We made it guys! The final chapter of Dear Bugaboo! More will be said at the end of this chapter but for now, enjoy!

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Dear Bugaboo,

It's been quite a ride being with you. We've shared many unforgettable and wonderful experiences. Sure, we've also had our downfalls and fights but we always manage to get through them (thankfully unscathed). I'll forever keep them treasured for as long as I live.

Such as the very first letter I wrote to you.

Want to be my pen pal? :)

Yes          No

I patiently waited day after day for a reply. It gave me hope that someday, something exciting might happen in my life and wouldn't give up on finding that salvation.

You changed my life by saying "yes."

We became best friends even with our secret identities. We messaged each other weekly for over a year. Sharing stories, our favorite things, and so much more. Getting a letter from you was the highlight of my week!

Then, the first time we met. We didn't even recognize each other. Of course, it would be hard to recognize a person covered in flour or in a disguise.

The blonde didn't notice someone struggling to carry an open flour bag coming around the corner until bumping into them.

The person stumbled back and fell onto the floor. The now-empty bag covered their head while flour covered the rest of their body.

"Oh, sorry!" Adrien quickly apologized as the flour-covered person took the sack off their head to reveal it is covered in flour as well. Yet, this didn't stop the blonde from realizing that the person is a girl around his age.

"It's okay. You'd be surprised to know that this isn't the first time this has happened...or the last," The girl reassured, murmuring the last part under her breath.

Although, we don't have an excuse for the second time we met.

   "I—um, I don't have enough money to buy the mask. I forgot it at home," Marinette admitted, shamefully and looked down at her shoes. She slumped, feeling like an idiot for not going home to get some money before running around Paris to get a mask. Then once she finally found a shop with a nice red mask, it was all for nothing.

"I'm so lame!" Marinette thought, picturing the shop owner's face wrinkled in annoyance and anger. Yet, Fu isn't angry or annoyed at all. He isn't even looking at the ashamed bluenette but glancing over to see Adrien pause in his tracks.

   The blonde teen didn't mean too but overheard their conversation. He turned around to look at the distressed girl, not noticing the sly gleam within Fu's eyes. Fu held back a grin when Adrien walked over.

   "How much?" Adrien asked, generously offering to pay for whatever the girl bought. Marinette shot her head up, bluebell eyes wide in astonishment. She frantically waved her hands around and shook her head, saying, "N-No, you don't n-need to do that! It's my f-fault for forgetting t-to bring money!"

"One dollar," Fu answered, the two men ignoring Marinette. Adrien dug into his pocket and pulled out a dollar.

"Y-You seriously don't need t-to buy anything for m-me," Marinette protested, feeling guilty that this kind boy is paying for her mask.

"It's alright. I want too," The blonde replied, handing the dollar to the shop owner. Fu retrieved the money and handed the bag over to a stunned Marinette.

Before the second time we met, I had asked you out to the school dance. It was the best decision of my life! Being with you that night, brought me great joy and happiness. Our dance was so much fun! You looked absolutely gorgeous (not that you don't always look mew-tiful, M'lady).

But, I was also scared and feared what you would think of me when you found out who I was. Turns out, I had nothing to fear.

   Marinette knowingly smirked, continuing, "I think I finally figured you out, Agreste."

All the stress, nerves, and worry Adrien felt before burst into a guffaw. His contagious laughter echoed off the walls, causing Marinette to catch it.

After that, we hung out. Watched movies, ate at different places (though, your dad's bakery will always be number one), and went on adventures around Paris. After two years, I finally gained the courage to ask you out.

   Seventeen-year-old, Adrien Agreste, gulped and looked down at the letter in his sweaty palms. Then, he spotted the petite bluenette laughing walking to class with her best friend. The very girl he's had his eyes on for a few years now.

   "Are you finally going to do it, dude?"

   Adrien snapped out of his lovestruck daze and turned to his best friend, Nino. The ex-model nervously laughed and frantically replied, "Pppfttt—WHAT? Wh-What do y-you mean? I'm totally n-not going to ask out Mar-Marinette and freaking out about it. That-that would be totally absurd!"

   Nino looked at the blonde unimpressed. He rolled his brown eyes, sarcastically deadpanning, "Totally."

    "Totally," Adrien quickly agreed before sighing in defeat, "Is it really that obvious?"

"The entire school knows-" Nino explained, giving Adrien a heart attack for a moment until continuing, "-except for Marinette, of course. You two are insanely dense, bro."

   "She isn't dense! She's pretty—I mean, smart! No, wait!" The blonde stammered over his words, heat rising into his cheeks. The DJ is trying his best not to laugh but proves to be too difficult, cackling at his best friend's dilemma.

   "Man, I knew you had it bad but this is a whole other level," Nino chortled, wiping joyous tears from the rims of his eyes. The blonde glared at the other male, pouting at how he isn't taking this a bit more seriously.

   "Alright, if you're not going to help, I'm just going to go now," Adrien grumbled. Nino placed a hand on Adrien's shoulder after calming down.

   "Sorry, but you have to admit, it's entertaining watching you trying to hide your crush," Nino said.

   Adrien tried to walk away again.

   "Okay, I'll stop and help you with...whatever it is you have planned to ask Marinette out," Nino gave in, getting a skeptical look from Adrien,

   The DJ reassuringly patted his friend's back, "Don't worry your little fragrance off, I won't make fun of you until you're dating Marinette."

   Adrien rolled his eyes, "Close enough."

   Nino smiled at his buddy, asking, "So, what's the plan?"

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  "Yeah, Chloe freaked out so much! It was hilarious!" Alya exclaimed, musing over the memory of her fourth-period class. Marinette chuckled at the story and opened up her locker, only to have an envelope fall out.

   The two teen girls stared at it in surprise before Marinette bent down, picking it off of the ground.

   "Oooo, it looks like you have a secret admirer," the ombré-haired girl teased. Marinette smiled in return, knowing fully well who her "secret admirer" is and that it is merely another letter.

   "Although, I wish it is more than just that," Marinette thought, wishing her Kitty felt the same way as she does.

"Open it! Open it! Open it!" Alya excitedly cheered, practically jumping on the spot. Marinette gave a small smile and opened the envelope. She pulled out the paper and unfolded it, beginning to read the neat writing.

Dear Bugaboo,

How is your day going? Hopefully, it's going just as lovely as you are. You deserve endless days of happiness, Purrr-incess! It'd make my day if you'd join me at the bench after school to study together.

~Kitty

   Marinette felt her heart drop a little at the "study" part. Whenever there is a test they struggled on, the two would meet in the park to help each other study. There's an art test on Friday, meaning Adrien is probably asking for her assistance on it.

   "By the look on your face, I assume it isn't a love letter," Alya said, a bit of bitterness laced in her voice.

   "It's okay, don't worry about it. I promise, it's nothing bad," Marinette genuinely reassured, grabbing her art folder, "I've got to go. Maybe, we can go out for lunch tomorrow with the girls."

   Alya unsurely hummed before a tiny smile graced her lips, "Alright, you convinced me. I'll see you tomorrow."

   Marinette nodded in agreement before making her way to the park. She's slightly sad that the blonde doesn't reciprocate her feelings. It's frustrating but she can't get mad over her own emotions. She can't help it if she loves Adrien. She can't help it if he doesn't like her back in a romantic way.

   "It's been two years...maybe, I should just tell him and rip off the bandaid. It's better to tell him how I feel or I'll regret it. Never knowing and wondering if I ever had a chance is worse than knowing. Actually...is it worse? Is regretting something forever less painful than a broken heart?" She questioned in her head, "I guess time can heal it and I can learn to move on."

   A bittersweet thought but she decided to give it a shot, even if she's scared out of her mind. Rejection is like a dagger to the heart, leaving it severely wounded and in misery until help arrives. Then, the injury will heal over time and grow stronger if it's properly taken care of.

   Marinette paused outside the park's entryway.

   This is it, one breath in and out. She let her confidence melt over and tried to shake off the nerves. She moved into the park, heading in the direction of the bench they've come accustomed to having as a meeting spot. The very bench where it all started and pray to everything good, it won't all end there too.

   The bluebell-eyed teen hesitantly paused, seeing Adrien patiently waiting on the bench. He shifting a lot on his seat, shuffling through some notecards.

   "He's probably having a hard time memorizing the color spectrum," Marinette thought, continuing her trip over towards the blonde. He didn't seem to notice her, too invested with his notecards.

   "Uh...hi, Adrien," the bluenette said, making Adrien pedal back into the bench's backrest and throw the cards, causing them to fly everywhere.

   "M-Marinette! Hello!" Adrien said, voice cracking and awkwardly waving. Marinette blinked, lips thinned out. She glanced down at the cards and knelt to pick them up.

   "Sorry for scaring you. I guess I wasn't thinking on how to get your attention," she apologized before Adrien scrambled to grab all the notecards.

   "No need to worry! I-I was just...you know..." Adrien replied, waving his hand around as if it would help him answer.

   "Right..." Marinette extended the word, confused, "Adrien, is everything alright? You're kinda jumpy."

   "Jumpy? Me? Ppffftt, that's ridiculous," the blonde edgily laughed, flicking his hand in denial.

   "Okay," Marinette didn't believe it but decided to not pester anymore. If Adrien wants to talk, he'll do it on his own time. She'll confess her feelings once they finished studying. For now, they have an art test to study for.

   Adrien sighed, earning the bluenette's attention again.

   "Sorry, this isn't how I wanted things to go but..." he said, digging something out of his bag and handing it over with a warm smile, "...I...I made this for you."

   Marinette's gaze locked onto the small strawberry shortcake in a container with a tiny card. She felt her cheeks grow warm, taking the dessert into her hands and opening the card.

I like you berry much! Will you do me the honors and go out with me?

    "This is too adorable," Marinette thought, heart skipping a beat and stomach swarming with butterflies. A giant smile graced her face, instinct kicking in. Without thinking, she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

   "Yes! Yes, I would love too—like too! Love? Man, that's a weird thing to say when we just starting dating—I'm going to shut up now," the bluenette rambled. The two soon relaxed, realizing how ridiculous they're acting and laughed.

   "So, did you really make this or did my parents?" Marinette asked.

   "I swear, it was all me...with your parents coaching and stepping in if I was about to make a mistake," Adrien sheepishly said, watching Marinette open the container, "I hope it isn't deadly or anything."

   "I'm sure it'll be something to die for," the bluenette joked, earning a chuckle from Adrien.

   Let's just say, strawberry shortcake somehow tasted even better than it usually did and might just become her new favorite dessert.

We were both scared of rejection but we pushed through our fears. We leaned on each other for support through every trial and tribulation. Comforted one another in our darkest times. We thrive in the other's victories and triumphs.

We're an unstoppable team.

I still remember our first date.

"So, what are you girls planning on doing tonight for Valentines Day?" Rose asked before adding, "Juleka and I are going to a petting zoo!"

"Ivan and I are planting flowers at an indoor garden. Then, we're going to go out to eat," Mylene answered.

"Nino is taking me to see a Jagged Rock concert," Alya pipped in.

"I'm going to continue being single, watch trashy classic movies, and eat junk food until I puke," Alix proclaimed, leaning back on her seat.

Finally, everyone turned to Marinette. The said teen froze as all of the attention is now on her. She gave her group of friends a sheepish look.

"I...honestly don't know. Adrien said it's going to be a special first date surprise," she explained, "But, I'm hoping we're going to the annual celebration at the Cat and Bug Cafe. They have a special gingerbread house-building couples contest of what our future house would look like. I've always wanted to try it but I was single around this time of the year."

"That sounds so romantic!" Rose dreamily sighed, resting her head on Juleka's shoulder.

"If not, I'm sure whatever Adrien has planned will be just as amazing so long as we're doing it together," the bluenette said, "I bet he's been scheming this first date out for weeks."

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"What am I going to do, Nino? I don't have any idea of what to do for our date!" The blonde said, losing his mind.

"Dude, chill out. Marinette's a cool girl and I'm sure whatever nice thing you do will mean the world to her," Nino explained, calming the blonde down, "Stop overthinking."

Yet, Adrien isn't listening and is busy forming out a plan in his mind. A lightbulb flickered to life above his head. He remembers something he's had for a couple of years and saving it for a special occasion. A perfect date idea he knows won't fail!

"I've got it! Thanks, Nino! You're the man!" Adrien chirped, clapping the DJ on the shoulder. Adrien ran off, leaving his confused best friend.

   "Dude! Where are you going? We still have school!"

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   "Marinette! Adrien is here!" Her aunt called.

   "Just a minute!" Marinette replied, rushing around her room in search of her purse. She finally found it under her chaise (unsure of how it even ended up in such an odd place). She grabbed a winter jacket and slipped it on. Then, the bluenette raced out of her room faster than the Road Runner from Looney Tunes.

   "Okay, I'm ready!" She said, meeting up at the door with her aunt and a cleaned-up Adrien. Marinette somewhat felt underdressed compared to Adrien but didn't say anything. She didn't want to keep her date waiting any longer just to change clothes.

   "You look amazing like always," the blonde teen complimented, timidly handing over a small bouquet of bluebells, "These are for you. Sorry, the flower store ran out of roses. I got these because they're called bluebells and they reminded me of the color of your eyes-"

   "Adrien," Marinette cut off the rambling male and gave him a reassuring smile, "I love them. Thank you for the flowers."

   Adrien's spirit raised tenfold within a second. He offered his arm, asking, "Then, may I escort m'lady off to her surprise date."

   "You may," Marinette agreed, locking her arm with her date's.

   "Remember to be back around ten," Sabine told the two teens.

  "We will," Adrien promised before the couple began their trek through Paris. They talked about anything that came to mind, their conversation seeming endless and random.

   "So, where are we going?" Marinette asked, her breath becoming foggy in the cold air. They've been walking for a few minutes and she is starting to get chilly.

"I'm so glad you asked," Adrien replied, gesturing to the building, "cause we're here!"

Marinette is baffled at the fancy-looking restaurant Adrien brought them too. She has no words, gaping at the restaurant and feeling a bit intimidated. She is very underdressed for a classy place like this.

"My dad was gifted two free meal tickets to this restaurant but he threw them out. I kinda dug them out of the trash can when he wasn't looking and kept them in case I ever got the chance to go with someone," the blonde explained, revealing two crinkled, silver tickets he had stashed in his pocket.

"Oh," is all Marinette managed to say, definitely not expecting this. The teen boy frowned, not getting a good vibe from his date's reaction, "You don't like it, don't you! Uh—maybe there's something else we can do instead-"

"No!" The bluenette cut off Adrien, "No, I'm just surprised is all! I swear this is perfect!"

Adrien didn't seem too reassured but nodded anyway. The couple walked inside, Adrien showing a waiter his tickets. The waiter guided the two to an empty table off to the side and went to fetch two glasses of water.

   Marinette scanned the area, taking in the quality luxury and richness. She feels like a tiny bug in this world of kings and queens. She definitely should've worn something fancier than a pink sweater and black slacks.

"So..." Adrien patted the table's surface before fiddling with a fork, "...what do you think of this place so far?"

"It really lives up to its reputation as a high-standard restaurant," Marinette replied, "I can only imagine how much it must cost just to get a meal the size of a chip."

"Y-Yeah," the blonde agreed, suddenly very nervous. The fork in his hands slipped from his grasp and fell to the floor. He ducked down and grabbed the silverware. Then, he hit the back of his head against the underbelly of the table.

"Ow," the blonde muttered.

"Are you alright?" The bluenette asked.

"Yeah, I'm good," the teen replied, rubbing the sore spot on his temple. He winced, feeling a slight bump.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to check something out in the bathroom," he said, sliding out of the booth and stood up. A waiter ran into the teen, a tray of water and food spilling all over the worker. Adrien's eyes widened while Marinette covered her mouth in shock.

Turns out, the waiter is also the manager with a short temper. Before Adrien or Marinette knew it, the door slammed behind them. The two stood out in the cold, still registering what just happened.

"Marinette, I'm so sorry," the blonde finally spoke up, guilt embracing his soul, "I just...I didn't...I wanted this date to go perfectly for you since it's our first. Now, I ruined it. It's all my fault."

He's made so many mistakes already and even before their drinks arrived! There is no way Marinette won't be angry at him. He ruined their first date. Surely, she'll never want to go out with a flawed guy, who has never been on a date.

Yet, he keeps being surprised as a gentle hand grasps his.

"Hey, it was only an accident. If you tell me, I think that manager should fix his attitude or he'll be losing more service. Although, I guess our meal was going to be free," Marinette said, getting off-topic.

She shook her head, "My point is, you did nothing wrong. So long as I'm still with you, I'd say everything has been perfect and the night is still young."

Adrien felt the smallest of smiles spread across his face. Marinette's optimism and sugary personality somehow keep Adrien warm even in the frigid winter. He thinks he'll never get tired of seeing this, watch it on replay for years on end.

"Do you have something in mind?" He asked.

Marinette smiled, "It's a surprise."

Sure enough, the teens ended up at the cafe just in time to enter the contest. They didn't win but they can certainly say in the end the date was a sweet success.

At first, the date started out as a disaster but in the end, it'll always be my favorite out of the many we've been on. It shows you'll accept me, even with my flaws and all. For most of my life, I had to be this perfect image in everyone's eyes. Now, I don't have to do that anymore.

You brought color into my world of black and white. It's pretty ironic how a white piece of paper and gray-colored words can bring a rainbow into existence.

Lastly, there's our first kiss.

Adrien stared at Marinette playing with a four-month-old Joly Laffie's tiny feet.

   Alya and Nino wasted no time once they found out Alya was pregnant at seventeen. She just turned eighteen a few days ago and Nino proposed. Now, the two are beginning to plan for a wedding and needed a babysitter at their apartment.

   Adrien thought he merely blinked with how fast his friends had settled into their new life. Yet, they seemed to manage just as well as any good duo can. The blonde thinks it's insane but what Nino had said once really stuck with Adrien.

   "You get this sort of click and that's when you know you're ready, dude. I've been in love with Alya for years and that still hasn't changed. Now, I know what you're thinking. We're really young to be making big decisions like this but I really believe that there's no one else I'd rather take on the world with than Alya," Nino explained, "Someday, you'll find that special someone...or maybe, you already have."

   "Adrien, can you warm up one of the bottles? It's almost time for Joly's bottle," Marinette said, snapping her boyfriend out of his daze.

   "Oh, yeah! I got it!"

   A few minutes later, Marinette is cradling Joly and feeding her the bottle. Adrien can't help but stare again. The way the bluenette looks so...gentle and relaxed. So, motherly to a child that isn't even her own. He feels his heart flutter in his chest, mentally memorizing this moment in his mind.

   He can't help the soft smile blossoming on his face.

   "All done!" Marinette said, setting the bottle aside. Adrien joined his girlfriend's side on the old, worn-down couch.

   "You're really good with babies," he complimented, reaching out and tickling the infant's stomach. Marinette's cheeks flushed a slight pink, rearranging Joly to burp her.

   "Well, I do babysit from time to time. This is probably the first time in a while I actually babysat since I've been so busy," Marinette replied. Adrien hummed in acknowledgment, slinging an arm around behind Marinette. She leans her head onto his shoulder and sighs in content.

   "Hey...Marinette?" Adrien begins.

   "Yes, Kitty?" She asks.

   "Can I kiss you?"

   The room went silent (except for the cooing baby).  Marinette lifts her head and looks at the blonde stunned. Soon, her shock melts away and the smallest of smiles appear. She nodded in agreement.

   At first, it was awkwardly bumping foreheads and twisting of heads. Eventually, their lips met  and sealing both of their first kiss.

   In that instant, Adrien felt a click.

   He knew from that moment on that he fell in love with Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

We've been through so much and I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. And, if you're still willing to stay with this crazy cat, I'd like to continue our adventures together and start a new chapter beginning with us.

So, I just have one final thing to say.

Will you meow-rry me? :)

Yes          No

Twenty-two-year-old, Marinette Dupain-Cheng is left speechless. Her eyes welled up, no words are able to form on her tongue.

   She looks to her left where Adrien was sitting on their special bench. Yet, she sees Adrien had moved in front of her, knelt on one knee. A ring is presented to her with the man she loves nervously smiling and hopeful.

   All she can do is happily nod before wrapping up her fiancé in a hug. The blonde returned the embrace, feeling like the luckiest man alive.

   The two pulled away. Adrien slid the ring on Marinette's ring finger.

   One chapter has closed in their life and I new one has just begun.

Love, Adrien Agreste

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Thank you all so much for reading! It has definitely been a ride! I am so glad for the people who stuck through it all and who are somewhat new! I deeply appreciate the support! You all are so so so so so amazing and I hope to see you in the other books!

For those of you who are waiting for Shadow and Paris, I apologize that it took so long! Some of you might not like this idea, but I'm going to update a chapter every other Saturday for each book. For example, Paris will be updated a Saturday then the next Saturday will be Shadow and so on.

I'm doing this in the fastest way I possibly can and killing two birds with one stone! If you have a problem with it, go put it in Hop Pop's suggestion barrel (if you any of you understands what that even means).

Like I said in the last chapter, if you guys still have any questions, I'm willing to do a Q&A! Go ahead and ask away here in the comments below! I'll answer them at the end of the next chapter, Throughout "Dear Bugaboo" special (which will be out next Saturday)!

Thank you, once again!

Have a fantastic rest of your day/night!