Hello! It seems I'm getting inspired again.

After closing the first part of the story, I had some trouble to get started this second part, but I've got it again.

I hope you like it!

People were moving from one side to the other. Marinette was left off screen, and Adrien's been going from makeup to fitting, then to modeling, fitting again. Next step was to change his hair, a few shots more and finally a break.

"Sorry to keep you waiting…" The blonde arrived with his water bottle to sit next to Marinette. "It's a good thing your mom didn't let us leave without having a bite." A cheeky grin drawn in his face.

"It's ok, it's your job after all." She smiled at the boy and then glanced to her notebook. "I've been taking notes too, if I want an internship right after High School, I better start somewhere."

Adrien was happy, the light in the girl's eyes was all he needed to feel plenty. "Just let me know if you have any questions. Maybe I can help out." He winked at the girl. There was something about trusting Marinette that made his Chat side brush out when he was with her.

Marinette turned to look at the blond, right at the moment he winked. "Umm umm…." A light pink adorned her face. "Thank you." She looked away shyly.

The boy was thrilled, Marinette was so cute when she went on timid mode. "You are a great designer Marinette, so it would be my honor to help you out with any doubts about the business." He went ahead and took her hand tenderly to give her courage. "Not just me, Jack Stone and my father think the same."

The support she was receiving from the boy of her dreams was too much, her tongue was twisted in her mouth, her mind was a mess going 10 miles per hour and you could almost see smoke from her ears. She remained still, startled, looking at Adrien, lost in his eyes, trying to cope with all the words he just said. Why didn't he give her a kiss in the cheek or somethings? That would make it easier… Well, not really, she will remain a total mess… But that wouldn't include words so it wouldn't lead her to over thinking… Her blush was getting stronger, who was she kidding, a kiss in the cheek would made it worse, she's already a big sluttery mess…

"Adrien! Makeup!" The makeup artist went out looking for the young model.

"Well, break's over." The boy waved at the artist direction to acknowledge he heard him and then turned back to Marinette, who still couldn't answer back yet. "I hope we can continue this conversation later." He kissed her hand as Chat has done (or at least tried) with Ladybug before and left to continue with the photoshoot.

The girl thought that she had become a tomato. Adrien was flirting. Adrien kissed her hand. Adrien told her she was talented. Adrien was going to kill her out with strong emotions. And, also, the way he kissed her hand, it was so overwhelming… She felt as if Chat was doing it. That smirk, the light in his eyes, the flirt… She couldn't avoid comparing them... Both are blond and handsome and those green eyes…

"Tikki…" The girl was able to gather enough air to sigh her kwami's name. "Is this for real?" She kept looking between her hand and the boy that took her breath away.

"Yes Marinette, it is for real!" The kwami showed her head from the handbag, very careful not to be seen. "And he's right, you know?"

"That was so…" She looked at Tikki with remorse, it was so confusing... "It was as if Chat Noir kissed my hand…" Her mouth parted down a bit… There were so many emotions inside her right now…

"Marinette, this is Adrien and he likes you! Can't you see?" Tikki scolded the young designer. She frowned at her, but then seeing how confused she seemed like, the red kwami took a deep breath and smiled. "Marinette, you like Adrien, right? He's flirting with you, right? So, let him spoil you."

Marinette glanced at the boy and melted with his smile. "Yes, I will…" Moving her handbag closer to her face, she placed her cheek next to Tikki, who gave her a cheek hug. "Thank you Tikki, I should be happy instead of thinking about Chat, right?"

"That's right Marinette." She giggled to herself. The red kwami was thinking about the irony, now that Adrien was pursuing Marinette, the girl decides to miss Chat Noir. It's the faith of the chosen after all.

"Now we can go!" Adrien gave the bag to his body guard. "Can you take us to the Garden of Tuileries?"

The Gorilla nodded and started walking to the car.

The boy motioned his hand to Marinette to help her to get up. "This way we can have a picnic and walk around the garden, what do you say?" A wide smile adorned his lips.

"Yes, sounds nice…" Marinette hesitated a bit. She had to admit this looked more and more like a date. Yes, she did take notes of the photoshoot, and yes, he was working, but he got those things from the bakery and even planned to go to a beautiful park nearby. She started walking and Adrien kept holding her hand so she paused… Shifted her weight and gathering all the courage she could, she decided to ask… Her mouth opened and then closed, opened again. "Uhm…"

Adrien felt her stiff in his hand, she stopped walking and was looking at him trying to say something, but she was visibly having trouble to voice it. "Marinette? Is everything ok?" He said.

"Yes!" Marinette squeaked, her face felt hot and she tried to keep the mortification down, it's not the first time the boy of her dreams sees her like this, isn't it? But no, she needed to say it. "Aa… Adrien… I was wondering…"

The blond relaxed as soon as she started talking, giving her his full attention. "Tell me."

"Th… The thing is… I was wondering… I… I… is this… I… I mean… Is this a date?" She was able to word it out, she felt so proud and wanted to be swallowed to the ends of the Earth at the same time…

Adrien flinched in surprise… He was taken aback, he took a deep breath, his eyes wide, he moved to face Marinette fully. His left hand behind his neck, moving his head a bit to the right… "To be honest, I wasn't really sure. Does it qualify as a date?" His wording was wary and paused. He slowly shifted his sight back to look at Marinette, pink cheeks and all. He grabbed Marinette's hand with both of his and his tension left. "You know what? If this is a date, let's make it a good date, I already have the best company with me." He finished the phrase with a wink and leaning into the girl's face.

"Ok!" Marinette squeaked once more, this time a couple of notes higher than usual. "But next time I choose the place." She let herself answer in automatic, after the words left her lips, her face caught up with her nervousness and the temperature went up to hot. She tried to cover her face, but Adrien was holding her hand and it made her knees wobble at the realization.

Getting back his confidence, Adrien started walking to the car again "Sounds like a plan!" He guided the girl that needed the nudge to start walking again.

That Chat like smirk left her doubting. She was happy, she just confirmed that this is a date, with Adrien… But she missed that cat, why should she think of him so much after spending so much embarrassment with Adrien… And he did not run away… She should just enjoy this date.

They arrived at the Palace around 4pm. They walked around the garden and Marinette was tempted to get her sketchbook out but refrained herself. She was on a date and she was thinking about sketches… Adrien noticed her getting a little anxious, more than usual. So, giving her an inquisitive look, he dared to ask his mind. "What is it?" Mischief in his tone.

Marinette changed to a total guilty mood. "Oohh…" She started complaining, rubbing her hands uncomfortably in front of her… "The thing is…" She took a deep breath. "Oh… I want to take my sketchbook out and draw for a bit." She took a few steps forward and opening her arms and feeling the air against her hair, she turned and smiled. "This place is beautiful, and fresh, and green, and there's so much life that it inspires me." A deep breath followed her content. "And add the handsome company, I want to set all those things into new designs." Marinette took her sketchbook from her bag and sheepily looked at Adrien.

The boy was startled, this is the second time Marinette says her mind with no restrains. This gave him an idea, maybe it was too Chat Noir for Adrien's standards, but well, he's Chat Noir after all. He could play it out just in case.

His naughty smirk gave Marinette goosebumps. Going back to her words, she became conscious of what she just said… Oh no… Oh no… She didn't just… did she? A loud gasp escaped her mouth as she covered it with both her hands. As she gathered herself, Adrien interrupted her.

"Nature is pretty indeed, and the company today is amazing, beautiful even." He leaned forward a bit in her direction, playfully waving his hands, "But I didn't know I was handsome…"

Color invaded the girl's features, she felt herself on fire, red and embarrassed. "Oo. Oo… Ah…" She tried to say something, but words just didn't work for her. His poker face didn't help her either.

Adrien turned around, trying to give her some space. He knew that she was able to answer back, she just needed some space to gather her thoughts. If he pushed a bit more… Maybe… But it would be better to leave it there, she doesn't have the place to run away after an outburst like the one she did to Chat, and he didn't want to chase her around.

Marinette was able to react after he turned around. "W..well… You are a model, right?" She fidgeted with her hands and blurted out with force. "Of course you're handsome!" She looked down, embarrassed, wishing that Adrien stopped teasing her.

"A beautiful girl and a handsome guy together walking around in the garden. I guess, this do qualify as a date." He turned around and decided to stop. Marinette was stiffed, hugging her sketchbook with all her force. He walked to a spot with grass around. "Here! This is a good place!" He hummed a bit and placed a blanket over the grass. The spot was nice and there was a beautiful tree nearby. "This spot is perfect, go ahead and start sketching. I will take out the pastries in the meantime."

Marinette hesitated, and trying to calm down, she took her flats off. "Ok, I will… Are you sure it is ok?"

"Yes, positive! My father used to do the same when we went out as a family." His manner was a little down after the comment, but he shook it off. "Besides, after you finish, I might be the handsome guy that will model your designs."

"Hey! You! Stop teasing!" The confidence was back, and Marinette didn't hold back this time. "You are trying to tease me, right?" She frowned playfully, changing her ways to a more relaxed position. "Well mister, I might take your word on it then."

"And it would be my honor miss." Adrien finished to setup the pastries and sat down comfortably next to the girl. He took a pain au chocolat to get it started and enjoyed the company.

The teens were talking and laughing. The date was a success for them, Adrien was happy that Marinette could be more at ease with him being flirty, and Marinette was happy because Adrien asked her out. It was still kind of weird to see him act so freely, but she was happy that he trusted her so much.

The lights were starting to tilt in the distance. Some sun rays still visible in the horizon, giving Paris an orange shade over the top of the historic buildings that surrounded them.

Adrien took the bag where he had the goodies and Marinette hopped in front of him with an ear to ear smile. Those faint rays lighted the girl in front of him and he saw something he didn't expect. When the girl turned to look at him, the more she looked like Ladybug a few days ago. He blinked a couple of times and he went back to the sight of the pretty designer in front of him.

"This is so beautiful!" She interrupted Adrien's thoughts. "I love spring, it's as if mother nature decides to create wonders."

Adrien found himself thinking out loud. "Yes, you are wonderful." He kept staring at Marinette, lost in her steps. She was so happy and that made him happy.

"You know what?" Marinette said. She took his hand in hers and intertwined her fingers with hers. She looked at his eyes, a shy smile showing against her lips. There was fear in her eyes with a taint of excitement.

Adrien's heart pumped fast, he was nervous. He didn't know that Marinette was the type of person that acted. Or maybe he knew, she resembled his Lady when she got confidence on her part. Motivated by Marinette's actions, he decided to never let go, and let her know too. "Marinette, if you let me, I'll never let go of your hand."

The girl stiffed once again, totally flustered, she couldn't answer back. They were still away from the car, when a roar from the street distracted them from their conversation. There were feathers and leaves everywhere. Both of them turned at what seemed to be a wing, but it was too big for a wing. The feathers were of wood too, it looked dangerous.

"What was that?" Adrien needed to run to that place and help out as he could. "An akuma?"

The floor started to move, a big crack on the ground growing in their direction. There was panic in Marinette's eyes, she couldn't transform with Adrien next to her. "Run!"

Both teens started running in the other direction, trying to flee the crack. She tripped and let go of Adrien's hand. At the moment he tried to reach her, the crack caught her and she started to fall. Adrien jumped to the ground and was able to grab her hand, but Marinette was slipping from his fingers.

"Marinette! Hang on!" He was desperate, she couldn't fall! He couldn't transform! "I'll bring you up! I'm not letting go!"

"Adrien!" She gasped for air as she felt her hand cold when she couldn't keep the grip into Adrien's hand. She started falling. She tried to grab a stone, but the movement flipped her and she hit her head. She kept falling but unconscious.

Adrien jolted after her. "Plagg! Claws out!" He transformed just in time to reach Marinette. "I got you!" He jumped and crawled until he reached the surface. Looking for a place to hide, he took the bag and moved away from the crack. He found the tree where they were a few minutes before and placed the blanket on the grass. Marinette mumbled something but she wasn't fully awake. He let her lie on the blanket and guarded the place as a lion.

"Ladybug, where are you?" He voiced out loud to his baton. "I need you more than ever." He turned back to Marinette, moved her hair away from her face. "I'll protect you princess! Hang in there, you are safe now."

Tikki decided that this was the right time to show up, Chat was distracted enough to phase through the handbag without him noticing. "Chat! Hello!"

"Tikki?" Chat Noir looked at the kwami and his stomach dropped hard. "Does this mean Ladybug is not coming?"

Tikki could read the fear in his eyes. "You need help Chat, you must go to Master Fuu."

"Claws in." Adrien looked at Tikki, then back to Marinette. "I can't Tikki, not until I can get Marinette to safety." He took his phone and opened Nino's contact. "I'll get help!"

Notes:

Ok, I had to cut it out here as it's becoming longer than the normal length I keep with my chapters.

Besides I can give you some BroTP in the next chapter, and I can do it better instead of rushing everything in this one.

Next time: BroTP.