Ten minutes later, a breathless Adrien sprinted into the park, where he was met by a stern-looking Nathalie.

'Adrien. Where have you been? The photoshoot was supposed to start half an hour ago.'

'I'm sorry, Nathalie. I…um…ran into a group of fans who wanted autographs. They wouldn't let me go.'

Nathalie shook her head in exasperation.

'You have to learn to say no, Adrien. Your father will not be happy about this. I'll inform him that you have finally arrived.'

'Okay.' The blond's shoulders drooped. Great. Now he'd have to endure a lecture from his father on his birthday. But somehow…he didn't care. His heart was racing, and it wasn't just because of his run over the rooftops.

Marinette.

She was all he could think about.

She'd been in love with him all along, and he'd had no idea.

Last year, she'd given him the scarf. She'd knitted it with her own hands and let his father take the credit, even though someone (he guessed Alya) had told her to tell the truth. He remembered the passion fruit macaroon, but he'd just thought it was a nice gesture from a friend. It hadn't occurred to him that she'd baked it specially. And that love poem that he'd thought was from Ladybug had been from her. When he thought about it, that did make sense. She must have seen him writing it, maybe gotten a glimpse of the words from behind, and then dug it out of the trash. And she did have dark hair and bluebell eyes, just like his Lady. She'd thought it was for her and answered it.

And this year…he couldn't believe she would do something so selfless for him. She'd even gone to the trouble of getting her hands on a Miraculous. It was a little strange that Ladybug had agreed to it. Marinette must have really pleaded her case to the Guardian, to persuade her to lend her the magic jewels for something not only non-akuma related but also built on lies and deceit. And how had she contacted Ladybug? Something felt off about the whole thing. He resolved to ask his partner about it the next time he saw her.

He couldn't wait to speak to Marinette as himself, as Adrien. Would she come and give him the gifts? He hoped she would. It would be nice to see her overcome her fear of talking to him. And honestly, he was dying to know what was inside them all. Marinette did give amazing gifts, by the sound of it.

Hopefully, she wouldn't have to find out he was Cat Noir. She'd be very embarrassed. Not to mention that would compromise her safety, and maybe even his Miraculous. He'd have to tread very carefully.


When Adrien arrived home, a stern-looking Gabriel Agreste was waiting at the top of the stairs. The young hero had been expecting this.

'Adrien,' he began coldly. 'Nathalie has informed me that you were thirty-two minutes late for your photoshoot today. Care to explain yourself?'

'I…' Adrien gave his father the same excuse he'd given Nathalie. 'I ran into a whole load of fans. I tried to get away.'

'Nathalie has informed me of this. However, you do not seem to have been tagged in any photographs on social media, which usually happens when situations like that occur. Why is that?'

Adrien's stomach dropped.

'Um…well…' He scrambled for another lie, which felt hypocritical after the talk he'd just given Marinette. 'Okay…I lied about the fans. I was…with some friends. They wanted to wish me a happy birthday.'

This was closer to the truth, at least. He stared at the floor, not meeting his father's gaze. The silence seemed to stretch out forever. Finally, he dared to look up.

Gabriel gave a deep sigh.

'I wish you had informed me of this earlier. I could have arranged something so that you did not have to waste the photographers' valuable time.'

His son's green eyes widened.

'You mean…?'

'You may…you may invite a small handful of your friends over.'

'Like Nino, Alya and Marinette?'

His father pursed his thin lips.

'Yes, even that boy. I would have preferred if you had chosen a more suitable companion, like Miss Tsurugi. At least Miss Dupain-Cheng is a talented designer. Even if she is a…'

'Thanks so much, Father!' Adrien interrupted before his father could ruin it by talking about Marinette's background or whatever he was about to say. She was the one he wanted to see most of all, and Alya and Nino were the best people to have around to make that happen.

Gabriel sniffed.

'You are welcome. And Adrien?'

'Yes, Father?'

His expression softened ever so slightly.

'Happy birthday.'


Marinette lay on her bed, gazing up at the trapdoor where she'd entered several hours before.

She didn't know what had possessed her to come up with such a ridiculous idea – utterly ridiculous, as Chloe would say. Deep down, some part of her had hoped that one day, when she and Adrien were married, with their house, their children, and their hamster, she'd be able to tell him, and he'd shower her with affection and tell her how wonderful she was. But if she was going to have any hope of that ever happening, she was going to have to take the advice of a certain feline.

She hadn't really been scared, of course. She was Ladybug, after all, and she knew Cat Noir like no-one else did. She knew that he was a notorious flirt and would milk the cat-and-mouse thing as much as he could, and that he had a huge heart and wouldn't hurt a fly. Still, it had been daunting when he'd held her up in front of his face wearing that smug expression. It was a weird coincidence that they'd both been in Adrien's room for the same…

She sat up. Something was wrong.

'Wait a minute. Tikki…Cat Noir's gift!'

'Huh?'

'Cat Noir said he was supposed to be dropping off a gift for Adrien too! He must have forgotten. I guess I did cause quite a bit of a distraction for him.'

'Never mind!' said Tikki brightly. 'I'm sure he'll remember it soon.'

'Also, he said it was from Adrien's fan club in Brazil. I thought I'd made that up. Does Adrien even have a fan club in Brazil?'

'Sure he does,' her kwami said dismissively. 'He has fan clubs everywhere. Now, you'd better think about what you're going to say when you give Adrien his gifts.'

Marinette flopped back on her bed.

'Yeah. What am I going to say? Here, Hot Stuff, here's five birthday presents I got you because I love you?'

'Maybe that without the Hot Stuff?' Tikki suggested.

'At least I won't see Adrien for a few days. I've got time to think of something.'

At that moment, her phone rang. It was Alya.

'Girl, you'll never guess what? Adrien's dad is actually letting him invite friends over!'

Marinette dropped the phone, her mouth falling open. Tikki zoomed over and grabbed it for her.

'He is?'

'Yeah! Nino reckons he feels bad about making Adrien do that massive photoshoot on his birthday. Maybe he does have a heart after all. Anyway, you, me, and Nino are heading over there ASAP. But don't worry. I've arranged for Nora to pick me and Nino up at eight thirty. You can arrange to be picked up later. We'll make sure you and Adrien get your alone time!'

Marinette made a gagging noise.

'Don't worry? How am I supposed to not worry about that? I need to prepare!'

'Don't be silly, Marinette. I'm guessing you've made him some sort of awesome handmade gift? One that you're actually going to give him in person this time?'

'I sure have.' You have no idea, she thought darkly.

'Then that can be a good conversation starter. Give him your gift. Wish him a happy birthday. He'll love that!'

'I…I guess.'

'Come on, girl. You're usually so excited about Adrien's birthday. What's up with you?'

'Nothing. I just know I'll mess up my words, like I always do.'

'Marinette. It's just 'Happy Birthday.' Although you're right. You could even get that wrong when it comes to Adrien.'

'Alya. Not helping.'

'Sorry. Gotta go – Nino's just arrived. We'll pick you up at six thirty.'

Marinette glanced at her screen. One hour.

'Bye, Alya.'

She hung up and went downstairs to tell her parents. They raised their eyebrows and gave each other knowing looks when she said she was going to Adrien's house. Then she climbed back up into her room.

'Okay…don't freak out, Marinette. You're just going to tell Adrien how you feel. For real this time. But what should I wear? Does my hair look okay? Should I take it down? I think he liked it that one time I did. Or maybe I should…'

'Marinette? Aren't you forgetting something?' Tikki asked.

'What?'

'The labels. You're rewriting them, remember. Just like you promised Cat Noir.'

'Shoot! Yes, I am. I'll get right on that.'

Marinette took out five new labels and set to work. She did just as she had done the night before, except this time, she wrote her own name. She even put a little heart above the I. There would be no backing out now.