Marinette sat eagerly awaiting the brilliant idea of her confident kwami. Tikki opened her mouth wide in assurance, that is was foremost the best idea ever. "Why don't you give him one of the presents over there in that chest?" Tikki flew over arranging her hands into a showcase position.

Marinette stood there holding a blank smile, containing her emotions, that didn't last long before she exploded, Tikki was sure she could see steam coming from Marinette's ears. "TIKKI I CAN'T GIVE HIM THOSE!!" she stomped dragging a trashcan alongside her shoving each individually wrapped present in the bag muttering curses by the second. "But why Marinette? You made enough of them for his next thirty-five birthdays" the kwami whined in annoyance eventually plopping down onto the chaise giving up

"Because Tikki...." she angrily gritted her teeth slamming the now overflowing bag to the ground clenching her fists "I made those when I was in love with Adrien" a breath of fresh air escaped her frowning mouth "I'm no longer in love with him, Tikki..." her voice quiverd as she lowered her eyes collapsing upon the icy floor gathering the remaining trash.

Tikki broke the airborn silence in a low delicate tone "Then why do you care so much about Adrien having a gift, if you aren't in love with him anymore?" the Kwami tried so hard to grasp what Marinette was saying. After all, Kwamis have no idea of love.

"I know how much this means to him" the anger in her voice slipped away into sensitivity "I don't have to be in love with him to put a smile on his face" she emerged a weak smile "After all, he's.... just a friend" Marinette felt some sort of gear in her shift at that simple statement. Tikki smiled, proud of her holder.

"Well Marinette, no time to waste" Tikki belted nudging the girls shoulder "there's only one other option isn't there Tikki" not so soon later citizens could spot a certain bug swinging in the midnight hour. Citizens stopped, waving at their hero shouting her name.

She was honored that in even spite of her losing to Hawkmoth no one ever stopped believing in her. Their faith and trust remained in Ladybug. That's all she could ask for.

Her feet stopped outside of a second hand shop 10 brief minutes from closing. She ran inside in search for the perfect gift. She searched the bins but all that was found were old second hand clothes and home decor. "5 minutes" the clerk shouted taping the counter with one of her acrylic covered nails as the other one rested on the side of her face. Ladybug panicked picking up the first thing she could place her hand on rushing it to the counter.

"25.99$" the clerk took a brief look at the item never looking up. Ladybugs jaw collapsed as she searched her nonexistent pockets feeling embarrassed. She took a second raising her finger cocking her head to the side with a smile "seeeee um hahaha funny story, I forgot my bug wallet in my bug lair anddd i really need this" she moved her hands around in a frenzy giving the clerk the puppy dog eyes. "listen little girl I have no time for these games you either pay or-" she finally shifted her eyes to the heroine, gasping nearly stumbling over.

"LADYBUG! IM SO SORRY, OF COURSE YOU CAN" she shoved the item inside a bag quickly handing it to Ladybug cheeseing unusually hard "do you want me to come back later on tomorrow to repay you?" the clerk nodded in a No moton "NO need you're LADYBUG, by the way can I get a picture!!" the girl eagerly pulled Ladybug and for a hug just as Ladybug returned it snapping the picture. "bug out!"

Marinette quickly detransformed landing on her bed in a spider like position, she quickly climbed down throwing the bag onto her computer desk as she danced around claiming victory. "What is it Marinette?" the Kwami looked blankly at the bag. Marinette froze, she herself didn't have as clue as to what was inside the bag.

Her face shriveled up in uneasiness as she picked up the mysterious bag. She grabbed it by the two corners shaking it hastily before a thud was heard.

Marinette bent down picking up the object. "A camara?" she scratched her head "out of all the things I could have grabbed.... I GRABBED A CAMARA?" the look of shame quickly replaced the feeling of victory. She plopped down into the moving chair "Don't stress Marinette, I'm sure Adrien is going to love it" Tikki flew beside her hugging the poor girls face. "I hope so" she began placing the vintage camara inside of birthday box in hopes her friend would love it.

Marinette sat the decorated black and green box on her chaise awaiting for the following day. She and Tikki bundled in covers seeking warmth. Marinette had approximately 4 hours to catch up on sleep.

It was always like this
-

"Adrien wake up" the boy awoke to a bold voice demanding his presence. Nathalie stood against the door holding her clipboard against her chest as always. Her voice systematically filled Adrien in on his repetitive daily sceadule.

Chinese Lessons

Model Shoot

Fencing Class

She adjusted the glasses on her face pushing them up with a single finger. "Your father will being waiting for you in his office" she walked out without saying another word.

The boy sulked a little longer in his bed before making his way to the bathroom shutting the door behind him "I say your father's going to throw you a party to show his undetected love for you, unlike your father my love for camenbeart could never go undetected" Plagg drooled at the sniff of the delicious aroma of cheese.

"Oh Plagg knock it off, without a doubt father wants to talk to be about some modeling shoot, debuting his newest birthday collection" Adrien rolled his eyes as he glided the toothbrush along his teeth

He entered the room in which his father concaucted his famous designs. The man stood at the table, drawing with a single silver pen. His face so serious yet concentrated. He gazed up at the boy resting against the detailed door frame. He spoke coldly "Adrien you will come straight home after school, no funny business with your obnoxious friends" he spat the command out in disapproval and disgust of the already spent time with his friends prior to this special day.

"but fathe-" he was cut off by the deadly glare intoxicating his previous confidence "do I make myself clear, Adrien?" the words escaped his father's mouth shortly after.

Gabriel was a secretive yet so short-tempered individual. He wasn't always this way. He once had a wife. The late Emilie Agreste. They often made appearances together, one red carpet after another. Her disappearance occurred three short years ago. After that..... he grew cold, distancing himself away from everyone.. from the word, from his son. Now. he had nothing to lose
-

Marinette managed to arrive before the bell, she stumbed into her locker room swiftly placing the box safely inside securing it. She stood down off her tippy toes looking around to make sure she was safe from any obstacles plotting to sabotage her.

Just as Marinette thought everything was peachy, another bell rung signifying the start first period. She gasped as her heart sunk to her feet.

She quickly arrived to full class taking her seat. "Just in time Marinette, settle down I have a few announcements to make before diving into today's lesson"

She took a deep sigh unpacking her things. Her eyes concentrated on the boy infront of her before she was nudged in the shoulder

"Marinette we've got to work on your on- timing skills" Alya took quick glances both ways before pulling Marinette in by the arm "Ladybug could always use a few extra helping hands" the two girls giggled

"GIRLS!" Ms. Busier shouted in a fit receiving repetitive apologies

"Now where were we? oh, Finally I would like to announce that today is Adrien's Birthday, make sure you all make it your point to approach him today" with that Miss Bustier continued on teaching the remaining lesson.

Lunch soon approached, giving Marinette an opening opportunity to give Adrien his gift.

She ran swooping it out of her locker, then dashing through the hallways. When she arrived to the lunch room there was a line... let's just say it was a very long line of people giving Adrien presents for his birthday.

He opened them one by one. Making sure to show he was grateful and of gratitude. The line moved slowly. "of course it would be now" Marinette sighed hunching over "this is going to be a longgg lunch"

Approximately fifteen minutes passed until Marinette was somewhat ahead in line. Of course she had to be behind Chloe who nagged the entire time about her gift being the "best"

"Ugh Mari-trash where did you get that hideous thing?" Chloe turned around judging the gift placing her hands on her hips before Marinette could fire back she was cut off by the annoying snob "Ew, nevermind i can't bear you talking in my presence, besides, nothing could ever top MY gift, humpp" Chloe walked forward being the next person

"HIII ADRIKINS, HERES MY GIFT" she handed him a lavish box inside held a pure gold ring furnished with diamonds over the sides. "Woww .... thanks chlo" he scratched the back of his head unsure of what to say.

Finally the last gift was unironicaly from Marinette. She handed him the box. Standing confidently as she waited for him to unwrap it. He pulled a string

Mr.Damocles barged through the lunchroom doors and shouted a name "ADRIEN AGRESTE!, YOUR FATHER IS HERE TO PICK YOU UP" he left as the doors slammed behind him.

"Sorry Marinette, I have to go" he said sadly shoving the un-opened gift in his bag going to the office before he left, he heard a name calling out to for him. It was Marinette's "Adrien!" she stopped in her tracks "Happy Birthday, i.... never got a chance to say it" he smiled at her "Thank you Marinette" he was gone

Alya rushed up to Marinette "GIRL! I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD THE BALLS IN YOU" Alya patted her on the back "sorry to disappoint Alya but, I'm no longer into Adrien" Alya gasped in utter shock as Marinette smiled with crossed arms "WHAT ARE YOU TAL-" she was cut off by the bell "seeya later Alya" Marinette was given a "we'll talk" glance as the two parted ways

-

Adrien sat glaring out the window as Nathalie placed her hand on his shoulder "Father never said anything about me leaving early, I wish I could've spent more time with them" his eyes rested on the floor. Nathalie gave him a sympathetic look, this was all too much out of her control, all she could do was comfort the boy.

The car soon came to a complete halt stopping outside the of the park, photo shoot equipment already set up "This is going to be a long day Plagg" he shoved a massive slice cheese up his shirt.

-

Adrien sat on his bed and groaned exhausted from his birthday shoots. Plagg flew to the pile of gifts stacked beside the bed "All these gifts are pointless, there's no cheese" the Kwami tossed them over his shoulders before reaching the single box, untouched. "Hey Adrien, you still have a gift from one of your fangirls" he teased tossing the box towards Adrien making it land beside him.

Adrien glanced the at box quickly recognizing it as the one Marinette gave him. He opened the box slowly taking the object out. "A camara?" Plagg swung it around staring at it "if you ask me it's a terrible gift for it's lack of cheese"

Adrien continued to stare at the gift a few minutes more. It was the first gift he had gotten that hadn't been lavish and expensive, and he liked it. "I hate when people waste their money and shower me in gifts like I'm some sort of god" he smiled holding the Camara to his chest "I like being treated like a normal person" He laid in his thoughts for a while

"Marinette is the only person who treats me like I'm not such some huge celebrity, sure she has a weird was of showing it. but whenever it counts.... she's .... always there for me" a flutter of something coursed throughout his body giving him chills. He couldn't explain it, it was so sudden. confusing.

Plagg noticed the boy's distress "Trying out a new flavor?" the kwami said gulping down a block "no!, yes?, ugh I don't know Plagg, I-I'm in love with Ladybug" sunshine boy hesatently pulled a pillow over his face.

Plagg rolled his eyes as he flew around causing mischief

"I'm in love with Ladybug and nothing nor no one can change that"