Salut I'm baaaaack!!! Due to the 53 month gap of no updates (*cries in American*), it is highly recommended to reread the previous part (or may as well the whole book) before proceeding or you will probably have no idea wtf is going on. Enjoy!! x3

Adrien silenced the giggling kwami by jamming a piece of cheese into his mouth, but it was not very effective. "It's not funny," he muttered, turning to the mirror above the sink to study his sore red eyes. He tried rinsing them with cold water which was quite soothing, but they were still inflamed. A chunk of cheese shot onto the mirror when Plagg snorted, followed with violent choking. "C'mon, I gotta meet Marinette at the library, so in you go." He held open the white jacket before Plagg zipped inside with a cheese-eating smirk.

Adrien hurried out of the restroom only to slam into someone. Books dropped as the collision sent them both to the floor. The blonde gasped as he realized what he had done. On instinct, he swiftly picked the books up into a neat stack and helped the girl to her feet, then handed them to her. "Here are all of your things, I hope you're not..."

He felt his breath stolen away as his eyes locked with hers. It was almost like looking into a mirror...the very emerald orbs he stared into were his own, and her wavy locks that gleamed under the light reflected the sun. Was this a dream? He'd recognize that face from anywhere...

Is it really...?

She was even more beautiful in her youth. Adrien didn't know how to react. He wanted to cry, he wanted to laugh, he wanted to trap her into a hug and never ever let go.

"Hope I'm not what, lover boy?"

He was snatched from his flashbacks and shook his head. Of course, she was only fifteen. She wouldn't know who he was. The blonde beauty cocked her head and smirked while waiting for a response. Adrien immediately scratched the back of his head and laughed nervously. "AH—u-um, hurt! I hope you're not hurt or injured are you okay??" He rambled. No matter how strong his emotions were, he had to keep calm and pretend he never saw her in his life, which would be pure torture. This felt like life's cruelest joke on him, yet.

She chuckled at his actions and waved a hand. "Totally, it's all good," she nonchalantly replied. She then squinted and leaned in close to study his irritated eyes. "Ouch, well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" She teased. "Actually, you're quite the looker too, so I guess that makes you a walking contradiction." Adrien was a little surprised with her such warm, fond behavior with him. The woman he knew carried herself with an elegant poise that was kind and polite, but ever so slightly reserved.

But here the dazzling belle was, treating him so affectionately with lighthearted humor and open arms. It was like no time had ever passed between them.

She boldly took his hand and gently kissed it. "Enchante. I'm Emilie...but you can just call me Em," she introduced with a playful wink.

Her smile was contagious and he instantly felt it reflect on his own lips. "I'm Adrien, it's...nice to meet you," he replied. A warm feeling filled his chest. He needed to hug her. Just once. He had not seen his mother in almost two years now. "I'm new here, so I hope I haven't made a bad first impression," the model informed. Emilie laughed with a shrug. "Not at all. If anything, I'm concerned about your eyes."

"Oh, that...I got pepper sprayed."

She laughed even harder at his wild answer as she clutched her books to her chest. "You're a funny boy, Adrien. I like you," she decided. "See you around." And with that, the blonde girl simply turned on her heel and gave him another smile over her shoulder. He happily sighed at her glowing aura and leaned on a set of lockers. Adrien could not believe he got to see her again. Even if they were in the past, he'd take it over his desktop background any day. Maybe their crazy dilemma wasn't such a bad thing.

He eventually made his way straight to the library down the hall and caught Marinette waiting by the door for him with a look of serious concern.

"Adrien, we have a big problem—"

But he wasn't listening, he swept her hands away with him in a daze and led her into the library with joy. "Marinette, you won't believe what just happened! I just met my mom—my MOM!" He exclaimed with joy. Marinette blushed at the physical contact intertwined between their fingers until her eyebrows furrowed. She hated to rain on his parade, but this needed to be addressed immediately. She suddenly yanked him behind a shelf of books and made sure they were alone. Adrien lifted an eyebrow. What had gotten into her?

After Marinette and Gabriel split ways, she had previously saw another girl flirting with the love of her life, and couldn't resist spying. What made her jaw drop more so was when she realized who it was. She was a splitting image of the girl in the photo that Adrien showed her on his desktop background. It was his mom.

But she had to pretend she had no idea who the girl was up until now, because he showed Ladybug that screensaver—not 'Marinette.'

Marinette bit her lip and anxiously rapped her fingertips together. "Um—well, here's the thing...I think your mom likes you," she quietly said. She didn't expect what came next. Adrien laughed. He laughed.

"Erm...what's so funny...?" She anxiously chuckled along. Was she making a fool of herself again without knowing it? Her crush shook his head. "Of course, she does! She just told me, herself," he answered obliviously. Ugh, he didn't get it, did he? Marinette facepalmed. "No, I mean she really likes you, like she LIKE likes you!" She frowned. "She was full on flirting with you!" Adrien abruptly formed a mischievous grin, then leaned in extremely close. Marinette gaped in shock, praying her heart wouldn't hop out of her chest and run away. He arched an eyebrow quite high and tilted his head slightly. "Are you jealous?" The blonde chunk-of-hunk purred.

Marinette immediately jumped back and slipped on a book by her foot while doing so. She caught her balance in the nick of time and shook the jitters off as best as she could. "Jealous of your mom? Pfft, of course not," she muttered to herself. Quite the opposite, I would never dream of being your mother in a million years. Then we wouldn't be able to get married and live in a house with three kids and a hamster and if you ever call me mommy— "I'm kidding," Adrien chuckled. "But what are you talking about? She would never think that way of me, and it's normal for us to be close. She's my mom, remember?"

"SHE doesn't know that!!"

Adrien paused as he took her words in consideration. She was right. It was 1995, before he was born. She had never seen him before, so to her, he was just another guy she went to high school with. But it was in her nature to be friendly, that's all it was! Right...? Even if it was before she met his father, still....wait.

"Oh, no," he mumbled. He prayed his sudden wild theory was wrong. "Marinette, where exactly were you when I was in the bathroom?"

"Wow, I don't know where to start!" She immediately gushed. "It was amazing, I ran into your dad in his youth—my very fashion idol—and I've even seen his first designs I mean it was a total accident I didn't mean to knock his stuff all over the place and we might've introduced ourselves but just wow!"

Adrien's blood went cold as he broke into a sweat. "Y-you—? You what?" Marinette crinkled her brow at his unsettling reaction. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" She inquired. He staggered into the book case on the other side of them, laying a hand on his forehead. This was bad...this was really...really bad.

"A-Adrien?"

He drew a shaky breath, preparing to inform her of his harrowing realization.

"My mother, she...oh no," his gaze widened when he saw the whole picture. "That's how they met—it was love at first sight."

Marinette tilted her head a little. "What are you saying?" She didn't understand, but a part of her was already seemingly aware of where he was about to go with this.

"My mother was supposed to run into him—my father. During class. October thirteenth, nineteen ninety-five. That was the story I always wanted her to tell before my bedtime as a kid. But...she never did. When her and I...that was when they were supposed to—and you ran into him, instead..." The young designer gasped with terror. What have they done? "Which means...." Her voice trailed off, unable to get the words off her tongue. Adrien nodded solemnly.

"...They fell in love with us instead."

Well, this sucked.

The dark haired girl grabbed her pigtails and sucked in her cheeks. "Oh no no no no noooo this is a disaster this very very bad—" Before she could self combust, the blonde laid his hands on her shoulders. "Hey, we'll figure something out," he eased. Adrien gave her a smile of reassurance, and she could instantly feel a sort of peace come over her. "We're in this together."

Marinette nodded curtly then swallowed as she avoided his gaze. "Sorry," she mumbled. Adrien was puzzled by her apology. "For what??"

She hid her face behind her hands. "I'm sorry your dad fell in love with me..."

Another pair of warm hands gently parted hers from her eyes, lightly holding them. Adrien did that all too familiar smirk as he tilted his head to the side, leaning in just a tad. "Hey, now, it's not your fault you're irresistible," he purred. Her heart stopped at the closeness between them deep in the dim corners of the library. The suffocating moment was almost too much for her.

When did the mood suddenly become so...sultry?

Was Adrien Agreste flirting with her??

The thought was too much to process and she could hardly think as it was with all of the pressure they were under. The heat surfaced to her skin once again as she tried to figure out how to respond in human.

Why is this feeling so familiar...?

Marinette was slammed with repetitive déjà vus from a certain cat on endless late night patrols and akuma purrdicaments. For only a brief second, she wished it were him right there intead...

Adrien acting like Chat Noir, now—that was a lethal combination. But since when???

"S-s-so, what's the...w-what's the...the-the plum pan? Er—I-I, uh, what's the, um, plan??"

As Adrien transitioned to his usual manner, he crossed his arms and leaned back against the shelf beside her. "It looks like we're going to have to play matchmaker with my parents," he decided. He never thought he'd have to say anything like that.

Then it hit her. Marinette's eyes lit up like the lightbulb in her head. "I know exactly what to do. But first we'll need somewhere to stay tonight."

........................

A glass door opened, triggering the jingle to a small bell. The two took in the smell of pine and coriander incense as they studied the traditional studio before them. Adrien followed Marinette's lead, and sat patiently beside her on a bamboo-woven yoga mat in the waiting room.

The young designer sighed with relief. It was good to know this place was already here. Adrien admired the decor of beautifully painted porcelain vases, aged paintings, and other priceless artifacts. "What are we doing at an ancient healing studio?" He inquired cluelessly. Marinette gulped. That's right, he's probably never met Master Fu! She smiled sheepishly and released a nervous chuckle before putting a hand behind her head. "All this time travel has probably put our chakras out of line," she giggled.

Her crush laughed with a shake of his head. "Don't worry, Marinette. Your crown is more stunning than ever." He winked and gave her a thumbs up. Marinette's laugh left a twinkle in his third eye. "Sorry," Adrien sighed. "Was that too chi-sy?" She chortled loudly and rolled back on the mat, gasping for air.

He gazed at her reddened face for a moment, smiling from his own enchantment by his lady. After a minute had passed, she sat up to draw in a deep breath. "So, why are we really here?" He asked. She froze at his question as she tried to muster up an answer.

"Oh, uh—we are h-here to...meet my—"

A small elderly man emerged into the room with a polite smile, his hands folded behind his back. "Good eve—"

"Grandfather!!"

Master Fu widened his eyes in confusion as the strange school girl leapt to her feet and obnoxiously pointed. Adrien raised a brow in sheer surprise. Master Fu is Marinette's grandfather?? What a small world! It makes sense why she would have a miraculous if they're related...Adrien shook himself out of his thoughts and stood up as well so not to be rude.

"I'm sorry, but who are—"

"YÉYÉÉÉÉ!!"

Marinette scurried to Master Fu's side and squeezed the air out of him into a life threateningly tight embrace. "I missed you Yéyé Fuuu, it's been so longggg!" She squealed as she kicked her foot up in the air behind her.

Adrien took a double take of the two's confusing, twenty-five-year premature, fake family reunion. Wait, but if we aren't born yet, how exactly is Master Fu supposed to know who she is...?

Marinette may have had no idea what she was doing, but a few years of improv practice and utterly ridiculous alter ego coverups, she had this in the bag. She twisted her neck around toward Adrien and cupped her mouth. "HE HAS ALZHEIMERS," she whispered discreetly in a raspy voice. Ummm, okay...? Wait, how is that relevant—? He thought with a puzzled look, attempting to mentally piece the made-up dilemma together. So, if Master Fu was her grandfather, that would make him Sabine's father, right?

Then again, he was secretly well aware of her alter ego for a while now, so maybe this was all an insanely perfect cover up. Now would've been a great time to tell her, then Master Fu would be a huge help to their massive problem. It would certainly make things a heck of a lot easier now, but a lot harder between them in the future, unfortunately. Adrien had pondered announcing his self made discovery to his love plenty of times before, but he was now smart enough to realize it could lead to actions on their own behalf that would bring consequences from external forces.

Adrien internally sighed in torment and surrendered to the situation presented to him at the moment. He plastered a warm grin and offered his hand to the asphyxiated old man. "Hello, sir. I'm a good friend of your granddaughter. It's nice to meet you."

Marinette released the 'stranger' now suffering from oxygen deficiency. He took a moment to catch his breath prior to gradually accepting Adrien's extended hand, then shook it. Master Fu arched a brow and glanced between the two teenagers in his studio. "I'm sorry...are you two here for an appointment, or..."

"Oh! Um, about that—" Marinette began, poking her forefingers together awkwardly.

"Yes!" Adrien interjected. He sent a wink to the pigtailed girl's way and earned a mild blush from her as well as uncertainty. The blonde held up a finger as he faced Master Fu. "Uh, how about two sessions of—um..." He glanced around the room trying to figure out an excuse for him to see them separately. His eyes landed on a old fashioned fountain pen used for calligraphy on a desk, surrounded by sharpened pencils and other writing utensils.

"Acupuncture!"

Marinette choked at his extreme request. He couldn't have picked something, she didn't know, maybe less painful?? "I see. I'll have to book both of you individually to perform that practice in our massage room." The bluenette almost pouted at Adrien when he wasn't looking.

Yeah, why not get us a nice massage or even a hot stone session instead of, hm, I don't know...sticking pins and needles into us?!!

Marinette abruptly froze at the thought as the others' conversation blurred into mumbles in the background. Her hand went straight to her other arm out of instinct. Her eyes enlarged before pinching themselves shut. Memories of sharp pains and needle sensations stabbing her all over came flashing back at once. The maniacal laughter of doll dressed, little girl floating above her.

"No," the dark haired girl whispered.

Her eyes flew open when a hand softly rested on her shoulder. Adrien's gaze met hers, one full of concern. "M'l—M-marinette..." His words stumbled. "What happened?"

She took a minute to notice he was talking to her. "No," she repeated. Her voice was much firmer this time. Adrien cocked his head with worry as she gripped her arm tighter, then squinted, as of remembering something excruciating.

"Raggedy Anne..." Was all she said, even though Adrien should not of had a clue what that meant, but he did. His green orbs went wide at instant reminders of their battle with the creepy doll and her voodoo like spell on his bugaboo.

He was such an idiot.

Adrien should have remained clueless, but he didn't care, only wrapping an arm around the traumatized girl and brought her close to him. "It's okay," he gently assured. The blonde brought his attention back to the owner of the building. "Never mind on the acupuncture. Just two massages."

The older man watched them strangely, then eventually nodded. "Alright, then. As I was saying, I don't normally take walk ins on such practices, but since it is a slow day, I can make an exception," he explained with a polite smile. "I can take the young lady first."

Adrien lowered his gaze to Marinette expectantly, silently asking if she was okay with that. She seemed to come out of it and nodded. She then noticed her crush's arms that were loosely around her. Her body slowly warmed up, but not with an overwhelming hot flash. This time, it was relaxing and gradual, like a warm and fluffy heat blanket carefully wrapped around her.

A mildly flustered Marinette stepped forward as Adrien's arms drifted to his sides. She looked over her shoulder one last time, reflecting his slight smile.

"Just follow me back here," Master Fu kindly guided her.

Heyyyyy...y'all. It's been a while...heh...heh......

While I technically never discontinue stories, I either start another when when I shouldn't, get sidetracked with another fandom, get busy, get sicker, or I just plain forget all about it......yeahhhh. This part goes out to Stargazer_Luna who nicely begged me to upload the next part which was rotting in my drafts for 4 years sitting unfinished, but hey, it's over 3k long, still 2k words shorter than my go to average because I hate stories with 100 chapters (harder to know where I am personally whenever I come back) but still long enough for an update so with a quick edit and revise I was like, 'What the heck why not—'

All my fellow mlb pals have outgrown the fandom and lost interest in it alongside myself when the specials came out and everything after....idk y but everything lost it's usual routine flavor...I know they got newer writers and more staff on the production from Disney after they bought exclusive stream rights to the rest of the series and they also changed the animation to look more Disney so maybe that's y.

I still like the older mlb that was maybe less soap opera-y however to say, and I loved writing this story back when I was healthier and younger and more passionate. I may continue it...more depends on if it gets good reception and I've also lost a lot of readers (no surprise when there's no story to read lmao) and recently found some of my old ml Wattpad friends have recently deleted their accounts for good so it did make me a little sad seeing that....

If I don't update, here's my final ML Crack Edit I recently uploaded you can check out👉👉👉

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Anywhooooo gotta go crawl back into my abyss now so ttyl hopefully! Vote or comment to let me know if I have lost my touch or not 😂

- Sapphire out