so... this started as a short story... I began writing and it evolved into something longer. so... hope ya'll enjoy.

almost done with this one! yay! this might be my first Miraculous Ladybug fanfic (short stories don't count) that I'm going to finish. I'm going to finish the other ones eventually, but this one was always meant to be short. so... I don't like odd numbers... so I think I'll wrap this up in chapter 10 with a nice little bow.

a little bit of a long chapter, but I hope that it was worth the wait. last chapter is coming up next time I update this story. thanks so much for all the reviews!

by the way, if ya'll haven't noticed... the chapter titles are (kinda) puns. just putting it out there.

~inudigifan201


Ch, 9. Be our Bag

Marinette took a deep breath as she and her parents approached the Agreste manor.

Adrien had prepped her all day for meeting his father. And several conversations and text messages later; she felt ready.

Speak when spoken to, got it!

Don't lose eye contact while talking to Mr. Agreste, no problem!

Don't bring up Mrs. Agreste, not to worry!

Yes, she was ready.

She even managed to get her own father in a suit and her mother in a traditional chinses dress. Her own dress was of her own design and mixed western and eastern styles. She was quite proud of her creation.

Her phone buzzed as a limo pulled up beside them.

She pulled out her phone as the passengers exited the vehicle.

Marinette gasped as Chloe smiled wide.

"Oh look Daddy, peasants all dressed up pretending to be in our social class." Chloe laughed.

Marinette fumed.

Mr. Dupain-Cheng crossed his arms. "Actually, we're of the merchant class." He smiled behind his mustache.

Marinette mentally high fived her father as she looked at her phone. Adrien sent her another text. It read "just found out Chloe and the Mayor will be attending dinner too. Father set us up, I just know it."

Marinette typed her reply. "I just found out too. Don't worry, I can play nice. ;)" She smiled vilely as she sent it.

Chloe, wearing a yellow dress, walked up to Marinette. "So what brings the Dupain-Chengs out of their hovel tonight?"

Marinette gave her a condescending smile. "We were invited… to dinner." She put her hands on her hips.

Chloe huffed as she bumped into Marinette's shoulder on purpose and continued to the house.

Adrien sighed as he struggled to tie his tie. "I'm stressed out Plagg! Father did this on purpose!"

Plagg groaned. "Let me kid." He fixed the boy's tie.

Adrien smiled as he looked in the mirror. "Wow Plagg I didn't know you knew how to do that."

Plagg smirked. "I've been around a while." He then shrugged. "Don't worry about dinner. I'm sure everything will go just fine." He then rolled his eyes. "Now let's do something with your hair."

Adrien raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with my hair?"

Plagg sighed. "It's how you normally have it. The dinner is formal isn't it? So your hair needs to be formal too."

Adrien shrugged as the little Kwami demanded the hair brush.

Marinette held her tongue as Chloe spoke ill of her to Mr. Agreste. She was used to it, so she knew how to ignore it.

"And did you see what her parents are wearing?" Chloe giggled.

But her parents were another story. "Excuse me. What did you just say about my parents?" She gave her a warning in her tone of voice.

Chloe smiled wide. "I said your parents look like they got their clothes from the homeless."

Marinette took a deep breath and smiled evilly. "Actually my dad's suit is the suit he wore to their wedding and my mom's dress was hand man in china by my grandmother. Sorry to disappoint you Chloe, but nobody in my family is homeless."

"Vintage." Mr. Agreste then looked her over. "And where did you get your dress Miss Dupain-Cheng?" He spoke dryly.

She smiled and did a little twirl. "I designed and made it myself Sir."

He nodded. "Western-Eastern fusion. Very nice."

She smiled. "Well, I like to incorporate my heritage in my wardrobe… and I guess I am, myself, a Western-Eastern fusion." She explained.

He nodded again. "Yes, it is important to know where you come from and your roots."

Chloe stuck her tongue out at her when no one was looking.

Mr. Agreste turned his attention to the blonde. "And who are you wearing Miss Bourgeois?"

She did a little twirl. "You Mr. Agreste." She smiled wide.

"Ah yes. I remember that design. Last season I believe." He walked to the dining room.

"This way." Nathalie gestured the guests to fallow. "Dinner will be served shortly."

Marinette smiled wide. Chloe might be good at kissing up, but being yourself is always the better choice. And she was going to be nothing but herself.

Mr. Agreste sat at the head of the table. Chloe and her father sat down on the side closet to the fire place while Marinette and her parents sat on the other side.

"Nathalie. Go check on Adrien." Mr. Agreste glanced at his assistant.

"I'm here." Adrien walked in and sat down at the foot of the table where he normally sat.

Mr. Agreste raised an eyebrow. "What took you so long?" He looked over his son. "And what did you do to your hair?"

Adrien shrugged. "Was getting dressed. Trying out a new style."

"I see." Mr. Agreste frowned. "Miss Bourgeois, Miss Dupain-Cheng. What do the two of you think?"

Marinette smiled as she looked Adrien over. His hair had been brushed and watered down for a more mature look. "Very classy." She smiled wide.

He gave her a warm smile.

Chloe wrinkled her nose. "Ugh. It's so… commoner."

Adrien rolled his eyes.

"I think he looks great. There is nothing wrong with changing one's hair from time to time." Marinette scowled at her.

Chloe smiled wide. "Unless you're as fabulous as Adri-kins and I. change is awful."

Marinette's scowl turned into a look of disgust. "Change can be good. An adventure even."

She remember back to when she met Tikki and became Ladybug for the first time. That day changed her life forever, and she liked it. Plus, she wondered, since that's how she really met Adrien, would they even love each other, let alone know each other, if they hadn't become Ladybug and Cat Noir? Or would he still have been home schooled and they would never meet? She didn't want to think about that. Life without him was too unbearable to think about. At least, now she knew he felt the same. So she wasn't alone. It was actually comforting to know he obsessed over her like she obsessed over him. And now, kinda anyway, they could obsess over each other together. And neither one had to be embarrassed about it anymore.

Mr. Agreste looked up at his son. "What do you think about change Adrien?"

Adrien almost spit out his water. Did his father really just ask for his opinion? He had to think a moment. His whole life had turned upside down within the past year, but he wasn't complaining. He was a super hero, went to school, made actual friends, and met the love of his life. Oh no, he loved every moment of his new, not so lonely, life.

He smiled wide. "I like change. It's exciting."

The next two courses went pretty much the same. Chloe said something insulting, Marinette would oppose, and Adrien generally agreed with Marinette. Although, at times, he didn't agree with her. But, they didn't fight it and both seemed ok about their differences. This intrigued Mr. Agreste. They agreed to disagree. Neither seemed mad at the other for it and they actually seemed rather calm about sharing their differing viewpoints and talking about it. In fact, if Marinette and Adrien didn't agree on something, they were happy to talk it over.

Chloe on the other hand seemed very offended when Adrien disagreed with her. He would try to explain why, but she wouldn't listen.

Mr. Agreste took note of this.

But, Chloe soon turned her attention back to the Dupain-Chengs. She began to insult them for every wrong thing they did at the dinner table.

Th soup course had been served and Mr. Dupain-Cheng smiled and picked up his bowl to drink out of. Mrs. Dupain-Cheng did the same. Marinette smiled and rolled her eyes. Only her parents. She was about to do the same out of habit… until Chloe opened her mouth.

"How savage!" she cried. "No table manners at all!" she looked at her father. "Look at the savages Daddy!"

Marinette's eye twitched. That was the last straw. She calmly stood up and stared daggers at her. "You know what Chloe?" She started out calmly enough. "You are done insulting my parents." She kept her cool. "My parents have done nothing to you and you are being rude. My parents are two of the sweetest people you will ever meet and I cannot stand for you insulting them anymore."

Chloe shrugged. "Then sit."

No, THAT WAS THE LAST STRAW! "Does anything matter to you?" She almost yelled. "You're the rich girl. You're the one who's supposed to have poise and grace. But all you've displayed tonight is nothing but immaturity! So my parents don't know etiquette, but at least they're nice about it and willing to learn. They were not born with silver spoons in their mouths. My parents have had to work hard to get where they are today and they have not lost themselves in the long journey. You can insult me all you want, I don't care, but don't you dare say one more bad word about my parents!" She ranted. She then caught her breath.

Chloe looked unaffected at all.

Adrien had slid down in his chair to hide. He didn't want to see his father's reaction to his true love's rant. Even if it was well deserved.

Mr. Agreste smiled, stood up, and began clapping.

The whole table gazed at him in confusion.

He just continued to smile and clap.

A chill went down Adrien's spine. He didn't know if this was a good thing, or if he should be scared. His father barely ever smiled.

Mr. Agreste finally sat down, but continued to smile. "Miss Dupain-Cheng?"

Marinette acknowledged her name being called by looking at him.

"You respect your parents?" He asked.

She nodded. "Yes sir. They're great parents." She shrugged. "Why would I not respect them?" She smiled. "They're kind and generous. They love me unconditionally even if sometimes I don't deserve it. They inspire me and support my dreams. They are hardworking and loving and deserve all the respect in the world."

Her parents smiled at the comment. Proud of their little girl.

Mr. Agreste then looked over at Chloe. "And Miss Bourgeois, do you respect your father?"

Chloe giggled. "What kind of question is that? I love my daddy. Who doesn't?"

He then look over at his own son. "Adrien? Do you respect me?"

Again, Adrien was confused. "Uh…" He shrugged. "I think so… yes sir?"

Mr. Agreste turned his attention back to their guests, seemingly satisfied with his son's answer.

Plagg and Tikki, whom had been hiding under the table the entire time, were getting annoyed by Chloe's behavior. Especially Plagg.

"Let me just shake things up a bit." He whispered to his companion.

"No! Plagg that is a bad idea…" she tried to talk him out of whatever he was thinking.

"I know for a fact Chloe's chair is wobbly." He rubbed his paws together.

"Plagg No!" Tikki whisper/yelled as Plagg flew over to the blonde bully's chair.

"I'm not going to hurt her." He head butted the leg of the chair.

She rocked back and forth and soon tomato soup was all over her dress.

"My dress!" She called out as Plagg giggled. "It's ruined."

"A little baking soda and water will get that right out." Marinette offered some advice.

"Why should I listen to you?" Chloe barked back.

"Because I'm clumsy and get stains in my clothes all the time." Marinette spoke dryly.

"Daddy! We're leaving!" Chloe stormed out.

"But what about desert?" The mayor begged.

"I said we're leaving Daddy!" Chloe yelled.

"Give me five." Plagg held out his paw for a high five.

Tikki scowled at him.

"Ah come on. I made your girl look good." He rolled his eyes.

"She was doing fine on her own." Tikki continued to scowl. "she didn't need your help."

Plagg shrugged. "Chloe was getting on my nerves."

Tikki crossed her arms. "Plagg. You know the rules. And you just broke a big one."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm the epitome of bad luck and that snot nosed brat had it coming. And I didn't hurt her."

She sighed and smacked her forehead.

The rest of the dinner went by smoothly. Chloe's chair had been removed to be repaired when Nathalie investigated it and found it unstable.

The Dupain-Chengs were saying their goodbyes as Adrien pulled Marinette to the side.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Sorry about Plagg. He just told me the Chloe's chair thing was him." He apologized.

She giggled. "Tikki already told me. She said he was fed up with her and want to make me look good."

He smiled. "He didn't tell me that part. He's always holding back information from me." He scratched the back of his head.

"Good night." She kissed him on the cheek. "See you later."

He blushed. "See ya princess."

She then started to walk back to her parents.

He grabbed her arm lightly and pulled her close to him. He then gave her a proper kiss. They closed their eyes and embraced each other.

Mrs. Dupain-Cheng smiled when she saw the teens. "Aren't they adorable?"

Mr. Agreste watched as his son tenderly and passionately kiss his girlfriend. His attention then turned to the painting over the dining table. The family portrait.

Mr. Dupain-Cheng smiled as well. "You have a really swell son there Mr. Agreste. Very polite and respectful."

The teens came up for air and smiled at each other. They then giggled at some untold joke.

Mr. Agreste raised an eyebrow. Adrien's smile. He wasn't faking it. It was real. He knew very well at how good his son was at faking smiles, but the one on his son's face at that moment was real, genuine, honest.

Adrien then kissed Marinette on the forehead. "Goodnight Princess." He then let her go, even though he didn't want her to leave.

An hour later, Adrien sat in his room watching TV and lounging on the white sofa in front of it. he had changed into a t-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts.

Plagg sat on the coffee table devouring his stinky camembert.

"How do you think dinner went? Do you think father likes Marinette and her parents?" Adrien sighed.

Plagg burped. "I hope so. I can't stand Chloe…" he dropped his cheese and flew under Adrien's t-shirt.

"Hum?" Adrien sat up and noticed his father walking toward him.

Mr. Agreste sat down next to his son. He sighed. "You were right. Chloe is completely wrong for you."

Adrien lit up with a smile. "You mean?"

Mr. Agreste nodded. "The engagement is off."