"Well, you've got a stellar smile today, Adrien," I walk into the conference room where Alden Taylor, one of my father's friends tells me. Alden works in sales and also helps with the magazine. This meeting is to help decide what pieces to use for this issue. "I've been re-connecting with one of my friends," I tell him. I know I can't say to much, to respect Ladybug's wishes, but Alden coughs as if covering up a smile. "A girl, I presume?" I nod, then smoothly try to change the subject. I like working with Alden, and he was one of the few people who Father would invite for the annual Christmas party, before Mother disappeared. Its still hard to believe there both gone.
When the meeting ends, I'm debating if I should get a coffee from Starbucks or head over to the bakery where Marinette lives. Surely, my cousin's sewing class has ended by now, but even if Marinette isn't there, I will always enjoy a sweet treat.
I open the door listening to the small bell jangling above the door like it always has, and it reminds me of the days when I was Cat Noir. Of course, I still have my ring, but with Hawkmoth defeated, there's not so much of a need for superheroes these days. Still, if Ladybug patrols every night does she know something I don't?
My musings are interrupted as Papa Dupain sees me and walks from behind the counter. "Why, Adrien Agreste! Its been ages, young man! How have you been?" I don't care if I can't breathe in Papa Dupain's bear hugs, but am relived when he sets me down, and I straighten my tie. "Busy as ever, I just came from a meeting and was in the mood for something sweet."
Just as the words leave my mouth, Marinette walks in, her apron covered in flour. "Speaking of something sweet," he pulls Marinette into a hug. "Hi, Adrien. What would you like today?" she asks. "A chocolate crossing, if you have any." Marinette's face falls. "I just sold the last one, but we could make some, if you have time."
I always have time for you, Princess. "Sure. My day is wide open until tonight." Marinette and I walk back to the kitchen and she hands me an apron, eyeing me curiously. "Why, gotta hot date?" "Er, I'm not sure if its a dateā¦." I stumble on my words. "Okay, I'll stop teasing. Give me a minute and you can roll out the dough."
I plop down on a stool, watching her work. "Did you enjoy your first sewing class?" She glances at me quickly, before back down at the bowl. "We started off easy today, but there's already a girl that hates me." "Oh, come on. I'm sure she doesn't hate you. Your just stiff competition." "Okay, yes, it is a competition, but hasn't she learned the meaning of the word "fun?" "We've always had to put up with one stinker or another. Just ignore her, and like you said, have fun."
"Speaking of fun, your turn!" she sings, turning the bowl over and the dough ball plops out. I gulp as a roll up my sleeves. "Been awhile since I've done this. Will you help me?"
She stands behind me, and laces her fingers through mine. As much I love Ladybug, I feel my heart grow light. "Now, go back and forth," she murmurs and I do as entrusted. Back and forth, my heart tells me, that's what your love is like, Agreste. Like a pendulum, swinging first towards Ladybug and then towards Marinette.
I shove my inner thoughts aside and help shape the dough. Marinette whips up a chocolate filling within the blink of a eye, and asks me if I'd like a cup of coffee as she slides our snack into the oven. "So, why did you get back into modeling again?" I wrap my fingers around the cup. "I needed to keep busy somehow. Especially after my parents died." I do miss parents, but when we defeated Hawkmoth, there wasn't just a urgent need for patrols, so I didn't see Ladybug as often. I needed some outlet to escape the pain of being alone again, and to my surprise I love modeling again. "You must miss them very much," Marinette says thoughtfully. "I think about them often." "Adrien, don't forget, if you need someone to talk to, I'm here." I nod. After my snack, I thank her and get home.
Its later then I thought but its to early to meet Ladybug. After dinner, I ordered take-out, I catch up on a few emails and start to get ready for my date. I meet Felix on the stairs. "Going somewhere?" he grins at me, and I nod, for he would know something is up. "I'm meeting Ladybug at the park. I thought it would be fun to throw pennies in the fountain and make wishes." "Maybe I'll steal the idea and do it with Kagami." "Hey, we should take her out to dinner soon. We can invite Marinette and make it a party."
When I step out onto the steps into the cool night, I feel a strange sense of relief. "Plagg, why do I feel happier when I'm with Marinette or Ladybug or anyplace that isn't home?" "Maybe because that's not your home," Plagg says, as we walk under the streetlights. "But that doesn't make any sense," I mutter as I enter the park.
"Taking to yourself?" I jump, finding Ladybug sitting on one of the benches in the crisscross applesauce position. "Yeah, first it was my bed hair, and now this. You must find me strange, Ladybug." "Your a bit of mystery," she smiles at me as she stands up. "But I like a good challenge." "Well, maybe we'll learn something about each other with the activity I had in mind. Here." I hand her the small bag of coins. "Isn't it a little late for ice cream?" she jokes. "Funny, but I thought we could make wishes and toss the coins into the fountain." "I have lots of secret wishes," Ladybug says, softly.
"Have any of them come true?" "If they had come true, they wouldn't be wishes, would they?" The smile is back in her voice. "I may bee a model, but I want to be a father someday. I like kids." Ladybug tosses another coin and it lands in the water with a per-plunk sound. "I think you would make an excellent father." "I'm glad you think so," I can't help the bitterness that creeps into my voice. "Since my father was a lousy one." "Your not your father, Adrien. You are your own person, with different thoughts and dreams. And your kind and gentle, and any kid would be proud to call you Papa." I'm glad the darkness hides my heated cheeks. "You really think so?" "I wouldn't be saying it, if I didn't think it was true. Rats, I'm out of pennies," she grumbles and I laugh and we head over to a park bench. "I told you one of my dreams, now its time to tell me one of yours." "Well, you know I want to be a designer," she begins. "Yes, you did mention that before." She sucks in a breath. "What I didn't tell you is I get restless, staying here living in Paris." "You don't like it here?" I fight to keep the lump out of my throat. "Your the best thing about Paris, Adrien, but sometimes I feel like I need peace and quiet, somewhere where I can truly be me." "I've been feeling restless myself lately," I tell her what I told Plagg earlier. "Maybe there's a reason we're still here," she says. "We just haven't figured it out yet."
In the distance, we both hear one of the clock's chime midnight and if on cue, Ladybug stands. "One of these days, your going to lose a shoe, and I'll be the handsome prince that finds the shoe," I tell her. "You may look like a prince," she jokes back, "But there's only one problem: I don't wear shoes!"
I give her a hug and we plan to meet up soon. When I get home, I snuggle down under the covers, thinking. What could be our next date? Maybe Felix will have some ideas in the morning, as I drift off to sleep.
Ding. Ding. I groan as I fumble to find my phone on my nightstand. I gasp, tumbling out of bed. A perky email has me, smiling from ear to ear and I'm instantly awake.
Dear Mr. Agreste,
After careful consideration, we have selected Ms. Ladybug to model with you for the next issue of Agreste Fashion Monthly. This email is also being sent to your partner.
Please be at the studio this coming Monday for the first of the photo shoots.
The Photo shoot Department
Well, it looks like Ladybug and I will be hanging out more often then we planned, for Vincent can be very picky about what images he chooses.
"Your looking chipper this morning," Felix says, as he pops a piece of toast in the toaster. "Was there romance in Paradise last night?" "Like I'd tell you that. Ladybug got selected for the shoot!"
After having my usual eggs and toast, I head out to meet Alden, feeling like I'm on Cloud Nine. After, I stop in to see Marinette but she's not in.
Adrien: Want to go to dinner this Friday night with Felix and Kagami and I?
Marinette: Like a date?
Adrien: More as friends.
Marinette: Okay, I'm in!
I wonder why is would ask that, is she seeing anyone? I feel like she would mentioned it if she was. There certainly are a lot of secrets and wishes around Paris, right now. Its a silly thought, but I hope that one of the wishes I made last night comes true that Ladybug will open up to me fully and reveal her true identity.
