I thought of this idea randomly and just couldn't stop laughing. That's when I decided I had to write it. Enjoy!

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Marinette hated her family for meddling into her private life, and so, when she concluded that enough was enough, she decided to pick a photo of a guy from one of those picture frames you buy at the store—and began to formulate a lie that he was her boyfriend.

The last thing that she expected was to meet her said boyfriend in real life.

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Marinette had one mission in mind as she stormed through almost every aisle of the supermarket. She was searching for the perfect image she could use to fake her parents into believing she had a boyfriend. It was a genius idea really, and it was hard to even fathom how she hadn't thought of it before.

Every year, her parents, her aunts and uncles, and even her cousins would ask her the same question whenever they all got together for Christmas: do you have a boyfriend?

And her answer would always be no. Marinette wasn't looking for a relationship. She was too focused on her studies at the university to really concern herself with a boyfriend. Being in a relationship was time consuming. What Marinette really wanted right now was to finish school before she considered a serious relationship.

But her parents were unsatisfied with that answer, and even more so tried to convince her to put herself out there. When she still refused, they even began trying to set up mysterious dates for her behind her back.

Marinette was tired of the constant meddling and pressure she was receiving from her family.

Which is why this Christmas, she was coming prepared.

As Marinette finally found the aisle that was lined with dozens of picture frames, Alya trailed behind her, taking in her surroundings wearily—almost as if she felt like she was the one doing wrong. "You know, asking a friend to pretend to be your boyfriend would be a lot more believable than showing off someone else's photo."

Marinette waved off that suggestion. She wasn't going to ask someone to be her fake boyfriend, only for that person to somehow fall in love with her and want to date her for real. She knew enough from books to know how things like that happened. "Even if that were a possibility, who would I even ask?"

Alya shrugged. "I mean... Nino is my real boyfriend. But he would be happy to help, and I wouldn't mind."

"Alya, as much as I appreciate that, my parents are way smarter than they look."

"So... they're smart enough to figure out that, but not smart enough to figure out about this." Alya gestures to the aisles filled with frames—frames which all held a bunch of tiny, little photos of strangers neither of them even knew. Marinette simply shrugged and resumed her search for the perfect photo.

"Maybe I should pick a photo of a girl instead. That would really freak my parents out—"

"Marinette, be serious!"

Marinette shook her head and laughed. "Okay, okay. Ugh, you're no fun."

"This isn't really a laughing matter." Alya replied, a slight frown on her lips. "What's going to happen when your parents ask to meet this said boyfriend?"

Marinette turned around to face her best friend, offering her a playful eye roll. "Then I'll tell them we broke up."

"But won't you still have the same problem?"

The ravenette frowned slightly in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Alya raised an unconvinced brow at her friend, as if the answer to her question had been such an obvious one. "Well... won't your parents just go back to meddling with your love life after the break up?"

As much as it pained Marinette to admit it, Alya was right... in a way. Would her parents resume their meddling after the fake break up, or would they leave her alone knowing that she was fully capable of getting herself into a relationship?

Well, it was all fake. But no one needed to know that minor detail.

"Maybe," Marinette admitted as she continued to browse through the many options of photos she had before her. "But I have to try. You don't understand what it's like to be bombarded with so many questions regarding a significant other. It's like I'm worth less to them just because I'm still single."

She felt Alya place a hand to her shoulder. "Marinette, there's nothing wrong with being single. You shouldn't have to feel pressured about putting yourself out there. You should take your time."

Marinette nodded, though her attention was averted the moment she caught sight of the perfect photo. She grinned from ear-to-ear as she stepped away from her friend, and from behind, she could hear Alya's groan of annoyance. The frame that caught her interest had three slots for three photos, and in one of the slots, a blonde man that looked around her age was smiling brightly up at her.

Marinette plucked the small photo from the frame with ease. "Yeah, this is the one. He looks like perfect boyfriend material, don't you think?"

Alya didn't even bother to look. Instead, she took in her surroundings once more to make sure that no one had seen her best friend snatch the photo. "Are you sure that what you're doing isn't considered stealing?"

Marinette waved off her concerns. "Relax. No one's going to even notice it's gone."

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Marinette was right to take the photo. Well, at least that's what she continued to tell herself the moment she slid the photo of her fake boyfriend into her wallet.

"So, Marinette... have you got yourself a boyfriend this year?"

It was her father who had been the first to ask when they'd all been seated at the restaurant they usually went to for Christmas dinner—since no one ever volunteered to actually cook a dinner at home. It became like a family tradition to come here every year, since it was really the only place open on Christmas Eve. When everyone around the table heard the question and turned their eyes expectantly to her, Marinette couldn't help but grin sinisterly. Without saying a single word, she pulled out her wallet from her back pocket and opened it, revealing the small photo she'd hidden there earlier that day.

Everyone around the table gasped.

"As a matter of fact I do." Marinette said proudly, the smug look on her face having yet to vanish as her family gawked unbelievably at the photo. She quickly closed her wallet before anyone could question the photo further. "So, I expect there to be no more surprise hook ups, unless you want to make my new boyfriend mad."

Her mother was the first to surge forward in her seat, eager to know more about her daughter's first and mysterious boyfriend— not to also mention fake. "He looks so handsome, Marinette! What's his name?"

That smug look immediately vanished the moment the question was asked, and all the color in Marinette's face drained.

She been so focused on finding a photo, that she hadn't even thought of a name to give to the guy in the photo. And it wasn't as if the photo had his name written on the back of it either. As her entire family waited for the expected name, Marinette began with the letter A as she quickly scoured her brain for male names.

Aiden

Allen

Archer

Alex

Aaron

Asher

Adam

Adrien

Austin

Marinette's eyes widened slightly.

Wait just a minute.

Adrien.

That's it.

"Adrien!" Marinette exclaimed suddenly, somewhat shocking her parents when she realized that she had spoken a bit too loudly. Grinning sheepishly, she cleared her throat. "Umm yeah. That's his name. Adrien."

"Well dear, why didn't you invite Adrien over for dinner?" Her mother asked, somewhat disappointedly. "You know we wouldn't have minded the extra seat. It would have been nice to meet him."

Marinette rolled her eyes. Sure, if there was actually someone to meet. "Mama, he had plans with his family this evening. It is Christmas Eve, after all."

Which wasn't technically a lie—who didn't have Christmas Eve plans? Even if she didn't know this guy, she could only assume he was spending time with his family for the holidays. Now that she had a chance to reflect on his picture, she was beginning to wonder what exactly her mysterious fake-boyfriend was like in real life. Marinette hadn't been a fool when she chose his photo back at the supermarket. This guy was someone who she considered her type. He was handsome—there was no denying that. If she had the opportunity to meet him in real life, she would feel excited to get to know him.

But... that was never going to happen. That much she knew.

"Hey Mari! Isn't that him right over there?"

Marinette almost choked on her drink, barely able to compose herself as she turned to look at one of her younger cousins who was pointing excitedly across the table. Though she was reluctant, Marinette slowly turned around to see who her cousin was pointing at...

...and almost choked on her own salvia when she realized who was sitting a few tables away from them.

The young man in her photo was sitting in a table for two, and a young blonde woman was dining with him. She was seated across from him and they were both clearly laughing at something that had been said. Marinette discretely took another glance at the small photo in her wallet, trying to see if the two held any sort of comparison with one another.

Marinette swallowed uncomfortably. It didn't take a genius to realize that they were the exact same person.

Oh... she was screwed.

"Are you sure that's him?" Her mother asked unsurely. "He's dining with another woman... and they're alone."

Marinette gulped and turned to face her mother, offering her a smile which she hoped was convincing enough. "Mama, please. That's his sister."

Sabine offered her an apologetic smile. But before her mother could say another word, one of the cousins asked, "Why don't you invite them both over to join us for dinner?"

"Oh yes!" Her mother suddenly exclaimed. "That would be wonderful! Oh please do!"

Marinette almost fainted on the spot.

Funny how Alya always seemed to be right. She really should've listened to Alya's warning that this was going to be a bad idea.

"Mama..." Marinette groaned, already dreading the idea of approaching the stranger and his date and asking him if he could pretend to be her boyfriend for the evening. She could already picture the horrified look on both of their faces. "Do I have to? They're having a brother and sister bonding moment, can't you tell?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Marinette." Her mother scolded, a frown quite evident on her features. "I want to meet this boyfriend of yours, and now that he's here, I see the perfect moment for introductions. Fetch him for a moment, will you? I just want to say hello."

Marinette could do nothing but nod silently. However, she shot her little cousin a menacing glare—even though the boy had no earthly idea what he'd done wrong. Hesitantly, she stood to her feet on shaky legs and excused herself from the table.

Marinette would have no choice but to make an embarrassment of herself tonight.

Thankfully, New Years was just around the corner. She could make a resolution to never do something so stupid like this ever again.

Gathering whatever little courage she had left, Marinette approached their table.

"Um, hello." Marinette said shakily.

She watched as the couple turned to look at her, and thankfully, neither of them seemed perturbed by her interruption. Instead, the young man in her photo offered her a gentle and warm smile. "Hello," he said, "Do I know you?"

Marinette shook her head. "Not exactly. Do you mind if I pull up a chair for a few minutes?"

Confused, the couple shared a strange look. But nonetheless, the man held his smile as he nodded, and reluctantly, Marinette pulled up a chair to sit with them at their table.

"With all do respect... but you look like you're about to faint." The woman said beside her, a look of concern clouded her features as she slid her untouched drink of water towards the shaking ravenette. "Here, have a drink."

Marinette tried to offer the woman a grateful smile, but she was for certain it came out more pained than anything.

"Are you alright?" The man asked softly.

Marinette shook her head and met his eyes somewhat sadly. She was about to ruin this man's evening with his date, all because she couldn't be honest with her family. "I have a confession to make."

The man rose a confused a brow. "Okay?"

With shaking fingers, Marinette pulled out the small photo of him from her wallet and handed it to him. He took it hesitantly. "Is that you in the photo?" She asked timidly.

The man only took one look at the photo before his smile returned, and he suddenly laughed, shocking her in more ways that she would have liked to admit—because that was not the reaction Marinette had been expecting. "Yes, it is." He said with a wide grin as he met her eyes again. "I'm a model, so it's only natural for my picture to be everywhere. If an autograph is what you wanted, it would have been alright for you to ask."

Marinette's brows furrowed together as she watched him confusingly. She supposed a lot of people must have approached him on a regular basis, randomly asking for his signature— hence why he had been so welcoming to her when she asked to sit with them. Luckily for him, he wouldn't have to worry about signing the photo for her.

Marinette needed a little bit more than that.

She grimaced slightly, "What if I said I needed a bigger favor than that?"

His watched her confusingly as well, but his smile never wavered as he asked, "What is it?"

"Well..." Marinette bit her bottom lip and sighed heavily, looking away from his curious gaze as the embarrassment of this ridiculous situation finally began to sink in. "This is going to sound absolutely insane but... would you do me the biggest favor in the world and pretend to be my boyfriend for the evening?"

Marinette did not look up to see his reaction. Oh no, she wouldn't dare. Who knows what he thought of her now. She felt so stupid for even asking a stranger for such a ridiculous favor.

From beside her, she heard the woman cough. "What?"

The man, however, didn't seem upset as he asked, "What for?"

Marinette's head shot up to look at him, and the expression he offered her was filled with nothing but compassion. She could hardly believe her eyes... and ears.

Was he actually considering it?

"Adrien! You can't be seriously considering this!" The woman exclaimed, her tone filled with nothing but outrage.

Again, Marinette almost choked on her own saliva the moment she heard the woman say his name.

His name was actually Adrien?

This had to all be a joke.

Or a ridiculous dream.

"Why not?" Adrien chuckled as he looked to the woman who sat across from him. "It's not as if it'll cause any harm."

The woman in return, shot him an exasperated look—as if she thought he'd gone completely insane. Marinette couldn't really blame her though.

Adrien turned to look at Marinette again, a fond smile on his lips as he asked, "What did you say your name was again?"

She couldn't help but smile in return. "Marinette."

Adrien took her hand into his and kissed the top of it. "Marinette. That's quite a lovely name. I've been meaning to ask since I saw the photo, but where on earth did you get that—"

"Oh no, we are not about to discuss where I got this photo from. I'm already embarrassed enough as it is."

"Well, alright, if you insist." Adrien laughed lightly, and then gestured to the woman in front of him. "Pardon me for my manners, but this is one of my best friends, Chloé."

"You mean your only best friend."

Adrien chuckled to that. "Fair point."

Chloé outstretched her hand—much to Marinette's surprise—and the ravenette took it hesitantly. When they released each other's hands, Chloé raised an unconvinced brow. "So why do you need him to pretend to be your fake boyfriend again?"

Marinette smiled sheepishly. "As crazy as it sounds, I may have lied to my family about being in a relationship and used the photo to support my lie. But to my defense, I was never expecting to meet the person in the photo in real life."

That seemed to bring a smile to Chloé's face. She actually laughed, bringing her fingers up to her lips to conceal her giggles. "If this isn't just the weirdest coincidence ever."

Adrien chuckled and stood to his feet, offering his hand to Marinette... which she took rather hesitantly. When she felt his fingers suddenly interlace with hers, Marinette wasn't sure if the fluttering feeling in her stomach was meant to be normal. "Indeed it is. Now if you'll excuse me, Chloé, I have a family to convince."

Marinette could hear Chloé's fits of amused laughter as Adrien guided his new date and himself back to her table.

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The dinner went wonderfully, much to her surprise. Throughout the evening, Marinette watched as Adrien easily blended with ease into the atmosphere with her family. He easily made conservation with her parents and made the perfect first impression, he had the perfect story to tell on how they met each other, and was well liked amongst the cousins when he included them in his conversations. Adrien seemed like he was the perfect family-man, and Marinette actually found herself enjoying the evening with him by her side... and wishing that somehow, this evening could have be real instead of fake.

Marinette hadn't really considered looking for a real boyfriend anytime soon. She had been too focused on finishing her studies at the university to really consider any distractions. But when the night came to a close, so would their façade... and as much as she hated to admit it, she wanted nothing more than to keep him in her life.

But the evening ended too soon. Marinette smiled sadly as her family each stood from their seats and began to head out. When her parents asked her if she would be joining them, Marinette asked if they would give her a moment.

Mostly so that she could say goodbye to Adrien.

Once they were alone at the table, Marinette spoke first. "I really appreciate what you did for me this evening. I've never seen my parents so happy before... and to be completely honest with you, I actually had a good time."

"Me too." Adrien admitted.

Marinette outstretched her hand to him, which he took—though he seemed hesitant to release. She didn't pay too much attention to that. "Thank you."

He smiled, though it looked pained. "What will you do now?"

She frowned slightly on confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... your family... they're all just so kind and wonderful and I—what will you tell your parents after today?" He asked her, his gaze unsure and almost... saddened? She wasn't sure if that was reality or her imagination talking.

Marinette frowned at that. She didn't really want to lie to her parents and repeat that same cycle the moment they tried to meddle into her life once again. She had kind of hoped that deep down, throughout the evening, Adrien had somehow felt the same little spark that she had felt.

But perhaps that feeling was only one-sided.

"Can I ask you something?"

Marinette looked up at him again and nodded.

Adrien sighed heavily. "Would you... I don't know... perhaps like to go on a lunch date with me tomorrow?"

Marinette's eyes widened slightly to this. "You want to go out on a date... with me?"

Adrien chuckled nervously and reached up to rub the back of his neck. "Well, yeah. I really enjoyed your company this evening. I mean... if you don't want to that's completely fine—"

"Oh no, that's not it at all." Marinette chuckled somewhat amusingly, her fingers reaching up to play with a piece of her hair that had fallen out of place. "I would love to go on a date with you. I'm just... well I'm just surprised that you asked."

Adrien lifted a brow confusingly. "How so?"

Marinette titled her head to look at him mischievously. "Well... I did approach your table as a stranger asking if you would pretend to be my boyfriend."

Adrien waved a hand. "Semantics."

"Hardly. It was a very embarrassing situation."

She could see the wide grin that stretched across his lips as he shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, so maybe it was a little weird. But look what came out of it."

And then, Marinette felt his fingers interweave with hers, and he squeezed her hand lightly, a clear indication that what she had felt between them... he had felt also. Marinette couldn't help the wide smile that spread across her lips.

"So," Adrien said softly as his thumb began to caress the top of her hand. "Is that a yes to that lunch date tomorrow?"

Marinette couldn't help but giggle. "I guess I could find a spot to squeeze you into my schedule."

Adrien chuckled. "Good. Otherwise, I'd be kind of upset if my picture went home with you... but not my heart."

Marinette groaned in embarrassment and bumped her shoulder against his own, earning another laugh to bubble out from his lips. Even though she was embarrassed, she couldn't help the wide smile that spread across her lips as she listened to him laugh. As crazy as it sounded, she was kind of glad she hadn't listened to Alya.

She would've never met Adrien if she had.

Smile, Marinette thought as she watched the way Adrien's lips spread into a wide smile. He was looking at her in a way that she knew was nothing but genuine fondness.

Never forget to smile. She decided to rephrase her thoughts. After all, you never know where your photo might end up.

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I don't know why I loved this idea so much. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!

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