She was wrapped around his arm. Again. He bit back a sigh. "You know I'd stay, Chloe, but I already have plans and you know how my father is—"

"Oh, your father adores me! He won't mind accommodating me." Chloe tightened her grip on his arm, and batted her lashes at him in a way that she probably thought was both coy and alluring. Adrien thought it just looked like she had something in her eye. "From the hints he's dropped, I think he's probably already chosen a venue for our wedding!"

She tittered, and he choked on air. Wedding? Uh, no. He fought to keep a grimace from his face, and tried to lean away from her without looking like he was leaning away but she clung to him like a limpet. A simpering, lemon-shelled limpet with too much makeup.

"Chloe, I'm flattered, but I really don't think—"

"Oh, Adrikins. You really are too much. Of course we belong together." She pressed herself closer to his body, trapping him against the front desk in her father's hotel with her face turned up to his, clearly expecting a kiss.

"Er, Chloe isn't this, uh—I mean, I don't—"

"Am I interrupting?"

"No!" Adrien turned his attention to the new comer with relief, and then surprise.

"Yes! Can't you see that I'm—" The hotel heiress turned to face the interloper as she spoke, and broke off with a gasp she saw who it was. "L-ladybug? What are you doing here?"

Ladybug looked between them, her expression inscrutable, and then turned to Adrien with a businesslike smile. "I've been sent to escort you home, Adrien. For your own safety. Will you come with me please?"

Chloe narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Surely my Adrikins is safe enough here."

"I'm sorry, Chloe. My instructions were clear."

"I guess I'll see you later then, Chloe. Ciao."

Ladybug turned on her heel and led the way out of the hotel. Adrien fell into step with her, smiling, until they got outside, out of earshot. "So, my father sent you to find me, huh?" He caught her arm and arched a brow at her, knowing perfectly well that she'd lied through her teeth.

"Uh, no." She had the grace to blush. "You just looked really uncomfortable, and I wanted to…rescue you?"

"Yeah, Chloe can be a little—over bearing."

"That's one way to put it."

He spluttered a laugh, and scratched the back of his head absently. "I, uh, guess I should get going. I actually do need to get home. Thanks for the rescue, m-Ladybug."

He turned to go, but she caught his arm. "A-adrien, wait! I uh, I could take you h-home, if you wanted me to."

"I love that," he murmured, a small smile tugging at one corner of his mouth.

"Th-that I could take you home?"

Adrien realized that he'd said it out loud, and his cheeks flooded with warmth. He cleared his throat. "Ah, n-no. I meant, I love it…when you say my name."

"Oh," she breathed, her eyes wide. "W-well, Adrien, would you like a lift home?"

He stepped closer to her, his heart pounding. "Sure."

She unhooked the yoyo from her hip, and wrapped an arm around his waist as she began to swing it. "Hold on to me, Adrien," she murmured, and then they were airborne.