"Nino. Niiiinnoooo. Wake up. It's time to get going."

"Mmmmmpppphhhhggrrbbll… Fi mur minnis…"

"I have given you five more minutes six times. I will drag you by your balls to the car if you don't start getting ready right now." Nino stirred and looked up at her with one eye.

"Yer a frightnin' woman."

"I'm your frightnin' woman. I have a cup of coffee for when you're done brushing your teeth. Step up the tempo, Mozart." Nino slid out of bed and dragged himself to the bathroom connecting to his room. He turned the handle of the shower and ran his hand through the water. A little colder, but it would shock him out of his standing slumber. He lifted the lid to the toilet and stopped. After a second of thought, he turned around and sat down. It was definitely more comfortable to sit. He reached over and grabbed his toothbrush and toothpaste off the counter and combined the two. He waited for an empty bladder. Two light knocks came from the door.

"You aren't asleep in there, right?"

"No mom. I'm peeing."

"Alrighty. I'm grabbing some things for you. Back in a moment."

"Okay…" Nino stood up, kicked off his shorts, and stepped into the shower. He slicked his hair back with water and stuck his toothbrush in his mouth. The water temperature warmed instantly as he turned the handle, soothing his shivers. He chewed on his toothbrush a little and scraped it against his front teeth. His mind slowly woke up. What were they doing today? There was a drive… To Milan… For the tailor trip? That must have been why Alya was so persistent. A knock on the door and Alya came in with some fresh clothes. The outfit was a little bit different from what he normally wore. More refined. Alya stood for a second, looking expectant. Nino turned off the water and peeked his head out.

"I'm naked."

"I know."

"And I'm also finished."

"Alright."

"And my towel is right there."

"Okay."

"Would you like to hand it to me?"

"Not really."

"Then why are you standing there?"

"I went to the bathroom at about 4 am last night."

"Incredible. I would buy that book."

"And on the way, I passed by your door."

"It is a nice door, isn't it."

"And when I did that, I heard a thud. So I open the door and there you are, writhing on your bed."

"Please hand me my towel."

"You were in agony. Asleep, but in agony. I tried to calm you down, and you shot up."

"Alya, give me my towel. Please."

"I tried to talk to you, and you waved me off. You were still half-asleep, but even then you won't tell me anything."

"Alya, I-"

"Nino. What was it." Nino stared her in the eyes.

"Towel." Alya grabbed his towel and handed it to him. Nino disappeared for a moment, rustled his hair and dried off some parts of him, then tucked the towel around his waist and stepped out. Alya leaned back against the wall and Nino sat down on the toilet. Clicking noises bounced sharply off the walls as Nino picked his fingernails absent-mindedly. He stared past his hands. Nino swallowed and took a breath.

"I don't really wan-"

"Please." Nino paused again. He breathed deep, exhaled, and took another.

"I- I never said… I've never told you a lot about my life." He paused and looked around at the floor, trying to piece his sentence together, "But uh… My parents… Well, you've met them. They don't… They don't look… Uh…"

"They don't look like you?"

"Mm. Yeah. Not the slightest."

"They both have pretty straight hair and very pale skin. I… I assumed."

"Yeah… Th-The dream was of… f… fire. It's kinda… common? Not the fire, but the… the dream."

"Not good fire, I'm guessing."

"Hmm. No." Alya moved to kneel in front of him and cupped his face.

"That's less of a dream, more of a nightmare."

"A dandelion by any other name would suck just as much." Alya pressed her lips to his forehead.

"Thank you for talking to me. You have no idea how much it means to me."

"Thank you for being good at connecting the dots. You have no idea how much of a weight it takes off my shoulders."

"Journalists' talent. I'm always here for you, okay? Until one of us kicks the bucket. But, you need to get dressed, babe."

"Why does my outfit make me look like Adrien's slightly darker and chubbier clone?"

XXXXXXXXXXX (i love nino so much. Also sorry for the break, but this is 6000ish words so enjoy that?)

"Well, Nino, I think it looks great on you. Just like I thought it would." Nino shifted in his seat and adjusted his pants.

"These pants are like a castle that is unable to have a dance for partygoers."

"What?"

"No ballroom."

"But babe, they make your ass look great!"

"Duly noted, but I will take comfortable crotch over dashing derriere almost any day."

"You just have to wear it until we are done at the tailor's. You packed a change of clothes in your bag right?"

"Yes. The tackiest hawaiian shirt I could find, beige cargo shorts, Columbia thrift sandals and some white mid-shin socks."

"You monster."

"I think I just threw up in my mouth a little." Marinette groaned into her palm.

"I'm heavily considering breaking up with you for just saying that."

"You should see me wearing it."

"Okay, Adrien, please navigate me to the nearest cliff. Marinette, hold Nino down so that he can't escape."

"How about, instead, we pray that isn't what he actually packed, and I navigate to Milan like I said."

"How far are we, by the way?"

"Uhm… Not too far. Only about 50 or so minutes."

"Are we in Italy yet?"

"Yes. We've been in Italy for nearly two and a half hours."

"Italy-ou what, I sure could go for some ciao." Adrien grinned and looked around, "Get it? I tell you what? I could go for some chow? Like food? Get it? I'm hungry?" Adrien pouted, "It was a good joke, guys."

"I'm happy that you're happy."

"Alya, break up with me so I can date Adrien and then break up with him for that."

"I'm not going to do that. He doesn't deserve you."

XXXXXXXXXXX (i need to lengthen my sections jeeeeesus)

"I feel like James Bond in the secret MI6 tailor shop. Or one of the Kingsmen."

"Mmm, yeah. I wish we had a James Bond that didn't look like a polar bear blinking in a blizzard."

"Dark Hollywood show me the representation in movies that mimics reality."

"As if. What is our color going to be?"

"For the dress and tuxedo? I thought Adrien told you."

"I thought he told you." Nino and Alya looked at each other for a moment, then huffed, and looked at Adrien.

"I guess it will be a surprise." Marinette appeared out of a rack, her eyes wide and absorbing every stitch of information she could. Her hands smoothed folds and brushed against the fabric, gently pulled the intricacies closer to observe. Every once in awhile, the Tailor would look over at her and appear as if he was about to tell her off, but Adrien swooped in a distracted him with more discussion. Marinette slumped down next to Alya with a huff. Nino bobbed his head along to an unheard beat.

"Too much, sweets?"

"The mind and body have their limits, no matter how much I don't want them to." Marinette leaned her head onto Alya's shoulder and closed her eyes.

"I bet. Did Adrien give you any idea as to what we might be going in?"

"Guys get tuxedos, we get dresses. I'm guessing some sort of evening gown, given the party and the locale. Nothing too flashy, since this tailor only has a day to do it. It will probably be something premade. He'll take our measurements and hem it the right way. Unless Adrien had been talking to him for a while."

"If they had been in contact for a while, why all the discussion now?"

"Who knows. I'm not okay with eavesdropping." Marinette shrugged.

"Alya is."

"Damn right I am. I don't like surprises." Alya shot up and darted through the racks, inching closer to the conversation. She picked up a few words there, something about an issue. The next aisle she entered,she heard some talk of the dresses. Alya pretended to look at a jacket around the corner.

"Okay, I get that it is difficult. I get that only the designer can truly create from the design. Drawings only give you so much. But, you have had weeks, no a month and a half to ready these."

"I know, I know, but the way that the drawings said to do different things, it is threatening to rip itself apart! Plus, it was obviously only an idea, it needed… refinement."

"So the issue is that it may create a… Wardrobe malfunction?"Adrien leaned closer, as if the word was a taboo.

"I am saying, that your curvy lady friend is much more curvy than you said. If she wears the dress, a laugh could leave her with shreds. And you skinny lady friend is much more skinny than you said. If she stretches, she might not have a dress on for very long. I did not have measurements for them, and so it will be difficult to make them fit well."

"Difficult, or impossible?" Signore Morietti paused and thought for a moment.

"Well, you need it by when tomorrow?"

"8 PM will be cutting it very close."

"If it is… 4:04 now…"

"Signore Morietti…" He hummed.

"Impossible, no. It is doable. But, with your reschedule, your descriptions being slight… underestimations… And the time constraints-"

"Add on another half. On top of the concessions."

"Half?" The Tailor deadpanned and raised his eyebrows as Adrien pursed his mouth.

"And, I will rave to my father about all the services you have done for us. That will slide at least a few projects your way. It should be plenty."

"Alright. On one condition."

"What is it?"

"The next time your father is in Italy, he has dinner with my family. And meets my daughter, Aria."

"Why specifically your daughter?"

"She is in her 30's, a lot like your father, career-minded, they might be nice." Adrien rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"My father is still married, Signore Morietti."

"Yes, yes. But… It has been years, Adrien. I'm not going to be the one to say it, but… There is a point where one must move on. Enough of that, although. Do I have your word?"

"I will try my best. You know how he is."

"Your best will have to do. I already have your measurements, so come come, girl listening in on our conversation, you will be first. Not a moment to lose."

XXXXXXXXXXX (hey thanks for sticking around for this long.)

Marinette walked out of the doors in a slight stupor. Alya and Adrien were chatting a little bit aways from the door. Adrien looked up and flashed her a warm smile. "He's a bit of a handful, isn't he?"

"I know that the stereotype for Italians is that they just don't stop talking but… It's true… It's all true…"

"I swear he tried to fondle me about three times." Alya wrapped her arms around herself.

"Most of the people he makes dresses for are either spherical or a twig. You are probably a pretty rare canvas for him."

"That doesn't make my boobs any happier. Is Nino still in there? He went last?"

"Yeah. He said ladies first, plus guys don't take as lon...g…" Something was off. Marinette instincts told her to look around. Something wasn't right. She slowly turned around. What was it? This wasn't a Marinette feeling. It was a Ladybug feeling. Was it an Akuma? No, Akumas felt more like annoyance than this. This was fear. It was her body telling her to bare her teeth or sprint away.

There. The van. That van had been there when they had arrived. It had parked when they were entering the tailor's, and it was still there. That man was still sitting in the driver's seat. His eyes were on the group. Marinette met his eyes and he quickly looked away. The van rocked slightly. Were there more people in the van than just the man?

Adrien lightly touched her shoulder and she jumped, quickly turning around. His eyebrows were furrowed, and his eyes briefly flicked between her and the van. His mouth slightly opened.

"You noticed it too?" Marinette blinked.

"The… The van? Y-yeah." Alya walked up behind him.

"What's going on?" Adrien spun and dictated to Alya.

"I'm not quite sure. Go get the car. We may be in danger. Turn on your camera and film everything until we are at the house safely. If you are approached by someone, beat the shit out of them and run. Once you get around the corner towards the car, start running. Speed is a virtue. Trust me on this." Alya's astonished face vanished with a nod. She painted herself with a smile, and walked away, turning the corner and taking off. Adrien turned back to Marinette and opened his mouth.

Marinette lightly grabbed his hand and beamed up at him. "We're trying to make them think we're not on to them, right? Let me help you with that." She nuzzled into him warmly. Protect Adrien and snuggle him. Two birds with one stone.

"Y-Yeah. They might just be paparazzi, but paparazzi would have already been taking pictures and don't care about remaining hidden. I have a feeling they have something worse planned."

"Like what?"

"I'm a well known son of a well known and wealthy father. A good ransom could be put on my head. It's not unheard of. Cutting off the heir of a family is a possibility as well. More long term, but it could benefit a great number of people. You don't get to be at the top without tossing some people behind you on the way."

"Well then, you are lucky you have me." Marinette freed her hands and cracked her knuckles. She raised them again and encircled Adrien's neck lovingly, "I won't let anyone so much as breathe in your direction." Adrien smiled down at her and wrapped his arms around her back.

"Thank you, Marinette." Nino shambled out of the doors.

"Hey I'm d-oh uh, I'll just, go back, uh, in there I guess." Adrien's and Marinette's faces lit up and they shot apart.

"Nino, come here. We're in danger." Adrien spoke with a smile. Nino sauntered over.

"What's goin on, my dudes?"

"We're being watched. Alya's getting the car. We need to get the fuck out of here. There is a van across the street and a ways back that has at least three large men in it, and they have been watching us ever since Alya and I got out here, possibly since we arrived here. They are not friendly." Nino's eyes widened.

"Oh shit. So what's the plan?"

"Until Alya gets here, act like nothing is going on. Like we haven't noticed yet." Nino nodded and took a few steps back and took a yo-yo out of his pocket, "A yo-yo? Really?"

"Dude, playing with a yo-yo is like the definition of nonchalant and carefree. When you think 'Person Who Knows They Are About To Be Murdered', do you think of a dude just chillin' with a yo-yo? No-no, ya don't." Adrien huffed and turned to Marinette.

"How did you notice it so quickly, anyway? It took me a while before I connected the dots."

'I am Ladybug and I deal with this on a weekly basis so it is essentially a second nature' is the wrong answer, Marinette.

"Instinct, I guess? Something just felt… Off."

"Well, I'm glad I wasn't alone in it. You really-" Alya's van sped around the corner, "Nino! You're shotgun, try and lose them in the city, take some crazy route! My priority is to keep you all out of this. If we can get home without them knowing where it is, excellent!"

XXXXXXXXXXX (you all still being here means a lot to me)

"I don't like this plan."

"Nino, live a little."

"I could. I do! Right now we are in a car chase! This is not living a little! This is living a lottle!"

"Why don't you like our plan, dude? You helped make it."

"You and Mari have to jump out of a moving car into an alley."

"Yes, and? That isn't that big of a deal, Alya has to go slow around that corner slowly anyway."

"That is #1. Then #2, you two are on foot against some bad dudes. #3, Alya and I just drive for a little bit, hoping to god that we are the ones being followed, until we get to a police station. What if there is a trap? Or something? Or we get attacked because those guys do not give a damn about the police?"

"Would you rather go home and hope it's as secure as it says it is?"

"I mean, the place is a fortress."

"Yep. We'd be safe until the next time we leave. Right out the front door and into a nice, unmarked, white van."

"They probably would lie about the free candy too." Alya chirped in.

"Why do you know so much about this, Adrien?" Marinette had a pang of worry in her voice.

"My father was paranoid when I was about 12. He hired three ex-kidnappers to talk to our staff. After he paid the same three kidnappers to fake kidnap me."

"Jesus Christ, dude."

"They did actually give me candy though so it was okay."

"Nino, when is the turn?"

"Uh…. Three minutes. But, are you two sure that you will be alright? I just don't like making you so vulnerable."

Adrien and Marinette paused for a second. If it was really needed, they could just transform. It would reveal their secret, but it might save a life. Where would the decision be made?

"I think we'll be fine. I've got pepper spray in my bag and fire in my heart. We've got this."

"And I've got years of repressed memories ready to come out, so yeah I think we're good."

"You make jokes at your own expense when you are scared." Marinette's hand slid to Adrien's shoulder.

"Oh, dang, there goes my secret. I'm terrified." Adrien grinned.

"How are you so calm?"

"I'm used to pretending to be what I'm not."

"When we get home, I'm gonna look up a few therapists that I know and start sending you numbers, dude."

"Nino, where's my turn?"

"Uhh… That one. That turn. Left. Yeah. Okay. Mari, are they still on us?" Marinette turned her head to look at Adrien and shifted her eyes to see out the back window. The van came into the view around the corner with two men in the front seats.

"Yyyeeeeeuuppp."

"I mean they followed us all the way to France, I don't think they'll let up now."

"Nino, turn?"

"The right after the next right. Aaaannnddd… This one. Only a couple left. 30 seconds till drop point."

"You sound like a commando." Adrien drummed his fingers on the door handle.

"Too bad he doesn't take command in the bedroom."

"Alya, we've never slept together."

"I know, it just seemed apt."

"Accelerate, rude-babe. Rutabaga. Rude-a-bayba. God, I'm really sorry that was a terrible, like, not even a joke, but just something that sounds similar? A play on words maybe? I'm just so nervous. God, who have I become. But seriously, go fast around this turn. This is it, good luck!"

Adrien and Marinette swarmed to the left side of the car. Alya's tires squealed on the turn and the van threatened to go up on two wheels, just barely saved by Alya hitting the breaks. The door shot open and two flashes bolted out, rolling into a connecting alleyway. Nino shut the door behind them and the engine roared down the street to turn right. Adrien and Marinette shrunk down in the shadows as the white van shot by. They breathed out. The plan had worked.

A squeal echoed down the stone walls of the alley. A car had come to a screeching halt. Van doors slammed open and shouts were thrown across the street. Marinette grabbed Adrien's shoulder and gently pulled him pairs of footsteps approached the alley. A voice sounded.

"Go get 'em!"

Marinette crushed Adrien's hand in her own and sprinted down the alley. Adrien barely kept his feet beneath him. The alley split in two ahead. Marinette ground her teeth. Which way? What direction were they facing, where were they exactly, how close was the ocean, where was the nearest police station? Marinette and her trailer raced down the alley on the right. Marinette was already lost, but she wasn't about to lose.

Something caught her eye and she ground to a halt. Through a thin passageway there were glints of color. Noises bounced down the stone walls towards them. Marinette pulled a panting Adrien towards it. The fast footsteps falling behind them kept getting louder. They had to make it. There was people. Some form of safety. Marinette squeezed through the exit, her hand yanking Adrien through right after.

The open air market thrived in front of them. Tents swarmed the square, barely leaving room for the people they needed. Every available space was jammed full. It was perfect. Marinette took a quick look at Adrien. His hair was out of it's usual perfection. Sweat and running messed it to hell. She had certainly never seen him like this, so why did it look so familiar?

A shout rose up from the road they had just left. The duo ran into the crowd. A vendor tried to sell Marinette some potatoes. Adrien kindly refused a good offer on horse meat. Somehow they were 5 euros poorer and 1 jar of honey richer. Someone stuffed a pastry sample into Adrien's mouth. A loud shout erupted from the market. A stall was closing, everything was half off an already marked down price. To combat this, other stalls said the same. Heat smashed into the duo. They were crushed between people, their arms being nearly pulled out of their sockets. Marinette fought and tugged and pulled to keep her hand locked with Adrien's.

Adrien shut his eyes. He fought for his breath. Weight pushed in on him from every side, crushing him to death. He kept moving. Marinette's hand pulled him through. She was his guide, his savior, his light. He just had to put one foot in front of the other. Left, right, left, right, left. They would be fine. Right, left, right, left, right. Nothing to worry about. Left, right, right… right? Adrien's eyes shot open as he hit the ground. His left foot tangled in a stall. Marinette's hand was torn away from his. Okay, maybe there was something to worry about. It might still be fine. Adrien tried to ask the large man to stop standing on his ankle, but his voice was drowned out. A heel landed on his fingers, and he shouted. Someone backed into his head, sending his face into a soft pair of hands.

Worried blue met pained green. Marinette cupped his cheeks, her eyes searching his for a second, before jumping up and shoving the large man off Adrien's ankle. Marinette grabbed Adrien and hoisted him up, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. The worry melted off her face, revealing nothing but anger and determination.

Adrien felt his face heat up a little. The exertion showing, the sweat dripping, the burning heat rolling off her shoulders. He had never seen Marinette look like this. Looking at what his other love looked like most of the time, maybe he had a little bit of a type. Pain jolted up his left leg when he tried to walk. He gasped lightly and Marinette looked up at him. Her eyes traced him down to his leg, a few of his bruised and bloody fingers clenching the fabric of his pants.

Marinette's eyes darted forward. They needed an out. Marinette felt fire rise from beneath her soles, leaking out of her eyes. The crowd seemed to part in front of her. She hurried out of the mass, darting into an alley. She set Adrien against a wall and took a look at him. His fingers were alright, nothing broken except a little bit of a nail, and a cut on the knuckles. The wrist was a beginning to swell and purple from catching his fall. Adrien shifted off his injured leg, drawing Marinette's attention to it. The ankle had the impression of a heeled boot in it. It was likely going to swell or bruise as well. He wouldn't be able to walk on it for long. It would be better to keep weight off of it.

Marinette turned back and scanned the crowd. Surely they lost them in there. Nothing out of the ordin- wait. Two, no three bald heads, on tall men. Big men. Walking in a loose formation. They were scanning the crowd as well, looking for something. Or someone. They couldn't stay here. Marinette turned back to Adrien.

"Get on my back."

"Wh-What? No! I'm fine."

"No you aren't. You were limping when we were getting out of the crowd. I give you about 25 meters before you can't walk anymore."

"My pain tolerance is higher than you think. And, I'm way too heavy for you!"

Marinette's muscles rippled as she yanked Adrien onto her back. Her hands found his thighs, and his chest hit her back. She stood up with ease, and sprinted down the alleyway, Adrien wrapping his arms around her. Windows and doors blasted past. They were homefree.

A shout went up behind them. Footsteps hammered into the pavement where they had just left. Marinette gritted her teeth and ran faster. She had to protect Adrien. She would sooner give up her own life than his. An intersection loomed in front. She slowed as she caught her bearings. Left would go to the water, right? Right would go… No where good. They weren't close enough to the house yet. They had to carry on a little more. Marinette ran straight through the crossing.

"How… Are you… Holdin… up?" Marinette huffed with her steps. Adrien yanked his head away from her, causing the two to lose balance for a moment. Marinette stumbled, but caught herself.

"Uh! I'm Good! G-Great!"

"Lean forward! I… I can't run… with you leaning back!"

"S-Sorry…" Adrien slowly leaned back forward, his face nearly brushing the back of her neck. He closed his eyes and just felt the moment. Marinette's legs pumping beneath them, her feet hitting the street rhythmically, her breathing steady and quick. Adrien took a breath and her smell washed over him. He felt kind of dirty, but, it was incredible. He smiled and hummed, letting his head droop lower. His lips lightly brushed the base of her neck.

Marinette skidded to a stop. Adrien jerked back in shock and fell off her back. He blinked a few times. Had she felt that? Marinette was staring down a dead end. The only way out was back the way they came. Back where the footsteps were barreling out from. Marinette moved in front of Adrien. She had a few seconds till a good fight. She rolled her neck and cracked her knuckles, a series of unnerving pops echoing down the walls. She stretched her wrists, pulling them and locking them. She lifted her arms and crossed them over her body. Each stretch only made Adrien stare more. She was willing to throw down her life and safety. For him.

He struggled to his feet. If his life was being defended, he might as well join the fight. He braced himself on the wall. One good leg, one good hand, one hell of a fighting spirit. He would be good for something.

"Mari, who should have the mace?"

"They wouldn't expect you to have it," She dug a small spray can out of her pocket and shoved it into Adrien's hand, "Dish a few punches out, take a hit, go down heavy, then spray when they try to grab you."

"Yes Ma'am."

"Don't worry about me, I can hold myself."

Marinette faced back down the alleyway. Her thoughts raced. Where was the line? When would she transform into Ladybug? If she did it right now, this fight would be over no problem. How important is the secret? She might be able to win without transforming though, and keep it hidden. How much was she willing to risk? Where was the line? She could trust Adrien. She knew that. He would keep her secret. She could do it.

"Same here."

Adrien closed his bad hand over the container of mace. He collected his scattered mind. Should he transform into Chat Noir? If he transformed, how much good could he do? He had been injured as Chat before, but he had never brought an injury into the transformation. What would happen? Would he be any more useful? Was it worth revealing his secret? He could trust Marinette, though. She is readying herself to save his life, why can't he do the same? He could do it.

They had to do it. Adrien and Marinette's mouths opened in unison. Transforming words were caught in their throats as a couple of young boys ran around the bend.

"There you guys are! Is your boyfriend okay, miss?" Marinette blinked. Miss? BOYFRIEND?

"Yeah! I'm alright." Adrien waved to the kids.

"Why'd you guys run away so fast? We've been following you since we saw you fall down in the crowd."

"We were being followed by some creepy guys. She wanted to get out of there." The boys stopped a few feet away from the two and looked at them.

"How strong are you, miss? Your boyfriend looks like he weighs a lot, and you ran really fast!"

"Strong enough, thankfully. I bet I would still be under that fat guy if it wasn't for her."

"He's… Not my… Boyfriend…" Marinette panted out, all the stress melting off of her. She wore a small smile. Adrien winked at the boys.

"Not yet, at least."

XXXXXXXXXXX (I played with the idea of having Adrien actually get kidnapped to get back with the "dark and getting hurt" theme/tone but i don't think i would be able to write it well enough. Oh well, I'll be getting back to it eventually.)

"Yeah, so then we played go fish on the roof of the van while they circled the police station a few times. Then they drove off so Alya and I just drove home. It was pretty nice. What happened with you two?" Adrien winced as Marinette dabbed the cut on his knuckle with alcohol.

"Uh, well we heard the van tailing us screech to a stop and people getting out, so we ran away. Then we ran into a market and then the crowd massed and th- owf… Uh, then I tripped and this fat guy stood on my ankle and someone stepped on my hand, I think someone kicked me accidently…"

"And then I pulled him up, we got out of there, but I thought some of the stalkers were following us, so I picked Adrien up and put him on my back."

"The childhood I never had was alive in that moment."

"But then we hit a dead end and got ready to throw down, square up, that sort of thing, but it was just some kids wondering if Adrien was okay."

"Wait, the van stopped?" Nino looked at Alya.

"Yeah, we heard it." Adrien repositioned the ice on his ankle.

"I don't think you did. I ran a very reddish orange light, so it might have been them trying to follow us and causing an incident or something. They never stopped."

"So we ran for no reason?"

"Hey, Mari, I enjoyed myself! Don't worry about it. Even if it was terrifying, looking back, it was okay."

"Tell that to your ankle, sweets."

"You can always kiss it better for me, Darling."

"Watch that smart mouth."

"Or what? Are you going to kiss it instead? Oh, no! My poor lip! I must have hurt it when I fell!"

Alya nudged Nino and gave him a silent look and a small grin. Nino took the hint and quickly grabbed a bag.

"So, uh, hey dudes, Alya and I were thinking of heading down to the beach for a little bit. To the west to catch the sunset, so it might be a little far to walk for Adrien."

"Yeah, we'll be back in a few hours, soooo… Don't wait up! Have fun! We packed some food so make your own!" Alya lightly elbowed Marinette's arm with a wink, dragged Nino out, and quickly shut the door behind her. Adrien and Marinette stood still for a moment.

"So uh… Are you hungry?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXX (ALYA IS PRESIDENT OF THE ADRIENETTE CLUB. i am merely a small peon)

Adrien set the last glass back in the cupboard. He pushed his hair back and sighed a little, hanging up the towel he dried his hands on. A breeze flowed through from the living room, carrying just enough of a smell to turn his head. The drapes waved to either side of the window, framing Marinette in the fading sunset perfectly. Her hair settled around her shoulders, cascading down her back. Adrien noticed his smile. He closed the distance between them silently.

A jump, a squeeze, and a "boo!". The perfect prank. Over in seconds, and it gave him an in. He would be able to get close to her. Just a few more feet until- Marinette leaned back into his chest and sighed.

"This is incredible."

"Y-yeah…" Adrien surrendered to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and setting his head next to hers.

"Sorry for making you do the dishes, though."

"You cooked, I clean. It's the least I can do for my savior."

"We ran away from a car accident, probably some catholic priests, and a couple of kids."

"My heroine. Like my own, personal Ladybug."

"Don't think I didn't see you getting ready to fight too. If I'm your Ladybug, you are my personal Chat Noir."

"Well, then all this must be a lot of bad luck, hmm?"

"I disagree. I'd count myself to be extremely lucky."

"How so?"

"I just cooked a very nice meal for an incredible, not to mention incredibly handsome, young man. Now he is wrapping his arms around me while we look at a sunset." Marinette's fingers intertwined with his.

"That does sound pretty nice." Marinette hummed in response.

Adrien's thumb slowly traced her own. The wind swished lightly as the sun dove lower, causing Marinette to shiver. Adrien briefly turned his head and held her a little tighter. Waves lazily sloshed on the shoreline a ways away, adding a subtle and steady hiss to their moment. The seagulls called slower and slower as the beachgoers of the day packed up their bags.

The duo built up their confidence. Tonight was the night. Right now or never again. The scene was set. They opened their mouths in unison.

"Adri-"

"Marin-"

They both stopped and looked at each other.

"What were you going to say?"

"What were you going to say?"

Adrien hesitated and cleared his throat.

"Uh… W-well… Marinette, we've gotten.. Uh, pretty close over the last few months, and uh, like, even more so the last few days… And uh… So…"

Adrien paused and stared into space, structuring his words.

"Sssoooooooo…?"

"Ahem! So, uh…" Adrien buried his face into the crook of Marinette's neck and mumbled out something.

"What?"

"Willyoubemygirlfriendplease." Marinette stiffened, then turned around in his arms and looked at him.

"Wh… That's what I was going to ask you."

"Really?"

"Yeah! Well, uh, no. Not to be my, g-girlfriend, but to be my, uh…" Marinette fumbled.

"Boyfriend?"

"Y-Yeah." They both paused.

"Wait, so is that a yes?"

"What? Oh! Yeah! Yes! Definitely . 100% down with that. I would be delighted to be your girlfriend."

"Like a house that had all it's light bulbs stolen?" Adrien cracked a grin at Marinette rolling her eyes.

"Delighted? Yes."

"Then I am exhilarated to be your boyfriend." They looked at each other for a moment.

"So, this is… Real? Official? We're dating now?"

"Yeah? I think so? I don't know, I've never done this before."

"I mean, same, but never? Adrien have you looked in a mirror? Ever? How?"

"Thank you, but you as well? How are you not taken?"

"Oh, well, I am taken. By a very handsome young man that goes by the name of Adrien Agreste."

"My, he must be incredible. He truly is a lucky man."

"He's a man who is going to be getting a kiss if he keeps this up."

"Oh no! Not a smooch! Anything but that! Have mer-" Marinette pulled him down to her lips.

XXXXXXXXXXX (see ya dudes)