(A/N: Whoops! If you see this twice, it's because I accidentally uploaded the first draft, not the last draft... should be fixed now.)
The stars looked down on two teenagers lying on the roof. They relaxed in deckchairs by the hotel pool, eyes on the night sky, watching the stars back.
There was a soft buzz.
If you two are ready, I'll swing on by.
The smaller, darker boy shifted his position neatly to read the message, and smiled. The blonde boy startled up from his boneless sprawl and fumbled, unfamiliar phone not accepting his first three swipes. The message brought a smile to his face. He glanced at his friend, who nodded and closed his eyes, then he lay back down, holding a thumbs up to the sky.
A soft whir, an equally soft landing of feet somewhere out of sight. A slight pressure behind Adrien's deckchair, as of someone leaning against the other side of the canvas.
"Hey", she said.
The two boys stared at the stars some more.
"What now?" Adrien said.
There was so, so much else he wanted to say. So much he wanted to know, to ask. All the loose ends, every question why, how, how long, how much.
Instead he let one hand dangle over the edge of the chair, hoping. Fingers found his, and pressed firmly.
It was an answer of sorts, and he felt part of himself ease.
"Now", Max said, "you plan as you would have had it been anyone else".
The three of them looked at the stars.
"Can we capture him directly?" asked the girl behind Adrien's chair.
"Not without proof", Max replied. "Even as heroes of the city, you will need to draw him out for your word to be taken seriously."
They nodded at the logic of this.
"How will we do that?" she asked.
Silence fell, the stars watched.
Eventually the blonde boy spoke, his voice firm and determined.
"We offer him bait".