To Love Thy Enemy

Acting

"Ugh, I hate Wednesdays," Marinette grumbled sleepily.

Alya giggled beside her. Of course, Alya had a reason to giggle. She got to watch as Marinette attempted to perform the female lead in one of history's most romantic plays.

With her enemy.

The only enjoyable part of these mid-week filming sessions was the hilarity of Adrien's Beast costume. It never failed to make Marinette crack up and lighten the otherwise painful expanse of the day.

The bell rang in its shrill tone as Marinette and Alya climbed the stairs. The school's entrance bustled with activity as students made their way to class.

The two girls reached their classroom and entered to find the usual entourage of hair and makeup stations, clothes racks, and various other helpers.

Rose whisked Marinette off into the makeshift changing room to don her dress before she was sent through the line of students who were doing hair and makeup.

When Marinette finally set foot upon the temporary stage, she felt a mild sense of panic. They were nearing the point in the play where the relationship between Belle and the Beast changed.

She always used to love that part of the movie, the part where they go from hating each other to loving each other, but actually acting it out? And with Adrien of all people? She wasn't sure if she could stomach it.

She had to savour this scene. This one scene she had before she had to actually start acting.

She could do this.

Adrien walked into view, reading over his lines with the mask tucked under his arm, ignoring Marinette's quiet snort of laughter.

"Okay, do we all know what we're doing?" Alya asked professionally, "Marinette, you're up!"

Marinette adopted a curious expression and wandered across the stage, muttering, "What is this place?" Just loud enough for Nino's video camera to pick it up.

She pretended to notice the red rose in the centre of the room, creeping towards it and lifting the glass case-

"Great! Nino said, interrupting her, "Okay, Adrien, ready?"

Adrien walked over to the wall and waited for Nino's cue before leaping towards the Marinette and yanking the glass covering from her hands.

Marinette didn't have to feign shock as he yelled in her face, reprimanding her as naturally as breathing.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Adrien shouted, his hairy mask muffling the noise slightly.

Marinette burst into laughter. It was just too funny for her to control her amusement.

Adrien's shouts cut off, and she could almost hear the disappointment radiating off of him as he stormed back to his place.

"Marinette!" Alya scolded, "Stop laughing so we can get this done!"

"Sorry, sorry, Can we do that again," Marinette giggled, attempting to regain her composure.

Adrien tried again, and this time, Marinette managed to contain her laughter.

Until she tried to fake terror and run away. Then she burst into cackles, which were dramatically exaggerated, but she couldn't help it.

"Oh my gosh, what is wrong with you?" Adrien groaned.

"Well, not all of us can be mister perfect, straight-faced models, can we?" Marinette said with a snigger, "Some of us actually have to have feelings,"

Adrien gritted his teeth, obviously frustrated, "And some of us want to actually get through this play before we're 80!"

Marinette scowled at him, "It's not my fault I was forced into this,"

"But it is your fault you didn't tell Miss Bustier you wanted out," Adrien retorted, "I know you have a voice Marinette. Use it."

"And what about you? You use your voice for once instead of letting people walk all over you!"

It was clear she was talking about his father, even if she didn't say it.

"You don't know anything about him!"

"I know enough!"

"But like you would care anyway!" Adrien spoke over her, "he's your idol isn't he?"

"My fashion idol yes, but-"

"Another horrible choice of yours, you're just full of them aren't you,"

"Agreste-"

"Maybe this play would actually be fun if you weren't in it," Adrien finished.

"Ugh Alya I hate you," Marinette groaned before adding, "Why don't you just get Chloe to be Belle? I'm sure it'll be buckets of fun then!"

Marinette's voice was sardonic and patronising as she turned her scowl to the blonde diva in the audience.

Neither Adrien nor Chloe had the chance to respond because Alya chose that moment to step in between the two and put a stop to their bickering.

"That's enough you two, honestly, can you not put aside your stupid vendettas for five minutes?"

Marinette glanced down, part ashamed part at a loss for words.

Adrien merely shoved his mask on again and moved back into his position.

"Alright and...ACTION!" Nino called, restarting g his camera.

This time Marinette managed to keep her face schooled the whole time, her mood too sour to find any humour.

Luckily, Marinette had the chance to change while Adrien was doing a final take, so by the time she came back - after taking g her sweet time - Adrien had already left to change.

Edits were in full swing.

Nino was reviewing the tape with a small cluster of other students, there was a group reviewing next week's script and making final cuts. Some students were practising lines while others were beginning the process of editing certain clips together and adding sound and light effects.

Everyone had something to do.

Even Chloe.

But not Marinette.

She had helped with costumes but her main role was Belle, so in the afternoon, she was left to her own devices in the busy classroom.

But, she wasn't the only one with nothing to do.

Adrien walked into the room, seating himself on a bench at the back of the room, across the aisle from Marinette.

The back row contained the only unoccupied seats, so the pair were forced to sit close enough to talk without yelling.

Not that they tried.

Nino came bounding up the aisle, turning to Adrien.

"Hey dude, group sleepover at Alyas this weekend, you in?"

Adrien's eyes flicked curiously to the girl across the way, wordlessly asking.

Nino's smile dropped, "Come on dude, of course, she's coming. She's Alya's best friend," He said, "but it won't just be her, Rose and Jules are coming, and Kim and Max too!"

Adrien sighed comically, knowing he would probably end up going out of the sheer force of his friends' requests.

"So me and her can seventh wheel everyone?" He joked. Alya and Nino would be the only couple there. As Rose and Juleka were still undecided, Kim had a girlfriend, and Max wasn't into anyone.

Nino rolled his eyes, "Ask your old man and let me know by tomorrow dude," he chuckled before turning to ask Marinette.

From what Adrien could gather from their body language, Marinette seemed enthusiastic, yet also unsure. Similar to how Adrien himself felt.

It was bound to be an interesting weekend.

-

Im ngl I crack myself up whenever Adrien wears that dumb costume 💀

Bug out xx