"Princess, have you heard about the super fancy masquerade ball hosted by the one and only Gabriel Agreste?" Innocently Chat fiddled around with the ruffles of the dress Marinette was currently working on and didn't even look at her to seem as unsuspicious as possible.

Raising an eyebrow Marinette looked up from her sewing machine. "Don't be silly Chat, of course I have" she answered a little annoyed. "You know I have. I'm talking about nothing else for almost three weeks now."

Admonishingly she points at him. "See this ball gown? The one you're damaging right now? I'm working on it even though I know I'll never be part of this event or anything similar at any point in my near future."

She sighed and concentrated on the fabric in front of her again, scolding herself for being so stupid and childish to really feel the urge to cry.

Immediately Chat regretted that he hadn't raised the topic a little more sentient and wanted to embrace and comfort her right away but he knew that it wouldn't matter in a minute anyway.

"Well, what if I told you that it so happens that your silly Cat has been invited to said ball and can bring a +1?" he asked with a smirk but she wasn't looking at him. Instead she stared at the needle crushing down on the light pink, glittering fabric and bit her lip.

"Don't be so cruel to me" she whispered as her vision began to get blurry.

Feeling guilty and like a dumbass for making her sad Chat walked up to her. Gently he put his hand on her shoulder and kissed the top of her head while taking the invitation out of his pocket. Then he held the envelope it in front of her face by hugging her from behind.

For a very long moment Marinette just stared at the piece of paper Chat dangled in front of her.

She couldn't believe it. This couldn't be true, she couldn't be so lucky.

Yet there was the unmistakable emblem of Gabriel's, glinting golden right in front of her eyes.

Marinette took a deep breath before letting out an excited, high-pitched, deafening squeal.

"I made the mask you asked me for but I don't think you should do this. What if I recognize you? What if someone else recognizes you? And you can't go there transformed either."

Downhearted Marinette laid the black mask she'd crafted for Chat aside and looked up at him. "It's too dangerous, we shouldn't do this. Even if it breaks my heart I think you should go with someone else…"

Compressing her lips and narrowing her eyebrows in sorrow she averted her gaze to not let him see how hard she was fighting back her tears.

But Chat walked up to her and placed his hand under her chin, making her look at him again.

"Don't be silly Marinette. I'd rather give you the invitation to go with someone else than going there without you."

Fondly he smiled while he caressed her cheek. A tender smile rose on Marinette's face as well, along with a slight blush. Suddenly Chat's expression turned stern.

"But I would never let any other man take my Princess out to a ball."

The next moment he instantly was all playful and goofy again, glossing over his unnecessary jealousy and possessiveness with a shrug and said: "So I guess you have to put up with me."

Relieved Marinette giggled, reached up and kissed his cheek. "I wouldn't want to go with any other person anyway."

The evening was absolutely wonderful.

Chat had picked her up at her door and they'd got to the location in a lovely, with flowers decorated cycle rickshaw. On their way many envious eyes had followed them but Marinette barely recognized them as she only had eyes for the handsome man by her side.

He really was out of costume.

He really presented himself to her in his civilian from.

It was thrilling. Everything that separated her from learning his true identity was that one black mask.

That stupid little mask she'd crafted herself, now letting her wish she'd never done it in the first place. She hadn't known how bad she wanted to know his identity up until now. The temptation was too strong.

When they arrived at their destination she'd already made up her mind that she would 'accidentally' rip it off his face at some point this night.

"… Princess?" Chat looked at her in concern as he held out his hand to her. Oh no, she hadn't paid attention to him at all.

"Oh, I am sorry! I was a little lost in thought" she laughed nervously as she took his hand and climbed out the rickshaw.

"Are you okay? What are you thinking about?" he asked worried and Marinette flushed.

She couldn't tell him she had been pondering on ways to get rid of the mask.

Fortunately they got interrupted by an official who politely asked for their invitation and leaded them to the ballroom.

As soon as Marinette set her foot in she forgot all the thoughts about masks and excuses about her clumsiness. All she could see were the enchanting lights, the bright colors of the glamorous evening gowns and the perfect decorations, all she could hear was the bewitching music of the orchestra and the happy chatting of the people around her. She felt as if she'd left her normal life and entered another world, a world full of beauty and magic.

Chat, on the other hand, didn't care for any of it. His concentration was fully owned by his Princess, by her delighted smile and her shining eyes, by her excitement and happiness.

There couldn't be anything, anyone, worthier of being looked at, of being loved.

"May I have this dance?" he whispered lovestruck and reached his hand out to her.

Sheepishly blushing she took it and smiled affectionately.

"I wouldn't want to dance with anyone else."

After the most wonderful minutes of his entire life and a few stolen kisses later they headed to the buffet to get something to drink. On their way a group of young women spotted them.

"Oh my god, is that Chat Noir?"

"Where?! I have to ask him to dance with me!"

Unaware about the fact that they were perfectly audible they sneaked nearer and Chat tensed. He didn't want this date with his Princess to be interrupted by anyone.

"See? I told you it was a bad idea to-" Marinette began complacently but got interrupted by one of the women's voices.

"Oh, nevermind, it's just some blonde-haired guys with a mask." She scoffed. "Is he purposely dressing up like Chat Noir? That's… embarrassing." The others laughed and they left as abruptly as they'd come.

For a second Chat's face darkened about their immature comments. But he lit up as soon as he saw Marinette's amused grimace as she tried to hold back her laughter.

It was simply impossible to be in a bad mood when he was with her.

"Honestly Princess, you should trust your Prince at least a little more" he pouted playfully. "You just witnessed my incredible Ninja-skills."

Laughing Marinette nodded sarcastically. "Sure!" she said and chuckled while Gabriel Agreste appeared behind her.

Chat stared at him in horror.

Oh no.

"Excuse me young lady", he said to Marinette who stared at him amazed "I wouldn't want to interrupt your encounter but I fear I have no alternative if I want to put your cavalier in his place."

Simultaneously their heads turned around and two pairs of eyes stared at Chat.

He wanted to disappear, to get out of this situation, even dying on the spot was better than this!

He didn't know who's gaze he wanted to avoid more so he decided to fix his own on a point between his father's reproachful and his girlfriend's baffled eyes. That way his father couldn't kill him with his glare and he also wouldn't have to witness the shock Marinette would definitely go through.

"My own flesh and blood surprises me yet again. What does this ridiculous costume portend? It is true that the invitation said 'masquerade ball' but that doesn't mean that I want my son to dress up as a cheap copy of Paris' superhero. You're not even wearing a designer piece, tell me, do you want to bring disgrace on my name? I seriously consider to not let you participate in any further of my events the upcoming year. Take it off and don something appropriate, Adrien."

After finishing with what he had to say his father turned on his heels without waiting for an answer, gave the completely bewildered Marinette a nod and left, unaware of the chaos he'd caused.

For a moment they just stood there, Chat looking at Marinette, fearfully awaiting her reaction as she stared to the point where Gabriel had been just seconds ago.

Please don't let her be too mad, please don't let her hate me, please let her forgive me.

Suddenly she burst out laughing.

It was a loud, lighthearted, genuine laugh and it didn't take long until a few tears streamed down Marinette's cheeks.

In disbelief Chat watched her as she tried to straighten up in order to be able to somehow communicate with him.

Was she laughing at him?!

"Ohmygodyoucanttellmeyoureallythoughtthiswasagoodidea" she chortled as she finally managed to walk up to him and laid her head on his shoulder, still shaken with laughter.

"You should have told me that I need to make a costume that is supposed to hide who you are from your own father" she snorted while Adrien grimaced due to his suffering.

"Is that all you have to say?" he asked resignedly, fighting back the urge to put his arm around her. Damn, he even loved her with his entire being when she was mocking him.

"I mean we'll definitely have to talk about this" Marinette clarified as she dashed away her tears "but this is just too hilarious." Sighing she grinned at him. "You're an idiot."

Too relieved about the fact that she hadn't left yet and was willing to talk this out with him he put his arms around her waist and pulled her close. "I am your idiot."

Fondly smiling Marinette reached up and carefully took the mask off his face, revealing her longtime crush from ten years ago. He was still outstandingly good looking and she still swooned over him.

"Yes you are" she whispered, put her arms around his neck and kissed him.