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Chapter Text

When Adrien had mentioned having a girlfriend, to say Gabriel was happy would be a complete and utter lie, in fact, he couldn’t think of anything worse than a girl feeding off his son's fame and fortune. What made it even worse was when Adrien came to him a month ago and introduced his new ‘girlfriend’ as none other than Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

The girl was obsessed with Adrien to the point that any oxygen breathing animal could notice it was weird. She’d gone out of her way multiple times to make sure he was…happy. It made him sick to the stomach that she would go to such lengths for his son. But he knew girls like her, girls that wanted more than just a ‘relationship’.

Gabriel believed, 100%, that Marinette had a hidden agenda, a motive that would end up with his son heartbroken, complete with an empty bank account. No one could be as nice as he was led to believe she was, especially someone who stood up to him. He knew nice, after all, he was married to Émilie Graham de Vanily; nicest actress in the business and pure walking sunshine. Her son mirrored such soft personality traits.

Adrien was naive and gullible, and this girl was taking him for everything he was worth.

It was the first time Marinette had been around their house, and Adrien had begged him to allow them to spend time in his room ‘just watching a movie’. As Adrien prayed and begged for his father to allow them to spend a late afternoon together, Gabriel couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He had been 16 himself once, he knew exactly what ‘just watching a movie’ meant — and it wasn’t just anything. Usually it just meant tasting what the other had eaten for lunch, or just checking fillings were still securely in place. Though Gabriel might see his son as a baby chick, he was certain male hormones were genetic and he was sure his son was swimming in the damn things.

As Adrien guided Marinette into the hallway of the house, Gabriel called Adrien into his office prepared to give him the ‘talk’. Well, not the talk, his son was far too inexperienced to even consider that yet, regardless of his hormones. He was a late potty trainer so Gabriel was quite sure he’d be late with this too. But anyway, the rules were set. Marinette stays only for the movie, they keep the door to his room open at all times, and if any funny business takes place, Adrien will no longer be allowed to see the girl.

Adrien promised to follow the rules, obviously willing to do whatever it took to be with Marinette, which, ultimately, only adding to Gabriel’s fury more. The rules were meant to put Adrien off dating her, but noooo! His son was a sap for the girl.

What was wrong with the kid? A 16 year old shouldn’t be so taken and, dare he say it, in love.

No, this just wouldn’t do.

Pacing his office, he wished Nathalie had been there. Instead; he’d given her the day off ‘in good will’ for her help with the Miraculous. It had nothing, nothing, to do with the threat that if she didn’t get said day off, she was running to Ladybug and Chat Noir. Something about a book signing with her favourite author.

So here he was, alone, and clock watching. He’d left it an hour, one whole hour before going to check in on Adrien and Marinette hoping to catch them doing something he could banish the girl for. There’s no way they would both be innocently sitting watching the movie, what 16 year old male did that when they had a girl who they liked in their own territory? What must her parents be thinking? They must be as loose as her.

Rubbing his ring on his wedding finger, he walked towards the door and headed straight out. This was it! This was the moment he’d been waiting for. He clapped his hands together and gave them a rub.

The moment he steps into that room and catches her dirty lips on his son’s beautiful, clean peach ones, he can rip them apart and throw her out onto the street. He can explain to Adrien how ‘normal’ girls are not suitable for him and he’d be better off with someone like Kagami. He’d let Adrien mourn the loss for a couple of days and then maybe contact Tomoe to set the children up. He could just picture the wedding now. All red and blacks, all distinctly oozing with money and wealth, and most of all his son marrying someone of worth. This would be followed by black haired, green eyed, beautiful grandchildren who would adore Grampy Gabe and take over his search for power.

They would call their daughter Emma — after his wife. A treasure of remembrance for his beloved in his new precious. She’d be firey and charismatic, smart and sporty, she’d be the perfect fit for the ladybug or cat Miraculous… when he eventually got them, that is.

Oh, he had it all, brilliantly, planned out!

A sinister smile encroached his face as he bounded up the steps two at a time.

Time to say ‘Goodbye’ to Marinette.

He heard them laughing as he made his way towards the door to Adrien’s bedroom, a silent laugh leaving his own mouth as he thought about what they were probably doing. Maybe he should feel embarrassed by his intrusion, after all, his son could be in a very vulnerable position as his ‘girlfriend’ gets ripped off of him, by those immature pigtails. Blah, the thought of her hair made him remember his true hate and he couldn’t help but think she knew. She must do. That's why she wore her hair that way, to mock him and his hate for Ladybug.

Eventually, after all was said and done, he knew he’d be forgiven though. When Adrien was married to Kagami and living in high social circles, it would all make sense. He’d forget about Marinette and the girl he thought he was in love with and settle into a companionship with Kagami. Perfection.

Finally reaching Adrien’s open door he poked his head around, only for the grin to be wiped off his face in an instant. They were watching a movie, as promised, a Pixar one by the looks of it, and sitting with about a metre gap between them.

He stood there in shock as he watched them converse, both shyly glancing at each other as they spoke. The words stuttered and mangled by the two. What the hell was wrong with his son? This was not how 16 year old, hormonal boys acted, and Marinette? Well, obviously she had a game plan, maybe she was going with the slow and steady approach because there was almost zero indication that she even liked Adrien.

Gabriel studied them for another minute before turning and heading back down the staircase.

What a let down!

Just under an hour later he watched as Adrien said goodbye to Marinette at the door, both giving each other a shy and awkward hug as she left.

Adrien let out a soft sigh as he watched her leave, before turning with an almighty grin on his face and catching his father’s eye.

“Thank you father.” And with that Adrien made his way back up to his room almost floating up the staircase.

Well…damn!

Chapter Text

It had been eight months… eight whole months since Adrien had started dating that bakery girl. He was now 17, and, as far as Gabriel was aware, Marinette was still only 16. Now, this was something he was almost certainly against! So, when Adrien had asked if Marinette could come around to study after class he had to take ‘a day’ to think about it. After all, what would the press say if they found out Adrien Agreste was alone in his room with a 16 year old girl?

Carnage! It would be carnage.

“Adrien, can you come here please?” Gabriel stood at his office doorway waiting for his son to head in. He needed to get this issue sorted once and for all. He couldn’t have such barbaric behaviour affecting his brand; seriously anyone would be mortified to find out his 17 year old son was canoodling with a 16 year old girl behind closed doors. Seriously, what would Toby and Sarine say if they knew their daughter was alone with a 17 year old hormonal boy?!

His sweet, gullible son walked into the room with a smile on his face, a smile which Gabriel unfortunately would have to rip off and smash into the ground.

“Father, have you made your decision?”

Awww, he thought, the young boy looks so hopeful.

It seemed Adrien was so willing to do whatever he wished just so his little lady could spend a couple of hours in the room he so selflessly paid for.

“Yes I have, and I’ve decided absolutely not. I don’t think it would be a good idea to have a sixteen year old in your room with you.” He took hold of the lense of his glasses and pushed them up onto the bridge of his nose, his lips remaining in the thin, harsh line, where he really wanted to crack into a smile.

He watched as his son sighed, his shoulders drooping in response to the answer, but at the end of the day this was his house and what he said goes. He’s the King of the Castle, the leader of the pack the…

“Fine, I suppose we’ll just study at hers then.”

Cue the record scratch.

“Excuse me?” Gabriel was dumbfounded, had Adrien not understood what he’d just said. “What do you mean? You’ll ‘just study at hers’”

“We have exams coming up, and Marinette’s assigned as my study partner. I want to make you proud and get good grades so I need to study.”

Damn this child and his blackmail! Turning it on him! Now he seemed like the bad guy, and if Adrien’s grades dipped it would be his fault entirely. Oh, how the tables have turned! He looked over at Adrien once more, looking for any sign that it might be Félix. After all, that one is good at this sort of thing, maybe he’d been rubbing off on Adrien. He made a mental note to not allow Felix to stay anymore.

Fine! He would play the game! Heaven forbid those results are low though, because the girl would be gone! Adrien did not need this distraction.

Suddenly, he couldn’t help but smile. This was it! This was the moment he could finally get rid of Marinette Dupain-Cheng from their lives. Adrien had unknowingly played all his cards in one hand.

Ha!

Point to Gabriel.

“Okay?”

“Excuse me!”

“She can come over, but you know the rules–”

“Door stays open, she only stays for studying, any funny business she has to go home never to return again.” He said the last bit in a way similar to that of the crypt keeper and Gabriel felt his blood boil.

“I hope you’re not making fun of me, Adrien.”

“Never would, father.”

He didn’t know what was happening to his wonderful, well behaved son but Adrien had suddenly changed from a golden boy to… this!

“Good. Now run along before I change my mind.”

Adrien’s smile was huge, Gabriel only worrying more about how hard his son would fall when he found out Marinette was just after him for what he could offer her. It was a shame really, he wanted his son to be happy, but Marinette could never give him what he needed. She wasn’t one of them.

He heard the front door open and close, the sound of Adrien chatting away as a pair of in sync footsteps made their way up the staircase. He’d give it half an hour and then do his usual walk by where he was quite sure he’d find them messing around, or playing games, or even worse… kissing!

Smiling to himself, Gabriel placed his hands behind his back and walked over to Émilie’s portrait. Oh yes! He thought. Their affair would soon be coming to an end.

Gabriel attempted to keep busy with some work. A doodle here, a change of colour there… yet his eyes were firmly set on his watch. Each minute adding to his anticipation of finally removing Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Miss righteousness herself, from his home, and even better — their lives. This was better than Christmas.

He counted down the last ten seconds before bounding out the doorway with a hop, skip and a jump. He felt as light as a feather. So happy and ready to comfort his son as he mourned the end of his first real relationship.

Eight months and she would finally be gone.

“We need to go deeper, Marinette.”

Gabriel slowed down, his son's voice peaking his curiosity. Deeper? Finally he came to a halt outside the doorway, listening in on their conversation.

“Any deeper and it’s going to hurt.”

WHAT????? Gabriel’s eyes widened. Adrien was 17, Marinette was still only 16. They can’t be.

He gulped, trying not to think about the girl in the midst of trapping his son. She was trying to get pregnant! This had to be the reason she wasn’t leaving him yet. She needed his baby to get into the family bloodline. She was more conniving than he’d originally thought.

“We’ve got to keep going Princess, it’ll get easier, you’re just not used to having to cram so much in there.”

“Look! Just look, you can see it’s only small. It’s not my fault you have a big head.”

That was it. He’d heard enough. Gabriel barged into the room, guns blazing and eyes covered by his hand. The last thing he wanted to do was see his son putting his privates in places they didn’t belong.

“Out!” Gabriel said, misjudging his step and placing his foot on top of a basketball, the object causing his hand to move from his face and flap around like a newly hatched bird.

Whilst trying to gain his balance, he looked towards Adrien and Marinette who were fully clothed and sitting metres apart from each other. One on the sofa, the other at his desk.

All of a sudden, he regained balance, noticing both of the teens were staring at him, eyes wide and mouths gaped in shock.

“Father!” Adrien said, standing from the sofa textbook in hands and glaring towards him; Marinette remained frozen at the desk with the same book in front of her and her hands grasping the sides of her head.

Oh, he thought, she literally meant her head! That made sense! He’d got it now! Looking between the two teens he needed to make an excuse. He couldn’t exactly say he’d come in because… because… he didn’t even want to think about it.

“There’s a …” Gabriel looked around the room, trying to think of a reasonable excuse for butting in so dramatically. “There’s a…” He glanced once more between the two before speaking. “There’s a rat… in the kitchen… we need to get out.”

Adrien’s panicked look to Marinette was followed by a swift movement between the two, along with some sort of silent communication. Gabriel hoped they weren’t telepathically talking about him.

“I’ll go home.” Marinette stood swiftly and headed over to Adrien. They went to kiss, only to stop, pull back and attempt a cheek kiss only to stop again and reach out to hug each other. Before they could get too close, Gabriel coughed, both pulling back and ending in a handshake.

So maybe he hadn’t got them this time, but there was no way Adrien would maintain good grades whilst ‘courting’ this girl. No chance at all.

… Then the worst thing happened… Adrien aced his exams.

Chapter Text

It had been 18 months since Adrien had taken himself off the market. 18 months of good grades and a happy son. 18 months of Adrien being in a committed relationship. 18 months of…her.

Teen romances were not meant to go on this long. This should be over by now with Adrien begging Gabriel to set him up with someone more worthy; more their social standing. But alas, Marinette Dupain-Cheng was still the solid love of Adrien’s life.

Damn!

Marinette had not returned to the mansion since the ‘rat’ incident almost 10 months ago, Adrien deciding to spend time over at her house, or out and about on dates. They were with each other almost every night, and to make it worse Marinette was becoming a media sweetheart. Everyone seemed to love her.

Everyone but him, that was.

But here they were; the end of lycée and still together. He considered his options, though the choices were few and far between. He looked down to his cell phone, swiping a thumb over the display and looking into the eyes of his wife and son, maybe he should try…not too hard though.

Sighing, he picked the object up and swiped around until he reached Adrien’s number, pressing the green phone and waiting for him to answer. He really hoped he wasn’t making a mistake with what he was about to do.

‘Father?’ Adrien’s shocked voice sounded out through the speaker, Gabriel visibly deflating with gratitude that his son had picked up.

“Adrien, it’s your father.”

Silence on the other end, followed by a cough.

‘Yes, well, your name did appear on my screen and I answered with ‘father’.’

“Yes, yes, of course.” Gabriel kicked himself, he’d already shown a weakness, dammit! He needed to pull himself together or he’d end up losing the upper hand.

His stomach churned and bile rose to his throat as he closed his eyes and prepared for the next words to leave his mouth.

“I was just calling as I thought it would be nice if Marinette came for dinner.” The word nice came out as a hiss through his clenched teeth, his nose scrunching up at the possibility of making small talk with Adrien’s girlfriend.

‘Oh?’

Oh! That’s all he gets? Not a ‘thank you for being so understanding father’ or ‘oh wow, father you're the best.’ Just a mediocre ‘oh?’

“Does that not fit in with your plans?”

Silence on the other end made Gabriel wonder if he’d been muted, it wouldn’t surprise him with Adrien’s childish behaviour sometimes. He tapped his index finger on the back of the phone as he waited for Adrien to speak, what was taking so long?

‘We’re actually with Tom and Sabine, it’s their anniversary and we’re just out for dinner.’

Of course they were! They were the ‘favourites’, Adrien wanting to spend more time with them than him. Over the past week he’d been to Marinette’s three times! Three whole times! What were they doing to get him there? Luring him with sweet treats like Hansel and Gretel.

“Well, bring Marinette around later.”

‘Can she stay the night?’

Oh! He did not just ask that! “Don’t push your luck!”

‘Yes, sir! I suppose we’ll see you later then?’

“Yes. I –” he gulped, closed his eyes and reached to take off his glasses. Clutching them in his fist he used his knuckles to rub rather aggressively over his eyes. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Ending the call, with a slam of his finger, one thing came apparent. His acting skills were not a fraction of his wife’s and son’s.

Later that evening, when Adrien turned up, Marinette by his side, Gabriel Agreste was presented with the greatest smelling box he’d ever been in approximation to. The sweet scent of strawberry and chocolate insulted his nostrils; how dare she bring such alluring treats into his home! Only one thing would make this worse…

“I made these myself, Monsieur Agreste, I hope you like them.”

…And there it was!

They watched as Gabriel tentatively lifted the lid off the box and selected a macaron, both sets of eyes firmly placed on his with an anticipation of a child at Christmas.

The worst thing was Gabriel knew he was going to hate it. He was going to hate the macaron with a passion. Why? Because he hated macarons…full stop! He thought Adrien would have passed on the message to his girlfriend, but no! Instead his son wanted to see him suffer.

His fingers hovered over the multicoloured treats, his brain trying to think of a way to stop him from gagging and making a fool of himself in front of his son. This was going to end horrendously; unless…

That was it! He would say she was trying to poison him! He would be sick and then push the blame onto her. Adrien would HATE the fact his ‘girlfriend’ was trying to kill his father and finally he’d see the relationship for its truth, that she just wanted the company and the big fat bank account that came with it. Yes! This was perfect! He was a genius!

He smiled back at the two waiting in front of him and grabbed the green looking one, a smirk playing on his lips as he moved it towards his lips.

Adrien and Marinette leaned forward with the movement of his hand, their eyes eager and expectant of his upper class taste buds coming into contact with a Dupain-Cheng original macaron.

He lowered the sweet into his open mouth, allowing the flavour to insult his tongue only to freeze in shock.

The outer shell melted like a sweet elixir. His eyes closed as the taste tingled on his tongue and the beautiful flavours of pistachio and coconut engulfed his senses, his teeth cutting through the baked good, time and time again, with incredible ease as he revelled in what he could only describe as a tiny piece of heaven on Earth.

He moaned. Gabriel Agreste let out a low, appreciative groan as he finished the sugary treat and opened his eyes, both Marinette and Adrien staring at him slack jawed.

He sucked the remains of the macaron from his thumb and four fingers before closing the lid on the box delicately and taking it from Marinette’s hands. He couldn’t ever remember picking Adrien up this cautiously.

“You can go ahead to your bedroom, Adrien.” His voice was deadpan, his face once again void of any emotion, his hands tucking the box underneath his armpit.

“My room?” The younger Agreste questioned. “But I thought –”

“She can stay for one hour, and for tonight you may close your door. You stay off your bed though. Do you understand?”

Adrien looked between his father and Marinette, the latter stood frozen to the spot, her arms still in the position of holding the box she’d brought with her.

“Oh, um, yes okay. Thank you, father.”

Gabriel nodded in response, clutching the box tighter into his body and marching out of the room leaving the two teens behind still frozen in shock. He slid into his study, closing the door behind him, before heading to the table in the centre of the room and displaying the box like the newest ‘Banksy’ artwork.

Slowly and delicately, he lifted the lid, once again eyeing over the colours in front of him. Every delectable colour of the rainbow. He didn’t know where to start.

He took one in each hand, a brown and a red, and took simultaneous bites out of each. Chocolate and strawberry: scoffing them down as quickly as he could before moving to the next. Macaron after macaron after macaron, bits of sweet treat flying everywhere as he crammed as much into his mouth as possible.

“Gabriel!”

He turned his head sharply to the doorway, where Nathalie stood, her hands on her cheeks in mild shock and absolute horror. He must have looked like a crazed lunatic.

Gabriel slowly finished off what he was chewing, swallowing it down in a rather loud and dramatic gulp. He studied Nathalie, placing his hands behind his back and licking the crumbs off his lower lip.

“I still don’t like the girl.”

…And with that he turned around and carried on his feast.

Chapter Text

Two years.

It had been two years and Adrien was still obsessed over Marinette; the girl trying to keep in with both of them with her cutesy (fake) attitude and sweet delicious treats.

Gabriel was fed up with smiling in her direction; of trying to make her feel welcome in his home.

How are you today, Marinette?

Good to see you again, Marinette?

Have you had a nice week, Marinette?

Shall I get my son to lie down so you can walk all over him, Marinette?

Having to be nice so often was depressing, and since the time Gabriel had invited her willingly and kindly into his home, Adrien seemed to have taken it as an open invitation to bring her back whenever it seemed to please. Like today.

They were both 18 now but that didn’t make any difference, Marinette still seemed to have Adrien wound around her little finger and made him do whatever she wanted — calling and begging him for his help and his connections.

So here she was, once again at the mansion. Marinette dead set on using Adrien for her university presentation. Apparently, she needed a model, and apparently she had no other friends which is why she just had to ask Adrien, either that or she thought having his son wearing her designs would sway her lecturers to giving her a better grade.

Maybe he should call around and see where she’s studying. Give them a few little additional details about Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

The same rules had applied as always. Marinette was allowed in the house only for a set time; however, now they were slightly older Gabriel was a little more loose and let them shut the door. He was a reasonable man after all, and with the no going on the bed rule, he was certain he only needed to panic about 84% — the other 16% used by his nervous disposition and linked dicky tummy.

All of a sudden, there was a commotion in the hallway. Nathalie’s voice plus Gorilla’s grunts sounding out as another voice, soft and feminine, spoke with hurt and heartbreak. Walking to the door, he opened it up only to find Lila Rossi standing in tears, looking like a drowned rat. Had she been showering with her clothes on?

“What is wrong Lila? You’re getting my floor all wet.” Gabriel stood at the bottom of his staircase, hands behind his back and eyes firmly set on the girl. It had been a while since he’d seen her, ending their little ‘deal’ just after Adrien and Marinette had begun dating. He might not be fond of either of the girls but he appreciated Adrien enough to allow him to make this one mistake; though Lila definitely had more of a kick to her personality.

“It’s Marinette,” Lila cried out, Gabriel’s interest sparking at the name. Marinette, huh? He couldn’t help but wonder if Lila had once more become of use to him. He knew for a fact the girls didn’t get on — repulsion one of the many feelings between the two.

“What about Marinette?” Gabriel spoke calmly, yet inside his heart was doing the ‘La Cucaracha’ as he considered how he was going to make the raven haired teen leave his premise. Through the front door and out onto the street, or something more embarrassing like out the window.

Oh, how wonderful!

“S-she told me,” Lila said through a barrage of crocodile tears, Gabriel finally finding someone who was a worse actor than himself. “S-she told me, she was coming here tonight to make Adrien have sex with her so she could sell it to the press for her university fees.”

“WHAT!!!” The fury ran through his veins as he turned on his heel and marched up the stairs. He knew Marinette was bad news, but this! THIS! How dare she make a mockery of his son.

“Oh wow, that’s a lot bigger than I expected, but I’m sure it can still fit in.”

“I’m not sure about this, Marinette. It’s not right.”

Oh yes! He’d got them this time!

“Adrien, stop being a bore and just do it. You can be a right pussycat sometimes, you know!”

“I’m not kitten around, Marinette. It needs to be right and this just doesn’t feel right at the moment.”

She was forcing herself on his son! Did she not understand that no means no? Suddenly, Adrien being allowed to close the door seemed like the most stupid idea ever and without a second thought Gabriel slammed it open and stepped into the room to see…

“Father!” Adrien shouted, his face angry as he glared towards the door.

“What is going on here?” Gabriel said, trying to gain his composure. He looked at his son who was standing on a plinth in the middle of the room; Marinette at his feet turning up the hem of the trousers as he navigated a flower into the button hole of his jacket, a flower which seemed way too big to fit in.

Marinette stood up and took the pin out of her mouth placing it back into the pincushion on her wrist. The one he’d recommended in passing a couple of weeks back. All eyes turned to Lila who was slowly making her way out of the bedroom and, hopefully, out of his house.

“Ms. Rossi came to tell me–” Here he was again. Attempting to make up an excuse for appearing in Adrien’s room only to come up completely blank. He was quite sure Adrien wouldn’t appreciate the fact he was trying to catch them having sex so he could throw her out for using him.

“To tell me, what?” Adrien hopped down and made his way towards his father. For the first time, Gabriel took note of Adrien’s growth. They were almost the same height but whereas Gabriel was thin and narrow, Adrien was toned and fit from his fencing and basketball, and, if he was being honest, Gabriel felt a little intimidated.

“She, um,” He looked down at Adrien’s hand. The oversized flower still held in between his fingers giving him a crap but better than nothing excuse. “She saw Marinette with this flower and told me. Well, of course, I couldn’t let you use something that big on such a divine suit.” And unfortunately, the last words weren't a lie. The whole design fit Adrien like a second skin, perfect for a gala or other similar events.

“I can’t get it in the hole anyway.” Adrien said, twisting it between his fingers.

“Oh for goodness sake, give it here.” Marinette began to charge forward, only for Gabriel to take the flower from Adrien’s hands and hold it up.

“Allow me.” He used his fingers to find the buttonhole before slipping the steam of the flower through it. Once secure, Gabriel stepped back to study the design.

Damn!

Adrien walked over to a mirror and looked at himself, his eyebrows raising as he studied the design, very much the same response as his father. It looked good, actually it looked very good.

Double damn!

“See,” Marinette said excitedly, clapping her hands together. “Looks good, doesn’t it?”

Gabriel inwardly cursed. Was there anything this girl couldn’t do? It was starting to get infuriating, there had to be something wrong with her.

“It’s quite pleasing on the eye.” Gabriel nodded in response to Marinette before turning his attention back to Adrien. “I shall leave you to it then.” He tapped his watch making sure Adrien understood their time was growing short.

Adrien turned and stepped towards Marinette, placing an arm around her waist and pulling her towards him so he could kiss her gently on the lips. “I’ll be right back.”

Marinette sighed, her eyes glazing over in a way Gabriel didn’t like, one that meant she had other ideas for his little boy.

“Father, a word please.” Adrien strode towards him, edging him out the doorway and into the corridor, closing the door carefully behind him. “I know that was a lie in there.” He crossed his arms in front of his body, Gabriel cringing at the possible creases now in the suit jacket.

“I don’t know what —“

“Cut the crap father. I’m not a little kid anymore and I understand what’s happening. But just so you know I won’t be splitting up with Marinette and you need to get used to it. I love her, and if you want to keep me in your life you need to accept that because I will be marrying her one day.”

Gabriel stood nodding like a bobble head. He’d agree for now but there was no way he was giving up on this.

“Sure,” he lied through his teeth.

Adrien stared, obviously debating the sincerity of his fathers words. Adrien was naive though, and if Gabriel agreed to change he would give him a second chance. He was too innocent sometimes, hence why Marinette was taking him for a ride. Damn, kid!

“I’ll believe you this time, but you’re running out of chances father.” Adrien spun around to march back to his bedroom. “Oh,” he said, stopping and looking back over his shoulder. “And next time the door is shut, please knock first.”

A point Gabriel firmly noted.

Chapter Text

The first year of university was over and Gabriel’s nerves were on edge; he swore if his hair wasn’t already white it would slowly be turning that colour now.

After a whole lot of discussion and Marinette being banned from the mansion for the remainder of the summer break, Gabriel had allowed his son to go on a camping trip with some of his friends including: Cap-Boy Keith and Nosey Rosie. Nathalie told him he needed to learn their names; he told Nathalie he didn’t like them and didn’t really care to find out.

So, Adrien had departed for a holiday in a… tent! The thought sent shivers down Gabriel’s spine. It was like they didn’t want to go too far away from Paris or something, choosing a local field over five star luxury. Adrien and his friend’s all worked, and they seemed to have good little incomes for students; they could most certainly afford something better than a trip to the French countryside. Cap-boy Keith with his DJing and Nosey Rosie from her YouTube ads, and then Marinette… Well, it didn’t matter if she made money or not because she would just sponge it off his naive little boy. His lad who worked his ass off smiling at a camera. It’s as though she thought anyone with a pretty face could do it! Ha! He’d like to see her try.

Gabriel sat down in the lounge, a glass of sherry in hand as he flicked through Adrien’s social media on his tablet. His son could be an idiot sometimes so Gabriel was quite sure he’d post something on there that would put the brand in disrepute. He was almost 19 now and getting a little too big for his boots.

“You know that’s just the same as stalking.” Nathalie entered the room, her wine glass perfectly placed in between her thumb and index finger, its slight sway making him feel nervous for the plush velvet of his top of the range three piece sofa.

“Just checking he’s not ruining my company.” Gabriel said, downing what was left in his own glass, leaning forward and placing the glass perfectly on his anti scratch coaster.

“He hasn’t worked for you since he was 14,” Nathalie said, seating herself beside him to look at the tablet too.

“Still my son.” Gabriel continued swiping and typing until suddenly a photograph he hadn’t seen before appeared on the screen. He looked at the time posted… 21 seconds ago.

The only lighting in the photograph came from the flickers of embers illuminating the scene from the campfire. It looked like some sort of professional photograph for a clothing brand like Ambercrombie or Hollister.

A girl was sitting on the lap of a boy, a hoodie which was obviously too big for her covering her hands and falling from one shoulder. She cupped the boy's face and pressed her forehead into his as her loose hair cascaded down around her shoulders and covered sections of her face. Her bare legs crossed over one another; one of his hands cradled her thigh with the glistening of a silver ring reflecting the flames as the other appeared around her back.

The embrace between the two of them was so natural and pure, one which made his heart ache for his Émilie. They were smiling at each other with pure love and lust, and for some reason he felt his heart to do something other than hate — maybe just slightly loathe.

“Looks like my son’s going to be a photographer.” Gabriel grinned. Finally, his son would be back in fashion; using the skills he’d supplied him with to get back in the social scene he deserves.

“Um, Gabriel?”

He continued to stare at the two models on the screen. Their opposite colours made them look exquisite, their light to dark like day and night. The moon and the sun. The yin and the —

“Ouch!”

Nathalie slapped Gabriel around the back of the head, her vicious attack pulling him from his creative mindset into one of shock.

“What did you do that for?” he cried, his hand going to the back of his head, delicately rubbing over where she’d just assaulted him. “I could have you fired for that.”

“You could, but you won’t.” Nathalie gloated, her smile knowing as she took the tablet out of Gabriel’s hand, screenshot the photograph and opened the gallery.

Using two fingers, she stretched it on the screen bringing the occupants into focus and finally giving Gabriel a closer and more detailed view of their faces.

Crap!

Closing the gallery, he headed back into the social media app and back to the photograph of Adrien and Marinette. After another glance at their bodies entwined as one and a heat taking over his cheeks, he moved to the comments.

‘Our first vacation together 💕’

And your last, Gabriel thought with a childish huff. He considered reposting the picture in his stories with one of those hash brown things.

Hash brown [#]: This woman is a menace and is corrupting my son!

He began scrolling through the comments to see how many people agreed with him, only to scroll faster in complete disbelief. How could so many people like Marinette? It seemed everyone saw her as an equal to them, the Agreste’s! Worthy of his son’s love! What was wrong with these people? Weren’t they meant to hate the fact Adrien had a girlfriend?

A series of unfortunate events followed.

First, he had to eat his words that yes, Marinette could pass as a model and second, he’d just accidentally hit the ‘like’ button.

Shit!

Chapter Text

Three years!

Three years and she was still around! They were 19 now and getting ready to enter the big bad world, and yet Marinette was still there. Adrien was as sickenly sweet with her as usual, and she was the picture perfect girlfriend appearing out and about with him on dates, at galas and just hanging at Five Guys with a milkshake. It made him sick (not Five Guys—he loved Five Guys).

The press adored them, calling them Paris’ sweethearts and fluctuating them on the top spot with LadyNoir. Everytime he read about them he felt sick. Fake! It was all fake! She was fake! She had to be, there was no way this girl was real!

Recently, Marinette had been taken in by one of his competitors for an internship and apparently, even though she’d only been there four months, they were looking to hire her part time. Adrien said it was her work ethic and amazing talent, Gabriel said it was just luck. They obviously had a gap in role call.

Things hadn’t changed too much in the past year. They still spent every waking hour together and they still spent more time with Tom and Sabine (apparently they weren’t called Toby and Sarine) than with him. He knew Marinette’s parents though, he knew they were all mushy mushy, loved up idiots and he knew they were supportive of the relationship; Adrien dropping out a time or two that they’ve said he could stay the night there. Like hell was Gabriel going to let that happen. And unless Adrien had been sneaking out at night and then back in the early hours of the morning, he knew his son had respected his wishes.

He could imagine it now, Adrien attempting to scale a wall only to get stuck halfway. That would be an interesting call to the fire department; one almost as equivalent to ‘my cat’s stuck up a tree’.

Gabriel couldn’t help but laugh to himself. Adrien the cat had a funny ring to it. He moved around the house imagining life with a cat called Adrien as opposed to his son. A blond haired cat with black ears and…

Gabriel froze, before shaking his head and continuing on with a slight chuckle leaving his lips. His mind had completely run away from him then, he almost imagined his son being one of his arch nemesis. It’d be like Star Wars.

Without warning, a well constructed dream played in Gabriel’s mind of him (as Monarch) battling against Chat Noir and dropping out ‘that’ epic scene.

“He told me enough! He told me you killed him!” Chat Noir said, as he hung from the metal bridge in the atrium. Adrien revealing his identity in a rage to find his father.

“No. I am your father.”

He could imagine it so clearly. Adrien and Marinette; Ladybug and Chat Noir. The twist in the story no one saw coming and just another reason for him to hate the girl. Huh, he considered it. Maybe it was more likely than he thought the sheer ferociousness of loathing was pretty equal..

He’d been more than fair though. Allowing Marinette around a lot more often than he had done in the past, allowing them to spend time uninterrupted in his room as long as they stayed off the bed. Just like today.

Marinette had been around 50 minutes and 48 seconds meaning Gabriel was getting close to his favourite time of the day. Kick out time. He thought he’d take a leisurely stroll up to Adrien’s room, maybe stop on each step so he could admire the new chandelier he’d had put into the entry. It was a rather Miraculous item. Diamonds and crystals, and costing six figures. He’d been considering spending a lot of his savings recently, that way Marinette would have less to get her grubby little mitts on.

He’d made it up a couple of steps, adoring the glistening of multicoloured reflections on the ground, when the untuned sound of Adrien’s grand piano assaulted his ears and the surrounding area. Adrien never missed a note. This must be Marinette’s doing! Distracting him from his amazing piano skills with her siren type ways.

Making his way up the staircase, ready to unleash the fury from inside, he heard it again — actually them because this time there were multiple notes out of tune. Was the piano broken? Had something happened to Adrien’s dear beloved baby grand?

The notes continued to play out of tune, accompanied by Marinette’s rather profound cursing. Well, well, he didn’t know the girl had it in her. Someone who had such a sweet demeanour had a mouth like a sailor.

The noise grew more frequent and he was wondering if Adrien had gone temporarily insane. He was more skilled than this. Even when he was slightly ‘tipsy’ from a sip of Gabriel’s New Year celebratory champagne, he could at least play a note perfect rendition of Ode to Joy — a personal favourite of Gabe’s.

He reached the top of the stairs before heading in the direction of Adrien’s room, only to notice Marinette seemed to be getting more angry, cursing Adrien out before letting out a scream. What the hell was going on in there?

About ten piano keys played at the same time followed by a less than delicate slam. The poor piano didn’t deserve this kind of treatment, and he was going to save it from the aggressive ways of Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

He pounded across the hallway, reaching Adrien’s door where Marinette really seemed to have some sort of issue with him.

Not standing around any longer, Gabriel slammed open the door to save his son, only to follow it up by slamming his palms against his eyes.

He heard the kerfuffle more than saw it, knowing full well Adrien had fallen backwards onto the floor off his piano stall as Marinette hopped down from the piano, an ominous low note ringing from her impact on the keys; and attempted to straighten up her dress. His retinas were most likely going to burn from what he had unfortunately just seen. He was quite sure he would never be able to look at the girl again.

Diverting his attention down onto the floor, his eyes landed on the tiniest scrap of pink fabric, a colour he swore he would never use in his designs again. Quickly, he diverted his attention once more in the direction of Adrien’s sofa where Marinette’s bra lay obscurely over the top. A shiver ran down his spine in disgust.

Placing a hand over his eyes once more he turned on his heel and towards the door.

“My office. Now!”

He walked back down the stairs rubbing his eyes aggressively as he attempted to get the image he’d just seen out of his head. Hadn’t he made it obvious that Adrien was not to do that kind of thing in his house? It was that femme fatale. Turning his son over to the dark side. Forget him being Darth Vader, he had Harley Quinn present in his own home.

Without turning around he listened to Adrien saying goodbye to Marinette, the girl arguing that she would be fine getting home alone. Of course she would, she probably had a baseball bat to beat any man that crossed her path.

The click of the front door signalled Gabriel to move once again into his office, the hard placement of Adrien’s feet sounding behind him. Once inside his office, he waited for the door to close before turning to face his son.

“I thought I’d made myself perfectly clear about what did and did not happen in my house.” Gabriel studied his son, his hands behind his back and spine straight, damning Adrien’s late growth spurts. They were now eye to eye and with Adrien’s stature the younger Agreste had become the domineering body in a room.

“And I followed your rules, you said we needed to stay off the bed… so we did.” Adrien was scarily calm, treating this like it was just another study session, not that he’d just been caught with his head up… bile burned in Gabriel’s throat from just the thought of it.

“You know exactly what I said and why I said it!”

“I’ll move out then.” Adrien mirrored his fathers stance, holding his hands behind his back and keeping eye contact. How dare the lad learn his tricks!

“I don’t think so.”

Adrien closed his eyes and shook his head. “You need to let me go at some point father.” He made for the doorway only for Gabriel to stop him once more.

“She’s not welcome here again.”

Adrien turned back slowly and glared towards his father, his jaw set in stone and eyes fiery. It was positively terrifying.

“Whatever you say, father.”

Closing the door, he left Gabriel behind to find some soap so he could wash out his eyes.

Chapter Text

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Nathalie sat in her bed with the tablet against her propped up knees. Gabriel perched beside her, his eyes firmly set on the small screen.

“She’s hiding something and we’re going to find out exactly what!”

Gabriel’s next bright idea came in the form of an amok. After bribing Nathalie with a rather hefty pay rise, plus an additional week's holiday over the Christmas period and front row VIP seats to Jagged Stones next concert; he’d convinced her to recreate and send out Optigami. If anyone could do the job then this badly made piece of magical origami definitely could.

Apparently there was some sort of Christmas party at Le Grand Paris, run by Audrey’s first spawn. It seemed it was the ‘hip’ place for the kids to be, everyone including Marinette Dupain-Cheng, was due to be there — all apart from Adrien that was. Being the smart one out of his friendship group, he had additional exams for his harder courses the following day, and of course he wouldn’t want to disappoint his father by failing.

However, with Adrien safely locked away in his tower room, that meant Marinette would be there alone, and if his calculations were correct and his intel from ‘sources’ was true, that would mean the blue haired emo snake would be there too. The ex who wanted Marinette back. His ‘sources’ also made it clear that Marinette was a favourite among the males in her university course. He rubbed his boney fingers together — it was time to catch her out. Without Adrien around she was bound to show her true colours.

Gabriel and Nathalie both leaned in, studying the screen in front of them. They looked with prying eyes for Marinette, scanning past Nosey Rosie and Cap-Boy Keith bumping and grinding in the corner, before finally landing on Marinette Dupain-Cheng talking to that emo snake kid. Did he never think to wash his hair? Blue tips were so 2017.

Anyway, there she was.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng wearing an item of clothing far too revealing for this time of year. Weren’t her parents worried about her catching a cold? Or even worse giving men the wrong idea? He looked her over once again, embarrassed for Adrien. How dare she find such an outfit presentable when she had a boyfriend? A boyfriend who was not the guy walking over to her right now.

“Nathalie!” Gabriel began to bounce on the bed. Excitement struck him hard as ‘not-Adrien’ placed his hands onto Marinette’s hips from behind and pulled her back into his body. ‘Not-Adrien’s’ lips pressing against Marinette’s bare shoulder as the girl laughed, moving his arms around her waist and hugging him tighter. The floozy!

There was some sort of conversation going on, both whispering into each other’s ears, before Marinette took his hand and led him out the room.

“Follow them,” Gabriel said, signalling to Nathalie to send her next commands to Optigami.

“We really shouldn’t be using the Miraculous for our own–”

“Do you want to go and see the Jagged Stone concert or not?”

Nathalie sighed, using the controls on the tablet to move the amok and follow Marinette, along with her mystery guy. They headed towards the elevator in the reception area, both laughing and smiling as they walked, completely oblivious to the mess they were about to get Marinette into.

Surprisingly, there was no more touching between the two since they were in the ballroom. They seemed respectable as they walked out and into the elevators, hand in hand, chatting and laughing. Nathalie attempted to scan the male; but, the hat and glasses blocked any scanning processes Optigami could do, leaving him as a complete unknown. Gabriel scrunched his lips in thought, maybe he could ruin two lives. It seemed this was a buy one get one free offer — excellent.

They both watched in silence as Marinette and her ’friend’ headed out the elevator and down the corridor, stopping in front of one of the hotel suites. Oh yes, this was it! He’d wait until Marinette was in some sort of compromising position and then send Adrien to Le Grand Paris and up to the room. He’d find her in a naked tango with another guy and dump her there and then, embarrassing her in front of everyone. Perhaps he should call the press too. Not only would it end their relationship but get her out of his fashion circles too. He was a genius!

Nathalie stood and made her way out of the room, muttering something under her breath about Gabriel regretting this but he didn’t care. It was the best idea he’d had yet. Completely flawless!

He studied the tablet, watching as Marinette and her ‘fella’ stumbled to the bed. They were discarding their clothing left, right and centre, both ending up in their underwear as he sat on the edge of the bed and she straddled his lap. The lad remained in the hat and glasses as Marinette attempted to devour the poor guy. The way she was going at him, Gabriel found himself being thankful his son was at home. It seemed she was a literal man eater. Who the hell kissed like that?

Watching the two on the bed, Gabriel couldn’t help but notice the physique of the male. It seemed she had a type. Maybe he was a model for the company she was now working for, if he wasn’t maybe Gabriel could thank him for helping ruin her life by offering him a decent contract.

The couple started getting more ‘into’ each other, when finally Marinette grabbed a hold of her partner's hat, pulled it off and tossed it onto the floor. They both stopped and looked at each other, Marinette combing her fingers through his hair before he picked her up and threw her on the bed, each removing the remaining items of their clothing.

“Nathalie!” Gabriel screamed, slamming the tablet face down on the bed. “Nathalie!” he screamed again, high pitched and almost only a volume cats could hear. This time his voice was full of the mortification of what he was seeing.

He ran into the en-suite of Nathalie’s room, turning on the tap and rubbing water and soap into his eyes. The stinging sensation was not enough to remove the second time he’d looked at Adrien’s girlfriend, barely dressed; but that wasn’t all.

The male was his son.

His son, who had managed to sneak out the house.

His son, who had had a hair cut without his approval.

His son, who’s bare, naked ass had been doing something other than being a cushion to sit on.

His son, who was most certainly having sex with his girlfriend.

Gabriel was sure at that moment, he was going to hell!

“Gabriel?” Nathalie questioned. “I think it’s time to give Adrien the talk.”

All he could do was whimper.

Chapter Text

Nathalie had spent the day briefing Gabriel. Discussion covering what he should talk through with Adrien and how he should approach the subject. At the moment he thought walking over red hot coals might be a better idea than discussing the pros of birth control with his twenty year old son.

Adrien had miraculously been found in his bedroom this morning — alone— escaping off to university like nothing had happened. Gabriel made an additional note to try and figure out how his son was getting in and out without anyone noticing his absence or exit. It wasn’t like he could just vault out the window and over the fence; someone must be working with him from the inside. He must have an accomplice.

“Stay calm and be open,” Nathalie said, slipping her arms into her jacket and wrapping the purple scarf Marinette had knitted her around her neck. He despised that scarf. Every perfectly formed knit kicked him in his perfectly veneered teeth.

“Easier said than done,” Gabriel huffed, crossing his arms over his chest like a defiant tween.

Nathalie shrugged, placing on her Jagged Stone baseball cap and grabbing her ‘#1 fan’ foam finger. “You’re the one that had a kid. Deal with it!”

She dropped him one last smug smile before heading out the door and towards the waiting car, abandoning him in his hour of need and leaving him to partake in the most awkward talk of his life.

He’d messaged Adrien earlier, explaining he needed to discuss some ’house’ stuff with him. He’d worded it smartly, knowing full well he would entice Adrien in with the idea he wanted to talk about the possibility of him moving out. He was almost 100% sure Adrien wouldn’t come if he knew the truth.

It was approximately 10 minutes until Adrien arrived, Gabriel flinching with every slight sound he heard in the house. The last thing he wanted was Adrien turning up early, he needed the extra time beforehand to get his own head around what he was about to do.

Wasn’t this a job of his teachers? Did he really have to talk to his own son about this? He took his glasses off and placed them on the table, rubbing over his eyes with one hand as the other spun the ring on his finger. He’d never had this talk with his own father, it was all kind of left to trial and error. Trial being the fun nights out in the backseat of his Skoda, error being the two dark pink lines on a plastic stick that indicated Adrien’s impending arrival. Plus it wasn’t like he’d slept around in his youth, there’d only ever been one woman and that was his wife. Who knew about Marinette? For all Gabriel knew, emo kid might have given her a long lasting disease.

Stopping the anxious rubbing for the sake of his eyebrows, Gabriel grabbed his glasses and repositioned them on his face. His hand wandered down to his desk drawer, opening it up and closing it again, before repeating the action once more. Inside lay a whole array of different sizes and styles of condom. Nathalie said it would be good for Gabriel to give Adrien some, just to indicate that he now understood that was part of his relationship with Marinette.

He picked up a box which he’d already opened—only for research purposes of course—and twisted it around in his hands. A sudden, startling knock hit against the door; the condoms flew out of Gabriel’s hand, the box opening and scattering its contents out onto the floor. He almost fell over as he rushed to stand up and collect the many foil packets that were sprawled around on the ground. Damn him for buying the jumbo pack.

“Just a second.” Gabriel was on his hands and knees, moving around, trying to collect the items like he was in the final stage of ‘The Crystal Maze’ — plus points for gold, minus points for silver.

By the time he’d inserted the last token condom into the box Adrien opened the doorway and stuck his head around.

“Is everything okay here?” he asked. Gabriel attempting a ‘Model’ smile back at him.

“Of course, of course,” he floundered, “come in and take a seat.”

Hiding the box behind his back, Gabriel headed to his desk and slipped it back into the drawer with the others, ready to present to Adrien when the time was right. This was fucking awful!

They both moved to sit down and Gabriel could already feel the tension in the atmosphere as neither man looked at each other. He screwed his lips together and let them go in a pop only for Adrien to follow it up by blowing out noisily and vibrating his lips. Gabriel sniffed, Adrien brushed his nose, they looked at each other, at the table, at the wall, at the window. The tick tock of the clock in the corner only added to the ambiance and lack of conversation.

Suddenly, Adrien looked at his watch. He placed both his hands on his thighs pushing himself to stand with the instrumental backing of his chair scraping across the floor.

“This was great, we should do it again sometime.” He shot his father ‘finger guns’, ‘finger guns’! And made to walk out the room.

“Sit down please, Adrien.”

With a sigh, Adrien pulled the thighs of his jeans up and sat down. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest as he glared at his father in anticipation.

“I,” Gabriel coughed. His hand cupped to his mouth, before releasing it and grabbing his glass of sherry. He placed the glass to his mouth, the effort being a lot lighter than talking to his son. He put the glass down and noticed Adrien’s gaze on it.

Without thinking, Gabriel stretched out for the phone on his desk. “Would you like a drink? George doesn’t leave for another 23 and a half minutes.”

Adrien shook his head, Gabriel freezing in his actions to call the butler. “Nope, I’m fine. I’ve only just arrived back from Le Cellier.”

“Oh, the new restaurant down by Notre Dame?” Gabriel asked, placing the phone back in its cradle.

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

“And how was it?”

“The steak was good, service needs improving a little. They didn’t know which knife and fork to recommend for the courses.” Adrien laughed, Gabriel tutting with an animated eyebrow raise. “They gave me a dessert fork with my salad.”

The two men started laughing in joint harmony, a sound uncommon in the Agreste household. Gabriel stretched a hand to his face, wiping away the tears from under his eye.

“Mutton dressed as lamb. I knew it would have problems. When I was invited to the press event the invitations were edged with tiny pictures of melting butter. Not exactly the five star experience.” Gabriel nodded, a slight sigh in his words. Looks like he’d be cancelling his booking there for next week.

“It’s still new so maybe it’ll improve over the next few weeks. Nino seems to think we had the trainee staff this evening.” Adrien said, releasing the tension in his arms a little.

“Nino?” Gabriel queried as he attempted to place the name to a face — he didn’t know a Nino.

“Oh - um - Keith.”

“Ah, yes… Keith.”

Gabriel could feel the pupils in his eyes flaring from the name. He was second on his world’s worst list after joint first between Marinette and Ladybug, actually wait? Did that make Cap-Boy third?

“So no,” Gabriel coughed, a thickness encasing his throat as he attempted to say her name. “No Marinette this evening?” He continued.

Adrien shook his head, his eyebrows turning down and posture dropping.

Dear Lord, he was like a stray cat!

“She’s sick. I went around earlier to take her some bits and pieces, but she was asleep so I’ll try again tomorrow. Thank you for asking though.”

Gabriel went on high alert! Sick and tired! Oh no, ohhhh no! Was he too late? It had already happened… hello pink lines, goodbye perfectly unbagged eyes.

“And,” he coughed, “and is everything good between you two?” He emphasised good in hopes of swaying Adrien the opposite way. Manipulation with tones — he was usually good at that.

“Yeah, really good.” Suddenly Adrien’s 1000 watt smile was back illuminating the room and causing Gabriel to wince a little. Dammit! “She’ll be 20 in a couple of months so I’m trying to plan something nice for her.” If her illness was anything to go by it would be a messy 20th, and not in the young and carefree kind of way.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, she’s mentioned how she would like to see the Northern Lights, so I’ve been looking into it.”

Gabriel nodded. Adrien nodded. Gabriel smiled. Adrien smiled. Gabriel looked to the door, Adrien looked to the window.

“I hear December is a good time to go,” Gabriel said, threading his fingers together and placing them on the desk in front of him.

“Yeah. Kagami mentioned anytime up until March is pretty decent.”

Gabriel’s attention peaked up when he heard Kagami’s name. So his son was still in contact with Tomoe’s child. This was a positive.

“Kagami? You two are still in touch then?”

Adrien nodded. “Yeah. We’re still close.”

Close? Oh yes!

“How is she?”

“She’s good. Just moved in with her girlfriend.”

…And that was the end of that dream.

They continued to sit in silence once more, Adrien tapping a finger against his arm, a body percussion rendition of ‘We Will Rock You.’

Just as Adrien was about to hit the chorus and Gabriel was worried he was going to break out into a rather interesting dance routine, he finally took the leap and started the conversation.

“So everything is definitely good with you and Marinette? You’re both serious about this relationship?”

Adrien nodded, a smile gracing his lips and warming the room. “Like I said before,” Adrien laughed, “yes. She means everything to me.”

Pursing his lips. Gabriel nodded again. Stopping himself abruptly when he realised himself and Adrien had slowly turned into life size bobbleheads.

“And are you being…” He opened his mouth and shut it again. The word wouldn’t come out. Gabriel wiggled in his seat, his back rubbing aggressively against the padding on the back of his chair; his head tilted from side to side letting out some rather unflattering cracks.

“You and… and… is your…” This was the single most awkward and embarrassing moment of his life. He could feel himself getting flustered as Adrien just stared back. Waiting, and waiting, and waiting. God, he wished Émilie was here.

“Are you okay?” Adrien asked, concern laced in his voice.

“Yes, I just need to know if you and… if you’re being… safe.” He whispered the last word, his face progressively getting warmer by the second.

“Safe?” Adrien questioned, “what do you mean by safe? As in wearing seatbelts in the car?”

Gabriel studied Adrien, the latters expression still and unbreaking.

“You know what I mean.” Gabriel brushed off, only for Adrien to shake his head.

“Not completely. Do you mean when we go swimming? Or when we walk down the streets? Oh, I know, around pigeons.”

Gabriel growled towards his son only for Adrien to lean forward and place his elbows on the desk.

“Oh,” Adrien snapped his fingers. “I get it. You mean sex.” Adrien spoke the last word without a hint of embarrassment only adding to the inner rollercoaster of Gabriel’s stomach. How can his son be so unphased about this conversation? He closed his eyes and reopened them, hoping any weakness was taken away by his slow blink.

“And?” Gabriel hinted.

“And we’re not having sex on a cliff edge if that’s what you’re worried about. Nor with any sharp objects.”

“Adrien?” Gabriel warned, eyes piercing into his sons.

“Maybe, we should rethink about what we’re doing in moving cars though.”

“Enough,” shouted Gabriel, his hands slamming on top of the desk as he stood up, peering over at his son.

Adrien didn’t even flinch. He sat staring with his arms, once again, crossed over his chest, an amused glimmer in his eyes and a slight raise at the corner of his lips.

“I don’t want you making a mistake and getting her pregnant,” he growled through his teeth, his body still leering over the table, teeth baring at his son.

“We’ve got it covered.” Adrien looked away, breaking eye contact with his father and deflecting the question.

Gabriel felt his breath coming out in deep, harsh swallows, his body moving backwards and back into his seat. He took his hand to the drawer, opening it and pulling out the pack of condoms.

“If you’re having coutis, you need to make sure you don’t end up in a situation you regret. You don’t know what she might be carrying around with her, that emo kid looks far from clean, and have you met his father? She’s probably laced with diseases.”

“She’s a virgin, father, well… was.” The last words were spoken quietly as another smirk appeared on Adrien’s lips, his hand reaching behind his head rubbing in an awkward twitch.

“Take that look off your face. It’s not all about fun, you know, you could end up in a position which is neither good for you or the family!” Gabriel could feel his control dissolving in wild unhinged anger. How can his son joke about this? This was a serious matter.

Adrien snorted before whispering under his breath. “The positions have been great so far.”

The anger was fully unleashed. Like a wild dog sent off hungry in the wilderness, he slammed the box down and showered Adrien in condoms as it crumpled from the force of his hand sending them spiralling out of control.

Neither Agreste could speak. Instead, they looked at the mess now scattered over the desk, floor and, for Gabriel’s eyes, one sitting in Adrien’s hair. He couldn’t take his eyes off it; it just sat there shining thanks to the ceiling lights teasing him and with knowingness of the conversation.

Adrien stretched up, reaching for the wrapper and pulling it out, studying the packet with a frown. He twisted it around in his fingers before looking at his father.

“Ribbed?” he queried.

Gabriel turned a deeper shade of red and wished he’d made Nathalie have ‘the talk’ with Adrien.

Maybe it was time for his son to move out.

Chapter Text

Christmas had finally come and gone; however, Marinette was still firmly part of their daily life. Whether by name or Adrien’s attempt at getting her back into the house.

His son had spent a small fortune on her for Christmas. He had lavished her with jewellery, cuddly cats, a trip to London and front row seats to see The Phantom of the Opera; plus little tidbits and sweet treats, which was stupid really, considering she could just make the damn things herself.

But what really got to Gabriel was what she’d given Adrien. She’d really pushed the boundaries this time knowing full well he was going to hate it. Gabriel’s dismay only increased when Adrien’s response was to tell Gabriel he could move out with his gift — if he so wished.

However, Gabriel wouldn’t fall for their little games. Even the life sized signed cardboard cutout of Ladybug would not be enough to make him stand down, and with the new noise cancelling headphones Adrien had gotten him, he could tune his sons whining out quickly and efficiently. These things were worth their weight in gold.

Gabriel had been busy most of the day; apparently he needed to do some other work than just akumatize people, so he’d done a little designing and now was heading to the bath for a nice warm soak as snow beat hard against the windows outside. It was coming down in a freak storm. Unpredictable and shocking, and damn right annoying if you asked him.

Walking into his en-suite, headphones on and strutting like Michael Jackson, Gabriel headed to the cupboard, set on getting out his purple extra fluffy towel; the one which said ‘great work today M. Agreste, go ahead and pamper yourself — you deserve it!’ Locating it on the shelf, he pulled it out sharply, only for three others to follow.

Adrien’s Miraculous towel collection. Ladybug, Lady Noire and a custom-made grey and pink one (not Polymouse, apparently). It seems their new maid was still learning the ropes, as the previous one knew he had no desire to dry his privates on Ladybug’s face.

Gabriel gathered the towels and piled them in his arms, there wasn’t a chance in hell he was keeping them in his cupboard contaminating his perfect (non-Ladybug) ones.

The song he’d been listening to changed, the soulful tune of the Bee Gees ‘Night Fever’ graced his ears as he danced his way across the landing with the towels in hand. Adrien was out until later, so he could sneak into his bedroom, put his towels away and then head back to his well deserved hot, relaxing bath — complete with bath salts.

He opened the door to Adrien’s room and headed towards the bathroom, every now and then adding a spin or slide into his walk. As he reached the door he stopped to look back around the room. It seemed a lot emptier than when he was in here last. A couple of pictures of Marinette were placed around, including a dramatically increased and framed campfire picture from when they were 19, a couple of trophies and his Ladybug cardboard cut out.

He sauntered over to it, eyeing it up and down with disgust.

“I’ll get you my pretty,” he said, menacingly, “and your little cat too.”

Letting out a cackle, the track changed once more in his ears. Oh yes, his little guilty pleasure. Hot Stuff.

Now, Gabriel Agreste could be a fun guy, he was a fun guy and Émilie adored him for that. So, right now, as Donna Summer sang about ripping her phone off the wall, he couldn’t help the shuffle steps that came with it. He loved the Full Monty, performing, once upon a time, with some of his university peers at a local bar for charity. The night his wife had thrown herself at his masculine hip gyrations and semi toned body.

He made his way to Adrien’s cupboard, opening it up and placing the towels on top of the others. He’d failed to notice the steam around the room coming from the shower, too caught up in his own dance routine and pelvic thrusts. Gabriel closed the cupboard and walked towards the mirror. Adrien by far had the best mirror in the mansion. Gabriel had mainly insisted on it for modelling purposes, that way Adrien could always look his best.

‘Lookin' for a lover who needs another. Don't want another night on my own.’

After a dramatic spin, Gabriel started to unbutton his waistcoat before flicking it down to rest in the crease of his elbows. He shimmied his shoulders, commencing to rip the waistcoat off and spin it around his head, launching it into the laundry bin with shockingly good precision. Adrien had to get his basketball skills from somewhere.

He began to undo his cravat, leaving it hanging around his neck and moving his hands to his shirt. He clenched the bottom in his fists, teasing himself in the mirror as he rolled his hands and untucked the shirt.

Crossing one foot over the other, he spun around and pointed at himself in the mirror only to catch a glimpse of the younger Agreste exiting the shower and grabbing something from his vanity. Gabriel stopped and stared into the mirror, his eyes trailing over Adrien’s naked form, only for the younger boy to stop, shriek and place his hands over his… *cough* yeah.

“Father!” Adrien shouted/squeaked, the mortification equal between the two of them. He stood completely starkers, his hands cupping himself as Gabriel let go of his shirt and smoothed it back down. His hands slowly gravitated back together around his back.

“Adrien.” Gabriel nodded in greeting, his hands nervously playing around with each other behind his back. If he thought the sex conversation was awkward this was something else, because even though Adrien was trying to cover himself there was a slight issue — it was bigger than his hand.

Gabriel darted his attention to the opposite side of the room. His focus fixed on the doorway, and his brain begging his body to turn and walk, to walk out the door and not look back.

Come on, move!

”A bit cold outside isn’t it?” Gabriel asked. What was he doing? What was he doing? He should be turning around right now and marching out the doorway.

His body wasn’t responding. Instead they both remained still and silent. He was the grown up here so technically speaking he should start the conversation, maybe he should apologise for not knocking first. He turned his head, deciding he was going to be the more grown up one in the room when an object in Adrien’s hands caught his attention.

”Yeah,” Adrien mumbled, “it’s — um — quite the storm starting.”

The small foil packet moved as Adrien spoke of the natural environment outside. But, Gabriel couldn’t stop staring. Adrien stood completely nude with a condom in between his fingers as both hands covered his manhood.

Why did he need that?

For once his sassy son seemed to have been stumped by being caught. He looked down from his hand to Gabriel’s face, his own turning a wonderful shade of pink.

Gabriel opened his mouth to speak only to stop and close it again. He had no idea what to say. This was the worst situation of his life. He just needed to turn around, walk out and never speak of this moment ever again.

Water trickled down Adrien’s body and promptly Gabriel felt his own body lift, his shoulders pulling back and chest sticking out. Did he feel inferior to his son? Suddenly a whole new set of issues layered up. Maybe he should speak to a therapist. He grabbed the sides of his headphones and pulled them from his ears, lowering the headband around his neck.

“I’m - um - it can, you know, clog the drain.” The smile his son gave him only just scrapped the definition. What the hell was that? He looked like a constipated Minion.

Not wanting to continue this conversation any longer, Gabriel turned and stalked out the room, in the direction of his own. Only to miss the bare hand reaching out to his son and pulling him back into the shower.

Later that evening, whilst in bed, Gabriel opened his Amazon app and ordered a 24 pack of soap on Prime Next-Day delivery.

Chapter Text

The weather seemed to have increasingly gotten worse over the following days, and now, on New Years’ Eve, Gabriel was stuck with both Adrien and Marinette in his mansion because there was no way Adrien would let Marinette return home in this weather.

She lived down the end of the road, he wasn’t too sure what Adrien was so worried about, it wasn’t like she would be blown away. He knew she was small but she wasn’t that small. Adrien had been lucky Gabriel had allowed the girl in the mansion again to begin with — Adrien begging for her to be allowed in their house as part of his Christmas present. Like the pen wasn’t enough. Cue the eye roll.

So here they were, sitting around the dining table. Him, Nathalie, Adrien and Marinette, eating what they could pull together from the kitchen as his staff were too afraid to venture out in a blizzard. He remembered back in his day he would have been forced out in weather like this to go and get a newspaper from the corner shop. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and all that jazz. But these days, goodness, only a tiny sprinkling of snow up to their knees and nobody goes anywhere. He was extremely tempted to dock their pay.

Marinette had taken it upon herself to cook them all dinner, as well as bake them a special treat for dessert. Goodness, she just tried far too hard. Could she not understand he would never like her? This was turning into a neverending nightmare, one he just didn't seem to ever be able to wake up from.

“Bon appetit,” Marinette announced, placing the bowl of steaming hot broth in front of him. He watched as she placed another in front of Adrien, Nathalie following behind with two more bowls. Goodness, they were staring down into them like hungry dogs! He’d made them all sandwiches for lunch, what was their problem?

He looked down at the combination of liquid and vegetables, and was mildly annoyed by the smell as it created a pool of water in his mouth. He must be starving to be affected this way. Gabriel thought back to what he’d eaten so far that day; a croissant, three of Marinette’s pistachio macarons, a ham sandwich, a banana, an apple, six biscuits, cheese and biscuits, and a jacket potato. Yep, he was only salivating because he hadn’t eaten enough.

Picking up the soup spoon (she’d even got the correct spoon out for him, dammit!) He placed it into the bowl and slowly stirred his 6 a day around his bowl. Carrots, potatoes, swedes, leeks, onions, parsnips. Where was his meat? Did she think he was a vegetarian or something? Was she? Oh no, Adrien couldn’t marry a vegetarian. That just wouldn’t work. He liked his meat, and he expected his dinner guests to like meat too..

Gabriel lifted his head, ready to send out his scathing comment about lack of protein when he saw something else which made his stomach churn, there wasn’t a chance he would be eating now. His stomach was squeezing in on him, spiralling out of control and ready to send the Krispy Kreme donut — which he’d consumed earlier — out onto his plate. Oh, he’d forgotten he’d eaten that. Anyway, Marinette had placed the bowl in front of Adrien only for his son to turn his head and kiss her on the cheek, throwing compliment after compliment at the girl for being so amazing.

She’d thrown a few cut up vegetables into a bowl and filled it with hot water, big deal! He could have done this himself, all he needed to do was boil the kettle and find a knife… okay, maybe him not knowing where his utensils were could have been a slight problem, but he would find a way around it in the end. Maybe, with a karate chop or something? He’d been watching Cobra Kai religiously afterall!

“This is really good, Marinette,” Nathalie said as she shovelled another good amount into her mouth.

Traitor!

The three around the dining table continued their conversation as Gabriel studied the bowl. How were they eating this thing?

“What do you think of the lamb, father? I don’t know what Marinette did with it but it just melts in your mouth.”

Lamb? Gabriel looked back down at his bowl. Nope. Definitely no lamb. Nathalie looked over to him, a frown on her face as if she was deciding how big an idiot he actually was. He shrugged at her before nodding down towards his bowl.

She took her own spoon, and with actions you’d use for a toddler, she stuck it in and swirled it around. She was being quite dramatic, and he couldn’t help but feel like she was hinting at something.

Did he need to spin around before eating it? Or did he need to… nope, no clue.

Nathalie nodded down towards her bowl again, her lips in a tight line as she slowly and exaggeratedly stirred her bowl once more.

Gabriel just stared back, not quite sure what all the head bobbing was and how it made a difference with his stew. There was no meat.

Nathalie huffed, the exhale one to battle that of the big bad wolf, and rolled her eyes at him. Seriously! This woman… he had no idea what had gotten into her recently. She moved her attention from him, landing on Marinette.

“It’s delightful, though a little strange how it sank to the bottom.” She placed a rather intense tone over the word bottom, did she mean something by it?

“I know, what do you think caused it?” Adrien asked Marinette, stirring his own bowl before scooping up a rather full spoon and demolishing it in seconds.

Sinking to the bottom? As everyone continued to converse, Gabriel looked down into the bowl. Maybe if he just stirred it around a little? He picked up his spoon and placed it gently inside, moving a carrot and potato out of the way before stirring and watching little pieces of lamb pop up to the top of the bowl. Why didn’t Nathalie tell him?

Fishing a couple of pieces out and onto the spoon, he placed them on his tongue and couldn’t believe how right Adrien was. The piece fell apart in his mouth filling it with an array of succulent flavours; thyme and mint and something else he couldn’t place.

He closed his eyes, pushing the strings of lamb around his mouth as he attempted to be Gordon Ramsey on the latest edition of kitchen nightmare. Holy moly!

“Father?” Adrien brought him out of his lamb filled dream and back to reality. His tone was very obvious to what he was expecting his father to say. This was going to be painful.

“It’s very nice, thank you Marinette.” The compliment was painful to deliver, even if it was well deserved. He wouldn’t go as far as telling her, but this stew was better than a lot of Michelin star restaurants he’d been to. The meat was cooked to perfection, the vegetables weren’t too hard and the seasoning was tasty and flavour sum.

“I’m glad you like it, Monsieur Agreste. I have made a galette for dessert too, I hope that’s okay?”

Now the truth was coming out. She was going to give him high blood pressure and cholesterol problems at this rate and kill him off, thus finally completing her plan to take over the world his business. He was onto her, and regardless of whether the galette was made from the finest flour in France, he would not be eating it.

“Yes father, Marinette made your favourite — Rhubarb.”

Shit!

Gabriel could have placed his head on the table and cried. She seemed to know all his weaknesses now and was playing a very hard game with her newly found knowledge. He needed to up his anti and stop being so weak.

”Oh, father, I forgot to tell you—”

Gabriel looked up towards his son a little too abruptly, causing liquid to run out of his mouth and down his chin. He noticed Nathalie wince as he took the napkin and blotted the warm liquid from his chin. Adrien’s hand stretched out to Marinette’s beside him and took it in his own. Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!

”Yes son?” His voice came out at a higher pitch than Mickey Mouse. His son’s revelation kicked up his heart rate and sent it into fat burn territory.

”Do you want to tell him?” Gabriel felt his whole body quiver as he waited for what could be the worst news of his life. Did Adrien not take their talk seriously enough? He’d told him everything he needed to know.

Adrien looked at Marinette, the timid girl shaking her head and looking down into her stew. Gabriel’s life flashed before his eyes as he studied Marinette, turning from that porcelain white commoners found attractive to a rather intriguing shade of pink. That would be nice for a summer dress. What shade was it? Precious pink or Scarlet Lady red… what?

“You can,” she said in a timid voice, “you’re more excited about it than me.”

He was going to collapse off his chair. Gabriel Agreste was going to pass out, bang his head hard on the table never to wake again. How embarrassing! He hadn’t even caught Ladybug and Chat Noir yet. Instead, whilst going through his will they’d find his wife trapped away like he was some sort of psycho, and the broach would never be passed to Adrien to continue his mastermind plan. He knew he should have conversed with Félix more, that kid had some sort of backbone, unlike his easily swayed son.

“Marinette… I mean… we have some amazing news.” Adrien's smile was so wide the Joker would have recruited him in a second.

“You’re too young and inexperienced,” Gabriel said, his voice cutting ice and his eyes fiery.

Marinette sighed, pulling her hand from under Adrien’s and playing with her fingers. “That’s what I said.”

Adrien glared at his father, his eyes frowning in annoyance. “I thought you’d understand and help give Marinette some guidance. You were the same age with your first.”

No he certainly was not! The pink line incident didn’t happen until they were 22 and had experienced a night out at a Bon Jovi concert. ‘One Wild Night’ it most certainly was.

“Adrien,” Marinette said quietly, reaching out to placate her boyfriend. Adrien’s temper really was getting foul in his old age. “It’s okay, honestly. Your father’s right, I should call and terminate.”

A low growl left Nathalie’s mouth, Gabriel turning to look at a mother lion ready to rip his throat out.

“No, Marinette, please. Just give it a chance. If my father won’t help you, let me call someone who will.”

A cough sounded from Nathalie and a head bob in the direction of Marinette. Did she actually want him to placate the girl? The girl set on trapping his baby boy?

With a sigh, and a rub between the eyebrows, Gabriel spoke. “What do you need? Money?”

The clatter of cutlery sounded around the dining room, along with gasps. Oh dear!

“Gabriel!” Nathalie scolded. “Why on earth would Marinette need money? I don’t think they would appreciate another designer butting in, especially when Marinette has worked so hard on keeping yours and Adrien’s names away from her job.”

What? Gabriel’s face must have displayed his confusion, Nathalie helping him out once more.

“Marinette’s been accepted to show as a junior designer in fashion week.”

Gabriel smiled, falsely congratulating her and promising it was just a joke. Placating Adrien with words of encouragement to his girlfriend and offering himself as a point of contact if she needed any additional support — not with money, of course.

As the chatter continued around the table, he felt Nathalie’s eyes piercing through him, burning his soul and, probably, destroying her retinas.

“What the hell was that?” She hissed in his direction.

“I thought he’d knocked her up!” He responded back, Nathalie facepalming in response.

Later that evening, as Gabriel made his way up to his room he considered the remaining possibilities he had to remove Marinette from their life. She’d not only managed to keep Adrien on her side, but now Nathalie too, and worst of all George! (The butler if you can’t remember).

After the weighty food from the evening's meal, he’d headed into the home gym to try and keep the buttery goodness of the galette from ruining his perfect BMI. Taking the (non Ladybug’d) towel from around his neck he rubbed the sweat from his face and headed up the grand staircase, springing two steps at a time only to stop abruptly as Adrien and Marinette’s voices echoed through the minimalist hallways.

As he stalled on the twelfth step, he came to the conclusion as to why Adrien had given him noise cancelling headphones for Christmas. But as awkward as this moment was, again, something reached his ears which kicked him hard in the gut… and the heart.

“I love you so much, my Princess.”

“I love you more, my Prince.”

Gabriel felt his lower lip quiver, the nicknames bringing back the happy times with Émilie as he let out an emotional breath. It had been almost four years and Adrien was thriving. They were in love, he knew that, but Adrien was special to him and through his overprotectiveness he’d missed out on opportunities to watch the two grow together, and through his own stupidity he’d lost one of the most talented up and coming designers to an opposition.

He still wasn’t certain Marinette was with Adrien for the right reasons, but this was Adrien’s mistake to make and he couldn’t deny the laughter and happiness she was bringing to their quiet, mundane life.

Gabriel continued up to his room thinking about a conversation he would need to have with Adrien the following day.

… It was time to let his little chick fly. After all, at some point this first love would come to an end. Wouldn’t it?

Chapter Text

“What time is Adrien due?” Nathalie was busy running around setting the table as Gabriel scanned through social media.

Adrien had arrived back in Paris earlier that day, from taking Marinette to see the Northern Lights. His son had moved out just over a month ago into a small apartment not too far from Notre Dame. It was a little simple for Gabriel’s likes, but the security was good and they’d managed to keep it out of the press.

“In about 15 minutes.” Gabriel continued looking through the social media accounts of both Adrien and Marinette.

They’d shockingly only posted one photo from their trip, neither of their faces really being seen, instead they were a basic black shadow against the glowing green of the aurora borealis. Once again they looked like some sort of modelling shot. Their bodies pressed together as their lips met and the fur collars of their hoods framed the underside of their faces; though this time prominent on both upper arms was the Gabriel logo shining in its hi-visibility glory. He’d been nice. He’d gifted the jackets to them both for the longevity of their trip. Marinette’s that pink she liked so much and Adrien a dark camouflage green. The shot would be perfect for their next winter campaign; a damn good promotion for the brand he’d managed to sneakily get out of his son once more.

He’d only had one quick conversation with Adrien; his son was begging to come and see him as soon as he arrived home. So after dropping Marinette back at hers, Adrien was coming straight here to see his father — apparently it wasn’t news that could be shared over the phone.

When Adrien finally arrived, bang on time just as his father liked it, he looked exhausted. Gabriel didn’t know if it was from travelling or from…

No! Would it be too much to think that they’d split up? The Instagram post had been from the beginning of their vacation just over a week ago, which meant maybe the lack of photographs was because there was nothing to post. A hot, sweet thrill ran down his spine. This could be good, no actually, great!

“Come in.” Gabriel ushered his son into the foyer, noting Adrien had his suitcase with him. “Good trip?”

Adrien smiled weakly at his father. “Yeah, it was definitely a change from the normal. Would you oppose me staying here tonight? It’s just…” Adrien let out a sigh. “I'm exhausted.”

“Not at all, son. Mi casa, su casa.”

Adrien nodded his head before shrugging his jacket off and handing everything to George (the butler if you couldn’t remember) — who had appeared from thin air. The man was like a silent ninja.

“Nathalie’s set everything up and food should be ready shortly. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Adrien sighed with a slight shrug. “I may have misjudged the weather one evening.”

They made their way to their normal seats opposite ends of the table, Adrien dragging his feet as he walked, and sat down in usual uncomfortable silence. Nathalie arrive and served them both before leaving again.

Gabriel sat watching Adrien as he lifted his soup spoon and sucked the piping hot liquid from its metal base. One thing was for certain he would not show weakness, no matter how much the liquid burned as it went down. He studied his son, watching as he picked up the spoon, studied the molten liquid and tip it back into the bowl.

“So,” Gabriel coughed after a couple of minutes, his tongue still numb from the hot soup. The words weren’t as clear as they could be, but he couldn’t sit in silence much longer. He was quite sure he knew what Adrien was going to tell him… the lock puppy-look the answer to all his prayers. His son had finally left Marinette, and he needed to move back home so once more Gabriel could protect him from the big bad world. Why else would his son look like someone had killed his cat? “What did you want to tell me?”

A sneer of a smile crossed Gabriel’s lips as he joined his fingers and positioned them in front of himself—anticipation driving him insane. He wondered for a moment if he could stop Adrien and grab Nathalie’s foam finger. With his creative ability it wouldn’t take long to change the ‘Jagged’s #1 Fan’ to ‘Adrien’s #1 fan’, his full support to helping his son find the real lady of his dreams.

“If you must know… Marinette and I are no longer dating.”

A conga line formed in Gabriel’s mind; fronted by Gabriel with frilly Samba sleeves and fruit hat, Carmen Miranda eat your heart out. Oh yes! It may have taken four years but finally, finally Marinette was a goninette! (He’d work on that one). He really should have gotten Nathalie’s foam finger.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Adrien. I know this time must be difficult for you but just know I’m –”

“We’re engaged.”

Gabriel remained staring at his son, one of his eyes suddenly taking on a rogue twitch, Adrien’s smile enough to blind those already incapable of seeing. His son was smug. Adrien had played this well… too well… he probably was faking this whole cold and illness just to get him on his side and make him feel sorry for him.

“I asked her the day we went to see the Northern Lights and she said yes, it was so romantic. You’re going to have a daughter-in-law.” Adrien’s statement was followed by a sneezing attack and a chest rattling cough. So, it seemed maybe his son wasn’t exactly 100%.

Instead of commenting, all Gabriel could do was blink. This was unbelievable.

Touché Adrien, he thought, as he placed his hands down on the table and pushed himself to stand. His body turned in the direction of the door and his feet slowly took him out into the hallway where he could cry to his heart's content.

He still hadn't gotten used to Adrien having a girlfriend and now he had a fiancée…

Ah, fuck!