A Snap in Time

Chapter 26 (Adrien)

Adrien, aka Lee, danced up the steps to François DuPont with a spring in his step. Tom had invited him over for game night! He loved game night almost as much as he loved Sabine's croquettes, which he was sure was almost as much as he loved Marinette.

What a great way to start the day?

He looked down in his bag giving Plagg a quick wink before checking his food supplies. He had enough Camembert for three transformations and enough food plus enhancer for six transformations with Trixx. They weren't sure how the two Trixx kwami's would work alongside each other, a constant worry that one would counteract the other, so for that reason Alya had removed her necklace leaving it in the Miracle Box with Master Fu.

The day had started off with a bang, and although he hadn't gone to the bakery intending to see Marinette, it was a pleasant surprise. Seeing Luka though? Not so much. He made his way to the top of the steps, only for a hand grasped the back of his jacket and pulled him into the generator room, dragging him down the many steps and into the dark quiet area. A faint buzz was their only company.

"I've got a plan."

He's abductor turned around to look at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement each underlined by a thick purple ring.

"Okay Detective Cesaire, hit me."

"Keep up that cheek and I'll take you up on that offer, Buttercup."

Adrien snorted.

"Do you want to hear it or not?" She said.

"Did you sleep last night?" Adrien asked, looking at his dishevelled friend.

"Of course not!" She admitted, causing Adrien to shake his head. "Listen, there's too much going on, and I can't help it if I spent two hours just freaking out in my room before pulling myself together and thinking of a way to get us out of this."

Adrien looked at his wild and crazy friend. "Okay, hit me - I mean - what's your plan, oh wise one?" He covered back a little, scared Alya was about to sling a right hook.

"You know, I think I preferred you when you were just a harmless Buttercup, this sass is not fetching of you." Adrien rolled his eyes as she continued. "We're going to date!"

"What?"

"Well, fake date."

"No, I don't think we are!"

"Oh my God Adrien, no wonder Marinette gets annoyed with you in battle. Is this how it works?" Alya moaned.

"You've worked with me enough to know that's not true, I'm a great follower, I do exactly what M'Lady tells me. I'm her favourite, you know." He said, causing the red haired reporter to let out a groan.

"Just shut up and listen. If we date, it gives me an excuse to spend time with you without any question.."

"What about Marinette and Nino?"

"You're not dating Marinette, and if you did need to satisfy your clingy ass self you could go and see her as Chat Noir" Adrien opened his mouth to respond to Alya, before shutting it again.

"That's actually kind of a good idea."

"See, I'm the brains here."

"And what about Nino? I'm not taking my best friend's girl."

"I did some research last night and Animan never happened so there's a pretty strong chance we're not together. I looked through my social media, my messages and my photo gallery and nothing." She pulled up her phone to show Adrien, proving there was very little from Nino on there, if anything at all. A couple of messages about class assignments, and a few pictures of the gang out and about.