I hope you enjoy this next chapter, I really struggled writing this, and it's highlighted that I do not feature Ladrien enough in my stories...

Thanks for reading, reviewing, following and favouriting :)

Take it easy!

Lady Rhi X

7: Season of Goodwill

Ladybug stood at the front door, waiting for her black cladded partner. Adrien grimaced as she clearly looked disappointed, but as his alter ego, he had told her he was unable to make the appearance at the soup kitchen due to commitments in his civilian life. Commitments which just so happen to be at the same venue.

The blonde approached the doors which Ladybug was waiting outside of, hesitant to approach her. It would appear however, his bodyguard had a case of the whoopies, as he tripped 'accidentally' and caused Adrien to bump into the red and black spotted heroine.

"Oh, sorry Ladybug," Adrien apologised and rubbed the back of his neck, but the heroine did not look up from her communicator.

"Don't worry," she tapped at her screen absentmindedly, obviously preoccupied by the fact his leather clad alter ego was absent. Finally looking up to him, her eyes shot wide open. "Oh! ADRIEN, sorry, I-I was a little," she pulled on a pigtail and cleared her throat, "I was ju-just wasting to see-waiting to see, if Chat was going to be able to make it."

Adrien looked to the floor, he could not bear to see his lady disappointed in him and completely missed the blush appearing in the apples of her cheeks.

"I'm sure he would be here if he could," the blonde stated dejectedly, not realising his bodyguard was watching them out of the corner of his eye. A slight smile on his face as he gave them privacy by blocking them from view of the other people who were making their way into the building.

A soup kitchen had been set up in the Grand Hotel for the homeless to use throughout the month of December. On this night, public figures had been invited along to urge other big companies to help out the homeless community in Paris. The public figures were to be seen serving food and handing out supplies to those who needed them. Obviously Chat Noir could not attend because he was already there in his civilian guise, but Ladybug was not to know. The heroine of Paris sighed as she slipped the communicator back on her hip.

"You're right," her smile did not hide the disappointment very well, "it's just weird doing these things without him, y'know-"

'But I'm right here M'Lady.'

"-we're a team in everything we do, we do together."

Adrien's chest swelled with love for the woman before him, "I understand," he tilted his head, "why don't you come in with me and you can protect me from Chloé." The blonde winked and Ladybug snorted into her hand.

"I guess you will need some help to prise her off you huh?" The teasingly raised eyebrow told Adrien he had helped his partner somewhat in feeling better, the model was just happy that he would get this time with his lady.

Making their way inside, the two, followed by Gorilla, found Mayor Bourgeois arguing with his socialite daughter. The not-so-discreet wail of 'but Daddy~, I am not wearing a hairnet!' sounded through the lobby, piqued the attention of the reporters and Ladybug knew she needed to distract them from the scene.

Not that she was forgiving of Chloé and her actions, but she did not want this event to be overshadowed by a brat and her awful behaviour. Also, it could possibly lead to an Akuma which would therefore end the night before anyone had benefited from it.

"I think we need to cause a diversion." Adrien muttered to the masked heroine, he was obviously thinking along the same lines as Ladybug. "Why don't you escape and make a Grand entrance."

Ladybug gaped at him for a moment before nodding with determination. Adrien stepped towards Nadja Chamack and greeted her, drawing her attention, and that of the other reporters, away from his childhood friend's tantrum. As Adrien never usually gave interviews, the keen broadcaster was fully engaged by the blonde, leaving Chloé to simmer down while her father soothed her.

As if on schedule, Ladybug zipped in and landed next to Adrien while he finished telling the media about his father's input in helping the evening happen. Smiling broadly, the heroine greeted the people.

"Ladybug," Nadja started, angling the microphone to Ladybug to record her voice, "it seems this evening is already a success, what will you be doing here tonight?"

Ladybug smiled at her family friend, "honestly I'll go wherever they want me to, I just want to make a difference, and hopefully tonight, will make many long term differences."

"And I see your partner is not with you here."

"Unfortunately not," Ladybug answered slightly downheartedly, "he wanted to be here, but as you know, we have our secret identities too, and his civilian self has other commitments this evening."

Adrien watched Ladybug tap her fingers against the sides of her thighs in discomfort and he felt terrible. 'If only I could tell her!' The blonde pondered for a minute if he could help in any way, but he was brought back to the present by Nadja aiming a question at him.

"So you're stepping into his role tonight and escorting one of Paris' heroes Mr Agreste?" Nadja asked enthusiastically.

"I-uh," he panicked.

"No Nadja," Ladybug smiled, "Mr Agreste and I just so happen to both here this evening."

"I must say Ladybug," Nadja pressed, "if I was not so set on seeing you and Chat Noir as an item, you and Mr Agreste would make an excellent couple."

Ladybug's face flushed, Adrien reached for his nape while hiding his own blush and Nadja felt triumphant.

"I'm sorry," the red and black spotted heroine smiled with a warning glare in her eyes, "but by making it appear that myself and Mr Agreste are anything more than two people at the same function, is putting him in danger from being targeted by Hawkmoth." The smile became smaller as Ladybug's eyebrows rose, "now if you don't mind, we need to help out this amazing cause. Please excuse us."

As the crowd dispersed, and it was clear that Chloé had been calmed for now, the two unknowing partners made their way to the main hall of the hotel. Talking quietly to each other, Ladybug wondered why it was so easy talking to Adrien like this.

"Crisis averted M'Ladybug," Adrien watched out of the corner of his eye to see if she noticed his term of endearment almost slipping out. If there was a moment of recognition, she hid it well as they walked down a quiet corridor.

The teenager tapped her chin in thought, "possibly, but I don't like the idea that Hawkmoth could target you after that." her brow furrowed, "I think we've gone in the wring direction."

Glancing around, Adrien saw that the hallway they were walking down was absent of anyone else at that moment. Taking the opportunity, he stopped Ladybug in her tracks, and pointedly held her gaze.

"I know that you would never let anything happen to me-"

Ladybug deadpanned at the blonde, "I once told you to jump off a building with no certainty that I could catch you."

Adrien looked up thoughtfully for a quick second, before a lovesick grin adorned his face.

"I trusted you with my life then, and I would do so again LB."

Ladybug's mask barely hid the new tint arising due to his words of trust. "But you-you don't know me? Why would you place that much trust in someone you don't know?"

Adrien smirked, "because my fair lady," he picked up her hand and brought it to his mouth, "you have saved me more times than you think." Placing a lingering kiss on the back of her hand, he winked and appreciated the way she looked at him wordlessly. The blonde knew he had taken a risk by showing his Chat Noir side, but the results were worth it.

"You coming Buginette?" He held out his arm for her to slip her hand into the crook of his elbow, and the speechless heroine complied.

After a few moments of smug silence from the model, Ladybug dared to ask, hoping that the alignment in her head was not her imagination. a small smile played on her lips.

"Do you think Chat Noir will be able to make an appearance at some point tonight?"

"Undoubtedly."