This chapter got way longer than expected so that's why its so late.

Day 22 – Outfit Change

"Dude, what is going on with you two?"

Adrien raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Nino rolled his eyes. "You and Marinette."

"What about me and Marinette?"

"You know…" Nino stared at him, obviously trying to prompt a response that Adrien wasn't understanding.

"I really don't."

Nino leaned in close and looked around the room like he was afraid someone might overhear. "Dude, you've walked her to class, like, 10 times in the last few weeks, you've had lunch dates at each other's houses, you specifically made her cookies, you invited her to one of your photoshoots."

"Yeah," Adrien was confused. Sure, he was doing all of those things because he liked her, but it wasn't like it was a strange thing for friends to do. And if Marinette was feeling uncomfortable with the attention because she was interested in Luka, he was sure she would say something about it. "So?"

"Alya told me she caught you guys snuggled on the couch at the sleepover we had."

Adrien paled. Now, that was something friends didn't do. "What's your point?"

"Look, dude," Nino whispered, "I know it's not true because Marinette is the best dudette ever, but I heard someone has been saying she's seducing and manipulating you to get into the fashion world."

"That's ridiculous."

"I know. I don't know who started the rumor, but I just wanted to let you know that if you guys are dating in secret, you should probably make a statement or something. You know, to get the crazies to chill out. You're lucky Chloe has been in New York with her mom for the week."

"But we're not dating."

"What? Why not? You guys got it so bad for each other."

"It's… complicated," Adrien looked down.

"What's complicated about it? You like her and she likes you. Just date about it," Nino shrugged.

"I thought she did like me. I was going to ask her on a date after the sleepover, but…" Adrien trailed off choking on his next words.

"What? Did you get nervous or something? It's not sweat, you can just do it today or whatever."

Adrien shook his head. "No, it's not that." He steeled himself and hissed, "I saw her kiss Luka."

Nino's sharp intake of breath startled him. "Oh, dude…"

"Yeah," Adrien sighed dejectedly. "That's why I've been doing all that stuff. To win her over, you know?"

"Well, dude, I'm still pretty sure she isn't into Luka."

"That doesn't explain the kiss, though."

"True," Nino tapped his chin. "Have you asked her about it?"

"No, I haven't."

"Well, then that's your first play here. See if you can do lunch with her again today and make it happen, dude!"

"I'm here! I'm here. I'm on time," Marinette said as she burst through the door and quickly made her way to her seat.

"Hey, look at you, girl! Beating the bell for once," Alya snickered.

"I know," Marinette gasped as she worked to catch her breath. "I was up late finishing up one of my designs. You know how it is."

Adrien turned to face her. "Is it the one you were drawing the other day?"

"N-no," she stuttered and her familiar blush returned to her cheeks. "It's one I've been working on for a few weeks."

"I'd love to see it sometime," Adrien said avoiding Alya's inquisitive gaze.

Before Marinette could respond, Mme. Bustier started her lesson and Adrien was forced to face the board. Quietly, he shot Natalie a test asking her if he was able to have lunch at Marinette's house.

He could feel Marinette's eyes on the back of his head while he watched the clock, praying lunchtime would come quickly and relieve him of the anticipation.

Unfortunately, Adrien felt every single minute pass as he waited for Natalie to respond. While he waited, he snuck at the letter that started this whole thing. He'd stashed it in the back of his binder and luckily it was still there for him to reflect on. If he couldn't distract himself with her beauty, at least he could distract himself with how happy she made him.

His phone buzzed in his lap and his heart leaped when he read Natalie's response.

Your father approves for the visit today. However, he requests Mlle. Dupain-Cheng must accompany you for a luncheon with him tomorrow.

Breathing shallow, and fingers trembling, he typed out a formal 'thank you' to Natalie before opening his conversation with Marinette.

Adrien: I wasn't kidding, by the way. I would love to see your finished design.

A few moments later, he heard a faint buzzing and shuffling around behind him.

Marinette: I didn't take any pictures of it last night

Adrien: Bummer…

Adrien: Well, what are you doing for lunch today?

Adrien watched as the fateful … popped up and disappeared a few times. His heightened hearing picked up the sounds of girls whispering behind him.

"Just play dumb," he heard Alya hissed.

He smirked to himself before writing whatever Mme. Bustier had said into his notebook.

Marinette: Nothing. Why?

Adrien: My father gave me permission to go to a friend's house for lunch today.

Marinette: You're so awesome!

Marinette: I MEAN, that's so awesome!

Marinette: Autocorrect haha

Adrien waited, hoping she would take the hint. He hated inviting himself over. Also, he wanted to be sure that she actually wanted him there. He jotted down a few more things from the lesson in his notes. Finally, his phone buzzed.

Marinette: Would you like to come to my house again? I could show you the dress I made if you'd like.

Adrien's breath hitched as he imagined Marinette in a dress. A dress of her own design. His mind wandered and suddenly he was in a suit at one of Gabriel's fashion gala's. He was twirling her around the dancefloor. Everyone was oohing and awing over his girlfriends amazing design. Several guests were speculating when Adrien was going to propose, but most were talking about how successful Marinette's new fashion line was.

"Adrien?" He was brought out of his daydream by Mme. Bustier.

"Yes?"

"Can you tell me who the first president of the 5th French Republic was?"

"Yes, ma'am. Everyone thinks it was de Gaulle, but it was actually René Coty before the first elections."

Mme. Bustier paused in surprise. "That's correct, Adrien. Well done."

Adrien smiled at his teacher before focusing back on his messages.

Adrien: It's a date!

He smirked again to himself when he heard the excited whispers behind him.

Adrien was walking on air after hugs from Tom and Sabine. He had only met them a handful of times, yet he felt more their son than he ever had with his own father. He had half a mind to ask them to adopt him. He stopped himself, however, cringing at the weirdness that situation would cause.

Plus, he had to focus. He had a plan to ask her what she thought about Luka and then hopefully, ask her on a date. Also, at some point he had to ask her to have lunch with him again tomorrow, this time, with his father.

He shook off the negative thoughts his father brought on in favor of the present.

Marinette led him up the stairs to her loft after they had finished eating.

"Well," she asked, nervous. "What do you think?"

Adrien audibly gasped at the mannequin in front of him. It was dressed in a pink ballgown adorned with embroidered cherry blossoms and vines covering the bodice and cascading into the lines of the dress. The sweetheart neckline made way for off shoulder sleeves. The hem billowed out just barely grazing the floor.

"It's beautiful," he managed.

"Thank you. It was a design I came up with a while ago for a friend's wedding reception dress. I ended up making her a different design. This one was my favorite, though so I decided I'd make it for myself."

Adrien ran his fingers over the intricate details in the embroidery. "Did you do all of this by hand?"

"Yeah," she blushed. "I messed up a few times, but I think it gives it some charm."

Adrien shook his head. "I can't tell at all. It looks perfect." He marveled at the ingenious hidden zipper and the addition of pockets.

"You're just saying that," she murmured.

"Maybe," he teased. "I mean, I won't be able to truly appreciate the work until I see it worn."

She blinked. "What?"

"Have you tried it on yet?"

"No. I just finished it late last night."

"Well, what are you waiting for then? I'm sure you've been dying to put it on."

He watched as she considered his proposal. "Are you sure you wouldn't mind?" She asked finally.

"Come on, Marinette," he winked. "It's fun to play dress up sometimes, isn't it?"

"Ok," she conceded. "But you have to wait downstairs," she laughed.

"Of course, Princess," he laughed as he bowed and climbed back through the trapdoor.

He silently hoped she had caught onto his use of Chat Noir's nickname for her. Why he all of the sudden he wanted her to figure out his secret identity so desperately, he wasn't sure. But the thought of her possibly falling for both sides of him was so exciting.

"Ok, I'm ready," she called.

He flipped the hatch open and stepped into the loft before finally taking in the sight of her. Adrien's mouth went dry. The dress shaped her figure perfectly, the base of the dress falling just above the floor. She had put on a delicate gold necklace with a ladybug pendant to compliment the modest neckline.

"Well?" she questioned.

"Wow," he said dumbly.

She glanced at her tennis shoes from beneath the skirt and giggled nervously. "If only I had better shoes."

Adrien shook his head, trying his best to force start his malfunctioning brain. "No, they're perfect."

"Really?"

"Of course," he said, finally back to full function. "They're more comfortable to dance in." He offered his hand to her with another bow.

Her wide eyes studied his hand for a moment before placing hers in it. He laced their fingers together, placed her opposite hand on his shoulder, and pulled her in close before guiding her in a slow dance around the room to the sounds of cars passing by.

His stomach was doing a dance of its own. He had to find a way to diffuse the nervousness in his chest. "See? You're an amazing dancer in these shoes."

She kept her eyes on their feet, but he heard her laugh nervously. "I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right," he joked.

She hummed in response before resting her head against his chest. He held her like that for a while, swaying to the song playing in his head.

Check out my tumblr for the inspiration for Marinette's dress. Also, let me know if you want to draw her in it. I'd love to see it!