The night of his birthday party had started smoothly enough. Adrien had invited his closer friends and classmates to his father's home. Food was set out buffet style and drinks were flowing at the open bar. A stage had already been set up, as Adrien had been hounded by his friends to play a set. Alya was particularly keen to see her boyfriend on stage in a non pub setting where she wouldn't have to refuse drunken advances while she watched Nino play.

The trio had already played a few songs, and they had just hit the chorus of one of Adrien's favourite rock songs by Finger Eleven:

Well, I'm not paralyzed but I seem to be struck by you
I wanna make you move because you're standing still
And if your body matches what your eyes can do
You'll probably move right through me on my way to you

When Adrian had looked up, he was nearly paralyzed himself by the smoulder look he caught coming from Marinette. Or at least, he had THOUGHT it was directed at him! Marinette had been standing still, but her eye were alive and seemed to devour his every move. The energy radiating off of her knocked the wind out of Adrien's lungs, and he was never so thankful that singing wasn't his responsibility.

As the song continued, Adrien started realizing just how stunning Marinette looked that night. She had arranged her hair in an updo, and was wearing an amazing outfit that she had clearly designed and made herself. It quickly brought to Adrien's attention that his friend was no longer a shy 15 year old, but had filled in and curved out in all the right places. His breath hitched, and Adrien knew that he had to ask her to dance before the night was over.

But then Luka had jumped off the stage just as their set finished and had made a beeline straight to Marinette. Before Adrien could blink, Luka had asked her out and Marinette had said yes.

That night Adrien couldn't shake the feeling that she had been looking at him on the piano with those piecing blue eyes. And it had started a domino effect of him recalling and questioning so many little events over the past few years. Could Marinette have been trying to get his attention and he had been too blinded by his superhero partner to notice her? The more he thought about it, the more confused Adrien became. Had he let something slip between his fingers? But then he told himself that it didn't matter, since Luka and Marinette were now an item. He would have to keep looking.

Still, that nagging question wiggled in his brain and wouldn't leave him alone.

When Adriend saw Luka the following week at the studio, it had been practice as usual at first. But then Luka had ended the practice early because he had a date with Marinette. And on his way out, he called back "Wish me luck guys, and maybe I'll get lucky!" Adrien had turned to Nino with a frown on his face.

"Not cool, dude" Nino shot back, but Luka had already been halfway out the door.

The next week, Luka come in with a big smile plastered across his face and had winked at them in a way conveyed his message clearly. Again Luka had ended the practice early, strumming and singing the line "She's a good girl… I know she wants it… the way she grabs me, must wanna get nasty" from the song Blurred Lines.

Adrien had started. "That's not a very respectful song.

"Not cool, dude!" Nino repeated again.

"Ah guys, lay off. I'm just enjoying having a smoking hot girl friend. See you later!"

And that was the first time the thought had appeared: What a dick.

Adrien knew Marinette deserved someone better. Someone who would appreciate her creativity, how caring she was towards her friends, how thoughtful she could be, and not to mention how brave she was. Whenever akumas attacked, Adrien noticed how Marinette ran towards the trouble to make sure that everyone was safe. She deserved someone who would cherish and value those qualities in addition to her physical assets. Because she was gorgeous inside and out, and Luka was a dickhead if he couldn't see that.

As the weeks progressed, Luka's choice of lecherous lyrics continued as he raced off to see his girlfriend after practice.

"Been around the world, don't speak the language. But her booty don't need explaining"

"Turn around girl, I got a use for you. Besides, you ain't got nothing better to do"

"Ah Ah Mari way ya shake that thing, gonna make you burn, gonna make you sting. Hey, baby, when you walk that way, watch your honey drip, I can't keep away"

Adrien couldn't believe was an idiot his band mate had become. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Marinette deserved someone who would treat her like a princess. Someone who respected her and put her needs first. Someone who would make her feel special and loved and treasured.

Someone like him….

Adrien groaned in frustration and his fingers missed the keys as if they had forgotten how to move. Dickhead stopped playing and looked over in his direction. "Want to try that one again?"

"I guess I'm just not feeling it today," Adrien replied.

"You alright, bro?" Nino asked.

"Yeah. I'll be okay. Thanks for asking, I've just got some things on my mind."

"I gotta end practice a bit early today anyways" Dickhead remarked before he started singing. "I'm like a dog in heat, a freak without warning. I have an appetite for her, 'cause me so horny."

Adrien's flush of rage started on his cheeks and quickly travelled down to his neck. Before he lost it and punched the guy's face in, Adrien walked out of the studio to get some fresh air. Taking a long walk, he ended up on the love-locks bridge on the Pont des Arts. This was the last straw. He just couldn't watch Dickhead treat his friend with such a lack of respect. It was time he admitted it to himself, Adrien had developed a crush on Marinette. Not that he could do anything about it while she was dating the lead guitar player. But he also couldn't listen to Dickhead make any more demeaning comments. Not when Adrien was craving to explore all the ways that Marinette was so wonderful and amazing. The only solution at the moment was to take a break from the band, and hope that Marinette realized what a dick her boyfriend was.

Adrien started walking back to the studio. He had the door key in his pocket, and it weighed heavy in his pants. He would tell Luka that he was leaving the band and do his best not to say anything that he would regret later. He pulled the key out when he reached the door and unlocked the studio.

xxXXxx

Author's note: And here is where we begin to meet up with the starting time line in GreenPaw's original story. If you have already read that one shot, then you will see comparable and at times direct lifts from that piece. Please note that I have already approached GreenPaw directly and we have open lines of communication about my use of their story.