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Dangerous Games	By : Cat_Eyes Category: +M through R > Miraculous LadyBug Views: 11606 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug. Miraculous Ladybug is the intellectual property of Thomas Astruc and released by Zag studios. No profit was made writing this story.

Chapter List
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Marinette decided to go back to work the following morning. Her burnt skin was now a fresh pink, and healed enough that she could move about unimpeded. Adrien pursed his lips, unconvinced, but when she argued that she would no longer be left alone, he relented.
They walked hand in hand down to the lobby, silently taking in the other’s presence.
‘So, it’s true,’ a voice muttered.
Marinette looked up to see Luka regarding them from the front doors. His face was carefully blank, but his focus remained fixed on their joined hands.
Adrien’s grip tightened. ‘I already told you, didn’t I?’
‘I don’t always believe everything I’m told,’ Luka retorted.
‘What’re you two talking about?’ Marinette interrupted, her patience waning.
Adrien looked back at her with an overly bright smile. ‘I told Luka that you had chosen me.’
Her expression fell. ‘So, now you’re engaged in some territorial pissing contest?’
Adrien’s eyebrows shot up, while Luka took a judicious step back.
‘I don’t mean to sound like we’re arguing over ownership of you,’ Adrien placated her. ‘I merely stated you chose to be with me rather than him.’
Marinette turned her steely gaze toward Luka.
He held up his hands in surrender. ‘I’m just trying to see what you see in him. No, wait,’ he backpedalled, too late.
‘You’re still bitter I turned you down? For crying out loud, I made my choice. Stop acting like a spoiled twelve-year-old, and try being happy for me, like an adult. If you truly cared for me, you’d want me to be happy, wouldn’t you? Even if it causes you pain.’
Luka’s mouth worked, but words had failed him. He stood by the doors, gaping and waving his hands, but Marinette was done.
Striding up to him, she poked him hard in the chest. ‘You need to get over it. Not everything in life goes the way you want. You’ll be disappointed from time to time. You won’t always get what you want. But you know what? Those are the times when you need to grow up and deal with it. No one likes being disappointed, Luka. But it’s how we deal with those let downs that show a person for who they really are. Let me tell you, you have been found wanting.’
Suddenly unreasonably irate, she shoved by him and let herself out. Adrien followed a moment later, letting the door fall shut behind them, and watching her carefully from the corner of his eye.
His surreptitious study of her only fuelled her irritation.
‘What?’ she snapped.
‘Hey, I didn’t do anything wrong.’
Marinette released a long sigh, rubbing her eyes with one hand. ‘Sorry, that wasn’t fair. I don’t know what came over me.’
‘Are you sure you’re ready to go back to work?’
‘Yes,’ she stressed, with more force than she’d intended. ‘Sorry,’ she repeated.
He cast her a dubious look. ‘Maybe it’s the strain of everything that’s been going on. This stalker has been an ongoing problem for weeks, Luka’s still being an arse, and then your injuries on top of it all. Maybe now, all your pent-up tension just needs to be released.’
‘Isn’t that what we’ve been doing?’ she muttered.
Adrien shook his head. ‘Sex may work in the short term for every day anxieties, but these have been long-term problems, and are causing way more stress than most people have to deal with. You need some way to address the root of your problems.’
‘What do you suggest?’ she asked with a weary shrug.
‘Maybe you should speak to a professional.’
Marinette stuttered to a halt. Adrien was forced to take a step back when she fell out of stride beside him, returning to her with a concerned frown.
‘You want me to see a shrink?’
He exhaled a long breath. ‘Come on, Marinette. Is it really such an outlandish suggestion? You need help, and I can’t give it to you. This is out of my skillset. It’s really not as bad as you think, and lots of people see therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists these days. There’s no stigma attached anymore, and it’s not like you can’t afford it. If it gives you some peace of mind, isn’t it at least worth considering?’
‘I just don’t want to be seeing a shrink for the rest of my life,’ she muttered. ‘I’m not weak or crazy.’
‘Most people who see shrinks aren’t weak or crazy,’ he explained. ‘They’re just regular people who need assistance to deal with whatever shit is going on their lives, like you. It also doesn’t have to be for ever. Just until these issues are resolved.’
She hugged herself and looked away, hoping he would let the subject drop.
‘I know you’ve been scared, Marinette,’ he whispered. ‘You hide it well, even from yourself, but I know you are. Don’t you want a safe place where you can talk through your fears without worrying about judgement or consequence?’
Marinette screwed her face up. ‘Fine,’ she relented, ungraciously. ‘I’ll think about it.’
‘Thank you,’ murmured Adrien.
The continued their walk in silence.

Marinette was met with enthusiasm by her colleagues after she walked through the doors, each welcoming her back with smiles and exclamations over her apparent good health.
‘What did you tell them?’ she muttered in an aside to Mathéo.
Mathéo shrugged. ‘Just that you had been in a minor accident. But, you know how word spreads, exaggerated with each retelling.’
Releasing a sigh, she accepted their greetings politely and thanked them for their kindness. Then, Mathéo called them all to order and they returned to what they had been working on before her arrival. Marinette nodded her thanks and entered her studio. She pretended not to hear the whispers pick up as her door swung shut.
One benefit from her time off was the amount of restless energy she had accumulated. Opening her sketchbook, she picked a design and got to work. She spent most of her morning bringing to life the drawings she’d done while recovering, her hands moving deftly over the fabric. She grinned as she was finally able to do something productive.
Over her lunch break, she began researching therapists, and others of their ilk, in her neighbourhood. What she found did not inspire confidence, so she spread her search further afield.
Eventually, she put her phone down, dissatisfied with her findings. The clinics and offices had bad reviews, the doctors seemed shady, or their prices were above what she was prepared to pay. She sighed, before trying again in a more credible part of town.
After lunch, a secretary from top management knocked on her door.
‘Excuse me, Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng, Monsieur Agreste would like to see you.’
Marinette fumbled the thread she was feeding through the sewing machine. ‘Yes, be right there,’ she exclaimed.
The secretary nodded. ‘This way, please.’ She held out an arm, implying Marinette abandon her current task and follow immediately.
Marinette dropped the thread and followed the other woman, letting the spool roll to the floor behind her.
She followed the woman up to the top floor, halting before a grand set of double doors. A spartan desk sat outside, the austere Nathalie tapping at her keyboard behind it.
‘Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng for Monsieur Agreste,’ announced the secretary.
Nathalie glanced up, then murmured into an intercom.
‘You may enter,’ she said, as the doors swung open.
Marinette thanked them both, then walked into a large, bright office.
Gabriel’s office was devoid of personal touches. It was severe, almost sterile in appearance, with only the large windows to break the sharp lines and cold colour scheme.
‘You wanted to see me, Monsieur Agreste?’ she asked, standing in front of his large desk.
Gabriel had been perusing a tablet, but looked up as she spoke. ‘Yes, Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng. Please, sit down. I hope you are well after your unfortunate absence?’
Marinette gulped as she pulled out one of the two chairs before his desk, suddenly fearing the worst. ‘Yes, thank you. I’m doing much better.’
She sat, then waited a moment for Gabriel to bring up why he’d called her.
‘Very good. As you will recall, our fashion show was a success. Many people applauded the innovative and visionary lines our house produced. It has since come to my attention that many of those designs were yours.’
Marinette’s head snapped up. ‘I enjoyed some positive feedback, yes.’
‘There’s no room for modesty in this industry, Mademoiselle. When you achieve success, you claim it. However, I digress. I was impressed by your designs, and your skill is outstanding. You have not been working with us for long, have you, Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng?’
‘About two years, Sir.’
Gabriel nodded. ‘Do you like working here?’
Marinette nodded emphatically. ‘Oh yes, very much.’
Something like a smile flittered briefly over his face. ‘I’m pleased to hear it. I would like to offer you an advancement in your field, but there is something I feel must be addressed.’
‘What would that be, Sir?’ she asked, hope and fear warring in her gut.
‘I have been informed that you are romantically involved with my son. Is this true?’
She hung her head. ‘Yes, it is.’
She didn’t want to lie to her boss, and potential father-in-law.
‘Are you both serious?’
Marinette blushed, scuffing her toe against the floor. She wanted to answer honestly, but didn’t know how much he wanted to hear, or had a right to know.
‘It’s pretty serious,’ she managed.
Gabriel steepled his fingers. ‘If I do offer you an advancement in your career, problems could arise. Jealous rivals could claim you won your position through your connections, rather than from skill and hard work. Such rumours would reflect badly on all of us, do you understand?’
‘Yes, Sir,’ she whispered, with a meek nod.
‘How many of your colleagues have you told about your relationship with Adrien?’
Marinette scratched her neck as she thought. ‘I haven’t told anyone explicitly. I suspect Mathéo knows something, though.’
Gabriel hummed. ‘Mathéo can be discreet. For a man in his position, he is remarkably close lipped. However, I think I can raise you to a higher position without arousing suspicions.’
Marinette looked up, her eyes wide. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, but I must insist you keep your relationship with my son private. If word were to get out, it would be more than your reputation on the line.’
‘Absolutely. I understand. Thank you, Sir.’
Gabriel waved a hand. ‘Have Nathalie explain your new role, as well as the added benefits and responsibilities. Thank you for your continued hard work, Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng.’
Recognising the dismissal, Marinette thanked him and stood, turning to leave.
‘Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng,’ Gabriel said.
She turned to face him, expectantly. ‘Yes?’
‘Tell Adrien to come home to visit more often.’

That evening, Marinette drifted back to Adrien’s apartment in a blissful daze. Mathéo had said she could get a promotion from her designs in the fashion show, but she hadn’t thought much of his offhand remark. It had been flattering to hear, but it seemed like a wild fantasy then.
‘Congratulations, Marinette,’ Tikki piped from her purse. ‘No one deserves this as much as you.’
She ducked her head as a blush heated her face. ‘Thanks. Honestly, everything feels so surreal right now. You do realise I’m one step closer to being head designer?’
‘That’s awesome. You’ll take over the whole business one day.’
Marinette let loose a tiny shriek. ‘I’m so excited, I feel like I could fly.’
Tikki winked at her as they ducked into a shadowy alley. Marinette transformed, and reeled herself up to the rooftops.
She ran across the city, leaping and flinging herself over large gaps, whooping for joy. People pointed up as she sped by, motorists honked their horns, and children waved. Ladybug waved back with a large smile, enjoying the adrenaline rush, and wondering why she hadn’t transformed in so long.
After she had run off the surge of energy, she headed back to Adrien’s place. He would be home late again, giving her a few hours to herself.
Dropping onto his balcony, she let herself in and checked the contents of the kitchen cupboards. She wanted to make dinner, but his supplies were low.
‘Tikki, I need to go grocery shopping. Did you want to come?’
‘No thanks,’ she replied. ‘But bring back more biscuits.’
Marinette rolled her eyes, changed into more comfortable attire, then locked up after she stepped out. She was on the last step of the stoop when a shock of red hair caught her attention.
‘Nathaniel,’ she called, waving to him as he walked toward her.
He looked up and smiled, the expression brightening his face. Tying an unnecessarily large hoodie around his waist, he asked, ‘Marinette, how are you?’
‘I am fantastic,’ she answered, emphatically. ‘I just got a promotion.’
Nathaniel gripped her shoulder, encouragingly. ‘Good on you. I’m happy for you.’
‘Thanks. What are you doing out here? The sun’s almost set.’
He shrugged. ‘I’ve hit the wall. I thought I’d take a walk to clear my head, and look for inspiration.’
‘I know what that’s like. Artist’s block is the worst, making you doubt everything you thought you knew, and making you question every last one of your life choices. It’s frustrating.’
He nodded. ‘Sometimes, walking clears my head. At least, I get out of my apartment and into some fresh air. What about you, what’re you doing outside?’
‘I need to pick up some groceries. Would you like to come? The air conditioning will feel really nice.’
‘Thank you, no,’ he replied, with a shake of his head. ‘I’ve been out for a while already, and need to get back. I’m just taking the scenic route.’
‘Oh, ok. I’ll let you get on, then. See you around.’ She waved again, and stepped off the stoop.
Nathaniel paused, his eyelids drooping.
Marinette looked up at him, puzzled. Then, he shook himself out of whatever fugue had come over him and called his own farewell.
Marinette continued her mission to the shops, and bought more items than her bag ought to carry. She lugged her findings back, with a feeling of triumph that was doused the moment she saw Adrien standing in his loungeroom with a dark expression marring his usually friendly exterior.
‘What happened?’ she asked, dread pooling in her gut.
He looked at her, holding a slip of paper up. ‘Our friend has been by.’
Marinette forced herself to place her bag on the kitchen counter. ‘What does he say?’
‘Nothing you want to hear.’
‘Adrien.’
His eyes slid away from her. ‘It’s a death threat. He’s saying to stay away from you, or he’ll kill us both.’
Marinette’s heart palpitated. Taking a steadying breath, she asked, ‘are you telling the police about this?’
He nodded. ‘I think I have to. After the attempt on your life, we can’t afford to take this lightly. Put your groceries away, and get your bag. I won’t leave you here alone again.’
Sombrely, she nodded and did as he said. Together, they locked up, secured Plagg and Tikki in her purse, then went to speak with the police.
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