't test me Adrien, you won't like the outcome."

He bent forward on the chair, placing his elbows on his knees and his head between his legs. Using the hand that wasn't currently cradling his phone, he swiped across his forehead and closed his eyes.

"Fine," his voice was defeated. She'd gotten her way again.

"Good boy, oh and be a cherub, my dress is Ladybug red, so I expect you to wear a matching tie with your black suit."

"Of course you do." His voice radiated sarcasm.

"Ciao." The phone call ended and Adrien groaned, flinging himself back into his chair.

"This is all your fault," he said to an unconscious Gabriel, sneering as he pulled his lips into a straight line.

Why couldn't Gabriel be a good father? A nice one, who wanted the best for his son? Someone who gave a damn about more than just his breadline, someone like Tom Dupain, the man he wanted as a father figure for himself and a grandpére for his children.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he tapped his phone against his bicep as he began to think. There was no way he was going to that gala. He hated the damn things, even more so when he was stuck on the arm of her.

He tapped, and thought, tapped, and thought, tapped ... and then it hit him.

Adrien
What are you up to next Saturday?

Felix! The answer was so bright and easy it was like being hit in the face with a cream pie.

Shutting off his phone, he stood up and made his way to the door. Just as he was reaching for the handle, it began to turn bringing him face to face with another person he wished would disappear, or fall off a cliff without a parachute, he wasn't that picky.

"Adrien, what a surprise?" Nathalie Sancoeur, Gabriel's assistant, stood staring back at him. Even after all these years she still looked the same. Rectangular glasses framing her blue eyes, a red streak through her dark brown hair, matching her turtleneck and blazer, and the Tsurugi powered exoskeleton supporting her back and lower limbs.

"No it's not, you know I always come at this time." He kept his voice sharp and pointed, not wanting to give her any opportunity to get into a fully fledged conversation.

"It's just with Vivica's pregnancy, I thought you might be busy."

The look plastered on his face was one of sheer disbelief. Did she actually believe the shit his wife had told a tabloid magazine? Actually, knowing Nathalie, she was probably the one that suggested it. Another new way to control Adrien's life.

"You know as well as I do that that story is full of shit. Now if you excuse me I have places to be." Adrien went to step around Nathalie only for her to block the way.

"Have you opened the box?"

"No, and I don't intend to."

"Your father has trusted you with those possessions, Adrien. The least you can do is consider your options."

Consider his options? There were no options to consider. Thanks to his fathers mental demise he was free to do as he pleased, and he knew the power lay purely in his hands, not that Nathalie, Gabriel or Vivica had any inclination, it was something Adrien was playing close to his chest. Something that needed to stay hidden until the right time.

As Adrien was fully aware from his time as Chat Noir, things needed to happen in order, and as impatient as he might be sometimes nothing was going to risk his happiness. Nothing was going to mess up what he'd spent the better part of three years working on.

"There's nothing to consider. My loyalties lay exactly where they did three years ago."

"Well, in that case I should let you leave." She stepped to one side, allowing Adrien to move out the room and into the hall, only for Nathalie's next words to put a halt on his steps. "Oh and Adrien, send my regards to Ms. Dupain-Cheng when you next see her."

Adrien turned to see the look on Nathalie's face, but as usual she was blank. Not an ounce of emotion or remorse on her face. Her usual decorum was full of apathy.

He'd looked up to Nathalie, respected her whole heartedly, but that was destroyed that day. The day he found out her loyalty was firmly with his father. His love snapped away as she stood alongside his father, allowing him to manipulate and mould Adrien's life without an ounce of care or love.

"I hope for your sake you're happy with where your loyalties lie." Turning on his heel, he stalked out of the room and out of the building, heading towards his car and freedom from everything inside that building.

Pulling the key from his pocket he pressed the button and unlocked his doors ready for him to climb in and finally breathe again. His car was one of the few items in his life that was his. His car, his choice, his money, and he loved it.

His Bugatti Veyron had become his pride and joy. He loved Bugatti's, hence his excitement for filming, but nothing beat owning one of his own. It made him feel special, and gave him the same kind of thrill he received when he was Chat Noir running feral over the rooftops of Paris. Pure unadulterated fun on four wheels, and all his.

His phone buzzed in his pocket as he pressed the button to start his eight litre quad-turbocharged engine, the growl sending a ripple of adrenaline through his veins. He pulled his phone from his pocket, the screen lighting up to show a reply from his cousin.

Felix
What do you need?

Adrien
Are you up for the old switcheroo?

It took less than two minutes for Felix to reply.

Felix
I thought you'd never ask ;)

Adrien laughed as he went to place his phone on the charging plate in his centre console, only for his car to announce a message before he could position it

'Message received from Marinette.'

Fear pulsated through him as he reached for his phone. He'd completely forgotten that she'd probably see the article, after all her best friend worked for the company writing it. He thought he was finally breaking through, but instead he was about to crash and burn for a second time because of his conniving soon to be ex-wife.

Taking a deep breath he picked his phone back up and opened the message, the relief coming out as a burst of laughter, a very loud and slightly psychotic one. He pressed reply and rapidly typed a response.

Adrien
Thanks for the elevator porn, it really gave me the pick up I needed today.

He looked one more time at the pictures of bare elevator shafts, unable to stop smiling.

Nobody made him laugh the way Marinette Dupain-Cheng did.

•••••

"I'm telling you, it's all a lie." Marinette said, walking into the movie theatre alongside her best friend. As soon as the latest 'Mode Mania' had been published Alya had called her friend, partially to see what she thought about it, and partially to check she was okay.

"Do you think she would do something like that?"

"You know who her bff is, don't you?"

Alya cringed. Yes, she did know who Vivica's bff was and Marinette knew it pained her to think of what the woman had put her best friend through for the most part of a decade.

"Don't remind me." Alya muttered through clenched teeth.

The two made their way to the refreshment stand, hoping to get some treats to feast on through the movie.

"Just admit that I'm right and we can move on from the conversation." Marinette said smugly, stepping forward in the line and up to the bar. "Can we have two small popcorns, a bottle of water, an orange soda and a bag of candy worms please?"

Marinette noticed how Alya had suddenly become fidgeting, bouncing on her feet and looking around the foyer.

"I'll be back in a second," she finally said. Marinette nodded in understanding as Alya turned around and strolled away, leaving Marinette at the counter alone.

Whilst the usher was seeing to their order, she fumbled around in her purse to find her cash. The loud noise of a hand hitting the bar made her jump and look at the hand currently on the surface in front of her. Fear striking that it might be Dominic..

"Two more popcorns, another bottle of water and a Bud as well, please?'

"Excuse m-"

Marinette looked at the hand currently trapping her, noticing the ring she'd seen time and time again. She trailed her eyes from the hand and up her companion's body only to come face to face with Adrien Agreste.

"I've got these," he dropped her a wink, waiting for the usher to come back with their snacks and drinks.

Marinette stood, mouth agape, watching Adrien pay for all the items and walk off as though nothing had happened. What the hell?

Marinette turned to the usher, smiled, and wandered away in the direction of Adrien, following him like a little duckling with popcorn, sweets and drinks balancing erratically on her arms and in her hands. She was a liability waiting to strike.

Following Adrien, she spotted Alya standing alongside Nino near the screen entrance.

"Look who I found," said Alya, grasping onto Nino's arm. Nino smiled and raised a hand in greeting towards Marinette.

"Hey Nino," she said politely, trying her best to put on a convenient smile.

"Marinette," he replied back, before Alya could jump into the conversation.

"Guess who's here to watch the same movie as us?"

"Zendaya and Tom Holland?" She replied, only for Adrien to guffaw next to her.

"I don't have the bone structure to pull off Zendaya," Marinette looked at Adrien as he spoke, watching his eyes twinkle. The dullness she'd seen at their reunion mere days ago had lifted a lot, and remnants of the old Adrien seemed to be making its way back to the surface.

"I don't know," Marinette said, placing her thumb and index finger to her chin, "you'd look really pretty in a leotard."

His eyes sparkled with amusement, "is that so?"

"Okay, you two need to stop this weird flirting shit. We're going to be late for the movie." Alya's words made Marinette blush, one hand coming up to rest against her burning cheek. Was that flirting? It was just natural to talk to him that way, especially after their lengthy text exchange the previous evening.

"Shall we post a selfie before we go in? The OG's back together." As Nino raised his phone, encouraging them all to get in the frame ready for the picture only for both Adrien and Marinette to shout 'no'. Nino stopped in his tracks and lowered his phone down to his side. "What's wrong? Is the model camera shy?" He asked, eyebrows creasing from their reaction.

"I've got to lay low for my remaining time in Paris." Adrien explained, and Marinette couldn't help but feel her heart drop. She'd forgotten he was off filming in the next week or so, suddenly curious about why Vivica hadn't mentioned anything? Did she not know?

"And Marinette?" Nino asked, turning his attention away from his best bud and straight to her.

"I've - um - I've ..." she looked from Adrien, to Alya, to Nino, each having their attention fully on her as her mind rattled through any excuse she could think about. Any picture of her with Adrien online would be used against him, especially as Vivica would have easy access to all Adrien's accounts. "I've got a spot coming." She shouted out, pointing to her chin, "see! Right there. I'm very self conscious about it so can we not, please."

"Fine," Nino huffed in defeat, slipping his phone back into his pocket and taking a glance at Alya. Marinette could tell he was still as in love with her as ever but over the past couple of days she couldn't help but think Alya was loving too quickly. Marinette was borderline with it, unsure whether Nino and Alya could go back to what they were, especially now Nino was seen as a flight risk.

"So you're here to see the same as us?" Marinette asked, trying to make sure her attention didn't linger on Adrien for too long. Having him so close, especially after their excursion into the Seine the day before, was not good for her. His masculinity was overwhelming and she could feel herself gravitating towards him, wanting to feel his arms around her again just as he had grasped onto her yesterday.

"Yup, the new Ladybug and Chat Noir movie," Adrien replied, looking directly into Marinette's eyes. She was finding it so hard not to swoon, his gaze was sparkling with amusement and she couldn't help smiling with him.

"A little vain isn't it?" Marinette asked. Adrien had been the voice of Chat Noir since the movies started almost ten years ago.

Adrien smiled wider, "actually Felix voiced Chat Noir in this one, not me."

"Oh really?" Alya looked towards Adrien, an eyebrow raised in disbelief.

"When you watch the movie you'll understand why I said no."

One hour later, Marinette was struggling to stifle her laughter as she sat next to Adrien who was giving her a commentary of the movie as it played.

"And now we watch as the feline stalks its prey through the concrete jungle that is Paris, the wise ladybug unaware of the predator on her trail."

Marinette snorted out a laugh as the person behind them 'shh'ed them for the sixth time since the movie had started. It was diabolical, and the only thing stopping her from walking out was Adrien's quips as they watched. She couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed so hard, but unfortunately this wasn't the time or place. She looked at Adrien again, only for him to shrug and smile, his white teeth glowing from the impact of the widescreen of the cinema.

Turning her head to the right, she noticed Alya and Nino were toobusy doing their own thing to notice the trouble herself and Adrien were kicking up in the cinema. She was quite certain herself and Adrien were about to be kicked out. It wouldn't be her first time.

Breathing deeply, she tried to calm herself down and focus on the crappy film being displayed in front of her. So far in the movie Chat Noir had gained real life cat tendencies, and began to stalk Ladybug so he could nuzzle into her. It was so extreme that within ten minutes of the start herself and Adrien had taken to their own commentation.

Taking a piece of popcorn she turned her attention away from Adrien and back to the screen, she was determined to make it through the whole movie, regardless of how shit it was. Suddenly, Ladybug and Chat Noir were on a fishing boat with an akuma in tow.

"They're going to need a bigger boat." Marinette said, throwing another piece of popcorn in her mouth.

Another couple of minutes passed which included a rather lacklustre akuma battle where Chat Noir spent more time cleaning his ears than fighting, and a 'Lucky Charm' that was a bucket of shrimp, when finally the akuma was released. Ladybug finally purified it and set it free.

Completely uninterested in what had just happened, Marinette went to grab her drink when hot breath hit her neck.

"It's a-boat time." A small giggle passed her lips, causing the people in front to turn around and glare. She disguised the laugh with a cough, putting a hand up in apology. "That was ferry impressive." He continued causing her to repeat the cough again.

Marinette turned her head coming nose to nose with Adrien, a smile dancing over his perfect teeth. "Keep this up and I'm sure we'll be having a row."

Adrien laughed under his breath, looking at her blank face. "Don't look so stern."

"You're cruisin for a bruisin, Mr Agreste."

"Now that would be an oar-deal."

The two started laughing only for the person behind to lean over the chairs and growled at them. "You two need to ship out before I get you removed."

The man sat back in his seat causing Marinette and Adrien to stare at one another before bursting out laughing again.

"Wanna get out of here?" He whispered, Marinette answered with a very enthusiastic nod.

"Yes please, I thought you would never ask." Marinette looked to her right again, this time with the aim of catching Alya's eye. She indicated to her friend she was leaving with Adrien only to receive a thumbs up in response.

Scooting out of the row, Marinette followed Adrien, only to be met with a round of applause from the couple in front of them and the man behind. Standing to his full height, Adrien bowed to the audience, before grabbing Marinette's hand and dragging her out into the foyer.

"Did you want to do anything or did you just want a lift home?" Adrien began searching his pockets for his keys, and Marinette felt her heart rate increase. She looked him over and couldn't help the stirring in her stomach. His full length tee had been pushed up to his elbows, and his jeans were figure hugging and gorgeous, she would have had to be blind to not notice how good his ass looked in them, and his forearms ... Well, she didn't know she had a 'thing' for that part of a guy's body until now.

"Please don't take offence, but would you mind just giving me a lift home. I'm still not feeling right after yesterday." She said begrudgingly.

"Sure," he stepped in front of her and opened the foyer door, leading them into the fresh night air of Paris. The laughter and chatter from restaurants and cafes nearby rang out, as Adrien led her towards the carpark and, ultimately, his car.

"I need to say thank you." She said, wrapping her arms around herself. There was still an obvious chill in her bones, the slight breeze in the air not helping her at all.

"No you don't." He replied, "you were as much a hero yesterday as I was. If not more so, you were the first in there to help him."

"I'm sure if you'd spotted the boy first you would have beaten me."

"Maybe, but still, you were first."

She smiled up at him as they continued down towards his car. Adrien pressed the button to unlock the doors and Marinette couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"You finally got your Bugatti?"

He smiled in response. "You remembered uh?"

"Of course I did, it was in your top ten," just like she had been. The thought struck her with enough force to push her back a couple of steps. She felt his gaze on her and knew he was thinking the same thing. They'd spoken about their dreams that night, they'd spoken about their future ... together.

"I - um - I ..." She watched as Adrien rubbed the back of his neck, eyebrows creased and gaze firmly on the floor.

"Is it okay if I get in? It's getting pretty chilly." She could sense the uncomfort in him and, to be honest, she didn't want to get into a discussion about their past, not now at least. She couldn't if she was going to see through these six weeks, she didn't need to leave with more love wounds, but maybe, if luck was on her side, she could leave with an old friend.

"Of course, sorry, let me just -" he moved forward, opening the door for her. She stepped in, sliding into the plush leather seats. "If you press that button there," he pointed to the console, "it'll turn on the heated seats."

"Oh how pedestrian!" She stated sarcastically with a chuckle, only for him to laugh along with her. His voice was delicious and she wanted to bottle it and sell it for a high price. She leant forward and pressed the button, eagerly awaiting the warmth to kick in.

He closed the door behind her, swiftly making it into the driver's seat and starting the engine. A groan came out of her mouth, and her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. "Sorry."

"Don't worry, I do that too." He looked over her way, dropping a wink before concentrating on pulling out of the space and onto the busy streets of Paris.

Marinette sat looking out the window, watching tourists and locals fill the streets, arm in arm with friends, lovers and spouses. Paris truly was the city of love.

They'd been silent for a while, only increasing as they were stuck in the heavy late night traffic. She wasn't sure if she should start a conversation or wait for Adrien too. For the first time in her job she felt out of her depth, the pull between the trap, her own feelings and what was right began to blur together and oppressed her. She needed to get her head together or she was going to end up in a mess.

"The porn you sent me earlier was much needed."

She quickly turned her head to Adrien, and smiled. They'd just stopped at a red light, allowing him to take the opportunity to smile at her back.

"I'm glad I could help. Rough day?"

"Something like that," he turned back to face the front and let out a sigh, watching as the lights remained firmly on red, the red glow covering his well defined face with a pink hue.

"You know, you can talk to me if you want to. I won't judge." She watched knowing he was mentally debating with himself. The lights turned to amber then green, his voice starting along with the movement of the car.

"It's a lie, you know. About the baby. I haven't slept with Vivica since our wedding night." Something like that should have shocked her but the story felt so familiar to her. Had he already told her that? She wasn't quite sure. He'd mentioned them being separated at the wedding so he must have mentioned this then too. "I know it sounds weird," he continued, "but -" he trailed off and she could tell he didn't want to elaborate.

"Is this to do with the divorce?"

"I'm quite certain it is, but I swear, she is not carrying my child. I'd never want her too."

They fell back into a tense silence, which remained until they finally reached her apartment block.

"I still don't know how you found out my address," she said as Adrien pulled up at the curb.

He laughed, the tension finally breaking at the joyous sound. "I have my ways." He turned his head to smile at her. "So, are you still designing?"

She nodded. "I do bits and pieces. Jagged Stone is still a regular customer, I recently did the cover for 'A Wish Too Far'."

"I take it you and Luka are still close then?" he queried, the tone in his voice changing from the fun banter they'd been having through the evening. It was a little harsher than his usual tone.

"Not really. We message every now and then, and I'm hoping to meet up with him when he's back for Rose's charity gala."

"Oh yeah, I forgot that was coming up."

"Are you joining us then, Mr Movie Star?" She smiled and noticed a small blush take over his face. She loved making Adrien blush, she was beginning to think it was her new favourite thing. A bit of karma for all the times he did it to her.

"I am, I've been given the clear to come back to Paris."

"Are you away for long?" She said through a broken yawn, the heat of the seat plus the soft purr of the engine was soothing her, and if she was being honest she was a couple of minutes away from begging him to let her sleep the night in his car.

"Someone's tired, I shouldn't keep you." He unbuckled his belt and made to get out of the car.

"Just five more minutes," she practically begged, "I'm the most relaxed I've been in years."

"Is it the seats or the purring?"

She smiled at the question.

"I do love the seats, but the purr is exquisite." She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Oh yes, definitely the purr.

"I'm here and there for the next six weeks, then I will be in Prague for a couple of months before returning to Paris."

"That sounds amazing, I've always wanted to go to Prague."

"You should come with me."

Rolling her head to face him, she looked through her ever closing lids. "I can't just come with you to Prague, it would look dodgy."

"I'll find you a job."

"What? Your own personal fluffer?"

His laugh was wild, and she couldn't help joining in with him. "You do realise it's a spy movie, not a porno?"

"There's not that much difference these days." She sassed back, quirking an eyebrow at him.

"Oh really?" He moved his face closer and she knew he was going to challenge her. "If you're not busy tomorrow evening, come and read through the script with me then?"

"Is that an demand or a request?" She asked.

"Depends on your answer."

"Will there be pizza?"

"Only the best. BBQ chicken with peppers, onions, sweetcorn and cheese ... extra cheese."

She let out a low groan followed by a growl. How the hell had he remembered her favourite pizza?

"You drive a hard bargain, Adrien."

"Not really, I just know what I want."

The air in the car thickened, filling with new found tensions and a whole lot of masculinity. She found herself aching in places she hadn't in months and wondered if it was the pizza or Adrien turning her on.

Maybe she just needed to get him out of her system, after all, they had unfinished business which needed to be discussed, and didn't they always say that closure was key?

Before she did something stupid, like make out with him in his two million euro sports car, she opened the door and stepped out, feeling the oppression of the tense air evaporate around her as the cool night breeze prickled at her skin.

She turned around, preparing to close the door. Pulling on her Ladybug sass, she gave him the best that she could.

"Goodnight Adrien, I'll be waiting for your address." With a quick wink, she slammed the door closed and scurried into her building heading straight up to her apartment without one single glance back. Slamming the door, she pushed her back against it.

This was a very very bad idea.