I Don't Own Miraculous or Avatar.

Chapter Forty-Three: The Date.

Marinette was a nervous wreck. Katara was getting ready to leave to meet with the Earth King's generals about the Invasion, but the girl was patiently listening to Marinette's rants, which Marinette was eternally grateful for. She and Adrien where going to the Baker's. He had begged her to help him make a thank you card for the Baker's. Adrien was already moved into the Avatar's house, but had been staying over at the Baker's for the past few days, jumping between going helping them out and checking on Zuko. During this time period, Marinette and Adrien had gotten used to knowing each other's identities and adjusting to the fact that they both apparently had huge crushes on each other, though they never said any of that out loud. A few day's in, and Zuko had woken up and was getting better. That day, Iroh said that Zuko was not only doing well, but was actually cheerful for the first time in a very long time. Because of that, Adrien insisted on going to the Jasmine Dragon after they left the Bakery to see Zuko and maybe have a conversation or two about their lives so far.

"What am I going to do Katara? I can't just tell him I've been crushing on both his alter ego and secret identity for the past two years! That's just weird."

"You could talk about your designs?" Katara suggested.

"But he already knows about those. I can't just ramble about clothes to the son of Gabriel Agreste. He's probably sick of talking about clothes."

"...Point made. His father is a tailor."

"Pft. Gabriel is way beyond tailoring. His designs and work are loved by all f the people in Paris. Me included." Marinette scoffed.

"Well then, what exactly are his hobbies?"

"I don't know. I doubt even he knows. Adrien had a busy schedule of things he had to do for his father back in Paris. He never had time to come up with a hobby of his own. I know he's a pianist… which doesn't really exist here… and he is a fencer… and we don't exactly have fencing saber's here ethier, but those were things his father made him do. He likes physics, but I would just get confused talking about something like that."

"I feel like you are overthinking this." Katara laughed, "Just talk to the guy like you would talk to any normal person. Look, I have to go. I could swing by later and check on you two if you're that nervous."

"That would be great…" The she remembered Zuko and Iroh owned the Jasmine Dragon and panicked, "Ur, I mean… I'm fine. There is absolutely no reason you should or have to check on us. I just figured out what we should talk about. You go on, I'll see you at the house later this evening."

"...if you say so." Katara said, "Well, I have some work to do with the King's generals and I was hoping to see if the Kyoshi warriors wanted to hang out with us girls later.

"You mean Sokka's girlfriend and her comrades, correct?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, sure. We can go and meet them after we get back home later. I'll tell Adrien so he knows what to expect. I'll meet you here. Not the tea shop. Don't come to the tea shop. Heh. I wouldn't want to bother you with having to walk over there." Marinette said quickly as she pushed Katara out the door.

"I guess so. Bye Marinette." Katara said with a wave.

"Uh, huh! Bye!"

"Ready to go?" Adrien asked from behind her. Marinette jumped in surprise.

"Gah! Yeah… er. Yes! I'm totally not ready… uh, no. I'm ready to go!" Marinette stammered out of surprise of his sudden presence.

"Oh, come on, Milady. I thought we got over the stuttering stage. It's just me. Cat Noir." Adrien said with a wink. Immediately, Marinette felt better. She was admittedly a lot more comfortable talking to Adrien when he behaved like Cat Noir. He had noticed. It was simply a reflex she had. Cat Noir was her partner. She could trust him. Adrien was her crush. He could be dangerous to talk to if she said something stupid. She was working on remembering they were the same guy. Adrien was adjusting too. They both knew that the entire thing would take time to sort out. That was why it was so important for them to hang out more, so they could act like partners around each other both in and out of costume and not like stuttering idiots.

"S-sorry. You just startled me. Yes. I'm ready to go." Adrien nodded and they made their way into the lower ring were they met up with the Baker family. Adrien happily worked at the counter for them, while Marinette helped Talo in the Bakery with her own baking expertise. They had been thrilled to meet Marinette. They loved the Paris style pastries she knew how to make and were constantly asking her about all the Parisian recipes she had. Their daughter Jeng, whom Adrien had gotten to calling little sister, was an absolute doll. Her mother was doing a great job at tutoring and she was probably one of the most intelligent girls Marinette had ever met.

After visiting them, Adrien swung by the Tailor's shop briefly to at least check on his father, who was doing well. The visit was short and the three barely said anything, but rather acknowledged they were all doing fine before Marinette and Adrien left. It was one of the most awkward and difficult things they did every day. Still, both Adrien and Marinette believed it needed to be done. They knew that without Nooroo, Gabriel really didn't have many people to talk to. If Gabriel was left in isolation like Adrien had been, Adrien felt he would not only be acting like a hypocrite, but that being left alone would be bad for a man who spent most of his alone time terrorizing a city. Marinette agreed, so they both would visit Gabriel at least once a day, no matter how difficult it was to do. They both could tell Gabriel was beyond grateful each time they visited, even though they didn't say much.

Finally, they returned to the Upper Ring to go to the Jasmine Dragon. Zuko was in fact working that day and actually looked happy for the first time ever. However, the second Zuko saw them, he got someone else to be their server. She was grateful to the firebender for respecting their privacy, but was somewhat hoping Zuko would be able to distract Adrien some so they weren't left alone where awkward conversations would certainly ensue.

"So…" Adrien said after ordering tea for them both, "How have you been?"

"...Okay… I guess. As okay as I can be when I'm stranded in another world. The Team has been great, though I've scared them half to death more than a few times. I rode a sea serpent on the way to Ba Sing Se in my Aqua Ladybug form. They thought I drowned somewhere in the struggle. They freaked out when I just came out of the water literally right after. They also thought I got captured for a few moments by Zuko's sister and girlfriend when I destroyed the drill."

"Woah, wait. That was you?"

"Yo-yo's that can cut through steel are amazing." She replied. Adrien laughed. He was awesome when he laughed. She loved his laugh.

Snap out of Marinette! She scolded herself. Heat was already spreading up her face. They sat there in silence for a while, each waiting to see who would address the elephant in the room.

"Marinette." Adrien said softly. His face suddenly flustered, "There's somethings I need to tell you." He looked down.

"I think I'm in love with you." He said softly.

"I know. You told me after the Glaciator incident. You are in love with Ladybug." Marinette said softly, looking down.

"And I still mean it, but it's more so now. When we were in Paris, you were one of my best friends. I mean, you stuttered around me alot. Even so, you were like Ladybug through and through. You wanted to help people. You were the best class rep ever. You helped people, even Chloe, and I know you didn't like her. You, Nino, and Alya helped me get used to a world I never thought I would touch. I am not sure if you realise how much that meant to me, Mari. And now that I know you were also my closest friend, the girl who captured my heart the first day we met, I know I am in love with you Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I have been so scared to say that these past few days though because I think… we are both getting used to the idea of our secret identities and I was afraid that you would get upset if I told you how I felt too soon, but I wanted to be honest with you. You were honest with me as Ladybug after Glaciator. I wish to respect the friendship we have as partners. I understand if you don't feel the same. I know you love some lucky soul back in Paris and I respect that. I just wanted you to know how I feel." Adrien explained. She stared at him in awe. He love Marinette and Ladybug?

"Adrien." She said, "I need to confess something too. There are many reasons I rejected you that night as Cat Noir. The first being that I simply didn't know your name and I didn't want to start a relationship with someone I had never met outside of a mask. I felt like that would be bad for us both and cause more harm than good. The other reason was because…"

"They guy you liked. Luka? Yes?"

"Well, I do admit I have crushed on Luka more than once, but after Frozer I decided I would rather just be friends with him. The guy I like is one of the sweetest and most caring people I know. He's always putting other people's needs before himself, and I absolutely admired that."

"He sounds amazing. Do I know him?" Marinette blushed, looking at her hands.

"His name was Adrien Agreste." Adrien froze. He processed everything she'd just said. She immediately blushed more, burying her head in her hands to hide her blush, "And as I look back now, even though Cat Noir was so different than Adrien, I see how they are the exact same. They care about people. They help people. They are respectful gentlemen and funny and smart. They are my best friends, and I think I love both sweet, gentile Adrien and brave, mischievous Cat Noir just the same. I have been so scared because I didn't want to choose. Now? I don't have to… that is… if I could ever get up the courage to tell Adrien instead of stammering and tripping over myself each time I come into his proximity."

"Hmm. He sounds amazing Miladybug. You should tell him how you feel." Adrien purred, forming a sly smile in attempts to cover his own blush, "Something tells me he would certainly return those feelings if you told him, Bugaboo."

"D-don't call me Bugaboo." Adrien leaned back in his seat. The look on his face straightened to the signature smile of Adrien Agreste.

"Well, Mari. Aren't you going to tell me something?" He asked.

"Stupid Cat." She mumbled before looking up at Adrien with a bright red face, "I l-love y-you."

"And I love you too, Marinette." He leaned in across the table and right there in the middle of the tea shop, he kissed her, the world melted away and Adrien was all that was there. Then he pulled away and winked, "And I always will." The sat there for a second, both beaming at each other.

"So now what? Are we officially together or something?" Marinette asked quietly.

"I suppose we are." Adrien replied.

"You know in Paris, I am ninety-nine percent sure Alya and Nino were taking bets on who would get together first. Cat and Ladybug or me and you." Marinette giggled. Adrien laughed.

"Yeah, I can see the doing that… wait! How long has Ayla known you've had a crush on me… and how long have you been crushing on me?"

"Adrien… you really are clueless." Marinette teased.

"Apparently."

"Uncle! I need two jasmine, one green and one lychee!" Zuko yelled, pulling them back into reality and reminding them they were inside a tea shop.

"I'm brewing as fast as I can!"

"I could go help him." Adrien said, "They seem busy- Marinette?" Marinette wasn't paying attention to Adrien anymore. She was focused on something, or rather someone else.

"Adrien." She said, grabbing his shoulder frantically. He turned to where she was looking and his expression slackened. There, standing in the doorway of the tea shop was Katara. Her eyes were fixed in horror on Zuko and Iroh, who were working too hard to even notice her. She immediately spun on her heels and took off out of the tea shop.

"Should we…" Marinette began.

"Stop her? Yes." Adrien agreed. The two stood, racing after her.

"Katara! Wait!" Adrien yelled. The girl saw him and turned around.

"Do you know who that is in there? That was-" She asked.

"Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, yeah, I know." Katara stared at Adrien like he'd just confessed the most terrible thing in the world.

"Why is he here?" She asked.

"He's in hiding. His sister, Azula has been trying to capture him and his Uncle for an incident that happened at the North Pole." Adrien explained quickly, "He's not after Aang. He didn't even know Aang was in the city until he found a flyer about Appa. The guy has been living peacefully in the city for a month now, and he saved my life, Katara. He's Lee, the guy who saved me from the Dai Li. Afterwards he freed Appa and my father told me to use the bison to find you guys."

"You knew about this?" Katara asked Marinette.

"He told me very recently. I didn't know until I went with Adrien to visit Lee the first time. Zuko was very sick recently and just recovered. He's been doing well. He's happy and stable. You can't tell people he is here, or it might ruin that." Marinette explained.

"Who cares if I ruin that man's life? Has it occured to you, Marinette, what that man has done to the rest of the Team? He attacked Suki's village and my village. He has kidnapped Aang several times. He stole my mom's necklace. He cares for no one but himself and his stupid father!" Katara yelled. Adrien immediately crossed his arms.

"Katara, I would think that you of all people would understand the situation Zuko has been placed in."

"What the heck is that supposed to mean?"

"He has no mother and his father hates his guts for no reason other than the fact that Zuko isn't as powerful of a bender as Azula. He tried doing the right thing one time, and he literally got burned. He has been taught his entire life that his people are the good guys and that the only way he can ever have love from his father is if he does exactly as that man tells him to do… in this case? It happens to be capturing Aang. But Katara, he's getting better. If you expose him… you could do more harm for everyone than good. He doesn't know which side he is on, and if he is forced to leave Ba Sing Se now, he will end up under his father's control again, there is no doubt about it." Marinette warned. Katara slackened.

"What?" She asked in disbelief.

"It's true Katara. You don't seem to realise how much this war has hurt Zuko too. If you tell people he's here, he may never find the right path." Adrien agreed. Katara rubbed her forehead processing this.

"You think Zuko is… capable of betraying the Fire Lord?" She asked.

"We didn't say that. I'm saying he is capable of reforming, just like my father is doing." Adrien replied.

"But I can't just ignore everything he has done! And it's dangerous for him to even be here!" Katara objected. Marinette sighed, before coming up with a plan that could calm down Katara.

"Katara, you said the Kyoshi warriors are here, yes?"

"Yes, but what does that have to do with-"

"You and I will talk to them. Tell them tha Zuko is here, but not to act. If he does anything that could be a threat to the Earth Kingdom or Aang that Adrien and I cannot handle, you have our permission to have the Kyoshi warriors detain him until you are certain he won't hurt anyone." Marinette explained. Katara thought this over.

"...Okay… I trust you… but I don't trust Zuko. What if he hurts one of you?"

"Zuko would never hurt me." Adrien said confidently, "I'm his only friend."

"And even if he did, I would make sure he paid for it." Marinette assured. Katara nodded numbly.

"Good. Now, you and I will talk to Suki. Adrien will keep an eye in him." Marinette reasoned, grabbing Katara by the arm.

"Y-yes… we will do that." She said, the fear and anger still in her voice, but she seemed a lot more calm.

"Good. Adrien, you keep and eye on Zuko until we come back. Besides, we were planning on having a girl's night with the Kyoshi's anyways."

"Yes, Milady." Adrien said with a bow. Marinette led Katara away, hoping that she could fix this disaster and not knowing the dangerous trap she'd just sprung around her, Zuko, Katara, and her partner.