'It seems so weird to be back at school.' Marinette said, looking around at the buildings that surrounded them on the blistering summers day.

Adrien shook his head. 'I'm still pretty dead from that train ride. I barely had time to shower for school.' He admitted, but then shrugged. 'It meant I didn't have to listen to Natalie about today's schedule?'

'You looked pretty contented, curled up on my lap, you know.' Marinette giggled.

Adrien flushed slightly. 'I was just trying to get comfortable.'

'Sure you were.'

She had met his car at the school gates, and now they hovered awkwardly on the front steps of the school, reluctant to go in.

Marinette sighed slightly. 'I'll miss it though, all the travelling. I had a lot of fun.'

'I'm glad,' Adrien smiled. 'I'd love to go back to some of those places as me, so that I could have a relaxing time.'

'I was actually thinking the same thing, when we first got on the ship.' Marinette smiled.

'Where would you want to spend the most time?'

'Everywhere, I think.' She hefted her bag a little higher. 'I'm not looking forward to the catch-up homework that I'm going to have to do.'

Adrien sighed. 'I know. Pére made sure that I was given all of the homework in advance, of course with the expectation that I would get it done while I was away. But,' he shrugged. 'I was too busy with my role, it seems. He's not going to be happy.'

'At least he seemed to have a good time on the ship?' Marinette pointed out.

He nodded. 'This is true. We'll have to see.' He looked up at the open doors to the school. 'Are you ready to go in?'

'What happens if I say no?' Marinette laughed.

He took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

'You have nothing to be nervous about. You had a great time in "China" with "your cousin".'

Marinette side-eyed him. 'I don't remember ever mentioning a cousin?'

Adrien flinched slightly. 'I must have accidently overheard you talking to Alya about it?'

'You were eavesdropping.'

'I wasn't dropping no eaves, sir!' He exclaimed defensively.

'But yes, my cousin. Hei.' She giggled at him.

'But that's the name I invented!' He protested. 'I claim copyright!'

'I might've only dropped it after you invented it yesterday.' Marinette pointed out.

Adrien laughed at that.

'So what's Hei like?'

'Well I'd never really interacted with him before, so I didn't really know what to expect.' Marinette shrugged. 'I mean, I knew him but I didn't know him.'

'And?'

'He turned out to be a much nicer guy than what I was expecting, to be honest.' Marinette awkwardly rubbed at her neck.

'What do you mean by that?' Adrien said slightly offendedly.

'Well, I didn't know if he was a secretly unpleasant individual. I also wasn't sure if he was going to give me the personal space that I wanted.' She hinted.

'Well he must've, if you think so highly of him.' Adrien grinned.

'Well, in the end,' Marinette winked at him. 'I don't know if I'll stay in contact with him though,' she teased.

He made an affronted gasp. 'Why ever not? He sounds wonderful!'

Marinette laughed. 'I'd hate for you to get jealous of me talking to another guy?'

That sent him off kilter, and he stumbled over his words, before managing to pick it back up. 'Hei's fine. I can live with Hei.' He smiled.

Suddenly a voice called out from behind them, making them both jump.

'I DON'T BELIEVE IT!'

They turned to look sheepishly at the incoming girl, who was marching up the stairs with Nino in tow.

Alya landed on their level and stared down at their entwined hands, before looking between them expectantly.

The pair of them laughed nervously.

'I hadn't thought of this,' Adrien admitted quietly.

'Well!?' Alya said, tapping her foot.

'Well,' Marinette started up, flailing slightly.

'Why didn't you tell me, bro?' Nino said, appearing over Alya's shoulder.

'Uh,' Adrien started, 'we got talking?'

'You were in separate continents.' Alya pointed out dangerously.

'Actually!' Marinette burst out, before shying back slightly. 'You suggested that we talk on Skype. While I was in China.' She tacked on as an afterthought.

Alya shook her head. 'I did too. Damn. And you didn't tell me?'

'We, wanted to surprise you?' Adrien said awkwardly.

Alya sighed, looking at Marinette. 'You're really piling on the surprises, you know.' She again shook her head. 'Now, we have so much to do!'

'About what?' Marinette said as Alya took her free elbow and dragged her through the door.

'About your publicity! I've been writing articles non-stop about Ladybug's dress!'

'R-really?' Marinette flushed. 'What have you said?'

'That Ladybug looked a million euros, all thanks to Marinette Dupain-Cheng, of course!' Alya grinned. 'For Paris Daily!'

Marinette flushed more. 'You got the internship!?'

'They practically begged me,' Alya grinned, as Marinette threw an arm around the girls shoulder, squeezing hard.

'I saw the photos,' Adrien pointed out. 'You did a great job!' He winked at her. 'Even my father was pouring over the photos this morning over breakfast.'

Marinette looked like she was going to faint. 'I c-can't believe it,'

'I can't believe it either,' came a new voice to the group, and Marinette flinched.

Chloé had appeared before them, with dark rings under her eyes.

'You look awful, Chloé,' Alya pointed out heartlessly. 'How was your trip?'

'I just got off the plane this morning.' She flipped her hair disinterestedly. 'I don't feel like getting into the details.' She glared at Alya.

Alya glared straight back, a tiny smile playing around her lips like one who knows the secrets to anothers downfall.

Chloé stared back for a long moment with an intensity, before she shook her head.

Alya waved her phone at the disgruntled girl meaningfully with a smile, and a cloud darkened Chloé's face.

With a sniff she stormed off, leaving Sabrina to trail confusedly in her wake.

'It's good to see you two again,' Sabrina said quickly, before disappearing after the despondent girl.

'What was that all about?' Nino questioned, but Alya tapped the side of her nose knowingly.

'It's amazing the kind of things you can pick up when your're a reporter, you know?'

He shrugged, and addressed the couple. 'I'll bet you're glad to be back? It's been so quiet here in Paris, especially since it seemed that Hawkmoth followed Ladybug and Chat Noir with Alya on that boat.'

'I'll bet it has been.' Adrien nodded. 'It's good to be home again.'

Nino clapped him on the back cheerfully. 'And now you've got Marinette, to boot!'

Adrien flushed. Again, it was adorable.

'Well, yeah.'

'Can I be the bridesmaid of honour at your wedding?' Alya pointed out.

The couple blushed madly, flapping at her.

'Only if I can be the best man,' Nino pointed out.

Alya glared at him. 'I don't think it's up to you,'

'I'll sabotage it so that you can't be if I'm not,' Nino grinned wickedly.

'Like I said, dear, I'm not sure that it's up to you,'

'I-I-I think you're getting ahead of yourselves!' Marinette exclaimed.

The two looked at them as the headed up the steps into the school.

'Don't worry, we're not.'

thanks for sticking with me for so long guys, I hope you liked it!