Hidden in the sand

Rose colored glasses and a thorn in his side

When Nathalie was little, about half the age of Adrien, she got in trouble for hitting a classmate in a scuffle that was not her fault.

She was reprimanded by a crusty young teacher who went on and on about how irresponsible it was to do something so "crass".

She didn't really give a shit back then and neither did she now when Gabriel was going on a tangent about how she should not have let Adrien go on so many "flights of fancy" while he was gone.

"Sir, honestly it seems that you care about Adrien as a possession more then a child."

Gabriel turned around fully prepared to back hand his assistant.
"How dare you insinuate such a thing! I care for Adrien just fine! I took an extra day from my trip to come home early."

Used to this demeanor, Nathalie only fixed her glasses.
"The only reason you came home early was because your flight would be delayed if not, and you spent the extra time you had, deceiving your son on your whereabouts and prancing around as Hawkmoth."

"In case you forgot, I am doing this for him, he needs his mother back."

Nathalie sighed, "It really seems like only you need her back," she began to walk out of the room before her shoulder was grabbed harshly.

"Don't forget that I'm the only one who can cure you."

She winced as her skin burned with a familiar cloud of black. "Yes Sir." She repeated, before depressingly opening her tablet.

"The tapes show that Marinette was threatened more then once without Adrien's knowledge. His behavior has been unpredictable due to his..."

Gabriel had a wicked smile that told her exactly what he was going to do with the information.

"...due to his strong emotions."

—————————
While Marinette was telling a fun anecdote about her last baking endeavor, the Agreste home phone started to ring.

And if the Agreste home phone was to ring, Adrien was strictly to pick it up.

He excused himself for a moment and answered it, only to be connected with one Chloe Bourgeois.

"Finally, do you know how long I've been trying to reach you?"

"Nice to hear from you two Chloe now what is it?"

"Jagged stone hasn't been able to get in contact with Marinette sense he got back to Paris and is worried sick about her. Seriously, he won't stop bothering me until he sees her."

Adrien scratched his ass for a moment then replied.
"What does that have to do with me?"

"I know that you're holding Marinette hostage in the ice palace and if you could get her and your blond ass over here, I'll provide you and your girlfriend with some food, and I honestly wouldn't you two simpletons in my presence..."

Chloe didn't even need to look to know that Adrien was giving her  the "I know there's another reason face ™" on the other side of the phone.
Her tone softened toward the end of that sentence. "I'm eating alone again and I could use the company." She bashfully admitted.

Adrien smiled at her humble behavior.
"Let me ask Marinette if she's up for it."

—————

Things were bad for Lila Rossi.
Things were bad getting worse and getting close to unfixable

This wasn't supposed to go like this no no no.

It was supposed to be a clean snap in half! Not a mangled disaster!