The applause was deafening and it had her heart in her throat. She barely felt her fingers entwined with Adrien's or her classmate's as everyone simultaneously raised their arms above their heads before swinging them down in time with their bow. She was unaware of moving, of being able to breathe, of thinking.

The cheers, the sense of camaraderie...of being side by side with Adrien... It was the most addicting thing in the world and she didn't ever want to lose it again! To be under those bright lights, seeing the admiration and happiness of the viewers in the first few rows, to feel the sweat on her brow from so much exertion...to dance with Adrien to the story they lost themselves to... She knew in this second that she was as much for solely dancing with Adrien up here as he had been with her.

The exhilarated feelings of amazement, of a job well done, of impressing those around her, of knowing she had pleased so many would never leave her. Even when they bowed a second time before finally leaving the stage she didn't even once touch down on the wooden panels below her feet.

"You did it my lady."

The words breathed in her ear had more of an effect than he may have been looking for. She couldn't control herself amidst the high encompassing her and launched herself at him. "Oh Adrien! That was magnificent!" Her arms clutched his neck as she laughed and tightly hugged him. "Oh my god...I'm...I'm shaking! I can't let it all out!"

He chuckled and felt the rapid heartbeat against his chest through the outfit she wore. His arms went around her petite frame, returning the strength of her hug as the adrenaline let down from his system as well.

"You two going to make out on the backstage or are you going to shower and get changed for the party?"

She jumped away at the teasing from their classmates as they walked by long before he wanted to let go. He took in her flushed face, those excited eyes, and that easygoing smile. She bounded away from him and latched onto some of her female counterparts, gushing about the performance the entire way to the locker room.

He followed her only until his locker room when he lost sight of her. He shuffled away the feelings of jealousy at his female classmates for taking up her time and went to get changed. He'd make sure to subtly pry her back when they were cleaned up after all.

He was done much faster and bet she was still going on about what they just did. He leaned against the wall near the women's locker room and pouted slightly. His male classmates came out in due time and ribbed him good-naturedly as they all left for the room.

"Lover boy is gonna wait there all night for his master to exit that room."

"Geez man, why don't you just get a tail attached to you so you can wag it when she gets out?"

"Come on and go with us to the after-party. She'll be there with the girls soon enough."

He grinned at the envious looks on their faces and waved them off. "I'll wait for my lady here, thank you very much." He watched the group shrug and say that they would meet him in the room later. He returned the wave and returned to his position of holding the wall up. Silence returned and he started tapping a finger on an arm in his boredom.

Silence kept him company until it was yet again broken.

"There you are! I thought you were going to be at the party. We didn't see you there and some of the other guys said you'd probably still be here."

His vision jerked over to find Alya and Marinette's parents walking up to him. He smiled and turned their way, giving a greeting nod to the trio. "Did you enjoy the performance?"

Tom rested a hand on his shoulder. "Well done, my boy. I'd applaud you again, but it may seem foolish in the middle of the hallway."

He smiled. "Thanks Monsieur Dupain-Cheng."

"Black looks good on you. Has she told you that yet?" Alya suddenly piped up, giving him the slyest grin he had ever seen.

He looked down at the black sweater, slacks, and tie combo he had going on. He absently tugged at the neckline of the white button-up shirt and eyed Sabine as she nodded and commented the same.

"Is she still taking forever in there?" Alya continued. "I can go flush her out for you if you want."

He held a hand up through an amused noise. "I'll let Marinette get ready in her own time. I don't mind waiting for her out here."

"Well when you see our daughter after she finally gets ready, tell her we'll be at the after-party ready to commend her on her first performance." Sabine mentioned.

"Sounds good Madame Dupain-Cheng. I actually want to talk to Adrien in private for a quick minute." Alya wrapped an arm around his and pasted on a smile. The pair watched as the parents headed off to the room again before Alya turned to him, giving him a scrutinizing look. "Alright, we have an undetermined amount of time before that loafer gets out here. You have to make it quick. Be honest now...how is it?"

He ignored the hands lightly shaking his arms, feeling his face heat up. His mouth flopped open a few times as he hunted for anything coherent to say. Finally giving up on words, he quietly dug into the pocket of his slacks and pulled out a tiny, clear bag.

There was a tiny, solitary item inside.

Alya took it with a sigh. "That's not romantic in this little bag, but I'll forgive you for now. I suppose it'd look too suspicious with those pants you have on." She mumbled, happy eyes riveted on the shining item she was turning.

His face heated up more, a hand wanting to go through the hair he had styled. "Is...is it...too stupid as a gift? I thought...m – maybe...Noel was fine and all...but..."

A hand enthusiastically clapped on his shoulder, effectively startling him. The grin Alya gave told him he was probably being dumb. "She's going to be besides herself! I only wish I could be there when you present it." Her fingers clenched over his sweater. "How ARE you going to give this? You'd better not let it be in the bag!"

"O – of course not!" He dumbly replied, feeling stupid for not having much of a plan. He looked away, hands nervously going in his pockets. "I was thinking...at the dance...but, maybe...with too many people..." A hand tugged on his shirt collar again. "A – and then...her parents..."

"Don't worry about her family. They'll be okay with something like this." Alya held the bag up as if to make a point.

As if what she was holding was a pittance of something to worry about!

His lips pressed together in his uncertainty. He looked to the shoe he was scuffling into the ground. He hadn't asked for permission; hadn't discussed it with her family. He had barged in again without doing anything properly and he felt slightly bad, but he had only been thinking of her at the time.

The second he saw it, he knew he had to have it. He had to give it to her as soon as the time was right...when the mood was perfect. They had been going on and on about the topic anyway...dancing around it in such an open fashion. He didn't know if she'd be shocked, but if what Alya said was true, she would be totally surprised anyway. If that was the case, he wanted to make that moment special.

The party seemed like an ideal time. She was going to be so happy after their performance and they would be able to slow dance together. He wanted to give her the present earlier than Noel, which was practically upon them already anyway. His excitement and nerves wouldn't let him wait much longer though, even if he hadn't figured anything out yet.

"If you need ideas," Alya butt in, "I say hold off on the party. Wait till afterward. Make it the best when it's closer to night." She flashed an encouraging smile. "Don't go too over-the-top because Marinette is smart and she's going to suspect something." Her eyes suddenly narrowed as an idea struck. "Perhaps you could volunteer to walk her home and...oh, I dunno...take a little side detour to the Tower on the way there...?"

He smiled and opened his mouth to agree with the idea when noises suddenly erupted from the door nearby.

The pair panicked as the gaggle of smiling and chatty girls all but burst outside. Alya gave an eep and his hands flailed for the clear bag. Alya quickly made a fist to hide the precious item and held the contents behind her back, her free arm swinging over his shoulders. An uncharacteristically wide, almost painful, smile was on her face.

"Alya? Adrien? What are you two doing?"

Despite the panic he had been in seconds earlier, his brain refused to come up with a proper response as Marinette's black heels clacked his way. He openly stared at the outfit that she had donned for the party. He was barely aware of his mouth wide open as he took in the stark white jumpsuit and the tiny, black belt that didn't look to be doing much. Her hair was up in a simple bun, barely any makeup on.

She looked absolutely stunning.

She waved a hand in his face, hearing the giggles and smiling despite the flush on her face. "Earth to Adrien...come in boyfriend."

His face flamed at the mention of the title and how the handful of girls just behind her broke out into verbal teasing all at once. He didn't even have the ability to speak to counter their jabs when Marinette saved him.

"Okay, okay. It worked. You were all right." Hands went over her hips as she cocked one to the side. A black heel tapped on the ground. "I owe you all cookies at the next practice. Happy? Now, leave me in peace to ogle back and I'll see you all at the party."

Alya felt like a statue over his shoulders as the girls passed them by. She hadn't moved a muscle or an arm the entire time. She only jumped to when Marinette spun back their way and gave them her full attention. "Well Adrien ol' pal!"

The hand over his shoulders suddenly clapped him on the back harder than she probably meant to. He caught himself before he stumbled into Marinette and gave a confused look to Alya's almost forced smile.

Alya quickly walked to him and grasped both hands with hers. She took a few seconds to entwine them with hers, making it look like he wasn't cooperating, before she stopped and squeezed his fingers. "You'd better take this gem and protect it with everything you've got!" The hand previously hidden behind her back, now empty, quickly waved at the sight before them. "I mean...just look at her!"

Adrien smiled his gratitude as Alya suddenly stepped forward and took up Marinette's attention...effectively allowing him to stow the bag she subtly passed him back into his pocket.

"You'd better make this boy realize how good he has it." Alya continued, giving her a hug.

He gave a noise of amusement and lightly patted Alya's shoulder. "Thanks, but I can get it from here." He waited till she turned to him and pointedly looked her in the eye. "I'll keep your idea in mind."

Alya nodded and spun back to Marinette before she could say anything. "Alright! Lover boy was taking too long and I came to see what was up. Now that I know you were the cause and you're finally out here, I'm going to go find your parents and let them know you made it out alive. Don't make us wait all night okay?"

She leaned back at the finger wagging in her face before Alya quickly left them to themselves. She blinked at the whirlwind exit before taking in the final person before her. "What was that about?"

He kept his eyes on Alya's exit, lest he give something away before being able to compose himself. "Your friend is...kinda..."

"You can say weird. I've called Alya that for years." She giggled, teeth suddenly biting her glossed lips as she took in his attire. Her fingers twitched to fiddle with his tie and she swallowed hard at how she wanted to close the distance and see if the three inch heels finally got her up to look him directly in the eye. "B – black...black...l – looks good on you..." She mumbled, giving in and running her fingertips up the softness of his sweater.

His adrenaline spiked the second she touched him. His arms went around her waist to trap her against him as she rested her hands over the back of his neck. He swallowed hard as he took in the natural beauty look she had going on with her makeup. "Y – you...look...beautiful in that. Another Marinette special?"

"Aren't they all at this point?" She cracked, leaning her weight against him and forcing him to utilize the wall for stability. She inched in, fingers lightly brushing at the hair he had moussed. "Is the party going on already? I lost track of time in there."

A brow rose when a thought struck him. "What was that about cookies?"

She tried to quell the smile and lost, flashing him pearly whites through a laugh. "The others bet me that I could make you speechless with this outfit. I told them that this wasn't as nice as the others you'd seen me in already and now I owe them cookies from the bakery because I lost."

He flashed her a killer smile and rubbed his nose against hers. "And what was that about ogling back?"

Her face ducked, but he followed the angle she was trying to hide at against his sweater. She pulled a hand forward and flicked the lapel of his shirt nervously. "O – one thing let to another a – and...I...told them that you looked nice in anything you wore a – and...that I'd probably ogle you back when you ogled me..."

"I won't complain."

She gave him a playful look through her smile, unable to glare with as cute as he was attempting to be. She readjusted her stance when he suddenly let her go to strike a pose with hands in his pockets. Her eyes took him in before she could think and she flushed when he gave a roguish look. She stammered syllables as he gently took a hand and held it over her head to twirl her.

He forced her against him again, eyes turning hungry as she was close to him. The feel of the bag crinkling against his leg had him looking at her in a whole new way for only a moment before he hid those feelings for later.

It was do no good to spoil the surprise after all...

"Come my lady." He murmured, twirling her again. He lightly kissed her knuckles and gave her a soft look. "With as much teasing as we've already had to endure, the amount we'll have upon our extensively late entrance is going to take up more of my time with you than I'd like."

She giggled and fell in step with him, the sound of her heels amiably clacking in the silence.

01010

To say that he had been nervous was an understatement. He had never been this terrified in his entire life! Not through being found out after that debacle with the Underground, worrying about what happened when Marinette was kicked out, or trying to get her back.

"Then you'll just have to hurry up and marry me then, won't you?"

"She's going to be besides herself!"

He knew why he was scared and it was really silly. He had his answer and yet he wanted, needed, to confirm it. He had to know for the sake of his sanity that she wouldn't flutter away on him ever again.

He almost let it slip during the party that something was wrong, but a few times he successfully managed to divert her attention. Alya helped him as well, but he knew that by the end of the party Marinette knew something was going on with him.

At eleven, all headed home with congratulations and well wishes for the Noel off. His father and The Beast announced that everyone had to be back for practice the day after Noel so they could get in what they could before the New Year closed the school again. There weren't many major holidays in France, but those two were so close that everyone hoped Gabriel would be benevolent enough to give them off all the days in between as well, but that was too much for one human to expect.

"Where did my parents go?" She asked, looking around as she fumbled for her coat.

His mouth opened to say that they went home as Alya had planned, but clamped it shut before he let anything slip. "Aren't you going to change out of those heels of yours?" He asked, brow going up. "Those open toes are going to make you freeze or the snow is going to do you in. Would hate for you to get frostbite and then be unable to practice with me later..."

He managed to divert her attention long enough to get into some boots. She stuffed her original outfit and a few other random items in the duffel before shouldering it and buttoned up her coat. "Where did Alya wander off to? Did everyone leave us?"

"I – I heard that...Alya was going to...go home with your parents...something about...catching up or something?" He cringed at the lousy fumble, not seeing her fully convinced in the slightest.

She stared at him with an unreadable expression on her face for the longest time. A hum escaped her before she slipped a coated arm through his equally coated arm. "Well then...I suppose I need a knight in shining armor to help this poor damsel home..."

His heart was absolutely pounding as he nodded. It was a fight to keep his movements smooth and not give himself away. He still didn't know how he was going to approach things, let alone bring the topic up and he had been wracking his brain all night. Everything sounded lame and stupid and not deserving what he had picked out. He wanted perfect. He wanted to leave that impression on her for forever.

But...how did he do that?

He stopped her when she headed for the bus stop and flashed a quick smile as she looked at him in confusion. "Too cold for a walk?" He asked, breath immediately puffing out. "Is that okay?" The trek wasn't that long, though it would be cold. Maybe if she snuggled up against his arm a little, things would be okay...

She gave his arm a squeeze and smiled up at him. "Lead the way kitty. You seem to know how to sniff your way to my place well enough."

Despite how close she was, he hardly noticed. He couldn't pay enough attention to her like he wanted as one foot mechanically went in front of the other. Words wouldn't form properly in his head the way he wanted them to. The agony and annoyance was worse than any performance he had to give ever!

"Um...I don't think this is the way to the bakery and I think I know my way around these streets better than you do Monsieur..." She mumbled, brow going up as they side-stepped off the normal path.

"Huh?" He jerked and looked down to her with nervous eyes. He met confusion for his slip and decided this may be the best way to broach this. "W – well...I...kind of wanted a quick stroll through t – the Tower...if that's alright with you?" A gloved hand went to her cheeks. "You're not too cold are you?"

"Are you okay?" Dark blue searched wide green, getting more puzzled as the seconds went on. "You seem really...agitated? High strung?"

"I – I...am? I...just...on my mind!" He quickly cleared his throat and tried to make this work to his advantage. "I've just...got something big...on my mind is all..." He looked away from the eyes trying to see into his fumbling. "W – would...would you...um...help me with that? I've been trying to...clear my head during the walk...but no luck. Can we stop at the Tower and talk about it?"

"Sure..." She drawled, confusion and curiosity mounting with each step. She gave him a weird look at the change in behavior, but remained attached to his arm and let him keep their pace going. She quietly eyed the face that remained ahead, looking totally pensive and causing a little concern for whatever was troubling him in this moment.

His hands were shaking a little and he couldn't fake from the cold right now. The silence was kind of tense and he knew that was because of him...or maybe it was just him. She didn't say a word about his actions; never questioned him in the slightest.

His mind was racing and stumbling over itself. He had let slip that he was thinking of something for a while, but hadn't resolved it. The plan he barely concocted with Alya mere hours earlier had been started, but never crafted. He was reaching blindly and he hated this. He wished he could blurt out the words to her right now and end his misery, but he would forever kick himself if he did so in such a crass way.

They got to the Tower, but he hadn't calmed down in the slightest. If anything, he looked worse. She stopped them when he idly walked under the metal structure, turning to face him. Hands grabbed his arms as she looked up to worry and agitation. "Tell me what's wrong with you Adrien. I'll try to help you in any way I can. You know you can trust me with anything."

He gave her a brief smile, but it fell. She was grasping his arms and he slowly twisted them from her grip to clasp her gloved hands with his. His eyes searched hers, unable to force the words from his mouth.

He suddenly heaved an annoyed sigh at his stupidity and worry. He mentally cursed his own weakness and lack of faith in this woman. He let go of her hands and turned away, shoving his gloves through his hair. "I'm so stupid! I can't believe how weak I am!"

She hurried after him and grasped an arm. "You're not weak Adrien Agreste!" She retorted, grabbing his chin with her fingers. She gave him a harsh look for berating himself. "If you want, I can name off any number of words that don't involve such things! I don't ever want to hear you say speak like that ever again."

He stared at her with love and longing in his eyes. His fingers finally came up and gently pried her hand from his face. "But it's true...I can't even tell you what I so desperately want to tell you. I'm too scared of what you'll say."

Her brow furrowed in confusion as her eyes searched his. "You can talk to me about anything. Trust me. I won't let you down."

"I know..." He murmured, looking away. He stared hard at the snow that had been battered down and was no longer white, no longer pure. He thought of the irony. After a second, he gave a loud exhale and shook his head. "Here goes nothing..." He mumbled, more to himself than her.

Her mouth opened to ask what he meant when he abruptly faced her, taking his gloves off and putting them in his coat pockets. He was slowly tugging hers off as well; putting them with his and clutching her fingers. His eyes turned so serious that she blinked and took a tiny step back in the change.

"I can't think of the proper words to do this justice." He began, jaw momentarily clenching. "Everything I've tried to think of seems foolish and pointless. There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe you or my feelings for you. Anything I've said in the past seems to have already done the job and I've nothing left to say to make this worth it." One of his hands left hers and slid into his slacks. "I've been agitated all night during the party because of this. I can't make things better with fancy words, even though I tried. In the end, all I can do is be honest with you about this and hold my breath for your response."

"What are you talking about?!" She finally blurt out, letting him lower their hands between them. She stared at his eyes which suddenly diverted for only a second.

Her joined him a second later when the feel of cold metal slid across a finger.

She took a sudden step back, eyes about ready to fall out of her face. She didn't feel his hands raise hers up again, allowing her to see so clearly the band of a silver ring. Breathing and any movement became too much of a chore; too beneath her in this second. She didn't feel confused or cold.

All she could do was stare at a silver and gold heart design housing a diamond-studded butterfly in the center.

"Nothing seemed perfect..." He murmured, giving her fingers a light squeeze. Shocked blue never left her finger. He wondered if she even heard him. "I searched and searched for the longest time. I spent so many days going through stores. I had no idea what I wanted...and then there it was. I could only think of you and how perfect it was. I bought it immediately and have been trying to think of a way to give it to you ever since I took it home. I asked Alya for help on some details like your size and how I could get it to you." A finger lightly touched the edge of the silver heart, soft eyes on her averted ones. "Call it what you will. A promise ring, a future engagement ring...whatever. I don't care what you name it. You've always had my heart ever since the beginning my butterfly and I will never ask for it back."

His finger followed the slight curve of gold that made up the butterfly's antennae. "My heart leads to you, my butterfly. I won't let you fly away from me again...for whatever reason. I want you to stay with me until the end of our days. On that stage, in my life, in your life." He swallowed back the lump in his throat, the tears swimming in his eyes. "This is my promise to you that when I have grown up enough to take care of you, I will do a much better job on the next ring and ask your father properly. Please wait for me until then, my butterfly."

A strangled noise escaped her mouth when it slid open. The tears that had long since poured from her eyes added more when she rapidly tried to blink them away to be able to keep staring at what was placed so gently on her skin.

The design was beautiful, simple...perfect. He had found something so unique and special which told of their history. She would cherish it forever and she was already trying to think of ways to wear it all the time and never have to take it off.

All she could see was a silver and gold heart with a diamond encrusted butterfly. She couldn't feel her feet, the touch of his hands, the gaze of those watery emerald eyes. She didn't feel cold or hot. The shock and happiness had numbed her body to the point of only being able to stare in fascination at this piece which spoke a story of happiness and pain in one breath-taking design.

He took in her gaze, resisted the urge to wipe her tears away. Alya was right, but he was still getting nervous with her silence. He could see the answer on her face, but he needed to hear it from her lips. He took a small step forward and squeezed her fingers. "This...this is what has had me worried all night. I worried for your response for the longest time. Please...tell me now."

Her eyes suddenly jolted to his and more tears fell. She could see the concern and fear in his face, the boyish innocence in his romance. His clumsy attempt at forever with her.

She wasn't aware of moving anything. Her mind had halted all ability to think and most of the ability to feel. She was barely aware that she had launched herself at him and they had slipped for the ground until he was clutching her to him to brace their fall. They landed and fumbled for stability on the freezing ground for a few seconds.

The fact that she was shaking like a leaf and clutching at him wasn't helping.

"Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!" She tearily answered. "You...this..." Her eyes rose to his, finding them slightly pained from the landing, but bypassed it. "I can't...words...yes! Yes! Adrien, yes!"

She clutched at him, kissed him, brushed her face against his. There wasn't enough to say, to do, to properly explain herself. She needed to crawl inside his skin and hug him from the inside out. She wanted to kiss his heart and whisper for days of what she was feeling in this second.

He let her do as she wished and ate up everything. He didn't care how they looked in that second; two silly, young adults lying on the cold concrete under the Eiffel Tower crying and laughing and gushing words of love. Every bad and uncertain emotion slid from him as she continued repeating the same word again and again for an undetermined amount of minutes.

At length, the chill getting through his winter coat, he stood them up and let her clutch at him. He let her kiss him senseless and ruffle his hair. She barely slowed down in the slightest, only stopping to try to crush his bones against her.

She was still for a time, trying to engrave this moment forever. There were so many sudden, unexplained moments like this which she often thought back to. This was yet another one she would tuck away and raise her mood whenever she was going through anything tough or bad.

As if anything bad could ever happen with such a thing she could carry with her forever.

She eventually looked away and up at the Tower, blinking when a thought occurred to her. After a second, she burst out laughing. "The Tower..." She managed, shaking her head against his chest. "How many more moments are we going to have under this thing?" She looked to him with a sly grin, a glint in her eyes. "Am I going to have to have my wedding under this thing too? Are you going to make me birth our child here as well?"

He flushed and looked away, mouth flailing for words. He ignored her laughter at his expense and the swat to his coat.

"I'm kidding you dumb cat!" She tried to disregard the heat in her own face. "One thing at a time. Dancing with you," Her fingers found his coat and slowly slid upward. "Marriage..." Freezing digits found the sides of his neck and made him shiver as she kept moving. "Then perhaps a nice, extended honeymoon..." Her lips breathed hot air against his face as she slowly pulled him down. "Maybe a little practice first before that child of yours..." She paused her lips against his. "Maybe I could get used to the last name Agreste for a bit before that, huh?"

To say his name as it would soon be hers was too much. He crushed his lips against hers and pulled her so tightly against him it hurt his arms. She tried to suck the air from his lungs as she gripped his neck and didn't let him go. Not that he would ever try to be farther away from her than he dared. He would never last long should she ever decide to cast him away, as he had already shown, and he never wanted to be so far away ever again.

He tried to remember any logical reasons for being so worried about her with him like they both wanted and couldn't remember as single one as he kept kissing her. He could only face his silliness with a shake of his head and disbelief at how he thought she may not want to be at his side and he at hers. She had never given any indication that she ever wanted to be away from him if she could help it. Now that he had shown to the world she was his, he would never allow such earlier worries to break him away from her ever again. Every time he could see that ring on her finger, he would think to this moment and remember how much she didn't want to let him go.

Almost as much as he didn't want to let her go. Would hold her closer as the days progressed...as the years passed them by. He would remain by her side as faithfully as she would his and planned to thoroughly enjoy every second of it.

Adrien's outfit: cdnc lystit com/photos/2013/11/25/polo-ralph-lauren-black-merino-wool-vneck-sweater-product-1-15300269-189657801_large_flex jpeg

Marinette's outfit: i01 i aliimg com/wsphoto/v0/1815139763_1/2014-women-jumpsuits-and-rompers-fashion-silk-jumpsuit-trousers-pants-evening-dress-plus-size-jumpsuit jpg

Ring: zales imageg net/graphics/product_images/pZALE1-8875067t400 jpg

01010

I love the idea of these two young adults in this AU and I just couldn't leave them be in MMU. I wanted for myself to give these two a little more happiness than what they could get if left to the imagination. Also, finding that ring took forever! I feel like the ending could have had more cavities, but I like Adrien's fumbling for words. He's so cute. X3