All hail chapter 69!

My dearest chapter 69, I have written a saucy scene especially for you.

[Adrien's POV]

Alya, Nino, Marinette and I are heading back to class, with Mari and I trailing behind slightly. I watch our two friends in front of us, thinking about the two miraculouses we have been given. I know Marinette will choose Alya, no doubt, so how awesome would it be if I gave the bee miraculous to Nino. Imagine fighting alongside my best bro in a team full of my bestest friends!

"Hey, have you decided who you're going to give the fox miraculous to?" I ask Marinette.

Marinette is also watching Alya and Nino as she speaks. "Obviously I want to give it to Alya, she would make an awesome hero. She's so brave and strong-minded and undaunted...but is just giving away a miraculous to my best friend kind of irresponsible and biased? I feel as though I should be putting a lot of effort into seeking the right person."

My fantasies seem to shatter in an instant. Marinette is right, this can't be a selfish decision. I don't really have any other reason for choosing Nino other than wanting my best friend to become a superhero.

"That's very considerate of you to say but I honestly think Alya would make a good choice, best friend or not." I say. "You're Ladybug, you know what it takes to be a hero. Master Fu has chosen to trust your sense of judgement. Whoever you choose in the end, I'm sure they will be an awesome addition to the team."

Marinette smiles. "Thanks Adrien. So, who are you going to choose?"

"I really want to give it to Nino..." I answer unsurely.

"Well, we've still got some time to decide." Marinette says. "Just make sure whoever you give it to can't figure out your identity. Giving it away at school might be a bit risky."

I give Marinette a nod to finish up the conversation as we enter class.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

Marinette jumps a million miles and spins around to face Chloe, who is leaning in the doorway with her arms crossed.

"We're going to talk before class." Chloe says before walking out the door.

Marinette gives me a nervous look before following after her. I look around the classroom to see that the teacher isn't here yet. Okay, I can't resist this. I have to eavesdrop. Marinette is my girlfriend now so this concerns me too, right?

"If I'm not back in ten minutes, it means Chloe's killed me." I tell Nino and Alya before rushing to leave.

I shuffle along the brick wall until meeting the window of the next classroom, which is empty. Marinette and Chloe are inside so I crawl past the window and peek through a crack in the door.

Chloe leans back on a desk with her arms crossed and closes her eyes as if formulating her words. Marinette shifts awkwardly, looking anywhere but at Chloe. A moment of silence passes before Chloe heaves a sigh,

"Relax, I'm not going to bite your head off."

Marinette flinches a little and snaps her attention back to Chloe, who finally opens her eyes to look at Marinette.

"Look." Chloe says. "I've found it rather hard to like you, but that's not because I don't like you."

"What?" Marinette mumbles in confusion.

"Argh..." Chloe pinches the bridge of her nose, her eyebrows furrowed. "What I mean is, it's not your fault that I don't like you. Or, uh, didn't like you...I'm learning to get over it."

Marinette lowers her eyes timidly and fiddles with her fingers. "Is it...because of Adrien?"

Chloe pauses, a certain sadness in her eyes. "I guess...but I want you to understand."

"Okay..." Marinette says.

Chloe takes a deep breath. "I've been Adrien's only friend for a long time, I really care about him. Our families were close, almost merged into one. When my mother walked out on me...I may have developed some attention issues. But I'm not here to talk about that, this isn't a therapy session." Chloe crosses her arms stubbornly before continuing. "When my mom left, Mrs Agreste sort of became like a new mother figure for me. So, when she...passed away..." Chloe shifts and readjusts her arms, clearing she is not comfortable with feeling vulnerable. "It was like losing my mom all over again."

Sadness has consumed Marinette's expression...and I can feel it consuming me as well.

"When my mom disappeared, Adrien was there for me, so I wanted to be there for him too." Chloe explains. "That's why I showered him with affection and attention. I-I just wanted him to feel loved and happy...but he only ever pushed me away."

"Chloe..." I breathe.

My heart aches with sorrow as I listen. Chloe...she's always been there for me. I know she acts cold and stuck-up around everyone, but I know her differently.

"I was worried he would never be happy...but then he met you, and things started to change." Chloe says. "He was always smiling so brightly and...and I got jealous. I hated that you had invaded our little family. I hated that you made him happier than I ever could. I felt replaced."

"Chloe, I-" Marinette starts.

Chloe holds up her hand to silence her. "So anyway, this is more complex than some stupid highschool crush. I know Adrien doesn't love me, he loves you more than anything, and I'm not sure I love him either-At least not in that way...I just really care about him and it's hard for me to hand him over to someone else. It's been just the two of us for our whole lives. Pretending to reject him last year was just the first step of me trying to let him go. I've come to terms with the fact that it's someone else's job to make him happy now." Chloe narrows her eyes. "So you better make him happy." She adds threateningly.

"I-I-I will!" Marinette says.

Chloe smiles. "Good. Or else I really will be coming for your head!"

Marinette laughs nervously. Chloe pushes off the desk she was leaning on and starts walking towards the door.

"And don't repeat this to anyone. I'll deny it all." Chloe says.

I quickly scramble away back to class, my mind still processing that conversation. Chloe has come so far this past year. I'm so proud of her. I know she has so much potential. She's actually got a really big heart, it's just been broken so many times that she chooses not to show it. I know if it came down to it, she would show compassion for others. I wonder...if maybe she got the opportunity to show it. To escape her normal life. If the chance to be something more was forced upon her...

I can't believe what I'm thinking. This is a stupid idea. But for some reason it just feels right, like a gut feeling...or fate.

My fingers have already found their way into my pocket, clutching the hair comb inside.

Sorry, Nino...

Chloe walks into the classroom and sits down in her usual seat. Marinette walks in shortly after and slides in next to me, heaving a sigh of exhaustion.

"Soo, how was it?" I ask.

"Nerve-racking. I really thought I was gonna die." Marinette takes a deep breath and turns to me with a smile. "But it turned out not so bad. I feel...really good actually."

"Really?" I say happily. "I'm so glad."

"Yeah!" Marinette replies brightly. "I'm feeling super happy, in fact. Pleased with life and the good things to come, pleased with you..."

Marinette closes her eyes and rests her head on my shoulder with a smile. I wrap an arm around her and plant a kiss on her forehead. The hair comb pokes my leg from inside my pocket and my eyes instinctively flicker to Chloe's handbag. Hopefully Marinette will still be happy after she learns of my decision.

.

[Narrator's POV]

Marinette felt content and fulfilled after her encounter with Chloe. She sees a bright future ahead with Adrien and her happiness high makes her want to be even more affectionate than usual.

Adrien gave the bee miraculous the slip after school and is currently pacing his room anxiously.

"Do you think she's found it by now? It's already sundown!"

"I can't believe you gave Chloe a miraculous." Plagg says in distaste. "Well, I guess if anyone can put up with her crud it's Pollen."

"Is Pollen the bee kwami? What's she like?" Adrien asks in an attempt to calm his nerves.

"She's very sensible, total opposite of Chloe." Plagg answers.

"Maybe Chloe will finally have a motherly figure to show her the right path. Is that weird to say about a magical bug?" Adrien replies.

Plagg's ears flicker as he hears the familiar zipping of a yoyo cord. "Ladybug's here!"

"H-Here? What? Now?" Adrien rushes around his room, throwing aside stray clothes.

A few seconds later Ladybug appears at his window and gives the glass a light tap. Adrien's hearbeat quickens as he opens it up for her to step in. This isn't the first time Ladybug has been in his room but now they are actually dating, it seems suggestive...
Adrien's heart is pounding and he can feel heat rising to his cheeks as his mind begins to linger.

"Heya Mari!" Plagg greets.

"Hi Plagg." Ladybug replies with a giggle.

"What chya doing here, bugaboo?" Adrien asks, leaning in to give Ladybug a soft peck.

To his surprise, when he begins to pull away Ladybug wraps her arms around his waist and steps closer to him.

"I wanted to check up on you, we had a big day. And, well, I just missed you..." She says.

"We saw each other at school." Adrien chuckles and kisses Ladybug once again. "But I missed you too..."

Plagg rolls his eyes and groans in complaint. "Blah, blah, bl-"

Adrien slips off his ring and Plagg disappears.

"Is it okay to just do that?" Ladybug asks with a giggle.

"He's lazing about in or out of the miraculous. I'm sure it makes no difference to him. Besides," Adrien smirks. "A little privacy couldn't hurt."

Ladybug smiles and slowly kisses Adrien. "I've been thinking about what to do for your birthday, I was serious about making it up to you." Ladybug kisses the corner of Adrien's mouth, and then his jawline, and then snuggles up in the crook of his neck. "What would you like?"

"Whatever I want, huh?"

Adrien can feel Ladybug's lips delicately grazing his skin, her warm breath sending shivers down his spine.

"Remember our embrace when I was feeling sad earlier today, and you...kissed my neck?"

"Yeah?" Ladybug whispers, causing Adrien's hairs to stand on end.

"I-It tickled..." Adrien giggles bashfully. "But, I liked it."

Ladybug hesitates before gently kissing Adrien's neck. She can feel the heat of a blush rising to his skin as she does so. She plants kisses along his collarbone and on his adams apple and under his jaw, her sweet suckles and gentle nibbling soon becoming increasingly hungry. Ladybug sinks her teeth into the soft skin right at the crook of Adrien's neck, causing him to whimper. Ladybug laps her tongue over the bite mark before smothering it with her lips again. She sucks the skin between her teeth as she pulls away; a deep groan escapes Adrien's lips and he feels his knees go weak. Ladybug attacks his neck again, loving the affect it has on him. She sucks and bites harder before placing sweet kisses over the bruises she had created. Adrien bites his lip in an attempt to control the growing growl at the back of his throat. But he is growing hotter and hotter. He pants and puffs, his hands gripping Ladybug's back tightly. Then, Ladybug finds his sweet spot, and Adrien feels his senses go fuzzy as he moans,

"M-Mnn...Lady--ah!"

Adrien pushes Ladybug apart from him, the pleasure becoming overwhelming for him. His lips are red and wet from him biting them. A deep, red blush spreads across his cheeks too, and his eyes are hooded.

Ladybug's face flares up with embarrassment. "S-Sorry! Was that too much?"

"N-No, you're just," Adrien swollaws hard. "R-Really good at that."

Ladybug's blush deepens, finding Adrien's current condition extremely attractive. She looks at the large red mark on Adrien's neck and softly kisses it one last time.

"Sorry...I'll cover up any marks with my concealer." Ladybug says.

"Stop apologising." Adrien gently pushes aside Ladybug's hair and tucks it behind her ear. "That was..." Adrien huffs, his mouth stretching into a grin. "The best birthday present ever."

Ladybug smiles and kisses Adrien slowly, her hands feeling over his toned body and snaking their way around his neck.

Adrien's lips curl into a smile. "It was almost too good," he mumbles against her lips. "My princess better not be treating anyone else."

"Only you taste this sweet." Ladybug whispers before stealing Adrien's lips in another deep kiss.

"Good." Adrien says, his voice low and huffed. "Because these lips are mine. You're mine."

Adrien grips Ladybug's hips and presses their bodies together. She runs a hand through his hair and gives it a slight tug. Adrien parts his lips to exhale a gasp and Ladybug takes it as an opportunity to dominate him with her tongue. Adrien feels weak kneed, completely powerless against Ladybug. But, he admits, it's kind of hot...

Adrien and Ladybug pull apart for a breath of air when there comes a knock on Adrien's door. Both Adrien and Ladybug get startled and scramble to untangle their bodies.

"Adrien, dinner is ready." Says Nathalie's voice.

"Uh, er, c-coming!" Adrien calls out, his breathing heavy.

"Is everything alright?" Nathalie asks.

"E-Everything is f-fine!" Adrien insists, his voice squeaking a little.

There is a hesitant pause before Nathalie's footsteps can be hard walking away.

Adrien sighs a heavy breath of relief, his heart still racing. Ladybug places a hand on his chest and leans up to give him a soft peck.

"Patrol later tonight?"

Adrien nods. "I, uh, get the feeling we won't be alone though."

Ladybug tilts her head. "But we haven't told Carapace about patrols yet."

"Yeah, but, you know, there might be some new superheros egear to test their powers." Adrien says.

"You've given yours away already?" Ladybug replies with a whine. "Man I gotta step up my game."

"Trust your gut, bugaboo." Adrien advices. "You'll know for sure when you've found the right person. It'll all just slip right into place, like fate."

"Okay, thanks, I think you're right." Ladybug smiles and steps back to climb out the window.

Adrien blows her a kiss and she swings away on her yoyo. Ladybug has officially decided. She is heading to Alya's house right this minute. She will slip in through Alya's window, leave behind the miraculous and then go home and have dinner with her family as if nothing ever happened, until it comes time for her patrol with Cat Noir.

.

Carapace sits on a rooftop across from the Dupain-Cheng bakery, munching on the cinnamon bun he had bought before transforming. He is taking relaxation in the night time air, and contemplation in the company of the stars. Basically, he is thinking over the stupidly humiliating fool he has made out of himself. He really wishes he hadn't offended Alya...

Carapace is snapped out of his thoughts when he sees a familiar red bug land around the corner of the bakery. He squints his eyes to peer through the darkness when all of a sudden, a bright pink light emits from her body and in the blink of an eye, it is Marinette standing in the shadows of the night.

Carapace rubs his eyes and blinks down at his classmate. Yup, definitely her. How could it not be? It is painfully obvious now that he has been confronted by it. Carapace stares at Marinette with wide eyes as she sneaks in through the back door of the bakery. He feels a temporary spur of excitement--

How freaking COOL?! I can't believe this whole time--!! My Dudette and I, both superheroes-- SO AWESOME! And Ladybug, she's so awesome-- And she's Marinette. Alya's best friend is Alya's biggests idol-- Man, Alya is gonna freak when she finds out!

Carapace feels his gut drop as he realises the weight of his new discovery...A secret identity. The most precious of weaknesses according to his kwami. A newly discovered secret...a secret he has to keep from Alya. A secret that his super-detective-blogger girlfriend is dying to know...and he cannot tell her...

A new lie.

Carapace drags his hands down his face, his mind racing with panic. It's hard enough trying to keep his own superhero secret from Alya-- But this is Alya's biggest hero and her very own best friend! He hates lying to his girlfriend. How is he supposed to keep his mouth shut about this?!!

Carapace stands up and slowly backs away, repeatedly telling his mind that he saw nothing. He's just going to go home and have dinner with his family as if nothing ever happened.