Adrien leaned in to inspect yet another wedding band, not exactly sure how it was supposed different from the last one. "It's a pretty ring... Just like the last four hundred rings you've shoved under my nose in the past three days. Honestly Nino, why is it so difficult to choose a simple wedding ring? You weren't so picky with the engagement ring, you literally just bought the first one the clerk showed you!"

His best friend sighed, still fidgeting nervously with the cord of his headphones. "The engagement ring was only for two weeks; it didn't really matter. I could have proposed with a straw and Alya still probably would've said yes. It just had to be pretty enough not to disappoint her but not expensive enough to break the bank. It was easy! Now, I have to choose the rings we'll be wearing for the rest of our lives! I just can't pick wrong…"

The blond model smiled and shook his head as Nino went back searching for the perfect band, if it even existed. "Why did you propose on such short notice anyway? If you ask me, trying to organize an entire wedding in two weeks is suicide. You're just asking for trouble."

Nino snorted dismissively as he asked the poor clerk to pull yet another ring for closer inspection. "We already talked about it, dude. My folks are moving out of the country to take care of my sick Nana for what might be years, and Alya wanted a very traditional wedding, with the dress, the parents, the cake. So it was either two-weeks notice or waiting months, years even. She won't even think about having kids before we're married, and if I wait for my parents to come back it could very well pushes the baby project back until we're thirty. Thirty, dude! That's a little late for kids in my book. I want kids. And I want them sooner rather than later."

Adrien smiled knowingly as he spotted a thin, gold wedding band in the display. He pointed at it, gently tapping on the glass. "This one would be great. It's simple and classic, so it won't ever fall out of fashion."

Nino took a curious look at the ring Adrien was showing him and grinned widely. It was a very simple golden band lined with white gold. "Dude, it's perfect! You're a genius! I knew your knowledge of fashion would come in handy someday!" Nino nodded at the clerk, who picked the ring out of the glass display to wrap it up.

"You know this doesn't change anything. I still think you're suicidal. And stupid."

"Thanks for thinking so highly of me, you're so supportive." Nino snickered as the clerk handed him the bag with the twin rings safely boxed inside. "Now that that's settled, should we start looking for an engagement ring for your lucky lady?"

The blond model frowned as he pulled out his phone, opening his messenger client.

"Things aren't like that with her—at least not yet— and you know it!"

[Chat Noir] I guess it's my turn it now! Best bud is snooping into my love life, actually thinks I should buy you an engagement ring because we talk so much.

[Ladybug] Seriously? 22 is pretty young to get married anyway.

Nino smiled softly. "It's not like that? Who are you kidding? Dude, you're head over heels for her already even though you don't even know what she looks like. You've got meet her in person. You'll knock her socks off, Mr. Male Model."

Adrien's expression fell. Nino was walking through a minefield, and he knew it. "She doesn't want us to, and I respect that."

[Chat Noir] Tell that to the bud. I'm sick and tired of trying to help him pick out THE wedding ring out of 500 identical rings.

[Ladybug] I swear to God, everybody's getting married or popping out babies these days.

As they walked to the register and Nino pulled out his wallet to pay for the matching wedding bands, he cast a sideways glance to Adrien. "Are you really okay with all this dude? I mean, it's been six months already, and you don't even know her name. It looks like she's calling all the shots and you don't even have a say in the matter."

He shrugged, his shoulders a bit stiff. "She's not ready and I'm not gonna force myself on her. Our friendship means too much to me."

Nino nervously opened the little box and frowned slightly as they stepped out of the jewelry store, clearly having second thoughts about his choice. "You're sure Alya's gonna love them, right?"

Adrien sighed. "Nino, I'm honestly going to kill you if you even think about looking at another ring."

[Chat Noir] I know right? As things are going right now, I think I'm gonna die alone with Plagg as my only family. Can you even put a cat on a will?

[Ladybug] You should check that out before leaving everything to him. At least you have Plagg. I'm all by myself with the nosy best friend. Maybe I should adopt a few strays, then I could be a crazy cat lady.

[Ladybug] And if you can't leave everything to Plagg, will him to me. We'll be grumpy and lonely together.

He chuckled out loud when he read her message, prompting Nino to ask. "What are you guys talking about?"

"How we are both going to die alone with our cats while everyone else is getting married or having kids."

"Not our fault you keep stalling. Poor you, getting stuck with nothing but that monstrosity of a cat and all the gourmet cheese the two of you can eat for the rest of your days."

[Chat Noir] You should definitely get a cat. Name it Kitty.

[Ladybug] OMG not gonna name a cat Kitty. It's got to be more creative than that!

[Chat Noir] Ttyki then?

[Ladybug] Promise me you won't be naming any children anytime soon. I'm pretty sure naming a child "Kid #1" could be classified as child abuse.

[Chat Noir] Depends. Are you planning on having kids soon? =^.^=

Nino nudged him in the ribs. "I'm still here you know."

Adrien tucked away his phone as they headed toward his car, shaking his head. "Unfortunately for me. Are you going to pester me about my love life or lack thereof again?"

"Man, you can't wait for her forever! You're wasting your life away."

The blond model focused on the road ahead of them. "I'm not wasting anything, and it's my choice if I'm willing to wait for her. Or if I date her at all."

"Adrien—"

Adrien cut him short. "If I had known how much of a pain in the ass you'd be about her, I would never have even told you about my texting buddy in the first place. I moved back to Paris a month earlier than I was supposed to to help you with your suicidal wedding, not to be lectured on my life choices."

The groom-to-be left his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'm dropping it."

Adrien felt his phone buzz a few times in his pocket and was half tempted to pass it to Nino to read the newest messages aloud, but basic self-preservation instincts made him decide against it. He wasn't too keen on willingly giving his friend more ammo to use against him, no matter how much he wanted to know what his lady had said.

It wasn't until he had dropped Nino at the couple's apartment and watch the door closed that Adrien frantically fished his phone out of his pocket and opened his messaging application.

[Ladybug] I think you might be skipping a few steps there kitty.

[Ladybug] I'm pretty sure it takes two people to make kids.

[Ladybug] At least that's what they teach at school. Not that I have much of expertise in the matter.

[Ladybug] Why? Are you offering?

Smiling to himself, he quickly replied,

[Chat Noir] Busted. Who cares about steps? They're tedious. You and I don't take usual paths anyway. We don't have to go through the awkward first date, picking out ugly curtains, messy breakups and fights steps like everyone else does. We could go straight to the interesting ones.

[Chat Noir] Think about it. That way neither of us would die alone :P =^.^=

Putting the car into motion again and headed home, lost in thoughts. He was pushing his luck a bit and hoped she wouldn't mind his teasing. If he was entirely honest with himself, he was only half-kidding though. If the real girl was only half as amazing as her texting persona, he would marry her on the spot without a backward glance.

If only she would agree to meet him.

Plagg mewled at Adrien as he entered the dark apartment, putting his paws on his leg to beg for food. He rubbed the cat's head while still watching the phone, waiting for Ladybug's reply.

He knew she was scared for various reasons, and he respected that. He was trying his best to soothe her insecurities, but he often felt as if each step forward was quickly followed with two steps back. It was frustrating at times, but he couldn't bring himself to follow Nino's advice and move on from his ridiculous infatuation with her. He was deeply convinced that she was worth it, that she was worth every second he spent thinking about her. That every text he wrote to her got him just a little closer to being with her. That one day she really would be his lady.

[Ladybug] What a lucky lady I am, getting to be your backup plan!

[Ladybug] Tell you what? If we turn 35 and we're still both going strong on the die-alone-with-your-cat plan, we might as well go ahead with your marry-my-texting-buddy plan.

[Chat Noir] So all I have to do is wait a mere 13 years and I'll get to marry you?

He waited for her reply as he fixed himself a light meal, then headed to the living room and plopped himself down on the sofa.

[Ladybug] Although really I'd say it's just an extension of the die-alone-with-your-cat plan, Kitty. =^.^=

hat was a bittersweet victory, and it stung way more than he'd care to admit. She was considering his insane offer, but only as a backup plan to avoid growing old all by herself.

[Ladybug] Besides, there's no way you'll still be available by then, kitty cat. You're way too sweet.

[Chat Noir] It's all for you, m'lady. =^.^=

His phone chimed again, and Plagg meowed with irritation. Adrien winced too, not ready to be shot down again.

[Nathalie] Your father wants me to inform you that the applicant you recommended has been selected for the internship.

[Nathalie] He is quite pleased with your work and looks forward to your next assignment.

Grinning widely, he answered quickly:

[Adrien] Thanks, Nathalie. I'll be at the office tomorrow morning around seven, is that okay?

[Nathalie] We'll go over your schedule then. Have a nice evening, Adrien.

Maybe the day wasn't so bad after all. He couldn't wait to hear about Marinette's reaction to the news. He hadn't heard about her in a while,, and was genuinely curious what his fierce, creative classmate had been doing with her life for the past five years. Marinette had always been one of his favourite people, and he was truly looking forward to working with her. Ever since he had moved to attend the Université de Toulouse, he had fallen out of touch with all his friends except for Nino, who had taken up the habit of texting him every now and then and even came to visit on a few occasions. Now that he was back in Paris for good, he had every intention of mending every broken bridge.

He switched tabs back to his conversation with Ladybug, who had replied in the meantime,

[Ladybug] But I should stop texting you, it's unproductive. I haven't gotten any sewing done today.

Adrien knew he should let her work or she'd spend the night sewing again—t wouldn't be the first time—but he wasn't ready to let her go just yet.

[Chat Noir] You wound me, m'lady. How's the dress coming?

[Ladybug] Almost done, just a few alterations left. Turns out the bestie is a little bit bustier than I had thought.

[Chat Noir] I can't think of a pun that wouldn't be highly inappropriate right now.

[Ladybug] No pun? Are you sure you're feeling well? You don't have a fever, do you?

[Chat Noir] Probably just a little bit tired. It's probably breast to let you work now. I don't want your friend to go Bridezilla on you.

[Ladybug] Now that would be scarier than your worst nightmares. I'll listen to you then. Good night Kitty. (That pun was terrible, even by your standards!)

[Chat Noir] Sweet dreams princess. =^.^=

As he put his phone down, Adrien looked around him, satisfied. His new apartment was great, even if it was flooded with unopened cartons and take out boxes for the time being. It wasn't near as luxurious or as spacious as the apartment his father had initially tried to buy him, but it was nice nonetheless and more than enough for him and Plagg. His job was becoming more interesting as his father was delegating more and more important projects to him. It meant less modelling and more managing, which he was infinitely grateful for. Nino and Alya were getting married, he would get to work with Marinette, and he was even looking forward to seeing Chloe again. Overall, his life was in a good place.

If only he could add Ladybug, everything would be truly perfect.