Chloe was preparing to enjoy another class day without the school's liar presence when her mood was ruined.

Adrikins and Dupain-Cheng entered the classroom, together. Holding each others hands. That alone would have Chloe annoyed, even if she gave up on Adrien a long time ago, she still liked to ´´claim´´ she was his closest girl-friend. But no, it wasn't just that.

While everyone cheered and whistled at the new couple, except sabrina ,bless her, Chloe noticed a couple little weird things on Adrikins smile. He hadn't smiled a lot lately, with Lila being a brat and all, but now that he did she briefly got a glimpse at the blonds tiny but surely there fangs.

Now, Chloe was not the best at math, but she could add two and two together when it was on her face like this. Appearance changes like those cat-like teeth and that atrocious black manicure would not go unnoticed by her in any reality. Adrien had to be Chat Noir or a really big fan at least. Chloe was willing to bet sabrina that the first was the case.

And this bothered Chloe, not because he mocked her usually when they interacted as heroes before, or because he never came back with her Pollen even though he knew how much she sincerely missed the little god. Those things hurt, but the main thing that ruined Chloe's day in her mind, was the realization that if she discovered this so easily, then it would only be a matter of time before everyone that interacts with Adrien knew sooner or later that he was the cat themed hero.

She was clever enough to know she wasn't clever enough, Max was still the smartest person in the class and if she figured it out, the little genius would be next for sure. She also had the first hand experience of having everyone know her secret identity, and the consequences of that. Sure, Hawkmoth was defeated, but the heroes did not retire. If there was a good enough reason for Ladybug not to give her Pollen back, then Adrien's miraculous would be taken too if people figured him out, right?

Something in Chloe awoke on that moment. She realized that her childhood friend depended on his powers to be free of his father, that was probably why he hadn't exploded yet. She knew she would if she had a fraction of his schedule. So who cared if Dupain-cheng won the race to Adrikins heart somehow, good for her. Whatever. Chloe had a mission now, one that Marinette probably didn't even suspect about. She would protect Chat Noirs identity however she could, starting with talking to him about his new fashion choices.

Chloe smirked, surprising and worrying Sabrina, who was the only one paying attention to her reaction to the new couple. The queen was still relevant, miraculous or not, she had a connection to one of Paris heroes not even he knew about. Yet.

''You could have told me ages ago, Nino!'' Adrien was half complaining to his best friend. The four of them were sitting on their usual covert spot at recess, discussing the recent development in Marinette and Adrien's relationship.

Nino laughed and said. ''Naa dude, that was not my secret to share, you should know a thing or two about that stuff!'' He joked, but he kind of promised with Alya that if Adrien and Marinette were not together by next week, with all the stuff they knew now, they would intervene. He was certainly thankful it did not come to that.

''He's right, Marinette tried for years to tell you, it would have been too cruel to take that from her'' Said Alya. The designer was red while hiding her face on her boyfriends arm. Adrien was trying to play it cool, but Alya could tell he was flustered too.

''I bet Chloe is mad right now'' Commented Nino, and Marinette showed her face again just in time for Alya to catch her guilty look. Oh, right, Chloe was Queen Bee. And Marinette, or rather Ladybug, had been ignoring her since at least half a year. Alya had to give it to the rich girl, she had not thrown a tantrum about that in a while, making everyone forget her conundrum. In fact, Chloe had been almost invisible lately. It was as if the blonde being mean made her shine somehow, but since she had been behaving a lot lately she was almost like a second Sabrina.

''She didn't look that mad'' Said Marinette, apparently she was the only one that cared to look at Chloe while everyone else was cheering. But it might also be Marinette trying to make herself feel better. That girl was too soft sometimes.

''You don't owe Chloe a thing, Marinette'' Said Alya, and Nino nodded. Adrien didn't seem to agree, though.

''We defeated Hawkmoth and completely forgot about her, Alya'' Said the model. ''She really liked being Queen Bee, and admired Ladybug''

''Well, we can pay her a visit later so she can talk her kwami or something, right now it's time to celebrate! What are the plans for later?'' She tried to force the mood and topic switch, and wiggled her eyebrows at the couple while asking that last part. ''Oh! we could go on a double date! Nino and I know this place that-'' She stopped when she saw Marinette shaking her head.

''Our first date will be just the two of us'' She said, her voice kind of shaky and she was red again. ''We- We will just go to Andre's for Ice-cream then to my house to tell my parents and do Adrien's hands…'' Marinette said, while looking at Adrien as if trying to confirm their plans one more time before making it official.

''Y-yeah'' Was the only thing the blond said ''We don't want to do anything too fancy, we have a lot to Chat about after all'' Chat Noir was who said that last thing, and it was like a magic spell. Suddenly Ladybug was there without transforming, as Marinette rolled her eyes at the lame pun and pushed her boyfriend playfully. Alya and Nino laughed at the antics. Their friends had some crazy dynamics going on, it was going to be fun from now on to see them try to decide which one was the dominant one, the shy new couple or the cat and the bug.

After getting demolished by André's bear hug of happiness and eating their ice-cream, Marinette and Adrien made it to the bakery. Marinette could tell the blond was nervous, and was enjoying every moment of it. It was that or get anxious herself because she knew her parents were going to make an embarrassing show of themselves once they learned the news.

''How was school?'' Asked Sabine without looking up from the cookies she was decorating. The couple entered the place and Marinette noticed Adrien relaxed, the smells probably getting to him like they did to her every single day.

''It was good, can I have some extra cookies today?'' She said, and her mother finally looked up. ''Oh, Adrien sweetheart! hello!'' And as soon as the woman said that, Tom peeped from his spot behind the counters and joined the conversation ''Adrien! welcome! are you staying for dinner?'' The burly man has always liked Adrien a lot, and everytime the blond showed his face on the bakery Tom would invite him to dinner. It was his attempt at playing matchmaker, but that was over today, Marinette thought.

''I said cookies, not dinner dad'' She said, but then quickly added ''Unless you want to stay for dinner?'' She asked Adrien, holding his hand, and by then her parents surely must have noticed, right?. It was the first time she just accepted her fathers idea without rejecting it before Adrien could. And it wasn't just because she now knew Gabriel Agreste would not be mad if Adrien wasn't home early.

Tom and Sabine made a little ´´O´´ with their mouths, and then the room exploded, much like the classroom did that same morning. Sabine hugged Marinette while Tom gave Adrien his second bone crushing of the day after André. They congratulated them and all the awkwardness faded until her father started babbling about the wedding, the number of kids and their names. Marinette took that as a cue to grab Adrien and drag him towards her room.

''Your parents are so nice, I know I've told you that a million times by now, but I never feel like I'm unwelcomed here'' Said Adrien once they were alone again. Marinette immediately started looking for her nail polish, mostly to avoid Adrien's gaze now that they were alone again. He could not see her face while she looked around her things, but if he did he would see how red she was.

Tikki came out of her usual hiding place in her bag and floated next to Marinette. ''He is very red too'' The tiny god commented, giggling. ''Tikki!'' Scolded Marinette. Adrien definitely heard that, because he started coughing awkwardly and Plagg was giggling too.

''Hey sugarcube, wanna go check the pantry? I can smell the cheese wheels from here'' Suggested the cat, and Tikki just nodded and followed him. She didn't even care for cheese! She was just leaving on purpose! Marinette thought. She found the color of polish she was looking for, no more excuses to not look at Adrien anymore.

The boy was standing in her room, but instead of just awkwardly being there as she imagined he was, he was actually looking at her photos. She would be eternally grateful for the maturing she did in the last year, taking some of the model's pictures out and replacing them with her friends and the designs she was somewhat proud of. He had seen them already, of course. She would never forget that shameful moment from her life, but at least she wouldn't repeat the experience.

Adrien was smiling looking at the pictures ''You know, If I didn't instantly fall in love with Ladybug like I did that first fight, I would have ended up falling for you pretty quickly, Marinette'' He said.

Marinette didn't know how much she wanted to hear that until she did. It was stupid, but she realized she was worried Adrien only liked her sassy and confident Ladybug self, and not toned down, normal Marinette. Did he have the same worries about her not liking his stupid Chat persona? She wondered. Because he was in for a surprise. She snorted.

''That's too bad, I would have responded to your feelings pretty fast, Kitty, but a blond boy already gave me his umbrella and took my heart'' She said, and enjoyed the confusion in Adrien's face while he tried to think who she was talking about. Then his light bulb turned on.

''You've liked me since THAT long? Why you never told me?'' He asked, finally smiling and getting closer and closer to her. ''Well I was busy trying to figure out how to talk to you first'' She laughed, but inside she was all butterflies. ''I could have hired a translator'' He joked, and Marinette knew he didn't care to hear her reply to that because the next instant he was kissing her, one of his hands softly caressing her cheek.

After their little make out session, all the awkwardness in the room vanished. It was probably the opposite effect that Marinette expected after such… encounter. But they got to talking and joking and flirting again in no time, while the girl started working on his nails. Her mom brought them warm cookies with heart shapes, and since Adrien's hands were unavailable for the moment, Marinette had to feed him, which ensued a tirade of new jokes between them.

Adrien even tried, a la Chat Noir, to share one cookie mouth to mouth. Marinette would have blushed just thinking of the mere interaction if it wasn't for the silly way he wiggled his eyebrows while holding his end of the cookie on his mouth. They laughed so hard that they couldn't even stay still enough to share the pastry before it finally broke after too many failed attempts.

''I will need to buy more of this color'' Marinette commented while finishing the last layer of nail polish. She had needed three in total to hide the black that was now a permanent part of her boyfriends hands.

''I'll get more, how long does this stay on?'' He asked, and then they started talking about the possibility of going for permanent polish when Adrien's phone rang.

''It's Nino, can you answer for me Bugaboo?'' The model said, he didn't want to risk ruining the manicure again as he had done just moments ago while trying to grab a cookie on his own. Marinette finished up his last nail before grabbing the phone and answering.

''Dudes, check the news'' Said a distressed sounding Nino on the speaker. Marinette frowned but got up instantly and turned on her dormant computer. She put the news channel and immediately gasped, covering her mouth with her hands in shock.

''What is it?'' Asked Adrien while getting up from the floor to look at the screen. On it, Nadia Chamak was talking while the image of an ambulance in front a familiar massage parlor was behind her. They didn't hear the whole note, but the words ''coma'', ''elderly man'' plus the image were all the heroes needed to reach the correct conclusion.

''Master Fu!''