#Adrien Agreste Chat Noir needs a hug

[roses4cynthia]

Summary:

Marinette and Adrien's relationship was unbreakable until Adrien discovered Hawk Moth's true identity. This caused a rift in their relationship, and Marinette was determined to do something about it, even if it meant potentially losing Adrien.

[cookiedough77]

oh guess what i did another ahahhahahaa

the first two are claw noir and shadybug btw

thought this up like- forever ago but i finally drew it

hehshahah this new pen is fun

[miraculous-floconfettis]

2 years ago i had a fanfic idea where Monarch locked Adrien in a tiny padded room after discovering he was Chat Noir and took his Miraculous, but i discarded the idea because i thought Gabriel would never do that to his own son.

...

Turns out...

[cakemousse]

whenever adrien gets sad, he writes random letters to ladybug that he knows he's never going to send her. he just likes the feeling of being able to talk to her about things, about his father, about his mother, about modelling, about his self esteem, and since he'd never have the bravery to reach for that comfort in person, writing it on paper is the next best thing. they become almost like a diary over the years.

flash forward to when they're older, post reveal, and getting ready to move in together. marinette is sorting through some boxes and finds a bundle of pages addressed to ladybug. at first she thinks its fanmail she forgot about, but as she begins to read she realises just how much her chaton had gone through all on his own, just how much he wanted her to be there for him but didn't know how to ask.

she doesn't mention it to adrien afterwards. but she cuddles him noticeably tighter that night when they go to bed.

prompt by @rosekasa

[drtwit]

Miraculous Ladybug - Miraculous Menaces AU: Bugaboo Got A Boo-Boo

Miraculous Menaces AU

Chapter Summary:

In the aftermath of an easy akuma battle, Marinette suffers a grievous injury. It's a good thing that nothing important is gonna happen while she recovers.

A collection of vignettes covering an AU where Chat becomes Hawkmoth's partner in crime. At first, Adrien thought that the day he found out that his father was the supervillain terrorizing the people of Paris was the worst day of his life, but in retrospect, it might have been the one change needed to save his family. Because it was also the day that both of them realized that, when they don't need to be Adrien and Gabriel Agreste, they're both fucking goobers. Follow the adventures of Hawkmoth, Chat Noir, and their reluctant assistant who doesn't get paid enough, Nathalie, as they try to navigate life as a supervillain family. And pray for Ladybug's sanity as she suffers their antics.

[glitchy-anime-fan]

Shadybug and Claw Noir spoilers!

So I just finished watching the new Miraculous special and, whether it’s intentional or not, I love the idea that Shadybug and Claw Noir modelled aspects of their new suits off of our Ladybug and Chat Noir b/c those two helped them see that they could be better.

(I’m gonna call the reverse world pair Shadybug and Claw Noir for sake of readability and not getting them and LB/CN confused)

The main thing I noticed is both of their hairs (colour and/or style) are now similar to their main world counterparts.

Take Shadybug for example; her original design had her in twin buns, but after she’s redeemed thanks to our Ladybug she now sports the classic pigtails. While I do like the buns, I think the pigtails could be seen as a symbol of her desire to be good while the buns could be a reminder of her time as a villain.

The first step for both of them is so change their outward appearances and then work to change themselves as individuals.

Similarly we see that when Claw Noir changes his costume, his hair changes from green to blonde like Chat Noir’s. While he doesn’t change his hair style, I think that the colour change for Claw Noir could show the same symbolism that I mentioned with Shadybug. Claw Noir is also seen with a new bell; he now has a bell resembling Chats instead of the spiky bell from before.

There are other little things, like Shady and Claw’s eyes changing to their natural colours (and appearing like Ladybug and Chat Noir’s) and the lack of lipstick, but those could have other explanations. The eye colour thing could just be an automatic change to show that they are no longer evil. I think the lipstick thing could either be for the same reason or because they are no longer being damaged by the miraculous.

Whatever the reason, I just love this idea that they took inspiration from the people who showed them hope. Not only that, but these could be things that can remind Shady and Claw about their friends in the other world who believe in them, continuing to inspire them to grow as people and better themselves and others!

[miraculousfanworks]

Fanfiction Prompt

Chat Noir: my body's insured. Ladybug: ...you mean you have life insurance? Chat Noir: that too.

Prompt by Sage

[journals-of-the-guardian-project]

Writing For Once

Shocker

I don't know how much I like this drabble, but I WROTE SOMETHING! Where does it fit in the timeline for the au? WHO knows! Somewhere earlier. Does it hint at things that I haven't explained or talked about online? YES. Sorry. Lets hope that this drabble means writing the first chapter of the actual fic soon

But I mean... It's something so

Have at it! I want to see how many people enjoy just this fic drabble that might not fully be canon. I know some parts will be, like Chat Noir having complicated feelings around Christmas, but the events not to sure of.

Anyway, inspired by irl feelings and other people's feelings that I think fit for my rewrite of the character.

There is something about this time of year that had usually left Adrien feeling warm. He remembers so many fond Christmas's with his mother, and they were often the clearest times in his foggy memory.

Which was its own issue, his memories. He never knew whether to trust them, what was real and what might have just been a dream. A foggy, distant dream.

Despite that, his memories with his mother had always been the clearest. He chuckles when he recalls his excitement over Santa; it had actually taken quite a few years of holidays to fully grasp who he should be excited about. He had so many issues with memories in the past, he had to be introduced to so many things often.

Despite that, there was something so warm about these memories that made his present so dim in a way. So depressing.

His father wasn’t able to celebrate Christmas like they usually did this year. He supposed it was fair, his father is a busy man. A man who was still grieving over a loss that happened almost a year ago from now. Adrien couldn’t bring himself to blame his father. As much as he hated it. That his father couldn't bring himself

But there was something he hated so much more right now. The silence, the bleak, it was too much. He could usually handle it but it just felt…

Awful.

So now here he is. Chat Noir. Ran away, had caused an akuma, grief and more traumatic memories to the civilians of Paris, and on Christmas nonetheless. And he still doesn’t feel any better than before. If anything, he feels more stupid than before. Throwing a fit and taking it out on people who didn’t deserve it.

The question still remained in his mind though is… who did?

He couldn’t blame his father, it wasn’t fair to ask him to get over his grief like this. Nathalie and Gorilla? They do what they are paid. Staying overtime for Adrien's one upset Christmas isn’t worth it. 

He would continue to go back and forth in his mind, before he heard a zip from behind him. A frankly familiar zip that could only belong to one person.

“Hi Chat”

Almost uncertain, yet spoken with confidence. Chat smiled, not even needing to turn around.

“Is that a ladybug I’m hearing? No, couldn’t be. I didn’t think they made it this high up”

A scoff from behind him and a quiet chuckle, he finally turned around to see his efforts.

His ladybug, well, now going by Ladybelle, stood a few feet away from him. Her ribbons follow the gentle wind, before coming back again, in a similar fashion to her pigtails. Her chuckles faded out rather quickly though, her attention focused back on him.

It made him a little nervous, he didn’t know why

“Today was a.. pretty rough akuma wouldn’t you say?” She quickly skittered over to his side, pausing briefly for his permission before sitting beside him. “You seemed a little off today… are you okay? You're not usually so… depressed.”

“Haha, keen as ever huh m’lady?” he chuckled awkwardly. Yet, it didn’t take the look off of her face. "It's.. been a rough day I guess"

Ladybelle hummed in acknowledgement, nodding to him to continue.

"Daaah it's nothing really. Today was.. I wasn't at my best today. It won't happen again!"

She nodded her head, her smile unconvinced. 

"Well, today's akuma took a lot out of me too. I figured… maybe we could sit up here for a bit and enjoy tonight? Watch a few videos?"

She asked awkwardly, yet it was just the thing he needed.

"Please"

The bug beamed at that moment, quickly standing up and promising to be back soon. And if she had looked closely before leaving, she would have seen his pupils grow in size at the offer. And a warm flush over his face.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ladybelle wasn’t sure what to expect when she went out for the night. After the akuma fight today, Chat Noir had seemed more tired than usual.

Maybe it was in her own head, or her exhaustion projecting, but she couldn’t get him off her mind since they said their goodbyes.

When she reached their spot, she saw him. Sitting on the edge, drooped. But she let a small smile come to her face when his ears perked up to her entrance.

After a few brief exchanges, she was on her way back to her home for a quick stop.

Yet not as quick as she would have liked.

Almost crashing in (almost), she rushed to detransform and scrambled to the kitchen. Reminding herself to be mindful of her parents’ sleeping, she rummaged through the blankets they had available in a separate cabinet. Grabbing three for good measure before speed walking to the kitchen section of the combined living space.

Opening the fridge she grabbed the cookies she had baked earlier that day. They had originally been for someone else.. but this was more important.

Tikki munched on her snack quietly as Marinette paced, trying to think of what else she will need.

And like that, they were off once more.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chat Noir hadn’t moved an inch since she had left, and silently ladybelle was glad another akuma hadn’t surfaced in her absence. Whether Papillion hadn’t bothered to send one out for who knows why, or her chat’s down attitude wasn’t enough for one to appear.

Regardless, Ladybelle once again made her way to his side.

“I have the promised goods!” she affirmed, watching the cat hero’s eyes brighten in curiosity as he peered at the bag in her hands. He seemed more cat-like when he was quieter, which was more than a little funny to Ladybelle.

It didn’t take long to set up a movie and dish out the blankets. Ladybelle chortled when she revealed the treats, she could almost see the instant drool from her kitty’s face. Though he snapped out of it pretty quickly.

For the first time she had come back that night, he spoke, “You didn’t need to do all this you know.”

“Hm?”

“All… this. I do appreciate it M’lady don’t get me wrong! But…”

He paused, and she turned back around from placing the blankets to look at him. “...Are you okay Chat?”

He looked away, then back to her again. 

Almost debating something.

“Could I vent to you a little?” he asked, “I know you don’t like talking about our personal lives so I’ll keep the details vague but..”

“Ok” She readily agreed

“Oh uh ok. I didn’t think you’d actually be.. cool! Cool” Chat noir coughed. “I guess you could say my family isn’t.. the greatest. Actually, this time of year used to be happier for all of us. My father has been getting busier over the years and.. well usually we get to have Christmas together. But this year has been.. different.

"Haha, I... I guess this year has just been too different for me. As stupid as it is…” tears pricked his eyes, mumbling the last part.

She didn’t say anything, so he continued.

“M’lady.. I don’t know how much you enjoy the holidays. And if I’m frank, I’m really tired of it all”

“Of..?” she quietly prompted.

“Of the-  DAH- The Christmas everything! The- There is so much right now that talks about love and caring and being merry around now. Sitting around the tree for presents or just the presents in general. The decorations and feelings it… it would normally be right up my alley.”

He paused somberly, kneading the blanket he had grabbed a few minutes prior. Ladybelle couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

“Everything has changed so much at my home.” He lifted his head toward the sky “and.. I feel more… lonely than I ever have? And I hate that.. And that it’s only changed for me. Everything else stays the same, the advertisements, the gifts, the same gift cards and letters, and AND BUSINESS!”

With every exclamation his hair and tail seemed to frazzle more.

“And- and..” his lip started to tremble. “I hate, that I’m getting upset over this one year. But… what if it never goes back to how it usually is?

"That.. my family won’t ever-” his voice cracked. “They won’t ever sit around that tree like you might see in the media. For the perfect family. Or I guess, at least a regular family. No more… perfect decorations that just encapsulate the magic around this time. I hate that.. that has to change. I’m making a big fuss” he said, as if spitting out the word, “over something so.. Stupid…” 

He became quieter with his last statement, then a long pause followed. He wouldn’t make eye contact with her, and she didn’t need him to. She didn’t really know how to respond honestly.

So she sat there.

And waited for him.

And eventually, he quietly asked “Ladybelle… what do you think of Christmas?

"Or.. really just the holidays i guess heh.. I don’t think you’ve ever told me what you celebrate.”

“Oh uhh” she awkwardly cleared her throat “My parents celebrate it, maybe not the more traditional connections but it’s a.. It’s nice.

They usually take a few days off for us, after the holiday works them tired. It gets busy. But.. they make sure to spend time with me.”

“They seem nice” he softly responded, looking at her.

“Yeah, they are.” she smiled “I hope I can introduce them to you someday.”

“I’d like that M’lady”

Ladybelle pursed her lips “And.. I don’t think you’re as alone as you think. Not everyone has a ‘merry’ Christmas and.. and that’s ok. I know a few people that don’t really enjoy it either”

She nervously coughed for a second “heh I don’t know if that helps! I guess I can’t relate too much. At least- for christmas.”

Chat noir looked at her and softly smiled, “no, that.. That helps. Thank you”

“It was no problem, kitty! It’s the least I could do.” Reaching out her hand, she formed a fist and held it in an invitation. To which the black cat user returned. “Pound it.”

“Now uh, do you want to watch a movie? It doesn’t need to be christmas-related but maybe something that could take your mind off of it.”

“That sounds absolutely purrrfect, Buginette!”

Ladybelle drooped exaggeratingly as she reached for her laptop “Oh NO, the puns are back!!” she groaned as he laughed in response.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It didn’t take long until they were both snuggled together in the blankets, eating cookies and enjoying the movie they had put on, “Beauty and the Beast”.

It was a favorite of Chat Noir’s, Ladybelle would learn. He used to watch it with his mom.

Now they were about halfway through the film, it would soon be one in the morning. Chat’s head had ended up leaning on her shoulder as they watched the film, and she didn’t object. A quiet rumbling came from his chest, and she felt the urge to pet his head weirdly enough. She shoved that down though.

“Thank you”

“Hm?” She glanced at him

“Thank you. You didn’t have to listen, and do all this. But you did”

“Well, that's what friends do right? When they are down. I-I mean, I know we haven’t known each other for too long but-”

His eyes seemed to glow impossibly brighter at that. “We’re friends.” He said, almost more a question than a statement.

But regardless, she still answered while smiling “Yeah, we are.” 

Chat’s purrs were louder the rest of the movie

[ajwinter-is-a-nerd]

Le Chat Et Le Serpent - Chapter 60

Please note that the entirety of this story is a ****TRIGGER WARNING***** - mentions of child abuse, graphic violence, alcohol use, mental health, suicide, suicidal ideation, self-harm - basically a constant blow of pain towards the characters - as well as some "steamier" moments.

Chapter Summary:

The battle against Ladybug takes full swing.

Chapter song (included in body) - Glory and Gore by Lorde

“TRAITOR!” Ladybug cried as she whipped her Yo-Yo against the walls surrounding her. The lime prison Shell-ter shattered with ease. 

The onus’ they had already prepared for were Ladybug’s extended experience and that her power was expected to subjugate the lesser Miraculous’. Their unforeseen handicap was the lack of edge the counter Miraculous would carry; Luka was far too fresh a holder to be an even opponent. Unfortunately, the carry-over experience in between the Miraculous’ was minimal, particularly in regards to Creation and Destruction. 

The weakened walls of Carapace’s Shell-ters were an extension of himself. He’d already been emotionally drained from Rip Off Sandboy’s vivid hallucinations, physically exhausted by the length of the battles himself, and was tapping on the edge of his tank with repeated exertion of his power. 

Without proper pockets to tap out his anxiety, the inner skin of Serpent Noir’s cheek had gone raw from compulsively gnawing at it as he struggled to break down the problem. Ignorantly, he believed that sheer numbers alone would lead to a rudimentary takedown. The second error was the fact that he miscalculated the unified front; there was constantly someone requiring a pause from battle to de-transform. 

Tapping his fingers along the heel of his palm he contemplated using the power of destruction, but he knew there would be no going back if he did. Would the others ever forgive him if he went rogue? If he Cataclysmed the last breath from Ladybug? 

As tempting as it was, he knew that the cost of any life could not be underestimated. Beyond the judgement of others, he realised he could never live under the weight of that sin.

Once again, translucent green shards hailed from Ladybug. Knowing that Carapace was out of juice, Serpent Noir attempted to divert the exertion. With their current modus operandi, Carapace was the most befitting holder; therefore, it was imperative that Carapace was performing at the highest possible calibre. 

“Vesperia! Stun her!” Serpent Noir instructed as he bitterly kicked the Shell-ter fragments before him. 

Ladybug’s face cringed as Vesperia’s stinger sunk into her shoulder. Her iced expression of contorted discomfort sent a jolt of hope through Serpent; he finally had a brief moment to disarm her. Before his fingers could brush the edge of her Yo-Yo, the venom dissipated. 

Vindictively, Ladybug spun backwards to smash her Yo-Yo against his face. Covering his throbbing cheek with one hand, he flailed backwards onto the tilt of the roof. His body spiralled tumultuously down the roof, his protective palm shielding his face numerous times. A spur of luck enabled him to catch one of the divots of the roof before continuing his descent. Blood spat from his mouth as he shrieked in desperation at the sight of Ladybug shrinking. 

“PEGASUS! STOP HER!” 

Igniting into action, Pegasus took the offensive lead by tossing a portal while Carapace crouched beside a chimney. 

Rena blanketed Carapace with a Mirage as she knelt to the ground, attempting to reserve what energy she had left. She watched helplessly as Ladybug escaped every portal. Even if Pegasus dropped her directly into Serpent’s arms she could wile her way out of it. The portals were dispersed so expediently that Pegasus was nearly depleted before Serpent even had a chance to formulate a plan. 

Recalculating, Serpent modified from grapple to strike; he shot his baton out, effectively jamming her ribs the moment she materialised through the portal. With a breathless grunt she halted mid air and plummeted to the roof below. 

Extending his baton further, he slammed it against her torso while shouting towards Vesperia. “Stun her again!” 

Ladybug was a rabid dog thrashing against Serpent’s baton. As he approached, he increased pressure against her hips. Her detainment was nearly palpable until the cursed call echoed through the streets. 

*Lucky Charm!* 

A pebble fell from the sky. Confused, she rolled it around in her fingers, it looked like a mechanism of some sort. Vesperia’s venom stunned her once the charm was safely clenched in her fist. 

What the hell is that? Serpent attempted to analyse the glimpse he’d seen of her charm as the group closed in on the stilled, fallen hero. Maybe the Charm is starting to falter because she’s going against the team? Maybe we have something on our side from within Ladybug’s power. 

Feigning frozen defeat, she laid limply against her entrapment; she needed them with their guards down and as close as possible. 

Crouching to grasp Ladybug, Serpent’s baton slightly angled upwards from her hips. Her hair ran through his fingers as she spun out from under the weapon and smashed her pebble towards the ground. 

Ominously dense smoke misted around the holders, completely whiting out their vision. Quick-wittedly, Carapace threw a domed Shell-ter over them. Though he would imprison the entire team; Ladybug would be imprisoned with them, her powers already exhausted. 

Serpent watched as smoke swirled against the glassy edges of their confinement. His jaw clenched as a brief flash of red shot from the other side; she’d already made it past the edge of the Shell-ter before it was raised. 

“She escaped.” Serpent growled. 

Irritated, Carapace dissipated his field of protection. By the time the dome fell, Ladybug had fled from their field of vision. 

Relying on her transformation still being up, Serpent Noir swiped out his GPS from the top of his baton. Ladybug was far closer than he thought. He barely saw her location pin by the time a zipping noise reeled from behind him. 

A booming crack resonated as Ladybug’s Yo-Yo struck the back of Serpent’s skull. For a brief moment, Serpent’s vision flashed to black while he collapsed to his knees. 

“How dare you? You steal my Kitty’s power and then go after mine?” Ladybug seethed as she threw another Yo-Yo, striking Vesperia. 

“Ladybug, your time is OVER!” Purple Tigress screamed as she threw her clout. 

As Ladybug toppled to the roof, she entangled Purple Tigress into her weapon. 

“I made you.” She spat towards Tigress before she swung her in the air and whipped her across the city.

“NO!” Pigella shrieked in horror as Tigress spun through the air, flailing out of sight. 

A paralysing level of panic pumped through Serpent Noir. His plan was crumbling, and the ones he loved were paying the price. Gears were jamming in Serpent’s foggy mind as he struggled to consider any form of strategy. 

*Lucky Charm*

“Agh!” Serpent Noir couldn’t mute his rage. He hadn’t even considered that the smoke bomb would have given her a chance to recharge her powers. 

Maniacal laughter emanated from Ladybug as she caught her newest charm. It was poetic, in a way, that she’d spent so many years fighting Papillion and his illusions to get this charm. An identical charm had been held by several of Papillion’s villains; it had even been held by Chat’s personified nightmare. She bit her lip in exhilaration, sharing the same conclusion as Serpent, as she gripped the infamously enormous red and black spotted jagged sabre. She’d become the monster she’d worked tirelessly to battle. 

Terror and anger fueled the wind summoned by Ryuko, tearing shingles off roofs and swinging the hoods off the tips of chimney ends. Ladybug’s balance barely wavered as the attack struck her. 

Stunned, Serpent watched as Ladybug started charging forward with her deadly weapon in hand. 

What do we need? What are we missing? We need a - oh god dammit. 

Serpent Noir frustrated himself with his own obliviousness. 

*Second Chance* 

Strumming his harp, Serpent crouched to analyse the scene. He decided that surveying the attacks would be the best method to find the crack, the flaw, the missing link they needed to win. 

Ladybug bound forward towards Ryuko but, to Serpent’s surprise, Pigella was the first to intercept her trail. She was fighting for Tigress, who was still out of sight. Smothering her vindictive urge to vault Ladybug across the roof, Pigella attempted to use her power of gift to distract Ladybug. 

The iridescent white box had barely cracked open before Ladybug sliced her Charm through the illusion. The great size of the knife maimed more than the projection, striking Pigella who stood defenselessly behind it. The sabre slid through Pigella’s skull with abhorrent ease. Pigella’s decimated body hadn’t even struck the roof by the time Ladybug spun for her next opponent. The game was easier when they came to her, it meant she didn’t need to exhaust herself, merely pivot in a circle to remind them who was the most powerful. 

While Serpent called on his Second Chance , he gulped in horror. Ladybug ported a joker’s smile while blood dripped from the tip of her blade as Pigella’s body sagged against the roof.

*Second Chance* 

Steadying his voice, Serpent rolled his fingers along his harp’s string as he dictated the battle forward. “Pigella, stay back. Someone else try.” 

Accustomed to working together, Pegasus portaled Vesperia and King Monkey behind Ladybug. They thought they may still have the element of surprise as Ryuko shot towards Ladybug.

Again, they were fighting the strength of Ladybug’s experience. Instead of sneaking up, the hushed crackle of the portal told Ladybug their exact location. Her psychotic gaze didn’t falter from Serpent as she swung the sabre behind her. The weapon effectively beheaded them before they could step forward. 

Pausing, she grinned up to Serpent. Her eyes glinted in amusement as she challenged him to call upon another Second Chance. Her eyes told the story her mouth did not, ‘keep trying, I’ll keep tearing them down.’

Incensed, Serpent spun his bracelet again while internally yelling at their villain. This is not a fucking game, Ladybug. Jesus Christ. 

*Second Chance* 

“Pigella, Pegasus, Vesperia, and King Monkey, you’re out. Someone else try to take bat, please.” Serpent started to chew at his thumb. They were quickly running through options. The sheer amount of names he had to spit out alone built fear within the holders while bolstering Ladybug’s confidence. 

Facing her fears, Polymouse scurried around her. She thought that with so many pieces of herself, she could have an advantage against Ladybug; especially when working with the contrasting power of Minitorax’s growth. 

Ladybug hopped over her knife as she spun it below her, effectively hitting each mouse that was trying to climb to her feet. Minitorax bellowed as he recoiled to strike her. 

Ladybug’s fatal flaw was assuming her power would override Minitorox’s. She’d become too confident. Once her sabre slammed into him, he grew larger. 

A flash of panic backed Ladybug’s eyes as Minitorax teetered towards the ground. His pain was from loss, but she knew it wouldn’t last. Ladybug knew Serpent had witnessed the same result as she did. 

*Second Chance* 

Optimistic energy fueled Serpent as he set aside his harp, he was confident they were going to be able to make it through. 

“Pegasus, grab Minitorox and bring him to Ladybug!” 

The familiar tone of the portal alerted Ladybug, to which she cockily threw the sabre behind her. The halt of the blade forced her to spin towards her attacker. 

Minitorax stretched out his arms to pull her into his hold. She frantically struck him repeatedly, causing him to grow with each hit. Minitorax would be effective, but if she kept attacking him, he would become hazardously oversized.

Okay… Serpent thought as he observed Ladybug thrashing. We will still need the team working to subdue her and we want to get the knife from her. We can keep using Shell-Ters and Vesperia… but the damage…

Each time Minitorax took a step, houses crushed beneath him. There surely wouldn’t be a Miraculous Ladybug to fix everything this time. How were they going to take down Ladybug and keep the city safe?

They needed to be able to clean up; they needed another power. 

Serpent’s face lit up as the idea struck him. Pressing the communicator, he spoke to Rena. “Rena! Do you know where Ladybug’s Miracle Box is?” 

Rena was standing in a fighting position beside Carapace with her flute in hand. Not taking her eyes off the enemy, she nodded. “Yeah, what are you thinking?” 

Instead of answering her, he ensured to address everyone. “Who knows where Marc is?” 

“He’s in Japan finishing up his degree with Nathaniel!” King Monkey responded. 

Serpent Noir scanned the group again, putting the plan together in his head before he called again for a -

*Second Chance!*

Wind lifted Serpent’s stray hairs as he stood gallantly atop a chimney. It was time for Ladybug’s demonic reign to come to a close. 

“No one except for Minitorax can touch Ladybug. NO ONE ELSE is to get into striking distance. Pegasus, Rena, King Monkey - I have a different plan for you.” 

Holders immediately threw their attacks towards Ladybug, doing their best to keep her subdued. 

“Pegasus- take Rena and King Monkey to get Marc. Rena, we need Rooster Bold, but take any other Miraculous you think we may need.” Serpent nodded towards Rena. He wanted to be as covert as possible, praying that Ladybug would not hear them and empty out her Yo-Yo. 

As the holders slipped into the portal, Serpent relayed another message. “This plan will expire my Second Chance , everyone please keep this in mind. We only have one shot at this.” 

The three of them took a moment to feed their Kwamis as Alya unlocked the Miraculous box. Pushing the button at the top, she watched as the small drawers popped out. Before the drawer could fully open, she grasped the golden claw from its place. 

Orikko jumped in joy. “Alya! It is so good to see you! What plans do we have today?”

“You will see,” Alya promised as she scanned the remaining jewels. 

Barkk smiled at Alya as she slid the thin necklace against her throat.

“Alya! We hurry, we don’t have much time!” Pegasus beckoned her as he held open his portal. 

Not yet… I’m missing one… Alya rescanned the nearly empty box; her adrenaline was causing her to miss the simple objects in front of her eyes. 

Exhaling in relief, she pinched the black horned jewels. Ziggy bounced up beside Alya. Before Ziggy could ask Alya any questions, Alya nodded towards Pegasus. “Ready!” 

She’d taken two steps before turning backwards, grabbing the last Miraculous just in case, the Miraculous of the Peacock. 

Barkk would help them get the sabre. And she couldn’t imagine that Marc would want to come without Nathaniel and vice versa. Plus, the more holders in the battle, the better. 

She clung to Pegasus’ and Kim’s hands for support before they stepped in unison into the portal. 

-

Ryuko used her power of water to throw Ladybug to the river. Minitorax was rapidly running after her as she collided against the surface of the Seine. Without Peagus’ portal, Ladybug was perpetually just beyond Minitorax’s grasp. 

Gamifying it, Ladybug turned her attacks against the team. Carapace struggled to return to his exhaustive play of reanimating Shell-ters in an attempt to protect the others. 

“Come on.” Serpent Noir whispered to himself, trying to will the same advanced cataclysm that Chat Noir had been able to conjure. 

Carapace was offered a momentary respite as Ryuko returned to the offensive line. 

-

Don’t be bemused, it's just the news! Breaking news, something seems to have gone awry in Paris’ favourite Superhero team! Chat Noir is nowhere to be seen, but we believe that Viperion now holds Chat’s power. Is Ladybug fighting to protect her fallen partner? Or has Ladybug upset the team? We can’t tell for certain, all we know is that today is a dark day for our heroes. 

The TV played in the background of Marc and Nathaniel’s apartment; they often kept it on to keep them close to home. 

The mention of Ladybug broke Marc’s attention from his project. Furrowing his brow, he watched the screen. He couldn’t fathom a reason that his friends would all go against Ladybug. The fact that Chat was gone incited an additional layer of tumultuousness.

“Nat, look at this.” Marc tapped Nathaniel out of his daze. 

Nathaniel’s eyes shot up as Ryuko blasted Ladybug into the Seine. 

“What the?” Nathaniel’s brows furrowed as he stepped closer to the screen. “Do you think she’s Akumatized? And… it looks like Luka came home from his tour…” 

Nathaniel pointed towards Serpent Noir in recognition and bewilderment. 

“Why would the whole team go against Ladybug?” Marc tilted his head as he struggled to understand the broadcast. 

They were so enthralled, they did not notice the three new people standing in their apartment. 

“Because Ladybug got involved with some real bad juju.” Kim announced their presence. 

“Real poetic King Monkey.” Pegasus rolled his eyes. 

“The team needs you.” Alya held out the jewels in her hand. “For Adrien, for Ladybug, for the world. Please help us.” 

The men shared a look of consideration to each other. “Hey, at least we’ll have a chance to get some new content!” Marc smiled towards Nathaniel. 

“I don’t know.” Nathaniel bit his lip as he studied the jewels in Alya’s palm. “We let go of the responsibility because of the stress. Fighting Ladybug seems like the epitome of stress and trauma.” 

Marc caressed Nathaniel’s cheek. Nathaniel was mixed to leave their Miraculous world behind; Marc understood that his fiancées trepidation was based in fear for Marc’s own health. 

“This is the final boss.” Marc whispered before brushing a kiss against Nathaniel’s lips. 

Running his thumb along Marc’s temple, Nathaniel gazed into his eyes. He wanted to read the certainty behind them, the stress when they were younger had nearly destroyed Marc.  “Are you sure you want to go back?” 

“Of course! This is just like our last issue, calling upon an old friend to take down the evil villain!” Marc reassured him while turning towards Alya. “Let’s put things straight.” 

The jewellery had barely passed his second knuckle by the time Orikko was spinning in elation. 

“Oh, it is so good to see you again, Marc!” Orikko smiled in elation. “You’d never believe what has happened!” 

“It’s good to see you too, buddy!” Marc grinned before calling on his transformation. 

Nathaniel fastened his jewels while smiling towards Ziggy. “I thought I’d never see you again, Nathaniel! Oh my, so much has happened, it was horrible!” 

“We’ll have time for that later Ziggy! Right now, we have a battle to get to.” Nathaniel called upon his transformation, ready for action. 

-

Pegasus opened the portal out of Ladybug’s sight, but within earshot of the team. 

“We’re here.” Pegasus announced to Serpent Noir. 

Excluding Ladybug from the group comm, Serpent Noir made his announcement. 

“Rena, cover anyone who needs to refuel. Rooster Bold, call on the power of restoration, we need to fix the destruction. Caprikid, we need something to shut her up.”

Serpent checked his GPS for Purple Tigress. His stomach churned as the map came up blank. 

If she was in a grave state, Roaar would tell us, right? A memory was triggered of Anarka attempting to apply pressure to Juleka’s wound, only to have her hand sink into the depths of his fading sibling. 

Shaking off the thought he hid with Zoe as she fed Pollen. 

“How you doing?” She asked with a weary glow.

Sass and Plagg were basically having a competition to see who could eat the fastest. 

“Fine.” Luka dropped his head as he stuffed a gummy worm in his mouth. “It will be worth it once we’ve won.” Sass finished his meal even before Pollen, knowing that he could give Luka an additional edge no Cat Miraculous holder had yet thought of. 

-

“I don’t know how much longer I can do this.” Rooster Bold felt his power growing weary as Minitorax continued to destroy the landscape around him. Ladybug was putting on a performance akin to Harley Quinn, taunting and acrobatic. 

Caprikid eagerly wanted to help, but all he could do was chase them around, holding the ball gag and rope in his hands as he went. 

“Kitty Thief is so scared he had to drag himself all the way to Japan, hey Caprikid?” Ladybug jeered from her momentarily seated position; it was more satisfying teasing from a still position while they stumbled over each other to get to her. 

Growling, Caprikid sped up, aiming directly towards the mocking pest. Rooster Bold intercepted him, panting a warning, “she’s too powerful, wait for the rest of the team.” 

“Better listen to your girlfriend!” Ladybug cackled at her mockery as she rolled forward from her seated position, holding the sabre above her head as she fell towards the couple. 

Throwing Caprikid to the ground, Rooster rolled them out of the way; she’d been close enough that a few of his sliced red hairs took flight as he shielded Caprikid. 

Sneering at the panic she induced, she seized at the knife that had lodged deep into the ground from where they were standing. Though Minitorax was exhausted, he was only a few moments away, she couldn’t relish in the moment as she’d hoped. 

Nearly pushing herself off balance, relief flooded her as the weapon slid from the ground. Her moment of victory quickly faded as Rena’s smug voice carried through the wind. 

“Fetch.” 

Before the weapon had left her palm, Ladybug spun to her escape. 

“Go refuel, Minitorax.” Serpent Noir commanded before beginning the charge forward. 

“TRAITORS!” Ladybug screamed as she ran atop buildings. 

A blip distracted Serpent as he ran forward; Purple Tigress was back online and was almost directly in Ladybug’s path. His eyes shot to the roof she hid on, noting the edge of her tail flickering from behind a chimney. 

“Tigress, if I send her your way-” Serpent couldn’t finish his sentence, because Tigress was already stalking her prey. 

“I’m ready.” 

“CATACLYSM!” Serpent shouted, a small ball of death bouncing above his open hand. 

“Hah! Like you could catch me!” Ladybug spat behind her as she confidently stride forward. 

Her earrings rang as a pipe beside her descended to dust. Nearly frozen in place, she craned to Serpent, who already had another weapon in hand. 

“That was a warning shot.” Serpent slowed as everyone else kept hounding forward. 

“How? It took Chat years!” Ladybug stumbled backwards, falling onto the roof by Tigress. 

“I had a bit of extra time.” Serpent winked at her as he threw another, forcing her to dodge closer to Tigress. 

Ladybug didn’t register the flash of violet until a thin cord coiled around her. Tigress winced as she pulled her tail tighter. Recognizing his cue, Caprikid bolted to shove the ball gag in her mouth. Serpent watched menacingly as the additional rope was tied around her; the rope’s threads were bursting as Tigress’s tail was chinking. 

“Fuck!” Carapace had no more vernacular left as he joined the hogtie.

Calmly, Serpent hovered over her, resting a knee on the ground to either side as he slid off his own belt. The rest of the crew stepped back from their attempts to subdue her. 

Disquieted bluebell eyes voiced what Ladybug was working to deny; she knew she’d been defeated. As he knotted his belt, he smirked. “Your reign is over, my liege.” 

Her erratic movements stilled as her stomach flipped. Serpent’s eyes were vicious. They were a far darker green than Chat Noir’s were and the flecks of gold flickered with ire. He unabashedly lowered himself to her ear, nearly completely on top of her.

Frantic heartbeats pulsed through Ladybug. It had been years since he’d been this close; the only times they had been in such a compromised position he was always exceedingly gentle and compassionate. She would have never believed that Luka would be the one to enact vengeance against her. 

His lips brushed her ear as he hissed. “Never. Fucking touch. My boyfriend. Again.” 

Stupified, she hadn’t noticed his hand lower to her hip, easily pulling off her Yo-Yo. Enraged at the rueful incapacitation, Ladybug released another wave of fervently tossed limbs, landing a solid knee between Serpent’s legs. 

Serpent dropped to the ground beside her, giving her the chance to jolt to her feet; but Rena had already begun swinging the spotted Yo-Yo. Ladybug was helpless as she fell to her own weapon. 

Groaning, Serpent attempted to stand through the throbbing pain that had surged into his lower stomach.

Ladybug’s snickers at Luka’s grunts rolled around the gag in her mouth as her earrings frantically beeped. 

Carapace’s fingers nearly grasped the jewel as Serpent staggered upwards. 

“Wait.” Serpent gulped down the urge to vomit. “Rena, please *uggh* protect - hide - fuck.”

Ladybug’s laughs masked the frantic increase of her beeping Miraculous as a protective mirage covered them. Leaning against Vesperia, Serpent’s hand rolled for Carapace to continue as he pretended to regain composure. 

The last beep timed before his fingers touched the jewellery. 

“WAIT!” Tikki shrieked, protecting Marinette’s lobes. 

Other holders Miraculouses were beeping as an orchestra of groans responded to Tikki's plea. 

-

Adrien tapped the letters along the piano before setting them down. It was strange the decisions that seemed to plague him at this moment. Should he stack them? Put them side by side? He decided that laying them on top of one another and letting them naturally slide was the best decision. 

The piano, however, always felt like the right place. It lived as his symbol of heaven and hell.

Disclaimer * The characters and original plot were written and created by Thomas Astruc. This writing is merely an interpretation in a sad gay type of way.

[that-one-fandom-girl]

For real! Besides, didn’t the sand that shows people their worst nightmares fly over him before he said that? He was affected by the sand and I think it tells a little bit more about their friendship and how close they are if right after the nightmare-inducing stuff falls on him, Adrien fears for Plagg in addition to fearing for his freedom. Plagg didn’t even have to be mentioned, but Adrien was in full distress and turned to his best friend, only to be scared some more when his best friend, who was supposed to be sleeping, (right?), seemed to have something bad happen to him.

People give Adrien too much flack for believing plagg turned into a sock. Be real, if you lived in hawkmoth's Paris that's what you would think happened. You wouldn't immediately think your best friend ran away and left a sock puppet in thier place.

[miraculous-floconfettis]

Le chapitre 21 de ma fanfiction

🐾🐞 "Le Battement d'Ailes du Papillon" 🐞🐾

est en ligne !

C'est un de mes chapitres préférés, j'espère que vous l'aimerez autant que je l'aime ❤️

Pour lire la fanfiction depuis le début ➡️ Chapitre 1

Bonne lecture !

[frickingnerd]

dating adrien, luka & marinette

pairing: adrien agreste x marinette dupain-cheng x gn!reader x luka couffaine

tags: established relationship, lukadrienette, wholesome fluff, secret identities + identity reveals, public displays of affection

there's no jealousy between the four of you and everyone gets along with everyone!

for dates, you try to make sure everyone can be there, but sometimes only two people go on a date together, due to different schedules

plus, marinette and adrien tend to disappear whenever there's an akuma alert, often leaving luka and you left behind…

adrien is the first one to reveal to you that he's chat noir, as he hates having to keep secrets! especially when it's about his loved ones

marinette is the last one to reveal her identity and only after luka and adrien already revealed theirs

with adrien and marinette busy being heroes, luka is the one keeping the relationship together and planning everything!

he plans the dates, takes care of everyone and makes the decisions regarding your relationship

he's always managing your relationship and to make up for that, you always surprise him with gifts!

adrien buys him gifts with his dad's money, marinette bakes for him and you are there to cuddle him whenever he needs it!

there's a lot of physical affection between the four of you, as it's the love language of your three partners!

adrien is very touch starved, marinette is clingy and luka just likes to be near you whenever he can! you are constantly holding hands, cuddling, hugging or kissing!

[donat-senpai]

Can you please write a platonic Yandere Adrien with (best) friend reader. Reader also has a miraculous, Adrien finds out. Kinda like a scenario

Please don't read this if you are uncomfortable with the yandere!

Pairing: Yandere! Adrien x Reader

tw: platonic obsession, stealing other people's things

Adrian sighs heavily. Lately, too many problems have been piling up on him. He didn't get a moment's peace at school. His father was constantly demanding something. And Hawk Moth seemed to never sleep. He added work for the heroes at the most inconvenient times. During a recent attack on the city, another person joined the famous hero duo. A little later, Adrian (or Chat Noir, to be precise) learned that Ladybug had nothing to do with it. This made him worry. Who is this person? Can they be trusted? And where did another Miraculous come from that doesn't belong to the guardian of the box? Too many questions filled the blond's head.

———

You greet Adrien with a joyful hug. The boy finally relaxes and forgets all his worries. In your presence, he feels calm. You excitedly start telling him about a new game and make him promise to play it with you this weekend. Adrien looks around the classroom. Every classmate is busy with their own thing. Once (when he had just started going to school) they used to tease you with jokes about being long-lost sibling. You two had just become friends too quickly and easily. Adrien sometimes joked himself that you were actually an Agreste. A bright glint distracts Adrien from his memories, and he notices a new pendant on your chest.

"What’s that?" Adrien asks.

You don't immediately understand what he's talking about. But when you catch his gaze, you start to stammer.

"Oh… Umm… just a piece of jewelry," you answer awkwardly.

"I’ve never seen you wear it before."

"I found it recently in a shop. Just some junk. Doesn't matter," you laugh nervously and change the subject.

Adrien raises an eyebrow in surprise. You've never behaved like this before. So… strange. It's like you're hiding something.

———

The villain throws Chat Noir into some trash cans and moves further into the city center, leading Ladybug away. Cat Noir groans in pain and tries to stand up, not very gracefully. A new hero lands softly next to him and extends a hand.

"I thought cats always land on their feet."

"Ha. Very funny," Chat Noir grumbles, but accepts the help. Chat Noir's gaze stops at the new hero's Miraculous. It's a pendant. The jewelry reminds him of something, but he can't remember what exactly.

"Let's deal with this quickly. I still need to make it to the book fair," the hero heads towards the noise, not waiting for his partner.

Chat Noir freezes. There’s only one fair in the city today. And Adrien was already planning to go there with you. A strange feeling washes over him. Now that he knows the new hero will be there too, he’s not so sure if he should go. Although there will be hundreds of people. The chance of revealing someone's identity is practically zero. Even if he accidentally starts scanning the crowd.

———

Ladybug was delayed. The heroes found themselves in a disadvantageous position. They barely escaped. Chat Noir was in a panic. He admitted that he hadn’t come up with the best plan. But the idea was reliable if they wanted to throw the villain’s minions off their trail. The minions ability will not allow them to find specific heroes if the heroes exchange Miraculouses and become new heroes. They needed to buy time until Ladybug showed up. That was what Adrien thought as he handed his ring to his partner behind the door.

He shuddered at the thought that if they wanted to betray him and reveal their connection to Hawk Moth, now would be the perfect moment. But they obediently handed him their pendant. Adrien almost thanked them but restrained himself. It was best not to talk too much without the magic of the Miraculouses. After all, Adrien was a famous model and it wasn’t hard to recognize his voice.

He finally looked at the other’s Miraculous and felt a shock. In his fingers lay a very familiar object. He couldn’t help but recognize your pendant. He had looked at it too often since he first noticed it. You were the new hero. Adrien panicked, wondering if you would recognize his ring. You rarely paid close attention to his hands. The hero (it can’t be… it’s you!) knocked on the door and asked him to hurry. Adrien decided to put his inner turmoil aside. The city needed saving right now.

———

The next day, Adrien watches you more closely than ever. You act as usual, which leads him to think that you haven't figured out Chat Noir's identity. A whirlwind of emotions overwhelms him. He's angry that you haven't told him anything. He understands you because he kept his secret the same way. And he's scared. What if one day you can't handle a villain? What if Hawk Moth finds out too? What if all of Paris learns your identity? Adrien starts to have a small panic attack. Nino jumps up and tries to help. Adrien is gasping for breath and can't explain anything.

-------

Adrien sneaks into the empty locker room while you and the class are swimming in the pool. It's one of the rare moments when you take off your pendant. It turns out that not all Miraculouses are as convenient as his ring or Ladybug's earrings. He never thought about how lucky he was before. He quickly finds your locker and breaks into it. The lock is so flimsy that Adrien feels a bit ashamed of how easily he was able to open it. He grabs the pendant and goes to hide it in his bag.

Adrien mentally prepares himself to comfort you. If he lost his Miraculous, he would be horrified. He thinks about what words he could say to console you. Adrien wonders if you would tell him your secret if you had nothing left to lose. He wants this. This will prove your trust in him.

Adrien thinks about what to do with your Miraculous now. He would like to use it sometimes along with his ring. But that would completely ruin your opinion of Chat Noir. Maybe he should bury the Miraculous in the forest or throw it into the sea so that no one could find it.

Now, you don't have to worry about the villains. And Adrien doesn't have to worry about your safety. Protecting Paris is no longer your job. Ladybug and Chat Noir will handle it together.

[drtwit]

Miraculous Ladybug: No More Heroes - Chapter 40

Smoke And Mirrors - Summary:

Adrien deals with the revelation that Lila is Chrysalis, while Alya tries to get answers out of Nathalie. In the present, Marinette has a heart-to-heart with Alec, and tries to interrogate Gabriel about the Supreme.

"Gabriel, be honest. It wasn't Emilie's death that made you a villain, it wasn't the world, and it wasn't the miraculous. It was always you - You were a villain long before you created Hawkmoth." Three years after his death, Gabriel Agreste awakens to a Paris ruled by akumas. He has no idea how he's alive, he has no idea what happened to Paris, all he knows it that he was the one who allowed this to happen. Hunted by the ghosts of his past, with no miraculous to protect him, and his greatest enemy now his only ally, Gabriel must brave this nightmare with Marinette Dupain-Cheng and make a choice: To become the villain he knows he is, or to find a way to become the father he failed to be.

Fandom:

Miraculous Ladybug

Relationships:

Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Gabriel Agreste/Nathalie Sancoeur

Characters:

Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Gabriel Agreste

Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir

Nathalie Sancoeur

Colt Fathom

Lila Rossi

Nino Lahiffe

Chloé Bourgeois

Félix Fathom

Luka Couffaine

Alya Césaire

Max Kanté

Additional Tags:

Gabriel Agreste Redemption

Has a long way to go

Chloé Bourgeois Redemption

Retcons

Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir Needs a Hug

Identity Reveal

Ladybug/Hawkmoth team-up

Gabriel Backstory

Gabriel being an asshole

Protective Nathalie Sancoeur

Félix Fathom Is Bad at Feelings

Lila Rossi Being Lila Rossi

Hurt Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir

Story switches between two major points in time

Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug Needs a Break

[sariahsue]

Wherefore Art Thou My(stery) Lady

When a failed attempt to let Chat Noir down easy ends with Ladybug learning his name, she does what any lovesick teenager would do: teases him mercilessly. (Season 2/3 era.)

Chapter One

It figures, Adrien thought, as Ladybug carried him to safety. It figured it would be a dog-themed akuma. And that it would find the only cat-themed superhero in the city, even though he wasn’t currently transformed. It figured he would have to be rescued, cradled bridal style, and that Ladybug would hug him so tightly that--

Nope. Akuma. Focus on the akuma that was currently tearing through the streets, barking at people until they literally froze in terror, digging holes a hundred feet deep, and probably chasing his own tail. Focus on the lurch in his stomach as they jumped from building to building, the honking of the cars stuck in traffic, the flash of the sun reflecting off skyscraper windows. Focus on anything except for how warm she was, how firmly she held him, how her lips--

Nope, nope, nope. The wind in his hair. Birds chirping in the distance. Anything.

Ladybug bounded gracefully over the Agreste mansion's protective outer wall and landed on the grass, held him for a few seconds longer than was necessary (he noticed with elation), and then carefully set him down. 

“Well,” she said, her smile wide and bright. “Stay safe! I wouldn't want anything to happen to you!” 

Adrien watched her until she was nothing more than a red speck, then raced out through the gate, so he could find somewhere to transform. Ladybug needed her partner.

---

The akuma was easy to defeat, after Ladybug called her Lucky Charm. It was a box of caramel chocolates. No, they didn't feed any to the dog. Caramels made a wonderful, sticky trap when they were all melted together. Who knew? His genius partner, naturally.

Chat Noir picked up the (sadly not heart-shaped, just plain old rectangular) empty box and brought it over to her. “Look at what I fetched for you.”

“Thanks, Dog Noir,” she said, reaching out a hand for it. 

He stuck out his tongue, preparing to toss the red and black box back to her, before realizing he could get one more pun out of it. He held it with both hands and gently placed it into her outstretched palm. He didn't let go until he'd caught her eye and said, in very serious tones, “For you, My Lady. And may I say, you look very fetching.” The box slid out of his hands, and Ladybug's expression morphed into a frown.

Within moments, the victim was back to normal, the holes had been removed from the street, and Ladybug was staring him down. 

“I've told you,” she said.

“You've told me lots of things, Bug. You're going to have to be more specific.” Though he was fairly certain he knew what she wanted to say. Another rejection. 

“You aren't going to win me over.” 

Being prepared didn’t soothe the disappointment. “Would you mind if I kept trying anyway?”

Ladybug's face softened, and her hand went to her earrings as they beeped a warning. Two more minutes. “Thank you for the compliment, but it's not going to work.” She didn't sound exasperated, just sad. “I have to go.”

“See you at patrol later?” he asked as she threw her yoyo. 

“Of course,” she said. “Keep in mind what I said, though.”

How could he not? Chat Noir sighed loudly once she was out of sight. 

He still had three and a half minutes before he transformed back. Enough time to get poor dog-man home before anyone noticed Adrien was missing. 

---

Patrol that night started out more formally than it usually did, and he knew it was due to his earlier declarations. Ladybug kept her distance from him physically and emotionally, only speaking when it was necessary and staying two or three rooftops ahead of him. He wasn’t getting the feeling that she was mad. Her tone was kind. And she always checked to make sure he was keeping up, even stopping to wait when she needed to. 

Maybe she just didn’t want to give him any false hope.

Over the course of the hour, he steadily creeped closer to her. By the time they had reached the Louvre, they were side by side like they normally were. So naturally, Chat Noir let his curiosity get the better of him and asked a question that had plagued him for months. “So what's my rival like?” he asked. “Is he as funny and as handsome as me?”

“How should I know?” she said. “I can hardly see your face.”

Surprised by her sudden teasing, he quickly offered, “I could change that.” Which of course, he realized as soon as the words were out of his mouth, was about the most unhelpful thing he could have said.

Ladybug scoffed and took off, leaving Chat Noir to figure out how to fix his latest mess-up. She didn't seem too averse to answering questions, so maybe all he had to do was try again? 

He stayed level with her, but gave her some space, choosing to run across the rooftops on the other side of the street. Headlights created a glow beneath them, a river of light that cast her in a warm haze. 

After a few minutes of silence, he tried again. “I'm very handsome,” he said, trying to play it off. “Would you believe me if I said I was a superhero by day and a supermodel by night?”

“Pfft. No.” She stopped on a wide balcony and smiled at him. 

He leaned over the edge of the roof to look down at her. “Maybe I just play one on TV then.” 

“Unlikely.” She threw her yoyo and zipped away.

“No, really, what's he look like?” he called after her. “You can tell me that much.” They usually ended their patrol near Collège Françoise Dupont, which was convenient for him. And ever since Alya had discovered the little tidbit about Ladybug's history textbook, he’d started to suspect that the ending location was more than just a convenience for her, too. She probably lived nearby. They landed on the school's roof at the same time, and he thought she would just take off after that question, but for the second time, she surprised him. She sat down and leaned back on the flat top of the building. To the civilians below, only her feet would be visible, dangling over the edge. Chat Noir stayed as close to her as he dared, sitting by her knees, close enough to touch her if he reached, and stared down at the school’s stairs beneath them.

Ladybug chewed her lip like she was thinking. Did that mean she was figuring out her answer? Or was she figuring out how to say no nicely? 

“He looks... a little bit like you,” she said, letting her feet kick against the side of the building. 

“What if he is me?” Chat Noir asked. He hesitated before scooting closer, not wanting to push her. If she ran off again, she'd probably just go home.

“But the chances of you being the same person are really slim.”

“So what does he look like then? White kid? Blonde?”

“Green eyes, too,” she said.

“So he’s probably me.”

“Will you stop?” She held both arms straight up above her and then let them fall wide to either side of her. “There’s thousands of people in Paris that fit that description. He’s not you.”

“You said it yourself. The chances are slim. But that implies there’s still a chance.”

Chat Noir was trying really hard to convince himself that he was just teasing her. There was no way he was lucky enough to really be the guy she liked, but his mind drifted back to earlier that afternoon. The way she had held him when he wasn’t transformed, smiled at him, made sure that he stayed safe. What if the boy she liked was Adrien Agreste? 

What would it be like to walk hand-in-hand with her at school? Or have plans together on the weekend?

It would hurt more to hope if he turned out to be wrong, but he couldn't help himself. She made him hope like nothing and no one else in his life could.

“Would it be bad if we were the same person?” he asked after it was clear she wasn’t going to answer his last comment.

“Not bad,” she said. “Just weird. You’re really different.” 

“I thought you said we were both devilishly handsome, amazing, with perfect comedic timing–” 

Ladybug laughed and shoved him. “Perfect comedic timing? You?”

“As evidenced by your laughter right now.” He gestured to her. She looked over at him from where she was lying down. 

Her smile was glowing, brighter than the cars passing them on the street. Brighter than the moon. “You’re both wonderful people, I’ll give you that. Sometimes dorky, but I’m happy to know both of you.” 

Chat Noir felt his face going hot at the unexpected praise.

“And sure, you look kind of similar. There. Are you satisfied?” 

“We go to the same school,” he blurted out. “What are my chances now?”

“Chat!” She bolted upright to face him, eyes wide. “You can't just give away information like that!”

“I didn't-”

“We go to the same school?” she shrieked.

“I don't know!”

“So what made you say that?”

“Well, I thought maybe–” There was no way out of the mess he’d just created. Ladybug was on her knees, both hands on the roof of his - probably their - school. “I... the textbook?” he finished timidly. Even if that had been a false lead, he’d effectively just told her which school he attended, and he wasn’t sure how she would take it.

“Alya!” Ladybug growled, rubbing the heel of her hand into her forehead. When she faced him again, there was a big red spot. 

“So... you really do go to my school?” he asked, patting a patch of roof next to him. 

“You... you've known this... Alya released that video ages ago. You knew we went to school together, and you haven't come looking for me?”

The fragility in her tone caught him off guard. “Of course not,'' he reassured. “What kind of privacy invader do you take me for? I ought to be offended!” (The irony of the statement wasn’t lost on him.)

Ladybug didn't laugh, just quietly said, “Thank you. We go to the same school. Huh.”

The crisis he’d unintentionally created seemed to have passed. Hope bubbled up again. Most kids their age had crushes on people from school. “My chances?” 

“Are slightly increased, but I'm fairly certain you're two different people. In fact, I'm not even sure we've met at school. I would have remembered meeting someone as loud and obnoxious as you.”

“Unlikely,” he muttered, but it was quiet enough that she hadn't heard him. “So this guy, that may or not be me...”

“He's not you.”

“What do you like about him?” He acted so differently at school. He didn’t think she would recognize him. Would he recognize her description of him? Maybe she would let it slip that the boy she was crushing on was a celebrity or famous or something. 

It was hard to ignore the niggling doubt that said raising his hopes would only hurt more later.

“You really want to do this to yourself?” she asked, echoing his thoughts.

At the very least, he’d learn more about his Lady. What had won her over so soundly? (Maybe he would have a better shot with her if he knew that.)  “Sure.” 

“He's kind,” she said immediately. “He's the type of person who would help someone out even if they hated him. When we first met he went out of his way to apologize to me for something that was my fault. And he has the most amazing amount of patience I've ever seen.” She smiled while Chat Noir frowned. That didn’t sound like him. 

“I mean,” she continued, “he has enough patience to deal with C-- this student that no one likes. And he's just so gentle and sweet and... yeah.” She sighed. “That's why I like him.”

She stared out over the lights of the city, but he was certain that she wasn't seeing a single building. Her face was peaceful and shining. It was a good look for her.

“Even if it turns out he's not me, he sounds like a nice guy.” He wasn't as great as Ladybug described, not nearly as kind or the well of unending patience, though that's what he tried to be like. 

Then again, how many blond, green-eyed, white boys were there in the school? His chances had to be pretty good, didn't they? 

“What makes you think he's not me? The personality difference?”

“I've seen you two in the same place at the same time.”

Chat Noir's heart sank. He shouldn't have gotten his hopes up. He knew he shouldn't have. And yet he had anyway. His ears drooped, and he grabbed his tail and started weaving it through his fingers, just to have something to do. 

“Oh, Kitty.” Ladybug looked over at him. “I'm so sorry.”

“Maybe... maybe you just thought that you--”

“Please don't,” she said. “Please stop doing this.”

“But maybe you just thought--”

“Chat Noir!” 

He turned to face her, slowly, deliberately. “I'm not giving up. If he's not me, I'm going to keep trying to win you away from him until you ask me to stop.”

Ladybug shut her eyes in defeat. “I should.” 

But she didn’t, the hopeful piece of his heart whispered. He really wished it would shut up right now.

“Would it be easier for you if I did?”

“I–” What did he want? He felt at war with himself. Determination to keep going. But giving up might eventually make the pain of rejection stop. 

She was looking at him with so much compassion and caring. The constant declarations annoyed her sometimes. He knew that. But she didn’t hold it against him and still asked if he was okay. Despite everything, he loved her. That was that. “I’d rather be able to express myself. But only if it doesn’t bother you.” 

She shook her head, eyes down. “It’s fine.”

“Who is he?” he asked.

“I already told you, I can't tell you,” Ladybug said. “We can't know anything about each other. It's--”

“Then we can’t know for certain that he’s not me.” It was false hope at this point, but it was the only hope he had, so he clung to it. She'd seen them together. Maybe he had saved this guy’s life.

She stood. “I'm sorry, Chaton.” She zipped away without another word, up and over Marinette’s bakery and out of sight.

Chat Noir didn't feel much like being a superhero right now, but he didn't feel like going home so early either. He slowly climbed down the walls, detransformed, and trudged his way back to the mansion on foot, his hands in his pockets.

---

The next time he saw her was two nights later, their next patrol. She had arrived first, which was unusual, and was pacing at the top of Le Grand Paris, waiting for him. The sting of her rejection had been his companion for the past 48 hours, and it flared up a little when she turned her bright, blue eyes on him.

“Evening, My Lady,” he said, bowing elegantly. “I hope you've--”

“I have an idea.”

Chat Noir was still bent at the waist, and the grandeur of his gesture was broken by his sudden jerk upright. That sounded urgent. “What kind of idea?”

“Uh...” Ladybug didn't usually hesitate like that, and he realized that it probably hadn't been urgency in her voice, just anxiety. Ladybug kept going. “How I can prove you two aren't the same person without revealing anybody's name.”

“Oh.” Stellar way to start a patrol. 

“Here's my plan. So after I went home the other day, I felt bad that you felt bad and then I had to figure something out, so that you could be happy again, and I promise I won't go looking for you.” Her words tumbled and tripped over themselves. “And I thought that it would probably be best if you could just stop thinking the way you were thinking, but no one’s identity will be compromised, and this is kind of dangerous if I’m wrong, but I’m not wrong, so if you don't want to do this it's fine, and of course you couldn't be the same two people, and--”

“Ladybug.” He hadn’t heard her babble like that for at least three months. Whatever her plan was, she was obviously presenting it to him against her better judgment. Her arms curled around herself, like she was terrified. Her hands were tight balls.

“I went through all of last year's yearbook. Are you in there?”

He nodded slowly, uncomprehending. “Yes?”

“I checked everyone, well, all the boys who look like the two of you. There's a bunch of people who match your general description, and none of them have the same initials. And no one has the same first initial as him, so I thought-- you could tell me what your first name starts with, and...”

And she could crush his heart once and for all when it didn’t match. 

Or, his traitorous heart whispered. Or maybe…

“Don't worry about me,” he said, resigned. It was a silly hope. He would just go back to his original plan of winning her over.

Ladybug hugged herself tighter, fists clenched, staring at his shoulder. “Are you sure? Because we don't have to do this.”

He squared his shoulders to brace himself. “A.”

“A?”

He nodded. 

“Your last name?”

“What do you need it for? You said no one else has the same first letter.” She didn't answer, and he couldn't tell if this was a good sign or a bad sign.

“Another A,” he said.

Aside from her fists loosening slightly, she gave no visible reaction, though he thought he heard her breathing pick up a little.

“Ladybug?”

“Ladybug has to go home now,” she whispered.

He blinked. “What about patrol?”

Without so much as a backward glance, she slipped over the side of the hotel. He watched as she skittered away over the rooftops and toward the direction of the school. What was that reaction? It looked bad. Those were bad feelings she was having. Did she leave so she wouldn’t have to hurt him again? Or some other reason?

Chat Noir finished the patrol route on his own, not sure if he should feel hopeful or despairing.

Ch 2

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Author's note: Hello! Welcome to my Big Bang contribution! This story has seven chapters and will update every Saturday! Thank you to @toadashi who did some great artwork for it! To @cardiac-agreste for beta reading. To @jennagrinsoverml, for being so interested in this half-formed story that I eventually finished it. And to @mlbigbang for hosting this event!

Here is the artwork for this fic! :https://www.instagram.com/p/C1l539rowbO/?igsh=cmloaWRyaWVkdThv