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lycorogue · 1 year

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Latest Story: Is He Loved? Is He Happy?

Holy crow! It’s been *checks notes* about HALF A YEAR since I last published anything!?! Ah, writer’s block is such a glorious thing /s

In which case, I’d really like to thank this dumb, stupid, annoying show (affectionate) for always granting me inspiration to help drag my ass back into writing. Aside from the obviously ominous ending, “Transmission” was actually a fairly happy-ended episode.

So, naturally, I had to throw a bunch of angst and Love Square shenanigans at the damn thing!

Summary: Marinette seemingly has everything she’s ever wanted. She’s again a normal girl with a normal life, and she has Adrien. However, the fact that Chat Noir - HER Chat Noir - wasn’t at the latest akuma attack is all she can think about. She never dreamed that she would lose him so entirely, and now she’s haunted by two major questions: Is he loved? Is he happy?

Rating: Everyone

Word Count: 3552

Status: completed one-shot

**SPOILER ALERT: This story is based on the season 5 episode "Transmission (The Kwamis' Choice - Part 1)"**

Continue reading below, or find this story over on AO3, on FFN, or on DA.

Is He Loved? Is He Happy?

Marinette snuggled into Adrien. The smell of his cologne, the warmth of his body, the movement of his chest as he breathed, the weight of his arm around her shoulders, the delicate way his fingers brushed against her elbow; it was all more comforting than she could imagine. The rest of the world could fall away, and she'd be content in that exact spot.

The rest of the world was Alya's problem now. Marinette hated passing the burden over to her, but she always knew Alya would make a fantastic Ladybug. She was glad Tikki thought so too. Plus, this would mean that she could still see Tikki on occasion, and she would be able to support the new Ladybug. Alya had also worn the mantle before, as well as been a superhero before that. She had her own brand of training, and she deserved the honor of being Ladybug now.

Alya also worked well with Chat Noir; as Scarabella, Rena Rouge, and even as her civilian self. They'd be a great pair, and she would make sure he still had a caring friend.

Chat Noir.

Marinette had no clue why he wasn't there to fight against Bibou, and it worried her a little. The female Chat Noir that took his place was amazing, and seemed to be on the same page as Scarabella; Marinette was grateful for that. However, it still concerned her that he wasn't there.

The last time she saw him he seemed to be alright. Sure, their hearts were broken, but they had shared a giggle and his voice seemed chipper enough. Then again, she was the one who giggled, and she was sure her voice sounded chipper as well. Yet, she then spent the next day wallowing in bed. What if the same was true about him? What if she had broken him again, but as Marinette this time instead of Ladybug? He felt so guilty about her nearly becoming akumatized, and about their kiss.

Marinette's eyes sprung open. What was she doing? She had kissed Chat Noir only two nights ago, and now she's dating Adrien? She shoved herself off of Adrien's chest.

"Marinette? Are you okay?" Adrien's voice was so gentle and warm. He had no clue how much more it hurt Marinette.

Eyes welling up, she shook her head no.

What if the new Chat Noir wasn't temporary, like when Alya first became Scarabella? Or when she was Chat Noir because she couldn't find or otherwise wear her earrings? What if this was like Catwalker? Did Marinette break Chat Noir to the point that he gave up his ring again? Her heartbreak over Chat Noir was so bad Tikki took back the earrings. What if Plagg had done the same thing, and couldn't find whomever Catwalker was in time to fight Bibou? What if, when she said goodbye to Chat Noir two nights ago, that was literally the last time she'd ever see him? She had some comfort in knowing she could still watch him via news reports, but now?

Standing up, Marinette retreated from Adrien, still shaking her head and clenching her chest to stop herself from crying.

"Marinette? Did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me about something?"

She sobbed and whipped her head side to side, violently telling him no.

"What happened? Please tell me. I want to help you."

"You can't," she squeaked.

"I'm sorry. I went too fast. I shouldn't have-"

"You did nothing wrong." Marinette choked down her sobs, but the tears finally spilled down her cheeks.

Adrien's face scrunched in concern and confusion. "I don't understand."

"I'm the one who is wrong. I'm sorry, Adrien. I'm so, so sorry."

"About what? What did you do? I don't get it."

Marinette quickly wiped her tears away and tried again to swallow the knot in her throat. "I shouldn't be with you."

"Why not? Do you not love me?"

Marinette flinched. "It's-" She took a deep breath to steady her voice, and let it back out in a shaky sigh. "Complicated."

"I'm surprisingly good with 'complicated', actually." Adrien gave her a sad little smile. "We don't have to do this though if you don't want to."

"No! No, I-"

Adrien gathered up his things and headed towards Marinette's bedroom door. "It's okay. I promise. I never wanted to push you into anything. Like I said before, I'm your friend before anything else. So, I'm here for you if you want to talk, but you don't have to. I just want you to be happy. That's all."

"Adrien."

"I'll see you in school tomorrow, Marinette."

"Adrien, wait!" She charged for him and grabbed his wrist.

He stared at it, then at her. Blushing, she released him and took a step back.

"I-" She couldn't look at him. She tucked her arms against her chest, and she looked past her shoulder. "I have wanted this – you and me – for a long time. A very long time. You do make me happy." She ventured a glance his way, and almost instantly melted at the soft look he gave her. He was always so delicate with her. Ironically, it nearly broke her that moment.

He said nothing. He didn't push. He didn't dismiss. He didn't pry. He waited patiently to see if there was more she wanted to tell him. And there was. There was so much more.

"There's someone else," she blurted. She hated this. She had already broken Chat Noir's heart so many times because she was in love with Adrien, and now she had to do the same to Adrien because she was in love with Chat Noir? She was cursed! She had to be!

"Someone-?"

"I told you. It's complicated! It will never work with him. He said so himself. I need to give him up, and I'm trying. I really am. I just-" She let out another shaky sigh. "And now you're in love with me? All these months and when I- with someone else- and now you-?" She let out a guttural yell.

Adrien was frozen at her bedroom door. Despite everything she had told him, he still gave her that same soft look with that gentle smile and heart-eyes. The look that Marinette now knew meant, "I love you so much."

"I told you I make a mess of things! I'm a walking disaster! Especially around you! I'm cursed! I warned you that I'm not allowed to be in love! No one is allowed to love me! I can't!" She dropped to her knees and buried her face.

"Hey!" Adrien dropped to the floor in front of her. "No. You need to stop. You do deserve love. Everyone does, but especially you. All you do is show your love for everyone else."

"I didn't show you."

"Hmm?"

"Months. I've felt- I was- Even now, I can't even say it! But I've felt it. I've felt it so much! And every time I tried to tell you it ended in disaster! So I tried to hide it. Because of my feelings, I was never a good friend to you."

"You're wrong!" Adrien's conviction startled Marinette into looking at him. "You and Nino have both been the best friends I could have ever asked for! You've done so much for me. More than I think I could ever tell you, actually. Whenever I've lost hope, you've always been a light for me to find it again."

"I-I have?"

"Mmhmm." He held out his hand and waited. Cautiously, Marinette rested her hand on top of his. He instantly closed his fingers around hers and gingerly massaged her knuckles with his thumb. "You are not a disaster. Things aren't as bad as you think they are. You may not be able to tell me you love me, for whatever reason, but you have shown it. I have felt loved and seen every time I'm around you."

"Adrien."

"I'm sorry this other guy hurt you by telling you that you two can't be together, but that doesn't mean you don't deserve love."

"I shouldn't have put this on you. It's not fair. I never wanted to hurt you too. I'm sorry." Marinette pulled her hand out of Adrien's and scooted away from him.

"You didn't hurt me."

"But-"

Adrien shook his head. "You confided in me. You trusted me enough to tell me. That means a lot to me, Marinette. I also get it now. Knowing why you are acting the way you are hurts me way less than wondering. So, thank you."

"I do want us to be together."

"I do too."

"But-"

"The other guy?"

Marinette nodded. "I'm sorry. I just- Alya tried to warn me that it would end in disaster. I'm just worried about him now. It's not right that I'm with you while worrying about him."

"Didn't he turn you away?"

"He did. Sorta. That's also a bit complicated."

"Even after that, you’re still worried about him?"

She nodded. "There was something preventing him from being with me. He seemed just as hurt that we couldn't be together and-" She looked up at Adrien. "And why am I telling you all of this? You don't want to hear about me and some other guy! What am I doing?"

"No, no. Please. I want to know this."

"No, you-"

"I promise I do. Adrien 'friend first' Agreste-" He pointed to himself. "Remember?"

Marinette looked towards her circular window. It was open, showing off the Notre-Dame. Standing, she walked over to the window, gazing wistfully out of it. She glanced back towards Adrien, who gave her a nod. She turned back to the window.

"When he told me goodbye that night, it almost seemed hopeful. But now? I don't think I'll ever get a chance to see him again." Marinette's voice cracked, so she cleared her throat. "I guess it's for the best. He and Alya were right. It wasn't a good idea for me to be with him. If I never see him again, maybe I can close that chapter and move on." She looked back over to Adrien, who was standing on the other side of her chaise lounge. "But I never really got closure. I'll never know if he's alright. If he's in pain. If he has friends that can be there for him. If he realizes that he's so deeply loved." She stole another quick glance in the direction she last saw Chat Noir, and sent as many good, loving vibes she could muster towards that part of Paris. Hoping he'd receive them.

"If he knows that Marinette Dupain-Cheng loves him, then he knows he's deeply loved."

Marinette laughed at the irony of Adrien's statement.

"That's the reason we couldn't be together. He didn't believe I was truly in love with him. He thought I was misreading my feelings for him. I mean, I'm here with you just over a day after he broke my heart, so I guess he might have been right." Facing her window again, Marinette plopped down on her chaise. "It sure felt like love though. I'd do anything to protect him. To see him smile. To hear him laugh. The times I could see him became the best parts of my day. He could make me laugh like no one else could. I always felt so safe around him. I was a better version of myself with him."

Adrien sat on the other side of the chaise, facing the opposite direction. "That's how I feel about you."

Marinette turned towards him with a start. Adrien played with the base of his right ring finger as he stared at his hands.

"For what it’s worth, I love the version of you that you are now. I can’t imagine a ‘better version’. I'd do anything for you, just as you are, Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

She took his right hand in hers and squeezed it. "That was my problem. I thought I'd also do anything for you, Adrien, but every attempt ended in disaster. And I'm causing one more by holding onto this flame for someone else."

"Yet again, you're wrong, Marinette. This isn't a disaster. Not for me." He squeezed her hand back. "You said this recently happened, right? Him breaking your heart? You need time to heal. I get that. I can wait. It still means the world to me that you could tell me all of this."

Adrien stood up, Marinette's hand still in his. As she twisted around to keep eye contact with him, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Everything will be alright. We can take things slow. We don't have to be together. I just need to know that you know I'm here for you. That there are so many people here for you." He knelt down to be at eye level with her again. "You are never alone. You can come to me for anything. You can tell me anything. I won't judge you. Can you trust me on that?"

Marinette nodded. "Thank you."

"I'll see you tomorrow then?"

Marinette nodded again.

Adrien gave another sad little smile and shook his head. "That other guy doesn't deserve so much of your love, but he's sure lucky he has it."

Shocked, Marinette bit back, "The other guy deserves more than my love, and I hope he finds it."

With a cockeyed grin, Adrien shook his head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

"Adrien, no. I-"

He held up a hand to stop her. "I'm fine. As long as you're okay, I'll be too."

"I did like what we had the past couple of days. It truly was all I ever wanted. I just-"

"Need to sort things out?"

Marinette nodded.

"I have you as my friend. That's all I need in life. All the rest is-" He looked dreamily at her, "an amazing bonus."

Marinette blushed as she looked away.

"I'll catch you tomorrow, Marinette."

"See you tomorrow." She gave him a sweet smile that she hoped conveyed how much she truly did love him, even if she couldn't say so yet. It was all still too much.

* * *

The next day, they were fairly low-key. They were still always beside each other whenever possible, and gave sweet looks to each other, but they didn't hold hands like they had the day before. Marinette didn't lean her head on his shoulder. Adrien didn't try to pass her love notes. The duo tried to ignore the confused looks from their classmates.

"What on earth happened?" Alya chased after Marinette as she headed home.

"What do you mean?"

"You and Adrien! You were finally together, weren't you?" She pulled Marinette close so she could whisper in her ear. "Wasn't that why Tikki brought the earrings to me?"

"I never asked Tikki to give them to you."

"I know that."

"And you know I'm here for you if you need me to. I can teach you all that I learned and-"

"Yeah, I know. I know. You sent me that long list the first time, remember? That's not the point! I thought you were giving up being you-know-who so you and Adrien could finally be together. What gives?"

"It's complicated."

"And why do I have my own Chat Noir?"

Marinette flinched, then stepped away from Alya. "I don't know. You'll have to ask Tikki or Plagg about that."

"Wait. Is the complication Chat Noir?"

Marinette walked faster.

"Hey! Wait!" Alya chased after Marinette, greeting Tom and Sabine as she followed her best friend up to her bedroom.

"Alya, please."

Alya closed Marinette's bedroom door and whipped around. "You really did love him, didn't you?"

"Alya."

"So, now that Adrien is in love with you- Chat Noir really is the complication, huh?"

Marinette flopped onto her chaise and stared at her ceiling. "I have no clue what to do! And I can't even have you check in on him to make sure he's alright because there's this new Chat Noir for some reason! Tikki! Why is there another Chat Noir?"

Tikki slowly drifted out of Alya's belt pouch. "I'm sorry, Marinette. I can't fully say. I can only tell you that Plagg thought it was for his own good. The burden was weighing on Chat Noir just as much as it was on you. We thought it was time to pass the torch to a new team."

"Was I the burden? Am I why he gave it up?"

"No, Marinette! It was for a lot of reasons, just like with you. It was so he could live a normal civilian life."

"And then I took that life from Alya."

"No way!" Alya pulled Marinette off her chaise. "Tikki asked, and I said yes because I knew it would help you out. And I have fun being a superhero. Plus, I knew I would have the world's best backup!"

"But-"

"I'm good." Alya pulled Marinette into a hug.

"Do you know if Chat Noir's okay then? Where he is?"

"Sorry, girl. Tikki can't tell me, and I don't know where Plagg is to ask him."

"I can tell you that he's doing well," Tikki added. "Plagg and I talked it over when we chose our new holders."

"Is he loved? Is he happy? Does he have support? Does he have his friends? Is he laughing? Smiling?"

Tikki shook her head. "I can't say any more. You don't have to worry about him, though. He's okay. He's loved."

Marinette deflated a touch; tension releasing her. "That's good."

"Come here." Alya pulled Marinette in for another hug, and Tikki joined in. It was only a little more than a day, but Marinette already missed Tikki's hugs.

"Okay, but, for real, did you get a chance to watch me work as Scarabella this time? How'd I do?"

Marinette chuckled. The three of them talked about Scarabella and the new female Chat Noir. Marinette gave Alya some more tips. Alya talked about her concerns with keeping Scarabella secret from Nino, and Marinette reminded Alya how she believed she had kept Rena Rouge secret from her best friend. They talked for hours until Sabine called up that dinner was ready. Alya graciously declined the offer to stay and eat, and pulled Marinette in for one last hug before heading out the door.

Marinette was pretty sure she felt Tikki's arms secretly wrap against her hip in one last hug as well.

* * *

As Marinette climbed into bed, she stared through her skylight and thought of Chat Noir. He knew who she was. He knew where she lived. He was now free of being a superhero as well. He was free to love her back, if only he knew that she truly did know and love him. He could come to her. If he really wanted to, that is.

As much as Marinette hated it, the ball was in his court. There was no way for her to find him again now. She'd give him two weeks. If he didn't come to her by then, she'd give him up and hope that Adrien would still want to be with her.

She groaned in frustration because even that plan wouldn't work. Even if he did want to be with her and remembered where she lived, it wasn't like he could simply come up to her and say, "Hello. I was Chat Noir. We kissed by the Statue of Liberty on Île aux Cygnes." How could they ever be together now?

"I've lost him. I truly lost him." She sobbed into her pillow. All those times he wanted them to tell each other who they were, and she denied him. Grand-Master Su-Han wanted her to know who Chat Noir was, and she defied him. She had so many chances to know who he was so she could now track him down and be with him, and she gave them up.

And now she didn't even have Tikki.

She brushed her ears. Feeling her empty ear lobes had become a new tick of hers since she gave up being Ladybug. Being a superhero was too much, but not being one was starting to feel heavier.

"This means you can be in love with Adrien."

Tikki's voice rang in her head. The reason the burden of Ladybug was taken off of her shoulders was, among other things, to free her so she could love. She was wasting Tikki's and Alya's gifts to her by wallowing over Chat Noir.

"You don't have to worry about him, though. He's okay. He's loved."

"Good." Marinette wiped her eyes and scooped up her phone. She had kissed Chat Noir three times. Once to save him from Dark Cupid. Once when she couldn't remember. Once as Marinette. She'd have to treasure that last one as her farewell kiss as well.

The phone only rang twice before it was picked up.

"Adrien? Hi. I- I was wondering when you'd be free to go see a movie together."

Marinette had already known heartbreak, but now she also knew the pain of missed opportunities. She was given the gift to love freely, and she wasn't going to waste it. Her heart would always have a spot for Chat Noir in it, but it was time to re-open the part once filled by Adrien.

**A/N: I have no clue where this story came from. I just know that, while watching the episode, I was confused as to why NO ONE commented on there being a new Ladybug AND a new Chat Noir (aside from Adrien mentioning something in passing). I then had this little, teeny-tiny scene in my head of Marinette confessing to Adrien that her “first kiss” was actually with Chat Noir (a scene that never actually made it to this version). The rest of this angst just exploded from there. I also wasn’t intending on having the scene with Alya or that closing scene of Marinette calling Adrien to set up a date, but the characters all decide to do their own things, and all I can do is follow where they lead me. 🤷‍♀️ Originally, I was going to have Adrien leave Marinette a note as Chat Noir to explain that he’s okay and that she should move on, but I couldn’t figure out how he would get the note to her without some long, convoluted thing which involved Alya anyway. So... just go to the source and ask Tikki. Right? Besides, the plan I had Adrien come up with would have required days/a week to set up. Considering Gabriel seemingly figured out who Scarabella and Kitty Noire are, I doubted Adrienette had that long before getting their respective Miraculous back. Anyway, thank you so much for reading! Love ya! 💖

**Please let me know if you want me to tag you on any of my writing updates**

@discoveringmiraculouswriters

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thepeachgreentea · 5 months

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I was listening to episodes of Red Panda Chronicles earlier (again) and it clicked why the love square is so good and why I am so invested in them even after all this time - it's the same reason I have listened to all the episodes for Decoder Ring Theatre multiple times. The banter and the tension, the way they have each other's backs, the way they care about each other So Much (the love and near obsession)... just *chef's kiss*

And so I started trying to figure out a Red Panda AU but there are two ways to go about it and I don't know which one is better.

Option 1 is Adrien as Red Panda and Marinette as Flying Squirrel and Option 2 is the reverse with Marinette as Red Panda and Adrien as Flying Squirrel

So, Option 1:

Adrien as the Red Panda leans into his Rich Boy background and allows him to have the opportunity to Show off his brains that we are told exist and this role lets him do the Brainy role because it is science based and he does a lot of inventing. He is also oblivious (to her feelings at least, he is aware of his own)

It would also be interesting to see Adrien in the leader and the Brain role rather than Marinette, but at the same time part of why ML is great as is is due to having Mari in that role...

ANYWAY, I would have Adrien keep the Chat Noir name and persona rather than Red Panda, and he would definitely lean more into the Animal characteristics and costuming than Panda.

Cat Eyes instead of the blank white eyeballs

He would keep the Suit, that's such a look, but would tweak it: Cat Ears on the Fedora or some type of hat that looks more like cat ears, and the colors would change - more black and green, obviously

He might keep the claws too as an extra weapon during hand-to-hand combat

It would be a little bit of whimsy for OG Adrien if RPanda Adrien had the cat boots too, but I think the practicality of not having to change boots/shoes too much when suiting up would win out

The wanting to get into crime fighting "to push back the darkness" and to make up for his family being unrepentant capitalists fits Adrien I think, especially when also looking at how Panda views his civilian persona with distaste and views his hero self as who he Actually is. Which parallels the fandom "true self" ideas for CN but I think in this case, Adrien would be separating himself from his civilian persona - especially if he had been a model at some point before he took up the hero mantle.

He would also get to travel to get all that training - detective work, Mind Powers (Hypnosis), fighting, and magic, etc

You Know Adrien would love the Hypnosis powers, this is the same kid who learned morse code at 14

Also, his civilian persona is the vacuous playboy trope, but he is constantly forgetting dates or standing them up for crime-fighting (paralleling canon Kagami relationship)

Also, the scandal in Society because he has a female driver!! what gall

Marinette as the Flying Squirrel/Kit Baxter

SO the best part of this (in my head at least) is that they start out knowing identities, because RPanda trains the Squirrel but it is still years of romantic tension because Rich Elite Billionaire "Playboy" is her boss as a civilian and also in hero work (not that they aren't Partners, but there is still more of a Hero/Sidekick dynamic) and the DENIAL is strong on both sides - and neither make a move for years until Danger and life-threatening events happen.

Back to Marinette - There is definitely an awareness of Self in both identities. I think she would be a driver but also more assistant than Kit does - Adrien might be more involved in the Family company than RPanda but only marginally so Marinette might pick that up more - especially since I am not 100% sold on her becoming a journalist like Kit does later in the series. But it might make sense for the universe and getting information later. So... undecided.

I can see her staying as Ladybug as well. But definitely merging the costumes more - the Flying Squirrel membranes could also work as Ladybug wings. But again color dynamics would need to change - there's a lot of stakeouts and hiding in the shadows so it would need to be more Stealth than a Bright Ladybug Red. Probably incorporate more black and then having red accents.

The fun part would be meshing the Flying Squirrel chaos persona with Marinette's - so the flirting and testing boundaries but also the Feral-ness when fighting: Kicking Ass, Taking Names, and Knocking out Teeth all with a laugh and a grin. But also the flying/gliding through the city. I think this would just be a very confident but feral Marinette who is aware of her self but unsure of His feelings and so is constantly trying to figure it out and what makes him tick.

Also parallels canon with the concern for her partner and wanting to make sure he's okay and just Caring So Much (at least when canon is being Good)

Also, the Flying Squirrel Hates time travel.... which definitely matches up with Maribug

The two of them are just aware of each other all the time and can read each other's minds (even if one of them technically can do that all the time with basically everyone) but also trying to sneak up on each other and surprise them.

And the banter??? Off the charts, and half of it toes the edges of flirting and the other half definitely is flirting.

Option 2:

Marinette as Billionaire Secret Hero and Resident genius -

I think this one ties into Ladybug as the leader of the miraculous team, and the Brains - the one with the Plans. It would definitely lean into her mad genius side with her booby traps, engineering, and creative side. Also all of her work as guardian and doing the spells and such.

Red Panda is often very locked down emotionally and in denial which also fits Maribug, imo. Especially in this case purposeful obliviousness to his feelings and locking down her own for him as much as possible

I am not sure how to do costumes for this one Because I think it would be hilarious if Maribug is fighting in a 3-piece suit and trenchcoat complete with a hat and if Adrichat is the one in a catsuit, because of the way that it flips the traditional costuming dynamic. But at the same time, it makes more sense for Ladybug (size and identity-wise) to have the wings and for Chat Noir to Not Have Them. So I think this would require some Mix-and-Matching. A Chat Noir catsuit but add a trench coat. And maybe something a little more Kim Possible for a Ladybug as Red Panda costume.

Marinette getting the training for the Hypnosis powers would be the hardest part I think, because of the personal calm and having to sit still for long periods of time (because canon says days at a time meditating) because Marinette is definitely not a Quiet and Calm person.

But the detective skills definitely make sense for Marinette as well as some of the other skills that Red Panda has.

Adrien as Kit Baxter/The Flying Squirrel parallels really well personality-wise - partly the chaos and showing off the physical skills (and the physique) as well as the Flirting and boundary testing. There's definitely a lot of Dare-devil personality in the both of them, and Adrichat definitely leans towards physical combat and fisticuffs which is definitely a favorite of Kit's (also just the Kit->Kitten->Chat thing, even if her name is Katya shhhhh)

I also think Adrien having Kit's career path would be a lot of fun, and he would also pick up all the training that Red Panda/Ladybug would give him really fast.

And Marinette fighting crime to improve her city and help its citizens definitely makes sense, but their backgrounds would also have to be switched to make it make sense in terms of the Red Panda universe. Her sense of justice would be really strong, and in a setting where there is pushback for being the heir to the family company and fortune (without a husband) because of her being a woman would definitely push that dynamic forward.

And Adrien as Kit suspecting her as being Pandabug that he takes a job with her (the scandal then is that she hired this driver because of his looks and everybody suspecting and gossiping about what else he does for her) and then just pretending for months that he doesn't know because Marinette would definitely still not be great at lying. Until eventually it is revealed that he knows and then works his way into being the sidekick.

But him being a Ladybug fanboy is definitely a big part of why he takes the job and wants to work for and eventually with her, let alone the reason he starts falling for her. (But also yes she's so pretty)

Other stuff:

I haven't really thought about setting (location and time) let alone villains. But I think it would definitely be more Red Panda types of magic rather than ML types, so no kwamis at least as they exist in canon. Could probably incorporate them somehow in terms of the Council of Mages and The Stranger.

If one of them doesn't become a journalist to have access to information for cases then Alya would definitely make sense - but not have her killed like Jack Peters was. So either that story line never happens or she is one of the agents who gets transferred there when something happens to a different agent.

If it is the Marinette as Kit version, then Tom would make sense for having taught her boxing (and Sabine as Kit's mom would be highly entertaining). I Do Not Know what to do with Adrien's family in option 2 because 👀👀👀 y i k e s. His family makes so much more sense for him as the Red Panda version.

Oh my god Luka as Andy Parker would make a lot of sense because he would be an agent and definitely was crushing on Ladybug/flying squirrel but I Cannot picture Luka as a cop so hmmmm

Manon as Harry "Eagle Eyes" Kelly makes a lot of sense, especially then later becoming a cub reporter (but I don't know about having Manon become the Black Eagle later that... could get messy - would definitely require some character development since there isn't a lot in canon to work with for this aspect)

I think that's all I have at this point...

#ml #red panda and flying squirrel au #love square shenanigans #admittedly Red Panda is a take on a ww2 era batman in Canada #but like its the dynamic between him and kit that is so good #i write sometimes #this is long as hell - sorry not sorry #it is also a Mess of steam of consciousness #and I am sorry for that #just throwing this out into the void

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aidanchaser · 1 year

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“Chat…” Marinette pressed her forehead against the cold glass and closed her eyes. “I want to help.”

The best that Adrien could do for an answer was reach for her. He slipped his hand out from behind the mirror.

Marinette tentatively brushed her hand against his pale, ungloved fingers. Chat Noir clung to her suddenly, desperately, like a man drowning. It hurt, but she ignored the pain.

Adrien held onto Ladybug’s hand like a lifeline. Her hands were rough and the pads of her fingers were calloused. Were he in a less desperate state, he might consider what that meant for her day-to-day life, but instead, in this moment, the only thing running through his head were the secrets his father had kept from him and the grief he had been forced to bear in isolation.

But at least Ladybug had taken his hand. He had reached for her and she had taken his hand.

~*~

Once back in the fitting room, a new problem presented itself, one Adrien had not considered. Ladybug’s kiss was still smeared on the looking glass. His heart pounded as he stared at the pale streak of her lips marring his reflection. So her brilliant red lips that he had dreamed of kissing were purely from her magic. Beneath it all she was… someone else.

He flexed his hand and remembered the feeling of her calloused finger tips. Would he ever know the truth of who she was?

The knock on the door was gentle, a suggestion more than an interruption, and Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng pushed open the door.

She curtsied deeply to him and kept her eyes on the floor. “Your Highness, I am at your service.”

~*~

He took Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng’s hand in his. Her fingertips were calloused from years of pressing needles through fabric and her hands rough.

“Also,” he said softly, “I’d like you to be there tomorrow night. I’d like to share a dance with you.”

#i should be grading but instead im writing #ml #fairy tale au #ml fairy tale au #hand holding #love square shenanigans #i just want this fic out of my veins and it keeps dragging its feet #it was supposed to be four chapters for three nights and a wedding #four chapters one for each pairing in the love square #it is now over 100K and 20 chapters and uh maybe i reached the midpoint i think

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mamawasatesttube · 10 months

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help im being indecisive again!!!! core four space adventures or timkon love square????? whats my next longfic?????? augh!!!!!

#core four space adventures will be REALLY fucking cool if i can pull it off #thats the one i Planned to do next #but love square could be so fun too...#but MAN. SPACE ADVENTURES. they will be SO FUCKING COOL.#it will feel like a star trek episode!!!!!!! if i can pull it off right #but... love square is just so. the shenanigans are compelling.#hnhggh #rimi talks

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aalissy · 1 year

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Cosplay

I had a really fun time writing this one hehehe. I love playing around with identities! This is set during s5 so if you haven’t seen it yet plz do before reading <3. It’s probably my favorite season so far haha.

AO3

“Mmm, I was thinking of cosplaying as one of the superheroes for Halloween,” Marinette said, tilting her head back to look into her boyfriend’s eyes. Adrien’s brow was slightly furrowed with concentration as he was hard at work braiding her hair.

They were currently sitting outside Place des Vosges, enjoying their small bit of free time together before Adrien’s father demanded his attention... or before any akuma attacks could steal her away.

“What do you think? Do you think I could pull off being a superhero? Maybe the snake miraculous? It does have some pretty cool powers. Don’t you think?” Marinette’s voice took on a light, teasing tone.

Her lips quirked into a hidden smirk. After all, she knew something her boyfriend didn’t. She was the one who handed him the snake miraculous allowing him to become Aspik.

Adrien couldn’t know that, though. At least... not yet. One day, after Monarch was defeated, she’d be able to tell him. For now, though it got to be her little secret.

Oddly enough, though, Adrien’s expression didn’t turn nostalgic. A strange glint entered his eyes as he paused in braiding her hair. It faded away quickly enough, though, and he resumed, leaning down to whisper in her ear.

Marinette shivered slightly, enjoying his warm breath gently brushing against her skin. God, she was so lucky.

“I don’t know, I think you’d be best suited to the mouse miraculous. What was her name again?”

She stiffened as Adrien leaned back to think. What... but... but how could he possibly know about her time as Multimouse? Hadn’t Chat been the only one who saw her? Could Adrien have been on the roof that day too?

No, that wasn’t possible. Then he would’ve seen the illusion fade away and if he saw that then he’d know for certain that she was Ladybug. If Adrien knew that wouldn’t he ask about the ladybug miraculous not the mouse?

Okay, Marinette seriously needed to gain control of her thoughts. She was spiraling.

Sucking in a deep breath to probably sputter out a nervous laugh and ask what he meant, she was stopped when Adrien leaned back in with a snap of his fingers. “Polymouse. Yeah, that was her name. I think you’d really suit Polymouse.”

Instantly, her tension faded away as she exhaled a breath of relief. She panicked for absolutely no reason. Adrien didn’t know that she was Multimouse. Her secrets were still safe.

With a shy giggle, Marinette nodded her head. “Yeah, you’re right. Cosplaying as Polymouse would be fun too.”

Adrien hummed before swinging her finished braid onto her shoulder. “Or, you could always be Ladynoire. You’ve got the hair for it right now.”

Instantly, she flushed, turning around to face him and fiddling with the braid nervously. His emerald green eyes glittered at her adoringly.

He doesn’t know. He doesn’t know, Marinette’s mind chanted constantly, trying to push down the panic that was steadily rising once again. He’s only saying something because he just braided your hair.

Now she really did sputter out a loud, forced laugh. Marinette winced at how loud it sounded even to her own ears. “Y-yeah. T-that would be fun, too. This is a lovely braid, though, Adrien. Thank you for braiding it for me.”

She hoped her voice didn’t sound as shaky as she thought it did.

“Mmm, actually you know what...,” he said, tapping his chin in thought.

Marinette tensed. This was it. If he said she actually suited Ladybug better, she’d know for certain that he knew her identity somehow. In which case she’d have to swear him to secrecy.

And also, maybe, finally indulge in those secret fantasies she had of visiting him as Ladybug at night, a dark hidden corner of her mind perked up suggestively.

She quickly shook those thoughts away. She had to focus on her secret identity first. After all, she didn’t want another Chat Blan situation. Marinette shivered uncomfortably at the thought.

Before she could start to hyperventilate, Adrien quickly drew her onto his lap, bumping his nose against hers with a laugh. “I think you could pull off any miraculous you wanted to. My wonderful, creative little fashion designer.”

She instantly buried her nose in his chest, distressed, paranoid thoughts completely gone with her boyfriend's words. She sniffled happily. “That was the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. I love you so much.”

Adrien squeezed her tighter, running his fingers along the braid he created. “I love you too, Marinette.”

Connecting their lips together, she smiled into their kiss. Slowly, she melted into her boyfriend’s touch, letting the stresses of the day fade away.

When she leaned back, Adrien beamed at her, scratching the top of her head playfully as he said, “You know, I just can’t get over the idea of you wearing cute little cat ears, though. Maybe Chat Walker would suit you better.”

She frowned, her brow creasing as once more her thoughts went into overdrive. Adrien couldn’t possibly know about Chat Walker. It had been late at night when he got his miraculous so Alya never uploaded any pictures of him on the Ladyblog. In fact, only a handful of people knew about Chat Walker so unless Adrien was a little girl named Rhythm then he had to be...

Quickly, Marinette schooled her features into a look of blank confusion. She still had to protect her secret identity. Tilting her head, she asked, “Chat Walker? Who’s that?”

Adrien blinked before scratching the back of his neck as he avoided her gaze. “He was on the Ladyblog? Wasn’t he?”

Slowly, she shook her head. “I don’t think so... Or at least, I’ve never heard of him. How do you know him?”

“Oh, er, well, you see... I, um...”

Before her boyfriend could stammer and stutter for too long, Marinette saved him by laughing. Adrien stopped instantly, looking at her with a pair of wide eyes.

As her lips quirked up into a secret, teasing smile, she leaned in, tapping his nose gently. “Adrien, are you telling me that you got to be a superhero named Chat Walker?”

All of his breath escaped him in a rush and he raised his arms up in surrender. “Yep. You got me. I got to use the cat miraculous for one day.”

“Really?” she leaned in, trying to stifle the smile that was threatening to take over her whole face. “I have so many questions! What was it like? What happened to Chat Noir?”

Adrien laughed, shaking his head. “I’m not, uh, entirely sure. Plagg, his, um, kwami came to me and asked if I would be willing to be Chat Noir for a night. I’m guessing that maybe he was sick or something. So, of course, I said yes.”

“Of course.” Marinette giggled, bobbing her head along as she finally got some insight into that night.

“And it was actually really fun, though a little stressful too.” He scratched the back of his neck and glanced away from her.

“Oh, I’m sure,” she replied, her lips twitching with amusement as she leaned in to whisper, “Though I have a confession to make too. Ladybug herself picked me to be a superhero.”

His gaze drew back to hers, an odd, almost knowing glimmer present in his eyes before it faded away as quickly as it had appeared. Adrien gasped, leaning in as well until their noses were almost pressed together. “Really?” he whispered.

“Mhm,” Marinette hummed. “Remember how you said I could pull off a Polymouse cosplay? Well, you were really close. I actually became a different superheroine called Multimouse.”

“You did, did you?” Adrien asked, a smirk on his face. “I bet you looked absolutely adorable.”

Flipping around, she snuggled her way into Adrien’s arms. Leaning back against his chest, she sighed with contentment. “I really was. If only we got to see each other as superheroes.”

“Yeah, if only,” he said, nuzzling his chin onto her head.

Wow, that night made so much more sense now. No wonder she had been so instantly drawn to Chat Walker that she couldn’t concentrate. He was Adrien! The love of her life. Marinette couldn’t wait to tell him the whole truth someday.

Unable to stop herself from laughing, she heard Adrien shift above her. “What are you laughing at?”

“Oh, nothing.” Marinette waved him off. “Just imagining you with little cat ears. I bet you looked adorable too.”

He chuckled, nuzzling her head once more as he nodded.

As they sat there, wrapped up in each other's arms, Marinette couldn't help but feel a wave of relief overcome her. She was definitely going to dress up as Multimouse for Halloween and, perhaps, she could convince Adrien to go as Chat Walker. It really would be lovely to see him again.

#miraculous #miraculous ladybug #adrinetteapril2023 #adrienetteapril2023 #adrinetteapril #ml #mlb #ml s5 spoilers #adrinette #adrienette #identity reveals #identity shenanigans #reveal #love square #established relationship

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weebiewrites · 9 months

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If you genuinely like Miraculous for the “superheroes” and the miraculous “lore” you have brainrot sorry not sorry

#astruc’s world building is literal dogshit bro I’m here for identity angst and love square shenanigans #ml salt #thomas astruc salt

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t4tadrienette · 9 months

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By the way not a fan of the "movie was better" crowd because, you can't compare them, the movie took all the storyline that was from s1 and a bit from s2 I guess plus an identity reveal and put it all in an 1 hour and 42 minutes movie and it wasn't really that balanced

#honestly it would have been better if they took the love square shenanigans further and instead they packed too mucb #much*#especially after i saw they planned on a sequel which is eh #awakening spoilers #miraculous posting

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spittyfishy · 1 year

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An ancient blorbo makes a surprise appearance! I spent a great deal of Monday rewatching miraculous (en français too) so now I’ve got a bunch of my old faves on the brain lol

#she’s an era 1 blorbo #which doesn’t make sense to anyone but my bff and I #Chloé has been my fav since the tenth grade #she’s the worst it’s great #she peaked in season 1 tho I will say that #miraculous ladybug art #miraculous ladybug #chloé bourgeois #I need to get caught up with the show #but I’m scared lol #I’m really just there for akumas and class shenanigans #I don’t care about the love square At All #but from what I’ve heard the current season is JUST love square and agrest drama so blarg

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jennagrinsoverml · 2 years

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Hi! I’m new to the fandom and your fic rec lists have been so so useful. I was wondering if you have any for general love square identity shenanigans? I live for dramatic irony and these idiots having 0.5 brain cells

Ahhhh yes. I live for the identity shenanigans! (I often tag these identity porn, but that term seems to have fallen out of usage.) Honestly, the hardest part of this ask was whittling the list down haha. I just had too many fics! Yeah, you want identity shenanigans??? I gotchu 😘

The Wrath of a Gentle Man by @mckinlily

Nino catches Chat Noir kissing Marinette. It does not go well.

One-shot. Man, I love when characters catch the post-reveal love square "cheating" on each other! It's just so ridiculous and funny. Bonus points to this one for having Nino call Chat a slut before it was cool (not in those words lol).

This can't be happening by @amiraculousplatypus

Ladybug is unsure whether accompanying Adrien to a gala as his not-date is the best or worst thing that has ever happened to her. But when their table-mates turn out to be none other than her long time friends Alya and Nino and with Adrien acting weirder and weirder she finds herself with bigger worries than an unrequited crush.

Multi-chapter. This one is so hilarious and the disaster!Marinette energy here is off the charts! She's so in love with Adrien, while so terrified that he, Alya or Nino will figure her out, that she's just a complete and utter mess and I love her for it. The identity shenanigans are truly off the charts. (It does have some issues with weird spacing that did impact my reading, so just be forewarned if that really bothers you, but I found it well worth the read despite that.)

this love is a tangled web by @bugabisous

When Ladybug and Chat Noir decided that they should switch things around with their temporary miraculous holders in order to throw Hawkmoth off, they couldn’t have predicted the tangled web they would weave.

Series. This series is so much fun! Chat and Ladybug redistribute the miraculouses after Miracle Queen and we get a fun Snekmouse like dynamic between Dragon!Adrien and Snake!Marinette. Plus there’s some multichat content early on, which is a nice precursor to the way Adrien falls for Marinette in this new dynamic. Absolutely great identity shenanigans in this one.

i just came to say hello by a_miiraculer and @clairelutra

In which Nino finds out his best bro is in love with Ladybug, and jumps the Ladynoir and Adrienette ships for Ladrien summarily.

Adrien is flustered, Alya takes personal offense, and Marinette finally sees her chance to hit that.

What could possibly go wrong?

(abandoned/indefinite hiatus, sorry >.<)

Multichapter. Okay, yes, this is an abandoned WIP. But. But! What’s already there is so, so good that it’s still worth reading even if you’re nervous at the prospect of reading a WIP. Like, this is everything I look for in Ladrien with both of them being so in love and so stupid and nervous and it’s so funny!!!! And, as you can imagine with Alya and Nino fighting over which ship to advance, the identity shenanigans are amazing.

lost in translation by @fictionalinfinity

“What do you mean I can’t be Ladybug anymore?”

“I’m sorry, Marinette. With Hawkmoth at large, it’s simply too dangerous for the Miracle Box and the Ladybug Miraculous to be in the same place. If something were to happen...”

In which Marinette has to give up the Ladybug Miraculous, and decides Adrien Agreste is the perfect choice for the new holder.

One-shot. This fic has the BEST identity shenanigans!! Poor Adrien, getting completely blindsided by not just having his partner suddenly retire, but having the earrings suddenly dumped on him. Marinette’s so upset that he doesn’t want them, and Adrien’s so panicked about being asked to take on a role that he can’t possibly fulfill and it’s just amazing.

Shellter Chat by @bridgetinerabbit

A peek inside Adrien's school bag gives Nino some very unexpected insight as to what makes his good friend tick, but leaves him in a very delicate position. He never expected to strike a deal with the Kwami of Destruction, but now he and Plagg are working together to relieve some of Adrien's (and Chat Noir's) burdens for his own good. But being Adrien's guardian angel isn't as easy as it seems; other secret identities start falling apart, and there's no telling where the falling dominoes will stop.

Multi-chapter. My favourite thing about this fic is the dramatic irony of no one realizing that Marinette is Ladybug while they’re all juggling their secret identities and knowledge of same. This fic is so, so good and I’m underselling it because I don’t want to spoil it, but seriously I loved it so much.

rumour has it by @settledownsummer

When Alya reveals to the class that Marinette kissed Chat Noir, Adrien is very confused. Why would Marinette lie about kissing him? He decides to take matters into his own hands, and make the rumour a reality.

One-shot. This is set sometime in season 4 and it’s sweet and hilarious. Because of course Adrien hears, and he KNOWS he and Marinette have never kissed, but it’s not like Marinette to lie. So, he wants to help her out. And it’s hilarious and in character and so much fun!!

what terrible timing by @miabrown007

Alya has always considered herself a ride or die Adrienette stan. But when the boy only started to bombard Marinette with soft looks after he started to date none other than Ladybug… Well, Alya would recognize a two-timer if she ever saw one.

Luckily though, Ladybug was very much capable of taking the matter into her own hands.

One-shot. This is top tier identity ridiculousness. The love square got together as ladrien and, after an identity reveal, want to be able to be together in their regular lives. So they stage a very public break up. It’s all told through Alya’s POV and it’s just. So ridiculous. I love it.

The Unintended Consequences of Being a Superhero's Boyfriend by @karkalicious769

"Adrien Agreste, is it true that you're Chat Noir?"

The world fell out from under him.

"The two of you do look remarkably similar." A second microphone was shoved into Adrien's hands and he took it instinctively. "And what do you have to say about the footage that showed Chat Noir going to your home after a successful akuma battle?"

"Yes, Chat Noir did come to my house. But not because we're the same person. See, ah—" His tongue stuck in his throat. And then, either by good luck or bad, Adrien thought of Ladybug. "We're dating!"

Or — With his back against the wall and his secret identity about to be revealed, Adrien blurts out the first thing that comes to his mind. Now, he has to manage the consequences.

Multi-chapter. And now for the king of identity shenanigans, some adrichat! Except the whole thing is really well thought out and non-crack. It’s well-developed and once I started reading I was literally incapable of stopping. Highly recommend (and yes, this fic is love square.)

Change of Plan by alvares715

Now that Adrien is dating Kagami, Marinette decides that she needs to move on. And she stumbles upon the perfect person to move on to.

Set after season three.

Multi-chapter. God they’re just. So stupid. Ladybug finally decides to give Chat a chance now that she thinks Adrien is dating Kagami, and it leads to all kinds of shenanigans. Especially because Alya finds it awfully sus that two of her friends just happen to have significant others she’s never heard of or met or even seen a picture of before hahaha. They’re just so ridiculous and dramatic! I had so much fun reading this!

Save You a Seat by @miabrown007

Alya once read that you should invite random celebrities to your wedding — with the more than likely assumption that they won’t attend, only send you a card and an overpriced coffee machine.

Luckily, the chances of Hawkmoth’s son reading his mail and showing up to the event are microscopic. Marinette will be busy enough trying to get to know the boy behind Chat Noir’s mask — if he does decide to come — she doesn’t need to worry about being able to look Adrien Agreste in the eyes.

One-shot. And now for something completely different, a fic where Adrien never went to school so they don’t know each other. So, needless to say, things are a little awkward when Adrien shows up to Nino and Alya’s wedding...

#miraculous ladybug #ml fanfic #ml fic #ml fic rec #ml fic recs #identity shenanigans #ml love square #ml lovesquare #ladynoir #marichat #ladrien #adrienette #adrinette #fic rec #jennarecsml #adrichat

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overworkedunderwhelmed · 1 year

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The Rules of Engagement

Chapter 5 Teaser

New chapter will be up in about 5-6 hours.

#ml fanfiction #miraculous ladybug #ml love square #ladynoir #chat noir #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #business proposal au #mostly in setup but there we go #aged up au #identity shenanigans

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lycorogue · 1 year

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How did a scene where Ladybug and Chat Noir both confess their love (as well as explain WHY they love the other) turn out to be angsty and bittersweet?

Guess I need to finish this damn WIP so you fine folks can find out. 😉

#ML #Miraculous Ladybug #writing #writing things #LycoRogue writing #Seduce with Caution #WIP #WIP tease #Ladybug #Chat Noir #Cat Noir #love confessions #Love Square shenanigans #I'm not getting very far during NaNo #but I'm still hoping to get enough momentum to finish this story by spring #people please bully me into finishing this damn project #😭#LycoRogue original

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inimoo · 1 year

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me when the love square flips instead of becoming a stupidly elaborate somehow polyamarous relationship with only two people: 😪😪😓😱😱😟😔😣😖🧎🏽‍♀️🧎🏽‍♀️

#no don’t give me communication give me stupid shenanigans 😓😓#adrinette #miraculous ladybug #miraculous #adrien agreste #chat noir #marinette dupain cheng #cat noir #marinette #ladybug #miraculous fanart #adrien #LADYNOIR #marichat #love square #ml spoilers #ml season 5 spoilers

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slumlordrising · 11 months

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I just remembered that in my last dnd campaign, my character basically had plot armor. His name was slimer, and he was a bard. I didn't give him any overpowered traits, items, etc. He could not die. Every single time he "died" and it was time for me to do saving throws, he lived. Every. Single. Time. I rolled 3 nat20s IN A ROW. It's funny because I wanted him to die, so I could switch him out for my other character. [I made GLaDOS and I wanted to test her out]

#dnd stuff #dungeons and dungeons #dnd shenanigans #dnd character #slimer was also my “fur”sona #i say that because he did not have fur #he is made of slime and he's a shark #i was very clever when i named him #he also loves ghostbusters #basically john egbert as a shark #HE EVEN HAS SQUARE GLASSES OMG I JUST REALISED #i did not do that intentionally

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safyresky · 2 months

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Hello, hey, dropping in with a query.

Since CS has officially concluded (congrats by the way!) I wanna ask about your own interpretation of Mother Nature.

She is absolutely my girl, I adore her, queen, but I wanna know how exactly she fits into the CS world structure. How does she keep looking so young when everyone else ages normally? What was her relationship to Mother Gaia? What kind of magical creature is she and was mother Gaia also the same kind? How does she fit into the government structure? HOW IS SHE SO TALL???

Idk, she's been on my mind a lot and I'm assuming we'll know a bit more about all that at some point but I can't wait that long lol

Thank you!! You know, it's so funny, bc while I was oot and aboot yesterday/Friday I was like "I can take a breather from writing, just focus on other things--" and not 24 hours later I had the Into the Shadows plotting doc open, as I finally figured out what happens in Chapter 7 🫠🫠

I WILL NEVER KNOW PEACE! But what can I say, I love this world and I love writing. Shit's FUN

ANYWAY. YOUR QUERY MY GOOD FRIEND. I COME WITH ANSWERS IN POINT FORM NOTES

It's all kinda rough tbh??? More like scattery thoughts if anything but HERE YOU GO! HAVE SOME CS LORE!

Okay okay so Mother Gaia was essentially the personification of ALL nature, and as such, could wield all Nature :) She looks like a sprite, tho, and for all intents and purposes would call herself a sprite--same with Mother Nature

This also checks out bc in CS, sprites are specifically fae who can control weather/nature/the elements! :)

Gaia was the Goddess's connection to the people, and got a little lonely when the Goddess was like "everyone is safe, things are going well, take it easy, Gaia!" so, she created a companion. A fellow personification of nature that she named Tara, who could do everything she could do

The Goddess gave her a light life, which is like a little ball of life that brings things to life (I am soo creative at naming things I swear) and Gaia used it to give Tara, well. life!

So, Mother Gaia was in all senses of the word, Mother Nature's Mother! Tara called her Mother and meant it in all the ways :)

Gaia trained her, raised her, loved her very very much and eventually started training her to take her own place one day

And that day came faster than expected for Tara when Mother Gaia fucking SNAPPED mid fae war and scorched the land to stop the fighting, in a stretch that has since NEVER GROWN BACK. It's known as the scar. Autumn lives close to it in modern-day CS.

Once that happened, Gaia was like APPALLED. She'd been just as bad as the fae fighting over who was best, using her powers for what she wasn't meant to use her powers for: hurting the Earth

She was beside herself; went to go talk to the Goddess and was gone for DAYS. All the fighting stopped, tho!

Then she and the Goddess came up with Rosehaven and the Call, and Gaia went with the old fae during the Call, leaving Tara to be the Next Mother Gaia

And she chose the title Mother Nature and here we are!

SO. In modern day CS, she is: the connection to the goddess for the magibeans, if they need her to be; guards the magic of creation/life/balance??? (a system I'm still trying to figure out lol, I'll have to dig up those notes at some point), and heads the Council with Father Time.

She's on the Assembly because when it was formed NOBODY felt right not having her on there, so she's kind of like. She's the approver of decisions lol. She lets them do their thing but if they ever come to an impasse they turn to her, and her word is essentially law

That's sort of why when the Twin Princes were born she was called to choose who'd rule next! Well, Gaia was, but Gaia left the decision to Tara as they were at That Point in training: POLITICS. If magibeans had an issue that couldn't be solved amongst themselves OR by the royals, MN/MG would be called upon and what she'd say, GOES

Which left for a lot of last minute swerves bc Gaia was clever and MN is just as clever. See: that story about the two people fighting over the chicken???? I forget what it was, anyway, the person presiding went CUT IT IN HALF and one was like okay cool! And the other was like SOB NO MY CHICKEN and the person deciding was like GOT EM LOL. That sorta shit.

In the event of an emergency, Mother Nature and the CS Governor (so Blaise since this mans just can't seem to lose an election, and he has TRIED some years) become de facto co-rulers and both have to agree on decisions before acting on them. This would be like. In a nasty war or like. end of the world circumstance kinda thing

SO YEAH SHE'S BASICALLY JUST THE HEAD BITCH IN CHARGE. KEEPS MOTHER FUCKERS IN LINE. WILL TELL PEOPLE IF WHAT THEY WANNA DO IS STUPID. ALSO, CONTROLS ALL NATURE AND KEEPS THE SEASONS GOING AND THE LIKE.

Why is she so young looking compared to everyone else? Well, if you asked her, she'd say you're only as old as you feel and offer no explanation. In terms of height, she'd look at you quizzically and go "Why not?" and that'd be her answer

this is Dani for "bc she can choose how to present herself and that's how she chooses too!"

kinda like Steven's gem reacting to his mindset sort of thing.

and also, tall Mother Nature just fucking SLAPS. She SHOULD be tall as FUCK! I subscribe to that! I LOVE tall MN. EVERYONE looks up to her--quite literally!

Except for like giants and trolls and other very tall magibeans and folklore creatures and the like 🤭🤭🤭

Hopefully I got all your questions! Thank you for asking! I LOVE thinking of early CS lore, it's so FUN and Mother Nature is one of my FAVES. I get so ragey in tsc fics where's she's written as a HUGE MEANER, super angry, etc etc and even borderline villain? GOD. I JUST. SHE'S A BADASS AND VERY SWEET AND EVERYONE FORGETS THE SWEET BIT!!! SHE WAS SO KIND TO SANTA AND THE OTHER LEGENDS IN THE MOVIES AND EVEN WHEN JACK WAS JACKING ABOUT, SHE WAS GENTLY CHIDING HIM!!!!!!! FUCK MAN! I'M GONNA EXPLODE JUST THINKING OF BAD MN CHARACTERIZATION! AH!

Please excuse the rant and uh, enjoy the heckin answer 😅😅😅

#dani answers #alpharra #cs lore #ask box shenanigans #crystal springs #and i GUESS i'll tag it as #tsc #as well. but not the full tag; this is way more cs lore than it is fanlore tbh lol #there's also two types of sprites! seasonal sprites and elemental sprites #the seasons and the frosts are all seasonal sprites--they have the whole entire season at their fingertips #elemental sprites are more like benders--can manipulate water or ice or fire or rocks/earth or make plants grow #i've got a lot going on in this big ol world i've found myself in lmao #ANYWAY THANK YOU FOR THE ASK!! I LOVE ASKS! ASKS ARE MY FAVOURITE! ESPECIALLY ONES THAT DETAIL ALL THE LORE FOR CS!!#CS ADJACENT ASKS IN GENERAL! AH!#i actually have a lil story planned that's about half (re) written that introduces the call and light lifes and how the seasons came to be #maybe I'll square it up and post it this summer!! :)#long post #sorry for the lack of read more i didn't know where it would best fit without breaking up the text #APOLOGIES TO YOUR DASHES

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