Marinette and Alya were seated with Kitty Section; Luka's band. They were playing at the student union bar and the girls had gone to meet up with them.

Taking a sip of her second wine that evening, the conversation on the table next to her caught her attention.

"Did you hear? Adrien Agreste is here on a music scholarship."

"He is so handsome. Perhaps we can try and find where he's staying. Offer him some helping hands." The girls started to giggle and Marinette rolled her eyes.

She loved Gabriel Designs so was used to seeing Adrien's face, he was Gabriel's key model after all. However a face never really 'did it' for her to find someone attractive, and now she knew his personality she was attracted to him less. She was starting to wonder if Ladybug should potentially help with his mother or not? She sighed, she knew she would help out. She's not the type of person who wouldn't.

She pulled out her phone and looked at the message from her masked crush. He said he was missing her and her heart fluttered.

She hadn't messaged him back yet, but after she downed her glass of wine perhaps now was the time for some confidence.

My day in 3 words: eventful, tipsy and in need of cuddles (if you can cheat so can I).

She sent the message and went to the bar to grab another drink.

Just at that moment Adrien and Nino walked into the same bar and looked around. Considering it was a Monday night it was heaving. They had heard Kitty Section were playing which probably sums up the number of people.

"Dude! There's the girl that insulted you yesterday." Nino pointed towards the bar. He hadn't told Nino about his afternoon encounter with her yet.

"Let's head to the bar."

"I thought you'd never ask." Nino responded.

Adrien went and slid up next to Marinette. He just couldn't help himself, he had to go over to her she was magnetising.

"Excuse me, haven't you heard of personal space." Marinette turned her head to face Adrien. She wasn't wearing her glasses which gave him a better view of her blue eyes. They really were stunning.

"Well considering you'll be seeing me in my underwear soon, I didn't think you'd mind!"

"Excuse me!" Marinette's eyes widened.

"Come on. How do you think you're going to get my correct measurements if not?"

"Oh! The challenge. Yes!" Marinette was blushing, she'd completely taken it out of context.

The bar tender passed over her glass of wine and a vodka and coke, for Alya.

"That's €8, Madame." Marinette reached down for her purse only to hear Adrien's voice.

"I'll get these, and can I have two beers as well please?" He handed over his card to the bartender who walked away to complete the transaction.

"Why did you do that?"

"I was being nice."

"Now I'm in debt to you, you ... you ... monkeys brain!" Adrien held back a laugh.

"Monkeys brain? You really need to work on your insults, sweetheart."

She growled at him, picked up her drinks and started to walk away.

"A thank you would be nice."

Marinette grumbled a thank you and made her way back to the groups table.

"Woah girl. What's got to you?" Marinette took a big gulp of wine and tilted her head towards the bar. Alya and Marinette looked over, only to see Adrien lift his beer in a salute.

"What is it with you and Adrien Agreste?"

Nino had made his way to Adrien's side and Alya gasped suddenly realising something.

"His friend," she exclaimed, "he's the guy from last night!"

Marinette pulled out her phone. No it can't be!

"Not your guy, Mari. Mine!" Marinette looked over again. The guy was wearing headphones round his neck, a baseball hat and glasses. Again the thought of Carapace came into her mind.

Nino noticed Alya staring and gave her a bright smile.

"I swear that's my fox." He said to Adrien, directing him to the table with Marinette and Alya on.

"Which one?" Adrien asked, a tiny pull on his heart. Not Marinette! It can't be!

"The girl with the glasses on." Adrien had a nauseous feeling, then remembered Marinette didn't have her glasses on this evening.

"The red head?" Adrien asked.

"Yeah." Replied Nino.

"Go and talk to her then, what you waiting for?" Adrien gave him a push in the direction of the girls table.

"He's coming over Mari! How do I look?" Alya started to mess around with her hair.

"Beautiful." Marinette looked over to see it wasn't just Nino on the way but Adrien too. She picked up her wine and downed it.

"Marinette! You're going to be hammered at this rate." Luka looked at her worryingly. Marinette never drank, they'd been out together enough for him to know that. He got up from the table to get her some water.

"Luka! I'm fine honestly." She said only to see he'd already disappeared towards the bar.

"Hey," the voice sent a shiver down her spine.

"What do you want?" She turned her glare to look at Adrien.

"I'm wingman for my buddy Nino here. It's my job to make sure 'the friend' is taken care of. So is there anything I can assist you with?" A smirk crossed his face and he took a drink of his beer.

"Yes, you can go and find another girl to bother. Those two girls over their are ogling you, I think they need assistance." Adrien looked behind him at the two girls and gave them a small smile and wave.

Fan girls made him feel insecure. He wasn't overly fond of modelling anyway and this was just an unwanted added pressure to his life.

"Mari, drink this now or I'm taking you to your dorm." Luka had arrived back and slammed the glass of water in front of Marinette.

"I told you, I'm fine!" She stood up and swayed a little.

Luckily, Adrien caught her arm and helped her back to her seat. The shock that went through her body from his touch was intense.

"Adrien? How are you, my man?" Luka turned to great Adrien.

"I'm good Luka, how are you? I was hoping to catch you and Chloe last night." The two guys bumped fists.

"Wait! Woah ... woah ... woah ... you two know each other?" Marinette swore she'd just entered an episode of the Twilight Zone.

"Chloe's Adrien's oldest friend," explained Luka. "We meet up a lot. He's even played with Kitty Section a couple of times."

Marinette was shocked. Luka was a sweet guy with a caring heart and he really seemed to be awed by Adrien.

What did everyone see in this guy that she didn't?

"This is like a nightmare." She crossed her arms on the table and her head collapsed in the middle.

Luka and Adrien were chatting and Marinette was eavesdropping in and out their conversation.

"So how's Kagami?" Luka asked, this triggered Marinette's attention.

Who's Kagami?

"We broke up last night." Adrien replied, he sounded distant. Obviously he really liked this girl.

"Sorry man, but to be honest, Chloe and I never thought she was right for you. So demanding, just like your father."

"That's what Nino said too. Why did none of you mention it to me?"

"She was your first girlfriend and you just seemed so excited and happy. We know what you've been through Adrien and we thought this would be good for you." Luka put his hand on Adrien's shoulder.

Perhaps I've misjudged him, Marinette thought.

"I also, kinda, cheated on her with another girl last night." Adrien admitted to his friend.

Nope I'm completely right, Marinette thought.

"Adrien Agreste, bad boy." Luka started to laugh. "Nope, I can't see it. It must have been some magical girl."

Adrien smacked him on the back and the two laughed. Marinette got out of her chair and made her way to the bar again. Another glass of wine and she might survive the night.

She grabbed her wine and made her way back to the table. It was surprisingly empty now which means Kitty Section must be getting ready to perform.

Alya was getting very cozy with Nino and Adrien was checking his phone with a smile on his face. He had a nice natural smile, she thought. Different to his model smile.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she pulled it out.

Take care on how much you drink Princess. Some weirdos are out tonight, I don't want you filling your cuddle quota with them.

She quickly texted him back.

You out tonight too?

A reply vibrates through her phone almost instantly.

You've already used all your questions 😘

Marinette sat down with a big smile on her face and closed her phone down.

"Now that's what I call a smile."

Adrien grinned at Marinette and lifted his glass up to her. She smirked and turned towards the stage as the band entered and started to tune up.

As the set began couples got up to dance, including Nino and Alya. Marinette looked at the two and was delighted to see her friend so happy. The two were starting to get very close and she was thinking this evening her and Tikki might be in need of earbuds.

Her phone buzzed again on the table next to her wine glass. She lifted it up and saw it was another message from the masked Prince.

I hear this song was for a girl who turned the lead singer down. She was in love with someone else.

He's here, Marinette looks around the room. Unknown to her the handsome model opposite was drumming his fingers on the table waiting nervously for a reply.

I know the girl quite well, actually.

That was an unexpected reply Adrien thought. He wanted to know more but it wasn't time for his question yet.

I bet she's beautiful, caring, kind ... a Princess.

He was happy with his response. No questions ... yet he was clearly indicating something. It would make sense to him if his Princess was a muse for a musician.

Suddenly the music stopped and an loud round of applause started breaking out. Adrien and Marinette put their phones down and joined in thanking their friends for their performance, not that either had been paying much attention.

"Thank you everyone," Luka announced over the microphone.

"Now it's with great pleasure we introduce you to this years freshman challenge. In groups of four you will need to complete a series of tasks. These will be text to you for your completion, however don't be fooled. Last years was impossible so I doubt this year will be any easier."

The whoops and cheers sounded around the union as the chatter increased. It was similar to being at school and picking teams for sports.

"Once you have your team head to the back of the room and register. May the best team win." Luka replaced the microphone before leading his band off the stage.

Great, Marinette thought. She drank what was left of her wine and stood looking for Alya.

"What has your friend done with mine?" Marinette asked Adrien. She turned around to see him getting mobbed by girls asking to be on his team.

Marinette tutted and made her way over to Adrien, grabbing his hand and pulled him to the exit. Something felt oddly strange about holding his hand ... like she'd done it before. Adrien was also having a similar dilemma.

The moment was broken by Marinette running head first into Nino.

"Oh hi! I'm Marinette, the best friend of the girl who's face you've been sucking." Nino turned bright red and started to stutter.

"I don't care about that just treat her right. I've saved your wingman from fangirls." She pulled Adrien in front of her. He was impressed how a tiny thing could be so strong. "Now where's Alya?"

"I'm here, girl. I've signed us up for the tournament."

"Who with?" Marinette asked knowing full well who their team would be.

"Nino and Adrien, of course."