Note: This story takes place roughly in Season 4, However the 'accuracy' of this fanfiction may be a bit off as i watched most of Miraculous on Youtube so i may have skipped some info. If I missed something that you think might improve the story ( like a cool bad guy or an Adrientte moment that I might have missed)

Also if you know sites (preferably free) that i can watch the second half of S5 in English speaking, please tell me. Thx :)

I deftly stitch the final embellishment onto my work, my fingers moving the needle in and out of the lace trimming until…

"Marinettttte" a familiar voice teases

The needle presses into my finger, welling a small pool of blood to drip down my finger. The culprit of my clumsiness peeks his head out and into my room. I'm far from the bumbling girl I was when we first met but I'm still in disbelief that Adrien Agreste is a common visitor in my house, my room. Though purely as 'just a friend', of course.

"I'm finishing up Adrien" I reply while wiping the blood with a piece of scrap fabric

I hear rapid footsteps approaching and suddenly my finger is being lifted.

"You really should be more careful, Mari" Adrien says while wiping the remainder of the blood

He had started using that nickname 'Mari' for a few months now. It was adorable, but i was never going to tell him that.

"Don't call me that and I'm just finishing up the decorations for the competition. You don't want me to lose do you?" I challenge

" I didn't realize you were so eager for me to wear your clothes, Mari," he jests, accentuating each letter of the name.

"Well you do model sooo nicely don't you? But you won't be modeling anything of mine unless i win your father's competition so if you want me to go, fetch me a pastry from mom, please" I jest back, though I'm completely serious about the pastry part, sewing is exhausting.

He laughs "I'll get you a pastry then. Chocolate croissant with extra chocolate, I presume?" and starts heading down

"That's why you're my bestest friend!"

I meticulously straighten the hem of the jacket for what is probably the hundredth time. The competition for a spot as one of Gabriel Agreste's designers for this years winter couture collection was about to begin. Their designs encompassed a broad range of styles, textures, colors, and ranging from subtly spring to overtly. I really hope my design wins this.

"Are you sure your stitching is actually durable? The stitching looks a bit loose here. you wouldn't want it falling to bits as the judges come by would you?" an unfamiliar voice drawls, I turn and see a pretty girl with long chestnut hair. She has a competitor label sticker so she must be trying to dimmish my confidence before the judging starts. She seems like a bitch. I would ignore her but i saw her doing the same to the others, including a poor boy who was probably 12, must've bought his way here but still. So I as well might take her ego down a notch, we'll never meet again anyway.

"I would be more worried about your own design. Its the one the purple collar right? Well the design on your piece seems, well, seems awfully similar to the winter collection of, i don't know, 2002?" I don't wait for her reply "I mean now that've had a closer look at it, it is exactly like it. I wonder what the judges would say to that when they came by me?" i say, though i have no bother telling them such a thing, if she wins they will automatically check for copy right anyway. It works though cause she sauntered off muttering curses probably about me under her breath. I was proud of myself, I'm far from the girl i was under Chloe Bourgeoise's torment. Though I guess that's what a few years of loyal and trusting friends will do. One of the many reasons i love them all to bits.

A few minutes later, Gabriel Agreste looms over my design, an impassive expression on his face. Is this the expression he commonly displays around his son? I stop myself, now's not the time and I already know the answer. He remained impassive the entire time he judged until he made his way toward the back and viewed the intricate yet simple flower-shaped snowflakes embellished on the spine. His eyebrow raised, impressed? My heart swelled with joy remembering that he was once my idol before knowing Adrien truly. I watched him retreat, and observed him pass all the rest with not even the simplest acknowledgement. I hoped it was a sign of victory, I so wanted my designs featured in his collection and being modeled by his models. By.. Adrien.

Eventually, a few more judges surrounded my design before retreating to make their decision, with the same impassive expression, though nothing about them struck the same thought as Gabriel's did.

"And the winner of this competition is Marinette Dupain Cheng! For her subtle yet symbolically full design, I look forward to seeing more of her design in my couture collection" Gabrielle's voice boomed, filling the space.

I did it… I actually did it. A grin splits my face, joining me as I make my way to receive my.. keys? It occurred to me then that I was to move to the Agreste hotel that was newly built earlier this year. Over an hour from my parents, from the city central. My excitement over the competition as Marinette Dupain Cheng let me forget my duties over the city as Ladybug, Protector of Paris with Cat Noir.

That evening me and Catnoir sat upon the roof, feet dangling over the edge. We were finishing up patrol and some chocolate bread when I explained to him of my upcoming travels. In a way that didn't give up my identity, of course. Though I would have liked to share my win, i couldn't compromise my identity and, besides, Alya, Nino and Adrien will be waiting for me after this. Alya will probably have me tell her all over again and then Scream so loud the whole of Paris will be aware of it. Nino will pat me on the back and try to offer me a flask of whatever 'energy drink' he's into this time. Adrien will smile when he sees me, his green eyes will shine and he will…

" So you'll be at a further location for how long, M'lady?" Cat noir inquires,

I turned to him, startled "For a few weeks, until mid November ish, unless you don't think you can protect the city without me?"

A worried expression crosses his face " I will try my hardest, of course, but I'm afraid ill be away from city center too"

"You'll what!"

"...I'll be away from the city, y'know Paris? The one with the huge fucking metal triangle attraction? He teases

"How will we defend the city if we are both occupied?" I reply anxiously, while turning my attention to biting my nails off.

"We haven't had an Akuma attack in months now, and the last one we had was that pigeon man, we know exactly how to defeat him" He replies

"But.."

"But nothing, the city will be fine and if you're still worried you can get that friend of yours. Rena Rouge is it?" He starts braiding my hair, probably to make sure i don't pull on it in my anxious state. "You trusted her with the ladybug miraculous, and she looks dam professional in camo, I'm sure she can keep informing you while we go off"

"I know she's capable but.." Could I really give Alya such a burden? She'd do it but would it be fair to ask?

"It's alright to ask her" He reads my mind " Before you say anymore, Rena like all of Paris wouldn't mind taking a bit of their time to give you a break, and you know that you need it right? I mean it's kinda like having friends do your homework when you always do there's, at least, i imagine you do"

"Are you saying I'm a sucker?" I tease, my worries calmer now " I could have one of my oh soo loyal subjects of Paris fling you from this roof for that" i jest in a shrill voice "if they're sooo eager to help me"

He laughs "And what makes you think I'm not one of those subjects?" He cocks his head " In fact i would do more than they would, I think" His eyes locked onto mine, his expression all too serious

"Of course you would kitty" I reply, my head turning avoiding his watchful gaze. I know I cannot answer the question in his eyes as I do not have the answer he wants. He is not Adrien, after all.