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"I'm exhausted." Marinette sighed as she plopped down on Adrien's bed. He turned in his chair, looking over at her from his desk.

"How goes it?"

Marinette rolled in his bed, groaning. "Well, there's like, five contestants left and papa wants me to choose the semi-finalists."

"That's good, isn't it?" She sat up in his bed, holding a pillow against her chest.

"I mean, yeah, it's great, but I'm terrified. What if I make the wrong choice?" Adrien scoffed.

"I don't think you've noticed, but when it comes to designing, you go into this 'trance'," he motioned with air quotes. "And it's like you're a whole different person." She looked up from her pillow.

"You really think so?" Adrien nodded.

"I've known you since..." How long have they been 'family' for? "Forever - do you think I wouldn't notice that quality about my own sister?" She remained silent.

"Well," she mumbled after a while. "I guess you're right." Adrien chuckled softly and turned back to his desktop.

"You guess correctly."

Alya, always the tech-savvy and creative sport, had created the . He would have to admit - it was a little cool to have a blog dedicated solely to him.

At first, it was posts about Papillon's announcement, a couple posts of Chat Noir being spotted around the city, and its most recent posts consisted of the most recent akuma attacks and appearances, which have taken place since Adrien arrived at this new world.

Ever since Sparkle came along, Alya let out the theory that Chat Noir is a misunderstood character and that he could actually be a good guy. Of course, he was the good guy, he just had to prove himself. Still, many rejected the idea and supported Papillon. Alya's blog received a lot of hate as of late, but that never stopped her (or those new views). Maybe he would have to reach out to her for assistance.

School has gone back to 'normal', Chloé being her... usual self. Whatever that was in this world. Many lectures flew by, with plenty of drama from Chloé and Alya's bickering, Marinette trying to cease their bickering, meanwhile Nino and Adrien stood on the sidelines.

"All I want is peace." Marinette sighed quietly. "Is that so much to ask for?" She rubbed her temples gently and put her head down on the table.

Alya and Chloé's relationship was a strange one, to say the least, but that wasn't the only thing that had changed within this world. If Adrien remembered correctly, his classmate Rose Lavillant's red strings were tied with a boy named Ali, but it was different in this world.

"Marinette!" Rose burst through the library doors, where Marinette was trying to get in some time to catch up on studying. Marinette only flinched at the sound of her name being called and she sighed internally as the bubbly blonde flew her way. "Guess what, guess what, guess what!" She jumped in front of the dark-haired female. Marinette couldn't help her soft chuckle as she shushed her gently.

"Rose, we're in the library," As if on cue, loud shushes came from around the library. Rose cowered slightly and she giggled quietly. "What is it?" Marinette asked after the blonde settled.

"I found the end of my red string!" She whisper shouted. Marinette's face brightened in whichever manner her tired face could.

"Oh? Who's the lucky guy?" Rose brought her hands to her mouth to contain her giggles, before waving a hand.

"Juleka Couffaine." She smiled and Marinette's jaw dropped. She knew that the two of them were friends since long ago, the two of them being an odd duo. A bubbly sweet blonde, with a goth styled, shy, raven-haired girl with a purple streak.

Nevertheless, she couldn't be happier for Rose. The blonde plopped down beside Marinette, sighing dreamily.

"Oh Marinette, who knew that my best friend would be the end of my red string?" Marinette watched as Rose curled in finger around a lock of her hair, before breaking into another storm of giggles. "Don't worry Mari, I'm sure your red string will come up soon. Maybe somewhere where you least expect it!" Marinette chuckled softly.

"Trust me, no worries there." She waved her hand dismissively. "I'm in no hurry." She chuckled.

Once the night rolled around, Chat Noir paid a visit to the Dupain-Cheng bakery. Plagg was quite the eager one and dropped the transformation once they stepped foot inside.

"Plagg!" The kitten paid no mind to his master, zipping across the room and nuzzling into Sabine's cheek as she chuckled.

"Oh, hello dear." She cupped the little creature to her cheek. "I've brought some camembert with me this time, would you like some?"

"You're the best mama, thank you." He purred against her cheek and Adrien rolled his eyes.

"Weren't you the one who was doubting whether she was trustworthy?" He stepped closer to Sabine, watching Plagg zip towards the platter of sweets and smelly treats she had prepared.

"Keep quiet!" Plagg hissed.

"Oh, settle down boys." Sabine shushed them, pulling Adrien down into a hug. "You two are like bickering children."

"Adrien is the child, I'm like a thousand years old." Plagg commented and Sabine sent him a pointed look that made his tail tuck between his legs.

"You may be a thousand years wise, but you have the personality of a spoiled five year old." She shook her head as Plagg snickered, swallowing a wedge of cheese whole. "I'm glad to see you again Adrien, how is everything?"

Visiting Sabine had become an infrequent thing, since Adrien has suddenly become occupied with his current life. Sabine's main concern was Marinette, of course, while Adrien enjoyed the motherly affection he received; they both benefitted from the visits.

This particular night consisted much of recounting the tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir, their romance and the cruel start to their new beginning. It was emotional rollercoaster for the two of them, a lot of sorrow coming from Sabine and resent from Adrien. Plagg was curled up, napping in Sabine's lap throughout the whole story, his tail twitching as Adrien's anger bubbled.

Their feelings eventually settled and Sabine warned that it was growing late and that Adrien should start heading home soon. "Adrien," Sabine wrapped a couple croissants for him to take with him. "The Dupain-Cheng household is also your home. You are always welcome here." Adrien, now transformed into Chat Noir, nodded.

"Thank you, mama." She nodded, handing him the wrapped bread. She took his gloved hand in her own, looking down at the ring.

"If ever you or Marinette find yourselves in trouble, do remember that you two are always welcome to find solace here, okay?" He couldn't help the smile that crossed his lips.

"Thanks again, Mama." He pulled her into a hug. She smiled and patted his back lovingly. "I'll come visit soon, okay?" She smiled.

"Have a good night then." She turned the lights off and Chat slinked into the night.

A week later, it was the end of the dreaded Agreste fashion project and Marinette was nearly at the point where she was going to pull her hair out.

"The finalist! He wants me to choose the winner!" She paced Adrien's room once more. "I already struggled enough with having to choose two out of the five, and now he wants me to go and choose the winner?" She pushed her hair back, nearly pulling it as she did.