Prompt: Can I pick, Princess?

Part 1 of Favoritism

His lawyer was very heated in her words against Adrien speaking with his father. It had taken days to clear the young man of any wrongdoing and she insisted that if Adrien went to his father, they would investigate him again. He had heard the same arguments from Marinette, but his new girlfriend had said in the end it was his choice and she would stand by him. She had also hinted at physically making him feel better once he came home. If nothing else, some quality alone time with his Lovebug would make him feel better.

The pat down and proceedings before he could see his father had been grueling. Officers had warned him repeatedly that anything said in that room would be recorded. His lawyer had shrieked at that and claimed it would violate at least twelve privacy laws, but Adrien agreed once more against her advice. "I guess magical terrorists don't get the same treatment, huh?" He'd shrugged as he signed the consent form. Truthfully, it would make it harder to speak frankly with Gabriel if he had to guard his words, but he'd been doing it for about ten years. What was another thirty minutes?

He been deposited in a secure investigation room. The walls were made of some soundproof board material and between the two chairs and small table between them, there wasn't much room left. Adrien had been firmly told to sit in the chair nearest the door. He noted the small black wireless webcam attached to the heavy glass door and realized they wanted him in that particular seat not for his safety, but rather so they could hear his words better.

Adrien waited in the room alone for another ten minutes before the bullet proof door was opened and two armed guards escorted in one Gabriel Agreste. His father's face was just as unreadable as he remembered. The shackled man was eased into the seat across from him and Adrien's eye twitched at the hideous orange his father donned. By far, it had to be the worst punishment Gabriel had received yet. The guards left the room, but remained on the other side of the door. Adrien was not a fool; he knew both of those weapons they carried were loaded and ready to fire at a moment's notice.

Gabriel eased his shoulders and for the first time in over a decade, Adrien saw his father slouch in a comfortable manner. It was unsettling. "Adrien, I see you're still disregarding the advice of your elders."

The young man frowned. "I have nothing to hide."

Gabriel's lips twitched on a smirk. "Oh, really. I thought we agreed no secrets."

Adrien leaned back in his chair as he folded his arms over his chest. "Actually, I remember that conversation slightly different. You wanted me to trust you. And here we are." He cocked a brow and flicked a hand to signal the room they occupied.

"Yes," Gabriel agreed. "Here we are. Why exactly is that?"

"I want to know why you picked her," he demanded.

Gabriel rolled his eyes. "After everything, you choose to focus on that?"

"Did you know?" It was a heavy question that could go so many ways, but Adrien needed to know why his father had captured Marinette to lure him out. Why specifically her?

Gabriel eyed the camera behind Adrien for a moment before answering one part of his question. "You seemed fond of her. I wasn't the only one to notice your favoritism towards the little princess." Adrien frowned as Gabriel's words toed the line of revealing too much and being tongue in cheek. "I needed to make you angry. And I succeeded."

Ah, yes. His father's attempt to akumatize him. Chat Blanc was most definitely the worst akuma to date. It was no wonder Hawkmoth had been saving that particular butterfly until the end. "That was your only reason?" Adrien clarified.

Gabriel leaned forward, his chains rattling. His lip curled back on a snarl. "If I had known, I would have killed her to save myself the trouble a long time ago."

Adrien stood and turned in the small space. He knocked once on the door and declared, "We're done here." The guards on the other side were quick to open the door. Before Adrien could depart, his father left him with a few final words.

"She'll never love you completely. She's seen the true ugliness of your heart. That girl will leave you!"

Adrien's hands fisted at his sides as he barked over his shoulder, "Just like Mother, right?"

He was ushered away as Gabriel roared and the guards piled in; one brandishing a syringe filled to the brim with sedative. Adrien walked down the long corridor escorted by two more guards and his lawyer as his father's shouts gurgled out in the distance.