Chapter 21 - Date

The view was something she would never get tired of, the whole of Paris, stretched out before her, the wind and sun. Any other person would be terrified to be as high as she was without support but Peacock wasn't 'normal' as she lay casually on her back across a beam of metal, one leg swinging over the edge while she looked down at the people below, nothing more than dots from her view.

"Didn't expect to see you here."

She sat up sharply at the voice and beamed at her partner. "Nor I you."

"What you doing here?" Ladybug asked as she sat by her feet.

Peacock shrugged, stretching out. "Hiding. I needed a break from my life. This is my favourite place to come in Paris. And no one else can join me. Apart from you of course but I'm always happy to see you."

"Careful Pea, you almost sounded like Chat then."

"You know what I mean." She sat up and scratched her back. "So, why you here?"

"Same reason, I needed a break."

"Cool." Peacock sighed, still scratching. "Hey, Ladybug, can I ask you a question and a favour?"

"Anything for you."

She turned around and pointed to the spot between her shoulder blades. "Could you scratch my back? Seriously, I don't know what's going on but I just can't reach it!"

The hero laughed freely but nodded, reaching out and scratched the spot. "Better?"

"Much." She cooed, rolling her shoulders. "Thanks. These suits are amazing but… an itch is still and itch."

The two chuckled and sat looking out at the city for a bit. "Alright, so that's a favour. What's the question?"

Sitting back at her side, Peacock thought before shrugging. "Why don't you give Chat a chance?"

Taken by surprise, Ladybug stared wide eyed at her. "What?"

"Why don't you give him a chance? I mean… you don't see the way he is when you're not around. He is head over tail in love with you." She held up her hands suddenly. "He has the _strangest_ way of showing it I know but it's true. He would do anything for you. So… why do you always push him away?"

Ladybug stared at her for a moment then quickly away. "Well… the thing is… I… I'm in love with someone else."

Peacock blinked then tipped her head to the side slightly. "Then why don't you just tell him you have a boyfriend."

Ladybug blushed at her. "Well… he doesn't… I mean…"

"Oh." The other hero said with a smile. "Unrequited love."

Ladybug said nothing, just looked out on Paris.

"Look, Ladybug, if the person you are so… enamoured with doesn't know, what's the harm in giving Chat a chance?" She sighed deeply. "I'm not saying you have to take off the mask and marry him but… would it kill you to go on one date?"

"But… my heart…"

"Look." Peacock interrupted. "I'll put it another way for you. You love this other guy? So going on one date with Chat Noir won't change how you feel for him. And it will really make his day." She looked closer at the red hero. "I'm not sure you noticed but he's been down recently."

After a moment to think, Ladybug sighed. "Did he put you up to this?"

She laughed softly. "No, he hasn't. I'm just doing this because you two are my friends." She gave her a smile and a wink. "And if I have to play matchmaker then so be it."

Her friend smiled back but it gradually fell when she saw the look the other gave her; as if she was forcing herself to smile. "Peacock? What's wrong?"

She sighed and looked down at her hands. "It's not… something _wrong_. It's a… revelation I had a few days ago."

"What do you mean?"

"Ladybug, when I fought against Volpina, I thought I could do anything, that… we were indestructible." She touched her side at the phantom pain. "But… when… when I was hurt… it made me realise that life… isn't forever and could end any second. I realised I wanted to live those seconds as if they might be my last. And I want you to understand and get the most out of it as well."

Ladybug gave her a compassionate look and slowly relaxed. "I guess it won't hurt to go… just once. But… how will I tell him after turning him down for so long?"

The bird lay back on the metal casually. "Leave that to me." She tipped her head to look backwards. "Umm… we might want to move. We have an audience."

Ladybug turned and looked behind them since they were sat right next to the top observation deck and a very large crowd was pressed against the glass taking photos of them. The two heroes gave them all a cheerful smile and waved at them before dropping down and going off in their own directions.

"Chat!"

Adrian looked up suddenly at the call. He'd just been about to jump into his home when the call came out but luckily he stopped before he did and watched as Peacock landed at his side. "Feathers? What you doing here?"

"Looking for you silly. I wanted to talk to you alone."

"About?"

Closing her fan, Peacock walked over the roof casually. "Well yesterday Ladybug and I were talking and I thought you might like to know what about."

He frowned at her. "So? What were you talking about?"

Peacock gave him a smile then hooked her finger, beckoning him towards her. He stared at her then stepped over, leaning over so she could whisper in his ear.

Peacock took a moment to make sure she could see his face then spoke in a stage whisper. "I got Ladybug... to agree... to go..." She spoke slowly, teasing him while her eyes locked on his confused face. "On a date."

His eyes widened.

"With you." She finished, grinning as he leant back and his jaw dropped.

"You're joking?"

"Would I do that to you?"

"Ladybug? On a date? With me?"

She nodded at him. "Yep."

Jumping forward, Chat hugged her tight, spinning on the spot with joy. "I can't believe it! You did that?! For me?"

"Chat, can't breathe!"

He quickly released her. "Sorry. But you got Ladybug to agree to go on a date with me? How?"

"A girl has her ways. And don't go thinking this will change everything. I got you the opening, you have to work from here on your own. But..." She set a hard glare on him and jabbed a gloved finger on his chest. "Before you even THINK about taking her anywhere I want a full written document of where you are taking her and what you are going to do. Understand? And remember you are going in hero form so keep that in mind."

The cat nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"Good. Because if you screw this up or upset her..." Her glare became even harder. "I will hunt you down and get you neutered. Got it?"

He gulped at her threat. "Yeah. I got it."

She nodded. "Good. Now, I won't be on patrol tomorrow, I've got something _important_ to do. So, while I'm not around, ask if she would like to on a date, but don't pick a day until I have seen your plan. Which I will expect to see the day after." She opened her fan to its guider form, taking hold of the handles. "Don't mess this up Chat because you won't have a second chance."

Humming and ahhing, Chat reviewed the piece of paper for the 900th time and sighed. "Peacock, are you sure about this?"

"Yes Chat." Peacock said at his side, sounding as supportive as she could but his constant worrying was beginning to get on her nerves.

"But, _how_ can you be so sure?"

"Woman's intuition. Besides, you put did all the hard work. I just fine tuned what you created."

He rolled his eyes to look at her. "If I ever see that red pen of yours again, I swear I'll cry." He teased.

As agreed, two weeks ago, he'd asked Ladybug to join him on the date and even if already knew she would agree, actually hearing it from her mouth had sent him to cloud nine and immediately after he presented his plan to Peacock. She then pulled out a red pen and began marking it with notes and comments. And often big red crosses. Every day since she had done the same until two days ago she passed him an unmarked sheet back and nodded.

So he set the day and time with Ladybug.

And tonight was the night.

Clenching and unclenching his fists, Chat shifted nervously. "But really… you sure about the…?"

"Chat! Just relax alright?"

He gave a light growl as he ran a hand back in his hair. "Easy for you to say. You're not the one about to go on a date with the girl of your dreams." He sighed. "Do I look alright?"

"You look great."

"You didn't even look at me!"

"Because you always look great."

Chat blinked then grinned at her. "My, my Feathers. Are you jealous?"

She scoffed and gave him a very unimpressed look. "As if! But… anyway." She stood up and stretched out, looking out over Paris as he stood beside her. "You need to get to the rendezvous point and I need to head off on patrol."

"And you _promise_ you will be alright on your own? I mean… I don't like the idea of you going off alone tonight."

"Look, Chat, I learnt my lesson with Volphia." She gave him a shy smile. "But unless there is an Akuma attack, I can handle it. So you just concentrate on making tonight a magical experience for Ladybug. And if I need you, I _promise_, I will call. Deal?"

He nodded, reaching out and hugging her. "Deal."

"Good." She pushed him back and knelt down to pick up a single white rose she'd brought for him. "Now, get going kitty, or you'll be late and that won't do."

Taking the flower, Chat grinned at her again then went off over the roofs, heading off to their normal meeting point but as he got closer he realised that someone was waiting for him. Ladybug, sat on the edge, looking up at the moon.

Silently landing behind her, the black cat swallowed and cleared his throat, staring at his partner's back. "Umm… Ladybug?"

She turned to look at him and all his blood rushed to his face in a hot blush. She still had her mask on but her eyelashes were longer from mascara and her lips slightly pinker than normal from gloss, her fringe delicately curled and there was a red spotted shawl over her shoulders. As he stared at the delicate look of his unstoppable partner, she blushed and dropped her eyes from him. "It was Peacock's idea." She confessed, breaking the awkward silence.

Chat chuckled as he walked over to her and held out the rose that he'd been holding behind his back. "You know, anyone would think she wants this night to go flawlessly."

Taking the flower, Ladybug gave him a curious look. "Flawlessly? Don't you mean purr-fect?"

"Nope. I am under strict order not to make any puns tonight."

Ladybug laughed freely at him. "Peacock again?"

"Yeah." He laughed back with a relaxed smile. The ice and tension was gone and he was comfortable in her presence once more, just at her side. And from the way she was playing with her rose, Ladybug was too. With a smile, he stepped to her side and held out the crook of his arm. "Shall we? It's a bit of a walk."

"Walk? To where?"

He gave her a cat like grin. "That is for me to know and you to find out."

With a remarkably calm smile, Ladybug took his elbow and they began to walk over the roofs, Chat propelling them forward over the city on his baton when needed, his lady holding onto him calmly as they did. He might have wanted their destination to be a surprise but it wasn't hard to guess where they were going; the towers and bells were quite a giveaway as they crossed the river.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame looked so wonderful in the night, the warm golden glow illuminating every surface as it sat on its island. The street below was dotted with people but the two heroes were able to swiftly make a landing on the terrace at the front before the large glass window.

As they landed gracefully, Ladybug stepped away from Chat, unable to stop her jaw from falling open at the sight before her. A large blue blanket was laid out on the stone with a few pillows to sit or lean on, a string of fairy lights all around the edge to illuminate the basket of food and empty vase that created the picnic for two.

She chuckled, walking over and placing her rose in the vase. "Well, this is secluded."

"Couldn't exactly take you to a restaurant, could I? I mean, we wouldn't get a moment's peace." Chat's voice came from behind as he pressed a button on an iPod so soft atmospheric music began to play as he opened a bottle that had been chilling in an ice bucket.

Ladybug smiled as she sat on a pillow and adjusted her wrap and ran a hand back in her hair. "So… how long you and Peacock been working on this?"

"I'll have you know my lady, that this was _all_ my idea. Peacock just… gave it the yes or no." He sighed dramatically as he poured some drinks. "A lot of '_no's'_ actually but she never told me _what_ to do. Just told me what _not_ to do."

She chuckled as she took a glass. "I can believe that." She gave the liquid a cautious look.

He smiled, looking at his own glass. "Don't worry, it's only lemonade. I figured you'd want to keep a clear head. You know, just in case we have to go."

"_Don't drink and fight crime hey_? How thoughtful of you." She said, taking a sip. "Besides, I'm not old enough."

Chat froze. "Really? How… how old are you?"

"Chat Noir, you should never ask a lady her age." She teased with an almost flirting smile. "I'm fourteen."

"I'm fifteen." He returned almost instantly.

"I thought you'd be older."

"I never thought you'd tell me something about the real you."

Pausing in her drink, Ladybug shrugged. "I guess that is safe information with you."

"Anything you tell me is safe, Ladybug." The cat replied, eyes warm as he spoke but then turned away to the basket, opening it up. "Anyway, would you like something to eat?"

They sat and ate and talked, sharing stories about the Akumas they had fought, their time on patrol together, laughing and joking as they traded stories and their favourite food, games, drinks and locations in Paris. They talked about art and music and anything they wanted but careful enough not to reveal anything. As they spoke about Jagged Stone, Chat said he had the latest album on the iPod and got up to change the music.

As he did, Ladybug turned on the spot and opened up her yo-yo, calling Peacock. It rang for a moment before she answered, her masked face smiling as she did. "Hey, how's it going?"

"Surprisingly well." Ladybug confessed, brushing some hair back. "What about you?"

Peacock chuckled before turning her head to the side and ducked down, someone's arm going over her head before backing off. The mask appeared again and she smiled. "I'm fine, nothing to worry about here."

Ladybug frowned at the image. "Peacock? What's going on? What are you doing?"

"Oh, just a robbery I came across. No biggy." She chuckled, still trying to stop the bag guys. "Oi, can't you see I'm on the phone?"

Clutching her yo-yo tighter, the red hero felt her worry grow. "Are you sure you're okay Peacock? Do you need help? How many are there? What's going on? Do we need to come?"

She gave her a cold glare over the video link. "No." And with that, the screen went black.

On the roof, Ladybug just stared at the phone before she finally sighed and put it away, Chat Noir returning to her side with a confused frown. "What's with the look my lady? Are… aren't you enjoying yourself?"

"I just checked in on Peacock. Seams she's taken on a robbery. _And_ she hung up on me!"

Chat laughed at that. "That bird's got guts."

"Should we go help her?"

He shook his head. "She _promised_ me she'd call us if she couldn't handle it." He sighed, quickly putting the remains of their meal away. "Besides, she has to… and this is not a pun, it's an expression, but she has to spread her wings eventually. She's a hero in her own right now. She can handle herself."

"I guess. I can't help but worry about her."

"I worry too. But we can't keep mothering her." He looked at her and smiled. "Besides, if we leave now, we will miss the best part." He stood up and held out his hand to help his lady up.

Curious, the red hero took his hand and held it tight as he led her around the side of the cathedral to a tiny wooden door that he opened, a finger to his lip to tell her to be silent. They stepped inside and hid in the shadows, standing on a upper balcony and looking down on row on rows of pews, oil lamps lighting the stone and wood to a divine level while at the very end, at the altar, a group of young boys and men were standing, rehearsing. The sound of their voices drifted effortlessly in the air, given a whole new celestial feel to the song.

Chat smiled as they stood and watched them in secret, listening in silence and peace. It had been a risk to enter the building but he was so glad he took it. The heavenly tone of the young voices below, perfectly echoed around the grand architecture. He didn't even notice his date begin to lean on his arm until her hair brushed against his cheek. He looked down at her as she rested her head against his shoulder, her hand closed loosely around him and her eyes looking up at his for a moment before she smiled and returned to watching the choir below.

The music, the lights, the smells of incense and the woman at his side, leaning on him… Chat smiled with such happiness, he felt as if his heart would burst but he didn't say a word, just watched and memorised.

"You know." Ladybug whispered over the music. "I was… sort of dreading this tonight. I… I thought it would be awkward or… a disaster but… you really surprised me Chat."

Behind the mask, Adrian blushed as he got up his courage and let go of her hand and took hold of her shoulder, holding it loosely, pulling her into him. "Well… I was really nervous about tonight too. I mean, I was sure I was going to mess it up."

"You haven't." The other said with true honesty, shifting into his side. "It's been… a miraculous evening."

Chat gave a short but deep chuckle as he turned his head into her hair. "Was that a pun? I thought puns were banned tonight."

"Yours are. Mine aren't." Marinette said with a cheeky grin back, watching the choir below, her grin turning into a softer, warm smile. "But really Chat, tonight has been wonderful. Thank you."

He didn't say anything else, just closed his eyes and smiled.

They stood and listened for a bit longer but eventually the choir turned in for the night and the heroes turned to leave the way they had come in, Chat holding Ladybug's hand as they did but he suddenly stopped to look up at the magnificent stain glass window before them, the millions of colours cast down on them, even with the unnatural light outside.

After a moment, he looked at Ladybug, every single colour flickered over her skin and he gave her the best real smile he could manage, one that was more Adrian Agreste than it was Chat Noir, filled with warmth and love and admiration for the woman before him. "Ladybug, I want you to know, I will remember this night forever. And I don't care if your feelings for me haven't changed, this one moment will be stay with me always."

The commitment and openness of his words were so real they were almost tangible that Marinette felt herself blush at them. She was about to speak when Chat took her hand and led her back outside, taking his baton from his back and preparing to leave before turning to her. "Allow me to escort you back, my lady?"

Still struck dumb, Ladybug nodded and allowed him to wrap his arm around her and take her back to the roof they had met on. He placed her down as lightly as a kitten and looked over the roofs, composing himself again. "I… I know I've already said this, Ladybug but tonight has got to be the best night of my life. Bar none. And…" he chuckled a little. "I know you had your arm twisted into coming here but it still means a lot to me."

Holding her rose and staring at it, Ladybug somehow managed to look up into his green eyes and shrugged a shoulder. "Yeah, my arm was twisted. But… I'm glad it was." She let out a small tiny laugh, smile growing with every second. "I really enjoyed myself."

They stared, eye to eye, silent before Chat tipped his head. "But nothing's changed." He didn't question, just stated, trying not to let it get to him as he reached out and took her hand, bringing it up to his lips and kissing the back. "I'll see you tomorrow my lady."

Stepping back, he moved to let go when her hand closed around his, turning him back to face her. Ladybug was smiling, rose in one hand and looking even more perfect than perfect. She moved closer to him and stood staring at him before tipping her head and stood on her toes, her lips gracing the side of his cheek, just under his mask. "See you tomorrow Chat." She whispered then stepped away, let go of him and taking her yo-yo then swung away without a second look back.

Trapped in the moment, Chat just froze, jaw dropped, watching her go, his heart skipping beat after beat.

"Careful or you'll stick like that."

He turned at the voice and saw Peacock stood behind him, lowering her fan with a smile as wide as her face. Chat somehow managed to close his jaw and walked over to her, smiling. "You knew she'd do that?"

"Why do you think I told you to kiss her hand?" She asked back.

"You are one clever birdy." He teased, touching her shoulder. "Thank you Peacock."

Oddly, the bird shook her head. "I told you; I only gave you the opening. Tonight being a success is on you Chat Noir." She winked then jumped backwards off the roof. "See you tomorrow Kitty!"

A/N: Hey everyone! Now I SWEAR I did not plan to have a romantic chapter so close to Valentines day, it just ended up working out that way! But it did sort of work out.

So, I promised you all the love square and here is the next corner!

Chapter 9 - Star Boy had the Ladrien
Chapter 14 - Conflicted was the cute little MariChat
And now Chapter 20 - Date - the Ladynoir

I know you want the Adrienette as well but patience is a virtue. Hope you enjoy, please review they make me so happy and you might have noticed that the more reviews I get, the faster you get your updates!

Also, put your hands up if you would like a new feather?

(Please, don't let me forget to publish this on DA and AO3 tomorrow/later)