This is another one-shot with another prompt/chapter sequel.

Ladrien June 2023

Day #4: Flirting

The day had finally arrived. The premier of the Ladybug and Chat Noir movie.

Originally, Marinette was going to decline attending as Ladybug, but after hearing that Adrien was going to be there—he voiced Chat Noir for the movie so it wasn't a surprise—she had immediately accepted the invite.

Sure, she was a bit uncomfortable with going to the premier like some celebrity—she was first and foremost a hero—she couldn't pass up an opportunity like this.

The chance to hang with Adrien while suited up. Maybe being Ladybug around him would give her more confidence and she could finally talk to him.

~*LB+AA*~

When Gabriel Agreste heard that Ladybug was going to be attending the premier, a sudden curiosity sparked an idea.

He immediately ordered Nathalie to cancel the plans he had originally made with Miss Tsurugi during the event.

He needed Nathalie to focus on something else for him.

He could go over those papers with Tsurugi another time. This was a rare opportunity and he could not let it pass by.

~*LB+AA*~

When Adrien arrived at the premier with his bodyguard, Nathalie and father in her tablet, he smiled and waved as cameras flashed at him. He knew he had to act like he was happy to be there, and he was. He gets to see a movie made about him—the other him, and he got to voice himself—but that was about all he was excited about.

If he could have it his way, he'd go straight from the entrance to the theater, just watch the movie, then go home. He wasn't too thrilled about the party. Sure, parties were fun, but he barely knew most of the guests. None of his friends were going to be there. Not even Kagami. He had been told that she was going to be there with her mother so she and Nathalie could sign some papers—whatever that was about—but apparently, his father has rescheduled that, so now neither of the Tsurugis were coming at all.

Now the only person he knew was going to be at the party was—

"Adrikins!" Speak of the she-devil. Chloe came running up to him and trapped him in a hug. Then she pulled away just enough to smile and pose for the cameras while still clinging to him. "So happy to see you here. You look absolutely stunning. As usually," she said as the cameras continued to flash.

"Hey Chloe. You look great too," he said back just to be polite. She wasn't even dressed up like he was.

"I know," she replied thoughtlessly. "So, what's the number on your ticket? I want to make sure we're seated next to each other in the theater," she said before searching his suit, hoping to see it sticking out of his pocket or something so she could grab it and check.

Adrien was just about to tell her to stop when he heard the paparazzi suddenly go nuts.

"Oh my gosh, it's Ladybug!"

"Ladybug is here!"

"Ladybug, over here!"

All the paparazzi that had surrounded him had moved back to the entrance and were taking even more pictures of the spotted heroine herself as she walked through the doors.

"Ladybug, it's so amazing to see you at the premier for the movie made in your honor. But where is Chat Noir?" one reporter said before holding their microphone out to her.

"Unfortunately, he couldn't make it tonight. I'm not sure why though. He might have had something else going on today that he couldn't miss. I'm sure he'd be here with me if he could." She didn't know how right she was. Adrien would have much rather come to this premier as Chat Noir, but his father had told him that he had to attend. "So I guess I'll be representing us both for tonight. But don't worry, when I see him next, I promise not to spoil anything for him," she joked.

The paparazzi all chuckled at her humor. Adrien grinned, charmed by her relaxed demeanor. No akumas, no danger, no stress.

"Ladybug!" Chloe once again exclaimed, dashing passed the blonde model to hug the heroine and pose for more pictures. "You definitely have to sit with me for the premier. Give me your ticket," she insisted. Seeing the ticket right in her hand, she grabbed it and compared it to the seating chart of the theater. "What!? You and Adrien will be sitting next to each other while I'll be two rows behind!?" she shouted in outrage. "Well that won't do. I'm gonna go have words with whoever to get my seat moved." And with that, she handed her ticket back before walking away.

Good. That should keep her busy for a while and out of both of their faces. Well, not so good for whoever she tries to get a different seat from.

Deciding to make his move, Adrien approached her. "Hello," he greeted her. "We've met before. I'm Adrien Agreste." Confidently, Adrien took her hand and kissed it.

The two barely noticed more camera flashes.

"Y-yeah. I-I remember you, of course," she said nervously, taking her hand back. "Not just from then. I love your ads. I mean, I've seen them all over Paris!" she stuttered. She paused and took a mental deep breath. Today was supposed to be different. Ladybug confidence. "I'm, uh…sort of a big fan of yours," she said, a bit calmer.

Hearing this made Adrien smile. "Really?" A rush of excitement swept over him. "Well, I'm sort of a big fan of yours too," he replied. He could just make out a blush under the edges of her almost as red mask. "So, uh. Chloe mentioned that we'll be sitting next to each other in the theater," he just said. Now he was getting a bit nervous.

"Oh, right. I guess so," she shrugged, rubbing her arm nervously.

They were quiet again, not sure what to do or say next.

They both wanted to make good impressions here and now so they were starting to feel the pressure.

"Are you hungry? Thirsty? There's a great buffet over here," Adrien finally suggested.

"Yes please," Ladybug quickly agreed. It was something to do.

As the two younger guests made their way over to the buffet table, Nathalie hid in a private counter of the room to speak with her boss on her tablet.

"Sir, Ladybug has arrived," she told him.

"Good. What's she doing right now?"

Nathalie glanced over her shoulder and saw the spotted heroine getting refreshments. And she wasn't alone. "She's eating macaroons…with Adrien," she reported.

Gabriel's eyes widened. "Adrien?" he asked, surprised.

"See for yourself, sir." Nathalie turned the tablet so the back of it was pointed at the pair, then she flipped the viewing lens so he could see behind it on his screen.

Just as she said, there was his son with Ladybug, each holding a small plate with snacks. And they were both smiling.

"How interesting," he hummed, scratching his chin.

~*LB+AA*~

After getting their food and thanking the couple behind the table—her parents—Adrien and Ladybug walked to another side of the room to stand, eat, and chat. Gone were their awkward hesitation. Now they were just anxious to hang out.

"So, Chat Noir couldn't come tonight?" Adrien said.

"No. I guess he just had some personal stuff that got in the way," she shrugged.

"That's too bad. Now you're here without a date." He'd insist that this was a date if had come with her as Chat Noir. But maybe she'd have a different attitude if Adrien asked her.

Tonight, might be so bad after all. He was could see how she reacted to him without his mask.

"Chat Noir is my partner, not my date. And I don't need a date," she told him. Suddenly, she was glad Chat hadn't come so she wouldn't have to spend half the evening repeating to him that this wasn't a date for them.

"Well," Adrien said smoothly, leaning in a bit closer to her. "I could be your Chat Noir for the evening," he smirked.

Ladybug blushed and averted her eyes.

Feeling her anxiety kicking in again, she busied herself with eating from her snack plate.

"These are delicious," Ladybug hummed, eating a red macaroon.

"Best in the city. The caterers who made them are my friend's parents. Really nice people," he informed her, finishing another delicious cookie. After swallowing, he noticed a few red crumbs on the corner of her mouth. "Oh, you, uh-" he said, gesturing to the spot.

"What?" she asked, confused. Did she have something on her face? A bit embarred, she touched around her mouth but completely missed the crumbs.

"It's right…" Adrien trailed off as he just reached forward more until his finger was under her chin and his thumb was wiping the crumbs away.

They locked eyes for a few extra moments after they were gone. Unable to look away. Adrien had cupped Ladybug's chin before but this time, he was gloveless so his bare hand was touching her bare skin.

Such a small thing, but so magical.

From the over side of the room, Nathalie was watching the two interact so sweetly. Taking pictures and texting descriptions to her boss.

~*LB+AA*~

"Wait, you don't think I sound like Chat Noir?" Adrien asked, amused.

"Not really," Ladybug giggled. "I mean, not only does his voice sound a bit higher than yours but you and him don't talk the same."

The fact that she didn't think he sounded like her partner was reassuring, but also hilarious.

"Me-ouch," he said with a hand on his heart. "See? I can sound like him."

Ladybug shook her head. "One cat pun doesn't make you a believable Chat Noir," she said, still smiling.

Adrien smirked. Just one huh? "I don't know. With the right catitude, anything is pawsible."

Ladybug playfully rolled her eyes and buried her face in her hands. "Stop it. I don't need that from you too," she groaned while chuckling. Adrien laughed too. When she looked at him again, she dropped the joking and spoke sincerely. "You don't need to compare yourself to Chat Noir to keep my interest. I like you just the way you are."

Just because he played Chat Noir in the movie and the real Chat Noir wasn't there with her, he didn't have to act like that for her sake. She didn't want that.

"Really?" he asked. "I thought I was making you uncomfortable earlier. So, with your partner not here, I thought a few cat-puns would put you at ease, I guess."

He thought that was why she looked nervous earlier. She was never intimidated by him as Chat but she might be intimidated by Adrien. Some people were. Even his friends like Marinette.

Ladybug smiled at him. "While that's very sweet, Chat can be Chat. Right now, I just want to see Adrien be Adrien," she told him.

Adrien smiled. He'd never been asked that before. "I think I can do that."

"Okay. So…tell me something about you."

"Well-" From there, Adrien dove into a few personal interests and stories. He wanted to ask Ladybug the same but personal stuff wasn't really safe for her to share, and he understood that.

She enjoyed hearing about him—even if most of what he was telling her she already knew, there was plenty that she didn't.

Marinette was so glad she decided to come. Getting to really talk with Adrien and even being able to flirt without sounding like a dork made her feel amazing.

~*LB+AA*~

As the party went on, Nathalie continued to report back to Gabriel every little thing she was witnessing.

With each new bit of information, a plan began to form in Gabriel's mind.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Next one is the 2nd part. Will be posted on the 8th. ;D