Adrien went to the concert hall late at night to practice. It became his routine. He would practice with the dancers during the day and then he would go home. Not even a few hours after leaving the hall, he would be back sitting on the uncomfortable piano bench. He begged his father to let him bring his own piano bench but Gabriel said he hadn't deserved that yet.

On this particular night, Adrien stumbled in on the understudy, Marinette, practicing. She danced so beautifully on stage. He watched her for what felt like three seconds before the door shut too loudly and she was startled. He silently and quickly made his way down the aisle as she scrambled to grab her bag. He didn't know why she was so flustered.

"Adrien!" she exclaimed quietly. He smiled at her. She gracefully leaped down from the stage. Her bag slung on her shoulder and shoes in hand. "I didn't realize that you practiced here," her eyes darted from his face to the floor. "I'll leave so I won't bother you." She began to walk toward the door and he went to grab her wrist but missed.

"I don't mind-" he never got to finish his sentence because right then the graceful ballerina tripped on one of his piano's legs. He cringed as he heard her hit the floor. He quickly moved to help her up. "Are you okay? Marinette, you're not hurt are you?" He sat her up and watched her massage her right foot. He was scared she would have sprained it or bruised it. He wanted her to dance so her foot being hurt by his own doing would be disastrous for both of them.

She sent him a smile. "I'm completely fine. It happens all the time. I'm used to it." She waved him off but they continued to sit on the floor. They didn't dare move. Marinette let her gaze fall to the floor before she spoke up. "Uh... Thank you for worrying about me..." She trailed off. He smiled kindly at her.

"It's no problem, I'm sorry that my piano was in the way... I knew it was awkwardly placed. It's like my father is trying to show me off as a trophy..." He noticed she frowned at his words. Adrien cleared his throat and stood up. He offered her his hand and she took it. He helped her sit on his piano bench. She smiled at him.

"I'm okay, you know?" She said. Marinette turned so she was facing the piano. He sat down next to her. "I've always been clumsy." The ballerina shrugged and then extended her leg to point her foot. He blushed a bit. Adrien didn't know why but he was so nervous and embarrassed.

"You wouldn't be able to tell that you're clumsy by the way you dance." He folded his twitching hands in his lap. For some reason, he wanted to play. He could feel the feeling in his chest. It was bubbling up inside of him. He almost couldn't look at her she was so pretty.

Marinette laughed. "Alya always says that the only time I'm graceful is when I'm dancing." She smiled at him and he noticed a light blush dusted her cheeks.

He didn't know why but sitting on the piano bench with her made it feel comfortable. He felt happy, which was pretty rare as of late.

Chloe had somehow gotten his apartment key and was thereafter practice or after he hung out with Nino. It was annoying, to say the least.

Marinette had looked at the piano and cleared her throat. "There's a rumor going around that you're writing a piece for the ballet." She motioned to the piano and his eyes followed her every move.

He looked down at his hands and nodded. "It's true," He began. "But I am having a hard time actually writing it. The pieces that have already been composed by other musicians are sort of..." He couldn't think of the word.

"Intimidating?" Marinette offered. He smiled and nodded.

"Exactly!" Adrien said and grinned at her. "My father wants me to write the piece for his masterpiece but I'm not even sure what I want." Marinette nodded and listened and for some reason that made him feel better about his situation.

She nervously clasped her hands together. "I mean," She started and began to blush. "I've never written a piece of music before so I wouldn't know but... If I was you-I mean if I was in your position..." She rambled but then stopped herself. She took a deep breath and smiled at him. "Write about what you feel. It's the thing I tell myself when I'm dancing... Well, not the writing part but you get what I mean." Marinette stuttered out the last part with a small blush. Adrien nodded. "How will you play a piece if you don't love it? Why would you want to write a piece that you wouldn't love?" She smiled genuinely at him.

He thought about his situation with Chloe. He managed to force a smile because Marinette was good at giving advice. "Thanks, Marinette!" She suddenly flushed and looked away from his gaze.

"Yeah, of course! Anytime," Marinette said nervously out. He found it quite cute.

He rested his hands on the piano keys. The warm familiarity spread through his fingertips. "Ever played before?" The question fell past his lips without him even realizing.

She looked at him and then at the piano. "Ever danced before?" Marinette asked with a playful tone.

"Touché." He grinned and grabbed her hands. "We're going to play." Marinette shook her head but blushed a bright red. He guided her hands on top of his. His hands rested on the piano while hers rested on the tops of his. Her porcelain skin was soft to the touch. It felt a little strange but this was what his mother used to do with him. It felt special. "We'll play together, okay?" He guided their hands in a simple melody. Marinette's hand loosened and her blush settled to a rosy pink. Playing with her was amazing. He couldn't describe it. It was like finishing a piece and letting the notes fade. It was the feeling before and after a big performance. Playing with Marinette felt like learning to love the piano again.

When he finally stopped, she removed her hands. She smiled at him. "That was nice." Adrien could only nod. She fished in her back for her phone but he just checked his wristwatch. He didn't realize how late or early it had become. It was the beginning of the next day. She faltered but smiled at him. "Until next time, Mr. Agreste." She stood up from the piano bench and gave a friendly wave. "Next time I'll teach you how to dance!" she grinned and it was so contagious he couldn't help but grin back. He noticed he had done a lot of smiling with her. She began to walk away.

"I would like that very much. See you tomorrow!" Adrien called after her. At the door, she turned and seemed like she wanted to say something instead she just said goodnight and left without another word.