(Wasn't planning on doing one, but I love you guys too much to say no, but don't get your hopes up folks, still no Adrienette 😅)

The sky is overcast with dark clouds today, looking gloomy and dull...

A black car stopped in front of the Carlton Hotel and Marinette stepped out of it. She hasn't changed in these years, even a bit, save for the fact that the lines around her have become deeper. Training for several years for being a Guardian of the Miraculouses had their advantages after all.

She was in a simple white cotton dress and her long hair was loosely curled. Her look was neither gaudy nor lavish, it was simple, yet fully capable of withstanding any scrutiny.

A tall boy was seen getting out of the car, and taking her heavy bags from her, smiling comfortingly at her concern. His messy black hair blew in the wind and partially shielded his dark blue eyes. It wasn't like her bluebell eyes nor his father's sky blue but a darker shade, unique in its own way.

Etiénne.

He was quickly followed by a girl who nearly fell out of the vehicle as she tripped over herself. He caught her quickly and the trio breathed out a sigh of relief at the same time. Do I need to introduce her?

The teenager's hair was up in a ponytail and her startling blue eyes were darting around, taking everything in. Her beautiful features, paired with her bright red dress quickly made her the center of attention on the street.

The three of them walked to the door where they were greeted by an ecstatic Alix, "Hey, you three! Hurry upstairs to the first room on the left. Everyone's waiting for you there. "

Marinette nodded, returning the smile as they made their way upstairs. She didn't know why, but she felt an unplacable sense of unease bubbling up inside of her. It was a feeling she hadn't had in a very long time.

Truth be told, Marinette rarely attended these high-school reunions.

It wasn't that she was unsociable, or she thought she was too good for them. Only that, she was always out in business or training secretly. Maybe... just maybe, she also wanted to avoid a special someone...

Marinette hasn't been exactly single in the past years. She had gone on dates set up by her friends, and often was asked out herself as well. She had tried to feel something for them, but she couldn't help but look for those familiar emerald eyes, the bright smile and his blonde hair in the crowd as she walked idly on the streets.

The only reason she was attending today, was because Mme. Bustier had personally asked her to come today. According to what she knew, their teacher had moved to Australia a few years back with her family. Suddenly, this time, she told that she will come at this reunion and that she wanted Marinette to be present.

Besides, that person had been missing for seven years. There's no way that he will show up at this reunion, right? Assuring herself, Marinette tried hard to suppress her unease.

The trio walked in the room, pushing through the door. Hearing the door open, everyone looked over at the entrance and saw her smiling.

"Hey, girl! I'm so glad you could make it today!" Alya was the first to walk up to her and greet the three excitedly.

Marinette was just about to hug her when a deep voice that was all too familiar to her floated from across the room, "Long time no see, Mari."

Her entire body went numb and her brain blanked out...

Everyone became quiet, looking at the both of them closely. Although not revealed all the details, they were very shocked when their dream couple broke up abruptly 7 years ago.
Her eyes shot up to see Mme. Bustier sitting on a chair, whose hair was now greying, and standing beside their teacher was... Him?

The man who disappeared 7 years ago, the man who used to be an integral part of her life...it was like a dream for him to appear in front of her like this, giving her no time to prepare herself.

Marinette was completely unresponsive. Her gaze was unmoved and lingered on him.

Adrien stared back at her, his green eyes filled with warmth. It had been ages since he last saw her, and she hadn't changed. Her bluebell eyes still held the fire he fell in love with.

Honestly, he wasn't angry with her. He deserved it, very much so.

After she had broken up with him, Paris had felt like a cage to him. Their memories lingered at every corner and it was impossible to not hurt.

Therefore, he had resigned from his job and packed his bags. Not informing anyone, he had quietly moved to Canada where he did his doctorate in literature. He had settled down there when Mme.Bustier had asked him to fly over to Paris for their reunion.

Recovering from her initial shock, Ames ran towards him and jumped into his arms, bursting out in tears loudly. Adrien patted her back comfortingly.

"Handsome Adri, where have you been all these years? Did you know that Mommy was waiting for you all these years? "

Another wave of silence rolled through the crowd.

Marinette coughed awkwardly, "Ahem... Aimée, what nonsense are you babbling? "

Before the girl could retort, Adrien smiled at a flushed Marinette, "Never mind. I know. "

The smile calmed her heart down a little and slowly, everyone started chatting happily with each other, the awkward silence between the two having disappeared into thin air.

The youngsters jogged off somewhere else together, laughing and chuckling, leaving the adults to fully enjoy themselves without holding back.

After a while, Marinette received a call from the headquarters. She needed to go up to the office right now. There was a problem with a shipment.

Excusing herself, she walked out of the hotel, after being assured by Alya that she'll drop off the twins to their house later.

It had started raining. She took out the black umbrella that she had carried with her for 20 years or so.
That black umbrella...

The umbrella that made her fall in love with Adrien the first time. That umbrella that had so many memories attached with it. So many feelings...

As much as she tried, she could never forget that look on his face when he had given it to her.

Both of them had met over a simple misunderstanding. She had thought that he was just like Chloé when he was only trying to help her.

It was raining the next day. She hadn't brought an umbrella and was simply waiting for the rain to stop, so that she could go home. Adrien had slowly explained everything to her, not blaming Chloé either, just explaining himself. He had turned around and had held his umbrella out to him, himself soaking in the rain. She was astounded by his kindness, the electrifying gleam of his eyes making her knees go weak. She had seen something in his eyes...

Something that made her fall in love that instant.

She had stood dumbly there. He hadn't complained either, simply holding his umbrella out, heavy raindrops soaking him wet.

Matinette had gathered all of her courage and had reached her hand out to take it. Their hands touched and it was as if an electric current went through both of them. Adrien had given it to her, making sure to not touch her hand again.

It was probably because she was super nervous, that she closed the umbrella on herself by mistake. Adrien had burst into laughter and she has joined him in few reluctant giggles.

It was only after he had left, that she realised that her stuttering had returned.

And she knew that she was in love.

"Marinette? You're leaving too? " A surprised voice called out to her.

The bluenette searched for the source of the sound. Adrien stood at a distance from her, leaning against the wall, looking at her with curious eyes.

She laughed shakily, "Um... Yeah, I got a call from the office. It's kinda urgent. "

"Oh. " Adrien took out his hands from his pockets and walked over to her, not looking at her quite.

"It seems like the rain is not stopping anytime soon. Better not waste your time. Okay? "

His caring tone brought up all those feelings buried deep in her heart.
She convinced herself, 'No, I shouldn't feel this. This thing is going to end only one way, and that's not a happy one. Marinette, control yourself. '

Adrien spoke up again, "Marinette... you know you don't have to feel awkward around me... I love you and that's my problem. I know that you don't. You shouldn't avoid things because of me. Okay? "

Marinette smiled a little and glanced at him, "I didn't-"

Cutting herself off, she breathed exasperatedly, as if trying to force her words back inside.

The blonde smiled sadly, before looking at his feet.

No one said anything for a while.

Marinette opened her umbrella and was about to walk away, before she abruptly turned around and held her hand out, her eyes alive with laughter, "I believe this belongs to you?"

Adrien couldn't speak. She kept it! For 20 years?

Marinette waved her free hand before him, "Hey! Stop zoning out! "

Adrien jolted back into reality and took the umbrella, a smile on his face, "Thank you."

"Uh, you gave it to me like two decades ago, so it's technically yours. But still, welcome."

An umbrella returned and the feelings reversed...

A flash of camera startled the two of them. They looked at the crowd before them, shrieks audible from it, "Oh my god! It's Adrien Agreste! "

"He had disappeared for so many years! "

"He's still so handsome! " A girl shouted.

Adrien and Marinette exchanged mischievous glances. He whispered, "Let's run away, shall we, m'lady? "

Marinette was a little worried, "But, where? I mean, we are-"

Adrien took out something from his pocket that made her gasp in surprise.

The blonde winked, "Nothing can go wrong! I have my Marinette lucky charm, after all. "

"Let's do this. " Her eyes glinted wickedly.

Adrien took her hand and ran away, the crowd of people following them quickly.

The both of them lost their entourage after a while and entered a small alley.

They looked at each other, bursting out laughing, panting heavily and their colour still high from the exertion.

Marinette kicked a puddle, spraying water onto his face. They quickly got engaged into a water fight and their dynamic slowly turned into more or less normal.

"How is Plagg? "

"He is good. He misses you very much, you know. Drop by our house tomorrow. All four of us can have dinner together! " Marinette's head buzzed with a great idea.

He nodded, "Sure. "

They quickly got lost into a fervent conversation again like old friends.
Friends... A seven letter word that redefines everything. It shapes the dreams, and sharpens the future. But at the same time, it takes away something extremely precious, the possibility of what could have been.
But both of them knew what would happen if they tried to act upon their feelings.

Pain that would tear them apart again and this time, they may not recover...

The idea of going to the office disappeared from her mind as she chatted with him. However, a call interrupted them and she had to pick it up.

"Sorry. Gotta go. You'll come tomorrow night?"

"Y-Yeah, obviously. "

Marinette bid him bye and rushed off. Adrien looked at his hand that had held hers a few minutes ago. He felt warm and mushy inside.

At least, they were friends, right? He was happy as it is...

Trying to ignore his feelings is going to be hard, but it was worth it to be by her side again.

The lonely figure started to walk towards the hotel, his head hung low, and his hands in his pockets, humming a soft tune.

Although sad, he had no regrets for coming back from Canada without telling anyone and bailing on his first lecture as secretary of the International Literature Conference held today.

For his lady, it was all worth it....
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A/N- Soooooo, you guys wanted an epilogue and here it is! It isn't exactly a happy ending but according to me, they'll be friends again, just not lovers.
And also, I may or may not write a sequel about the future miraculous holders. If I write a sequel, it'll probably be like four to five months later because I am planning to write another book right now, NOT MLB. So, I'm sorry if you were expecting another fanfic from me.
Stay pawsome!! 🐾