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  Because they hadn't had the time to discuss when the date should be, Marinette had offered to call him that night.

  Having tranformed, Marinette spun around in her desk chair, while she dialed Adrien's number on her yo-yo. The magical phone had the ability to show anyone she called, that it was indeed Ladybug. Yet it was an untraceable number, and no one could save it, or call it back. ...Unless you happened to have a similar magical phone. Like Chat's baton.

  So when she heard the ringing stop, she wasn't surprised to hear Adrien's ecstatic voice saying, "Bugaboo!" Then he laughed at himself. "You wouldn't believe how many times I've transformed, just to see if you had already called! I wasn't expecting you would call this way!"

  Marinette laughed as well, then said, "So what exactly do you have in mind? Should we just hang out?"

   "Wellll, I have to stay in my civilian form, and be close to home.... My father's assistant is suppose to call me when she's on her way with a new wardrobe... I have to try on some new apparel for the next photo shoot. But I do have something in mind. Care to come over?"

  "Uh-! Sure!"

  As they hung up, Marinette was spinning around so fast, that she made for a red and black blur. She toppled off the chair and sprawled out, giggling with glee.
  A date!! I'm going on a date with Adrien!!

  A short while later, she stood on the surrounding wall of the Agreste Mansion. Her eyes locked in awe of the arrangement Adrien had somehow laid out.

  On the strange balcony above his room, bundles of evergreen branches were attached in even bunches across the metal railing. Each adorned with a red bow and golden lights.

  Adrien stood leaning against the railing. In seeing her, he grinned broadly and waved a gloved hand. He had waited so long for this day. Or night, if you want to get technical about what time it was.

  As she landed beside him, he gestured dramatically at some fluffy red throw blankets and a picnic basket. "Care to join me, M'Lady? My personal chief provided all the necessary goodies. Macaroons, croissants, candy canes, croissants, cupcakes, croissants, hot chocolate, and-"

  "Let me guess! Croissants!"

  In mock disbelief, he replied, "What?? No!! Why would you say that?? She sent chocolate chip cookies!"

  Marinette facepalmed herself and laughed. "But of course!"

  "Then I figured for dessert, we could have croissants.", he added with a grin.

  She laughed harder, and said, "You're unbelievable!!"

  As they snuggled in their blankets beside one another, Adrien pulled up some Christmas music on his phone to play softly.

  It was a beautiful night, though bitterly cold. Off in the distance, they could see the golden glow of the Eiffel Tower, as well as the expansive view of chimneys and incandescent lights from windows.

  Taking a sip from his mug of hot chocolate, Adrien said, "You were asking about my crushes earlier. But what about that guy you said you couldn't imagine life without?"

  Marinette gave an uneasy laugh and blushed. "It turned out that guy was you."

  Adrien blinked and his face pinched thoughtfully. "Wait, what?"

  Marinette tugged at her pigtail. "Adrien Agreste..? Famous fashion model? Son of Gabriel Agreste? ...Your face is everywhere I look! And then when- oops..."

  "What..?"

  "I... about said too much."

  "Oh. So you mean to tell me that I've been jealous of MYSELF all this time??"

  Marinette laughed and nodded.
  "But how did you find out who I was?"

  She bit her lip in thought. "Ummm.... That would be saying too much. But I will say this: you gave away too much info."

  "Too much, too much, too much...", he repeated in slight annoyance.

  Seeing her expression, he smiled warmly and said, "I'm fine."

  She looked at him doubtfully. "You're not just trying to make me feel better, are you?"

  "Why, is it helping?"

  She laughed. "You're impossible!"

  "Nahhh, I'd say more like Stoppable."

  She dropped her face against his shoulder. "Oh my gosh!", she managed to say between gasping for air and laughing.

  When they both finally calmed down, he stated, "Well, seeing as I can't ask much of anything about YOU, why don't you ask something about ME?"

  "Ummm..."

  That was difficult to do. After all, she knew A LOT about him. And that could potentially reveal who she was. ...Or else make her look like one of his overzealous fans. A fan that was on the brink of insanity... Her heart sank, for she now knew she had to play as if she didn't know much.

  Hearing Nat King Cole's version of 'The Christmas Song' come on, she said, "Actually, there IS one thing I could tell you..."

  "What's that?", he asked. His excitement showing through just a little.

  "I like to dance."

  With a smile, he leaped up, made a dramatic bow, and extended his hand to her. "Then may I have this dance, M'Lady?"

  She barely hesitated in wrapping her arms around his neck. And in laying her head against his shoulder. A fact she was sure Alya would be proud of, if only she could know.

  Adrien hugged Ladybug gently, yet in a way that stated he didn't want this to end anytime soon. He was completely at peace, without a care in the world.

  Attentive to the soothing slow melody, he took in the open view around them for a moment. All was right in his portion of Paris. No akkumas... No natural disasters... His Lady in his arms...

  He smiled and looked down at her as they swayed to the rhythm. He was filled to the brim with happiness.

  Snuggling his face into her hair, he whispered, "I love you, Bugaboo..."

  Marinette smiled and blushed. Her heart soaring at his affection. She was about to reply, when his phone rang.

  He hugged her tighter, while mumbling, "Just ignore it... It'll take her five minutes to get to my door... And it's locked anyhow..."

  Her smile broadened.
  She could easily imagine Nathalie fighting to get past the door, while they both were busy absorbing just a few seconds more of this wonderful moment.

  But she pushed the thought away, willing to ignore it, just like he said to do. Then in her own whisper, she said, "I love you too, Kitty..."

   Both of them wound up leaning against the railing, still wrapped together in a hug. Silent, other than Adrien occasionally humming softly with the songs that played. They had slipped into a drowzy obliviousness, while only aware of one another's presence. So it probably HAD been five minutes later, when his phone rang again.

  On the third ring, Adrien sighed and glanced unwillingly at the phone. Slightly annoyed, but knowing he needed to let Nathalie in.

  "Plagg-"

  "I can take you.", she offered.

  Adrien blushed and said, "Alright. I'm sure Plagg would appreciate that."

  "Yes I would...", the kwami stated sleepily. He was snuggled down inside Adrien's warm coat pocket.

  Adrien packed up the blankets and cell phone inside the basket, then joined Ladybug on the railing.

  She attached the yo-yo to it, and they both wrapped an arm around each other before slipping off the edge.

  They both touched the windowsill with one foot for balance, then Adrien leaped inside. He turned to see Ladybug crouch on the ledge and both flinched at a hard pounding from his door.

  "Have a good night.", she said sweetly.

  "Wait! What about the hints?", he quickly asked, while rushing to hide the basket and his winter apparel. He shoved it all under his bed. The basket barely fitting.

  "Once a week. I have to have time to figure out each clue."

  "Oh. Is there not one I can have now, though? That other clue was more of hint that you know who I am. Instead of who you are."

  There was another knock, and Nathalie could be heard saying, "Adrien!! Open the door!!"

  Distracted, Marinette watched Adrien in wonder. He had kicked his shoes off and tossed them beside the couch, and now was ruffling his hair. He glanced up at her, expectant of an answer.

  In that moment, he looked half-like Chat, and half-like Adrien. His hair falling over his ears, and the side-part slightly disturbed.

   She blinked, then laughed a little.

  He raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

  "Nothing... Anyway, you said it only hinted that I knew who you are. But there's more in those clues. About ME."

  His eyes widened. "Really??"

  She smiled. "That's right. ...And I've enjoyed tonight. Bye, Adrien!" She then waved.

  He made another elegant bow and blew her a kiss.

  As she hurried away, he heard Nathalie pound again.

  Feigning sleepy bewilderment, he rubbed his face roughly and ran to the door. "Uh-! Coming Nathalie!! I'm coming!!"

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Authors note:
  Reading this chapter always manages to make me relax. Lol ^^