It's been a year already; time flies when your having fun. Well, as much fun as one can have saving the city of Paris. Marinette actually woke up early for a change, feeling somewhat excited. Tikki flew up with a big smile on her face.
"Bonne Anniversaire, Tikki!"
"And to you, too," she smiled.
"Today is going to be a good day! I can feel it!"
Back at the Agreste Mansion, Adrien struggled to get up despite Plagg's constant bemoaning for cheese.
"Hurry up! I'm wasting away over here!"
"Oh put a sock in it," groaned Adrien.
"I much prefer cheese, thank you very much!"
"Today is not gonna be good, I can feel it," whined Adrien.
Marinette quickly finished getting ready and took extra care to be sure her anniversary gift was ready once it was time to patrol.
"Do you think he'll like it Tikki?"
"I'm sure he will love it. You know how much Chat loves getting things from you."
"I know, I just wanted it be special."
"He'll appreciate anything you give him. Now let's hurry to school ok?"
"Right, let's go!
Alya was sitting on the steps at school when she looked up to see Marinette.
"Wait, do my eyes deceive me?! Did pigs just fly?! Is hell freezing over?! Is Marinette Dupain-Cheng coming to school early?!"
"Ha ha, very funny. It just happened to be a day for it to happen I guess," shrugged Marinette.
"You know I'm just messing with you. But seriously, this is huge! Not as huge as the One Year Anniversary of Ladybug appearing!"
"And Chat Noir, don't forget about him," chided Marinette.
"Right, I forgot what a fan girl you are of him," smirked Alya.
"I'm not a fan girl! He just deserves as much attention as Ladybug does!"
"I know, I know. Which is why The Ladyblog is hosting a special anniversary celebration. People are to submit their best creative works for the two heroes! From art work to fan fiction, anything to help celebrate and show appreciation for them."
"Really? Wow," said a surprised and flattered Marinette. "How is it going so far?"
"The entries are pouring in! I don't know how I'm going to be able to keep track of it all and pay attention in class! So I need you to help me!"
"Me?"
It would be weird seeing all those entries about herself, but if Alya needed help she would do it.
"Just pay attention in class for me, that is if you can keep your eyes off of tall, blonde and gorgeous," winked Alya. "Speak of the devil," she said nudging Marinette.
Mari turned to see Adrien getting out of his limo and looking as radiant as he always does. Nino was their to greet him and the two boys headed toward the girls. Nino looked a bit shocked.
"Whoa! Is this the Twilight Zone? Is Marinette actually on time?"
"I know right," beamed Alya.
"Come on, it's not that big of a deal," pouted Marinette.
"Are you kidding?! This is huge," cried Nino.
"That's what I said," laughed Alya.
Marinette pouted more while Adrien looked on. He had to admit, she looked cute pouting like that. Wait, what? Where did that come from? He shook his head and refocused.
"Come on guys, lay off the poor girl. I mean, she might have been abducted by aliens and replaced with a clone who gets up on time," he smirked.
"Et tu, Adrien?"
The others began to laugh at her expense but quickly apologized for their teasing after she threatened them to never bring treats from the bakery again. All in all, Marinette wouldn't trade any of them for anything. They were her best friends and one also a crush, not that he would ever know. Nino looked over at Alya.
"What's so interesting on your phone that you can't carry a conversation," he asked.
"Just looking over the anniversary entries. There's a lot to go through."
"Anniversary," questioned Adrien.
"Yeah, today's the one year anniversary of Ladybug's appearance," smiled Alya.
Adrien then felt his blood run cold and a panicked expression appeared on his face; which everyone found odd.
"That's today," shrieked Adrien.
"Yeah? What's up with you," asked a worried Alya.
Adrien had to think quick. He completely forgot that it was today! And he needed to get his Lady a gift! But he had to explain his actions without giving himself away.
"Uh, I forgot my entry! Yeah! I was going to work on it and send it but I completely forgot!"
"Relax, you got time! The day is not over yet," said Alya.
"Right! I need to get something from my locker, excuse me!"
Adrien dashed away leaving the others to ponder.
"What was that all about," asked Marinette.
"I have no idea. It seems weird he'd be this upset over it," lamented Alya.
"This is Adrien we're talking about here," said Nino. "He's the biggest Ladybug fan boy there is, compared to you Alya."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," sighed Alya.
Marinette was a little worried. She didn't expect him to get that bent out of shape about it. While she knew he liked Ladybug, it did sting a little bit. Adrien would never notice her with Ladybug around.
Adrien was standing at his locker with it open, pretending to look through it but that was to cover up his conversation with his black kwami.
"It's not my fault you forgot," said Plagg nonchalantly.
"A little heads up would have been nice though! I don't have time to get her anything! Knowing her, she has something for me and I can't just show up empty handed at patrol!"
"Just cut out at lunch with the excuse of a photoshoot. That way you have all the rest of the day."
"Plagg! For once that's actually helpful!"
"Hey, I'm always helpful," chided Plagg.
"Only when its beneficial for you."
"You're right. I expect more cheese for this."
"Why am I not surprised," sighed Adrien as he closed his locker.
Adrien would leave at lunch to look for something for Ladybug, using a photoshoot as an excuse and none would be the wiser. When lunch time rolled around, Adrien made his excuse known and dashed away apologizing to his friends for not being able to eat with them. He walked around the shopping center doing some window shopping, trying to figure out what he could get last minute. He walked by a jewelry shop and saw they had a display of Ladybug themed pieces. His eyes were drawn to red studded earrings with black stones; as much as she might like them, her Miraculous earrings were better. There was a bracelet with red and black stones and a silver clasp but, it didn't look special enough. Then, he saw it. A silver necklace with a ladybug surrounded by a black cat with green eyes. It was like the cat was hugging the bug and Adrien knew, that was the one. It perfectly represented how he would always be there for her; to protect her and dare he say, love her. He quickly went inside and purchased the necklace. It wasn't a cheap piece either, but she was worth it. With it wrapped and ready, he decided to return back to class after he dropped his gift off at home. Didn't want to risk it getting stolen or seen by his classmates. Today would be the best ever, as long as an Akuma didn't show up. But life isn't always fair. Adrien was on his way back home when he heard the explosions. Transforming and leaping through the rooftops, he came across the akuma of the day. It looked like a man wearing a brightly colored zoot suit.
"Well my Lady, it's a good thing I know how to swing."
"Didn't know you were a dancer chaton."
"Cats do dance," he winked.
"I am the Swing King! Music today is terrible! It's time to jump, jive and wail!"
The Swing King fired a beam from his cane and made a group of people play swing music and then fired again at a different group and they started swing dancing.
"Dance till ya drop!"
"I think it's time to cut a rug, Bug," smirked Chat.
"Let's swing it Cool Cat," smiled Ladybug.
The two leapt into action. Every time they tried to get close, the dancers blocked them.
"You wanna take me? You get on your feet! Beat me at swing, you get my cane! I beat you, I get your Miraculous!"
"I guess his cane has the Akuma," asked Chat.
"Guess so," said Ladybug.
"Then, may I have this dance?"
"If you must."
The two did amazingly well; with spins, dips, high kicks and jumps. The Swing King and his reluctant partner put on a good show but Ladybug decided to cut in and grab his cane while Chat steered the woman away. Ladybug snapped the cane and butterfly flittered out. She caught it and purified it. She tossed her yo yo up to launch the Miraculous Cure. Everyone went back to normal and damage fixed. They turned to do their celebratory fist bump.
"Pound it!"
"See you for patrol," asked Chat.
"You bet. Eiffel Tower."
"See you then," winked Chat and he headed out.
Adrien made it home and was on pins and needles. He was so excited to give her his gift. Plagg was scarfing down his cheese while Adrien fidgeted.
"Will you relax?! You're gonna wear a hole in the floor!"
"I'm just nervous. How will she react? Will she like it?"
"This is why I always give cheese. Nothing complicated about it."
Time for patrol arrived and Adrien was off with present in tow. He gets to the Tower to see a simple blanket spread out. Ladybug was sitting cross legged looking out at the cityscape.
"My Lady, this is quite the spread."
He was referring to the box of pastries with a familiar bakery logo.
"It's our anniversary and I wanted it to be special. I had these specially made."
And by that she meant herself, but Chat didn't need to know that. Ladybug opened the box to reveal Ladybug and Chat Noir macaroons as well as croissants, plain and chocolate.
"Wow! These look amazing!"
"Bonne appétit!"
The two enjoyed their treats and the view of the city they had protected for a year.
"My Lady, a toast," Chat said holding a croissant up. "To a Miraculous Year and many more to come."
"Salute," the two of them said while bumping their pastries together and then eating them.
"And one last thing," said Ladybug. She pulled out her gift. "Bonne anniversaire, Chaton."
Ladybug presented a scrapbook that was red with black spots and green paw prints.
"What is this," asked Chat holding the book.
"Just open it."
He did and what he saw made him gasp. Each page was filled with pictures, from either a camera or hand drawn. They were scenes from their year of fighting together.
"How did you put this together?"
"I had downloaded some pictures from The Ladyblog and other sources. Wanted to get the right ones and when I couldn't find what I wanted I drew it."
Chat leafed through each page carefully; taking in each detail. The hand drawn pictures were amazing. What really struck him was her art style. It reminded him of someone else's work.
"How long did it take to make this?"
"A couple of months. I made a copy for myself. You have all the original drawings in your book."
Chat actually got misty eyed at her thoughtfulness and effort.
"My Lady. Thank you. This is amazing."
"You're welcome," she smiled giving him a hug.
But Chat was not going to forget her as well. Chat released her and picked up his gift.
"I have something for you as well." He presented the box. "Bonne anniversaire, My Lady."
Ladybug opened the box and gasped at the necklace.
"Chat, this is beautiful," she whispered.
"This is my way of saying that I will always be there for you, to protect you." He wanted to say to love her. But something made him stop. It wasn't the right time to say it, so he didn't. Ladybug began to tear up and she smiled.
"Thank you, chaton. I love it."
The two finished their pastries and watched the world go by. They reluctantly said their good nights and headed home. Both glad they made it a year and looked forward to the next.
My entry for 1 Year of Miraculous. This show is awesome and I am so glad to be part of the fandom and I can't wait to see what comes next.
I tried real hard to not make this a reveal story but it set itself up for it. So I will post a second part later. I hope you enjoyed this story!