This is the last chapter I had originally planned for this story, and therefore the last chapter I have pre-written. I might do a Chapter 4. Maybe.

Asides from the fanfic series I mentioned last chapter, I also had some one-shot ideas that I might wind up finishing and posting here. I have been on a Miraculous Ladybug high lately, and have had tons of ideas for stories and drawings I have been just churning out at all times, and now that I have two days off this weekend it's ironically the perfect time to distract myself from my panic by writing fanfiction!

I hope you've enjoyed the story thus far!


Nathanael had grinned the whole way to Marinette's house, humming a tune he knew. His heart was elated, his head in the clouds… Until he got there. The music had already started back up, he could hear it from outside. Fear coursed through his veins. What if she still hated him, what if his class hated him?! A blurry image of erasing the floor beneath Marinette's friends and family and sending them toppling to the bakery below. He'd threatened her, threatened her family, how stupid was he, she wouldn't want-

He felt his hand move towards the doorbell and press the button. He couldn't help but let out a scandalous gasp at his traitorous hand and whipped it behind his back, but he heard the buzz and knew it was far too late. Maybe he should run and hide? It's not like anyone would notice he was gone, he was losing time, he needed to hide-

The door opened and he found himself face-to-face with a huge, burly man that was practically twice his height. His mustache twitched into a smile.

"Are you Nathanael?" He asked, offering a hand. "I'm Tom, Marinette's father. Come on in!"

"Um. I-I-I probably shouldn't go, I wasn't invited, I don't know why I-" Tom grabbed his shoulder and pulled him in suddenly, bringing him face-to-face with Marinette. Nathanael's face immediately exploded into a wild blush at the sight of her.

"Hi, Nathan-" she began, but before she could finish a surge of guilt overtook him.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry, I'm sorry for everything I did, I-"

"Nathanael, it's okay!" she quickly said, waving her hands in a 'stop stop stop' motion before continuing. "It wasn't you who did that, it was the Evillustrator! And, it was my fault." she shifted on her feet awkwardly, her gaze shifting down to the floor. "I completely forgot your email address, if I had remembered to invite you none of this would have happened! I'm really sorry, I understand if you're mad at me."

"Mad at you? Marinette, I could never be mad at you, you're the sweetest, nicest girl in class! Honestly… I thought you didn't invite me because you hated me after… after last time."

"Oh, no no no, I don't hate you, I know that was-wait. You really think all of those kind things about me?" her cheeks erupted in a blush and oh, oh god, please do that again, it was so adorable he was going to die.

"I don't think so; I know so."

"Aw, Nathanael, you're so sweet! Hey, the party's upstairs, let's go!' at that, Marinette grabbed his hand and led him upstairs to the living room, where the rest of the class (sans Chloe and Sabrina) were all enjoying themselves. Rose squealed and ran over, throwing her arms around him in a hug.

"Nathanael! You're okay, I'm so so glad you're okay!" she exclaimed, jumping up and down even as she was hugging him. Alix and Juleka walked over, a bit more calmly, but still grinning.

"Glad to see you not purple," Alex joked, punching his arm.

"It was so totally wicked awesome!" Juleka rested an arm on his head, showing off her height and eliciting a light hearted glare from her friend.

"You were so cool!" Kim added from the punch table, where he was chatting with Adrien and Nino. "Remind me never to piss you off!"

"Nathanael's always cool!" Rose pouted. Nathanael found himself awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck, which was beginning to heat up with a blush.

"Well, uh, thanks, but I don't always turn into a purple supervillain when I'm upset." he said.

"I'd think you'd be more concerned about pissing off Ivan. Remember what happened last time?" Juleka quipped. Ooh, someone was feeling sassy today.

Ivan sputtered out a laugh nearby, an arm wrapped around the tiny Mylene. "I think just about everyone in class has been akumatized except Adrien and Marinette! You'd probably want to be careful pissing off anyone in Paris at this rate!"

Adrien blinked in sudden realization as Nino turned to him. "Yeah, bro, what's your secret to not getting akumatized? Did your old man teach you how to control your anger or something?"

"Uh? Actually, I dunno. Guess I kinda had to teach myself. Or maybe I'm just lucky." the blonde shrugged.

"What about you, Marinette?" Alya draped an arm around her best friend. "How do you keep from getting angry."

Her friend hesitated a bit before a mischievous smirk suddenly crossed her face. "That's my secret, Alya. I'm always angry." the class giggled at her answer.

"Honestly, though, maybe Chloe is Hawkmoth. She's caused who knows how many people to be akumatized?" Juleka suggested, eliciting another small fit of giggles from the class.

"Let's count. Thus far; Ivan, Alix, Alya, Nathanael, Mr. Raincomprix in a sense, Kim, Mylene, Rose, Juleka, and Sabrina, and most likely many others in the future."

"Well, I mean, saying people who have caused akumas are Hawkmoth is like saying Chat Noir is Hawkmoth because he caused CopyCat, or that my father's Hawkmoth because he caused Simon Says and Bubbler." Adrien countered

"Who knows, he could be! He's stoic and creepy." Nino shrugged

"True, but he's so busy with work, he wouldn't have the time to harass every single upset person in Paris!"

"Yeah, that's true, I guess."

"So, when's the cake coming out?" Kim said, trying to change the subject.

"In a few minutes. I'll bring out extra seats!"

"I'll help!" Nathanael and Adrien both offered at the same time. Marinette blushed.

"Oh, you guys don't have to, I've got it!"

"But, Marinette, i-it's your birthday! You should relax and celebrate it." Nathanael said.

"Well, I guess, but I'm also hosting the party, so I should probably-"

"No worries! We've got it! But thanks, Marinette!" Adrien grinned, causing Marinette's face to turn even pinker as she began stuttering. Adrien looked confused for a bit-oh, oh lord, he's so clueless. Even Nathanael could tell Marinette had a huge crush on Adrien, how could Adrien not see it?

The two boys went down into the basement together, where Marinette had the chairs stored. It took a few trips, but they eventually got enough extra seats up to the living room without any problems. On the last trip, Nathanael couldn't take it anymore.

"What, are you so clueless that you can't tell Marinette likes you?" he suddenly blurted out. Adrien turned, two chairs under his arms and staring, wide eyed and confused.

"I'm sorry, what?" he asked. Nathanael sighed.

"Marinette has a crush on you. The whole class knows it, the whole school knows it, practically all of Paris knows, and somehow you don't. How?"

"Um… I'm sorry, I really wasn't aware. I guess it was all that homeschooling? And… why are you telling me this? Don't you like Marinette?"

Nathanael paused. Why was he telling him? They were technically love rivals; and Adrien was winning the game without even knowing he was playing. Why give him an advantage? That's when the redhead realized.

"Well, I admit, I do like Marinette. But… I do want to see Marinette happy. Whether she's happy with me, or with you, or whoever is making her happy and treating her as she deserves, I don't particularly mind. And I know you like Ladybug, I can respect that. I just wanted to let you know, so you'd at least know what was going on. And let her down gently, if you decide to do so. Otherwise, some dumb bodyguard won't be able to save you from me."

If possible, Adrien's eyes got even wider. All he could do was nod in response. He tightened his grip on the chairs and went up the stairs. Nathanael sighed. Well, that was a dumb move. Everyone in the class was so close to each other, but everyone liked Adrien probably more than him. If he had to face the wrath of Adrien., he'd have to face the wrath of maybe half the class as well. And his bodyguard. Who he just called dumb. Holy shit, he was in for it.

He'd worry about that later. It was Marinette's party, he wanted her to be happy and he wanted to focus on enjoying the time with friends. He couldn't have Adrien's huge bodyguard on his mind and do that. So with a final heft of his noodle arms, he picked up the last two chairs and carried them up to the living room. And just in time for cake, too.

As the class of Francois-Dupont High School gathered with her family to sing Happy Birthday to the best girl in class, Nathanael realized just how awesome his class was. Sure, they might piss each other off at times, but they were a nice, big, group of friends that sometimes felt more like family. They were always there for each other, before and after an akuma attacks, they supported one another. Hell, even Kim had commissioned him for art a few weeks ago, and Nathanael had thought he never noticed him! He wouldn't want to be in any other class, doing anything else this afternoon than spending time with his friends.

Screw Hawkmoth. Even when he was sad, his friends would be there for him, always. No matter what antics Chloe was up to, or who broke whose heart, they could rely on each other and not some manipulative power boost for comfort. Birthday cake was far better than akumas.


If I end up posting another chapter or another fanfic soon, take that as an indication I am still alive. The worst of Hurricane Matthew should be done by Saturday in my area, so feel free to check up on me then! But don't worry about me too much either.

I hope you all have beautiful, wonderful, fabulous days!