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flightfoot · 3 years

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Perspective From Another Timeline

Thanks to my betas @steelblaidd and Izzybusy!

I ADORE @buggachat new Bakery Enemies AU. This idea just kept on swirling through my head, I had to write it! This is set between parts 13 and 14, so after Adrien meets Alya and Nino but before Marinette starts sympathizing with him. AO3

---------

“You okay?”

Alya shook her head, trying to clear it. “I’ll be fine. I’ve weathered worse than that - we both have.”

Nino grinned at her. “True that.”

Alya smiled at him fondly, remembering Heroes Day. It was a bittersweet memory, with her having been turned against Nino and them both being akumatized.

But they had fought to protect each other as best they could. She’d seen Prime Queen’s footage, how Carapace had struggled to get her to fight against Dark Cupid’s magic, how he’d only given into despair after she’d given into akumatization.

“What did that blast do to us?” Nino wondered. “Everyone else the akuma blasted just disappeared. Why’re we still here?”

Alya’s brow furrowed. “I dunno… hold on, let me check to see whether any new info on the akuma’s been uploaded.”

Pulling out her phone, she tapped on the Akuma News Alert app.

An error message popped up, telling her that she had no internet connection.

Puzzled, Alya checked her phone’s other settings.

No wifi - no wifi even recognized, much less connectable - no cell service, no connection to the outside world at all.

She glanced over at Nino. “Hey, you got any signal?”

Taking out his own phone, he quickly checked his connection. He shook his head. “Not a single bar.”

Frowning, Alya looked around. “Maybe all the cell towers were taken out?”

Everything looked intact though, no sign of any destruction at all.

Something else caught Alya’s eye. “Hey Nino, what time should it be?”

Nino blinked. “Well I mean lunch just started so it should be a little past noon-”

He glanced around, noticing the long shadows and the pinkish-orange of the evening sky.

“-which it clearly is not anymore,” he concluded.

Great. “Guess Ladybug and Chat Noir must’ve taken a while to defeat the akuma,” she said, putting her phone away. “Hopefully my parents aren’t too worried. They like me to text them just after an akuma attack, but right now…?” she gestured to her pocket.

“My folks aren’t as worried,” Nino said. “But they still expect me back home before the sun goes down. They’ll be getting nervous soon.”

Alya let out a small sigh. “So much for playing Super Penguino together.”

“Hmmm…” Nino’s eyes gleamed. “You know… it’s not night just yet. And I’m sure my parents would understand if I was a few minutes late because I grabbed a bite to eat.”

Grabbed a bite to eat? What was Nino hinting at…?

Alya looked around at their location more closely.

Wait… that blast seemed to have carried them to that one park, the one near-

Alya grinned. “I think my parents will forgive me for not calling in if I bring them fresh-baked treats from the best bakery in Paris.”

---

*ring ring*

The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the store.

Instantly Alya felt her shoulders loosen up, releasing tension she didn’t even know she’d had. There was just something so warm and comforting about the bakery.

Of course, a lot of that was due to the people running it. Good luck finding more friendly, caring people than Marinette’s parents. Sabine often checked up on anyone who seemed to be struggling or upset (and ready to protect them if they were - Alya had seen the video of the time a TV crew decided to invade Marinette’s privacy), and Tom was basically a giant teddy bear in human form.

But neither of them were manning the counter today.

Instead a young woman stared back at them.

A very familiar-looking young woman.

“Marinette?” Alya asked cautiously.

The woman stared at her for a minute. “Alya?” she finally asked. “What happened to you?” She paled. “Did a new supervillain attack? Is that why you and Nino are younger?”

Huh. Weirdly scared reaction from Marinette. They’d all gotten used to supervillains by now. She’d expect an older Marinette to take them in stride even more than the current Marinette.

Hm… an older Marinette, a different time of day, and Marinette not seeming to know about the latest akuma attack?

“Marinette… what year is it?”

Marinette blinked for a moment. Her eyes widened.

Seemed Marinette understood what she was getting at.

She told Alya the date.

Her hunch was right. “We’re in the future,” Alya breathed.

A wicked grin slowly spread over her face.

Five years was a long time. A lot of things could have happened. A lot of information could’ve come to light.

Like Hawkmoth’s identity.

Or more information on the Miraculous.

But most importantly right now-

She leaned in close to Marinette, making sure to keep her voice down, just in case someone else was around in the back. “So did you ever get together with a certain blond-haired, green-eyed model?”

“Uh… what?” Marinette asked, looking puzzled.

Alya snapped her fingers. “Adrien. Did you and Adrien finally get together? Ooooh, if you did you’ve GOTTA tell me how the confession went! Or, no, wait, don’t tell me, I want to get the deets at the time. Just let me know how long I’ve got to wait, girl!”

Marinette just stared at her, slack-jawed. “Adrien… like ADRIEN AGRESTE?!” she said, her volume rising with every word.

Alya’s eyebrows flew up. “Um… yes…?”

She’d thought that Marinette would be glowing about finally getting together with her crush, or dejected about still not being able to spit out what she wanted to say to him, downcast over him rejecting her, or maybe even infuriated because he mistreated her and they subsequently broke up.

(The last one was VERY unlikely though. After the Felix debacle, she’d learned to have a bit more faith in Adrien’s good nature.)

Shock at the concept of dating him? Not something she’d anticipated.

Footsteps echoed from behind Marinette.

So one of Marinette’s parents must’ve been in the back-

Adrien popped his head around the corner.

Seemed both he AND Marinette had aged well.

Not that Adrien looked all that different. Taller, definitely, maybe with slightly messier hair and… were those earrings? They looked good on him.

“Hey dude!” Nino waved at his best friend. “What’s up?”

“Uh…” Adrien said, scratching the back of his neck.

“WOW those outfits really take the years off, huh?” Marinette said loudly, shoving them out the door. “Make you look smaller than usual. Well we better go talk about plans later okaybye-”

She promptly slammed the door behind them, physically pushing them away from the bakery.

After Marinette had dragged them a good distance away, Alya finally got over her shock, turning around and glaring at her. “What was that about?!” she asked Marinette indignantly, hands on her hips. “You know me, I wasn’t going to spill anything to him. That’s why I was talking so quietly! Why’d you have to do that?!”

Nino frowned, seeming more concerned than annoyed. “Adrien looked really hurt by that. Not cool.”

“There’s nothing to spill!” Marinette protested, gesticulating wildly. “I only met him for the first time two days ago!”

*record scratch*

Two-

Two DAYS ago?!

Ok, hold up.

“Adrien joined our collège class the day after I did! He sits in front of you in class! What’re you TALKING about?!”

“Uh… no…?” Marinette tilted her head to the side, befuddled. “I think I would remember that, even if it was a few years back.”

Alya let out a bark of laughter. “Yeah, no kidding. He would be uh, difficult for you to forget. Heck, even if your memory was erased, you’ve got so much stuff revolving around him, I couldn’t see that lasting long.”

Marinette blushed. “Why do you think I have a crush on him?! He’s HAWKMOTH’S SON!”

“WHAT?!” Alya and Nino yelled in unison.

“Ladybug and Chat Noir defeated Hawkmoth a couple years ago,” Marinette explained, pulling out her phone.

A moment later she held it up, showing a blog post from the Ladyblog.

Oooh, that’s a nice graphical design. I’ll have to look into updating my site, Alya thought.

Turning her attention to the picture, she squinted. “Hey, can you enlarge the photo?” She asked.

Marinette complied, enlarging it and turning her phone sideways, letting it fill the entire screen.

Gabriel Agreste being led away in handcuffs by the police, with Ladybug and Chat Noir in the background. Ladybug looked satisfied, with maybe a twinge of melancholy, but Chat Noir…

He stared vacantly ahead, seemingly not focused on anyone or anything, a smile on his face - but the most forced one she’d ever seen.

“What’s wrong with Chat Noir?”

Marinette frowned, looking troubled. “I don’t know. He seemed really, really upset when Hawkmoth was defeated. It was a tough battle, bad enough that neither of them have returned since, but that doesn’t explain why-”

She trailed off, lost in thought.

A moment later she looked up, meeting Alya’s eyes.

Immediately she waved her hands around, trying to ward off… something. “I- I mean, that’s what I read on the Ladyblog and what I could piece together from video footage, it’s not like I was there, NOPE. I was huddled in my room the entire time. Not like I have any insight into what Chat Noir was acting like during the battle, not beyond what any other civilian would know! That would be ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!” she let out a few forced guffaws.

Alya’s eyebrows flew up.

O...Kay…?

Maybe Marinette had been following Ladybug and Chat Noir during the final battle and hadn’t wanted anyone to know? She’d wondered whether Marinette might have a thing for Chat Noir, but her crush on Adrien dwarfed any feelings she might have had for him. Plus it’s not like Marinette would actually know Chat Noir, unlike Adrien.

Thinking about Adrien…

“He must’ve been devastated,” she murmured. Marinette looked at her questioningly. “Adrien, I mean,” Alya clarified. “Having your father turn out to be a terrorist? I can’t even imagine.”

Marinette buried her face in her hands. “Not you TOO,” she said, her voice muffled.

Nino slowly started edging his way behind Marinette.

“What’s your problem with Adrien?” Alya asked. “Did he do something?”

Marinette glanced away. “Not… exactly… I just… I’m afraid that it might all be an act. That he might’ve been helping Hawkmoth secretly, and… and even if he wasn’t before, that he might just be biding his time, waiting until he figures out who Ladybug and Chat Noir and then BAM!” she slammed her fist down on her other hand. “He takes them out, steals all the Miraculous, frees his father and rules Paris FOREVER!”

Alya reached out towards Marinette tentatively. She collapsed into Alya’s arms.

Hugging her tightly, she sang a soft nonsense song, rubbing small circles in Marinette’s back.

She’d done this a few other times since she’d met Marinette, though she’d never thought she’d do it underneath these circumstances.

Whatever these circumstances actually were.

Did everyone have amnesia or…?

“Do you have any big memory gaps?” Alya asked once Marinette’s breathing had calmed down. “Especially from five years ago?”

Marinette shook her head.

She’d shelve that theory for now then. More likely it was…

“An alternate timeline, huh?” Alya said.

Marinette looked up at her questioningly.

“That’s what I think this is,” Alya explained. “I WAS thinking that maybe there’d been some sort of mass amnesia, but if you don’t have any memory gaps - and trust me girl, with how involved you were with Adrien, there WOULD be memory gaps - that seems unlikely. I’m betting this is some sort of alternate universe, one where Adrien never got to go to school.”

“I still don’t get why you think there’s something between me and Adrien!” Marinette said. “I mean sure, he’s pretty, but did I really fall for him just for that?”

Alya shook her head. “Actually, you hated him at first. Chloe’d been bragging about how he was her friend, and with that on top of you catching him trying to remove the gum Chloe’d planted on your seat and mistaking it for him PLANTING the gum… well… both of us just assumed he was a spoiled rich bully, just like Chloe. Luckily that turned out not to be the case.”

“How’d that misunderstanding get cleared up?” Marinette asked. “And how did your Marinette jump from that to crushing on him?”

Alya grinned. Marinette had ranted about this moment to her SO. MANY. TIMES.

“School let out later that day. It was raining and Marinette had forgotten her umbrella, so she hung back a moment, long enough for Adrien to approach her. At first she looked away from him, not wanting to acknowledge his greeting. But then he told you - told her I mean - that he hadn’t done it, promised that he’d just been trying to take it off with such sincerity that she had no choice but to believe it. He opened up to her, even though she’d been shunning him just moments ago. And finally he gave her his umbrella, just because he could. Because it was the kind thing to do. She’s been a goner ever since.”

The Marinette in her arms looked away. “I can see why she might have developed a crush on him. But I still dunno whether I trust him.”

“I don’t know whether I have anything that could convince you on that,” Alya admitted, “especially since this is probably a different timeline, and for all I know he could be evil here. Just make sure that you’re judging him on his own merits, okay? Not who he’s associated with. Not his fault he has so many crappy people in his life.”

“I’ll… take it under consideration,” Marinette said reluctantly.

Marinette looked from side to side. “Where’d Nino go?”

“Oh, he snuck back into the bakery several minutes ago.”

“WHAT?!”

---

Nino opened the door to the bakery, letting out a small sigh of relief. He really wanted to check in on his best friend, and judging by Marinette’s behavior, she wasn’t exactly keen on him or Alya chatting with Adrien.

Thinking back on what he’d just heard, he frowned.

He wished he could say that he’d never have suspected that Gabriel was Hawkmoth.

That he didn’t think Adrien’s old man could ever be capable of such evil.

But he knew better.

The guy threatened to withdraw Adrien from school and isolate him from everyone else at the drop of a hat, paid little attention to his son when he was at home, and was a very negative influence on his life in general. He might have been grieving, but… so was Adrien. He needed the only parent he had left.

And instead Gabriel had chosen to respond by becoming a supervillain and terrorizing Paris, endangering his own son in the process.

He really wished he’d gotten to hit Hawkmoth with his turtle shield more. At least he got to relish the smack he got in.

“You’re back!”

Nino looked towards the voice.

Adrien walked closer to him, a tentative grin on his face. “I didn’t think you’d return so soon!”

“I had to come back to talk to my best friend,” Nino said.

“Best friend?” Adrien asked, blank-faced.

Oh, right. According to Marinette, Adrien hadn’t joined their class. She hadn’t even met Adrien until recently.

Had some sort of memory-wiping akuma attacked? Wouldn’t have been the first time.

“Do you know who I am?” Nino asked, pointing at himself.

Adrien rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh… well I know you’re friends with the Ladyblogger and Marinette, and… sorry, that’s it.”

He looked really apologetic, like a dog who’d ripped up a bunch of toilet paper and acted guilty about it once caught.

Hm. If it had been a memory-erasing akuma, maybe he could jog Adrien’s memory…?

And even if it wasn’t, he wanted to let Adrien know that someplace, somewhere, people cared about him. If Marinette’s reaction to him was any indication, he’d need that reassurance. Being looked at with suspicion, having people run from you just because of who your dad was, thinking that you might’ve been involved in his crimes… he couldn’t imagine.

“You joined our class the day after Hawkmoth first attacked,” Nino told him, pulling out his phone.

Adrien shook his head, looking confused. “Uh… no? I wanted to, I REALLY wanted to go to school, but Father-”

He cut himself off, looking away.

“Marinette said the same thing,” Nino told him. “That you hadn’t enrolled in our class, that she’d only met you recently. I don't know what that’s about, whether everyone’s memories were wiped, or an akuma messed with the past, or what.”

Come on, come on, where was it- ah!

He clicked on a photo, one taken a few months ago, holding his phone up so his friend could get a better look.

Adrien squinted for a moment. His eyes widened. “That’s-!”

Nino nodded. “Our class photo. The official one, anyway.” He chuckled. “I liked our unofficial ones better.” Swiping to the side, he showed the new ones the class had taken at the park.

Adrien’s jaw dropped more with every new photo. He let out an involuntary bark of laughter at the one of himself, Nino, Kim, and Juleka posing. “I- I always wanted to mess around like that at photoshoots,” Adrien said. His voice trembled slightly. “But I wouldn’t be able to get away with it. And that’s mostly fun when you can share it with friends, at least share the picture, and I- I couldn’t. Chloe wouldn’t have appreciated it, and L-”

He cut himself off, shaking his head.

“Luka?” Nino asked.

He didn’t know why Adrien would know Luka and not anybody else, but he seemed the most likely option.

“Uh…” Adrien scratched the back of his neck, looking away.

Hm, he’d have to see if he had- ah!

“You played in Kitty Section too, with Luka, Rose, Ivan, and Juleka.” Nino explained, clicking on the video.

Adrien’s hands shook as Nino handed him the phone, watching the mini-concert.

“I- I was allowed to- I got to-” Adrien’s voice quavered.

“Not at first.” Nino grimaced, remembering how bummed Adrien had sounded when he called him. “Your old man said that Agrestes were soloists, and that we were all bad influences.”

“HE was the bad influence,” Adrien said. A current of anger, of venom ran through his voice that Nino had never heard before.

“Well I already knew that, even before finding out he was Hawkmoth,” Nino said, making a face. “Dude needed to chill out.”

Adrien snorted. “If he had any ‘chill’ he wouldn’t have decided that becoming a supervillain was the best way to heal my mother.”

Oh.

So THAT was why Gabriel had done it.

He’d just thought it was standard ‘I’m an asshole and want to rule the world while being a jackass to everyone in my life’ behavior.

(He still wasn’t going to rule out that being a factor.)

Nino put a hand on Adrien’s shoulder sympathetically. “At least he’s gone now and you’re free, right?”

“Right,” Adrien said. He didn’t meet Nino’s eyes.

“Not you TOO,” Marinette had said, burying her face in her hands.

As if she found it exasperating that Alya sympathized with Adrien. As if she had expected differently.

Those worries she’d voiced as Nino had been tiptoeing away, about Adrien helping Hawkmoth, about him lying in wait, biding his time… Marinette probably wasn’t the only one to have that concern. And with Adrien’s face being as well-known as it was...

“You AREN’T free, are you?” Nino asked, eyes wide.

Adrien sighed. “I was as surprised as everyone else when I found out who Hawkmoth was. That someone who’s caused that much harm, that much trauma to this city, lived in my own house.” He clenched his fists, digging into his jean’s fabric. “I could barely believe it… no… I didn’t WANT to believe it.”

He took a deep breath, steadying himself. “I- I only remember snippets from right after his arrest. The police chief talking to me. Riding back to the station. It’s all a blur. Everything felt like I was processing it underwater. It was all so blurry and muffled. Even- even then, though, I could feel everyone’s accusing stares.” “I understand why, don’t get me wrong,” he cut in hurriedly. “Who wouldn’t be suspicious of the son of the terrorist who’s been making everyone’s life miserable for the past four years?” Adrien almost panted with exertion, his eyes wild. “And- and it was happening in my own house! Underneath my nose! I should have KNOWN! I could’ve stopped this!”

Reaching out, Nino pulled his friend into a hug.

Adrien stiffened for a moment, before melting into his embrace.

“It’s his fault, not yours,” Nino murmured. “Remember that, dude. He was the adult. He was your parent. Your ONLY remaining parent. I’ve met the guy. And I’ve heard you talk about what he’s like. If you had investigated more?” Nino shuddered, thinking about the disproportionate punishments the bastard had enacted. “And knowing he was HAWKMOTH on top of that? I’m kinda glad you didn’t. Yeah, maybe you could’ve ended things sooner. Or maybe he would’ve hurt you more before you had the chance. I’m just glad you survived.”

“I-” Adrien’s throat sounded tight. “I’m- I’m glad I survived too.��

They stood there for a moment, Nino feeling Adrien’s breath go in-and-out, his heartbeat racing, until it gradually started to slow.

*ring ring*

Adrien and Nino broke up their hug just as Marinette burst through the door, Alya on her heels. She skidded to a halt in front of Adrien - but not quite in time, sending her careening towards the floor.

She never made contact.

“Woah!” Adrien shouted, catching her in his arms.

Nino detected a hint of pink to Marinette’s cheeks before she abruptly sprang to her feet.

“So, uh,” Marinette said awkwardly. “I’m guessing Nino talked to you about some stuff. I mean, of course he talked to you about stuff, because that’s what talking is about. What- what I mean is, what were you two talking about?”

“I wanted to show him how much we care about him,” Nino told her. “Especially since with this… amnesia?”

“I think it’s an alternate timeline,” Alya said.

“Especially since in this timeline,” Nino continued, “it really doesn’t seem like he had anyone.”

“I had a couple other friends,” Adrien told him quietly, giving a melancholic smile. “But I lost contact with them right after Hawkmoth’s defeat.”

Noticing Nino’s frown, he hastily added, “they didn’t abandon me or anything! They were online friends. One moved somewhere without internet reception, and the other... we never knew each other’s names. But we talked all the time. We chatted, laughed, defeated villains together…”

“In the video games we played, of course!” he added after a moment. He chuckled fondly. “We played as a team. Together, we were unstoppable, no matter what our opponent threw at us.”

Adrien swallowed. “But in the aftermath of Hawkmoth’s defeat, with all the turmoil, with everything that happened… I lost my means of contacting her. I- I don’t know whether I’ll ever get to see her again.”

“We’d promised to meet up after Hawkmoth’s defeat,” Adrien said. His voice cracked. “That- that once it was safer in Paris, we’d finally tell our names.”

His eyes dropped to the ground. “Instead, we lost each other. Maybe for good.”

“I know what that’s like,” Marinette said. She sounded strangely distant. “I had a friend like that too. I cared about him. A lot. Maybe… maybe even as more than a friend.” She said the last part haltingly, as if she’d only just admitted it to herself. “He- he wanted to know who I was. For me to know who he was. But- but I couldn’t do that. Not in Hawkmoth’s Paris. I already cared for him so much it ached. If I was closer to him than that- if I’d accepted his rose- I’m- I’m afraid Hawkmoth might’ve used the strength of those feelings against me. That I could’ve gotten akumatized, or he might’ve, and if we knew who each other was, knew WHERE the other one was… I just… I couldn’t accept that we might be sent to hurt each other.”

“We talked while the final battle was raging,” she continued. “He seemed really upset, more angry than I’ve ever seen him before, but… also kind of sad. I wanted to know what was wrong, but there wasn’t really time to press him. And after that battle he just… disappeared. I knew there was going to be some sort of disruption, but- but I’d thought we’d have more time to talk beforehand, that we’d be able to exchange new contact information. We were cut off before we had the chance.”

“I- I think of him every day,” she said quietly. “Wondering how he’s doing. He was always so positive, no matter what life threw at us. I hope that wherever he is, whatever he’s doing, he hasn’t lost that positivity, that optimism, the ability to see the best in the world and in others.”

“I’m sure he’d be happy to know you cared for him so much,” Adrien said, giving her a warm smile.

Marinette blinked, giving herself a small shake. She turned to Alya. “I dunno whether you’ll remember any of this after the Ladybug in your time restores anything, but on the off-chance you do, is there anything you need to know?”

“Oh!” Alya pulled up some footage. “You told me who Hawkmoth was, but what about Mayura?”

“Mayura?”

“Who?”

Alya snapped her fingers. “You know, the Peacock Miraculous wielder, the one summoning the sentimonsters! Did she not exist in this universe?”

She pulled up part of the fight against Mayura, the sentimonster Ladybug, and Hawkmoth.

The video ended, she took another glance at Marinette and Adrien.

Marinette seemed to be in shock, staring straight ahead.

Adrien frowned, thinking. “I’d wondered for a long time how Father managed to hide his supervillain activities from Nathalie, considering she was around him most of the time. I thought maybe she was just really good at never asking questions.”

He grimaced. “Looking at that? I’m betting she didn’t ask questions because she already knew the answers.”

“You think Mayura’s Nathalie?” Alya questioned.

He nodded. “Unless something’s different in your universe. My father doesn’t have a lot of associates, and the way he acted around Mayura there, how he was willing to pass up a chance to fight Ladybug for her Miraculous in exchange for catching her… the only people I can think of who he’d do that for are my mother and Nathalie, and mom…” he trailed off.

“I- I didn’t even think about that,” Marinette said guiltily. “I remember reading something about Gabriel having a secretary, but I didn’t think about her much beyond that.”

“Maybe you could ask this universe’s Alya to post something on the Ladyblog, telling Ladybug and Chat Noir she has a lead on who Mayura is?” Alya said. “I mean, I know they haven’t shown up in ages, but maybe that’s just because they haven’t had reason to.”

Marinette winced. “I… really don’t think that’s it… plus Ladybug and Chat Noir never said that someone was helping Hawkmoth. Mayura never appeared, at least in public. I don’t know what we can do about this right now, especially without proof. Maybe if Ladybug and Chat Noir appeared, but…”

She sounded doubtful. Alya was beginning to think that the final battle was even worse than Marinette had alluded to.

She hesitated a moment, before turning to Adrien. “I- I think I owe you an apology. I thought you might’ve been helping Hawkmoth, but… well… I was just judging you by who your dad was. You’ve been nothing but sweet and kind.”

Adrien smiled at her, though it was slightly strained. “It’s fine. I’m used to it. A lot of people in this city have suffered at Hawkmoth’s hands. I don’t blame them for being scared, or angry at any reminders of him.”

“That doesn’t make it RIGHT,” Marinette said heatedly.

Nino nodded. “Dude just because something’s done to you it doesn’t mean it’s justified, or that it shouldn’t be made better. Like with your old man forbidding parties. I didn’t let that stop me from bribing your bodyguard into letting me and the other guys throw a party at your place for you!”

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “It kinda escalated though. I think half the guys at Paris were partying in your room by the end!”

Alya gave Nino a sideways look. “And ONLY the guys because they ditched us girls while we were planting trees with a lame excuse. Seriously if you’d said you wanted to throw a party for Adrien while his dad was away, you could’ve just told us!”

Nino winced. “Yeah, my bad. At least we got to have fun there for a while before the akuma attack.”

“Akuma attack?” Adrien asked, eyes wide. “But I thought you said Father was gone!”

“He was- OOOOOOOH.”

“Yeeaaaah I don’t think he was actually gone,” Alya said. “You threw a ‘secret’ party in Hawkmoth’s house, WHILE he was still at home.”

Adrien gaped at Nino. “How’re you not DEAD?!”

Nino chuckled. “Lucky I guess?”

*twinkle twinkle*

A familiar red mass flew towards Alya and Nino.

Adrien’s eyes widened.

“Behind the portrait!” he blurted out, just as the two of them were enveloped by the ladybugs, spiriting them off to whence they came.

It was silent for a moment.

“Do you think they heard?” Adrien asked Marinette.

“I hope so,” she said, looking off in the direction the ladybugs flew.

She turned to him. “I was planning on setting up some hang out time with Alya and Nino later this week. If you’re not busy… would you like to join?”

His smile told her everything she needed to know.

#bakery enemies au #ml fanfic #miraculous ladybug #adrien agreste #alya cesaire #nino lahiffe #marinette dupain cheng #buggachat

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themaribatpit · 3 years

Text

Jasonette July Day 19: Mistakes

Written by: The Maribat Pit Prompt: Mistakes Rating: T

Soulmate AU - red string of fate around the ankles, references to other versions of the myth

A/N: This might become a mult-chap, we’re not entirely sure. Comment on this post if you want to see this story continue. There will be some Adrien/Chat Noir salt.

Marinette often heard stories about the ‘red string of fate’, the idea that there was a soulmate out there who was chosen just for her. No one believed her when she told them she could see a red thread looped around her ankle. No one really explained what it meant, they would just tell her that she would grow out of that silly superstition. She would look down at the floor, towards her ankle, where she could clearly see the red string tied around it. Maybe they couldn’t see it, but she could, clear as day. When she became Ladybug and fought alongside Chat Noir, he would go on and on about how they were soulmates and destined for each other. When she became Master Fu’s pupil, she asked him if he knew anything about it. “What brought this on?” he asked curiously. “I see this red string around my ankle, I’ve known about it ever since I was little. Everyone says it’s just a legend or a silly superstition.” she explained. “Around the ankle is a new one, but it’s also the oldest version of the legend,” Master Fu explained, “most prefer the version where it’s around the little finger, or a woman’s little finger and a man’s thumb.” “What does it mean?” she asked, “no one will tell me.” “It means the string will lead you to the person you are destined to be with,” he explained, “it may stretch and tangle, but it will never break.” For many years, she brushed aside other boys and their advances, much to the chagrin of anyone who knew the real reason why. Whenever Chat Noir rambled on about them being soulmates, she knew it wasn’t true. It was infuriating, really, as she would look down at the red string leading away from him. She would tell him that she was in love with someone else, because someone else was out there waiting for her. Not that he would listen to her, but still she always kept him at arm’s length. Some might say that her standards were too high, never mind that some boys just could not take “no” for an answer. She thought about using Kaalki to find her soulmate, opening a portal directly to them. The only problem was she only knew which direction the string was pointing, and not having a clear idea of where she was going could lead to complications. Marinette kept her head held high through Lila and Chloe bullying her, and the teachers doing very little to stop them. She didn’t hate Adrien as much as she did on that first day of school, but he had done very little to stop his childhood friend from bullying people. Marinette had been humiliated, insulted, and almost kicked out of school on multiple occasions. Chat Noir, on the other hand, was only in love with the idea of her. He had absolutely no clue who she was under the mask, and vice versa. There were times when Marinette felt like she couldn’t step one toe out of line without someone breathing down her neck about being the bigger person. She felt like she was the only one bearing the heavy burden of carrying the Ladybug mantle. She took being a heroine seriously, but she knew that she couldn’t do everything perfectly. Sometimes Chat Noir was more of a hindrance than a help, and this continued for many years. When days felt tough for Marinette, she only needed to look down at the string around her ankle and remind herself of what it meant. It meant that someone out there was waiting for her, destined to love her with all their heart and she would love them in turn. So Marinette kept her head down by day, and as Ladybug she would fight to bring an end to Hawk Moth’s reign of terror. Whoever her soulmate was, they would know the truth about her, they would love and accept her. Sometimes she would wonder if Master Fu had chosen wrong when he decided that she should be the next Guardian of the Miraculous. The red string on the other hand would stretch or tangle, but never break. She could be certain that her soulmate was one choice that couldn’t be a mistake. Most of Jason’s earliest living memories were spent in hiding. He would hide under the table with the family dog in his arms, while the adults around him argued. When he got older, he would scurry back to the crevices in Gotham’s streets, hiding from whoever he just stole from. All the time he’d worry they could see the glowing red thread wrapped around his ankle. He could never understand what it meant, he assumed everyone had one at the time. When his questions were met with mockery or indifference, he stopped sharing his curiosity about it. It would always be glowing in the corner of his eye, like a bright light on a summer’s day. One day he wandered into a bakery inside Gotham’s Chinatown. He was waiting for the shopkeeper to look away so that he could grab a pastry without them noticing. Their topic of conversation turned to a ‘red string of fate’ and Jason was intrigued. Supposedly, the thread around his ankle bound him to someone. That someone was the person he was destined to be with forever, his soulmate. He left the shop empty handed, hoping to try his luck finding food elsewhere. If his soulmate was out there, whoever they were, they were going to be sorely disappointed. He remembered thinking, whoever decided to pair him up with someone had made a terrible mistake. If his soulmate could see him now, they would probably think so too. When he encountered Batman that fateful night in Crime Alley, his whole world had drastically changed from that night forth. As Bruce Wayne took him under his wing and as he took on the Robin mantle, a secret part of him had hoped that he was becoming someone his soulmate could be proud of. Still he kept it to himself, Alfred would occasionally find him staring off into space whenever he was alone. If Jason asked Bruce about it, he would probably tell him that he needed to focus on other things. The glowing red string was the last thing he would see at night before letting sleep take him, this time, he wasn’t afraid. When she was 15, Marinette woke up one morning to find the string no longer glowed bright red. Instead it was grey and limp, and she was desperate to know what this meant. At the first opportunity, she ran to Master Fu, he was the only one she could confide in about this. He lowered his head, almost unwilling to tell Marinette what it meant for fear of how she would react. He told her solemnly, it meant that her soulmate had died… Elsewhere, a bomb was counting down the seconds until it could go off. Jason had been battered, bruised and broken, but as long as his heart was still beating he still had a chance. Ten… He pushed against the locked door. That damned clown had locked him in, probably for the sheer delight of it. Nine… He had only just noticed the bomb, he had to find a way out of the building and fast. Bruce, Alfred, Barbara, Dick and...he looked down at his ankle, his soulmate...they were all waiting for him. Eight… This was all a mistake, he had been led into a trap. He hoped that Batman would arrive just in time to save him. He would probably slap him upside the head after he had recovered, and lecture him about being far too reckless, but at least he’d be alive. Seven… Strength was leaving his body, most of which was probably beaten out of him moments earlier. The fighting spirit that always burned like a raging inferno inside of him was dimming. Six… In those last few seconds, all he had left in him was a silent apology. Wherever his soulmate was, he wished them nothing but happiness. He was sorry that he couldn’t meet them for the first time. He wanted to tell them that the mere idea of them gave him hope. Hope that quite literally hung by a very thin thread, but it was what kept him going all these years. It kept him going through living on the street, through pushing himself to meet Bruce’s expectations, even through the ordeal he had just endured. All he needed to do was look down and remind himself that whoever chose him to be someone’s soulmate hadn’t made a mistake. The reason he wouldn’t get to meet them was because of his mistake. Five...four...three..two...one. Marinette didn’t know how to mourn someone she had never seen, met, or even spoken to. All she knew was that for the next three years, the string around her ankle was limp and grey. The legend said that it would tangle, it would stretch, but it would never break. Sometimes she would lay awake at night and wonder what could have possibly happened to her soulmate. Had they even noticed the red string around their ankle? Did they even care about what it meant? How did they die? Was it an accident or did someone kill them? These were questions that kept Marinette up at night as she gazed up at her bedroom ceiling. She didn’t notice that the string was slowly starting to regain it’s glow, though it remained very dim. She barely paid any attention to it anymore, and thought the faint red glow was just a trick of the eye. It was a cruel reminder of what that thread meant and what she looked forward to. By the time she was 18, Marinette decided she needed to get out of Paris. She wanted to be a designer, but she also thought a change of scenery would be good for her. She kept the Miracle Box with her when she moved to Gotham City, to keep the rest of the Miraculous from falling into the wrong hands. Around this time, the thread around her ankle began to glow bright red, just as it had done a few years ago. She was honestly curious to follow the thread and see where it led, but Plagg and Tikki were unsure about it. They could sense that something was amiss with the thread reignighting, and they had a bad feeling that the forces of creation and destruction were involved. That’s how Marinette found herself pacing around her dorm room, trying to think of an explanation. “How can you tell?” she asked them, “Maybe whoever did this chose someone else to be my soulmate? Someone who wasn’t dead.” “That’s not really how this works, Marinette.” Tikki told her. “Well, not according to Master Fu anyway,” said Plagg, “if the string is turning red again, that means whoever it is was brought back to life.” “But that’s impossible...is it?” Marinette looked at them, not that long ago she had fought a man who wanted to use them to bring his comatose wife back. Was it really so impossible? “Long ago, we were forced to grant such a wish.” Plagg confessed. “Plagg!” Tikki hissed, “you’re not suggesting that maybe…” “I am,” Plagg told her, “and she needs to know if she’s going to go herring off looking for someone who might be dead.” Plagg turned his attention back to Marinette, “long ago, someone did acquire the Miraculous and they did use it to grant one wish…to make them young and strong forever.” “How did they do it?” Marinette asked, a little afraid of their answer. “We created what humans call ‘The Lazarus Pits’. Anyone who bathed in its waters would be healed, rejuvenated, even snatched from the jaws of death.” he explained “Tikki’s healing magic is infused in the waters, that’s the healing part.” Marinette looked over at Tikki, “So what’s the catch? It can’t be that easy, can it?” “Well, the more they bathe in them, the more it destroys their mind,” she explains before giving Plagg a pointed look. “It heals them on the outside, while their mind is slowly destroyed.” Marinette is slightly horrified by the thought. “Can it bring someone back to life?” She asked, they exchanged worried glances. “Yes, but...Marinette, the person they were could have easily eroded away.” Tikki explained, but Marinette was growing tired of imagining and daydreaming. She had to see for herself the person that her soulmate had become, so that’s how Ladybug set off to see where the red string led.

#jasonettejuly2021 #jasonette #adrien salt #maribat #maribat adrien salt #ml x dc

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thatasianstereotype · 4 years

Text

Damn, You’re Looking Fine.

To my utter delight, my crack writing Fuck. I’m Gay. got a good reception. I was not expecting to write more for this AU/pairing. But why not? I got some ideas and a computer to write them down on.

So this fic is the took-a-while-to-put-together sequel. It’s focused on the downfall of one certain Liar-la, Damian wooing Adrien with all the flair and romantics as his Chaton deserves, and Adrien being a blushing hot gay mess.

P.S. Damian’s formal way of talking is an utter pain to write but hilarious to read.

P.S.S. Creative liberties were taken. Again. I just feel this needs to be mentioned.

So Status Update:

Adrien and Damian are definitely dating (It is totally official. Told you ya boi got game).

Adrien still calls him Hot-And-Sexy from time to time much to his utter mortification (He can’t make himself stop. Please send help). And Dami gets amused by it every single time, that arrogant smug jerk.

Marinette still puts the fear of god in Damian and he is wary of her. She feels very proud about that. Adrien wants to facepalm.

Fuck Gabriel Agreste.

And Lila Rossi is still a bitch.

Adrien and Marinette were made aware about Damian’s alter ego —well mostly because he is utterly terrified of Marinette’s seemingly sweet (icy) smile she gave him when she politely asked how he obtained the Butterfly and Peacock Miraculous and partly because of Adrien’s pouting kitten eyes.

They truly were a pair to reckon with.

“I am not sure why the Justice League dismissed your concerns and pleas for assistance. So I am taking the initiative. My name is Damian Wayne, the son of Batman and the current Robin and leader of the Teen Titans.”

He’s a superhero too?! And it’s Robin!!! One of his favorites!! Can you hear him internally squealing in excitement?

Adrien bit his lip to keep from fanboying right then and there. But a slight pink hue spread across his face.

“You’re not lying.” Mari has gotten pretty good at deciphering through people’s bullshit. Whether it’s because she is now a Guardian or because Lila’s bitchiness made her a human lie-detector remains unknown.

Damian took it in stride. “I am not.”

“Paris is still our city.”

“I am only offering my assistance.” He won’t barge in on their superhero duties to the city. He has more class than that.

Mari didn’t have to look at Adrien to know his decision.

She smiled, a bright genuine smile. “Then we’re allies.” Before her eyes gained a spark of mischief and her smile turned teasing. “Hot-And-Sexy.”

“Marinette!” Adrien immediately covered his blushing bright red face with both hands, utterly mortified.

His sister was evil. E. V. I. L. And why is Damian smirking and looking so smug? Fuck! He even makes that look completely hot. Curse his Adonis genes. And curse his teenage hormones.

He regrets introducing the two of them together. What a pair they make. Truly a couple of fur-midable terrors here.

Back to the matter at hand, Marinette is able to ensure that Hawk Moth and Mayura will never be out again and another akuma won’t be made. She already made sure that the miraculous were better protected.

Damian has enough evidence to put them behind bars for their crimes but Marinette wanted to go through it and make sure that Adrien won’t suffer the repercussions of having a villain for a dad so they held onto it until they figure out how best to protect their sunshine.

Ah Shit.

“Duusu? Where are you?”

Did Gabriel lose the miraculous again?

But when he looked into the last place he left it, he groaned. Fuck. His brooch was a fake again.

He knew he shouldn’t have made a miraculous fashion line and had replicas of the miraculous jewelries made. It was his most popular items to date. He has gotten lot of praises for getting the details just right and capturing the essence of each miraculous holder. No surprise there. He deals with them on a daily basis. He should get the details fucking right.

It’s a wonder he only came up with a line because there was talk that he was becoming obsolete with no new ideas coming forth and if there is one thing that Gabriel Agreste isn’t, it is being obsolete.

The line was just a joke, a parody of the heroes and villains if you will, but apparently people like it. Ladybug and Chat Noir were the most popular obviously (he should’ve seen that coming to be honest). Hardly anyone buys Hawk Moth or Mayura and he is left with boxes of fake brooches.

It is annoying.

Especially since he keeps fucking misplacing his miraculous.

Adrien felt like he could be a Disney princess and just skip his way to school and sing for the world to hear.

Now that the Butterfly miraculous were safely with Marinette, he doesn’t have to worry about another akuma. He could just die happy right now. His dad doesn’t have a hold over him anymore. He doesn’t have to put up with Liar-la anymore. But if they put up a fuss? Well, worst case scenario is he becomes a Dupain-Cheng.

And he doesn’t mind. He’s already an honorary one.

And if that somehow doesn’t work out (which he highly doubts), Damian offered to make him a Wayne.

Françoise Dupont High School experienced a shock that morning. Specifically Ms. Bustier’s class.

When they saw Adrien and Marinette walking in class with arms intertwined, laughing and smiling together.

What the actual fuck?

Did they cross into an alternate universe? Marinette is a nasty bully and Adrien’s a pure sunshine child. Why would they be acting like they were the best of friends?

Lila glowered darkly when she saw them walking towards the back and sitting at the same table. Didn’t Adrien care about what his father thinks? Doesn’t he want to still be able to go to school?

She bit her lip and turned on the waterworks, her eyes close to bursting into tears. She made herself be the very picture of a pitiful woe-is-me victim as she cried out in a hurtful and betrayed tone. “Adrien, what are you doing with her? I thought we were close friends.”

The sheep class instantly catered to Lila, pointing their fingers at the pair.

Alya, her biggest supporter, led the charge as always. “Adrien! What do you have to say for yourself? How could you cheat on Lila like this? And with her?”

Adrien narrowed his eyes at his former friend. Bitch, how dare she implies he was in an actual relationship and had feelings for that harlot.

Wow.

He has been spending way too much time around Damian.

"Yeah, bro!” Kim said, raising his voice. “How could you do her dirty?”

“Okay guys.” Adrien cut in. “I don’t know where you heard that but me and Lila are not dating. Like at all.”

“Please.”Alya waved him off like he didn’t know what he was talking about (he was highly offended at the notion he didn’t know what his heart yearns for). “We all know you have feelings for Lila. You’re just in denial over them.”

Bitch, what?

Is no one catching onto his chaotic gay vibes here?

And oh, how his fragile little heart was betrayed yet again when he saw Nino supporting his girlfriend. He still couldn’t believe the first friend he made all by himself was a part of their rabid pack. He deeply mourned the loss of such a great friend in the midst of that deceiving fox’s claws.

“How many times do I need to say it?” At this point, Adrien was about to throw hands. “I don’t like Lila like that. I feel nothing but pure spite for her. Also, me and Marinette are not dating if anyone’s wondering. We’re just really good friends.”

“But Marinette’s a big bully.” Alix piped up, a hard edge in her voice. “She treats Lila horribly.”

“Marinette didn’t do anything to her. Rossi is lying.”

“Oh Adrien.” It was Mylene of all people who spoke up. “Did Marinette get to you with her lies?”

He was done.

Completely and utterly done.

He looked over at Marinette who shared his exasperation at the class’ antics.

Adrien already said it before. But it bears repeating.

Lila Rossi is a bitch.

Luckily (or maybe unluckily), that was the moment Ms. Bustier chose to step in the room and class started.

When the teacher’s back was turned, Adrien pulled out his phone and proceeded to spend the rest of the time alternating between taking notes and texting with Damian.

They were currently at the stage of their relationship to be sending animal pics and memes back and forth, with a few puns added from time to time.

He really does have the perfect boyfriend.

They cornered him after school.

One: Rude.

And two: Double rude.

He was excited to meet Hot-And-Sexy (daMn iT! It’s Damian! Get it right brain) at the bakery and spending time with his two most favorite people in the world (Tom and Sabine don’t count because actual parents don’t have a ranking).

His former friends were looking all concerned and everything because they somehow collectively came up with the idea that Marinette actually brainwashed him to believe Lila was evil.

The fucking irony.

They actually had the audacity to say that Marinette —sweet and honestly badass Marinette— was no good and just wanted to use Adrien to get ahead in the fashion industry (as if Mari actually needed him for that). He shouldn’t be around her. Lila was a much better person to keep as company.

Adrien laughed in their faces and left.

Onto happier events, Adrien was having a blast hanging out with Mari and Dami. His boyfriend (he still can’t believe he managed to score such a hottie!) fit right in the everything-that-matters siblings’ dynamics.

They were in Mari’s room. Adrien was cuddling with Damian on her bed. And Mari was at her desk working on fashion designs.

“So what’s your family like?” He played with Dami’s hair. It was so soft. Like what the fuck. It is so unfair.

Damian thought about it for a few seconds. “My family is a bit...crazy. We drive each other insane every other day but at the end of the day, I have no doubt they have my back as I have theirs.”

“You guys sound close.”

“We were not always. We had an extensive amount of issues to work through before we actually bonded as a true family.”

It was quiet for a minute until Damian casually said. “I would appreciate it a great deal if you can make time to visit Gotham for the summer.”

Adrien stopped playing with his hair to look at him with wide incredulous eyes. “Summer’s only two months away.”

“I am aware.”

“You really want me to meet them? Isn’t it too early?”

“I met yours the day we started dating.”

True but....

Adrien averted his eyes. “Do you think your family will like me? You guys fight criminals and my dad’s a villain.”

Damian put his hands over Adrien’s and gave them a light squeeze, making his Chaton look back at him.

“My mother is a villain and I was raised as an assassin. Yet despite of that, my father accepted me. And I am fairly confident he will do the same to you. Mon amour, you have a pure and selfless heart. You are a better person than I am. I have no doubt that my family will love you from the start.

“Are you being fur real right meow?” Adrien tried to lighten the atmosphere but he could feel his eyes tearing up.

"I wouldn’t lie to mew.”

He let out a small laugh, wiping his eyes. How did he ever get so lucky to land such an amazing guy? “You always know the purr-fect thing to say.”

“We get it you’re in love. It’s amazing. Now stop it with the puns.” Mari rolled her eyes, utterly exasperated at these idiots who just ignored her and pulled out even more cat puns. “You have got to be kitten me.”

Before she noticed what she said and groaned in faux despair. “Oh you two are so dead.”

Adrien stuck out his tongue playfully. “You can’t catch me. I got a handsome knight in shining armor to protect me.”

Damian interlaced their fingers. “Always, mon amour. I’ll protect you from everything like your wicked father.”

“Does that make me the dragon here?” Mari joined in. “Cool. I can breathe fire and torch people. Too bad I can’t do that to a certain liar.”

“Liar-la is totally the witch here.” Adrien said before thinking for a few seconds. “Does this make me the princess?”

“Well, knights always have to save the damsel in distress.” Mari said.

He frowned before crossing his arms indignantly. “Dami, I love you more than Plagg loves his stinky cheese, but I’m no damsel in distress.”

Damian rolled his eyes. “Tt. Of course not. You can destroy things with a single touch. It would be not be in my best interests to downplay your abilities.”

Adrien relaxed and beamed a sunny smile. “Good. Remember that.”

“Mon amour, I look for an equal as a partner, not some weak spoiled harlot that can not defend their self.” Damian placed a flower crown (that was just sitting on Marinette’s nightstand, must be one of her projects) on Adrien’s head. “Having said that I do believe you are a prince that deserves all the love and care in the world.”

And oh my.

Adrien can feel his face burning scarlet and his heart almost bursting at how sweet this incredible, conceited Adonis was.

He was falling in love with Damian over and over again each time they meet up.

“You deserve love too, Dami.”

And sweet, caring Hot-And-Sexy (Ah, fuck it. He will never grow out of that) placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

Oh dear, he didn’t know his face can burned any redder.

He could almost hear Mari cooing in the background.

And in case anyone was wondering, Tom and Sabine adores their everything-that-actually-matters son’s boyfriend. Damian Wayne seems like a responsible young lad. And he makes Adrien really happy which is a major plus. Anything that makes their son happy is good in their books.

Lila was not at all pleased.

Why was Adrien suddenly hanging out with Marinette? Yeah, he doesn’t buy into her lies but she was confident he will be lured into her charms. Why wouldn’t he be? She was young and way more beautiful than a baker’s daughter. He was supposed to be hers.

She and Gabriel are going to have a talk about his rebellious son.

Except when she arrived at the Agreste mansion, Gabriel was apparently too busy to see her.

He was too occupied with searching through boxes of fake miraculous to find Duusu to bother with her.

“I don’t have time for you.”

“Excuse me?!”

She was aghast. How dare he speak this way to his biggest supporter —well, besides Mayura and Nathalie.

“You’re excused. Now leave the premises.”

Before the door shut in her face and she was left fuming, her face an unflattering angry red.

Being Damian’s boyfriend, Adrien has come to learn that Damian does nothing by halves. Including asking him out on a date. And the actual dates themselves.

Today as the sun fell down and night came about, Damian and Adrien were taking a stroll in the park. It was relaxing and it was nice. They talked about everything and anything.

Adrien did not think Damian planned anything more.

But he really shouldn’t underestimate the son of Batman.

Because when the last of the sun’s rays were gone, Damian led him to a gazebo strung up with beautiful lights giving the whole place an ethereal feel. And with the bright moon out tonight, it looked like fairies dancing in the garden.

He didn’t notice Damian pressed play on his phone and classical music filled the air.

He definitely noticed Damian bowing with a flourished and holding out his hand with a charming smile. “May I have this dance, Chaton?”

Adrien would have to be a huge fool to say no.

“I’ll loved to.” He placed his hand in Damian’s and let the Adonis lead him in a simple waltz.

This was his life.

His life was one big sappy romance novel. And you know what, he doesn’t care if it is. Between dealing with his shitty father and Liar-la, this kitty deserves some happiness.

It was a scene from one of those Disney fairy tale movies Adrien used to watch as kid. The magic. The love. The romantics. He felt like Cinderella and wished this night will never end, that the clock will never strike midnight. He just wanted to stay in his Prince Charming’s arms forever.

Under the starry night sky, the lovebirds danced to their heart’s content and when another song ended, Damian tilted his head down to place a tender kiss on Adrien’s lips.

“I harbor a great deal of non-platonic affections for you, mon amour.”

“I love you too, Hot-And-Sexy.”

What the fuck?!

Seriously.

What the actual fuck?

Lila was simply walking home after her disastrous meeting with Gabriel (She was still not over how he simply dismissed her like she was nothing. How dare he).

When she saw them.

Adrien and some guy (she’s pretty sure that was a guy) dancing in the park. She can feel that disgusting jealousy just burning in her veins, a cold anger thrumming underneath.

Things were not at all going her way.

First, Adrien is back to being friends with that Mari-whore. Then, Gabriel ignores her. Her. And now, she is seeing her Adrien in the arms of someone else.

Oh this will just not do.

She took out her phone from her pocket and snapped a couple of pictures, making sure Adrien can clearly be seen. She didn’t care too much about the other guy. He’s probably just another pretty airhead Adrien knew through his father. He’s not important.

A cruel smirk appeared on her face at the thought of the perfect revenge. Adrien was going to have a rough time at school tomorrow. After all, he should’ve known better than to make a move against her.

“Seriously?!”

“Wow.”

“I’m sure there’s an explanation for this.”

“Yeah. Adrien is obviously gay. That’s the only explanation.”

“....Maybe not? There could be another reason.”

Lila had watery eyes and a sad frown on her face but inside, she was fucking smiling like a Cheshire cat. She made sure to be at school early so she can show the class the picture of Adrien’s little date last night. Who —predictably— were shocked at their sunshine child being with a guy and made plans to confront him about his supposed sexuality.

She glowed at the thought of her plan working. This will teach Adrien to know his place or become a social pariah like his little friend Marinette.

“I thought Adrien had feelings for me.” Lila wiped the “tears” from her eyes. “How could he lead me on like this when he’s been gay all along?”

Alya —predictably— comforted her. “I’m pretty sure he’s just confused. He doesn’t know what he’s feeling.”

“I’m sure that’s it.”

The pair didn’t notice Juleka and Rose glaring at them.

Damian was not at all pleased.

He was rightfully angry.

How dare that poor sense of fashion taste trollop tried to shame his mon amour for being gay. How dare she try to say he was simply confused and didn’t know any better. How dare she defame his reputation because he holds nothing but spite for her person.

How dare she.

As Adrien’s boyfriend and future husband, it is his duty to correct this travesty and defend his Chaton’s honor.

When the Damian Wayne, youngest son of Bruce Wayne, appeared at Françoise Dupont High School, you know that people are gonna stare and talk.

When he headed towards the courtyard where Adrien and Marinette were sitting at, boy are things going to get juicy.

Lila and her followers who were sitting a bit father from the outcast pair were utterly confused. They could possibly get Adrien knowing such a super hot celebrity but for him to be on good terms with Marinette too? How inconceivable. Absolutely flabbergasted.

“Hey Lila didn’t you tell us you knew him and his family?” Max brought up.

“Uhhh....” Lila knew she dug herself in a corner here. She never thought that the Damian Wayne would ever visit here. At this second rate school.

“Well, let’s go, girl!” Alya exclaimed. “I’m sure Damian just hasn’t seen you. That’s why he didn’t walk towards you.”

Before proceeding to practically drag Lila to where Damian was talking with Adrien and Marinette.

Lila, on the other hand, was cursing out Alya in a bunch of different languages in her mind while trying to come up with something to dig herself out of this mess. If they talk to Wayne, the class will realize she was lying all along.

She was not going to lose control of her kingdom like this —well, not without putting up a fight.

But when they and the rest of their classmates walked close to the trio, they were shocked when they saw Marinette playfully punching Damian in the arm.

“Okay. How the hell are you so close with Damian Wayne?” Straight off the bat, Alya was on the offense as she glared at Marinette as if it was Mari who did something wrong.

Damian answered before the bluenette could. His face was impassive and his glare cold. “I’m Ms. Dupain-Cheng’s top model for her fashion business.”

What?

Even Lila was taken aback at the news. She knew that goody two shoes likes designing but she didn’t think anybody would actual buy her stuff. She didn’t think a Wayne would like her stuff.

She could feel her fists clenched. How dare Marinette steal the spotlight again.

“I’m also Adrien’s boyfriend.” Damian continued casually as if that wasn’t a huge bombshell.

Everyone’s minds screeched to a halt.

They knew about the possibility of Adrien being gay since Lila showed him on going on a date with an unidentified but clearly male person yesterday. But they didn’t think there was actually something there.

Lila could feel her anger clouding her mind. Adrien was supposed to be hers. He was her ticket to fame and fortune.

“And what about Lila? Aren’t you guys best friends?” Alya put her hands on her hips. How could Damian just ignore someone he is close friends with but give Marinette all the attention? Lila deserves better than that.

Damian was unamused. “I don’t know her.”

“Yeah, you do.” Alya ignored Lila’s gestures to stop talking. Lila was too shy about her achievements and she was going to have her amazing best friend’s back. “She’s the one who helped your family out multiple times.”

“She did not. And I am appalled that you believe I would know a harlot like her in the first place.” Damian’s face twisted with disgust as he glanced at Liar-la like she was a mere insect. “Please. I have class and dignity.”

“Take that back!” She screeched. “You are so rude.”

“Are you honestly going to lecture me on my rudeness when you plebians are being hypocrites?”

“What? I’m not a hyprocrite.”

“Lila Rossi is a pathetic liar who begs for attention like street dogs beg for scraps. She never once saved Jagged’s cat nor does she help out with green charities. Lastly, she is not on close terms with myself nor with my family.”

“No! You’re lying!”

He raised an unimpressed eyebrow. “Ok then. Look her up on the internet. If she is as grand as you lot seem to think, she should have articles dedicated to her. Show me proof of her actions that isn’t your subpar blog and I will give you an exclusive.”

Alya’s eyes gleamed at what should be an easy challenge. But when she pulled out her phone and typed Lila’s name and what she did in the search engine, her smile disappeared.

She spent the next few minutes scouring the net for anything, any mention of a Lila Rossi that wasn’t on the LadyBlog.

She found nothing.

Lila Rossi was a fucking liar all along. And Alya and the rest of the class believed her.

“We tried to warn you.” Marinette said in a soft voice. But anyone who knew her knew she was trying to hold back her laughter.

“Marinette,” Rose cried out as she realized the class has been total jerks to the one person who always had their backs. “We were horribly wrong. Can you ever forgive us?”

She shrugged. “I forgive you. But this doesn’t mean we’re friends again. Because we’re not. Seeing how easily you drop me for that liar without even looking for any kind of proof hurts and I’m not eager to be friends again. Maybe in the future but not right now.”

“That’s goes ditto for me.” Adrien added his two cents.

Their former friends classmates wore gloomy expressions, utterly devastated at ruining their friendship with their Everyday Ladybug and Sunshine Child.

And with that, Adrien and Marinette left the courtyard, with light hearts and heads held high.

Damian shot the class a razor sharp grin. “Well, it’s been nice to meet you.”

Everyone knew he meant anything but.

“I always knew teenagers were prone to be foolish imbeciles. But seeing the collective stupidity of you people today made me realize that the bar can in fact be lowered.”

Adrien was fucking ecstatic.

Elated. Overjoyed. Jubilant. Drunk on happiness. All the synonyms associated.

Because Lila was finally exposed. The class realized what utter assholes they have been. His father will receive his due (soon according to Mari and Dami).

He was happily humming a tune as he swung his and Damian’s intertwined hands back and forth.

He was entirely grateful that Damian showed up to school today. Although he was a bit mean for Adrien’s taste.

But oh man. Payback was so sweet.

He smiled giddily.

Mister Hot-And-Sexy definitely earned himself a kiss.

#ml x dc #ml salt #ml salt fic #lila rossi salt #class salt #gaydrien #adrien is a hot mess #bamf marinette #adrien deserves better #marinette deserves better #adrien agreste x damian wayne #adridami #well would you look at that #turns out to be 3.8K fic this time #I'm still down with this ship

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ilovebeing-weird · 3 years

Text

Have A Coffee

Chapter 1

Soulmates are a person with who a person feels a deep or natural affinity. A person who understands you, whom you can trust, who will accept you the way you are. Soul marking appear at age 16, you will have the first they will say on your body, in their handwriting.

Marinette loved the idea of having a soulmate, a person who was specifically born to match her. For years she wondered if she had a soulmate. Endless comments from her parents made her uncertain if anyone could ever understand or trust her. Would she be worthy of that love and affection and deep connection?

If her parents, Lila, heck, most of her school were to be believed, no. No, she didn't

But on the morning of her 16th birthday, she rushed to the bathroom, tearing off her nightclothes. She searched in desperation. Hoping, wishing, praying, words would appear somewhere. When she hadn't immediately seen any, she felt her heart sink into her stomach. Not having a soulmate, while normal, was despised. Being "soulless" as it was called, generated pity from the best of people to scorn from the worst. You were marginalized, looked down upon, and expected to be alone for the rest of your life. After all who would want to fall in love with a soulless one.

Tikki pulled her out of that despair, pointing out a small cluster of words at the very top of her thigh. Almost on her butt. Marinette crashed to the floor, her relief was so intense. She didn't know how long she cried, but it wasn't until much later when she actually read the words for herself.

"Having a rough day? Have a coffee it will make it better" Streched across her skin in a messy slanted scrawl and in English to her utter surprise. Those words always managed to get a laugh out of her, it seemed like a coffee advertisement, whoever her soulmate was--like her-- loved coffee. That was for sure.

The trouble came from proving she had her mark. She had no desire to go flashing people her butt, and so when she told someone people she had one, they would ask her to show the mark and she would deny saying that it was in a place that she could not show, hey would just scoff and say ttha she is making excuses.

If her soulmate problems were only the worst of her troubles maybe Marinette could have been considered happy. After all, if only her friends knew she had a soulmate what did it matter what the rest of the world thought?

But her life, in one word, sucked.

Her parents hatred of her didn't help. Her parents hated her since her birth, what was the reason? She was the result of a one night stand. She was neglected and sometimes abused.

Throughout her childhood, she had great friends, and she could escape from her parents. Her amazing friends were always there to support her, the keyword being "were". Her " friends" fell for a liar's word and fake tears. According to them she is bullying her, and they dropped her once.

And as soon as her parents heard that news, they disowned her and kicked her out of the house. Like they needed a reason anyway. Throughout the hell that is her life the only thing helping her live was the promise of her soulmate, and the hope that everything will be better.

"Mari-bug, what are you doing" Chloe, her best friend, said snapping her out of her thoughts. Chloe had been her bully for years but after one day when she saw her being bullied by Lila and her followers she helped her and told her to stand up for herself and show those people who Marinette is. She ended up apologizing. It took time and tears, and therapy (on both their ends) but they have been best friends ever since.

Yeah, she knows Mari is Ladybug, everyone in their group did. They were miraculous holders as well, Empress Honeybee, Dragon Queen, Viper, and of course Chat Noir. After defeating Hawkmoth, they all revealed their identities. Ever since then their friendship has been stronger than ever before. It took some time to consult Adrien, he was devastated, his father and mother figure, we're the villains terrorizing Paris. He ended up being adopted by Chloe.

"Nothing just thinking back on my life how did everything switch? So much happened, I got disowned by Sabine and Tom and they went to jail!"

"They deserved it, they were ridiculous, utterly ridiculous" Ever since Chloe learned what Tom and Sabine had been doing she filed a case on them, the case went longer than expected, but they finally went to jail. Marinette also ended up being adopted by Chloe.

"Well are you done packing? Adri-kins, 'Gami and Luka-bear will be here soon"

"Yeah, I am done" Marinette said grabbing her bag. Where are they going? Away far away from Paris. To New York. After the defeat of Hawkmoth, there was nothing left in Paris anymore. Only bad memories. So they decided to leave.

So this wraps up first chapter of my Timinette Soulmate-Au. I hoped you like it!! Shoutout to @batsandbugs for helping me soo much in this story.

Chapter-2

#Timinette #Soulmate Au #Marinette needs a hug #Marinette needs love #Timari #Have a coffee #Maribat #Soulmates #weird writings

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thatpoppinat · 3 years

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👸🏻More Than A Nickname👸🏻

In this story, the miraculous lore is the same and so is the time period

but, instead of the French monarchy being beheaded in the French Revolution, the government is a constitutional/democratic monarchy

-Lives are Changed-

Marinette is the only daughter of Their Royal Highnesses Melody Cheng (commoner, Asian) of China and Maxim Louis Bourbon (royalty, European) of France, making her Princess Marinette Coccinelle Bourbon Cheng of France, making her the heir to the throne

and she doesn't even know it at first

an assassination attempt on an unborn baby Mari ended up killing her mother, she had been taken out via c- section and was labelled as 'dead' to the public

Marinette was taken in by one of Melody's distant relatives Sabine to live in Paris, because the King feared the for only child of him and his no deceased wife's safety

A fake certificate was made in order to keep her safe and for her to have a couple of years with a normal life

(So, yes. This is basically a "Princess Diaries" kind of story. I love those kinds of stories. Deal with it.)

This changes when she becomes Ladybug, however

To summarize the whole affair, Maxim discovers that Marinette is Ladybug and escorts her (read: forces her) back to the Versailles Palace in order to keep her safe, but due to Marinette's passion for her job she is very against this

She is also reeling from the fact that she had been lied to for practically her entire life up to this point

Oh, and the fact that her birthmother had been murdered and there were people out there who wanted her dead.

No biggie.

-Schools are Switched-

Earlier, Marinette had been switched to online schooling due to bullying (Lila and her lackeys).

She was sent by Maxim to the Beauvoir Boarding School for Wealthy and Artistic Young Women; it's a part of the Versailles palace, near the public gardens (so it's technically not a boarding school for her, seeing as though she doesn't technically leave her "house")

She is given her own (gorgeous) room and has to get used to the luxury that surrounds her, all the while trying to hide her secrets from her new school friends: Anastasia, Elodie, Brielle, Rosamie, and Catalina

There is this one girl named Emma that absolutely hates her for -insert reason- and is rude to her (she'll regret that later on)

Also, she ruins the name Emma for Marinette; don't want to name your child after someone who torments you, after all

Thought I guess children in general are tormentors, idk, pick your poison

Her identity is hidden from the public, but after another attempt on her life, leaks of her existence spread, and the news was suddenly blasting this one question

"Is our Princess alive?"

The king eventually announces that, yes, his daughter did survive that attack, and tells the world her middle name, Coccinelle.

Everyone wants to know who the Princess is and it's all over the news, nobles insist on meeting her, etc.

Crack theorists connect 'Coccinelle' to 'Ladybug' and there are now conspiracy theories on how the missing princess was Paris' heroine Ladybug; however, many people thought that was stupid (how little did the know lol)

and, of course, Lila claims to have met Coccinelle before (technically, yes) and that she was friends with her (absolutely not)

Marinette was given a pet poodle as an apology from her father for drastically changing her life, and because ~French~

-Insight is Made-

After the tension kinda fades away, she starts to hang out with her father in his private gardens so she can learn more about him and her mom, "I've always had a passion for gardening, Sabine told me it was one of your hobbies." "Your mother was incredibly sassy, so defiant."

Marinette noticed that his usual stone cold face seemed to soften when he talked about her, and she began to admire her birthmother

Tom and Sabine will always be held dear in her heart, however. They raised her and loved her after all.

She learns her father had met her mother when they were in their teenage years.

Maxim had disguised himself as a 'commoner' and snuck out of the palace. He had snuck onto a tourist ferry going through the Seine River.

On the ferry, he had seen someone painting a portrait of his future wife. He thought she was pretty and started talking to her

Hence how Marinette got her name:

French for "Rider of the seas" or 'little marine'" :P

(Yes, a river is not a sea, but bear with me)

She eventually convinces Maxim that being Ladybug was her duty and that she could defend Paris and herself with her partner

However, in her spare time when she's not doing schoolwork and defending Paris, she trains to be a Guardian from the Miraculous Temples and have private tutoring on economics, the royal family tree, etc..

Also, I want there to be some white supremacists who didn't like the fact that the past Queen of France was a non- royal Chinese woman; to be raging that a future ruler is going to be biracial. I believe that this has happened to some European royalty that were minorities, and I want Marinette to deal with that and to grow from that

Race doesn't equal nationality; and Marinette knows France, she was raised in France, I feel like this needs to be included

So, basically, I want her to be swamped with physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion - but not forever though, don't worry-

- Announcements are Released-

Her new friends find out she's Ladybug. Marinette de-transforms right in front of them because she was exhausted and wasn't paying attention.

They then proceeded to topple her.

The world learns the Princess is Marinette during an announcement at a Ball her father threw for her; her old class explodes into chaos

Her new friends topple her, again. Her old classmates want to be friends with her again. And her bullies back off. Big time.

Marinette is then approached by Gabriel Agreste to start a clothing line with him inspired by royalty, and while she's tempted to, she doesn't want to associate herself with Adrien

She tells him about how when she was being bullied by one of his models, Lila, Adrien knew she was lying and did nothing when Marinette was isolated from the class. Lila was immediately fired after the talk. Gabriel then has a talk with his son about how his poor behavior had taken away an amazing opportunity from his company, and prays the public never hears about this

Later on, however, they eventually do

Much later on it is leaked that Princess Marinette is Ladybug after footage from an akuma attack

Alya nearly faints. Again.

The 'Crack Theorists' laugh in Smart™, and the world explodes once again

Marinette is definitely popular now.

Adrien freaks out: "OMG, I was flirting with the Princess!" "I ignored my partner when she needed my help!" "She's too good for me!" etc. He can't face her during akuma attacks anymore, and Marinette assumes that because of her status, he's intimidated by her. Chat Noir eventually reveals that he's Adrien and it takes her a while to forgive him, but in time, she does.

In time.

After attacks, reporters start to swarm her for answers and interviews. To get the reporters off her she creates an Instagram and a YouTube channel. Why? Cause I said so.

She's called Princess Coccinelle and gets millions of followers in like, hours after putting herself on the websites. She makes videos of her having fun with her friends, akuma safety tips, answers questions asked about her life, so on and so forth.

'Coccinelle' eventually talks about how she doesn't use Alya's blog because she doesn't fact check their recourses

She doesn't mention how she originally started giving Alya interviews because she used to be her friend

"It took me while to realize that I didn't deserve the mean texts I had gotten from my old classmates, or the ruined sketchbooks; which, as an artist, broke my heart. Anyone can be bullied, be it a princess, or a superhero. The important thing is to know that you are worth it and shouldn't be treated that way regardless of your status or your looks. If the people who are rude to you come to apologize later on, you have the right to be upset and not forgive them initially."

Gabriel questions if targeting Ladybug, the Princess and symbol of the whole freaking country was a good idea

All the while, Marinette trains to be a good guardian, the future 'ruler' of France, and a better hero.

She hardly ever gets homework, but the girls at Beauvoir think it's fair

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I really wish that someone who is a better writer than me and has a lot of free time would write this into a story and not a summary. I might write it later, later on but I have a lot going on rn and I don't feel like my current writing skills could do the story I have envisioned in my head justice. I guess you never know till you try it right?

I’m still on the fence of whether or not it was a good idea to add in Marinette’s secret identity as Ladybug being exposed, but idk.

Anyways, I'd like to hear what you'd guys think about this AU? Should I change something? Do you have ideas and headcanons you'd like to add? A new villain? I'd like to read your comments and suggestions! (ヾ*≧∇≦)ﾉ

Have a nice day, ThatPoppinAT

#ml au #princess marinette #miraculous royalty #minor salt

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mushroommushy · 2 years

Text

I posted 6,965 times in 2021

702 posts created (10%)

6263 posts reblogged (90%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 8.9 posts.

I added 6,379 tags in 2021

#octonauts - 3410 posts

#miraculous ladybug - 1780 posts

#to find later - 319 posts

#enter bunnix - 247 posts

#funny - 165 posts

#important - 134 posts

#ocs - 127 posts

#octonaut ocs - 86 posts

#alix kubdel - 69 posts

#jess speaks - 42 posts

Longest Tag: 131 characters

#hawkmoth is just an angst teenager in an adult body with the need to feel e d g y because ‘you dont understand my motives son gawd’

My Top Posts in 2021

Protective scenario headcanons, where only one crew member is standing and uninjured and the attacker is still going.

Captain

So being the protective person he is, most likely he’d instantly start growling, bearing his teeth at them, unsheathing his claws and puffing his fur as an intimidation tactic. If that wasn’t enough, he’ll attack them until they run or their dead. Because he will not back down

i feel like he would try to reason but as soon as he’s the only one left, he just lets it *all* out and doesn’t hold back

Like he can and will slaughter you if you don’t back down. It’s like threatening a mother’s children. They will do *anything*

Kwazii

i think kwazii is one of those people who are pretty nice and playful, but as soon as you hurt anyone he cares for he can *definitely* severely injure or kill you

And if you hurt Peso? The most innocent crew member and the one Kwazii protects and cares for deeply? You better fucking pray

i feel like he would try to distract the attacker to get them away but if he can’t, then he just does his best to claw the ever loving *fuck* out of them, and use his teeth as well.

he just uses all of the built up anger of seeing his friends hurt

Kwazii will hiss at you, and if you’ve ever had a cat that’s a warning that they are about to scratch the living daylights out of you. His claws are extremely sharp and can blind you if he wishes.

Peso

Peso doesn’t have many weapons and has little physical strength. His only defense he has?

His medical bag. That carries a scalpel and syringes. He could also use the bandages to cover someone’s eyes.

Now normally, he wouldn’t be willing to hurt someone but if his entire crew is injured? And this person is threatening him? All traces of the shy and sweet penguin vanish and out comes a short stack willing to kill.

Pecking their eyes out is also an option, but chances are he’d use his scalpel to kill them.

Shellington

See the full post

35 notes • Posted 2021-03-21 23:09:34 GMT

*Inhales*

Mama Captain.

W h e e z e

37 notes • Posted 2021-04-13 20:49:36 GMT

Experiments AU

What are a couple of their powers?

I’ll list some of them!

Marinette - Unlimited Creation. She could create a planet if she used up all of her power at once. Tied with Adrien for strongest power.

Adrien - Unlimited Destruction. He could destroy a planet if he used up all of his power at once. Tied with Marinette for strongest power.

Alix - Age Reversal. With her power activated, she can reverse, freeze or speed up time. This works on both people (including herself) and objects. Strongest power after Adrien and Marinette.

Nino - He can create green bubbles that can be used to trap people, hold things and be shields. These bubbles are near impossible to break unless hit by a different experiments power that is stronger than his.

Marc - When in possession of a book, no matter what kind, when written in, allows him to physically change someone. For instance, he could write in his book that someone with brown hair now has blond hair and it would come true.

Nathaniel - He is similar to Marinette. He can control paper, ink or even statues to his will. Anything he draws can also come to life. His ink control is similar to water bending.

Mylene - She can turn into a pile of pink/purple slime. Or she can cover herself in said slime and make herself grow larger through peoples fear. Shrinking is also possible, as well as parts of her slime body that were detached becoming clones.

Ivan - Can harden his body into stone and takes no physical damage to attacks. He can also do something similar to earth bending from ATLA. Surprisingly he is one of the easiest experiments to handle.

Chloe - Can grow venomous spikes from any part of her body. The venom secreted from these spikes have a multitude of effects, such as mind control, paralysis or extreme pain.

Sabrina - Invisibility, but it takes a bit of practice to hide her clothes. She can also copy a much weaker version of another experiments ability for a short period of time.

38 notes • Posted 2021-11-17 13:43:17 GMT

Tweak is, and always will be my favorite octonaut. So, in honor of her take some pictures of her.

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44 notes • Posted 2021-04-10 22:38:45 GMT

Pirate Oc Ask list! This is mainly for my pirates but other people can use this if they’d like.

———————————————————————

1. Do they have any weapons? On their ship or carried with them?

2. Do they use violence or are they friendly?

3. Have they ever encountered a sea monster and survived?

4. Any scars?

5. Do they have treasure? Where do they keep it?

6. Favorite crew member?

7. Favorite shanty?

8. What is their cabin like?

9. Strangest monster they ever saw?

10. Are their family members pirates?

11. Are people scared of them?

12. Do they ever get discriminated against even if they are friendly?

13. Can they swim?

14. Has their ship ever sunk?

15. Whose in charge of the sails?

16. First treasure?

17. Most dangerous treasure hunt?

18. Favorite treasure?

19. A monster encounter that scared them the most?

20. Are they good at swashbuckling?

21. Most exciting treasure?

22. Least exciting treasure?

23. Have they ever witnessed death? Seen a dead body?

24. How would they react to seeing their crew in danger?

25. Do they have a soft side?

26. Do they ever get sea sick?

27. How did they meet their crew?

28. Are they intimidating?

See the full post

56 notes • Posted 2021-06-10 02:41:29 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

#my 2021 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review

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fantasyfandommaiden · 4 years

Text

ML Counsellor AU: Rena Rouge’s Session

Another night, another superhero showing up on her balcony. Luckily, Rena Rouge is a fan of chai tea, and just wants to gush about her civilian best friend.

Taking place a few weeks before Anasi.

~~~~~~~

Carmine Regal had been sitting on her balcony, just enjoying her tea when she spotted not two but three figures leaping across the rooftops of Paris. At first she was concerned that another akuma had appeared that day, but noted that it seemed like Ladybug and Chat Noir were just showing around the new hero, Rena Rouge. She had made a few appearances, seeming to only appear when it was necessary, which made sense in a way. The more Miraculous that were out, the more likely Hawkmoth could somehow capture them… although it would be easier on Ladybug and Chat Noir to have assistance…

She blinked when she saw them stop on top of the building across from her balcony. Chat Noir gestured towards Carmine, and three began to speak to one another, before Ladybug nodded, and gestured towards her as well. Rena looked over towards Carmine, the woman giving the fox heroine a small wave.

Ladybug and Chat Noir then began to leap across the buildings before Rena Rouge gave an elegant leap, landing on the guard rail of Carmine’s balcony, the fox heroine grinning widely at her. “Good evening, Mlle Regal!” she said happily. “My name is Rena Rouge, a pleasure to make your acquaintance! Chat Noir told me that speaking to you was sort of a… rite of passage I guess, among the heros? Do you have a few moments to speak to me?”

Carmine smiled, bringing out a second tea cup “Your lucky I am getting used to people popping in on me, Rena Rouge.”

The fox heroine grinned even wider, hopping off the guardrail and sitting down on the chair as Carmine poured her some chai tea. Carmine looked at the heroine in front of her, taking in the girl's appearance.

Red hair that rivaled hers in colour, but with white tips, large fox ears positioned on top of her head. Large hazel eyes, with a domino mask that covered a good portion of her face, and her superhero costume which reminded her of a fox greatly with the long tail.

Carmine expected Rena’s appearance to change however. A downside to her family’s ability to see through glamour was that the moment her magic sense glamoured, her eyes would begin to see through it without her consent… however for some reason that wasn’t the case here, which confused her.

In most cases, so long as Carmine had a stronger will than the person using glamour, she could see through it, even if it took time. This had been the case with Ladybug, who had an extremely strong will and desire to keep her identity hidden. Chat Noir on the other hand, she could see through a fair bit easier, though still had some difficulties.

However when she looked at Rena Rouge, her appearance didn’t change much… aside from her hair appearing to become a darker shade of red, and the white tips gaining a bit of colour. She then remembered the Fox Miraculous’s main ability, illusions… of course she would have a harder time seeing through the foxes glamour.

The red haired woman simply smiled, offering Rena Rouge a tea cup.

“So, Rena Rouge, what would you like to talk about?”

Rena Rouge let out a low hum, thinking it over, trying to think about what she could talk about without giving away her identity, that had been the rule that Ladybug gave her before her and Chat had raced off.

“For the most part Mlle, I’m actually fine… could I ask for advice for a friend of mine though? And yes, it IS actually a friend.” she said grinning widely.

Carmine smiled gesturing for her to continue as she took a sup of her tea.

“Okay, so my best friend, let's call her… M.A. Anyways, M.A is the most amazing, kind, generous, creative girl I have ever met.” Rena Rouge said with the utmost sincerity, grinning widely “She is kind and considerate, and always puts others ahead of herself, which I both love and hate about her at times. She however suffers from a lot of social anxieties because she used to be bullied a lot before we became friends, but she has come really far! She is the kind of girl you can always depend on… which is part of the problem.”

Carmine looked at Rena with a slight raised brow “Oh? You would think that you would like having a dependable friend.”

“Oh, I do! She’s the kind of person anyone can depend on… and she likes people depending on her.” Rena explained, fiddling with her tea cup. “See… how do I explain this without going too far into secret identities…” she said frowning “... Okay, so you ever have that friend that is great at multitasking, and will take on any project head first? She’s like that, only on top of her own projects, she’ll also help our class, and she honestly goes above and beyond for that too… but…”

Carmine’s eyes widened as she realized where she was getting at “You're worried that M.A will suffer from burn out.” she said finally, to which the fox heroine nodded rapidly.

“Exactly! It’s not even a matter of she can’t say no, she knows how to, but whenever she hears that someone needs a hand with something, and if it is even CLOSE to something she is good at, she’ll volunteer to help, regardless of the fact if she already had like ten other things on her plate.” Rena stated frowning “... And I know I sometimes add to it too. Like a few weeks ago, my boyfriend got these tickets for one time showing this old superhero movie that I had been dying to see. I was supposed to have the night off from looking after my siblings, but something came up with my parents' work. I had called M.A, and she agreed to babysit but…”

“... You felt guilty for adding more to her load.”

Rena nodded sadly “... Like, she said it was fine, but after the movie I remembered how she had been working on a personal project for awhile… I just want to help her stop putting so much stuff onto herself, but I also don’t want to take away that spark of independence! So… what do I do?”

Carmine let out a low hum as she thought it over. It was a unique problem, especially since Rena wasn’t the one with this problem.

“Well Rena, first thing you have to bear in mind… Your friend might be handing it better than you think. She might enjoy being busy, and having multiple things to do, maybe having less can cause her to be anxious… However if you're still concerned, here are some tips you can.” she stated, placing her tea cup onto the small table. “First thing first, tell your friend your concerns. Sometimes just knowing someone cares is enough. Second, try not to add to her load unless it is something that only she can help you with or if she isn't busy. Third, try to alleviate some of her work if you can, this can be as simple as helping her study or volunteering to do something for her that you know you can handle. Finally… remind your friend to take breaks and do things she enjoys doing, or even offer to go and do something fun with her… and of course, check up on her when you can.”

Rena nodded along to everything she was saying, clearly absorbing the information like a sponge. Her flute then… dinged? Carmine looked momentarily confused as Rena Rouge brought out her flute and flipped open a section, looking at it. “Ladybug needs me to meet her, patrol is done for the night and I have to return the Miraculous.” she said, smiling at Carmine. “Thank you Mlle Regal… I’ll take what you said to heart.” she stated “Good night!” she called before leaping into the Parisian night.

~~~~~~~~

Carmine stood on the balcony hallway of the school the next morning, observing the students coming and going with a small smile on her face and a mug of tea in her hand. Her train of thought was however interrupted as she heard Alya and Marinette speaking to one another on their way to class.

“Girl, it’s fine! How many times have you had to go to the class rep meetings without me because I had to do something with the school blog?” Alya stated with a bright smile. Marinette on the other hand seemed hesitant, gripping the straps of her bag. “But Alya, you had something important to do, the only thing I have to do is a dress I’ve been meaning to finish and that can be finished after the meeting.” Alya simply waved a hand at that “Think of it as me paying you back for looking after the holy terrors from last time, you deserve some of your time.”

“Alya, you PAID me to look after your sisters, you always pay me.”

“You still deserve some time to yourself! Come on girl, how long have you been meaning to finish this dress?” Alya asked, hands on her hips as she looked at the blue haired girl. Marinette fidgeted slightly, a slight blush on her cheeks. “... About a month or so? I’ve been busy.”

“Well, consider this my way of helping you become LESS busy. I’ll go to the class rep meeting, since I AM your deputy, take notes, if they need your input for something, I’ll give you a call, sound good?” Alya asked, looking at her best friend who slowly seemed to accept the idea before smiling and nodded.

“Okay, thanks Alya, this means a lot.” Marinette started with a bright smile. Alya just waved her hand again as if it was nothing.

“Please, I’ve got your back girl! You ever need an extra hand with something, let me know!’

Carmine watched the whole interaction with great interest as the girls walked into their classroom, a slow, knowing smile spreading across her face as she took a sip of her tea.

#ml au #ladybug au #counsellor au #carmine regal #rena rouge #ladybug #alya cesaire #Alya Sugar #ML Sugar #Good Friend Alya

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the-lupine-sojourner · 4 years

Text

I Promised, Didn’t I? [Traitor(?)!Reader/Izuku Commission] [Fantasy!AU]

Ta-da! Here it is at long last, @elite-guard-hardygal!! So sorry to keep you waiting so long! TT^TT

Anyway, Hardygal commissioned this fanfiction based on some ideas they had and the song ‘Not while I’m Around’ from the Sweeny Todd movie. I like the song and the idea behind the commission, so I was eager to get to work on it, but then I got distracted with work and Miraculous Ladybug cus I was too curious as to what was going on so I binged the latest episodes--anyway, on to the commission!

If you want one for yourself, all you need do is ask! Here’s Info on My Commissions.

As always, I give the word count for my commissions. This one sits at 3807-ish cus there was just so much story there, I couldn’t stop writing! XD

Ok, that’s all for now! Hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving! :)

God Bless and Happy Holidays!

~The Lupine Sojourner

(Here’s a cute Izuku GiF cus why not?)

There he was; Eijiro Kirishima, the one you’d been sent to observe and eventually turn over to your boss, Kai Chisaki.

He and his group were...less than thrilled that a rogue barbarian king named Katsuki Bakugo and his companion, Eijiro, and their group of friends had been taking down his thugs and operations left and right, and as such Kai himself had sat you down and told you about sending his stealthier cronies to track and observe Eijiro and his friends, taking note of their relationships and which member would cause the most damage if they were to be...removed.

Eijiro was, apparently, one of the most innocent and a key player in keeping another group, led by Izuku Midoriya (another target, turns out), in fairly good terms with each other.

Eijiro was also married, after a somewhat fast-paced romance, to one of the most powerful magic-wielding adventurers in recent memory, Takara Yamada.

Only Shoto Todoroki, a rather reserved fellow who ran from his princely duties to find a cure for a curse that befell him, his fiance and bodyguard, Momo Yaoyorozu, and Izuku Midoriya (who was trying to find the missing king, Toshinori Yagi) could best Takara in terms of power and the way they use it.

The Chisaki told you to help hunt down Eijiro to unbalance Takara and the other powerhouses so it would be easier to kill them.

“Hey, are you okay?”

You look up. You’d been so wrapped up in your thoughts you hadn’t realized you were standing in the middle of the street, staring into space.

“Oh, y-yeah. I’m fairly new to the area, and was just getting my bearings. I look like that when I’m concentrating.”

Eijiro smiles. “Well, um, do you have a place to stay tonight?” He asks.

You chuckle. “Yes. The tavern, for now.”

“You should stay with me and my wife instead! She’d love you!” You act like you were surprised, but thanks to Chisaki you knew this was typical for Eijiro.

He always strove to help those he could. Poor naive boy.

Well, it would provide you an in with your targets. “Oh, no. I couldn’t ask you to do that. Really, I’m fine. I’m asking around for jobs, and I’ve got plenty of money to last me till I got a steady job.”

“It’s honestly no trouble. Takara would love to meet you.” You act like you were flattered and shyly accepting of the generous offer, and you could genuinely appreciate what this meant to him and his new wife.

Chisaki had even told you of rumors about Takara and what would happen in around 6 months.

You hope that rumor wasn’t true. You’d hate to make a child an orphan like you were before Chisaki snapped you up.

“Oh! I just realized; I don’t know your name.”

“Oh you’re right! And I don’t know yours, come to think of it.” You give the name you were told to use, Koi Dirisk.

“Lovely name. I’m Eijiro Kirishima.”

“Pleasure.” You shake hands and try not to think of the future too much.

=#=#=#=#=

“Darling, I’m home!” Eijiro calls, smiling broadly as he walks into the house.

“Perfect time! That deer you got this morning is just about cooked.” Comes a female voice, approaching.

Then, Takara comes into your view. She was...prettier than you thought she’d be. The description hadn’t done her justice, though you suppose that was either to avoid attachments or because the Chisaki were focused on the basics rather than her beauty.

“Oh. Eijiro, you didn’t mention a friend.” She says and you can tell she’s surprised but not angry or about to throw you out.

“She’s new to the area. Her name’s Koi. I offered to save her some money until she gets her feet under her.” Takara nods, smiling warmly at you and you feel your heart clench at the prospect of what will happen. You glance at her stomach as she walks over. It was starting to show, her pregnant belly. Just enough that you could confirm the rumors about Takara.

“Well, alright. We’ll see what we can do.” The two of you shake hands and you almost feel sick at the thought of turning this young bride into a widow so soon after her nuptials. And the kid would grow up without their wonderful parents.

And yet, you had to do what Chisaki said, or you’d be the next victim of his awful magic, creating deadly spikes out of the ground or simply destroying the body from within.

You’d been a witness in many executions now, and yet you hadn’t turned him in. You couldn’t.

You subtly shake yourself as Takara offers to show you around and to your borrowed room. You had to play the part for now.

The house was amazing, cozy and charming. The perfect place for a family, complete with a room for the upcoming child.

As soon as the tour was over, Takara returned to the kitchen and finished the meal preparation.

“So what brings you into town?” That question had come up fairly quickly as you ate dinner.

“Ah you know; traveling the world, seeing the sights, getting some exploring done before it’s too late.” That was what Kai wanted you to say. You felt the food turn to dust and ashes in your mouth as you lied.

This poor family would be torn apart and they had no idea.

=#=#=#=#=

“You established contact with Kirishima?”

“Yes.” You report in a small side room in a local tavern a day or so later.

“Good. Does he trust you yet?”

“Not sure. We’ve barely begun a friendship, much less trust at this stage. We’re going to do some magic practice later. That should help.”

“Y/N, are you having second thoughts?” Kai asks suddenly, leaning over a little.

“Not at all. I just noticed Takara Kirishima is in fact pregnant. She seems to be in the first trimester.”

“Is that a problem?” You knew the right answer.

“No. Just thought you should know.”

“It’ll make it easier for us to take care of her when the time comes. Good work.” You nod, swallowing subtly.

“Right. I’ll report to you again when I find the others in the group containing Izuku Midoriya.” Kai Chisaki nods, humming.

“See that you do, Y/N.”

“Yes, sir.” You reply, knowing the right answer.

=#=#=#=#=

Things only got worse as you were introduced to Izuku Midoriya.

He was even dressed like a proper gentleman, acting so polite you felt your heart clench at having to look at him like an enemy, scanning for weakness.

And so far, his main weakness was his easygoing, friendly, fairly trusting nature. Practically as soon as you were introduced to him, he was shaking your hand and talking about how ‘any friend of Eijiro and Takara’s is a friend of mine’.

You wanted to throw up. How could these people trust you so easily? Didn’t they want to know more about you?

So far, you’d been all but blindly taken in, asked the bare minimum of questions, and accepted as a new ally and friend by these people.

You tried to just continue like nothing was wrong.

=#=#=#=#=

“You sure know how to go on the offense there, Koi.” Izuku notes, smiling that damn warm smile of his as you two sparred.

“Well, my instructor was a victim of assault. It made her paranoid, and she passed that on to me. She told me ‘end the fight before the tricks up their sleeves come out’.”

Most of that was true. She was a victim of assault, but for being a villain, not in a random act of violence.

Izuku pauses. “That’s fair advice.” He concedes. “I wish I could help everyone, you know. It just doesn’t work that way sometimes.”

“But when you see something, you do something, right?”

“Of course.”

“That’s all anyone can do, if they even decide to do anything.” You weren’t sure when you started getting emotional, but here you were. “Most people are too afraid.”

“Well, yeah, but the ones that aren’t afraid can mean a life is saved and a villain is apprehended.”

You weren’t sure, but you’d swear he was saying something between the lines. A subtle chill went down your spine. Did he know? Or was it just coincidence?

You couldn’t be sure, so you made a few solid excuses to avoid him for the next few days. You had to get your story straight in case you were questioned.

Kai was pleased you were in contact with his next victim already, and had sparred with him. “Did he have any weaknesses in his fighting style that you noticed?” You shook your head.

“Not many. He’s sharp as a sword and quick as a spooked rabbit. We’ll have to be quicker and hit harder.”

“Excellent insight, as always, Y/N.” Kai smiles, curled finger lifting your chin to make you look at him. “You know you’re indispensable to me, dear. No one else has quite your ability to blend into any role I assign them.”

You nod, forcing a smile. “I try, sir.”

“So get out there and keep trying.” You nod and leave, trying not to let your stormy emotions show. You were growing to hate this assignment with a fiery passion.

You’d killed people and betrayed many others to their deaths, but never had you had to be a part of a man’s death with a pregnant wife. Normally, it was single people you dealt with.

At night, you cried yourself to sleep as quietly as you could. Surely, there had to be some way to save Eijiro, Izuku, and their friends, right?

You couldn’t think of anything and it was tearing you apart. You hated every mission you were sent on, but what choice did you have? Kai Chisaki had practically raised you, lording that over you to manipulate you into doing his bidding.

Somehow, you had to save these people.

Gods above, they were your age! How were you supposed to help kill them?!

=#=#=#=#=

“Hey, are you okay?” Takara asks over breakfast. You probably looked like shit.

You spent too long crying and still looked like it.

“Didn’t sleep much last night.”

“Anything you care to talk about?”

For a fleeting moment, you thought of saying ‘screw it’ and telling them the truth, but that was suicide and these people would die, anyway. “Not really. Sorry.”

“No, that’s okay. It’s not easy opening up. I get it.” Takara assures you gently, smiling warmly at you. “Just know you got two ears whenever you need to talk to me, okay?”

You fake a smile and continue eating. “I appreciate that.” Unfortunately, it didn’t spawn any plans to allow everyone in this scenario to survive.

=#=#=#=#=

The cruelest part of Kai’s undercover assignments he gave you was the few weeks you were given to get to know the victims and earn enough of their trust that they’d follow you into the trap the Chisaki laid out for them.

Usually, he talked you into hating the people by portraying himself as the victim, claiming these people betrayed him and left him no choice but to seek retribution.

And you always took his side after all he’d done for you.

But now...now you weren’t so sure.

How could killing people your age, who were just settling into life and starting families, be in any way a good thing, like Kai was claiming?

He’d just given you the week’s notice so you can get a plan for how and when you would lead the targets into a trap.

“Hey, are you okay?” Izuku asks, sitting beside you in the cool evening air atop a hill. About an hour ago, you’d probably have seen a gorgeous sunset if it weren’t for the tears going down your face.

You subtly wipe them away. “Yeah. You?” He nods, gently wrapping his arm around your shoulder. Your cheeks flush a little. Izuku was so...genuine and friendly.

He didn’t deserve to die.

“I think I am. Did you come up here to watch the sunset?” He asks, and you can tell he knew precisely why you were here.

“Something like that.” You reply glumly. You’d gotten closer to Izuku over the few weeks you’d known him, and you hated yourself for getting so caught up in the part you were playing that you could almost forget why you wore the mask.

Almost.

“You know, I’ve always liked taking moments to just sit and...be myself. Everyone looks to me as a leader and I hate to let people down.”

You nod. “So you only let yourself feel things when you’re alone.” You murmur.

Izuku squeezes your shoulder gently.

“You can be yourself around me, you know that, right?” You bite your lip.

“I know.” It was the right answer...right?

Izuku leans his head on yours, and you lose your train of thought.

“You ever feel like we were destined to meet?” He asks. “I mean--um...not necessarily romantically, just- -I- -ah, not that I am opposed to that, Koi! I just- -crap I made it weird…” You laugh.

“Izuku, I feel the same.” It wasn’t destiny, though; it was Kai. However, you couldn’t deny a feeling that beyond Kai, like maybe there was something there. You two seemed like strings being woven together for a tapestry.

“Oh, good.” He chuckles nervously as you readjust yourself against his strong chest. “What I was trying to say is, um…” He clears his throat, “nothing’s gonna harm you. Not while I’m around…” He sings softly all of a sudden.

You sigh. Even his voice was amazing. Honestly, given time, you may have fallen truly in love with him, but...he was a target of the Chisaki.

There’s no way he’d survive.

“I’m sorry. It’s something my mother would sing to me when I was little.” He apologizes. “It was dumb, I’m sorry.” You chuckle. Maybe, just for one night, you could let go and truly enjoy yourself. You snuggle up to Izuku.

“No, no. Go on. I’m sorry.”

Izuku starts over, and continues from there. “Demons are prowling everywhere, nowadays. I’ll send em howling, I don’t care. I got ways.” You smile, almost believing him. If he somehow, by some miracle, survived the week, you could see yourself maybe giving him a shot, regardless of the consequences. “No one’s gonna hurt you, no one’s gonna dare. Others can desert you. Not to worry! Whistle, I’ll be there! Demons will charm you with a smile, for a while, but in time...” That, you felt, was Izuku talking like he knew about Kai and your undercover work. In case he didn’t, you snuggle closer as if charmed by his words. And you were, but you were also a little wary. If he knew, it might mean danger for you, especially if Kai found out. “Nothing can harm you. Not while I’m around…”

You two sit for a moment in silence, enjoying each other’s company.

Your heart ached to tell him everything while part of you knew better so you sat there, wondering what to do. It’s then you reach a decision.

Izuku was one of the most powerful magic wielders to date. If anyone stood a chance at saving himself and his friends, it was Izuku. But only if he knew it was coming.

“Hey, um, Izuku..?” You begin, wondering how he would react. As long as he survived, though, it didn’t matter what he thought of you. You could rebuild trust eventually, but only if he survived. “I don’t want anything to harm you, either. Not...not while I’m around.” You weren’t singing, you were looking him in the eye. You had to do this. You knew it was the right thing to do. “I- -”

“Whatever it is, Koi, you can talk to me. I want to help you. Just tell me what you need to overcome.” You take a breath. “Koi, I won’t let anyone hurt you, I promise.”

He had no idea...no idea you were about to shatter his perception of you.

“I don’t want to hide anything from you…” You began. “But this...this is big.” Izuku perks up now that he’d started to crack at the armor you put around your secrets. He let you talk, his eyes betraying his eagerness to know more. You closed your eyes. “I...when I was young, maybe 6 or so, my village was attacked and burned by a villain group that was trying to get themselves started. For days afterward, I wandered around, homeless and an orphan…” You were shaking. You had never ever confided in anyone like this, and yet...you knew you had to keep going. Izuku’s warm, steady hand on yours helped ground you. You opened your eyes focused them on him and somehow found the strength to keep going. “And then someone took me in. I didn’t know it at first, but he was a villain. He wasn’t famous yet, and he hadn’t done anything flashy or impressive, but his magic was devastatingly powerful and he had convinced many people to join him.” Izuku’s eyes go wide.

He could fill in a few blanks just fine, but he kept his mouth shut, afraid Koi would stop talking if he dared utter a word.

“He told me his name was Kai Chisaki and he wanted me to be his spy, his little chameleon. I’ve been sent on many assignments, I’ve done so many horrible things to people, but I always thought Kai was right. He always made me think it was the right thing to do.” Tears formed in your eyes. Izuku hadn’t said a word. You didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing but you kept going. “But this time, for the first time, he made me go undercover with people my age, just starting out in life. I...I’ve grown to like you all a lot, even that barbarian king. You all accepted me with hardly any questions and Takara’s pregnant, and...and I can’t keep going on like I don’t know what’s coming. I made up the story about King Toshinori, and about my eavesdropping on those villains. It was a cover so I could remain a chameleon without you and Eijiro and the others ever suspecting I was the leak. You’d be ambushed and dealt with quickly so you’d stop interfering with Kai’s plans.”

You swallow. You’d done the hardest part, now you had convince him that you wanted to help him survive and protect him. “Now, I want to help you, Izuku! I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner! It’s just...Kai is terrifying! I know that’s no excuse, but…” You take a breath before you broke down in tears. “I don’t want the Chisaki to kill you or your friends. I...I want to protect you and make sure nothing harms you! I promise I’ll do my best to protect you and everyone else!” At this point, you couldn’t hold the tears back anymore. You tried not to be overdramatic, so you took deep breaths to steady yourself. “I understand if you don’t want anything to do with me, Izuku. Just know that I will protect you, no matter what. I’ll do what I can to make up for what I’ve done.”

You stood there, trembling as you waited for his reaction.

Izuku was stunned. He’d had had his suspicions about you from the time you avoided him for a few days. He checked on your excuses and they didn’t quite pan out, but he always thought maybe he was wrong. Now...he knew he was right. There was more to you then meets the eye.

But at least you had come forward and confessed in time to ensure everyone survived. That was what was important.

While he was hurt that you’d only joined his group as a ploy to kill him, he knew if he didn’t do something to make sure you knew he wouldn’t abandon you, he’d lose you and you’d think he hated you.

And that wasn’t true at all. In fact, it was the opposite. He’d grown very fond of you and was proud that you were coming forward and warning him about the impending ambush.

This way, he could be prepared and deal with the villains while still maintaining Koi- -or whatever your name was; Koi was likely a cover- -’s cover before you were found out and killed for your betrayal. Izuku knew Kai wouldn’t take kindly to his spy revealing herself to the enemy, much less getting so attached to them.

“So...what’s your real name?” He asks, giving you a small smile.

Your eyes go wide. You hadn’t expected that reaction at all.

Izuku didn’t seem to hate you for your role in Chisaki’s plan. At least, not right now.

You wipe your eyes. “W-what?”

“What’s your name?” He repeats, smiling at you. “I’m guessing Koi isn’t your real name.”

Hardly knowing how to feel, you let out a nervous chuckle. “N-no, it’s not. I’m, uh...Y/N.” You murmur, unsure how to take Izuku’s reaction.

Izuku’s smile goes wider and he holds out a hand as he stands. “Well then, Y/N, we’ve got work to do if we’re gonna survive the attack from the Chisaki group. C’mon.”

You hesitate, then take the hand, letting him help you up. “Izuku...I don’t know...I don’t want everyone to know and hate me.”

“Trust me, they’ll be thrilled you joined our side against someone like Kai Chiaski and want to help them survive. Eijiro will side with you, I know it.”

“Katsuki will kill me…” You moan, suddenly remembering the barbarian’s temper and explosive magic he could barely control. Those factors combined sent a chill down your spine. But maybe you deserved it for befriending them under such treacherous circumstances.

“I’ll handle Katsuki. He’ll be happy as long as he has villains to fight.”

While you appreciate the thought of Izuku convincing Katsuki to not kill you, you knew it was a long shot at best.

“I’ll be one of those villains.”

“No you won’t.” He assures you. “Y/N, trust me. I’ll talk to him. I know how to handle the barbarian king. You just need to talk to Todoroki and Momo, and we’ll get a plan together.”

Shakily, you nod. “I...I guess, yeah. Yeah, I’ll do that.”

“Nothing’s gonna harm you, Y/N.” Izuku says, leaning his forehead against yours. “Not while I’m around. I promised, didn’t I?”

You try to believe him as you walk back into town, hand in hand.

There were so many unknowns going through your head, but one thing was for sure; you and Izuku were going to figure it out together.

#Fanfiction #fanfiction commissions #my hero academia #MHA #Izuku Midoriya #Izuku Midoriya/Traitor(?)!Reader #Fantasy AU #MHA Fantasy AU #BNHA Fantasy AU #Fantasy!Izuku #Eijiro Kirishima #Eijiro Kirishima/Takara Yamada #My Hero Academia OC #Mentioned but not central to the story #Hardygal

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panpytaked · 5 years

Text

A little ficlet for @gale-of-the-nomads Queen bee’s city au that has literally no point but I wanted to write it down

~~~~~~~~~~~

“What do you MEAN there are people that ship Stinger with Queen Bee?!” Chloé exclaimed at the lunch table as Derek choked on his water, trying to hide it by putting his head down. Both stared at Gabby, who sat in front of them with a confused expression on her face.

“Um.... Do you guys even LOOK at the comments on the BuzzBlog?” She asked as she showed them the screen of her phone, opening a random section of comments. “Literally, all you have to do is look!”

And look they did. Varying levels of distress on their faces as they read the comments about thier hero identities. Comments on how cute they were together, how there was obviously some chemistry and even a few talking about how Stinger looked at her when she wasn’t looking (which Chloé could tell he was denying when she looked at him and he glared back) and vise versa.

But there were a few fans who would rather ship themselves with the hero and heroine. Derek could already hear Chloé’s rant later on about how she was ‘too good’ for anyone in this city and they’d be lucky if she’d give any of them a chance. He, however, felt a little flattered. He idly wondered what about him was attractive to the fans when he was in the suit.

Gabby took her phone back, looking amused at the two. “Don’t tell me...” She said and then gasped. “Chloé! I didn’t think he was your type! But you got a thing for heroes, huh?” Gabby winked and Derek swore he never saw a more horrified/disgusted look on his partner’s face. He must’ve looked amused at her pain because Gabby started on him without giving Chloé a chance to defend herself. “You think you’re innocent, Mr. Dalvir? I think I should warn Melody to watch out for the Queen of competition,” He wanted to die.

Over the course of the next four minutes, Gabby could hear her friends sputter to correct her. They talked over one another, studdering over thier words and even telling the other to shut up so Gabby can hear them. But she never did. The conversation was hard to keep up with but nevertheless she looked amused.

“Chill out, I’m teasing,” She finally said, trying to calm them down. “But that gives me an idea for a poll on the BuzzBlog! Who would you date? Queen Bee or Stinger?”

——————————

“Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!” Chloé finished as she fell on the bed, sitting with her arms crossed and a pout as Derek rolled his eyes and made a bit more space for her dramatic ass, continuing to shuffle through Netflix.

“Speaking of ridiculous, which horrible teen movie do you wanna watch?” He asked as he reclined back, throwing the remote on her lap as he laid back and closed his eyes. “I’m bored,” He could feel her glaring at him but he didn’t open his eyes. It was quiet for a moment longer before she groaned, realizing he wasn’t about to look at her without incentive.

“Literally nobody in this city has taste. Even if I didn’t know who Stinger was, I wouldn’t date him!” She’s been going off for 10 minutes. Two minutes in, he wanted to argue that he was actually an amazing catch and she’d be lucky if he gave her a chance. However, he thought against it. He wouldn’t date Queen Bee even if he didn’t know who was under the mask either.

“You say him like he’s not in the room,” He said as he looked at her with a smirk on his lips. “Besides, Stinger is obviously attractive to some people. He doesn’t need your approval,” He said, his obnoxious smirk growing as she glared at him.

“I hate you,”

“Wow. You almost made me care,” He said, his voice not giving any indication that were true. “By the way, I should be leaving,”

“And leave me to do the homework myself?” She asked and he rolled his eyes.

“That’s what you’re supposed to do,” He put his book bag on.

“I’m not stupid,”

“Then don’t act stupid,” Derek said.

“Go awayyyyyy,” She groaned out and Derek smiled.

“Alright fine. See you later?” He asked and she sighed. She almost forgot about going out. “Come on, Ladybug doesn’t skip out on her patrols...”

“Untrue! I’ve seen that cat walking around Paris himself before!”

“Yeah? Well stingers can’t exist without bees,” He said and Chloé let out an exhale.

“Fine...”

“See you later,” He said, leaving her room and shitting the door behind him. And suddenly it was too quiet. She hated being left alone. Usually in Paris, she had Sabrina or Adrien to talk to. Sabrina was at least always there. And if all else failed, her butler always made her feel better.

Now she was in New York with her mother. Who was currently not at home. Should she call someone? Would that be desperate? Sure, if she called Gabby she wouldn’t know Derek was literally just there but she’d feel like she was desperate for attention.

In the end, she went on the BuzzBlog, looking at the shitshow Gabby pointed out to them today and seeing the poll already posted. She raised an eyebrow as she saw Queen Bee being only a couple votes ahead of Stinger. The people of New York may have taste after all. She looked on to discoverer Gabby’s posts. Pictures of them fighting crime, links to some Queen Bee or Stinger merchandise (few but people still loved to make it.). And then links to a fan fiction website. She knew that most contained fan stories written about herself and Stinger. She never read it but Derek admitted to reading one.

He claimed curiosity and told her there were stories that had them kissing or cuddling and shit like that. He said there were stories that had one of them dying (which gave him a heart attack but he never told her that). And then stories of... less innocent kissing. Well, he said sex but she really really doesn’t want to say the word. She remembered feeling her face heating at the time and Derek looked amused at her embarrassment. “Oh geez, is every teen in Paris big babies?”

She skipped the links to them but read the summaries sometimes. But it seemed even the summaries could embarrass her. Her face was warm again. She decided that was enough. She grabbed her bear and went to sleep.

——————————

Literally my first okay work for Miraculous Ladybug. And it’s me being embarrassing about gale’s au. I don’t like the end but I didn’t exactly have an end planned so this is it

#miraculous ladybug #chloe bourgeois #derek dalvir #queen bee’s city au #queen bee #stinger #gabby #audrey bourgeois

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miraculousturtle · 5 years

Text

to you, i thee wed (chapter 12)

They didn’t know they were marrying each other until the bride got to the altar. And then panic ensued. A Miraculous Ladybug Married at First Sight AU.

(AO3//FF.net)

Pairings: Adrien/Marinette

Parts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

WC: 7.8 K

A big thank you to @gigiree and @panda013 for editing! :D

There is magic in the world, Chat Noir knows. He feels in it in his very bones, in the utterance of an incantation, integral to the deepest pit of his soul. Paris becomes home again as Chat Noir clings to Ladybug's welcoming, magical embrace.

He holds her close, never wanting to let go again. How he survive all these years without her by his own volition is something that he can’t understand. How did he go this long without the solace of her friendship?

Ladybug sobs into his chest as his tears soak her hair. This is the truest form of homecoming, love so powerful that no words are needed to say “I missed you”. No words are worth speaking. The ghost of Chat Noir’s past finally meets him in the present and nothing has felt more right than this moment. It only took a while to get here.

Below them, Paris is unaware the relief they feel at their reunion. All transgressions forgiven with hiccups and hellos buried in tight hugs. The stars above are the only witnesses to a wish spent years in the making.

Another part of him wishes that they wouldn’t have to discuss the years long of pain he’s caused them. His biting betrayal that’s haunted them both. But he’s no longer a child who can pretend the hurt away, especially if he’s the one who caused it. Magic isn't strong enough for that.

Somewhere in Paris, a final church bell rings and Chat Noir’s heart aches with penance. “I missed you so, so much.”

Ladybug stiffens in his arms, her breath in time with the hollow bells across the city. Silence blankets over them, their crying fading as reality catches up to them. There is no more running.

Ladybug hugs him tighter, her voice muffled against his shoulder. “I hate you.”

“I know.”

“So much,” she says, her voice cracking.

Her admission knocks the wind out of him, punches him straight in the gut. Guilt spirals through his veins, making it hard to breathe. “I know.”

The air crackles between them as Ladybug pulls back. Determination blazes fierce in her expression as the moon hangs behind her. It encases her in a silvery halo of retribution and she has never looked more beautiful.

She pinches his side, causing him to yelp and oh, how he has missed the steely gaze in her bluebell eyes. “No, you don't know,” Ladybug grits. “You have no way of knowing because—believe me, I've practiced this conversation a thousand times." She points an accusing finger at him, frustration rich with her every action. “You are going to listen.”

Chat Noir nods, knowing when to be quiet. Choosing to be quiet because she deserves to have this. Her anger, her righteous fury. She deserves to let it free and aim it at her target.

Ladybug takes a deep breath, her body poised as if to yell, but then she deflates. She wraps her arms around herself, makes herself so small. “I don’t even—I don’t even know what I want to say anymore…”

“That’s a lie.” He laughs, mirthless and hallow. “How about the way I hurt you? Or about how I was selfish? Or how I was inconsiderate? Or—”

In a blink, she’s in front of him, her hand on his bicep, her smile kind. “Or how about you stop that? There’s no point in being angry anymore. What’s done is done, Chat.”

Chat Noir feels his heart crawl into his throat. “I don’t know about that, LB. I hurt you. I hurt us.”

Her fingers give a loving squeeze, become his lifeline as she becomes all the world that he sees. “You did, but you came back. You’re here with me right now.”

Loathing sears across the bridge of his nose, disgust heaving in his chest. “I shouldn’t have left in the first place. God, I was so stupid,” he says, scrubbing his eyes.

Once again, her fingers bring clarity and hope, this time as she takes them from his eyes. She holds them with love and lets out a weary, exasperated breath.

“Then why did you leave? Why didn’t you say goodbye?”

He stills, his heart rampant in his chest. “Do you want the whole truth or only half?”

Ladybug interlaces their fingers together, her wrist and pulse point aligned with his. “It’s been a long time, Chat. I think we deserve the whole truth. Don’t you think so, too?” She bites her lip before continuing. “Is it because...is it because I didn’t fall in love with you?”

“Me-ouch, Bugaboo. Way to assume to worst of me,” he scolds playfully, but the smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “But no. It had nothing to do with you. It had everything to do with me and my family.”

“Like what?”

“Again, do you want the whole truth or only half of it?”

“The whole, please.”

A few seconds tick by and then he lets go of her hands, her warmth missed . With a sigh, Chat Noir sits down and pats the space besides him. “I don’t think I can tell you while looking at you. And you should...well, sitting would be good?”

Ladybug studies him, trying to understand what he means. She sits as he directed, their arms only inches apart and it reminds him of the years that spanned between them. So close, but so far. The steel from the Eiffel Tower is a cold reminder of the regret that lays deep in his heart.

“Why did you leave, Chat? I promise I won’t be mad. I’m tired of being mad.”

He snorts. “I’m not worried about you being mad. I just—I couldn’t bear if you hated me. That’s why I never told you…” he trails off. With another sigh, he focuses on the twinkling lights of Paris, a sight he’s memorized in all the years of his longing. “You were my most precious friend growing up. I loved no one more than you. And I don’t think I’ll love anyone like you. You were my best friend, Ladybug. You meant the world to me.”

She catches him by surprise by knocking into his shoulder. Giving her a sidelong glance, he gives her soft and sweet smile. “You still mean the world to me, Chat. I’ve been half a hero since you’ve been gone.”

Knowing when he’s been defeated, he wraps an arm around her and holds her close. “You’re always a hero, Bug. No matter what you do or where you are, you are a hero. In the mask or not. That I have no doubt.”

Ladybug places her head on his shoulder, as if she’s allowing her heart to rule over her brain. “When I’m Ladybug, you’ve always been half my heart. And when you left, you took half of it with you.”

Her truth sings crisp and clear through the moment, unable to be taken back with her honesty. Chat Noir’s heart quivers and quakes, his soul shaking at the simpleness of her statement. Years apart has helped him forget how awe inspiring she can be when she cares about something. The way Ladybug still cares about him, her affection tangible as she rubs his back as if they were never apart.

He laughs despite himself, words lost in the familiarity. He leans over and rests his head upon hers and shuts his eyes. For a moment, he pretends a shooting star falls and he wishes with all his might that everything will be okay. Somehow, someway, he prays he doesn’t wreck his second chance before it even begins.

“One day,” he starts, but his voice heavy in the back of his throat. He swallows and tries again. “One day when were about eighteen, don’t you wonder why Hawk Moth disappeared?”

Ladybug ponders to herself, her fingers taking purchase in his leather suit. When ready, she hums with thought, the sound tickling his shoulder. “I thought he was planning something big. We both thought that. The last time—the last time I saw you, we agreed that. And you told me that we should lay low too…”

“That’s right. I did. Because I wanted us to fade from public view.”

Ladybug takes a deep breath before she whispers, “I didn’t think that would be the last time I saw you.” Her voice wavers, the watery wobble drowns him.

He flexes his fist, his claws digging into his palm. “It wasn’t the goodbye I intended, but I didn’t feel very brave in the moment to state otherwise.”

Her only response is another hitch of breath.

“...I had it all planned out,” he says, letting out a puff of air. “I was going to tell you the truth, reveal myself to you, and then disappear. But I only did one of those things. The cowardly thing.”

Ladybug lifts her head up from his shoulder and angles herself towards him. Her blue eyes beseeching answers. “Chat, tell me. Please. I promise it won’t change anything.”

He closes his eyes, unable to look at her and shakes his head. “No, Ladybug. It will change everything. I assure you.”

“Chat, please...”

Time ticks endlessly forward, in this moment and in beyond. There is no going back, he knows, but a part of him wants nothing more than that. With his heart hammering in his chest, he opens his eyes and finds her gaze again, always kind and inviting. It gives him the last bit of resolve he needed.

“My father was Hawk Moth.”

The world does not stop at his darkest secret hangs between them. No magic is strong enough to do that, but it does still Ladybug in her tracks. She blinks, her mouth parted in disbelief. “Oh.” Ladybug doesn’t say anything for a long moment. “Was?”

“Yes.”

“So...so, he’s no longer Hawk Moth?” She ask, hesitation in her voice, her world not the same.

Chat Noir knows the feeling. He gives her a wane smile, only stating fact and quenching memories that hurt more so than usual. “He’s no longer alive.”

“Oh.” A beat. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

It’s not the first time someone has said these things to him, but it strikes him funny that Ladybug would pay his father the same courtesy. Despite that there were plenty of afternoons where she wanted nothing more than to throttle Paris’s own Gabriel Agreste.

Oddity and peculiarity find him well in this moment. “It’s...it’s okay. He wasn’t perfect. He was fucking Hawk Moth, but he loved me. And...we were happy. When we left Paris. We were a family for that little while,” he admits.

He feels young again, not for the first time since he’s come back home and certainly not the last. The childhood nostalgic that calls him now has nothing to do with falling in love or almost noticing a pretty girl. It lies in the one love Adrien wanted all along. Even now, transformed and invulnerable, he’s still chasing after his father’s shadow.

“I’m still sorry. I—I understand why you didn’t tell me when we were kids. I can’t even imagine…” she whispers. “It’s brave that you told me. Really brave. Thank you.”

Chat Noir follows her gaze as she stares at the city. There was always something in the distance that caught her eye too when they were younger. It is only hitting him now that Ladybug looks towards home in dark moments. To making sure family is safe before any fight.

A star flickers above and catches his attention. “I wanted to. Believe me I wanted to. So much.”

“If my dad was Hawk Moth…you’re a kinder person than me, Chat. I’m not sure if I could ever forgive him.” She lets outs a dry laugh. “Yeah, pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to forgive him.”

He shrugs. “I’m not sure if I’ll ever forgive him. He was...a controlled disaster, but I loved him even with all his faults. He called me foolish one night when we got drunk together. Told me that I was stupid to stick by him despite all the wrong he’s done. All the evil’s he’s done. But...but, I told him if I’m foolish than he better count his lucky stars because a fool of a son is all he’s ever gonna get.”

“That’s a nice story, Chat, but you’re no fool. Just someone who loves a lot.”

“You would know.”

“That’s right,” she says. “I would know.”

Maybe it’s because magic finds him fast, but Ladybug’s smile is still much like starlight. It is sweet and soft when the world is quiet. He can’t even begin to count how many times he’s swooned because of that smile. Even now, there is an unknown beauty at her edges. Her effervescent self still otherworldly all these years later. His first love, without a doubt, has matured into an even more remarkable woman.

“When did you find out? About your dad being Hawk Moth?”

Chat Noir welcomes her question with slight hesitation, a bit of fear picking up his pulse. There is no lying or hiding now, not when the hardest part of the truth spoken.

“Ah….sometime in our last year during school,” he admits. “Before I left for sure. He found out first when we were younger, but then I found out that he found out that I was Chat Noir. And he was Hawk Moth and—god, the amount of times he freaking possessed me one way or another. So pissed. I’m still pissed actually.”

Her eyes go wide and her voice cuts through the night. “And you stayed with him? You willingly stayed with him?” She repeats the question again in disbelief. Rage simmers in her small frame, the fire in her eyes reflected by the moonlight.

But a defensive heart grows inside Chat Noir’s chest, taking root in his past. He puffs up, not knowing how to explain the complicated relationship with his father. Or how to convey to another person the intricate maze of twisted familial love yet he tries anyway.

“Well, yeah,” he says. “He was my dad and I loved him. Even though he was stupid. So, so stupid. But anyway, after a particularly tough fight where we won. Again. I went home and punched him in the face.”

“You punched him?”

“Socked him square in the face. Not my finest moment, but so worth it. Then we got to talking and well, I found out why which didn’t make it better, but it made it understandable. So I gave him an ultimatum. Give up being Hawk Moth or—”

“Or?”

“He’d lose me too. That was the deal. And he took it.”

“Wow. That's all it took? He stopped because you asked?” she scoffs. “Not that I’m doubting you, but I just...I find that so hard to believe.” Her anger is red hot and bright, matching her suit. “He tortured the entirety of Paris, tortured you and all we—actually, you! All you had to do is ask for him to stop?”

Adrien smiles again, but there is no positive emotion tied to it. He understands where she’s coming from. The same hurt, the same pain of your enemy giving up and yet…

He takes her hand and squeezes it, hoping for a moment that his touch can transfer his years long patience. “...I think he wanted an end too. That the dream he desired would never come true.”

Ladybug’s mouth wobbles at the edges. “What did he want to do in the end? With our Miraculouses?”

He swallows a deep breath and ignores his own rising anger. “He wanted to bring my mom back.” He doesn’t say that it didn’t matter because Emilie Agreste found her way back all on her own, but far too late.

That’s a story for another day.

“I guess—I guess I can understand why you didn’t tell me. This is a lot to process,” Ladybug babbles. “It’s almost like out of a t.v. show.”

Chat Noir barks a laugh and rubs the back of his head. “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m glad I know now. I’m still hurt, don’t get me wrong...but, this can be our new beginning.”

Now that he's told her the truth, Adrien feels lighter than he has in a long time. “My Lady, you’re far too sweet. I knew there was a reason I thought you were the best thing when I met you. Like sliced bread.”

She chuckles, a twinkle in her eye about some private joke. “I do happen to like sliced bread.” She sighs with relief before nudging him. “Can I ask another question?”

“You can ask all the questions you’d like. I owe you a bunch of answers.”

Ladybug stares out into the distance again, as if looking at him would bring an answer she doesn’t want to hear. “Are you...going away again? After this.”

“Nah, I don’t think so. I moved back to France recently. I got married too.”

Ladybug chokes on her surprise. “You? Married?! But you’re such a flirt!” She pokes his side, teasing in her jabs.

He swats her away. “Only when I like someone! And I happened to like you when we were young so that’s why you think I’m flirt. I’m terrible with women actually. Which I know is quite surprising.”

She clicks her tongue. “I doubt that. You’re Chat Noir! The coolest guy I know. I’m sure you’ve had lots of girlfriends! And look at you, married now. Your wife has to be something special,” she coos, her smile affectionate.

The unexpected praise for Marinette warms his heart as she is something special. Thinking about her makes him realize that she’s indescribable, powerful, and remarkable. Even Paris’s most beloved superhero also realizes that Marinette is phenomenal.

“She is,” he softly says. He remembers this morning, in the way it felt to kiss her with sunshine as her halo. He thinks of the way she laughs at little things and is quick to blush when her parents dote on her. He smiles, “I’m learning new things about her every day. Being married...well, she’s the best thing that’s happened to me as an adult. That’s for sure. And not to mention, she’s beyond beautiful.”

“Oh Chat, she sounds so lovely,” Ladybug sighs, much like a hopeless romantic.

He blushes, feeling bashful as he remembers the ring under his glove. He never thought marriage was for him, but now being a husband is now part of his identity. Much like how it happen when he became Chat Noir.

“One day I’ll be able to introduce you two. I think you’d both have a lot in common.”

“Well, we both love you so that’s plenty in common,” Ladybug says. “Does she know you’re Chat Noir?”

Her innocent question forces him to a full stop. It would be normal for a husband to tell his wife if he was a superhero. Because that’s what people do when they trust each other. And dear lord...it hits him like a ton of bricks—what Marinette was saying this morning. About trust and not wanting him to have to pay for everything.

“God, I am such an idiot,” he mutters to himself.

“What?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing, nothing. Wow, just know that when you’re married, Ladybug, you’re most likely always going to be right.”

She quirks her head to the side, her mouth in a confused but amused line. “I am married? So I guess I am always right?” She holds up her left hand and taps her ring finger.

He rolls his eyes, not knowing why he's surprised she's married. “And how does Mr. Ladybug feel about Mrs. Ladybug always being right?”

Ladybug bites her lower lip and looks at him awkwardly. “Um. Mr. Ladybug might not know that he’s...Mr. Ladybug yet…” she trails.

“Wow,” he says, his chuckle more like a scoff. “Pot meet kettle.”

“Hey!” she says, her voice punching the air. “I wasn’t even judging you! I was asking a legitimate question! And Mr. Ladybug will find out soon enough. Maybe when Mrs. Noir finds out, huh? How about them apples?”

Chat weighs his options and nods. “Okay, fair. I mean, I get where you’re coming from. So yeah, but to be honest, I’m happy for you. You deserve a good husband. What’s he like?”

She blinks for a moment before burying her face in her hands, her voice muffled.

“I’m sorry, what?”

She mumbles again, though this time a little louder.

“Uh….what was that?”

And this time, she shouts. “I married my crush, okay?! I married my crush who I was in love with since I was fourteen!”

Her words ring with such girlish adoration that Chat Noir can’t stop himself from giggling. It’s precious, watching Ladybug be flustered by her own outburst despite that no one in the world can hear them.

His giddiness is palatable. “Oh my god, what? Are you telling me that that dope you liked for all those years is your husband? He finally noticed you!? Senpai finally noticed you?!”

“I’m not sure if I should take that as an insult or a compliment,” she sniffs.

“It's an insult on his part, but dang. To think LB would get the man of her dreams,” he says, putting his hands behind his head, smirking.

Ladybug curls her knees to her chest, resting her chin atop them, pouting and scowling. “...I take back missing you if all you’re gonna do is tease me. You can go home now.”

He pats her back, with a touch too much affection at the tune of the resounding smack and glare she gives him. He winces with a silent apology and pats her softer this time, picking his words with tender care. “But Ladybug, I’m already home.”

She smiles and pushes him. “Go home to your wife, Chat. I’m sure she’s wondering where you are.”

“I’m sure your husband is thinking the same about you.”

Ladybug grins again, her smile goofy at the edges. He laughs to himself at her childlike expression.

She stands up and stretches before looking down at him. “Do you—hey, do you want to, I don’t know. Meet up for superhero coffee sometime soon?”

He stands up as well, excitement in his bones. “Like patrol? Kvinda like we used to?”

She nods. “Yeah. I mean, I don’t go out very often, but I know the city likes it when I pop my head in and say hi every now and then.”

“Yeah—you know, that would be fun. We can meet in a few days? I’ll send you an email for a time.”

“Sounds good, Chat. I’ll see you then.” She nods again and holds out her first, the words “pound it” very much on her lips.

The sight makes his heart crawl into this throat and he wants to cry again, but this time in a good way. He knocks his fist against hers and everything about his past and present slide into place.

“Bye, Ladybug. See you soon, 'kay?”

“Bye, Kitty,” she says, her hand playing with her yo-yo before she pitches it.

He waves once more before setting up to extend his baton and leap over Paris. Ladybug calls to him as his thumb hovers the button. He turns around, confused by the desperate sound in her voice.

“Yes, My L—omph!”

He doesn't get a chance to finish his question because Ladybug launches at him into a tight hug. She squeezes the breath out of him and she cuddles close.

She peers at him through her bangs, her quiet joy etched into her cheeks. “I’m happy you’re home.”

He swallows thick and doesn’t mind when laugh he hears when his voice cracks. “Me too, Ladybug. Me too.”

There is magic in the world, Marinette knows, in the same vein that wayward black cats find their way home. If dreams are wishes the heart make, then never in her wildest ones would she ever think her dearest friend would end up at her feet. Yet only an hour before, under the same sky she’s seen a thousand times, she spent it the same boy she never thought she would see again. Magic still clings to her skin as she remembers his visceral hug, the warmth of his blood under her hands as proof enough.

Marinette lumbers up the stairs to her apartment, the echo a much needed tug of her current reality. Candy bars crackle in the swing of her wrinkly shopping bag. The beat of her steps is enough to dull the intense velocity of her mind, so much to process in so little time. Relief sings in her bones at the sight of her floor, today ending on such a unique and almost impossible note.

Chat Noir is finally home and still wants to be her friend.

And of course, the biggest bombshell of all—his father was Hawk Moth.

The tragedy is not lost on her, in the way misfortune strikes and pins families apart. She wonders what role she had to play in all this family drama, minus being her partner’s teenage love interest. Unfortunately, she wishes that this would have stayed in Shakespearean plays.

But, he’s home now. Her dearest and most precious friend. Chat Noir has grown up into a man, but there’s still the same boy in his features, in his grin. Her heart splits between elation and outrage, but forgiveness has already claimed her. Marinette sighs to herself in defeat, knowing that she’s beyond happy that he’s home.

Tikki nestles in the hood of her jacket and tickles her ear. “No point in trying to be angry, Marinette. You already hugged him.”

Marinette scowls as she pauses at the top stair, catching her own gaze in the mirror. She feels much like the girl she used to be, young and fourteen and disgruntled about boys. She scuffs her shoe. “Can’t I at least pretend? A little bit?”

Tikki laughs and tugs on her earlobe. “You’d lost that chance when you didn’t even yell at him. I told you so,” the little god sings. “I told you when you saw him again you’d forgive him on the spot.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. You don’t have to rub it in, Tikki Tik,” she mumbles, trying her best to frown despite the cheer surging through her.

Tikki snickers before going back to resting in Marinette’s hood. “I love being right,” the little god says, mischief in each word.

Marinette halts, scheming playfulness stopped when she sees someone from the corner of her eye. She whirls around with a fist pulled back ready to strike.

Adrien puts his hands up in defense. “Whoa! Princess, it’s me! Your husband!” Fear is audible in his last note, uncertainty in his voice.

The fight flees Marinette the moment she recognizes him and she puts a hand over her racing heart. “What are you doing outside my apartment this late?” she asks. As an afterthought, she adds. “And also, princess?”

Adrien rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry, uh, it slipped out? It suits you too, I think. Princess.” He says the nickname again with an air of authority, confirming that he likes it. “It’s cute.”

Her nose twitches, deja vu tingling her brain. “Ah, Chat Noir used to call me that so I find it funny.”

Adrien’s eyes widen. “Aha-ha, yeah. That seems like a Chat Noir thing, I guess. That flirt, that guy…”

“Uh, yeah—is everything okay? I thought you were coming over tomorrow?”

“Oh. Um. Things are fine, I don’t know. Just missed you? And I wanted to say good night and uh, give you these!”

He digs in his pocket and pulls out a thumb drive. “The videos. I made. While waiting for you. I wanted to give them to you. Like a diary...Anyway...” Shaking his bag, he holds it up too. “Anyway! These were my father’s sketchbooks! And I realized I didn’t get you a wedding present despite you got me the cuff links. Which were awesome, by the way. Very awesome. And…” His shoulders slump as be stumbles through his words. “So, you’re a designer. Yeah. I’m, I’m gonna go home now.”

Eyes downcast and he pouts, Adrien reminds Marinette of Chole every time she felt she didn't impress Ladybug enough. The memory plus the moment makes her smile.

Marinette giggles as he starts to walk away. “Hey, hey, hey! Can’t give me presents and then try to leave with them.”

Adrien stops mid step. “Oh, right. You might want these.” He comes back towards her, then something changes in his expression. He cups her face and rubs a thumb over her cheek. “Have you been crying?”

Marinette blinks for a moment and swallows thick. “I, uh, I was watching a sad movie. Which is why I went and got...some snacks…”

He drags his hand down her neck, smoothing her shoulder then her arm. Marinette shivers with pleasure. It's distracting.

“I was wondering where you went. It’s a little late,” he murmurs.

Adrien leans in a little closer and Marinette can count the different specks in his green eyes. Usually, there is so much gold, but in her hallway, his eyes are darker, more mischievous than sweet. She wonders where she's seen that look before, but her thoughts disperse with his sneeze.

At least he has the manners to turn away and sneeze into the crook of his elbow, she thinks with amusement.

Her “bless you” is automatic. She snorts as he rubs his nose. “Says the guy who shows up at my apartment to give me wedding gifts and biological warfare.”

“I—I—”

She's not sure why, but she's enjoying being this playful with him. It's a refreshing change from constant stuttering. Besides, seeing him bright red and tongue tied is an adorable sight.

She catches his hand with hers “Do you want to come in? It’s a little early technically, but I can give you the tour. Place’s clean now.”

Adrien pauses, his mouth parted in surprise before giving her a brilliant grin. “Yeah, that’d be great,” he says, eagerness woven in his voice.

With ease and her own smile, Marinette unlocks the door and invites him inside. She ignores the quickening pace of her heart and hastily flicks on the light. The ceiling lamp illuminates a soft yellow light over her modest kitchen and living room, a slight buzz above them. She turns on a lamp by the table too, hating how the singular light makes everything too dim.

“It’s not fanciest apartment,” she confesses as she drops her keys in a bowl. “But it’s a two bedroom which works for me.”

Adrien glances at her and fondness softens his lips. “Reminds me of the place I used to live when I was little. Before my dad made it big. It’s nice.”

The little memory throws her for a loop as she looks over her apartment. It’s not much, but it’s enough, she thinks. She wonders if Gabriel had the same thoughts as her when he was her age. And at the way Adrien soaks up the interior of her home, she thinks maybe he did.

The silence between runs for a beat or two before she rushes and starts her tour. “As you can see, this is the living room and that’s the kitchen! Somewhat open concept, but not really because of the half-walled counter,” she directs. She points at one side of her apartment, “That door right there is the bathroom and the one next to it is my room. And the door on the other side is my studio. It’s a very straightforward design to be honest.”

“Not bad. And not to bring up my rich boy sensibilities, but it's a little cramped?

Marinette laughs. “I see why hallways are a thing now. Having a courtyard living room is...stifling.”

Adrien looks at her bookcase, humming to himself in thought. Something catches his eye as he snatches something off the shelf. “Hey! It’s a picture of we graduated! Oh wow. I remember this day.”

Marinette peers over his shoulder to find a late night group photo with her and all her friends. “Yeah, it was a lot of fun. Disneyland is always a blast!”

“You had the cutest little mouse ears too. Man, I can’t remember the last time I went to a theme park.”

“Let’s go together, sometime soon?”

Looking over at her, Adrien blinks and nods again. “Yeah, I’d like that.” Before she can ask him anything else, he points to the other side of her apartment. “That’s your studio, right? In there?”

Marinette finds his line of sight and nods. “Yep! I work on my custom things here. My more day to day designs I do at the shop.”

Adrien stops and stares. “Wait, so you’re telling me you also sew all your pieces yourself at your shop?”

Marinette beams, pride warm in her heart. “Mmhmm! I have a seamstress too, but between the two of us, we sew most of the designs. For more complicated ones, like with a lot beading, I’ll hire a few extra hands for a few weekends and we’ll all knock them out. It’s fun that way.”

“Please tell me you’re marketing that you’re making everything by hand in house,” he begs.

“Haha, yes, I do,” she says.

Adrien puts a hand over his heart. “Thank you, Jesus,” he whispers.

Marinette shrugs bashfully and continues. “I also have an online store and get a lot of business from overseas. The boutique is doing well. That and commissions I do and the contests I win from time to time.” She tucks a piece of hair behind her ear. “I wasn’t lying when I said I was doing well.”

Her husband regards her for a moment, the glint in his eye indescribable. Then suddenly, he sweeps across the room and places his hands on her shoulders. “I married such an incredible woman,” Adrien says and then kisses her forehead.

Her heart stops in her chest, the warmth from his lips causing her to blush from the head to toe. She peers up at him, face hot and red as he strokes her cheek again. “Thank you,” she mumbles. Embarrassed, she pulls away from him and opens up her studio, proud that she put everything in place earlier.

Adrien walks in after her. “Oh, it’s empty…” he laments.

Marinette fingers a drawer of beads. “Sorry. My last big project was my wedding dress and I haven’t started a new one yet. But, I’d like your opinion when I start it.”

A pair of arms circle her and Adrien rests his chin on her shoulder. “You know, that’s what I miss the most about my dad—when he was designing, it was one of the few times you got to see him out of sorts. I wasn’t ever allowed in his workroom, but sometimes if I was up late studying and he was working, I’d bring him coffee. And sometimes he’d ask my opinion on his designs. Those were the best times.”

The little hum of his voice tickles, reminding her again that she is lucky to know him—lucky enough to learn about him all these years later after being a pining girl. She places a hand atop his and squeezes it.

“That sounds lovely, Adrien. My dad helps me too. He has an eye for colors when I’m stuck. And hopefully, we can make new memories. You and I, that is—and make a design together too.”

Adrien nuzzles into her cheek. “You’re the best, you know that? Simply the best. I’d love to design something with you.”

Marinette tries to respond, but she yawns instead.

Adrien looks down at his watch and sighs. “I should get going. You’re sleepy and it’s late.”

“But I’m not sleepy,” she says through another yawn. “I’m a big girl, I swear.”

“Well, even big girls need to get to bed, I’m afraid.”

“You...you could spend the night,” she says, a smile digging into her cheek.

He untangles himself from her. “Ha, tempting, but alas, I have to clean my apartment actually. I got distracted and, well, that’s how I ended up here.

“I’m not complaining. I got sketchbooks and cute videos out of the deal.”

“We’ll still meet at our original time?”

She shakes her head. “No, stay here, Adrien. Please? It’s late,” she pouts. “I’d be worried about my husband. We can meet up again tomorrow afternoon after lunchtime and have dinner at yours when we’re done with apartment hunting.” For one final measure, she takes his hand and leaves a quick kiss.

Adrien shuffles his feet for a moment and hangs his head. “I guess this is a time I should just say you’re right, right?”

Marinette smiles and hugs him. “Yes. And, I want you to know because I’ve been thinking about this since this morning, but,” she starts, “I’ll be fine with whatever apartment you pick. As long as I get to buy the groceries.”

“Wh-what? Marinette, what changed your mind?”

She shrugs and lays her cheek on his chest, playing with his hoodie string. “I don’t know, I guess this wasn’t something worth getting bent out of shape about in the end. I mean, you’re my friend, Adrien and I don’t think my friend would want to hurt me. So, yeah, I’m going to—let go of my pride and let you pay for most things. Minus the groceries and whatever odds and ends we need that are within my budget.”

Adrien squeezes her. “Oh my god, Marinette. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You’re an amazing wife, you know that?”

“That’s what my husband tells me, at least,” she laughs into his shoulder.

“Your husband is a very smart man, then.”

“Mmhmm. Also, incredibly kind and generous. I’m the lucky one, I think.”

“I don’t know about that…”

She pinches his side. “Well, I do. Now, let’s get to bed. It’s late.” She stands on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek. “And if you’re nice to me, I might even tell you sweet dreams.”

Adrien smirks. “Oh, do I get a good night kiss too?”

Marinette looks over her shoulder, mischief sounding in her being and heads to her bedroom. “Maybe.”

To that, Adrien laughs and chases after her. “Marinette, you’re gonna be the death of me.”

It’s the sound of quiet talking that wakes Adrien in the morning. Marinette sleeps beside him, her face under a pillow and squished much like a fish. He tries not to laugh when he gets out of bed. He tiptoes to the door and hears indistinct arguing from the kitchen. His eyes go wide when he recognizes one of the voices.

“C’mon, Tikki!” Plagg says, “Find me the cheese!”

Ever carefully, he enters Marinette’s living and kitchen and shuts the door behind him. He remembers to count to five before he strangles the little god, but even that seems impossible.

Plagg floats carelessly and in plain sight in Marinette’s apartment, as if he owns the place, while barking orders at someone. “Cheese, cheese, cheese,” he chants.

The voice from fridge snaps at him. “You lazy bum,” she seethes. “I’m not the one who wants this!”

“Yeah, but you’re the one who knows—” As if sensing Adrien’s rage, Plagg whirls around. “Adrien! Uh, hi! Good morning.”

“What in the world are you doing?”

Plagg purses his lips together and grimaces. “I was hungry and—”

“Found it!” the voice says and out flies another kwami, bright red and cute. In her hands, she carries a thing of camembert, but pauses when she sees Adrien. “Oh, hello. You must be Adrien. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Adrien tilts his head to the side. “Uh, yes. And you are?”

“Oh, I’m Tikki! I’m Ladybug’s kwami!” Her grin wide and bright.

“L-Ladybug’s?”

“Mmhmm. But she’s, uh, sleeping right now and I—mmm—wanted to see Plagg since it’s been a long, long time.”

To that, Plagg jumps in. “Yeah! Tikki here was just visiting me since she missed me and all that! Since you know. That’s the only reason why Ladybug’s kwami would be, uh, here with us. In this particular apartment.”

“You invited Ladybug’s kwami to Marinette’s apartment? The apartment that I don’t own?”

Plagg rolls his eyes. “Look here, newlywed. I didn’t say I was smart about it. I'm famished and Tikki off—has a knack for finding cheese! So here we are.”

“Yes, so here we are,” Tikki adds, if not a bit too quickly.

Adrien rubs a hand down his face. “It is way too early for this. I need coffee.”

“I could make you coffee!”

Adrien stops, a bit confused but musters a smile anyway. “While I appreciate the gesture, Tikki, you don’t live here.”

Beside her, Plagg snickers. “Yeah, Tikki. You don’t live here. Not at all. You live with Ladybug and not his wife.”

She blinks and nods. “Yes, yes. You’re right. I don’t live here. Nope, nope. Not with your wife who is definitely not Ladybug.”

“Right,” he says, unsure where to continue with that. Then it hits him. “Tikki, was Ladybug okay last night? You know with me?” he asks timidly.

Tikki’s eyes widen in surprise before she flies up to his face, placing a little nub on his cheek. “Ladybug loves you, Adrien. And she’s already forgiven you or you wouldn’t be standing right now. Trust me.”

He nervously laughs, placing a hand at the base of his neck. “Y-yeah….if Ladybug was pissed, I would be dead now.”

Tikki hums. “Exactly, I mean, she had plenty of time to think about it, but look! Here you are! Not dead and going to live another day.”

“Yay…” he says weakly.

In the bedroom, an alarm goes off. Tikki sighs and then places a kiss on Adrien’s cheek. “I best be going now. Welcome home, Chat Noir. You have no idea how happy we are to have you back.”

He puts a hand to his cheek. “Yeah. Thanks.”

Tikki giggles before glaring at Plagg. “See you soon. And make sure you clean up after yourself! Since you definitely don’t live here.”

Plagg sticks out his tongue. “Yeah, yeah. Get out here and scurry back to your Ladybug.”

Tikki takes a deep breath. “Bye-bye, Adrien. It was lovely meeting you. Hope to see you again!” And with that, she’s gone.

Plagg munches on his cheese, pleased with his food.

Adrien decides to break the silence between them. “So what did you do to Tikki to get her so upset.”

Plagg waves his little nub. “Eh, she’s sour because I’m gonna win a bet again. And no, I can’t tell you and I won’t tell you. Now, get in there and wake up your wife, pal. We got places to be today!”

Ladybug softly lands in the park, hearing hollering hellos from citizens as she scans her surroundings. Not too far, she notices Chat Noir playing with some children and grins to herself. He must feel her stare because he looks up and beams and makes his way towards her.

“People are a lot happier to see me than I expected,” he says when he ends up at her side.

Ladybug shrugs. “Well, they love you. I’m glad we tweeted we’d be at the park before anyone had a chance to come up with something crazy.”

Chat Noir hums in agreement. “So, is this what you do these days? Just chat with the people and hang out.”

“Yeah, pretty much. We decided as long as there is no supernatural stuff then I don’t need to help fight day to day crime. Though, I do come out if there’s something huge—like an invasion or something.”

“Oh my god, has Paris been invaded?”

Ladybug snorts. “No, Chat. We have never been invaded that’s silly. Besides, if we had, the Ladyblog would have been all over that.”

“Is that still a thing? The Ladyblog?”

Ladybug is about to reply when a very familiar voice interrupts.

“Why, yes, Chat Noir,” Alya says, smug and proud. “The Ladyblog is very much still a thing. Good to see you, you mangy cat.”

At her side, Nino throws a casual thumbs-up. “Hey, dude. It’s been a minute. Welcome back to Paris.”

Chat Noir blushes and scuffs his boot in the dirt. “Hey, guys. Good to see you too. I’ve…I’ve moved back to the area.”

Alya taps something in on her cellphone, refusing to tear her eyes away from the screen. “So we’ve noticed.” She then holds up her phone with the front facing camera on. “Smile!”

The shutter sound clicks and Alya seems pleased it the photo as she posts it to the web. “#welcomeback. #Reunitedanditfeelsogood. #ParishasTWOsuperheroes. #checkoutthishandsometomcat. #...”

“Alya, babe, I think that’s enough hashtags,” Nino says.

His girlfriend scoffs and uploads the photo. “No such thing as too many hashtags, babe,” she says. Then her attention snaps back to Chat Noir and Ladybug swears she hears him gulp. “Now, care comment what you’ve been up all these years? What’s the real reason you’re back. The Ladyblog wants the scoop!”

Marinette’s heart swoons with affection, never tiring how passionate her best friend takes journalism. All these years later and she’s still Ladybug’s number one fan too. But no love can allow Chat to be eaten alive by the best reporter in all of Paris.

“Alya, give us some time to figure out what we want to tell the public. When we’re ready to announce, you’ll get our first exclusive.”

Marinette can see it takes all of Alya’s willpower not to pout, but somehow she manages. “Fine. I guess,” she says, her lips pursed together. She sighs and then smiles, looking fondly at Chat Noir. “I really am glad you’re back though. The city’s missed you!”

There’s a long pause, as Chat Noir doesn’t say anything, his eyes to the sky. His face is pale, as if he’s seen a ghost. Ladybug tilts her head to the sky, not understanding his refusal to respond.

“Chat? Are you okay? What are you looking at?”

Chat Noir points upwards. “That.”

Ladybug follows his hand and her mouth drops. “Are those...are those what I think they are?”

“Yeah,” he swallows audibly. “Butterflies.”

In the background, people start to cry in terror as Alya begins recording a live stream. “Breaking news, Paris! As you can see above me, we have a swarm of black butterflies that look exactly like Akuma? Does that mean that Hawk Moth is back?”

Ladybug drowns out her friend’s voice, unable to shake the feeling of dread that sticks to her ribs. Her partner’s body vibrates with tension, with energy that needs an outlet. A part of her wonders if he knows who it is, but no—his fury is mixed with confusion. He’s just as surprised as the rest of Paris.

With the flapping of black butterfly wings, Ladybug says the only thing that seems appropriate.

“Fuck.”

Thank you so much for reading! I know it’s been a long time since I updated, but know that I haven’t forgotten this story at all. I know I have been very busy this last year, but that’s okay. I’m building, I’ve written two drafts of a poetry collection, and my mom is cancer free since July 2018!! Either way, I write because it makes me happy and my writing makes you guys even happier. So, again, thank you!

P.S. Buy Me A Coffee?

#miraculous ladybug #adrienette #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #ml #ladynoir #drabble #marriage au #THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

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awholelotofladybug · 6 years

Text

C’est la vie: A Stammering Adrien AU Story

A follow-up to my one-shot. Based on this AU.

Disclaimer: The only characters or locations I own are the ones I make up. All other fictional characters and locations about Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir are the property of Thomas Astruc and Zag. Please support the official release.

Chloé Bourgeois knew for a fact that she was not well liked. She had often been mean, insulting, insensitive, and even cruel to people who she thought were beneath her. Why was Chloé like this? Many blamed it on her upbringing. Her father, while not entirely dismissive, still spoiled her, and her mother had convinced her that she had to be harsh and unforgiving in order to get ahead. Unfortunately, this left Chloé with few friends, but among her friends was one person. A boy that made her question her mother’s way of thinking. That boy was Adrien Agreste. Chloé had known Adrien since they were in daycare. He was always nice to her and always played with her, even though Adrien had struggled with a stammering disorder. When Chloé first heard it, she did find it frustrating, but she was informed by Adrien’s mother that Adrien simply couldn’t help it. Chloé always did her best to be patient with him, and would immediately rush to defend her friend if he was ever bullied.

Despite Chloé’s efforts to help over the years, the bullying continued, and Adrien became shy, insecure, and even self-loathing at times. It would only get worse as the years went on. By the time they were fourteen, Chloé had watched as Adrien was homeschooled, go through speech therapy that just wasn’t going well, bullied out of public school at age ten, and even see his father die. Adrien’s world was falling apart, and Chloé was an unwilling and devastated spectator to all of it. Then came the day where Adrien’s mother decided to make a risky move, and send Adrien to public school again. The first day was a disaster. Adrien didn’t say a word to anyone, rumors spread about him being mute, or a stuck-up, spoiled brat, and it all ended with Adrien beaten up, and being brought home in tears. Chloé hated it all. Sure, she could take insults and rumors. She didn’t care what people thought about her. But Adrien was sensitive and self-conscious. So she decided that she would confront Adrien the next day after school, putting her foot down that she was going to say something. That was the plan, at least. When that time came, she saw Adrien, her friend, and crush, talking to, and eventually hugging, Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Seeing that hurt Chloé as she hated Marinette. Chloé wanted Adrien to make friends, but not someone who might turn him against her. She was ready to go over, and slap Marinette across the face, but then she saw something that made her go from being jealous to being conflicted. Adrien was smiling. Chloé was dumbfounded. Adrien hadn’t put on a real smile in years. Fake smiles while modeling, sure, but this smile was genuine. She was so shocked, she didn’t notice Sabrina walking up to her from behind.

“Ugh! The nerve of Dupain-Cheng, making a move on your Adrien. You want me to dig some dirt on her, show it to Adrien?” Sabrina asked, believing that’s how Chloé was thinking.

Chloé took a deep breath. “No, Sabrina. It’s fine.”

“Are you okay, Chloé?”

“I’m fine,” said Chloé. “I just... I just want to go home.”

And without another word to anyone, Chloé got in her limo and was escorted back to her father’s hotel. She went to her room and stayed in there for an hour, doing absolutely nothing. That’s when her butler, Jean, came in with her teddy bear, Mr. Cuddly.

Chloé took the bear and cuddled it. “It just isn’t fair, Jean,” she said. “I’ve known Adrien for years, and he wants me to keep his problem a secret. He met Marinette Du-pain-in-my-butt-Cheng just yesterday, and suddenly, he’s an open book. How does that work?!”

Jean thought for a while on how to answer. “Mademoiselle, if I may, Adrien has known from the start that you would accept him. Perhaps the reason he was so happy was that this was the first time someone he didn’t know was willing to accept him.”

Chloé sighed Jean’s words. “That makes sense, I guess. But what if she turns him against me?”

“Adrien has known you for ten years. I doubt he would betray you like that.”

“But what if they fall in love?” Chloé asked. “I had always hoped...”

Jean lifted her head by the chin so she was looking at him. “If you truly love him in that way, you should tell him. If he returns the feelings, then excellent, the battle is won, and if he does not, well, c'est la vie.”

Chloé sighed as she thought about that phrase. “C’est la vie.” She then took a deep breath as she got up. “Get the limo ready. I have some trips to make.”

Jean nodded. “Just remember, Mademoiselle, above all else, be his friend. He still needs you.”

Chloé’s first trip was to Adrien’s. As a close friend, she was always welcome. She went upstairs to find Adrien, lying on his bed, swooning. Chloé was afraid of this, but if she was going to get any sleep that night, she had to go through with this.

“You like her a lot, don’t you?” she said, coming into the room.

Adrien snapped out of his swooning and looked towards her. “C-C-Chloé?”

“Well, don’t you?”

“W-w-well, yeah,” he said.” I mean, she is nice, and she did give me a chance when everyone else thought I was a s-s-stuck up quiet kid.”

Chloé looked down. “And what about me?”

Adrien heard the question, confused at first, but then came to a realization. “We’re not talking about... We’re not talking about “just l-l-l-liking” someone anymore, are we?”

Chloé shook her head slowly and silently.

Adrien sighed. “I’m s-s-s-sorry, Chloé. I d-d-d-do like you, but not in that way. You’re like a sister to m-m-me, you know?”

Chloé began to tear up. She wasn’t sobbing, but the tears just kept flowing. “I guess that’s that.”

Adrien suddenly felt scared. Seeing his childhood friend upset and knowing how dramatic she usually was made Adrien fear the worst

“P-p-p-please don’t... Please don’t cry Chloé! I’m s-s-s-sorry! I didn’t mean t-to make you sad, I j-j-just... Oh, Chloé, p-p-please don’t hate me! I’m such a...”

Adrien was interrupted when Chloé clung to him. “I don’t hate you, dummy,” she said. “How could I? Yeah, it hurts, but I’ll get over it.”

Adrien hugged her back. “Thank you, C-C-Chloé,” he said as he choked up a bit. “Thank you......Thank you for b-being my friend.” The two friends broke the hug after about thirty seconds. Chloé then looked at him.

“You do know that since you told Marinette about your stammering, the rest of our class is bound to find out, right?”

Adrien sighed.“Y-y-yeah, I guess so. Still, I guess it b-b-b-better than what’s going on now.”

They hugged one last time before Chloé made her exit. Jean was waiting for her outside.

“Well, how did it go?” he asked.

Chloé frowned as she came out the front door. “It’s like you said earlier, Jean. C’est la vie.”

“Oh. I see,” said Jean. “Mr. Cuddly is in the seat next to yours.”

“Thank you, Jean,”

Chloé climbed in and hugged her teddy. She held him close and tight, not wanting to let go of the comfort the little yellow bear brought her.

“Oh, Mr. Cuddly, this next part is going to be really hard! ” Chloé said behind clenched teeth.

“At least you are making the effort,” said Jean. “And if I may, Mademoiselle, I am very proud of you.”

Chloé was a bit surprised by his comment as her eyes widened. “Wow, I... Just... Wow.”

“Something wrong?” Jean asked.

“No, No, it’s just, it feels kind of nice to hear that. Thanks, Jean.”

Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie, the business of the Dupain-Cheng family, and home of Marinette Dupain-Cheng, a girl who had absolutely no reason to like Chloé, and who Chloé wasn’t exactly fond of either. Chloé didn’t want to do this. She really didn’t want to do this. But this wasn’t about her. It was about Adrien. He told Chloé that she was like his big sister, and big sisters had to do what was best for their little brothers. Chloé had already swallowed a big pill called rejection. Now it was time to swallow an even bigger pill. Her pride. She went up to the side door, and with great hesitation, knocked.

“Hello?” Marinette said as she opened the door.

Marinette’s face became one of shock as she saw Chloé standing there.

“Hey Dupa... I mean, hey, Marinette,” said Chloé. ”Can I talk to you?”

Marinette’s face went from expressing shock to expressing discontent as she began to close the door. Chloé rushed over to stop her.

“Wait! Wait! I’m serious, this is important!”

“Chloé, I know you too well.” said Marinette, pushing to close the door.” You would not just suddenly decide to come to see me and be nice.”

“Look, I get that you and I hate each other’s guts, Marinette, but I’m not doing this for me!” said Chloé as she tried to keep the door open.

Marinette pushed even harder on the door, getting angrier. “Chloé, who could I possibly know who matters to you so much that you would come to me about them?!”

“ADRIEN!!”

This caught Marinette off guard and she fell backwards, causing the door to fall open and Chloé to fall on top of Marinette. They both struggled to get up and looked at each other, with Chloé barring a disgruntled face.

“Ready to listen to me now?” she asked.

Later, the two were sitting in Marinette’s room after a long talk.

“So you knew about Adrien’s stammering problem the whole time? Why didn’t you tell anyone?” Marinette asked.

“Because he begged me not to, and I didn’t want to break a promise to my oldest friend,” Chloé said. “He's just so scared of being laughed at and being an outcast. It’s been like that ever since we were kids.”

Marinette watched as Chloé paced back and forth. She could tell Chloé was serious.

“For the longest time, it was he and I against the world,” she said longingly. “I thought that maybe one day...”Chloé sighed and stopped herself. “It doesn’t matter. C’est la vie.”

Marinette picked up what Chloé meant pretty easily.

“Oh, the big sister role, right?”

“Yeah, but you know what, I’m going to wear that title like a badge, and it starts with trying to make peace with you,” said Chloé.

“Really?” Marinette asked.

“Yes. Because he likes you, a lot. You were the first person to come to him when no one else would, and you made him so happy,” she said. “So don’t screw it up, okay? And...Thank you.”

Marinette was shocked. “Wow, does your throat hurt?”

“From what?” Chloé asked .

“From swallowing your pride,” Marinette teased, making Chloé blush. Marinette then stretched out her hand. “Truce?”

Chloé turned her blushing face away and shook Marinette’s hand. “Truce. But don’t get the wrong idea,” said Chloé. “Truce or no, there’s still a lot to do before I can say that we’re friends,”

Marinette giggled. “Baby steps.”

The next day at school, Chloé and Marinette explained to everyone in class about Adrien’s stammering disorder. Some of the class was skeptical of Chloé, the fact that Marinette was with her convinced them. That’s when Adrien came into class. Everyone had their eyes on him. He immediately hid his blushing face with one of his books just before he sat down. That’s when one of the students went up to him.

“Sup, bruh?”

Adrien looked at the boy in a red ball cap and glasses.

“The name’s Nino,” he said, stretching his hand out to the blushing blonde.

Adrien timidly shook his hand. “I’m A-A-A-Adrien.”

“Cool name. Hey Adrien, I know this is a little forward, but do you wanna hang out with me, Marinette and Alya after school?” Nino asked.

“If you can, that is,” said Alya as she came up.

Adrien went wide-eyed, then frantically checked his schedule. He then smiled as he saw he had no arrangement.

“S-s-s-sure! I’d...I’d love to!”

He and Nino then gave each other an urban handshake to seal their new friendship. Chloé watched and felt warm inside. She felt happy.

Chloé Bourgeois knew for a fact that she was not well-liked. She had often been mean, insulting, insensitive, and even cruel to people who she thought were beneath her. She had a lot of money and few friends, but the one person she cared about most, Adrien Agreste, was changing that, slowly but surely. She would have loved to have a fairy tale ending with him, where they fell in love and ran away together, but Chloé knew too well by now that some things aren’t meant to be. Still, good things were happening to Adrien, and it was making him happy, and that made her happy, and as she sat in her limo, passing Adrien and his new group of friends, she let out a small sigh, followed by a smile.

“C’est la vie.“

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#miraculous #miraculous ladybug #tales of ladybug and cat noir #adrein agreste #chloe bourgeois #marinette dupain-cheng #stammering adrien au #stammering!adrien #fanfiction #adrinette #hurt and comfort #drama #miraculous au #miraculous ladybug au #main au

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saccharii · 6 years

Text

Ladrien June, Day Twenty Seven: Personal Day: Consensual Kidnap

Boy in the Tower

Other days:

(01) - (02) - (03) - (04) - (05) - (06) - (07) - (08) - (09) - (10)

(11) - (12) - (13) - (14) - (15) - (16) - (17) - (18) - (19) - (20)

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AO3

@ladrienjune

@art-of-zirio @whimsolute Hey, I hear you like fairy tale AUs...

This is a Rapunzel AU. It is NOT a Tangled AU. I took a few liberties. For example Adrien does not have long hair.

Adrien’s hands flew over the piano keys, playing a perfect but lifeless tune. He just couldn’t put any passion into his music, not anymore.

His mind wandered as he continued to practice. It wasn’t like he needed to pay any attention to this song; he’d played it perfectly a hundred times before. He wished his tutor was here. She was the only one who brought him news from the outside world since his father locked him in this tower.

“Adrien?”

His hands came down on the keys, producing a jarring dissonance. He whirled to face the voice.

A black haired girl, dressed all in red with a sword on one hip and a bandalore on the other, crouched on his windowsill, eyes wide and pink lips forming a perfect ‘o’.

“Marinette?”

She gaped at him, still in shock. “I- You- You were here the whole time?”

Adrien left the piano bench, the legs screeching as they were pushed across the floor, and strode over to her; she hopped down from the sill to meet him halfway.

He cupped her face with his hands, and they searched each other’s eyes, praying this wasn’t a dream.

“Marinette.” He laughed joyfully. “Or should I say ‘Ladybug’ now?”

Her smile lit up the room. “That’s right — don’t you forget it.”

Adrien attended Marinette’s — no, Ladybug’s — knighting a year ago, and he was privileged enough to be invited to the private celebration afterward. He’d laughed with his friends as they all ‘introduced’ themselves to Ladybug. It was the last fun thing he’d experienced before he was locked in this damned tower.

When Marinette was chosen to become the next Mage Knight of Creation and Luck and bear the ladybug miraculous, he’d secretly hoped that he’d be chosen to be Cat Noir, the Mage Knight of Destruction and Ladybug’s destined partner. His greatest wish was to stay by the side of Marinette — Ladybug — the kindest, bravest, most beautiful girl in the world.

But Adrien’s dreams were crushed when his father abruptly announced it was too dangerous to stay in the city, and shut him away from the world.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I had a training exercise in the forest, and I heard piano music. I followed it and-” Ladybug shrugged.

Adrien hugged her, joy radiating from him. She was here! The love of his life. Not that she knew that. He never worked up the courage to tell her. In his darkest moments he’d feared he’d never see her again.

“I missed you,” he said.

Ladybug blushed a delightful shade of pink. “I missed you, too. Everyone did. No one knew what happened to you. We were all worried.”

Adrien suspected his father hadn’t told anyone where he went.

“Come sit down with me.” He led her to the small table in the corner of the room. “Tell me what I’ve missed.”

She sat down across from him.

“Well, mostly I’ve been training. They still haven’t announced the next Cat Noir, which is strange because Ladybug and Cat Noir are usually chosen within a few months of each other. Oh, Nino and Alya are dating now! And Chloe’s... still Chloe.” She chewed her lip in thought. “Alix won a skating competition and qualified for Nationals, but besides that nothing big has happened.”

Adrien felt a pang of disappointment in his chest. He wished he had been there. But he also felt a bubble of hope. Cat Noir hadn’t been selected yet...

Ladybug must’ve read the melancholy on his face. “Everyone would love to see you.” Her eyes darted around the room. She whispered, “I could take you to them, if you wanted.”

Adrien’s heart pounded in his chest. He knew he should say no.

He nodded.

“Please.”

----

The night air chilled him, but Adrien couldn’t bring himself to care. After a long day of tearful and joyous reunions, he stood on the rooftop of the city’s grand cathedral next to Ladybug, or, as he’d teasingly nicknamed her, his Lady.

Later there would be hell to pay. But now it was just him, Ladybug, and the lights of the city sprawled before them.

Today was not a day for caution. He kissed her.

She kissed back.

#ladrienjune #day 27: personal day: consensual kidnap #miraculous ladybug fanfiction #miraculous ladybug #ladrien #adrien agreste #ladybug #fairy tale AU

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ladylynse · 6 years

Text

Marichat May 2018!

Day 7 - Mari protects Chat

Sacrifice: [FF | AO3] Sometimes, a bad plan is the only one you have--but for Marinette, it’s better than the alternative.

Spoilers for Glaciator, S2.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this, but when were things ever the way they were supposed to be?

Marinette sucked in a breath, tasting ice in the now-wintry air, and swallowed hard. She—well, Ladybug—and Chat had agreed to meet for an earlier patrol today, at dusk instead of dark, since she was due to be up before the sun tomorrow morning and working in the bakery. She’d volunteered, of course. Helping out her father like that meant he’d teach her how to bake things for her friends as gifts.

It had been a beautiful spring evening, akuma-free (or so she’d thought), so a stroll along the river had seemed ideal. When André had seen her, still without her special someone, he had insisted treating her to some of the finest ice cream in all of Paris. She still appreciated his description of her lover—mint for his eyes, peach for his lips—but now she was wondering who it meant.

Adrien wasn’t the only one she knew with green eyes.

And since Chat Noir had professed his love of Ladybug, didn’t that mean he could grow to love Marinette, too? She’d be lying if she said she didn’t pine for Adrien, but Chat…. Her heart had started beating faster whenever she caught sight of him unexpectedly. She didn’t trip over her words with him—she really did know him too well to be so tongue-tied, especially when conversing with that goofball—and she couldn’t claim that he wasn’t the least bit endearing or loveable. He was funny, even if she’d never admit it to his face, and kind, and caring, and recklessly brave—

She really needed to make sure he didn’t do something stupid. He had a bad habit of doing that.

—and it almost seemed like a relationship with Chat Noir, one of the heroes of Paris, was more plausible for her than one with Adrien Agreste, arguably the most famous teen model in the city. And she…. It was a bit surprising to realize that she wouldn’t be disappointed if that were the case. She could be herself with Chat Noir. The only mask she ever needed to hide behind was Ladybug’s.

Besides, it was Chat Noir who had found her on the steps by the Pont des Arts before she’d hardly taken two licks of her treat, not Adrien. It was her partner who had jokingly asked why his purr-incess was eating all alone, not her classmate. It was her kitty, not her first crush, with whom she had ended up sharing her ice cream.

They’d both been too preoccupied by the ensuing teasing conversation to notice the gathering storm clouds until they’d been caught in the middle of a torrential downpour.

“Just keep back, Purr-incess. I won’t let him hurt you.” Chat Noir pushed her behind him and readied his staff, glaring at the self-proclaimed Tempest whose powers were all too reminiscent of Stormy Weather’s. “He needs to learn to chill out, anyway.”

Marinette groaned. “This isn’t the time for puns!” she hissed.

Tempest grinned. “Au contraire. The cat is right, little lady. It was getting entirely too heated between you two lovers.” Marinette squawked indignantly—nothing had happened! At least not yet; they hadn’t had time!—but Tempest continued, “Don’t get to thinking that love will thaw a frozen heart or that you’re safe in the eye of the storm. Storms can be amazingly unpredictable.”

She felt the first pebbles of ice sting her skin, and then the hail was raining down on them. Chat Noir spun his staff, doing his best to deflect what had grown to baseball-sized projectiles. Marinette cowered closer to him, trying to get under the cover of his staff, but the wind kept changing direction—

If she were Ladybug right now, she could help him, but as it stood, she was a burden. He’d begin to tire soon, and that would make them both easy prey. And hail that size…. If it didn’t kill them, it would certainly break something flying at them with such speed.

Tempest laughed, twisting his hands to redirect the wind again. She couldn’t pick out a pattern, and with her here, Chat Noir was too worried about defending her to dare attack.

She’d have to try to distract Tempest. She’d take anything over this deadly hail. “Isn’t baseball supposed to be the American pastime?” she yelled.

Chat Noir snorted but took the cue for what it was and tried to hit one of the hailstones in Tempest’s direction. It shattered on impact, and Chat Noir immediately returned to shielding them. “Good try, Purr-incess,” he said, “but don’t make him angry. I don’t want him targeting you.”

Drawing his ire had been her next plan, but she could wait a moment to see if Chat Noir already had a plan. She didn’t dare wait longer. Tempest was hardly lifting a finger in this fight, and without her to provide backup…..

“Now, now,” cooed Tempest, “is it really fair to let this go on for so long? You know how the weather is. It can change in an instant.”

The temperature plummeted even more. Mercifully, the hail stopped, but the cold didn’t. She shivered as it began to snow. She wanted to think of that as an advantage—she’d take snow over hail any day—but it was falling thick and fast, making it difficult to see, and Tempest had directed the wind so that it blew in his favour.

The wind went right through her soaked spring jacket—all her clothes, really—and now that she wasn’t too preoccupied with dodging hailstones, she could feel the chill settling in her bones.

“Of course,” added Tempest, “if the gentleman would give up his Miraculous, we wouldn’t need to see how long it would take his lady friend to freeze to death.”

“Ladybug will be here soon,” Chat Noir murmured. “When she comes, use the distraction to run. It should be any minute now.”

Except it wouldn’t be, because she was already here, and she couldn’t ask Tikki to transform her in front of them and anyone else who might be watching.

Marinette couldn’t think of the right words to say—she wasn’t supposed to know that Ladybug was to meet Chat here—so her only reply was chattering teeth.

“Rather foolish, don’t you think, going over your plans in front of me?” The wind picked up, and Marinette’s shivering became more violent. She could feel her clothes beginning to freeze, and that wind—! “You might be able to handle the cold, Chat Noir, but do you really want to risk the lady?”

Chat Noir cast her a worried glance. He didn’t see Tempest thrust out his hands and blast them with a plough wind to rip them apart. He recovered quickly enough, springing to his feet, but she went down hard. Her joints felt stiff. Her skin and sinuses hurt from the biting cold, and she had to keep blinking or she feared her eyes would freeze shut.

She’d only taken three breaths since the wind had let up, and she could already see frost gathering on her lashes.

“Alternatively,” Tempest drawled, “if you won’t just give me your Miraculous, why not come with me and help me get Ladybug’s? I’ll let your little lady friend live if you do.”

She saw Chat frown and realized what he was willing to give up to protect her. Something inside twisted. He had said that he loved Ladybug, but since she hadn’t appeared to reciprocate his feelings and since he’d found her as Marinette here, now…. Maybe Tempest’s taunts had been more truth than she’d realized. The heart really could realize things before the brain. Surely Chat Noir wouldn’t have spilled his feelings to just anyone, and surely he wouldn’t have shared her ice cream if he didn’t harbour some hope, too. André’s work was famous across Paris; Chat would know what it meant.

And the treat really did describe her kitty perfectly.

But now he wanted to sacrifice himself for her. Give in to Tempest, to Hawk Moth. To protect her. Over Paris.

She couldn’t let him do that.

She couldn’t bear to lose him.

“D-don’t!” The word was forced out in a burst of fog. She wasn’t used to being this cold. She took a deep breath, and her lungs burned, the cold air somehow feeling like it was scorching her windpipe. Her chest ached. “It’s—it’s not…worth it.”

The wind began to stir up the snow again, growing to a howl.

Marinette hoped the sharp pain she felt in her fingers and toes—somehow stronger than everywhere else—was a good sign rather than bad. It meant she had time, didn’t it? Because she could still feel them?

“Marinette.” Chat Noir’s face suddenly filled her vision. His hair was frozen in a spiky mess. “I’m going to protect you. Don’t worry. Just hold on. Ladybug and I will show this guy he’s just full of hot air.”

Marinette shook her head violently. “N-no.” If Chat Noir’s plan was to hold off Tempest until Ladybug showed up, it would never work. He was just exhausting himself this way, and if he kept this up, Tempest would wear him out. Controlling the wind as easily as he did, she wasn’t even sure Chat would be able to get close enough to use Cataclysm on anything effectively.

The only way she could protect Chat Noir now was to separate them and give him time to come up with a decent plan. He was quick and clever; he’d work something out if she couldn’t get free. She turned to Tempest, who was still clearly amused by the exchange and who looked utterly unaffected by the weather he was causing. “Take me.”

“Marinette!” protested Chat Noir. The raw emotion in his voice made her heart ache for an entirely different reason.

Trust me, kitty. I trust you.

She forced herself to ignore him, climbing slowly to her feet and staring down Tempest, who had snorted in disbelief. “Ladybug will sa-sacrifice herself for i-innocent people.” Hawk Moth would remember the incident with Pharaoh. He would also remember being tricked, but that couldn’t be helped. And then there was the time Volpina had taken Adrien, or at least she’d thought she had. If Chat Noir hadn’t figured out the truth and stopped her….

Besides, Hawk Moth wouldn’t know he had already captured Ladybug, and she’d rather go with Tempest as Marinette now than try to track him down as Ladybug later. Even with Tikki’s magic on her side, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to catch up quickly enough to do her kitty much good. He was far better off rescuing her this time. “Chat Noir…is a hero. He knows…the risks.” She tried to will her chattering teeth into submission. “He and Ladybug will put Paris above each other.”

She didn’t know if her words were true. They should be, but could she really take things that far? There had been some close calls, but she and Chat Noir had come through so much together. They hadn’t had to face a choice like that. Not really. They’d always managed to find ways around it.

Except this time.

She wasn’t Ladybug right now, and she wasn’t sacrificing Tikki or her Miraculous for her partner, just herself, but….

She didn’t look at Chat. She didn’t need to. She could imagine his face.

He wouldn’t know if what she’d said was the truth, either.

And he wouldn’t like what she was trying to do now.

She was shaking, smaller shivers interrupted by larger shudders. “Take me,” she repeated. “I’m b-better bait. L-Ladybug and Chat Noir….” She trailed off, glancing at him and hoping he’d read the message in her eyes. Let me go. Don’t give up your Miraculous, whatever you do. “They’re more likely to g-give you what you want if I’m your h-hostage.”

If she could sneak away and transform at some point, later claiming Ladybug had freed her, then all the better. But if she couldn’t…. Chat Noir would find a way to rescue her, once he’d worked out how. She could help him more then. Now, all she could do was try to convince Tempest that this was the better trade.

She didn’t know how else to protect her kitty besides buying him time.

Tempest titled his head to one side, considering.

Chat Noir’s hand appeared on hers, and a distant part of her mind realized she couldn’t feel him. His suit was keeping him warm, but it was a cold on the outside as she was. “Purr-incess, please, don’t do this.”

“I have to.” She’d stopped shivering. She wasn’t sure when, but that was good. Tempest must have let the weather warm some, even though she could still see water droplets frozen on Chat’s mask and ice fog with each breath. Perhaps Tempest was letting his guard down, or at least seriously considering her offer instead of trying to lull them into a false sense of security. Maybe she’d be able to do this after all. “You’re always protecting people, kitty. Let me protect you for just a little bit longer.”

His expression was agonized. “Marinette—”

“Just— Don’t wait for Ladybug, okay, kitty cat? You’re brilliant on your own. You’ll find a way around this even if something’s got her tied up.” A burst of giggles erupted out of her at the words; for all she knew, they wouldn’t be far off the truth. “But whatever you do, don’t give up your Miraculous for me. Paris needs you. And if me going with Tempest means you’re still able to be the hero I know you are, then I’ll go.”

He stared at her, but before he could find the words to dissuade her, she leaned forward and kissed him. It was the only thing she could leave him with right now, a promise of what may be in the future if they got through this. He stiffened for a moment, not expecting it, but she felt him relax and lean into it. He felt so warm against her lips, a sanctuary in this world of ice. She wanted to embrace him, to throw herself into his arms and melt into him, to extend this moment together—but she couldn’t. She had to protect him. “See you soon, kitty,” she murmured, her lips still brushing his. A pleasantly warm feeling had filled her. “Rain or shine.”

Wind shot between them again, forcing them apart. “Oh, come now,” taunted Tempest. “You can’t expect me to believe this’ll be a fair trade if I let you plan how to trick me.” She saw his hand close on her wrist, and he pulled her towards him. “Till next time, Chat Noir. Bring me Ladybug and your Miraculous if you’d like to see your little lady alive again. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll get a rather icy reception from her.”

Chat Noir’s eyes narrowed. She saw his lips move, but the wind stole his words and then snow swirled in front of her vision, robbing her of that as well.

Good luck, kitty.

Part II

#marichat may 2018 #marichat may #miraculous ladybug #marichat #chat noir #marinette cheng #marinette dupain-cheng #fanfiction #my writing #ladylynse #ml snippet #snippets #I tried #didn't go where I thought #but this works #*frantically posts between getting home and having to leave the house again*

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chimpukampu · 6 years

Text

His Lady Behind The Mask, Day 8 - Secret Meeting

For @ladrienjune Monthly Challenge

Synopsis: Adrien Agreste is just a normal boy with a normal life, until the Akuma invaded Paris and took not only the peace in his city but also the existence of his Lady he once knew and loved. AU.

AO3 | Fanfiction | Wattpad

Days: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30

Some Adrinette Childhood Friend AU for the soul

"Master Fu?"

"Ladybug," the old man beamed, waving his hand rapidly when the spotted heroine entered his office "Come in - and please lock the door. Thank you."

She immediately complied by pressing the lock button on the knob, then asked: "I don't understand your message about not informing Tikki or anyone about this meeting."

"That's because it's a secret," said Fu, pulling his own seat when she walked towards his office desk and sat on one of his visitor's chair "And something personal."

He noticed how her face twitched, albeit subtle, as well as the way she clenched her hands tightly on her lap but decided not to point it out.

"We're not talking about your parents. Rest assured that your family is safe," he clarified, and saw how her expression gradually relaxed "What I'm referring to is your connection towards the young civilian named Adrien Agreste."

Her posture went rigid "Adrien Agreste, Master?"

"I didn't call you here to scold you about saving him again if that's something you are worried about," the man chuckled at her bewildered gaze "I called you here because I'm a curious old man who wants to know about this young man's personality, his lifestyle…and how you two became friends."

"For what reason, Master?"

Fu cracked a smile despite her defensive tone "I'm fully aware that everyone knows about the ongoing dissolution panel between our organization and the French government. If the proposal will be signed on its third reading and wins the majority vote, the Order of Miraculous is going to be separated from the state and considered as a private entity. Which means that us, Miraculous wielders, will lose our state immunity and can be arrested for treason."

She snorted indignantly "For what, defeating Akumas?"

He cocked a brow "Aren't you aware of the rumors surrounding on the Miraculous wielders?"

"Ah," her face immediately turned sour "Are we talking about that rumor of us kidnapping some children and experimenting them to become Miraculous wielders? Or the other one wherein we steal corpses in the cemeteries and turn them into dummies we now call as Akumas?"

"Stealing corpses? I haven't heard that one yet," he caressed his chin with bemusement, much to the girl's chagrin "Must be something new. Anyway," he cleared his throat "Fallacy aside, the Congress made a proposal that we should end this war by having a truce with Papillion."

"A truce?!" her voice shrieked with disbelief "Are they out of their minds?!"

"That, or we'll just surrender ourselves to Papillion."

She almost leaped from her seat at the absurdity "That's bullshit!"

"Exactly," the old man remained unfazed as he went on "But there are proponents, the so-called elitists of our society, who are standing behind the proposal. One of them happened to be the CEO of Gabriel's fashion house."

Ladybug glowered "Gabriel Agreste,"

He concurred with a nod "Now, here's my question – why is it that Gabriel Agreste wants to dissolve the Order of Miraculous? Did we do something harm on his business? Did we fail to protect his family from the Akuma? If so, what can we do to rectify that?"

"Are you proposing to use his son in order to reach him?"

"Is that a smart decision, Ladybug?"

"No, it's not," was her adamant answer "Gabriel treats his son as nothing but a poster child. Ever since his wife died, he dedicated his life to work and never once he spends a single moment with Adrien that is outside the fashion arena. He's a cruel, selfish, manipulative bastard and most of all, a heartless father that must be removed in this world at all cost."

"And how about Adrien?"

"Adrien is a…sad person," she trailed off with looming eyes staring on her lap "He's a loving, kind and compassionate being. He loves his father despite his cold demeanor. He's friendly but socially inept due to his tight upbringings. He might be submissive, but he's self-sufficient. He can stand on his own, especially if he knows that he was right."

"Do you think Adrien can also stand himself against his father?"

Ladybug shook her head forlornly "I don't know, Master. Adrien may be persistent but Gabriel's words are absolute. You'll end up talking to the wall."

"I see," Fu reclined his back then eyed the masked heroine with fondness "Marinette must be friends with Adrien to know his life story."

"They're not just friends, Master," she sighed with a nostalgic smile "They're best friends."

"And probably more, if the circumstance allows it."

Ladybug didn't give an answer.

"How did you two become friends?"

"We grew up together," she told him as she reminisced the past "His mother Emilie was one of our frequent customers; she often brings him every time she makes a shopping. He was home schooled, you see, so Emilie wanted him to have some friends other than rich kids like Chloe."

Fu noted how she sneered at Chloe's name.

"I never liked him, at first," she continued "Especially when he threw a bubble gum on my hair. I recalled having a meltdown when the gum got stuck and the only way to remove it was to cut my hair. My hair was long during that time - I think it reached around my elbows - so having a bob cut was a tragedy for my six-year-old heart."

"I cried and cried the whole day. I didn't even eat my supper because I was so sad, and I slept that night with tears in my eyes. The next day came and he was there, standing outside of our door alone, and I remembered the anger of seeing his face; the desire of hitting him with anything but solid. I also remembered yelling, blaming him for ruining my hair and asking him to leave me alone. He didn't. He remained at our doorstep until I stopped crying."

"Then he presented me this beautiful wreath, and I was like 'his money won't buy me' but then I saw his dirty little hands filled with band-aids. He told me how sorry he was for my hair, that he didn't mean to throw the bubble gum on my direction. He confessed that one of the kids stuck the gum on the bench, so he tried to pry it but the gum went all over his hands. Before he realized it, the gum flew out and landed on my hair."

"Adrien must have sacrificed his sleep to make that wreath."

Ladybug nodded "Afterward, Emilie told me that Adrien combed their garden to find the 'most beautiful flower fit for the Princess' and spent the entire night weaving my flower crown. I think it was a combination of hyacinths, carnations, and orchids."

"Ah, the flowers of forgiveness," the old man sighed dreamily "And I believe young Marinette accepted the apology of her great Knight."

"We became friends that day," said the heroine. Until last year...

Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, the old man patted the underside of his eye "Your glamour didn't break this time."

"I didn't make any eye contact, Master," she replied, touching the edge of her spotted mask "He didn't remember me, or anything about Stoneheart's fiasco."

"Well, that's good," he nodded casually "Cataclysm is a very strong spell, Ladybug. No one has ever dispersed it except those with an ancient magus' blood."

"Adrien is just a normal boy with a normal life. He was born with normal parents with a normal lifestyle. He's not like me."

Fu only made a non-committal hum "Do you think Gabriel loves his son?"

"By love, you mean imprisoning him in a cold, lifeless fortress he called as home? I'd say yes to possessive love."

"Was he like this before his wife died?"

Ladybug tilted her head as she mulled over "I don't think so? Emilie died when Adrien was eight so my memory was a bit hazy…. but I do remember seeing Gabriel carrying Adrien in his back."

Fu patted his thighs then stood up "I think I got the answers that I needed."

"Are you sure?" the heroine hastily followed suit "I mean, about Adrien –"

"Oh no, you don't need to worry about Adrien," he gesticulated as he ushered her towards the door "And, Ladybug?"

"Yes, Master?"

"If Marinette can't stay as friends with Adrien," he suggested, "Why can't Ladybug befriend Adrien?"

Fu had to stifle his grin when he saw the confusion ebbed on the girl's face, but after he shut the door closed and engaged the locks, his expression turned into somber.

"Wayzz?"

A tall, lean man in green clothes emerged from the shadows "Yes, Master?"

"Call Plagg," he commanded, "Tell him that we found the magus who bears the power of Destruction."

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real-fakedoors · 6 years

Text

under leaves so green - CHPT 7 - Miraculous Ladybug

After the Dupain-Cheng family purchases a flower shop around the block from the Agreste mansion, Chat Noir frequents the spot in search of company from the manager-but-not-really Marinette. Beneath the mask, Adrien starts to struggle with how cute she looks in that green apron. (AKA: the not-really flower shop AU where basically everything is the same, but Marinette is extra stressed by her job and Adrien tries to be supportive)

Cross-posted on AO3 and FF.net

Chapter 7: 绣球花 (Hydrangea)

In which Adrien and Marinette spend Mother's Day in very strange ways.

Adrien had grown to enjoy the call of bells, almost always associating the pitchy jingle with happiness. One would ring at the front and back door of Marinette’s shop, come day or night. Another sounded lightly as he prowled the streets as Chat Noir, jostling ever so slightly just below his throat as he leapt from building to building.

And this morning, one greeted him upon entrance to the Dupain-Cheng bakery.

“Welcom - oh! Adrien, hello!” Madam Cheng beamed as he stepped inside, his senses overcome in the most fantastic sort of way.

It was warm within the buzzing bakery, but not hot and sticky like the summer air - this was a comfortable heat, one that reminded him of fuzzy blankets and hot chocolate. The smells were staggering in their own right, the aroma of cookies and fresh bread flowing around him like the sweetest tides of a cotton-candy sea. Adrien could drown in it and never want to come up for air; it was the same smell that always seeped from Marinette’s pores, only more poignant. A chattering pair of women eyed a display case near the window, so he strode past them and returned Madam Cheng’s smile with as much kindness as he could muster.

“Madam Cheng, so nice to see you. And Happy Mother’s Day, of course.” He bowed politely as he reached the register, standing just a bit aside in case anyone came up to make a purchase while he chatted. If it was possible, Madam Cheng smile only widened.

“This is Nathalie, my father’s assistant,” Adrien said through pursed lips, and the woman shook Madam Cheng’s hand.

Of course, Marinette’s mother seem just thrilled. “A pleasure, Nathalie -- and please, Adrien, Sabine is fine.” The tiny woman held up a finger to pause their pleasantries, leaning her head into the back. “Hey! Tom! Adrien is here!”

A pause.

“Be right there!” A familiar, jovial voice answered, and Adrien felt himself pink slightly. He tended to almost forget how overwhelmingly kind the Dupain-Chengs were until he was in their company, but then, their daughter was practically the dictionary definition of perfection. He shouldn’t be surprised.

“So, how can I help you this morning?” Sabine looked between the two, and Nathalie only responded with a strained smile. It took an impressive amount of self-control for Adrien not to laugh at the woman’s dismay, clearly unsure of what to make of Madam Cheng’s bubbly attitude.

“Well…” Adrien fumbled with his fingers. “I actually came by to see if Marinette was available. I wanted to talk to her, but my phone is, uh,” his gaze flickered over the tight-lipped woman beside him. “Unavailable at the moment.”

Sabine frowned. “Oh, I’m so sorry, but Marinette’s not home. She left early this morning on an errand.”

Adrien had only enough time for his eye to twitch before a small bear emerged from the back in the shape of Marinette’s father.

“Adrien! How are you, son?” Tom Dupain walked right around the counter and hugged Adrien fiercely, crushing his bones and giving his torso a light dusting of flour in the process. Nathalie looked like a fish out of water, both literally and figuratively, and appeared about ready to pry the man away from him.

The blond was all smiles, though, and gave Marinette’s father a firm pat-pat. “Hello, Monsieur Dupain, how are you?”

“Just great - business is, ah, hold on. Come!” He extended an arm and gestured for Nathalie and Adrien to follow him into the back of the bakery. Sabine nodded at them, but kept her focus on the customers who had just approached the counter with sweet selections in mind.

“Sorry, sorry. Just easier to talk without people buying - so good to see you! And who’s this?” Tom smiled kindly down at Nathalie, who cleared her throat.

“Nathalie Sancoeur, thank you. I work for Gabriel Agreste and am escorting Adrien this morning.”

He blinked, likely taken aback by her biting tone, but there was no dampening the man’s mood.

“Well, welcome to the Dupain-Cheng Boulangerie Patisserie! Don’t mind our mess; when you work with flour and dirt, it’s something you learn to live with.”

“I… see. Thank you.” Nathalie eyed their surroundings, quickly understanding the man’s meaning. The place was indeed a mess, all sorts of ingredients strewn around the work stations, a half-dozen aprons hanging on hooks, and piles and piles of open books littered with numbers and figures.

Monsieur Dupain set himself to task while making pleasant conversation, and Adrien thought his behavior seemed very much like Marinette at that moment. “So, did I hear you say you were here for Marinette?”

Sheepishly, Adrien scratched his cheek. “I - yes. But Madam Cheng said she’s not home?”

The man nodded severely, rolling out a mysterious dough that smelled like heaven. “Yes, it feels like our girl’s never home anymore. Did you want to leave a message of some sort? We can always give it to her when she comes back after work.”

Before he could answer, Marinette’s mother appeared beside Nathalie, and the leaner of the two women flinched.

Adrien had to snicker quietly at that. It was upon Nathalie’s own insistence that he was not to enter the bakery unattended, so he was going to enjoy watching her squirm, at least a little.

“Yes, and I’m afraid she didn’t say where she was going, probably just had to facilitate some deliveries or something,” Sabine sighed and wiped her hands on her apron, which caught his attention.

“Oh, your apron! It’s lovely.” He pointed, elated by his recognition.

She looked down momentarily and the smile that spread on her features reached her eyes.

“Oh, yes, speaking of Marinette,” she sighed contently and rubbed the embroidered D/C proudly. “This was a gift she made me for Mother’s Day. I didn’t expect her to get me anything; I don’t even know how she found the time.”

Adrien did not respond, but he nodded his agreement. Marinette had been deadbeat exhausted yesterday, but he wasn’t about to say that to her parents or Nathalie.

Oh, yes Madam Cheng, I know. I snuck into your daughter’s room last night while she finished making that apron. There was about a million reasons why that was a bad idea, and at least half of those reasons would have made him blush to think about.

Adrien coughed. “Well, I am sorry I missed her… Maybe I will just try again tomorrow, or swing by the shop later.” He didn’t even need to look her way to feel the look Nathalie was giving him. Such a detour was not in his schedule and therefore was not going to be allowed, but Adrien didn’t want to appear suspicious to Marinette’s parents.

“Well, that sounds like a wasted trip son, at least take some pastries back to your Dad.” Monsieur Dupain replied, wiping his cheek carefully with part of his forearm. The dough was taking taking the form of a swirled knot-bread, and Adrien could smell the vanilla and cinnamon from where he was standing. His stomach growled, and by some good graces, not loud enough for anyone to hear.

“Ahh, no, that’s okay,” Adrien rubbed his neck. “My Dad’s not really a… ‘sweets’ kind of guy. But thank you for offering.”

Of course, Madam Cheng wouldn’t hear of it.

“Hmm, well, how about at least something for your troubles? Nathalie, that includes you of course, pick out anything from the display and we’ll package it up for you.”

Adrien blushed, always overcome by their generosity. They hadn’t much, at least compared to his father’s wealth, but that never meant they weren’t eager to share.

“I- I, well,” Nathalie sputtered, uselessly pushing random buttons on her tablet. Clearly she was not used to being treated this way either, and Adrien remembered how flustered he had been the first few times he had come here.

“That would be amazing, thank you,” he accepted for the both of them, and Sabine lead them back out the front. Adrien didn’t want to disrupt Marinette’s father a second time in the middle of working, so he went to give him a friendly pat on the back in farewell. Once again, more bear than man, Monsieur Dupain turned and engulfed Adrien in a hug so tightly he felt short of breath by the time his feet were back to solid ground.

“Take good care Adrien, and thanks for stopping. I’m sure Mari will be sorry she missed you.”

Tom Dupain finished his statement with a not-so-subtle wink. Adrien swallowed a lump in his throat and tried not to burn too furiously while returning to the front of the bakery.

Sabine greeted a new gaggle of customers that entered just as the three of them returned to the front of the store, so Adrien gestured for Nathalie to follow him to the glass display of cakes and breads and cookies.

Once out of earshot, Nathalie shot him a sharp whisper.

“These foods will not comply with your meal schedule, so please say your goodbyes and we’ll go.”

At that, Adrien snorted and had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing. He actually felt a little bad as Nathalie flushed, evidently disquieted by his behavior. She saw this place as one of indulgence - sugar and happiness, free food and plentiful hugs.

How ironic.

Wealth meant Adrien had seen display cases just like these many times, usually filled with pillows of rich velvet that were topped with excess. Diamond jewelry or watches that could fund a year abroad were the “bread and butter” of the upper-class, so expensive taste came with the territory.

Adrien felt the bread and butter prepared by the Dupain-Cheng’s hand to be much more tempting.

Everything was a careful arrangement of love here, and it filled him with a million reminders of Marinette at every turn. Each price tag was hand-written, with chalkboard specials on display. All of the boxes were pink and simple, somehow adorable and refined at the same time. The energy itself was animated, a welcome world, and it required no explanation to surmise that Marinette was a product of this saccharine wonderland.

By comparison, Adrien had felt only lucky enough to window shop before. He didn’t want to browse anymore.

Marinette may have been reared within these candied walls, but Adrien found it hollow without her in them. He longed for laurels of green and Banks’ roses. The absence of dirt felt like the absence of her, resolute and empowering without ever being too much. To him, the bakery had become an echo of her, whereas the shop was filled with Marinette from the dirt to the air to the sun itself. A pastoral daydream, between the green apron and the green house, the shop was the metropolitan wilderness.

A paradox.

It shouldn’t exist in a city like this, and it was too pure for this world.

Yet somehow, he had found her.

Nathalie interrupted his daydreams by clicking her tongue.

“We cannot accept their food without paying. If word gets out, the press might take it to the rumor mill.”

His response was probably more bitter than it had to be, not because of her words but because of the sneer behind them.

“You are worrying too much,” he studied some cocoa truffles absently. “I’ve tried to pay them for years, but they always refuse. Marinette even snuck money back into my wallet once; their obstinacy is borderline unfair.”

Nathalie pursed her lips. “This… Marinette that you came to see. She’s been through your wallet?”

Sometimes he forgot how protective Nathalie and his father were, to a painful degree. Still, the insinuation that came with Nathalie’s worry he found to be in poor taste.

He kept his tone matter-of-fact. “Yes. I’d trust her with anything, my wallet included.”

The dark-haired woman narrowed her eyes and looked ready to say something else, but Sabine completed her recent customers and appeared across the glass case.

“Have you settled on anything? I already grabbed some of that cheese bread you always ask for, Adrien, but please, pick out at least a few more things.” Marinette’s mother jostled a bag lightly over the counter, and Adrien thanked her. In his shirt pocket, a very exciting twitching began at the call of cheese.

After some back and forth, Adrien made up Nathalie’s mind and kindly accepted two pieces of cheese bread, a sweet smelling strawberry tart for himself and a few macron’s for his father’s assistant. It took more effort than it should have to accept, what with Nathalie’s constant disapproval, but he had gone through the motions with the Dupain-Cheng’s enough time to know they were impossible to argue with.

By the time he said farewell, two hugs later and a whole heart fuller, Adrien settled into the backseat of the car and sighed comfortably. He almost could have forgotten he had come to see Marinette and utterly failed to do so. Almost.

Nathalie directed them home, dubiously accepting a macron when offered, and Adrien even tried to see if his ever-silent bodyguard would accept one. There was no verbal response, but the man did hold out his hand when Adrien reached towards the front of the sedan.

“So, is Marinette someone we should…?” Nathalie began as they were neared the mansion, and Adrien cleared his throat.

“Nope, that’s -- nope.”

The woman sighed pointedly, but did not ask any further questions. They both knew better than to bother his father with petty matters like high school crushes, so Adrien at least could confidently say Nathalie would not to bring up the subject again.

He bound up the stairs once they arrived home, shutting the door to his room behind him. A greedy-eyed kwami greeted him swiftly.

“Pay up, kid, I wants me some of that bread.” Plagg almost cackled as Adrien unfurreled the bag and set it at his desk, listening to the strange gorging sounds of a kwami bodily assaulting unsuspecting pastries.

Adrien was already pacing, running a frustrated hand through his hair.

“What a waste of a morning.” He stopped at the window, pressing an arm against the cool metal beams and resting his forehead there. “I don’t think I can wait until tonight to see her, and not as Chat Noir. I need to see her as me this time.”

“You know,” Plagg called from the bag, clearly speaking with his mouth full.

“You sure are going way out of your way to see this girl. You’re sure you just want to be friends?”

Adrien rolled his eyes. “Just, shut up, Plagg.”

“If your poor heart can’t wait, we could sneak out again. You know, stop by the flower shop, go and see your lovely lady,” the kwami mused in a sing-song voice.

Adrien didn’t answer. It’s not like he could deny it anymore.

From the night she gifted him the Russian Snowdrops petals, he probably should have realized it then. The comfortable way she deposited the sentiment, more than just the flowers, into his hand and the sincerity of her soft blue eyes within their private twilight was something from a movie.

That night had been a wickering candle that had burned just bright enough and just long enough for him to fall smitten.

If not then, Nino’s not-so-subtle talk should have forced him to acceptance. His friend had called him out like a judge during a fencing match, making Adrien confront some imaginary coin flip that he didn’t believe could be real.

But how far back did his denial go? The shy glances, sweet blushes, thoughtful gestures and innocuous little fleeting moments they had shared through the years. He couldn’t tell if his stomach had always twisted in excitement when it happened and he had just tried to bury the instinct, not wanting to freak her out, to the point where he himself believed it wasn’t there. Adrien tried to remember, but then, none of that mattered anymore.

What mattered now was that Adrien was absolutely, hopelessly in love with her.

Of course he was.

Marinette’s smile was everything. When she laughed, he felt like the most fortunate person in the world to hear the sound - and that’s not even to say how he felt when he was the one to make her erupt into giggles. Sometimes, if surprised, she would squeak, and it was adorable. She was beautiful - lean, strong, soft features and lips that looked so kissable he wanted to tear his hair out just thinking about it. If he hadn’t come to her home with the mask last night, he might not have been able to stop himself from kissing more than just her forehead.

His legs guided him to his bed, laying down and staring at the ceiling. Marinette was everywhere in his world, and so suddenly, too. It was like the most pleasant vertigo imaginable. The dark ceilings looked like her hair, soft and rich tresses of ebony. The sinking sound of his head hitting the pillow was her sigh, and the rustling of Plagg at his desk was the fluttering of her lashes. Most devastating was the sky, though, miles of her eyes for him to get lost in.

Marinette was everywhere, but even so, she wasn’t here.

Plagg belched and flew over to him, looking upon his charge with a smug grin.

“You’ve got it bad, you know that, don’t you?”

Adrien didn’t respond, but his face surely said enough. Plagg nodded.

“Well, if it means anything, I -- ”

The kwami stopped and his brow dipped, catching Adrien’s attention. A moment later, there was a crisp knocking on the door, and they met eyes before Plagg flew away to hide.

“Yes,” Adrien groaned as he sat back up, walking towards the door. “What is it, Natha-- ?”

“Adrien.” His father greeted with a nod, and the blond went slack jawed.

“D-Dad, hi, what are you…?” Adrien cleared his throat and paused when his father motioned for him to stop, raising a hand.

“Why don’t you come to my office for a moment?” He asked, though he spun on his heel before Adrien could answer. Stumbling after him, he hoped Plagg had enough sense to stay put, just in case, and followed his father down the stairs.

Each step felt like a march towards some sort of purgatory. Had he done something wrong? He couldn’t remember the last time his father called him to his office and they had a pleasant conversation. All they seemed to talk about anymore was Adrien’s future, and they both had very different visions in mind for what that looked like.

Adrien kept his irritations under lock-and-key. He was resigned to wait for his father’s invitation to speak.

It wasn’t until he shut the door that the conversation began, and Adrien wondered which one of them had lost their minds. It had to be one of them, because his Dad didn’t just say that, or he himself was dissociating and misheard him.

“Are you in a relationship with Marinette Dupain-Cheng?”

It was the proverbial record scratch of the past week. Flowers and blue eyes, slamming doors and text messages, late night stargazing and bitter coffee all rushed to greet him in a visceral sensory experience. A whole week’s worth of memories pumped through his veins, sending his heart into a tailspin of nerves and worries and fears but, more than all of that, Adrien was blindsided by so much sudden happiness that it a miracle he managed to stay on his own two feet.

He didn’t really have words, so he managed a croak.

“Huh?”

His father pursed his lips, hands behind his back as he gestured for Adrien to sit in the pit around the runway. Apparently, he managed to comply with his Dad’s request, though he had no memory of even sitting down.

A few hours earlier

“I can do this.” Marinette fanned her face with a hand, as if it would help. It wasn’t particularly hot today, in fact, it was cloudy and pleasantly mild for a morning in the summer, but that wasn’t the cause of her clammy complexion.

No, this was the kind of crippling nervousness that would knock anyone off their feet in her situation, and Marinette wasn’t exactly known for her superior coordination.

“I can... do this.”

Spilling your guts out to your crush of three years was never easy.

Doing it on Mother’s Day seemed like an awful mistake, given his mother’s mysterious disappearance.

Coming to his house unannounced, early in the morning, with pastries and a tiny potted plant?

“I can’t do this.”

Every neuron in her brain was firing off at once, screaming at her legs run away, but she was trying not to listen. Her heart was hammering, working overdrive to make up for the disagreement between her body and mind, and she was stuck.

Hiding.

Tikki jostled her purse, knocking into her hip slightly - it was a sort of silent code they had established, for Marinette to check their surroundings for curious eyes before opening the clasp.

With fumbling fingers, she managed to get the thing damned open and her kwami’s large round eyes were sympathetic.

“Don’t say that, Marinette! You can do it - you can do anything. I believe in you.”

“I-I know, Tikki,” she stammered, and the kwami’s red face frowned. “I just, heh, you know, we said ‘set small goals’? That was the agreement… I feel like… this is a little much…?”

“No,” her kwami shook her head. “It’ll be perfect, I promise. Do you trust me?”

“Of course I do!” Marinette’s response was immediate, and she felt her pulse relax just slightly. “I just… no, no, you’re right. I can do this.”

“You can do this,” Tikki parroted and nodded, closing the purse herself so Marinette couldn’t talk herself down.

“Thanks, Tikki,” the girl whispered before brushing herself off unnecessarily.

With a pit - no, a crater - in her stomach, Marinette slipped around the corner and stiffly walked up to the front gate. She spotted a familiar, almost angry-looking red button on an inlaid control panel, and gulped.

The first time she rang the Agreste doorbell, when Nino had been akumatized years ago, a little camera came out and appraised her. Just in case, Marinette fixed her bangs and patted out her pigtails, hoping her make-up covered most of the bags circling her eyes. Her choice of outfit was… acceptable. It was just her work uniform. The whole pretense of coming before work on a Sunday was so she had a designated time to leave in case things became awkward, and Marientte wanted to have an escape plan; she preferred to plan for the worst-case scenario, so anything better than that exceeded her expectations.

Long inhale.

Marinette pushed the button, feeling the weight of the world compress the shiny plastic covering against her forefinger.

No going back now.

Long exhale.

She stood for almost a minute, fidgeting more and more and thought about pressing again (or, better yet, about just running the other direction) when a voice finally answered, accompanied by a camera’s judgmental eye.

“Yes?”

It was male, but it wasn’t Adrien.

Oh for fondants sake…

Her mouth was horribly dry and she licked her lips - surely, that had to have looked great on camera.

“M-Monsieur Agreste! I apologize, I’m… um… a friend of Adrien’s. I was wondering if he was… home?”

There was a long silence, and once again, Marinette considered fleeing the scene.

A hard voice swept away whatever nerve she had gathered. “What’s your name?”

“I-I… I-I’m Ma-Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng. A-Adrien’s, um, he’s in my class.” She swallowed, and Tikki jostled lightly against her hip. The reminder of her kwami gave her some confidence, however small, so she added, “I designed… a hat for your contest a few… years ago?”

Marinette tightened her grip on the reusable paper bag she had in her right hand in an effort to stop her nervous shaking, and, to her genuine surprise, it actually helped.

“Hmm,” Monseiur Agreste sounded thoughtful, and Marinette tried to smile at the camera as kindly-and-not-dorkily as possible.

“You may enter.”

The electric blue eye of the camera retracted back into the wall, and there was a brief buzzing as the lock on the gate fell. She could hear Tikki lightly chime at her hip.

“You’re doing great, Marinette! Just keep it up!”

“Phew,” she breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, even if Tikki couldn’t see it. “Thanks. Wish me luck.”

Her usual stride was definitely clipped of it’s usual personality, much more rigid as the door loomed ever closer. She had only been here a few times, and this was the first time she’s ever come totally alone - the entrance seemed so massive up close.

A tiny voice dubbed Rationality in her mind noted that it was probably unusual for Gabriel Agreste to answer his own doorbell, but then, that tittering was snuffed out rather quickly by the hundred of others voices - Worry, Anxiety, Fear, and Uneasy, for example, were composing an epic interlude against the raging metronome provided by her heart.

Marinette, as conductor for this impromptu orchestra, only found it fitting that the crescendo built with the stacco thump of her knocking fist against the heavy barrier that kept her out.

Much faster than she expected, the door was opening, and stood before her was the ever-immaculate Gabriel Agreste. Sometimes, she was so wrapped up in Adrien that Marinette all but forgot her idolization of the man before her.

He was a fashion legend, and even his home attire showed for it - his hair was swiped back, out of his face. On his person, he wore a crisp white suit jacket with red pants that were tailored to perfection, accented by a red-white ascot.

Marinette bowed, feeling humbled and tragically underdressed.

Staring at her feet instead of at his piercing eyes, she found enough of her manners scattered on the immaculate foyer tiles to muster a greeting.

“Monsieur Agreste, it’s an honor to meet you in person. I’m… Adrien’s friend, but it’s also such an honor. I’m a huge fan of your work!”

She would never bet anything on it, but she could have sworn it almost sounded like, ever so lightly that he… laughed?

“Come in, Mme. Dupain-Cheng,” he stepped aside and Marinette meekly scuttered in, feeling more a mouse in a giant labyrinthine of architectural splendor.

Naturally, she drank in as much as she could as fast as she could - huge ceilings, a refreshing clean smell, marble pillars and a central staircase like one she pictured in Cinderella. It was spacious and monochromatic, and Marinette could only admire the careful attention to the building with each slope or facade.

“I’m ashamed to admit I only vaguely recall our first meeting, Mme. Dupain-Cheng.” Monsieur Agreste began, hands behind his back. His posture was impeccable, and Marinette quickly tried to fix her slouch.

“But I do remember the bowler you created; it was a rather impressive piece, especially for someone your age. So forgive me if I’m a bit... unsure to the nature of your visit.”

Marinette bit her lip - she knew from Adrien’s occasional mention that his father was harsh, but she could certainly tell where her friend got his lessons in etiquette. So far, Adrien’s father had been entirely intimidating, but surprisingly kind.

He frowned and cocked his head to one side when Marinette didn’t respond, and she nearly squeaked when she realized she was just staring into space.

“O-Oh! Right. I’m very sorry to show up unannounced, and on… a holiday, no less.” She paused to make sure she hadn’t just put her foot in her mouth, but he didn’t seem to mind the mention of today’s date. His wife was gone, but it had been several years so perhaps he had just learned to accept such affairs. “But I… I wanted to see Adrien and thank him for his help the other day. Your son is, um, a very… kind young man.”

Studying her shoes, Marinette quickly found his lack of response to be unbearable, so her gaze flickered his way. Mounseir Agreste had a small, albeit nonplussed, smile on his face, and it looked remarkably similar to Adrien’s.

Maybe she could do this after all.

Feeling a bit emboldened by his agreeable expression, Marinette held the bag out infront of her with the D/C logo printed proudly on the front.

“My parents own the Dupain-Cheng Boulangerie Patisserie - it used to just be called Tom and Sabine’s - by the school, and they recently purchased a flower shop only a few streets over from here. I work there and… I brought some pastries and flowers for Adrien as thanks. I... hope that’s okay?”

Mounseir Agreste studied the bag with a severe expression on his face before bringing a hand to his chin.

“Mme. Dupain-Cheng,” his eyes flickered to her face, and Marinette felt herself blanch slightly. His voice was like a whip, and each word was the crack before the lashing.

“While your gesture is very kind, Adrien is not here at the moment.”

She deflated. Bag lowered back to her side, Marinette felt all of the reassurance she had spent the past several days gathering be swept away with a single sentence. This had been hard enough to do the first time, and now she was doubtful she could ever find the courage to come back here like this.

Still, she couldn’t just stand and sulk in the middle of the Agreste mansion, so she cleared her throat and turned politely towards the door.

“I’m very sorry for intr-- ”

“But he should be back soon,” Adrien’s father interrupted lightly, and her head shot up in his direction. Was he really saying what she thought he was saying…?

Flatly, he confirmed her disbelief with a few easy words.

“If you’d like, you are welcome to stay here until he returns.”

Marinette felt her mouth fall open, and she blinked repeatedly. “A-are you sure? I’d hate to impose!”

He shrugged, and Marinette couldn’t believe how impressively casual he was acting. Surely this couldn’t be the monster Adrien painted him to be?

“I assure you Mme. Dupain-Cheng, it is fine. But Adrien is out with my assistant Nathalie, so would you be willing to wait for their return in my office? I mean no offense, but we prefer company to stay supervised in the house.”

She was practically bouncing now, almost too elated to mind her manners. “Are you kidding? Me, in the Gabriel Agreste office? Where you create your designs?! I would - I can’t -- ummmm,” she exhaled low and tried to calm herself, and to her relief, Mounseir Agreste didn’t seem to mind her fangirling. “I would be so honored, sir!”

“Very well,” he gestured for her to follow, and Marinette tried not to trip over her own feet as Adrien’s father stopped at the western wall before a set of massive double-doors. “We can leave the door open, so we’ll hear them come in.”

As Marinette passed the threshold, she could barely keep the bag in her hand, marveling each and every surface of the room with adoration. She had been in here before as Ladybug, but never had there been a chance for her to really stop and appreciate the room for what it was.

The walls were smoky marble, scored in a diamond lattice of light grey that stopped a few feet up from the ground, framed by wood so dark it was almost black. Each panel was carved with intricate molding, giving a sort of three-dimensional depth to the walls. The room itself was divided into three levels with short steps between each. Adrien’s father walked straight towards the top level on the far-end of the room where a large white screen - his famed ‘designscape’ - was situated, just in front of a grand golden portrait. Between the computer and the door, Marinette noticed a short sort of pit in the center of the room that opened to a lower level that mimicked a runway, but, she guessed, could also double as a conference table depending on the circumstances. Spread across the crisp white surface was a dozen portfolios and even more loose pictures, covering the desk from end to end with hundreds or even thousands of drawings and pictures of designs. The far end of the room was pierced by two larger-than-life panes of glass, windows to the world beyond, and they shone brilliantly with the emerging light of a Sunday morning.

On the wall to her immediate right upon entering, Marinette spotted Adrien. And Adrien. And more Adrien. This had been the image to capture her attention most prominently the last time she came here, naturally, and it was an ever expanding collection of his portraits done for his father’s fashion line. Everything about him, the poses, his smile, his presence - all of it, he was effortless.

Mounseir Agreste, apparently, noticed her staring. From behind his pseudo-computer, he commented off-handedly, “He does excellent work, doesn’t he?”

Marinette felt her heart leap into her throat, and she could barely breathe for how quickly the blood rushed to her cheeks.

“U-um, yes, sir. He’s very… ahh... talented?” Her hormone-addled teenage brain could come up with plenty more colorful descriptors for what else Adrien was, but perhaps his father was not the best audience for that. Instead, Marinette just laughed awkwardly, and Mounseir Agreste looked at her from above his glasses before smirking.

“You can set your things down on the tableau, if you’d like. Just push aside any of the mess,” he gestured towards the runway-esque-table in the center of the room, and Marinette shyly nodded and accepted the invitation.

Her mind was racing a million miles a minute, of course. Was this a stupid thing to do? What could she possibly talk to Adrien’s dad about? How long would they be - what if she had to get to work before Adrien even came home? And if not, would she even have sufficient time to talk to him? Why did she stop stalking Adrien’s calendar, if she knew where he was then this never would have happened!

Because, her brain scolded, tracking his whereabouts was creepy and you know it.

Yes, but, her squirming stomach argued, she had never been trapped in the Gabriel Agreste’s office when we had Adrien’s schedule memorized, now did we?

Both of you - Marinette’s jack-hammer heart interrupted - whatever figment of my imagination is giving you unique voices, please, cut it out! This is hard enough when I’m not arguing with myself!

Unsure what else to do, her eyes eventually started to linger across the countless designs sprawled across the length of the runway. The action started as a distraction, but Marinette’s attention was swept away in the painstaking detail that went into each image. From bodice to bustier, tulle and organza, slacks and skirts and accessories of every kind, the Gabriel span of influence know no bounds. She was particularly interested in a volume of unfinished work, most pages only half-colored but otherwise lined with pencil sketches suited to the shapes of men and women of every size and proportion.

“M-Mounseir Agreste?” Marinette spoke meekly, and his attention flickered up from the screen. “I hope you d-don’t mind me saying, but these are all so lovely.” She gestured a shaky hand across the runway.

“I-I promised myself if I ever got the chance, I would tell you the Adalaid handbag from Milan Fashion Week… was - is the most amazing use of suede I’ve ever seen… the attention to detail is something to be… sorry, I’m rambling,” Marinette pushed a hand against her forehead and ducked her head again, hoping he might just let her self-esteem die a quiet death.

“Milan is always a favorite of mine,” he responded, almost sounding bemused. Marinette glanced up to see him come to end of the runway, looking down over the cascade of his own creations through his decades in the industry.

“Ah,” his attention lingered over the thick portfolio right in front of her. “I see you’ve found Emilie’s work.”

“Emilie…?” Marinette responded, but she need not clarification when the man turned around and beheld the abstract, flawless painting of his wife hung behind his work station. She lowered her eyes on the book, and suddenly the unrefined but peculiar drawings seemed to make sense.

“Oh… these were, um, your wife’s…” She mumbled, trying to put distance between herself and the bound collection of sketches, feeling like there was some invisible line in social etiquette and that she had most definitely crossed.

“Yes,” he responded curtly, but sighed and descended to the pit. “She wore many hats, and her own creativity is something I still… I never sketch without the book you’ve got there.” His voice sounded wistful, and Marinette was surprised to hear him speak so openly about his wife. Adrien very rarely even mentioned Madam Agreste.

“It’s one of the handful of things she... left behind.”

Marinette didn’t dare ask for clarification on what else she might have “left behind,” but she didn’t really have to. There were some that required no explanation, like her husband and her son.

“You do have an eye for fashion, Mme. Dupain-Cheng,” Mounseir Agreste said as he looked over her shoulder, noticing the sketches she pulled towards the front in her absent minded admiration. “I always did like this one, but the color always felt wrong. I could never get it as I wanted.”

He pointed at a brown-leather ensemble, fitted like a trench-coat but seemed to Marinette a dress, the bodice dipping to a sweetheart neck with dropped-shoulders. A wide buckle pulled the eyes to the waist while accentuating the curvature of the hips. Interestingly, there was a peek-a-boo line of fabric that poked out from the bottom of the dress, where the leather crossed over itself like a coat; vertical stripes of white and brown just hinted at something more. To the side of the page, a razor sharp stiletto heel of the same color crisscrossed over a more detailed side-sketch of a foot, with smaller straps that resembled the center buckle as it clasped around the ankle. Were it food, Marinette would have been drooling; but as a designer, she could only feel her creative intuition flare at the sight.

“Wow,” she breathed, and without thinking, added “You said it was the color? You mean the tone of the leather?”

He frowned. “Yes, it was supposed to be… young and bold. Spirited, even. But it always seems… matronly, when worn.”

Marinette had to swallow the urge to make suggestions - who was she kidding? She was a no-name designer speaking to the Gabriel Agreste. No way would she even think of proposing modifications to one of his designs. It’s not like the leather might not be better suited as the patent variety, broadening the possibilities of color. Something like red would certainly pop with spirit, but this… that wasn’t her place.

“I never considered patent leather,” mused Monsieur Agreste, and picked up the paper with one hand and rubbed his chin with the other.

Marinette’s eyes widened in mortification.

Did I seriously just… say that… out loud?

“Oh - oh my, I’m so sorry Mounsier Agreste! I just blabbed and I know that was totally inappropriate, my sincerest apologies - sir, um,” Marinette stood and stepped away, bowing her head again, but this time in shame. Her face was burning and her eyes were nearly watering from the embarrassment.

Looking at the floor, Marinette couldn’t see the amused, if not a little bewildered, raise of Monsieur Agreste’s brows.

“You should never regret speaking on an original idea, Mme. Dupain-Cheng. They are scarce enough as it is. And a good idea? All the better.”

All she could do was blink inanely, sure she must have heard incorrectly.

“Some people make their literal livelihood as purveyors of honesty, you know,” he said, taking the picture with him to his designscape. Marinette slowly returned to the long table, not sitting but listening with interest.

“What is a critic but someone who is paid for their opinions? Or the curator of a museum? They seek out the best pieces of art on some sort of objective scale and create a gallery from their opinions alone. A discerning eye is a rare gift, Mme., you might not be so quick to silence yours.”

“I… wow,” she eventually answered, nodding as she sort of collapsed onto the row seating again. “Thank you, that… that really means a lot, coming from you.”

Marinette watched Adrien’s father’s with rapt attention, his own gaze flickering between the wide touchscreen and the picture in his hand. He hardly paid her any mind for several minutes, and for that, Marinette was thankful; her face right now was probably the picture of dumbfounded admiration.

“So,” Mounsier Agreste offered after a few minutes of silence. “What exactly is the nature of your relationship with my son, Mme. Dupain-Cheng?”

His voice had regained that pointed, almost dangerous quality to it, and Marinette flinched slightly. Thankfully, the man’s attention was caught in his work, so he didn’t notice see the very obvious embarrassment color her cheeks a deep crimson.

“Ah…” Marinette scratched her cheek.

“We are… just friends.” She sighed, unable to keep the regret from her tone. “His best friend Nino, you might know?” Marinette paused, but he so much as look up. With a dry gulp, she continued. “W-well, Adrien’s best friend Nino is in a… he’s dating my best friend, Alya. So… the four of us, um, hang out together. Socially. And at school, too - Adrien’s been… been, uhh, in my class since he started school with us. So…” She sort of just let her explanation taper out, not really sure where she was going with that.

They continued to sit quietly for a time after that, save for Marinette’s heart pounding in her ears and the occasional tap-tap against the designscape. She was torn between excusing herself, trying to think of anything that might not sound stupid to say to him, or continuing to suffer in the near-silence.

Mercifully, he cleared his throat and looked up from his work before she could act on any of her escape plans.

“My apologies, I wanted to incorporate this while it was still on my mind.” With a few keystrokes against the side of the machine, a projecting eye - much like the one she had been interrogated with at the front gate - popped out of the ceiling and a dazzling splash of blue light spilled onto the wall across from Adrien’s portraits. A narrow, blank canvas hung on the wall there - Marinette hadn’t really given it a second thought upon entering - but now it’s utility made perfect sense.

A life-sized drawing of the leather outfit, now accommodating Marinette’s suggestion for red patent, appeared and occupied the space perfectly. The empty canvas was almost poetic as Marinette stared, wide-eyed, at the creation come to life before her. With her suggestion, so too did the outfit itself come to life; the shine of the red seemed more animated than the maturity of browns and whites. Along the bottom lining, Monsieur Agreste had also recolored the peek-a-boo fabric to follow a nautical schema - vertical stripes of blue, white and red seemed to wink out from the folds of the dress, and it definitely looked youthful. Sexy, even, Marinette dared to admit.

“Wow…” She breathed, amazed by how quickly and masterfully her idea materialized by his hand.

“Indeed,” he said, agreeing with the sentiment of Marinette’s exclamation. The girl realized she was gaping, mouth-open, so she firmly closed her lips and tried to her fix her face into something appreciative but not too starstruck.

With all the practice I’ve had with Adrien, I’m pretty sure I’ve got that one down.

A contented sigh escaped Adrien’s father, and with a quick hand, he turned off the projection and the canvas returned to its former off-white, all creativity sterilized by the flip of a switch. Marinette’s eyes could still see the echo of an image, splotchy as her focus blinked back into reality.

“Now, where were we?” Monsieur Agreste came down from the top-level and stood with his back to her, which Marinette found less intimidating, They both faced a wall of Adrien.

“You said you’re a friend of Adrien’s from school - and, oh, that’s right. A gift in thanks? And what did he do that would be so deserving of such a kindness from you?” He turned his head slightly and smiled, laughing just one breath of a laugh, but Marinette felt the tension in her stomach unknot slightly.

She considered how best to respond this time, not wanting to ramble or putter through her sentences like she had been. Honesty felt right, and Adrien was someone with his whole day planned out, so it’s not like she might be sharing anything he wouldn’t already know. Maybe it had been a stroke of good luck with their designer-to-designer moment, but she felt like maybe he respected her… just a tiny bit?

“Well… we crossed paths recently since I work so near to your home… I fell at work a few days ago and messed up my shoulder, and Adrien stayed to help me sort out my mess with the customers. I was willing to pay him, but he declined - so I thought, um, this would at least be a small form of thanks.”

Looking at the bag, Marinette smiled. “He even made a sale. I know it’s probably… not the best idea for him to do something like that, with his fame, so I hope he didn’t get in trouble because of me. But he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

Adrien’s father turned, a brow raised. “That... sounds like my stubborn son.”

She laughed lightly. “Stubborn is a good word for him.” They met eyes, and Marinette was relieved to actually see him smiling.

Proudly.

“And again, I really am sorry for just showing up like this, sir. If I had known Adrien was out I would have just dropped this off,” she gestured towards her bag, ducking her head shyly. “I appreciate you letting me wait with you, but I do have to get to work soon.”

Adrien’s father adjusted his glasses and glanced at his watch. “I see. Well, your apology is not necessary Mme. Dupain-Cheng, but it is a nice gesture. You can leave the… gift with me, and I’ll make sure Adrien receives it once he gets home.”

Beaming, Marinette nodded and stood up, walking out of the pit towards the door. He followed a few steps behind her into the foyer. She put a hand on the door and prepared to open it when he caught her attention.

“By the way,” he said, voice curious. “What was the name again?”

She blinked, admittedly a little hurt. “M-my name? It’s Marinette Dup -- ”

“No, I’m sorry,” Monsieur Agreste stopped her with a hand. “I meant, the name of your place of work. The flower shop.”

“O-oh! I don’t think I said it, my apologies… It’s Sous les feuilles si vert.” She dug in her purse quickly, Tikki pressed against the very bottom. The kwami read her mind and lifted a business card for Marinette to grab. “I, um, imagine you have a florist on hand… but if you ever need anything quickly we are over off Courtier St.!” She nodded fervently as he accepted the card, and Mounsier Agreste studied the piece of cardstock in his hand.

“Under leaves so green? An interesting name…” He tucked the card in his breast pocket as Marinette pulled open the door.

“We can’t take credit, that was the name when my parents bought it. The previous owner said it’s from a famous poet… William Blake, I think.”

The man wrinkled his nose. “English. I should have figured.”

Marinette giggled nervously and started out the door, waving. “Yes, my thoughts exactly. Thank you again, sir, for everything!”

His expression was strange, looking caught between amusement and something else she couldn’t identify, and Marinette found couldn’t get around the gate fast enough. Each step was a beat to her mantra, repeating again and again as she made her way to work.

You. Just. Met. Adrien’s. Dad. THE. GABRIEL. AGRESTE. You. Just. Met. Adrien’s. Dad.

THE.

GABRIEL.

AGRESTE.

That had gone far better than she could have imagined - if she had been planning on meeting Gabriel Agreste today. Seeing Adrien and dumping three years’ worth of feelings in his lap, with gifts in tow? Yeah, that part could have gone better.

Still, the whole way to the shop, Marinette felt a spring in her step, a lightness in her chest. The blaring philharmonic that carried her to the mansion had quieted, shifted keys, and now the melody was brighter. It twisted and bloomed, unrefined around the edges and a little off-tempo, but Marinette found that she rather enjoyed it. It felt natural and beautiful and right.

This felt right.

The question came a second time, with a different inflection but a surprising amount of patience on his father’s behalf.

“Are you in a relationship with Marinette Dupain-Cheng?”

Adrien had half a mind to wonder what he looked like at that moment, because he was pretty sure his face would have made for a good laugh for Nino. Alya, too. Heck, even probably Marinette would get a kick out of his scrunched lips, drawn brow but concerningly wide eyes. It was a mixture of shock and embarrassment and a stupid amount of pride. That emotion definitely doesn’t belong there, mixed in with the others. Adrien was at least self-aware enough to recognize that, but he didn’t question it, either. That’s love for you.

“I’m not...” Adrien managed, meeting his father’s gaze. “But... I... want to be.”

Across the table-desk-runway, his father’s face remained passive, but a curious finger tapped his pointed chin.

“I see. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Adrien was wondering if this was a joke and some washed up celebrity was going to pop up and shout “You been PUNK’D!” in his face. Then again, that was even less likely a thing his father would agree to... So, somehow, this conversation was really, actually happening.

Struggling to find the words, Adrien leaned over his knees and rested his elbows on his leg. “I… I didn’t even think you knew who Marinette was. It’s all still sort of… new… I’m just sort of admitting it to myself, to be honest.”

A beat of silence passed, and he heard his dad release a long sigh. The clipped sound of dress shoes on cold floors were like short little needles, pricking his ears until the swishing of fabric told him that his father was sitting beside him.

“I’m sorry, Adrien.” His voice was gentler than Adrien was used to, and the blond glanced at him. Glasses off, his father looked uncharacteristically pensive - regretful, almost. “You’re not wrong. I didn’t know her name until this morning, and I feel… I’m not sure how I feel, actually.”

Adrien blinked, too surprised to react verbally, just watching his father return the glasses to his face and lean back, crossing one leg over his knee and looking at the ceiling.

“I know you probably don’t want to talk about it, but I at least hope you know that you can talk to me about anything.” With a little grin, he glimpsed towards his son. “Even about girls, believe it or not.”

Adrien leaned back too, folding his hands in his lap. His fumbling thumbs seemed much more interesting all of the sudden, and it certainly didn’t have anything to do with the redness he felt rush across his cheeks.

“Father,” he stopped to clear his throat, surprised by how choked he sounded. “I, um, thank you. I… I know that. I guess I just haven’t figured out a lot of this myself yet. I only just discovered that she has feelings for me, so I’m trying to make sense of it… I don’t want to freak her out by coming on too strong, but I hate not having my phone. She’s… she’s sort of amazing, Dad.” He laughed through the stress, halting momentarily to gaze down the length of the room. A portrait of molten gold, beautiful as the woman portrayed there, made Adrien smile. Words were coming easier, and it felt like his Mom was listening, too. He imagined she would approve - but then, how could she not? Marinette was perfect.

Indeed, so wonderful, Adrien didn’t even realize that he started rambling.

“Her parents are bakers, and she works at a flower shop around the corner. That’s… that’s where I was, actually, when I lied to Nathalie a few days ago. I really was with Nino and his girlfriend Alya, but I wanted to see her and I just sort of got caught up. Sometimes I can’t even remember my own name when she’s talking about something, she gets really…” Adrien paused, trying to use his hands to explain. It didn’t even occur to him that he was rambling.

“Animated? I don’t know. I can’t figure her out, and that’s the best part about her. And… well, I didn’t want to tell you because… um, I don’t know. She’s really kind, Father, but I don’t know if she’s… uhh, who you would expect me to date,” Pursing his lips momentarily, Adrien turned back to face the man seated next to him.

“But I think you might like her if you met her. She’s interested in design, so you would even have something to talk about.”

At this point, Adrien was pretty sure it could have started raining akumas in the room and he wouldn’t have been surprised. A very large part of him still wasn't convinced this conversation was really even happening.

Adrien was startled a second time, and it was by a sound so foreign that could do little else but stare.

His father was laughing.

Really laughing. Covering-his-face-with-a-hand laughing. Shaking-and-covering-his-stomach laughing.

Laughing.

Adrien was torn between confusion, indigination, and shock just at hearing the sound come from his own father. Still, his lips turned up and let out a laugh or two himself; it was an infectious sound.

Eventually, through some breathy chuckles, his father shook his head and stood, turning towards the door. “I didn’t realize you felt so strongly for her, son. I am... happy for you, but I wish you would have let me finish.”

Adrien frowned. “Finish… finish what?”

Only then did he notice the bag sitting by the door, and Adrien balked. It was brown paper, stamped with a familiar logo across the front.

“Didn’t you wonder how I knew about your interest in Mme. Dupain-Cheng?”

Adrien just opened his mouth and closed it again, utterly baffled. Did his Dad go to the bakery? Or the flower shop? Had he gone through his text messages? But that wouldn’t give him away - he hardly texted Marinette. Adrien had just sort of assumed Nathalie had told his father about this morning, but he had already figured that wouldn’t have made sense for his assistant to do.

“These are for you. They were delivered this morning, in-person.”

“In… person?” Adrien accepted the bag and pulled out tissue paper, his hands shaking with disbelief and unbridled excitement.

A small piece of stationary was the first thing he could find, tucked into the silky face of a dozen tiny petals.

“ 绣球花”

For your help.

Love,

Marinette

He blinked at the Chinese. “Hydrangeas.”

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