[Narrator's POV]

"Hey Nino," Lila says. "Gimme some money for the vending machine or I'll tell everyone your secret identity."

"No one believes anything you say anymore, Lila." Nino ridicules.

"Then...Give me some money or I'll tell them you're not Carapace?" Lila tries.

"Would that work?" Sabrina asks curiously.

"Quit being stupid and get a job." Alya says.

Chloe and Nathaniel approach the group with their arms linked.

"Hey guys," Nathaniel says. "What are we talking about?"

Lila clicks a finger at Nathaniel. "Deffinitely not about Nino secretly being a superhero, because he's not. Deffinitely. Sourced by me."

Nathaniel narrows his eyes silently. Then, he taps Chloe's shoulder urgently and, keeping his eyes locked on Lila, leans over to whipser in Chloe's ear, "Hey...is Nino really a superhero?"

Lila clutches her stomach and points a finger at Nathaniel as she laughs. "I think it worked!"

"Why are you laughing about people mistrusting you this much?" Sabrina says dully.

Alya hits Lila over the head. "Quit exposing our identities!"

"So it's true!" Nathaniel says.

Nino smiles awkwardly. "I guess I shouldn't leave you out...I am actually Carapace."

"Yay!" Chloe hugs Nathaniel excitedly. "Since it's not a secret anymore I can tell you all about it!"

"You better leave Ladybug out of your stupid little story time," Lila threatens. "If I find out anyone has spilled her secret they'll have hell to pay."

Chloe frowns. "Oh so you can go blabbering all ours secrets but when it comes to Marinette--"

"Marinette?!" Nathaniel exclaims.

Chloe shrieks as Lila cracks her knuckles. "Punch me anywhere but the face! Don't harm my beautiful face!"

Nathaniel steps in front of Chloe spreads his arms out. "Don't harm her beautiful anything!"

The school bell rings out so Lila must stop to gather her things.

"Saved by the bell..." She says menacingly before leaving.

Everyone else, being in the same class, packs up and leaves as a group but they all stop to turn when they hear a familiar voice shouting, "WAAAAIT!"

Marinette pushes aside the closing doors and sprints inside the school.

"Girl, we don't even have any villains to fight anymore." Alya says. "How are you still always late?"

Nathaniel looks at Alya in surprise. "Are you a superhero too?"

"Rena Rouge." Alya says shortly. "And, heads up, Adrien's Cat Noir."

"For gods sake, who isn't a superhero in our class?!" Nathaniel replies.

"Sorry, I slept in," Marinette puffs as she reaches her friends, though her energy quickly picks up. "I couldn't get to sleep last night because Aaa-drieee-aann~ is getting out of the hospital tooniiight!" She sings with excitement.

Everyone chatters happily as they continue on their way to class.

"Adrien..." Marinette sighs and looks off dreamily until suddenly running smack bang into a pole. "ACK!" She falls backwards and lays on the ground moaning. "Argh..."

Her friends peer down at her with pity.

"So..." Nathaniel says bleakly. "That's Ladybug."

.

Later that day...

.

Marinette opens the car door and helps Adrien inside before running round the other side to climb in herself.

"Sorry I'm making you work so hard princess." Adrien says with a sad smile.

"You're gonna be in a bit of pain since you chose to leave the hospital as early as possible so of course I'm gonna help as much as I can," Marinette replies. "What was it you said to me? It's not troublesome at all if it's for you."

Adrien's bodyguard sniffs sensitively, touched by this sweet exchange, then quickly clears his throat and starts the car.

"Oh right, how is your dad holding up without Nathalie?" Marinette asks.

"Well since he cut out that other hobby of his, he's had a lot more time to sort things out for himself." Adrien answers. "Plus he only hired Nathalie in the first place because he had a soft spot for her so I doubt she'll be getting replaced."

"We should pay her a visit. She'll be happy to see you." Marinette leans over to put her head on Adrien's shoulder. "Does it hurt when I do this...?"

"Not at all, princess." Adrien rests his head on top of Marinette's. "I've missed this..."

When they arrive at Adrien's house, Marinette helps him to his room.

"You should get into some clean clothes and rest up--" Marinette stops and brings a hand to her mouth. "Oh...W-Will you be able to get changed on your own?"

Adrien's breath hitches, his face turning red. "I-I can!" He raises his arms quickly to take off his shirt but he flinches and locks up.

"E-Easy! Don't push yourself, i-it's okay, I can...I-I can..." Marinette lowers her eyes timidly as she slowly reaches out and takes hold of Adrien's shirt.

Adrien stares down at Marinette with a deep blush, his mouth awkwardly tightened to a line.

"A-Allow me...to do this for you." Marinette mumbles as she lifts Adrien's shirt up and off.

Adrien shifts self consciously. His body is covered in scars, thick and thin, from being practically torn apart and then sewn back together.

"Battle scars fit for the bravest of knights." Marinette says lightly.

Adrien smiles weakly. "You don't mind them?"

Marinette gazes at him tenderly and places her hand on his chest. "You are still my handsome prince, my cute little kitten...my Adrien. These scars are apart of you now and I love you more than anything in this world, so I love them too."

The warmth of Marinette's hand against Adrien's chest seems to spread through him and touches his heart.

"I've been dying to do this..." Adrien whispers.

Marinette tilts her head slightly. "What?"

"This." Adrien slips one hand round Marinette's waist to pull her in, then places the other behind her neck and presses their lips together.

Marinette's heart flutters. It has indeed been a long time since Adrien could hold her in his arms and kiss her like this. She instantly melts into the embrace, her knees going weak. That is, until Adrien's bedroom door suddenly opens without warning. Marinette jumps back in alarm, her face going pale with terror upon seeing Adrien's father in the doorway.

Gabriel surveys the two silently before turning to Adrien with a hand on his hip. "I'm not making any implications about this situation, but don't you dare get that girl pregnant before her career takes off."

"D-Dad!" Adrien says shrilly. "Of course I wouldn't! That's not even what's happening--Why would you--God!"

Gabriel holds his hand up to calm his son. "I said I wasn't assuming anything, just thought I should bring it up."

Marinette's mouth opens and closes pointlessly without any sign of words coming out to save her.

"Thankyou for accompanying Adrien from the hospital, Marinette, and I'm glad you are finally home safely, Adrien. Despite the sorrow I feel for this situation...I am proud of you." Gabriel says.

Adrien takes a deep breath. "Thanks, dad...I-I'm sorry that I did something so recklessly, I guess I can't model for you anymore."

"Don't be ridiculous," Gabriel says with a glimmer of affection. "You are still my perfect son."

Adrien smiles. Meanwhile Marinette has gone digging in his bag.

"Duusu," She beckons. "You can come out, Mr Agreste already knows about kwamis."

Gabriel shifts back in surprise as the peacock kwami emerges from hiding.

"Mr Agreste, meet Duusu. Adrien hurt himself whilst saving her life." Marinette says. "I know that Mrs Agreste sheilded a large part of her life from you and that made you deeply distressed, but you can learn a lot by talking to the kwami that was by her side during matters in which you couldn't be."

Gabriel's mouth opens slightly as he stares at Duusu with tear filled eyes. Sensing that his father is too choked up to process this conversation, Adrien gives it a little push.

"Duusu is mother's kwami. And Duusu, this is my dad and Zara's husband, Gabriel Agreste. We've already heard all of her tales so we'll give you some privacy."

Adrien takes Marinette's hand and leads her out of the room. Marinette's eyes linger from their clasped hands up Adrien's toned arm and shoulder until finally coming to rest on his broad back. Her face flares up and she immediately looks down again.

"Adrien..." Marinette says quietly. "We left before I could finish changing your clothes."

"Sorry, were you desperate to get to my pants?" Adrien replies cheekily.

"Well..." Marinette gasps sharply and shakes her head. "N-No, that's not what I meant!"

Adrien brings a hand to his mouth as he giggles bashfully. Marinette has her head down, fuming with embarrassment, but what she doesn't realise is that Adrien's ears had gone a bright red too.

.

The next day, Chloe invites their close-knit friendship group over to her hotel to celebrate Adrien's wellbeing. They are currently in her bedroom awaiting Marinette and Adrien's arrival, which has run late because the two went to return the Peacock miraculous to Master Fu.

Alya and Nino are sharing a chair; that is, Nino is on the chair and Alya is on his lap. Both Nathaniel and Chloe are sitting extremely close together on a couch but still seem to get flustered whenever they look in the direction of Alino's display. Meanwhile, Lila is off in her own world wandering around Chloe's fancy room without realising that she has herself a shadow.

Lila peers at everything she passes with curiosity and careful judgement. Then she comes across a candle holder made of gold and stealthily tucks it away in her bag.

Sabrina sighs and steps up beside her. "Must you cause trouble everywhere you go?"

Lila offers a sheepish grin. Sabrina takes the candle holder and gives Lila a light bop on the head with it before placing it back where it was.

"Ouch!" Lila pouts as she rubs her head. "They wouldn't even notice if it was gone..."

The door opens and Chloe's Butler Jean steps in, followed by Marinette and Adrien.

"Your remaining guests have arrived, madame."

"Adrikins, Marikins, yay we're all here!" Chloe jumps to her feet and throws her arms out but Marinette steps in front of Adrien protectively.

"Don't be too rough!" She warns. "He's still fragile so anyone who puts him back in that hospital is gonna want to check out a room for themselves too!"

Nathaniel clasps Chloe's hand and pulls her back slightly. "Okay..."

"Is there anything else I can get for you?" Butler Jean asks.

Chloe raises her voice to speak to the room. "Anyone want anything?"

Nino's eyes sparkle. "Anything?"

Lila picks up the golden candle holder. "Can I have this?"

Sabrina grabs the candle holder and slams it back down. "No, leave it!"

Lila huffs. "Fine. Then I want a tonne of expensive food-- like all that sashimi shit-- and Bunny wants some gourmet carrots."

"Also jello!" Nino chimes in.

Jean nods. "I will have the food ready shortly. Will that be all?"

"How about, like, some puppies to pat? Can you do that?" Nino questions.

"I will try my best, sir." Jean answers.

"You don't have to get him puppies." Alya tells the Butler.

"Er, understood." Jean says unsurely. "So no puppies?"

"Aww but I want puppies!" Nino whines.

Chloe rolls her eyes impatiently. "Just the food, please."

Jean bows his head respectfully and takes his leave.

"How do you lot get anything done when you're always bickering?" Sabrina asks.

Adrien smirks proudly. "My lady has the final word."

"It's true," Chloe says. "Ladybug's the boss."

"Yeah, we have a great leader." Alya agrees.

"She's also strong and scary, so..." Nino adds.

"Quit it," Marinette says with a giggle. "We're all a team!"

"And you brought us together." Adrien leans down to give Marinette a tender kiss.

"Chloe tell your Butler to cancel our food," Lila says. "I've lost my appetite."

"I think the superhero team is amazing, I really admire your individuality." Nathaniel says. "I still can't believe I'm lucky enough to know all of you."

"Naww..." Chloe wraps her arms around Nathaniel's waist and cuddles him. "I love you so much, Nathan."

Nathaniel blushes and nuzzles into Chloe's hair. "I love you too Chlo..."

"Alright I'm seriously leaving before I gouge my eyes out." Lila says.

Lila gags as Sabrina grabs the back of her collar and yanks her back.

The Butler returns with trays and trays of fine food but before Lila and Nino can dig in, Chloe clinks a glass to get everyone's attention.

"A toast!" She announces. "To our gratitude that our cat has returned from the vet safely!"

Alya laughs. "Here! Here!"

Nathaniel smiles at Chloe and raises his glass as well. "And to our heroes for protecting Paris at all costs!"

Sabrina claps her hands. "Yaaayyy!"

"To our friends and family who give us the strength to do anything!" Marinette speaks up.

Adrien smiles and gives Marinette a kiss on the cheek.

"To enjoying the simple things in life," Nino joins in. "Like delicious food and good company!"

Everyone shares a laugh. All except Lila who doesn't seem comfortable with this sudden cheesiness.

Sabrina gives Lila a nudge. "You too."

"A toast..." Lila mutters reluctantly. "To Marinette. For making this all happen I guess..."

Everyone takes a moment to smile warmly, happiness bubbling in the room around them. Then, they all come together to cheer and clink their glasses together and give Marinette and Adrien lots of hugs.

"This is where we first met you know," Sabrina says. "We all came together at in this very hotel."

"You mean when you all kidnapped me?" Lila replies dully.

"I didn't." Adrien says.

"Yeah you kidnapped Mari instead!" Lila snaps.

Adrien shrinks back awkwardly. "Not my finest moment, I agree..."

Alya clasps her hands together pleasantly. "All's well that ends well."

Nino nods. "I'm happy that I get to chill with you dudes."

"It hasn't ended yet," Lila says. "We're still only highschool students."

"But we'll be together forever, won't we?" Marinette replies.

Adrien smiles down at his beloved bugaboo. "Of course."

.

*Wee bit of a time skip*

.

Marinette jitters with excitement as she bags up a load of steaming hot croissants. "It's Adrien's first day back at school since his hospitalization and I'm gonna make sure he settles right in!"

"My daughter is so sweet," Tom says blissfully. "No man is worthy of such an angel!"

"I love you papa, but this angel has her own angel and his name is Adrien." Marinette giggles and gives her dad a kiss on the cheek. "See you later!"

Marinette's parents wave her goodbye and then continue their work. Shortly after, the bell on the bakery door chimes.

"Did you forget something again sweetie?" Sabine asks.

They turn to see it is not Marinette in the doorway, but Adrien.

He smiles and waves. "Good morning."

"Oh, Adrien!" Sabina says with delight. "Sorry dear, you just missed Marinette."

"Ah, actually..." Adrien scratches the back of his head nervously. "I came to see you."

Tom dusts off his hands and joins his wife at the front counter. "What might this be about?"

"I'm sure Marinette's told you about my accident. Well, I still model for my father but I don't get a lot of other offers or acting roles, the jobs that used to provide me with some money of my own. I don't really mind because to be honest, I never wanted a career in that field. So this is now like my opportunity to make a real decision for my future, and I want my future to be here." Adrien explains. "I'm here to ask if you would take me on as your apprentice whilst I finish school and if afterwards you would maybe consider giving me a job? Because I really love and respect this family and it would be my honor to succeed it."

"Oh, that sounds lovely, though it did escalate quickly didn't it?" Sabine giggles. "We'd be happy to have you helping out--"

"But planning ahead of me to be the man of the bakery is ridiculous!" Tom laughs heartily.

"With no disrespect, I know that I'll never replace you but I don't find my proposal ridiculous at all. I've fallen in love with Marinette a million times over, she is the only one I have ever loved and will ever love. I already know that I want to spend the rest of my life with her." Adrien says bravely. "And I know that you are the wonderful people who raised her to be the person she is, the people who blessed me with the love of my life. That's why I'm asking you to take me under your wing, to train me and teach me well so that you can trust me with the future of your family. And that's why I'm asking you, please, to approve of me marrying Marinette."

Sabine and Tom have frozen in shock.

"You--You're not even legally of age." Tom sputters.

"I guess I'm so keen for the day to come when I can tell Marinette these things that I just had to say it. I have to know if my dream could be real or if I'm a fool." Adrien bites his lips and bows deeply. "Please...I care for Marinette with all my heart. She is my entire world, my universe, my very existence. Even if you're answer is no now, please still consider letting me work for you because I will work my hardest to convince you to trust me no matter what or how long it takes."

Tom crosses his arms. "I suppose I could try to whip you into shape but don't expect me to give away my daughter easily."

"Don't listen to him, of course it's a yes!" Sabine says happily.

"Honey!" Tom replies. "Try to be at least a little intimidating."

Adrien grins brightly. "Don't worry, I still won't stop working my hardest for the rest of time to give Marinette everything she deserves!"

Adrien leaves the bakery with a skip in his step. When he enters the school building, he finds his friends waiting for him.

Marinette smiles and waves. "Morning Adri--Ah!"

Chloe shoves her out of the way to greet Adrien first. "Adrikins!"

But she cannot take even one step before Nino pushes past her to throw himself at his best friend. "ADRIEN!"

Adrien laughs as he stumbles back under Nino's weight. "Hey dude, ya miss me?"

Chloe puts her hands on her hips. "Nino, move it!"

"Come on Chlo." Marinette pulls Chloe along as she goes to wrap her arms around Nino and Adrien, the four forming a group hug.

"We've been visiting Adrien's place almost every day," Lila says. "Why are you all overreacting like this?"

Nathaniel clamps a hand down on Lila's shoulder. "One day we'll get your emotions working, don't worry."

"It feels good being back at school with everyone." Adrien says.

"It's weird to think that we'll be graduating eventually." Alya replies.

"Well no matter what we do or where we go, we'll always be the bestest of friends!" Marinette says cheerily.

"There was a close call though..." Chlie gives Adrien a flick in the head. "Let's never let go of each other from now on."

"What do you guys think you'll be doing in the future?" Sabrina questions.

"Fashion design of course!" Marinette answers spiritedly.

"Hopefully something to do with film or music," Nino says. "I'll just go with the flow."

"Me too," Nathaniel responds. "I don't have a plan, I just know I want to do art. What about you, Chlo?"

Chloe fidgets timidly. "A-Actually...I was thinking about going into politics-- But not just mooching off my dad! At first I hated the idea of following our family business but then I thought maybe if I really studied hard I could make a positive difference and accomplish something real as Chloe Bourgeois."

Sabrina smiles. "That's really nice Chloe. I was thinking the same only that I want to enter the police academy and become strong and protect Paris like you!"

"That's so cool you guys. Obviously I want to be a reporter," Alya says. "You interested in anything Lila?"

Lila hums to herself as she stares off blankly and after a short while she says, "Loan shark?"

Alya raises a brow. "Who the hell aspires to be a loan shark?"

"People who like power and money." Lila says.

"Are you satan?" Nathaniel replies bluntly.

"How can you be a loan shark when you're always borrowing money from other people?" Sabrina asks mockingly.

"Why am I the only one getting my dreams crushed?" Lila says. "You guys are the real villains."

Nino gives Adrien a bump on the arm. "You never said what your dream is, dude."

Flowers seem to bloom around Adrien as he wraps his arms around Marinette. "It's right here."

Marinette tilts her head to give Adrien a peck. "You're my dream come true too."

Ninoa chuckles. "You know what I mean, man. What are your plans for the future?"

Adrien smiles to himself. "I wonder..."