Hey guys, I'm back with a NEW fanfiction!

I am in my post-season 5 era of 'how do I cope?' so here we are with another fanfiction. To clear up any confusion, this is not canon and doesn't follow on from the show. This is a No Miraculous AU.

I'm not going to commit to an upload schedule, y'all will get what you get and won't get upset!

Meanwhile I'm still writing my fantasy series over here and am going to also be continuing with a WIP romance manuscript, so I've got a lot of writing going on! I'm still thinking about Hakuma Matata and what I want to do with it, whether I want to continue with it, rewrite it... the works. I'm sorry for those of you who are waiting, but I love you and hope you enjoy this one too!

And if you want to keep up to date with all things writer-ish, feel free to follow my socials at (I'm most active on instagram)!

:)

If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"We've always had time on our side, now it's fading fast. Every second, every moment… we've got to, we've gotta make it last"

I'm not late, but of course everyone somehow managed to make it here before me.

I scan the courtyard, smiling when I spot Adrien, Nino, and Alya—who waves me over.

"Hey, girl!" She grins. "You excited?"

I tilt my head side to side. "Eh, I guess."

"That's not very enthusiastic. C'mon, Marinette, it's out last day of school before we're out in the world!" Nino pumps a fist into the air.

"I know, but I'm sentimental," I gesture around us, "good memories that I'm going to miss, y'know?"

Adrien smiles, nodding in agreeance. "I have to say, I'm kind of with Marinette on this one."

Nino groans and Adrien shrugs sheepishly.

"C'mon, dude, how can you not be excited!" Nino punches his shoulder. "You get to go out into the world, study, work, fulfill your dreams, choose a life path…"

Adrien raises a brow. "I already work," he sighs, "and I'm pretty sure my 'life path' has been chosen for me already." He frowns.

"Oh."

Of course, his dad.

"I've already been accepted into the Paris School of Fashion."

Of course, his father would make him pursue a career in fashion, and only at the best institution.

"Yo, dude, that's awesome… Isn't it?" Nino adds, noting the unenthusiastic look on his best friend's face.

"I guess." Adrien shrugs. "Everything up until this point has been chosen and decided for me, and it seems it still will be. I don't know what I want to pursue. I don't mind staying in fashion but I'd rather it align with what I'm at least passionate about in the industry."

I wonder what that would be. "What course are you doing there?" I ask.

"A double degree in Fashion Business and Modelling." Of course his father would want Adrien to continue modelling, but I wouldn't be surprised if the business side of fashion Adrien will be studying, is to prepare him to overtake the Gabriel brand someday. Adrien smiles at me. "That university would be perfect for you, Marinette."

I toe the ground. "I know you might not be thrilled at going, but it is my dream university… I applied but I don't know how well I'll do."

"You'll do great." He squeezes my shoulder. "What course did you apply for?"

"A double degree in Fashion Design and Styling." I shrug. "I guess the response letter will tell me whether I'm a success or not."

"Hey now. The letter means nothing of the sort." Alya glares.

"N-no, I didn't mean it like that. I mean like, whether I'm successful at getting in." I fiddle with the straps of my backpack. "I applied for a scholarship as well because it's expensive, which is the other thing… If I don't get a scholarship I don't know if I'll be able to afford it."

"Marinette, you always do better than you think you will. You've won several of my father's design competitions, you've always been at the top of our class, you're always committed and passionate about what you do. I promise you, you'll get in, and you'll get that scholarship."

I smile. "Thanks, Adrien."

"I have faith in you." He winks and starts towards the stairs as the school bell rings for the first class of our last day.

"Awweeee, I can't believe this!" Alix groans. "We've spent so much time together and now we're all going out separate ways." She pouts, chin resting on her palm.

Mme. Bustier smiles. "It's been an absolute pleasure to teach you all. I'm so excited to hear about and see where you'll go in life." She rests a hand on her swollen belly. Her second child.

I smile at her words as I write down her personal email address, which she's written on the blackboard behind her.

"Miss, you have to tell us about your baby once they're born." Rose sighs. "And send us pictures!"

"I will, Rose."

"Is it a girl or a boy?"

"Kim, I've already told you it's going to be a surprise." Mme. Bustier laughs. "Even I don't know the sex."

"I don't know how she can stand to wait and find out." Alya puffs a strand of hair out of her eyes.

I laugh. "That's just because you need to know and get to the bottom of everything."

She playfully swats me. "Not everything."

"Everything," Nino emphasises, turning around to wink at her.

"Adrien, I hear you've already been accepted somewhere." Mme. Bustier turns her attention to him.

He flushes, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, my father got me in."

"Still, the Paris School of Fashion is nothing to sneeze at."

"Only the best for Adrikins." Chloe kicks back, putting her feet on the desk.

"Chloe, feet off the desk," Mme. Bustier scolds. "Where have you applied?"

"Uh." Chloe blinks.

"She's going to be a sugar baby for the rest of her life," I mutter.

The whole class laughs, and I flush. I thought I'd said that quieter…

"Whatever, Dupain-Cheng. You can waste away in that bakery with your skin withering from standing over an oven so much, while I'll enjoy being rich!"

"Actually, Chloe, Marinette's going to be joining me at the Paris School of Fashion." Adrien turns back to me with a smirk. "Isn't that right?"

Everyone turns to me.

"I—well, uh… I've applied but, um…"

"See." Chloe humphs, hair whipping around as she turns her head sharply.

Adrien rolls his eyes, but turns forward in his seat.

"Regardless of whether people get accepted or not, you should all be proud of yourselves for completing school, and you should be proud of each other for doing so as well. Wherever you go next, support each other. You might drift, some of you will move away, study elsewhere, maybe fall out of contact. But you will always remember your time here and with each other." Mme. Bustier's smile is watery. "Class dismissed."

We all cheer, jumping from our seats.

Each of us hug Mme. Bustier tightly as we walk out. Even Chloe, as short lived as it was.

The thought that… that's it, the last day, our last class, likely the last time I may step foot in here… it rests heavily on my shoulders and in my heart.

"Are you alright, Marinette?" Adrien comes up to my side, noting the hand clenched over my heart.

"Yeah." I smile, breathing deeply. "I just can't believe that's it."

He smiles and looks down at the floor. "Neither can I, it's surreal. I'm glad I got to do this, come to school."

Of course, because he was home schooled up until fourteen.

"Party at mine tomorrow night!" Alix calls.

"On a Thursday?" Adrien frowns.

I shrug, smiling. "Thursday's a good day for a party."

"It's weird we're finishing on a Wednesday in the first place."

We laugh.

"Hey! You two love birds better be coming." Alix points at us.

"I—uh, yeah," I say stupidly. I slap a hand over my mouth. "Sorry," I mumble to Adrien.

He only laughs again. "It's all good." He sighs, looking down again. "To be honest I'm glad she's hosting it, I'm not at all ready to leave these people yet, or have them leave me." He looks at me. "Have you applied to places just in Paris?"

I nod. "I didn't want to move away, I still need my parents."

"So, you're going to stay living at home then?"

"Well… no, I don't know. I guess it depends on where I get accepted. If it's close to home there's no point in paying rent either on or off campus. But if it's further away then I'll consider it. Probably in a dorm somewhere on campus." I shrug. "It'll be expensive, but anywhere and everywhere is nowadays. Hopefully I can room with somebody and that'll bring the cost down."

He nods. "Smart thinking."

"How about you?"

He sighs. "I… don't know what my father will allow. I've got Gorilla as my personal bodyguard and driver. Father will probably insist on me staying home."

"But what do you want?"

"I'd like to move out. Father's been detached since Mum died. I probably wouldn't notice the difference between living at home or on my own."

"I doubt that." I chuckle. "You'll have to take care of yourself and be responsible, cleaning, cooking for yourself."

"Yeah true." He rubs his neck. "But I wouldn't notice the absence of company."

I smile sadly. "Maybe you should think about rooming with someone too?" God knows he can afford to live anywhere in this city—and on his own, but… "Having some extra company might do you some good."

"Yeah, that's not a bad idea." He gazes down the stairs at Nino and Alya celebrating with our peers. "Speaking of love birds…"

We share a smile and climb down the steps to join the rest of them.

"Oh, honey. We're so proud of you."

Maman and Papa wrap me in a joint hug as soon as I walk through the door.

"My daughter just graduated school." Papa tightens his hold on me, and I wheeze.

"Papa," I squeak, "too tight."

"Oh." He laughs. "Sorry, sweety." He squeezes my arms. "We're just… so, so proud."

"Some letters arrived for you, Marinette. I put them on your desk." Maman smiles, grasping my hand in hers. "You should go and open them."

"Thanks, Maman." I kiss her temple and make my way up to my room. In truth, I'm too nervous and wound up to open them right now. The emotions of the day and the afternoon crash down on me as soon as I'm alone.

I flop on my bed, curling around my cat pillow. What do I do with myself now? I wish I had a guardian angel or some spirit animal to give me advice and guidance, but unfortunately that's just not possible, or plausible.

My phone rings out in the silence. I'm relieved for the noise and smile as soon as I see the caller—callers.

"Hey," I answer.

"Heyyyy," Nino and Alya sing.

Adrien joins the call. "We literally just said goodbye," Adrien laughs, "I'm still in the car on my way home."

"Um, yeah, about that whole 'just said goodbye' thing… why don't we all meet up to open our response letters together!"

Alya waves hers beside her head. "You have yours don't you, Marinette?"

"Yeah, they're all on my desk. Nino?"

"I've got mine."

"I already know where I'm going…" Adrien trails off.

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you can't be part of the excitement, dude."

"I-I know."

"But if you'd rather not we understand," I intervene. "We know you would've rather been in our position and for it to have been your choice than what it is for you in reality."

"Thanks, Marinette, but I want to be there." He smiles. "Why don't I ask Father if you guys can come here and open them? Then maybe we can all go get dinner or something afterwards?"

"Yes!" Nino jumps up.

"If you're sure." Alya smiles.

"That sounds great, if he allows it."

Adrien smiles. "I think he will. I mean, I can always play the 'we just graduated, let us celebrate' card."

We all laugh, knowing that probably wouldn't work. If he says no, he says no. He can't really be convinced otherwise.

"Let us know," Alya says.

"I will." He ends the call just as his car drives through the gates to his house (mansion).

It's not long after we all end the call that Adrien texts the group chat to let us know we're welcome over.

It's a twenty-minute trip by bus and then a quick walk down the street. Coincidentally I arrive just as the gates open for Nino and Alya and I run to catch up with them.

"Fancy seeing you here," I tease, falling into step beside them as we approach the front door.

They smile and Gorilla opens the door for us, Adrien runs down the steps smiling.

"Hey, guys," he greets.

"Thanks for having us," I say.

He smiles. "You're always welcome. I was thinking about dinner, and we can always eat here if you wanted to, but I thought it might be nice to go out. More of a celebration."

"Yeah absolutely." Alya grins. "We definitely deserve it."

"Great. There's this nice Italian place around the corner or—"

"Adrien."

We all gape as Gabriel Agreste steps out of his office.

"F-father," Adrien stutters. "Can we—I do something for you?"

A single dip of his chin and his eyes focus on me.

I squirm.

"Mlle. Dupain-Cheng."

"Marinette is fine." I smile shakily.

"Alright, Marinette. Do you have a response from the Paris School of Fashion?"

"I—yes." I filter through my five letters, curiously looking at Adrien who shakes his head slightly. He has no idea what this is about.

"As you likely now know, Adrien has been accepted into that school."

Oh god. He's going to tell me I'm not good enough to attend the same school as his son—

"Whilst I was on the call with them, they asked me for a reference of your person and design skills since you mentioned me in your application."

I flush. "Yes, sorry, sir. I added that I'd won a few of your design competitions. I'm sorry if that was out of line, I should've asked for your permission first. They wanted a detailed letter about my experience so—"

He raises a hand and I shut up.

"I suggest you open that letter, Marinette."

I stare between him and the letter for a moment, before nervously peeling back the tab and unfolding the letter. I breathe in shakily.

Congratulations Marinette Dupain-Cheng, we are honoured to welcome you to study a double Bachelor in Fashion Design and Styling at the Paris School of Fashion.

I gape.

"Your work has always impressed me, Marinette. Which is why I gave you a stellar reference and recommendation."

"I—but, sir, I can't accept—"

He holds up a hand. "You got in all on your own, Marinette. They merely wanted a reference and account from me to ensure not only were you telling the truth, but to confirm if you are as fantastic as you are. They were incredibly impressed with your designs, as was I, once again." A-and then he… he smiles. "Congratulations, Marinette. I hope you will accept."

"I…" I breathe. "Thank you."

He merely inclines his head and disappears back into his study.

Alya, Nino, and Adrien swarm me, jumping around me and squealing.

I scan the letter quickly, eyes darting over the page. "I—"

"Adrien," Nathalie's voice interrupts, "your father understands the excitement, but do you mind taking it upstairs?"

"Of course, Nathalie." He beams and we rush up to his room, shutting the door behind us. "You got in!" He grins, shaking me. "Aren't you happy?"

"My face hurts from smiling." I press the backs of my hands to my cheeks.

"What do you have to do to accept?" Alya asks curiously.

I skim through the letter, I'll read it properly later. "I can do it online, I have two weeks to respond."

"When do you start?" Adrien peers over my shoulder at the letter. His smile widens. "Same time as me. We're going to be going together!"

"I thought you weren't happy about going?"

"I am now that you'll be with me." He spins around. "We can catch up between breaks, get coffee, study and do our assignments together in the library. Who knows maybe you'll even have to design something for me to wear in my modelling course!"

I have plenty of designs for him already. I'm sure he could guess, but I haven't explicitly told him that. I smile. "Maybe!"

I got into my first choice!

Alix grins as she opens the door. "You're late."

"Oh, hush you, I was on time yesterday." I step in around her. "Where do you want me to put this down?" I nod at the platter of pastries I brought.

"Aw, you didn't have to."

I shrug. "My parents insisted, besides I was going to bring something anyway."

She sighs. "Marinette, you're always doing good for everyone, at least let me take them from you."

I relent, passing them over to her. It's probably best she looks after them anyway, considering how many times I've tripped and they've nearly gone flying. At least they're covered in plastic wrap, but that wouldn't have protected all of them.

She spears off towards the kitchen while I make my way to the living room, giving everyone a wave as I approach.

"Hey, everyone."

"Marinette, I saw you brought some delicious pastries for everyone, you're so kind!" Rose wraps me in a hug.

I laugh. "Thanks, Rose." She's too pure for her own good.

The last of our classmates arrive and some of us help Alix bring out the platters of food and pop open some bottles of wine—cheap wine, because most of us are now broke uni students.

Sabrina even managed to get away from Chloe for the night, and Lila is nowhere to be seen. Some of our friends from the other classes were also invited to join. Marc, Luka, and Kagami mainly.

"Marinette." Luka smiles and walks over to me.

"Luka, long time no see." It's true, he spends most of his free time now locked away in his room on the barge either writing, playing music, or creating instruments.

"How have you been?"

"Good, and you?"

In fact… we haven't seen much of each other since our awkward attempt at a relationship a couple of years ago, but I know that's in the past now.

He nods. "Yeah, really good. I don't know if Ivan, Juleika, or Rose have told you yet, but we've been invited to go on tour with Jagged Stone as his opening act."

My jaw drops. "Oh my god, no way!" I beam. "They didn't tell me a thing." I look over in their direction, wanting to glare at them playfully for not telling me, but being too excited for them even to do so even as a joke. "That's… well, rock n' roll!"

He laughs and scratches the back of his head. "Yeah, I think Jules and I were worried people might think it's because he's our dad… you know what I mean? These things make it awkward."

"Only if you let them get to you. Kitty Section is amazing, Luka, you're amazing. You deserve this and have every right to be excited for yourselves too."

"Thanks, Marinette." He smiles again. "I guess this means we won't have you around as our designer."

"You flatter me, but you never know. You might have need of me and I might be able to help you out even as you're travelling. I'll at least be around until you go, so if you need anything before you leave just let me know, and I'll try to get it done." I shrug sheepishly. "I actually got into the Paris School of Fashion, so I'll be studying design and styling… hopefully I can make a career out of it. I actually put designing for Kitty Section and for Jagged Stone on my application."

"Yeah, Penny received a call. Dad all but ripped the phone from her and praised your name sky high!" He laughs.

I flush.

"You should be proud of yourself too, you know. Just as you said to me, you deserve this. You've earned it."

"Thanks, Luka." I smile. "I'm really excited to see where you guys go."

"Likewise, Marinette. I'll see you around." He peels off to talk to others and I make a beeline for Ivan, Juleka, and Rose.

"I can't believe you guys didn't tell me!" I chide. "I'm so excited for you all."

"Thanks, that means a lot, Marinette," Juleka says softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She might still be soft spoken but at least she doesn't mumble anymore.

"We're so excited!" Rose squeals.

"Yeah, we'll be touring across Europe with him before he goes overseas." Ivan grins.

I turn to Mylene. "Are you going with them?" Her and Ivan are still the longest standing couple in our year.

"I'll be going until my course starts in the middle of September." She fiddles with her rings.

"That'll be fun. What course did you get into?"

"I'm doing a Bachelor of Psychology."

"You'll do great." I smile. "So, when do you guys start touring?"

"In about three weeks." Rose is practically buzzing. "Not long now."

"Not at all, when did you guys find out?"

"Not long ago, it's happening very quickly," Juleka says. She takes out something from behind her and presents me with her bass. "Do you want to sign it, Marinette?" She flushes and looks away. "I want to remember everyone by it, not that I'm intending on forgetting you or losing contact."

"It's okay, I know what you mean. Absolutely I do!" I accept the pen she offers and sign my name with a heart coming off the last 'e'. "I actually brought something for everyone to sign too, if you guys wanted to."

"For sure!" Rose claps her hands.

I grab the pure white dress from my bag. A simple design with a circle skirt and tight bodice that has fanned out sleeves capping at the shoulders. The star of the dress is meant to be everyone's signatures. It's not something I'd wear around, but something I'd keep to remember. I like the idea of it, and I specifically chose this material as it's easy to write on, holds ink well, and doesn't bleed.

Rose accepts the pen I give her and signs on the dress I made, followed by Juleka, Ivan, then Mylene.

I float around the rest of the party, getting everyone's signatures and messages. Nathanial even draws a little panel of him giving me a hug—so cute!

Adrien uncaps the pen, then raises a brow at me. "Are you sure you want my signature? You're still going to be seeing me around."

"Yeah, so what? Oh, please. Oh, please, M. Agreste. I'm a big fan, Adrien Agreste, I've been dying to get your autograph." I splay the dress out for him on the couch.

He rolls his eyes but kneels to sign. "To Marinette…" he teases, and I laugh.

I stand, his was the last I needed. He follows me to my bag I brought as I fold it neatly and place it back inside. "I'm never washing that." I chuckle.

"I had some of your parents' pastries…"

"Some?" I raise a brow, smirking teasingly.

"More than I should've," he admits. "But it's a special occasion."

"You said that last night when you had pizza." At the Italian restaurant him, Nino, Alya, and I went to.

"Hush, you." He pokes me. "I thought you wanted me to be happy."

My face falls. "I do! I hope you don't think—"

"I'm messing with you." He smiles.

"I know, but I want to reiterate so you don't think I'm trying to be pedantic about your diet. It's really none of my business for one, and two, you should be allowed to enjoy what you want. Everything in moderation. God knows you work out to balance it out anyway." I gesture to him.

"Are you saying I have a good body?"

I roll my eyes. "God, you really are such a flirt." I smack him playfully. "When did this happen," I mutter, and we laugh as we join the main party once more.

Alix is also doing a double degree, one focusing in Ancient History and another in a specific area of science that I wouldn't be surprised if she became a mad scientist on the other side of it.

Marc and Nathanial are moving to London together. They both got into creative courses there. Nathaniel a Graphic Design course and is also going to take art courses alongside it, and Marc got accepted to do a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Creative Writing.

Max is doing a degree in Computer Engineering.

Kagami is taking an extended trip to Japan for at least the rest of the year—I'm going to miss her, though I sincerely hope she has the best time.

Kim got into the Olympic swimming team, as did his girlfriend Ondine.

Sabrina is taking a gap year to travel around with Chloe. I only hope she will actually be travelling and won't be Chloe's slave for the whole time. But it sounds like at the end of it, she'll be able to come back since Chloe will be moving to New York to spend more time with her mother.

As for Lila, well, I don't know what she'll be up to, and I frankly couldn't care all that much as long as it has nothing to do with me or the people I care about.

So it seems, about half of us will be remaining within France at the very least. I know for certain that with Alya being accepted into Journalism and Nino being accepted into a music production course, they're both staying in Paris for the time being. Alix will be as well, so will Max, and I believe Kim and Ondine as well, although I don't know where the Olympic team trains.

Alix I know is planning on staying at home. Max wants to move into a dorm. Alya and Nino have been making plans since last year to move out once they graduate, it was just a matter of where their courses would be, and thankfully they're not too far away from each other. But their universities, whilst not a horrible distance away, are still a decent way away from the Paris School of Fashion.

As much as I'll miss everyone, I'll have Adrien. That's a comfort for sure.