((I want to thank everyone for all of the support! I think this is perhaps my most popular fanfic so far. Alright, something I'm saying now. There are actually two endings written up for this. There's a regular happily-ever-after type, and then there's one to segue into a longer, more serious fic. They're going to be posted together. So, when that time comes, tell me what you think.))

Despite the difficultly, Adrien safely got her down and home, explaining to their friends that they'd gotten lost and that she'd fainted after running, probably still weak from her earlier fainting spell. They believed that without too much convincing, and after some begging agreed to leave him to watch over her alone.

A few minutes later she stirred, looking around. When she looked at Adrien with a question on her lips, he just nodded. She understood. He quickly checked the trapdoor, an awkward Nino and Alya waving back before slinking away. Back by Marinette's bed, Adrien sighed. "So…are you…disappointed?"

The heroine sighed and crossed her arms, turning away lightly. "I'm disappointed that you didn't tell me…but I'm not disappointed that it's you." He let out a sigh of relief and smiled, one that Marinette mirrored.

"So… Now what?" She shrugged, biting her lip gently. He nodded and stepped forward. "Um, I have an idea?" He didn't continue until she nodded. "Um… Well, I was… Would you have dinner with me at that restaurant down the street?" Marinette nodded vigorously, feeling as if her dreams were all coming true.

A week later and no one could deny the truth. Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste were the ultimate power couple. After shutting down Chloe's repeated attempts to ruin their relationship (not to mention purifying no less than three akuma caused by her), and after dealing with a few very jealous guys at school (of which only one became an akuma, thankfully), no one could deny them anymore. They were smitten and lost in each other, and they had trouble acting otherwise. This caused some issues as heroes, but they remained able to retain (most of) their professional attitude.

By far, those who most supported their relationship were their best friends…and Marinette's parents. After learning of the star-crossed lovers, Sabine went overboard trying to "help" in ways that just seemed to make them more uncomfortable, while Tom's solution was to unleash enough puns to make Chat Noir gag. But now, they had to deal with something worse than that.

They had been officially dating for one week, and now it was time to inform Gabriel Agreste. At dinner, one of the rare few in which he joined his son to eat, he was mildly surprised as, once again, his son spoke first, asking about something. And for once, he couldn't simply brush it off. "Father… I wanted to tell you I started dating a girl. I was wondering if I could bring her to dinner tomorrow. You know her. Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"

Adrien's father swallowed his bite roughly and looked across at his son. The boy seemed more confident than usual. No, less afraid. He had the face of a man who had made a decision and was waiting for either permission or an excuse. Gabriel was honestly impressed. He hadn't seen such confidence from his son since the boy's mother disappeared…

"That would be acceptable." And with that, the fashion mogul stood and left despite an almost full plate. Adrien was surprised at how easy that was but wasn't one to complain. A hurried text to his beloved sealed the deal.

Later that night during patrol, Chat mentioned it. "It was odd. No questions, no requirements, nothing. Just, 'acceptable' and he vanished."

"Well, maybe he's just happy you found someone?"

"Impossible. Since my mother disappeared, my feelings are the last thing on his mind."

"He's still your father."

"I suppose…" Ladybug turned to her partner and scratched his head, Chat easily relaxing under her ministrations.

"Adrien, he's still your father, and no matter what, he does care about you. Just watch."

"Alright, bugaboo… Come on, tonight's quiet, let's rest."

"You just don't want me to stop scratching." He just grinned and purred, and Marinette found she didn't have a problem with indulging him.

The next day, Marinette looked up from getting ready for her dinner at the Agreste mansion to see Alya. "Girl, you know there's a limo waiting for you." Marinette rushed to the window and squealed lightly. "It's a good thing you two finally got your stuff together."

Marinette just nodded and made her final adjustments. "How do I look?" She had let her hair down and curled it, and she was wearing a short red dress with puffy sleeves and lace trim. Her shoes were professional black, with just a little heel. She had a light dusting of makeup, and she was wearing a second pair of earrings.

"You look amazing, and Adrien might drool." They both laughed, remembering how he actually did drool when he saw her at their first date. "Now go, rock his world and show his dad who's boss."

Her parents met her by the front door for goodbyes and pictures. "Dad, it's not like it's prom or anything."

"I know, but you just look so beautiful." Her mother agreed, so Marinette reluctantly posed for a couple photos before leaving.

The ride was short and comfortable, the driver quiet and faintly reminiscent of a gorilla. At the Agreste residence, the secretary Nathalie led her into the dining room. Inside was a long table with two occupants, Adrien and Gabriel Agreste.

Adrien had a formal black suit with a forest green tie, his hair made up for the evening. Gabriel was as he always was, impeccable. Adrien looked up and gasped quietly before sporting a wide grin, awe-struck by her beauty. Gabriel raised an eyebrow, physically impressed by her appearance. Marinette blushed and made her way towards the end of the table by Adrien, sitting down at his side.

"Marinette, you look…amazing," her boyfriend gushed, still smiling like an idiot. His father coughed, and Adrien flinched visibly, smile fading. "Ahem, father, this is my girlfriend, Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

"H-hello, Mister Agreste. It's a pleasure to be here, thank you for having me."

"Charmed," he said slowly. "Tell me, where did you get that dress? I don't think I've seen it anywhere before."

"Oh, Marinette makes all this stuff herself," Adrien provided with pride. "Remember, she won that hat contest?" Marinette flushed as Gabriel raised an eyebrow for the second time that night.

"Interesting. You have a lot of skill for someone so young. Tell me, do you have more?" The man smiled softly, already planning, seizing an opportunity. Of course, the kids didn't know that, and so with some mild embarrassment, Marinette talked about her designs, and, for the first time in years, he participated in a human conversation with his father. By the end of the meal, Marinette's natural charm had the room, the entire house even, feeling more relaxed than it has been in years. Even Gabriel warmed up, smiling freely and talking. He even allowed Nathalie and Gorilla to sit down and join them. For one night, the Agreste mansion was warm, it was alive.