Alright, this is the end of Skipping Beats.

Thank you guys for reading this fluffy piece! I feel it could've been funnier and better planned but it's been a story that's just been kinda... dragging. For me anyway. I'm happy was I able to see it completed in general.

Chat breathed in deep, wincing as he shuffled in his black boots. He could hear them, giggling and murmuring from where they sat near the stage. His audience. The crowd he was about to wow. Or should be able to wow.

...He should not be nervous. He's put a show on before when modeling for his father's new line. He's been before many, many people.

This shouldn't be any different.

Only that it was.

Modeling didn't involve moving, didn't involve acting, didn't involve talking and playing a role with others.

It involved standing still, poising just right, and holding an air that demanded attention. He was about to put on a show, his first acting gig; and he was working with two others that were far more experienced and...

He was nervous.

What if he forgets his lines?

What if he stumbled?

What if the kids didn't enjoy it?

What if-

"If it's too much you can skip out," Jagged Stone voices, coming up beside him, dressed as Guitar Villain. The foe he and Mari-Ladybug were going to fight in their little show for the children's hospital.

"S-skip out?" he choked out, wide eyed as he turned to the rockstar.

Guitar Villain met his gaze, raising a brow. "You're wound up like a real cat," he said, "and ready to bolt at any moment. If you're this nervous, you can just sit it out."

"I'll be fine," Chat reassured, waving his claws. "I want to do this." He wanted to be on stage with her, to put on the show, to be apart of the fun that perked these kids up.

Eyeing him with a hum, he startled Chat when he informed him, "Back in New York, before I was Jagged Stone, I didn't live in a pretty neighborhood. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Across the street from my home was the Dupain-Cheng bakery. I met these guys because they lived so close, and because Skipping Stone came when I needed her too."

Chat blinked in surprise. "She did?"

Guitar Villain nodded. "You see, I was about to play at my first public spot, and I was a nervous wreck. I could barely practice, it was like my fingers forgot how to pluck and play the strings. Thought I was going to do horribly and that nobody would like my songs. And then, lo and behold, guess who came stomping across the street towards me."

"Marinette?"

"Yep. She was about... six years old, determined, and ready to fight. Though of course, just as she reached me, she tripped on the side walk and fell at my feet." The rockstar chuckled at the memory, eyes gleaming. Grinning, he continued, "And she hopped back up like it was nothing. She gave me a real mean look, waved a little finger, and she told me, 'You play bad today'."

Chat gaped.

It never clicked in his head that someone would tell the Jagged Stone that he was playing badly.

He didn't event think it was possible.

Guitar Villain laughed. "Yep, she came over to tell me what's what, gave me a little kick to get going. She said she would only accept the best if anyone was going to play music on that old street."

Shaking his head fondly, the rockstar finished, "I returned her home and next thing I knew I wound up adopted. Sabby said I was too skinny and shoved cookies into my hand, Tommy was a huge guitar nerd and wanted to hear all the tunes I could play. And little Skipping Stone, she sat across from me and, very harshly, critiqued what I was wearing and declared that she was going to dress me right."

Shooting Chat a look, the rockstar said, "I was kinda nervous when Tom clapped my shoulder and said I was in good hands. Turns out he was right."

"So that's how you wound up her uncle?" Chat asked.

"Yep. She kicked me into gear, led me home, and started calling me Uncle Jag a bit out of nowhere. We've all been pretty tight after that."

Chat smiled, a little amused, a little endeared by the tale.

"It'll be fine."

"Hm?"

"You nervous, just let Skipping Stone kick you into gear."

"Who do I need to kick into gear?"

They both turned, seeing the first debut of Ladybug, as Marinette called the heroine.

Adrien's heart fluttered at the costume.

The design over all was simple and cute. A red jumpsuit littered with black spots. A true ladybug before him.

She looked good in red.

She looked real good in red.

Flashing them both a shy smile, she asked, "How do I look?" It was the first time she revealed the costume to them. Only to raise a weary brow when Chat Noir just stood there smiling.

Leaning over, Guitar Villain cued in, "Utterly adorable and great!" He gave the blond a hard jab, earning a sheepish yelp before he hurriedly echoed the rockstar.

"Very great!" Chat reassured, blushing.

Marinette shared it, smiling slightly.

"Well," Guitar Villain voiced after a while, "I'm going to go check on Penny, see if we're ready."

"K," Ladybug bid, coming near Chat as Guitar Villain slipped by. Turning to him, she grinned. "Ready to put on a show?"

"Over all," Chat bid, shuffling on his feet and sparing a glance at the curtain that hid them.

"Nervous?" she guessed.

He cracked a smile. "That obvious?"

"You're first gig," she put in. "Well, acting gig." She bumped her shoulder with his. "It'll be fun though. Stuff like this always has fun energy to it. And the kids always have fun. They don't care if you make a little mistake here and there." Chat pursed his lips. Ladybug gave him another nudge, grinning playfully. "Just follow my lead Mon Minou," she implored, snapping his green eyes to her.

He grinned cheekily as he returned, "Very well My Lady."

As Penny signaled that the show was starting in five, the two hurried off to their places, their gloved hands bouncing off each other in shy brushes.

"I am the Guitar Villain! And I'm going to make this world rock!"

As Jagged Stone's voice bellowed out, loud and proud, they dashed out, cheeky grins on their faces as they slid out on stage, ready to play out this fight.

They were very pleased to hear afterwards it how well it played out. Particularly the teamwork of Ladybug and Chat Noir; it had felt entirely natural.

Ignoring the odd looks the Gorilla kept sending him, Adrien stretched about as he slowly made his way to his room, entirely satisfied with how that play went. He and Marinette were amazing, their teamwork felt natural, and Jagged Stone was fun to work with.

And the kids loved it.

It took about an hour to get all the autographs signed, and both had huge long lines of excited little fans.

The cutest fans that Adrien ever had the pleasure of having.

It was fun and satisfying and Adrien wouldn't mind doing such work again.

Especially with Marinette.

He didn't even have to fret about his lines. The banter between them came so naturally.

That was really a lot of fun.

Adrien grinned.

Nothing could spoil this great mood he was in-

"Adrien, what are you wearing?"

Well maybe there was one thing...

Turning to his father in surprise, Adrien stiffened as he realized he was still dressed as Chat Noir.

So that's why the Gorilla kept giving him strange looks.

That made sense now.

"Costume," he uttered bluntly, blushing a little as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I, I was helping with play." He posed dramatically, flashing his father a coy smile. "I played the devious and handsome Chat Noir!"

Raising a brow, Gabriel didn't comment as he approached, reaching for him.

Adrien offered him a claw.

Gabriel took his hand, rolling the glove about, feeling it and eyeing the make.

"Where'd you get the costume?" his father asked.

"My friend made it."

"Your friend?"

"Yes! Marinette! You haven't met her yet."

Humming, he surprised Adrien when he comments. "Perhaps I should."

A big open mouth smile spread over Adrien's lips as he beamed at his father. "She'd be delighted," he whispered-screamed.

Gabriel raised a brow at Adrien's reaction, but just nodded. "Bring her by sometime," he bid, "I'd like to see more of her work."

It took all of Adrien's self control not bounce in place as he beamed after his father.

This was great!

"Oh, and Adrien."

He paused, turning to his father, wide eyed and expectant.

"Nathalie has brought it to my attention that, that it would be ideal for you to go to school, meet with others your own age. You'll be starting this fall. I expect good grades."

Adrien gaped at him.

Satisfied, Gabriel left, leaving his son alone to process this.

Adrien snapped open his cell and called the first person he could think of.

"Hello?" Marinette yawned into the speaker.

"Mari oh my God," he rushed out, buzzing with energy.

This day was just getting better and better.

And to add, Nathalie was very startled and flustered when Adrien ambushed her with hugs and spewing thankful shouts the instant he saw her.

"It's all so exciting!" Adrien gushed, trembling from all the energy filling him. "We're going to the same school! We're starting in the same year! You think we're going end up in the same classes?!"

"Maybe," Marinette bid, grinning as she took a bite of her ice cream.

A small celebration for Adrien going to school.

"It's a real good maybe that we will, but if not; I'm sure we'll be seeing each other around," Marinette continued.

"And, I know where you live," Adrien added, "if I don't see you, I can always drop by!"

"And I'll have sweets ready for you," Marinette promised.

"What would I do without you?" he wondered aloud.

"Be sweet deprived."

"Which is unfurtionate, beclaws I have such a huge sweet tooth."

"My god, I regret making that suit for you."

"You do not."

"...Do I?"

"Aw but Bugaboo..."

Jagged Stone called from across the room from where he was lounging on the couch, "You guys are grossing me out."

"Shut up Uncle Jag!" Marinette snapped, red faced.

Adrien just grinned. Focusing on his bowel, he tilted it, using his spoon to catch the sides of the ice cream. "So where do you want to go tomorrow?" he asked absently. "I thought about movies, or the park, or-"

Marinette gave him an odd look. "We're going somewhere?"

He blinked at her. "Yeah, we-" he cut himself, stiffening as he realized. He squeaked, "I forgot to ask you..."

"Ask me?"

He set his bowel to the side, hiding his red cheeks. "Oh Dieu," he whispered. He completely forgot to ask.

Jagged sat up slowly, peeking at the two with a big grin. Adrien shrunk down under that grin. "About time!" the rockstar crowed, hopping up and dishing out his cell.

Marinette stared at him oddly.

Adrien uttered something unintelligible beside her. "What was that?" she asked. What was going on?

Adrien's hand moved to rub the back of his neck as he looked away as he stuttered out, "Date."

"Date," Marinette repeated.

"I-I wanted t-to see if you'd g-go on a d-date with me, Buginette."

Blinking at him, she uttered, "Oh." Then her eyes blew wide with realization. "Oh. Oh." Her face exploded red. "M-me?!"

"Yeah!"

"Oh wow, I, I yeah. Yes! I'd, I'd love too-"

"Hey Penn! Guess who just won the bet?!" Jagged exploded from across the room, catching the two teens' attention.

"B-bet?!" Marinette repeated with a loud squeak, gaping at her adopted uncle.

Jagged paused, met his niece's gape and rushed out, "Give me a minute, I gotta go. Don't you dare spill this news to Tommy and Sabby without me, I swear-"

Marinette gaped after him.

Adrien stared, a little amused and embarrassed. Turning to her with a grin, he lightly teased, "So, I guess I already got the family approval?"

Marinette pursed her lips, cheeks red.

Sliding closer to her side, Adrien gave her a light boop, bumping his nose against her brow. Surprised, Marinette shook her head with a small giggle, then shyly returned it, tapping her nose against his; turning both their cheeks red. Just as Adrien started to tilt his head just so, a loud rumble tore the two apart.

"Fang!" Marinette squealed, chortling as the croc tackled them, grinning toothily as he laid out on them, orange eyes gleaming.

"Don't do that again," Adrien pleaded, hand on his chest. It's been about three weeks now and the croc still could startle him.

As the crocodile rumbled above in good humor, Marinette grinned. She wiggled closer to the blond and gave his cheek a peck, her smile growing as his cheeks flared red, his eyes widening in surprise. "Excuse me Minou," she bid, "I have an uncle to beat up." Nobody got away making bets about her love life. Easily she slid out from under the croc, leaving the blond to struggle after her.

"W-wait!" Adrien called, trying to push the reptile off of him. "I wasn't ready! My Lady!"

First day of school, Adrien could not stop smiling.

As the front rows were all claimed, Adrien quickly claimed the two seats in the second row, closest to the door. He and Buginette were lucky enough to share almost all their classes together, and he was determined to sit next to her all school year.

He just had to make sure that he snagged her the minute she slipped in.

"Adrien?!"

Well that wasn't who he was looking for.

"Hey Chloe," he greeted with a small smile.

"You're at school!" the blonde gushed, hopping up to grab him. "Why didn't you tell me you'd be attending here?! Why are you sitting by yourself? Don't worry, I'll be here to keep you company and-"

"Actually this seat's already taken," Adrien cut in, nodding to the empty seat beside him. He turned his gaze back to the door, expectant.

Chloe frowned at him. "Taken?" she said, "Taken by who-"

"Buginette!" Adrien cried, waving excitedly to her as she came in.

Marinette gave him a sleepy smile before coming up and slipping into the empty chair beside. "Morning Minou," she yawned, leaning on his shoulder.

Chloe drew away, gaping down at them. "What is this?!" she demanded, drawing the two's eyes to her.

"Hey Chloe it's been a while," Marinette greeted.

"What is this?!" she repeated, waving her hand wildly to them.

Raising a brow to her, Adrien said, "This is my girlfriend Marinette. Don't you know this?"

Chloe gaped down at him.

Adrien peered back, puzzled.

Marinette yawned, and asked absently, "Did you maybe forget to tell her we're dating?"

Chloe made a slight sound beside their desk.

Adrien hummed. "I could've sworn I did, right after our first date."

There was another strangled sound in the air.

"By looks of it, I don't think you did. I think you're a couple of weeks overdue."

Chloe stumbled down in her seat, gaping at them as Sabrina frantically waved a magazine for air.

Adrien for his part blinked in surprise, then turned to Chloe sheepishly. "Oh, uh, oops. Uh, Chlo, this is my girlfriend Marinette... you ok?"

Chloe had to go home early that day.

Again, thank you everyone for reading!