October Nights

Struck dumb

What did I say?" Chat asked himself for what felt like the millionth time that evening.

He watched as Ladybug became a red speck in the sky, her suit stark against the sunset. He hadn't missed the tears that had fallen, and he hadn't missed the hitch in her voice, he just couldn't understand what had happened.

He knew that it wasn't fair. He shouldn't have pushed her for a date when she always said no, and he definitely shouldn't have asked her when his civilian self already had a date, but he couldn't help being drawn in. Couldn't help feeling like he should give it one last go before letting her go completely.

Was she jealous?

He shook his head, there was no way. She said no, so it was time. This was his sign and he was willing to take it. His heart already belonged to Marinette and he was ready to give all of his heart to her. Some part of him would always belong to his partner, but he wasn't willing to give up Marinette to wait for Ladybug.

When Chat made it back to his room to change into his suit Plag was groaning.

"What is with you?" Adrien asked hurrying to change with the lost time.

Plagg groaned again, "You are literally killing me kid. Do you even get women? Can you really be so dense!?"

Plagg was flying in his face, close enough to see the specks of color in the small cat's eyes. Adrien was thrown by this reaction, what would make Plagg this concerned?

"What do you even mean?" Adrien asked putting on his ruby red suit with black dots. He had ordered a rush of a ladybug suit to match Marinette's costume.

Plagg groaned louder smacking a paw across his forehead, "You know nothing about love"

Adrien scoffed, "And you do?!" He was trying to not be irritated but his voice couldn't hide what he felt.

Plagg swarmed his face again, "I know decades of love before even your grandparents were an idea in their parents eyes. I've seen many chosen fall in love, many miraculous love and many humans fall for each other. Don't let your young mind persuade you to think otherwise"

Adrien's mouth dropped, it was the most serious that he had ever heard Plagg be, and Adrien couldn't help it as he shrunk back from the lecture. He knew Plagg was right, that truthfully, even as a newly 18 year old he was too young to know the things that Plagg had seen, Adrien just couldn't imagine it. Couldn't imagine the smart mouth feeling soft over anyone.

"Plagg I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to be rude, it's just I can't keep my head on straight between the two of them" Adrien whispered looking to the floor.

Plagg sighed and lifted Adrien's face, "I know kid. I'm sorry too. Trust me when I say, you have nothing to worry about. You have an amazing girl on your hands"

Adrien smiled and finished the last touches of his suit. He combed his hair back into a half ponytail (he tried pigtails to be funny but realized he looked ridiculous). After adjusting everything in the mirror, Adrien felt very suave.

His suit was tailored perfectly, the ruby red had black dots in measured out places, his flared collr was also a stark black. With his hair combed up, he felt older, like a ladybug James Bond.

When he arrived in the front of the bakery with the white limo he ordered, he felt nervous. His palms were slick, heart racing. His chest seemed to expand in small puffs but it felt constricting.

"Kid you got this!" Plagg said flying out of his chosen's pocket tightening the tie.

Adrien nodded and swallowed hard.