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Adrien had tried to stifle the urge to show off on his first date with Ladybug. It was not the time to be impressive or try to do something big.
He went for the more low-key option. They had ice cream, because this was always a good choice and could be eaten on the go. The sunset had been spectacular but something he couldn’t take credit for.
Most importantly, it had been fun. Ladybug had been more relaxed, more responsive. Well, yes, she had agreed to this, but still, he couldn't stop marvelling at the change in her. He surreptitiously pinched himself a couple of times to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.
He hadn’t made a fool of himself and everything was great. But the question remained. What came after?
He didn’t let himself hope for something more. He’d only wanted a chance to spend more time with her in a more relaxed atmosphere. But it came to an end and they found themselves at their usual place.
“Thank you for tonight, m’lady,” Adrien said. It wasn’t enough to encompass the joy he felt. Then again, nothing was.
“No need to thank me, kitty,” Ladybug gave him an almost shy smile. She had been like that from time to time. A new side of her that he really enjoyed even without letting himself entertain the thought that she might be feeling the same was as him. “I really enjoyed myself.”
“So did I. And I know that this is not the traditional date. I can’t walk you home or… “ He waved around at the rooftop they were on.
Even if he felt a pang of regret at this realisation, he stifled it. He didn’t have any reason to complain.
“Well, it was still very much a date in my eyes,” she said firmly, making his heart soar.
“It’s good to hear. Very good in fact. Because…”
He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. This was harder than he’d thought. This wasn’t joking around. This was real.
“What is it, kitty?” she asked gently. “You’re not your usual self.”
She said it teasingly, but also softly. He hadn’t been his usual self all night. He wasn’t used to this. The truth was that he had no idea what he was doing. And it was scary.
“I am nervous,” he admitted.
“Why are you nervous?”
“I… “
He, the one who usually had no trouble with words, had no idea how to say it.
“You can tell me, you know, right?”
It was there, in her eyes, the encouragement and acceptance he needed.
“I want to kiss you. So bad,” he blurted out.
“Oh.”
She looked at her feet, but he caught the bright red on her cheeks.
“But I don’t want to pressure you,” he added quickly. “I mean, tonight was great. We can do this again. It’s fine if we take it slow… “
“I’ve never kissed anyone.”
Her voice was barely audible but he heard her.
“Oh. I haven’t as well.”
He admitted, feeling a little self-conscious. This was the moment when the image he’d tried to create in her head of someone very confident would crack or even dissolve completely. But he had to be honest.
Her eyes snapped up to his but he saw no judgement there, just understanding.
“It’s a big deal,” she mumbled.
It was. He’d dreamed about it so many times. But it was different now that it was finally happening. It was very much a reason to freak out.
“I agree.”
“It’s something I would usually obsess over. Trying to orchestrate the perfect moment.” Her small smile was embarrassed.
“I can imagine that,” he smiled back. “As if trying to solve a Lucky Charm.”
“Exactly.”
Her gaze was warm, as if she was happy that he got her.
So if she wanted the perfect moment, he could wait. Maybe he would go for something big after all. If she wanted to be romanced, he could do it. With pleasure. He’d just needed the green light.
“But sometimes, you just have to seize the moment,” her quiet voice reached him.
Wait, what?
“Um.”
Very eloquent, Adrien. Great impression.
She bit her lip, which was very distracting, but then she stepped closer, making him gulp.
“I want to kiss you too.”
“You d-do?”
She just nodded.
This was all that mattered, right? He really wished he could pinch himself at this moment.
Adrien wasn’t sure where the loud boom in his ears came from. Then he realised it was blood because his heart was beating so rapidly, as if it was about to burst. This was real. He couldn’t mess this up.
Ladybug smiled shily, but invitingly. So he focused on her lips for one last moment and then closed his eyes, hoping that luck would be on his side.
It was because when he leaned in he felt what was unmistakably the touch of her lips. It was.. It was… too much and not enough.
He simultaneously felt a bit scared and very curious and just extremely happy overall.
Thinking was hard, but he reminded himself again that it was imperative to remember not to push her too far. So he pulled back and opened his eyes with a tentative smile.
“Well.”
“This can’t be all you got, kitty,” she said. Her cheeks were red but there was a spark in her eyes.
Oh goodness. Maybe this was really a dream. But could it be this good?
“Do you want to.. Again?”
“Mhm.”
The touch of her arms around his neck startled him at first. Until he realised that his own had closed around her waist and had pulled her closer. Of their own accord. Freaky.
It was less scary this time. And so much better.
The initial contact lingered, and then he realised that if he tilted his head to the side it would be oh, wow. And then her lips moved along with his and it was like the best thing ever. This time he really stopped thinking, he could just enjoy himself.
It was much later than they pulled apart.
Her eyes were shining, the stars pale in comparison with the way she was looking at him. Adrien had never felt happier.
“Not bad,” she giggled.
“Not bad at all,” he agreed.
“See, together we can do it.”
And something told him that this would be true about everything. This - all the feelings and learning on the go - wasn’t going to be easy. But they would do it.