I was relentless chasing Ladybug. In the end, she booped me first, a defeat that left me disheartened. "Don't feel bad, kitty." Ladybug had teased, tapping my nose again.

"I'll try not to," I began, "But a little help would be appreciated." I winked, earning a flick to the ear.

"That was a one-time thing." Ladybug said, a blush blooming across her features.

After that, we settled into a comfortable silence, walking down streets. At one point in the evening, I can't remember when, our hands brushed, soundlessly grasping each other. "Well, M'lady, it seems as though I ought to take my leave." I said, sweeping onto a knee to kiss Ladybug's hand.

She seemed to pout slightly in response as I pressed my lips to her hand. "Already?" She asked.

"I wouldn't want you to break your curfew." I reminded.

"Curfew! Crap, I gotta go! It was fun, see you some other time, we better stop staying out so late..!" Ladybug rushed.

Subconsciously, Ladybug stepped back. "...It was fun. Thanks." She added on softly.

I was about to mumble out a goodbye before she took off running.

The walk home was a time to reflect on the evening's events. The fact that I cried, the fact I desperately reached out for a stranger with whom I was barely acquainted with, and the fact that we had broken down a physical boundary all seemed to plague me. I'd cried in front of Ladybug! My one true love! My love bug! And all about something as stupid as my father!

But before that, I had asked her to drop everything and come to see me. To console me for having a rather shitty father who couldn't care less about me.

The only plus to the evening was the fact that it seemed to be okay to hold Ladybug's hand. And that the first she had initiated it.

I was not going to get over this woman easily, I thought, shuffling silently into my house. So I took the only course of action I could think of: I threw myself at my bed, curled into a ball, and thought. And thought, and thought, and thought.

And then thought some more.

---{-}---

I got up on time that morning, running to school before I could be forced to eat a small portion of whatever was on the menu that morning. I sat obediently and quietly through classes. I hid in the library for lunch, returned for my last classes, and walked slowly back to my estate. [ Meet up with you partner. Dress nice and spiffy, this is a nice occasion! New rules: You can only choose a certain type of challenge twice in a row before you can only choose the other one. Don't worry, we have a specialized challenge for each and every pair. ] A map was linked in the message, and I tapped on the location, recalling have modelled there once, for some event.

Sending a quick text to Ladybug ( [ Love Lock in 45? ] ), I dressed nicely for the occasion. The only issue was sneaking out without being caught by my father, Natalie, Gorilla, or any of the five security and bodyguards circling the mansion. [ See you in ten... that ok? ] Ladybug responded.

[ Well... I kinda gotta sneak out. I'll text you when I'm on my way? ]

[ Whoa, my partner is a rebel? Boy do I wanna hear this, pls, continue. ]

[ Well, no. Partner is trying not get caught, is all. ]

[ ...ok.... Have fun with that lmao ] Ladybug responded, attaching laughing emoticons.

Poking a head from the door, I noted the corridor was empty. I tentatively stepped out, shutting my room door tightly, as to keep Plagg contained, before sliding down the stair banister. I had one foot inside the door when Natalie's voice interrupted my premature celebration. "Adrien? Adrien are you here? Where is that boy when you're looking for him?"

In a hurried motion, I tugged my foot into the outside. I tried not to slam the door, but in my haste, I did so, running maniacally down the driveway before running down the street. [ House free ]  

[ Well done, master-mind. See you in a bit. ]

---{-}---

It should be illegal to look so beautiful. I hadn't even seen Ladybug's face yet, but I knew that she would sweep me off my feet. "M'lady!" I called, jogging up to the girl.

Turning, Ladybug broke into a smile. "Hello." She said primly, holding her wrists behind her back.

"You look dashing, bugaboo." I remarked.

Clad in a red dress, Ladybug only seemed to grow prettier by the minute. Her dress was a gown, simplistic yet complicated. She had kept her makeup to a minimum, wearing the lightest of lip gloss and the slightest dusting of eye shadow. "You don't clean up so- hey!" I reached up to touch on of Ladybug's eyelashes, pinching it between two fingers.

"Chat, what are you doing." Ladybug stated, leaning forward so as to ease the stress on her eyes.

"Are you wearing mascara?" I asked, pulling my fingers away to examine them for black marks.

"No, and if I was, you'd be laying the water below by now. You should know not to touch a girl's makeup." Ladybug tutted.

"Hmm. Didn't think so. And don't you know, cats hate water?"

"Exactly." Ladybug said, turning on her heel and walking off. I followed her, entranced.