"So, let me get this straight," Plagg said, sitting on Adrien's bathroom counter. "You could go to the Halloween party as Cat Noir, but your going as a pirate?"
Adrien didn't look away from the mirror as he applied brown makeup to his chin. "Ladybug's going to be there, and she's going to need a friend," he replied firmly. "Oooh, a friend!"
"Plagg, I'm serious. You see how shy she gets at events, not that that's a bad thing. And we are friends." "A ladybug and a pirate, who'd have thought!" Plagg grinned. Adrien looked away from the mirror now, ready.
Adrien arrived at the party already in full swing, and glanced around the room. No sign of his Bugaboo yet. She was coming, right?
"Nice costume, Agreste," Chloe wandered over with a glass of punch in her hands. "I went for the Pirate Princess look." "It is a Dead Man's Pirate Pirate party." Adrien walked away. Chloe would never be as beautiful as Marinette, his Princess.
He felt a wiggle and checked on Plagg. "I smell cheese and snacks! Can we please check out the food table?" Adrien laughed, quietly. "Okay, I'm hungry too."
Adrien filled his plate with finger food, and was just reaching for a mini blanket hot dog when a red-gloved hand made contact with his. "Oh, I'm sorry," a sweet voice said. "Ladybug," Adrien's heart quickened. Ladybug blinked a few times. "Adrien, is that you?" "As a pirate," he winked. "Do you like my costume?"
Ladybug frowned, setting down her plate, and peering closely at his chin. Uh-oh. "What's that?" she poked at the makeup, which was supposed to be a fake mustache. "Um, my mustache?" Great, your going to deafen her with your squeaky voice, Adrien thought. "No."
Adrien's face split into a grin. This really was his Lady, short and to the point, but never mean about it. Adrien took a wet wipe from his bag, scrubbing. "Better?" "You still have...Adrien!" Ladybug gasped. "Is that peach fuzz?" Adrien laughed, not able to hold it in. "What do you have against five'clock shadows?" It was Ladybug's turn to blush. "Guess I'm just not use to it." "Ah, your used to my model look, and killer charm." "Maybe. I…" she lowered her voice. "I guess I like the way things are." Adrien nodded. "I understand, and nothing has to change. Though, I would like you to dance."
"With a peg leg?" "We'll go out on the balcony, and I won't be a danger to the public." Ladybug burst into giggles, and Adrien's heart melted, happy to see her happy. "I've only thought my Kitty like that, when he gets the zoomies. Come on."
Instead of dancing though, Adrien led her to a small bench. "I've missed you, you know."
Sure, they saw each other nearly every day with the masks, but this was different. "Me too. I miss our Mario Kart races." "Oh, I see how it is," he teases, pulling her in close. "May I ask for a hug?" Ladybug nodded, and Adrien closed his eyes.
This might be a Dead Man's Pirate Party, but in this moment he felt so happy to be alive.