i i

Chat Noir released his transformation in an alley, a street down from Le Grand Paris.

"Keep it calm, casual." Adrien narrowed his eyes at his kwami.

"You're the last person I would like to get advice from. I can keep up the rouse. Can you?" Plagg tutted.

"Of course I can." He huffed, crossing his arms. Adrien smirked.

"How much camembert do you want to bet that you're going to lose it first?" Plagg's ears twitched and his tail swished mischievously.

"Oh, so you want to play kid? Two wheels." Adrien rose an eyebrow.

"Mini?" Plagg smirked.

"Whole." Adrien chuckled.

"You're really betting on this, aren't you?"

"Do we have a deal?"

"Deal." Plagg zipped into Adrien's shirt and Adrien began to walk to Le Grand Paris.

Adrien was greeted warmly by the front desk receptionist, she mentioned that his party was waiting for him upstairs. Adrien nodded and started to head towards the elevator, when a voice caught his attention.

"Adrien?" Marinette was coming down the staircase.

"Marinette." Adrien changed his course and they met at the bottom of the staircase. She was quick to wrap her arms around Adrien and sighed in relief.

"I'm so glad you're okay. I was worried sick." Adrien gave a soft smile, holding her close.

"Sorry." He ran his fingers through her hair. "I guess I've been overstressed." She hummed softly, pulling away. She looked him over, and if Adrien hadn't been told that he was in some crazy, alternate universe, he would have thought she was checking him out.

"You need a break. Maybe I can convince Papa to give us a day off." It made Adrien shiver on how she addressed his – their? – father. Did they have a close relationship? How was Adrien's relationship with his father in this world?

"That would be nice." He murmured. She examined his face before smiling softly.

"Let's go. Everyone's waiting. She linked her arm around his and she motioned to the stairs.

Le Grand Paris had its Bourgeois grandeur that never changed. As Marinette and Adrien entered the dining room, a blond and a brunette rose from their chairs.

"Adrikins!"

"Mari!" The two waved them over before they started bickering childishly. The two of them joined the round table they were sitting at, large enough for the five of them. Alya sat between Chloé and Nino, Marinette took the seat besides Chloé, leaving Adrien to sit between Marinette and Nino.

"We hope you're feeling better." Chloé spoke up while Alya tsked.

"What about 'don't talk about it' did you not understand?" Alya asked. Chloé huffed while Marinette sighed.

"Oh whatever, you can't deny you weren't all as worried as I was." Chloé eyed Nino.

"Well, she's not wrong." Nino admitted.

"Ha!" Chloé smiled smugly and Alya pouted with a huff.

"Hey, you're supposed to be on my side." Alya whined, mock punching her girlfriend.

"I'm sorry I worried you all. I promise, I'm okay." Adrien smiled.

"Don't you flash that model smile at us." Chloé shot from across the table.

"You guys, leave him alone, would ya?" Marinette huffed and Adrien chuckled, guilty.

"You caught me." Adrien rose his hands in defeat.

"It's not like we're your closest friends, or anything." Chloé mumbled sarcastically.

"It's nothing, really." Chloé gave a nonbelieving hum before lunch was brought.

Everyone ate, socializing between themselves. It seemed like Alya and Marinette are friends with Chloé, although Alya just seems to tolerate her. Chloé didn't seem to be a pain this time around. Where was Sabrina?

Lunch went on and over, Chloé giving all of them a ride back to the school. He was welcomed back with open arms and several questions.

"I assume you will not be having more sudden, middle of the school day photo shoots, correct?" Professor Bustier questioned, her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"No, no ma'am." He bowed his head in apology.

A normal school day. It was... All so normal. Yet it wasn't?

Chloé didn't make any snide remarks at Marinette. Occasionally she would at Alya, but it was only in a joking manner. Alya seemed to tolerate Chloé more, often retorting her comments, sharing laughs. Nino seemed to be a part of that as well, but he appeared to keep to himself and out of Chloé's way.

"Marinette, Adrikins, will we be able to hang out today?" Chloé asked as they all packed their things as the final bell rang.

"Unfortunately, we can't. Papa scheduled us for a shoot and we both have to be there." Marinette slipped her back on; it wasn't the usual pink it had been.

"Bummer." Alya sighed.

"Being an Agreste is never easy." Chloé added. Adrien chuckled.

"You're not wrong." He put his own back over his shoulder, Marinette hooking herself to his arm. "Maybe we can get together another day?" They nodded.

"If not, I can always convince Papa to give us a day off." Marinette spoke up.

"Those exist?" Adrien asked, mostly in a serious manner, but in a joking tone.

"Well no, but I can probably convince him to let us off for an afternoon."

"I thought so." They laughed.

"See you tomorrow!" The group said their goodbyes as they split for their separate destinations. Adrien slid in after Marinette, Marinette leaning on his shoulder while they rode.

"Tired?" Adrien asked, only loud enough so she could hear. She glanced up at him, sighing softly.

"Yeah, I guess? Maybe it was the early morning, but I felt really sore. Body aches, especially one of my arms." She rubbed at her right arm – the same arm Chat Noir had previously injured. Post-world change pain?

Adrien wrapped his arm around her, rubbing her arm gently. "Are you feeling better?" She nods.

"Yes, after breakfast, the pain settled down. That and I forgot about it once Papa had me showing the designs." She laid her head on his chest.

"And how did that go?"

"Very well, actually. Papa said he was proud and that the other designers wanted in. I heard that they want to schedule us for something in the upcoming month." Adrien hummed and they remained in a comfortable silence until they arrived at location of the shoot, La Seine.