Okay, so I'm republishing this because it messed up and deleted a bunch  of what I wrote. Sorry! Story might have some changes, because I can't rewrite this word-for-word

Three years. That's how long Marinette left Paris for. After Chloe spilled her identity. Everyone was criticizing her, judging her, following her, asking questions. Her parents understood why she went to China to live with her grandmother for three years. She was eighteen now. And back in Paris.

Most had forgotten about Ladybug, well, most except Adrien, Alya, the rest of her old classmates and her parents. They didn't recognize Marinette Dupain-Cheng for anything other than her recent rise in design and modelling, even then, she was lucky enough to not be stared at on the street. 

She had an apartment now, and was planning on making an appearance, per Gabriel Agreste's request (he hadn't told his son about her, only that he found a new talented designer) at the Lumiere Ball in a few days. Literally the least creative name ever, the Ball of Light? Well, she had a very appropriate dress, and one for Ladybug too. Tikki agreed to replace the normal suit with her design, so she would say the phrase and she would be in her Ladybug gown. 

Once she stepped foot in her apartment, it suddenly hit her.

Oh god, Marinette was back in Paris.

She grabbed a cushion and screamed into it. Tikki flew out, concerned, but only giggled lightly as Marinette lifted her face and let out a light, chiming laugh. "Tikki, I'm back in Paris, oh my god, how am I going to face anyone? What if I see Alya, what if I see Adrien? Ah, this is a good nightmare! Just like my life!" 

"Oh Marinette, you'll be fine! You're a lot more confident, and you'll be able to face them head on!" Tikki encouraged her holder who just laughed again. Leaving her luggage at the door where she put it, she grabbed a bag for Tikki and pulled on her boots that she kicked off on entering.

"Come on Tikki, let's see if we can run into anybody on purpose." She winked as the kwami flew into her bag. Locking the door behind her, she leaped down the stairs.

Walking through Paris was something she missed. The architecture, the smells of pastries and coffee, the couture, the people. Oh, the people, and their smiles and laughter and familiar voices. She strolled through parks and ended up in front of the Eiffel tower before her first encounter with Nathanael and a young woman by his side.

"Marinette?" Nathanael asked, shocked. The blue-haired woman nodded, a sly grin on her face, that melted into a friendly smile as she turned her gaze on the pretty brunette on Nathanael's arm.

"Hi Nathanael, who's this?" Marinette took in the woman as she blushed and looked down. She was short, her hair long and wavy, cascading down her back, with soft brown eyes and freckles splattered across her face. Nathanael also looked at her and smiled affectionately.

"This is my girlfriend, Primrose.  I met her at an art expo, and she took my breath away then and there." He leaned down to peck her cheek as she blushed more and giggled. "Primrose, this is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, my old school friend." Primrose held out a hand, which Marinette shook.

"Nice to meet you, Primrose. I'm Marinette. Anyway, I'd better leave you two to your date. See you later!" She waved with a grin as they continued on their way, not without seeing them blush. 

She continued around, hands laced together behind her blue skirt, simply looking around her childhood favourite place. The Eiffel tower was always a source of inspiration for her, and she had even designed a gorgeous and unique couture gown, named Dress de Eiffel. It was dark silver, as if steel, and wrapped around the torso tightly with a point representing the top of the tower jutting out above the shoulder while the skirt was tailored be stiff and flare out. She had modeled it for the finale of a show in America. 

And that was when she bumped into another two of her classmates. Only, this time, she wasn't as lucky as she was with Nathanael. It was Chloe and Sabrina. 

Sabrina squealed excitedly and straight up hugged her. "Oh my god, Marinette, you made it huge! I knew you'd do it, you were always so talented it would be crazy not for you to make it!" Marinette grinned and hugged the red head back.

"Thanks, Sabrina! I just got noticed by the right people, though. Anyone could've done it!" She smiled as Sabrina shook her head rapidly.

"No way, your designs are amazing! Only someone with real talent would get so far in so little time. I saw your Butterfly Gown, it was spectacular!" She gave a huge smile to Marinette that dropped suddenly when Chloe cleared her throat. Sabrina paled the slightest before stepping away from her, silently mouthing a 'good luck' to her.

"Marinette. I... I want to say sorry." Chloe started, her voice unusually quiet and timid. Marinette stood still, shocked. This was not what she was expecting, and by the looks of it, neither was Sabrina. "I pushed you too far... I see that now. I'm really sorry, and I was hoping... Maybe we could start over?" The blond finally met Marinette's eyes, her blue eyes sad and hopeful.

Marinette didn't hesitate to pull her in for a hug. "Of course, Chloe." She pulled away to smile at Chloe. "I should go. I'm trying to see how many of our old classmates I'll bump into!" She laughed, and Chloe smiled genuinely.

"Good luck, Marinette. See you around!" She waved as she and Sabrina left to keep walking. Marinette sighed contentedly as she continued walking in the opposite direction. 

Paris was always a beautiful city, especially now in the sparkling afternoon sunlight. The buildings were magnificent, the old architecture with intricate designs perfectly mixed in with modern structures of glass and metal. Marinette adored her home-town, it was just the people that were the problem. 

The next classmate she bumped into was not a conversation she was looking forward to.

She smiled warily and lifted a hand to wave at him, her voice coming out more nervous and shaky than she hoped it'd be. "Hey, Nino." (HA BET YOU THOUGHT IT WAS ADRIEN) 

Nino stared at her for a full five seconds before enveloping her in a bear hug. Marinette's eyes grew wide as her arms were pinned to her sides. Nino pulled back only to grin.

"Mari! It's been way too long, dudinette, how've you been? How's life been treating you? Where'd you go? Wait, let's go to this sick cafe I found to talk." He dragged her towards a quaint little store on the other side of the road, still with that huge grin on his face. 

Nino was ecstatic. Marinette, his childhood friend who was also Ladybug (awesome), had left and come back! Alya and Adrien wouldn't be mopey anymore! Adrien would actually start dating! Silently cheering, he launched into a conversation with her.

"So, Mar-Mar, answer all my questions truthfully and you'll get out alive." He laced his fingers together with a playful glint in his eye. "Where on Earth did you go after you so suddenly and dramatically disappeared?"

Marinette rolled her eyes at the familiar nickname with a smile. She really missed Nino, he was always so chill about her being Ladybug, and she had often found comfort in him. "China, to live with my grandmother. I have anxiety, did you know? That time I fainted, it was because of an anxiety attack. Once I had one anxiety attack, I knew it was only so long before another, and honestly I didn't want to go through that. So I removed myself from the environment."

Nino nodded before ordering drinks for them. He continued his questions. "How's your designing coming along? I saw Adrien with a magazine of yours, dude was smiling so wide but also about to cry. He misses you a lot, you know, and so does Alya. Oh! We should call 'em here." He was about to get out his phone when she stopped him, a sad smile on her face.

"I... hate to say it, but... Alya and Adrien are the whole reason I left, Nino." He gave her a confused look, and she sighed. "If it weren't for... Adrien finding out and... Alya overhearing and blurting it out to everyone... I never would've had to leave. Don't get me wrong, I don't hold anything against them, I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have if I stayed in Paris, but... I'm holding off on telling them I'm here."

Nino once again tilted his head in confusion, thanking the waitress who gave them their drinks. "Why? It won't hurt."

Marinette grinned, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "I'm going to surprise them at the Lumiere Ball." Nino spat out his coffee back into the cup. "Well, Alya's going to be there, she's a journalist. And, you know, Adrien's Adrien, so." 

Nino stared at her. "I didn't know you were big enough to go to the Lumiere Ball!"

"Gabriel Agreste invited me."

"AND BY FORMAL INVITATION?! Woman, you have lived a very eventful life in a very short amount of time." Nino pointed at her with his spoon while she giggled. Her laugh was something he missed. Don't get him wrong, he loved Alya, but Marinette was like his little sister. She was family.

Marinette shook her head and took a sip of her latte. "God I missed you, Nino." She smiled at him, all apprehension now gone as he smiled back with just as brightly.

"Glad you're back, Mar."

The two of them talked and laughed for 15 more minutes before Marinette decided to go. In the cafe, they had seen Ivan and Mylene as well as Max and Kim already, so she was planning on walking home. A walk through Paris was not something she'd trade for a taxi, after all, she was bred and born here, even if her roots were in China.

She could only hope the ball would be as easy as that day.

~*Time skip to ball because I'm still too lazy*~

"I'm on the highway to hell." Marinette hummed under her breath as she stared out the window of the limousine Gabriel Agreste had sent for her. She had been blasting AC/DC in her apartment to psyche herself up, and it worked. She felt like she could face anything.

Until they pulled up in front of the Eiffel Tower where possibly 300 people were all dressed up.

She took a deep breath and stepped out of the limousine, briefly thanking the driver who she recognized as the Gorilla. Taking in the rather unusual ball setting, she exhaled and steeled herself. Gabriel Agreste was coming towards her, probably to accompany her on the short walk to the event.

"Ms. Marinette! I am glad to see you have arrived, how was the trip to Paris?" He inquired, also while inspecting her outfit. 

"Good evening, Mr. Agreste. The trip was smooth, but tiring, as trips tend to be." She answered politely. By now, she had worked with him many times, and was often seen as his main partner in design.

"I assume this is an original creation?" He circled her, still inspecting her pink gown. She nodded. "Very exquisite, well done." He praised her, making her blush slightly. "No, I assume you wish to find... Ms. Alya, was it? And I expect you to meet with my son." He glanced at her over his glasses, to which she let out a laugh.

"Yes, Mr. Agreste." She internally rolled her eyes. She was well aware how much Gabriel wanted her to be in a relationship with his son, but respected her wishes. Honestly, she thought he just wanted an heir who could competently follow in his footsteps.

"You are excused." He said formally, a twinkle in his grey eyes. Marinette curtsied, and maneuvered her way through the crowd, an amused smile on her face. She grabbed a glass of champagne and sipped at it while searching for her old auburn haired friend.

Alya was bored. Very, extremely, majorly bored. The only reason she had come was to cover designs, and as Adrien's friend. And to try and get him a girlfriend. 

She found the perfect solution to her boredom when she lightly bumped into someone.

"Oh, I'm so sorry..." She trailed off, staring into familiar cerulean blue eyes that twinkled. The same shy smile was curled on her porcelain face, the same petit form... the dress... "Marinette?"

"Hey Alya." Marinette answered, tucking one of her loose ringlets behind her ear. Alya stood still, gaping at her before squealing excitedly and crushing her in a hug. 

"Oh. My. GOD! Girl, It's been so long! And you've done so well! AHH, you cannot believe how happy I am for you!" Alya placed her hands on her best friend's shoulders and the two of them bounced and grinned at each other. "Where did you go? How's working with Gabriel Agreste? You know what? Tell me later, we need to find Adrien!"

She grabbed Marinette's hand and dragged her towards the foot of the Eiffel Tower, where a blond male stood with his hands in his pockets, gazing up at the tall structure.

Adrien looked up at the tip of the Eiffel Tower, remembering the nights he spent up there with her. Swinging around the Tower, racing to the tip, sharing pastries. Spending nights of her balcony, in her warm home, sipping hot cocoa and telling stories and... No, he promised himself he wouldn't cry over her anymore.

"ADRIEN! You're going to LOVE this one!" He heard Alya call out, probably with another girl with too much makeup and a tacky dress. Sighing he turned around.

"Alya, I told you, I'm still not over her ye-" He froze at the sight of her.

Pale porcelain skin, prettily powdered with a natural blush. Skin he remembered touching. A cute little nose dotted with freckles. A nose he remembered poking. Perfectly sculpted lips curled in a shy smile. Lips he remembered placing a good night kiss on once as Chat. Midnight blue hair pulled into a neatly elegant bun. Hair he remembered stroking. Wide cerulean eyes that sparkled more than the night sky. Eyes he remembered getting lost in, drowning in, never wanting to find his way out.

He fell in love all over again.

"M-Marinette?" He stuttered, not trusting his eyes after a few days after her disappearance of hallucinating her standing there. Her smile grew, her blush deepened, and she nodded.

"Hey, Adrien." Her sweet voice bringing back waves of memories, he broke out into a huge smile. 

"Oh my god, Marinette!" He stepped towards her and pulled her into a hug, inhaling her familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon (I always use vanilla and cinnamon). She wrapped her arms around him too, and yelped quietly when he picked her up by the waist and spun her around. 

"Adrien, put me down!" She squealed, laughing as he spun her. He stopped, gazing up at her flushed face grinning down at her for a second before setting her on the ground. 

With a truly happy smile, he cupped her cheek. "God I've missed you." She leaned into his hand and covered it with her own.

"Missed you too, kitty." She whispered as a reply.

Alya tapped her foot, folded her arms and grinned at the two lovebirds. "Okay, I get that you two have been longing for each other for years, but I'm here too, ya know." Marinette blushed brighter and laughed. 

"Sorry, Als." She smiled as she twisted a strand of hair around her finger. Adrien smiled affectionately at her familiar blush, and almost pulled her into a kiss. Almost. Because Gabriel Agreste was approaching them.

"Ah, Ms. Marinette. I see you have found my son? And your friend too, the reporter, Ms. Alya, was it?" He adjusted his glasses as he smiled at the blunette, who nodded with a polite smile mirroring his. Adrien, confused, glanced between his father and the woman he loved.

"Yes, Mr. Agreste, and I have to say, I am envious of your model. I really could've used Adrien in my early days, it would've helped a lot." She shot the young blond a mischievous smirk before turning her attention back to his father. Adrien gradually grew more confused. Why were his father's eyes sparkling? Why was he looking at Marinette as if she were his daughter?

"Are you ready to present your speech?" He asked, provoking a slight gasp from the female designer. She glanced at her phone. 

"It's 11 already? Well, I'd best go give my speech then." She threw a grin at her friends and started to head towards the podium. "Wish me luck!"

"Not like you need any more!" Adrien called back with a chuckle, watching as Marinette rolled her eyes with a light laugh and kept moving towards the podium. Alya quickly got out her phone and started to record her speech.

Gabriel came up behind his son, seeming sad as he laid a hand on Adrien's shoulder. "I... know I haven't been much of a father, Adrien, but... I have some advice." He pointed towards Marinette, who shone in her spotlight, simply radiating this warmth and glow of pure amazing-ness. "She's special. You don't find someone like her every day. Don't... don't let her go like I did with your mother." With that, Gabriel once again melted back into the crowd, leaving Adrien with some new thoughts.

A firm smile overtook the model's face, determination and love settling in his heart as he gazed at the woman of his affections. "I won't, Dad. I am never letting her go again."

REPUBLISHED SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT VOILA HERE YA GO I MIGHT PUBLISH A COMPLETELY NEW ONE IN A MINUTE