Then There Was You

Chapter 1

"Don't be bemused, it's just the news. I'm Nadja Chamack and this is Side By Side. Later on today's show we are going to be joined by none other than teen heart throb Adrien Agreste. But first, over to Alec with some breaking entertainment news..."

Adrien let out a heavy sigh. He hated doing interviews, especially live ones in front of a camera. He was only slightly appeased by the fact that he had been given the list of general questions beforehand so hopefully there shouldn't be any surprises. His father had insisted on him doing the interview saying that Adrien needed to be more involved in the running of the company, and not just as it's poster boy. Adrien didn't mind that necessarily, but putting himself out there like this didn't do much to make him feel better about it.

Recently Gabriel had been pushing Adrien more into the corporate side of the company. While he was still the face of the brand, it had become apparent to the fashion designer that his recently turned eighteen year old son was not always going to be a model. While he definitely still had a few good years in him, it was a fickle business and he really needed to start grooming him to eventually take over the company. After all, he wasn't getting any younger and he had plans for himself. Plans that included a quiet life with Emilie, once he found a plan that worked to get Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous that is. Add to that Adrien becoming more resistant to his role as a model and it really left Gabriel needing to find new avenues for his son to commit to. Adrien was happy enough to spend time immersed at the Gabriel Flagship Building, even being given his own office, but the downside to corporate life meant he didn't get to see his friends much outside of school and he missed them terribly.

"Oh look, Adrien is going to be on Side By Side." Rose squealed out, grabbing Mylene to sit down. Juleka walked over to the TV to turn it up while Ivan and Luka packed up the instruments. They had just finished a great rehearsal session on the houseboat and were looking forward to playing as a support act for an upcoming benefit concert that Jagged Stone was hosting. Marinette had come to check some last minute details for the new costumes she had been working on, with Alya and Nino tagging along. While most of the group had moved over to the TV, Marinette got out her needle and thread to sew one of Luka's buttons back onto his shirt which had come off during the rehearsal.

"Do you want me to take my shirt off?" Luka asked. There was a hint of playfulness in his voice, but Marinette wasn't sure just how innocent that request had been and avoided making eye contact. Over the last few weeks she had spent quite a lot of time with Kitty Section and so with Luka too. She was acutely aware of his feelings for her and he had made no attempt to hide it. While there was a small part of her that wanted to reciprocate his affections, she knew she would be lying if she said she loved him. That wouldn't be fair on either of them. She couldn't deny though that he was certainly easy on the eyes and his kind and caring nature made her feel special. Luka had just turned twenty and was quickly becoming as big of a heartthrob in the music world as Adrien was in fashion.

Adrien had started spending a lot of time recently with Kagami. Although no one had talked to him about it, the story was being reported in most magazines that they were dating as they had been seen at a few public events together. Marinette couldn't bring herself to ask Kagami directly, but there didn't seem to be any need. Spending time with Kitty Section was a way to try and move on from her long time crush. It had been a bit of a strange paradox really, once she thought Adrien was with Kagami, she had actually been able to act more as a friend around him.

"No, I can sew it while it's on you." She said, motioning to the chair behind him. Luka sat down and Marinette pulled over a stool, leaning in to line up the button in the right place. Luka started humming a little tune. Marinette had heard him humming it before and figured it was a new song he was working on. Marientte could feel the bush of his lips just above her head as he breathed her in, ghosting his hand down her arm. He had tried to kiss her before, but she had always skilfully avoided it. She carefully started to move the needle through the button. "Keep still please, I wouldn't want to accidentally poke you." She said, hoping he would get the message to stop.