Alya entered the coffee shop that held dozens of memories back in lycée, collége and univérsite. A rather fitting location, just a block away from her job, given that they could only meet during her break. She scanned the area to find Marinette seated at a table in the back of the shop wearing a hat from a delivery shop along with a pair of sunglasses and a mask. An obvious get of someone trying.

The brunette could only smile at her best friend's get up just to remain hidden from the paparazzi. She made her way to the suspicious looking lady at the back of the shop and pulling up a seat in front of her. Upon her arrival, Marinette lowered her mask and greeted her with a smile, while the young journalist embraced her friend, giving her comfort. She sat down then she took her friend's hand with a smile. She opened her mouth to say something but Marinette beats her to it.

"So how's the internship?" she asked. Knowing that she's not going to want to talk about it yet. Alya followed the conversation trying to ease in to yesterday's reports.

"It's going great, I've been working under Nadia and I'm really learning a lot from her," she replied, keeping it short hoping to ask her question. "And Nino's still on tour with Kitty Section, right?" Marinette asked as the waiter arrived with their coffee.

Alya stiffened a little at the mention of the boy's name. Noticing her discomfort, Marinette's eyes went wide in realization, flailing her arms around just like back in their school days.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up during these times at that," she apologized, recalling that the two broke up two years ago after they went on their internships, and meeting up had always been a problem, making them end their long term relationship in order to preserve it. Perhaps by not talking about the white bear, the white bear is bound to pop up. Alya shook her head in compassion as she took her friend's hands on hers.

"It's alright, we decided to take a break mutually. We just didn't want to destroy what little our relationship had after college. Now that we're timezones apart it would've been too hard for us," she said dolefully. Marinette nodded, as she understood their decision. But this forced her to actually talk about the elephant in the room. Taking a deep breath, Alya plastered her sympathetic smile and faced the ravenette.

"Now, let's talk about you, how're you feeling?" she asked animatedly. Marinette heaved a tired sigh and told her everything, from reading the news about them to how he explained himself to her, glossing over the most hurtful part of it. She didn't want to be reminded by it again, nor does she want to either be glorified or demonized by those shameful actions.

Alya sat there with her face knitted with worry as she listened patiently to her retellings. She took a sip from her café au lait and she watched the lady in front of her tremble. Once she finished, Marinette slumped back into her chair, while Alya processed what she said. She knew exactly where Adrien was coming from, but that was such a harsh thing to tell her in public. Perhaps his doubts were not unfounded, however she still believes it could've been dealt better.

She leaned back as she tapped the cup of coffee in her hand and simply said, "So do you need help in hiding a body?"

Marinette, figuratively, shot out of her seat and gave her an absurd look on her face.

"Alya, no! I may hate him, but not that far. I still love him after all," she exclaimed, making a playful grin dance on the brunette.

"Seriously girl, you still love him after all that he's done to you?" Alya stated as Marinette huffed at her statement.

"I've always loved him from the start, you know that. I can't just unlove him right after. It'll take me a day or two to really get over him. It's just, I just, I can't believe that he'd do something like that to me, after all we've been through," she replied as her voice got softer by the last phrase.

"And he's right. I am a creep, and a hypocrite. Maybe it was meant to happen, I was being selfish and careless with him from the beginning. I'm not the right person for him," she continued degrading herself as she was recounting all the times she had made him feel less of what he actually was. She started shaking as tears started to well up again.

Alya nodded her head, understanding what the girl meant. "It's alright, let it all out, Marinette," she assured the girl as she looked at her.  She noticed how her friend looked like she was on the verge of crying. She encouraged her break down.

"Is it normal for me to feel this way, or am I overreacting?" Marinette asked as she took a sip of cappuccino trying to hide her tears.

"Of course it's normal, breakups would always feel like the end of the world, mostly if you broke up because you were cheated on," Alya reassured her as she leaned forward towards the girl.

"I would know, it took me over a month to finally let him go," she added in a murmur. She reached out of her best friend's hand and took it in hers.

"But all through it, you've been with me. You cleared your schedule just to make time for me. I was never alone because of you. I would do the same for you and I'll be here for you whenever you call," she promised as she looked into her eyes.

Alya got up and went to Marinette's side as she hugged the girl in comfort, hoping to ease her glum. Marinette, in turn, clung to her as if her life depended on it, years falling down and staining her coat. Once they separated, Alya went back to her seat as she stared at the girl with pity. Wiping the very few tears that managed to escape, Marinette gave her a hopeful smile as she drank her coffee.

"Um, what about Plagg?" the reporter asked in a soft voice just between the two of them.

"I wanted to confiscate him after I poured the water on his head. But he chose to be with him. I don't blame him, he loves Adrien that much. As the guardian, I want to have all the miraculouses with me, mostly with what happened before. But as their friend, it's not like I don't know where to find him," she replied as she heaved a deep sigh. But Alya was not convinced by the decision, however she couldn't dictate what Marinette and Plagg decided.

"I'll trust you on this one. I'll keep an eye on him when you can't. You know my sources," Alya told her. She didn't ask the guardian, she knows what she has to. She would always be where Marinette can't be. And right now she would be the bridge of contact between the two in terms of responsibility.

Marinette thanked her as she turned to stare outside of the window, watching the busy streets of Paris. Vehicles driving by, passers-by walking down the streets, shoppers carrying multiple bags in their arms, children jumping excitedly as they talked idly to their guardians. She couldn't help but think that she'll miss all of these when she heads out to London. This reminded her that she needed to tell Alya about her plans.

"I almost forgot, but I think I'm leaving," Marinette said as she watched her friend's expression change. Alya placed her cup in the table as she looked at her with confusion.

"What do you mean, you think? Are you really leaving, so soon?" she asked a bit frustrated by the spontaneous action. The baker girl nodded and continued, "It's just that after breaking up with Adrien an investor agreed on helping me make my brand grow." This somehow surprised the reporter as she gave her congratulations to her friend. Marinette thanked her and explained the Felix situation to her, leaving out revenge plan.

"Felix! Are you serious? You can't trust that guy. Never in a million years. I'm sure Jagged Stone or even Clara Nightingale would want you. Anyone but him, please," the journalist pleaded desperately. She can't have this happen. She can't. Not after the whole helping Hawkmoth thing. The troubled Marinette immediately flashed before her eyes. She was hurt, broken and tired because of that man's actions. She just couldn't trust him.

"It's not too late for you to back down. You can definetely leave since you still haven't signed a contract," Alya pressed wanting her best friend to make the right choice, and not just in the burst of the moment.

"Alya, please trust me on this one," Marinette replied, cutting off her rant.

"I want to, I really want to. But if he's involved I just can't bare the thought of it," Alya explained as she ran a hand through her hair.

"I'm signing with the company, not him. He doesn't have full control over me. All I need to do is have his mother on my side and he won't be able to touch me," the young designer pleaded as she reached out her hand towards hers.

Huffing out a worried breath, she answered, "If it's for the best, I can't stop you. But that doesn't mean I'm fine by this arrangement. If anything, and I mean anything feels off about him or the company call me. I'll find the worst dirt on them and reveal it to the public." Marinette thanked her for the reassurance and kind words.

"But I guess my 'comfort my bestie' plan went down the drain," Alya commented, hoping to diffuse the tension. Luckily, her companion laughed.

"Don't worry Al, I'll still call you and talk to you everyday, if I can. When I need you I'll tell you right away," Marinette assured. This made the brunette smile as they sat in comfortable silence, finishing their coffee under the afternoon sun. The ambience somehow made her take a stroll down memory lane.

...

Walking down the stairs beside the Seine always felt relaxing and comforting. She could feel all her problems and worries fade away as she watched the water flow, connecting them all to one. She took a deep breath as she watched the river flow. She passed under a bridge as she listened to the echoes of the droplets.

"Enjoying the view, princess," a mischievous cat teased as he came to view. She smiled back at the cat before her as she gently pulls him closer.

"Yeah, the view is very beautiful," she told him, causing him to blush at her words. He gave out a cheerful chuckle as he detransformed.

"What about this view?" he teased as he struck a pose. She let out a giggle and said, "Still beautiful, or maybe even more so." He let out a pleased hum wrapping his arms around her. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead holding her close.

She felt him hold her tighter in fear of letting go, as she stared at his eyes trying to read them.

"Is there something wrong, Adrien?" she asked. He shook his head reassuringly as he gave her a smile saying, "You just looked really stressed out earlier. Do you want to take the day off for patrol and just relax? I really missed you." She couldn't help but bury her face into his chest smothering him with affection.

"I'm fine now that you're here," she replied, making his heart skip a beat. They stayed like that for a little longer, before they separated and began walking down the riverbank hand in hand.

They talked about how their day was, how college was and how his family was. They discussed their plans for vacation next break, and where they want to go next. They wandered about the patrol route they'll be taking. She inquired how his father was handling after everything. He asked what her parents would want for their anniversary. Their talk about their families made them venture into the future, on what they wish to have in their life and the idea of a tomorrow.

"Why can't we have a cat?" he pouted as they continued their stroll. "It's hard to take care of more than one cat," she explained. This made him laugh as he gave her a cheeky smile.

"I guess you're right. I am too hot to handle. It's going to be hard to have another one," he agreed with a sassy grin. She playfully rolled her eyes at him as a smile tugged the edge of her lips.

"I meant that you're too much of a handful that it's like taking care of two attention seeking babies," she teased him jabbing him lightly at the side. Adrien made a hurt face as he bright his hand to his chest as he declared, "My lady has wounded me again. Alas, this one struck my pride."

She laughed at his dramatic declaration making him join in her laughter. Their joyful clatter echoed under the bridge they had just passed by. They were really happy with each other walking hand in hand along the path. Both with matching smiles that can challenge the sun's.

"Let's have a pet hamster instead and name him 'Loneliness,'" he kidded as he watched her flush in embarrassment.

"Stop, I thought you forgot about it already," she insisted feeling very embarrassed. He could still remembered their lunch date as Marinette and Chat Noir. It was so awkward and embarrassing, but knowing that it was Adrien all along doubled that feeling. She didn't think that she wouldn't have wanted to dig a hole and bury herself so bad in her life.

"Aw, but that was the nicest lunch I had in a while. Eating with your family will always be my favourite, rather than eating alone at my place," he solemnly recalled. She gave him a gentle smile gripping his hand tighter in a comforting manner. He looked at her with pleased eyes and said, "We really don't need a cat because we're going to have three kittens of our own." She, again, blushed at his words and the thought of having a family with him. This always brightened her day and made her feel fuzzy in the inside.

"Or larvae. Do you want kittens or ladybug larvae?" he added with a cheeky grin. This made her hand slap her forehead before glaring at him. "Way to kill the mood," she told him as he snickered at her reaction.

"Maybe even a kitten larvae hybrid? That would be interesting," he continued making his partner groan at his intervals. He shrugged and pointed out, "I mean you are a ladybug and I'm a cat. I'm really curious on what we're calling our kids."

"We're not calling them larvae. Mon dieu, Adrien. I'd rather have you call them sweet kittens than larvae," she warned him as he continued on his ideas. This made her laugh and groan at the same time depending on his words.

The air was filled with their love as it had always been. From the moment they meet they knew they were meant to be together. They live by it as many can see. It was their love that kept Paris happy, but people seem to forget that in the sound of joy there will always be a crack of darkness creeping in.