There were few times Adrien was actually excited for a fashion show. For the most part, it was just a job that he was pretty good at. He didn't like changing into multiple different clothes in such a short span nor did he like being fussed over by designers or make-up artists, but he tolerated it for his father's sake.

Now, he was getting the honor of showing Marinette around, and he thrived off her excitement. It made all the chaos and directing he would go through worth it just to see her grin like this.

"Miss Marinette."

Adrien turned to the voice, only to come face to face with his father. He greeted him with a nod. "Father."

"Mr. Agreste," Marinette said. "It's an honor seeing you again."

"Likewise." His father quickly switched into designer mode as he studied Marinette's red cocktail dress. "Can I assume you made this?" he asked.

"I did," Marinette clarified. "I needed something appropriate to wear so as not to disgrace Adrien."

Adrien was about to tell her there was no way she could disgrace him and what was she even talking about, but his oncoming rant came to an immediate stop when he saw his father smile.

Smile.

When did that ever happen?

"It's nice to know that you've taken my advice to heart."

Marinette nodded fervently. "Of course. I've talked with my parents about the class list you gave to me. My mother is teaching me Mandarin in our free time while I'm choosing one of the design classes that works best for my schedule. Come summer, I'll consider taking some university classes in business."

Adrien blinked, very, very lost. Marinette was talking about schooling and his father was smiling as if she were his own daughter.

It kind of stung a bit, but Adrien was decent at putting aside his feelings because Marinette deserved the praise—however minor—she got from his father.

"I'm impressed," his father said. "When it comes to fashion, many people are ready to take my advice, but when it comes to the business side, few people are so eager."

Marinette frowned. "But…but don't people realize that you built your fashion empire? That doesn't come from just designing clothes."

Adrien felt like he might actually faint, or he was hallucinating. No, he had to be seeing things because he swore his father's grin just grew. "You might be surprised just how few people seem to realize that. Though I certainly did not do that alone, having a head for business is the only reason I am where I am."

Marinette nodded. "I guess that's something I knew but never really thought of. My parents' bakery is because my papa bakes and my maman balances business. They couldn't run the store without each other."

At this point, Adrien was certain he was in a dream. There was no way his father was not only willingly holding a conversation with Marinette but looking seemingly pleased to be there.

"Well, Miss Marinette, I can say that if you are the one person who follows my advice, then I will be curious to see what sort of waves you make in the fashion industry." He gave her a curt nod. "If you'll excuse me, I have work that needs to be done." He then turned to Adrien. "Be sure to manage your time, Adrien."

"Of course, father."

Adrien watched his father's retreating form until he was able to snap himself out of it. He then turned back to Marinette, uncertain of what to say.

However, he didn't have to say a word, because she looked like she might just bubble over with excitement. "Did your father really just imply I have potential?"

A grin slowly quirked up on his lips. "I…I think he did."

Her grin was so bright, he might have to squint to see it. She did her best to hold herself together. While she wiggled like an excited puppy, she withheld any squeals.

They walked at a quick pace for the rest of the tour, mostly because Marinette couldn't keep down her excitement. Adrien was glad for her. This was the world she wanted. On top of that, her idol just told her she potentially could be part of it. For that, Adrien was happy for her.

The tour came to an end with him showing her to the seat he'd reserved for her.

"Thank you so, so, so much," she said, once again doing her best to tone down her excitement.

He gave her a grin. "It was my pleasure, Marinette. Hope you'll enjoy the show."

"I have no doubt I will."

With a parting bow, Adrien reluctantly left Marinette's side so as to get ready for the show. If he could, he'd much rather stay with his friend, but he had work to do. He'd just have to remember that she was watching so he should strive to do her proud.

Adrien easily slipped around the hustle and bustle that was backstage as he made his way to his dressing area. Only for his father to surprise him by already being there.

Quickly, Adrien checked his watch. "I still have plenty of time, Father," he assured.

He dismissed Adrien's words with a wave. "That wasn't what I wanted to talk with you about."

Adrien's brow furrowed. "Then what do you need?"

"I just wanted to ensure that your date was going well."

Adrien's mind skidded to a complete and total halt. "Pardon?"

His father quirked a brow. "Marinette seemed to be enjoying herself," he commented. "I'm sure she'll enjoy the show, possibly the afterparty." He paused. "That is, if you didn't make any reservations elsewhere after the show?"

Adrien shook his head, unable to so anything else.

"Then you two will be there at the afterparty. We'll stay long enough for you to introduce her to some good designers, then afterwards, we'll go for dinner. I'm intrigued to hear her thoughts on the line."

With that, Gabriel left, leaving Adrien to wonder what had just happened.

He was also slightly disappointed because he had planed for Marinette to be his ticket out of the after-party, but considering there was no way she was going to pass up the opportunity to mingle with his father's designers, that was out of the question. Surely it wouldn't be too bad. Adrien would be proud to show her off, at least, and hopefully would be busy introducing her to the designers instead of standing beside his father to make proper appearances for investors.

After the tedious show was over and Adrien had the last of the make-up removed from his face, he raced back to Marinette to ask her if she enjoyed it.

A stupid question, he realized, but her excited "yes" made suffering through the show worth every second.

"Thank you so much for bringing me, Adrien," she said, giving him a tight hug. "I had a really good time."

"It's not over yet," he said.

Marinette pulled away, her blue eyes clouded with confusion. "What do you mean?"

Adrien grinned. He knew she would enjoy what he had to say. "My father suggested you stay for the afterparty so I can introduce you to some of the designers."

Slowly, her face lit up, eyes now twinkling like the starriest night. "Really?"

Adrien nodded. "Really."

Bouncing on her toes, she covered her mouth to withhold a squeal.

He extended an arm for her as he waited for her to regain her composure. "Shall we?"

She eagerly took his arm. "We shall."

An hour in, Adrien was reminded of why he hated the afterparties. Firstly, he never got the chance to talk much. Usually, this was because he was just a side ornament for his father as Gabriel talked business with investors. This time was only slightly different. He at least got to introduce Marinette to the designers and say a couple words before Marinette gushed about the designs, which got the designers to return conversation just as vigorously.

Adrien didn't mind, though. He got to watch his friend fangirl over designs and even debate fashion with some of the designers.

The second reason Adrien hated fashion show afterparties was because he honestly hated the models. He'd lost track of how many of them had given Marinette up-and-down looks, and not to admire her dress. He bit back his urge to growl several times throughout the evening, glaring at the offenders before moving closer to Marinette in hopes they'd catch a clue. Once, he had to wrap an arm around Marinette's waist to ward of a particularly daring model. Thankfully, she was too busy discussing necklines and hemlines to really notice.

Eventually, the party began winding down and Marinette was glancing at the clock.

"Is something wrong?" Adrien asked.

"No," she quickly said. "No, nothing's wrong. It's just…my parents are likely to wonder where I am, soon. They're expecting me home before dinner."

"Oh," Adrien said, rubbing the back of his neck. He didn't even think about that, yet here he was about to invite her to dinner. "I'm sorry. I should have been watching the clock more closely."

"Are you kidding? You were kind enough to show me around and introduce me to designers. I should have been the one watching my time instead of getting so carried away."

"But I could have been conscientious of your time, too."

"Trust me, Adrien. It's fine."

"Are you two finished?"

Marinette and Adrien turned to see Gabriel. Adrien gave him an apologetic smile. "Yes, Marinette needs to get home for dinner."

"Oh," Gabriel said, unreadable as ever. "I had hoped to have the opportunity to ask you your thoughts on the line, but I suppose that will have to wait for some other time."

Marinette blinked a few times, her lips slightly parted in a way Adrien could tell was speechlessness.

Adrien wondered if that was how he looked like when his father suggested that the first time.

Soon enough, all three were being driven to Marinette's home. Gabriel took the opportunity to ask Marinette a few questions on the line, what she thought of it, her favorite piece and why, what she might have changed. Marinette answered frankly, yet politely, and Adrien could tell by his father's expression that he approved.

When they arrived at the bakery, Marinette was quick to thank both Adrien and Gabriel. The latter bid her a good night while the former politely walked her to the door like the gentleman he'd been raised to be.

Before Marinette went inside, she engulfed him in a hug. "Thank you, again, Adrien. I had such a good time and it was so fun to watch."

After getting over the shock of her squeezing the life out of him, he returned her embrace. "You're welcome, Marinette. Maybe I can bring you to the next show."

A cute pink tint glowed on her cheeks. "You don't have to."

"But if I wanted to," he said, "would you be opposed?"

She grinned, her blush growing. "Not at all."

Adrien gave her a true smile. "Then we'll have to coordinate that later. But until then, I wish you a good night."

"You too, Adrien." With that, she walked into the bakery and disappeared from all sight.

When Adrien returned to the car, he was surprised to see his father had moved from his spot in the front to the spot Marinette had been occupying. "I take it from her…enthusiastic parting that she enjoyed herself?"

Adrien had to recover from his surprise. "She did."

His father hummed. "Is there a chance I will be crossing paths with her again?"

At this, Adrien couldn't keep his curiosity under wraps any longer. "You've been really nice to her all day. I know I got mad at you for stealing her present, but you don't always approve of my friends so quickly."

Gabriel looked down at him. "She's a promising talent," his father said. "One who not only had good taste in fashion but clearly is interested in improving herself beyond the cloth. I merely want to know the woman my son has chosen to pursue."

Adrien blinked a couple times. He recalled his father's earlier comment about it being a date, and his stomach dropped. "Father. No. Marinette and I are friends. I'm not pursuing her."

His father's brow lowered in disapproval. "Adrien, I am fully capable of recognizing budding romance when I see it. With as often as you talk about Marinette as well as how reverently you refer to her, it is perfectly clear to anyone you hold affection for her. You are not hiding it in any form, if that's what you were wondering."

It was Adrien's turn to be speechless as he struggled for some retort.

"Considering my disapproval of some of your friends, I can understand why you would be so hesitant as to let me know such information," his father continued. "However, I wish you to know that I do approve of Marinette seeing as she is a respectable young woman first and foremost. The fact that she does had excellent taste in fashion and is willing to learn other skills beyond that of sewing cloth is further admirable. Truthfully, Marinette would be a more than adequate apprentice. I have no doubt she has the potential to take over the business should you two ever enter a marriage union."

Adrien choked on that. Did his father even hear himself? This was Gabriel, after all.

"I want the company to stay within the family. Since you have never shown interest in design, I can only hope your future wife would take up that torch. As I said, Marinette seems like a fine girl in many respects as well as competent enough to do the job. So I give full approval of your choice in her. I hope you learn you don't have to hide things from me in the future. After all, it would only behoove you to inform me just when you plan outings for you and Marinette so that they fit easily into your schedule. Wouldn't you agree?"

A/N: And we're done. I'm leaving it open-ended like that because I think it ties the story up on a nice, hilarious note.