Marin removed a few of his hair barrettes, placing a bee shaped comb in his hair as a yellow ball of light materialized before him, transforming into a bee Kwami who bowed her head respectfully towards him.
"It is very lovely to finally see you again Ladybug. The other Kwamis have been speaking of you quite fondly." Pollen said politely as Marin held out his hand, allowing the Kwami to rest upon his palm as she looked up at him with a smile. "Perchance did you maybe bring..." She asked shyly but smiled brightly as Marin placed a box from his parent's bakery on the table. Removing the lid to reveal beautifully decorated cakes that the Kwami's quickly surrounded with glee.
"Pollen is the Kwami of subjection." Master Fu explained as he reached for one of the mini honey cheesecakes that Marin had brought, but retracted as he received glares from almost everyone in the room save for Pollen. Instead, he grabbed his teacup, sipping his green tea bitterly as he watched Marin feed Pollen who smiled happily. "She has the ability to immobilize any person with the power Venom. Though it may seem weak, when given to the right user it can become quite powerful, similar to your Lucky Charm." Master Fu said as he enviously watched as Wayzz and Tikki also began to eating happily.
Marin hesitated for a moment, "Master...what can you tell me about Plagg?" He asked suddenly as Pollen rested on his shoulder.
Master Fu hummed for a moment, but before he could say anything Tikki spoke up.
"He's irresponsible and irritating, and gross!" She said crossing her arms as Marin looked at his usually sweet Kwami in surprise as Master Fu cleared his throat.
"Ah-hem, I believe what Tikki means is that Plagg is a free spirit. Even though what Tikki says is correct; he, like the other Kwamis, are extremely loyal. Why do you ask?" Master Fu inquired.
"I was just wondering," Marin remarked as he fed Pollen another spoon of cake, wiping away the mess on her face with his handkerchief as he then did the same for Tikki and Wayzz. " I've met almost everyone else, except for him. I guess I was just a little curious about what kind of partner Chat Noir has." He remarked with a sullen expression. But before Master Fu to ask about it any further Marin's eyes widened as he saw the time.
"Ah, sorry to leave so suddenly Master," Marin apologized as he pocketed his hairpins, "I'm going to be late for a fashion show! Bye Pollen, it was nice to meet you." Marin said nuzzling the soft Kwami as she giggled.
"It is I who should be thanking you." She said politely just before Marin removed the Miraculous, handing it back to Master Fu. As Tikki flew into his bag Marin petted Wayzz's head affectionately, then picked up a pink hatbox about to leave.
"I'm afraid I don't know much about fashion but good luck." Master Fu said, placing Pollen's Miraculous back into the box. He waited until Marin finally closed the door to reach for the remaining sweets...
"No cakes Master Fu, remember what your doctor said!" Marin called out as Master Fu snapped his fingers in annoyance, chiding at how well his apprentice knew him.
"Tonight, the Grand Palais hosts the most eagerly awaited event of the year! The sensational fashion show of the famous designer Gabriel Agreste! And a major event always brings prestigious guests: Mayor of Paris, André Bourgeois, is expected to attend the show with his wife, the great and highly respected fashion queen-"
Marin overheard on nearby televisions as he kept the news as he carried the weight of the world in his hands.
"Honestly, Marin, it's perfect the way it is!" Tikki said poking her head out of his bag, as Marin sighed heavily, gripping the pink hatbox in his hands.
"It can't just be perfect Tikki, it has to be more than that." Marin remarked. "Adrien is supposed to model it in front of everyone, if even a single thing goes wrong, he'll resent me for it. Why the heck did I design a stupid bird hat?!" He grimaced as he rested his head on the back of his chair.
"Because you're a great designer, Marin. Besides, if your hat was so ugly, why did Gabriel Agreste hand-pick it for his fashion show?" Tikki reasoned as she munched on a cookie.
Marin groaned as he as much as he wanted to change everything and then probably jump out of a window later, he took a deep breath. The sign of a great artist was knowing when to stop. But then he saw who was walking down on the red carpet, immediately stopping in his tracks.
"Oh no! It's Audrey Bourgeois!" Marin said fearfully as he took cover behind a pillar.
"Who?" Tikki questioned.
"Only the harshest fashion critic in the entire world. I didn't know she was coming!" Marin harshly whispered as he looked at her taking an interview with Nadja.
"Audrey, like the slogan of your magazine says "If it's in good taste; it's in "Style Queen!" So, what's in good taste this year?" The reporter asked as Audrey radiated an antagonistic aura, as though she would rein down judgment on anyone who dared to enter her direct proximity.
"Judging by the way you're dressed, you obviously don't know my dear. For your information, the trend this year is glitter." She remarked as Marin whimpered.
"This is fine." Marin said to himself as he began walking away from the venue.
"Where are you going?!" Tikki asked.
"You heard Audrey Bourgeois, didn't you? There's no way they'd let Adrien model this hat; there's not glitter on it; zero trend-potential-OW!" Marin yelped as Tikki pinched him. "What was that for?!"
"Becuase you weren't snapping out of it." Tikki said. "Your designs are beyond any trend, everyone know it!" the Kwami said supportively as she suddenly hid away at the sound of someone approaching.
Marin flinched as someone placed their hand on his shoulder, he turned back to see Nathalie looking down at him. " There you are, Marin. Everyone's waiting for you."
"Uh, but-uh- actually-I, uh-" Marin stammered but couldn't escape as Nathalie guided him directly into the one place that he was trying to avoid.
Adrien fixed his jacket, within the mirror he saw Plagg sitting a few feet away gobbling down cheese. "I feel ridiculous wearing this." He admitted.
"That's probably because you look ridiculous," Plagg remarked cheekily as Adrien sighed. Both of them flinched as somebody then knocked on the trailer door. Adrien waited until Plagg was properly hidden before he opened it. A smile immediately settled on his face as he saw his friend standing before him with a pink hatbox in his hands.
"Hello, Marin." Adrien greeted politely as he took a step back.
Marin glanced up at him shyly, waving in greeting. "Oh, uh— Hel-" he was about to greet but had not accounted for the height difference on the last step as he tripped right into Adrien's arms. Averting his gaze after looking up at Adrien's face for a moment too long. "Sorry!" He immediately said, holding his head apologetically as the hatbox slipped from his hands.
Adrien's expression softened as he glanced at his friend. "No worries." He said as they both bumped their heads into each other trying to pick up the box, glancing at each other again before chuckling. Adrien picked up the hat, handing it over to Marin who had picked up the feather. "I hope it's not too hard to fix it." Adrien said in concern, noticing his friend's sullen expression.
"Don't worry about it." Marin said fixing it easily as he handed it back to Adrien.
"What's wrong?" Adrien asked, holding the hat in his hands.
"It's nothing." Marin remarked, "Good luck out there." He said about to leave if Adrien didn't immediately intercept him by shutting the door, and looking up at his friend with a cheeky grin.
"What's wrong?" He asked again, this time leaning against the door frame as Marin groaned at his friend.
"Why are you like this?"
"Why are you sad?" Adrien retorted as Marin shot a glare at him.
"Oh, you know, it doesn't really matter that the hat is a complete failure," Marin said bitterly as he rested his back against the wall adjacent to Adrien who looked at him in surprise.
"What, no it's not. Why would you say that?"
"Because…" Marin mumbled under his breath but then sighed. "I'm sorry, Adrien. Please don't put the hat on, it'll be a disaster I just know it. You know how unlucky I am."
Adrien smiled at his friend. "Oh, would you take a look at this." He remarked, placing the hat on as he walked around with his hands folded behind his back. "I'm perfectly fine, I dare say...not a disaster." He said looking over his shoulder at his friend who rolled his eyes in amusement as he then laughed. Adrien's heart couldn't help but swell as he had made his friend smile. "Marin, everything's gonna be fine. Your hat looks great; I think it's awesome; so does my father. Otherwise, he wouldn't have picked it for me."
The two smiled fondly at each other until someone coughed behind the door. Marin blushed furiously as he opened the door to reveal Nathalie still standing there. "Bye Adrien!" He said, closing the door behind him as he kept his gaze to the ground the entire walk to the sitting area. He clutched the straps of his bag, as he flinched at Nathalie's voice.
"You and Adrien seem, rather close." She remarked as Marin kept his eyes glued to the ground.
"He's just being nice." He said, his sullen expression returning as the secretary guided him toward his seat in the front row. He felt some relief as he saw his parents and Alya waiting for him.
However just before he could reach the seat, someone else in between them with a sour expression. "How dilapidated is this place? And I have to share the front row with this group of low-lifes? Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous." Audrey Bourgeois remarked crossing her arms.
"Uh, sorry, but that seat is reserved for Marin." Alya spoke up in annoyance as Marin edged away, about to run but was held back by Nathalie who retained her stern expression.
Audrey glanced at Alya. "What is a Marin?" She asked snidely.
"Let me handle this, mother. Hey losers, do you know who my mother is? She's Miss Style Queen: the most powerful woman in the world of fashion. This show is for her, okay? So, get lost!" Chloé snapped with a satisfied expression on her face, until Nathalie walked up with her hand on Marin's shoulder.
"Mrs. Bourgeois. Mr. Agreste has reserved a seat for you…" She began to say.
"Ah, finally." Audrey remarked with a satisfied expression, that quickly soured.
"…in the second row." Nathalie clarified, holding her composure even when Audrey was yelling in her face.
"What?! This is unacceptable! Gabriel cannot do this to me! I'm the one who discovered him. Without me, he'd still be drawing his unworthy designs in his dismal, grim studio!"
"I can offer your seat to someone else if you don't want it." Nathalie offered, but that only serves to make Audrey even angrier.
"How dare you? You're fired!"
"I don't work for you, I work for Mr. Agreste."
"We'll see about that!" She remarked, taking out her phone as Nathalie gestured to Marin to sit down, which he did as he and everyone else had to watch the two argue over seating until Audrey walked away angrily, followed by the rest of her family.
Marin sighed heavily as Alya placed her hand on his shoulder. "All cool, cutie?" She asked in concern as he nodded at her with his hand clawing his shirt. The show then started as Marin noticed that Nino was playing the music for the show, no doubt because of Adrien. Marin couldn't help but smile as he saw Adrien walking down the catwalk stylishly as he gracefully struck a few poses for the camera. For a moment, he spotted Marin in the audience, winking at him as if to say, told you it would be okay.
And then something landed before him, surprising the entire crowd as they looked up to a woman made entirely out of Glitter. "A fashion show without the queen of style? Glitteraly unacceptable!" She remarked as she looked around angrily. "Where is that ungrateful Gabriel Agreste? I demand that he kneels before me!"
"My father isn't here!" Adrien said, as Marin could feel the blood drain from his face at stunned his friend's boldness.
Style Queen smirked evilly, "Well then. If fashion-disaster daddy isn't here, I'll just have to settle for Agreste Junior! You're fired!" She said holding her staff towards him as he was blasted with glitter, turning into a golden statue.
"Adrien!" Marin called out fearfully as everyone began panicking, giving Marin the cover he needed to escape. He ran into a nearby closet as Tikki flew out of his bag. "Tikki, spots on!" He said with a serious expression.
Ladybug swung on top of the rafters of the building as he looked down at the scene of Chloé begging her mother to become her assistant.
"If you want to find Gabriel Agreste, I know where he lives. You can take care of Ladybug and Chat Noir later, they're worthless anyway." She remarked as Ladybug narrowed his eyes.
" Hmm— It's not a completely idiotic idea." Style Queen admitted as she smashed her wand on the ground. Ladybug could only watch in shock as Adrien's statue crumbled and was sucked into the wand; Acting quickly he removed a tracker from his yo-yo, throwing it on Chloé's jacket just as she was dragged along with her mother.
"Chat Noir, please hurry up." Ladybug hoped aloud, fearful of what would happen to Adrien if his partner held onto his anger and decided not to show up.
Ladybug tracked Style Queen to the Agreste manor first, but saw that she had changed course towards the Eiffel tower. He easily traversed the railing, stealthily landing on the rafters as he saw Adrien trapped behind a forcefield, slowly disintegrating as Chloé tried to break him out to no avail. He noticed the rose in Adrien's mouth, it was the same one that Audrey Agrete had on her hat...Ladybug's eyes widened with realization as he dialed up his partner, hoping that he would be able to get the message at least.
"Chat Noir...please, I need your help. Adrien Agreste's life is on the line-AGH!" Ladybug said just as he was blasted with glitter, slammed against the railing as Style Queen smiled at him in amusement.
He glared at her as he threw up his yo-yo in the air. "Lucky Charm!" He cried out as a mallet fell into his hands. But just as he recognized it, he was blasted once more by Style Queen, pinned to the ground as she planted a heel on his chest. "Ladybug, hand over those awful earrings and let's get this over with." She demanded as she reached down to take his earings, only to be met with Ladybug trying to punch her. However, his arm was stuck in her body, as he struggled to escape she laughed. "You still don't get it, huh, fashion victim? I am invincible! My power is only equaled by my sense of fashion. I am invincible!" She stated with confidence as she pointed her staff directly at his face. But just before he was about to be turned into a statue Chloé pushed her mother, dispersing the golden dust as she turned her daughter to stone. Shocking Ladybug even though he was free now.
How could she do that to her own daughter?
"It's really impossible to find qualified staff these days." Style Queen remarked as she turned back towards Ladybug, but was annoyed to see he had disappeared.
Marin transformed back in an alley near the shop. As he barged into the shop he saw the Master's back turned towards him. "Master Fu, Chat Noir has disappeared. I can't beat Style Queen without him! And the Lucky Charm told me to come here..." Marin mumbled off as he glanced at his Master in confusion.
"Don't worry, Chat Noir is fine. He's just lost his Miraculous." Master Fu said as he turned back towards him with a reassuring smile. Marin stared at him for a few moments as Tikki hovered nearby, both of them waiting for an explanation as Marin sat before the master.
"Yup, that tomcat's really gotten himself stuck up in a tree this time." A voice behind the Master said as Master Fu moved to the side to reveal a black cat-like Kwami.
Marin blinked in surprise, "Uh— Lemme guess, you're Chat Noir's Kwami?"
Plagg finished off the cheese as he hovered before Marin's face. Marin noticed that the small Kwami radiated the smell of camembert, making Tikki gag as she flew back into his bag and back to the safety of cookies. "Yes, he tends to copy me a bit too much. Yet, lately, he's been doing really silly things. In five thousand years I've never experienced such an irresponsible Miraculous owner. As a result, he's lost his ring and it's just me that's able to help you out."
"No! It's out of the question, Plagg. You are way too dangerous without an owner." Master Fu said calmly as Plagg scoffed.
" Dangerous? Me? How so?"
"Does the disappearance of Atlantis ring a bell with you?" Master Fu said as Marin's eyes widened for a moment.
"Wait, Atlantis is rea-"
"I'd had too much cheese." Plagg interrupted.
"The Leaning Tower of Pisa?" Master Fu pointed out, crossing his arms.
" I didn't see it."
"The Dinosaurs?!" Master Fu snapped as Marin stared at the cute cat Kwami before him, wondering if Chat Noir knew how dangerous his partner was.
" Oh!" Plagg remarked as he admitted his fault. "Yeah… okay. No, I— I… did go too far there. But I was young."
Master Fu sighed heavily, "Neither Chat Noir nor Plagg can help you today." He said as Marin averted his gaze, noticing that Plagg was staring at him as well as they both had the same thought. However, their attention turned towards Master Fu as he took out the Miracle box.
"Marinus Dupain-Cheng, pick an ally you can trust to fight alongside you on this mission. Choose wisely; such powers are meant to serve the greater good. Once the mission is over you will retrieve the Miraculous from them."
Marin narrowed his eyes, "I need someone who can actually immobilize my opponent..." He murmured to himself as he picked up the bee Miraculous.
"Do you have someone in mind, Marinus?" Master Fu asked as he handed his apprentice a Miraculous box.
"Yes Master, I think I do." He said as he nodded his head in thanks. Racing out of the door as Plagg eyed him nervously.
Ladybug raced up the tower, landing on a set of stairs as he prevented Alya from going any further. "Miss Césaire, I would advise you not to get so close to Style Queen, it's too dangerous." He warned, but know exactly how his best friend would respond as she smirked at him with determination in her eyes.
"It's hard to get a scoop when you're not in the middle of the action, Ladybug." She remarked holding up her phone towards her favorite hero, but was surprised as Ladybug held a Miraculous before her.
"Alya Césaire, this is the Miraculous of the Bee which grants the power of subjection. You will use it for the greater good and once the mission is over, you will return the Miraculous to me. Can I trust you?"
Alya's eyes lit up as she nodded, "Always." About to take the Miraculous until Style Queen materialized before them, Alya immediately pushed Ladybug out of the way, knocking the Miraculous out of his hands, as she herself was turned into a statue.
Ladybug gasped in dismay as the Miraculous that held Pollen was falling to the ground, then turning to see his friend turned to a statue. Ladybug's brow furrowed as he glared at Style Queen angrily.
"Where's Chat Noir? Oh, lemme guess. He's hiding because he's ashamed of his outfit." Style Queen laughed as Ladybug threw his yo-yo into the air.
"Lucky Charm!" He cried out, activating his power as a tube of super glue fell into his hands. He looked around for a moment, spotting exactly what he needed. As Style Queen dispersed into glitter Ladybug was just about to touch a nearby flag, but unluckily he was scooped up by Style Queen's glitter, and thrown against the orb that held his friend captive.
"Poor little bitty bug." Style Queen chastised as she pointed her weapon at his throat, forcing him to look at her, moments before his imminent demise. "You really are nothing without your kitty cat."
Ladybug glared at her as all of a sudden, something flew through Style Queen, placing himself between the two.
"Stay away from the Ladybug!" He said defensively as Ladybug stared at his savior in surprise.
"Plagg?!"
Style Queen scoffed at the sight. "Agh, my, my. What do we have here? A talking rat?"
"Meow. Style faux pas. Cataclysm!" Plagg remarked as he stuck out his tongue, careful not to use his full power as be booped the floor. But the entire city seemed to shake as the tower started to collapse.
"Plagg what did you do!?" Ladybug remarked as he noticed the force field around Adrien had weakened. Quickly he punched a hole in it, retrieving the flower as he lost his balance for a few seconds.
"You better hurry and fix everything," Plagg warned as he handed Ladybug his fallen Lucky Charm.
Ladybug snapped the flower in two as Style Queen cried out in agony, releasing the Akuma.
"No more mischief from you little Akuma. Time to purify!" Ladybug said as he swung his yo-yo towards the possessed Akuma, capturing it in one motion. Then opening it once more, watching the newly purified Akuma fly away. "Bye-bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug called out, throwing up the lucky charm as everything turned back to normal.
Ladybug sighed in relief as Adrien turned back to normal along with Style Queen's other victims looking down from the rafters as he Chloé hugged him in relief and the two tended to Audrey who still had a sour expression on her face.
Ladybug and Plagg smiled at each other as they pounded fists. But the smile faded as a thought occurred to the hero. "...Did Chat Noir actually lose his Miraculous?"
Plagg looked away with a sullen expression on his face, "He's kind of mad at you, and me because he's the only one still in the dark about the Master and everything else about the Miraculous."
"I'm sorry for putting you in that position Plagg." Ladybug apologized as the Kwami sighed, crossing his arms.
"You don't need to apologize, I've told every holder of mine that their duty was to support Ladybug. Some were good at it, some weren't, but at the end of the day I was still proud to call them my partners. Each Ladybug that came before had their own burden they had to shoulder, it's up to you if it's one that you want to share." Plagg explained as Ladybug smiled fondly at him.
"I'm glad that Chat Noir has someone like you on his side as he scratched Plagg under his chin, making the cat Kwami purr for a few moments before he shook it off, trying to retain a semblance of composure as he coughed.
"Don't worry about Chat Noir, I'll be on him like mold on cheese from now on." He remarked as Ladybug turned his attention downward, back on Adrien who looked out from the tower nervously.
"Mister Agreste." He called out as Adrien turned towards him in surprise. "I'm glad you're okay." He said, but noticed as Adrien turned his head away for a moment, before forcing a smile. Something that shocked the hero as he could feel an underlying coldness coming from him.
"I'm glad to see you too Ladybug. Thank you very much for your help." He said, politely.
Ladybug couldn't help but feel a little hurt, but shook it off quickly, there was no reason to press something that he shouldn't care about. Adrien wasn't Ladybug's friend, he was Marin's.
"Why didn't you go back with your friend?"
"Oh, uh," Adrien mumbled, "I didn't really want to go back with them, they can be a little...much."
"I can give you a lift if you want, it's on my way back." Ladybug offered as he held out his hand. Adrien hesitated for a moment but accepted the offer as he wrapped his arms around the hero's neck while Ladybug placed his hand around Adrien's waist. Making sure he was secure before he jumped off the tower and towards the city.
Ladybug landed near the venue, gently placing Adrien on his feet, as Adrien's touch lingered on his shoulder.
"Thank you, Ladybug. For the lift and also… for saving my life." Adrien said as he stepped away from the hero. He winced for a moment as he heard Ladybug's Miraculous beep.
"Stay safe." Ladybug said simply as he used his yo-yo to jump away, not noticing Adrien's lingering glance as he felt a mess of emotions threatening to surface, but he simply took a deep breath as he turned to walk back into the building.
As he walked into the venus, he heard spotted a familiar face as a smile of relief broke out on his face.
"Plagg!" He said happily as he hugged his Kwami behind a pillar, away from the eyes from the public. "I was so worried about you." He said as his Plagg smirked.
"Hmph, worried about me? I'll have you know that I was on my best behavior!" He remarked as just then, Adrien looked at a nearby screen, showing the news report of Paris almost being destroyed as the Eiffel Tower fell towards civilians. Staring at it for a few moments before he turned back to his Kwami with a disapproving expression, as if to say, you-were-saying? As Plagg chuckled nervously.
"For the record, I saved Ladybug's life, doesn't that count for anything?!" He tried to reason as Adrien glanced down at his Kwami. A familiar feeling of uncertainty rising as he turned away for a moment as the modded tensed for a moment. "He does care you know," Plagg remarked as Adrien smiled down at his partner, opening his jacket so Plagg could fly in.
"I know."
Marin sighed as he transformed back to normal as Tikki fell into his hands, exhausted. She took small bites as Marin handed her a shortbread cookie.
"Marin, aren't you forgetting something? You have to bring the Miraculous back to Master Fu." She said as Marin could feel shock settle through his body.
"But the magic ladybugs already brought it back, didn't they?!"
Tikki shook her head. "Anything effected by the Akuma goes back to normal, you dropped the Miraculous of your own accord." She explained.
"Oh no, I abandoned Pollen!" Marin grimaced as he started panicking, thinking of every worst-case scenario, about to run back to the Effiel tower. But he bumped into the worse person to run into within this scenario, who sighed in relief at the sighed of him.
"Mio bambino, there you are!" Marin's father said as he hugged him tightly, even lifting him up as his mother sighed in relief. "We've been looking for you everywhere in the Grand Palais. Are you okay, sweety?" He asked in concerned as Marin had a little trouble breathing. He loved his dad, but his hugs were sometimes a little too smothering.
"Ah, I'm fine papa. Please, let me down?" He asked as his father chuckled, ruffling his hair gently as he guided his wife and son back into the hall.
"We're finally going to get to watch the fashion show and witness the success of our darling son and his amazing hat." Time said proudly as Marin grew more anxious.
"Uh, papa- I actually, forgot something at home-" Marin tried to explain.
"Come on! We can't miss the beginning, you little friend Adrien is already on the catwalk, he and the rest of your friends were worried about you too you know."
As soon as his father said that Marin would feel his will wavering as he had made his friends worry. But he couldn't sit still he was worried out of his mind for little Pollen out there on her own, trapped in her Miraculous on the outside world, and it was all his fault.
As Adrien pushed the guilt of not being there for his partner, as well as the anger, hurt, and general animosity being near his friend seemed to generate, he was grateful for any kind of distraction. Even if it was walking up and down a catwalk. But he couldn't help but notice Marin's worried expression as he gripped the sash of his messenger bag, clearly worried over something. But he was distracted for a moment as Alya pointed a camera in his face, smiling shyly as he waved.
"Scoop. The hat Adrien Agreste is wearing was made by my BFF, Marin! Anything you'd like to say during my livestream?" All of a sudden, everyone's attention was led to the entrance of the catwalk as Adrien turned around, his eyes widening in shock as there, standing before him was his father. Out in the open for the first time since...
"Ladybloggers, a huge update! That's Gabriel Agreste; he hasn't been in public in ages." Alya narrated as she kept her stream running.
Adrien was frozen in place as his father walked up to him. Uncertain of what else to do, Adrien removed his hat, but was shaken as his father hugged him. Adrien gasped for a moment, feeling the weight of the situation, but accepted it for whatever it was as all eyes were on them. All that mattered was that his father was here, and he was there for him...
"This was Gabriel Agreste's first public appearance since his wife disappeared. This fashion week is full of surprises and shockers." Nadja announced nearby as Adrien and his father walked past the news team.
Adrien stood next to his father as he talked to Audrey, the two squabbled for a moment until Audrey smirked.
"Let's not overdo it. Huh Gabriel?" She said knowingly as she glanced at Adrien, more specifically the hat on his head.
"Did you enjoy the show?" Gabriel asked.
"So, so." Audrey remarked as she took the hat off Adrien's head, observing it more closely. The style of this hat is clearly not an original "Gabriel Agreste". Has your isolation provided you with new inspiration?" Audrey inquired as she scanned over the hat more closely.
"Unfortunately no, it was designed by one of Adrien's classmates." He said as Gabriel glanced at his son, who took the hint as he immediately scanned for his friend. Spotting Marin trying to sneak away from the crowd. Adrien ran over to him, grabbing his arm as Marin yelped in surprise turning to face his face.
"Adrie-"
"Audrey Bourgeois wants to meet you!" He said excitedly as Marin processed that information for a moment.
"What, why?" He asked now panicked.
"Because she saw your hat! Come on."
"But I have to-"
"It'll just be a few minutes, promise!" Adrien said with a reassuring smile as he dragged his friend back to where he was standing previously.
"So, are you the designer of this?" Audrey asked with a condescending tone.
Marin looked up at her nervously, glancing back at Adrien who nodded at him encouragingly. "I… I'm the one who created it." Marin said smiling nervously. "I was inspired by style and Paris herself."
"Marinus Dupain-Cheung was the winner of one of my fashion design competitions," Gabriel explained as he placed a hand on Marin's shoulder.
Audrey lifted her glasses to get a better look at the hat, narrowing her eyes. "It's the most…exceptional thing I've ever seen! You're a visionary, Marin! Glitter's had its day. Feathers are the trend of tomorrow! I haven't felt this much emotion since… " She remarked, then her gaze settled on Gabriel, "you."
"He does have a very rare potential," Gabriel admitted.
Adrien was smiling out of his mind as he saw his father glance at Marin proudly, having to hold back his pure glee for his friend as he was being praised by the fashion world's most renown icons. But more importantly, his friend had gotten his father to smile, an almost impossible feat.
"You wanna be a fashion designer, right?" Audrey inquired as Marin nodded nervously.
"Yes ma'am."
Audrey hummed to herself as she placed the hat back on Adrien's head. "Then come to New York with me! I'll make you the biggest name in fashion! I'm sure you'll even upstage Gabriel.
Adrien's smile dropped for a moment as Audrey said that. Marin? One of his closest friends in the world moving overseas? The thought made him sad but Adrien's smile returned as Marin glanced back at him nervously. "I'd be able to model one of your designs!" he said encouragingly
"My helicopter will be leaving for the airport at 8 p.m. tonight," Audrey said placing her sunglasses back on. "make your choice before then."
Adrien then turned his head away towards his childhood friend. "Isn't this awesome for Marin, Chloé?" He asked by noticed that Chloé hung her head for a few moments before she lifted it, seething with rage.
"It's... It's ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous! I've never been to New York with you and you're taking Marin Dupain-Cheng!?" Chloé snapped angrily in a rage that Adrien hadn't seen before, at least as long as he had known her.
"I'm taking him because he's exceptional Claudette. Uh— Chloé." Audrey said.
Chloé winced back as she started to tear up, "I-I'm exceptional, too!" She insisted.
But Audrey paid no mind to her daughter's emotional distress. "The only exceptional thing about you, my dear… is your mother." She said rather harshly as Marin and Adrien exchanged as worried expression. Even though they had different opinions about Chloé, they both telepathically agreed that her mother had gone too far.
"Audrey, dear-" Chloé's father tried to comfort his daughter while also trying to be reasonable with his wife, but Chloé pushed him away.
"Ugh! I'll show you how exceptional I can be!" Chloé exclaimed as she took out a familiar-looking black box with a red emblem. When she opened it, a yellow ball of light appeared before all of them as a yellow Kwami materialized before them. Adrien was stunned, there was no possible way that Ladybug, or anyone would ever willingly give Chloé a Miraculous. Yet here was the exact scene occurring right before his eyes.
"How may I please you, my Queen?" The yellow Kwami asked as Chloé smiled sinisterly.
"What is that thing?" Audrey asked apathetically, disinterested in the literal magical being before her eyes.
"Chloé, what are you doing?!" Adrien asked as his childhood friend tossed away her glasses and placed the Miraculous in her hair.
"Pollen, Buzz On!" Chloé proclaimed as she transformed before their eyes. She glared at Marin for a few moments before Adrien protectively stood between them, knowing all too well the grudge Chloé held for their classmate. However, she instead jumped atop nearby scaffolding overlooking the venue. "I am Chloé Bourgeois and from now on I'll be your new superhero, Queen Bee! We'll soon see if you think Dupain-Cheng is still more exceptional than moi! Spinning Top!" Chloé exclaimed as she used her Top to exit the Grand Palais, stunning everyone for a moment.
"What is happening to our beloved daughter?!" The mayor yelled out in confusion and worry as his wife brushed it off.
"She always was such a show-off. See you tonight, Marin. I'll meet you at my helicopter." Audrey said as she walked out of the building.
"We best be going home, Adrien." Gabriel said as he placed his hand on his son's shoulder, guiding him out of the building as Adrien glanced at Marin for a moment before he was escorted to his car.
As Marin watched his friend leave, he stood there for a moment trying to process everything that happened. But couldn't as he had made a horrible mistake, and now little Pollen was in Chloé's hands. Chloé, who was the worst person to place as sweet little Kwami into the hands of.
But he couldn't think about what a horrible, horrible person he was. He had to think about where Chloé...where Queen Bee was going to be. She definitely wanted attention, to impress her mother desperately...but how would she do that? He then turned his head as he overheard a conversation between Nadja and someone else.
"Come one, we have to get to the subway!" The reported said ask Marin had an extremely bad feeling...
But he snapped out of it as he was hugged from behind.
"OHHH, my little Bambino's growing up!" Tom said happily as he placed his son back onto the ground, then placing his hand on his and Sabine's shoulders. "We'll open a bakery in New York and introduce our Dupain-Cheng pastries to the Americans!"
" Are you sure about that Tom? You've always been afraid of flying." His mother said as she smiled at her son supportively.
"I'd fly to the moon and open a bakery for my boy if I had to." Tom said confidently as Marin looked away for a moment.
"But what about everyone who lives here? What about Nonna?" He asked as Tom looked down at him reassuringly.
"I know your grandmother would travel anywhere you were mio figlio piccolo, she loves you very much." Tom said honestly, "She may even come to stay with us if its in a new city, wouldn't that be nice?" He asked.
Marin wavered for a moment, it would be nice to see his grandmother more often than just through letters or postcards. Even so... "What about gramps?"
Tom looked taken aback for a moment, exchanging a glance with his mother who spoke up.
["Don't worry about grandpa my heart, I know you think he's frail but he's very independent just like Nonna."] Sabine said with a smile as she held Marin's face in her hands. ["We want to do what's best for you, always."] She said as she lifted herself on her toes to his cheek. But Marin's expression wasn't deterred from worry.
"Nothing will come between my darling son and his dreams." Tom remarked as he Kissed his son's head. His family radiated kindness and support, but it didn't sit right with Marin who took a step back.
"I-uh, need to find Alya. I'll meet you at home." He said as his parents nodded.
["Come home safely."] His mother said as his father guided her out of the venue with his hand on her shoulder while she placed her hand on his back.
Marin hung his head for a few moments before he then slapped his cheeks. "I can't lose focus." He said as he searched for a place to transform.
Adrien looked out the window of the car as he grew more anxious for his childhood friends and the rest of Paris's safety "I hope Chloé doesn't do anything foolish." He said glancing at his father.
"I'm sure Ladybug and Chat Noir will deal with her." His father said simply as Adrien turned back to his window noticing Ladybug running along the rooftops and jumping into the subway.
Adrien gasped at the sight of the hero, wanting to run down there with him. But he was also mad at his, but Chloé needed help, but the safety of the people was more important, but shouldn't he try and so what was best for himself?
Adrien sighed at his overthinking. Don't hesitate. He thought to himself, and the answer became all too clear just as they pulled into the driveway of the manor.
Ladybug jumped onto the runaway train that was running at high speeds. As he made his way to the front Chat Noir jumped up right next to him much to his surprise. The two didn't talk to each other as they walked to the front, looking down at Queen Bee trying to stop the train by herself, not realizing the power each Miraculous held. The Bee Miraculous may have given her heightened speed and agility, but it wasn't the strongest.
"Need a helping paw?" Chat Noir asked as Queen Bee glared at them, just as her Miraculous began to beep.
" Sto-o-op sta-aring! Ca-an't you se-e-e you're distracting me-e-e?" She asked, her voice shaking due to the sleepers on the tracks.
Ladybug narrowed his eyes as he nodded at Chat Noir, jumping towards the back of the train while Chat Noir extended his staff, waiting for the right moment. As soon as he felt the train slow down due to Ladybug Chat Noir threw out his baton, which was kept in place due to the length of the extension. He quickly saved Queen Bee just before she was sandwiched between the two, pulling her to safety as the train came to an abrupt stop. Chat Noir then jumped down to check on the passengers.
"Thanks for your co-operation, people. Please, keep on being paw-some and evacuate the station calmly." Chat Noir directed as he made sure no one was seriously injured.
Meanwhile out of the corner of his eye he noticed Queen Bee doing an interview on live television, rolling his eyes as he then noticed Ladybug walked out of the conductor's car. He probably used his yo-yo to travel there after the train had stopped, but Chat Noir paid him no mind until he started to speak.
"Queen Bee. This was your doing." Ladybug said with a serious tone, one that sent shivers up Chat Noir's spine as he had never seen his partner radiate this kind of animosity. But it was something that Queen Bee didn't seem to pick up on as she smiled at him happily.
"Oh, Ladybug, you're too kind. This was teamwork. Oh, how amazing is this?! We're a team now!"
"You paralyzed the metro driver, you used your power to create this situation just to make yourself look good. Chloé, you endangered lives all for a selfish reason."
Queen Bee looked between the hero and the growing animosity nervously as even Chat Noir turned towards her with a frown on his face. "Who cares? We saved them, didn't we?" She reasoned.
"Queen Bee, or rather, Chloé Bourgeois, we're on the air with your mother, Audrey Bourgeois. Audrey, do you have anything to say, live, on TV?" Nadja asked as she held up a tablet with Audrey on the other side.
"What? Regarding my daughter's ineptitude? I think it speaks for itself, doesn't it?" She said as Chloé looked away sadly.
"Chloé, give me back the Miraculous," Ladybug ordered as he held out his hand.
Queen Bee glared at him angrily, protecting the Miraculous in her hair. "Finders keepers, losers wheepers!" She said then stuck her tongue out like she was a child.
Chat Noir's eyes widened in shock, just as he was picking up his staff. " Did you… lose a Miraculous?"
Ladybug ignored him, "Now Chloé." Ladybug demanded, but suddenly, Chloé shoved him away as she ran back onto the train. Which was still in service apparently as it was running on an auto function. Ladybug slapped his forehead angrily as he ran out of the Subway and towards the next stop. However, he was followed by his partner, much to his chagrin.
"If you think we're not going to talk about you losing a Miraculous then you are sorely mistaken!" Chat Noir remarked, and he and Ladybug jumped on to the rooftops.
They headed to the Grand Paris hotel directly as it would be the most likely place for Chloé to return to. Ladybug and Chat Noir landed on the roof. Chat Noir had been trying to get him to talk to him for a while, but Ladybug remained silent as they walked through the hotel, eventually making it to the first floor where a large number of people were immobilized. They were completely frozen as both heroes took notice of the single black marks on their bodies.
"What's that, an insect bite?" Chat Noir asked as Ladybug quickly put two and two together. He quickly grabbed Chat Noir's arm as he heard a buzzing sound, using his yo-yo to quickly jump onto the rooftops.
"Hey! What's going on?!" Chat Noir asked but when he didn't receive and answer, he stopped running, gripping Ladybug's hand as he pinned him to a nearby wall, looking up at his partner. "You need to talk to me." He said bluntly as Ladybug averted his gaze for a moment.
"Chloé's been Akumatized in her Queen Bee form. When an Akuma possesses a Miraculous like that it can enhance it's power greatly, meaning that Queen Bee can use her power however many times as she wants with no repercussions."
"How do you know this?" Chat Noir asked as his ears twitched again, hearing a buzzing as he and Ladybug looked up to an Akumatized Queen Bee with a smile on her face.
"Your reign is over, Ladybug and Chat Noir! I don't even care if you don't give me your Miraculous; my wasps will paralyze you and I'll simply take them myself. Then, Queen Wasp will reign supreme!" She laughed evilly as she sent her swarms after the two heroes.
Chat Noir gripped Ladybug's hand as he could see where his partner was guiding him towards. The two of them jumped into the river, still holding hands as they used their weapons as rebreathers. As Chat Noir tried to swim, he noticed Ladybug was having trouble, so he strengthed his grip, pulling them both towards a boat as Chat Noir helped his partner up onto relative dry land.
"So? Were you ever going to mention that you weren't part waterbug?" Chat Noir asked as Ladybug threw his yo-yo into the air.
"Lucky Charm!" He said and a snorkel fell into his hands.
"Your Lucky Charm has a great sense of humor: at least you won't drown." Chat Noir joked as Ladybug looked around, eyeing a duck floaty and a hose. As he turned back towards his partner, Chat Noir lowered his ears nervously, recognizing that look on his friend's face.
Somehow moving trash bin's was not a problem as they snuck back into the hotel. At the top Queen Wasp was floating with the help of her wasps. She was looking out into the city as though she already owned the place. As they approached she turned about with a look of disgust on her face, as she saw the approaching trash bins.
"Now!" Ladybug signaled as he and Chat Noir threw their bins at Queen Wasp, who recoiled, trying to protect her Miraculous.
"You'll never get it back!" Queen Wasp said as Chat Noir jumped on her, shoving the snorkel into her mouth as Ladybug wrapped his yo-yo around the two, tying them together as their combined weight knocked Queen Wasp into the river.
"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir yelled out before they hit the water, placing his rebreather on.
Underwater, Queen Bee tried to struggle against Chat Noir's grasp, was no match for his heightened strength as he easily destroyed her Miraculous. Queen Wasp reverted back to Queen Bee for a moment before she transformed back into Chloé. Chat Noir then grabbed his partner's arm as he removed his rebreather, extending his pole as all three of them flew out of the water, landing roughly on the sidewalk nearby.
Ladybug untied his partner and Chloé from each other as he spotted the Akuma flying overhead. "No more mischief from you little Akuma. Time to purify!" Ladybug said as he swung his yo-yo towards the possessed Akuma, capturing it in one motion. Then opening it once more, watching the newly purified Akuma fly away. "Bye-bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug called out, throwing up the lucky charm as everything turned back to normal.
As the magic ladybug's dispersed, Ladybug and Chat Noir glanced at each other for a moment before turning their heads away from each other, turning their attention towards Chloé.
"I need the Miraculous back, Chloé." LAdybug said as he held out his hand towards his classmate, just as Nadja's van arrived on the scene.
"Give me a second chance, please!" Chloé begged as she hugged the Miraculous in her hands. But just as Ladybug was about to speak up again, Nadja stepped forward holding up a tablet with Audrey's face on it.
"Audrey Bourgeois, tell us live how you feel about what just happened," Nadja said.
"According to me, Chloé just clearly demonstrated that there is nothing exceptional about-" But before she could finish her sentence Ladybug disconnected the call.
"Do you mind?" Ladybug asked curtly, in no mood for entertaining the new reporters to got the message, turning off their cameras while Chat Noir knelt next to Chloé, placing his hand on her shoulder.
"I know that you did the things you did to impress your mother. But what matters is that you try and fix them, don't make the mistake of holding onto your pride. Show everyone how exceptional you can be." Chat Noir with a reassuring smile.
Chloé nodded as she handed her Miraculous to Chat Noir who glanced at Ladybug, the two turning to leave.
"Ladybug? Chat Noir?" Chloé suddenly said, getting the attention of the two heroes. "I'm sorry." She said sincerely as Chat Noir smiled at her, while Ladybug nodded towards her. The two of them jumped on to the rooftops, escaping view as both of their Miraculous beeped.
Chat Noir who looked down at the Miraculous in his hand feeling the weight of his in his palm as he noticed Ladybug averted his gaze. He could see how much Ladybug desperately wanted to get the Miraculous back but at the same time, he was vulnerable. Chat Noirs mind began to wander for a moment, wondering if he could blackmail his partner for information. But quickly shook those thoughts that even scared himself.
"Here." He said surprising Ladybug as he so easily handed it over. "I'm not going to let the Kwamis get involved in our...squabble." He said, then crossing his arms as Ladybug took the Miraculous.
Ladybug hugged the bee Miraculous close to his heart, sighing in relief as Chat Noir's expression softened for a moment. He loved these parts of Ladybug, his sincerity that always seemed to slip through when he let his guard down.
"Thank you Chat Noir." Ladybug said gratefully as his Miraculous beeped for the final time just as he jumped into the alley. Chat Noir could see the light of his de-transformation. He bit the bottom of his lip as his annoyance returned, but held himself back as he ran in the other direction.
Marin rested his back against the alley wall as he glanced down at the Bee Miraculous. Tikki rested on his shoulder eating a cookie.
"I think I almost lost my mind when you told me Pollen wouldn't have returned to the Master." Marin admitted as he took a deep breath. Tikki looked up her partner for a moment before a sad understanding took hold.
"Are you really okay with this, Marin?" Tikki asked as she hovered before his face.
"Huh, what do you mean?"
"You didn't choose to become Ladybug, you even tried to give away your Miraculous when it began too much for you." She said as she rested on the palm of his hand next to the bee Miraculous. "Everyone would miss you, but this could be your chance."
"My chance?"
"To leave everything behind, you wouldn't have to stay up worrying about Hawkmoth, Chat Noir, the rest of the Kwami, or even Master Fu." She said, "If you escaped Hawkmoth's proximity then you would be free. I've seen the pressure that being Ladybug has put on you."
"But..." Marin murmured, looking at his precious Kwami in worry.
"It breaks my heart to see much you've given up for our sake. But it doesn't have to be like that anymore. You've done enough." She said reassuringly. "I know the Master wouldn't try to stop you either, I'm sure he feels the same way."
Marin didn't know what to say, so instead, he petted Tikki's head as he placed her and the bee Miraculous into his bag. He wished he had a hood to place over his head as he felt exposed to everyone's gaze. Instead, he reached into his back pocket, untying the lucky charm that he had gotten on his birthday. He wasn't sure who it was from, but it served as a form of comfort when he was really down. Tying it around his wrist, he rubbed gently, hoping it would trigger some kind of luck.
An opportunity like this had never come up before. He was certain that his friends at school would probably say the same thing, they'd miss him, but they'd want what was best for him. Alya and Nino would especially be supportive, their friendship probably wouldn't waver as they talked over phone and texted so soften even when he was ill.
But then he heard the sounds of melodic playing, lifting his head up to see a familiar figure sitting at the edge of the riverbank.
"Luka?" Marin said in surprise as he walked up to his friend who held with his guitar in his hands. He was strumming a few chords, glancing up at Marin for a moment as a smile drew on his face.
"Hello Mar." He greeted, as he stopped playing for a moment. "What brings you out here?" He asked as he gestured for Marin to sit down next to him. Marin complied as he looked down at his hands, sighing heavily.
"I don't know, seemed like a nice day to walk around and think I suppose." He said.
"Is something wrong?" Luka asked, placing his guitar behind him as he turned to his friend.
Marin shrugged his shoulders, wondering if he should burden Luka with his own problems. It would probably be the same story all over again, but even so... "I was invited to under Audrey Bourgeois, it's a once in a lifetime offer..." He informed.
"That's amazing Mar."
"But the problem is that it's in New York, and I have to leave by today in a few hours." He said with a sigh, hanging his head. "It's...almost unreal."
"So what's the problem?" Luka asked, tilting his head slightly, "This is what you want isn't it?"
Marin nodded slightly. "It's something that I've only dreamed about for practically my whole life, studying abroad like this with someone who's built their career on their passion. But, everyone's telling me that it's alright to leave, and even though I should be upset, maybe...I don't know, I think I'm...relieved?" He admitted as Luka placed his hand on his shoulder, flashing him a reassuring smile.
"Am I being selfish about this? Being happy when I have a chance to leave everything behind? Shouldn't I be more torn up about this?" He asked slowly growing desperate as Luka pulled him into a half hug.
"Are you looking for a reason to stay?" He asked, as Marin rested his head on his shoulder and image of Adrien flashing in his mind as he pushed those thoughts away.
"Maybe." Marin sighed, "I don't know when I would come back, if ever."
"Then try to look at it this way, if you go you'll probably lead a very successful, very happy life. But if you decide to stay, you'll have to work a lot harder but," Luka said, pulling back from the hug. "I'll try and make you just as happy." He said earnestly, playing a few playful notes on his guitar as Marin chuckled at his joke.
He had a whistful expression on his face as he stood up, brushing the dirt from his pants. "I think I know what to do." He said as he walked down the lane.
Luka returned to playing his guitar, but stopped as he heard a series of footsteps, then was hugged from behind as Marin hugged him. Careful to make sure he wouldn't fall over.
"Thank you Luka." He said sincerely with a bright smile, before he ran back down the street in a hurry. Not noticing Luka's warm smile as he placed his hand on Marin's lingering touch.
Marin took a deep breath as he walked up to Audrey who had her arms crossed.
"Well, well. It's about time. We can take off, now." She remarked turning back towards the helicopter.
Marin placed his hand on his bracelet. " I won't be coming to New York with you. I still have too much-unfinished business here, and all the people I love are here as well."
"You're making a mistake, Marinus." Audrey warned but was surprised as Marin shook his head.
"I think you're wrong. A huge part of your life is here in Paris, too." He said boldly as Audrey looked at him in surprise.
"What are you talking about?" She asked narrowing her eyes.
"You're also wrong about your daughter, about Chloé not being exceptional. In fact, Chloé is exceptionally mean. She's the worst person I've ever met. She may be more heinous, pompous and childish than you." He said as-a-matter-of-fact-like as Audrey gasped. "Frankly, it seems a little ridiculous, utterly ridiculous that you haven't ever thought about staying here instead of in New York." He said with a cheeky grin as he suddenly grew fearful at Audrey's lack of a temper. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at him as she smirked in amusement.
"I see what Gabriel mean when he spoke of you earlier." She remarked as Marin's composure feel for a moment as she walked up to Marin, standing beside him for a moment as her hands were on her hips. "Perhaps you will become equally as exceptional as he has become someday." She said, but Marin was uncertain if he wanted to accept that as a compliment as he watched her walk away back into the city.
Just when he thought he knew who exactly Gabriel Agreste was, the man seemed to throw him off balance every time they met. But one thing Marin knew for certain was that there was something inside that would always prevent him from trusting him.
Marin bowed his head humbly before his master as Tikki mirrored her partner in support. Master Fu sat across from him, composed as Wayzz placed the Bee Miraculous back within the box, then hovered near his partner's side.
"You don't have to hang your head." Master Fu said reassuringly, but Marin didn't waver.
"I lost Pollen Master, even worse I allowed her to be misused. If I made another misstep like that again today would have ended far more terribly."
"Marinus," Master Fu said as Marin slowly lifted his head, "Mistakes are part of who we are as people. I know you care for others deeply, and it may be hard for you to hear, but mistakes can make us who we are." He said as Marin gripped his fists. "It's important that we never allow them to linger long enough for them to take over." He said as Wayzz and Tikki sat on Marin's shoulder, acting as a form of comfort as he smiled warmly at the two.
"Now, how about we have some cake-" Master Fu said, pulling out the honey cakes from earlier, but was immediately met with resistance.
"No cake Master." Marin, Tikki, and Wayzz said together as Master Fu pouted.
The next day at school, the moment Marin stepped into the room, he was immediately hugged by Alya.
"Whos !" He yelped as he froze for a moment, but before he could return the hug she pulled back, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Were you going to tell me that you were thinking about abandoning me to pursue a successful life in America?!" But before he could respond Nino then hugged him as well, following Alya's shtick as he pulled back before Marin could return the hug.
"For the record, Alya cried, I didn't." He said as Alya whacked his head playfully with her phone. "Adrien probably cried too." He remarked as Marin glanced as Adrien walked over, glaring at his friend.
"Stop making stuff up." He remarked with a smirk as Marin chuckled. "So you didn't leave?" He asked.
"No." Marin shook his head as Alya stood next to him with her hand on his back as he rested his arm on her shoulders. "I got too many reasons to say." He said, his face slightly red as Adrien noticed that he was wearing the charm that he had gifted to him on his birthday.
A soft smile broke out on his face as his heart swell with warmth, happy that his friend had acknowledged the gift. "Well, I'm happy that you decided to stay." He said as he saw Marin smiling cheekily.
"Sure, not like you'd be sad if the best bakery in Paris relocated to American, right?"
Adrien smirked in amusement, "Yup, you caught me, I was only friends with you for the benefits." He remarked as Nino snapped at him playfully.
"Aw dude, we weren't supposed to tell him!" He remarked, crossing his arms as he looked away, clearly betrayed but his best friend's honesty.
Notes:
-All of the Kwami are Marin's kids, he loves them all very much and spoils them alot.
- Luka is very patient with Marin's oblivious nature, but love does that I guess. ;) (will write more hugs with them in the future)
- I kinda want Audrey to be a slightly better person.
- Both Ladybug and Chat Noir are valid in the argument with each other, but Ladybug is being a little more selfish when all Chat wants is honesty. More on it later on though.
- Master Fu is a good grampa.