FANART

by zoe-oneesama on tumblr!

post/156489045304/ladyalyabug-from-imthepunchlords-newest


With no fight sparking this morning, Marinette was able to slip into class with no trouble. Chloe was content with her nails. Alya seemed a bit late today. Aware that it took a few days for Tikki to work through cookies, unless there was a difficult akuma and Lucky Charms were actually failing Coccinelle, which was rare, Marinette didn't feel like she had to bring any today. She should be good for a few days.

Sighing, Marinette pulled out her sketchbook, intent on doodling until class began. Thoughts wandering, her pencil moved of it's own accord, shades of grey blooming beneath her her fingertips as a sharp grin, mischievous eyes, and wild hair. Thoughts in an absent whirl, she worked idly as the pencil slid around, shading and smudging the picture add depth to shadows and dark leather. Lifting her pencil and rolling it between her fingers considerately, Marinette detailed windswept hair. Humming, she flipped it around and started erasing stray lines to bring metallic accents into gleaming relief.

So focused and set on her task, she didn't hear the tired voice calling to her.

Didn't feel the curios green eyes watching her work.

She did give a start when there was a tap on her page, looking up in surprise to see Adrien peering after, lips quirked up in fond amusement.

"A-Adrien!" she stuttered, surprised. "Mor-moon, mooning!" Her cheeks flared red, and at his surprised blink, she ran her hand over her face, frustrated and flustered. "Morning," she corrected with a dull, frustrated note.

"Good morning," he laughed, turning his gaze down to her page, his tired smile growing, making him look a little more awake. "You a Chat fan?" he asked, an excited edge in his tone.

Blinking, she looked down a little surprised to see that she had doodled Chat Noir on the page. On their own, her lips curled up, her hands moving to darken a few lines on his face, bring out the details on him. "Yeah," she confirmed automatically. Then straightening up, she offered, "He's, he's got a pretty cool costume. N-nice style and uh… yeah, he's cool."

Adrien was beaming, looking delighted to hear this. Coccinelle had more fans than Chat, being the real hero of the duo with him there just as a distraction; he didn't really need the attention, having enough as Adrien, but it was nice hearing someone like Chat.

Catching onto his glee, she voiced, "I, I uh, I saw hi-him, night las, bleh, lad night. Last! Last night." She sunk down in her seat, lips pursed out in a pout.

Adrien just kept smiling, patient with her struggle. "I bet that was cool," he voiced.

"It, it was." She smiled, then turned her gaze to her desk's top, shoulders drooping a little, she didn't offer anymore, well aware that she was just going to verbally screw up.

Why did she even bother?

"Hey, Marinette?"

She looked up, meeting his half-lidded green eyes. With a warm smile ever so present on his lips, Adrien asked, "Would you like to get ice cream during lunch?"

She stared at him, surprised. "I-ice cream?"

He nodded.

"I-yes! I love yo-too!" Her cheeks dusted pink, pleased and touched that he wanted to go out with her. Adrien shared her smile. They both gave a start when the door burst open and Alya hurried in, muttering under her breath.

Adrien turned back to the front and Alya plopped down in the seat beside Marinette, huffing.

"Busy morning?" Marinette guessed quietly.

"Sisters," Alya huffed. "Didn't want to get ready or go to school…"

Marinette pursed her lips, nodding as she accepted this.

Licking her lips nervously, Marinette leaned towards Alya. "Adrien and I are going out for ice cream during lunch!" she murmured excitedly, cautious of being overheard by the boy in question.

"That's great," Alya said distractedly, scrambling to gather her things as the teacher strolled in.

Beside her Marinette faltered, then shrunk back down in her seat, shoulders drooping. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a red blur and quickly turned her gaze up towards the blackboard, where Bustier was writing out the lesson plan.

She was not going to meet Tikki's gaze today, not if she could help it.

When Bustier called for books, Marinette moved to get hers.

She stopped to peer at her drawing of Chat, who smiled out at her from the page of her still-open sketchbook, which had been hastily stuffed into her bag when class began.

The cat was beaming on the page, just like the last time she truly saw him.

It seemed fitting for him to have that big grin.

...She wondered if it was just her, but it seemed like he didn't smile as much as he had that first day.

Marinette quickly pushed the thought back and closed her sketchbook.


By the time lunch rolled around, Marinette was a mess of nerves.

She moved quickly to her locker, opening it and setting her things in, grabbing her cell to send her mother a quick message, and all the while trying to work past the frantic beat of her heart which was going a mile a minute.

It wasn't a date, Marinette told herself, trying to calm her racing heart. It wasn't a date.

Because Adrien had never stated it was, and she wasn't even sure if he saw her romantically or not. But, it was them alone together and there was a slight chance and oh she was so hopeful! But there was also the reality that he never really looked at her romantically before and oh she didn't know if she could do this! She probably shouldn't bother, she told herself frantically. After all, why wasshebotheringsheshouldjustcancelbeforesheembarassedhersel—

"You ok?"

She jumped with a squeal, whipping around to see Adrien looking at with slightly worried frown. "You looked like you were having a bit of a panic attack," he said, tilting his head down to her, concerned. "If this is too much-"

"No!" she said sharply, wincing as she realized she had just cut him off. Scrambling, she reassured, "No, no, it's, it's ok. I'm, I'm excited! Really excited!"

He eyed her, frowning. "You sure?" he asked. The last thing he wanted was to stress her out. Which he seemed to be doing a lot, Adrien thought self-deprecatingly.

"Ye-yes!" she insisted. "Just, just really excited. It's um, it's been awhile since I… had ice cream with anyone…" Marinette faltered, lips pursing. Now that just made her sound sad, she thought forlornly.

Marinette hurried out, "I'm good! I'd love to get some ice cream today."

He nodded, shoulders slumping a little with relief, then he struggled to hold off another yawn trying to force its way out of him.

It was Marinette's turn to frown in concern. "Are you up for it?" she gently shot back.

"I am!" he reassures, "Some ice cream will do me good, probably wake me up!"

Marinette smiled, awkward yet pleased. "If you're sure."

"I am," Adrien insisted.

"Ok!" she chirped, pulling out her wallet, dropping it into her purse. Turning to Adrien, she proclaimed, "Let's go get ice cream!"


The nearby park was always a perfect little place to go to. It was quiet, empty, offered privacy and peace and relaxation. It was one of her favorite places to sit and draw, maybe tinker if the supplies she needed weren't too bulky to cart around.

Now, it was a relaxing setting for two to sit back and enjoy their ice cream.

Well, would be relaxing if Marinette wasn't frantically scrambling for something to say. But she was drawing a blank. Mention the weather? Ask about his school year? Talk about movies? What movies did he even like?

Marinette was started out of her frantic thoughts by Adrien's content hum. Turning, she watched him lick around the ice cream scoop, enjoying the sweet treat he had in his hand.

Cracking a smile, she asked, "Been a while?"

Licking his lips as he withdrew, Adrien admitted, "Forever."

She hummed, sliding her cone around, shaping her cold treat with her tongue. Licking her lips, she said, "I'll have to sneak you away more often."

"Definitely," Adrien agreed.

Marinette smiled, pleased at the thought.

Humming, he spared her a tired glance, considering the girl beside him. Carefully, he asked, "Are you ok?"

She blinked at him. "I'm ok?"

"You seem… sad, kinda, lately," Adrien admitted, studying his ice cream cone intently

"Oh…" Marinette sank down in her seat, frowning at her cone. She considered this for a moment, wondering if she should share her thoughts with Adrien. He seemed tired, and she... she wasn't sure if she really could share this. That maybe she was just being childish and stupid and… it was done. The deed was done.

And it was bothering her and it shouldn't and…

Marinette curled in on herself, eyes stinging, fingers tightening on her cone.

Words started to bubble and fester on her tongue, her chest feeling heavy, something feeling ready to burst forth.

She shouldn't tell him.

Technically, this wasn't something she was to share.

It was to stay a secret, Tikki had said so.

No one was supposed to know.

She couldn't tell Adrien that she gave up the chance to be a hero. That she had some magical earrings that fell into her lap, she did poorly with them, gave them up knowing they were in good hands and yet…

She found herself wishing that she had them back?

How ridiculous was that?

It made her feel childish and stupid and frustrated and…

Yet, she couldn't help but think.

That could've been her soaring through the skies with Chat.

"Have you," she started softly, barely a whisper in the air. "Have you ever, given something up, and regret it? Do you wonder if that was a mistake? That, I, I gave…" She sighed, shaking her head. "Thanks, Adrien, but, I'm ok, it's, it's dumb. It's just me being stupid." She gave a bit a weak laugh, shaking her head. "It'll pass, I'm sure," she murmured.

Splat.

The sound had Marinette jolting out of her reverie, head turning in surprise before she giggled quietly. Adrien must have been more tired than he let on; his eyes were closed and his breathing was light and even as he slumped against the bench's metal arm. The sound she'd heard was his ice cream scoop hitting the ground, the rest of it threatening to follow as it tilted precariously in his hand.

Her shoulders slumped at the sight.

Reaching over, she gently took his ice cream away, considering it before she glanced back over to the passed out boy.

He's been tired for the past few days.

With a sigh, watching his ice cream start to melt and fall apart, Marinette dumped it in a near trash bin. She doesn't think he'd appreciate waking to melted ice cream on his pants.

Just as she sat back down, she turned to Adrien sharply when his arm gave out from under him.

She watched him sit up and squint, taking in where he was.

She looked away, expecting him to flop back over.

Marinette stiffened, eyes wide when his head settled on hers with a tired sigh. She sat tense for a minute, very aware of his weight on her, of the warmth of his body, the smell of his cologne, the familiar scent of fabrics, the trace of rain and night air. Slowly she relaxed, going back to her ice cream, letting Adrien rest and lean on her.

Not quite what she had in mind when he asked her out for ice cream, but, it was nice.

Marinette was fine.


"I am so sorry I fell asleep on you!" Adrien exclaimed, trailing after Marinette, flustered and embarrassed.

"It's ok," she tried to assure him, "you were tired and—"

"I know but, I shouldn't have fallen asleep on you!" Adrien insisted, running a hand over his face, groaning. Pausing with a frown, he asked, "I even asked you something, didn't I?"

"It was nothing," Marinette told him. "It was about homework."

Adrien sighed tiredly, coming up beside her, posture drooping. "Still I'm sorry," he repeated. He asked her out to help perk her up and he just wound up falling asleep on her. What sort of friend does that?!

Marinette just giggled, patting his arm. "You got some needed rest at least," she offered.

He cracked a smile, turning to her. "Yeah, thanks, Marinette."

She squeaked, going stiff at his smile. "Wel, welcome."

His smile just grew, eyes going warm.

She stopped, enraptured with that grin.

A smile directed at her.

She has been blessed this day.

"Adrien!"

The two gave a start, seeing Nino come by. His gaze flickered to Marinette, curious and intrigued, before turning to Adrien, waving. Marinette quickly dismissed herself, leaving the two alone, missing how both boys peered after her.

"You look better," Nino noted, grinning. He lightly teased, "Good date?"

Adrien raised a brow, considering this. "Don't know if it was a date." Especially since he kinda fell asleep on her. It was quite a start to awaken finding himself sort of flopped on her, Marinette doodling in some little sketchbook.

"Ice cream with a cute girl, I'd count it," Nino piped in.

Adrien shrugged. Perhaps. It's not unappealing to think of dating Marinette. She smelled nice, like all the baked goods in her bakery home. She had this life and air to her that seemed to energize him, a presence he can't help but be drawn too, to want to be in. And she really did perk him up, he appreciated how she listened, she didn't grab at him… he especially appreciated her not grabbing him. Adrien's found he's really disliked being grabbed after getting Plagg.

...That reminded Adrien.

He shouldn't.

Dating would technically count as favoritism, wouldn't it?

Coccinelle would disapprove.

He shouldn't date while he was Chat.

With a suggestive smile, Nino asked, "You going to invite her to your birthday party? I can get the mood going."

Adrien blinked at him, his previous thought effectively derailed. "Birthday party?"

"Yeah, you got a birthday coming up in a few days right? Birthday party?"

Oh. With a small smile, Adrien told Nino, "Sorry, Père wouldn't allow me to have a party."

Nino gaped at him. "What?"

"No birthday parties."

"Wha- but, it's your, that's whack!" Nino spluttered in horror.

Adrien gave a sad shrug. "Sorry, Nino. Just uh, well…" He frowned. He really had nothing to defend and reason with on why there wasn't going to be a party for his birthday.

"That's ridiculous," Nino declared.

Adrien made no argument.

He really had none to offer him.

A few days later, Adrien wished he did.


Heart pounding, Marinette crept towards the Agreste manor, gripping Adrien's gift tightly, her eyes still drawn to the skies, where she had last seen her parents. Where everyone had seen all the adults in Paris.

And then there were those bubbles with a command order to everyone from class to come by to celebrate Adrien's birthday.

That Bubbler would know who didn't show up.

And Marinette, helpless against an akuma, dared not risk his wrath.

….And it did provide her a chance to slip this in. A present she worked on the side for Adrien, a present she was too unnerved to give him. To even bring to school. She at least had a chance to drop it off with this.

She clutched the wrapping, listening to it wrinkle beneath her hands.

She hoped he loved it.

"Alright, Marinette made it!"

Marinette jumped, whipping around to see Bubbler grinning down at her, standing close behind her. She scrambled back, clutching the present to her chest. Ignoring her startlement of him, Bubbler pushed her forward, towards the gate and allowing her to see that everyone from the class was there. Everyone but…

"That just leaves Cesaire and the birthday boy," the akuma murmured to himself, looking back, arm comfortably slung over Marinette's shoulders, leaving her tense. He reached for the large wand at his back. "Maybe I should send the lady an escort-"

In a panic, Marinette rushed out, "She's has siblings!"

Bubbler turned to her.

"She, she has two little sisters," Marinette elaborated, flinching under his stare. "She, she may be late because of them. Tr-trying to calm them down."

Bubbler hummed, rubbing his chin at this. "Alright," he bid, "that's a good excuse to be late."

Marinette sagged in relief.

But tensed when he narrowed his eyes at her. "What are you still doing out here? Get in there and join the party! We got a boy to make happy!"

Free of Bubbler's arm, Marinette scrambled past the gates, nervously joining the mass of equally uneasy students. She eyed the rooftops apprehensively, looking out for the heroes.

They should be arriving soon.

Marinette snapped to attention when Bubbler shouted something out, and the next she knew, bodies were swaying around her, stiffly dancing to Bubbler's beats. Marinette tensed, realizing that the akuma wanted them to dance.

She was a horrible dancer!

Gripping Adrien's present tightly, she started to work her way through the crowd, trying to keep hidden from the akuma's gaze. She was close to the Agreste household when someone bumped into her, pitching her forward and sending her gift flying.

She squeaked in alarm, watching it go.

Before she could chase after it, she was grabbed and turned around, meeting Bubbler's glare.

"You think I didn't notice you trying to sneak off?" the akuma growled.

"Um," she squeaked, shrinking down.

He pointed to the crowd, ordering, "Get back in there."

Marinette was shoved back into the mass, bouncing off Ivan, who thankfully caught her. As the akuma prowled back to his stage, Ivan straightened her out, frowning. "You ok?" he asked.

"Fine," she muttered, not taking her hand off Ivan's wrist, feeling safe near the large boy. She stared wistfully past the crowd, to where she suspected the gift fell.

"Just stay and kinda dance," Ivan told her. "He threatened to send me to space for not dancing."

Marinette gulped, feeling sick at the prospect of being trapped in a bubble, sent up to space. Her mind whipped to her parents, trapped in bubbles, floating in space… heart pounding, she grabbed her elbows, clutching them tightly.

Coccinelle'll fix it, she told herself.

She won't make a critical mistake like Marinette would.

She'll bring all of them back.

"Just dance a little," Ivan told her.

Marinette gave a shaky nod, allowing her body to rock back and forth, listening to the beat.

Normally she loved Nino's music.

His music was creative, it was in a miraculous middle of levity and calm; she loved putting on his music to listen to while she worked. She found that it could always be so inspiring and just allowed her creative juices to flow and create and…

Right now though, these tunes, these notes.

She knew them.

She knew these notes very well.

But right now, they sounded off.

They sounded scary.

And as she looked upon the unnerved faces of her classmates, her unease just grew.

She silently pleaded for Coccinelle and Chat to get there as quickly as they could.


It wasn't too often that Adrien hesitated when there was a clear answer before him. There was an akuma, he had to take care of it. It's a simple fact.

But, most akumas didn't go out of their way to throw him a birthday party.

He's actually never known an akuma to do such a thing, going out of their way for someone else, trying to make them happy.

It was touching.

It told Adrien he had a true, genuine friend in Nino.

And it kind of dampened on the fact that he had to go and crash his own birthday party.

His first birthday party too.

Plagg seemed to have different ideas though. Like a devil on his shoulder, the kwami suggested, "You could just enjoy the party."

"But…"

"You've been working hard," Plagg pointed out, "and you really did love the idea of having a party. And I notice that Coccinelle isn't here yet." Plagg flashed him a toothy grin. "You got some time."

Adrien glanced out the window, seeing Bubbler wave to him, beckoning him out. He turned away to set up the dj, ready to blast some tunes.

Adrien shifted by the window, torn.

"It could be quite fun," Plagg continued to tempt in his ear.

Adrien licked his lips, listening to the upbeat music Bubbler started to play, watching his classmates gather, watching them sway and dance to the music.

"It, it does look like fun," Adrien murmured.

"Then go have fun," Plagg said.

"Just, till Coccinelle arrives," he reasoned, but it sounded weak, even to his own ears.

"Sure, sure," Plagg agreed, his own body rocking to the music, a little dance to help encourage this idea.

So when Adrien withdrew from the window, Plagg darted into his jacket, wiggling in and hiding away. Adrien slipped outside, eyes widening in wonder when the crowd turned and cheered at his entrance.

Touched, he eagerly joined the crowd, Bubbler voice's ranging out above them. "Alright let's party!"

Music flared and twisted in the air, bodies swayed, jerked, and curled with the notes. Adrien eagerly joined, letting the song fill his ears, to just move, be alive, not care what anyone would think.

It was amazing.

It was just what he needed for a birthday party.

Music in the air, everyone simply moving and dancing, enjoying themselves and happy.

Adrien turned when he caught sight of dark hair, gleaming blue in the light. He was about to call out to Marinette, to ask how she liked the music, how she liked his first birthday party.

He saw the answer on her face.

She looked scared, turning worried, fretful eyes to the skies.

Adrien faltered.

Why did she look so uncomfortable?

Why was she not having fun?

Was she the only one?

He turned his gaze to his classmates, catching sight of forced smile, downcast eyes, fearful looks up to Bubbler.

No one was happy.

No one wanted to be here.

Adrien's arms dropped down, the magic of the moment dying away. He should've just changed, Adrien realized, should have just become Chat Noir. What use was a party for him if no one wanted to be here? If no one was enjoying themselves?

"Adrihoney!"

Adrien grunted as he was tackled, looking down to see Chloe clutching him a little tighter than he would've liked. Forcing down the complaining meows he wanted to let out, he greeted, "Chloe, you made it." Despite the sudden, tight grab, he smiled.

"Of course!" she proclaimed, withdrawing and flashing him the biggest beam. "You're first birthday party? How could I miss it?" Chloe blinked, frowning. "Why aren't you smiling? Do you not like your first party?" She narrowed. "Do I have to go talk to that clown over there?"

"No!" Adrien said quickly.

He's well aware that Nino wasn't fond of Chloe.

He did not want to risk her pissing him off while he was an akuma.

"The party's great," he eased, drawing her blue eyes back to him, "it just seems like no one wants to be here…"

Chloe set her hand on his cheek, offering him a flirty smile. "I want to be here," she told him. "Isn't that enough?"

In truth, no.

It'd be better if everyone wanted to be here.

If his best friend wasn't turned into an akuma.

If his father just allowed this party.

But he didn't.

Nino was Bubbler right now.

And no one was having fun. And Adrien didn't notice immediately and… he really should've just transformed, started this fight.

But, he can admit, he does appreciate Chloe admitting that she wanted to be here for his first party.

With a small smile, he said, "Thanks Chlo."

"Anytime Adrihoney," she cooed, then gave him quite a fright when she started to bring his head down, her lips puckering. Metaphorical hackles were going up. Adrien was going to nope right out of this.

He was saved from being forced to take drastic measures when Coccinelle's voice rang out over the crowd, her cry of "Akuma!" bringing a screeching halt to all movement within the crowd.

All heads whipped up to her, watching her reel her yo-yo back, and Adrien quickly snuck away. Coccinelle's honey eyes glared down at Bubbler, demanding with a dramatic point, "Bring the adults back now."

Bubbler just smiled though, taking out his wand. "I was wondering when you were going to show up, Bug."

He shot his wand out and Coccinelle dove out of the way. Seeing her drop down towards the throng below, students scattered, rushing towards the Agreste manor to hide away and avoid the fight.

Not everyone made it though.

Juleka tripped, falling with a startled cry. Marinette skidded to a stop, whipping around and rushing back to help the dark haired girl just as Bubbler fired another barrage. Coccinelle's yo-yo spun, effortlessly blocking them from trapping her, but unaware of her two classmates nearby.

Eyes widening as she watched the bubble ricochet towards them, Marinette moved on instinct, crouching in front of Juleka, pushing her down and covering her, turning her back to the coming bubbles. Marinette braced for the hit, only to hear them pop behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Chat standing over her, stopping his baton from its spin.

Loudly, the cat proclaimed, "That could've been messy!" Turning, he pointed down to the two gaping girls, ordering, "Go hide!"

Yelping, Marinette reached past the baton and snagged Chat's wrist, yanking him down with them as more bubbles flew harmlessly through the spot his head had been.

"Keep your eyes on the akuma!" She scolded breathlessly, releasing his wrist as he bounced back up.

"Ah, thanks." He mumbled, red tinging his cheeks as he hauled the two girls up and pushed them both towards the terrace. "Go hide! Now!"

They rushed off, joining the students to the front of the Agreste manor, crouching behind the low wall on the porch of the Agreste manor.

Chat rushed forward, swinging at Bubbler and forcing him back, giving Coccinelle more room.

"Juleka!" Rose cried as they ducked down next to her, reaching for the dark hair girl.

"I'm ok," Juleka reassured, taking Rose's hand and giving it a squeeze before turning to the dark-haired girl that was glaring and watching the fight with a grimace.

Juleka said sincerely, "Thanks Marinette."

"It'd be better if we're out of the woods," Marinette murmured back. She crouched lower as wild bubbles blasted over their heads, her classmates quickly echoing her and pressing closer to the ground. Heart pounding, Marinette glared out across the way to the open gate, towards to freedom and safety.

Especially with all these wild shots going around.

The only thing blocking them from just going that way.

Another bubble flew over and slammed into the Agreste manor, rattling it a little with a loud pop and making students cringe.

Marinette grimaced as she stared at it.

They all needed to get out of here.

When Chat dropped down on the low wall that offered as a block for the class, Marinette quickly reached out and grabbed his tail, giving it a tug before he could leap off. Surprised, Chat turned, green eyes boring into her blue ones, pupils thin from adrenaline.

"We need an opening," Marinette told him briskly.

Chat blinked at her, then turned his gaze to the cautious classmates peering back at him. His eyes widened, sparing a fast glance to the gate across from them, guarded by wild bubbles and a yo-yo.

Turning back to Marinette, he reassured with a toothy grin, "Good thing cat and mouse is my favorite game."

Marinette shared his smile, releasing his tail.

Chat jumped up high into the air and came down hard, slamming his boot down on Bubbler's back and pushed off, nearly toppling the akuma over.

And thanks to that, Coccinelle's yo-yo went harmlessly over Bubbler's head.

"Chat!" Coccinelle cried.

Chat ignored her, grinning at Bubbler's dark eyes whipping to him. With an overdramatic, mocking display, Chat called out, "You know, your music never struck a chord with me!"

Bubbler gave a start, gaping at the cat. Then with a growl, he dove at him.

Grinning, Chat tore off, ignoring his partner's confused and annoyed shouts, leading the akuma away, deeper into the surrounding city, and away from her. With a frustrated huff, Coccinelle pursued, grumbling to herself.

Marinette was the first to stand when the yard was empty of supernatural humans. Turning to the crowd and blinked at how all eyes were on her. Not faltering for a moment, she pointed out to the now safe gates and ordered, "Let's go everyone!"


Marinette was bordering a panic attack.

She kept pacing back and forth on the family floor, lingering in the kitchen before prowling back to the den; when she reached the window, she'd peek out, see nothing, then turn back around and resume her pace.

They were going to win, she told herself.

Her parents would be back soon.

Real soon.

They had to be.

She knows they will.

Coccinelle will win.

She'll fix everything.

Marinette knows she will.

She, she…

Marinette wanted to cry. It had been hours. The day will officially become evening in just a few minutes. Where her parents ok?! Did they have enough air up there?! Was she ever going to see them again?!

Her breathing was coming faster and Marinette clutched the drapes, fiddling with the seams, trying to distract herself.

Coccinelle will win, she reminded.

She'll do the job better than her.

That's why Marinette chose her.

She'll win.

Her parents will be back in no time.

They'll be fine.

They'll all be fine.

They—

There!

Ladybugs! There were ladybugs rushing around the sky!

Marinette dashed away from the window, rushing downstairs, heart pounding, her ears as she strained to hear their voices.

Down below, she heard the door open, heard her Papa calling, "Marinette?"

Marinette almost tripped down the stairs, saved from falling only by her grip on the railing. There they were, rushing into the hall, their eyes locking on her. She sped down, throwing herself at them, clutching them tightly.

"Thank goodness," she murmured, pressing tightly against them, feeling their arms wrap around her, surrounding her in a cocoon of warmth. "Thank goodness…"

Her parents echoed her, hugging back tightly, murmuring reassurances as she choked, relieved sobs babbling out of her.

They were back.

They were ok.

Coccinelle won, just as Marinette knew she would.

They were ok…


Chat fidgeted in the evening air, his gaze set on the lit city spread before him. Beside him stood an annoyed heroine, displeased with the skit he did today. Irritated enough that for the moment, she ignored the warning beeps of her earring.

Shuffling on his feet, he quietly offered, "I'm sor—"

"You lead the akuma away from me," Coccinelle stated.

"I know, I was—"

"You lead the akuma away from me," Coccinelle cut in, her honey eyes locked on the cat. Chat looked away, ears flattening against his skull. "How can I do my job if you're leading akumas away from me?"

"I was trying to help the civilians escape," he explained quickly.

She gives him an odd look. "They were perfectly fine."

"Well, yeah, I know but—"

"And they would've been better since I almost had that akuma, Chat."

He drooped.

There was a final warning, frantic and sharp in the air.

A minute left.

Coccinelle sighed. Drawing near, she pointed a finger at him, waving it before him and stating, "Look Chat, in the future, keep me in the loop. I don't know what you're thinking. And today you nearly messed us up. This could've been over hours ago!"

"I'll... remember that," he murmured.

She nodded, moving away. "I gotta go."

"Ok," he uttered softly.

She took off and Chat slowly made his way back home to, ears near flat against his head. He only stopped when he heard a call among the rooftops. "Chat!"

He turned and there was Marinette waving to him. He paused, considering her. After a moment of hesitation, he saw her falter, starting to shrink down. With a slight unpleasant twist in his stomach, he caved and vaulted to her side, perching on her railing easily.

"Hey," He greeted, flashing her an easy grin.

"Chat Noir. Hi." Her eyes brightened as he came over, hands clasped demurely in front of her as she grinned.

"Is there something you wanted?" He asked, settling on her railing.

"Yes! I, I wanted to thank you," she said, shuffling on her feet.

He blinked. "Thank me?"

"Thanks to you, everyone got home safe," she told him. "Because you lead the akuma away, we could all get away. So, thanks. Thanks Chat." She flashed him the biggest smile.

He stared at her, surprised warmth spreading through him.

He did do good.

He did do some good.

He smiled back, beaming. "I, thanks for telling me." He needed to hear that. He had been so bummed thinking he had messed up. But he helped, maybe not Coccinelle so much but his classmates. He did some good. He was glad to hear that.

His ring went off, and Chat quickly excused himself, wishing her a goodnight and grinning as she returned it.

The transformation dropped as he slid into his room. Turning to Plagg, he asked, just to be sure, "So, I did do good?"

Blinking at him, Plagg said, "Well you did save some kids from being in needless danger. So I say so."

Adrien beamed.

There was a knock at his door and Plagg dove out of sight. "Yes?" Adrien called.

Nathalie came in, holding a wrapped up present. Adrien stared at it in surprise, taking it when Nathalie handed it to him. "Happy birthday Adrien," she bid, quickly departing leaving him alone with the gift.

Curious and surprised since he usually only got pens for his birthday, Adrien ripped the present apart, gasping when he found a blue scarf wrapped up in it. His father actually made a scarf for him?

Eagerly going to the mirror, Adrien wrapped it around his neck, beaming. It was soft and perfect and it complimented his eyes and for some reason smelled of sweets…? Adrien shook his head, pushing the thought away and just brought the soft scarf up to snuggle and enjoy.

This was a better birthday than he expected it to be.

The next day, he was happy to show it off to Nino and Chloe, a present his father actually made him.

Which was amazing!

Both could agree and were delighted for him.

He did wonder though, why did Marinette look so sad and torn when he came to her, telling her that his father made him this scarf. Her smile was warm and shaky, almost similar to his own model smile. Before he could ask, Kim called out to him, inquiring about the scarf, drawing the blond's attention away from the dark haired girl.

When he turned back to ask Marinette, he blinked, finding her gone. Looking out around the courtyard, he saw her heading up the steps to class, her shoulders heavy.

What was wrong, he wondered silently as he peered after her.

Then Chloe came and tugged at his sleeve, loudly proclaiming, "Let's have a selfie for this momentous occasion!"

Adrien happily obliged.