My country is also in the quarantine situation and let me tell you it's been a strain to my mental health I am surprised I managed to finish this chapter.

Please be safe, follow all regulations and enjoy this chapter!

The Bubbler

To think Paris was going to start getting used to a magical terrorist was something Marinette never would have thought possible, yet here she was, fighting villains straight out of comic books and what not from said magical bad guy.

And it had been only a few weeks since she had accepted her role as Ladybug, wielder of the Ladybug miraculous and the responsibility of saving the city. Not to mention school was getting more and more difficult and tasks were piling up for sure.

The ambience in the classroom had shifted a little. After she had finally stood up to Chloe, it just seemed to have brought good and bad things. Sure, she had now a new friend in Alya who was new to the classroom and had never seen how they were, and the others were moving from classmates to casual conversationalists, but Chloe had gotten, if anything, a little worse to deal with.

Good thing she wasn't alone on this.

"That patrol wasn't so bad," Chat smirked once he landed on the beam Ladybug was currently sitting on, watching the Parisian street lights "but I got nothing on our local supervillain."

"And how much of that patrol was you actually testing your vaulting off rooftops?" she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Just a 25% percent" Chat grinned.

"Right" she rolled her eyes "I'll just go easy on you because your birthday is tomorrow."

Chat beamed.

"Did you get word from your dad about the party?"

His smile dimmed.

"I'll find out tomorrow but I don't have my hopes up," his legs dangled from the beam, clawed fingers gripping the metal as he spoke. Marinette reached out to hold one hand and give a reassuring squeeze. She couldn't begin to understand the loneliness and sadness Adrien faced day after day with a distant father, but to ignore even his own child's birthday? It was unforgivable.

Adrien and her had started on a weird but thankful start. Between knowing each other before officially introducing themselves, the misunderstanding of the chewing gum and the sudden job they were both hiding from everyone but them, Marinette found in Adrien a close friend, a confidant, someone she was starting to rely on and knew he was getting there as well.

"Well, rest assured you will get at least a birthday pastry tomorrow," she offered a small smile "I'll stick a candle to a croissant if I have to."

Chat chortled at that.

"Wouldn't it be better a cupcake or something alike?"

"Well yes, but you seem to have grown fond of croissants" she shrugged and stood up, her yo-yo ready to be thrown "see you tomorrow then?"

"Of course" he bowed "have a good evening my lady."

Ladybug rolled her eyes again "you are not quitting on that one, aren't you?"

"Why should I?" Chat pulled out his baton "you're Ladybug, a lady and royal."

"I'm not- "

"Oh indulge me, I watched Sailor Moon last night again," he grinned and jumped away, leaving Ladybug to sigh and smile as she made her way to her room.

Marinette let her transformation dropped and smiled at Tikki. She looked at the nicely wrapped gift on her desk and jumped to her bed to sleep.

The past days her and Adrien had spent at least two to three nights a week getting to know how their powers worked. Since Adrien's schedule was over the top, late night was the only time they could really get the hang of it.

Besides, akumas were most likely to pop out during the day. It seemed Hawkmoth also needed to sleep every now and then.

In those days Marinette had got to know her partner in "superheroing" as a dork who loved puns, animation and pastries. He was funny, kind and knew how to lighten up the mood for sure. But Marinette had noticed his personality didn't flourish as much during school time, a little more concealed and proper, as if he was under watch or something alike.

Mostly about his father. Marinette had followed the Agreste line as a fashion inspiration but to know the personal side of Gabriel Agreste? Well, that was something entirely different to what she thought.

She tried not to think about that. Maybe they'd have some luck and Adrien would get to enjoy a good birthday.

Hours later the phone was buzzing and ringing her awake, startling her from her bed onto the floor.

"Ack!" she rubbed her backside and glanced at the phone. Why had she put her alarm so early again?

Wrap croissant, have gift ready, right. Marinette patted her cheeks and got ahead to be ready for the day.

At the same time that morning Adrien was already having what had to be nominated as worst birthday breakfast ever. His mood only soured more when Nathalie told him the birthday party was a no go. What was the point of turning fourteen then?

He kept his frown all the way to school, where at least Nino tried to insist in having the party.

And the thing was, Adrien did want it. He was curious about what they would do unlike the stuffy high class ones he was used to. Would they have dynamic music? What about the food? And the outfits? The more Adrien thought about it the more he really wanted to have this party.

It was all he could think about all day until lunch time arrived.

"You know what? I'm going to have a little convo with your pops,"

Oh that was a bad idea.

"Don't waste your time" Adrien sighed "he's not going to change his mind."

"He said no?"

Adrien turned to see Marinette walking towards them, Alya next to her. She was holding a small bag in front of her.

"Is that…?"

"Happy Birthday Adrien" Marinette smiled and offered the bag to him.

Adrien opened it without hesitation, snorting at the croissant with a single green candle stuck in the middle. He pulled it out and proceed to eat the pastry instead, not withholding the moan of satisfaction from it.

"Thanks Marinette," he devoured the rest of it "I mean it."

Marinette gave him a small smile, only to feel her center of gravity shoved as well as the rest of her body thanks to Chloe pushing her to a side. Right, she was still there.

"Happy Birthday Adrien!" Chloe nearly tackled him, leaving a smudge of lipstick on his cheek "did you receive the gift I sent you?"

Marinette withheld from rolling her eyes, especially after Adrien's apologetic look. Yeah, Marinette couldn't still stand Chloe but she was Adrien's childhood friend.

A brat nonetheless but her friend.

It was a good thing Adrien was getting more friends.

"Uh, no?" Adrien would have known. He also knew clear as day Chloe forgot about it. She was never good at keeping track of days. A part of him wanted to peek behind him to confirm Sabrina was probably by the door with the calendar on her phone. He sent Marinette another smile to apologize but Chloe was rambling about getting some delivery guys to give it tonight.

"That was…something," Alya raised an eyebrow.

"That's Chloe," Adrien shrugged as he wiped the rest of crumbs away from his fingers "but anyway, I should get going," he pulled out his phone with a frown "have a photoshoot."

"What? But today- "

"Hey, I'll see you after lunch" Adrien smiled at them and walked towards the car that had just showed up.

"This sucks," Marinette and Nino said almost at the same time.

"I'm going to speak with Adrien's old man,"

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Marinette looked at him.

"Worth a shot" Nino capped his bubble bottle and smiled at the girls "I'll let you know of it."

Marinette had a bad feeling of how that was going to go down. It was then that she remembered she had Adrien's gift in her bag.

"Ah shoot," she frowned "Nino! Wait!"

"Yeah?"

"Could you leave this for him?" she pulled out the wrapped gift "I would but I have to go back home now and- "

"No problem dudette!" Nino took it and smiled, making his way to the Agreste mansion.

Adrien sunk on the car seat. The photoshoot didn't take long but it was still a bummer to work on his birthday. He wondered if he could convince Nino and Marinette of getting a small cake for afternoon classes or something when he finally reached home.

But what he saw at the entrance was definitely a surprise.

Adrien was also surprised Nino was granted an audience, considering how busy his father always seemed to be to even spend a meal with his own son.

"Nino?" Adrien walked towards him, just as Nino continued rambling all of Adrien's extracurricular activities. His heart warmed, to have a friend willing to face his father, but Gabriel's stare only downed that emotion, knowing it was futile.

"I decide what's best for my son," Adrien heard his icy tone "in fact, I've just decided you are a bad influence and you are not welcomed in my house ever again! Leave now!"

Say what now?

Adrien tried to refute but Gabriel had already turned around and left.

"Nino, wait!" he went after his friend, hurt as he looked Nino's anger turn to a frown and sad then anger again as he left his home.

Adrien wanted to yell. No, he wanted to yell at his father. Call him out of what he had done to one of his friends!

"Adrien, you should head to the dining room for lunch or you'll be late for your next lessons" Nathalie called after him.

Adrien closed the door and marched to eat what would be a lonely, dull lunch. He pulled out his phone to text Marinette about what had happened, hoping that maybe she would catch up with Nino and help her find a solution to the situation.

He was halfway his meal –which was mostly greens and a slice of bread- when he got a text from her.

Buginette: Might be too late to comfort him

Too late? Adrien tossed the napkin and stood up, noting how quieter his house was.

"Nathalie? Father?" he called out but received no answer.

Oh no, was Nino akumatized? It had to be the only thing that came to Adrien's mind as he typed an answer to Marinette, only to be startled by the sudden "SURPRISE!" shout in front of him.

"Hey, hey, hey birthday boy!"

Adrien looked up to see a very obvious akuma standing on a bubble calling for his attention. He was dressed in black and red with blue skin and, wait, was that a tank top or an armor? Adrien had to wonder if Hawkmoth knew anything about villain design or if this was the mere subconscious of the victims.

Oh, right. The akumatized victim was talking about a party and had bubbles and…wait the voice was a little familiar.

"Nino!?"

"Let's get this party started!" the Bubbler jumped to a dj set and started to play a catchy song that had his classmates dancing, but Adrien sneaked back into his home.

Oh this was bad. He knew what he had to do for sure. Nino was his friend and was akumatized because he tried to get a chance from his father.

It didn't help at all that Plagg was voicing out his deep desire to actually enjoy a birthday party. The little god had a point. When was he ever going to get a chance at a party? When he was 18? That was way too far. Besides, there was no harm to the city, no one was actively in peril.

He could get to enjoy a few minutes, transform, trap the akuma and all would be good!

Adrien went back outside where his classmates were still dancing and decided to mingle in between. The music was swell and no one had to follow a dance routine, so that was already a bonus. But the more he moved around the more he saw the lack of energy in them, as if they weren't into it.

Suddenly the music turned slower and couples were forming around him.

"Is it me or does everyone seem a bit weird?"

"Forget about them, let's go dance!" Chloe pulled him to the dance floor, clinging to him as she swayed to the music.

Ladybug jumped to the source of commotion, Adrien's front yard.

"Huh," she observed the situation. There was the bubbler at a dj stand while her classmates and friend were slow dancing and, wait a minute, was that?

"What is that cat thinking?" she huffed as she saw Adrien dancing with Chloe. He was here the whole time? With the akuma so close? Marinette frowned when suddenly she saw Chloe leaning forward to kiss Adrien.

Something inside her churned, like if she had eaten something spoiled. She activated her lucky charm, a record falling in her hands. Ladybug looked around her, convoluting a plan to turn around the situation, a hyped music boosting out of the speakers to break everyone apart.

She smiled, only to jump away to a safe place once she heard the beeping from her earrings.

That was a bit too fast for her liking.

Marinette stretched her hands to catch Tikki, offering the small kwami a nervous smile.

"Marinette," Tikki rubbed her head, throwing Marinette a stare.

"I…don't know why I did that" Marinette looked back "but I needed to get his attention?"

"Sure, and jealously had nothing to do with it" Tikki crossed her arms.

"Je-jealously?" Marinette blinked "I was not jealous? Of who? Chloe?" Marinette rolled her eyes "what would I even be jealous of?"

Tikki refrained herself from rolling her eyes.

"But, akuma, he's not going anywhere" Marinette smiled again "we'll go in, get you some food to replenish and I'll pull a certain stray cat's ear to help out."

She let Tikki back into her bag and sneaked into the party, right towards the snack table to stash some cookies, when she crossed sight with Adrien.

They stared at each other, Adrien smiling nervously as he pointed at the door, with Marinette sighing and following after him. They did need to transform to face the Bubbler after all.

"So, having fun?" Adrien asked once the door was closed.

"Oh I don't know," Marinette crossed her arms "what about you?"

Adrien's shoulders sagged and Marinette couldn't help but to feel bad. This was, akuma or not, something Adrien had always wanted to try. To have for himself. And yeah, the conditions of how he was having this party weren't the most ideal but Marinette couldn't take that away from him.

"I'm sorry Adrien," she sighed "you deserve to have a party, especially today."

"That's what I said" Plagg poked out of Adrien's shirt, only to be received by a scowl from Tikki "ah…"

"I am not surprised," Tikki frowned more when a loud scream from outside made them turn to the window, Ivan getting thrown to the air in a green bubble.

"Oh no," they said at the same time, looking at each other with decision.

"Tikki, spots on!"

"Plagg, claws out!"

They went out from different sides of the house to stop the Bubbler, only to be swallowed by one green one, with the usual litany of handling over their miraculous. The more the Bubbler talked the more Marinette got an idea of why Nino had been akumatized.

"They care for their kids, they love them!"

"Most adults do anyhow" Chat Noir mumbled, earning a soft glance from Ladybug "you must bring the adults back!"

"No, never" Bubbler grinned "know what? Since you care about these adults so much, why don't you go float with them for a while?"

Next thing they knew; they were tossed high to the sky.

"Use your cataclysm!" Ladybug yelled as they went higher than the top of the Eiffel tower.

"Couldn't you have said that 500 hundred feet ago?!" Chat Noir stared at her and summoned his magic. He didn't think much as he slammed his cataclysm on the bubble, both dropping down way too fast for his pleasure.

"Your stick!" Ladybug yelled as she pointed at the Eiffel Tower, the wheels in Chat Noir's mind running to catch on her plan. It was ingenious!

He threw it hard, the baton slamming into the tower with force. Ladybug grabbed his hand and threw her yo-yo at it, the string twisting around it to create a vaulting pole for them to swing and land on the street.

"Good thing cats aren't afraid of heights" he smiled just as his ring beeped and Ladybug threw him back the baton "what's the plan bug?"

"His bubble sort she frowned "that's got to be where the akuma is"

"Then we better hurry" he nodded and ran back to his home, Ladybug right next to him.

They ran and jumped to the top of Adrien's gate way where Bubbler was just about to trap the rest of their classmates, when Ladybug called out for his attention.

"Sorry to burst your bubble!"

Chat Noir tried to contain his snort. And to think his partner didn't like his puns.

They knew how to deal with this now. Even with Bubbler trapping their classmates, Chat Noir knew they were going to save them. The fought drove them to the tower (Chat was not going to comment on how often that was getting to be), when his ring beeped again.

"Lucky charm!" Ladybug shouted as a big wrench fell on her hands.

"Your plumbing skills going to help us out?!" Chat smiled, only to jump away from an exploding bubble. That was fine, he thought, he could act as bait while Ladybug thought of something. He jumped high up the tower, climbing and jumping as more bubbles exploded behind him.

He smiled when he saw Ladybug finally ran towards the ventilation vent, the tube going loose as air started to ran out of it. Chat jumped towards it and clung to it, redirecting the air to blow the bubbles away just as Ladybug caught the bubble sort to break it, the purple butterfly caught in her yo-yo to be purified.

"Pound it!" they fist bumped after the Cure swam around them. Ladybug offered to take Nino back to ground since she still had a minute or two to spare.

"See you tonight for patrol!"

Adrien smiled. At least there was some good things coming for him this day.

He kept on that promise even after he had a lonesome dinner, only to be surprised by Nathalie giving him a present from his father.

"T-thank you!" he couldn't help but to smile as he unwrapped it, revealing a soft cerulean scarf that felt warm to the touch.

It was nice, comfortable, and as Adrien looked closer it was finely done. He smiled as he wrapped it around his neck.

Adrien kept on waiting until night where he jumped out of the window, cladded in his suit. He had to leave the scarf at home, didn't want to cause any suspicions to anyone who saw him that night, but when he arrived to their usual spot –a rooftop of an abandoned building- he was surprised to what he saw.

There was Ladybug, finishing with setting up some fairy lights around what seemed to be a tent made out of old blankets. The inside had a few cushions and pillows splayed over a plastic tarp, with a few bowls filled with popcorn, pretzels and cookies, with a couple of thermos right next to them.

"What…"

"Happy birthday!" she clapped her hands together "I know this is not like a big party but I figured you still needed a small celebration, maybe next year we will have a better plan to convince your dad-"

His heart swelled up in his chest. To think she had gone through the trouble of making all of this for him.

"He…actually gave me a gift" Chat said "a scarf, can't you believe it? He didn't give me a lame pen."

Chat looked at her expression and frowned but she was back to smiling that he maybe misread what he had seen.

"That's wonderful Chat!" she sat on one cushion and patted the one next to him, Chat Noir almost tripping on his feet as he joined her "I'm so glad you liked his present."

"Thank you," he wiped his eyes "but this! This is so great bug."

"Well, you deserve it" Ladybug smiled at him "So! I have some of your favorite anime here to watch," she pulled out a flash drive and her laptop "or we could watch a movie? Or we could just dance too, whatever you pick."

"Are you finally going to succumb to watch Sailor Moon with me?"

"Only because it is your birthday,"

Chat laughed and waited for her to start running the first episode, sneaking out a pretzel to nibble on.

Despite everything, this was a good birthday to remember.

I'm experimenting a lot with this "what if". Mostly because I still take some parts from the episode and others are slowly being modified.

But I guess as I go on there'll be less and less ref from the episodes because they will divert soon.

Also this is a slow burn adrinette fic so, I'm also experimenting there.

Thank you for reading!