Chat Noir dropped down behind a tree in the park opposite Marinette's bakery and let his transformation fade, now he was just Adrien Agreste, and Adrien Agreste was frozen still at the prospect of taking Marinette Dupain-Cheng out on a date.

What would happen if this backfired or went horribly wrong? Not only would he be messing up one of his favourite friendships, but also the dynamic of Paris' saviours but it was too late to think about that. He was here and he was going to do it. He had committed and he wanted this more than anything. He'd been after her for a couple of years now, there was no way he was turning back.

Adrien Agreste was finally going out on a date with Ladybug. Well he would be once he coaxed his legs into working and walked across the park. It should be simple, he knew how to walk after all.

Taking deep breaths, Adrien tucked Plagg away in his coat pocket, complete with stinky cheese, and headed over to the bakery. It was seven in the evening meaning that Marinette's parents had locked up for the night and retired to their apartment. Pulling open the side door, as instructed by Marinette, he headed up to their living quarters. Each step pounded down as hard as his heart beating against his rib cage.

Finally, after three flights, he was there, hand reaching up to knock at the door. Adrien placed two short taps before waiting patiently, suddenly remembering he'd forgotten to pick up some flowers. How could he turn up for a date without flowers? Pulling out his phone from his back trouser pocket he found Nino's number and typed. He was already proving he was rubbish boyfriend material.

Adrien
I'm pulling in the bro favour!!! I need you to pick me up a bouquet of a dozen red roses and bring them to LouLou for me. Don't ask any questions, I'll transfer you the money now.

Quickly swapping to his banking app, he sent Nino an insane amount of money, making sure he had enough to get the nicest bouquet of roses in the shop. Just as he closed the app Tom 'the Weredad' Dupain opened the door.

"Son, how are you?"

Adrien was glad to be met by the big guy's smile, not the intense anger he'd felt last time he was here. After the whole Chat Noir incident, Tom Dupain had become a recurring nightmare for him. He was a scary man when he was angry, and Adrien didn't plan on the night heading that way, again. It would be Tom he would ask to gain permission to marry his daughter.

"I'm good thank you, Sir. I hope you don't mind me taking Marinette out on a date."

"No, of course not," he led Adrien into the lounge area of the apartment. "You made her very happy when you asked."

"Really?" Adrien studied Tom's face in shock.

"Oh, yes! You see, between you and me -"

"Tom!" Sabine's voice overpowered whatever Tom was about to say, leaving Adrien extremely curious. Was there something about Marinette that Tom wanted to tell him?

Sabine walked over to the blonde haired teen and placed a hand delicately on his arm.

"You look great, Adrien."

"Thank you, M. Cheng."

Sabine let out a little chuckle and moved towards her husband.

"Please call me Sabine. No need for the formalities."

A sound of something hard hitting wood pulled Adrien from his conversation with Marinette's parents, directing his focus elsewhere in the room. Turning to the staircase that he knew led to his lady's room, he almost had a cardiac arrest. She looked incredible. He swore he'd never seen anyone so beautiful before in all his life.

As if being pulled out to sea, Adrien moved closer to Marinette, unconsciously offering his hand to help her down the stairs. She was a vision of loveliness, all wrapped up in her Ladybug colours. The black strapless bodice met a high waisted red fifties style skirt, flowing down to her knee where slim toned legs blended into black heeled stiletto shoes. Around her waist sat a thick red band, wrapping at the back to create a bow. She looked like the most perfect package.

"You look beautiful," the words left his mouth without an ounce of control, letting her know the true depths of his desire.

"Thank you," she responded, a blush taking over her lightly made up cheeks. She placed her hand into his and allowed him to help her down the last few remaining steps, an anchor keeping her steady in her three inch heels. It was only then he noticed the black clutch bag in her other hand, obviously Tikki's home for the evening. She looked like everything he ever dreamed about, if not more.

As Marinette reached the bottom step, Adrien's eyes were absorbed into her own. The sky gazed down onto grass below, twinkling in the unknowingness of what was to come. He was in heaven and then some. He was going out on a date with the most beautiful girl in Paris, no not just Paris, the world.

A flash of light broke the heroes apart, each dropping their eyes to the floor with red tainted cheeks. Tom and Sabine stood with their phones lifted, each taking photographs of the shy teens.

"One for the road?" Tom asked, holding his phone up and shaking it in their general direction.

Adrien laughed alongside Marinette's giggle, which he was sure was fake, and pulled her in by her waist. With one arm wrapped around her, he smiled brightly at the camera.

"Will you take one with mine too?' Adrien pulled the phone out of his pocket and handed it to Sabine. This time though just as Sabine counted them down, he made his move.

3...

2 ...

1 ...

Just before the flash went off, Adrien placed his lips against Marinette's cheek. Kissing her delicately, like the precious Princess she was.

He took the phone back and thanked Sabine, before pulling it up and laughing. Marinette's face was a literal picture. Shocked mouth, red cheeks and wide eyes. Oh how he couldn't wait to set it as his phone's Lock Screen. Showing everyone he met the picture of himself with his girlfriend.

"You ready, Marinette?" He asked, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Marinette replied. She moved towards her parents and placed a kiss on both their cheeks. "We won't be out too late, Papa," she said as she was wrapped in her father's arms.

"Don't worry about it, my flower, we trust you and Adrien. Just have a good time." Marinette nodded and walked towards her date for the evening.

He held out his arm waiting for her to thread her own through the crook of his elbow. She held onto him and they made their way out of the door and onto the staircase.

She stumbled a little in her heels as they reached the cobblestones of the Parisian streets, allowing Adrien to use the reflexes he'd developed as a hero and grabbing her before she hit the ground. His hands were placed on her waist, steadying her back onto her feet and holding her still.

"Falling for me already, little lady?"

"Am I not a Princess tonight?" The words leaving her mouth took him aback. That was a lot more Ladybug than Marinette.

"The way you're dressed tonight, calling you a Princess would be a disservice to you. You're a Queen."

Marinette stared wide eyed as they both froze on the street. He could tell from the look on her face she'd been shocked by his words. Oh well, she'd have to get used to it, because when she was his girlfriend he'd be complimenting her all the time. She deserved it.

"So, Adrien, how are we getting there?" She asked. She was looking around, obviously trying to spot his usual silver sedan.

"I thought we'd walk tonight. Enjoy the last of the summer evenings." He placed a hand on the back of his neck and rubbed. She was going to hate this? He should have just bucked up the courage and told his father, demanding Gorilla came with them. Could he have actually blown his chance already? Scaring her off before the night even began?

"That sounds great, as long as you'll be ok? I don't want you getting mobbed." She responded.

His heart filled with love. She was worried about him. He couldn't remember the last time someone was genuinely worried about him. Perhaps it was when he was falling off Tour Montparnasse? But again, it was Marinette who was worried, and it was Marinette, as Ladybug, who saved him.

He smiled and held his arm out for her again, and for the second time that evening they were connected as they walked.

He couldn't help feeling as though he'd won the lottery, as once again, Adrien Agreste was in awe that he was about to go on a date with Ladybug.