Ladybug landed in the alley next to Femme Boutique with the grace of an acrobat, just as her time ran out. Her red and black suit dissolved in a cloud of sparkles, leaving Marinette in her two-piece suit and uncomfortable heels. She smoothed down the pencil skirt, checking for any rips or tears that might've occurred during the fight in the café. Thankfully there were none, but her stockings were wrecked beyond repair. She peeled them off and dumped them in the trashcan, vowing to keep a spare pair in her purse from now on. If Hawkmoth was back, she was going to need to be prepared to fight at a moment's notice.

Tikki zipped up to hover in front of Marinette's face, worry etched in her features.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't get to you sooner, Marinette," she squeaked. "Are you hurt anywhere? Plagg and I came as soon as we sensed your distress."

Marinette cuddled her kwami in her hands and gave her a kiss on her black spot.

"You came at the perfect time. Adrian and I would've been toast if you hadn't been there to help out."

Her eyes widened as she suddenly remembered.

"Adrian! I hope he's okay! I totally forgot about him because Chat appeared out of nowhere to save the day...I have to check if he's okay!" She dug for her phone as Tikki rolled her eyes. It baffled her how her Miraculous holder was both the smartest and dumbest person in the world. If it had been in her power to do so, she would've told Marinette years ago that Adrian Agrest and Chat Noir were one and the same, but the rules that prevented her from telling the secret to any enemies that captured her, also prevented her from telling her master. So now she could only watch as Mariette left a message for Adrian, asking if he was safe, and wonder how much longer she would have to wait until one of them revealed their secret.

"He didn't answer," Marinette reported to Tikki as she hung up. "Hopefully that was the right number, I only have the number he used in high school." Her eyes widened as she stared at the digital readout on her phone. "And now I'm late for work! Can this day get any worse?"

Marinette stuffed her phone in her bag and ran toward the mouth of the alley. Unfortunately she wasn't really looking where she was going and barked her knee on a trashcan as she shot past. She stopped, holding her knee as her face screwed up in pain.

Yes indeed, Tikki sighed to herself as Marinette swore like a sailor. Her Miraculous holder was the smartest and dumbest person in the world.

...

The bell clanged over the door of Femme Boutique as Marinette rushed in.

"You're late, Miss Dupan-Chang," Miss Simmons greeted her frostily. She was a woman in her late sixties, thin as a Runway model with steel-grey hair twisted into a knot at the back of her head. Her sharp eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses travelled down Marinette, taking in her mused bun, her rumpled skirt, and stockingless legs.

"You look like a ragamuffin." She remarked with a sniff. "Go sort the fabric shipment in the back, out of sight, I'm very busy with an important customer."

"Yes, Miss Simmons," Marinette said meekly, keeping her eyes on the floor and trying to smooth her skirt and hair. She started to scurry obediently to the back of the shop.

"Actually Miss Simmons, I could use some advice from your assistant as well," came a familiar voice. "I'm really hopeless at picking out clothes."

"Adrian?" Marinette gaped as he smiled in her direction. "What are you doing here?" Adrian shrugged.

"I was just passing through," he said innocently, "I liked some of the designs in the window, so I thought I'd check them out."

Marinette glanced at Miss Simmons who was busy collecting an armload of suits and whispered accusingly.

"You don't have a problem choosing your own clothes."

Adrian smiled innocently again and winked.

"I won't tell if you don't."

Miss Simmons was practically dizzy with glee. Adrian Agreste was in her shop, admiring her clothes. She had no doubt that with a few choice words in the local newspaper, coupled with some discrete photos she'd take of Adrian trying on her designs, she could increase the trickle of revenue in her store tenfold. She eyed Marinette who was chatting casually with Adrian as if they were old friends. This irritated her for some reason.

"Marinette," she snapped, "stop socializing and grab the special outfits I keep in the back." She aimed a wide, yellow-toothed smile in Adrian's direction as Marinette hurried off. "I keep a few things in reserve for my VIP customers." She handed Adrian a beige suit. "In the meantime, why don't you try on this?"

The cloth looked and felt like bark, think and heavy in his hands. The design was chunky as well, the shape unflattering as he held it up to himself in the mirror.

"Maybe something a little lighter in cotton?" he asked, politely handing it back.

Miss Simmons scrabbled through the pile to find him something in the requested fabric.

"These are my own designs," she boasted, handing him a maroon cotton suit that looked as boxy and unappealing to Adrian as the first one. Already she could see the prestige that would come to her little store if the famous Adrian Agreste wore her clothes. She could expand her staff, then open more stores, the name Simmons would become a household name along with Vuitton and Agreste. Her spirits fell as Adrian handed her the suit back.

"I'm not sure this is for me either." His eyes fell on a light blue suit that was at the bottom of the pile and held it in front of the mirror. His instincts told him it was Marinette's, even before he spotted her design on the collar and cuffs. "I'd like to try this one on in the dressing room," he said, turning to Miss Simmons.

"Of course," Miss Simmons chirped, even as she seethed inside. How had her assistant's work gotten into the pile? "There's a changing room here," she said, gesturing to a curtained outlit. "I'll get a few more options for you to try out while you're in there."

She waited until Adrian had ducked inside then made a beeline for the back.

Adrian changed quickly and took a minute to check out the suit from all angels. It fit as if it had been designed for him, a streamlined look that flattered and showcased his broad shoulders and chest, complimented his blond hair and green eyes.

Based on the intel he had gleaned from Nino, (who in turn had acquired from Alya), Marinette worked long hours in the shop owned by Miss Simmons, and designed –to quote Alya- "the most inspirational clothes ever, which the paresseux et incompetent owner totally took credit for on a regular basis."

So step one of Adrian's plan was to "accidentally" run into her while making a nostalgic tour of his old hangouts and casually mention to her that there was an opening at his Dad's company for a talented designer. Once Marinette had been saved from the lazy Miss Simmons, step two of his plan was to –also casually- ask if she knew any good restaurants that had opened while he was away and see if she was free to meet for dinner. Then, sometime during the romantic dinner Adrian would move on to step three and reveal to Marinette he was Chat Noir ask her to marry him, and wisk her off to a place where they would live happily ever after.

Adrian stopped that train of thought as he started fantasizing about where he'd like to go for their honeymoon.

Slow down, he reminded himself, one step at a time, you left Paris for five years last time she rejected you, remember?

Last time Ladybug rejected Chat Noir, he argued with himself.

But you're Chat Noir. The nasty voice in his head countered. Could you really live with her if she doesn't accept every part of you? What if she doesn't just reject Chat Noir? What if she rejects both of you?

She won't! Adrian felt panic rising in his chest as he fought with the voice of doubt in his head. She can't! If she does...

He couldn't finish that sentence.

I'll take her to dinner first and go slowly from there, Adrian decided, straightening the jacket.

Marinette was coming out, her arms full of garments when Miss Simmons stopped her.

"Wait, I've got more-" She started to say before Miss Simmons pushed her back inside and closed the door.

"How much do you want this job, Marinette?" Miss Simmons asked, scrutinizing her closely.

"Well, I-" Marinette fumbled, "I like that you use some of my designs in the store-"

"Yes," Miss Simmons interrupted coldly, "despite the fact you still need quite a bit of practice and your ideas lack originality, I thought I would display your work as a kindness."

Marinette bit her lip as Miss Simmon's words stung.

"I'll be honest." She continued. "I doubt you would have what it takes to be a successful fashion designer." She paused. "On the other hand, Mr. Agreste could bring us some good business. If you stand by my side and make our little shop look good, I will make sure you have a position here as long as you like." She held out a hand and smiled widely. "Does that sound like a good deal? And if business goes well, in a few months I might be able to afford to make you a full manager."

As soon as I make enough money to expand so I can retire, she promised herself.

Marinette hesitated. Something didn't feel right about this. Simmons noticed her hesitation and decided to raise the stakes.

"Either agree or you can leave right now." She ordered, her voice sharp.

There, she thought. The girl was too afraid to leave, she would have to fall in line now.

She was right, Marinette was internally in turmoil. Her instincts screamed out to her to leave. To walk out the door and never look back. But what if Miss Simmons was right? Did she have enough talent to make it in the world on her own, or had she been deluding herself all these years?

Slowly, she reached her hand out to shake...

"Don't do it, Marinette!"

Both Miss Simmons and Marinette turned to see Adrian standing in the doorway, still dressed in the blue suit. Miss Simmons was the first to recover.

"Ah, Mr. Agreste," she purred. "I knew that suit would look spectacular on you, it's one of my more popular designs. I'm assuming you want to buy it, would you like me to box it up for you or would you like to wear it out?"

"I would like to wear it out," Adrian said, "but I'd prefer to talk to the actual designer about the price."

"Wh-what?" Miss Simmons sputtered. She took a breath. "I assure you, Mr. Agreste, all the clothes in this store have been designed by me."

Adrian smiled, but his eyes were cold.

"There is definitely a lot of stuff in this store that I have no doubt you created." He agreed. "But your more popular outfits, the ones you displayed in the window for example, were created by Marinette." Miss Simmons fumed.

"I don't know what she told you but-those-those outfits were my creations. Not hers." She whirled on Marinette. "How dare you spread slander, you are fired, Miss Dupan-Chang!" She took a step towards Marinette, intending to slap her but an iron grip on her wrist held her back.

"Marinette didn't tell me a thing," Adrian informed her, stepping around to stand in front of his lady. He held out the cuff of his suit, and pointed at the curly design on the sleeve. "I recognized her work. Her style, her technique is extremely unique, but more importantly, she always signs her designs."

Miss Simmons' eyes widened as she made out the name Marinette written in cursive on the cuff.

"She added-" She started to say, but Adrian cut her off.

"Enough, no more lies." Adrian snapped. "You don't deserve to have her work with you." He grabbed Marinette's hand and pulled her, still somewhat shell-shocked, towards the door. "We'll be back later to collect her designs."

Then he and Marienette were out the door, and it had slammed behind them.

...

Adrian dragged Marinette a few blocks before he realized she was still stumbling along like a zombie. He stopped and took a close look at her.

"Marinette!" He said, gently cupping her face in his hands, "are you okay?" The answer was so quiet he had to strain his ears to hear it.

"I just...quit my job."

"That wasn't a good place for you to work," Adrian assured her. "Simmons was taking advantage of you."

"She said...I didn't have what it took to be a fashion designer."

"And you believed her?" Adrian was indignant. " Marinette, I think you're the most talented woman I've ever met. You didn't deserve to work there."

"But now I have no place to go..." Marinette whispered. Adrian wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Yes you do." He whispered to her fiercely. "I'll get you a position at my Dad's company." He fished a card out of his pocket. "Here. I already told them about you. Call this number tomorrow and they'll arrange a day for an interview. Don't worry," he assured her as Marinette still looked unconvinced. "They'll hire you on the spot once they see some of your designs."

Marinette numbly put the card in her pocket, but she still felt dazzed. Everything was so bizarre, she kept expecting to wake up from this dream, the dream where Adrian was back in her life and giving her a job where she was free from Slave-Driver Simmons.

She looked up at Adrian.

"What do I do in the meantime?" She whispered. Adrian chuckled and kissed the top of her head.

"Have dinner with me." He murmured into her hair, holding her close.

Marinette gingerly wrapped her arms around him, feeling safe and secure in his embrace. This was definitely a dream, she decided. She might as well enjoy it.

"Okay," Marinette agreed.

Hello Miraculous fans, it's your busy Authoress Cantrella here <3

I wanted to thank you all for your support and I wanted to apologize for not updating as much as I used to. Life is still pretty crazy, but on the more exciting side, I am considering taking my fan fic work and making it into an audio project! (No idea if I'll actually pull it off but I'll keep you updated.)

I'd like to give a shout-out to my commenters so far, so a special thanks to @invader423, littleskyfoxs, ginnyenthusiast, GamerWolf691 and suzdono07. 

Also, I want to see what you think of the story so far? Likes? Dislikes? 

What are you hoping will happen next? Do you think we'll hear from Hawkmoth again? What characters are you hoping to interact with now that everyone is all grown up? What romantic pairing do you think will happen next? Lady Noir? MariChat? Ladrian? or Adrienette?

If you reply fast enough, I can add it into the story! ;) 

Sincerely, 

Cantrella <3