Adrien stood from his seat on the top table like he was meant for the stage – tall and proud. He'd spent a lot of time memorising the speech so that he wouldn't develop an intense tremor turning the paper in his hand into a snowfall of confetti. "First, Félix approached his best-looking friend to be best man. He said no. So he contacted his most charming friend, who also said no. Then he went for his funniest friend. He said no. So eventually, he called me up – begging – and after already telling him no three times, I felt sorry for him and reluctantly agreed.

"I am also here today as Kagami's chief bridesmale, only because she couldn't get any other girls to like her during our younger years. But then again, neither could I."

Marinette smiled up at him, her encouragement urging him to continue. Though, he couldn't shake the feeling that the woman sitting across from her was ready to toss him into the river. Whoever thought of seating his ex-girlfriend at the same table as the girl he had developed a serious obsession with, needed their head examined.

It was a true fact that Adrien Agreste had fallen completely for Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and even though it was Félix's special day, he couldn't shake the urge to confess his feelings. The looks she gave him and her gentle yet possessive touches fuelled his certainty that he was on the right track with her, that she would welcome his advances. And what's more, she looked stunning, radiant beyond words, and when she appeared in the courtyard, he knew deep down that she was the one. He was a fool to think this was ever just a crush.

Even Gammy was fully supportive of a possible development in their relationship, the sweet old lady casually ambushing Adrien, hitting the back of his leg as she passed by. He'd tumbled down numerous times, landing on one knee and causing those around to gasp. After attempt number three, Adrien had steered clear of Grammy and her antics—at least when Marinette was with him.

As the speeches wrapped up, Adrien couldn't help but notice the stark contrast in enthusiasm between Aunt Amélie and Kagami's mother—the latter obviously not thrilled to learn about her daughter and new son -in-law's escapades with cake frosting. He raised his glass to toast the bride and groom, then tilted his head back and downed the drink. With the formalities over, he was ready to hit the dance floor—and hopefully with Marinette as his dance partner. It was time to come clean (he just hoped she didn't throw him into the river).

He shook Félix's hand, moving his way from the top table and into the sea of family and friends, set on reaching his destination: Marinette. But before he could get there, it appeared Chelsea had beaten him, pulling her out of the room and away from his eyeline.

Adrien attempted to push his way through the crowd, people stopping him along the way to congratulate him on his speech—handshakes, hugs, and pats on the back slowing his progress. He strained to look over everyone's heads, only to feel disappointment when he couldn't spot Marinette's distinctive raven hair anywhere.

Just as he was about to break free from the ballroom to locate Marinette, Gammy intercepted him, grabbing his shoulders and planting a wet and overly enthusiastic kiss on his cheek.

As she continued to update him on her friend Doris' cataract operation gone awry, Adrien caught sight of Chelsea exiting the restroom, closely followed by a visibly flustered Marinette.

"Come with me, my darling, let's go and see that cousin of yours. As pretty a boy he is, he needs your glorious face in those photographs." Gammy grabbed his arm and continued to drag him through the bar and smoking area, before leading him up a garden path to where Félix and Kagami were waiting for them.

All the way there he couldn't help but wonder what Chelsea was up to, and whether Marinette would believe whatever crap that girl was coming up with.

Ten minutes later, he had managed to escape, weaving his way back through the crowds, in search of his girl. He'd already been interrupted once tonight, and he would not lose this opportunity again. She needed to know he wanted more, that she deserved more...and that he was falling head over heels for her.

Making his way back into the bar as the main room was being reorganised for the evening's entertainment, Adrien couldn't help but curse as he found himself face to face with hell's queen.

"Chelsea, seriously, what's the deal?" Adrien asked, trying to maintain his composure despite the bizarre turn of events.

She cackled mischievously before latching onto his arm. With surprising strength, she turned him around and marched him back outside, as if commandeering a lost puppy.

Adrien couldn't help but feel torn—part of him wanted to cling to the doorframe and protest loudly to anyone who passed by: Don't take me away from Marinette! But then he reconsidered, wondering how it would look to be caught in such a peculiar stance, desperately calling out for a woman while clutching a piece of architecture.

"What do you want?" Adrien finally snapped, his frustration bubbling to the surface. He knew he wasn't exactly behaving as he should, but he was running out of time and patience for Chelsea's games. She had a knack for appearing at the most inconvenient moments.

"Aren't you going to tell me I look good? I had this dress made just for today. What do you think?" Chelsea twirled slowly, expecting admiration.

All Adrien wanted was to escape, preferably by diving headfirst into the river. "Okay, Chelsea, this is the last time I'm going to say this," he declared firmly. "We are over. I'm not your future; I belong to someone else, and so do you. I'm sorry, but this—us—it's done. Goodbye, Chelsea."

Without waiting for her response, Adrien turned and walked away, determined to find Marinette before he exploded. If anyone else dared to get in his way now, they were sure to feel his wrath.

He moved at speed down a less crowded alley, a small passage leading from the venue to the river and the swing chair. Something told him that was where she'd go. The need to be there came like a whisper in his ear.

Continuing down the path, he froze as he caught sight of her. She was seated sideways on the swing bench, gently rocking it back and forth and side to side, her gaze fixed on the river. The wind played with her hair, blowing it back from her face and causing her to briefly close her eyes. Her expression was serene and flawless, resembling that of a porcelain doll. She looked absolutely stunning, perhaps even more so than the bride herself. Kagami was undeniably one of the most beautiful women he'd ever been fortunate enough to lay his eyes on, but Marinette, right now, was undefeatable.

Instinctively, he reached for his phone. He quickly took a picture before replacing his phone in his pocket and taking a deep breath. He could do this. He just had to walk over there and tell her—make her understand that he wanted to continue ruining family events with her, and maybe even one day ruin their own wedding. She'd become a beacon of light and hope in his life, one that shined brightly and made his days more exciting. He craved everything from her. Her voice. Her smile. Her touch. Everything.

Just be yourself, Adrien, a voice in his head said. She likes you, you know she does. You just need to make it obvious that you like her. She's waiting for you.

The comforting voice of reason had him moving forward, closer and closer to the girl of his dreams.

Don't try too hard, the familiar voice said again. Good luck.

He approached her slowly, her head turning to meet his gaze as he drew near. Coming to a stop just in front of her, he casually slipped his hands into his pockets, feeling breathless in her presence. They locked eyes for a moment until Marinette adjusted herself, smoothing her skirt to cover her bare leg, an action causing Adrien's heart to ache when that leg was no longer within his view.

"Stalking me, Agreste?"

"I prefer the term 'admiring from a respectful distance,'" he replied with a grin.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Uh-huh, sure. So, what brings you here? Need any fashion tips on how to rock a swing bench?" she teased, gesturing to the empty seat beside her.

Adrien smirked. "Actually, I came to escape from Chelsea's antics," he explained, rolling his eyes.

Marinette laughed softly. "Well, glad you found refuge here. Though I must admit, I didn't expect my swing contemplation spot to become a rendezvous point."

Adrien grinned. "I'll have to remember it for future stakeouts," he quipped, turning his head to the empty space beside her. "May I join you?" His voice started out as a squeak, a cough following, to try and get it back at the correct pitch.

"Sure," she replied, the smile not exactly reaching her eyes.

He awkwardly moved forward and settled at the opposite end of the bench, planting his feet firmly on the ground and gently pushing, causing the bench to sway back and forth. They sat in silence. Every now and then, groups of people or couples passed by on their way up the river, laughing and occasionally stumbling from one too many glasses of fine wine and champagne. Adrien greeted acquaintances and nodded at those he suspected were staff, sometimes pausing to accept congratulations on his best man speech.

"Looks like you're the hero of the night," Marinette said, the words making him feel uncomfortable.

"It was more for the happy couple than the crowd. I mean, obviously I wanted to entertain, but I also wanted a good trip down memory lane with the two of them."

"I still can't believe you used to date Kagami."

He nodded. "I did. Though, my cousin is a thousand times better for her than I ever was, which makes me happy. I messed her around quite a bit and she didn't deserve that."

"She's a really great girl. I wish I'd met her sooner."

"She is, isn't she," Adrien responded, smiling at her and shuffling over a little.

He'd heard about teenagers whose hearts fluttered and struggled with being close to the people they liked. He'd thought nothing of it...until now. His heart was going crazy. From his stomach knotting with the deep anticipation of what might come next, he thought his body was going to give out from the intensity of these emotions – he was certainly glad breathing was a natural response.

"I was cornered by your ex again."

"So, I saw! What did she say this time?"

She shrugged. "Just the normal. Hands off my man or else... Nathalie came over and swept her off. What can you expect from someone who lost a guy like you, though."

"A guy like me, eh? Care to elaborate on that?"

She chuckled and he couldn't help the smile that almost split his face.

"Nah, I think your head is already big enough," she said, the humour obvious in her words.

He moved closer, bumping his shoulder into hers. "Did it...I mean...did she, you know...make you want to end...what we have going on?"

Marinette smiled and shook her head. "I'm a big girl, Adrien. I don't fall to peer pressure. If it was one of my friends...maybe. But I don't know her. I've only met her a couple of times. So no, I don't want to end what we have going on. Believe it or not, I find you quite entertaining."

"Only quite...? I should be offended."

She laughed again, a slight shiver in her body. "Though, after hearing about Félix's and your escapades, I'm not sure my parents would support this situationship."

Adrien couldn't help the laughter that spilled from his lips. It was wild and loud, something he hadn't really done since his mother had disappeared—only with Ladybug.

"I'm a bad boy, Princess. I just hide it well."

She laughed loudly too, and his heart pounded against his ribs. His head fell back onto the backrest of the bench, and when he turned to look at her, she shivered again. Lifting an arm, he draped it over her shoulders and moved closer to her, hoping beyond hope that she'd welcome this shift from a situationship to a true relationship.

Her head fell onto his shoulder, and the closeness was electrifying. His heart raced as their bodies seemed to melt together, fitting perfectly like pieces of a puzzle. It felt natural, just like the times when she'd fallen asleep on his chest or wrapped her arms around him. They were meant to be like this—connected, intertwined, as if they were one. He dared to steal a glance at her, wondering if she felt the same way, silently hoping that their unspoken bond would finally transform into something more.

Tell her, Adrien, stop hiding away.

Adrien swallowed, and licked his dry lips. "The majority was Félix's idea, and you know your parents love me already."

"They do.

His thumb began to move, rotating and caressing the bare flesh of her arm in small circles. His hand had ignited from the impact of skin on skin, the tiny bumps on her arms sending volts of electricity to the pit of his stomach, as his lips tingled with want and need. A wonderful feeling, almost euphoric. He could feel every nerve in his body going on high alert as he kept his focus in front and his feet pushing the swing. Forwards, and backwards, forwards, backwards, forwards...

"Thank you for the past few weeks." Her grateful voice broke through the never-ending thoughts of turning and kissing her.

His whole body was reacting to her closeness and all he could think about was having her to himself locked away in their room, their own little bubble. "You're welcome. It's been fun."

She had breathed new life into his world, turning the mundane into something magical. After losing Ladybug and navigating the complexities with Chelsea, he never imagined he could feel this deeply again. But what he felt for Marinette was unlike anything he'd experienced before—it was a whirlwind of emotions, a torrent of desire and affection.

As they continued to swing, Adrien felt like a live wire, crackling with the intensity of these new feelings. He couldn't shake the sensation that he was charged with an energy that threatened to spark and ignite everything around him. He wanted her so profoundly, not just in a physical sense, but to be there for her in every way possible. He longed to make her smile, to wipe away her tears, to be her confidant and her rock.

Feeling the warmth of her presence next to him, it was as though they were bound together by an unseen force, and he couldn't resist the urge to draw her closer, hoping that she felt the same irresistible pull towards him.

He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle heavily on his shoulders. She was so close, her warmth radiating beside him, her eyes fixed ahead but undoubtedly aware of his touch. His heart raced with the battle between longing and doubt.

His inner voice grew louder, more insistent. He could almost feel its impatience, urging him to seize the opportunity. He swallowed hard, willing himself to silence the doubts.

What are you waiting for? it mocked. Just look at how beautiful she is!

She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze with a soft smile. In that moment, he felt a surge of courage. Leaning closer, he brushed his lips against her cheek, his touch feather-light but deliberate. Her breath caught, and for an instant, time seemed to stand still.

The voice egged him on relentlessly. Kiss her. Make her yours.

As Adrien felt her hand rest on his thigh, her thumb tracing a deliberate path, he struggled to maintain his composure. The tension between them was palpable, a magnetic pull that left him both exhilarated and unnerved.

Come on, Adrien, just do it! His inner voice prodded insistently, echoing the urgency of his desires.

Summoning every ounce of courage, he raised a hand to stroke her cheek, his touch a deliberate caress against the soft curve of her face. But beneath his confident surface, fear churned like a storm.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for this to end," he whispered, his words a tender admission that carried the weight of unspoken longing. His thumbs continued their gentle dance, tracing over her shoulder and cheek with synchronicity, anchoring him in the moment.

"I don't want this to end," he murmured, his voice barely audible above the hum of background noise and rustling water. The words hung in the air, pregnant with unspoken desires.

What are you waiting for? The voice in his head pressed on, its impatience cutting through his doubts.

"You're beautiful," Adrien murmured, his voice husky with sincerity. "Everything about you—inside and out. Most girls are lucky to have one or the other, but with you, it's everything. Your soul, your heart—it's like you're too good for this world."

Her wide-eyed response was met with a subtle gasp, her lips forming a soft 'oh' as she looked at him. The swing's lights flickered on, casting a glow around them that heightened the intensity of the moment.

He sensed the urgency, the need to act before the opportunity vanished. The voice was right; he couldn't afford to lose her to someone who might offer more.

Don't put yourself down, the voice chided him again. You deserve her.

Had he really been selling himself short all this time?

Adrien brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his heart pounding in his ears.

"Thank you," she whispered, leaning forward to press a lingering kiss against his cheek. He felt the warmth of her breath, the faint trace of her lip gloss lingering behind as she barely moved an inch.

"I'm just stating facts," Adrien murmured, his heart pounding against his ribcage as he closed the distance, his lips brushing against the corner of hers. It was a gentle touch, an offering of himself, met with a response that sent shivers down his spine—she didn't pull away.

Nose to nose, their breaths mingled in the charged air. Adrien's head spun, uncertain if he was even breathing. Her hand remained a tantalising presence on his thigh, while the other found its way between them, her thumb tracing over his eyebrow as she gazed deeply into his eyes. He dared not blink, afraid to miss a single moment of this connection.

"Purple suits you more than I would have thought," she whispered, her words a soft caress against the intimacy of their shared space. "It brings out your eyes. You have the most amazing eyes."

His heart skipped a beat as her hand cupped his cheek, her lips brushing playfully against his nose. Adrien savoured the sweet torment of her touch, feeling utterly captivated.

The laughter of others faded into the background, insignificant against her presence. He focused solely on her, his arm drawing her closer, their bodies aligned in a silent declaration of desire.

"You have the most stunning smile," he breathed into her ear, his lips trailing a path down to her neck, a whisper away from her pulse point. His gaze met hers, blazing with unspoken promises.

Marinette's hand trailed down his neck, and he clasped it with a fierce grip, a silent vow of forever. Bringing her hand to his lips, he pressed a lingering kiss against her skin, each touch laden with a promise of passion and devotion.

"What are we doing?" Marinette's voice trembled with uncertainty.

"I thought it was obvious," Adrien replied, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

"If we do this, it changes everything."

"Do you not want it to change?" Adrien retreated slightly, giving her space, his eyes searching hers with unguarded hope.

"I didn't think—I don't know if..." Marinette's voice faltered, uncertainty clouding her expression. She closed her eyes briefly, gathering her resolve, as if she was listening to her own inner voice. Then she grasped his cravat and pulled him closer until they were nose to nose, the intoxicating scent of cherry and wine enveloping him.

Adrien's heart beat with the strength of a raging inferno as he hovered mere millimetres away, his gaze locked with hers. He needed clarity, an affirmation that their shared moment wasn't just a fleeting impulse.

"If you don't want it to change, you need to tell me now," Adrien whispered, his voice tinged with urgency, the idea of pulling away seemingly impossible.

Her hands moved to cup his face, and she kissed him with a tenderness that moved him deeply. It was a gesture of care and affection that spoke volumes, touching him in ways he hadn't anticipated.

His hand ventured downward, sliding through the slit of her skirt, coming to rest against her smooth, bare skin. He closed his eyes, surrendering to the crescendo of tension that had been building between them, now exploding into an undeniable release of desire.

The kiss deepened, becoming more passionate and Adrien felt a surge of exhilaration, as if he had stumbled upon some untapped reservoir of luck. The cool breeze brushed against his lips as Marinette pulled back slightly, leaving him momentarily disoriented, his eyes still closed, caught in the whirlwind of sensation.

Her soft, sultry laugh cut through the charged air. "That was..."

He couldn't help but smile as his eyes opened slowly, his forehead touching hers, his expression a mix of wonder and delight.

"Yeah. Can we do it again?" Adrien blurted out, unable to contain the rush coursing through him.

"I thought you'd never ask," Marinette replied, her voice laced with a teasing hint, igniting a fresh surge of anticipation.

As Adrien's heart thundered in his chest, he felt the spark of anticipation in the air, like a live wire between them.

Her response sent a thrill down his spine, igniting a hunger for more—a desire that seemed to eclipse everything else.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, lingering kiss. This time, there was a hunger beneath the tenderness, a yearning that pulsed between them like an irresistible force.

Marinette responded with equal fervour, her hands moving with purpose, tracing the contours of his face, threading through his hair.

Their kiss deepened, a dance of lips and more in uncharted territories. Adrien's hand, still resting against the smooth expanse of her thigh, traced circles against her skin, each touch sending tingles through his bloodstream, each gathering in his lower stomach.

Marinette's breath hitched, a barely audible sound. She pressed closer, the heat of her body searing through him.

His mind was a whirlwind of sensations—her taste, her touch, the intoxicating scent that enveloped them.

Breaking apart momentarily, they stared into each other's eyes, a silent exchange of yearning and understanding. Adrien's chest rose and fell with the rhythm of their shared breaths, his pulse racing in sync with hers.

"Adrien..." Her voice was a husky whisper, her gaze dark with desire.

He swallowed hard, unable to tear himself away from her. "Marinette..."

As they leaned in to meet once more, the piercing sound of a wolf whistle ricocheted through the air. They turned to see Félix, looking rather tipsy, stumbling out of the ballroom.

Marinette covered her mouth, a blush spreading across her cheeks that Adrien found utterly endearing. It took all of his self-control not to sweep her into his arms and shower her with even more kisses.

Félix made his way down to stand a few feet away from them, wearing an insufferably knowing smirk.

Adrien felt a surge of aggression rising within him. "Really, Félix?" His voice carried more bite than usual.

"We're about to start the first dance, if you two can stop devouring each other for a moment," his cousin teased, his smirk widening. "And there's a hog roast coming up—gotta save room for dessert!" With a wink, Félix cackled and sauntered back into the ballroom.

Adrien sighed, feeling the romantic moment slip away under the weight of his cousin's crude comments. This had been one of the most enchanting experiences of his life, and he couldn't believe Félix had brought it to an end with his typical Félix-ness. Adrien brushed a thumb against his lips, feeling the pride as he removed her lingering lip gloss from his lips.

"I suppose we better head in then," Marinette said, taking the lead and standing up. She offered a hand out to him, one so delicate yet he knew it was full of strength.

If I were you, I'd skip the hog roast and go straight to dessert!

His cheeks flushed at his unorthodox thoughts, grateful that Marinette couldn't read the turmoil inside his head. After all, he was a gentleman, and such thoughts were not befitting of one.

He gently placed his hand in Marinette's, silently inviting her to lead him back into the ballroom, this time together. As they walked side by side, Adrien's heart swelled with affection for her, even amidst the playful chaos caused by his mischievous cousin.

Hand in hand, they headed back towards the dance floor, Adrien gently positioning Marinette in front of him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, as they observed Félix and Kagami gracefully moving towards the centre of the dance floor, exuding an undeniable happiness. Adrien couldn't recall a moment when he had seen Félix look so content.

Watching his cousin and Kagami, Adrien's heart swelled with a sudden clarity. He was absolutely certain not only that he desired the same kind of happiness, but also that he knew exactly who he wanted to share it with.

Reflecting on his feelings, he admitted to himself that he had harboured these desires since the very first day Marinette had boldly grabbed his tie and demanded a latte. The playful nickname "hot stuff" she had bestowed upon him had only heightened his attraction.

He looked down to her, watching as she cheered with glee and clapped along with the rest of the guests — everyone except Chelsea.

You know, you paid all that money for a room and you don't seem to want to use it. I think you need to reconsider.

The devil on his shoulder whispered into his ear again, and for once, as he looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, he had to agree. He wanted her to himself. Forever.

Marinette turned to Adrien, her sparkling ocean eyes pulling him in like the tide, leaving him momentarily lost in their depths. He struggled to find the correct orbit for his own eyes, wanting to match the intensity of her gaze.

Unable to resist the urge any longer, he leaned down, lowering his lips to her ear. "Want to get out of here?"

The sensation of her breath against his skin sent a shiver down his spine. Without needing to be asked again, she responded by lightly brushing her lips against his, igniting something inside that felt like it could rip his skin apart.

Adrien's heart raced as he seized her hand, their fingers interlocking with a sense of urgency. Together, they navigated through the bustling crowds, their focus fixed on escaping to the privacy and safety of their room. The anticipation and desire between them built with each step, fuelling a fire that burned brightly, drawing them closer with every heartbeat.