"My father found out about the video," Adrien said.

Marinette cringed, giving his hand a squeeze. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry? I'm the one who suggested it."

"I shouldn't have agreed," Marinette countered. "What'd he say?"

"Oh, he's livid beyond belief." Which was a bit of an understatement, to be honest. Adrien couldn't remember another time seeing his father so angry at him.

Marinette groaned, burying her head in his shoulder. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," he said, fighting the desperate urge to kiss her hair. "Honestly, the response that video got was worth it."

She raised her head to look at him skeptically. "Really?"

"It was trending number four for a few hours. That's your biggest hit yet, right?"

"I mean… yeah," she said. "But I don't want that at the cost of you getting in trouble."

He smiled, her concern warming his heart. "Honestly, I deem it worth it. I think that was the most fun I've had filming anything. At least, in a long while."

Her smile was sweet. "Well, I'm at least glad about that. Not about you getting in trouble."

"I told you, don't worry." He let go of her hand, only to reach out and wrap his arm around her shoulders, causing her to trip close to him. "It's handled. Now, to the point of me asking you out today."

"Oh? Marinette said, her eyebrow quirking in curiosity and her lips curling into a smug, lopsided grin. "So you have an agenda for asking me out?"

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck out of habit. Adrien didn't know why he as so hesitant to ask. They'd been dating for nearly four weeks now, long enough where Adrien should feel comfortable in asking her. His mind was still spinning over the fact he was dating Ladybug. "I… you know I fence, and I wanted to invite you to my tournament this Saturday."

Her expression fell, and he instantly regretted. "If you can't, it's fine."

"What time?" she asked. "Because I promised to visit with my parents Saturday night last week."

"It will last from nine in the morning until whenever I'm disqualified or win. Hopefully win. So, late evening."

She frowned. "I can show up for the morning," she said. "But I may have to go early. I promised my parents by four."

"I'd appreciate if you were able to show up at all."

She smiled. "I'll be there at the beginning. Just text me where it's being held at and how to get in."

"Will do." He paused his walk in order to squeeze her close. "Thank you. It means a lot when anyone is able to show up for me."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean my dad doesn't show up anymore, and Nathalie is always busy. And then my friend who usually shows is out of the country at the moment."

"I'll be there," she said, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. "I promise. This Ladybug will be your lucky charm."

When she shot him a wink, he felt like a goner. It was hopeless. Four weeks of dating, and he was already head over heels in love with this woman.


The day of the tournament, and Adrien was anxiously scanning the crowd for his lucky Ladybug. He trusted her to show up, but he hadn't found her yet.

"Adrien!" his instructor, M D'argencourt, called out. "Prepare yourself for the match."

As hard as it was, he pulled his eyes away from the crowd and ducked into the locker room to finish preparing for his match.

She was just late, he told himself. She had to be. She promised him she'd come, and he trusted her to keep that promise.

By the time he went out to face his opponent, he had steeled himself, vowing to do his best as he usually did. But that was when he caught the flash of red in the stands. He turned to look, only to see Ladybug there, with a huge sign that said "Go Adrien Agreste!" in bold, red letters with Ladybugs doodled all over sign.

He smiled, his heart soaring and a new urge to win surging through him.

He had a lady he was competing for, now. He'd do everything he could to make her proud.

For three hours, he won match after match before finally being allowed to take a break.

He was quick to slip from the locker room and find her in the crowd, lost in her sketchbook for the time being.

He sided up to her. "Hey."

She startled, looking up at him, but quickly squealed in happiness. "Hey!" She tackled him in a hug. "You're doing so well!"

He chuckled. "Thank you. I've been lucky this far, but the competitors are only going to get better from here on out."

"I'm sure you'll do great," she said.

His grin couldn't go any wider, he was certain of it. "I like the sign, by the way."

"Good!" she cried, reaching for the rolled-up sign at her side. "I thought you might."

"I get a handful of girls with signs, but that's the first one I've ever cared for."

"Well, Adrien Agreste is a pretty big deal," she said.

"So is Ladybug."

She shrugged in dismissal.

Together, they ate lunch. Adrien's was light, considering he had to go back out soon enough.

"Hey," Marinette said, lightly kicking his shoe to grab his attention. "How about tomorrow, we go out and celebrate your win?"

"Who says I'll win the contest?"

"I do," she said. "You have Lucky Ladybug as your lucky charm. Of course you'll win."

"Until you have to go," he pouted.

She pouted, too. "I know, which is why I thought of something."

Adrien watched as she untied the ribbon in her hair, letting her black locks cascade out of its ponytail and down her shoulders. She kissed the black and red spotted ribbon, then wrapped it around his bicep. "Your good luck charm for when I leave you."

He looked down at the ribbon, reverently running his fingers over the loose ends. "I'll wear your colors with pride."

She grinned, and he felt like she knocked the air out of his lungs.

Three 'o clock rolled around faster than expected. He knew she had to leave early because she had to let her dog out then get ready for dinner. She stayed until he finished his match, but then caught his eye after he was hailed the victor, pointing away and waving good bye. She then patted her bicep and flashed a thumbs up.

He touched the ribbon on his arm, smiling back up at her. She'd be with him whether she was physically present or not.

Later, when he was presented with a gold medal at the end of the day, he'd attribute his win to his lucky charm.

He wore his lucky charm home around his wrist, fondly looking over the black and red spotted pattern. When putting the medal down on his table as a reminder to find another place to put it, he put the ribbon down with it. He also wondered if he had to give it back, or if he was allowed to keep his good luck charm with his medal for display.