"Just stepping onto the red carpet is none other than supermodel and member of the fashion elite Adrien Agrest, and it appears he is not alone," A reporter said from the sideline as Adrien turned to the limo to help Marinette out. He could feel the cameras on them as she emerged, her gold boots stepping onto the red carpet as he helped her out of the limo.

She was wearing an Agrest original from the last collection, a gown that seemed to be woven out of three inch thick sapphire blue velvet ribbons trimmed, each trimmed with a thin stitch of gold. One ribbon sat off of each of her shoulders and the long bodice made Marinette, even with her shorter stature, look regal and glamorous. To match he was wearing a deep blue suit with a white shirt, gold tie, and gold pocket square. When she was fully out of the car she placed her hand on his proffered arm and they started slowly towards the doors of the hall where the event was being held.

She had been coached by Nathalie in the prior week on how to walk down a red carpet. She knew that everyone would be calling her name at once, and if she lost her head it would be a disaster. She was to smile and look in every direction in turn, then move six feet down the runway and do it again. If she was approached by a reporter, she was to say she is a family friend of the Agrests and is delighted to attend the shows with Adrien. She kept thinking about this crucial line as she moved down the runway, never leaving Adrien's side.

Adrien was raised in front of the camera and had no issues walking a red carpet. He was, however, surprised at how well Marinette was doing. She seemed so natural, smiling at every reporter, shifting slightly to give different angles, and overall just looking like a complete knockout. Eventually they got to a reporter who was on the carpet and ready to dig right into them.

"I'm Kathleen Guesta, E! News here with Adrien Agrest, a supermodel representing his father's brand Agrest Fashions. Adrien, how does it feel to be watching shows from the audience instead of behind the curtain?" The woman asked, pushing the microphone in his face.

"It's really an honor Kathleen. It's a ton of responsibility and I am happy to be moving up in the family business," he said with a joking tone, trying not to betray how much honor he felt representing his father.

"And who did you bring with you tonight? A girlfriend perhaps?" The reporter asked, holding the microphone between Mari and Adrien and waiting for one of them to talk. Mari laughed a little.

"No, nothing like that. I'm just a family friend of the Agrests. Monsieur Agrest asked me to accompany Adrien to shows and take artistic notes. I'm delighted to be here on his behalf," Mari responded kindly, looking at Kathleen rather than the large camera that followed her around.

"Being brought on by a highly regarded fashion designer during fashion week is no small feat, and neither is getting to hang off the arm of one of the most eligible young men in Paris. How did you manage such a feat?" She asked Marinette, the newcomer apparently a bigger scoop than the supermodel.

"Honestly I didn't do anything. Adrien put me up for the position when he found he needed a plus-one," she replied, looking at her date. He blushed slightly, in spite of trying to look composed for the camera. Kathleen moved the microphone over to him.

"What can I say? When my father said he needed someone with a designer's eye to accompany him, I knew Marinette was the girl for the job. She exceeds the requirements, plus she is a pleasure to spend time with," Adrien said, trying to be honest without giving everything away. What he said was true, but he omitted how there was nobody he would rather spend hours seated next to and going to parties with than Marinette.

"Not to mention she is a complete knockout. Time to finally ask the question everyone watching wants to know, who are you wearing?" Kathleen continued with a small laugh, taking the microphone back to Mari.

"Well seeing as I am an Agrest Fashions representative, it seemed only fitting that I wear an Agrest original, but I plan to wear some of my own designs at upcoming shows," Mari answered. Kathleen smiled again.

"Well I hope I'm there to see you rock the runway again," the reporter finished, turning back to her camera. They walked down the runway again, back to moving slowly instead of standing still, and they didn't encounter any more reporters until they got inside. They found their seats and got ready for the show to begin.

x-x-x-x-x

"The final show in this Parisian Fashion week is finally upon us, The Agrest Fashion Haute Couture Runway. Every celebrity in Paris seems to have turned up tonight, from Socialites to Politicians. Let's see who we have on the red carpet," A reporter said before making her way over to Adrien and Marinette who were greeting the president's daughter.

"It looks like we have a couple of celebrities over here. Eloise Butler, daughter of President Edward Butler, Adrien Agrest, son of the designer who is showing tonight, and his friend Marinette Dupain-Cheng," She said winking at the camera.

It had become obvious that to anyone following the fashion week festivities that there was something going on between the two young people. Besides always wearing impeccably matching outfits, the supermodel couldn't stop staring at his "friend" with a look of wonder and happiness, while the designer, who had shown some amazing looks on the last two red carpets, seemed to be mostly interested in the festivities, but would occasionally sneak an admiring look at her "friend".

"I'm Fifi Dupont, for Vogue American. Miss Butler, Miss Dupain-Cheng, Mr Agrest, it is lovely to see you all at this very exciting event. Miss Butler, who are you wearing tonight?"

"Oh, it's a Christian Siriano. He's an American designer, but I really admire his personal philanthropy, so I asked him to dress me for the event," The tall, glamorous redhead told the reporter. She was wearing a sleeveless purple lace gown with a high neckline and gold lace appliques.

"And you Miss Dupain-Cheng?" She continued, eyeing Marinette's look. She was wearing an old mauve colored sheath dress with a halter neck that was layered by a thin layer of lilac tulle adorned with lavender 3D rose appliques. She had paired it with white pumps, a lavender clutch, and a messy high ponytail. She had made smaller roses and attached them to pins to accent her hair.

"Oh, I designed it," Marinette replied with a smile. Adrien looked so proud, even though he hadn't done anything.

"Well it fits you like a glove, just like everything else you have worn this season. Maybe we will be on the red carpet at your fashion show someday," Fifi said jovially. She thanked them before moving onto another celebrity.

After breaking away from Eloise, who wanted to go talk with Chloe, Adrien and Marinette worked their way down the red carpet and to their seats next to the curtain. They waited for the lights to dim before Gabriel stepped out onto the runway to address his guests.

"Thank you all for being here today. This year's collection is inspired by heroism. It focuses on both the strength and fragility of those who put a cause ahead of themselves. Enjoy," he said with the smallest of smiles and a bow of his head. He then walked back off the runway and the music began.

The show was fabulous, Gabriel had mixed structural materials like leather and metal with delicate lace and tulle. Marinette's favorite piece was a grey leather mermaid gown with a silver lace back and silver veil. It gave a feeling of secrecy and vulnerability that she often felt when she was Ladybug. Like no matter how tough she was from the outside looking in, she still had her weaknesses.

The show was followed by a luxurious after party. After holding herself back at the parties of other designers, since she was merely a guest and not a representative, she felt like she could actually let herself have a little fun at this one. SHe hadn't realized it, but even if she had had fun at the other shows, all the networking and watching and critiquing had been stressful. Now she could just drink the free champagne, talk openly and without judgement about her thoughts on the show, and have a fun night.

Adrien and her walked into the ballroom at the Musee d'Orsay arm in arm, like they had gone everywhere this week. When they got into the edge of the crowd, Adrien separated himself from Marinette to grab them drinks, returning to her side not a moment later to see Chloe making her way towards them.

"Oh Adrikins, I can't believe it has taken us all week to see each other!" Their classmate said, throwing her arms around Adrien's shoulders. He patted her lightly on the back and prying her off him.

"Yeah, we attended a few of the same shows, a wonder we didn't run into each other," he told her, avoiding her eyes. The reason he and Mari hadn't talked to the blonde all week had been because they were actively avoiding her. Even though her and Marinette were not longer venomous towards each other, Adrien knew Mari would prefer not to have to talk to her, and had been steering them apart. Marinette downed her champagne and grabbed another off a waiter's tray as he passed by.

"You look well-dressed Chloe," Marinette said. She tried not to compliment Chloe on anything that is actually her fault, but seeing as someone else obviously dressed her she felt she should mention it. It is what one does at a fashion show.

"Thank you! It is a Marchesa, it was originally black but I asked him to change it to this darling thundercloud and he couldn't say no. Couture is amazing," She said, Marinette gave her a tight smile, "Anyway, Adrien we simply simply must get lunch sometime soon, I'll call you!" She said, kissing him quickly on the cheek before walking off to bother someone else.

"How did we manage to avoid seeing her?" Marinette said, starting on what Adrien thought to be her third glass of champagne.

"I may have been avoiding her," he admitted, finishing his first glass. Marinette tilted her head.

"She's your friend, why wouldn't you want to see her?" She inquired.

"So you wouldn't have to talk to her. I know you don't particularly like her," Adrien said, suddenly a little embarrassed that he had been working so hard just to make Mari comfortable, when she probably wouldn't have cared. Marinette blushed, realising he had been putting in extra effort just so she didn't have to talk to Chloe.

"You didn't have to do that," she said, trying to pass it off as no big deal, even though they were both fully aware that it mattered.

"Father, an excellent show!" Adrien said, Gabriel manifesting in front of them out of the crowd.

"Thank you Adrien," he said before turning to Marinette "My dear, Nathalie tells me everyone has been incredibly impressed by you all week. I'm told you have been knowledgeable, genial, and stylish every single night this week," He told her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you sir. From you it is the highest of praise," Mari replied with a polite smile, cognisant of how Gabriel had pretty much blown off Adrien.

"Well I must be going, lots of people to talk to. Enjoy yourself tonight, and I hope to see you again soon. At dinner perhaps," the designer said before moving along.

As always, Thanks for Reading!