•••

"Are you sure you're alright sweetie? You still look pale." Sabine asked her daughter, concerned.

"Yes maman. I'm all good."

"Okay then, you better get going now. Your father and I will be arriving soon after."

Marinette kissed her parents a farewell and darted out the bakery door. She was already late and she really didn't want to test Alya's patience anymore.

"About time girl! I was worried that you'd lost your way. Now come on!" Alya exclaimed as she grabbed ahold of Marinette's arm and made her way, pushing through the crowd.

"The boys are already waiting."

Suddenly, Alya halted from her super speed walking and turned around to stare intently at her best friend.

"What?"

"I should probably warn you that Adrien is looking super handsome."

"Warn me?"

"Yeah so you don't make a stuttering mess out of yourself....for like the nth time."

Alya smiled and winked and started dragging Marinette alongside with her again.

"Al-Alya!", the bluenette spluttered our, clearly embarrassed.

Alya stopped sometime later and Marinette bumped straight into her.

"Oww ~ sorry."

"No sweat girl. Now look over there. Your Prince Charming alongside-"

"Your Prince Charming?" Marinette interrupted, teasingly.

"Haha, very funny." The bespectacled girl muttered sarcastically but the blush that crept up her face spoke otherwise.

"Now remember to breathe and form proper words. You've gotten good over the years but clearly your speech techniques could use more practice. But... I wouldn't worry much about that today."

"And why's that?"

"Because you look super cute and I bet he is going to be the stuttering mess today."

Marinette just stood speechless, blushing like crazy.

"You don't think I overdid it, do you?"

"Overdo it? Are you kidding? You look super cute girl! You just need an attitude to match that amazing appearance."

They made their way to the two boys and Marinette's mouth opened in awe. To say Adrien looked devilishly handsome would be an understatement.

"Hey Alya, Marinette!" Nino greeted.

"Hey Nino!"

"Oh Hey Alya, Marinette!" Adrien greeted as well, as he looked up from his phone. As soon as he did that, his jaw dropped and his cheeks turned a faint pink.

"I-oh-you look amazing Marinette!..A-And Alya!"

Nino and Alya passed him teasing looks and he turned his head away in embarrassment.

"I guess it's time dudes! Let's get this party started!"

"It's a carnival Nino!"

"As long as we're having fun, it doesn't really matter what it's called now, does it?" Marinette piped in cheerfully.

The four of them spent the next hour or so enjoying to the fullest. Finally, they made their way to the superhero's statues where the honouring ceremony would take place.

Alya complained about having to carry the huge brown bear in her arms that Nino won for her. But Nino just shook his head, amused at her reactions. He would've almost lost, had Marinette not accidentally 'tripped' and interfered with his 'throw'.

"When will those two confess?" Adrien mumbled to Marinette who was walking beside him.

"Huh?"

He smiled and looked over to his two bickering best friends.

"Nino wouldn't stop talking about her."

"Oh? Same goes for Alya then."

They both laughed until Adrien's eyes widened and he dashed off in another direction. Marinette was thoroughly confused and just stood out there awkwardly, not sure what to do.

Ultimately deciding to just walk away, she heard footsteps approaching her from behind and her Ladybug reflexes kicked in.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! it's just me!"

Marinette hurriedly put down her extended arms which were ready to strike, before reducing in embarrassed giggles.

"Oh-I-I'm sorry."

They both chuckled lightly before the silence kicked in again. Tenderly, the blond produced an object from behind his back.

It was the cutest black kitten soft toy Marinette had ever seen.

"It's so adorable!"

"I know..and it's for you."

"F-For me?"

"Of course! An adorable cat for an adorable girl. Who knows it might even remind you of someone."

Marinette blushed profusely at his comments and hesitantly reached for the toy. It had striking bright green eyes and a ribbon around its neck with a small golden bell.

True, it did remind her of someone.

Meanwhile, Adrien hoped too that it did remind her of someone.

Suddenly he took her hand and started walking.

"Come on! We don't wanna be late!"

A few minutes later, they finally made it to an impatient Alya and hyped Nino.

"About time you guys! Where were you two goofing off to?"

"We were um-"

"Is that a cat toy dudette?"

Alya's eyes found the toy tucked under Marinette's arm and then to her and Adrien's intertwined fingers. She sent her bestie a look that clearly translated to 'I need all the deets later'.

Their short conversations were interrupted by the Mayor as he stood on the stage.

"Evening citizens of Paris. We are gathered here today to honour out superhero duo- Ladybug and Chat Noir, who have made it possible for us to enjoy ourselves like this amidst all the confusions and threats of possible villains. For the duo that ensures that each and every Parisian is safe and that there is no need to worry. So let's show them our gratitude by having the best time here at the carnival this evening and honouring them!"

'Flash' 'Flash' 'Click'

The white light and clicking of buttons was seen and heard everywhere as reporters swarmed the place and tried to take the best possible pictures for various newspapers and magazines.

"Uh sorry guys...I gotta go..umm emergency." Adrien nervously laughed before speeding off.

"Wait dude! But they are just about to arrive!"

"Uhm..I've got to go too...Mom asked me to come see her before the ceremony starts. Okay bye!"

Marinette rushed off as well, leaving Alya and Nino behind.

"Those two think that they can fool us, don't they Nino?"

"Yeah sure. We know exactly what's up with them."

—————————

The bright blue eyes followed the figure of a young woman, running to a quite deserted place.

"Such a wondrous occasion it is truly. But I'm afraid that you'll not be able to enjoy it..Ladybug."

Marinette ran to a comparatively less crowded area of the park and ducked behind the dark shadows of the trees. Opening her purse, she called out to her kwami, finally ready to mutter the magical words.

"Okay Tikki. I think it's time for Ladybug to make an appearance!"

———————-

Hello guys!

It's been what? Like a week?

I'm so sorry for my lack of activity. I had so many assessments that I could barely scrape out any time. But I promise to update soon this week.

Also it might be possible that the updates will get slower from now on because I've exhausted my fill of ore written chapters.

Anyways you guys know the drill!

Vote, comment and spread the word if you like!

See you soon(hopefully)
-belle💕