Narrator's POV:

It was the last month of school left and no one was more eager to graduate than Adrien. He found himself staying over at either Gloria's or Marinette's and would rarely have meals with his parents, 'less they argue about his future. Yet, one evening, he wasn't able to get out of the house fast enough.

"Adrien, let's have a chat, shall we son?" Gabriel had Adrien join him in his office as he closed the door.

"Look dad, I'm on my way out so if we could make this fast."
"No, here's what we're going to do. Since I pay all the bills, including the ones that put a roof over your head, you're going to listen to me. Now, I know your mother is passive on you dating Gloria and you have. You've been running off to see her late in the evenings and all weekend long as well as seeing her at school and school related events. But, now it's time to think about your future. I understand you have an infatuation with this girl, but that's all going to be put behind you once you graduate."
"What-"

"I'm not finished yet. You've had this entire year to have your fun, well now it's time to get serious. The only reason I didn't say anything sooner was because your mother would interfere, well now she's asleep and we can converse freely. You're young, younger than I was when I'd met your mother, but I had an obligation and responsibilities, as do you. Luckily, in my case, I feel in love. And for you it may be the same. You have to at least try and give it some time. Now I know you consider Chloe as more of a sister; thus I'm proposing you marry Kagami. You both have a lot in common and seem to get along, and her family and ours would have great business opportunities. Thus, upon graduation, you'll end things with Gloria and propose to Kagami."

"Dad."

"No Adrien, this isn't a question or a request; it's an obligation and responsibility of being an Agreste. Now, go enjoy your time left with Gloria." Gabriel stood and walked out as Adrien sat there speechless. His heart ached as he realized how serious his father was. There was no "yes/no" decision; only "yes." For a moment, Adrien had hoped that he could convince his parents otherwise as to his decision on Gloria being his future wife; yet that all seemed completely impossible. Adrien took a moment before walking over to Gloria's. He made love to her as if he was never going to see her again. Gloria didn't pry him for information and he didn't offer up any; feeling completely powerless and defeated. Adrien simply soaked in every second with Gloria; observing every feature, tracing over every inch and curve of her body; putting it to memory as he felt his heart slowly breaking. As he kissed her for the last time that night, Gloria sighed and whispered how much she loved him as Adrien pretended to be sleep, a tear rolling down his check.

The next morning, Adrien's spirits weren't lifted and Marinette noticed the sudden change in personality.

"Hey, Adrien, are you ok?" Marinette managed to catch him just before lunch ended as he pulled her into the janitor's closet and unloaded.

"Wow, that's really . . . terrible." Marinette put a hand on his shoulder as Adrien's eyes began to well up.

"But you'll figure something out. True love always prevails." Marinette smiled as Adrien scoffed.

"Easy for you to say, your parents love Luka; they're not trying to set you up with someone you don't even love."
"Adrien, I know this hurts right now and you feel lost, but you have to fight for what you want. Luka may be the man I love, but he isn't perfect and we argue about all kinds of things, sometimes it's over silly little things and other times our words hurt one another. But no matter what, we fight for our relationship; even if that is with each other and our emotions."
"Hmm, I guess I'll have to do the same." Adrien sighed as he walked out and Gloria noticed him, though he didn't see her; then she saw Marinette walk out with a small smile on her face. It wasn't the first time Gloria felt insecure about their relationship; but it was the first evidence of there possibly being something more then friendship present. Gloria ran to the bathroom as she began crying; she'd wondered why Adrien didn't tell her he loved her back the other night. Was he cheating on her? Was Marinette ever really her friend? So many questions and insecurities emerged as she walked out with puffy red eyes.

"Oh Gloria, you look like a train wreck." Chloe snorted as Gloria gritted her teeth and walked away.

"Wait, did something happen between you and Adrikins? I mean Adrien? Oh, too bad." Chloe teased as Gloria fisted her hands.

"Ah dinnae need ya pockin' at mah emotions! It's none of yer business, so keep yer big nose oot of it!" Gloria raised her voice as Chloe stood there mouth agape, watching Gloria stomp away. Gloria was in a terrible mood for the rest of the day. Once school had finally ended, Adrien tried walking home with her but rather than waiting for him; Gloria took off on her own.

"Where's Gloria?" Adrien looked around as everyone shrugged; Alya telling him that she thought she saw Gloria heading home. Thus, Adrien made his way over to Gloria's house; as he knocked on the door, Gloria hurriedly opened it.

"Hey Gloria, I didn't know you were in such a hurry. I wanted to talk to you about something. Something important that may alter the way you view me." Adrien smiled earnestly as Gloria thought this was his way of saying he was leaving her for Marinette.

"Look Adrien; I know whit yer gonna tell meh an' honestly ah dinnae wanna hear it. If ya have tae make this decision, then so be it. I hope yer happy with the choice ya made." Gloria began tearing up as she slammed the door in his face.

"Wait, Gloria! What're you talking about? The decision and choice I made was you!" Adrien pounded on the door as Gloria wiped away her tears.

"Whit're ya talkin' aboot?" Gloria cracked open the door as Adrien desperately tried to get in.

"I'm talking about telling my father that I want to be with you and that it doesn't matter that they don't approve of you. You're all I need." Adrien slowly opened the door as he reached out for Gloria's hands.

"Ya mean, yer not leavin' meh for Marinette?"
"What!? No! Of course not! She's like a loyal younger sister! I only have eyes for you." Adrien cupped her face as Gloria smiled for a moment, but pushed Adrien away.

"Then why did ya an' Marinette come oot of the janitor's closet after lunch?"
"That? Oh, I just needed someone to talk to."
"Well then, talk tae meh. Ah'm yer girlfriend. Ya should be able tae confide in meh." Gloria held both of his hands as Adrien nodded.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I just didn't want to unload all this stress on you about what my parents were saying about our relationship and how they've been trying to set me up with Chloe or Kagami. I didn't want you to feel like you were doing anything wrong because you weren't. My parents were being ridiculous and unfair. I never want you to change, because I love you just the way you are. And I'm going to prove it. just trust me and leave it to me ok?"
"Ok." Gloria nodded as she pulled him in and closed the door.

That weekend, the Agrestes were invited as honored guests for a special event at an art convention near the louver. Adrien was there, though not assigned to say anything, however, he had other plans.

"Wow, there are a lot of people here." Marinette looked around as Luka nodded.

"Hey guys." Alya waved as Nino followed behind her.

"You made it." Marinette gave her best friend a hug.

"Of course, they're serving such great hors d'oeuvres." Alya popped another cube of cheese into her mouth as Marinette rolled her eyes.

"And we're here to support Adrien; he said there was something really important he had to say." Marinette noticed Gloria walking around a bit lost.

"Oh, there's Gloria, let me to get her."
"Sure, but don't forget, the auction starts in a few minutes!" Alya called after Marinette, though she didn't hear her.

"That girl is always running around trying to save the world." Alya sighed as Luka chuckled.

"But that's what makes Marinette Marinette; she's always so helpful and willing to go above and beyond to help others." Luka looked at a painting with a single light illuminating a dark forest.

"She is definitely dedicated to that boy. Adrien I mean; she treats him as if he were her brother." Alya smiled.

"Yea, I appreciate their friendship." Luka turned and saw Marinette walking towards the group as a deep voice rang out.

"Please take your seats for the auction!"

"Oh, it's starting." Marinette smiled as they all sat in the back of the room. The Agrestes were upfront and were to present the most exclusive piece; a guitar painting created and signed by Jagged Stone. Hours later, it was finally time for the Agrestes to present Jagged Stone's art, when Adrien suddenly took the mic.

"I'd like to thank everyone for coming out to this event and I'd like to thank my friends for always supporting me. Mother, Father I know you only want what's best for me, but I truly believe I'm old enough now to understand what that is for me. And it's summarized into one word: Gloria. I love her and plan to make a future with her. I can't be with anyone else, not Chloe or Kagami. I'm sorry you both had to find out this way but I want my feelings known and heard." The paparazzi began taking photos and reporting the breaking news, when suddenly they began flooding around Gloria asking her personal questions and prying her for information.

"Hey, leave her alone!" Marinette stood up and protected Gloria as Adrien got down and ran up to her.

"Adrien." Gloria smiled as Adrien nodded. The two departed as Adrien's parents were left with their mouths agape and a lot of explaining to do to Kagami, who was visiting temporarily, Chloe and her father who was in hysterics, as well as trying to avoid paparazzi. Marinette, Luka, Alya and Nino all snuck out and went to see a movie as Adrien and Gloria took refuge in her home in the Galar Region.

"Ah can't believe ye did that for meh." Gloria cupped Adrien's face as they lay naked in her bed.
"Of course, I'd do anything for you. I'm just sorry it took so long for me to say anything."

"No, dinnae be sorry; ah'm sorry ah ever doubted ya." She kissed him as he held her close, knowing the next day would be brutal back home. The two simply lived in the moment, since they were at their happiest.