Ladybug was pacing backwards and forwards on the Eiffel Tower waiting for Chat. She'd been thinking non-stop about the predicament they were now in.

As Marinette, she hadn't replied to Adrien since their discussion yesterday. She'd also actively avoided Alya and Nino.

She heard the sound of steal toed boots hit the metal behind her.

Come on Marinette, you can do this. She gave herself a mental pep talk and turned around. He looked awful and it was all her fault. Dry tear streaks ran down his face and he looked so pale. She ran over to him and pulled him into a hug.

"Kitty, oh sweet kitty, what's wrong?"

He collapsed onto the floor taking her with him. She'd never felt so awful in her life. She needed to fix this and fast. After about ten minutes he began to speak.

"I've lost one of the best things that has ever happened to me."

"What do you mean? Has someone died?" She asked.

"I've fell for a girl and I've messed up badly. Ladybug, I need your help, I don't know who else to talk to." His voice was broken with sobs as he spoke.

Ladybug pulled out of Chat's arms and held his hands as she spoke.

"Woah! Slow down kitty. How have you messed up?" Now she was confused. Why was he feeling like he'd messed up? She's the one that had.

"I called her out on something I had no right to. I was being possessive and jealous, and selfish." He looked out at Paris, thinking about everything he'd done to screw this up with Marinette, not realising his Princess was about to help him out of this predicament.

"Have you spoken to her since?"

"I've tried but she won't answer any of my calls or texts." He said.

"Sounds like she just needs some time to get her head together, or she's waiting for you to cool down first? What did you actually do chaton?"

"She has friend that is a musician and she was kind of his muse, which is understandable she's beautiful. The song he wrote about her spoke about her being in love with someone else, when I asked her about it she said it's true. She didn't even try to deny it. I want to be with her but I can't be second choice, I can't have someone else leave me." He was exasperated by the situation he'd found himself in. He needed Marinette so much it hurt.

"Chat? How do you feel about me?" Chat Noir looked up confused at Ladybug.

"You know I love you, m'lady."

"What's the difference between you and her? It sounds like the same situation." Come on Kitty take the bait, she thought.

"I never thought about that. Do you think I was out of line with her?"

"No, I don't. Do you think she might be having issues with it all too? Loving this other person and then suddenly you come along and sweep her off her feet. She needs to hold onto her stability as much as you do."

Chat stopped crying and looked determined.

"You're right LB. I can't give up. I've got to show her I'm worth taking the chance on."

"And if it doesn't work out with her, I'll still be here for you." She gave him a wink.

"Thank you Bugaboo." He gave her a big hug. "How about you? How's things for you?"

"Not too dissimilar to you, Chat."

"You mean there's a guy?" A prang of jealousy shot through Chat.

"Don't worry Chat, you're still my favourite." Ladybug giggled and gave him a tickle under his chin. "I've got to head off, lots of work to get done. I'll see you soon, Kitty and remember she's struggling too. Go and speak to her. Bug out."

Ladybug flew back to her room and quickly dropped her transformation. Luckily, she was faster than Chat and left before him. She thought she had about a minute until he turned up at her door. Sixty seconds later she heard a knock.

Marinette opened the door and as predicted Adrien stood there.

"Hi." Marinette said opening the door.

"Hi." Adrien replied, standing with his hands in his pockets. He looked shy and lacking in confidence. Marinette just wanted to jump into his arms but was containing herself. She had to play this correctly.

"Come in," Marinette moved aside to let Adrien in, "I'm guessing you know Alya's at yours?"

"I didn't actually. I was just out with a friend." Adrien responded not knowing what to do with himself.

"Oh ok. Would you like a drink?" She went to the fridge and got out two waters. Bringing them back to the couch. She knew Adrien only drank water or coffee.

"Take a seat. So did you have fun with your friend?" Marinette signalled for him to sit on their sofa.

"Yeah it was nice to see her again." Adrien shrugged.

"Her? Oh ok."

"No, it's nothing like that. I ... I need to say sorry for earlier. I just really like you and I'm overly protective of my heart with everything that's happened in the past so I tend to push those who get too close away." Adrien was rambling wanting to get this over and done with as quickly as possible.

She reached over and grabbed his hand. He seemed shocked by her touch. He didn't know what to do. She shuffled closer and put her head on his shoulder.

"I've never been in a relationship. I don't know how to handle everything, but I'd like to try and get there with you. Let's just take our time." She said to Adrien.

"That sounds great." He agreed. Happy that she wasn't kicking him out the dorm room.

"I'm not going anywhere, Adrien. I'm enjoying my time with you and I want to see where it goes."

Adrien felt his heart swell. She really did know what to say. Just like his lady. He used his opposite hand to stroke her face and tilt it towards his.

"I want to see where this goes too. So using my last question; can we please try again?"

"You just wasted a question there, Agreste." She pushed up placing her lips onto his. It didn't take him long to respond and start pushing back. Each set of mouths fighting for domination over the other. Marinette pushed Adrien back and climbed onto his lap, pulling his head towards her, she deepened the kiss.

"Ok, I said take it slow and this is not slow." Marinette climbed off him as she spoke. They both smiled and gave each other a quick kiss on the lips.

"I better go." He said, lI don't think I can keep my hands off you at the moment." Marinette giggled and walked to the door with him.

"Let me know when you're free this week, I need you to try on my design."

"Of course, Princess. Keep this weekend free too, I want to take you on that date I won."

He took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"Until next time, fair maiden." With a bow he left the building.

——————————————————

Adrien had been busy again all week. His fathers new sport range had taken off big time meaning Adrien had hours upon hours of photo shoots. Basketball, golf, rugby ... the list was endless. His last shoot of the day was swimwear and he was far from comfortable doing it.

He'd spoken to Marinette on the phone before the shoot began, she basically told him to man up and flex his pecks, but to make sure he sent her some selfies too. He really loved the confidence of this girl, Kagami would have been over run with jealousy.

As Adrien settled into position, a girl around his age came and joined him.

"Hi, I'm Lila. Your father just hired me."

"Hi, I'm Adrien." He shook her hand and then checked his watch.

"You trying to get away from me already?" She pouted.

"No, it's just I was hoping to catch my friend." Adrien started looking around for Vincent his photographer. He knew Marinette was at her parents bakery helping out and wanted to pick her up to take her back to the dorms.

"Vincent can we hurry please, I've got a lot to be getting on with." Adrien moved away from Lila only to have her follow him.

"I was voted best looking teen of Paris for three years running, but I'm sure you know that. We should go out sometime, I'll let you know when I'm free." She grabbed onto Adrien's arm and cuddled into him.

"I'm sure you're a lovely girl Lila, but I have a girlfriend." It wasn't too much of a lie, even though they weren't official Adrien saw them as both being exclusive.

"I have no problems with that." She reached down towards the elastic at the top of his swimwear. He pulled away disgusted. He'll be having another awkward conversation with his father about models.

"Lila, please keep your hands to yourself."

"Yes, it's best you do as he says. After all you want to keep this job don't you?" Adrien was shocked at the voice behind him. His father was actually there, it had been years since Gabriel had attended one of his shoots.

"Yes, Mr Agreste. I'm sorry." Lila backed away and positioned herself where Vincent was directing. Gabriel stayed until the end of the shoot making sure Lila kept her hands to herself.

He didn't like people seeing Adrien as just meat. This recent realisation came from the relationship Adrien had formed with Kagami, but that was all sorted thanks to his nephew.

After the shoot had finished Gabriel waited outside for Adrien, much to Adrien's surprise.

"Take a walk with me, son."

Adrien followed Gabriel out of the door and towards the river. They sat down on a bench.

"I know I haven't been the best father since it's been just you and I, but I really want to make up for it." Gabriel's speech left Adrien dumbfounded, he didn't know what to say.

"Father, it's been hard for both of us. I understand that."

"You're just like your mother. You shouldn't be so forgiving of me. If there's anything you need please let me know, I want to be there for you and help you whenever I can." Awkwardly Gabriel reached out to Adrien then pulled back, going for a handshake instead.

"I can't believe how much you've grown. I've missed so much." Gabriel stood up to walk away.

"Oh, and next time you bring Ms. Dupain-Cheng to the house," Adrien winced remember their late night trip, he knew this was all too good to be true, "bring her at a normal time of day. I'd like to meet her." Gabriel smiled at the shocked expression on Adrien's face, before heading to his car.

Adrien walked to his car in shock. He didn't know what Ladybug had done to his fathers memories when she stripped away Hawk Moth but she'd given him his father back. For that, his love for her just grew stronger.