Dangerous Games

Friday turned out to be a delightful day. Although he had overslept, only rousing when Marinette knocked on his door to get him up, Adrien had gotten to work on time, and had gone on to have a wonderful time making her blush.

A sudden burst of inspiration struck as he was unbuttoning his jeans in her tiny studio. With an artfully contrived look of innocence, he hooked his thumbs on the waistband of his underwear, partially pulling those down too, before he realised his "mistake."

Marinette had squawked like a startled chicken, then turned her back on him with her face flaming. Whether by chance or design, she was then facing the large mirror on the wall, reflected in which was his derriere. He winked at her over his shoulder before she screwed her eyes shut.

After that, she had fumbled and tripped constantly as she got him to try on one outfit after another. He supposed he ought to feel bad for turning her into such a mess, but it had been just the two of them in there for most of the day. He would never tell anyone about his deliberate attempts to embarrass her. He simply enjoyed making her flustered, he didn't want to humiliate her.

After lunch he had a photoshoot. It was a lot less fun posing with a woman who was so worldly she wouldn't have blushed at a naked Gabriel, but Adrien imagined Marinette was standing on the other side of the camera. He used his imagination to get the shots Vincent, the photographer, wanted as well as some shots that surprised even him with how sultry they were.

He received a lot of praise as the day wound down. Other models, make up and hair artists, the crew all had something nice to say. He was feeling especially good as he left to go home.

Marinette was already gone, as her finishing time was well before his. He would have liked to walk home with her, but he couldn't expect her to wait around for him, and there was no conceivable way he could get off any earlier. It was unfortunate, but he supposed he could use some alone time, Plagg notwithstanding.

He picked up some takeaway on the way home, ignoring the blatant stares of the employees and the customers as he ordered a Rogan josh with rice, cheese and plain naan, and a lassi.

Salivating at the aromas from his food, Adrien entered his building to see Luka standing in the foyer by the elevator doors. His mouth dried up instantly.

'Good evening,' he nodded politely.

Luka nodded back, balancing his guitar case against his leg. His expression was bland, but his shoulders looked tense.

Adrien felt his smile freeze. 'So, you're in a band. Do you do originals, or covers?'

'Originals.'

That's what I get for asking a closed question, he thought with a grimace. 'Have you released anything I would've heard?'

'Doubtful,' Luka replied, with a derisive tone.

The elevator doors opened, and they both went in. They stood in awkward silence until they reached Luka's floor. There, he got out, shooting Adrien an unfriendly look over his shoulder.

'Don't fuck around with Marinette,' he growled as the doors slid shut.

Adrien felt his heart beat accelerate. Luka's tone hadn't been overtly hostile, but it also hadn't sounded like a friend's concern for their pretty neighbour. It was a warning.

Adrien gulped, his appetite suddenly gone.