#..adrien needs to be FED UP with her and all this nonsense | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

goggles-mcgee · 4 years ago

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Revolt Of The Akuma [Commission for @miner249er]

As the title says, this is a commission for @miner249er

Summary: There’s only so much a person can take and Marinette is almost certain she has reached that point. What with Lila and her seemingly never-ending lies, Adrien and his nonexistent spine, Chat and his stubbornness, Hawkmoth and his akumas, Paris and their expectations, it’s all too much. She’s going to snap sooner or later. At least she has Luka and Kagami on her side, right? Right?

[Contains: Class Salt, Adrien Agreste/Chat Noir Salt, Lila Rossi Salt, Angst, Misunderstandings, Slight Tom Dupain and Sabine Cheng Salt, Slight Tikki Salt, Akumanette]

It was rare for her to be surrounded by quiet, even more so to need that blanket of security that quietness can give, and yet here she was. The pink of her room had never seemed more faded or dull even with the lights on. Realistically she knew it was not quiet, her home was never quiet, there was always the bustle of business from the bakery downstairs, the sound of traffic outside, usually the sound of music coming from her phone or computer, and as always the chatter from her Kwami. Though Tikki’s words at the moment sounded like they were being spoken from above water whereas Marinette was under said water, deep under. Her eyes glanced at the mess she had made around her, the pictures of past friends as she’s come to understand all too well these past couple of months, to the torn and destroyed gifts she had given them returned to her solely for the sake of making her heart wrench painfully beneath her skin, from there to the piles of used tissues thrown about during her silent cries, and finally to the thing that had hurt the most and had been sitting in her lap, limp, shredded, basically lifeless, her sketchbook. The sight caused Marinette’s heart to clench in pain once more and she could feel tears pool her eyes yet again, but she forced them to stay, she was tired of crying.

Noise flooded back to her almost making her flinch. There was the soft ding of the bell from the bakery’s door downstairs signaling a customer’s arrival or departure, there were the car engines and the horns beeping, peoples soft voices floating in, and of course Tikki’s worried voice. Everything in her yearned for the quietness but she knew she had to deal with everything eventually and eventually meant now, so she didn’t worry her parents if they came to check on her at any point. If they even noticed her mood change from lunch, she thought bitterly and felt immediate guilt at the thought.

“Marinette…”

“Tikki.”

“Were you listening to me?” Tikki asked, and even though she knew Tikki wasn’t saying it in an admonishing tone, the girl couldn’t help the tiny wince she gave in return as she finally stood up and picked up the tissue piles. Truthfully she hadn’t but she could guess what the kwami had been saying. It was the same thing every time something happened between her and her class. That, they would come around, they were just acting out of misplaced trust and love, they would realize their mistakes and come back to Marinette and everything would go back to normal, but she had to get a handle on her feelings in the meantime so she wouldn’t be akumatized. No that wasn’t right. So that Ladybug wouldn’t be akumatized, but how could she after the day she had?

Lila made good on her promise. Marinette didn’t have a friend left in her class, maybe not all of them thought her the awful bully that Lila painted her out to be, but they didn’t stand up for her, they didn’t talk to her in or out of class, and they wouldn’t meet her eye when she desperately looked around for at least one supportive pair of eyes. It had never been this bad with Chloe. At least with Chloe she knew what she was getting into, she knew the brand of teasing and insults that Chloe Bourgeois used, and she knew that people were scared to stand up to her, but even then they would still flash each other a look of comfort, a look of strength. Those looks let all of them know they weren’t alone, that others saw them struggling, saw them hurting, and were offering comfort. Things truly were simpler then. Lila was something more than Chloe, more than any other bully she had ever seen or encountered. She had a silver-tongue that just seemed to gain more power the more she used it. Her lies were outlandish at this point and yet, no one saw it, no one but Marinette and maybe others outside her class but she wasn’t. The awful truth of it all was that Marinette had no one.

Sure Adrien had said he would be there for her, but that had been the biggest lie Marinette had ever been told, even with Lila spouting nonsense like knowing Jagged Stone because she saved his ‘kitten.’ She was always prepared for Lila to lie, could count on it, and she had become accustomed to her friends falling for the lies, but she had thought she had at least one person by her side. That had quickly been disproven again and again, and it felt like parts of her heart chipped away every time it happened. Adrien, once considered the love of her life, did nothing to ease her aching heart. There were no comforting hugs or even a hand on her shoulder to let her know that she wasn’t alone in the class of sheep. There were no glances shared between the two to let her know that he was just as fed up with Lila’s lies as she. Most importantly, and the one that hurt the most, there were no texts or calls or even letters that offered her any amount of support. That’s not to say he never texted her, but when he did it was never about anything important, it was always mundane and dare she say superficial, and sometimes, sometimes he texted her about her situation but it was never anything helpful, if anything they made her feel worse. They were always about how she was “provoking” Lila and, “what happened to taking the high road Marinette?” At first they had made her cry, she wasn’t provoking Lila, Lila was provoking her, how had Adrien not seen that? Sadness grew into anger, blinding anger, anger that caused her to rip every poster down, change her computer background with such force she nearly broke the mouse, and gave away every planned gift for every occasion, and afterwards all she felt was numb. In the beginning the numbness scared her, but it grew on her like a second skin, it protected her sometimes so she welcomed it.

“Marinette!” Again she was wrenched from her thoughts by the yell of her kwami’s voice.

It took her a couple of seconds to focus, “Yes, Tikki?”

“I lost you again. Where were you?” Tikki asked softly as she flew closer to Marinette’s face.

“Sorry. Nowhere,” Everywhere, ”just thinking.” An apology and a half answer, when was the last time she actually told someone how she was feeling without holding back? Too long, her mind supplied.

“...About today?”

“In a way.”

“Oh Marinette, things will start to get better, don’t let today get to you.” Don’t let it get to Ladybug.

“I know Tikki.” Hollow words, but they were expected, she even threw in a small smile, it was the most she could manage. It was the response of habit she gave, even to her parents, though she had the feeling they wouldn’t notice even if she did show some of her real feelings, some of her hurt. They were just so busy with the bakery sometimes that Marinette couldn’t help but feel that their attention to her was more obligation than anything else, and wow, wasn’t that just the cherry on top of everything? They had even forgotten to ask how her day was today, and though she wasn’t going to tell them, it still would have brought her some comfort to know they cared or pretended to care. At this point she would take what she could get. Today had been another rough one, but it had started out like her new normal, she would go to school and be ignored by her classmates or get glares and sneers that she in turn would ignore. Then she would go to her locker and put the bare minimum of her belongings in, that she prayed would not be destroyed (“improved”) or stolen, she did her best to boobytrap anything of importance like she did her diary since having a lock on her locker was supposedly unheard of at this school. After that was class itself where she expected her seat to be sticky or wet with something but she took to bringing wet cloths and paper towels with her since this was so common. ‘Just harmless pranks.’ Mme Bustier claimed when she first went to talk with her about the behavior. Honestly she didn’t know what she had been expecting when she went to her teacher for help, but she was not going to make that useless of a mistake again. What followed though was weird, she still found rude little notes but none of her classmates went out of their way to glare at her, or make snide comments about her, she wasn’t even tripped if they walked too close to her. To some people it would mean a break, but it only put her more on edge, like something bigger was coming, because Lila was acting strange.

She hadn’t spouted one lie about Marinette, she still lied, just nothing about Marinette, which was odd. Though Marinette pushed it from her mind in order to get some help from Mme Mendeleiev for her homework packet that was due tomorrow. Some problems were proving difficult and she knew the teacher was more than willing to help students out if they went to her, so that’s exactly what Marinette did for lunch time. She even brought a packed lunch so she could eat and work with the teacher so they had more time, it was actually rather nice. Mme Mendeleiev, though stern and strict, was a real teacher. She wanted her students to learn and Marinette yearned for that, she yearned to be one of her pupils. There was a part of her that thought that maybe the teacher wanted that as well. It was an impossible thought, she tried to transfer once, it hadn’t ended well for her. Lila spun it around when she had heard, claimed Marinette was doing it to abandon them and leave them without a class president. Oh how she spun her web of deceit and claimed Marinette was doing it for attention, to get back at the class for not believing her ‘lies.’ Of course the class and Mme Bustier believed her, because why wouldn’t they? Then Mme Bustier went behind her back and spoke to Principal Damocles and whatever they spoke about resulted in her staying in the class no matter what she tried or whatever papers she managed to get her parents to sign that would allow her a class transfer. She was stuck in the class. In her prison.

After lunch is when everything had blown up, and some twisted part of Marinette was thankful it happened sooner rather than later. Lila had made a show of holding something, some papers that looked destroyed, to her chest and “crying.” If you could call over the top whimpering crying. Marinette didn’t have to prepare herself since she had been prepared all day for something to happen when Lila and her herd of sheep came to her and yelled at her for ruining Lila’s homework and something about writing something on her locker too? She just didn’t care anymore, she still claimed her innocence and that there was no way she could have done it, but no one was listening and Adrien was just standing there frowning at her in disappointment and all she could think was, right back at you boy. Mme Bustier joined in and Marinette just stood there as the teacher of course fell for whatever scheme Lila cooked up and then held back a sigh when said teacher started to lecture her there in the hallway for everyone to see. Of course they had to make a spectacle of it, of course they did. Damocles decided to join in and Marinette thought it was for sure going to be another expulsion, some part of her hoped for it. She knew that was bad but she was just so freaking tired of dealing with it all, but to her surprise Mme Mendeleiev was her knight in shining lab coat so to say.

“Marinette didn’t do it. She was with me the entire lunch period so unless she managed to defy all laws of physics and was in two or three places at once I would say she’s being framed.” Mme Mendeleiev’s voice had commanded attention and even Lila couldn’t spin it around to keep Marinette in trouble. Even her classmates had stopped their incessant murmuring.

“But Lila said she saw her running away from her locker!” Kim had yelled in return. It spoke of Mme Bustier’s character and control of her class that she hadn’t even attempted to reprimand Kim for raising his voice to another teacher.

Marinette saw Mme Mendeleiev give Mme Bustier a look that had the younger teacher trying to reign in her rowdy class after they had all been yelling their own affirmations that yes, that was what Lila had said. “Then either Mlle Rossi needs to get her eyes checked or she saw someone else, or she’s lying.”

“Demeter! I’m sure Lila didn’t mean for this...little misunderstanding to happen. I'm sure she saw someone who looked like Marinette.” Mme Bustier had tried to reason.

“If I’m not mistaken Caline, this is not the first time this has happened to Marinette. Her being accused of something in this school and getting punished unjustly with no proof. Forgive me, or not, but I’m not going to overlook this like you. Those are serious accusations to throw at someone. It would be wrong not to investigate. Right, Damocles?” No one spoke throughout Mme Medeleiev’s little speech but Marinette saw the glare Lila was giving the teacher and Marinette was tempted to tell Mendeleiev to just drop it.

“Er, yes, of course.” Principal Damocles had stuttered out. How he had managed to be a principal Marinette would never know. Once upon a time she had thought him an awkward but good guy all around, but that was not the case anymore.

“I suspect we call Mlle Rossi’s mother to speak about this. I’m sure she would love to know that her daughter is being...if not bullied then the start of being bullied. Then we will gather students who match Marinette’s description. It’s not much but it’s the best we got. I’ll go take pictures of the locker in question.”

“Oh-Oh we really don’t have to do that. I’m sure it really is all a misunderstanding! I wouldn’t want to bother my mother!” Lila had desperately claimed.

“How is this a misunderstanding Mlle Rossi? Please explain. Because from where we teachers stand this is clearly bullying and we will not tolerate that at this school.” Mme Mendeleiev said with such authority, one would think she was the principal.

Somehow, Marinette didn’t know how, but Lila had talked her way out of having to have her mother called to the school even though Mme Mendeleiev had strongly insisted to Principal Damocles that they call her and have a sit down with her over her daughter’s wellbeing and school life. Though she honestly shouldn’t have been surprised that nothing had been done. It was Damocles after all. Lila probably said it would be best not to disturb her very busy, very important, diplomat mother and Damocles with his nonexistent spine folded. Though with all the wrong type of attention the incident had brought for the lying vixen Marinette had a relatively “relaxed” rest of her day. No one outright apologized for just blaming her for destroying another person’s work and defacing public property with no proof but at least they didn’t glare at her or make snide remarks for the rest of the day. Adrien even managed not to give her one of his lectures at the end of the day which was a big welcome on Marinette’s end. She could only deal with him being on his high-horse and looking down on her for so long and more often than not she wouldn’t even argue back she would just end the conversation with,*“Il n’y a pas plus sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre.”

The day had started to look up for her and she was going to strike the iron while it was hot so to say. Her steps felt lighter. It’s like Mme Mendeleiv’s belief in her gave her invincibility for the day and she found herself actually looking forward to seeing Luka and Kagami at the end of the school day since she would finally have something good to share rather than her usual bouquet of gloom. The sun seemed brighter when she remembered that fencing practice was cancelled that day due to M D’Argencourt having some appointment to go to and a substitute couldn’t be found so the fencing club students had the day off. Marinette had excitedly texted Kagami that they should meet up after school and hang out earlier than the trio had planned since the girl had more free time. Kagami had agreed but said she would meet Marinette at her house as she had some things to take care of there at the school that she wanted to finish up before they met up. Of course Marinette had agreed without question, Kagami liked things to be in order before she had her free time and Marinette understood that. Now, Marinette didn’t remember what she had forgotten, but she knew she had forgotten something in her locker and had rushed from her home to grab it, not wanting her luck to run out for the day. She didn’t know why but since she was back at the school she felt the need to go talk with Mme Medeleiev and thank her once more for what she had done that day for Marinette. Whether the teacher knew it or not, she had given Marinette some hope back.

So she was going to do just that when she had heard familiar voices. Luka and Kagami? Kagami she could understand but why had Luka been there? He was supposed to meet them at Marinette’s house so she was immensely confused to hear his soft voice echo the halls. Her curiosity had gotten the best of her then and she had followed its call. She had not expected to find the scene she had stumbled upon, and the way her heart lurched with such pain. You would think I’d be used to it by now. Her eyes watered as she watched Kagami and Luka, her closest and only friends sitting with Lila and looking at her with such concern and half hugging her to give her comfort. She couldn’t hear what was being said but she would wager it was about her, she saw the disapproving frowns both Luka and Kagami gave in response to whatever Lila had said and all Marinette could think was, I’ve lost them too. She took them from me too. Before she knew it she had ran back home, to her room and had, well, she wasn’t too sure to be completely honest. It all went by in a blur, but she did remember texting Kagami and Luka and saying she wasn’t feeling well and maybe they could hang out together tomorrow, despite knowing Luka would have band practice and Kagami would have fencing practice. Then threw her phone onto her chaise and looked at her pictures of her friends she still had on her walls, she thought of the gifts she had given and all she had felt was this white hot rage and sadness that consumed her.

She heard, more than felt the ripping and smashing of the things that reminded her of a past she could never get back. Marinette was done listening to Tikki in that moment, and she was done believing she had anyone on her side like she thought she did. Kagami and Luka, they both held little pieces of what was left of her heart and she could feel those pieces breaking with every thing she destroyed. Now here she sat in the aftermath of her destruction and she didn’t even feel satisfied. A small part of her still felt hurt, she was sure she had to have made noise, quite a bit of it, and yet neither of her parents had checked on her. It was just another drop added to her already too-full cup.

“I’m sure it wasn’t what it looked like, Marinette.” Tikki chirped as she flew to Marinette’s sink and back with a wet cloth in her hand to help Marinette clean her face.

“What?”

“Luka and Kagami.” Tikki said their names so simply, “I’m sure it wasn’t what you’re thinking. You’ll see! We have to see them for patrol tonight. I’m sure you can ask them subtly about it as a concerned hero of Paris.”

The only concerned hero. Her mind bitterly spat out without warning. The thought almost made her wince in shock at the venom that came from it. Though she found herself not apologetic in the least, Chat had been proving himself to be unreliable. At first she had brushed off his behavior as his usual antics and she had been beating herself over the head about it everyday it seemed like. He became more aggressive in his flirting and really that’s what it was, it wasn’t passionate, it wasn’t some misguided persistence, it wasn’t just him being a “boy”, he became aggressive in his affection for her. He started asking her on more and more dates, bringing her more and more gifts and each time she rejected him, reminding him they had work to do, or she had plans, or that his timing was not the best, or of course that she had feelings for someone else, he started “punishing” her and Paris as a result. He would refuse to help, sometimes he wouldn’t show up to a battle at all, he would only call to ask her if she had come to her senses and realized she loved him and when she wouldn’t give him the answer he wanted he would hang up and the battle would be a lonely one. She had tried to get Master Fu to do something about it but he had brushed it off much like she had in the beginning. Seemed like he still had faith in the cat, Marinette wished she could say the same but it would be a lie, besides she had kind of announced she no longer trusted Chat to help her since she gave Luka and Kagami their individual Miraculous back but to permanently use to help her defend the city. So instead of Ladybug and Chat Noir defending Paris, it was Ladybug, Viperion and Ryuuko.

“I think I want to go out a little early Tikki. Maybe the fresh air and time out will do me some good.” Marinette said with forced cheer as she stood and stretched her arms high above her head.

“I think that’s a good idea Marinette!” Tikki chirped as she zipped through the air to hover at Marinette’s shoulder and she couldn’t help but chuckle. With a quick saying of the magic words and one transformation later, Marinette was out slinging from rooftop to rooftop. There was no destination in mind just yet, she just wanted to simply be for a while. Everything finally felt okay and she was ready to actually head to the top of the Eiffel Tower to wait for Luka and Kagami as their hero forms so they could start actual patrol when she heard their voices. It sounded like they were trying to keep quiet about something. She didn’t want to pry but it was late and if they were out this late as their civilian selves she had a duty to them to make sure they were okay. With a quick swing she was at the Château Edmond de Rothschild where the voices seemed to come from, it was supposed to be not accessible to the public, so why were they there?

A quick peek was all it took to understand why and Marinette had to stop herself from making any noise, whether it be a sob or a scream or a gasp. She couldn’t risk it if what she was seeing was real, but there it was right in front of her. Luka and Kagami were sitting in their hero forms holding a charm of some kind between them and they both had the sickening violet glow of Hawkmoth around their eyes. They didn’t seem angry or sad, or even like they were being akumatized so she wasn’t really sure what was going on but she was going to put an end to it. Now.

“Yes Hawkmoth. Ladybug trusts us completely, we are doing our part.” Kagami said.

“But...Chat Noir has yet to show up. That has helped us get closer to Ladybug yes, but it means we don’t know where the Black Cat Miraculous is for you.” Luka had added on and it was another stab to Marinette’s heart. They, her most trusted allies, her friends, her maybe something more’s, were working with...oh god she was going to be sick. She had to get out of there. She didn’t know how long she had swung but at some point she hadn’t been thinking about where her yoyo should attach itself and she fell down into a garden. No, she couldn’t identify the garden because she couldn’t see past the tears. Marinette didn’t know how long she laid there crying but she quickly took off her earrings and just as soon as she did Tikki zipped out.

“Marinette…”

“You said things would get better Tikki. How? How is this supposed to get better? Luka and Kagami...they are...they’re working for HIM!” She screamed and she didn’t care who heard, she was tired of suffering in silence.

“I’m sure it wasn't-”

“What? What, it looked like?....I’m done. I’m done sacrificing everything for this city. Sacrificing my feelings. I need to feel Tikki!” Without waiting for a response, Marinette threw the earrings and ran further into the park. She sobbed as loud and she had wanted to, needed to, and she couldn’t stop. She collapsed yet again, this time in a patch of butterfly bushes, though she hadn’t noticed. It wasn’t the only thing she hadn’t noticed, there was an akuma flying her way, but by the time she heard the tell-tale sign of the flap of its wings it was too late. The thing had already morphed with something on her person and all she could do was gasp.

______________________________________________________

Gabriel Agreste couldn’t help the tiny shout of joy he let out because finally, finally he had managed to snag his masterpiece. She had evaded him for so long, her will over her emotions had always seemed so iron strong but finally, Marinette Dupain Cheng was akumatized, and she was going to be the one to get him the Miraculi he craved. He could feel it. He turned to brag to his swarm of butterflies seeing how Nathalie wasn’t in the lair but when he did so he paused. All his butterflies were gone. Honestly he had to just stand and stare because where could they have gone? And why hadn’t he noticed or heard them leave?

No matter. The important thing was that he had Marinette Dupain Cheng under his control and it was going to be glorious. She would make quite the spectacle for Ladybug and, well, the heroes and Chat Noir when she appeared tomorrow. Victory was close, he could practically taste it.

__________________________________________________________

Wang Fu had made many mistakes in his life and he regretted every single one, but this one, this one was causing him the most pain. Marinette, the girl he had chosen to be Paris’s pillar of hope, the girl he had seen as a granddaughter, the girl he had failed to protect when she needed him, was in danger. He had been sleeping when Tikki had come flying into his shop wailing about Marinette. At first he and Wayzz couldn’t understand her, when she managed to calm down some she gave him some of the most devastating news he had ever received. Marinette Dupain Cheng had given up the mantle of Ladybug and had been akumatized. He had been desperate to know why and know why Tikki looked so guilty because surely it could not be her fault. Then the kwami had spilled everything, she told of the situation at school, the situation with Chat Noir, with Adrien that he himself had thought was nothing more than him being a stubborn boy, and she had told him how even she believed her user was somehow something more than human and would be able to handle it all. She had been angry at Marinette for throwing her away but had realized that it wasn’t her fault and had tried to find the girl to talk to her but by the time she had found her...it had been too late. So here he sat after calling Chat Noir to his shop and hoping the young hero...no, the young boy, would show.

“Master Fu?” Adrien asked softly as he entered the shop, it was almost easy to believe that the young boy wasn’t wayward and that Fu hadn’t made yet another mistake.

“In here Adrien.”

“Uh, what’s the matter Master Fu? You never call me Adrien. You said this was about Ladybug. Did she...Did she say something to you?” Near the end it was easy to see now the hidden anger the boy held, why hadn’t he seen it?

“No. This is something...far worse I’m afraid. Ladybug has been…”

“Ladybug has been defeated.” Tikki finished for him.

He watched as Adrien’s eyes widened and he gaped at Tikki, he looked as though he didn’t want to believe it. Fu wanted to yell at the boy. He had no right to stand there and act like he cared about Marinette. “That is not all. A young girl has been akumatized and I fear she may be the strongest akuma Hawkmoth has ever made.”

“What do you mean Ladybug has been defeated!? Defeated by who!?”

“By the akuma,” Fu lied, though was it really a lie?

“What akuma?”

“Not what. Who. The akuma is Marinette Dupain Cheng and from what Tikki and Ladybug have told me...Hawkmoth has been wanting to akumatize her for a long time. Whatever sent her to his side...I’ve met the girl. She is a kind soul and to know that he has her under his control...Adrien. You have to stop her. After that...after that is when you and I will sit down and have another talk, but in the meantime find Mlle Dupain Cheng and help her.” Fu pleaded, and he couldn’t help the tear that escaped.

The emotion seemed to hit Adrien, though it didn’t seem to be the only thing. “Marinette is the akuma? How?”

“I think you know the answer to that Agreste.” Tikki answered with a glare from where she was being held by Plagg who honestly looked like he wanted to scratch his owner's eyes out.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“We don’t have time for this. Adrien, just please, go and find her. Help her.” Fu watched as Adrien had left, it was almost morning now and he had work to do as well. He had to retrieve the Snake and Dragon Miraculi before their current users handed them off to Hawkmoth, as he doubted they would help in the fight to save Marinette, and he didn’t trust them enough to let them try.

“We’ll get her back Tikki. We will.”

______________________________________________________________

Adrien was not having a good morning, he had spent the early hours of it searching for his friend and coming up empty, and the more he came out with nothing the easier it was to be frustrated. Though it seemed like frustration was something to be shared in the Agreste home since his father also seemed to be irritable that morning. More than that, he and Nathalie seemed off and they were the most put together people he knew. Them being off, threw him off, thankfully he was still at school on time, which is too say he wasn’t his usual early self, but he was there a couple minutes before the bell would ring which gave him a very small window of time to search for Marinette before class began. Though he’s not entirely sure she would even show up at school if she was an akuma but where else would she go? She had a problem with Lila and Lila was at school so the answer had to be there right? God he hoped so.

The bell was about to ring though so he ran back to class after searching the locker rooms and barely made it to his seat when the bell did ring. Marinette wasn’t there. But she was going to show up, he just knew it. She had to. Lila was the source of her anger probably, even if it was childish, she would come to settle the score and that’s when he would swoop in and save the day. Then maybe just maybe, Ladybug would finally see that they were meant to be and realize how amazing he was. The thought had made him smile, almost losing himself in the daydream, that is until he saw a familiar pair of pink pants enter the room. He was at immediate attention and was alert because Marinette...didn’t look like an akuma. She looked like normal herself, but she was an akuma right? So why didn’t she look like one?

“Marinette. Late again?” Mme Bustier asked even though it was obvious.

“I won’t be long Caline.” Marinette replied and her voice...it was just off. Yes it was Marinette but at the same time it wasn’t.

“Marinette! You will speak to me respectfully or I will have no choice but to-”

“To what? Tell me to be a better example? I’m tired Caline, I’m tired of being your doll that you dress up and play pretend with. I’m not a doll, and I’m not a teacher’s assistant, though it seems like that’s what you believe me to be seeing as you push me to do your job. Constantly, so don’t even try to deny it. It’s the teacher’s job to placate their students and make sure that their classroom environment is a healthy one. You allow bullies to reign free from punishment and in turn punish the victims. Do you ever get tired of being the indirect cause of akumas? Because really how many of your students have been akumatized and you have the gall to say you’re a great teacher, everyone’s favorite teacher no less.” Everyone in the room was dead silent. This wasn’t Marinette at all, but before anyone could say anything the akuma continued, though they didn’t know she was an akuma and Adrien so badly wanted to shout it out to warn everybody.

“Then there is all of you sheep. I had the absolute displeasure of once being your friend, but I realized you were never my friends to begin with. If you were you wouldn’t have believed lies over me.”

“Is this really what this is about Girl?” Alya shouted.

“Alya, it seems like you want me to start with you. You claim to be a journalist, a seeker of the truth, but that is the biggest lie you have ever sold yourself beside Ladybug’s best friend over there. You are a hypocrite. You say you are a defender against bullies and villains. Well you Alya Cesaire are one of the biggest bullies by association I know. You turned your back on me. On the truth. You refused to open your eyes and see what was truly there. You became a bully and enjoyed it. You took pleasure in everything you did to make me miserable alongside Lila. Well congratulations Rena Rouge you have been outfoxed and it isn’t because of some sapotis or illusions. I was wrong to ever trust you.”

Everyone watched as Alya grew pale and just sat there with her mouth agape. “Nino, Kim, Alix, Ivan. You became destroyers rather than the protectors of the weak you boasted about to make yourselves feel better. Well guess what Nino? There’s no shell to protect you from the truth! You are a bully, bigger than Chloe! Because instead of not doing anything like you had last time I was bullied for years on end, this time you partook in the “merriment.” Kim. How I ever trusted you with anything is beyond me. You know in China to call a child a monkey is a great compliment, to call you anything similar would be a great disrespect. How you held the title of the monkey king...I’ll never understand it. Alix, you always liked to believe you were as fast as a rabbit both in mind and body, well the rabbit is dead. Your time will never come again I’ll see to it. Your most prized possession, your watch, I helped you restore it after it had been broken and I even gave it back to you but that was a mistake on my part as you never deserved it in the first place. Ivan, who helped you during Stoneheart? Who? Oh that’s right it was me? I helped you see you weren’t that monster but I was wrong. I was very wrong.” The words were cruel and Adrien didn’t know where all this anger was coming from. Lila was the target right? Shouldn’t she only be going after her, not their friends? He had to sneak out and transform, he didn’t know where her item was but he would find it and put an end to all this unnecessary hurt.

“Oh Adrien, where do you think you’re going? You’re at the top of my list.”

“Your list?” He asked as though he hadn’t been caught trying to get out of his seat.

“Yes. The list of people who have wronged me. The list of people who have turned me into the current me. The list of people I hate. Sorry, but not sorry If you can’t handle hearing how imperfect you are but you will listen to what I have to say.”

Adrien didn’t understand why everyone gasped but he was hurt to hear that Marinette hated him. No it had to be the akuma’s influence, it just had to be. “I’m sorry you feel that way Marinette.”

Marinette walked up to him and took both his hands in hers, it would have been a sweet gesture if it weren’t for the added pressure. “Save it. I don’t want your superficial pity. You Adrien Agreste are the biggest liar I know next to Lila. You knew she was lying. You knew she was lying from the start seeing how Ladybug told you herself that Lila and her were not friends. Oh yeah I know about that, in the park, or how about when Lila was akumatized to be the Chameleon, which by the way Lila very unoriginal and I’m fairly certain you were akumatized on purpose but hey what proof do I have right? And she pretended to be you because she didn’t like what you had to say about her lying. Yet you still didn’t tell your so called friends about her, because you don’t care about anyone but yourself! I learned that the hard way. I believed you when you said we were in this together and that if we both knew then that was enough and that we should take the moral highroad. What a joke! I am truly disgusted with myself for ever thinking I was in love with you.”

What!?

_____________________________________________________________

Luka couldn’t believe what he was hearing, he and Kagami had rushed to Marinette’s class after they had each gotten a call from her mother asking if either one of them had seen Marinette. Apparently they went up to her room and realized she was missing but thought maybe she had told them she was spending the night at Alya’s and they maybe just hadn’t heard but when they had called her and texted her with no response they had gotten worried. More so when she hadn’t shown up that morning. Luka had immediately felt his heart drop. Marinette was, well, she was his melody and to think that something could have happened to her, it made him get on his bike and search as many places as he could think of. It seemed like Kagami had the same idea because he ran into her and her car before they decided it would be better to search together. He felt awful about her cancelling their plans yesterday but figured she just genuinely wasn’t feeling well. Luka was beating himself over the head because obviously that wasn’t the case.

Maybe if him and Kagami hadn’t been so focused on helping get evidence that Lila was a liar and who Hawkmoth could be they wouldn’t be in this mess, but they had done all that for Marinette. They had seen what Lila had done to her and Kagami had been the one to say she didn’t trust Lila and proposed they help Marinette expose her for the lying weasel she was. Luka had been all for it, even if they had to pretend to be nice. When they found out that Lila actually didn’t like Ladybug well, that had been a shock but they had played into it. Both he and Kagami had acted like they too despised the superheroine and finally they saw Lila, the real Lila, or at least a small glimpse of her. She believed they really didn’t like Marinette and Ladybug, she believed they were her spies on Marinette, and then she admitted something that genuinely made Luka sick to his stomach.

Lila was working with Hawkmoth. And she wanted them to help them and join their “team.”

It had seemed like a good idea at the time. It was more evidence against Lila Ross and it was a way to help Ladybug who had seemed like she was being spread thin thanks to that no good Chat. So him and Kagami agreed to help. Then Ladybug asked them to be permanent heroes. They told Hawkmoth in order to gain trust from him and he had seemed pleased. Fake working with him was disgusting but him and Kagami felt like they were getting close to figuring out who he could be or what his ultimate goal was, but one thing was for certain and that was, for some odd unexplainable reason, Hawkmoth wanted to akumatize Marinette. He wanted Luka and Kagami to help, they had been hoping to unmask him before it came to that, but hearing Marinette now and seeing her...that was not Marinette. Hawkmoth succeeded somehow. Because that in there was an akuma and it was breaking Luka’s heart, more so when he realized it had way more information about people and the Miraculi than anyone would other than Ladybug herself.

“Luka...that’s.” Kagami had never sounded so lost.

“I know. Marinette was, is, Ladybug.”

“What do we do?”

“We save her. And...and we tell her the truth.”

They were ready, they were opening their mouths to say their separate transformation phrases when a window in the classroom broke. They turned to look inside to see if it was Marinette running out and finally showing an akuma form, but all they saw was a green blur and Marinette leisurely following after the blur out of the school to the park outside. Of course they followed, but when they went to transform they both realized, their respective Miraculous was gone. What did they do now?

_____________________________________________________

Fu had done it. He had retrieved the Dragon and Snake Miraculous, with help from Tikki as she took them from their holders as he caused a distraction as Jade Turtle. It was never easy to hold his transformation but he had done it for the short while he had to. That was one, kind of two, problems out of the way, now all he had to do was wait for Adrien to save Marinette. “He will do it”

“He will, Master.” Tikki muttered from his shoulder as Wayzz nodded his agreement from Fu’s other shoulder.

“I doubt it.” Fu nearly fell with how he stumbled back at what had landed in front of him. It was Marinette but also not. He didn’t want to call her an akuma because even that felt like a wrong description. She felt like something else entirely, looked it too. She wore some armor like that of a knight over what appeared to be a black body suit, but one made of light. Her freckles seemed more like stars and if he looked closer each star was unique, and almost seemed to resemble every past akuma

“Marinette...what...what are you?”

“A protector, the Protector.” Marinette answered as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

______________________________________________

As soon as Marinette felt the akuma merge with her, because truly it felt like it merged with her and not an object, she felt so much. She could feel the butterfly feel her pain, her anger, could feel it soak up her negativity. She in turn could feel its pain and anger, its sadness too. Her heart filled with so much empathy. Then it was like the voice of the butterfly doubled, then tripled, then there were too many voices to be heard but Marinette understood. She felt their pain because it was the same as hers. All of them had been used, all of them together had put their trust in people they shouldn’t have. Though she had no way to see it, Marinette just knew she was covered in butterflies because she refused to call them akumas, they were victims just as she was, just as Paris was too, to Hawkmoth.

They told her they wouldn’t let him harm her. That they would protect her. That was the moment that Marinette felt that she and them were one and she vowed to protect them just as they vowed to protect her. She accepted them, she let them and her truly become one, because at that moment they were her only friends, her only family, and she was going to protect them from their abuser. They sung her praises, they gave her strength, they whispered a name and place. Their former owner. She listened and she heard and Marinette followed where they led. The closer they got to the Agreste Mansion, the louder the cries of Nooroo she could hear, could feel. She vowed she would protect him as well. He was her family, her friend too, just like the butterflies. A part of her felt like she should have been surprised that Gabriel Agreste was Hawkmoth and that so, Nathaniel Sancoeur was most likely Mayura, but really she just felt anger. Gabriel and Nathalie were to face justice. Her justice.

They would pay for their crimes against Paris, and their abuse of the Miraculi, kwami, and butterflies. She was the Protector and nothing would stand in her way.

_________________________________________________

“I don’t wish to fight you, but I see you believe me to be an akuma. I’m not. I don’t expect you to believe me but it’s the truth. I am merely the Protector now. As a sign of good faith,” Marinette, or Protector held out a hand to Fu, one he was reluctant to reach out for. “Here.”

It seemed like she caught on to his hesitation because Marinette threw whatever had been in her hand to him. Tikki and Wayzz had quickly helped catch them and when he saw what Marinette had tossed him he felt faint. Whether it was from relief or fear he didn’t know. Marinette had given him the Peacock and Cat Miraculi. “And what of the Butterfly Miraculous?”

“I’m keeping it. You couldn't protect it, so I will in your place. Nooroo and I decided it is what is best.” At the mention of the kwami, said kwami fly out into the open to sit in Marinette’s open palm.

“Marinette I can’t let you do that.”

“We’re not asking permission.” Nooroo stated as he nuzzled Marinette’s thumb that was caressing his head. “Marinette and I have suffered at the hands of Paris long enough.”

“This was merely me wanting to say goodbye face to face. Don’t come looking for me Fu.”

Fu could only watch at Marinette, Nooroo, and a swarm of white akumas jumped away from him and his kwami. He didn’t know what else he could do. He was too old to run after her, and he didn’t have anyone he could trust with a Miraculous with to send after her. So he just watched as Marinette continued to get smaller and smaller in his vision, until she was gone. Though she asked not to be looked for, he would do it, because Marinette deserved to be found and talked some sense into. When he found her, an apology didn’t feel good enough, but he would give her the biggest most heartfelt apology. She was a kind soul, and truly deserved none of this.

______________________________________________________

It was chaos. Tom and Sabine had closed the bakery but it was still filled with people, only it was Marinette’s class and Luka and Kagami. They didn’t dare call this class their daughter’s friends after they finally learned what had really been happening at the school. Luka and Kagami had told them everything and Sabine, Sabine sobbed and had called out for her baby girl till her voice was hoarse. What had they done to her baby girl? But they apologized to them, they said they were tricked. It felt more like they were trying to trick them, but nonetheless they needed help figuring out where Marinette could be and they were offering to help. Tom said it was out of guilt and had wanted to kick them out but Sabine convinced him it would be more manpower to help with the search. Truth was, they were just as guilty, they hadn’t realized something was wrong with their daughter until she was missing.

Adrien had come in with his arm in a cast, when they asked what happened, the class claimed it was Marinette when she was an akuma. Adrien hadn’t denied it, in fact he looked angry, every time Marinette was mentioned he would frown, and Tom had been so so close to just tossing the boy out, but they heard the kids gossiping and saying that someone had broken into the Agreste Mansion and had beaten Gabriel and his assistant pretty badly. When asked about it Adrien would get really quiet but would confirm that his father and Nathalie were in the hospital due to injuries. He looked a mess.

Luka and Kagami though,...those two looked worse. They looked as though someone had ripped out their hearts. They were there physically, helping wherever they could and however they could, but one glance and you could tell they weren’t there in spirit. It was awful. Paris was celebrating the supposed defeat and disappearance of Hawkmoth and Mayura, but how could Tom and Sabine join in the merriment when they couldn’t share that joy with their pride and joy? The guilt of being so busy had never hit them so hard, but they vowed that once they found Marinette, they would do everything in their power to make it up to her.

____________________________________________________________

It was quiet, actually it was more like her ears were ringing so loud that it was impossible to hear anything. Her body collapsed from exhaustion, she couldn’t travel any further but she felt the distance. It felt safe. She felt safe and maybe that’s why her body just kind of shut itself down, maybe that’s why when the butterflies and Nooroo prodded at her mind if she was willing to give up the akuma and drop the transformation and which she did, that didn’t mean that Marinette wasn’t going to fight to stay conscious even if it was a losing battle. But she was so tired and she could feel Nooroo reassuring her that they were safe and that? That was enough for her. She quickly slipped into unconsciousness and for once didn’t fear the possibility of nightmares, because she knew when she woke up she wouldn’t be back in Paris anymore. Though with falling unconscious she did fail to introduce herself to those who found her, right away.

“I’m telling you guys I saw something wash up on the beach from my house!” A boy said as he and his friends made their way down the beach.

“Yeah? Last time you said that and dragged us here it was just a piece of driftwood.” Another boy piped in with a point of his finger.

“And you claimed it was a real mermaid this time.” His twin sister added.

“Guys be nice I’m sure it’s an actual real mermaid this time.” A girl laughed as she walked ahead to walk side by side with the first boy.

“Actually there are many documents of mermaids you know.” The third boy of the group said matter-of-factly.

“Any of them driftwood mermaids?” the fourth boy of the group asked with a laugh.

“Ha ha ha, very funny. But I’m telling you I really saw...someone. Oh my gods.” The first boy had started before he actually did see the slumped form of Marinette just lying there.

*Il n’y a pas plus sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre Translation: No one is as deaf as the one who does not want to listen.

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snacc-noir · 4 years ago

Text

Unseal and Reveal pt2

Ao3

Part 1

Adapted from this post

Summary:

Adrien asks Marinette to fake date him after his father finds a pink ‘love note’ containing just her name on it

— but it was really the emergency note Ladybug gave him in case he needed to know her identity

Adrien has screwed up.

But before anything begins, he’d like to make it very clear that he’s only ever had good intentions, believable smiles, and incredible lying ability – no matter what his friends say (“You once told Alya you had a great dentist so Marinette wouldn’t be suspicious”), because he’s kept the fact he’s Chat Noir under wraps and no one has been the wiser.

Then again, Chat Noir is stylish, handsome, incredibly dressed, insanely hilarious, im(pecc)ably ripped, totally—

Yeah, so Adrien just can’t live up to that (If it came down to it, he’d totally fall in love with himself if circumstances allowed.), and thus his identity is pretty secure , unlike his self-esteem on a good day.

Specifically, today.

Because he has screwed up.

So yes, he’s somehow the best and worst liar ever, which probably likens to how it isn’t his secret identity that he Accidentally (three underlines for ‘accidentally’) reveals, but, uh, someone else’s.

Ladybug’s.

He knows Ladybug’s identity.

But hey! Hey— remember, her idea. It was never him who suggested the ‘let’s write our names on letters in case we need to know in an emergency’, as that was definitely her.

He’s screwed everything up, but it was definitely her.

“Did you know? ”

“Duh,” his kwami’s gravel voice says, “I know everything.”

Adrien’s hands are rousing his hair so much at this point he might expose himself as Chat Noir if anyone went by his lean windows. “You knew this whole time!? That Ladybug is– That she’s– That—”

All air escapes him in a corrupt elongated syllable. He flops on his Extra King size bed with silk sheets and fluffed pillows, almost knocking his model agency’s branded hydro-flask onto the desk adjacent with three exorbitant monitor screens. Oh, how difficult his life is.

“You’re so pathetic.”

He is.

“This is hilarious.”

It is not.

‘“What am I supposed to do, Plagg?! Call her? ‘Hey love of my life, it’s me Adrien, but you also know me as Chat Noir. I accidentally found out your identity and long story short, my household thinks we’re dating and wants you over for dinner. Are you up for fake-dating and not killing me, please?”

His kwami skulls a camembert roll. “I’m down for that idea.”

Adrien pegs a sock.

“How are you so calm?”

“I shrugged in the face of dinosaur extinction. Your damsel in distress crisis – you’re the damsel, by the way – and ‘oohhh no, I’m so in love’ hullabaloo is nothing.”

Adrien’s frown deepens. “I don’t sound like that.”

“You do. Your voice goes like eee .”

“What? No it doesn’t”

“You’re right, it’s more like ahhh . ”

The heat in Adrien’s acid eyes smarten. He crosses his arms, huffing in a way he hasn’t since early childhood, and glares at his ceiling. “I’m done talking to you.”

He isn’t, of course, as there’s only one person in his life he can complain to about his array of #RelatableTeenBoy issues, like ditching your favourite topic of Physics one class to cater to a Giant Baby akuma (again) and being late due to lack of places to change into your skin-tight cat suit (you know; just those little things). And by Hawk Moth’s insufferable menacing he isn’t letting that outlet fall from under him. He needs to clear his thoughts, because believe him, there is a lot to sift, and it doesn’t help when part of this whole catastrophe has left him with the knowledge that—

“Marinette is Ladybug!”

Plagg has moved to Adrien’s three-panelled computer desk and is clicking through something. “I’m so glad you’ve caught up.”

“And if she’s Ladybug, that means,” he goes on, white overshirt sleeves now uneven as he animates his words with a pillow, “she was just saying to me – to Chat – she was in love with him to save her identity! And there’s another boy she’s in love with! And–! And I might know who it is!”

“Who?” Plagg asks, the volume juxtaposing his welder’s.

“I said 'might’.”

The keys click louder. “You mean because you know Ladybug in real life you could have met him before? Or you actually know him?”

“I don’t know! I just know that Marinette’s… She’s in love with another guy.” The earlier exhilaration drains and his chest feels hollow and soul-sucking. “Wait– I can’t ask her to be my fake-girlfriend!”

The destructive god scrolls through the itemised shopping cart to double-check his fromage orders without any fear of his owner noticing. Well you obviously don’t have a choice. Your dad wants her over for dinner. Besides, it’s Ladybug, remember? She’ll do anything to help a friend out.”

Ladybug.

Marinette.

Of course.

There are still many things that don’t add up (Multimouse: just how?) but of course.

He can’t risk his own identity and hers to his father. He must keep the façade up. And if that mean s falling on his knees in front of who unarguably should be the most glorified woman in the world, crying to her to please just be his fake – very much, but unfortunately fake – girlfriend.

He will.

He’ll do it right now.

“I can’t believe you chickened out.”

Walks to school, even with the cost of waking up earlier, are always more refreshing than drives in cold silence. The freedom here is less pale, and he can hiss at Plagg all he wants with only the dignity loss of onlookers noticing him crankily talking to himself.

“Oh wait, yes I can. Because you’re a coward~. ”

“I did not ‘chicken out’,” Adrien snaps. “And I’m no coward. I just— I need to speak to her in person instead. This way, she didn’t have to receive an unwanted call so late.”

“You mean six?”

He huffs. “Marinette needs all the sleep she can get.” He pokes the creature back into his overshirt. “She’s always so busy. Even you’ve seen her collapse in class. Wait—!”

The only one that waits is himself, columned with the line of trees ahead, locked in the interval of his soap opera as his audience darts for a shiny rock near a fire hydrant.

“Because she’s Ladybug too! Of course! Of course! This makes so much sense! She’s so tired and overworked! It’s no wonder she’s all over the place – in the best of ways, I mean, she’s literally adorable when she’s frantic. Wait, have I always thought that? Have I always seen Marinette as the cutest thing ever? Her spluttering is so endearing. And if she’s already so tired, I can’t make her fake date me, too! She’s already so stressed! I’d literally be the scum of the earth if I even dare—”

Plagg is staring at him with flat interest. Humbly aware of his judgement, Adrien swallows, letting the air untense and clams his hands – eager to narrate his animated allegory – in his pockets in strife to get a grip.

He sighs.

“What if I mess it up, Plagg?”

He inventories his new rock in Adrien’s satchel. A hymn of silence roots in the place of what should be a snide remark. But there is no fed-up comment, just a kwami wriggling under his overshirt out of sight and a solemn voice that issues from it,

“Kid, you’re partners. You work together. You forgive each other. You trust each other. And if Ladybug trusts you,” he sticks his head out a little more, “find it in you to trust yourself. You won’t mess this up if you put her and her identity’s safety first, which I know you will, because you love her and you’re a great hero.”

Adrenaline dampening, Adrien smiles.

“Thanks, Plagg.”

Marinette has never believed in bad luck until she met Chat Noir (fifty Mr Pigeon akumatisations this year with a feather allergy? The next lucky charm is going to be an Epi-pen) and for a while, she didn’t believe in good luck, even with being Ladybug.

But that was then. Back then, meaning like, ten minutes ago before she was invited to stay back after PE by Adrien.

Right now, though? Right now, she’s decided she’s going to hand-sew a bedazzled shirt embossed with, “Goddess of Luck” to wear while Ladybug on patrol (and on the back, a quote she woke up to on Instagram this morning: ‘“can also kick ass” – Adrien Agreste’ (she took ten screenshots when he posted that)), because Marinette has good luck.

“You’ll be doing me a huge favour,” the ass-kicking quoter says on an afternoon she has not planned to receive the most exciting request of her life.

And you know what she says?

You know what the stuttering girl who may as well trademark the word ‘GAH’ she falls that much, says?

You’ll never guess.

No really, you won’t.

Because turns out, Marinette Dupain-Cheng is more than just accomplished.

So what if she thrones the winning title of a Gabriel fashion comp? What even matters of being class president and an all-around likable person? Who takes notice of another fashion mogul inviting you to live in New York because of your talent? ––An invitation you had to decline because, you know, being Paris’ zero-pay superheroine has a sprinkle more of importance. And oh, did she mention she’s Ladybug? Because she’s Ladybug. A superhero.

But none of that matters right now.

“I’d be happy to help.”

Because she’s said yes.

She—Marinette McStutter Dupain-Cheng—has said yes with her mouth (not vague hand animations over blubbering nonsense) to Adrien, and although her muscles are locked with their key over the Eiffel tower (and the tiny detail that her thoughts are screaming so much she can’t hear a thing of his relief and numerous ‘thank you’s), she’s still said yes!

Screw every other accomplishment. She’s said yes to being Adrien’s fake girlfriend.

Ladybug? Nah, that’s Mrs. Fake Agreste to you.

Good luck is real.

Okay but sure, ‘Fake girlfriend’ doesn’t exactly live up to ‘Very real girlfriend’, but being a fake isn’t that bad! She’s seen Lila do it every day for months – oh, hang on, no actually the term ‘fake’ has very negative and huge implications, then. However, in Marinette’s heavenly-blessed case, ‘fake’ means she’s doing a very big favour for a friend and is going to get more time with Adrien – just to name a few positives.

“Seriously Marinette, you have no idea how much this means to me. I can’t believe I’m so lucky to have a friend like you.”

‘Oh honey, I’m the lucky one. ’

“It’s– It’s no problem! Yeah! Really, I’ll come to dinner, no problem! It can’t be too hard. I can be your girlfriend! Eugh– Pretend girlfriend. It’s not hard being in love with you! I mean– Ugh!”

The monstrosity that is the never-shutting-up hole in her face is blocked off by frantic hands, stifling the last of her eloquent groan. But peering up, she realises she really has underestimated how much this means to Adrien, because he looks like he’s poised on a cliff of ecstasy ready to fall – eyes verdant, big, and lushed over with a hue of moisture that twinkles, and a smile so bright and toothy the sunlight hollowing out the remaining shade of the PE stadium glints off it.

In fact, her mess of a speech is such a compliment to Adrien that her locked-limbed body is suddenly engulfed by his. Startled in delightful senses of the word, she squeaks, and he quickly pulls away, face a few rose tones darker than before as his hands twitch at his side unsurely.

“Uhh, I guess we have to get planning.”

She watches in transfixed attraction as Adrien picks both their schoolbags up, finally blurting (without any squeak, she may add),

“Y–Yes. We do.”

(she didn’t say any stutter, so shut up.)

“Would your father let you come over right now since school’s almost finished?”

He casts a look to the exit thoughtfully. His flawless side-profile in high resolution before her, she sees the corner of his mouth quirk up in an unsettling familiar way, as if his whole charisma shifts to someone else’s.

They do need to plan; to run away together, where only they share this odd secret - a place alone together where they'll look each other eye-to-eye and practice their sonnets of love to construct a believable facade for his father-

“It’s more fun sneaking to my girlfriend’s house, isn’t it?”

That time, she squeaks.

And comes to the daunting realisation:

Marinette is screwed.

#I’ll add the @s in the replies cos I know people wanted a part 2 #it took me YONKS to effectively post this #also thanks again to the person who created the idea to let me do this #it’s kinda steered from the envelop theme and a full-fledged fake dating au I guess #miraculous ladybug #ml fic #adrienette #adrinette #identity reveal #original content #em writes

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brickercupmasterx3 · 4 years ago

Text

“Confessions in the Darkened Room”-

AN: I’m NOT exactly too proud of this fic and I’m still going back and forth on it, but I shared it with a friend (you know who you are) and she said it was fine... So I’ve decided to post it anyway? (I’m going to log off for the rest of the day so I don’t feel tempted to delete this minutes after I posted it. However when tomorrow comes, don’t be surprised if I do delete this post.)

And no, this was NOT the second fic I had in mind that I mentioned on my Lukanette blog.

These deal with my own headcanons dealing with Feloe (Felix x Chloe pairing). This ship has little to no content, and I’ve been kinda into it lately. So yeah... Here’s my (terrible, imo) contribution. (If I do end up drawing them eventually, that’s why. They’re a fun pair and I have a few story lines prepared for them. I’m NOT planning to write them out though.)

(I would also like to apologize in advance if anything seems out of place or rushed? I tried my best to make things organic, but anymore and I probably would have screwed this up further.)

Anyways, I’m done talking. So here. Enjoy?

______________________________

First thing Chloe knew, she was arguing with the most insufferable guy she’s ever known and the next, the two were shoved inside a closet. She had no doubt about who pushed them, considering there was only one other person in the room, aside from herself, that knew about her feelings for the boy.

It had been around half an hour since the two blondes were locked inside the closet, neither having said a word since then. Chloe knew she’d have to say something sooner or later, but when? There was never a right time to admit to someone who had brought you down and made you feel inferior all your life that you’ve grown feelings for them, could there?

Felix sighed, clearly annoyed at the situation they were forced into. While it wasn’t in the most pleasing of circumstances, at least this provided him the space to get some closure with the girl. She may have those infuriating moments when all she can talk about is Adrien, but lately, throughout their whole “fake dating” scene… He’d found himself falling for her more than he thought possible.

He enjoyed the closeness and getting to know her more, in and out of character. He’d memorized her facial expressions, the sound of her laughter, her touches… Basically everything… Not that he’d admit it aloud to the blonde girl at all. Otherwise, he wouldn’t hear the end of it.

“So… What’d you want to talk about?” Chloe asked, trying to speed things along so that she wouldn’t have to be trapped with him any longer than necessary. “I don’t know about you, but I’d rather get out of here as soon as possible. Don’t exactly find it thrilling to spend too much time with you.”

He rolled his eyes at her usual antics. “Not like spending time with you is any picnic either.”

“If I’m that revolting to you, then why ask me to play the role of your fake girlfriend?” She asked, awaiting for whatever response he’d be willing to give her. His responses were always the same, and she knew she shouldn’t have hoped for anything different, but she could dream.

“I needed a favor, Chloe. You fit the bill and that was it.” He responded, keeping it short.

"That's all you ever say." She said, crossing her arms. "Sometimes, it just feels like you're this emotionless robot with the same practiced lines. Is there really nothing else on your mind?"

"Why does it even matter to you? The only person you ever cared about was Adrien!" He shouted, just about done with her.

"I can't believe you…" Chloe started, anger evident in her eyes. "That's honestly what you think? Even tracking back to our childhood where I tried so hard to be your friend? Need I remind you that you rejected me?"

"Did you really expect me to take your friendship?" He looked over to her, returning her glare. "And watch you become another one of those annoying fangirls of Adrien's?"

"Did you really think so lowly of me then that you couldn't find a single ounce of genuineness in my eyes then?" She looked away from him, trying so hard to conceal all those horrible childhood memories. "Of course you did. After all, I played my part perfectly well… The bratty, spoiled rich kid who wanted nothing but to be part of the Agreste family. No matter the cost…"

“Are you seriously trying to get me to buy into that?” Felix looked at her as if she was crazy. “Would you stop trying to make up excuses to justify your petty behavior from back then? And just take responsibility for what you really are.”

“Responsibility? For what exactly?" Chloe shouted, more than fed up with his attitude. "Do you really think that this is what I wanted for myself? You don't know me! You never tried to get to know me, even with the several chances offered to you!"

"Why exactly would I want to? You've shown your true colors and by the way you're acting right now, you're not making yourself look any better." He said matter of factly.

"Ugh!" She groaned. "Fine! Think whatever you want about me! I'm done trying with you… Done with this stupid arrangement of ours altogether!"

“We had a deal… You can’t just back out of it now.” “Why not? You’re insufferable, Felix! You constantly treat me like trash, bring me down all the time with your pathetic insults and just expect me to sit there and take it like I’m inferior to you!” The blonde girl knew she couldn’t normally act out like this in public, but considering Sabrina locked them inside to talk feelings, that’s precisely what she was going for. “Well… You’re not any better than I am. These petty feelings you say I have, well, you have the same ones towards Adrien. Neither of us get why, because you refuse to tell us anything.”

“That’s hardly any of your business.” came his simple reply. “I didn’t ask you to help me out with this in order for us to get to know one another better. I could care less about your opinion on any matter. I simply just needed someone around to get that annoying Bridgette out of my life. You just fit the part.” “So… You’re just using me?” Chloe laughed, of course it was moreso a fake one, not that he’d know the difference. She needed to save her pride, not give him the satisfaction that he’d gotten to her yet again. It was just as she’d feared, wasn’t it? He never cared about her, no matter what she did. “Of course, you are… It never mattered how well I played the doting girlfriend part… Nothing can ever satisfy you.”

He just stared blankly at her, rolling his eyes at her usual dramatics. “Are you done yet?”

“As done as I am with you…” She responded, rolling her eyes at him.

How she fell for him over his nicer, denser cousin, Adrien, she wouldn’t understand. In ways, Adrien was everything she should have desired. He had the status, the cash, the looks… Those were the things she was supposed to chase after for the sake of her mother’s approval. Chloe was a Bourgeois. And Bourgeois’ don’t settle for anything less than the best.

But that wasn’t what she wanted for herself… Adrien just wasn’t it for her.

While he was kinder, sweeter, most endearing and at times a bit more understanding than his jerk of a cousin… Adrien couldn’t understand most social cues, which was indeed beyond frustrating. Nor could he tell the difference between liking someone as a “friend” or more. The boy had been sheltered from the real world for the majority of his life, she knew that and she couldn’t fault him for those things… And she didn’t… but she knew he’d never be more to her than just that childhood friend she adores…

And it hurts, because loving him would’ve been easier… Adrien wouldn’t reject her out of malice, unlike Felix. He’d do his best to let her down easy, if he came to figure out her feelings, because first and foremost, the two were friends. And the Agreste boy obviously treasured the Bourgeois girl as family, just as she did him.

Chloe then resigned to sit down at the farthest corner from Felix, quietly mumbling something under her breath as she finally registered her thoughts.

“If you have something to say, come out with it.” The boy said. He was a no-nonsense kind of guy and mumbling just wasn’t his style.

“Why would you care so suddenly? I’m of no interest to you.” She said softly, hiding her face between her legs… If she’d said anymore, her feelings would probably be out in the open and he’d know.

Felix had been witness to many of Chloe’s outbursts… but this? This wasn’t one of them.

She was never this quiet or reserved around him. She always had something to say and that's how he liked it. Chloe may be loud, annoying, spoiled and all-around self centered from what he'd seen, but he wouldn't have it any other way… So why the sudden change in attitude?

He tried to reach out to the other blonde, but his attempt was met by a slap. She clearly was in no mood to entertain him, much too lost in her thoughts to do much else. It didn't help matters that she was shaking either.

Had he really upset her that much?

"Chlo, come on. Just come out with it." He insisted.

She didn't budge, just kept her head down and ignored his words. If he wasn't going to listen to her at all, then she wouldn't either. It was a two-way street after all.

_______________________

Within the next fifteen minutes or so, her breathing had finally evened out again. Chloe couldn’t even bother herself to give him the time of day at all anymore. She’d finally raised her head and stood up silently, making her way back to the door.

“Sabrina... Whatever it is you thought was going to be resolved here isn’t going to happen… So just open the door, will you?” She spoke, still pretty soft, but a little louder than the response she'd given Felix just minutes ago. Chloe couldn't be bothered to yell out as angrily as she’d had done when she and Felix were both thrown inside.

Unluckily for her, there was no response from her redheaded friend on the other side of the door. Though she supposed it was to be expected, not that she could blame her.

The blonde girl then sighed again. Not only was she stuck with the guy she liked, but she wasn't even close to being in control of her own emotions either. So she decided to keep the silent treatment intact, and have her back turned to him for as long as she could.

"You're seriously going to keep this act up?" Was the blonde boy's interjection in this silence. "You can't stay silent forever."

Why he was still even trying to get to her is something she wouldn't understand, but knowing him, he probably wouldn't stop until she gave in.

"Fine… What do you want from me?" Chloe asked, obviously annoyed by him. "To tell me how much it is you hate me? Because if you haven't figured it out by now, I know that already."

"I just want to know what's wrong with you. You normally have more bite to your words." He said, because she did. She wouldn't let him get away with what he normally said.

"What's wrong with me?" She finally turned and glared over at him. "What's wrong with me is you… You, Felix. You'll always be the problem!"

"What?" He raised a brow, confused.

"Seriously? You don't even see it? You ask me for a favor and you're in no way, shape or form, grateful for any of it! I play this role I hate perfectly, but you're NOT man enough to admit it!" She yelled out beyond frustrated with him.

She hated that she gave in to her emotions so easily, but how else was she going to get those feelings out in the open? She hated him for making her feel the way she did and she wasn't going to let him off easy until she was done.

"Do you think any of this is easy for me? Do you even try to act like a boyfriend, fake or otherwise, would to someone he's dating? No! Because it seems you're incapable of showing any emotion to me other than one of hatred or indifference, all depending on your mood!" She continued. "If you hate me this much, just end it! This isn't going well for either of us and… and I'm tired of it… I'm tired of growing angrier than I've ever been. Exhausted from everything that's going on between us…"

“There’s nothin-” Felix started, but couldn’t finish because the female blonde wouldn’t let him.

“Don’t you think I know that?” She asked, nearing her breaking point. It was unbelievable how he couldn’t get what she meant. “That’s precisely why this has to end... You hate me as it is, and I just can’t deal with this anymore!”

Chloe wasn’t one to just break down without reason. Having always had to bottle up her emotions and fake others, wasn’t an easy task and it’s started to take more of a toll on her since this dumb “fake dating” favor started. What was she supposed to do? Continue this when it wasn’t doing her heart any good? No. That wouldn’t have been healthy and she knew that well enough already.

“... I… I wish I did have actual feelings for Adrien, you know?” She started, pretty much having to hold back from shedding any tear at this point. “Things would have been easier… He wouldn’t have done anything to hurt me. And I would have been perfectly content just being his friend.”

“Are you ever going to stop denying such an obvious fact? You’ve been into him literally all your life!”

"That's not true! He was never the one I fell for…" She responded, hugging herself, because she was sure that after this there would be no going back. "Even back when we were younger, loving him never crossed my mind. I didn't have many friends… And I still don't, but I wanted to try…"

“Try what? Befriending someone with no interest in you whatsoever?” He asked, still extremely annoyed at how hard she tried to prove him wrong. “Becoming friends with just another girl who claims to be in love with my cousin isn’t something I’d ever want.”

“Well, good then! Since that’s NOT even the reason I tried so hard anyway!” She yelled back in frustration. “It was never my intention to make you feel like second best… but you wouldn’t know that since you rejected me every chance you got!”

“As if I’d believe anything you’d have to say… There’s nothing you could say that could sway me to believe you in the least.” He rolled his eyes. Who did she think she was anyway?

“O-Of course not… You’re heartless, Felix…” Chloe said, looking straight into his eyes. The girl never wanted to believe such a thing, but he’d proven it, especially with the way he normally treated her. “It’s sad how nothing could ever make its way through that cold and tough exterior of yours… You’re so unwilling to let anyone in, that I can see now that nothing’s ever going to change.”

The tears became harder to contain with every word she spoke. Chloe was very self conscious and she hated that it had come to this. She was stronger than this.

"... You never made it easy, you know?" The blonde girl continued, closing her eyes shut, as if that would have been enough to keep the water in. "At first, I thought that was just you playing around… but the more time went by, the more I realized that was just you… You hated everyone and everything around you… And I still don't understand why I tried so hard to change it… because you're never going to see me that same way…"

He just stared at her. Was she trying to tell him the one thing he always wanted to hear? She wasn't completely clear, so he wouldn't know.

“It was never even about Adrien… He wasn’t the one who’d stolen my heart.” She’d looked down upset, tears on the verge of slipping away. “But then again, why would you care? I’m nothing but an inconvenience to you.”

Not being able to hold back much longer, the girl just let her tears flow freely. What else could she do now that things were out in the open? She wasn't sure anymore.

"I… I hope you're proud of yourself…" Chloe said in between sniffles, all the while wiping away whatever tears she could with her hands. "J-jerk…"

Before she could utter another word, she found herself enveloped in warmth. She wasn't sure how or when it occurred, since her main focus was ridding herself of the tears in her eyes. And when she looked up, she'd found herself staring at those same hues belonging to the one person who had stolen her heart.

"W-What are you-?"

"Look, I'm not too good at this "comforting" thing… I just know I don't ever want you feeling this way, okay?" He said. "Especially if it's because of me."

"Why the sudden change of heart?" She asked, curiously.

"Because if I'm honest, I never actually hated you, Chloe. I was just under the impression that that's how guys would act around girls to show them that they were interested in them." He responded.

"That explains a lot actually… Sabrina thought as much, but I just couldn't believe her." Chloe commented, in between sniffles. "Though an easier way to let a girl know you're interested is to just ask them out."

"And would you do me the honor of going on a date with me?" He asked her straight out. Not at all planning to waste another second, as he'd had the last few years. "A real one this time."

"Hmmm…" She hummed, as if deep in thought. "Maybe… if you can handle high maintenance and clingy?"

"Only if it's you."

"Damn right." She said, with a little soft smile on her lips, before it turned to a serious thin line. "I still expect you to make it up to me though. For making me so angry and upset in the past."

"Demanding as always, are you?" He said, a little playfully. "Alright… Whatever you want."

"We'll talk about the details later. Just hold me close for now, okay?" The girl requested, just enjoying being near him.

"Okay." He agreed, not at all minding her request. Felix could get used to this.

He just hoped that the next time they hugged or had an intimate moment, it wouldn’t be under these circumstances.

#chloe bourgeois #felix graham de vanily #sabrina raincomprix mentioned #adrien agreste mentioned #chlodrien friendship #feloe #miraculous ladybug #ml #brickercupmasterx3 #bmx3

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yamithediaperdork · 3 years ago

Text

Bug butt and Auntie Chloe (Ladybug and Cat noir)

As the end of the day bell rang at Françoise Dupont High School, Most students were eager to leave and go to whatever after school social lives they had. Most, but not all.

For one Marinette Dupain-Cheng, School was preferred to what awaited her after classes where let out. The teenaged girl/Superhero had been having a few..ok A LOT of accidents lately and her parents while trying to be understanding about it had gotten fed up once she went from not just wetting herself off and on to having a full blown 'uh-oh' accident in the seat of her panties.

She couldn't even explain what was going on, As it wasn't the result of a super villain or anything like that and a trip to the doctors had reported her in clear health. it was said doctor's belief and her parent's echoed it that it was just laziness on Marinette's part and she was faking they were accidents.

As such, if she wanted to act like a naughty toddler who refused to potty train she'd be treated like it, and she had been enrolled at a after school daycare that specialized in potty training. Furthermore her panties had been replaced with a mix of princess pull-ups and thick over night diapers, her parents making it clear they expected a solid week of no tinkles or uh-oh's in her undies if she wanted big girl panties back.

All of this was enough of a nightmare, going to school in pull-ups and trying to keep them hidden, but it only got worse as it turned out Chloe of all people worked at the daycare Marinette had been enrolled in.

the blond self proclaimed princess of Paris was totally delighted to find out Marinette was in the potty training program and made slight 'changes' to the rules regarding her training.

For one while Marinette was suppose to be in pull-ups during the day, Chloe made sure the second her little 'bug butt' as she nicknamed Marinette (Ironically she didn't know Marinette was lady bug, it was more in reference to the size and shape Marinette's bottom took when the bulky diaper was on) was thickly diapered and 'somehow' always seemed to be too busy to sit Marinette on the potty and when the inevitable happened would just cite the wet or messy diaper as proof that Marinette was just a silly big baby.

Since she was SO kind and dotting on Marinette when other adults were around and even when in private her words would say one think but her tone anther, Marinette couldn't prove she was being set up to fail.

Worse, when she tried to use the example that her pull-ups were mostly dry when she got to daycare in her parents minds that only proved she was using them by choice, only soiling herself when others would have to clean her.

So, when the final bell rung Marinette toyed with the idea of just running off and avoiding daycare as she gathered up her books and packed her book bag.

She was making a B-line to the side exit from the school when Chloe's voice rang out in the hall.

"And just where do you think YOUR going?" She asked.

Marinette turned around and gulped as Chloe made her way over, a frown on her perfect face as she for in front of Marinette and folded her arms. "Well little girl?"

The other students in the halls knew the tone Chloe was using and not eager to have her anger spill over, quickly left leaving it just the caretaker and the diaper girl in the halls.

"I was um.. Just heading..to daycare?" Marinette stammered out, a weak smile plastered on her face.

"Mhmm.. you know the most direct route is out the front entrance Little lady." Chloe said.

"O-Oh but it's..such a nice day out, I wanted to..enjoy..the outdoors and take the scenic route!" Marinette said, scrambling for a excuse.

"...You know you ARE right. it IS so nice out today." Chloe said and gave a smile that would of made Hawk moth flinch."In fact it's so nice I think you can play outside today, after we get you in your diapies."

the mental image of being outside in a t-shirt and her massive diaper, sitting in a sandbox as people walked by and laughed flashed in Marinette's mind and she turned crimson.

"N-no! please!" She yelped and then she did something else, a loud hiss heard in the empty hallway as she flooded her pull-up in fear.

Sadly it was already damp from a scare during chem lab where they had been a loud BANG and the inner thighs of her red pants started to turn dark red.

"Awww, Poor little Marinette sprung a widdle leak huh?" Chloe coo'ed, and patted the whimpering brunettes head. "it's ok, I won't make you play outside. come with auntie Chloe and we'll get you all cleaned up and safe and snug in your diapie bug butt."

with the stains growing and knowing she had no choice in the matter, a defeated Marinette just nodded her head and let 'auntie' lead her to daycare.

Thankfully for Marinette her wet pants were noticed thanks to a careful placement of a note book, at least till she got to the daycare where Chloe tugged the notebook away and whistled for the attention of all the other kids.

with the oldest kid after Marinette being five, giggles and chuckles broke out among the little guys and girls.

"Look everyone! Poor Marinette made her pull-up leak, who thinks she needs to give up on them and just wear her diapies alll the time? show of hands!" Chloe coo'ed.

out of the other 26 kids in the room, 18 hands shot up (the other 8 were too young to understand.)

"I..it's just..I didn't.." Marinette started to whined and whimper, tears building up in her eyes.

"Awww, it's okay." A little 4 year old girl said, coming up and hugging her leg. "Potty training is hard, but when ya finally get it you'll get big girl panties like me!"

the little girl moves to lift up her dress to show her Disney princess panties off but Chloe quickly stopped her.

"See Marinette? Goals!" Chloe said and smirked as she took hold of Marinette's hand and lead her towards the dreaded changing table.

"You don't have to enjoy this QUITE so much." Marinette grumbled, her bottom lip sticking out as she was still trying to fight back tears.

"Now now bug butt, be nice. I can always send a note home with you telling your parents how you tinkled in your pants in front of me on purpose~" Chloe said in a low evil voice, a warm smile on her face so any of the other workers would think that she was giving words of encouragement to the pants wetting teenager, pausing the pat the top of the changing table as she took the back pack away for the poor girl.

"You wouldn't!" Marinette gasped then groaned as she climbed up on the changing table, hands covering her face as her shoes were removed and Chloe started to undo the wet pants. "..Oh who am I kidding, you totally would."

"I'm glad we got that bit of nonsense out of the way. But I'll make you a deal bug butt. if you act like a happy little baby girl for me today, no fits, no huffing and NO attempts made at using the potty.. I'll keep your little leak allll to myself." Chloe offered as she tugged the pants off and tossed them in a hamper to be washed asap.

"..why would you want that? Do you LIKE wiping my poopie butt or something?" Marinette asked.

it wasn't a insult but more of a genuine question, and Chloe could tell and smirked.

"hey, you get your rocks off crapping and pissing yourself, don't judge me if I like reducing my rival for Adrien's affection to a big baby girl. besides whats your only other choice? end up coming to school tomorrow in one of your thick diapies? Personally I would find that hilarious but i doubt you will." Chloe said as she ripped the sides of the destroyed pull-up and tossed it into the diaper pail.

Marinette pictured it, there was NO way any of her pants would cover her diaper's, and one good breeze is all it would take to flash off her huggies in any of her dresses. Or even worse, if her Parents went total punishment mode and made her wear one of her short skirts, with the diaper peeking out!

shuddering from the mental image and the cold wipes being used to clean her up Marinette mewed softly and looked to the side.

"H-How..how do I act like a good little girl for you?" she asked in a low, defeated voice.

"you can start by calling me auntie." Chloe said, a smug look of victory on her face.

when Chloe had first been forced to come and work at the daycare as punishment for trying to drive her parents car, she had been convinced this was going to be the worst month of her life.

Thankfully the fates smiled down on her and gave her a way to amuse herself as she served her time in the front of nerdy Marinette being dropped off by her parents.

Learning the whole story it was just simply too delicious not to take advantage of and she toyed with maybe extending her time at the daycare as her punishment was due to end in a few days or offer a more 'one on one' effort to 'help' little Marinette conquer the potty.

Either way it was food for thought at a later point as she took out not just one of the stupid thick diapers the day care carried for older kids (to be fair, the diapers were thick then normal for any age range as the owner hated the thought of kids leaking on the plush carpet) but two of them, making use of a razor blade to slice slits in the first diaper. it was a trick she had been shown the first day as a way to deal with the super soakers and she thought it would be just perfect for a excuse to have her little nerd bug butt waddling more then usual.

the poor little nerd didn't even dare argue and actually to Chloe's delight, started to suck on her thumb as she watched. technically she could of let Marinette keep sucking on her thumb but there was always a better solution aka more humiliating. Setting the diapers down with the slit's cut in it and putting the razor in the locked compartment where it was kept in the table, Chloe tugged Marinette's thumb out of her mouth with one hand and reached into anther compartment and pulled out a cleaned and sterilized pacifier with the other.

"no no no little Bug butt. No sucking on your thumb. little girl's hands are covered in germs. here, suck on this instead." Chloe coo'ed, ironically though she wouldn't know it, popping a paci in Marinette's mouth that had a red and black ladybug theme on the mouth guard.

Marinette whined and looked ready to spit it out for a second, then a look of defeat washed over her again and she suckled loudly on her paci.

"That's a good girl!" Chloe coo'ed and tickled Marinette's chin, making the teenaged baby giggle and smile behind her paci.

with the big babies mouth full, it was time to finish getting that butt back in diapers, and with expert ease that comes from doing a task over and over again Marinette was powdered and double diapered.

'I think i would rather face powered up versions of every akuma villain I've ever taken down this put up with this.' Marinette grumbled, sucking loudly on the paci in her mouth as Chloe finished putting her diapers on.

"ok bug butt, time to go play, need help getting down?" Chloe asked, voice dripping with honey and clearly loving every second of this.

'laugh it up..next time your in danger I'm letting the akuma victim of the week torment you for a bit.' Marinette thought, sitting up with a bit of difficultly.

scooting on her butt and nothing she couldn't even get close to bring her knee's together she went to slide off of the changing table and land on her feet as usual, however the bulk and the difference in balance had other ideas.

She did land on her feet, for all of 3 seconds before her legs wobbled and she plopped down on her diapered butt, pacifier dropping out of her mouth as she let out a yelp more out of shock then any pain due to the ample cushioning her backside had.

"oh dear! Did baby fall and go boom?" Chloe asked, bring her hands together and putting them to the side of her face. "You poor little helpless thing~ Are you alright? do you need auntie to kiss your boo boo better?"

"I..Uh.." Marinette stammered and squirmed, then it clicked.

Chloe might of just said that last part to torment her, but since Marinette had just fallen on her BUTT..

"Y-yesh aunite Chloe. widdle Marinette fell on her bum bum and needs a kissy better!" Marinette said in a loud voice, getting attention from the whole room.

the look on Chloe's face said it all, she hadn't been expecting to have to follow up and with the whole room watching now the pressure was on.

Rolling over onto her hands and knees, Marinette stuck her padded rear out and wiggled it.

"A-auntie, a-aren't you gonna kiss it b-better wike you pwomised?" Marinette asked, putting a sad babyish tone to her voice that would make Chloe look like the meanest person ever if she didn't follow though.

Face turning crimson and gritting her teeth, Marinette tried not to giggle as Chloe replied.

"O-Of course I'll kiss it better sweetie. I made the offer after all." She said, then kissed her index and right fingers on her left hand and pressed them to the back of Marinette's diapered butt. "that better?" she asked.

"Noooo! you hafa us your lips or it doesn't work auntie!" Marinette 'whined' and wiggled her massive padded rump. "D-Don't you want it ta git better?"

"O-Of course I do," Chloe said, and slowly got down onto her knees, thinking of just how much she was gonna make this little bitch pay for this. "Auntie Chloe cares about all the little guys and girls under her care." She added, trying to stall for time.

'of all the days to wear lipstick.' she thought with a mental groan then closing her eyes and puckering her lips leaned in.

Marinette was waiting for the and as 'auntie' leaned in she pushed back and smushed her pampered bottom on Chloe's fart, while pushing with everything she had and letting out a muffled fart.

Sure there was gonna be hell to pay, but the memory of making Chloe kiss her ass and eat a fart was going to be Marinette's new favorite memory for a long, long time.

The end...for now

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seasonofthegeek · 5 years ago

Text

To Save and to Sacrifice, Part 3

Sending a huge thank you out to @rainbow-moonbeam for the ko-fi donation to do another part of this story. Thanks for your support!

Parts 1, 2, 3:

When one grew up poor, it was hard to ever truly forget the feeling. The land Nathalie was raised in, the one she would later care for and then lose in a sense, had always been poor in relation to most other kingdoms. Even as a young royal when her aunt and uncle were on the throne, she wore secondhand clothes and worked alongside everyone else. Things had grown a bit better for a time under her reign, until the climate began to decline again and the farms most of her people worked died away and she’d sought out an alliance to save them all.

She wrung her hands together as the taxi carried her further away from the palace and deeper into the lower income districts. She doubted many would be able to recognize her, but she kept her hood pulled up anyway, just in case. The driver eyed her in the rearview mirror as they passed under a street light. “You sure this is where you wanna go, ma’am? Not the safest place at night, especially not this hour.”

“I’ll be fine,” she replied tersely. “I have family here.”

He nodded and they made the rest of the drive in silence. She thanked her foresight of keeping a small stash of money to herself during the merger and paid him before watching him drive off. The street was dim, and the cramped buildings along the drive, while not decrepit, had seen much better days. Nathalie took in a deep breath, expecting to smell something familiar, but there was nothing to remind her of home here. Not on the streets anyway.

While there was technology put to use on the estate, Gabriel was old-fashioned in the way he liked to run things and liked to have a hard copy of everything. They went over the accounts together that were held in large leather binders he’d obviously ordered to be specially made and she’d seen him reading printed emails more than once. She thought it odd when he had so many luxuries at his disposal but now she was thankful. She’d been able to find a large set of binders with the new citizens addresses and information without trying to go through the hassle of using the computer system.

Nathalie checked the hastily scribbled address on the note in her hand once more under a streetlamp before ascending up the cracked stairs of a brick building. She knew it was late for guests but she also knew the people she sought out were most likely awake. She went to the door of the apartment and saw a beautifully designed monogram of “DC” painted on the weathered wood and knew she had the right place. She knocked softly and listened. After half a minute, there was the sound of multiple locks working and then a whoosh of air as the door was pulled inward.

“Well, we must’ve done something really good or really bad to warrant a visit from the queen herself.” Tom Dupain opened the door with a wide smile as he looked down on Nathalie.

She felt a warmth she hadn’t realized she was missing fill her as the big man pulled her into a hug. She laughed softly and hugged him back before taking a step just outside the door again. She glanced down the hall to be sure no one had seen or heard them before returning her attention to him. “May I come in?”

“Of course.” He stepped aside. “Sabby! Guess who finally came to see us?”

Embarrassment ran hot against her skin and Nathalie ducked her head. “I’m sorry it’s taken so long. I--”

“Nonsense.” Tom waved a hand. “I’m sure you’re very busy. There must be a lot of work to do.” He lumbered through the small living room that opened up into a kitchen and Sabine appeared with a young boy on her hip.

Nathalie blinked. “I know it’s been a while, but surely...”

Sabine laughed and hefted the child up a little higher. “Only babysitting. His mother works nights. Tom, honey, can you get Chris a glass of water? He had a nightmare.”

“Come here, Chris, my boy.” Tom gathered up the sleepy child in his arms and walked him to the sink.

“Let’s go in the living room,” Sabine offered with a gesture to the couch.

Nathalie thought she looked tired but still beautiful. She’d grown up admiring Sabine when the other woman’s uncle married Nathalie’s aunt and became the king and queen of their lands. Sabine was older and looked out for Nathalie when she could. Nathalie cried on her shoulder after her first heartbreak and was there the day Sabine found out she was pregnant with her daughter. Instant regret flooded her for waiting so long to visit.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly, looking down at her lap. “I should’ve come sooner.”

“Hush now. How are you? Is he treating you all right?”

Nathalie smiled down at her hands. “Gabriel has been a perfect gentleman. If anything, he’s treated me a little too well. I’m trying to take a more active role in things now.”

Sabine’s expression softened. “I hope that means you’ve had time to rest and relax for a bit then. I’ve been worried about you.”

“I don’t want to talk about me.” She looked around the small living room. “How are you? This is the housing you were placed in?”

“They said it’s temporary. We’re a little cramped, but we’re okay. Marinette’s been staying with a friend a good bit which gives Chris some space. His family lives upstairs, but he’s here most nights.”

“You said his mother works nights? I don’t think I recognize him. What’s the family name?”

“The Lahiffes. They moved closeby a few months before we came here. She’s a waitress at an all-night diner now. There’s also a son Mari’s age but he’s got a job at the car plant and his hours vary.” She caught the other woman’s distressed look and grabbed her hand. “We’re crammed in tighter than we’re used to but people have jobs and families are being fed. This was a good move.”

“I’ve heard reports of protests and fights.”

“There have been,” Sabine answered, her voice careful. “I think with time things will die down, but we all try to look out for each other.”

“Is it more our people or Gabriel’s?”

“That kind of thinking is why there are fights,” she said gently.

Nathalie scowled. “I’m sorry. I just--”

“I know. You don’t have to apologize to me.” Sabine sighed and leaned back against the couch. “Most of the people we know were farmers or handcrafters but this land isn’t made for that. There’s more technology here and it’s more fast-paced. I think some people are just feeling out of place and out of touch on top of everything else.”

“I don’t know how to fix that.”

“I’m not sure you can. I believe you made the right move in bringing us here. I think people will flourish but it’s going to take time. Healing always does.”

Nathalie tried to believe that but her need to immediately fix things worried at the edges of her mind. “What are you two doing for work? Maybe I can find a way to bring you to the palace.”

“As much as I appreciate that, dear, we’re just fine where we are. Tom was able to find work at a bakery and even though it chaffes not to be in charge, he’s content to be doing what he loves.”

“And you?”

“Marinette and I have been picking up seamstress jobs here and there. We have an ad in the city paper that has helped.” She looked back towards the kitchen. “And we’re in a good spot to help people here. As much as I would love to get to see you more often, and I would, I think we were placed here for a reason. Things are working out.” She squeezed Nathalie’s hand. “Don’t worry about us.”

“Easier said than done.”

“You are your mother’s child.”

Sadness crept into her heart and Nathalie shut it down. She was getting a whiplash of emotions from this visit and wasn’t sure how much more she could take. She stood and hugged Sabine once the other woman stood with her. “Please let me know if I can do more,” she whispered as she leaned down in the embrace.

“You’ve done plenty already.” Sabine released her and smiled. “But please come visit again soon. It’s done my heart well to see you.”

“It’s a promise.”

___

Gabriel watched Nathalie slowly make her way down the stairs of the brick building. She stopped at the bottom and seemed to be trying to collect herself. He would have to find out who lived in this building and what relation they had to his new wife. The thought of a past lover sent a flash of jealousy through his mind that shocked him out of his thoughts. Their marriage wasn’t one of passion or love; there was no reason to think otherwise.

He stayed hidden in the shadows and saw her make a call on her phone. He was hoping she was calling for a cab to take her back home. He didn’t like her being out like this. There’d been too much unrest as of late.

As if his thoughts had brought forth trouble, a loud group rounded the far corner of the block and Gabriel could see the exact moment they noticed Nathalie. Catcalls and whistles rose up and he watched her stiffen. He was already moving out of his hiding place when another dark figure appeared from a thin alleyway between the group and Nathalie and took an obvious protective yet casual stance.

“Now, that is no way to get a lady’s attention, guys,” the newcomer quipped, voice muffled behind the dark cloth covering most of his face. When one broke off from the group to move closer, the man quickly produced a metal rod that elongated with such grace and speed that it was almost too fast to see in the night. “Ah, I wouldn’t do that.”

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. The newcomer was undoubtedly Adrien. He pursed his lips, trying to decide if he should intervene or take the chance to watch his son in action. It was quite a different thing than seeing him on the grainy security footage he’d seen before. His head swiveled around. Adrien was rarely spotted in this get-up alone and then he saw the smaller figure appearing behind the group.

“There’s always one in the bunch.” Her voice was high and feminine and completely unwavering. “It’s late and I’m tired so you have to the count of three to move along with no trouble.”

The air was thick with tension and then there was an unspoken communication between the previously ruckus men and they moved past Adrien and Nathalie without further incident. Gabriel let out a sigh of relief and settled back into a more comfortable position to continue watching.

___

“Sorry you were caught in the middle of that, but I did try to warn you.”

Nathalie’s retort died on her tongue when the man pulled away the cloth covering his face and Adrien grinned at her. She straightened and lifted her chin. “All’s well that ends well, I suppose.”

“If only that was the end.” Adrien’s partner joined them, but unlike him, she left the red bandana covering everything but bright blue eyes.

“My lady, let me introduce you to Queen Nathalie.”

“That won’t be necessary; we know each other quite well actually.” She pulled the cloth away and Nathalie gasped in surprise as Marinette Dupain-Cheng pulled her into a hug. “I’ve missed you! Were you visiting Mom and Dad?”

“I was.” Nathalie stepped back to take in her appearance. Marinette wore what seemed to be a dark red jumpsuit with elbow and knee pads and a hood over her head. “What...”

Marinette’s cheeks darkened and she waved her hand. “It’s a long story.” Adrien stepped closer to her and wound his arm around her waist. Nathalie watched the action and knew it wasn’t the first time he’d done it.

“I see.”

“Looks like your taxi is almost here.” Adrien nodded to the oncoming headlights. “Make sure to go straight back, okay? I think we’re calling it a night ourselves.”

“Oh, did you want to ride back with me?” Nathalie stepped closer to the curb as the car slowed.

Adrien grinned again and scratched the back of his neck as Marinette ducked her head shyly. “No, thanks though.”

She decided it was best to not say another word but waved as she stepped into the car. She wondered if Gabriel had any idea that his son didn’t spend his nights at home and was moonlighting as some kind of vigilante.

A yawn caught her off guard and she let herself sink a little lower in the backseat. And if she missed the motorcycle that rode just a little behind the taxi the whole way back, well, it had been a rather busy night after all.

Buy me a cherry coke?

#gabenath #adrinette #royalty au #miraculous ladybug #nathalie sancoeur #gabriel agreste #adrien agreste #marinette dupain-cheng #sabine cheng #tom dupain

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evil-butterfly-man · 6 years ago

Note

Break Me: Gabenath? :)

“It’s notgoing to work,” Adrien said.

He was staring,wide-eyed, at Emilie’s unconscious body. Nathalie couldn’t even begin toimagine what he was feeling but she had a hand on his shoulder nonetheless, offeringan illusion of support. He didn’t acknowledge her in any way.

Gabriel smiledat them. Nathalie wished he hadn’t.

“It is,” hesaid. “Everything is going to be fine, Adrien. Everything, back the way it was.”

The Kwamisof Creation and Destruction were flying around in a frenzy but they couldn’tprotest. They belonged to Gabriel now, and he had silenced them somehow. Meansto an end, the lot of them; but, finally, an end.

Adrien’svoice trembled. “The Guardian said there will be a price to pay—”

“I don’tcare.”

ButNathalie could see where this was going. Her grip on Adrien’s shouldertightened.

“Someone elseis going to die instead,” Adrien said. “That’s murder, Dad. It’s not what Mumwould have wanted.”

His voicebroke as soon as he mentioned his mother. Emilie looked so peaceful, trapped inher endless sleep, blissfully unaware of what was going on around her. Adrienwould have gone to her, but he seemed rooted in place.

“You don’tknow that,” Gabriel said. “The combined power of the major Miraculouses knows nobounds. They fed you nonsense about their limitations so that you wouldn’t abuseit.”

Adrien laughed,a broken, bitter sound. “Go ahead, then. It’s your wish, so you’ll be fine. It’sjust somebody else’s life you are gambling with, right?”

Gabriel’sback stiffened.

“Who is itgoing to be?” Adrien was shouting now. “Me? Nathalie? Half of Paris?”

“Adrien, no,” Nathalie said, her throat dry. “Yourfather would never hurt you. You know he wouldn’t.”

The boy turnedtowards her slowly.

“I can’tbelieve you’re still defending him,” he said. “You—this entire time, you’vebeen enabling him—”

“It’s—” It was for you, for Emilie, for Gabriel;no, Nathalie was out of excuses. Let Adrien hate her for her cowardice. Shedeserved as much.

“I’m sorry,”she said simply. Adrien’s accusatory glare did not soften, not even when sheembraced him: stiffly, awkwardly. So many times she had longed to do just that,and thought that – maybe, perhaps – he also wanted her to. But she was astranger to him and she would never get the chance to be anything more.

Gabrielfell to his knees when she approached him. It was slow but inevitable, as if hisbody was finally giving up, bit by bit. This was to be his triumph, Nathaliethought bitterly. Now, she realized, he would stay here forever if need be,unmoving and uncaring.

Or maybe hewould surprise her. Maybe he would learn to live with himself afterwards.

“Nathalie.”

She caughthis shoulders, his face. His blank gaze didn’t quite meet hers.

“I can’t dothis,” he whispered. “What if Adrien is right? What if I kill him?”

“You won’t,”Nathalie said. “I wouldn’t let you.”

He was so lost;she had never seen him in such a state. He clung to her and she let him. Thiswas what Nathalie did best, wasn’t it? Prop him up even as he was fallingapart.

“I don’tknow what to do,” Gabriel murmured into the skin of her neck. “Tell me what todo. Nathalie, please—”

She hadfantasized about this, too. It was so rare that he looked at her and actually saw her; rarer still that he would admitweakness or realize just how much he needed her. But she prided herself onthis, hadn’t she? Perfect, invisible Nathalie.

“Gabriel.”

She hadnever called him by his first name. Would he even notice that? And she likedhis name, she liked the melody of it, she liked the way it rolled of her tongue,the way it ended in a whisper. She would like to say it more, every day for therest of her life if she only could.

“Make a wish,”she said. “Bring Emilie back.”

Gabrielshook his head, his hands twining around Nathalie’s waist in a painful,desperate grip.

“I can’t.You know I can’t. The price—”

“I’ll payit,” Nathalie said calmly. “I’m fine with paying it. If a life has to betraded, let it be my life.”

It was sosmooth, so easy. A perfect lie—and he didn’t even see it as such. No, Gabrielvery slowly raised his head, a new fire gleaming in his grey blue eyes.

“You woulddo this?” he asked in a hoarse whisper. “You would do this for me?”

Just likethat. Smooth, easy. Oh, she had never hated him more than she did in thatmoment. It wasn’t even a question for him, was it? Nathalie didn’t matter;Emilie did.

“Yes,” shesaid.

“Nathalie—Ican’t do this to you, you know I can’t—”

So he wouldmake her insist. How many times did he expect her to say it? Was she supposedto walk and lay her head on the chopping block, smiling all the while, assuringhim that it was fine, it was all fine, his guilt was misplaced and his sinswere absolved, he was forgiven because Nathaliewas fine with it?

“It’s okay,”she said numbly. “It’s fine, Gabriel. It’s what I want.”

This wasthe only way to make him happy. And this—thiswas what she wanted.

It wasNathalie’s last conscious thought.

#gabenath #miraculous ladybug #gabriel agreste #nathalie sancoeur #angst #my fic #if tumblr messes up the formatting on this i'm gonna be SO MAD

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lordmartiya · 6 years ago

Text

Fox Rain chapter 2

@lilanette-week

@supermenteuse

@emblian

@starcrossed-stardust

Hi guys, I’m back. Today we have Lila’s debut as a superhero-dealing with her own mess in her own peculiar way. Plus, some worldbuilding and a few hints about my headcanon for our fox. by lord Martiya

Chapter 02: The Collector

“Let’s see if I’ve understood what’s happening.” Lila said. “You aren’t a figment of my imagination but the Quantic God of Illusions, for lack of a better term, and what makes the Fox Miraculous more than a jewel somehow older than civilization, your powers are fed by edible seeds(1) in general but you have a very convenient preference for my favorite snack, and you’re here because the Guardian of the Miraculous thinks I can make a good hero… And he took the decision after I went Volpina, WHY?”

“Because he knows that even under Papillon’s influence you were able to sacrifice a near-certain victory to avoid collateral damage(2), among other things.”

It made sense: taking Adrien hostage would have meant the certain capture of those earrings, and yet she didn’t even look out for him. Her grudge had been with Ladybug, and aside a few illusions to lead away interlopers she had gone after her only. Sure, it had allowed Chat Noir to expose the illusion for what it was, somehow (she had known he was smarter than some Ladybug fanboys depicted him, but she had still grossly underestimated him).

“So he thinks that now Ladybug and I will be best friends?” she still asked.

“No. But I know you can be a hero, if given the chance.” Trixx replied.

“I suppose… Well, then, let’s exercise. Trixx, strasfomame(3)!”

An instant later, Lila was replaced with a fox-themed superbeing. And then, she started playing.

“Why are you standing there, Antonia?” Lila’s father asked as he looked at his wife standing before their daughter’s door.

“Right now, she needs to calm down, and not binge on comfort food, then we’ll help her with this mess.” his wife replied.

“Like last time in Tokyo?”

“Do you think it could have gone any better?”

“No. Not really. But she’s been playing that flute since she arrived, and it’s midnight!”

Antonia Rossi sighed. It was still healthier than some things Lila had done to vent her anger.

“I suppose we should involve that friend of hers?” she proposed

“And make Lila sleep before she wakes up everyone.”

Marinette hadn’t slept too much. Between the surprise about her Miraculous, the nightmares about what Volpina could have done (her grandmother hadn’t skipped much about the tales of the two last known holders of the Fox Miraculous), and the very likely chance Papillon was Gabriel Agreste, of all people, she had trouble both falling and staying asleep. If she had some luck, maybe she could try and see what she could do for Adrien if his father was indeed Paris’ supervillain and establish a better relationship with Lila at least in her civilian identity.

“In culo alla balena lì a Pechino, Tigre!”

Speaking of which, she could see Lila standing before the school’s gate, still wearing her necklace and ending a phone call with someone in Beijing(4) who at the very least understood Italian and its colorful ways to wish someone good luck. And apparently she hadn’t slept much either, judging by the bags under her eyes. Eyes that were staring right at her.

“Hi. You’re Marinette Dupain-Cheng, right? I’m Lila Rossi, the new transfer student.” she said. “Sorry for not coming sooner, but yesterday was an “interesting” day even before being attacked by that purple bowtie.”

Marinette looked at the Italian girl, trying to register what she had just called Papillon-and she got exactly the pun right, thanks to her grandmother’s attempts at getting her to speak Italian-before bursting into laughter.

“You were supposed to ask me why did I call your terrorist like that… I guess the other name for the bowtie in French is “butterfly tie”(5)?” Lila asked.

“Yes!” she shouted once she got out of the hysteric laughter. She had needed that. “Sorry… Sorry, it’s just that nobody has ever called him that…”

“I suppose I should add Odysseus to my middle names, then.”

Suddenly, Marinette realized just why Lila had been able to become popular so fast: she didn’t know her well, but she could already tell she was much better with people than Chloe.

“Still, I think I’ll need your help.” Lila admitted. “I realized yesterday I know even less of Paris than I thought when-”

“DID YOU THINK YOU COULD FOOL ME?!” shouted Chloe as she stomped their way.

“Parli der diavolo…” Lila whispered. “I think I know what you’re talking about, but I may be wrong…”

“I’m talking of your supposed friendship with Jagged Stone. Didn’t expect me to verify it, did you?”

And here it was, one of Lila’s lies being exposed. And by Chloe, of all people. Still, Lila was unfazed.

“Didn’t expect you to take me at face value.” the Italian girl replied. “Ask everyone how I reacted after you stomped away, you’ll find I was quite surprised by you taking my sarcasm at face value. Seriously, until recently we never were in the same country at the same time, how did you buy it?”

Marinette’s hand met her face. Apparently, one of Lila’s lies hadn’t been intended to be a lie at all… And she was responsible for making it believable. Well, she and Chloe. That at least meant she should give her the benefit of doubt for the other non-Ladybug related claims, she decided as they walked in, Lila still wondering why Chloe had walked away uttering her catchphrase.

As they walked, Marinette asked Lila a few things about her travels, carefully avoiding her claimed friendships with famous people. Something Lila seemed pleased, even if she was quite reticent about London and the United Kingdom-or “Perfidiously Nosy Albion and its excessively proud capital”, as she had called them, and was startled by the presence of a British transfer student.

“Let’s just say I had a few bad experiences there.” Lila said. “Enough it’s since six AM that Tigre and Silvie’ have been pestering me to make sure I don’t shut myself in again. But let’s talk about something nicer. Any idea why Chloe reacted that way when I explained I had been sarcastic about Jagged Stone?” Marinette had a nervous laugh, and decided to explain: “Well, it’s a funny story, that started with one of Chloe’s stunts. When we-”

Marinette was interrupted by Chloe’s shriek, and she and Lila ran to the class, Mari expecting she had caused another Akuma… But it wasn’t that, but something Marinette considered much worse. Gabriel Agreste was better not being Papillon, or she’d make him pay for this one too.

During the lunch break, Lila walked around the school’s courtyard wondered about the situation, and the mess she was partly responsible for. She remembered the book with information about the Miraculouses-pretty much all Italians would have recognized the Fox Miraculous holder everyone called Donna Volpe, the one that had become Italy’s national hero in 1943 and was still so loved that her hairstyle was still imitated(6), and with the others the deduction was easy-that she had taken with the intention to give Adrien a scare when she fished it out of the thrash, and while she was pretty sure it had been Ladybug to retrieve it before her it was still her who had taken it. And now, Adrien, who she had heard had been kept trapped in his home by his overprotective parents for most of his life, had been pulled out of school over it. She needed to fix that. And she was coming up with a plan, in case Gabriel Agreste ended up becoming someone else’ problem. She’d have to run it to Trixx, but she was confident enough. She went to a closet to talk with her kwami-but before she could, she was pulled inside by Ladybug.

“Have you heard of your boyfriend and are going to give me the full blame for it too?” Lila asked her.

“No.” Ladybug replied with a sigh. “Well, I’ve heard, but I just hoped to find out why you’re so furious.”

“With you? You know exactly what you’ve done. But that I suppose could be secondary, compared to the fact I may have found out who the evil bowtie is.” Ladybug snorted at the joke. “Namely, Gabriel Agreste.”

“I know, it was the book.”

“You see, it’s been a while since I, and my mother and a few others, have suspected a connection between him and Papillon.”

“Good to know, but I know where the book is from.”

“Specifically, since when Gabriel Agreste publicly proclaimed he’d not change the butterfly logo of the sports-dedicated offshoot of his brand(7) and proclaimed he’d not be intimidated by a butterfly-themed terrorist and the next four Akuma villains Le Signeour des Poches, Le Bulleur(8), Pocketless, and Mr. Pocket were people angry at him, a few mistrustful minds have wondered if he set up the whole thing to throw off suspicions, something reinforced by Pappy’s designs often being so tacky you’d swear he’s a designer doing bad on purpose to throw off suspicions.”

“You’re right, but I know where the book is from.”

“And then, suddenly, Adrien Agreste has a book with a portrait of Donna Volpe and other Miraculous Holders alongside nonsense words written in Nyctographic(9) and ROT13(9). Didn’t realize right away, what with having already a bad day before the idiot took an antique book to school, was planning to terrify him with the appearance it had been stolen before fishing it out of the thrash, but I dare say that’s quite the big hint. Don’t you think?”

“I’ve been telling you for a while, I recognized the book and know where it comes from.”

“Oh. Monologuing again… Anyway, considering past patterns, I expect that if Gabriel is indeed Papillon he’ll akumatize himself to throw off suspicions before the end of the day.”

Ladybug looked at her, seemingly put out by Lila’s mistrusting and apparently paranoid mind, but then admitted it made far too much sense.

“Still, I don’t like it.” she admitted.

“Neither do I.” Lila replied. “And I may have a plan to fix it, if Gabriel is innocent.”

“And how do you t-”

“LILA ROSSI, PREPARE TO DIE!”

That shout in a somewhat familiar voice left Ladybug frozen mid-phrase, her twitching eye being the only thing that moved. Then, her irritation easily surpassing the one she had shown when she had shouted at Lila, she pushed the Italian girl away from the door, put herself in position to jump anyone who entered, and cried out: “Lila, don’t talk, she’s after you!”

As Lila’s face started showing her outrage at the heroine revealing her position to her aggressor the door was busted away from its hinges, revealing an Akuma villain looking like a blonde girl in glasses and a red dress she was sure was out from some manga-and then Ladybug picked a picture of Adrien from her pocket and ripped it, revealing the Akuma that was promptly caught before dragging the now de-akumatized girl to two older students bearing a clear resemblance to Marinette and Adrien, summoning a stress ball with the Lucky Charm, and zipping away as the two students dragged the girl away, completely ignoring her screams that it was because she had tried to seduce “her Adrien” that the boy had been pulled from school.

“Cazz’è uscito dall’ovo de Pasqua?” Lila whispered as she tried to register what had just happened.

“I understand you’re trying to settle in, but don’t you think getting Akumatized and attacked by Rose Bride in the first two days of school is rushing things?” the mayor’s daughter quipped.

“Uh? You know what that thing was about?”

“I suppose Ladybug wouldn’t like to talk about it… Fine, I’ll explain. That was the Rose Bride. She’s actually named Zoe Chevalot, but with how often she gets Akumatized only the teachers call her that anymore.”

“Nobody sane, I meant. Anyway, she’s Adrikins’ most annoying fangirl, and gets Akumatized out of jealousy so often nobody could keep count.”

“I did.” Cesaire pointed out from distance.

“Nobody sane, I meant. Anyway, to anyone else the attacks tend to blur together after a while, and Ladybug gets so furious she leaves as soon she’s done and the Lucky Charm is always a stress ball. She’s also convinced that Adrien is Chat Noir because it would be cool.”

“E quanno la capano alla palazzina?” Lila asked, slipping into her native dialect out of surprise.

“I suppose you’re asking why they haven’t committed her yet?”

“More or less.”

“Easy: she’s the only daughter of the prefect of police, and while the ministry of the interior turned the police over to daddy’s control until Papillon is dealt with because he’s better at the job(10) he still holds enough power that Gabriel Agreste couldn’t even file a restraining order.”

“Ah. Uh… What about the Akumatizations and settling in?”

“Sweetie, the only ones in our class who haven’t been Akumatized at least once are Adrikins and Marinette. Speaking of which you’re better watch everything you do with her today, she’s been targeted by Rose Bride so often her attacks make her murderous for hours. Seriously, she should grow a thicker skin, to surpass the attacks Rose Bride made on me she’d need to combine them with Ladybug…”

Lila’s palm met her face, hoping things wouldn’t get any worse.

Not even five minutes later she managed to have a chat with Trixx, who revealed that a Miraculous Holder is immune to their own power-and thus Papillon couldn’t Akumatize himself. So much for that plan. Well, she could still have fun with it if Gabriel did end up Akumatized. Now, if only she could find out why Papillon Akumatized the prefect’s daughter so often…

“Sir, I don’t like to repeat myself, but Mlle Chevalot is too stubborn to get scared away from your son by repeated Akumatizations, and the prefect is surprisingly stupid when it comes to his daughter.” Natalie said to her supervillain boss.

“Doesn’t matter, Natalie, sooner or later the government will have her committed.” Papillon replied. “But I supposed you aren’t here for that.”

“No. I just wanted to inform you that Adrien has already ran away.”

Papillon smiled. Finally he could go on with his plan to throw off suspicions without endangering him-assuming he wasn’t Chat Noir, of course. And thinking about plans he decided to attack the Italian embassy: he needed Volpina for his greatest plan if everything else failed, and if Lila Rossi wasn’t festering in her room as he had expected she could calm down… And as he couldn’t afford that, he would have to make her collect more anger.

Papillon gave a brief laugh at his pun before preparing the Akuma-and change himself into The Collector.

“THIS IS RIDICULOUS! UTTERLY RIDICULOUS!” The Collector shouted as he dodged another burst of autocannons.

Thanks to his work travels in Italy, Gabriel Agreste had experimented that, as a reaction to the Years of Lead and other events Italian law enforcement had become frighteningly efficient when it came to terrorist threats, and he had been expecting their embassy to have tight security, especially as his actions as The Papillon were technically terrorist attacks. But the moment he entered the gardens of Hôtel de Boisgelin he had been attacked with heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft autocannons. Those he could tank easily, but if they shredded the book he’d lose his transformation, and he couldn’t expect them to stop firing in time. The anti-tank rocket-firing cannons, on the other hand, were a bit more dangerous, but easier to Collect.

He noticed a glow on the side and moved, just in time to avoid an attack that could have not been Collected and would have destroyed the book, had it hit.

“Who’s still using flamethrowers(11)?!” a feminine voice shouted

“Exactly!” The Collector agreed, before recognizing the voice and turning to see the very surprised Ladybug and Chat Noir, with (of course) Alya Cesaire filming them-from outside, as one of the soldiers was keeping her out. “Finally! I am the Collector, an-OUFF!”

The Akumatized villain was hit in the gut and thrown back by an invisible projectile, that was revealed as a car engine when it became visible in a familiar orange glow. As he looked at the two heroes he saw someone else becoming visible-the actual new user of the Fox Miraculous. He could see she had a passing resemblance to both his Volpina and the previous user, especially the suit-that he had to admit he had copied entirely. There were also many differences: rather than a reddish-brown Marilyn hairstyle she had a full orange “pel di volpe”; then the tail wasn’t a belt but an actual fluffy tail-that for some reason had caught Ladybug’s attention; finally, she was wearing a bomber, an unlatched modern military helmet decorated with fox ears and goggles that covered the mask (assuming she had one), and her gloves had some kind of padding on the back.

A moment later, as the defending soldiers-and the female Carabiniere with tan skin and platinum blonde hair in long pigtails (of all hairstyles) directing them-ceased fire in surprise and apparent awe, Ladybug got her eyes away from the tail and asked the newcomer who she was.

“I am Vorpika!” she presented herself before pointing her flute at The Collector. “The only superhero this gargante dressed Armanicomio needs!”

“Hey! It’s The Papillon’s fault, not mine!” The Collector protested, a bit defensive over the horrible outfit he had given himself.

“I don’t care. What I care is to show Paris what the real Holder of the Fox Miraculous can do!”

At that, The Collector was curious. And worried. He knew the Fox Miraculous had the power to create incredibly realistic illusions, and an experienced user could create dozens of easily dispelled ones (like the ones used by Volpina) without triggering her timer, but what the 1943 user had done in Rome hinted that flute had other abilities, that or could be used for various spells.

And as she started playing, he could see strange creatures emerging from the ground around him. A horrifying monster that was best described as Sulley from Monsters, Inc. after having his character design revised by Lovecraft, an absurdly tall tree-like humanoid with a white nothing in place of the face, a… A Klingon warrior with an exaggerated forehead crest, white feathers covering his body and a duck bill?!

At that, The Collector realized Vorpika was using pre-set illusions to make it look like she was summoning monsters and turned to her-

“Yoink!”

Only to have the half-Klingon half-duck one grab the book and disappear in an orange glow to reveal the actual Vorpika inside, who promptly kicked him through a wall. As he felt the transformation dispel, Gabriel noted the presence of a woman with a certain resemblance to Lila and a rather large man that reminded him of someone, the former holding a gun on him and the latter cracking his knuckles. Then, as the three heroes and various soldiers-including the Carabiniere-came in and a white butterfly flew away, he asked if Adrien was well.

“That would depend on your provisions for your arrest, Cravattino di merda.” Vorpika addressed him.

Oh, crap.

Ladybug had been surprised, and positively impressed, by the new superhero from Italy-with a name like that, the origin was pretty obvious to her and pretty much everyone at the embassy(12). She was, on the other hand, a bit worried from her assumption that Gabriel was Papillon-apparently, her kwami hadn’t told her yet that they were immune to their own powers.

“Now, why I would think that? I mean, Papillon’s identity is protected by the magic of the Miraculous.” Vorpika continued. “The first incident was when, shortly after Papillon first appeared, you declared you wouldn’t rename the Gabriel Butterfly sub-brand or even change the color of its symbol because you wouldn’t be intimidated by a butterfly-themed terrorist, and the next four Akuma went after you. Could have been a result of the fact you and the terrorist share a horrible temper, or that you, as Papillon, decided to be clever and, to add another layer of protection to your identity by making it appear you were being targeted. I believe I’m not the only one here who came to suspect you for that.” The last phrase was underscored by her pointing at the woman who had been holding Mr Agreste at gunpoint even before Vorpika and her fluffy tail-Ladybug slapped her temples to regain focus-started talking. As Ladybug noticed Gabriel was starting to sweat, Vorpika continued. “So, when I arrived in Paris, I decided to keep you under control, and while I’ve not mastered all my spells yet I can already use a lesser version one of the Pied Piper’s tricks. Nothing much, and it’s easily blocked by the magic of even an inactive Miraculous, but enough I could put a hypnotic command into your son’s mind to have him look around for hints and report, and guess what? He discovers you have a coded book on the Miraculouses, book that is now in my hands.”

At that Ladybug frowned, Vorpika didn’t have the book, she had recovered it after Lila put it in th-That was the moment Ladybug realized that before her, clad in the magic costume of the Fox Miraculous Holder, stood Lila Rossi. Who was seeing her theory confirmed. After noting that Chat too seemed to have caught on that she decided to intervene before the unpredictable girl could decide to assault Gabriel, but Vorpika, who was enjoying Mr Agreste’s discomfort, signaled to let her finish.

“And not even twenty four hours after I retrieve the book, you are Akumatized.” Vorpika continued. “Clearly, you are Papillon who was spooked when his little handbook disappeared and thought Ladybug was onto him and decided to throw her off by Akumatizing himself… That would be what I’d think if I didn’t know for sure he cannot do just that.”

For a moment, everyone could just hear the surprise caused by Vorpika’s final declaration. Then Chat, the first one to recover, shouted what everyone was thinking:

“WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!”

“To see him squirm.” Vorpika explained with a smile. “I mean, he raised his son under such isolation he became naive enough it was believable he wouldn’t realize that bringing an antique book to a school was a horrible idea.” Ladybug caught herself nodding at that. “Speaking of which, why did you have it?”

“I… I found it in an excursion in Tibet with my wife.” Mr Agreste explained, still shocked by Vorpika’s stunt. “I used it for inspiration a few times… It’s a dear memory and-”

“Say no more. I need it for a while, but I suppose I can give it back to you in a few days. In the meantime you should upgrade your security, lest it ends in the hands of that Papillon der grillo coi fiori’n mano.”

Ladybug mentally completed the quote(13) thanks to some of the Italian movies her grandmother had shown her during the lessons of Italian, and found herself once bursting into laughter at Lila’s insults for Papillon.

“Everyone, sorry for the mess. Would fix it, but I cannot.” Vorpika said. “Ladybug, could you deal with this and meet me with your partner over Eiffel’s apartment?”

“Could you explain the book part?” Chat asked right away as soon as they were all three over Gustave Eiffel’s apartment at the Tower and Vorpika had admitted she had only just received the Miraculous-and spent the whole night perfecting the trick she had used.

“Adrien Agreste was that naive and brought the book at school, and, to give him a scare, I had decided to fish it out of the thrash before his eyes.” she said. “In hindsight it was an incredibly stupid idea, but in my defense the day hadn’t started out well and that kind of things just drives me mad, so I wasn’t thinking straight. Still, even with Ladybug taking it before I even got to that point I had to claim my responsibilities, possibly in a way that would cover for that adorable fool, and certainly before Ladybug came up with something that would get her in trouble.”

Ladybug had to admit to herself she had been planning to walk up to Mr Agreste as Marinette and claim full responsibility-and get in trouble with someone who could blacklist her from the fashion world.

“I was planning to do something that would have got me in trouble…” Ladybug admitted. “Still, thanks. And welcome to the team.”

As she said that she offered her hand to Vorpika, who slapped it away.

“Make no mistake, Ladybug, I’m not going to forgive you for what happened, right here.” she said. “Trixx, my kwami, said I could have been mistaken, but it’s now clear I was right. And that I cannot forgive, that and just how I admired you, and the fact you’ve been checking my butt for half the fight at the embassy.”

Ladybug opened her mouth in shock and embarrassment horror. She had no idea what Vorpika meant about what happened last time on the Eiffel Tower, but was all too aware of what else she was referring to, and the truth was possibly even more embarrassing.

“I-I-I wasn’t!” Ladybug said, blushing but not too willing to tell the truth.”

“Pretty sure you’ve been filmed.”

“But-I-I WAS LOOKING AT THE TAIL! I really wanted a pet fox as a child but my parents couldn’t let me have it.”

Vorpika and Chat looked at her, silent in the surprise.

“That’s so cute…” Chat whispered.

“Iiii-I have to agree.” Vorpika said. “At least you aren’t a pervert… But as I was saying, I will help you, I will even follow your lead in combat, you aren’t stupid enough to waste this power, but once we’ve dealt with Papillon, we’re making gloves. Alla prossima.”

With that Vorpika left, leaving the two other heroes behind.

“My Lady, what did she mean?” Chat Noir asked.

“She wants to beat me up when we’re done.” Ladybug explained.

“No, with the insult. Unless you met more time than I know?”

“Not transformed, and I have no idea for the insult.”

“Hope she comes around soon. And I could procure you a pet fox, if your parents have changed their mind.”

“CHATON!”

“So, it worked?” Natalie asked her boss.

“Yes. But it was a close call.” Gabriel admitted. Then, remembering his secretary was more versed than him in the various trivia of Italian culture, he asked her something that had been nagging at his mind: “At one point Vorpika called me, and I quote, “Papillon der grillo coi fiori’n mano”, and everyone at the embassy started laughing, do you have any idea why?”

After processing what her boss had just told her and completing the quote, Natalie proceeded to explain. Hearing the shout, Adrien decided that maybe he wouldn’t ask Lila about the “grillo” thing.

The following day Lila had found herself to what her best friend, that she had graced with dozens of Tiger-themed nicknames, had told her was the best bakery in Paris, and where she had pre-ordered a sunflower seed cake-if they had actually pulled that, the Tiger had actually understating their ability. The previous day had been a trip, and she needed her sweet.

As she was paying she saw an unexpected sight-Marinette running out from the back of the shop.

“Marinette? What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I live here, it’s my parents’ bakery.” she replied, just as surprised to see Lila. “What about you?”

“I’ve been told this is the best bakery in Paris, and I’ve decided to see if it’s true or the Tiger understated things as she sometimes does. Almost forgot, I have some interesting news: Adrien should be back at school today.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Lila confirmed, finding herself surprised at how she liked the happiness on Marinette’s face. “Heard from Ladybug that the new hero, Vorpika, was accidentally responsible, and she has admitted it. Fancy coming with me at school? You still have to tell me why did Chloe believed me when I made that joke about Jagged Stone.”

Lila wondered why Marinette’s face fell in embarrassment. Then Marinette’s father produced a copy of Rock Giant, and both Marinette’s sudden embarrassment and the whole situation with Chloe were explained. The Italian girl supposed she could like Paris, after all.

Notes

(1)Trixx’ recharge food is based on Inari, the Japanese fox god of fertility and rice plus many other things added in the later forms of their cult, and comes from rice’s valuable part being the seed. As for why they prefer sunflower seed… That’s for me to know and you to wonder about-and groan when you find out. :-D

(2)That’s one of the things that make me believe Lila, at least at her debut, is nowhere near as evil as some paint her: even during akuma-influenced madness she refused to cause collateral damage, even as it ultimately cost her the battle, and concentrated herself on Ladybug only.

(3)Headcanon warning: I see Lila as someone from Rome, and I have both an Italian-Romanesco dictionary and some basic knowledge to write her some phrases in that colorful dialect. Her particular transformation phrase is only the start.

(4)French still uses the first Western romanization “Pekin” for Beijing, and Italian still uses a name derived from it.

(5)As I said more than once, I call Hawk Moth by his original name specifically because “papillon” in Italy is the bowtie. Sadly for Lila’s (and my) plan for a longer joke, the main French name for that tie is indeed nœud papillon, literally “butterfly tie” (the same as in Italy)…

(6)How I explain Lila’s resemblance with that Miraculous holder: it’s on purpose out of admiration at the holder. So admired that the name Lila refers to her with means “Lady Fox” (or “Fox Woman”, but in the ‘40s it would have been definitely the former). The actual superhero name will be revealed at a later date.

(7)The secondary logo for Gabriel is indeed a purple butterfly. Considering it appears on Adrien’s sneakers and our favorite model has made sportswear pictures (such as the one where’s in boxing gear), I reserved it for the sportswear.

(8)In the US version, the Bubbler.

(9)The actual codes used for the writings on the Miraculous Spellbook in the series-that in-universe are obviously a different code not based on Latin alphabet and Indo-European languages.

(10)My personal fix for just why Andre Bourgeois has authority on Paris’ police when the French capital doesn’t have a local police but only a special detachment of the national one depending from the Prefect of Police: the prefect has screwed up enough that his superiors don’t trust him anymore but not enough to get removed, hence them passing the actual authority to the mayor.

(11)As of 2017, the Italian Army still had the Tirrena T-148/B flamethrower in active service. Demolition and anti-tank weapon, supposedly.

(12)Yes, Vorpika has a very specific meaning in Italy. What it means shall be explained in the story.

(13)On FF.Net and AO3 I did not provide a complete quote nor a translation to protect this fic’s rating, as outside of Rome it’s a very vulgar joke... But this is tumblr, so... The complete quote, a common (if vulgar) joke on the Italian movie “Il Marchese del Grillo”, is “Il Marchese del Grillo, coi fiori in mano e il cazzo a spillo”, and translates literally as “The Marquiss del Grillo, with flowers in the hand and a pin-shaped dick”.

#lilanette #miraculousladybug #LilaRossi

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meganwrote · 7 years ago

Text

MY LITERAL FAIRY TALE

I wrote this two years ago, it’s unedited but it’s the only thing in college I ever got a 100 on.

tag @cog-writes bc this is terrible and you wanted it

Madam Forever's Train (more of a hotel with a train theme) was the most talked about hotel and spa in every kingdom. Lush extravagance, brilliant jewels on every crevice and constant staff to wait on you. The Madam herself trained every staff member for years before allowing them to serve her most esteemed guests. No one was sure how anyone got their jobs there – she never posted for help and just asking her was completely out of the question. No one besides the server had ever seen the Madam.

Cream colored server's uniform neatly in place, Ness spared one last look into the mirror. She had never served in a dining car before, she had been in one of the boutiques in the front of the train for most of her employment under the Madam and the sudden notice to her new station was nerve wracking at best. She took a deep breath. The Madam wouldn't have moved her if she wasn't completely sure that Ness could do the job. The Madam had faith in her and that was more than enough

Her dining car was number 6, the best car in her opinion. The large oak tables were clothes in ebony velvet and diamond chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Dining Car 6 was the epitome of all of Madam Forever's riches and only fed the finest that money could offer. The men and women closest to royalty. Were royalty.

“Ness, you'll be on Emerald and Scarlet tables tonight. They're the two elevated in the back of the car. Careful on the steps, remember your grace when you get out there.” The host spoke with such a refined clarity, not a single falter could have been found. The Madam had bred into him perfect voice and hospitality like she had bred blonde curls and piano fingers into Ness.

“Anything else?” She asked him, looking for any and all advice she could be offered. Even though she had worked for The Madam since before her memories formed she still felt unprepared for her jobs. There were plenty of other servers who could definitely do the job better.

For the moment the host stood still, unmoving like he hadn't heard her but then turned his sharp eyes on her. He nodded very carefully and pulled a stone from his pocket, dropping it into her hands. It was black and smooth, with a shiny surface that reflected the glittering lights of the host's box. “Everyone is nervous when they get changed to a new car – that will bring you luck. Don't lose it or let anyone else see it. Certainly not The Madam.”

Ness nodded quickly and shoved the stone into the deep pocket of her white apron, letting it rest snugly against the order booklet and pens. It was pure superstition, something entirely personal so Ness knew better than to ask why The Madam wasn't to be shown. She was a lot of things but tolerant wasn't one of them.

“Now go. The most esteemed guests will be arriving shortly.”

She quickly moved into Dinning Car 6 and for a moment was blinded by it's brilliance. The Madam really knew how to show off money. With careful steps and the grace that only Madam Forever's Train employee's had, Ness walked up the three steps to the Emerald and Scarlet table platform and stood with her back against the wall, staring towards the door. She made sure not to allow her eyes to wander to the other serves standing between tables.

The orchestra played over the speakers.

Ness reached into her pocket and clung to the stone, she needed all the luck she could get. “Please don't let me falter.”

She released a breath and straightened her shoulders. It wouldn't do to be caught slouching.

They came filing in almost instantly, dapper suits and extravagant gowns all flowing softly under the chatter that floated in with them. Ness pulled on – what she hoped was – a serene smile and folded her hands in front of her, trying to conceal their shaking as the host brought a group to one of her tables on the platform.

Ness swallowed. “Oh please do not let me mess this up.”

“You're table, our most esteemed guests.” He cooed and swept the group to the scarlet table, finishing with a flourished bow. He gave Ness a mostly scandalous wink and sashayed back to the host's box.

“Welcome to Dining Car 6.” Ness began, coping the host's voice to the best of her ability. It wasn't just selling the food – it was also selling the experience. A once in a life time experience for most people, The Madam kept the prices high to keep the place looking lush.

The head of the table, a man with stiff shoulders and narrowed dark eyes nodded and opened the menu. The woman next to him, just as rigid and rich as the man ordered first and the girl next to her followed, both waters and the special. How quick and efficient of them.

“Is the duck any good?” A male asked, his dark hair tousled in every direction and features sharp. He was pretty – not that Ness was surprised. All the guests were pretty, it was impossible for them not to be. But he was even lovelier than anyone else she had ever seen.

She nodded. “Only the best for our esteemed guests.”

“And the chicken risotto?”

“A meal made perfect for our esteemed guests.”

“And your not so esteemed guests?” He asked, no longer looking at the menu but at her, almost looking through her. Ness made sure to not look him in the eyes, it was impolite after all.

Before she had a chance to reply with something – anything at all really – the stiff shouldered man at the head of the table growled out a reprimand, his eyes narrowed at, who Ness believed, was his son. They looked alike, their sharp features were almost identical.

The trouble maker just quirked an eyebrow and chuckled before returning to his menu, not another word. Ness had been trained for that, guests with quirks like talking out of turn were just one type of person she had been trained to deal with. His questions weren't so particularly troublesome, more dull than anything else. Even working in the boutique car Ness had been asked those questions and things similar. Everyone was curious about “not so esteemed guests.” Which was all nonsense since all of The Madam's guests were esteemed, no matter how unruly.

“I'll have the lamb.” The first man said, his voice a deep rumbling. “Adrian?”

Ness turned her attention back to the younger male, he was too busy messing up his hair even more to answer.

“Adrian.” The man growled out, apparently annoyed by his son's lack of response. Ness forced herself to wait patiently for an answer. It wouldn't do to hurry along their esteemed guests.

Adrian sighed loudly and shrugged. “I'll have whatever dad is having.”

“Of course. I will have them out soon.”

The rest of dinner went without a problem, Adrien and his family finished dinner quickly enough and opened up scarlet table only an hour after they had sat down. Three more groups filled her table, each as unruly as the next but her patients didn't slip, keeping calm and reassuring herself to make sure no mishap happened.

Closing time for Dining Car 6 was even more exciting than the opening of it. The orchestra stopped playing over the loud speaker and the only real noise among the car was the clattering of dishes and the soft patter of feet on the carpet floor. With her bucket of dishes held to her chest, Ness followed the last server out of the car and into the kitchen, plopping the bucket on the designated stand.

“Cleaning staff is on their way,” The woman beside her said. “Better get to the bunks. They hate having servers in the way.”

The bunks – the sleeping arrangements for all the employees – were in the basement level, away from the seeing eyes of the most esteemed guests. The Madam didn't want anyone to be bothered by off the clock employees so they spent their free time down stairs, out of sight, out of mind. Not that Ness minded, the sleeping arrangements might be crowded and the food not as good but it was nice to avoid guests after a full day of serving them with the absolute care.

Careful to keep the stone from the host hidden, Ness hid it in her pillow as she changed and placed it carefully in into her pocket again once she was finished. It was silly honestly, she wasn't sure why she was following his instructions to a T like this but she was. Hiding the stone came almost immediately as second nature, a natural instinct to preserve the “magic” of it. It was best to keep it hidden from The Madam anyway, she didn't anyone any of her employees having anything on them that wasn't regulation and provided solely by her.

“Ness, Cari is sick and can't do her spa room tonight. Do it for her.” A roommate from the other side called, her voice harsh as she moved Cari towards her own bed. Ness nodded, it wouldn't be right to make a sick girl work. “Don't forget the uniform!”

Again Ness changed, the stone hidden into her pillow until she had the gold and white scrubs on and then she quickly slipped it into her pocket. She took a lot of shifts, taking each job that someone didn't want to do that night. Not that she complained, The Madam would be terribly upset if one of her girls didn't help the others. They were a machine, they had to all work together to keep the hotel running at tip top shape.

“What room does Cari have tonight?” She asked the older girl, keeping quiet as to not disturb the sick one. Unlike the boutiques and dining cars, the spa workers were given a new room each night to make sure everyone knew how to do each job just in case. Most of the rooms were pretty self explanatory though and ran very similar to the next.

“The ocean room.”

The ocean room wasn't any worker's favorite room. Whoever had that room was constantly watching water temperature and wave pressure in the pool, they had a habit of changing by themselves and induced a ghost story among the workers. The tile heating had to be changed for each customer as well and no one customer liked what the one before them had with oils, scents and washes. Ness bit back a complaint – complaining would only make it harder.

She sat at the booth in front of the ocean room, fiddling mindlessly with the stone in her pocket. The host had been right when saying it would help, she hadn't felt that calm even in the boutique. It was honestly a complete surprise and she wondered momentarily where the host had gotten such a thing.

“Please don't let this room be too troublesome tonight.” Ness whispered to herself as guests approached her room.

“I thought you were a waitress?”

Ness blinked and looked up to the sharp features of Adrian. She swallowed her annoyance immediately. His questions had been strange in the dining car and she wasn't sure what more he could possibly ask. There were a set of questions that the workers were meant to avoid and Adrian seemed the type to probably ask them.

She nodded. “Workers do whatever jobs are needed of them for that day.”

“What do you do when you aren't working then?” He asked, leaning onto the podium that separated them.

“I sleep.” Ness wasn't particularly sure why he was curious, there wasn't anything else she could do besides that. Madam Forever's Train employees worked, ate and slept – that was it. They had too many guests everyday to have free time. It was all hands on deck.

Adrian laughed. “Don't you go out to eat and shop? Travel?”

“Travel to where? The top floor?”

His laughter, which was a pleasant sound in Ness's opinion, stopped almost immediately. “No. To other kingdoms. Like most the people here are doing. Hence why they are here.”

Ness's mouth formed an “o” shape and she nodded in understanding. “Workers don't leave the premise.”

“Ever?”

“Ever. This is our home and work. We have no reason to leave.”

Adrian's mouth formed a straight line, the sharp points of his face formed shadows. “Have you ever been outside?”

Ness swallowed. Why wasn't the stone helping her now? She wasn't even sure if she was allowed to answer this question. No guest had ever been curious about her before, and certainly not curious enough to ask about whether she had been outside before. The only workers who left the building were those doing landscaping.

Finally his features lightened and the shadows faded significantly. “Would you like to go outside? I could take you.”

“Really?” The outside world was forbidden, but Ness couldn't help how her mind wandered when she thought about going out there. There was more to life than being The Madam's employee.

Adrian nodded. “Of course.” He offered her a dimpled smile. He was maybe a bit mischievious but not dangerous, no matter how imposing he had looked only seconds prior. She was sure the news of her having never seen the outside world was just a surprise he hadn't expected.

“Why me though? I'm nothing special. Just an employee.”

“You're pretty.” What a simple explanation but Ness accepted it with a blush anyway. “So you'll come?”

Ness shook her head. “The Madam wouldn't allow it.”

“Have you asked her before?” Adrian asked, leaning even closer.

“Well, no.” No one asked if they could leave. They wouldn't was to upset the woman who took care of them.

He furrowed his brow and laughed again. “Then why don't you? It's simple. Just ask.”

That was simple, a lot simpler than Ness had ever assumed. No one every talked about leaving or going outside for even a moment. She nodded quickly. There was no harm in asking.

“I'll meet you back here tomorrow night then!”

Ness decided to ask her boss early the next morning, it best to do it as soon as she had time. And it just so happened she had an extra 20 minutes before taking Liza's shift in the laundry unit. She had a headache and Ness was happy enough to take her easy job.

When Ness was young she thought of The Madame as a mother of sorts. She bathed and clothed them, taught them how to do everything in the most efficient ways. So while Ness knows now that The Madame wasn't her mother, she was the closest thing to what one would be for her and she knew The Madame would understand. She wanted her employees happy.

“Absolutely not.” Or maybe not.

Ness bit back a startled cry, she had to remain poised or she would look foolish.

The Madame laughed and leaned forward, her elbows in her oak desk. “Do you think he loves you, Ness?”

“Of course he does!” She couldn't help fighting back, it wasn't right for The Madame to think so poorly of Adrian, she loved him after all and he loved her. It was the only thing that made sense. He wouldn't have decided to break her out and call her pretty otherwise.

The Madame rolled her golden eyes and sighed. She had really hoped Ness would grow out of her childish beliefs but apparently not. It was going to be a long night.

“You foolish little thing, he doesn't love you. Now, go back to the bunks and have a rest. This nonsense has taken away your common sense.”

“I will not!” Ness cried, taking a step forward. She plunged her hand into her pocket and held the stone tightly, hoping it would help. “He loves me! He called me pretty, he invited me to travel. He loves me and I will go with him!”

Adrian was resting lazily against the car, staring at the hotel doors. Ness had a little bit of time before he would have to go. He hoped she would come, he needed a cute little thing like her to amuse him. She was a strange one fully of wide eyed stares and extreme manners, his mother had even talked to her – usually his father had to order dinner for her because she didn't like talking to staff.

He straightened as his father came out of the doors with two helpers carrying their luggage. Now they were just waiting on his sister which was nothing new. She had probably found a cute pool boy to stare at and forgot the time – it happened a lot.

“Adrian,” Hist father called from the trunk of the car.

Grunting a reply he moved behind to help get everything in. He really didn't understand why his father insisted on helping the help, they were the help for a reason. “Yes?”

“I heard something very particular in the elevator today. Would you like to know what it is?”

Out of the corner of his eye Adrian watched at the two help stiffened considerably. “You'll tell me whether I want to know or not so why not?”

“Apparently the woman who owns this establishment has locked one of her employees away for trying to leave.” His father chuckled. “But you see, the funny part that needs to be retold is that this girl got this idea of leaving her place of work from a certain prince. He confessed his undying love and all. Romantic, right?”

Adrian's eye widened. “Does it could if I didn't confess my undying love and just called her pretty?” There was no way he could have denied it, his father was everything but stupid. He knew his son's thoughtless actions better than anyone else.

“No!” He growled, slamming the trunk shut with a loud bang! “What the hell were you thinking? Convincing a stranger to leave her home with you because she's pretty is utter nonsense!”

“What do you want me to do about it now? It's not our problem anymore!” Adrian huffed and crossed his arms tightly over his chest. It wasn't his fault the blonde nameless worker got the wrong impression.

“You're making me look bad so it is our problem!” His father hissed, pulling his son's face closer to his own. “You're going to go back in there, find where the girl is hidden, and break her out.”

Adrian pulled himself back out of his father's grasp, hitting the car. “And then what? Marry her?”

“Yes!”

“No!” He had no interest in marrying her. She was pretty, very pretty but apparently not very bright. His only intentions when inviting her to travel was solely that – not to court her or anything else. “I am not marrying a common girl who's name I don't know.”

“Listen here, boy. You marry her and the world will think we are great people. I don't care what happens after you marry her, that is your business. Just let the public think you're doing something great. People like royalty that marry commoners – makes them look more personable and humble.”

“I'm not humble.”

“Adrian.” His father whispered deadly and Adrian sighed.

��Fine.” Adrian turned to the two helpers who were staring at the king and prince with wide eyes. “Looks like I have a maiden to save. Do me a favor and tell me where she is.”

The two looked at each other before pointing up and saying at the same time, “Top floor.”

The ride up to the top floor was awkward at best. Adrian's younger sister caught him when she was getting off and proceeded to laugh so hard at his predicament that he could hear it the whole way up. Which was most likely his imagination but he was sure that when he and the girl got to the car his sister would still be howling. Brat.

The top floor didn't have many rooms, just mostly storage and a lounge for servers on break and they all pointed to the room in the back with a chair in front of it. “She can come out when you leave. The Madame is trying to keep her from a loveless marriage, you know?” Apparently everyone but the girl got what was going on.

“I'm taking her with me anyway – I haven't got much of a choice.”

And so Prince Adrian of a relatively poor kingdom broke the blonde haired server out of the back room and led her back to the elevator, wisely choosing not to comment on the way she held a plastic black stone in her hand. It was apparently magic and was the reason he saved her from imprisonment because that made a whole lot of sense. They married that spring and the prince had to hand it to his father, the people really did like the royal family a whole lot more now that a commoner was part of the family.

The End.

#Meg's 100 followers #Meg's Writting

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desktopgargoyle · 7 years ago

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the road trip series - chapter 4

AN: I’m sorry this has taken me so long to upload! Trust me to pick the Worst Possible Time to start writing a multi-chapter fic...whoops. I’m really sorry I can’t promise a regular update schedule, but I’m trying my best to write content that I’m happy with and that I hope you will be happy with; I’d rather focus on the quality of the chapters rather than how quickly they’re published, you know what I mean? Anyway, that’s enough rambling from me. Here’s Chapter 4, hope you guys enjoy it! - Danielle

ff.net version | the road trip series

Chapter 4

At Alya’s suggestion, they decide to make a few scenic stops along the way to Marseille. She figures that this way they’ll get to see a little more of the non-Paris edition of France as well as have time to relax and break from the intense driving. Or at least Alya needs a break, especially after the last tortuous forty-five minutes.

The traffic had, thankfully, dissipated and they were finally on the move again driving at just over 100km/h. It was great; they were more energised, they were blasting The Lion King soundtrack, Nino and Adrien were scream-shouting a load of nonsense that only vaguely resembled the actual lyrics, and Marinette had control of the camera, collecting footage for Alya’s blog.

“Smile, Nino!” Marinette giggles, zooming in ridiculously close to Nino’s face. He grins, crossing his eyes and holding up a peace sign as he and Adrien continue to dramatically re-enact the entire Circle of Life scene from The Lion King as best they can in the somewhat cramped backseat of the car.

Marinette turns the camera to Adrien next and he sticks his tongue out at her. Marinette huffs. In true Adrien fashion, he still manages to look abso-fucking-lutely perfect. Curse that flawless face of his. Curse that gorgeous hair of his. Curse – actually no, scratch that. He’s too beautiful to be cursed. Marinette sighs audibly, oblivious to Alya’s slight snickering from the driver’s seat.

“You okay there, Mari?” Adrien’s question snaps her out of her little space out and she promptly turns red, for perhaps the umpteenth time today alone.

“Me? Yes of course! You’re great! I mean – you’re fine! NO. That is to say, I’m fine. Not to say that you’re not fine because of course you are, right? You’re a model! Um…but of course you already know that…why wouldn’t you know that….ha.”

Adrien glances at Nino, eyebrows raised questioningly. Nino simply shrugs in return.

“How about we pretend I never opened my stupid mouth, okay?” Marinette laughs nervously, swiftly turning around in her seat to face the front. “Kill me.” She mouths to Alya before she buries her flushed face in her hands.

In a valiant effort to change the subject, Nino decides that now is the perfect time for a playlist brainstorming session. “So Maribro. I was thinking that we add a new playlist to our repertoire.”

Marinette swivels around again in her chair (making a great effort to avoid making eye contact with Adrien as she does so) to face Nino. “As much as I’d love to, I’m pretty sure you have violated the Playlist Rules, specifically rule number one, on more than one occasion.”

Nino gulps audibly.

“As a result of this disregard for the sacred rules,” Marinette continues. “I, as sole rule-abiding Playlist Executive, do henceforth revoke your Playlist Executive licence until further notice.” She grins smuggle and winks at him before spinning back around again in her chair.

“But that makes it a playlist dictatorship! I will not stand for this kind of oppression! Liberté, égalité, fraternité! Vive la France!” Nino presses his fist to his heart in what is supposed to be a patriotic manner. In fact, he gets a little too enthusiastic and winds up punching himself in the process.

Marinette retorts back that if Nino was so in favour of democracy then he would abide by the agreed rules. The argument (that is, if it can be called an argument) goes on for another couple minutes before Alya decides that it’s time to intervene. Honestly, if she had known that she would end up playing peacemaker between two apparent five-year-olds, she would not have signed up for this job.

In her sharp ‘I-am-in-charge-and-you-will-not-question-my-authority’ tone (which the past ten years of babysitting her sisters has allowed her to perfect), Alya declares that Nino is on Playlist Time-Out indefinitely, Marinette is Chief Playlist Commander, and Adrien is Assistant Playlist Consultant. She herself refuses to be part of this playlist nonsense because, frankly, there is nothing wrong with just hitting shuffle and seeing where they end up. The highly specific playlist names fiasco is just ridiculous, in Alya’s humble opinion.

Nino protests, claiming that the rules specifically ban Adrien from any playlist-related activities, to which Marinette points out that Nino cannot hold such a gross double standard concerning rule breaking, and Alya feels her eyes roll so hard that she’s pretty sure she will soon be able to see the inside of her skull.

“Everyone shut the hell up or so help me god I will turn this car right around and we will all go straight home!” Alya yells. She figures that this trick still works on her younger sisters, even though they’re now teenagers, so it’s worth a try.

The car falls silent and, surprisingly, it remains like that for the better part of fifteen minutes.

Alya breathes deeply and smiles serenely. “See? Was that so difficult? All you have to do is keep calm, breathe, and- FUCKING HELL, YOU MORON! WATCH WHERE THE HELL YOU’RE DRIVING, ASSHOLE! USE YOUR FREAKING TURN SIGNAL! I SWEAR TO GOD I CAN’T CATCH TWO MINUTES OF PEACE! OH, YOU WANNA FLIP YOUR MIDDLE FINGER AT ME?! TWO CAN PLAY AT THAT GAME, BUDDY!”

Marinette and Nino exchange knowing looks and Marinette slams the play button on the ‘we-need-to-distract-alya-otherwise-she-will-get-into-a-fight’ playlist. All the while Adrien looks a little terrified in his corner of the car. He really shouldn’t be surprised at Alya’s outbursts, but he’s always slightly shocked that so small a person can house all of that tension. Sometimes he can practically see the steam coming out of her ears as if she was a cartoon character.

Alya scowls at the idiot who is now driving in front of her and grips the steering wheel until her knuckles turn white. If there’s one thing she cannot stand, it’s reckless drivers. People make mistakes every now and again when they drive, that’s just natural – Alya gets that. But this idiot was just blatantly ignoring all driving etiquette. Nothing pisses her off more than that.

“Hey, we’re coming up to Saint-Étienne, how about we take a break?” She suggests. Everyone is only too happy to comply.

Saint-Étienne is quite pretty, Marinette decides. They grab some pastries at a local café and make their way to the public gardens in the centre of the town, looking out at the architectural bandstand structure, taking in the calm atmosphere, and revelling in its stark contrasts to the hustle and bustle of Paris. Nino and Alya decide to take a walk around the gardens, leaving Adrien and Marinette alone on the bench.

“Can you imagine how awesome it would be to see an actual band playing on the stand?” Adrien grins. Marinette nods in agreement; it really would be a sight. “I can see it so clearly in my head,” Adrien continues. “Either a jazz-swing-blues band or an orchestra, I haven’t quite decided yet, and fairy lights – actually no, lanterns – strung up everywhere, people dancing around. It would be great.”

Marinette rests her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. “Sounds like quite the visual you’ve thought up there,” she smiles. “It sounds really nice.” She does her very best to not imagine that very image in the context of their wedding. Reel it in, Mari. Don’t do this again.

Adrien stretches his arms out. There’s a little voice in his head telling him to pull the cliché fake-yawn move so that he can rest his arm around Marinette’s shoulder but he tells this voice to shut up and folds his arms behind his head instead.

“I feel like Alya needs a break from driving.” Marinette says, between bites of her pain-au-chocolat. “I think she’s hit her limit.”

Adrien nods, sipping his coffee. He winces as he feels his taste buds disappear and is hit with a sudden wave of nostalgia. “Hey, Mari, remember that school trip we took to London?” That trip will always remain one of his favourite memories. It was the first time his father had actually willingly trusted him with some independence, encouraged it, actually.

“Yeah, that was a great trip.” Play it cool, Mari. Cool, collected, no squealing.

“I just got hit with some major déjà vu,” he laughs. Marinette loves his laugh; his eyes go all sparkly and they crinkle at the edges. She still doesn’t hear him laugh enough, but she’s glad that it’s becoming a more frequent occurrence. “Remember being stuck with me the whole train ride there and back?”

“Oh my gosh, how could I forget? You practically force-fed be overpriced snacks and wouldn’t let me pay you back!” Marinette pokes him in the shoulder accusingly in mock outrage.

“Well I wasn’t going to let you starve, was I? And besides, from what I remember you declared that you were ‘willing and ready to just marry this popcorn already’.” He pokes her right back.

“Don’t use my own words against me!” Marinette huffs, folding her arms across her chest and sinking slightly into the bench. Adrien simply smirks at her and holy frick he should not be allowed to be that hot. Granted, he is a model and she is fully aware of that but, nevertheless, he should not look that fricking hot. In a strange moment of self-control, she does not blush and instead opts for sticking her tongue out at him like the mature adult she is.

Adrien is somewhat taken aback by Marinette’s sudden ability to stay cool and flirt back (yes, he will allow himself to believe that she is flirting) with him. He watches as she quirks her eyebrow before sticking her tongue out at him (her nose scrunches up in this really cute way) and he is struck with the realisation that Marinette manages to look both freaking adorable and actually kind of hot at the same time. He gulps slightly, turning slightly red when Marinette looks at him questioningly, and silently berates himself. The tables have really turned this time.

In an attempt to distract herself from the fact that she not only flirted shamelessly with Adrien Agreste but succeeded in making him bush, Marinette looks up at the sky. Adrien watches her as she squints at a cloud and chews her lip slightly and he finds himself having to also look up at the sky before his imagination runs away with him.

“Is it just me or does that cloud look like a duck wearing high-heels?” Marinette wonders aloud.

For a second Adrien simply stares at Marinette incredulously. The thought is so abstract and outright weird that he then bursts out laughing. “What?” he manages to spit out in between wheezes of laughter. “A duck wearing – how?”

“I’m being totally serious, Agreste.” Marinette deadpans. “Look, if you tilt your head that way and then quint your eyes very, very slightly.” Adrien does as she says and actually, it does kind of look like a duck wearing high-heels. He’ll give her that one, even if it is bizarre.

Seemingly out of nowhere, a ball flies towards them. A small girl, maybe about six or seven, stands a little way away, calling out an apology and running towards them although unable to outrun the ball.

“Adrien, watch your head!” Marinette exclaims, skilfully volleying the ball in the direction of the girl from where she’s awkwardly sitting, half-twisted to face the girl, on the bench. The girl runs closer to catch the ball and thank Marinette.

“Thanks! That was really cool!” The girl gushes to Marinette, tucking the ball under her arm and brushing her messy bangs from her eyes. She grins widely and Marinette chuckles at the fact that she’s missing a tooth. “Hey, aren’t you the guy who’s on the front of all those magazines? My sister Alma has all those magazines and posters and I’m pretty sure she’s in love with you. I’m Jaqueline, by the way. I guess I’ll tell Alma that she’s out of luck because your girlfriend is way prettier than she is and she just saved your life, and your face too, I guess. My sister’s over there by the way, I should probably get back. Do you think you could teach me how to do that? Alma is too busy writing her essay. I don’t get why she would come outside just to write an essay, she said it was something about ‘changing her environment’ or something.”

Marinette flushes red for a second but quickly recovers. She’s always amazed by how much kids can just talk and talk and talk. She’s also a little startled by how fearless this kid is; didn’t anyone teach her about stranger danger?

“Okay, Jaqueline,” Marinette begins. “How about you run back to your sister and bring her over here?” Marinette suggests. She leans in to whisper conspiratorially to the child. “That way, Alma can meet my friend Adrien over here, who’s not my boyfriend, and I can teach you to volley. Sound like a plan?” She grins as Jaqueline nods in affirmation and skips back to where her sister sits.

A short while later, after a particularly shrill shriek from where Jaqueline and Alma are, Adrien is looking slightly uncomfortable but more or less calm as Alma squeals and talks and then squeals some more. He’s used to the fangirl culture, but it’s been a while since he’s had to listen to a star-struck seventeen-year-old tell him facts about…well…himself. For the most part, Alma is nice though. He glances over to where Marinette is teaching Jaqueline to volley. He didn’t know she was so good with kids, he’s really in awe of her, to be completely honest.

Marinette catches Adrien’s glance and smiles, shrugging her shoulders slightly. She turns her attention back to Jaqueline, who stands a few feet away. “You want to make sure that your hands are firmly interlocked when you volley. If your stance is strong, your volley will be strong. If you don’t have that control, you won’t be able to get the ball as high as you want. Got it?”

“Got it.” Jaqueline sticks her tongue out in concentration, readying herself as Marinette gently volleys the ball towards her. The first couple attempts are disastrous and Adrien finds himself ducking a great deal, except for one unfortunate occasion on which the ball hits him square in the face. Marinette laughs. A lot.

After about twenty minutes, Alma, somewhat mournfully, decides that it’s time for them to go. Marinette and Adrien bid the two girls goodbye, agreeing to take a picture with them before they leave, before settling on the grass to continue cloud watching.

Across the gardens, Alya and Nino sit on the edge of the fountain, hands intertwined and Alya’s head resting on Nino’s shoulder. Nino smiles fondly down at her and his heartbeat speeds up ever so slightly. Even after five years of dating he’s still as lovestruck as he was as a teenager, maybe even more so.

He wants to do something special for Alya this year, especially seeing as last year their anniversary celebration consisted of ordering an extra-large pizza and watching reruns of I Love Lucy. He has nothing against I Love Lucy, per se; after all, it was helping Alya with her English fluency for her internship, but it wasn’t necessarily how he imagined their anniversary would be spent. He’s thinking something a little fancier this year, something a little more meaningful.

Sometimes he’s not sure how he got so lucky but he figures it’s best not to question it. If this is what the Universe wants for him he’ll happily take it.

“You’re quiet, everything okay?” Alya nudges him and lifts her head off his shoulder to look at him.

“Yeah, I’m great, babe,” Nino presses a kiss to her temple. “Just contemplating whether or not I can successfully push you into this fountain without getting dragged in myself.”

Alya snorts and swats him away. She knows Nino too well at this point; when he gets quiet like that it means he’s thinking about something serious. Lord knows he can’t keep his mouth shut for more than two minutes under normal circumstances. Her eyes rest on some squirrels chasing each other around, scrambling up and down tree trunks and darting in between the fence and she wishes that, for even just a couple moments, her life could be that carefree.

“I feel like that would be us if we were animals,” Nino muses. Alya hums, she’s not sure if squirrels are really how she’d describe them but she’ll go with it. “Squirrels? What squirr- oh. No, I was looking at those two pigeons over there. They’re fighting over bread.” Nino says seriously, pointing at the birds a little behind the squirrels. Alya gives him the most disbelieving look she can.

“You’re impossible.”

“Excuse you, I thought it was incredibly romantic!”

“Remind me why I haven’t broken up with you yet?” Alya stands and begins walking back around the fountain in the direction of the bench they left Marinette and Adrien sitting at, removing her glasses to wipe them clear from where the fountain spray spattered them and muttering about how if the anniversary goes anything like this the relationship it over.

“Al, you love me.” Nino jogs to catch up with her, grabbing her hand and swinging their arms back and forth.

Alya snatches her hand back and shoots him a pointed look. “You called me a pigeon.”

“Yes, but I also called myself a pigeon. Haven’t you seen The Notebook? If you’re a bird, I’m a bird?”

Alya’s jaw drops. “You just – what – Nino…” For the first time in a long time, Alya is left speechless. (She will admit that she is a little impressed that he just quoted The Noteboook at her, but she is not impressed enough to get off her high horse).

She storms her way all the way back to the bench, huffing very audibly. Marinette and Adrien look up from where they are now lying on the grass, completely absorbed in their cloud watching. Alya’s eyes instantly focus on where their hands are resting on the ground, mere millimetres apart from brushing, before zoning back in to their upper body language. Adrien’s left arm is bent at the elbow and his head rests on his hand. His body is ever so slightly turned towards Marinette and hers to him, her right hand resting lightly on her stomach. They have absolutely no idea how cute they look; to a stranger they could be just any other couple sharing a romantic afternoon looking up at the sky. Alya makes a solemn vow that she will get them together, even if she dies trying. (Okay, that might be a little dramatic but, then again, when is it ever not dramatic with these two?)

“So, uh, how was the walk?” Adrien asks, shifting slightly so that he is facing Alya a little more.

“It was…interesting,” she responds as she sits on the grass beside them. “Nino compared me to a pigeon.”

Marinette blinks at Alya a couple times, not really sure how to respond to this. Adrien turns his head to look at Marinette seemingly trying to find out how he should react to this information. Upon seeing Marinette’s confused look, Adrien is satisfied that he is also allowed to look appropriately confused.

“I also quoted The Notebook, Al. Don’t forget that bit.” Nino sinks down to the ground and wraps an arm around Alya’s shoulder, placing an over-exaggerated kiss on her cheek with a loud smack.

“Really, Nino? Nicholas Sparks? No wonder she stormed over here with a literal black cloud over her head.” Marinette scoffs as she props herself up on one elbow. From beside her Adrien gulps slightly and hopes to God that she didn’t hear him.

“Yeah, whatever, Mari. At least I tried, don’t I get points for effort?”

“Not this time, bro.” Marinette rolls onto her back with a smirk.

“Dammit.”

“We left you some snacks,” Adrien decides that changing the subject might be a good idea. “I had to physically restrain Mari from eating them all.”

Marinette rolls her eyes. Yes, in theory he had physically restrained her, but she wasn’t going to eat them all per se. Even then, his version of ‘physically restrain’ was in fact ‘snatch pastry out of Marinette’s hands and keep box far away from her’.

Alya and Nino stretch out on the grass beside Marinette and Adrien, munching on the leftover pastries. Nino muses aloud that this is almost like a double-date, which results in much coughing and blushing from Marinette and Adrien, and Alya responds in kind, lamenting the fact that this is not a double-date.

Double-date or not, the four of them spend the next hour pointing out particularly strangely shaped clouds, laughing their way into the early evening. They’ve had a little drama along the way, but Alya reckons that this road trip is definitely starting to look up. She curls into Nino’s side as the air begins to cool. He may have called her a pigeon and quoted the cheesiest film on earth to her, but she loves him.

Also he’s warm.

#this update is so late #soz y'all #the road trip series #miraculous ladybug #tw: swearing #adrienette #djwifi #marinette dupain-cheng #adrien agreste #alya cesaire #nino lahiffe #ml #ninalya #mlb

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