It hadn't been more than twelve minutes since Ladybug and Chat Noir had defeated the most recent akuma, and Marinette was already sitting in her seat for science. She was trying to mask her racing heartbeat and breathless panting by pretending to yawn and stretch. She noticed the empty chair in front of her and wondered where Adrien could possibly be.

She knew he had a free block before this class, and that seniors were allowed to spend their free time off campus. She just couldn't remember seeing him going anyw-

"So sorry, I'm here, so sorry," the blond boy gasped, bursting through the door and clearly out of breath.

"Take your seat, Mr. Agreste."

He saluted their teacher and dropped his weight into his chair. The hair curling at the back of his neck was damp, and Marinette found herself in a swirling daydream.

The hot tub jets were humming and the two teenagers couldn't keep their hands off of each other. Marinette adjusted the strap on her bikini top, and the silky triangles fell away from her chest. Adrien gazed at her, love dancing in his bright green eyes as mist rose up from the surface of the warm water.

"Marinette, you're beautiful," he breathed, stroking the creamy skin around her ribcage.

"You're incredible," she sighed as she reached for him and settled herself daintily on his lap.

His arms encircled her body as she lowered her mouth to his, and his hands dropped down to cup her behind. She moved against him and could feel his-

"Ms. Dupain-Cheng, will you answer the question?"

"He's perfect," Marinette mumbled, staring off into space, or rather, the back of Adrien's head.

A well-placed elbow from Alya brought her crashing down into the present. Her face on fire, she tried to ignore her giggling classmates.

"Um, I'm sorry, what was the question?" she asked meekly.

More hushed giggles.

"You'd do well to pay attention in class, Ms. Dupain-Cheng. You'll be joining Mr. Agreste in detention this afternoon."

Marinette's eyebrows shot out of her forehead. "Detention? I mean, yes ma'am."

Once the class was adjourned, she stopped Alya before exiting the room.

"What do you do in detention? I've never been there! I don't want to look stupid in front of Adrien!"

"I don't know!" Alya answered. "But if you're worried about looking stupid in front of Adrien, try not to stare so much," she teased Marinette good-naturedly.

"As if you don't spend all that time staring at Nino," Marinette joked back.

"Well, the difference there is that I'm actually in a relationship with Nino."

She had a great point.

"Anyway, text me when you're out of jail. I have an idea for the Ladyblog!"

Marinette waved to her friend, and turned to go back into the school building where she found herself in detention.

"Over here, Marinette. This seat's open," Adrien called.

She froze with a goofy smile on her face.

"Get going, Marinette! He'll start to suspect something!" Tikki hissed from inside her purse.

"Oh, right." Marinette shuffled over and gingerly sat next to Adrien, who grinned at her. She blushed and mumbled and tried not to drool.

"No talking! This is detention, people," Ms. Bustier shouted.

Marinette was working on her arithmetic homework and trying to follow Alya's advice not to stare when she felt the corner of a paper poking her elbow. As she lifted her elbow in case she was hogging the desk, the paper slid slowly to her center of vision.

Detention blows.

She couldn't stop the goofy smile spreading across her face as she answered. Screwing up her mouth to hide her delight, she pushed the paper back.

I can't wait to get out of here. I have things to do!

Like what?

Marinette froze. She had plans to meet up with Chat Noir and do a bit of patrolling.

I was supposed to meet up with a friend. I hope he's not mad at me.

The paper came back with "he" circled and question marks written around it.

He's just a friend. Marinette hoped Adrien didn't think she had a boyfriend. The thought of her dating Chat made her chuckle out loud. As if.

I was supposed to meet a friend too. But I got a call from my father's assistant. I have to go straight home after this.

I hope you're not in too big of trouble. I know I'll be grounded for at least a week.

Nah, he doesn't really care. The word "care" was scribbled out and the word "know" was written instead. He wants to run over the five-year business plan for Gabriel's again.

That sounds like...work.

You're right, it is and not at all fun. Good luck with your folks.

That was the last sentence written on the paper before Ms. Bustier dismissed them all. Marinette hung back so she could follow Adrien out, not wanting to miss any second of him, but he'd already darted out. She sighed, and hurried off to call Chat Noir.