Smooth sweet rosy cheeks and sparkling blue eyes.

A humongous grin, and a soft look on her face. She wasn't facing the camera. I was, she wasn't.

She was looking at me.

She looked at me like I hung the moon, little did she know that I very much wanted to look at her during the photo, but my father's training kept me from doing so. Now, I wish I did. Would she have believed in our love if she had a picture that showed her how much I loved her? Would she have believed that I loved her every bit as much as she did me? If not more, because I did. She was, is, my everything.

I heard it's the little things that matter.

Neglecting her couldn't be undone with an expensive gift. Not that I'd try, that would only prove her point. Plagg's snoring was echoing throughout my room, softly, barely there.

But I heard.

Marinette snored too, she slept rather difficultly, tumbling side to side. She fell asleep immediately in my arms though, I guess she needed to be tucked in tight to feel more secure. I should have held her more.

"Adrien please comes! I need you."

She shouldn't have even had to ask.

"I can't. Spring photo shoots."

I could hear her barely muffled anger through the phone. Also, the fear.

"Adrien, I need an escort. You promise you'd do it. You gave me your word!"

I kept skimming my lines, all I had to do was nod, smile, and sigh. Easy.

Nod. Smile. Sigh.

"Ask your dad."

No sorry, no excuses, no nothing.

"My dad is sick, and resting because I assured him, you'd come. You're supposed to come."

"I can't Marinette, you know I can't."

"You can't or you won't" she snaps and hangs up.

If I were paying attention, I would have heard her shallow quick breathing, her signs of panic.

If I even listen to myself, I would have flipped my dad the bird and hightailed it all the way to her competition.

But I didn't.

I found out who her escort was through the escort himself.

Nathaniel.

"Where were you?" he asked looking at me worriedly

I furrowed my face, then smoothed it because my father thought me better. I couldn't have wrinkles.

"What do you mean?"

"Marinette's competition."

"Oh, that." I laughed, relieved it wasn't something I should worry about

I shouldn't have said it like that.

Nathaniel growled, a legitimate growl.

"Yeah, that as in the competition your girlfriend had been stressing out about for a month now. As in the competition she thought she was going to get her big break, and she did. But I bet you know all about that, because you probably called her and asked, right?"

I blinked.

Nathaniel deflated, he looked at me with sad red eyes. Like I reminded him of some sob story.

"That's how I lost her."

"What?"

Nathaniel laughed humorlessly "I took advantage of how kind and forgiving she was. I was a jerk and took advantage of how much she liked me, and excused her efforts as enough and I didn't work for her like she deserved me to. She might be kind, good, and forgiving, but she wouldn't take my bullshit."

Nathaniel met my eyes, pity on his face. "You better start manning up because I don't know how much longer she can deal with yours."

What can you say in a moment like this? There are no words to say it like it is.

He stands up. "I escorted Marinnette; Luka offered but she declined for you. But careful because one of these days she might say yes."

After that I called her, no answer. I called her again. No answer.

She called me back an hour later.

"Hi Adrien."

"I love you."

She laughed softly, but I noticed the hesitance.

"Whatever you say."

My heart sunk; she didn't believe me.

"I mean it." I insist

"Why would you tell me this through the phone?" I could sense some bitterness in her tone.

"You're not in your room."

"Correct."

"I'm sorry."

"For?"

"Being a super cold-good for nothing-boyfriend who couldn't keep a promise?"

"I forgive you."

"Really?"

"Yes, Adrien. I will always forgive you. I love you."

Sometimes I really hate my near perfect memory, it made those day's so much more painful. It was ridiculous too, because when she was gone, I was ok. Sort of. Fine, I wasn't. But I wasn't this hopeless, I dated around. I was happy.

Now, I clearly wasn't.

A year went by without as much as a word from her and she was completely different, but I still loved her.

I sit up and angrily throw one of my pillows across my room, nearly avoiding knocking Plagg over.

"Kid?"

"Yeah?"

"Sleep, all this heartbreak is going to ruin your modeling career."

I snort. a "You sound like my dad."

Plagg shakes his head "Naw, our dad would drug you if he found out you are still awake."

Sad wasn't it? There was a time when I would have argued, defending my father. Now, I believed Plagg, my father was a delusional control freak who thought it was good to take someone's fire and turn it ice cold. Stealing their jenesequoi.

I closed my eyes waiting for sleep to take me, I felt a different type if tired. My body was wired but I just couldn't find it in me to move.

As if Plagg sensed this, he came to me and started combing my bangs with his paws.

"Your soul is tired, kid. You need to relax."

He's right, I was assigned a new designer today, and I couldn't risk my father's disapproval. I was so close. I needed 2,000 more dollars, and that would be enough to make it on my own.

"Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng! Look this way!"

"Darling, would you mind answer-"

"Miss Marinette."

Sparing them an easy smile she waved, and kept walking, not breaking her pace. Doing so, the paparazzi moved aside for her. Her lips twitched, he said they would move.

Rule #27: Don't try to weave towards the paparazzi, they will expect you to cower or even flinch away. Don't. Charge forward and make it clear you expect them to move out of the way.

"And if they don't? What if they don't move?"

He looked at her with his cold eyes "They will learn to."

Marinette focused on the man in front of her, eyes unwavering, staring into his. He looked away first.

"Master." She said respectfully.

Well, not anymore...

"I've noticed you've been... inactive, lately."

She nods once "Are you pleased?". Her voice wasn't cold, not even curious. Just serene.

No underlying emotion.

No, no detectable underlying emotion.

He smiles "And here I thought we were past formalities."

'We were. Before you asked me to stop being Ladybug. Before you pleaded for my miraculous. Before I gave it to you.' Marinette thought.

"I see you are as charming as ever." Marinette said instead.

He pursed his lips "How was your trip?" he walks back towards a cozier part of his shop "Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please. And it's a long story."

His eyes flicker up and then he focuses back on his task.

He turns towards her, hiding his determined stare behind the steaming mug.

"I have time."

And she told him everything.

Almost everything.

He looked at his notes worriedly, Marinette told him everything including his awful rules.

Rule #1: It's never over 'till it is

Rule #2: No one should have the power to say anything compromising about you, if you feel like what you say can be used as blackmail or even spread a negative word. Don't say it.

Rule #3: Don't trip. You are graceful and too brilliant for them, not their equal

Rule #4: Do not smile too often, because then people will expect you to always be happy and it would look especially bad if you're not. Do not frown often either, that is already taken Be more original.

Rule #5: Never cry, it will show weakness.

Rule #6: Fake it 'till you make it

Rule#7: Hold eye contact for a whole 3 seconds before turning your back. Let them know you are not an amateur that can be run over by some loud persona.

Rule #8: Keep the handshake delicate and firm at the same time. Don't ask me how, just do it.

Rule #9: You are a sweet princess. You are not to raise your voice.

Rule #10: I am always right, so don't bother arguing with me.

Everyone single one of these rules seemed to be coming straight from his lips, despite Marinette repeating them. And even as she went on and on about the stress of being a perfect designer, she didn't stop the act. I stopped writing after the 11th.

Her posture was every bit as perfect and her face didn't scrunch up in distaste or pain when she said Rule # 11, though it must have hurt her.

And when she finished, she took her full and cold tea and placed it in the side sink. She kissed both of his cheeks and left.

A bag full of tea on her left arm, her alibi.

Her posture was relaxed and straight, something practiced. Her stance was superior yet delicate.

A thorny rose.

He changed her alright, and in a way, this was Hawk Moth's worst akumazation, because he had her believing that she had to be the perfect designer to be successful.

He had her wrapped up in doing his will without even using magic.

The old man dragged his eyes back to his notes, the 10th rule,

Rule #11: Adrien (at most) is your friend, he will always be your friend, never more never less. Make sure of it.

He is playing a dangerous game, and he doesn't even know his competition.

"No way. Juleka?" Said model turned and faced me, big brown eyes batting innocently.

"Moi?"

"You are my model?" I didn't know what to say, I haven't talked to her in forever, and now I was going to have to communicate with her 24/7 to talk about her wardrobe and measurements. The limo was one thing, this was completely different.

Juleka who looked at ease, dressed in nothing but a thin dress and a robe over it, turns looking confused.

"You're a personal designer now?"

I nod numbly.

The left side of my brain was begging to me to get my act together, but I sincerely couldn't.

Juleka, the last time I saw her, we were... Not exactly on the same page.

"I swear to God, Marinette. Break up with him."

"I ca-can't!"

"Why not?" she spits out harshly "I thought you loved my brother?"

"I do! So much."

"If you do, let him go!"

"But he loves me too. You know he does."

"This relationship is too toxic, Marinette! Half the time I come home to him crying, writing depressive shit, or staring at a photo of you. Or doing it all, at the same time."

"Listen, Juleka. I need to take this internship, he supports me. I frankly, don't even understand why you can't!"

"Because he deserves better!"

"What-at?" My voice cracks in the middle of the word. It feels like she just brought a hammer to my walls and let all of my insecurities flood me, head to toe.

"Never mind. I'm sorry. It's not-"

"No." I say savagely "What were you going to say?"

Her eyes flashed, and if I weren't so angry myself, I would have cowered in fear.

"I was going to say that he deserves better than being your second best!"

"He's not." I deny

"Yes. He is. How did you guys start off?"

I stayed silent, choosing not to take her bait.

"You guys started when he flirted with you to get you to open up after a brutal break up with Adrien. You guys ignited when he reminded you of your ex."

"I liked him because he is amazing, and I love him."

"No, you don't" Juleka argues

"Don't tell me how I feel, you clearly don't know me if you think I'm just going to drag his heart around until I feel better about myself."

How can she actually think that? I cut off all my relationship when I saw no promise, she saw. She knew. And I knew that wasn't the case, because I shut Chat Noir down when I saw no hope for us.

She opens her mouth to argue but I'm still reeling.

"I would never lead anyone on. And I said yes because he showed promise in making me feel whole again."

I continued, shrugging on my jacket.

"So, if you think that I'm going to break up with him, just because you think I don't care for him the way he cares for me. Well, you're wrong. And I can't believe that after a lifetime of schooling together you believe that I'm the type of person to do that."

And I left, without letting her apologize or apologizing to her myself.

"Oh, well congrats! But you're not my designer. Did Mr. Agreste not tell you who you are stuck with?"

"No, he didn't."

"Nothing?"

I searched my head for everything he said the last time we talked. "Oh! He said I'll be designing for his top model."

Her kind and slightly guilty expression turned into a more closed up forced mask of calm.

"And you don't know who that is?" she asks flatly

I force myself not to snap, we had to clear things up.

"That's why I'm asking you." I say lightly

Her face softens and she was about to answer when she looks over my shoulder and whispers to me.

"Let him explain."

I turn and face...Felix?

"Hello Marinette."

"Felix." I address primly

"May I help you? You do know this is a very special area in where fashion designers work on specific model."

"I'm aware, I am one of said fashion designers, actually I am here charged with Mr. Agreste's top model."

"That would be me." Came his hesitant voice.

Shit.

I look over Felix and meet Adrien's gaze, he looked like hell. But his attractiveness was still undeniably there. Lucky little bastard.

"Ah!" I say slightly breathless, and I might've almost stuttered if it weren't for Felix's observant smug gaze.

It took all my self-control to not flip him the bird and to smile.

"I'm afraid that's my cue, Adieu!" I call out, and make the call me gesture to Juleka, we still had to talk.

I grab Adrien's sleeve and start to tug him away.

Easy.

"Actually, will you both come back for a moment."

Adrien walks back so I follow, trying to keep my smile constant. But it was starting to hurt.

Felix walked up to me, but asked Adrien. "Did you know that she thought I was you?"

I grit my teeth.

I don't know if he was just trying to be playful, or if he still had some boyfriend instinct, but Adrien saved my sorry ass.

"I'm offended Mari! I'm much more attractive than that carbon-copy of me."

Felix snorts inelegantly "I was born first, and I'll have you know that I won best smile 5 years in a row."

Adrien just grins goofily, showing everyone who really had the best smile.

"Just because I started competing the first year you lost, to me."

"Marinette, don't you have a date tonight?" Juleka asks, loudly.

I turn scarlet, embarrassed for some reason. This was new. My relationship was something I cherished, showed off even. I was dating a gorgeous sweet King. But I was embarrassed now. I stare at my manicured pedis's, it was red with balck polka dots, bold sure. But it was easy to play it off as being a fan.

I received a few strange looks with my choice in design, everyone seems to believe that Ladybug was dead. I haven't showed myself in a year. It was kind of surprising how quickly the Parisians moved on. It secretly saddened me; nobody needs a ladybug when they have their very own cat.

"I do." I say, looking up intending to smile and walk away from the conversation.

I meet Adrien's gaze for a split second, before sliding my eyes to Juleka. I reminded myself not to read too much into what his eyes were saying.

"If I want to leave early I better hurry. Let's go Adrien."

Felix didn't seem to be happy with my decision, but nodded reluctantly.

I wave sweetly and tug on Adrien, hard. I can hear his wince, but I don't bother to apologize. I was already halfway across the room and to my station.

It serves him right, he should have ignored Felix and walked away. Then I can be the good guy, but now I was a bad-tempered girl who wants to leave her job early.

"I don't think your boss would approve of you bruising the brands top model." Adrien teases, his voice mocking. I knew that tone, he was trying to get a rise out of me. And I wouldn't let him. A tone he used our post-break up period. There was a dark time when Adrien was cold, distant. He bounced back pretty quick.

I study the measurements; they didn't seem accurate. I compare the notes to Adrien, he was at least 3 inches taller than the notes claim, and much broader. And his torso seems to be buffer and more defined than the notes say.

"When was the last time you got your measurements done?"

He rubbed his neck "Last year?"

I met his eyes incredulous.

"Why?" I asked already looking for a fresh sheet.

"I took a break from the modeling scene; you know took a few online classes. Had to ditch them though, life got crazy."

At this I stopped searching and looked up, and I finally noticed how big his bags were. How his skin while smooth had an unhealthy tinge to it.

Are you ok? I wanted to ask

"You should sleep, you look like hell."

'Way to go Marinette,' my inner sarcastic voice jeered '3 months in New York and you lost all manners'. To be fair, New York was a busy place, no time or space for indecisiveness or sugarcoating.

"Thanks". I opted to ignore the sarcasm.

Fine, let's play cat and mouse.

Digging my nails into my palm I look at him again. Keeping my gaze steady.

Rule # 15: never be the one to break eye contact.

"Adrien, I need a model, not a sleep deprived zombie. Sleep. Got to the spa, work out, do your face mask routine or something."

He opens his mouth to protest.

"You like camembert, right?"

I swear I heard a purr.

"Good. Eat that," I sniff wrinkling my nose.

His scent used to be uniquely him and comforting. I haven't smelt it in a while, it was too strong now.

"But please shower before meeting me for measurements on Saturday."

I had a full day to figure out how to deal with Adrian.

I wave goodbye and made my way back to my parent's apartment, to my room. It was a while since I've been there, but they are letting me stay until I have enough money to buy a good apartment. As long as I helped with the bakery occasionally.

I open my phone and scroll through my contacts, searching for a specific name.

"Hi Luka!" I chirped "We still on for tonight?"

hiiii! Please comment!

I don't think I know what i'm doing, I know but I'm not moved. I dunno...

Just help me out and review ok, it can even just be a period, just let me know you are reading.

Please and Thank you!

this is an adrinette fic. But i want them to fall back together realistically.