Gabriel Agreste watched as his ever loyal assistant sank onto her bed. Natalie glanced up weakly, her face pale and hollow.

"I'm sorry, Sir."

Gabriel knelt down in front of her. "Don't apologize." He murmured. "It's my fault. I pushed you."

Natalie gasped. "No, I chose to go on. And I'm not going to stop."

Gabriel shook his head. "No, I forbid it."

Natalie's eyes widened. "You forbid it? Am I a child to you, Sir?"

He stared at her, and she stared back, unblinking. He sighed. "I can't lose you too." He said softly.

Natalie tilted her head. "You won't lose me. I'd gladly give up my own life for a happy life for you and Emile."

"But I couldn't ask you to do that." Gabriel said.

"You won't have to." She said, Natalie opened her mouth to continue, but broke into a coughing fit.

Gabriel stood up. "You need to rest."

Natalie layed down, and a whisper escaped from her lips. "Stay."

Gabriel stopped and turned back to her. "Okay." He breathed.

She moved over, curling on in the blanket, and he climbed into bed next to her. Natalie shifted, so her head was on his chest. Gabriel had a hard time keeping his heart rate under control.

Natalie closed her eyes, and after a short time her breathing evened out, and she was asleep. Gabriel tried not to move, and watched her with fond eyes.

His eyes trailed over every detail on her face. Without thinking, he reached out and gently stroked her cheek. Natalie's pale alabaster skin was warm and velvelty under his touch, and he craved it. As Gabriel continued to gently pet her cheek, she murmured in her sleep.

"I know, Emilie. You love him too, and he loves you. I won't get in your way. " She said softly.

Gabriel furrowed his brow. "You are my best friend Emilie. He loves you, and I love him enough to let him go. No, it's fine. I'm ok." She continued.

Gabriel gasped. Natalie loved him? How did he miss this? His thoughts strayed to Adrien and to the blooming fashion designer his son held in high regard. She obviously liked him, but Adrien didn't seem to notice. Like father, like son. Gabriel chuckled to himself. He turned his attention back to Natalie. Letting his emotions get the better of him, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Natalie presently stirred, yawning and blinking open her eyes.

"Sir?"

Gabriel snapped out of his thoughts of how intoxicating kissing her was. He smiled awkwardly. "Hello."

She relaxed. "You are still here."

Gabriel blinked. "Of course I am."

She sank back into her pillows before sitting up straight and pressing two fingers to the spot where he'd kissed her. "Sir?" She questioned again.

Gabriel swallowed. "I- uh- kissed you?"

Natalie stilled. "I'm sorry?"

"I kissed you. Right there." He said more boldly, pointing to the spot.

Natalie was quiet. "Why?"

"Because I wanted to." He answered.

"But why?" She pressed.

Gabriel's shoulders slumped. "Because I love you. Because I'm as oblivious as Adrien when it comes to Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

And then she was kissing him. On the lips. And Gabriel loved it. "I-Love-you." She said between kisses.

"I know." He breathed.

She pulled away, and he missed her touch. He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "You said so in your sleep."

She flushed. "Oops."

Gabriel shook his head. "It's a good thing."

Natalie looked up at him shyly. He kissed her again. After all, she was just too cute.

OoOoOoO

That day must just have been a clarification day. Adrien came home that evening, hand in hand with Marinette. They were still holding hands when they announced to Gabriel and Natalie they were now dating. Gabriel and Natalie both smiled and announced that they were in a relationship too.

Later, in an interview on the Ladyblog, Ladybug and Chat Noir said they are happily in love. Gabriel had renounced Nooroo and had let him fly off with Dusuu to find Ladybug in her civilian form and be reunited with the miracle box. And him and Natalie?

Natalie made a soft sound. Gabriel leaned down and passionately kissed her, earning a moan from her. They embraced a game of dancing only they understood. As they broke apart, Gabriel stared deep into Natalie's eyes.

"I love you." He whispered.

She brought her hand to his cheek pulling him in for a kiss. "As I love you."