Kind of a long chapter but I haven't updated in a while so should be worth it :)

[Narrator's POV]

Chloe struts into the classroom. Marinette is cuddling up next to Adrien in the front seat. As Chloe passes them, she overhears something.

"Are you coming over this afternoon, kitty?" Marinette asks.

Chloe stops dead in her tracks. The word swirls in her mind over and over as she struggles to place it.

Kitty...Kitty...Kitty...

Then, Cat Noir's voice rings in her head.

"Kitty...is Ladybug's special pet name for me."

Chloe's head snaps to Adrien, her eyes frantically searching over him—His bright green eyes, his golden hair, her closest friend...He seems to fit so well, but she doesn't make any sense. Chloe's eyes flicker to Marinette. It can't be...

Nope. No way. Marinette is not Ladybug, Chloe thinks stubbornly. I'm definitely just hearing things.

"Did you just call Adrien kitty?" Nino snorts as he sits down behind the couple. "Sorry have we walked into some kind of weird role-play?"

Adrien groans and covers his face with his hands. "Nino...please stop talking."

Marinette's face turns red. "I-It's a cute nickname, it's not e-e-erotic in any way."

Alya slides in next to her boyfriend and immediately pulls on Marinette's jacket collar. "Seriously you two? Another hickey? You really are a couple of animals."

Chloe slowly turns away and sinks down into her seat. She rests her elbows on the desk and clasps her hands together, staring blankly into nothingness.

"Chloe?" Sabrina speaks up.

Chloe closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "Don't talk to me...I'm thinking."

"Thinking?" Sabrina repeats in disbelief.

Chloe opens one eye to glare at Sabrina. "Yes."

Chloe can't quite comprehend what she is thinking or feeling. Why is she even considering this? There is no way Marinette is Ladybug. Marinette is timid and lame, whereas Ladybug is so confident and cool. There is no way that Chloe's biggest idol is her ex-arch-nemesis. There is no way that Marinette is better than Chloe at making Adrien happy and being an awesome superhero. The one thing that finally made Chloe proud of herself, and Marinette beat her to it. Great, just another thing to rot Chloe with jealousy. Just another reason why Marinette Dupain-Cheng is better than her. Nope. No way.

Be positive Chloe, be positive, She tries telling herself. Instead of letting Marinette ruin her image of Ladybug, maybe Ladybug should improve her image of Marinette. Chloe does want to be better friends with Marinette, and she and Ladybug are already super-bug-besties, so this is a good thing right? But then again, why is she even considering this? Because there is no way.

Chloe chuckles to herself. "This is stupid."

"You thinking?" Asks Sabrina.

"No!" Chloe snaps.

Meanwhile, Adrien is holding Marinette protectively as Alya and Nino continue to make uncomfortable jokes.

"Stop suggesting indecent things of my pure little princess!" Adrien says dramatically.

"Mari's secretly not innocent at all, she's been fooling me this whole time." Alya says. "She's got a total bad side!"

"Yes but that's only for me to enjoy." Adrien replies with a smirk.

A clumsy tapping and scraping has everyone looking up to the doorway. Kim wobbles into class wearing high heels and a frilly red dress. His makeup looks like a clown's, with bright red lipstick and pink circles of blush on his cheeks. The classroom erupts with laughter at the sight.

"I hope you've learn your lesson about making stupid bets." Alex mocks him.

"I. Never—woah! Back down. From a dare!" Kim says as he stumbles into his seat. "These things are ridiculous, my feet are killing me!"

"Girls are a lot tougher than they look, huh?" Alex says with a smug grin.

Kim grumbles something indistinguishable.

"I'm sorry what was that?" Alex says, leaning in closer.

"I said fine I admit that girls are crazy strong!" Kim confesses.

Alex smirks. "Yeah, well, you're not too bad yourself. In fact, you've deserved this."

Alex kisses Kim on the cheek before making her way to her own desk. Kim's cheeks turn even pinker, if that was even possible.

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*After School

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Adrien squeezes Marinette's hand nervously as he stares up at the Dupain-Cheng bakery.

"Adrien, you've been over to my house so many times before. Don't worry about it." Marinette reassures him. "My parents already love you."

"But this is my first impression as your boyfriend." Adrien says anxiously.

Meanwhile, inside...

Sabine runs around like crazy, setting the dining room table to perfection.

"Hopefully Adrien likes my cooking. Do you think he'll want tea? I should make some tea." She says as she rushes into the kitchen.

"Sabine, honey, he'll love your cooking. Everyone loves your cooking!" Tom chuckles.

"I just want to impress him. Adrien means so much to Marinette, I don't want to ruin this for her." Sabine says.

Marinette knocks on the door before stepping inside, followed by Adrien. "Mamma, Pappa! We're home!"

Adrien's heart flutters as he steps inside. Home...

"Oh welcome home dears!" Sabine greets happily.

Adrien bows politely. "Thankyou so much for inviting me."

Sabine grabs his shoulders and stands him up straight before pulling him into a motherly embrace. "You're welcome any time, dear." She says softly.

Adrien's heart melts as he hugs her back. The Dupain-Cheng household has indeed become a second home for him.

As soon as Adrien pulls away, Tom clasps his hand and pulls him into a hug as well. "Good to see you, son!"

Adrien smiles. "Glad to be here, sir."

Tom laughs heartily and waves his hand. "Come on, just call me Tom."

"Dinner will be ready soon." Sabine tells the children.

"Okay mum, we'll just be upstairs in the meantime." Marinette says before leading Adrien up to her room.

Tiki and Plagg zoom around the room playfully. Adrien and Marinette are relaxing on her lounge chair, with Marinette in Adrien's lap sitting back against him. He looks over her shoulder as she sketches peacefully.

"Kim sure looked funny today didn't he?" Tiki giggles.

"He had it coming." Plagg replies. "Hey Adri—"

Adrien chucks Plagg a piece of cheese before he can even ask, which he happily gobbles up.

"Love is blooming all around us." Marinette sighs. "Alya and Nino, you and me, Ivan and Maylene, Rose and Juleka, now Kim and Alex. Chloe and Nathaniel, and Sabrina and Max are getting closer too."

"Yes it all works out nicely doesn't it?" Tiki says blissfully.

"Not everyone is in love you know." Plagg comments.

"Plagg you're such a buzz kill." Adrien says.

"No I'm not, it's Pollen who's the buzz kill." Plagg replies with a snicker.

"Who's Pollen?" Asks Marinette.

"Queen Bee's kwami." Adrien answers. "Or should I say Chloe."

"How's she doing anyway?" Marinette inquires.

"Better." Adrien says. "How about Alya?"

"I haven't gotten the chance to talk to Rena Rouge alone but she doesn't really need guidance." Marinette replies. "She seems to get along with Queen Bee, funnily enough, but I'm worried about Carapace."

"I hope he doesn't feel like the odd one out. I mean, it must be hard for him. We trusted Rena Rouge and Queen Bee so easily because we already knew their secret identities but he's had a bit of a rocky start with everyone." Adrien says.

"Not you though," Marinette smiles and reaches up to stroke Adrien's cheek. "He clicked with you straight away. You're so kind, Adrien."

"I only aspire to be as compassionate as my beautiful princess." Adrien says, planting a kiss on Marinette's forehead.

"Dinner's ready!" Sabine calls from downstairs.

Adrien loved every second he spent at that dining table. It is strange not eating alone for once but it feels...right. It's always warm and bustling with energy in the Dupain-Cheng household. Laughter and conversation fills the room throughout dinner, there was never a dull moment. Adrien thinks how wonderful it would be to spend every meal of every day here. His favourite part was Tom sharing funny childhood stories about Marinette. Though he can't help but wonder if his own father even remembers any of his childhood...

"What's taking so loooong?" Plagg whines. "I'm hungry!"

Tiki smirks. "I know how we can pass the time."

Plagg perks up in interest. "What, you got a secret stash of camembert? No, no, I would have sniffed it out by now."

"You can dress up and sing that beautiful serenade you owe me!" Tiki holds up a little, pink skirt that Marinette had created specially for her.

"Excuse me?" Plagg says in distaste.

"Adrien asked out Marinette, which means Adrienette won, which means you lost." Tiki elaborates. "You haven't forgotten about our bet have you?"

"That doesn't count as Adrienette because Marinette and Adrien already knew they were Ladybug and Cat Noir when they confessed." Plagg argues. "Neither of our ships won, they had already combined!"

"Don't be a sore loser, Plagg, just put on the skirt!" Tiki demands.

"Ehem."

Plagg and Tiki turn to see Marinette and Adrien looking unimpressed.

"You placed bets on our love?" Adrien says. "I knew you found my struggling entertaining but this is just...how could you, Plagg?"

"Okay but in my defence—camembert." Plagg replies. "Five whole wheels of it."

Adrien puts a hand on his forehead. "How does that in any way compensate for you betting on my life?"

"I was really upset when I had to chose between Adrien and Cat Noir, but you were betting on my decision?" Marinette says, shaking her head.

"Ooh, I'm really sorry Marinette. I couldn't help myself. I get so competitive around Plagg and, well, I really wanted to see him dance around in a tutu." Tiki apologises genuinely. "Is there anything we can do to make it up to you?"

Marinette smirks evilly. "As a matter of fact, yes, there is, because I also want to see Plagg dancing around in a tutu."

"What?!" Plagg exclaims. "No. No way!"

Adrien clears his throat and slips Tiki a piece of paper. "Here's my song request."

"...Seriously?" Tiki says as she reads over the words.

Marinette plays some music and shoves the tiny pink skirt over Plagg's head. "Come on, give us a show!"

Tiki winces painfully as she begins to sing. "They look at him, and think he's cool. It's Cat Noir, in fights he rules."

Plagg crosses his arms stubbornly. "This is not happening."

Adrien holds up a piece of camembert and narrows his eyes threateningly. Plagg begins to nervously dance.

"His ring is charged, with energy. His claws are out, just watch and see." Tiki continues to sing. "Oh, oh, oh—oh no, you'll never know. Oh, oh, oh—His force can only grow! And when trouble comes out, you better hang around!"

Plagg's eyes begin to water as he hopelessly flails his arms to the beat of the music. "The kwami of destruction...reduced to this."

Adrien waves his fingers happily as if conducting when Tiki finally reaches the chorus.

"It's Cat Noir! He'll beat your ass! The power is on when things go wrong!" She hollers. "It's Cat Noir! The handsomest! His charms are on, always so strong!"

"Did you seriously have your own theme song all written out?" Marinette asks teasingly.

"It's catchy, no? I was thinking of realising an official album." Adrien replies.

Tiki belts out the ending of the song as Plagg spins round and around so fast that he whizzes out of control and crashes into Marinette's bookshelf.

Marinette and Adrien share a laugh as they give their kwamis an applause.

"Wonderful performance Plagg, I wish we could have caught it on camera." Marinette teases as she scoops up the poor little cat in her hands.

Adrien smiles as he watches Marinette play with the two kwamis. She is so adorable! His love for this girl is overwhelming.

"This is so unfair, Cat Noir was supposed to be the one dressing up!" Plagg complains.

Marinette leans forward eagerly. "What?"

"Well, I wanted Plagg to sing while Cat Noir danced around." Tiki explains. "That was if you and Adrien got together first. If Ladybug and Cat Noir became a couple then I would owe Plagg five wheels of camembert."

Marinette strokes of her chin deviously. "Well...I don't recall Cat Noir ever officially asking out Ladybug."

"What?" Adrien says fearfully. "B-But, no, we're dating!"

"We're dating." Marinette replies, gesturing between the two of them.

Adrien crosses his arms. "No, I see where this is going. No way."

"Adrienette did get together before Ladynoir." Tiki says.

"But it's like Plagg said, it doesn't count if we didn't actually choose Adrienette over Ladynoir because we knew they were the same!" Adrien argues desperately. "Mari, my lady, please. How could my precious bugaboo say that we aren't a couple?"

"We have patrol later tonight if you really wonna prove me wrong." Marinette says with a devilish smirk. "But you're going to have to be wearing this."

Marinette gives Adrien a little pink summer dress. He looks up at her pleadingly but she is having far too much fun.

"Come on, Kim was man enough to cross-dress. And Cat Noir just looked so good in pink when we fought Reflekta." Marinette teases.

"Ladybug's never lose!" Tiki says before fist bumping Marinette.

Adrien grips the dress determinedly. "Fine! I'll wear it, but only to prove that we cats never back down from a challenge!"

"Yeah!" Plagg cheers.

Marinette and Tiki giggle at their cute little kitties. Adrien can't help but smile. Wearing a dress doesn't seem that bad if it'll make his lady happy.

"Adrien, honey, you're chauffer is here!" Sabine hollers.

Adrien's heart sinks. He doesn't want to see his father. He doesn't want to go back home, if he can even call it that...This place has been more like a home to him. Tom and Sabine have been more like caring parents.

"I guess I'll see you then." Adrien says sadly. "I wish I could stay with you."

"I know, Adrien..." Marinette cups Adrien's cheek and kisses him softly. "I love you."

"I love you too, princess." Adrien smiles weakly and gives Marinette a signature Cat Noir salute before climbing down through her bedroom hatchet.

Tom and Sabine each gave Adrien another goodbye hug, which just made it even harder to leave. He was planning to just go to patrol with Marinette but he should have known his father would send his bodyguard to come fetch him.

Adrien slumps down into the car glumly and watches the Dupain-Cheng bakery get further and further away. A moment of silence passes before Nathalie speaks up from the passenger seat.

"You should have told your father you would be home late, he's been worried sick."

"Since when does he monitor about my activities? Since when does he worry?" Adrien replies bitterly.

Nathalie sighs as the car pulls up in the driveway. "Try to be reasonable, Adrien."

Adrien approaches the large front doors of his cold, empty house. There is no energy here. No laughter bouncing off the walls. No family to share dinner with. Adrien sighs and walks inside to find his father standing on the staircase, waiting for him. Nathalie leaves the room so that they are alone, which she rarely ever does. That's how Adrien knows this talk is serious. It's private. He knows what will arise.

"Adrien. Where were you?" Gabriel asks shortly.

"I was having dinner with Marinette's family." Adrien answers openly, almost as if daring his father to say something.

"You and this...Ladybug girl," Gabriel says uncomfortably. "You're dating, aren't you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, father. Neither you nor me have any idea who Ladybug is, right?" Adrien says sternly as he crosses his arms. "I am dating Marinette Dupain-Cheng, a talented designer. She far more than ladybug, she is an intelligent and compassionate girl who I have fallen in love with."

Gabriel takes a deep breath. "Right. Well, I expect that she will get the chance to meet our family too?"

Adrien scoffs. "What family?'

"Adrien, please. I have a right to meet the girl—"

"You don't deserve to be acquainted with her!" Adrien says strongly, his voice rising.

Gabriel closes his eyes for a second as if to calm himself. "At least tell me next time." He sighs. "You can't blame me for being worried now that I'm aware of your...activities."

Adrien tenses up. Here it comes again.

"Please reconsider Adrien. Paris doesn't need superheroes anymore. I'm worried for your safety, running around at night like a hooligan! You have work to do. You have responsibilities as my son." Gabriel says.

"You're worried for my safety?" Adrien repeats. "You're worried—You nearly killed me! You were the danger this whole time!"

"I surrendered my miraculous! I'm a changed man, now it's time for you to let go and grow up too!"

"I've forgiven you for being the vile villain that you were, I have let go! You should be in jail! Just because Ladybug showed you mercy doesn't mean I have to." Adrien shouts. "You still disappointed me. You don't get the chance to come crawling back! You don't get the chance to be my father again! So don't go acting like you care all of a sudden and don't try to tell me what to do. This ring is the only thing keeping me sane aside from my friends. It's the only piece of independence I have left. You will not be taking that from me too!"

Adrien's rant has left Gabriel speechless. He likes to pretend that Hawkmoth never happened for the most part but sometimes he dares to suggest that Adrien give up being Cat Noir. Only that he doesn't like to acknowledge that Adrien is Cat Noir, he won't even say that name. The idea of his perfect little boy being a superhero still makes him uncomfortable. So, just for the sake of spiting him as the cherry on top, Adrien transforms in front of him right there and then.

"Plagg, claws out."

Gabriel watches in dismay as his son transforms into Cat Noir. Adrien loves his expression when he is slapped in the face with the truth. He hopes it stings like a slap in the face too...

"Now. If you'll excuse me, father, I have to go on patrol to protect the streets of Paris from villains like you." Cat Noir says, taking a bow in a mocking manner.

Cat Noir grabs the bright pink dress out of his bag and, without breaking eye contact, slips it over his leather suit. Gabriel watches in a mixture of confusion, repulse and shock. Cat Noir brings two fingers to his forehead and salutes before walking out with his head held high.

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Before:

After:

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#Adriendeserveslove

I will be writing about Cat Noir wearing the dress to patrol but I felt that this chapter was getting to long so it'll be in the next one.

I'm sorry my updates are slow. It's because I'm in a really bad place mentally and I don't want that to affect my writing. It just takes me so long to write each chapter cuz I'm struggling with myself but I didn't wonna say anything cuz I felt like that was a dumb excuse that I shouldn't share with the internet. idk I was scared people would think I was lying cuz I'm lazy but I want you to know why I'm kind of out of it, and know that I do still care about this book and you guys :)

I'm trying my best, sorry again!