Author's Note:

Many conversations might seem light on dialogue. I tried to keep the word count minimal by trying to keep the dialogue pertinent to the plot. Please feel free to imagine whatever other conversations might actually be taking place. Each chapter is about 1,500 words (plus or minus).

I do not own any of the characters, but I did try to stay true to the way the characters have been developed in canon.

The story tries to use only canon through Season 3's WereDad Episode. Any developments in canon contrary to this story released after December 31st, 2018 would not have been incorporated into this story.

Adrien got Plagg some extra camembert and pondered the fact that Ladybug was affected by the akuma. That meant she was a fan. But, could that mean that he's the boy she likes? Could he have a chance with her as Adrien when it was unlikely he'd ever get a chance with her as Cat Noir? Adrien's contemplating was cut short by a thud. Ladybug had landed in his room.

"Adrien! Thank God you're alright. Where were you?"

"I was hiding in a nearby subway tunnel. There's a maintenance room just off the main platform that makes for an excellent hiding spot."

"Smart thinking. Did you get hurt, though?"

"No. I'm fine."

"Good. I'm glad to hear it. Well, I'll see you later."

"Ladybug! Please wait."

"Yes?"

"I know this seems kind of weird. But, you've saved me a few times now. I was wondering if you would let me take you to dinner to say 'Thank You'."

"Like a date?"

"It doesn't have to be a date! Unless, you want it to be…"

"I'd love to. But, just understand that I can't reveal my secret identity to you. And, that might cause friction in any kind of relationship we might have."

"I understand. But, I'd love the opportunity to try."

"I would too. But, you also realize I can't change into something different regardless of where we go. Same outfit: movies, fancy dinner, ice cream, walking along the Seine, …"

"I understand. I don't think anyone would mind, even at a fancy restaurant. You are Paris' super heroine, after all."

"Tomorrow at 8:00 then?"

"Perfect. That's right after my Chinese Lesson."

Ladybug zipped away and Adrien flopped backwards onto his bed with a smile that wouldn't go away anytime soon, to Plagg's misfortune.

Tikki didn't have it any better after Marinette detransformed. She was use to Marinette drooling over Adrien, but now that she had a date with him, Marinette was forever lost on Cloud 9.

Neither Adrien nor Marinette heard much of the lectures given to them by their respective kwamis. Neither did either of them hear anything during class, even from their best friends sitting right next to them all day trying to break through the blissful haze that surrounded both of them.

Cameras were out in force as Ladybug and Adrien stopped off at the fanciest restaurant in Paris. When asked if they were an item, Adrien stating that tonight was a thank you dinner for all the times she had saved him but did not leave out the possibility that things between them might progress to something more.

Back at the Agreste Mansion, Gabriel was talking to Nathalie about why he was letting Adrien go to dinner with Ladybug. "He wanted to thank her."

"But sir, she's our number one target. If she's out of the way, then getting Cat Noir's ring will be easy."

"I know that. That's why I'm going to encourage them to become close. So that I can use Adrien to get Ladybug's earrings."

"But sir, wouldn't that hurt Adrien?"

"No more than anyone else's first crush that ends badly."

"You're taking a risk that Adrien might hold this against you forever if he finds out you used him."

"Once he knows it was to bring his mother back, he'll forgive me. In the meantime, if he needs his schedule freed up for anything related to his relationship with Ladybug, do it."

"Yes sir."

At the restaurant, Adrien and Ladybug enjoyed a wonderful five course meal. It was easy to ignore the camera flashes as they were utterly lost in each other's eyes. Ladybug actually enjoyed the attention for once as it meant more pictures of Adrien for her wall (she'd just have to crop out Ladybug to raise any suspicions). Adrien bodyguard ensured that the paparazzi didn't get too close.

After leaving the restaurant, Adrien and Ladybug went for a stroll along the Seine. The conversation had been light all evening. Not talking about any details of each other's life, but just about Parisian Life in general. Once they were alone, the conversation started getting a bit more personal.

"Can I ask you something personal Ladybug?"

"You can ask me anything, but I might not be able to give an answer."

"Fair enough. Why did you agree to go to dinner with me as a date instead of just a thank you dinner?"

"Well… I've admired you for a while now. Not just for your looks, which I'm sure you get noticed for by everyone. But, by how kind you are to people. I've seen you a few time as my civilian self after an akuma had targeted you or one of your friends and you're always concerned about them. You're even kind to Chloe Bourgeois, which is a feat unto itself."

"Chloe's an old friend. Our parents knew each other and so we got to hang out quite a bit growing up. She can be nice, but she's afraid people will think she's weak if she shows it. To her, appearance is everything. But, she is getting better… slowly."

"So, to finish answering your question, seeing how kind you were made me want to get to know you better. Why did you want something more than a thank you dinner?"

"You inspire me. You make me think there is good in the world worth fighting for. That all it takes is someone with enough courage, and the world can be changed for the better. I want to get to know the real you. What it is that makes you so brave. What motivated you to become Ladybug. Just everything about you."

Ladybug frowned. "You know I can't answer those questions. I can't give you any details that might reveal my secret identity. It would put you in danger."

"I can keep your secret. I promise I won't tell anyone."

"I'm sure you wouldn't, under your own control. But what if you were akumatized, or controlled by an akuma? You wouldn't be in control of yourself. You could let my secret out, putting everyone else I love in danger also. Please, don't ask those questions any more. I won't be able to say no forever, and so I'd probably end our relationship before it came to that point."

"I understand."

"Do you really? Do you understand that this mask is my job? It's what I do, not who I am? That this mask constrains me to act a certain way, a way that I usually don't have to act? I can never truly be myself around you as it might reveal my secret identity."

"I never thought of it that way. But, it's similar with me. I have to act a certain way for my father. I can't just be myself." Adrien wanted to say more, but stopped himself.

"Hmm. It seems we're both wearing masks. It's just that mine is more noticeable."

Adrien smiled at her. He took her hand in his and they continued to walk, hand in hand. Happy to be together, but a little sadder now, knowing they'd never really be able to be themselves around each other.

They arrived back at Adrien's room. Facing each other, knowing what must be done, the one thing they both fretted would happen. That one date would be it.

Adrien spoke first. "Thank you for at least giving me this chance."

"Thank you for dinner and the walk. I'm sorry it's going to end tonight. I had hoped it would've lasted a while. Maybe until after Hawkmoth was defeated, then I could be myself around you."

"Ladybug… may I… have a goodbye kiss?"

Ladybug's eyes grew wide. She knew this was likely her only chance to get a kiss from Adrien. But, did she really want her first kiss with Adrien to be the last?

Ladybug leaned towards Adrien. "Yes."

Their embrace told each other everything their hearts wanted to say. That they didn't want it to be a single date. That they didn't want it to be over.

Their tears streamed down and onto their locked lips. The taste of salt forever painted itself unto their first, and last, kiss.

Adrien looked at Ladybug. "But what about after Hawkmoth is defeated? Can we try again then?"

"Yes? Provided you haven't found someone else by then."

"How will I know it's you after Hawkmoth's been defeated? Won't you have to give up being Ladybug?"

"That's a great question. I had never considered that."

"I have an idea. Here's one of my wrist watches. Keep it safe. Keep it hidden. After Hawkmoth has been defeated, return it to me as your civilian self. That way, I know it's really you."

Ladybug took the wrist watch and zipped away.

Marinette hid the wrist watch in her room. She placed it inside of her mannequin she used for making dresses she had designed. I one place she was sure no one would ever look.

Adrien saw his father the next morning and relayed the news that dinner was a one-time thing. Gabriel seemed more upset than usual, but gave his son a consoling hug none the less. Adrien didn't hear Nathalie's sigh of relief.