Once the vehicle pulled to proper stop, I jumped out, rushing to change from the clothes I'd been modeling. "Adrien! Slow down, for God's sake!" Natalie yelled after me.

I pushed on, ignoring Natalie's "concerns". I was halfway up the stairs when I heard the soft mewling. Plagg, freed from my room, once more. "Plageånd, is that you?" I asked.

Of course, there was my father, crouched over, petting the cat. Without a second thought, I intercepted, picking the cat from the floor. Ignoring father's protests, I continued. "Adrien. Adrien, we need to speak." He commanded.

I continued on wards. "Adrien Agreste, stop right there." My shoulders tensed as I complied.

No matter my anger, I could never ignore a direct order from my father. "Put your cat somewhere suitable and come to my office, right away." He demanded.

In sheer fear of what my father could do when angry, I nodded once, heading off to put Plagg in his bed. "Stay." I said, placing the kitten in his rightful spot.

Glancing at the clock, I realized I needed to hurry. I only had a half hour before I needed to meet Ladybug. I stress "needed". Reluctantly, I changed my clothes, dumping the modeled brands into a hamper. I double checked that Plagg was safely asleep before sliding out of my room and shutting the door tightly.

The hallway was empty, devoid of Natalie or the Gorilla. There was my father's office door, dark and looming, seemingly casting a shadow over the entire hallway. I hesitated at the door, unsure whether to knock or to push right through. Father seemed to be in quite a mood, so I knocked gently. To no avail. I pushed the door gently, revealing my father, staring at the artful portrait of mother. "Take a seat."

I fiddled with my fingers nervously as I scooted over to the chairs by the desk, impeccably organized and perfectly lined up. I couldn't bring myself to sit, knowing that father would probably scold me for ruining the placement.

I felt like a little boy again, disciplined for knocking over a vase. Sitting in the large seats, afraid of the trouble I was in. Then bursting into tears at my mother's disappointed face. And clutching her skirt tightly as father tried to calm me down, insisting that it was okay. That the vase didn't matter. All that mattered was that I was alright. That I didn't get hit or cut by the heavy pottery. And then falling asleep in the biggest chair, father's chair.

My musing was cut off by a sigh. "Adrien." Father began, pausing as though calculating his next words very carefully.

He finally turned to face me, and I was struck by his age. How old my father had become. His whitening hair, usually slicked perfectly in place, wispy and ruffled, as though he was pushing it back again and again. Purple bruises weighting down his eyes, wrinkled with smile lines, long since used. As though sensing my speculation, father straightened his glasses, pushing back his hair with a finality, getting it properly in place, as though he'd had the power to all along. But not the willpower to.

"Fa-" I was cut off by my seemingly feeble father as he hugged me.

Shocked, I stood completely still, afraid to move, as though the slightest of movements might shatter this mirage, this illusion. The embrace was cold, calculated, measured. As though my father, the great Gabriel Agreste, was unable to recall how to execute such a task. But then it changed. The entire feeling of the hug changed, the icy-ness melting to a warmth, the calculated to a freeform, the measurements irrelevant. It didn't feel weird. It wasn't strange. The hug was familiar, missed, perfect, and most of all, loving. I couldn't help it then. My hands slowly found their way to father's back, wrapping around his torso and squeezing him tightly.

It felt like an eternity. A perfect moment, frozen, suspended by a memory. Gently, father pulled back. "You're... you're getting strong there, aren't you?" He joked, trying to wash the awkwardness away.

"It's... been a while." I shrugged.

"Adrien, I'm proud of you." Father said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"That means more than anything." I said, cherishing the moment I finally got to hear the words I'd been wanting to hear for years.

"And... I'm sure... I'm sure your mother is proud of you, too." Father choked out.

"I..." My voice faltered, watching as my father turned his head away, blinking back tears.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head slightly. "I just miss her." Father breathed out, voice thick with un-shed tears.

"Me too, dad. Me too." I sighed, giving in to the urge for another hug.

Father's hands, tired and thin, gripped my back tightly. "You have places to be, don't you?" He asked a moment later.

"She can wait." I reassured my father.

"Love can't wait."

"How did you...."

"I know that look. Now go." Father said, suddenly pulling me from his body and steering me to the door.

I nodded, rushing off to grab my mask.

---{-}---

It was past seven when I reached Love Lock, huffing and puffing. "Ladybug, I am so sorry." I said, hunching over behind the girl.

"Huh? Chat Noir! What happened to you? You look like you're being chased by a pack of wolves." Ladybug said, putting a hand on my shoulder and crouching down to look at me.

"Sentimental moments with neglectful father." I huffed out, finally standing up straight.

"Oh." Ladybug said, following suit.

"So, what's new with you?" I asked, skipping over cheesy introductions.

"Cat didn't call me M'lady. That's 'bout it." Ladybug teased.

"Oh, ha ha. Did you get our challenge?" I asked, cutting to the chase.

"Ooh, an efficient Chat? Why aren't you like this everyday? I haven't checked yet, was waiting for you." Ladybug explained.

"Hey, thanks, LB." I said, pulling the phone from my pocket. "What's today's challenge?"

"Well.... We kinda sorta may have to choose the sinful challenge." Ladybug blushed, tucking her mouth into the scarf wrapped around her neck.

Dammit she's so cute. "Oh... We don't have to do it if you don't want to..." I suggested.

"No! We have to! We must." Ladybug said heroically, stars in her eyes.

"Oh, okay. Says to kiss."  I said.

"Okay!" Ladybug said enthusiastically.

"Wait." I said, re-reading the prompt.

"Wait!" Ladybug repeated.

"What?" We said in unison.

"Now, you're pretty and all, but I don't wanna do nothing if you're not comfortable-"

"A challenge is a challenge! I accept, no matter the permanent brain trauma!" Ladybug exclaimed.

"Lower your voice. We're in a public place." I reminded.

"We are in a public place." Ladybug said, raising a fist and walking off.

I assumed she wanted me to follow, and of course, like the lovesick teen I was, I followed along. Where we were going, I didn't really know, not caring, as long as Ladybug was with me. "Where are we going?" I asked absently, trying to keep up the marching Ladybug in front of me.

"Here." Ladybug said, pointing to a large tree, bent from time.

"Where did this even come from?" I asked, following her.

"You'd find stuff like this, too, if you looked for it." To my surprise, Ladybug stepped right through the leaves of the tree, disappearing from sight.

"Ladybug?" I asked, trying to find her.

"In here, silly." She said, sticking a hand out.

Taking it, I was pulled into the depths of the large willow. There, set out in front of me, sat a blanket, computer, various snacks, and Ladybug. "This... for me?" I breathed.

"Yeah." Ladybug shrugged.

"Thanks, Ladybug." I said, sitting with thud.

"It's my pleasure." Ladybug smiled.

I blinked, taken aback by the beauty in front of me. "Are you allowed to be this incredible?" I wondered aloud.

"Well, I just did it." Ladybug teased.

For the nest few hours, we watched movies, shows, animes, cartoons, anything and everything Ladybug wanted to share with me. It was late and cold when we finished, and huddling together had become the only option. "That was interesting." I said, in response to Ladybug's questioning look.

"Did you like it?" She asked.

"Yeah. It was great." I said, pulling closer to Ladybug when a sudden gust blew leaves apart.

"I'm glad you think so." Ladybug said.

It was then that I truly realized our closeness. Our fronts were pressed together as we lay on our sides, discussing everything we'd watched that night. "I like the thing where he eats the ice cream cats-"

"-cookie cat."

"-cookie cat, and gets his powers or whatever. And the whole concept is pretty interesting."

"See, the show was meant for younger audiences but captivates so many older people. I really like it. You should get into it, each episode is only like ten minutes long. There's some really interesting stuff going on right now." Ladybug said, eyes lighting up.

So there we sat, just gazing into one another's eyes, thinking. Now or never. I convinced myself, counting down to take the plunge. Ladybug mumbled something, "for the finals", "Or the charred." Three, two- Ladybug's lips were on mine. My eyes opened wide in shock, eyes rolling back slightly. Despite the surprise, my mind was exploding, commanding my face to move, not sit there like a useless rock. So pressed back, the two of us fumbling in the darkness, clumsy in our inexperience. We pulled apart, surprisingly noiselessly, breathing heavily.

We didn't say anything. There was nothing to be said. Not long after, we stood, packing everything up and heading back to Love Lock before parting ways, a fleeting kiss to the knuckles.

As I walked home, I tried to figure out what Ladybug was saying. It came to me in the middle of the night, tucked safely into the warmth of my bed.

For the challenge.

---{-}---

I woke the next morning to my blaring alarm, waking me, unforgiving, at seven in the morning. Yawning, I sat up, trying to recall the previous evening. [ Good Morning, M'lady ] I sent, the fogginess of my mind slowly clearing.

My lidded eyes went wide when the entire night came into focus. I danced to my bathroom, laughing maniacally. Ladybug kissed me, Ladybug kissed me! I sang in my head. I was dressed and ready to go earlier than usual, high off the realization.

Father, as per usual, did not join me for breakfast. I couldn't care less. I practically pranced out of my house, skipped through the day, and danced during lessons. I sent texts to Ladybug, promising a meeting later that night. But despite my giddiness, something was still gnawing at me. The thought I'd been ignoring all day.

For the challenge.