Chapter 10: Photoshoot Preparation

~Gabriel~

Despite what everyone thinks, Gabriel doesn't like to akumatize people. He doesn't like preying on innocent Parisians when they're at their lowest points. It doesn't bring him any joy to put people in harms way. Sure, he yolks it up. He laughs evilly and smiles cruelly as he does it, but he doesn't really like it. It's just a means to an end. He's Hawkmoth, a villain, he has to play it up. He has to akumatize people if he wants his wife back. So he has to be the big, bad, scary villain.

Akumatizing Heartbreaker wasn't one of his best plans. He needed to akumatize someone in Paris over his sons new relationship. The jealousy in the air was permeable, and it would have been suspicious if he ignored the prime opportunity. Unfortunately, akumatizing one of them would put his son and Ms. Duapin-Cheng in direct danger. As much as he wants Ladybug and Cat Noir to be defeated, he couldn't risk his son and his son's "girlfriend" being targeted. Clearly, Lila would have been a better akuma choice in the moment, but she could have seriously hurt Adrien and Marinette, and Gabriel wasn't going to allow that.

So he chose the most harmless akuma victim he could find. One that simply wanted to break them up by causing an argument. Something easy enough to fix if the akuma did get to his son. Thankfully that didn't happen. He chose to distract the akuma to give Ladybug time to formulate her plan. He helped the heroes even as his mind was screaming at him to leave it be and allow the akuma to do it's own thing and fight them.

He distracted Heartbreaker with promises of ending Adrien's relationship and dating him herself. As if he'd ever allow that. And when she turned to go after his son, she tripped, and Ladybug took care of the akuma. It was pathetic really, how easy she was to take down, Gabriel was almost embarrassed by it. But it's in the past now. Adrien and Marinette are safe and he's subverted suspicion. He won't have to akumatize another jealous girl for at least a short while. In the meantime, he can come up with another plan to get the miraculous. One that doesn't put Adrien and his girlfriend in direct danger. Shouldn't be too terribly difficult.

Gabriel watches as his workers ready the equipment for the photoshoot. He's not usually in attendance for these things, but he thought it would be wise to show up for this one. As it is a new idea and Marinette's first official day as a model. The outfits he designed were exquisite. Perfectly tailored to the two "love-birds" and clearly displaying their relationship status. He didn't do anything too crazy. Just a simple outfit with a matching color scheme. A pair of jeans and a salmon colored tee for Adrien. His signature overshirt can easily stay off or go with it. Either way. For Marinette, a salmon colored dress in a casual, yet trendy, style. An optional white cover to match Adrien's overshirt. Both will wear a pair of white Gabriel branded tennis shoes. Their other outfit is much more intricate. A full suit for Adrien with a red pocket square. No tie, a black undershirt, and a vest underneath the coat. Something to wear to a dance or a red carpet event. Marinette's outfit to match is a gorgeous red dress with an intricate flower design in the lace. The same flower design is found on the pocket square of Adrien's outfit. Perfectly matched in a subtle but clear way.

"Mr. Agreste, your son and his girlfriend just arrived." One of Gabriel's many workers says.

He nods to his employee before turning to meet with Adrien and Marinette.

"Father?" Adrien says with wide eyes. Clearly surprised with Gabriel's presence.

"Adrien, Ms. Dupain-Cheng. I heard that you two had another ordeal this morning." He says.

Adrien nods, "An akuma attacked our school this morning, but Marinette and I were able to hide before it could find us. Ladybug and Cat Noir took care of it."

Gabriel smiles, "I'm glad that you were both unharmed. I assume that you are both ready to begin this photoshoot."

It's not a question, but Marinette and Adrien both nod as Gabriel turns and leads them to the separate dressing rooms. He arrives at Adrien's first.

"Start with the casual outfit first. Place your cover shirt over it to begin. We'll remove it after we get a few photos." He instructs.

"Of course, Father." Adrien says before turning to Marinette, "I'll see you in just a moment, Princess." He winks.

Princess? Is Adrien flirting? Gabriel peeks at Marinette's reaction to the nickname and finds her cheeks pink. Well, it seems to be working.

He leads Marinette to her dressing room, "How are you and my son getting along?" He asks as they walk together.

Marinette straightens her posture, "We are doing well, Mr. Agreste."

"Has anyone given you any trouble about your relationship?" He asks.

Marinette pauses for a moment before responding, "Not any more trouble than usual."

Gabriel hums, "You'll tell me if anyone in particular is bothering you and my son, yes?"

Marinette pauses at the door to her dressing room and turns to the older designer, "I'm sorry, Mr. Agreste, but I won't be sharing mine and Adrien's issues with you. If he wishes to talk to you about people bothering us or him specifically, that's his right as your son. But you aren't my confidant. It's Adrien's choice to share with you or not. So I suggest you ask him if you're worried."

Gabriel narrows his eyes, "As his father, I have the right to know if someone is bothering him."

Marinette narrows her eyes back at him, "And as your son, he has the right to share with you if he pleases. Adrien isn't a little kid anymore, Mr. Agreste. He can make his own decisions and that includes the decision to talk to you about his problems or not. I am not your go-between. Forgive me for going against your wishes, Mr. Agreste, but I won't break Adrien's trust like that."

Gabriel sighs, again, he's rather impressed with Marinette's protectiveness of his son. "Very well," he says, "I respect your choice, but please do feel safe to tell me if someone is bothering you. I may not be your confidant, but you are my son's girlfriend, even if it's currently a fake relationship, and you are also my intern."

Marinette nods her head, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Agreste, but I believe that Adrien and I will be okay on our own for now. Unless you have a way to stop Hawkmoth from akumatizing our friends and other Parisians." She says offhandedly.

Gabriel chuckles, "Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of power."

Marinette shrugs her shoulders, "What a shame. It'd be nice to not have to watch out for akuma's all the time."

"Just hide and stay away from them, and you'll be just fine." Gabriel says.

Marinette scoffs, "Mr. Agreste, forgive me if this is rude, but it's near impossible to stay away from an akuma when it's targeting you specifically. Or when it's one of your closest friends. You may be safe in your home nearly every time an akuma attacks, but the rest of us have things to do and places to go."

Gabriel nods, "I understand, Ms. Dupain-Cheng. Just do your best to keep yourself and my son away from any akuma's that may appear."

Marinette looks towards Adrien's dressing room down the hall, "If only it were that easy, Mr. Agreste." She turns back to look at him, "I promise I'll do what I can to keep your son safe. No matter what I have to do."

Gabriel looks at her puzzled, it's almost like she's scolding him for something. Almost like she knows who he is. Impossible.

Gabriel clears his throat, "Yes, well, please go on and get ready for the photoshoot. Start with the salmon dress and the accessories that go with it. I need to inform the photographer of the theme I'd like to portray with these photos and each individual outfit."

With that he leaves her to get ready. There's no chance that she knows his identity as Hawkmoth. She's just protective of Adrien. That's all. In any case, it may be wise to keep a sharper eye on Marinette Dupain-Cheng. To be more careful in what he says to her as both Gabriel Agreste and as Hawkmoth. Ensure there's no room for suspicion.

A/N - Hey guys, you are getting two chapters for today. This one is a bit shorter, but it is all from Gabriel's point of view. Hope you enjoy!