Another amazing piece of art ^

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[Narrator's POV]

Chloe's ball has been the talk of Paris; it's so fancy it has a dress code. Marinette is wearing a gorgeous red dress. You would think being Ladybug would give her extra strength and coordination but she did not dare wear heels to a place where she knew she would have to dance.

As soon as Marinette gets inside she searches for Chloe. It was not hard to find her considering her tight, gold dress is reflecting most of the light in the room. She is standing by Adrien, who is wearing a completely black vest-suit with a green tie. He looks very handsome, especially because the tie really brings out his beautiful, emerald eyes.

Marinette rushes forwards and squeezes Chloe into a hug.

Chloe freezes up, her expression riddled with confusion and disgust. "W-What is this? What is she doing?"

Adrien chuckles. "She's hugging you, Chlo'."

"I know that!" Chloe snaps. "Why? Why is there touching happening?!"

Marinette releases Chloe with a big smile. "I'm just happy. Thank you so much for doing this for me Chloe."

"For you?" Chloe says, crossing her arms. "Adrien was so desperate to impress you or whatever, I'm only doing this for him."

"That is so a lie!" Adrien argues. "I never suggested this, you offered to throw the party. You totally wanted to do it."

"Did not." Chloe denies stubbornly.

"Did too." Adrien counters.

"Did not!" Chloe repeats.

Marinette giggles. As childhood friends, it must be natural for Chloe and Adrien to act like children around each other. Their bickering is interrupted by Nathaniel, who is wearing a white suit with a pink tie. He greets everyone kindly before turning to Chloe particularly.

"This is a nice party Chloe." Nathaniel says. "I wanted to thank you for inviting me."

"I invited everyone, you're not special." Chloe retorts. She quickly corrects herself, "I mean...you're welcome?"

"Well, it was still very nice of you. This whole idea is so wonderful and generous." Nathaniel replies with a smile.

Chloe's cheeks flush pink. "Whatever," She scoffs. "I'm just throwing a party, it's what I do best. Geeze, why is everyone acting so weird?"

"Aw, Chloe's embarrassed because she actually has a heart!" Adrien teases, pinching Chloe's blushing cheeks.

Chloe slaps Adrien's hands away. "Embarrassed? I feel no such thing!"

The music changes. It's a song for a slow dance. Adrien looks to Nathaniel, expecting him to steal Marinette away but to his surprise, Nathaniel turns to Chloe.

"Would you like to dance?" He asks timidly.

Chloe had her nose turned up stubbornly and was not expecting to be engaged. When she notices everyone watching at her, she looks to Nathaniel in surprise.

"Me?" Chloe questions.

"Of course, who else?" Nathaniel giggles, holding out a hand.

What else was Chloe supposed to expect? It's always been Marinette. Even after all their years spent together, Adrien chose Marinette over her; and as far as Chloe knew Nathaniel was supposed to be in love with Marinette too. Despite her beauty and her popularity, no one has ever asked Chloe to dance. But for some reason, Nathaniel had chosen her tonight.

"Well, I guess I could dance with you." Chloe blushes as she takes Nathaniel's hand.

Adrien smiles and turns to Marinette.

"May I have this dance?" He asks with a bow.

"I'd be delighted." Marinette answers.

Adrien takes Marinette in his arms and gently glides her across the dance floor. This is their first interaction since Adrien got akumatized. Marinette is buzzing with anxiety, she wishes he would just say something.

"You look beautiful as always, princess." Adrien says softly. "Red is definitely your colour."

Marinette tenses up. Was this come kind of playful hint? A flirtatious way of screaming 'I know you're Ladybug'? But until Adrien says it directly, Marinette cannot confirm it.

"R-Really? I think it's a bit too bold for me." She replies nervously.

Red is certainly a bold colour. It makes Adrien think of Ladybug, the most striking and courageous person he knows. He worries that she is mad at Cat Noir for leaving her alone to fight whilst he was akumatized as Adrien.

"Y-You look nice too." Marinette says shyly. "Your tie really brings out your eyes."

Looking into Adrien's bright emerald eyes, Marinette cannot help but think of Cat Noir. She really wished that there was some way for him to be able to come tonight, but Marinette is with Adrien now. There is a more important matter that should be occupying her mind.

"I'm glad to see you here." Marinette says.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Adrien replies. "I think we've already proven that an akuma couldn't come between us."

"What do you mean?" Asks Marinette.

"I mean...you saved me, Marinette. Even when I was akumatized...even when my heart was consumed by darkness...you were there for me." Adrien answers. "We'll always be there for each other."

"Of course..." Marinette says. "I'm just glad you're okay."

She looks up into Adrien's eyes. His answers are still too vague.

"I'm glad that you're okay." Adrien replies.

Marinette tilts her head at him. Why wouldn't she be okay? Because she revealed her secret identity to him?

"The truth is, Marinette...I found out my mum was once a hero like Ladybug and Cat Noir." Adrien confesses.

"What?" Marinette breathes, her eyes widening.

"Yeah...I found out that's how she died...sacrificing herself for this world." Adrien continues. "For a moment there, I lost hope in fairness and justice. The last thing I remember is feeling lost and betrayed before I got consumed in a darkness where there was no good. But then...then suddenly I saw a light. I felt a warmth in my chest as I remembered you, Marinette." Adrien smiles down at Marinette. "You're so bright and warm, and—and if there is no good in the world then what are you?" The smile fades from Adrien's face. "Then next thing I know, I'm on the Eifel tower with you crying and hurt in front of me...I was exhausted and weak, and before I could help you I had passed out."

Marinette is almost speechless. It was all so moving...

"That's...That's really all you remember?" She says slowly.

It's true that akumatized victims never remember what happened whilst they were under Hawkmoth's influence but Marinette's reveal had shocked Adrien out of his trance. Adrien fought of the akuma and destroyed it. It certainly wouldn't have surprised Marinette if he could never forget it.

"Why?" Adrien questions worriedly. "Did something happen while I was akumatized? It was me that hurt you, wasn't it?"

He looks so distraught. His eyes are shimmering with tears.

"I'm so sorry, Marinette...I'm so, so sorry..." Adrien apologises sorrowfully.

"It wasn't your fault!" Marinette replies. "It wasn't you, Adrien. I don't blame you." Marinette stops dancing to pull Adrien into a hug. "I'm okay. I was never hurt badly, just a few bruises. They were probably my own doing, don't worry."

Adrien clings onto Marinette, his shoulders trembling. "Where was Ladybug? Why didn't she save you? Why were you the one who got hurt?"

"Ladybug was there, she tried her best. But I knew that only I could save you." Marinette answers honestly. "I couldn't let Ladybug fight you. It was my own fault that I got hurt... Ladybug, she was the one who returned you home safely. She really did do everything she could."

"Well, at least she did better than Cat Noir." Adrien says with a soft scoff. "He was completely useless, wasn't he? He couldn't even help his lady..."

"Being a hero is very stressful and demanding. I'm sure Cat Noir tried his best too." Marinette replies.

Adrien holds Marinette tighter. "You're my hero."

Marinette's heart skips a beat. They hold their embrace with each other and sway gently to the music. It was a perfect scene...

Until the attack.