Their Lucky Charms

"Oh gosh - Adrien!"

Marinette threw her arms around the young blond man, even before he could have opened his lips to greet her. Holding him tightly, while she balanced on her toes, just to be a little taller.

She had wanted to stay collected throughout the whole day - but had sometimes lost the fight due to her own demons. Worried, to draw an Akuma close, that was true and she was glad, when her work would keep her occupied.

Even Tikki tried her very best to keep her mood up.

But it was hard - the visit to the past in the previous night made it almost impossible. The darkness and shadows still clung to her heart, like the dust and dirt to her skin and suit.

Visiting such a cursed place - it indeed did something with her and it was almost impossible to shake these feelings off her.

And then… and then there was Chat - his whole behavior was strange and frightening to her. For the Mansion did something to him, that couldn't be described in any words - was so far out of her reach of her understanding. Laying with him on the floor in Adrien's old room was certainly an experience, that she would never forget- and it made her yearn to be by Adrien's side even more.

…and it made her yearn to hug Chat Noir most tightly, wishing nothing more, but to know about the things, who had locked away so carefully in his heart. But she shouldn't know these things - for they would reveal to much about his secret identity.

And… she certainly shouldn't think about him at all - wanted to focus on Adrien, instead:

To help him fill these endless, bottomless holes in his heart, that the abusive neglect and his father's identity reveal have left him with… No - she wouldn't be able to heal him, but she would hold his hand, while the healing by growing and therapy sessions was done. Smile, when he could only cry, hug and embrace him, when he felt all alone…

She knew, that they would meet that day - making it easier for her to close her eyes at night and to sleep. Adrien was the very person she would look forward to - even if the occasion that both were meeting for wasn't a particular cheerful one.

The Interview.

It's dark foreboding and these past, straining days were probably the very reason, on why she was hugging Adrien like that, when they meet outside her apartment in the early evening hours. Holding him tightly, not caring, what he would think about her own, strange behavior.

She had come home about an hour ago - to shower and to change, with the full intent to eat something, but her stomach just felt so tied up.

She had only taken one small bite under Tikki's watchful gaze. Yet… who could blame her? Two nights were burned deeply in her night - one incredible passionate one and one full of darkness and shadows. Then there was Lady Titalee's lurking presence. Her need to find a new place to hide from the villainess and to keep the Miraculous Box and the Kwamis save. Work, friends, taking care of Emma and her parents. And about a billion things more!

So she needed this hug as well, marveled in it and soaked the warmth and comfort of it through every pore - putting her whole heart into it as well, wanted to gift him with all the closeness and tenderness, she could offer. A winning situation for both. And it was all she could do in that very moment, without ever revealing to him, how she felt in that giant room full of memories, that used to be his.

A shaking laugh escaped Adrien's lips. He was startled and surprised, when the petite woman had flung herself right at him, couldn't say a word and certainly couldn't move. But he was slowly waking up from his paralysis, again. His own arms were coming around her as well, engaging her within his own embrace, only to lift her up so easily and to spin her around once.

She let him, didn't mind at all.

"Well, bonjour, to you as well!", he cheerfully said, his hands staying on her upper arms, when he had placed her on the ground once more. Smiling brightly and she knew, that a smile like that could melt even the coldest hearts. "I don't know what I did to deserve this - but I am very willing to do it, again! So, tell me - what did I do?"

She giggled at his silliness and shook her head, her hands still stuck in the fabric of his nice dress shirt, that suited him too well. It surely wasn't a piece from a famous designer anymore - especially not from his father's old label, but she couldn't care less. Especially since he looked so astonishing handsome in it.

Though - Adrien would even look gorgeous in racks and burlap, or if he didn't wore any clothes at - nope! She wouldn't think about Adrien naked!

"I just couldn't help myself and-" She noticed her words, immediately blushing. But his eyes had captured her in its brilliant gaze and she knew, that she didn't need to hide her feelings for him in any way. He felt the same, right? So she shyly shrugged, but held his gaze bravely. "I am just very happy, that you are here. Even though I am still worried about the outcome of that interview…"

He sighed. Nodded. Absently drew little circles over her arms with his thumbs, which immediately gave her goosebumps. Smiling himself for a moment about her words, before his brows furrowed on his forehead.

He was the one to drop his eyes, while she felt her heart speeding up at the very thought, that he could have maneuvered himself right into a mess, he would never recover from.

On the other hand - he was somebody, who thought things through. Wouldn't act impulsive.

So doing this interview was something he wanted for 100 percent - believing, that the outcome for once would be in his favor.

"I would lie, if I said, that I am not worried as well… But…but I think I prepared myself pretty well…"

"You did?"

"Oh yes! I wrote down every question, that came to my mind and thought about answers. I wrote them down as well!"

She flinched.

"Even the mean ones?"

"Especially the mean ones! And Alya send me a lot of tips on how to do interviews and Nino tried to cheer me up with silly pictures and memes he found on the internet and yeah… I just hope for the very best. Plus I have my lucky charm with me!"

She grinned upon hearing his words. Just couldn't hide it, noticed the cheesiness in his words - and loved it with her whole heart.

"Oh - I wonder who that could be~"

He blinked.

"Who?", his eyebrows raised in confusion and he reached for his back pocket with one hand, pulling something from it with ease. "I was actually more referring to my actual lucky charm. You know - the one you gave me, when we were a little younger…"

She looked at the colorful beads and red string in horror, tangling between his fingers. It taunted her and her silly words.

Marinette remembered it perfectly well and how she made it herself. She had thought carefully, how to make this perfect. Designed it beforehand and chose every bead wisely. It used to be hers - until she had given it to Adrien.

…and he still had it in his possession to this very day.

Though Karma wasn't exactly on her lucky side, felt embarrassed, that she had just claimed herself as his lucky charm. What was she thinking after all? They weren't even together and he surely wouldn't talk about her in that way and-

"Are you still breathing, Marinette?"

"Huh?"

He chuckled and put the colorful bracelet back in his pocket, before he took her hand in his most gingerly, pressing a small kiss to it. Grinning, when she finally blinked.

"Don't be embarrassed, Marinette. If you want to be my lucky charm, then-"

"Oh no,no, no! I don't want to! I mean - yes! I would love to- I - Urgh!" She stepped away from him, before her mind would have turned to a poodle of goo completely, her eyes dancing around to find his car somewhere - or a hole in the ground to hide inside. Either would work just fine in this very dilemma she maneuvered herself in. "We should keep going! It's getting late and you surely want to be there in time and-"

"It's right there…my car…"

"Of course~"

He opened the door for her, letting her inside, a smile, but knowing smile still tugging at the corners of his lips and he couldn't even hide it. Probably didn't want to hide it at all, either and that very thought made her cheeks burn even brighter.

It was still there by the time he sat down on the driver's seat, as well.

"Your seat belt, Marinette~", he reminded her teasingly and she hurriedly reached up over her shoulder to get the black strap, fastening it by her side. Unable to look him in the eyes, cheeks aflame in the brightest red color - the summerly heat around made this whole ordeal even worse.

Hell - how was it even possible, that she was able to hug him without a care in the world, while his mere words and smile would make her knees weak? And why couldn't she just stop embarrassing herself - especially in front of him and basically with everything she said or did?

"Do you know, that you look amazingly cute, when you blush like that?" She groaned and hid behind her hands, hoping to find a topic, to change their conversation within a few seconds and before her shame would eat her alive.

But for now she came up empty-handed, her brain completely malfunctioning. "And there is really no need for you to be embarrassed, Marinette. Not in front of me. You…you know that, right?"

True - but she couldn't help herself.

"And yet barely a thing I say in front of you makes sense…"

He chuckled and she felt, how he turned the car to the left. She wasn't looking, yet.

"I remember a time, where you said a lot confusing things~"

"Adrien~"

"Sorry. I didn't mean to-" He cleared his throat. "Anyway - if you want to be my lucky charm, then I will not stand in your way… I mean - you already are, if I consider all the good things, that happened to me, since you have stumbled into my arms. Without you, I wouldn't be able to talk to Emma without her ignoring me. And because of you I have this awesome job in your parents bakery and-"

"But I did nothing, Adrien…", she felt disarmed by his kindness, but knew, he archived all of that, because he was always himself - the man she had fallen for in the first place. She was even able to lift her hands from her eyes to look at him, before she continued to talk: "Emma likes you, because you like the dorkiest animals imaginable and because you acted like a real hero. And my parents just adore you, the way you are… I believe, that they would adopt you, if they could…"

"But you were there, when they askedme to be their apprentice. You made it possible… Everything good these past days happened, because you where around - and you can't change my mind about that!" He was focused on the streets. But he smiled so brightly, and it melted her heart. "That's why I needed you to be there with me at the interview - I just know, that will make a difference, if you are there, or not. So - you are right - you are my personal lucky charm all along…"

How was this young man able to make her fall for him yet again? His words were full of kindness - full of hope for all the things to come, when he was a man, who could be mean and rude and full of bitterness - but he was nothing of these things. No - Adrien had chosen to be kind to everybody around. To smile, whenever possible. To not judge and to hate. All despite his upbringing - even with a mother lost to magical coma and a father stuck in prison because of the terrors and horrors he brought over this city. Nobody would believe, that he had to grow up lonely and without the warmth of a family's embrace.

She knew, that he chose to be like that - and she loved him just the way he was and maybe even a little more with that knowledge.

Marinette rested for a mere second her left hand on his right one, that lingered on the gear stick, brushing her fingers over his skin. He sucked in a startled breath, gulped, but flashed her a smile for the matter of a second, before he turned his eyes back to the road.

A tiny gesture, that made her feel warm inside.

"And you still have the bracelet? After all these years?", she yet had to ask - a question, that lingered deeply on her mind.

"I carried it around wherever I went - so I can say, that it traveled quite far. And I took good care of it. Do you really think, that I would have thrown it away?"

She shrugged and nervously played with the strap of her purse.

"Merely thought, that you forgot about it…" She looked at her knees and blushed. "If you want to know - yours isn't lost, either. Unlike you, I don't carry it around wherever I go. I hide it in a box with different keepsakes, that are very dear to me…" Stored carefully in the closet of her old room, to keep those things safe. Maybe she could get it the next time she was at her parents - wouldn't it be lovely, if both carried their lucky charm around? And… maybe he was right, and they gave the holder indeed some luck - and that was really something she could need…

"You still have it?"

"Well - of course! My first crush gave it to me!"

Now it was him, who blushed at her words and she couldn't deny, that she loved how he reacted just because of the things she said.

Would it be always like that, if they allowed to embrace this relationship, both were seemingly waiting for? And… what was holding them back from going all the way?

For a mere moment she remembered Chat Noir his cunning smile, brilliant eyes and charm and heavily gulped - shaking her head to get his image out of her mind - for he made way for her to persuade that awaited relationship with Adrien and perhaps she shouldn't wait any longer…

She would eventually fall out of love with Chat Noir, wouldn't she?

"Are you alright, Marinette?"

Of course Adrien had noticed her behavior and she had to hurriedly come up with an excuse:

"Yeah - just a lot of work in these past days…"

And it wasn't even a lie and thankfully he didn't question it.

For the reminder of the ride they talked about casual things - stuff, that both would keep distracted and mostly they talked about his job at the bakery. It felt easy to listen to him - she was glad, that he enjoyed his time with her parents in every way possible. They had made the right decision to make him their apprentice and it surely would help him find his place in this city.

…hopefully it would be just the same after this interview, freeing him of some burdens, that Gabriel has gifted him with.

They parked behind the studio building and Marinette gulped, as she noticed the many other cars around. A glance into Adrien's direction immediately revealed, that he must have the same conflicting thoughts. For a tiny moment he merely looked forlornly into the distance and his Adam's apple popped in his throat, as he heavily gulped.

And yet he knew, that there wouldn't be a chance to turn back, opening the seat belt first and he slowly slipped out of the car.

Marinette did the same.

"What kind of interview will it be?", she asked, holding tightly to the strap of her purse, as she came around the car to meet him on the other side. "Will you have audience? Like a late-night show?"

She feared for peoples instant reaction- booing and whispering, as he entered the stage. Heckling. Interruptions. Maybe even attacks…

Anything could happen…

"I…I honestly don't know…"

And she could tell, that he didn't like that thought, either.

So… what could they do? Could they still turn around? Leave? Would that reaction help it reputation? Or would it get even worse?

"Ah! Monsieur Agreste!"

Of course - somebody was already waiting for him.

A small guy with clipboard in his arms approached them, waving frantically to get their attention.

"Right on time as I see. Now let me lead you to the make-up room for a little glow up and then we are almost good to go. Madame Chamack will be waiting for you and… who are you?" He pointed towards Marinette with a critical look in his eyes, before he started to look through his papers in hope to find any information on Marinette. "We have no more seats for audience and all the interview partners have arrived…"

"Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng will keep me company. She is supposed to stay behind the stage. I talked about it with Madame Chamack herself. Yesterday…"

"Ah…a Groupie?"

He winked at her and it was Adrien, who huffed and narrowed his eyes, growling almost dangerously at the other man.

"She is nothing like that".

The poor man raised his hands in defense and cast him an apologetic little grin.

"Excuse me… But you surely know, how this business works… With a face like yours the girls surely queue in front of your door. And a bad boy like you-"

Adrien's stern gaze was enough to finally silence the other man and he merely turned around to lead them inside.

Marinette hesitated at first - but a comforting arm around her shoulder made it possible to move once more and both walked side by side inside the building.

She looked up at Adrien, who only set his eyes to the man in front of her. Showing no emotions whatsoever - a showcase of how he hide all of them perfectly underneath his well-crafted mask.

Gabriel would have been proud of him - a thought, that hit her guts hard and made her feel bad once more for the blond man.

"Your phones and any other devices will be stored, until you leave the building. The security check is just the usual procedure, as you may know…"

Marinette felt her heart speed up at these words. Sure - handing the tall security man her phone was no problem, but letting him look inside her purse…

But thankfully Tikki hid somewhere by the time her purse was opened and only uninteresting things were left behind.

Hopefully she didn't need to transform, while they were still here. Yet - she knew, that the interview would be broadcasted live on national TV and all of Paris would surely watch it.

…Lady Titalee as well and the villainess would see a perfect opportunity to demonstrate her power.

Nervously she looked over to Adrien, who emptied his own pockets, casually chatting with the security man.

An icy cold grip tightened around her heart at the thought, that the young man was in real danger of getting akumatized today - for the interview with all its revealing questions would give him a hard time. During… And after the interview, that was for sure.

But she was there. To prevent an attack, as Ladybug, if needed.

…and to comfort and hug Adrien afterwards as Marinette…

After all - he had agreed, that she was his personal lucky charm and she would do her very best to bring him all the luck he needed.

"Follow me~", the clipboard-guy once more called and they followed him across the impressive and highly modern foyer, over to the lift and up to the tenth floor. Across the corridor, and he hurriedly opened the door to the make-up room.

"I'll contact Nadja. She will be right here to greet you. Just sit down and relax… And you-" He pointed at a stylist, who was still looking with wide eyes at Adrien, once they have entered. "Get him ready. The show will start soon!"

He left without a further word spoken, leaving them behind.

The stylist yet didn't dare to move. Looked at Adrien with fear and worry, eying him from head to toe, clutching a make-up brush in her hand tightly.

…of course… for many people he still was associated with his father. With Gabriel. Hawk Moth. With terror and horror and all those misdeeds. And after today all of Paris would be aware of that prominent face, when they passed him in the streets - more, than before.

But he tried to stay brave. Friendly. Let out a nervous little laugh and reached for that very one make-up brush in her hands with dainty fingers and a skin colored palette, that laid in front of the mirror.

"I am sorry. Were you on break? We didn't want to bother you. If you allow me, I can do it myself".

She didn't answer and Marinette felt very sorry for the woman and her fear.

Adrien on the other hand tried to shake it of, lifted the brush up and towards the stylist's direction as he waited for her answer - the poor woman stiffly nodded, still too terrified to say a word.

"Okay, thank you!"

Adrien turned towards the mirror - sadly smiling at Marinette through the reflection and shrugged. To comfort her, or himself, she couldn't tell. Then he used the brush to lift some product from the palette in his hand and up towards his face, working most skillfully as he went. Of course - he had learned such skills in the past. When he used to model and she imagined him to watch the stylists most carefully as they worked on him.

He had always been such a good student…

"Is my hair okay like that?", he asked, looking over to the stylist now, hoping to get a reaction from her.

She gulped.

"It…i-it may need some fixing…", the poor girl stuttered, hesitated, but eventually walked over to him with shaking legs and with even shakier hands she reached for a comb and hairspray. "M-may I?"

"Well, of course! And don't worry - I don't bite!"

He tried to joke, but the stylist didn't react in any way. Stayed quiet, instead and merely started to tame some loose hair on Adrien's head. Spraying it, to keep it in place.

She was done by the time the door was flung open, again and clipboard-guy returned, with Madame Nadja Chamack following closely behind.

Her time as the well known news reporter was long gone and for a little more than five years she had her own show, where she interviewed people on various topics and… of course - Marinette should have known, that it was her - within her show - where she interviewed Adrien.

"Adrien Agreste~", she happily chimed, crossing the room to greet him, with a kiss breathed on his left and right cheek. "It is good to see you - haven't had an interview with you for the longest time…"

Marinette could tell, that some pressure was lifted off of Adrien's shoulders, seeing, how well the older woman treated him and actually meant it. She relaxed a little as well - knowing, that Nadja would not be mean in that interview in any way. Good - finally some actually good news!

"Thank you for this opportunity to tell my side of the story, Madame Chamack…"

"Nadja to you, Adrien. I first interviewed you when you were what? Ten years old?"

"Oh, yes! When I had my first modeling job for Gabriel's brand! I totally forgot about that!"

"See? After all this time, we are still acquaintances, right?"

"Right…"

"And I see, you brought your girlfriend with you~", she turned to face Marinette now, greeting her now as well. "Marinette… it is so good to see you as well. Tell your parents, that I'll be coming by soon - I am craving the best Macarons in Paris! And did you know, that Manon still speaks about the adventures you two had, when you used to babysit her?"

Oh Manon - those were lovely and simpler times and - wait - did she just call her Adrien's girlfriend? Did she hear correctly? And why weren't they both correcting her in any way?

Their eyes met for a brief moment and the young woman realized, that they both were seemingly thinking the same - and yet nobody dared to speak up and correct Nadja's assumptions about them.

But apparently there wasn't time for that anyway for only a moment later they were ushered out of the room. The time for the interview was getting closer and there was nothing, they could do about it.

The show was about to start!

Nadja walked ahead, chatting about all kind of things in a friendly way - surely she noticed, the nervousness, that even Adrien failed to hide. They followed close by, listening and the young man giving her an answer every now and then, while Marinette mostly stayed quiet.

"Adrien, you know, that you don't have to answer anything, if you feel uncomfortable. I will not ask anything too personal. Anything to ruin you. I won't do that. The other guests-"

"Other guests?", came it from Marinette, before she could have stopped herself, feeling her own heart speeding up even more, for she certainly didn't like the sound of that. "What other guests? I thought Adrien was the only person for you to interview today…"

Nadja stopped walking as she heard these words and turned around - ignoring the clipboard-guy, when he reminded her, that the show would start soon. But the older woman merely scanned her face, then Adrien's. Smiling sadly in the end and clasped her hands together in a motherly way.

"Lady Titalee is the number one topic in Paris, my dear. Everybody wants to be informed about the current happenings. People demand answers. Make wrong assumptions. It's… important to give Paris a few answers, as long as Ladybug and Chat Noir haven't defeated her, yet. Don't worry- I don't believe, that our most beloved heroes could ever fail us. Still… everything is pretty vague and seemingly everybody has his own opinion about the happenings. We tried to gather a few of those and our guests represent them well. Also… the producers assume, that about a million people in Paris alone will watch this. I mean - we have the current mayor of Paris and two former victims. Mademoiselle Bourgeois and-"

"Chloé?", both Marinette and Adrien blurted out, once they heard her name.

Nadja shrugged.

"She was responsible for a huge amount of akumatizations in the past…" And surely daddy's money was spent for a few hours of fame. "Don't worry - I'll cut to advertisements, when things get ugly. But…", a sigh escaped her lips and she laid a supporting hand on the tall man's shoulder. "…I really hope it will help you in any way. I can't imagine, what it is like to be treated with hate and fear - surely there are people out there, that believe you aren't just responsible for everything your father did, but also not responsible for the Akuma attacks these days. They forget, that you were back then still so young and innocent and that you are nothing like your father. Sadly humans rather forget, than forgive…"

He nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, Nadja. I really appreciate your help…"

"Madame Chamack…", came a hurried voice behind them, to remind them, that they needed to get going. And the reporter finally responded and turned around, assuming, that both her right behind her.

Yet both hesitated once more, eying the other. In hope to find answers. Encouraging words. Support. But both felt utterly defeated, even before it all started.

"Monsieur Agreste?", came a call in the distance. Reminding them to keep going and that the show would need to go on.

Almost mindlessly they reached for the hand of the other, lacing their fingers tightly and started to move, again.

Down the almost endless hallways and to the back of a studio.

People were running around busily. Checking the lights, the sound, the cameras. Nadja's hair and make-up got another touch to perfection. Somebody shouted a timeframe for everything to be finished and for the guests to get on the stage and-

"Adrikins? Is that you?"

Of course… she was there, too!

"Adrikins!"

A blond woman in a tight designer dress flung herself right into his arms and to balance the pure force, that was Chloé Bourgeois he had to take a step back and had to let go of Marinette's hand.

"Oh Adrikins, where have you been all these years? I have so missed you! And… Look at you - wearing these peasant clothes and you should have shaved, there are stubbles growing on your chin! The camera will catch them so easily and what will people think of you?" Her stern gaze wandered up and down, fixing wrinkles off his dress shirt, straightening his shoulders, not giving him time to breath, or to answer. "And why haven't you answered my messages? My calls? Not one in all those years! Sabrina!"

"Yes, Chloé?"

Sabrina was there, too. Chloé's personal assistant and best friend. Or slave… depending, how people would view their relationship. She - at least - shortly noticed Marinette by his side, giving her a short and friendly wave and a smile, before she straightened her back, ready to do any task for her friend and boss.

"How many times did I call Adrikins these past years?"

"Oh…ehr…let me check…"

With unknown haste Sabrina reached for her phone, checking notes, she had taken.

Marinette merely raised her eyebrows at that and pursed her lips, as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"I thought electronic devices were not allowed past the security check… Why are you allowed to have one here?", she murmured.

Upon hearing her voice Chloé pursed her own lips and stepped away from Adrien. To face the black-haired woman, who was invisible to her before, twisting a lock of her long, golden hair around her finger. Scanning her, as if she was trash, that needed to be taken care of.

Marinette could tell, that the blonde wasn't aware of who she was currently facing - until it dawned her.

"Dupain-Cheng? Why are you allowed to be here? This is utterly ridiculous! Get the secu-"

"Marinette is not going anywhere, Chloé!", Adrien immediately warned, stepping in, before Chloé's words could have coursed a disaster. "She is here as my support. And she is going to stay here…"

"But she is just the baker's daughter~ Look at her! She is still so simple and normal! She doesn't belong in front of the camera! Not even in this studio!" Chloé raised her nose high into the air and placed her hands on her hips. "She is your own personal assistant, isn't she? Well - at least you are good for something, Dupain-Cheng!"

Adrien raised his eyebrows and he shook his head.

There was something very brave and bold in his eyes - ready to defeat Marinette with everything he had, if he needed to.

Even from his oldest friend, if she wouldn't shut up to speak like that about the other woman.

Marinette felt amazed and wished, that she was brave enough herself to just grab his hand and hold it tight. But little did she fear, that Chloé would scratch her eyes out, if she even dared to reach out for him.

"She is way more than that to me…"

There was silence between the four young people and it was defying - words, that even surprised Marinette.

"The guests need to be seated on stage!", somebody shouted behind them, as if it was there to break the spell. Two technicians came close, providing both Chloé and Adrien with microphones.

"So - you date her?", the blonde woman asked as loud, as if Marinette wasn't there with them. "Above all people?"

"You have seen the video, Chloé… You called it ridiculous… remember? I suppose the woman in the video was Marinette, then…", reminded Sabrina her with a whisper and Marinette rolled her eyes - for this stupid video would haunt them for the longest time…

"Chloé… It would be nice to catch up with you - but do you remember, what I told you about being nice to people? That hasn't changed one bit…"

"But-" "60 seconds! Get on the stage!" "-her?!"

"Yes!"

Everything happened so fast - Nadja grabbed Chloé's wrist to get her to move out into the spotlights and to drag her away, before anything ugly could have happened. People moved passed her - the mayor, two people she recognized as victims from the past. Adrien pressed one last kiss to her cheek and he was gone as well.

Out there… in the spotlight and there was nothing she could do against it.

…she couldn't even stop him, just watched, as he was seated next to Chloé.

"Isn't that exciting?", was all Sabrina could say, smiling brightly down at her in an innocent, but euphoric way.

"Exciting?"

Poor Marinette was utterly confused. Felt breathless, as the heat of Adrien's lips on her cheek started to fate away. Paralyzed - recalling those past few words, spoken between the two blonds.

'Yes!' - she called his last word well, and apparently they really needed to talk about their relationship, once this interview was over. To be certain and finally face the truth- one, that everybody else around them was already aware of. Everybody, but them…

Though with all these kisses on the cheeks and hugs and the handholding it seemed to be very clear for them as well… right?

After all - she recalled in her mind - she had chosen Adrien over Chat and was ready to be by his side.

She was ready to be in that relationship.

…and he apparently as well…

"Yeah…", Marinette finally breathed and nodded. "Exciting…"

And she smiled.

A/N: Her... Either it's Marinette's thoughts, once she saw Chloé, or Chloé thoughts, when she heard about Adrien and Marinette. Both work just fine.

And yeah - we finally meet Sabrina - took me long enough to get here

And for the Lucky Charms - wo all know, that neither of them would forget about it and throw it away. We will surely see them, again :DNext Chapter: Reavealing...