"Yes! Finished!"
"Oh, Marinette you're going to look amazing." Tikki was flying around Marinette's design awestruck at how beautiful it was.
Marinette had finished her dress for the Gabriel after party, one hour before she was due at the fashion show. She wanted to make sure it was simple and sophisticated, so chose just one choice of fabric. Hopefully the worlds most influential fashion designers won't mind, she still had to pinch herself thinking about it.
She held it up to herself and span around as Tikki giggled.
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"One more time, Adrien."
Vincent called out as Adrien was preparing for the runway. He'd done so many yet this one felt more nerve wrecking, what if he messed up for Marinette. He'd ruin her dream. Too much was hanging on this show. Not only that but he had to make the final announcement for his father too.
Adrien began to speak again. He would be closing the show due to Gabriel being busy judging the university designers. The microphone check was taking forever. He just wanted to get ready and see Marinette.
He put his hand in his pocket and felt the lucky charm she'd given him when they first played Mecha Strike III, he smiled at the thought as he rolled the charms between his fingers.
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Marinette was late. Of course she was late, this was probably one of the most important days of her life. Why would she change a habit of a life time and be on time?
She rushed into the designer area of the venue and ran straight into solid muscle.
"Where have you been? Come on, quick!"
Adrien grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the dressing rooms. He was already dressed in his first outfit for the runway. Tight jeans, Gabriel branded trainers and a racer back training top with an 'A' logo prominent on the front. He was modelling sections of the sport range. Marinette was surprised at the 'A' on Adrien's top, usually Gabriel would support his 'G' logo on all his sportswear. Perhaps he just wanted to personalise Adrien's outfit.
Every muscle in his shoulders and arms were visible and Marinette found herself being a blundering mess. How she wanted to wrap herself up in those muscles ... maybe even lick one ...
"Mari, stop staring and move."
"Yes ... move ..." she kept her hand securely in Adrien's as they made their way to the backstage area.
"Adrien, there you are. You need to get in position." Nathalie was looking panicked.
"One minute, please Nathalie." She looked between Adrien and Marinette.
"Make it a quick minute. Good luck Ms. Dupain-Cheng." With that Nathalie turned on her heel and strode off.
Adrien led Marinette to her tent.
"Here, I made this for you." He handed her a bracelet not too dissimilar to the one she gave him. Then pulls his out of his pocket.
"I always keep it with me, so thought you could use one too."
Ten minutes until runway a voice boomed over the speakers.
"I've got to go. I'll see you soon. Make sure everything's ready for me to pull on, and good luck beautiful."
Adrien ran off to meet the others as Marinette pulled her nerves together. Madame Mistiqa did her rounds checking all her students were ready to go. All apart from three had pulled their pieces together on time. The three that didn't were asked to leave the show. She wrapped the bracelet around her wrist and smiled. She was going to be ok.
Marinette pulled out the army green trousers and top, then puffed out the black bomber jacket. She was ecstatic with her creations, not just because Adrien looked like a God in them but because they represented everything about her. She'd even finished with her signature stitched in the coats neckline.
The 'Gabriel' runway had began and the stunning models made their way out in the most beautiful clothing Marinette had ever seen. She stood their in awe until she saw Adrien running at her.
"Are you ready?" He asked pulling off his tee.
"Let's do this!" She grinned and went fully into Ladybug mode. Adrien was changed in the matter of minutes, a couple of extra stitches were needed here and there but it ... he ... looked amazing.
She'd designed a pair of army green baggy trousers with pockets and strips of material hanging precisely around the edges. They fell just below Adrien's hip line revealing a slight slit of muscle. His green tee displayed an asymmetric neck line so you could see one side of his tremendous collarbones, underneath a black thick bomber jacket with bright green thread. It was very Chat Noir. Golden zips and press studs set off the other colours within it.
To finish of the design Adrien's stylist perfectly messed up his hair, and he placed on some sunglasses. Marinette could have taken him right there, right then. Adrien was always a clean dresser, so it was unusual to see him so rugged. The look was finished with big, loose black boots.
"How do I look?" Adrien said, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
"Hot!" She exclaimed with a sigh.
"Well it is a bit warm in this ..." Marinette silenced him with her finger on his lips.
"Not that kind of hot!" His eyebrows raised and he smiled. He could be so innocent sometimes.
"You may want to get a fireman in case I burn this place down."
"Shut up, Agreste and go and win me my internship." She smacked him on the butt and he walked to the queue waiting to go on the runway.
They'd agreed he'd keep his face serious and go for the bad boy look. He was good at acting, it improved his modelling ability. As he stood waiting, every girl was swooning over him. Marinette packed up her things and went to watch the walk on the screen situated backstage.
She could overhear to conversations around her.
"Oh my, have you seen Adrien?"
"That imagine is incredible. I'd so go Fifty Shades with him." Marinette giggled to herself, Adrien with a whip? He's just a little pussy cat.
"No luck there unfortunately girls," another replied "he's head over heels for a girl, but no one knows who. You know what he's like keeping things close to his chest. I asked him about it at our shoot last week and he was sickening sweet about her. Why does he have to be so perfect?"
Marinette stood even taller. He was hers and only hers, it made her feel like she was floating on air. Never in a million years did she think she'd be dating France's most famous fashion model, and secret superhero.
Another five minutes passed and the rest of the students made their way to where Marinette stood. Each as nervous as the other. The first went down, this was it. Marinette had to wait though, Adrien was last as he was making the closing speech.
Every now and then the camera panned to Gabriel Agreste who showed zero emotion about any of the creative designs going down the runway. He just sat there like a statue waiting for the moment he could leave. Marinette felt her stomach tighten. She felt sick!
As the models left the runway they were taken back to get changed by their designer. Each giving celebratory hugs and kisses. As the show progressed, the area around her emptied out, leaving her alone ready for Adrien to go.
"Hey pigtails." She knew that voice all too well.
"Plagg, you're going to get caught." She whispered to him.
"I just thought you'd like some company. You're doing a great job with everything Marinette, I mean it." Marinette glared at the black kwami.
"She's in my bag and there's some cheese."
"I knew I loved you Ladybug." He flew to Tikki inside her bag.
Marinette kept her eyes on the screen as she saw Adrien make his entrance. He really was breathtaking, he walked with such confidence and ease. The clothes moved exactly as she hoped they would, his face reflecting the mood of the casual wear.
At the end of the runway he took the jacket off effortlessly and slung it over one shoulder before taking off the sunglasses. He threw them into the crowd and all the girls dived for them, making Marinette's eyes roll. Adrien gave a wink before making his way back to the top.
"Adrien Agreste ... your chat is showing." Marinette smiled.
"Ladies and gentleman, thank you for coming along to the 'Gabriel' exhibition at Paris Fashion Week. My father has worked tirelessly to create unique displays of clothing to share with you this evening, along with the students from FUA who created our end looks. Please can we offer them a round of applause for dressing us all so finely this evening." He gave a little spin around displaying his outfit from Marinette.
"My father and I will be proud to have one of these talented students join the company as a trainee designer, eventually moving through the ranks to become a lead designer.
As of today the 'Gabriel' brand will be changing its identity. From here on out we will be known as 'Agreste', with myself working along side my father to keep our legacy continuing. I would like to thank my father for giving me this opportunity as the new Chief Operating Officer, and I hope to share designs with you which continue to wow. Thank you all again and bon soir."
Shocked gasps went around the auditorium, followed by hooting and applause, and Marinette covered her mouth. Adrien had never mentioned anything about this to her. She knew he wasn't in love with his modelling job so why would he agree to take on such an advanced role in his fathers/Hawk Moth's company.
"Mari? Are you mad at me? Please don't be angry!"
"Adrien, I'm not angry. Confused but not angry." Marinette wrapped her arms around him and he breathed in the smell of her, vanilla and strawberry, a perfect combination. "You'll be great Adrien, you're so smart and wonderful." She leaned up to him and kissed him tenderly on the lips.
"Ms. Dupain-Cheng," Marinette and Adrien pulled apart and Nathalie appeared. "Will you be needing transportation for this evening?"
"No, thank you. Luka and Chloe have already agreed to take me with them."
"Very well. Adrien, it's time to go." Adrien gave Marinette a kiss on the cheek and then started to leave.
"Hey Agreste! What about my clothes?"
"I'm keeping these bad boys on," he said putting his jacket back on. "Did you not see the reaction from the audience? Look out for me in the headlines tomorrow. Adrien Agreste, the worlds hottest man."
Marinette blew him a kiss before he turned around and walked out the main entrance. She really was the luckiest girl in the world.