[And here we have Birthday Cake, the sequel to Chocolate Cake! Thank you all so much for your kind words and support :) I hope you all like this story as much as Chocolate Cake!]

Chapter 1

Alya was beyond ecstatic. Her best friend, her bumbling, awkward Marinette, was dating Adrien Agreste. Well, they weren't officially dating, but it was obvious that they liked each other. And, in her opinion, it was definitely more fun to see the two as a couple, even if they wouldn't admit it yet. To Alya, they had become boyfriend and girlfriend the second Adrien had ran after Mari that fateful day.

In fact, it had been three weeks since Alya had first witnessed Adrien rushing out of class to comfort Marinette. Man it felt like so much longer than that. Alya hadn't even had time to comprehend how relaxed and calm Mari was around the model. It just happened. One day Mari was foaming at the mouth when Adrien looked at her, and the next they were kissing in the gym. Now that had been a good day.

Though the 'lovers' didn't know, her and Nino had been following them since first discovering the model working at the Dupain Cheng's bakery. After the dj and the blogger had been abandoned by their friends, the two had decided to just walk around town. Passing by Marinette's house was a complete coincidence, but not one they weren't grateful for. Ever since then, Alya and Nino had done nothing but plot. Nothing but plotting and planning on how to get the two together. Turns out, they needn't do anything. Well, there was one thing they could do. As it happens, they were already doing it. And it turns out they weren't the only ones doing it either.

At the moment, both Alya and Nino were on their way to the Dupain Cheng bakery. And no, they weren't there to buy pastries. They were there on more important matters. Matters of the heart. Well, technically there were more photos involved than hearts…but hearts were still very important to their mission. The mission Nino liked to refer to as "Wedding Day Preparation". It was a fitting name, even if it was unlikely for at least a few years.

As Alya and Nino arrived at the bakery, a brightly colored CLOSED sign hung above the door, barring their way. Yet they only grinned as Alya pulled out a key, twisting it in the lock before letting the two of them inside, making sure to lock the door behind her.

The bakery was completely deserted. However, that was to be expected. In fact, it happened to be part of their plan. The two simply ignored the abandoned bakery, and were quick to make it up the staircase in the back, unconsciously holding hands along the way.

The door was thrown open ahead of them, and the teens nearly tripped as Tom's beaming face popped up in front of them. Yet his face was gone in a second, and they were left with only the baker's guiding hands, urging the two inside.

"Hey Sabine! The kiddos made it! Get the 'evidence'!"

As the blogger and the DJ stepped inside, they heard a faint giggling coming from the kitchen, as well as a 'Stop referring to it as evidence Tommy!' that could only be from Sabine. Yet as the teens sat down, Sabine came in with the 'evidence' in her arms.

"Are we all ready sweeties?" Alya smiled and nodded vigorously while Nino simply grinned and stood to help Mrs. Dupain Cheng as she juggled the pile of photos and cameras about to tumble to the floor.

Once the four were seated, and the 'evidence' lay scattered on the coffee table, the scheming friends and family began their elaborate plan.

Marinette was exhausted. Not sleep deprived like she had been a few weeks ago, but over-fenced, if that was even a thing. And she had no one to blame but herself. The designer had tended to overestimate her abilities while learning how to fence. Apparently, though she was still fit, her superheroine strength was not expressed in her civilian form. That was easiest to see when she was lying down on the cold gym floor to avoid being hit with any more pointy sticks.

Adrien stood to the side, panting and looking down at the exhausted Marinette. He had told her to take it easy, but he should have known better. Mari was just too stubborn to back down to a challenge.

"You all right there Mari?"

"Y-yeah, I'll be okay just give me a minute."

"A minute? Ladybug could get by with a second." Mari immediately turned her head and glared at Adrien.

"Oh, you wanna bet kitty?" And in no more than a second, Marinette was on her feet with the tip of her foil inches away from the model's chest. Adrien immediately dropped his own foil and heard it clatter to the ground as Mari's face lit up with a grin rivaling that of Cat Noir's.

"Woah there bugaboo, I was joking no need to EEK!" Adrien jumped and looked down to see the foil poking his chest, slightly bent from the contact.

"I thought I told you not to call me bugaboo…" Adrien looked back up with a sheepish grin on his face.

"I guess I should start running then?" The designer only smiled and pulled the foil away (to Adrien's relief) only to let it fall to the floor with a bang.

And that was his cue. Adrien spun on his heel and tried to build up speed along the slick gym floor. He wasn't moving too fast, but fortunately, neither was Mari.

"Buginette! I forfeit! You win!"

"Oh really, Breadqueen? Cause it looks to me like you're still running!"

"Breadqueen?! My lady, I'm flattered you think of me as royalty!" Adrien was waiting for her imminent response when he felt something touch his shoulder. As he ran, the model turned his head to see Marinette reaching out for his shoulder. He was shocked but not surprised to see the heroine catch up so fast. And again, the boy jumped. He may or may not have let out a small squeak as well.

The model then put on a burst of speed to escape Marinette's reach. And that was when he realized there was no escaping Ladybug. So he started running toward his bookbag.

"Plagg! Help! Mari's gonna kill me!" Adrien watched the bag anxiously and saw a small, black head peek out. The head first looked his way, and then proceeded to look upwards. His gaze rested on something above Adrien, and the cat simply sunk back into the bag without a single word.

"Plaggrhghg!" And all of a sudden, Adrien lay flat on his face. Though he hadn't seen what had happened, he guessed that Mari had pounced on him from behind. Like a cat. Apparently, she didn't hold the term 'bugaboo' with as much affection as Adrien did.

"Meeri! Gert orf meh!"

"Not until I come up with an equally annoying nickname for you too! Hmm, what about Flourpower? No I already used that… Catastrophe? Ooo I like that one…"

Adrien sighed and stared at the floor while he listened to Mari come up with new pun-filled names. He decided to just drone it all out until she finally got off of him. That is, if she got off of him.

With Mari's sweet voice at the back of his head, Adrien listened to the silence of a school after hours. Yet, for some reason, it wasn't silent. Not completely. He could just hear the hushed whisperings of a group of eavesdroppers from across the room. But no one else was supposed to be there. Right?

To avoid alerting Mari, Adrien slowly pulled his arms toward his chest, and used them to prop himself up so he could turn his head. He still couldn't see directly behind him, what with Marinette sprawled across his back, but he didn't need to. Off to the side on the balcony was a group of people dressed in white. People he knew. They were whispering quietly to each other, trying desperately to quell their laughter so as to not be heard.

And then one of them turned his head and looked directly at Adrien. The second he saw the model staring back, he turned back toward the rest of his group, whispering more and gesturing toward the two on the floor. And suddenly, Adrien realized why they were here. It was Wednesday, not Tuesday. Somehow he had gotten the idea into his head that today was Tuesday, the day he and Mari would normally practice fencing. Yet they had missed practice yesterday. And Wednesday was the day the fencing club used the gym. Crap.

"Uhhh Mari, I think we need to go…"

"I told you Kittyboy, we're not going until I come up with a good nickname."

"Ssssshhh! No, I mean we really need to go. Mari, just-look behind you."

"Come on Adri there's nothing behind...me. Oh." As soon as the designer turned her head, all eyes were on her. Fortunately, Adrien was the only one close enough to see her blushing as red as Ladybug's suit. Which was kind of ironic considering their situation. "Y-yeah you're right, let's go."

Adrien smiled softly as he waited for Marinette to get off of him; he didn't know that he happened to be blushing just as much if not more than the sweet girl. "Uh Mari, we can't go until you get off me…"

"Oh, oh yes, of course. Right, s-sorry." And then Adrien felt the air hit his back and he instantly felt lighter. He got to his feet and stood next to Mari as the club members walked toward the two. Marinette must have come to the same conclusion as him, because she asked no questions. She simply stood stock still at his side while the group of teens came closer.

"Hey 'kittyboy'! Since when did you have a girlfriend?"

"I'M NO-SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!" The two spoke simultaneously, but it was clear what they had said. And how wrong they were even more so.

"Ha sure, sure. Now do we get the gym back?" The boy who spoke had a mischievous grin on his face as he spoke. It only made Adrien all the more nervous and much more sure of his blush stained face.

"Yeah totally, sorry for the mishap guys."

"Nooo proooblemo." And then he winked. Adrien didn't recall ever learning the kid's name, but he'd seen him around for sure. He was the class clown type guy, sure to poke fun at him and Mari if they didn't leave right now.

Adrien hurriedly picked up their bags and turned to placed his sweaty palms on the girl's shoulders, gently pushing her along as she tentatively made her way to the locker rooms. And once they reached the entrance, he practically shoved her (very gently) through the doors. It took a full minute of Mari staring at him blankly for him to realize that he was in the girls' locker room as well. Head down and shoulders hunched, he booked it to the safety of his own locker room without incident.

"Well Adri, that was pretty eventful."

"Heh, you're telling me." And then their conversation came to an abrupt stop. Neither of the two could feel the lingering blushes stuck to their faces, but the walk to Marinette's house was still extremely awkward. Adrien just couldn't get over the fact that he had forgotten what day it was. With the strict schedule Natalie prepared for him each day, it was hard to believe he could mess up the days like that, Though he still might beat himself up about it later, Adrien decided to just let it go for now. They had been having such a good time in there, and the fencing club showing up probably freaked Mari out. So, like the good friend he was, Adrien wouldn't let her forget it.

"So, do you regret sitting on me now?" Adrien smirked and added an eyebrow wiggle for emphasis.

"W-what?! No! I-i mean yes! ARGH ADRIEN!"

"Aww come on my little cup of tea-"

Mari turned her blushing face away and shoved her hand in the model's direction.

"No." And with that, her hand was on the friend's face, fingers splayed with a few up his nose and in his mouth.

"Uhh…" The realization of what she had just done hit the designer like a bullet. Mari jumped back and tore her hand away.

"OHMYGOSHADRIENIMSOSORRY!" Adrien had stopped walking by now and stood stock still, staring off at nothing. And then the laughter burst forth from his chest. He doubled over laughing with Mari at his side as red as a rose. Her mouth was open in the shape of an O and it made their whole situation even funnier.

Adrien didn't know when, but at some point he had collapsed on the ground in a fit of giggles. It took Marinette a few seconds, but once she fully processed the situation, she was practically shrieking with joy as well. A few passerbys gave them odd looks, and some slightly concerned ones as well, but it didn't matter.

Yet again, laughter had cured their awkwardness, and the two teens didn't make it to the bakery for another half hour or so. They walked in, ready to face the crowd of customers rushing to buy their goods, but they were only met with emptiness.

"Hey Mari, I thought the shop was open today."

"Yeah, me too..." The two started walking toward the staircase in the back, and jumped as they heard a loud shriek coming from upstairs.

With a single glance, the two spoke a thousand words, and their inner superhero selves had them running up the stairs like madmen. Adrien, with his longer legs, made it to the top first. He threw the door open with Marinette right behind him. He then opened his mouth to speak, yet it only hung open in shock as he surveyed the scene before him.

Marinette's parents sat on the living room couch, their heads turned to face the newcomers. But what was really weird, was Alya standing on the coffee table, clutching a photograph to her chest, now staring in horror at the model's entrance. Nino stood behind the blogger, motioning for Adrien to leave. But he wouldn't get a chance to, because Marinette shoved him from behind, causing the teen to fall flat on his face with Mari on top of him, again.

At the same time, the Dupain Chengs and his two friends were sweeping their collection of photos and cameras (which he had just noticed) onto the floor. Marinette blinked in surprise at the loud clatter that sounded from across the room. The four by the couch simply stood and moved in front of the mess, acting as if absolutely nothing had happened.

"Mooooom, daaaad what's all this?" The recipients of the question smiled softly and nodded their heads in some unknown agreement. Mrs. Dupain Cheng was the first to speak.

"Whatever do you mean dear? Your father and I were just catching up with some of your friends." Adrien could tell something was up, you didn't need good parents to see that. And then Mr. Dupain Cheng leaned over and whispered something into Nino's ear. The DJ nodded enthusiastically and Adrien sighed internally. Whatever they were trying to hide, well, they weren't exactly doing the best job of hiding it.

Marinette simply stared at her parents with a look equivalent to someone who knew her parents were hiding something and was very confused as to what it could possibly be.

Adrien softly nudged her shoulder, and the girl jumped out of her daze and off of her soon to be boyfriend. Marinette opened her mouth again as if she were about to speak, but she never got a chance. Alya jumped forward with a gleam in her eye.

"Sorry for bother you Mr. and Mrs. Dupain Cheng, it's been a 'pleasure' doing business with you."

Tom beamed at this a bit too enthusiastically before he spoke. "Oh thank you dear, the pleasure is ours. And Mari, would you help me escort our guests out. It's time they be getting home."

Yet again, Marinette opened her mouth to protest, but Alya was on her in a second. Slapping her hand against the designer's mouth, the blogger nearly carried her friend out the door. Tom and Nino soon followed, and Adrien didn't miss the wink his friend aimed his way. He moved to follow the crowd out the door, but he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Sabine smiling at him sweetly.

"If you don't mind, there's something I wanted to ask you Adrien."

Adrien nodded slowly, feeling extremely nervous as Sabine closed the door to the bakery and waited for the sounds of descending footsteps to fade. Once all was silent, she turned and smiled again at the boy, gesturing for him to take a seat. Once he crossed the room and sat down, he looked over at the woman, hoping he wasn't getting scolded or something like that. (It was so common at his own home that he was surprised to have seen so little negativity here).

"Uhhh, what did you want to talk to me about Mrs. Dupain Cheng?" While the model sat with his back straight and ears ready, the baker's wife smiled sweetly and face the model with an air of calmness about her.

"Adrien please, just call me Sabine."

"A-alright, what is it Sabine?" Well, he was off to a great start now wasn't he.

"Do you recall a couple weeks ago, when Tom and I got back from our trip?"

"Yeah, what about it?" Of course he had. That was kinda the day Mari started looking so, umm, so cute...Now he was sure he was about to get a scolding. They must have seen him about to smooch Mari when they arrived and kept quiet till now.

"Well, I remember that you asked us if we were planning a birthday party for Marinette that day. And at the time we had no such plans, but seeing as Mari's birthday is next week, well, now we do." Oh. Adrien felt an immense relief wash over him. He should have known everything would be okay. The Dupain Chengs had been so nice to him the past few weeks. He just assumed that he'd get scolded eventually. It happened all the time at home…

But a birthday party! Wow. And Marinette's at that. He hadn't even known her birthday was coming up. He would need to get her something. Something good. She was his best friend after all, well, he liked to think so that is. But what could he get her? What would she, wait a sec...wasn't he talking to someone?

"O-oh uhh cool. But umm, what did you want me to do?"

"Well, when you made that chocolate cake a few weeks ago, Marinette absolutely loved it. She couldn't stop talking about how sweet and fluffy it was. So, I was hoping you would bake her birthday cake as well. I'm sure she would love it, but if you're too busy I can make do with my own baking."

And that moment was the moment Adrien exploded. Not literally of course, but mentally, yes. He wanted to scream that he'd bake Marinette a hundred birthday cakes. Actually, that wasn't a bad idea. But he calmed his excitement to speak coherently for at least the next ten seconds.

"I-i would love to bake Mari's cake! That'd be great! A-and if there's anything else I can do to help, I'll do it!"

Sabine reached an arm out and set it on the boy's shoulder. "Thank you Adrien. She'll love it, she really will. And since you're here, you get this early."

Mrs. Dupain Cheng reached into her pocket with her free hand and pulled out a plain white envelope with the name 'Adrien' written on the front in soft, looping letters. She placed it in the boy's hand and Adrien smiled up joyfully at the woman.

"Would you like a ride home dear? I think Tom may have taken Marinette somewhere. Sorry to cut your date short…"

"Uhh...no, I can just walk…" Date? DATE? WAS THAT A DATE? Well it was too late now. Somehow Adrien had found himself walking out the door with Sabine, waving goodbye to the sweet woman with the letter still clutched in his hand.

His legs moved on his own as he walked home, he couldn't even think about where he was going he was so distracted. Five minutes later he finally looked down at the letter. As he walked he opened it and pulled out a pink card. It was decorated with dark pink hearts and tiny hamsters. At the top in big, bold letters it said, 'You've been invited to Marinette's birthday party!' The rest of the letter held information regarding the place, time, and the fact that it was a surprise party.

Wow. This would be his first real birthday party. He didn't even care that it wasn't his. A real birthday party with games and friends and cake and...friends. The boy was almost in tears by the time he got home.

No one noticed when the delighted teen finally skipped into the Agreste mansion. And no one was around to see him twirl into his empty bedroom. He landed on his waiting bed and sighed, clutching the invitation to his chest. He smiled and looked out his window at the beautiful sight of Paris in the evening. He would get to make a cake for his lady, for the most wonderful person he knew. He could hear Plagg murmuring something about weird lovesick humans in the corner, but nothing could bring him down now. Nothing...