Sometimes, a party is a way to reboot, to restore vibrancy where dullness had set in. And yet, Adrien hadn't really expected to get one. Everyday someone turned twenty three or so it seemed, and it wasn't really a landmark occasion, not with college behind him or with him more running a business alongside his father than doing anything else and still perhaps hopelessly single.

Yet, when he came home to what should have been an empty apartment, it wasn't empty. Balloons were nicely spread out over the wall, people that had attempted to hide had given up probably long before he arrived, and there was a large, delicious looking cake resting on his living room table.

He'd only given Nino a spare key, once, just in case Adrien locked himself out of his own apartment. He'd already done that twice.

Somehow though, Marinette was standing with her parents beside the cake. Nino had taken a seat on Adrien's usually empty couch. Chloe was off in the corner, with one of those sincere smiles that she had been starting to give out again, recently. Kagami was even there, looking a little embarrassed but happy too as she held a wrapped gift.

Alya decided to sit down next her husband on the couch. Sabrina stood by Chloe in the corner. Luka had even came along with Juleka and Rose. Nathanael was here, as was Ivan and Mylene. Alix, Max, Kim, and Ondine were also in Adrien's apartment.

It was overwhelming to say the least especially as Wilhelm came up to give him a hug, and Adrien had never been more grateful in his life to have the best friends in the whole world. He'd thought since he'd had to work a little later tonight, and his father and Nathalie were both busy that he'd be working his birthday away, just to come home and sleep. It's a Wednesday! Surely, they would have lots of work to do, and yet, they came by to support him turning twenty three.

He was smiling as he returned Wilhelm's hug, and smiling as they carried their party into his dining room for Adrien to blow out the candles on his cake, a beautiful twenty three. blue candles. His heart felt so overwhelmed with happiness, and he knew that the only way he'd be more stunned is if Ladybug dropped by for a visit.

Adrien could hardly believe life as he sat down to eat cake with all of his friends, wondering what might be next. The cake was delicious, and he knew the bakers that had to have made it so. It was just stunning as he eat a bite at a time, glancing over at the best bakers in Paris, excited just to see where the day would take him.

Naturally, after cake were the presents, and his friends really outdid themselves. He'd realized belatedly that all of his corner in the living room was actually piled high with gifts. The first he picked up was from Nathanael. As he opened the large, square gift, his heart nearly seemed to give out in joy.

Once opened, Adrien was faced with a gorgeous painting of Paris as if seen from the very top of the Eiffel Tower, a beautiful sunrise ushering in a new day. He had no idea how his friend knew, but that was his favorite sight in all of Paris, just to stand up there, usually beside Ladybug, and watch as day broke overtop the rest of Paris.

"H-How?" Adrien muttered before he could stop himself, "Th-Thank you. This is beautiful." He wanted to nearly tear up, just how could his friend be so thoughtful when they rarely seemed to meet up and talk anymore? Wow.

Nathanael was smiling even as he ducked his head, while Adrien was trying to think about who could have figured this out. His friends were absolutely incredible.

Kagami handed him a pristine wrapped gift, and Adrien dutifully opened it, gaping in wonder at a new fencing sword. His old one was a little worn down after all this time, and he hadn't went out to fence in a while, despite really wanting to.

Next, he opened up a gift from Ivan and Mylene, exclusive Jagged Stone headphones that had been sold out in stores as of two months ago. Not only that, but Adrien found that underneath was a beautifully written rock song by Ivan for him, cheerfully appreciating him as a friend.

Marinette had made him a whole new outfit he found when he opened it up. A beautiful light blue tie to go along with a dark suit with the barest hint of a pattern along the suit jacket. Adrien couldn't thank her enough. This had to take so long to make.

Sabine and Tom gifted him a beautiful glass ornament, that Adrien was eager to hang up somewhere in his house and maybe put on his tree next Christmas. They also gave him a certificate for free sweets from their bakery whenever he came around that would last a whole year.

Alix gifted him a new set of fencing gear, as if she had went and talked with Kagami beforehand to make sure that she gifted him the right thing. While Luka gifted him the newest Kitty Section album signed by all of them, and Jagged Stone's newest album.

Ondine and Kim bought him a whole new basketball hoop and basketball. Chloe bought him a new piano, which Adrien had no idea how she knew just what kind of piano was of the quality and make that he'd been eyeing for some time.

Rose bought him a Jagged Stone shirt, while Juleka bought him the hair products and soaps that Adrien actually preferred. Max went out of his way to buy Adrien the newest console out along with Ultimate Mecha Strike's Seventh game and various other really awesome games.

Sabrina bought him a concert ticket for Jagged Stone's upcoming concert that Kitty Section was the opening band for. Alya and Nino got him an exclusive birthday message from Ladybug, and a new Foosball table.

Wilhelm had bought Adrien a whole new Physics set, packed to the brim with some very interesting sounding Physics books, a few materials for experiments, and even the basic guide to teaching Physics to high schoolers. Already, Adrien wished he could be in a classroom teaching finally. Yet, this was such a beautiful start that Adrien received them rather happily.

Adrien could hardly believe just how incredible all of his friends were or just how beautiful the birthday that he never thought he'd remember went. Now, it really was a notable birthday and a wonderful day to remember. Adrien has the best friends ever, especially as he realizes that they'd thrown a little get together with Jagged Stone playing just for Adrien's birthday, and when Ladybug did manage to sneak in to wish him a very personal happy birthday.

Adrien was still stunned and giddy when he passed out in his bed late that night, even knowing that tomorrow, he won't want to get up for work in the morning. Yet, today was so worth all of the tiredness of the impending week.