It had been a long, hard slog over the past few months. Their first terms were complete at university and now it was time to return home, catch up with each other and allow their brains to rest.

Marinette looked around her room, still untouched from before she left three months ago, and breathed in the smell of fresh linens and a tiny hint of dust bunnies. She'd been back a week, yet she hadn't managed to do much more than unpack the gifts for Christmas and sleep in the room. Moving around, she couldn't help but think her parents could have kept her room cleaner than this, though, maybe this was what they meant by having a welcome home gift for her — intense cleaning with a side of polishing.

Her phone began to vibrate against the back of her thigh, the indication of an incoming call, and Marinette knew exactly who it would be. Reaching into her back pocket, she pulled the phone from where it lay and checked the caller ID.

Alya.

Rolling her eyes, she pressed the answer button and lifted it to her ear.

"Couldn't you at least give me a chance to start getting ready?" Her smile was bright as she thought about her best friend on the other side of the phone. Marinette had only managed to catch up with Alya once since arriving back at the bakery. They messaged and communicated often during their time away but physical meetups just seemed impossible with clashing lectures and intense deadlines.

"Where would the fun in that be?" Alya laughed, Marinette following along as she made her way to the sewing box on her counter. "I was just calling to let you know tonight is going to be a code Buttercup."

Marinette gasped and almost dropped the phone. Adrien wasn't due at the New Year's party, she was sure he said he was at a gala. She didn't know whether to scream, cry or throw up.

"How do you know?" she inquired down the phone. She pressed the buttons on the sewing box allowing the kwami's a chance for their pre-bedtime run around.

Alya snorted, the sound a strange echo down the line. "Don't tell me you've forgotten who his best friend is?"

Ah, Nino! Marinette thought, now it makes perfect sense.

"What am I going to wear?" Marinette wined down the phone, there's no way she was turning up to this party in what she'd planned now. The original idea was a little black dress, red lipstick and heels... done! But now Adrien was coming and she felt like she needed something a little... more.

"Just wear the dress you'd originally picked out. It's sexy." A sound of rummaging could be heard on the other end of the line, obviously Alya was attempting to do two things at once.

"But if Adrien's there I can't wear something so ordinary. The dress I made says 'hi, I threw this together last week because I forgot about the New Years Party' not... 'hello Adrien Agreste, come here and give me a hot and heavy new years kiss because we're made for each other.'"

"Woah, Bugaboo, I thought that was us."

Marinette spun around to see her partner standing against her ladder on the lower level of her bedroom, she picked up her nearest object (a load of her clean washing) and threw it straight towards him. His eyes widened with mischief as a pair of very black and very lacy french knickers hit him in the face.

"Just wear these! Any hot blooded male would be up for a kiss." He spun them around on his finger before they flew off and up onto her bed.

"You knowing my identity, isn't so you can sneak into my room," she hissed, only for Alya to squeal down the phone.

"Get Chat Noir to choose Marinette, I'm sure he'll let you know what's best."

"I'm not asking Chat to choose my dress." She trailed him with her eyes as he sauntered around the room like he owned the place and made his way to the wardrobe shuffling the clothing around and looking at each dress as he did so. He was studying them a little too intensely for her liking.

"I'll help her, Alya," he shouted, Alya screeching down the phone in excitement and causing Marinette to move it away.

"Put me on loudspeaker." Her friend demanded. Marinette rolled her eyes and absentmindedly pressed the button allowing Alya's voice to echo around her now overcrowded bedroom, as she began to converse with her other best friend.

Marinette threw the phone onto the chaise lounge and made her way to her mirror, unthreading the French braids she'd had in since the previous evening and allowing her wavy hair to fall onto her shoulders.

"Woah!" Chat appeared behind her, threading his fingers through her hair and combing the tightened strands into perfectly formed waves. He lowered his fingers over her shoulders, pulling her hair down to below her chest, it had grown so much over the past months.

The breath hitched in her throat from the movement, a momentary loss thanks to his delicate and meaningful touch. She looked up into the mirror seeing her partner staring almost mesmerised at her. He closed his eyes and gave his head a slight shake.

"Sorry, just... there's just something about when you wear your hair down," he whispered.

"Woah? Why are you 'woah'ing? Put video mode on."

"Don't you dare!" Marinette hissed, Chat moved away and towards the chaise lounge and ultimately to Marinette's phone. She turned and moved swiftly in the same direction, only for Chat to grab her and throw her over his shoulder.

"Sorry, M'Lady, but it'd be rude not to show Ms. Césaire your beautiful locks."

"Put me down," she giggled, attempting to pound at his back with her fists; but, of course it didn't work, she guessed he couldn't feel more than a small tickle. She continued pounding, Chat's laughter increasing and Alya getting more irate on the other side of the phone. "She's going to see me in just over an hour if I can hurry and get dressed."

He sighed. "Fine, but you'll let me help choose the dress?"

"As gutted as I am not to be involved in this, I just want to make sure that you're going to help her look amazing for Buttercup, not sabotage it so you get her all to yourself." Alya's humourous voice sounded out through the speaker, Chat dropping Marinette down and allowing her to steady herself on her feet, which ended up with the young hero falling down onto her ass.

"Oooomph!"

A breath escaped her and she collided with the floor, her legs sprawled out and hair over her face.

"Alya, I've got to go. I need to save a damsel in distress."

Alya burst out laughing as she said goodbyes, threatening Chat with an unsedated neutering if she didn't look beautiful for the party tonight, the feline superhero promising Marinette was going to be the bell of the ball as he pressed the red button and reached down to his partner.

"You okay?" He held his hand towards her, her small hand slipping into his and allowing him to pull her to stand.

"Yeah! I think the only thing bruised is my ego." She brushed herself down, Chat leaping up her ladder and to her bed, shouting down to her from his new position hanging over the bars.

"It was too big anyway, you needed to bring it down a peg or two."

She giggled as he disappeared away from her. "And you're just being rude, Chaton!"

He jumped from the upper level, a box held under his armpit as he stood erect from his landing crouch.

"So what do I owe the pleasure of Paris' super stud?" she mused, Chat rolling his eyes in an aggravated response.

"How much longer are you going to bring that up?"

Marinette walked back to her mirror and began to search through her makeup, making sure to grab the correct applications ready for the evening's events. She had to look right, a lot was counting on her looking perfect tonight.

"Until Adrien Agreste gets his rightful place back on the number one spot," she retorted.

"Meow-ch!" Chat placed a hand to his heart. "I don't get what makes you want him over me."

"It's quite simple really," she said wryly, "he doesn't have to wear a mask."

"I told you, I can just say the words and blind you with my stunningly, beautiful face."

She turned around and crossed her arms over her chest. "And I told you how risky that happening at this moment would be! Plus," she pointed her mascara at him, "you seem to think me and Adrien would be perfect. Why are you trying to change my mind?"

"I'm not. I'm just making a point that if you saw this," he displayed himself in a slow turn, "without all this," he indicated his suit, "you wouldn't be able to keep your hands off me."

"I'm sure,"she giggled. "Anyway, sorry to be a bitch but I need to get ready for tonight and I don't really want you seeing me in my underwear."

"That's a shame," he sighed.

She walked over to him and slapped a hand over his bicep. "Asshole!"

He bent down to her level and placed a kiss on her cheek, before turning and preparing to vault away. His baton from his back had him suddenly freezing, looking down at a box he was cradling under his armpit.

"Ooops, I almost forgot." He took the box from where it was hiding and handed it over to Marinette. "This was meant to be your Christmas gift but it wasn't finished in time."

"Christmas gift?" she questioned. "I thought the Chat Noir doll and accessory set was my gift."

He smiled. "I can't help it if I like to spoil you."

She snorted, taking the box from his hands and stretching to press a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you, Kitty, that's really sweet of you."

"I know, I'm wonderful," he replied with a wink. "Oh, and how about wearing that jewellery set Adrien had given you for Christmas? I think it'd set the dress off just right."

Marinette looked to where it lay on the desk beside her sewing machine. It was in a red box with gold writing, a branded name which sent her spiralling into a coma of love after opening the Cartier necklace and bracelet set on Christmas Eve with her friends. She couldn't understand why Adrien had spent so much on her, and she had tried to return it to him only for the blond haired model to sweet talk her into keeping it.

"Yeah," she sighed dreamily, Chat snorting and causing his Lady to give him one more smack on the upper arm. "Leave me alone."

"I will do," he said, preparing to leave once more. "Have a good night tonight, Bugaboo. I hope you blow his socks off."

"Are you up to much?" she asked, stopping him once again from leaving. She liked him knowing her identity, it allowed them to continue to see each other often. Time with Chat was so different to any other of her friends.

"Are you worried I'll be all alone this evening, M'Lady?"

"I just –" She threaded her fingers together in front of her body, her nervousness launching into action as he came and held her hands between his.

"Hey, Bugaboo, it's fine," he laughed, "I have some rather interesting plans of my own this evening." He dropped her a wink and made his way to the trapdoor. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, Marinette."

She watched him leave, a small smile gracing her lips. Their relationship had changed so much since she'd revealed herself to him, the whole reason being an easier way to contact her incase of an emergency. They spoke so much; her relationship with both Adrien and Chat Noir had changed since she moved away, only making her want to move back home more. She loved university and seeing what else the world held in store but...

She missed Paris insanely. She missed her friends and her family, and she missed her boys — both of them.

She placed the box down on her desk next to the Cartier one, and stroked a hand over it. What had this kitty cat brought home for her?

"Open it, Marinette." Tikki and the other kwamis flew up and around her.

"I wanna see what you've got!" Xuppu said, knocking Mullo and Sass out the way to get closer.

"Calm down," she chuckled, "I'm opening it now."

She slid a finger under the sticker holding it together before grasping the sides of the box and lifting it up.

"Oh wow!" Roarr's voice was the first to be heard, the others fixated by what was in the box.

A gentle material was folded to perfection and placed inside the box, a vibrant red layered with glitter and netting, the sheen creating an amaranth red sparkle to match the underlying material.

Taking hold of the intricate lace straps, Marinette pulled the garment out of the box, allowing it to unravel and fall to the floor. A full length, net, half skirt fell down in a style fit for a celebrity. The straps blended into a low 'V' neckline, before pulling it at the waist and ending in a mini skirt. It was gorgeous, the low back only making it all the more wonderful.

"This is gorgeous." Marinette held the dress to her body noting the perfect fit, before moving towards her mirror and twisting herself from left to right.

"Chat Noir seems to know exactly what suits his Lady," Longg said, leading the kwamis to hover alongside the guardian, each spreading around her for a better look.

"It'll perfectly match the necklace and bracelet Adrien gifted you for Christmas," Wayzz continued, the kwamis agreeing and chattering between themselves about how lucky Marinette was.

Tikki flew beside her holder, necklace in hand and a smile on her face. "They're perfect together."

Marinette looked in Tikki's eyes, the small kwami's were wide with excitement. She couldn't be too sure, yet Marinette couldn't help but think there was more to this, that somehow Chat and Adrien had worked together.

Which left Marinette with one worrying question? Had Chat Noir spilled the details of her crush to Adrien Agreste himself?

"Can we come too? Please?" Pollen begged, moving towards Marinette and putting their hands together.

"Yes, Master, please let us come. We haven't seen our holders in months," Sass, the usually non confrontational kwami, said.

"I don't kn—"

"Please, we swear we will behave. We'll just sneak out to say hello and then hide back in your purse," Longg said, joining the others to pull their best kitten eyes.

Marinette looked over to her bag. It wasn't that big, but maybe she could take a couple of them with her?

Rolling her eyes she finally replied. "Fine, but only those whose holders will be there. So, Trixx, Wayzz, Sass, Longg and Pollen. Tikki, you'll be in charge of them, do you understand? No funny business."

"Nope."

"None, Marinette."

"We'll behave."

Turning from the kwamis she looked at her dress again.

Oh Chat Noir, what are you doing to me?

*****

Adrien knew he was playing with fire and that he was going to end up burnt. But even today, when he dropped by Marinette's, he had attempted to get her to let him reveal. If there was going to be a fallout from this he was quite sure he could argue the blame was all on her. He hoped so anyway.

When she'd told him, only a matter of months ago, that her crush was on him as a civilian, it took all his resolve not to spring forward and take her down; wrapping both his arms and his legs around her as he threatened to never let her go. Instead he sat there and said... (and he quotes)

"Cool."

Seriously, he'd just found out the double love of his life was just one major love of his life and then found out he was hers too, and yet all he could say was 'cool'. Since then, he decided the hole wasn't deep enough so continued to dig.

He was now, alongside Alya, the number one Adrinette fan and going out of his way to help her win his heart. Like she needed help? She already owned the damn thing and was in there living in a three storey mansion, complete with the dreams of their four kids and a hamster.

He'd suddenly changed from just a friend, to a ridiculously obsessive friend who bugged her message after message after message. To make matters worse, it was thanks to his detective skills that Chat Noir found out how happy Marinette Dupain-Cheng, aka Ladybug, actually was about 'Buttercup' suddenly becoming such a humongous part of her life.

He was such a shit!

He arrived back at the mansion with just enough time to finish getting ready. He was quite sure she would wear the dress and jewellery he'd sent her, so he'd planned his own outfit to match. If they were going for the full romance and reveal tonight he wanted to look his best; or if she was going to kill him at least he'd be a well dressed corpse.

"This is the most idiotic thing you have ever done! And considering some of the amazing displays of stupidity you've encroached on us over the years, I've got to say bravo on outdoing yourself, Kid."

Adrien waved Plagg off, instead heading for the bathroom and to his mirror. If he was taking selfies to post with his new girlfriend he had to make sure he looked perfect — she deserved nothing less afterall.

"It'll be worth it in the end. I love her, she loves me..."

"She'll kick your ass for setting yourself up with, well, yourself. I'll say it again, Kid, this is beyond dumb, you've gathered inside knowledge and you're using it against her. She said she'd dreamed of Adrien sending her a 'just because I'm thinking of you' message, so what did you do? You sent her a message with a random picture of a Fraggle, saying it reminded you of her. A FRAGGLE! What the hell is wrong with you?"

"It's the closest thing I had that looked cute like her!" Adrien protested with a little too much force, causing Plagg to burst out laughing.

"You were in Hamleys, the biggest toy store on the planet! I'm sure you could have found something cuter than a Fraggle."

"She loved it!" Adrien stretched forward, checking his freshly shaven face in the mirror for any imperfections.

"You could send her a picture of maggots and she'd swoon!"

Adrien chuckled to himself. "Great isn't it! She really adores me."

"You're really big headed, and I'm going to love the fall out when she throws you to Timbuktu." Plagg cackled.

"We're nowhere near Timbuktu."

"That's the point!" the kwami stated, moving around to examine Adrien's suit for the evening's events. To say they were shocked that Luka was throwing such a black tie event would be an understatement; however, Adrien was grateful of the musician's effort, he looked damn goodin the three piece suit.

"Anyway, tonight I'm making my move. Whether I reveal... I'm undecided. But for the first time on New Year's Eve, Adrien Agreste is getting a kiss at midnight."

"I'll make sure I tell Nino to pucker up."

Luckily Plagg could phase through walls, because the speed Adrien sent his toothbrush at the kwami of destruction would have been sure to leave a bruise.

*****

Marinette arrived at the dock only six minutes late, a new record all around. She may have used a little superpower to help her get there, but she didn't exactly want to walk around Paris with tiny little Gods partying in her clutch bag. She looked down subtly lifting the flap, making sure Tikki was feasting and recharging, as she marched her way up towards the plank and ultimately onto the boat.

"Hey, Marinette" the sound of Adrien's voice caused two things to happen. Firstly, her headshot up in shock and she almost gave herself severe whiplash and secondly, her heel caught the cobbled path of the Riverside sending her spiralling down towards the ground. "Woah there."

Before she could come face to face with the properties of stone, warm strong arms had wrapped around her, holding her up and away from an embarrassing early exit.

"Adrien," she sighed, looking into the eyes of her saviour as she clung to his upper arms with a vice-like grip. Damn, they felt good.

"Nice entrance as always." Adrien laughed, looking her over and making her cheeks flush. "You're wearing my necklace, too." Adrien helped her stand, steadying her back onto her heels before offering his arm out to her.

"It was the perfect match for my dress. Thank you again for such a thoughtful gift, it's beautiful."

"You're worth it, Marinette." As she slotted her arm into his, he safely began to lead her over the plank and onto the boat, the celebration already in full swing as music blasted from the speakers and people drank a reddish cocktail from a questionable bowl.

The Liberty looked gorgeous. Luka and Juleka had gone all out with fairy lights, balloons and enough food to feed the entirety of Paris. Pizza, cake, chips, dips... the spread was incredible.

"Girl, you've made it!" Alya sauntered over in a very tight and very short, orange dress, one a perfect counterpart for the little critter currently hiding out in her bag. She grabbed a hold of Marinette and began to pull her away. "Sorry, Buttercup, I just need to borrow my girl. We'll be back soon."

"Oh," Adrien reluctantly let go, turning to face her with a downbeat look on his face. For the first time Marinette looked him over and almost fainted there and then. He was even more gorgeous than she remembered (and she'd only seen him five days previously).

The red shirt he was wearing was the perfect match for her dress, almost as if it was created by the same designer. He'd left the collar open with a couple buttons undone and displaying a rather impressive collarbone and neck crevice. Dear Lord! She couldn't concentrate.

"Can you dance me a save?" Marinette asked, her mind somewhere between his neck line and the top of his chest.

"Sure." Adrien's laugh caused her to blush. A bright red blush that had her burning. She'd completely messed it up once more.

He leaned forward slowly, placing a soft, delicate kiss to her cheek before moving back.

"See you later, Marinette."

Her hand possessively went to her cheek, her determination to keep the tingling feeling of his lips there as long as possible. "A lamity pickle."

A sharp pain shot across her arm. Her eyes turned to Alya and her back straightened. "Ouch!" she exclaimed, Alya crossing her arms and shaking her head. "A lamity pickle? What the hell is wrong with you?"

Marinette covered her face and let out a growl, only for then to have something poke her in the head. "Ow!"

Turning around, her blue sapphires meet the olive glare of her sworn enemy. What the hell was Lila Rossi doing here?

"Oh, Marinette, I just saw this magnificent dress and had to accessorise it with a red rose. You look stunning."

Marinette studied Lila suspiciously, before moving a hand to her head and feeling something there. Indeed it felt like a rose. "Thanks," she hissed through gritted teeth. If Lila was doing something nice there was obviously an additional plan to it.

"I've got you this too," Lila held a drink out to Marinette, the raven haired hero eyeing it suspiciously.

"Oh, um, thanks Lila." Slowly, Marinette took the drink off the liar and held it to her lips. Lila stared at her with an intense gaze, not giving Marinette any option but to drink it.

Tilting it to her lips, Marinette took the tiniest sip and smiled. Her lips firmly clasped together and held the liquid inside.

Handing the cup to Alya, she turned and stalked her way down the stairs and towards the toilets without saying a word and spraying the liquid over her friend.

There was no way in hell Marinette was swallowing what Lila had given her.

Opening the door, she leaned over the sink and spat the drink out. Looking up into the mirror, Marinette checked her hair and make-up. Taking a hand to her head, she brushed her hair down feeling something slightly sticky between her locks. She brought her hand in front of her face. Blood. Lila had placed the rose in so roughly it had broken the skin and made her bleed. Damn that girl!

Fixing herself up as quickly as possible, she opened the door and turned from the bathroom, stalking her way back onto the deck. If Lila was going to start playing this game she needed to find someone to support her and back her up. She needed to find Adrien.

*****

Checking the coast was clear, the kwamis phased through Marinette's bag and made their way in the direction of their holders, taking cover when someone they didn't recognise walked past.

"Quick," Pollen said, leading the gang over towards the punch table where their holder was currently talking to the girl who Marinette didn't like. They hid behind the punch bowl, listening intently to the conversation.

"I'll be right back, I need to go and find Adrien. He's promised me a New Year's kiss. I'm so lucky."

Trixx stuck their tongue out to the other kwamis causing them all to snicker.

"Do you really think Plagg's holder is going to kiss her?" Sass asked. The other kwamis shaking their heads.

"Of course not," cried Tikki. "He doesn't like her."

"So where is she going?" Wayzz asked only for a black blur to suddenly appear and scoop them all into a hug.

"How I'm glad to see you guys!" Plagg let go and moved back a little, searching his friends' faces to see if they were as happy seeing him as he was them. Unfortunately, he was sorely disappointed when not one of them cracked a smile, or was even looking at him. He followed their eye line only to catch a quick glimpse of the back of Lila's head.

"Damn!" Plagg said, "I thought I'd at least get a warm welcome from you Tikki."

The red kwami diverted her attention and, as though suddenly pulled out to a trance, she blinked and smiled towards Plagg.

"Hey Stinky Sock."

"Delayed welcome but I'll take it," he huffed. "What were you all looking at?"

"Lila," Tikki said with disgust, only for Plagg to heave in response.

"What is she doing here? I thought they would have ditched her by now."

"So did I. But it seems she's dead set on getting a kiss from Adrien at midnight."

Plagg started to laugh, uncontrollably, as he considered what this actually meant. There was no way in hell Lila was kissing Adrien, not after all the behind the scenes work his Kid had put into getting with Marinette.

"Who told you that?" Plagg said, attempting to breathe normally once again.

"We just heard her say it," Pollen responded.

"She's a colossal liar. Don't tell me you believe that woman?" Plagg looked between his friends before looking back at Tikki. "Aren't you going to say anything to them, Sugar Cube?"

Tikki shrugged and looked away only to infuriate Plagg more.

"Come on Tikki, you know as much as I do. You can't trust a single syllable that comes out of her mouth." Plagg said exasperatedly.

"She won't do anything," Tikki said, "you know she's all talk and no action."

Plagg opened his mouth then closed it again, emitting a growl. "I can't believe you'd allow that thing to insult Pigtails that way! You know how much effort Adrien's put into this."

"I don't know Plagg, maybe Tikki's right and you're just being a little defensive?" Sass said, Plagg feeling himself heating up.

"Fine! If you won't believe me, then maybe if we go and see what she's doing. Then your opinions will change." Plagg began to fly in the direction that Lila went, the other kwami's following in tow.

"What do you think you're going to accomplish with this, Plagg?" Longg asked, the rest following behind.

"She's up to something. I don't trust her." Plagg continued to lead them towards the hallway Lila had ventured down, every now and then stopping and hiding behind a door or a post, until finally they reached the base of the boat where Lila was talking to someone; someone who happened to be the purple kwami they thought they'd lost.

"I don't know if this is the best idea, mistress," Nooroo said, a quiver in his voice which made Plagg want to go and cataclysm the girl. What had she been doing to their friend?

"You obey my orders. Now, transform me. Nooroo, dark wings rise."

Lila transformed in front of them, each kwami gasping and grouping together as Paris' new villain stood in front of them.

They watched tentatively as Lila energised an akuma and sent it into an apple, it seemed the young woman had figured out some new powers. She detransformed, shoving Nooroo down into her bag and walked back out the room and onto the deck.

"We need to tell Marinette," Tikki squeaked, turning and making her way back out of the basement. The others on her tail, but it was too late. Lila was back with Alya, slipping the apple into Marinette's drink.

They all watched in fear as Marinette headed back towards her friend, a look of determination on her face and her hand reaching for the drink. They had a choice. They could either reveal themselves and possibly get taken by their new arch nemesis or...

Plagg looked to the side, noticing Adrien talking to Luka. Tikki nodded in approval, all seven kwami's heading straight for their second in command.

"Adrien," Plagg hissed, hiding off to the side with the others beside him. "Adrien!" he said again, this time a little louder.

The boy in question turned his head abruptly in the direction of his name. He looked up and down, over objects and around them, his eyebrows furrowing only to miss where the kwamis were hiding. He turned his attention back to Luka only to have a cup launched at his head and hit him square in the face.

"Adrien!" Tikki tried again. This time the blond caught their eye.

Plagg joined Tikki in summoning him over, Adrien making his excuses to Luka and heading to where they were settled.

"You need to get to Pigtails," Plagg hurriedly said, the other kwamis swarming around him and guiding his attention over towards where Marinette stood – with Lila.

Confused by what was happening, Adrien looked back at the kwamis, Sass flying towards his first holder's ear. "Lila's done something to her drink."

Hearing the name Lila kicked him into gear, launching him towards the girls and hopefully to get to Marinette before Lila could complete whatever plan she'd come up with.

*****

Marinette noticed Lila hanging around Alya again as she headed out the toilet; the drink still in her hand as Marinette made her way towards her. She watched the liar hug Alya before walking away and seemingly off the boat. Good riddance.

"Welcome back," Alya said, handing Marinette her drink, an added extra floating on the top. "Try the apple, apparently it works like tequila. You take a bite out of the apple and then drink, it's meant to take the edge off it."

Taking the apple out, Marinette examined it. In general it looked normal, nothing seemed out of the ordinary and if this was something Alya had placed in then she'd trust her friend. Taking the apple out of the cup, she bit down into it marvelling in the intense sweetness as the juice exploded in her mouth.

She closed her eyes savouring the taste, only for a pounding to start in her head. A voice spoke to her, a mission of some sort placed into her head, something about insulting her friends. She'd never do that though, she loved her friends. The voice began to grow louder, demanding that she verbally attacked those around her breaking the ties and connections she had.

But then there was a second voice.

A voice telling her to fight it.

Closing her eyes tightly, she felt the pressure of hands on her shoulders and lips against hers. "Kiss me Marinette." The voice sounded so familiar, so familiar in fact she'd heard those exact words before. She tried to open her eyes to speak, but her voice wouldn't work. The apple was choking her. Stopping her from calling out, from speaking.

"Marinette. Princess, come on." The voice was there again, but it was as though the occupant was invisible, she couldn't see him. She couldn't see anything but purple.

She felt a pull, her body not in complete control of its own actions as something hit her lips, pushing against them in a desperate way. The purple began to fade, taking the dark violet into a soft pink before everything became normal coloured again. Her eyes focused on the closest person. Bright yellow, tanned skin and green eyes.

"Thank God." She was pulled tightly into a hug, the softness of her saviours voice bringing her back to reality.

A cough shook through her body as the apple was pushed from her throat and out onto the floor. Finally she could breathe again.

"C-Chat? What are you—?" She pushed back and looked at who she thought was her partner only to come face to face with Adrien. Her words froze in her mouth, not daring herself to finish the sentence.

"Marinette?" Alya rushed to her side and wrapped the smaller girl in a hug. "Oh my God, are you okay?"

Marinette frowned before looking at Adrien again. "D-did you kiss me?"

He nodded in response, his hand coming to the back of his neck as she placed her own against her lips.

"True loves kiss," he muttered with a gentle smile, but something was off here — she knew it deep inside.

"Where's Lila?" Marinette growled, turning her attention back to Alya and ignoring the painful sensation in her throat.

"I don't know, she gave me the apple and then she went."

"Psst," a small voice hit Marinette's ear, the girl looking around for its occupant. "Psst." It sounded again. "Over here."

Marinette looked to the side, noticing how the kwamis were peering over the side of the boat. Seven of them. She was sure there should only be six. Tikki, Pollen, Trixx, Wayzz, Sass, Longg and...

"Plagg," Marinette hissed, moving forwards, "what are you doing here?"

Alya and Adrien followed her focus as the small cat kwami looked at Adrien for a little bit of help.

"He – um – he's here with me." Adrien rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes unable to meet hers as Plagg flew back to his holder.

"The kid saved you, Pigtails. At least give him a smooch." Adrien rolled his eyes, grabbing Plagg and shoving him back into his pocket.

"Ignore him," Adrien said, "he likes the glory a little too much."

"He likes the — he's here with — which means you are — and you know I love you — I — I —"

"Marinette, breathe," Tikki said, moving forward to comfort her holder, stopping her from hyperventilating.

"I don't understand what's happening," Alya exclaimed looking between Marinette, Adrien and the kwamis. "Why does he have one? Since when has Adrien been a holder?"

"From the beginning." Adrien smiled at Alya holding up one hand to display the ring and the other stretching out towards her. "Nice to meet you Rena Furtive, I'm Chat Noir."

Alya's eyes rolled backwards as she collapsed on the ground, a reaction Marinette thought would be more likely to come from herself than anyone else.

"I can't believe it," Marinette said once more, her hand coming to meet her lips. "I don't know whether to kiss you or throw you in the Seine."

"Well, I know what I'd prefer, and as it's..." he pushed up a sleeve on his jacket to check his watch, "only one minute until midnight, how about you give me that new years kiss you wanted to and then maybe we can... talk?"

She let out a laugh, one of sheer disbelief. "You want to talk? About this?"

"Well, yeah —"

A sudden countdown started on the boat, Nino running around frantically to find Alya only to skid to a halt beside her on the floor and place his hands either side. He was going for the kiss whether she was conscious or not.

"3... 2... 1... Happy New Year!" Fireworks began to explode around them as Adrien took the initiative to step forwards and place his hands on Marinette's hips.

"Happy New Year Marinette, I hope I get to spend the rest of this year doing this." Making a bold statement, Adrien bent his head down and once again kissed her on the lips, Marinette savouring everything about it and dismissing the idea of throwing him in the Seine.

"I suppose," she said once they'd broken away, "if you show me a decent apology we could work something out." She looped her arms around his neck, stretching on her tiptoes to kiss him again.

"What did I —" Alya sat up only to catch a glimpse of Adrien and Marinette getting very well acquainted on the side of the boat. Lips together and hands fumbling. "Oh Lord." Without another beat, Alya's eyes rolled back and once again she was out cold against the floor.

"I'll take her inside," Nino said, manoeuvring Alya into his arms and standing up. "Congrats guys." Nino dropped them a wink before carrying his girlfriend safely in his arms down the steps into the main cabin.

Marinette buried her head into Adrien's chest and nuzzled into him for warmth.

"Happy New Year, M'Lady. I love you."

"I love you too." She smiled, lifting her head so her eyes could meet his.

"Do you love me enough to be wearing those French knickers?"

Marinette smacked him around the bicep in jest, Adrien milking his 'injury'.

"And for you," Marinette turned her attention towards where the kwamis were...

Screwing her eyebrows together, she reluctantly let go of Adrien and headed to the edge. A quick look overboard told her one thing — no kwamis were around to be seen.

*****

Lila sat on her bed phone in hand...

It had to happen soon, the Akuma alert should be blasting out of her phone loud and proud. As soon as Marinette bit into the apple the Akuma would be inside her, buried deep and impossible to free. She'd control the girl and stop whatever this thing was with Adrien.

The plan was genius, so why hadn't it happened yet?

Laying back on her bed, she balanced the phone on her chest, closing her eyes momentarily to visualise the defeat of Marinette Dupain-Cheng. It had been a long time coming but it would be worth it.

A sudden prick to her hip had her attempting to wake her up.

Lila fought to open her eyes, only for her body to deny the action. Her eyes staying shut and body frozen in the moment, she began to panic. Had she eaten the wrong piece of apple?

Hours later, suddenly she could move again.

Opening her eyes and sitting up straight she grasped her phone from her chest and opened up Instagram.

In the matter of seconds her world crumbled around her: Adrien had declared the relationship with Marinette as the greatest thing in his life and Ladybug had posted a New Year message celebrating the successful take down of Paris' new she-villain.

A shaky hand reached for her chest, moving over where the brooch should be laying only to be sorely disappointed when her hand met nothing. Sitting bolt up, she ran to the mirror. The brooch was no longer there, but that wasn't all. On her face was a moustache and goatee, along with eyebrows the Wicked Queen would be proud of. Turning to her bed, she gasped. Sitting there looking awfully smug was a black kwami holding a Sharpie pen.

It seemed this new year wasn't going to be so great after all.