Ok.

So.

There IS a reason it took me so long to post this. Mostly it was because I wanted to focus writing on my novels :D

The other reason is… I kept changing my mind and adding stuff, and this stupid fic that was supposed to be a one shot was sucking out my soul and I thought I should put it on hold.

And then I saw Desperada and realized I HAVE TO GET THIS STORY OUT or at least the first two chapters. Let's just say it was "inspiring" to have canon prove certain headcanons of mine. ;)

So here you go to prove I wrote this all BEFORE the last two eps came out. No spoilers, don't worry, but you'll see why.

Oh, and if I were you, I'd glance back over the previous chapters since it's been a while. Just a little tip for your enjoyment. ;)

"This is an outrage! Why did she accept? She wasn't supposed to accept! Neither of them were!" Gabriel ranted and raved as he paced the room. "And of all the places, the Epicure? We'll be lucky if even I can get a reservation there within a week's notice!"

"With all due respect sir, you are the one who said "the establishment of their choice"."

"Does this mean that I'll need to go out? And... socialize?"

"That is typically what an invitation to eat out means," Nathalie pointed out dryly, before adding the obligatory: "Sir."

He grunted and groaned in frustration hand to his head. "This doesn't make any sense. Of all the events she had to accept, why mine? Why-?"

And then he froze, his eyes having landed on his wall. It was a collage of perfection, a collection of the best pieces of both his line, and his son, encased safely behind a shining glass wall.

"...Of course," he murmured to himself, hand going to his chin as the gears turned in his head. "This may very well work in our favor after all." He grinned, eyes glinting in delight. "How fitting that Adrien should be the one to help us reach our goal!"

Nathalie glanced from the wall to Gabriel, for the first time her eyes flashing in worry.

Once Adrien got to his room, he groaned in frustration.

"I just don't get it, Plagg. Why this, why now?"

"Dude, who cares! This is your chance!"

"My chance?"

"Hellooooooooo, to impress Ladybug!"

"Plagg, what are you talking about? Ladybug's already in love with someone else."

"Yeah, because she hasn't seen you!"

"We see each other everyday."

"Not as Cat Noir, you knucklehead! As Adrien!"

"What?"

"You heard her talking about that boy! All nice and gullible and stuff! And you're the most gullible guy I know!"

Adrien glared.

"… sorry that came out wrong. What I meant was-"

"Hold on," He held up his hand. "I need to get to the bottom of this. Plagg, CLAWS OUT!"

Ladybug hadn't quite made it to Master Fu's yet when she heard her yoyo ringing. She opened it up, seeing Cat Noir's caller pic and grimacing.

"Here goes nothing," she said to herself, before answering the screen. "Yes?"

"Just what is your deal?" Cat Noir demanded, from the rooftop beside his house. "You never go to stuff like this!" He complained. "Then all of a sudden my father puts this on and you accept his invitation?"

"Your father is the prestigious Gabriel Agreste. Who wouldn't be flattered for a dinner in their honor?"

He rolled his eyes. "Oh right, and that invitation from the Mayor of Paris at the Grand Vefour was just a night out."

"You really think I'd want to deal with Chloe all night? No thanks."

He went from argumentative, to offended, to resigned. She had a point.

She stood, one hand on her hip as she got her confidence back. "There's nothing wrong with a token of gratitude. It's nice to be appreciated."

"I still don't buy it," he decided, unconsciously mirroring her stance. "You wouldn't have changed your mind without a good reason." He narrowed his eyes, pointing at the screen of the baton in suspicion. "You're up to something..."

"Moi?" She batted her lashes, a hand resting delicately on her collar. "I'm offended you think so lowly of me, Kitty. What could I possibly be up to for a little dinner?"

"You could… be… um..."

He scrutinized her critically, like he'd get some clue as to what was going on in that head of hers. But unfortunately he didn't have that luxury, so wound up just glaring around the city as he flashed from thought, to confusion, to embarrassment in the span of about five seconds. Hearing the lack of answer, Ladybug finally caved and dropped her joking demeanor. "Look, I… just need to try something that night. If it doesn't work, then… I'll at least know I gave it my best shot."

Hearing her sincerity, he relented. "But I still don't understand, Ladybug. What is it you're 'trying'?"

"I can't explain it yet. But soon, Adrien. I promise I'll explain everything soon."

He gaped at his baton as she hung up. "Did she just call me "Adrien"? In costume?"

She never did that either.

Ladybug stopped by Master Fu's, explaining that Adrien was under attack and she wasn't sure she and Cat Noir would be able to keep up protecting him. After a little convincing, He finally agreed to leave her the Turtle and Fox miraculous, if only the next few days for emergency.

As Ladybug finally made it into her room, Tikki was confused.

"I don't understand, Marinette. Why did you accept that invitation? Why didn't you just tell Adrien how you feel? Don't tell me you were afraid you'd stutter again," She teased gently.

"Well… maybe a little," she admitted. "But we can't be together, Tikki," Marinette complained. "And even when I tell him, I want us to have at least one magical night together. Could you imagine!? A romantic dinner at the Epicure?" She sighed, twirling on her foot with zeal. "What if we could go dancing? Or for a romantic boat ride down the seine?"

"It's just dinner."

"I know..." she pouted. "But it's better than nothing."

"But Marinette, you said yourself that you were trying to stop all these akumatizations!"

"I know, I know, don't worry! I already have a plan."

"I can't believe you're going to dinner with Ladybug!"

"So lucky!"

"Hey, can you get her autograph for me?"

Adrien sighed. This was almost as bad as last week. "C'mon guys, when does Ladybug ever give out autographs? But if you want, maybe I could give her a message?"

"Tell her she's amazing~!"

"Tell her thanks for saving me last week!"

"Tell her I'm her biggest fan!"

"Right, of course!" He assured, hands up to try to halt the barrage. "I'll be sure to let her-"

He stopped. He was staring at the over-excited classmates without actually seeing them, struck speechless.

"Uh, dude?" Nino waved his hand in front of his face. "Helloooooooooo, earth to Adrien!"

"Sorry guys, I gotta go!" He said suddenly, breaking through the ring to dash out the school doors for his waiting chauffeur. "See you tomorrow!"

Nino just raised an eyebrow, sharing an equally confused look with Alya.

"Hey, can we stop by somewhere?" Adrien asked his driver. "I wanna pick something up."

He had a sudden, pretty strong hunch about Ladybug's strange behavior, and there was one way to be able to know for sure.

If he was wrong, then… well heck, he guessed that'd be it for him.

That evening for patrol, she looked to him in confusion when he pulled out a large, rolled up piece of paper that had been tucked in his belt from behind him.

"What's this?" She asked, taking the rolled up poster.

"Just a little token of my appreciation. Call it a precursor to the upcoming night."

She gasped sharply as she pulled down the edge. 'To the greatest hero of Paris, Adrien Agreste' She only needed to see a few inches of it to know that it was a massive poster of his fragrance line. "Cat Noir!" She hissed, closing it again and looking fervently for any eavesdroppers. "What is this?"

"Why, my celebrity autograph, of course," he said airily, leaning on his pole like a cane, and looking at his claws. "I figured you'd want it."

"What? Why on earth would you think that?"

"Because you said yourself you wanted a bunch of pictures of me in your room to pine after." He turned, placing both hands on the end of his pole as he faced her straight on, and his smirk was nothing if not scheming. "So here's your first poster, as promised. Assuming of course, you don't already have some."

Ladybug sealed her squealing mouth with her hand. No no no no, this was bad, this was really really bad! He couldn't find out yet! Or else he might figure out who she was and ruin everything! Come on, Dupain-Blabbermouth-Cheng! Fix this! "I, well, that was just a mistake!" She straightened, hand on her hips. "Not that I'm not flattered, but," She held the roll up casually, like it was just an item he picked up from the store (which it technically was). "It's not like it's important to me or anything."

"Really? That's too bad," he sighed, taking and slipping it paaaaaaaaainfully slowly from her fingers. "It's not like I can give it to just anyone, with a special message like that. I guess there's no choice," he sighed again, strolling to the dumpster in the alleyway. He lifted the lid. "I'll just have to get rid of it-"

"NO!"

She dove, stopping his wrist and snatching the poster right out of his hand, hugging it protectively to her chest.

And then Cat Noir grinned.

"Well, well, well," he crossed his arms, eyes narrowing in sheer amusement as he leaned over her, like a cat that just ate the canary. Or in this case, the Ladybug. "Looks to me like the one and only Ladybug is my biggest fan. How flattering."

Ladybug gaped at him in sheer mortification. 'Me and my big mouth!'

"So tell me," He tossed his head of aggravatingly perfect blond hair, running his clawed leather fingers through it in a very familiar signature model pose. "How did it feel realizing you were fighting alongside the one and only Adrien Agreste? Were you thrilled? Star-struck?"

She pressed her lips together, scowling in defensiveness even as her cheeks pinkened. "This is why I didn't want to tell you! I knew it would go to your head!"

"You can't fool me this time, Ladybug." He leaned over sideways, feline eyes narrowing as he smirked. "That's why you've suddenly been so interested in me lately. And why you accepted my father's invitation. You couldn't resist the chance to see me personally." He shrugged in faux bravado. "Honestly, if you wanted a private dinner, you could've just asked. No need to play hard to get."

Her cheeks flushed, her ego too riled up from his teasing to admit defeat. Oooooh, this aggravating little-! She jabbed his chest with her finger. "This doesn't change a thing, Cat Noir! We're still superheroes! This isn't the time to be- to be star-struck!"

"I know," he said easily. And just like that, his demeanor changed, and suddenly he was leaning back from her, with sincerity that just didn't seem to fit his act. "Its one of the reasons I fell in love with you in the first place."

And then he dashed behind the dumpster, throwing her off. She heard a whisper of "claws in." The green of the magic indicated his change just before he came out: mask off and in his normal clothes. What on earth was he-?

"Have dinner with me."

She stared, too taken aback to chastise him about, well, talking in the open with her like this. "But, we're already having-"

"I don't mean with my father, I mean have dinner with me!" He beseeched, and he grasped one of her hands, so close and so earnest she suddenly felt like a deer caught in bright green headlights. "We can go anywhere you want! I can buy out the Epicure, we can picnic over the seine, we can even just dance together on the rooftops!"

"Buy out… the seine… and dance?" She repeated dazedly.

"I know you're in love with someone else, and I know you're just a fan of mine. But I can do everything that other guy does if you'd just give me a chance! If I can't convince you after a night, then..." he dropped his eyes sadly. "Then I'll give this up. I'll give you up, I'll give everything up. And if anyone asks, you can just say I'm a fan that wanted to get to know you more." He looked back up at her, his eyes bright and mournful. "But please, Ladybug. I've been in love with you for so long, I'd do anything for you! I just want the chance to prove myself, on a real date!"

And there it was, that look that made her heart both skip a beat, and melt all at once. I'd do anything for you… anything for you… anything for you…

"… a… real date..." she sighed dreamily.

"You will?!" He jumped, perking in an instant. "You mean it!? You'll go on a date with me!?"

"Date?!" She shrieked, face going beat red. "I'm going on a date?! With you!?"

"You're going on a date with me!" He shouted joyously.

It had all happened so fast, Ladybug hadn't even realized what she'd done until after Adrien turned back to Cat Noir, and left. She looked at the poster in her hand, back to his direction, and then grinned so hard her face nearly hurt, before leaping into the air with a thrilled squeal.

Once Adrien got home, he de-transformed and jumped with a squeal of his own.

"Yes! She said yes, Plagg! I can't believe this is happening!"

"See? I told you she'd go for it."

"I gotta make plans," he said quickly, plucking out his cell phone and punching into the search bar. "If I don't do this now it might never go anywhere!"

He finally found the number he needed, and quickly dialed it up. After a moment of ringing, he straightened smartly. "Hi, can you patch me through to the Epicure? Thanks." Another moment, and then: "Hi, I'd like to place a special order for Friday. We already have a reservation." He was quiet a moment as he listened to the girl's refusal, but he simply smiled as he examined his nails. "I know you guys don't normally do requests, but this is Adrien Agreste regarding my dinner with Ladybug. I believe my father has already explained the situation to you," he said, examining his nails smugly. "I'm sure you guys can make an exception."

Plagg, who had flown over to get himself some camambert, lounged on the boy's bed as he carried on. "Way to throw your weight around, kid." He said in approval, chowing down on his haul.

For the rest of the week, Adrien was on cloud nine.

He did his best to focus in class, though if someone paid attention they would see that his notes were a little less detailed than usual. And his homework had just a few more marks than usual. But details, details. During PE he was more bold and energetic than usual, in passing periods he was even more outgoing and cheerful than normal, and in his personal daydreams, he sighed just a little more often.

"Alright, spill the beans!" Nino finally complained. "What's with you, dude? Now you are acting like you're in love with someone!"

He shushed him quickly, yanking him behind one of the school's square pillars. "Keep it down, Nino!"

"Okaaaaaaay…?" He drawled with a raised brow. "What's going on?"

"Look, don't tell anyone yet, but," he leaned in, whispering behind his hand. "I'm going to have dinner with Ladybug in a few days."

"Yeah? And?"

"Well, I… may be doing a few other things with her." His cheeks went pink. "Like… going out-"

"You're going on a date with Ladybug!?" He cried loud enough for the whole schoolyard to hear.

"Oh no…" Adrien groaned.

"No way!"

"I knew it!"

"You totally have a thing for her!"

Nino winced. "Oops..."

"It's not a date!" Adrien said quickly, hands up defensively. "It's from my father, he's the one inviting her! I'm just going to thank her for saving me so much the last few days!"

"Oh no!" Alya turned to Marinette, grabbing her shoulders. "Are you alright? Girl, speak to me!"

"A date…" she whispered dreamily, cupping her flushing face. "With Adrien!"

"Oh no, she's snapped!"

"She must be in denial!" Mylene said worriedly.

"Guys, guys, please!" Adrien called out over the noise. "I-I'm just a fan! My father invited Ladybug and Cat Noir to a dinner as a token of appreciation! That's all!"

"Really?" Alya pressed, breaking through the crowd to point accusingly and in suspicion. "So you don't have any romantic feelings toward her?"

"What?" He leaned back, with a forced smile and nervously avoided her gaze. "No, of course not! I-I-I-I just admire her for saving Paris all the time!"

"Good!" Alya crossed her arms. "She belongs with Cat Noir, not you!"

And just like that, he perked. "You think so?"

Marinette facepalmed.

Of course, Adrien wasn't the only one on cloud nine. The problem was that Marinette's happily dazed state was a public health hazard. She tripped over the stairs in the early morning, over the bench in the late morning, sent her first helping of food flying during lunch, and nearly over her own chair at class.

"Seriously, girl," Alya hissed as she got her back down to her seat. "I know you're upset, but pay attention before you hurt yourself!"

"It'll be so romantic," she sighed. "With candles, and roses, and-"

Alya just sighed, resigning to the fact that her friend wouldn't be coming back down to earth until after this whole debacle was over.

They didn't really prove a problem until chemistry. Alya was busy getting the notes out of her bag and last night's homework, so didn't see Marinette doing the same. Except she wasn't paying attention to where she was plopping everything, and promptly shoved a beaker right off the table. She shrieked and made a mad grab for it, but only succeeded in making it bounce a few times before it fell to the floor and shattered across the tile.

"Oh no!" She squeaked, ignoring the class's gasps. She jumped from her stool- "I'm so sorry, I'll clean it right up!"

-the same time the teacher held her hand out- "Wait, don't touch that!"

-and Adrien gasped then jumped from his stool to snatch her wrist. "Marinette!"

"Ouch!"

She had reached the glass first, already slicing the end of her finger on it before Adrien could pull her away. He sighed regretfully, sad he had not reached her in time. "You're not wearing any gloves," he reminded.

And then her face fell as she looked at her hurt finger dejectedly. Oh, right.

"Way to go, Du-pain-Cheng." Chloe sneered dryly. "Like this class isn't dangerous enough without you around."

"Chloe, is that really necessary?" Adrien frowned up at her. "Marinette's hurt."

"Yeah? What else is new? It's a miracle at this point no one else has gotten hurt today with her around."

Marinette bowed her head, hating to admit that Chloe of all people was actually right. Adrien furrowed his brow, closing his eyes to compose himself before standing, dragging Marinette up with him. "Mrs. Mendelev? Can I take Marinette down to the nurse's office?"

"Very well, but hurry back. I'll get to cleaning this up."

"Watch your step," he said to her, holding his arm out to help support her as she tip-toed over the broken glass pieces. Once she was safe on the other side, he gently pulled her along out the door, heedless of the jealous leers boring into their backs.

Marinette was quiet as she dejectedly followed behind him down the stairs. She glanced at the back of his head, then to where he gently held her wrist, but for once, the idea of them "holding hands" wasn't making her as giddy as usual.

"...You didn't have to come down with me." she said. "I know the way there."

"I know," he looked over his shoulder to give a reassuring smile. "I wanted to anyway."

She blushed, smiling a tiny bit at the thought. Adrien turned his attention back to where he was going, glad she didn't press. If he admitted he was worried she might trip and hurt herself more if left unattended, she might feel worse.

They came to office, only to find that the school nurse had apparently stepped out.

"It's ok," Marinette assured. "I know where everything is."

She pulled out the bottom drawer of the nurse's desk, where the first aid kit was. Sitting herself down on the second chair, she automatically opened it up and pulled out the disinfectant and bandage. Adrien watched her, feeling a little silly just standing there.

"Well, you seem to know what you're doing, so I'll just..."

And then he stopped, looking at her looking expectantly up at him. An idea hit him, and he quickly pulled the chair up beside her. "Actually, let me do it."

"What?"

"The bandage," he explained. "It'll be hard with one hand, right? So I'll do it."

"I-" Her face heated, both at his sudden proximity and sudden eagerness. "Y-You really don't have to do that!"

"I know. I want to help," he said earnestly.

"O-oh," she bit her lip to hide her eager grin. "Well, if you're sure..."

"I am," he assured cheerfully, and set aside the first aid to gather the items she'd pulled out. It wasn't a difficult task, just opening the tiny packet, swiping the cut with some alcohol, and gently wrapping the bandaid around the finger. But with Adrien's intense focus, one would think he was performing brain surgery.

Marinette thought her heart would beat right out of her chest.

"Ah, it's too loose," he realized, already reaching for another bandaid. "Sorry, I've never done this before. Here, I'll try again-"

"No!" She snatched her hand hand away, holding it protectively to her chest. "No, it's fine, really!"

"But, it won't stay on," Adrien reminded in confusion, still holding the second bandaid.

"It'll be fine, I mean it's not like I need it on forever anyway," Marinette argued.

"I guess not," he conceded with a confused smile, and put down the second one. Maybe she just had a weird thing about germs or something. "Actually, Marinette, can I… ask you something? I need some advice."

She froze, heart beating a hundred miles a minute even as she grinned. "Oh, yeah? What about?" He was going to ask her for advice like last time! Oh gosh what was she supposed to say? She would have to play dumb and pretend not to understand but still give hints on the most romantic night of her-

"What does it take to be 'helpful'?"

She blinked. "...What?"

He rubbed at his neck nervously, glancing between his shoes and his knees and the fist in his lap. "You're always helping people, and I was wondering how I could do the same. People say I'm "nice", but is that the same thing?" He finally looked to her, and there was the slightest bit of worry to his gaze. "I really wanna figure this out, so any tips you have would be appreciated."

She kept blinking at him, stunned. He… saved Paris on a daily basis, and he wanted to figure out how to be more helpful?

She sighed dreamily. That was Adrien for you, as sweet as could be!

"Marinette?"

"Oh, right! I mean, um," she blinked back to reality, trying to wrack her brain for a suitable answer. "I don't really know how to explain it," she admitted. "I just find out what people need, and try to go from there. Unfortunately it… doesn't always go the way I hope it does." She winced, but carried on with her smile. "But as long as it works out in the end, that's what's important, right?"

"What people "need"?"

He seemed to take that into consideration, brow and mouth scrunching in thought. He wasn't sure if he'd thought about it like that before. He knew how to be polite, and how to lift someone's spirits, but he still wasn't so sure if that was quite right. "But… what if there isn't really much you can help someone with? Like, say the person is already really strong, and capable on their own. How do you 'help' someone like that?"

She watched him turning it over, and then her heart started to sink. He… was talking about Kagami. She was plenty strong and capable. Even at their upcoming date, was he still really thinking about her? Was… 'Ladybug' too late after all? She couldn't help but think about the time she'd helped put gum on Kagami's shoe, and he'd gone to such lengths to help her with it. Realistically, she probably should have felt jealous. But from her guilt at the memory, and the obvious concern he was suddenly having about it, she couldn't help but feel obligated to, well, help him out.

"Listen," she put a hand on his shoulder. "Being helpful isn't just about "doing" something for someone. It's about being there for them when the time is right. I'm sure this person, whoever they are, will appreciate that more than anything. You just have to know when to step in."

He gaped at her, mouth slightly parted in wonder at the sudden change in her demeanor.

She flushed under his gaze, pulling her hand back. "What? D-Did I say something weird?"

"Not at all," He assured, before he relaxed into a smile. "Thanks, Marinette. That does make me feel better. You're a good friend."

She smiled back, only slightly guilty this time. "What can I say? I'm a natural. I mean at helping people! Not at being a friend- although I guess being a friend too, I just meant-"

And then she stopped, Adrien's lightly amused laughter cutting her off.

"Sorry," he said with a grin that turned just slightly teasing. "I guess I shouldn't have said anything. C'mon, we should head back to class."

When they returned, all the glass had been picked up, so Marinette and Adrien were able to easily return to their seats. She sighed dreamily, looking at the loose bandage over her fingertip. Alya raised her brow.

"His first bandage..." Marinette murmured. "The first one he ever put on, and it was on me!" She squeaked. "I'm never washing this hand again."

Alya just rolled her eyes in amusement.

At fencing practice, Adrien was even more on top of his game than normal. He and Kagami were always pretty close in terms of combat skill, even if she did tend to win more rounds. This time, however, his competitive nature and drive to "impress" were fueling his strikes even more than usual, to the point where he beat her twice in a row. With her mask, he couldn't see her face, but he could tell she was smiling from her voice. "You're on your toes today, Adrien. Any reason I should start being wary?"

He faltered, grateful for the helmet to hide the sudden uncertainty on his face. "Well, actually I'm gonna meet someone I admire a lot soon, and… I guess I'm pretty excited about it."

"Ladybug, right? I'm guessing you want to be able to brag to her about your skills?"

"No, no! Not like that, I swear!"

"Well," she swished her blade and jumped into her ready stance. "I won't be just handing over those bragging rights. You'll have to earn them first."

He smiled behind his helmet, easing into his own stance. It was times like these he was grateful to have her as a partner. And if things didn't pan out the way he secretly hoped, then… maybe that term would come to mean a lot more.

This was it. The night he'd been waiting for his whole life.

Well not literally his whole life, but it sure felt that way.

Adrien finished straightening his vest for the umpteenth time, and checking on his hair gel one last time, before tucking the container of camembert in his dress pants pocket.

"Geez, for something that's "not a date", you sure are making a lot of fuss," Plagg complained.

"This is my one chance to impress her, Plagg," Adrien argued, finally pulling on the black tux jacket. "I gotta have everything right. Now come on, let's get going," he urged, opening up his suit jacket to let the kwami fly into his inner pocket.

He hurried down the stairs, already dashing for the door until Nathalie's voice halted him.

"Wait, Adrien. Your father is not quite ready yet."

"What?" Adrien turned to her in shock. "You mean my father is actually coming tonight?"

A booming male's voice answered him. "Is that really such a shock, Adrien?"

He didn't say anything at first, too stunned at the sight of the man straightening out his tie as he descended the stairs.

"I hope that doesn't mean you're disappointed."

"No, Father, far from it!" He assured quickly. "I just assumed you wouldn't be there in person."

"Given the importance of tonight, I figured it would be best to make an appearance. Shall we?"

"Of course!" He said brightly, falling into step beside him, and hiding the worried furrow of his brow. He just expected a tablet with a video call like usual. Did this mean he would actually stay through the whole night?

Well… it wasn't like he and Ladybug couldn't stay out late if needed. Things would be fine, he was sure.

They stood in front of the Bristol hotel together, standing patiently before the flashing cameras eager to get a picture of Gabriel Agreste in a rare public outing. Occasionally Adrien glanced about, looking up in the nighttime sky for any signs of her, but his eyes kept straying to the formidable, erect figure of his father.

"Is something wrong?" Gabriel finally asked.

"Not at all!" He assured quickly. "I'm just… glad to see you out, father," Adrien smiled, averting his eyes to the ground. "It's been so long since we've done anything together."

His father looked down at him, finally, and his usually stern frown softened. Putting a hand on his shoulder, he said: "Soon, my son. Soon this will all be behind us, and we'll be a real family again."

His smile grew, shoulders relaxing as he faced the cameras again.

And then, just when his father checked his wrist watch, he saw her, like a super powered acrobat twirling through the night. He sighed with relief, beaming as she landed before them, and straightened to stand.

"Sorry for making you wait," she smiled apologetically.

"Not at all." Gabriel spoke up. "After all, you are the hero of Paris. I'm sure you are quite busy."

"Mr. Agreste!" Ladybug blinked in shock. "You mean you actually came tonight?"

"Yes." He raised his brow. "I am the who invited you, after all."

"Oh, right, of course!" Her grin was strained, but quick, and she laughed a little nervously. "I just assumed you wouldn't be here in person!"

Gabriel let his face fall. So, from what he gathered, this meant he could have stayed home and no one would have thought anything of it.

"Not that I'm not glad to see you, of course, what an honor!" She said quickly.

"Of course. Shall we?"

He turned to take the lead, and the doormen held open the glass doors for them. Adrien offered Ladybug his arm. She looked down at it, and her cheeks went red, before she smiled shyly, and snaked her arm around his.

The photographers went wild, crowding around the young couple with zeal. The moment they walked through the doors, the doormen closed them, leaving the photographers and reporters to see through the glass barrier.

The Epicure was inside the Bristol hotel. So they made their way through the lobby, hounded by the press and unfortunately also disturbing the other guests. But thankfully, a pair of bodyguards halted the wild paprazzi from entering the restaurant itself. Inside, the music was soft and sweet, perfectly fitting the warm colors. Ladybug couldn't help but look with a little wide-eyed wonder at the flowered and pink curtains. Adrien couldn't help but be a little hopeful.

"Is this your first time in a place like this?" He asked.

"Oh! Um," she glanced away. "Well, you know, when you're saving Paris and all, you don't really have time to eat out a lot."

"Yeah, I guess not," He relented, though couldn't help but be a little confused. She didn't come to here because she was "busy"? So she was rich? "Well, if you need help with anything, just let me know."

She smiled up at him. "Thanks."

He didn't have time to ponder however, as they approached their table. It wasn't in the restaurant itself but on the patio. The outside dining area was set in a fine, well kept garden with round, cozy little tables. At night, there were candles and in the soft lantern lights, the ambiance was simply divine.

And gave the perfect vantage point to Rena Rouge and Carapace on opposite ends of the hotel rooftops.

"Rena Rouge to Carapace," the fox whispered into her earpiece. "The bug and buttercup are in sight, I repeat, the bug and buttercup are in sight!"

"Carapace here," he whispered back. "No signs of trouble yet," He assured, watching vigilantly over the street. Then he paused, wrinkling his nose. "Why're we calling him "buttercup" again?"

"Uh," Rena Rouge winced, not sure she should tell her boyfriend yet just how elaborate previous plans were to try to hook him up with Marinette. "Uh, beeecause they're in the garden! And what better code for a Ladybug than a flower!"

"Oooooh, I gotcha!" He winked, even though she literally could not see him.

Adrien offered her a chair, and she released him to take her seat.

"Wait!" He said to the server, and jumped behind the seat. "Please, allow me."

The server blinked, then looked confusedly at Mr. Agreste. He nodded his consent, and server stepped back. Adrien pulled the chair back, and Ladybug gracefully lowered herself down. Taking the folded napkin from the table, Adrien flicked his wrists to spread it, then slid it over her lap. Then stepped behind the chair to slide her back into the table.

"Thank you," she murmured shyly, face still pink. Who knew Adrien was such a gentlemen.

"Not at all, milady," he bowed with a flourish, making her giggle.

Of course, so wrapped up in each other, they didn't see the displeased crinkle of Gabriel Agreste's brows as he saw the rather… familiar looking gesture and phrase.

But it was only for a moment, before the men went to their own seats, and let the servers do the same for them. They handed over the drink menu, a single page on a thick, texture stock with fancy calligraphy typesetting. But as she looked over the menu, she grimaced as she realized that none of these names looked even remotely familiar. They were all probably super fancy, high-class drinks that she didn't have the slightest idea of what to expect.

"You can try the drinks here."

She looked up at Adrien smiling a little sympathetically at her.

"You don't have to worry, we'll be covering it," he assured quickly.

Catching on to the general atmosphere, the older man glanced to the photographers by the door, managed a smile, and lay a hand on Ladybug's shoulder in a comforting, "fatherly" gesture. "My son is correct. This dinner is a thank you for all your hard work. We would hate for our guest to feel uncomfortable."

She could feel a little of her tension falling away, and she smiled a little sadly. "...That's very kind of you, Mr. Agreste, but I'd feel guilty to have you cover that much for me." She dejectedly handed the menu back to the server. "I'll just have a water, please."

"I understand," the man relented, pulling his hand back.

Adrien pressed his lips worriedly together, before brightening. "Then, I'll have a coke," Adrien decided, handing his back.

"Wait, really?" She jumped excitedly. "Then, I'll have one too!"

"...I'll take a gingerale for myself, please."

Adrien smiled, relieved as her smile returned. "I guess you can't really be drinking anyway," he said, and his tone sounded suspiciously teasing. "Least not while you're on the job."

"I would hardly call this a job," she responded easily, lips curling in amusement. "But you're right, I always have to be on my toes. What if an Akuma comes bursting through the door any minute?"

"We can take 'em. I've gotten pretty good at playing bait."

"That's your master plan?" She said flatly, and even Gabriel looked even less than amused than usual.

"Well, it's not like I have a miraculous," he shrugged easily, leaning back. "The best I can do is provide a distraction. If I did have one though, I bet I'd be an awesome superhero."

"You as a superhero? Hah! Please. Knowing you, you would probably just run into battle without a plan."

"And what's wrong with that? You do the planning, I'll do the fighting. It seems like a pretty solid system to me."

"If by "solid" you mean "lucky" than yeah, it is pretty solid."

"See?" He draped an arm over the back of his chair, crossing his legs. "I'd be purrfect for the team."

"Ahem."

Both teens jumped, looking up at the man's narrowed eyes at his son, and Adrien snapped back into proper posture. "Sorry Father!"

"Ah, not that I ever would give you the miraculous!" She said quickly, looking up to the man reassuringly. "Or ever put him in danger like that!"

"Of course not!" He agreed quickly. "It was just a joke."

"Hmm. Well if you do ever give him the miraculous, be sure to let me know," he said easily, taking the food menu handed to him as their drinks arrived. "I would not trust any costume my son attempts to make."

Ladybug snorted in surprise, slapping a hand over her mouth to hold her giggles, to Gabriel's apparent confusion. Adrien gaped at him in affront.

"Father!"

"What? I simply mean you never inherited the creative genes of the family. If it were left to you, you might have a costume like Cat Noir's."

Both teens went stock-still. "Uh, but we already have a Cat Noir!" Ladybug said nervously, with Adrien nodding quickly. "W-Why would you think that?"

"He's been obsessed with cats ever since he was a child." He said easily, already looking at the food menu being handed to them. "Wouldn't surprise me in the least if he desired a similar design. I'll be caught dead before I let any son of mine roam around with a belt as a tail."

Adrien grimaced, raising his menu up to hide his face.

Ladybug turned thoughtful. "You know, I've always wondered about the bell. I don't think I've ever seen him use it for anything. What's it for?"

"A curious question I've wondered myself." Gabriel admitted. "If you ever find out, be sure to let me know."

"It's just an accessory!"

Both Gabriel and Ladybug looked to him with raised brows. But he didn't lower his menu, keeping his beet-red face hidden. "You know, to make it look interesting. I-I always thought it was cute."

Of course, not looking at his father, he didn't see the man's face drop, clearly not amused at the mere idea of it. Ladybug regarded him curiously. Was it just her, or had he seemed rather… self-conscious lately? It was so unlike him, and definitely not Cat Noir material.

"It is cute," she nudged his leg with her foot under the table. "Cat Noir is pawsitively adorable."

He popped up halfway over his menu to peer hopefully at her. "...Really?"

"Of course… Adrien," she saved quickly. "My Kitty is always adorable."

'My Kitty. I'm her Kitty!' He could feel his ears burning, heart skipping a beat at the mere mention, but forcing his lips to stay shut so as not to say anything… incriminating. He stole a glance at her, then blinked when he noticed her curious gaze, then narrowed his eyes. "You're just saying that to make me feel better."

"So?"

"So, you don't really mean it," he decided, ducking back down.

Ladybug just rolled her eyes. "I didn't say that."

"You didn't not say it."

"That doesn't even make sense."

"Does so. Ever heard of a 'double negative'?"

"Oh, what? Are you sulking, now?"

"No."

"Adrien!"

The man's sharp tone was enough to make both of them jump. They blinked up at the man, who stared down unapprovingly at his son.

"That is no way to behave yourself. I'd have thought I raised you better than that."

"But Father, it's just us," he argued weakly. He jerked his head toward the opened doors. "And it's not like they can hear us."

"You must always conduct yourself as if they could hear you. Haven't I taught you that by now?"

He looked up worriedly at his father for a few seconds, before he finally bowed his head in defeat. "Yes, Father." He straightened his back, lowering his menu to a more "acceptable" level and looking down at his menu.

Gabriel closed his eyes a moment to compose himself, and then turned his attention to Ladybug. "I sincerely apologize on my son's behalf for his behavior, Ladybug."

"Really, there's no need to apologize!" She said quickly. "I'm not offended or anything, we were just joking around! And, really, it's my fault for teasing him! Right, Adrien?"

But Adrien didn't answer, heavy eyes down on his menu, much to Ladybug's worry.

"Regardless, I know he tends to be sensitive, so I hope it does not lower your opinion of him. He tells me that you're a fan."

"Oh, uh, yeah, I mean a little bit. Of your work, I mean!"

"I'm quite flattered. Have you decided what you're having for your first course?"

"No, sorry! Um," She brought up her menu again. "S-So, what do you recommend here?"

"Oh," Adrien finally spoke up. "Please, Father, allow me." He reached over to point to a section of the menu, and took the time to briefly explain a few options, while his father looked on in approval. She nodded, smiling and hurrying into small talk to try to move past the bizarre sudden tension in the atmosphere. Both as they waited, and then as they ate their appetizers. Eventually, of course, it turned to Gabriel's work, and he seemed quite pleased about her knowledge of general fashion.

"Tell me, which line was your favorite?"

"Fall of '14!" She said without missing a beat. "Don't get me wrong, I mean, all your work is great! But that one was-"

"-An adventurous push of creative boundaries," He finished for her, with a fond smile. "Yes, I remember it well. That truly was an inspired year for me. I'm surprised, most would say that winter of '15 was my finest achievement."

"Oh, it was great, don't get me wrong, it's just that the pieces in '14 were really inventive for you. Your fabric and seam choices were reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally inspirational!" She gushed.

"I must say, Ms. Ladybug, that I never imagined Paris' number one superhero to be such a fashionista. You truly are a woman of many talents."

She blushed, rubbing at the back of her neck a moment. "Well, not as talented as you, of course, Mr. Agreste."

"You flatter me."

Adrien blinked, stunned. "You never told me you liked fashion."

"Oh, well, it's not like we normally have time to talk," she said hastily.

Adrien beamed. Ladybug liked fashion? Like, actual creation of fashion? He never imagine that the girl of his dreams would be this perfect! He could just imagine it, her mask down, all of them at the dinner table after a hard day at work, talking about it and life together...

"...Actually, I always liked your unpublished line," the boy finally spoke up. "There was a collection he made a few years back that never went into production. And even now I always thought it was really fun. It's really different than anything you've seen on the market."

"Ah, you mean your collection." The man realized.

"'My'?" Adrien raised a confused brow along with Ladybug.

He looked over to Ladybug as well. "Over the years my son has proved a great source of inspiration for me and my designs. One year I noticed that he had come to enjoy brighter colors, and so I started designing a few outfits with that in mind. With my wife's input of course."

"What?" Adrien gaped. "You and mother worked on it together? You never told me that!"

"There was no chance. Unfortunately the trend the last few years has been muted colors, so the clothes never went into production. Though not before you tried on a few of the samples and got a taste for them."

"Oh!" Ladybug clapped her hands together. "What a sweet story!"

Adrien blushed, though his smile was undeniable, even as he turned his attention back to the menu.

"Yes, I supposed it is," the older man relented, and he exhaled slowly through his nose. "Things really were different back then."

Just then, Gabriel's phone went off, and he checked it. "Excuse me, for a moment."

He set down his menu and stood to take a few steps away from the table as he took a call. And Adrien, although he had secretly been wishing for this, couldn't help the sting of disappointment.

"Don't worry about the food," Adrien whispered from behind his menu. "I've already ordered for us."

She lowered the menu to peer over the top. "What? Why?"

"Watch."

She did, looking raptly to Gabriel Agreste as he returned.

"I am terribly sorry, but unfortunately something has come up, so I won't finish dining with you tonight. But please, feel free to order anything you like. It will be billed directly to me."

"Oh, I understand," she said hastily. "Thank you."

He nodded to her. "Adrien, I'll see you tomorrow, if not tonight."

"Yes, Father."

"Goodnight, Ladybug. It was a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh, same to you!"

She watched him leave, then turned her attention back to Adrien. "I still don't get what that has to do with-"

He pushed the menu up to her face. "Have you looked at the steaks here? They're really something else!" He said with forced cheer, before he gave the tiniest jerk of his head toward the exit doors. As Ladybug glanced at the flashing cameras through the glass, she got it, and ducked the bottom half of her face behind the menu.

"I knew my father wouldn't stay through the meal, so I ordered something ahead of time I could take out."

"Take out? You're cutting it short already?"

"If we go through the kitchens we can sneak out the employee exit and escape before they notice."

Her jaw dropped. And then she grinned, delightedly scandalized. "Adrien Agreste, are you sneaking away from your own dinner?"

"Not meeee," he insisted. "Cat Noir! I saw him roaming around the back, he looked pawsitively jealous!" He defended, ignoring Ladybug's sudden burst into giggles as he put on the dramatics. "And what could I do against him? I just couldn't stop him from stealing you away!"

"So that's what you were planning for tonight?"

"We'll have to come back eventually," he relented. "Otherwise pretty sure my father will kill me."

"So what's the plan?"

"The bathrooms are down the hall from the kitchen. There's a vent you should be able to get to. I'll turn the other way to check on the food, and meet you in the back."

"Sounds good. But I guess we'll still have to pretend to order, just to make it look good."

"You've already read my mind, milady," he grinned, giving her a wink.

So they ordered, picking something at random and giving a little wait time as they made smalltalk. After bit, Ladybug excused herself for the lady's room. After a few minutes, Adrien made a show of checking his watch- even though he didn't have one- and also headed for the back, though turned the opposite direction for the kitchens.

The cameras stopped flashing as the photographers waited, ignorant of the fact that their charges were climbing up the vent, and quietly checking with the staff before heading out the employee entrance respectively. Adrien darted through the alley behind the building, transforming just as Ladybug found him tying the ends of what looked like a knapsack diagonal his torso.

"Cat Noir?" She gasped, cupping her face in dramatic feminine shock. "I thought you couldn't make it! What're you doing here?"

"Ha ha, cute. Now hurry up, we won't have much time," He insisted, pulling out his stick and holding an arm out for her.

She raised a brow and crossed her arms. "You know I could just follow you there myself."

"Yeah, but on the off-chance someone does see us, it's a little more believable that I "stole you away" if I'm actually "stealing you away"."

She giggled, then came in close to him, holding onto his neck. He wrapped his arm around her, and quickly extended the pole, ignorant of the happy little flush on her face as he carried her away. He polevaulted and jumped onto the roof, tucking the pole back into his belt as he scooped up her legs, and took off down the roofs.

"Where're we going?" She asked.

"Not far. Just somewhere not everyone's watching. Also, I'm gonna need you to close your eyes. I sort of wanted to surprise you with this," he admitted with a wink.

She couldn't help the thrilled little grin at the mere thought, and closed her eyes. He finally came to a stop, landing wherever it was he wanted, and set her down.

"Wait just a few minutes while I set everything up," he warned, then darted to do just that.

He worked quickly, using a bit of what may have been slightly boosted super speed to place the food and pour the drinks and light the candles and set the flowers and-

He stepped back, admiring the handiwork, before finally taking the containers, peeking over the edge of the roof, then dropping them in the general vicinity of the dumpster below. He stalked away from the edge, whistling innocently.

"Are you done yet?" She complained jokingly.

"Almost," he assured. "Plagg, claws in." And then he detransformed, his kwami zipping out with zeal.

"Ugh, you mean I'm stuck here watching this ooey gooey mushy stuff? Blegh, gross! I can't believe-"

"Does tact mean nothing to you, Plagg?" Adrien complained, ignoring the sudden snort of giggles as Ladybug tried and failed to stop them. He pulled out his container of Camembert, and handed him a wedge. "Go give us some privacy."

"Don't mind if I do!" He took the wedge, and hid himself behind a chimney.

Adrien sighed as he put the container back, then pulled out his phone from his jacket pocket. "So much for atmosphere," he complained as he put it into the speakers. "I hope your kwami's not that obnoxious."

"Not usually," she joked. "Actually, Tikki's very sweet. She's kind, and wise, and I don't know what I'd do without her."

"Yeah," he smiled as well, relaxing. "Plagg's a pain sometimes, but he means well. I don't think I could imagine my life without him at this point."

There was a comfortable silence, as the pair realized how oddly satisfying it was to finally have someone who understood that normally secret part of their lives.

"Um… Adrien, are you sure about this?" She finally spoke up with her doubts. "What if someone sees us? Maybe you should stay as Cat Noir."

He winced. He had considered that, but given how he already behaved around her tonight, he was afraid he might fall back into certain habits with the familiar comfort of the miraculous.

"Don't worry, I checked from all sides. You can't see this place from anywhere down below."

"If you're sure..."

"I am." Adrien blinked back awake as he finally found the playlist he wanted, and a soft piano medley echoed through the night. He stepped back, taking his spot by the table. "Now, open your eyes."

She did- and then gasped softly, lips parted in awe. "Oh, Cat Noir, I- sorry, I mean, Adrien, this is..."

He chuckled a little. "It's ok. It's just us, so, whatever slips I guess."

"I think it's the suit," she laughed lightly, and he joined her when he realized what she meant.

"What can I say?" He struck a few poses, that were definitely more Cat Noir material. "Black's my color." And then he realized what he was doing, and wanted to kick himself. "I mean-!" He straightened, cheeks pink, and pulled out the chair closest to him with an embarrassed smile. "Dinner?"

She smiled a little sympathetically as she sauntered over. But before she took her seat, she reached up to cup his cheek. "It's ok, Cat Noir. It's just us, so whatever slips, right?"

Her encouraging expression in the candlelight was too much for him, so he had to avert his eyes, but the tiny, shy smile showed how much the little sentiment meant to him. "Right. Thanks, Ladybug."

A little nod of her head to let him know she understood, then she lowered herself to the seat, and let him push her chair in again.

"Dinner," he declared, lifting the silver lid. "Is served."

THERE! PROOF THAT I KNEW CAT NOIR WOULD TOTALLY USE HIS "ADRIEN" SIDE TO WOO LADYBUG IF NEEDED!

Ok its not that surprising all the Ladrien fics do this but hey after all those angsty "oh no she likes 'Adrien' she doesn't love me for ME" tropes I was so glad to see canon prove it wrong. (That silly boy.)

Anyway, thanks for reading!