Arriving by portal, Ladybug and Chat Noir teetered on the Bastei arching Sandstone rocks. These rounded stone sentries stood guard near the German and Czech Republic border.
They could see numerous castles out in the distance and a streamlined train winding its way through the valley amidst the dense green forests.
A tree hung off the side, impossibly high up on the weather-worn rock. Ember commented wistfully that there had been a castle perched on these heights back in 1289, but eventually it had been taken over by bandits...at least until it fell into ruin and was reclaimed by nature.
The ant, cuckoo, and badger kwamis nodded at Ladybug and Chat Noir as they approached.
"Good work you two!" the ant congratulated. "You are both hard workers."
"Wielding a miraculous might give you powers, but it is still hard work," the cuckoo added. "There are days coming which will test your resolve, but remember what you've learned from not only the trials, but each other."
The badger took each piece of Samsonite and joined them together. Within the darkness of the stones a red blaze lit up within it, and shone out. They reached out and touched it. The instant they did the power that moved through their muscles seemed to be electrified. They were left with a buzzing sensation, that made them weak in the knees.
Chat Noir caught Ladybug, and steadied her as she stumbled a bit. "Common' Mi'Lady! Let's get you home!" he urged.
"But I'm not going home!" she looked over at him.
"You're not?" Chat Noir asked surprised.
"Nope! I've got a hot date!" Ladybug answered with a smile "...that is, if you'd like to go out tonight?"
"Absolutely yes! A million time yes!" Chat Noir answered excitedly grabbing her up and swinging her around. On the steep ledge he felt he was on top of the world, and now even more so!
Ladybug laughed, and finally Chat Noir let her go long enough to summon Kaalki.
When they arrived back in Paris, Ember and Kaalki quickly made themselves scarce, retreating to their miraculous'. Ladybug and Chat Noir were not on a rooftop like usual, but instead on a wooden dock on the Seine. Before them was a charming boat of varnished wood, highlighted with glistening brass fixtures. A pleasant looking gentleman with a full white beard, and wayward eyebrows popped out of the ship's cabin. He seemed surprised to see them, but shook their hands heartily. "Sunset cruise for Adrien Agreste?" he asked.
"A good friend of mine," Ladybug grinned awkwardly, handing the captain the tickets Adrien had insisted she keep.
Chat Noir grimaced a little hearing her call Adrien a "good friend," but it was quickly overpassed by what he considered absolute proof that Marinette was his Lady! He had no more arguments left. It was her!
When Ladybug turned around to see Chat Noir staring, she thought it was because of the name the tickets were under, and guiltily explained. "I kindda had a date, and when I tried to let him down, he had actually already planned this. Sorry! Is that weird?! Do you want to do something else? " she started to rethink the whole thing, wondering if she would be betraying Chat or taking advantage of Adrien's generosity to enjoy the night that was originally meant for someone else.
"Ladybug, I'm here with you! That is all I care about!" Chat Noir clasped her hand and held it to his heart. Then he smiled, "Just remember to thank...Adrien for me!"
The captain ushered them aboard the spacious boat. They walked the teak deck, through the small cabin, to the open bow with comfortable seating with caravan cushions. A small table was already prepared with an exquisitely embroidered table cloth, crystal glasses, and antique silverware. Red and pink roses arranged together in different shades took centre stage on the table.
"Wow!" The both said together, and Chat Noir grinned at her. "You really know how to sweep a guy off his feet!"
"I didn't realize he had planned all this...I didn't know..." Ladybug said quietly.
"Mi'Lady," Chat Noir took her hand, and spun her around, and then back into himself. "No one deserves this more than you, but if you'd rather have the night with Adrien instead, I understand."
"Kitty no!" she said startled gripping onto his arm. "I meant what I said before. I want to be with you. If you haven't got tired of waiting for me!" she added.
He spun her again, and dipped her in his arms, kissing her passionately. "You were worth the wait," he purred as they came up for air.
Ladybug giggled joyfully, and he danced with her along the deck a while longer, before leading her to their seats. The boat quietly pulled away from the dock, while they ate a delicious meal. Along the cruise the pointed out landmarks they typically viewed from above that had been the backdrop for so many of their akuma battles.
"You know I haven't been on a evening cruise on the Seine since I crashed Marinette's date with the Evilstrator," Chat Noir shot her a sidelong glance.
"That wasn't really a date..." responded Ladybug, before quickly catching herself, and adding, "I mean that was all just to catch an akuma. You and Marinette...since she was the one he trusted...so she could get close to him..." At this point Chat Noir slid closer on the bench beside her. "...or so I heard..." she fiddled with her hands awkwardly.
"Yeah...where were you that night again...some kind of top secret mission...?" Chat Noir grinned knowingly, tilting his head to one side.
"Just busy saving a clueless boy," Ladybug looked over at him.
"Hmm..." smiled Chat Noir, "Did I ever tell you this was where Marinette first saved my life?"
"You don't say," Marinette let a smile of her own prick the corners of her mouth. "You're always bragging about saving damsels in distress...but now another cute girl has been coming to your rescue...you're not trying to make me jealous now are you?!"
"You ARE cute!" Chat Noir responded, ignoring the rest. "More than that! you are downright stunning!"
"Sweet-talker!" Ladybug rolled her eyes, then looked off toward her home distractedly.
"The real me is different. I'm not always Ladybug...I'm not always like this!" she sighed.
"Of course not...you're even more amazing!" Chat Noir insisted.
"I mean I'm clumsy!" She exclaimed.
"You told me that the first time we met," Chat Noir smiled.
"No I mean I'm REALLY clumsy, and not in a cute way...more of a danger to myself and others kind of way!"
"Well I think everything about you is pretty cute...especially if you fall all over me," Chat Noir winked.
"Kitty you're hopeless!" Ladybug responded, as she surrendered and leaned against him.
"Hopelessly in love with you Bugaboo," he tagged on, gently brushing a wisp of raven hair behind her ear. Then he hesitated, and then rushed to get out, "there is something I need to tell you...I...well...I think...I mean I..."
But he was stopped by Ladybug, who silenced him with a kiss. "Let's not worry about things tonight. I've always complicated things and held back wondering if I was making the right choice. I know that this is crazy, but is it okay if we just shut out the rest of the world for a bit?" she asked with big blue eyes that shone in the starlight.
"You are my World Mi'Lady," Chat Noir replied truly mesmerized.
"You're cheesier than Plagg!" Ladybug shook her head. "How did I ever get so lucky to earn your love?" Ladybug asked him even more softly.
"You never had to earn my love, you were always you. Everything about you, all that you are makes me want you more each day...plus you're Ladybug so luck is kindda your thing...I'm innately unlucky...so I guess I need you as my lucky charm," he smiled, trailing his hand down the smooth line of her jaw, and drawing her chin up. Then he met her lips with his, and moved his other hand to the small of her back.
"I need you too Kitty," Ladybug whispered against his mouth.
When he moved back slightly, Ladybug perused his lips, and wrapped her arms over his shoulders, netting her fingers through his hair. Surprised at first he made a short gasp, before she tugged on his bottom lip with her teeth. As she moved her hands through his tussled blonde hair, he felt himself melt. Drawing his hand up the curve of her back he pulled her closer.
He felt her relax against him as he kissed her again. All the times he had daydreamed about kissing Ladybug, it had never come close to this.
"Mari," he sighed against her neck, and instantly she tensed.
There was a pause where he pressed his face against her shoulder, hoping she hadn't heard him slip...but even wrapped up in his 'lucky charm's' embrace the black cat did not have any such luck...
"What did you say?!" Ladybug asked in a wavering voice. "What did you call me?!"