Adrien
I really need to talk to you Marinette, it's kind of urgent and I need to explain.

Adrien
Hey Marinette, it's me again. I guess you're not answering my calls either. I just really need to talk to you. There's a lot I need to explain. I don't want to do this over text so please either call me or come and see me. Please.

Adrien
I'll be in my apartment all day today, so if you want to pop by the door is open.

Adrien
Me again. I'm going to be out first thing this morning, there's something I need to go and do that's kind of important, but if you're coming around I'll cancel it. You're what's most important at the moment, I really want to talk to you..

Adrien
OK, well, if you want to talk at any time please message or call me. I'm here for you 24/7. You can just turn up if you want to, I don't mind. I miss you x.

She felt a tear run down her face as she closed down Adrien's messages. Now onto Alya's.

Alya
Hey girl, I know things are a little awkward at the moment especially with Adrien, but please read this. I think it will clear up some questions you might have. Also, just to let you know, we all love you, M. ALL OF US. Just message me or something once you've read it and let me know you're ok x

Link attached

FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE

Yesterday evening, a source close to Paris' secret sweethearts announced a shocking twist in their fairytale love story. Adrien Agreste, 25, and his business tycoon girlfriend, Kagami Tsurugi, 26, announced the true nature of their relationship.

Many young women around Paris will be jumping for joy knowing that Adrien Agreste is back on the market after it was revealed the ex model had been a cover for a secret relationship between Tsurugi and the mayor's daughter, Chloé Bourgeois, 23.

Ms Bourgeois is due to make a statement later today, alongside Agreste, regarding her relationship with the ex champion fencer. Paris' heartthrob and the socialite are known for their friendship which has spanned for over two decades. Agreste was previously praised for his devotion to the blonde, and has been spotted around Paris' hit girl frequently since she revealed her sexual orientation back in 2018.

Ms Bourgeois has been an advocate for those in the LGBTQ community supporting local events and festivals, however this is the first Ms. Tsurugi has been mentioned in conjunction with Ms. Bourgeois.

Sources close to the Agreste family have stated 'Adrien would do anything for his friends' indicating that his role has been to support the two women in their relationship, appeasing the needs of Ms. Tsurugi's mother. Rumours surrounding Tomoe Tsurugi indicate she is not in support of her daughter's relationship, and has even gone as far as threatening to disown her only child in event of the marriage, cutting her from any ties to the multimillion euro company.

Many are already voicing their opinions on the matter, many in support of the relationship between the two young women, and others are calling for a possible boycott of the Tsurugi brand.

Meanwhile, recent gossip has placed Agreste in some sort of relationship with up and coming designer Marinette Dupain-Cheng, after he was spotted modelling her brand at Paris' Fashion Expo. The couple have also been caught numerous times out and about, performing as more than 'just good friends'. Neither have confirmed or denied the relationship, however recent photographs of Agreste leaving the home of Ms. Dupain-Cheng showed him seemingly heartbroken as he exited alongside mutual friends. Is there trouble in paradise for this secondary secret romance?

Tune in later today for the full coverage of the press conference...

Marinette sat numb.

She read it over and over again. Clicking on the pictures and zooming in to Adrien's weary face. Heartbroken didn't match the look in his usual sparkling eyes. The only way Marinette could describe him was simply 'destroyed'.

She looked over the photograph again.

Nino and Alya were there with him, along with Chloé and Kagami. Nino had an arm sling over the blonde's shoulders supporting him as he exited the bakery. They'd only met once, and even though she knew they'd got on well this seemed a little extreme.

She was currently sitting at the kitchen counter in the lodge Luka had hired. She was in Adrien's shirt, the Chat Noir one he'd borrowed after they'd baked together. It still smelt of him and she just wanted to suffocate in the feeling of safety it gave her. Her mind flashed back to when he'd put it on, on how her head spun with the idea that she'd found her Kitty in civilian form. She'd hardly slept last night, opting for the sofa and allowing Luka the bed. Her mind was spiralling and even more so now.

Marinette looked at the picture again. She needed to know.

To Alya
You all seem very friendly in these pictures. Is there anything more you want to tell me?

She placed her phone down, screen up and waited. Waited for Alya to either confirm or deny the anxious feelings suddenly creeping over her. If Adrien was Chat Noir and the engagement to Kagami was fake, then what did that mean for them? Is this why he cried with her last night? Is this why he ended up at the patisserie? There's no doubt he went there looking for her.

He was looking for her.

Her heartbeat began to speed up. Did that mean he wanted her as much as she wanted him?

"Whatcha you doing?" She was interrupted from her thoughts by hands on her hips and a chin resting on her shoulder.

She reached out and grabbed her phone to turn it face down. She didn't want Luka to see Alya's responses. It seemed too personal, something she wanted for herself. Alya would tell her the truth, Alya was the one one who could, or was she?

Suddenly, completely out of the blue, Luka pressed his lips to Marinette's neck, jolting her thoughts back to the present. She froze, not sure what to do, as he continued down to her shoulder. The shirt was large and slipped to one side, giving him access to her collarbone.

She couldn't do this with Luka. She couldn't lead him on, she'd already done that by coming here with him. She needed to put a stop to it. Awave of inspiration suddenly hit her and she realised she didn't need Alya to message her back when the answer was right here.

"You know Chat Noir's identity, right?"

He froze, lips resting to her collarbone. She counted down the seconds from twenty before he moved away at twelve. Letting go of her hips, he went to stand on the opposite side of the island.

"This again, huh? Do you - um - do you need to know or something?" Luka turned away from Marinette and made his way to the fridge, he pulled out a carton of orange juice before going on a search for a glass.

"I was just wondering what he was like? I mean, I'm here and last night I left him in charge of Paris. I just wanted to make sure I did the right thing, that's all."

"You've left him alone before haven't you?" He queried, pouring the orange juice into a glass he finally found already situated on the breakfast bar.

"Yeah, but we were younger then." She replied, placing a smile on her lips, she didn't want to raise suspicion with him. He'd gone cagey, and it was extremely noticeable. She'd never seen him look anything but calm. That's what Luka was; cool, calm and collected. Not whatever this was. He let out a nervous cough and she could see him pulling his thoughts together.

"He's - um - exactly like he seems. Arrogant, self obsessed, impulsive."

"Really?" Marinette could tell Luka was lying out of his ass. She leaned her elbows onto the table and placed her chin on her cupped hands. "Tell me more. Do you know his civilian self? Perhaps his job could help me feel safer about the situation? You know, like he's a policeman, or a firefighter or - I don't know, a model?"

She watched Luka visibly gulp.

"Oh, his job." He laughed nervously. "He's a - a - a stripper. Yeah, a stripper, works near the Moulin Rouge."

"A stripper? He never seemed the type."

"Of course he wouldn't. He couldn't let you think about him in that way, you know because you've both always wanted to keep it so professional."

Luka wouldn't meet her eye. He was blatantly telling her things he knew she wouldn't like, pushing her away from the idea of Chat Noir, pushing her away from the idea that Chat Noir could be Adrien Agreste.

"Fair enough, thank you for always telling me the truth." It was ironic really. Luka had been akumatized to 'Truth' before, not happy with people lying to him, yet here he was Mr Truth becoming Mr Lies.

Her eyebrows dropped and she messed with her phone. She couldn't help but feel responsible for some of the changes in Luka's character. She had single handedly destroyed this male who was kind, caring and, one day, would make someone a wonderful husband. It just wouldn't be her.

Before Luka could respond, Marinette's phone chimed with a message. Thinking it was Alya she reached forward and opened it without checking the preview.

Maman
Hi sweetie, I hope you're having a lovely time with Luka. I was just wondering how long you planned to stay away? I mean it wouldn't be Christmas without you at home, and don't forget it's the Notre Dame carol concert tonight, you know how you and your partner love to help celebrate with the citizens. You always talk about it as one of your favourite parts of Christmas. We love you loads sweetheart, and just know we're here whatever you choose to do. Love Maman x

It seemed Alya wasn't the only one in the know. Reading the underlying tone of the message, her mother did too, which meant the picture last night was exactly what she thought. Her kitten had a group around him, helping him try to find her.

He wanted to be with her.

He wanted her, as Marinette and as Ladybug.

And she'd fallen in love with him. Head over heels, heart beating out of chest, insanely in love with him. With every side of him.

She looked up to Luka again, he was staring at her and she couldn't help feeling a little uncomfortable.

Another message signalled it's arrival.

"Leave it a moment," Luka said. Grabbing her wrist and lowering her hand, complete with phone, down onto the breakfast counter. "Listen, Marinette, I know you're feeling vulnerable at the moment ..."

Correct.

"... but Chat Noir is not a guy you need to run to, he's not the guy that you need."

Debatable.

"Though is just a rebound thought from Adrien denying you."

Not quite.

"I've seen the pictures of him with Kagami, and I've got to say I've never seen a woman so in love. She looked like she was going to just jump him there and then."

I'm quite sure Adrien has an extra body part to what Kagami usually likes but still, where is he going with this?

"You're never going to be that girl for either of them. You need to come to terms with that."

He placed a hand on Marinette's arm, and she had to use all her brain power to not flinch and pull away.

"I love you, M. We were happy once and I know we can be again. I've waited for you to need me, and I think you can finally see as much as I do that that time is now. We have a bond. We understand each other. We love each other, and that's all that matters."

Flipping her phone over she saw the display of the message on her phone screen, heart thumping as she read each syllable.

Alya
Press conference on the news with Nadja, I suggest you watch it. Don't do something you'll regret.

She reached for the remote and turned on the television.

"Marinette, please." Luka begged, crouching down onto one knee, "you are the light of my life, the girl I adore and I know we will be happy together, I will do whatever it takes. So Marinette, will you please m-"

Luka's speech was interrupted by a smooth voice sounding from the television, a voice both knew too well.

"I can only give my sincerest apologies for the part I have played in this charade. Kagami and Chloé are two of my most dearest friends, and I support their life choice wholeheartedly. I do not have any malice against themselves or their community, I was just caught up in making sure they had their happily ever after. Kagami's mother has made some questionable remarks concerning her daughter's relationship and I could not feel stronger about the hurt she has caused her daughter and Chloé. I suggest any interactions people now undertake with Tsurugi industries are considered carefully. Think seriously about whether you want to be associated with such a brand.

"Marinette, don't listen to this. Seeing and hearing him is only going to make your heartache worse."

Marinette held a finger up to Luka, quietening him down so she could hear the press conference, and more importantly, Adrien.

"What about your 'happily ever after', Monsieur Agreste?"

"I've made some of my own decisions which were not the correct ones to make and I am paying for them dearly."

"Does that mean yourself and Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng are not an item?"

"I do not wish to discuss my rumoured relationship with Ms. Dupain-Cheng at this time. It is private for both of us, and I expect you to treat her with the utmost respect she deserves. Marinette is a wonderful woman and I am honoured to have not only worked with her but to have spent time with her as a friend."

"So, she's just a friend?"

"She is my best friend."

"Can we expect a Christmas miracle and you two ending up together? I must say, both your fans are pro Adrienette."

"What I want for Christmas is quite easy ... love. Love for my friends and family. For everyone out there to be embraced in the warmth I have experienced over the past month. I've made some mistakes and I will be paying for them."

"Will you be celebrating Christmas with Chloe and Kagami?"

"My only plans at the moment are to celebrate my friend's engagement, and to bask in the love of Chat Noir with Ladybug, tonight, at the Notre Dame carol concert. I love listening to Ladybug sing, and I heard Chat Noir's going to play the organ."

"Ladybug has sent a message saying she won't be there tonight, that she has prior engagements."

"In that case, I'm not expecting her to be there, but I'm not going to stop hoping she'll change her mind."

Marinette sat staring at Adrien on the screen. It was like something from Love Actually. She'd be there ... at the concert. Just like Cinderella went to the ball, she'll meet her Prince Charming and kiss. She'd kiss him and let him know that she loved him. That Marinette loved Adrien, that Ladybug loved Chat Noir. He'd made his declaration, she now needed to make hers.

She suddenly realised Luka was still on one knee. She looked into his cool blue eyes and saw a shine in them, a shine coming from a beautiful diamond ring. She felt so despicable. She'd used Luka - kind loving, hopeful Luka, to cover her own pain. She needed to stop, he didn't deserve this.

"Luka, please stand up."

Marinette could tell from his face that he understood.

"I get it Marinette, but you can't stop a guy from trying, I just wanted one last chance. His speech was quite impressive."

"I'm right then," she asked. Luka nodded, breathing out the last hope of a relationship with Marinette Dupain-Cheng. "I'm sorry, Luka, about everything. I don't want you to think I don't care about you, because I do. It's just that -"

"You love him. I knew the day at the fashion expo that I'd lost. It's one thing seeing you act as Ladybug and Chat Noir, but another to see you as Adrien and Marinette. It pains me to say it, but you're made for each other."

Marinette sprung off her chair and wrapped her arms tightly around Luka's neck. For the first time since they first dated, her heart grew in size thanks to the compassion and kindness of Luka Couffaine.

"He puts one foot out of place though and I'll beat the crap out of him, then I'll go back in time five minutes and do it again."

Marinette smiled, letting out a heart warming giggle.

"I wouldn't expect anything less," she kissed him on the cheek, his own turning a delightful shade of pink. He moved away from her and held his hand out.

"Come on then, Cinderella, let's get you ready for the ball."

She'd made it back to Paris an hour after Adrien's press conference had ended and called Alya to come and see her. Alya hadn't texted her back any type of confirmation about Adrien being Chat, after all she'd take the whole secret identity thing to the grave with her, but Marinette needed to talk to someone about it. She needed her best friend.

"You're back then?" Alya's head appeared in the trap door leading up to Marinette's room. She was greeted by the kwami's and Tikki as she went to sit down on the chaise lounge.

"Of course, I wouldn't want to miss the carol concert. You know it's one of my favourite nights of the year."

"Nothing to do with a certain blonde in black leather then?" Alya wiggled her eyebrows and Marinette couldn't help but roll her eyes before laughing. She was too happy to try and be serious.

"Maybe there's a little something to do with a guy."

Alya laughed and headed over to see what Marinette was doing. "That's pretty!" she gushed, eyes widening and voice going a couple octaves too high.

"Do you think he'll like it?"

"Like it?" Alya said, "I think he'll be down on one knee proposing."

Marinette shivered inside remembering the proposal she'd gotten that morning, she still had to fill Alya in, understanding it was something better to do over text than via message.

"Luka proposed to me this morning." Her nose scrunched up as she looked at Alya, "the ring was beautiful too."

Alya's face was a picture and she wished she'd grabbed her phone to capture it before she pulled herself together.

"What did you say?"

"What did I say? Seriously?" Marinette burst out laughing, Alya was meant to be the smart one. "I said yes of course, that's why he brought me all the way back to Paris so I could confess my love to someone else. We're going to have a poly relationship."

"I wouldn't say no. Either you and Luka, or you and Adrien, I'm in!"

"What about Nino?" Marinette laughed.

"He can join us too, especially with Adrien. Dudes obsessed with him." Both girls laughed at Nino's new bromance. It wasn't a secret Carapace and Chat were good friends, so for them to now know each other as civilians was a cherry on top of a very delightful cake. "It's so great to see you so happy M, isn't it amazing how things can change in less than twenty four hours."

She was right. Marinette had gone through a whole rainbow of emotions over the past hours. Her heart had been torn, mended, broken and stitched back together bigger and grander than it had before. Luka had brought her straight home, apologising for getting in the way of the two heroes. He hadn't though. It was her's and Adrien's desires to help and support others that had sent them spiralling. The need to do what's right regardless of how selfless they were being.

They'd said their goodbyes on friendly terms, agreeing to give each other space until the New Year, where Marinette and hopefully Adrien, will be joining Luka and the gang on 'The Liberty'.

"I'm obsessed with him too." Marinette sent the sewing machine over the pins only last time, pulling each out carefully and placing into her mushroom. She stretched the garment up in the air, before heading to the overlocker to finish it off. "I was going to wear this dress last night, but I hadn't finished it. It was as though the universe wanted me to wait."

"It's beautiful, pigtails." Marinette's head shot up as she saw Plagg floating near Tikki.

"Is he here?" Her heart was beating wildly in her chest. Was Adrien here? Did he want to see her already? Plagg shook his head.

"I just wanted to come and see if you were back, I needed to know if my kid would need extra comforting this evening." The smile on Plagg's face told her everything she needed to know. The kwami was happy she was here, and in response Adrien would be too.

"I'm back and I'm here to stay -" She was interrupted by a call from her cell phone.

Gabriel Agreste

"Why's Gabe calling you?" Plagg asked, as the gang watched Marinette answer the call.

Gabriel calling her after Adrien's declaration could not be a good sign, or merely coincidental.

"H-hello?" She stuttered down the line.

"Please come to my office at the manor, Ms. Dupain-Cheng, it seems we have a situation to discuss."

Marinette swallowed down the bile in her throat and told Gabriel she'd be there within the next hour.

"Plagg, if - if - I don't make it ..."

"I'll tell Adrien, don't worry. See you later Pigtails, Sugarcube ...Foxy?" Alya laughed as Plagg flew out the window.

"I like him." Turning back to her friend, Alya saw Marinette still holding her phone staring at the screen.

"You could just text Adrien and let him know you're back." Marinette shook her head. If Adrien knew she was meeting his father, he'd be there by her side, she was sure of it.

"I better go, who knows how long this will take." Fear came over her as she thought about what this could mean for herself and Adrien. Now she'd found him, and she was pretty sure he loved her, she didn't ever want to let him go. He was hers and that's more than her heart's desire.

"Take these," pulling the earrings out of her ears, she handed them over to Alya.

"Marinette?" Tikki had spoken for the first time in a while, watching the interaction between the two friends, unsure what she could do to help.

"Tikki, please, as guardian, I order you to go with Alya. Gabriel could end my career, or forbid me from seeing Adrien, or maybe both. The last thing you need is an akuma in possession of the Ladybug Miraculous."

"You're too good, Marinette." Tikki placed a kiss on Marinette's cheek as she flew over to Alya.

"Come straight over when you're done, okay M?" Marinette nodded, collecting her things together and making her way down to the main apartment.

"I'll see you soon," they parted ways and Marinette made her way to the Agreste manor, and towards what she was certain would change her future.

•••••

Marinette stepped up to the intercom, taking one last deep breath for courage. She wished she still had Tikki by her side, the little kwami being a never ending line of support. Raising her hand, she was surprised to see the gates already opening waiting to swallow her inside.

She stepped forward, moving towards the opening door, and steeled her nerves. She loved Adrien, and she was going to be with him one way or another, with or without Gabriel Agreste's blessing.

"Ms. Dupain-Cheng, Gabriel is waiting in his office."

Marinette signalled a nod to Nathalie before walking to where she was instructed. She stepped into Gabriel's home office, mesmerised by the huge Gustov Klimt painting gracing the wall.

"Beautiful isn't she?" Turning sharply, Marinette came face to face with none other than Gabriel Agreste.

"Adrien has her eyes," Marinette replied quietly.

"Indeed he does. Her personality too."

Gabriel walked over to the altar and indicated for Marinette to take a seat. She stood her ground, remaining on her feet near the doorway.

"You must be curious as to why I invited you here?"

"Curiosity can lead us down unwanted paths," Marinette replied.

"That is true," Gabriel turned away from Marinette and moved a painting from the wall. Behind she could see the outline of a safe, a safe he continued to open and pull out two items. Two items she thought she'd never see. "But sometimes curiosity is the reason for existing. Sit down please Ladybug. There's things we need to discuss."