Marinette rang the bell out the front of the Agreste estate. Adrien's father was due to return from London later that night, but Adrien had made plans for them not to be there when he arrived. The two were still not on real speaking terms since the 'incident' and Adrien was more determined than ever to move out and move on with his life. Gabriel had sent word to Nathalie that the opening of the new store would take place on Sunday, and with today being Friday it gave less than two days for her to get things organised. Nathalie was frantic as this was almost a week earlier than she had anticipated. Apparently Mr Agreste threw quite a turn at Felix and the other organisers insisting that the opening not be delayed any further.

The gates opened and the Gorilla opened the front door. Marinette always thought it was rather mean to call Adrien's bodyguard that, but Adrien had assured her that the man took it in good humour. Nevertheless, she brought him a box of pastries, earning herself a smile in return. Nathalie scurried into the foyer and the first thing Marinette noted was how exhausted she looked, like she had hardly slept for days.

"Good afternoon Marinette, did your dress and shoes arrive this morning?" Marinette nodded.

"Yes it did, and thank you for organising the flats for me to wear. My ankle is feeling much better, but I didn't want to risk it."

"I understand, you can head up to Adrien's room, he's just finishing his piano practice." Nathalie went to leave when Marinette called her back.

"Nathalie, can I ask you something please?" Nathalie stopped and turned. She could see worry and concern in Mainette's face.

"Marinette, I swear I didn't know anything about those emails..."

"No, I know that, that wasn't what I was going to ask." Nathalie looked at her curiously. "Mr Agreste..." She swallowed, trying not to let tears form. "Had he...hit Adrien like that before?" Nathalie looked at her for a moment before she let a heavy breath escape through her nostrils.

"When the company first started Gabriel struggled to get his designs noticed. He had talent, that much was obvious, but he couldn't find a way to stand out from the crowd. As Adrien started to grow, he realised that it was Adrien's face that would be what would get him noticed, that his son's beauty would be able to break through the mire of fashion houses in Paris. Emilie, Adrien's mother, started training Adrien to be a model. At first Adrien was so excited, it was all fun and games to him you see, walking the catwalk like his mother, and she kept it fun for him as he would have only been around ten or so at the time. Gabriel though, this wasn't fun for him, this was money, opportunity, his chance to be top dog in the industry. One day he came to watch Adrien rehearse before his first major catwalk appearance. Adrien was sick with a cold and really struggling that day. Gabriel lost his temper, telling him he had to do better, that everything was riding on him dazzling the critics. Adrien began to cry so Gabriel backhanded him, telling him he needed to grow up and that Emie was making him soft."

Marinette could see Nathalie was becoming visibly upset at the memory of it. She gently placed a hand on the assistants shoulder while Nathalie pulled a handkerchief from her pocket. "Emilie immediately jumped in, shielding Adrien from any further attacks. We were lucky that the make-up artists were able to cover the mark. Gabriel told them he had fallen playing in the park." She scoffed. "Like he was ever allowed to do that. Gabriel wouldn't risk anything damaging that million dollar face. Emilie threatened to walk out if he ever did it again, so he restrained himself, preferring verbal attacks to physical ones. Of course, Adrien became everything to the company, without him, Gabriel most likely would never have gotten as far as he did. " She wiped her eyes before looking back at Marinette. "When he struck Adrien like that, it was like it was happening all over again. Only this time Adrien wasn't a frightened little boy, he was ready to fight back, to fight for the two of you and what you have. I had a good mind to just let Adrien do it, God knows Gabriel needs it, but it might not have been worth the consequences." Nathalie darted her eyes away, guilt clearly playing out on her features.

"Thank you Nathalie, for looking out for him. I know you mean the world to Adrien." Nathalie shook her head.

"I don't really deserve that, but thank you." She smiled through the tears before sending Marinette on her way to Adrien. Looking at her watch, she knew it was at least another six hours before Gabriel was to 'officially' arrive back at the mansion. It wasn't giving her much time when she had to go help harvest those damn akumas.

Marinette could hear the beautiful sounds of Adrien playing the piano as she approached his door. Knocking softly she heard him call out to come in. She felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach. Sure, she had been in Adrien's room before, but usually they were not alone.

Adrien looked up from where he was playing as she came in. "Is Alya not with you?" He asked. Marinette shook her head.

"She texted me to say that her mother got called into work to cater a luncheon today so she had to babysit the twins."

"Huh." Adrien puffed as his fingers glided across the keys. "Nino bailed out on us too, something about going in early to set up for his DJ gig tonight." He stopped playing to look back at her with that soft look in his eyes before patting the space next to him on the seat. Marinette opened her bag to let Tikki out to find Plagg before dropping down her backpack and sitting on the piano stool. He leaned over, giving her a sweet kiss before turning back to his instrument.

"Well, I guess that just means I'll have to kick your butt on Mecha Strike all on my own." Marinette playfully challenged with a shoulder bump. Adrien gave her a very Chat like grin before placing his fingers back over the keys. "What time do we have to be at Nino's gig?"

"The pub bistro opens at six and then Nino is on from eight. If you want to go early to get dinner that gives us about 4 hours." He started playing again. Marinette didn't recognise the song, but she closed her eyes and the melody felt like it was running through her veins and straight to her heart.

"What song is that? It's beautiful." She asked. Looking at her boyfriend it seemed like a slight blush had tinged his cheeks.

"It doesn't have a name yet." He said quietly. "I started writing it for you, well Ladybug, over a year ago, but I couldn't seem to finish it because it didn't quite sound right, like something was missing. Over the last few weeks though, the melody just sort of came to me and suddenly the pieces all fell into place." He stopped playing, turning towards her and cupping her cheek in his hand. "I realised it was because I was only seeing one side of you, as Ladybug, the strong, brave and fearless heroine I adored." He leaned in touching his forehead to hers. "But in order to finish the song I needed the soft, sweet and warm Marinette that I loved." He kissed her so softly, so gently that Marinette thought she might melt into a puddle right then and there. When he pulled back and looked at her, he knew something had begun to shift. There was an energy there between them that had been bubbling for some time, but was now threatening to explode, she could feel it too, and her breath began to quicken.

"Shall we, um..." Marinette swallowed, her mouth feeling all together too dry. "Should we maybe set the game up?" Adrien ran his thumb over her cheek.

"Yeah." He said quietly. "I'll go set it up." He gave her one more chaste kiss before getting up to set up the computer. Marinette put her hands on her flaming face, trying to slow down her rapid breathing. "You coming Bugaboo?" He called out as the game began to play. She was going to make him pay for turning her into so much putty in his hands.

Unsurprisingly, Marinette was still the best gamer Adrien knew and he didn't mind losing to her as much as he pretended. He especially loved seeing her cute little butt wiggle dance she would do when she won. He was about to lose for the fourth time when an idea popped into his head. It was naughty, and she'd probably hate it, but the look on her face would be worth it. He shot a sideways glance at Marinette who was concentrating hard with a complicated maneuver. "Hey Marinette?" He called to her, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"What Kitty?" She asked, not taking her eyes off the screen.

"What would you say if I asked you to marry me?"

"What!?" She turned her head to him wide eyed with her mouth hanging open. He didn't just seriously...?

"Player two wins." The game announced as Adrien fist pumped the air. Marinette gasped at his victory dance before narrowing her eyes at him. Adrien suddenly felt very worried. Uh oh!

"Adrien Agreste that is cheating. You won by cheating." She dived at him, but he managed to dodge her with Chat like grace. Darn cat reflexes. Marinette took chase around his room, the two finding themselves on either side of his lounge. They dodged from side to side before she picked up a cushion, throwing it at him with little effect. Adrien laughed as he ran over to his bed, grabbing a pillow as a shield from another flying cushion.

"Give it up m'lady, you lost fair and square." He taunted.

"Never." She challenged him. Marinette then took his other pillow, the two laughing and falling over the sheets on the bed as they became tangled in a pillow fight, her hair ribbons soon becoming casualties of the battle. Eventually Marinette lost her grip on the pillow, Adrien sending it flying across his room. Plagg swiftly flew in to rescue a wheel of Camembert from the firing line. In one swift movement, Adrien threw aside his own pillow, grabbing Marinette's wrists and pinning her back onto the bed. The two of them were laughing hard and out of breath.

As their laughter subsided they looked at each other, and both became acutely aware of the position they now found themselves in, yet neither one of them made any attempt to move. Marinette's hair was splayed out around her and shone in the afternoon glow. Gosh he loved this girl.

"You know it's not really the kind of thing you should joke about Kitty." She said. She tried to keep it playful, but her heart was beating so fast she was sure he could hear it. She felt one of his hands on her wrist slide side up to intwine their fingers.

"What if...what if I'm not joking." He replied nervously. He pulled her up into a sitting position, keeping a hold of her hand. She looked at him disbelieving her own ears, but she couldn't deny the intensity of the look in his eyes. "Marinette, you have been the one constant in my life for the last four years, whether it was as Ladybug beside me in battle, or Marinette sitting behind me in class, you have been my daily dose of warmth and joy. I couldn't spend the rest of my life without you being in it." He could see tears starting to form in her eyes. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? He gently placed his hand on her cheek and felt her lean into his touch with a soft smile, so he felt confident enough to press on. "Honestly, this wasn't how I had intended to ask you. I'd planned this whole grand gesture thing I was going to do in London, after I bought you a ring there and I still can if you want me too, but..." He bit his bottom lip as she closed her eyes and dropped her head.

"Chaton, I..." She turned her eyes back up to him, his hand still holding her cheek. "You know that I'm the Guardian now. I have a responsibility to protect the Miraculous and I know you will always be here to do that with me, but if I ever have to give that up, if I surrender them to another..." She took his hand from her face and held it in her own. "I'll end up like Master Fu. I'll forget everything. I won't even know you. I won't remember..." Adrien lifted his hand to kiss the back of hers.

"It won't happen m'lady. You'll have your whole life ahead of you, you and me together. I want this with you, I want to have children with you and see you grow your own fashion business. I want to stand by your side and call you mine. You'll live to be an old lady, surrounded by our children and grandchildren and only then, at the very end, will you pass the box onto them." He knelt up on the bed, taking her hands in both of his and holding them to his chest. "And if something happens and you have to do it before then, then I promise I will spend the rest of my life if I have to making you fall in love with me all over again." He kissed her soundly on the lips, hearing her let out a giggle, his most favourite sound in the world. "Marinette, you are my whole world, my other half, my partner and my best friend. I love you now and for always, will you marry me?"

"Yes Adrien, yes I'll marry you, you silly Kitty." She laughed as he pulled her up into a tight hug, his hand in her loose hair as she buried her face into the crook of his neck. Adrien could hardly believe it. She had actually said yes. His Lady, his Marinette would become his Madame Agreste.

"I think you've made me the happiest Cat alive." He laughed. His lips found hers again, softly and gently like before. Marinette felt every nerve ending tingle. There was nothing frantic, nothing demanding, it was a dance of love across their lips, the unspoken words of the connection they had to one another. Carefully, Marinette fell back into the pillows, Adrien's lips never leaving hers as they became entangled in one another. She felt one hand slide down her side and onto the bare skin on her hips. He lifted his head slightly looking deeply into those shining bluebell eyes, his fingers from his hand still buried in her hair.

"I love you Marinette. I'll love you everyday for the rest of my life." Marinette reached her hand up behind his neck, twirling her fingers into the soft blonde curls that had started to form there.

"Then love me now Chaton." She whispered.

"Are you sure?" He asked, his pulse racing at what she was asking. She smiled and nodded before she pulled him back down into a far more passionate kiss, running her fingers up into his hair. Always one to follow his Lady's every command, he didn't have to be told twice.

*****
Below the Agreste mansion, Gabriel carefully harvests the akumas. Gently laying the cocoons in a basket he contemplates the task that lies ahead for him. Emilie has been missing for almost six years now and will be declared officially dead legally in another year. Time is of the essence to get Ladybug and Chat Noir's miraculous and bring her back. Everything he has built, his entire world is hanging on it. His plan hasn't quite been working the way he would have liked, but the end result should still be the same. He just needed to get Adrien on board and the trap for the superheroes would be sealed.

Nathalie brings another empty basket over to him to begin refilling. She avoids making eye contact with her boss. The sudden change in plans for London means that Adrien won't have an apartment ready for when he returns. Gabriel still doesn't know about the place she had bought for herself though, and the lease was under a pseudonym, so that will have to be a short term option. Adrien's Aunt had hoped Adrien and Marinette could have stayed at least a week, but Gabriel insisted it be overnight only. Nathalie suspected he was nervous about what Amilie might tell Adrien. There were too many secrets in this household, but there were some secrets that needed sharing, and Nathalie was sure, even in this small timeframe, Amilie would make sure Adrien knew. At least Nathalie hoped so.

Gabriel suddenly stood up from what he was doing. "Nooroo." He called. The purple kwami appeared by his side, closely followed by Duusu. "Can you feel something Nooroo?" He asked. The air around him felt like it was vibrating with static electricity, but this wasn't a negative emotion, this was something a lot stronger and deeper. Something Gabriel had never felt before.

"Oh I can." Cried Duusu. "Oh it's so pure and beautiful." She flipped around excitedly. "I've not felt a connection like this in a long time, not since.."

"Yes thank you Duusu, we get the picture." Nathalie cut the kwami off before she said too much. Gabriel looked at Nathalie with an eyebrow raised.

"I thought you said Adrien was having friends over before going out tonight?" Nathalie readjusted her glasses as she cleared her throat.

"It a...it appeared there were some cancellations this afternoon, but the plans for tonight are still on." She replied, trying to sound nonchalant. Gabriel looked up towards the ceiling.

"But Marinette is here, isn't she?" He asked, looking back at her. Nathalie nodded slowly. "Hmmm" He contemplated, before switching thought. "You made sure to pack their itineraries full for London, I don't want them hanging around Felix or Amilie too much while they are there. You should have booked them into a hotel rather than let them stay at the Graham De Vanily place."

"The notice was too short Sir, everywhere was booked out." That wasn't entirely true, but she knew Gabriel well enough that he wouldn't check, same goes for the packed itinerary. She booked Adrien and Marinette on some outdoor activities, but was betting on the rain forecast for that weekend to wash those plans out. She was going to make sure Amilie had every opportunity to talk to Adrien.

Once the akumas had been harvested, Nathalie took her leave, returning to her own quarters and leaving Gabriel to spend time with Emilie. Duusu fluttered out to sit on her shoulder as Nathalie looked out her window at the sunset.

"How did you know what was going on Duusu?" Nathalie asked. Duusu floated out to look at her.

"Because a connection like that can only be felt between two active miraculous holders. It's very rare for that to happen, especially with Black Cats and Ladybugs." Nathalie looked away in thought.

"Would Nooroo know. Can Gabriel make him tell him?" Duusu shook her head.

"No. Hawkmoth can only feel emotions when transformed, but the power isn't as intuitive as mine. I'm the kwami of emotion after all, and love is a far more powerful emotion than anger."

Nathalie held out her hand for Duusu to sit in. "Why is this connection so rare? I thought you had told me that the Ladybug and Black Cat were like yin and yang, meant to be together." Duusu nodded.

"That is true, but not all Ladybugs and Chat Noirs got to know their true identities. Many Chat Noirs died before finding out. It's their job to protect the Ladybug and selflessness is one of the qualities that a Guardian looks for in a new Black Cat holder. Isn't that so romantic?" She quipped with a little flip. Nathalie wasn't sure how romantic it was laying down your life for someone else, but she could definitely see why Adrien would have been chosen. Her mind replayed the many times over the years she had seen Chat Noir sacrifice himself to protect Ladybug. She also knew Adrien wouldn't hesitate to do the same for a Marinette out of the suits. She just hoped it would never come to that.

*******
The last light of twilight steamed into Adrien's room. He propped his head up on his hand as he laid beside Marinette. He watched her as she dozed peacefully, a soft glow on her skin, the smell of her perfume filling the air around him. Right then, at that very moment, he thought she looked the most beautiful he had ever seen her. As she began to stir he lightly brushed her hair from her face and she opened her eyes, so full of love for him. What did he ever do to deserve that this angel would love him?

"I must have dropped off." She said, rubbing her eyes.

"A power nap would have done you good." He said, kissing her on the forehead. "I hate to have to move because I could just lay here with you all night, but we do have plans. Why don't you jump in the shower and freshen up, I'll let Nino know we'll be on our way soon." She leaned over, giving him a kiss before getting out of the bed. Adrien watched her as she picked up her backpack with her dress for tonight inside and headed into the bathroom. That was a vision he hoped to see many more times in his life.

Reaching over for his phone he saw a text from Nino.

Nino: Just a heads up dude, Chloé's at the bar alone and is already halfway gone. She won't talk to us, maybe you will have better luck.

Adrien frowned at his phone. It wasn't like Chloé to go out drinking alone, least of all at a pub. Something must have her really upset.

Adrien: We will talk to her, be there in about half an hour. Keep an eye on her for me.

Nino: Will do dude.

When Marinette came out from the bathroom he showed her the message and she was immediately concerned about Chloé becoming a target for an akuma. Adrien quickly showered and dressed while Marinette fixed her hair and make-up. Once they were ready, Adrien's bodyguard drove them to the location for Nino's gig and parked the car to wait for them. Taking her hand in his he stopped for a moment before going in. "Are we going to tell Alya and Nino? About being engaged I mean." Just to clarify, they didn't need to know about anything else.

"Not yet." She said with a mischievous glint. "When I tell them I want to show off that ring you promised me." She winked at him and for a moment he really just wanted to get back into the car and whisk her back to his room.

"Okay, our secret until after London." He said, kissing her hand and leading her into the pub.

Nino's gig was inside one of the many Irish pubs that were dotted over Paris and served the kind of food Adrien's dietitian would have a heart attack over, which suited him perfectly. He couldn't even remember the last time he sank his teeth into a burger and chips. Once inside they were met by Alya who couldn't stop gushing over Marinette's dress. It was a black almost 50's style design to the knee and trimmed in an electric green. Adrien knew it was for him, and he had to admit he adored seeing her in his Chat colours. Alya pointed them in the direction of where Chloé was before going to reserve a table for dinner.

Adrien could hear her slurring loudly to the poor bartender who was clearly out of his depth with what to do with the mayor's daughter. "Adrikins!" She announced, stumbling into his arms. "Come have a celebration drink with me." Adrien righted her back onto the bar stool.

"What are you celebrating Chlo?" He asked, darting a concerned look to his girlfriend (fiancée).

"Sabrina has been accepted into the Police Academy." She raised her glass up in a salute before downing it in one gulp. Was that whisky she was drinking? "She's going to be a police officer like her daddy. He's so proud of her, I'm proud of her, everybody is proud of her." She looked down into her empty glass. "Nobody is proud of me. Mother left for New York this morning, and she didn't want me coming with her. Nobody loves Chloé Bourgeois." She wailed. Adrien tried to quieten her down. The last thing Chloé needed was someone taking a photo of her like this and leaking it to the media.

"Chloé, people still love you and care about you." Marinette said, trying to give the distressed girl some comfort. "Sabrina is still your friend, even if she is at the academy, your father I know is proud of you and has always been there for you." She placed a hand on her shoulder. "And you have us too Chloé. Adrien and I are your friends." Chloé looked up at her, tears glistening in her blue eyes.

"You...you want to be my friend?" She said, wiping her nose on her sleeve. Marinette smiled and nodded.

"Of course I will be Chloé." The bluenette smiled.

"Say, why don't you come with us to London. You haven't seen Felix in ages and I'm sure Aunt Amilie wouldn't mind. You can hang out with Marinette and show her around. She's never been to London before." Marinette nodded along enthusiastically. She glanced behind her quickly, no butterflies seemed to have been around.

"Okay." Chloé said quietly. "I think I'd like to go home now if that's alright."

Marinette went and sat with Alya while Adrien helped Chloé out to his driver. He didn't trust her in a taxi, and he knew his bodyguard would be discrete. Returning back into the pub, Nino had come to join them. He gave his best friend a bro hug before they sat down and ordered. All through dinner, Marinette knew Alya was itching to question her about what they had been up to all afternoon, dropping not so subtle hints that had Adrien and Marinette trying to conceal matching blushes.

Once Nino got up to start his set, Adrien pulled Marinette onto the dance floor. Alya hung around where Nino was on the stage, watching her friends dance. Now Alya wasn't stupid and her journalistic senses were tingling that those two had been up to a lot more that just playing video games all afternoon. Eventually, they began to puff out and Alya snuck up on Marinette while Adrien ducked into the bathroom. "Okay girl, I've tried to be patient and now you're gonna spill. What were you and Adrien really doing all afternoon?"

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean?" Marinette replied innocently.

"Don't act cute with me Mari, I know you better than that. Now Sunshine there usually struggles to keep his hands off you at the best of times, but he has been paying you extra attention all night, they way you two were dancing over there I felt like my eyes needed holy water and you dank glasses of champagne at dinner, and I know you never usually drink champagne. So what gives?" Marinette couldn't hold in the amused smile that was creeping onto her face.

"There's something I can't tell you about just yet, but I promise you will know after we come back from London, alright." Alya folded her arms and shook her head.

"Alright fine. As long as I get all the details as soon as you get back." She held up her pinky finger which Marinette linked in hers.

"Promise." She said. Alya grumbled to herself, but accepted.

The reporter watched as Marinette walked over to join Adrien. The blonde wrapped his arms around her, kissing her softly as they swayed to the slower music Nino was now playing. Alya already knew how much the two of them meant to each other, she'd watched them pine away for four years after all, nurtured their development as friends, and saw them grow closer. It was no surprise at all to her that these two would no doubt dive head first into this relationship given how long they had already waited. She looked up to where her boyfriend was on the stage. Nino had spotted Adrien and Marinette too, wrapped up in their own little world in each other's eyes. He caught his girlfriend's eye, nodding towards the pair before giving Alya a wink. She nodded at him with a knowing smirk. It was only a few days, she could wait.