#Plus if she let it happen Nathalie would also be taken away and Adrien will truly be alone

[wolflover2426]

Right! I feel like people forget that Marinette had seen some truly traumatic shit when the truth gets revealed to Adrien specifically, like people are forgetting that she’s traumatized by Chat Blanc and how she was trained under Master Fu and his principle is to always keep her secret identity and any secrets of the miraculous to herself. Plus, Ephemeral which was her sign that revealing their identities is still a risk while Hawkmoth was at large.

Also, Marinette was willing to dissolve her relationship with the Girl Squad back in Gang of Secrets because they were close to finding the Miracle Box. The fact she even opened up about her secret to her best friend is HUGE to her.

Plus, Marinette is clearly just so horrified and feels so guilty because she thinks it’s her fault that Gabriel is dead and Adrien is now all alone. The girl clearly struggled with even telling him that his father is now gone and probably wished she could bring him back for him because Marinette is selfless and wants Adrien to be happy.

Marinette clearly had good intentions and she wanted to soften the blow for Adrien because as we’ve seen what happened when Adrien finds out about Hawkmoth two times and both of them ended the world.

"well if I went through a harrowingly traumatic experience that involved being viciously attacked and watching two of my boyfriend's parents die and seeing the corpse of his third, i would feel completely comfortable telling him that his dead dad and extra parent were evil terrorists and also that he's been mind controlled his entire life and his existence is a lie and he's not even human. all on top of breaking the news to him that he’s been orphaned. at age 14"

speak for yourself man i can't even make phone calls

[bellzsad]

i know i’m a little late, but is adrien actually a sentimonster?

i purposely waited until after the episode where kagami and felix explain everything came out in english, so i could fully understand everything and be able to make a better argument.

so, in the episode, it’s said that adrien is presumably a “miracle baby”. usually, this would just be taken as a lucky chance. then when amelie was struggling to have a baby, gabriel gives felix’s father the peacock miraculous. and later, felix says something along the lines of “the boy met someone who was the same” or something, referring to his relationship with kagami.

so, felix is confirmed a sentimonster. kagami is, most likely, a sentimonster. this would explain why kagamis mother is so calm about gabriel being monarch, like she’s known about the miraculous all along.

but then, we’re brought to adrien. is he really a sentimonster?

adrien and felix are identical, though they are cousins. is that a coincidence? i think not. if adrien is a sentimonster, then this would make sense, because felix’s father would need to make felix a sentimonster of something. plus, the amoks were in the twin rings.

this brings me to the second piece of evidence: the twin rings. felix stole the twin ring (emilie, not gabriel’s) for his mom, who then wanted him to have it. this would make sense, bc amelie would want felix to be free. if he had his own amok, then he couldn’t be controlled. and ofc, he wasn’t being controlled when the rings were passed on to the agrestes, bc emilie was wearing felix’s.

but, this also makes me confused: if felix’s amok was in the ring, then why did he give it back to gabriel when he exchanged it for the peacock miraculous?

but then, i asked myself: “remember when nathalie was given one of the rings?”

ah, yes. in season five, or maybe earlier, i have no fucking clue, gabriel gave nathalie one of the two twin rings that he now possessed. i’m assuming that this was emilies ring (so felix’s amok, i guess..), bc gabriel would still want to control adrien himself. but, later in the season, gabe takes it away from nathalie, saying she’s basically giving opposite commands to adrien and betraying him. so, does that mean adrien is also connected to the other ring? to both rings? yes.

they are the twin rings, after all. what happens to one happens to the other. but i’m still confused. how is felix not being controlled by the rings, if adrien still is? gabriel and nathalie could easily make felix their toy, but they somehow don’t. maybe it’s just a plot hole, but something is not right.

honestly, i have no idea. someone PLEASE express their opinions and ideas in the comments/reblogs because i have no idea what is true and what’s not.

also i’m too lazy to reread this so if something doesn’t make sense let me know!!

[cornholio4]

Hawk Moth: War Criminal

@nobodyfamousposts

It had been the final battle between the Miraculous heroes and Hawk Moth and Mayura but Ladybug led the charge and had won the battle and ultimately the war. There were also Hawk Moth's willing accomplices besides Mayura in Chloe Bourgeois and Lila Rossi, neither of them liked eachother but had to work together in their association with Hawk Moth and hatred of Ladybug.

Ladybug when the police and reporters arrived made a show of removing the Miraculous from both Hawk Moth and Mayura revealing them to be Gabriel Agreste and Nathalie Sancoeur; she also pulled Lila and Chloe who had their Sentimonster and Akuma powers removed to the police and gave the hard drive with the video footage that she had collected of both Chloe and Lila not only willingly accepting Akumas but directly starting to talk to Hawk Moth; Lila gleefully talking about bringing down Ladybug and Chloe demanding when he can get her Bee Miraculous back to her. They were both taken into custody.

Gabriel was furious at having been caught and defeated and especially when his manor was raided with his lair found and the garden with Emilie being kept her, she was taken to a hospital and he swore that if something happened to her then there would be hell to pay. He had to deal with the story being everywhere in France now and he knew that everyone was vilifying him. He and Nathalie working on their defence and discussing with his legal team who were frightened and not certain but he was confident, he could have major charges dismissed without evidence since of course Ladybug fixed the damage done with her Miraculous Ladybug and of course she wouldn't hand over the Moth and Peacock Miraculous to be used as evidence. He would have to work to get around any child endangerment charges since most of his targets were young and would have to work hard to get his fashion company to recover.

Lila had to have her ambassador mother visit her and be furious with her especially when she found out what her daughter had been up to and was telling her that she had to face the consequences for her horrible actions especially with the slander and harassment charges that were being filled. Mayor Andre Bourgeois was working hard with his own legal team and talking to various law officials to have the charges lessened if not outright dismissed against Chloe since she was led astray by a villain, but it was not being easy as when interviewed by the police and reporters her classmates were not shy of talking about her usual bad behaviour and using her father's money and connections to escape consequences.

Gabriel was growing furious at his letters and calls to Adrien continuing to be left unanswered and he was not speaking to reporters at the time, Adrien would have to be talked to and given a scolding once he was let out and told of why he had to do all this.

In the holding cells Gabriel and Nathalie were watching the mayor trying to cut something with some legal officials and the officers to get Chloe out on bail and house arrest but then in came in several officers from Interpol from their shock. The lead officer told them that they were on behalf of the United Nations for the war criminals with a signed document from the French president allowing it.

They were stunned as they were being arrested for war criminals and the lead officer was more than happy to answer their demands to explain by reminding them of New York and how thanks to Hawk Moth not only almost caused the entire world to be destroyed but almost started World War III. Gabriel and Nathalie had their mouths wide open in horror as the realisation hit upon them, they never even considered the ramifications for that scheme if they had failed their crusade in the end and had to face the consequences.

They were being led away with Lila and Chloe off to a juvenile holding facility as the Mayor was left spluttering not sure what to do now that the case was now beyond his jurisdiction and authority.

Gabriel only got more bad news as his legal team pointed out that his defence that lack of lasting damage holds less weight thanks to their Sentimonster's collateral damage not having been fixed by Ladybug because she had to stop him in New York and thanks to all their Superheroes; the US law had undergo procedures in their law to prosecute Supervillains when the evidence involved power sources too dangerous to be left as evidence and had to be locked away or kept safe so he had to deal with that.

Chloe had to watch on the news that her classmates badmouthing her but even Adrien had enough and says that he couldn't call her his friend anymore and that he had cut her more slack than he should have. She watched as even Sabrina denounced her and say that she hopes to start over with much better friends and was furious to see Marinette smiling at her, having come to support her as she makes her statement. She was also having trouble grasping that her father couldn't bail her out of this. Lila was furious at the badmouthing as well and didn't care that her mother could be losing her job as ambassador over this.

Andre Bourgeois was too busy trying to move heaven and earth to try and save her daughter that he was caught by surprise when he had to be called for a an impeachment hearing over not only his actions while in office but also how much he abused his power to appease his daughter. He was not only impeached but had to deal with his Hotel losing business and stock with the staff on strike and big VIPs now blacklisting his hotel.

Gabriel had to look at reports of his own company losing stock and the board of directors ousting him from the company, then he watched as Adrien finally mustered enough courage to speak publicly about the case against Gabriel and Nathalie. his bodyguard was now hired by his aunt Amelie who was now Adrien's guardian and Adrien would be moving in with her and Felix. Gabriel was open mouthed as Adrien said that he was talking to his aunt about having his surname legally changed to Graham De Vanily, when asked about his father he was quick to scowl and state 'what father?' Gabriel raged at his ungrateful son.

Then the court came and for being accomplices to war criminals Lila and Chloe would be sentenced to juvenile centres and to be moved to prisons when they were old enough, they spluttered denials about helping Hawk Moth with his plan when in New York with their class during the time but couldn't get any evidence against it especially since they were working for him at the time though thankfully for them there wasn’t evidence for it.

Gabriel's defence about saving his wife was met with little sympathy due to everything that he had pulled while as Hawk Moth and he and Nathalie were both sentenced to life in prison. Gabriel was escorted to his cell wondering how it could all go so wrong...

Author’s Note: This came about since when I saw the New York Special I couldn't help but think when Hawk Moth is defeated then he can't have a happy ending and should be facing serious charges since this scheme I was sure counted as war crimes. Plus sorry to those that say otherwise but I refuse to relent on Chloe salt.On TV tropes under Reality Ensues for Ladybug fanworks I saw one example of a story which pointed out how Hawk Moth's case may have problems without the Miraculous there to be used as evidence and the collateral damage being fixed by Ladybug. I had taken that into account here.

[unmaskedagain]

Five boys the Batfamily scared off (And the one boy who helped Marinette get revenge on them all)

This is actually based off a prompt/ask I got by #vixen-Uchiha

Okay, believe it or not, I’ve in history of all my days writing fanfiction (I just turned 27 and have been writing since I was sixteen); I started when Twilight was still at the height of its popularity. (All that work has been deleted, burned, and doused with holy water; don’t ask questions) But even with almost a decade of writing fanfiction, I never even considered approaching this fanfiction classic.

Until now.

Wish me luck. And don’t judge me too harshly.

Note this was also inspired by a poem I loved called To the Boys Who May One Day Date My Daughter by Jesse Parent

 Marinette always knew Tom was her step-father. Sabine and he married when she was three after all. And while she considered the great cuddly bear to be her dad, she still had a great relationship with her actual father: Bruce Wayne. And all her brothers and Sister.  She spent every summer with them and every other Christmas in Gotham. She loved her family. She just wished they take a chill pill.

And stop scaring away her freaking boyfriends.

Lê Chiến Kim: The Boy who swears Marinette’s related to the Boogieman

           If anyone asked Marinette now if she would ever date Kim, she’d have died of laughter. Kim was like a goofy cousin. They were great friends. Their moms were best friends. She just didn’t see him like that.

           However, it wouldn’t have been so funny to six-year-old Marinette who ran from school with a Daisy in her hair and a big smile her face.

“Daddy, Daddy,” She’d squeal to her Papa later that day. She barely noticed he was still wearing bat uniform, except the mask. Or all her brothers were with him.

“Hey Sunshine,” Bruce smiled lovingly at his youngest daughter. “You have a good day at school.”

“Give ‘em hell, firecracker,” Jason called from the background.

           Tim and Dick laughed. Bruce just shook his head amused.

“I got a boyfriend!”    

           Silence.

           That day would forever be known as the day all the smiles died. Seven-year-old Damian just blinked in confusion. He didn’t know what had happened but he knew it was bad. And that it involved his sister. Was she in danger? Did she need help?

           Before Bruce could process or respond to his precious, baby girl, who was way too young to date (And what the hell was Sabine thinking?). Dick literally pushed him out of his chair like it was nothing. “What’s his name? Who are his parents? Where does he live? And where can I find him right now?”

           Marinette, being too young didn’t notice the threat in her eldest brother’s voice and the look of murder in his eyes, had no problem telling Dick all about her best friend Kim, who was super nice, and gave her a Daisy, and kissed her cheek.

           When the call ended, Bruce brought up the picture of the boy in question. A nice-enough looking boy to most, but he knew the truth. He knew the evil in his heart.

I have been waiting for you, Bruce thought, not just to Kim but to all the boys who would day date his daughter, since before she was even born. Before you took your first steps, I was preparing to make it so you’d never walk again.

           However, Kim was still just a child. He needed a kinder touch. He looked back at his children: Dick, Jason, Cassandra, Tim, and Damian, and made his choice.

           When Dick showed up to walk her to the school the next day, Marinette didn’t think to question how her brother got from Gotham to Paris so quick. (Cough, misuse of Zeta beam). Or why he was dressed in all black with a scary biker jacket on. She just shrugged and let him help her tie her shoes and carry her bright pink, hello kitty, and backpack.

           He held her hand the entire way to school, where Kim and his dad were waiting by the doors. Kim had another daisy in his hand that he gave to Marinette.

“This is Dick,” Marinette introduced her brother. “My biggest brother. This is Kim, my boyfriend,” Kim preened. “Look, Dick, Kim got me another daisy.”

           Dick beamed at his sweet little sister, “I see. Hey! Isn’t that you’re friend Rose? Why don’t you go show her?”

“Okay!” And she ran off.

           As soon as she was gone, Dick’s smile quickly disappeared and he glared at the little Casanova, and his father, who felt like someone had just walked over his grave.

“My sister is a little young for a serious boyfriend,” Dick hissed. “Don’t you think? Don’t want her to grow up too fast, right?” The two could only nod in fear. “Good. Don’t hurt her. Don’t make her cry. Because I’d hate to have to have another talk with you, Chiến. It might not go as… nicely.” And with that, he left to go find his sister, leaving two terrified people in in wake.

           That conversation would be the reason Kim broke up with Marinette over recess but to the girl’s dismay and why the boy wouldn’t allowed to date for another ten years.

           Looking back Kim would swear darkness and shadows started to fill the schoolyard. That Marinette’s older brother’s voice got deeper and his eyes turned completely black. He had been a living nightmare, one that would haunt his dreams for years.

Marinette wouldn’t get another boyfriend for years.

 Chat Noir aka Adrien Agreste; The Boy who just didn’t want to Get Neutered

           Marinette never considered Adrien or Chat Noir her boyfriend. He had been her best friend, her partner, and for a long time, her crush. However, before Marinette found out who was behind the mask, and he earned the title of her best friend in the whole world.

Chat Noir had the title of Guy who can’t take a hint.

           They had been just thirteen at the time. Chat had been spending for more and more time flirting with Ladybug and joking around then actually taking the fight seriously. And when he wouldn’t get the response he wanted from his Lady, he’d pout or throw a tantrum and storm off. It had been getting to be a real hassle. And as much as she liked Chat, she had been seriously considering Master Fu’s offer of getting her a permanent partner to replace him.

           Then one day if all change. All the silly behavior, most of it anyway, and the constant flirting all stopped and never started back up. It would take Marinette months to find out why.

           Unbeknownst to Marinette, her Papa, Bruce had been keeping a watchful eye on the deteriorating situation. The flirting, his daughter’s frustration, the lack of care. It had to be stopped. Chat Noir had a few lessons to learn.

           Bruce glared harshly at the image of the cat-themed Superhero. He was proving to be a useless partner for Ladybug. And a prime example for a sexual harassment claim. “You’re sure you can handle this,” He asked son.

           Damian scoffed, “I will teach that alley cat the true meaning of fear.”

“Go.”

           When his son was gone and Bruce was once again alone in the Batcave, he smirked darkly at Chat Noir and all other boys who would come and go. “When you were still playing war in the school yard, I was perfecting headshots. You can’t catch up at this point.”

           One night, after a particularly hazardous fight with an Akuma, Chat Noir had been running home when suddenly everything went dark.

           He woke up, tied upside down, and gagged. For a few moments he thought Hawkmoth had finally gotten, wondered if this was the end.

           When a sword pressed against his throat, and a chilling voice whispered in his ear, “Care to find out just how many lives you really have, fleabag?”

           At the moment, Chat Noir no longer wondered if it was the end. He knew it was.

           A boy, Robin, he realized glared fiercely at him.

“I should kill you,” Robin sneered. “I should rip you limb from limb and leave your head mounted on a spike to show the next fool who thought he was worthy of my sister’s hand. Ladybug is too good for the likes of scum like you.”

           Chat Noir gulped. Sister? Ladybug was Robin’s sister. Adrien’s eyes widened, that meant Ladybug was Batman daughter. He was going to die. He was just going to disappear and his father, or most likely Nathalie, wouldn’t even notice until he failed to show up for his next appointment.

Gorilla would notice though, Adrien thought, he’d miss me.

           Robin pressed the tip of the sword to Adrien’s face until blood was drawn. “You will cease your incessant flirting with my sister. You will train harder for your battles. And you never, ever, leave Ladybug to fight alone again. Am I clear?”

           Adrien nodded his head earnestly. He’d never flirt with anyone again, he swore. He wouldn’t even celebrate Valentine’s Day. Or anything.

“And if for some miracle,” Robin hissed, “My sister deems you suitable to date, you will treat her will respect. You will never touch her without permission. And if you hurt her, Consider my genes a mark of Cain; you will suffer seven times whatever you do to her.”

           Chat Noir whimpered.

           A smoke bomb later. Chat Noir’s bonds were released and Robin was gone.

           It took a long time for him to stop shaking.

           He never flirted with Ladybug again. He worked harder and became the partner she deserved.

           And when Adrien discovered Marinette was behind Ladybug’s mask, he only managed to stumble a little.

           However, when Marinette told him that her brothers was coming for a visit; she couldn’t understand why he paled and stuttered out excuses for photoshoot he never mentioned before in far, far away countries. That same day, Adrien had his father taken them to Australia for vacation under the threat of Adrien dying his hair pink. He wouldn’t return for a month.

Jon Kent: The Boy who, in retrospect, really should’ve known better.

           Marinette’s first real boyfriend was the son of her father’s best friend, Clark Kent, otherwise known as Superman.  She had been only fourteen and it had been a summer romance while she stayed in Gotham. She had thought Jon was perfect; handsome, kind, funny…

           Invulnerable to most weapons and had amazing healing factor.

           Plus it’s not like her papa would kill the son of his best friend, right?

           Right.

           It had all been going great… until it wasn’t.

“I welcome you in my home,” Bruce hissed at the picture of Jon Kent on the bat computer. “I trained you. I trusted you. And you betrayed me.”

“Let me speak with him, father,” Damian demanded. “He is my friend. He will listen to me.”

           Bruce shook his head, “That’s why I can’t send you. You’re too close to the situation. He snuck past all our defense. Now I have no choice but to do same. J?”

           The Asian girl smirked, “Little Superboy will know dread.”

           Jon had been visiting the fortress of Solitude when… it happened.

           Before that day he had never dreamed the place would be anything less than safe, anything other than secure.

           His dad had just flown off to help someone in Brazil. Jon waited patiently for him to come back while he dreamed of his beautiful new girlfriend. Marinette was amazing, perfect, and the nicest, sweetest girl ever.

           When suddenly he felt a tickle in his throat, and he tried his best to clear it but it just got worse and worse. Until Jonathan Samuel Kent, Superboy (now that Connor was going as Krypton), fell to his knees as he struggled to breath.

           No matter what he did, the more breaths he took, the worse he felt. It was like his lungs were on fire.

“Do not struggle,” A voice said. Jon looked up see Blackbat, Cassandra, standing above him. How did she get into the fortress? Not only could only a Kryptonian open the doors but only a member of El could be let in. It was impossible. “Struggling makes it worse.”

           Jon coughed, “What?”

“The air,” Cassandra waved her hand around. “It is filled with dust. Green dust of Kryptonite. It has disable you and your powers. It’s concentrated. You will not die. The alerts of the fortress were disabled. No one is coming to help you, villain.”

           Jon shook his head frantically. He wasn’t a villain. He wasn’t a bad guy. This had to be some mistake.

“No, not villain,” Cassandra corrected. “Not yet. A thief who thought he could earn my family’s trust and then steal away our most precious jewel; our princess. And do it without consequences. I am here to teach you better.”

           Superboy flinched at her words.

“You will not pressure my sister,” Cassandra hissed. “You will be the gentleman we believed you to be. If you cheat on her, I will ensure you never have children. If you strike her, I will know. She will not keep your secret. You can’t make fire feel afraid. And I will come for you. Do you understand?”

Jon nodded, fear in clear in his eyes.

“Good.” She leaned forward, right into the young superhero’s face. “Some say you and your father, your cousin Kara, and Connor, are invincible. That you can’t be stopped. That you are gods among us.” She scoffed. “Let me make this, if you break my sisters’ heart, you will learn, boy of steel, that even gods bleed.”

           And then she was gone, and with her all traces of kryptonite. It didn’t stop the chill that filled Jon to the core.

           It was to no one’s surprise when Superman showed up at the Batcave not long after. “Bruce,” Clark asked with his arms out. “What the fuck?”

           Marinette’s relationship soured when suddenly Jon was too scared to hold her hand, her be alone with her, or kiss her. She got the hint that he just wanted to be friends and broke it.

           She found out a year later what really happened.

Luka Couffaine: The Boy who decided he didn’t want to sing his tune yet.

           Luka had been Marinette’s first serious boyfriend. She was sixteen. They had been together for months and were getting to the ‘I love you’ stage.

           He was cool. He was funny. He was a budding Rock star. He had dyed green hair, tattoos and earrings. Luka went onto tour with his band every summer. He was older than Marinette by two years. He had quite a few previous girlfriends. And he hadn’t been scared off by the normal attempts by his other kids.

           In other words, he was Bruce Wayne’s worst nightmare.

           And the nightmare got worse, when for the first time ever, Marinette was bringing a boyfriend home for Christmas. It was all the confirmation he needed that the things were serious.

           It was why he knew he had to send the greatest soldier he had. Luka Couffaine would rue the day he decided it was good idea to ask his princess out. “Are you ready?”

           Tim nodded. “I’ve done my research,” he declared. “I know what makes him to tick. I. Will. Break. Him.”

“Excellent,” He drawled out the word like it he tasting fine wine. Not caring at all that he sounded like a superman.

“You really think he’s a threat, dad?” Tim asked. “Because I can take care of it. I can have him eliminated. Ra's al ghul owes me a favor. It’ll look like an accident,” He promised. “It’ll look like he just… disappeared.”

A sense of pride filled Bruce. Tim was his most capable and resourceful soldier. He would make a great batman. Any of his kids would.

Batman stared the picture of the boy on his phone as he fought the urge to crush it in his hands. “No,” he finally answered. “I’ve known plenty of rock stars and so called bad boys in my day.  Angel’s smart,” he said using Marinette’s codename. “I have been routing out indifference apathy from her life, her childhood was filled with love and affection. There are no daddy issue for his teenage talons to latch upon. Just… make sure he understands who he is dealing with.”

“Understood.” And then call ended.

           He looked up and saw all the other Justice League members staring at him with expressions of awe, fear, and confusion.

“…Marinette’s got a new boyfriend, huh?��� Diana asked when the call disconnected. Amusement in her tone, she knew Bruce would never seriously hurt a kid.

“Poor guy,” Barry said with a shake of his head.

           Clark pinched his nose, “You can’t keep scaring guys away from her forever. Eventually, she’s going to find one who isn’t afraid of you.”

“And then she’ll marry him out of spite,” Dinah added.

           There were snorts from the other league members.

“Like that’ll ever happen,” Oliver said with a shake of his head. “That kid would have to be the biggest moron in the universe. I’ll pity his family.”

           Marinette had constantly warned Luka about how overprotective her family was. Luka hadn’t thought much of it. He dealt with overprotective fathers and brothers before. Eventually they grudging begin to like him. Or realize that if they actively hated him, it would just make the girl get attached.

           He was excited for Christmas, excited to prove himself to the girl of his dreams, and impress her by dealing with her entire family. Luka didn’t understand why Adrien looked so afraid when he told him. Or why he asked what type of flowers he liked.

“For the funeral,” Adrien shrugged. “I need to know what to buy.”

           Luka had laughed, thinking the blond was joking. He had already met a two of her brothers; Dick and Damian. They had been growls and threats but nothing he couldn’t handle. But Adrien didn’t laugh. He just shook his head and promised he’d be there for Juleka. Luka thought he was overreacting.

           However, nothing. NOTHING. Could have prepared Luka for the first time he met Tim.

           Luka had been walking home with Kagami, his long-time friend and one-time rival for Marinette’s affection. It was board daylight, there were tons of people around, and then they had made the apparent mistake of walking by an alley, when suddenly they were pulled into the back of a van, hoods thrown over their heads, and their hands bounds.

           He didn’t know how much time had passed. Or where they were being taken. All he saw was darkness. All he felt was fear. Was this how died?

           When the hoods were finally removed, the two teenagers found themselves in what looked to be a deserted warehouse, bound to their chairs, with a teenage boy not much older than they sitting across from them, looking absurdly comfortable given the situation.

My name is Timothy Drake-Wayne. I am Marinette’s older brother,” He said. “Let me make something clear before we begin. The last hour never happened. This conversation never happened. We never met. And if you say otherwise,” Tim’s eyes narrowed.  “No one will believe you. I was just by dozens of witnesses in Mexico with my boyfriend less than two hours ago. But if you do tell anyone, there will be consequences. Do you understand?”

           They nodded not daring to say a word.

“Luka, Luka, Luka.” Tim smiled an eerie grin that should look more at home on the monsters from Horror movies, and not on such a handsome face. “I hear you’ll be visiting us over the holidays. Must be so exciting for you, meeting your girlfriend’s family. Are you excited, Luka?”

           Luka swallowed hard. He never thought he’d hate the way his own name sounded. “I was- I mean I am. I am.”

“Good,” Tim said. “I just wanted to offer you a bit of advice. So you can know to expect. You see it call all be a bit… daunting to newcomers. Some people don’t understand the Wayne family’s unique tastes. Okay?”

           He nodded.

           Tim still smiled. In fact he never lost his smile the entire time. Yet his eyes were empty like there was no real life in them. “When you first come to my home, you will see the bone carving over the doorway. It will be hard, but try not to imagine your own femurs so expertly carved.”

           At this Kagami’s eyes widened. She had done her best to remain calm but somethings were too much.

           Tim smile widened, “There are one or two rooms you will not be allowed in. However, accidents happen and we understand. But we do ask that you pay no attention to our… ample crawl space. Or the smells that can sometime come from it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Luka stuttered. “Sure, no problem. Man.”

“Try not to go into Father’s playroom,” Tim continued on. “It will be easy to spot. It’s mostly empty, apart from a rubber mat and a drain. He gets so testy when stranger go in there. You’ll hear strange noise from time to time but just ignore them. That is just father… playing.”

           The green-haired boy just stared. Because what the fuck.

“Just follow that advice, and you should be fine,” Tim promised. “Though you are a pretty one.  You both are. And we like pretty ones. Oh the things we do to pretty ones”

Luka whimpered. Kagami felt tears build in her eyes.

           Tim laughed, “Now, now, none of that,” He said channeling his inner Brucie. “We’re not going to hurt. We’d never hurt Marinette’s friends.” He promised. “We would hurt people who hurt Marinette because people who hurt Marinette are not her friends.”

           Red Robin looked over the two, “What I’m trying to say is. Break my sister’s heart, and we will kill you. I will kill you. You won’t see if coming. You won’t know we’re there. And if you’re lucky, you might not even feel it. Clear?” They nodded. “Excellent. Now you’re going to leave the same way you came. Remember not a word.” He smiled got even bigger.

           They felt hands on their shoulders.

“Oh and Kagami,” Tim’s voice rang. “Should romantic feelings spring to life between you and Marinette again, just know our sister Cassandra is much scarier than I. And a much better shot.”

           Then the black hoods and complete darkness came gain.

           When they were finally let go, in the exact same place they had been taken, neither Luka nor Kagami spoke for what seemed like forever. Their minds still wrapping around what had just taken place. However, it was Kagami who finally broke the quiet.

“Well, it appears I dodge a bullet, huh,” She shrugged, her face not betraying the fear she still felt. “Sucks for you. I’m going to go propose to Chloe. I know can I take her mom in a fight. And that she’s not a serial killer.” Kagami then gave him a grave look. “Happy holiday, Luka. I’ll send best flowers to your funeral.” And the she was gone, literally fleeing down the crowded street, leaving Luka alone with his thoughts and sense of his impending doom.

           He broke up with Marinette an hour later.

           It would take weeks before he would willingly be in a room with her again.

Kaldur'ahm: The Boy who regretted ever walking on land.

           Marinette had met her next boyfriend through her brother Tim. Ironic, considering she had just found out what he did to Luka. She had gone in for some extra training with the Black Canary when she spotted him. Kaldur; aqualad. Marinette had never talked too much with him before but found he was a very calm person and level-headed. A good leader, no matter how much Tim complained.

           They had spared together one day. And another. And Another. Then he asked her out. It was sweet… While it lasted. And it didn’t last long.

           Batman had looked at Kaldur’s picture, scoffed, and said, “Jason?”

           The sound of a gun clocking was heard, “Little Mermaids going down.”

           Unlike his brothers, Redhood had no time for mind games. He went for the quickest route.

           Aquaman burst into room where the justice league meeting was, “He shot Kaldur,” He roared to Batman. “The Red Hood shot Aqualad!”

           Bruce didn’t bat an eye, “Is he alive?”

“Yes,” The King of the seas said quickly. “But that’s not point.”

“Seems like it is,” Bruce said and went on with the meeting leaving a stuttering, red-faced Aquaman still standing there.

It was to one’s surprise when Kaldur dumped Marinette and was gone. Disappeared to the safety of Atlantis. And when he came back, Marinette was barred from Young Justice Headquarters.

It was on that day, that Marinette Dupain-Cheng-Wayne decided enough was enough.

 Roy Harper-Queen: The Boy who should start making better life choices

           It was weird to say but Marinette met the boy who would turn out to be the love of her life when she was ten-years-old. And then sometime after her eighteenth birthday, she would team up with his clone to go rescue him. They became friends, went on missions together. It was a year later that he asked her out.

           Roy was pissed at the world, ready to die for anything if it meant he’d went fight, had a rude mouth, feared nothing and no one, and didn’t play by anyone’s rule but his own. In other words, he was perfect.

           Marinette just never meant to fall in love. She certainly didn’t expect to say yes when proposed.

           They had been keeping their relationship a secret from both their families for over two years. They were happy together. They loved each other.

           But more importantly, they could plot revenge together.

           And revenge was sweet.

           It all played out during a Justice League meeting. Roy, Red Arrow, and Ladybug had been full members for quite some time. The meeting was just about to close, when Roy stood up, “I have an announcement to make,” He said. “Red Arrow will be withdrawing from missions for the perceivable future. As will Ladybug,” He looked at Marinette who nodded firmly.

“What’s going on, Roy?” Oliver asked his once wayward son, with a frown.

           Batman eyed them suspiciously. As did the other members of the batfamily, all were present. Apart from Alfred because Marinette liked Alfred.

           Wonder Woman frowned, “Are you going solo again, I thought you were happy.”

“We’re fine. We’re very happy,” Roy said slowly before taking a deep breath and doing the bravest thing he ever would in his entire life. “Ladybug’s pregnant and I’m the father.”

           A few seconds passed before the words were processed in the Superheroes mind.

           Bruce’s eyes widened, his mind stopped working, and then a snarl ripped form his throat as he moved to attack. The batkids joining him.

“Alpha Code Angelbug” Flash shouted.

           That was all the other league need to go into defensive positions around Roy, against the batfamily. Marinette remained where she was with glee in her eyes. Superman stood in front of Roy, blocking him from view and potential danger.

           The Flash, Cyborg, Black Canary, Wonder Woman, and the Green Arrow stood in front of them. Oliver aimed at arrow at Batman, “Don’t move!” He yelled. “Don’t you dare move, Bruce. I’ll do it. Roy’s my son. And I won’t let you hurt him.”

           Batman growled, “He. I. My daughter!”

“Get Roy out of here, Superman,” Wonder Woman ordered. “We’ll hold him off but we can’t do it for long.” She stepped towards Bruce. “Marinette’s a grown woman. She makes her own choices.”

           Dick shook his head, anger clear on his face, “Dude, you were my friend.”

           Damian snarled, “Harper’s a sneak and a coward.”

“No honor,” Cassandra agreed.

           Jason just looked at his best friend, “I love you…. But you’re dead.”

           Tim just growled.

“No one’s dead or dying,” Marinette said as got up. “Because I’m not pregnant,” She said loudly, drawing everyone’s attention. She walked to her boyfriend and pulled him out from behind his shield. “But Roy and I have been dating for almost three years. And we’re getting married. You can be happy for us. Or I can never talk to you again.”

           Roy grinned, “Pops,” he said to Oliver, whose face was torn between relief and fury at it was prank. “We thought you and Bruce could be the main wedding planners. With the rest of the Queens and Waynes helping out; you know now that we’re going to be family. ”

           With that the two lovebird left the room, leaving the chaos they had created.

           Silence filled the room as Batman and Green Arrow stared at the other.

           Oliver gulped. He let out a breathy chuckle, “So I think a wedding in Star City would be great. Lots of Lilies. The Queen family loves lilies.”

           Batman’s eyes narrowed, “Gotham, roses.”

           Black Canary crossed her arms, “Star City would be safer.”

“Gotham is far more beautiful,” Tim snapped back.

           And just like that, battle lines were drawn. Justice League members’ face turned weary.

           Whether they knew it or not, that was Marinette and Roy’s last act of revenge.

           Forget Batman vs Superman.

           Try Bruce Wayne versus Oliver Queen: billionaire against billionaire, father against father. Elsewhere, thousands of journalist, photographers, florists, and caterers trembled and they didn’t know why.

[vgckwb]

ML: Isolation Chapter 27: Figuring Things Out

The next day as Adrien was walking into school, he noticed Max and Kim talking. Both of them seemed really excited. “Hey guys,” Adrien said, walking up to them. “What’s up?”

They were both confused. “Should we tell him?” Kim asked.

“Tell me what?” Adrien inquired.

Max gave Kim a look, and Kim glanced off. Max turned his attention back to Adrien. “It’s not that we don’t wish to tell you, it’s just kind of a surprise.”

“Ugh, what is it with everyone and surprises?” Adrien asked. “You, M- My girlfriend…”

“Wait, you’re dating someone?” Max asked.

“Yeah,” Kim said. Adrien glared daggers at Kim. Kim retreated on what he was going to say and instead told Max “Ondine and I ran into them.”

“I see,” Max said, curious. “Well, I’d love to meet her someday.” Adrien smiled, cautious to not say anything. “But I guess I’ll leave you with this. Our secret also involves meeting someone too.”

“Hopefully” Kim clarified.

“Even if things don't go ideally,” Max continued, “you should meet them by the end of the week.”

“But, um, if, um,” Kim tried asking without giving stuff away.

Max sighed. “We’ll come to them if they don’t come to us.”

“Gotcha. Great!” Kim said.

Adrien smiled. If this is what I think it is, I’m excited. “Well, that sounds wonderful.” The first bell rang. “We should get to class.” They all nodded and headed over together.

Throughout the day, Adrien skimmed through Noir Notes just to get a sense of what Alya was like at her most focused. He needed to be prepared as much as he could to make sure nothing got out. Everything on it was thorough, and well investigated to the degree that it could be.

Once school was over, he was about to message Marinette, when Alya approached him. “Hey” she said, capturing his attention. “I’m going around interviewing people about Cat Noir for Noir Notes. Wanna answer a few questions?”

Adrien smiled. “As much as I’d love to, I’m a bit busy right now. Perhaps some other time though.”

Alya was disappointed, but understood. “Alright, but I’m going to hold ya to that.” She walked off waving.

Adrien waved back. He then got out his phone and messaged Marinette. “Hey. I’m going to try and meet Alya this afternoon. Do you have any pointers?” No response. “Marinette?”

“Ah, sorry” she finally responded. “I’m...still trying to work things through about school people...and Alya in particular…”

“I see… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault. Alya was my best friend for a while. So, it hurt that much harder when she turned on me. So, when you asked me about Alya...I feel like I should know everything, but I feel like I know nothing…”

“I’m sorry. That sucks. I promise we can work things out once this is all sorted.”

“...Promise me you won’t get mad…”

“What?”

“Well, I’ve sometimes thought ‘Do I need these people to be my friends again?’ Like, I cared for them, and was there for them, and we had some good times, but if it all ended like that...well...do I want people like that?”

“Huh.”

“But...After thinking about it, I might be willing to give them a second chance.”

“What made you change your mind?”

“Well, in a word: You.” Adrien was surprised. “When you exploded on your parents, you allowed them to explain what happened. You gave them a second chance even if you felt like they might not have deserved it. Plus, I got an apology from Alix yesterday, and I kind of feel like you had something to do with it.”

“Well, she wanted to do something, I just pointed her in that direction.”

Marinette giggled on the other end. “That’s Alix for you. She’s incredibly headstrong, but she needs a bit of direction. Which does lead me to the other reason I might give them another chance. With things like that apology, or some of the stuff you’ve told me, I’m starting to see that underneath all of Lila’s lies and deceptions, they ARE the same people I became friends with. But until recently, I’ve been failing to see that. I guess as convinced as they were that I was a monster, I was convinced they were.”

“Marinette… Well, you know you’ll always have me.”

“Thanks.”

“So, are you ready to talk about Alya, or should I go in as I am now?”

“Hmmm. Well, we wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise. So, I guess the biggest thing you should know about Alya is that sometimes, she can be a little overconfident. She’s really passionate, and fun to be around…”

“...It’s OK. I’m here.”

“Thanks. But sometimes, she gets an idea and can never let it go until she figures it out one way or another. I think that’s as much as I can say on what to look for.”

“Well, that certainly helps.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Besides, I’m her friend too. While I can’t say I know her as much as, well, anyone else in class, I’m no fool. Well, I’m a fool for you, m’lady.”

“Dork.”

“Aw, I thought that was charming.”

“It was. But it was also dorky.”

“Mmmmm.”

“But you’re my dork. And I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“You should probably go meet with Alya now.”

“Oh, right. Yeah. Seeya.”

“Bye.”

Adrien rushed off to enact his plan. He contacted his driver. Once he arrived, Adrien got in, and they made it look like he was going home, but instead the driver let Adrien off in an alley, after making sure no one would notice. He changed into his Cat Noir outfit and threw his bag in the car. The driver drove off, as Adrien was free to find Alya.

Fortunately for him, he didn’t have to look far. As Alya stated, she was going around asking people to be interviewed about Cat Noir. However, she wasn’t having much luck. Adrien approached from behind. “Would you mind interviewing me?”

Alya looked behind her. She gasped. “Cat Noir?!”

“The one and only!” Adrien said.

“Are you sure about that?” Alya said, wryly.

Adrien giggled. “You never miss a beat, do you?”

“Well, when you want to be a professional journalist, you can’t afford to.”

“That’s a fair point,” Adrien reasoned. He smiled. “Why don’t we take this someplace else?”

“Wait, are you ACTUALLY going to subject yourself to an interview with me?” Alya asked, too excited for words.

“Of course,” Adrien answered.

Alya grew suspicious. “What do you want?”

“Sharp” Adrien retorted. “I will outline what I want once we’re situated. If you don’t wish to continue, we will call it there. Sound fair?”

Alya thought for a moment. “Fine. Just don’t make it too weird. If you try anything funny, I won’t hesitate to karate chop you in the face.”

Adrien chuckled. “Very well, lead the way.” Alya nodded. She started walking, and Adrien followed her.

They eventually arrived at Alya’s place. “Sorry, but it’s a bit messy.” Adrien looked around. “I have a set of younger twins, so…”

“Hm. Say no more.” Alya smiled, nodded, and led Adrien to her room. “So, do you often let strange men come into your room?”

“Watch it!” Alya said in a dead serious tone. “Or that karate chop is coming.”

“Sorry” Adrien apologized. “I couldn’t resist.” Adrien took a seat.

Alya followed suit. “So, what do you want from me?”

Adrien smiled. “I would like to see a section of Noir Notes dedicated to some creative endeavors centered around Cat Noir.”

Alya raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious?” she asked. “You want to aggrandize yourself on a fictional level too? Is all this real life attention not enough?”

“Believe me, “ Adrien began, “the attention is more than enough. However, I’m not doing this for myself.”

Alya was in awe. “Oh. So it’s another request?”

“Something like that,” Cat Noir said. “Well, it’s not a formal request from Noir Notes.”

“Right…” Alya said. “Very well. I accept your offer. I should have it up and running by the end of the week.”

“Great. Thanks” Adrien said.

“Now, with that settled, are you ready to begin the interview?” Alya asked.

“Of course,” Adrien said.

“Do you mind if I film it?”

That was alarming. Adrien told his parents and Nathalie about this plan. After he explained it, he was warned to not go on film. “If it’s all the same to you, could this just be an audio interview?”

“Well, it’s not all the same to me,” Alya said.

“Oh!” Adrien said, taken aback by this insistence.

Alya sighed. “Fine. I’ll release it as audio, but I want a tape for myself.”

“Sounds good to me,” Adrien said. As insistent as Alya was on wanting to figure this out, he figured it would be better to leave it to her to comb through the video, rather than all of Paris.

Alya nodded. “Thanks.” She set up a camera. “Greetings everyone!” She greeted. “Today, we have a Noir Notes exclusive! An interview with the man himself!” She pointed the camera at Adrien, as he gave a salute. “So, Cat Noir, what set you off on this path? What made you become a real-world hero?”

Adrien sort of figured out a tactic that could work. He needed to give Alya something without giving her too much. Smoke and mirrors. Use the information you give to hide the information you don’t want out.  “Well, I found someone in need of rescuing” Adrien answered. “But I couldn’t do it without causing trouble. So, to protect myself, I hid behind this mask.”

“Were you able to rescue them?”

That was a tough question. Marinette was getting better, but with Lila still in the picture, it’s hard to say if she was “rescued”. But Adrien rolled into it. “Well, as much as I would have liked to, I can’t say the job is complete yet. Otherwise, I’d give up the guise of Cat Noir.”

“Huh. I see. So, are all of those requests you’ve been taking nothing more than a means to an end? Something to rescue this person?”

“Hm. Well, I wouldn’t say that exactly. I do genuinely enjoy helping people. If it just so happens to align with my goal, that’s just icing on the cake.”

“Very well. How do you decide what requests to take?”

“Well, that’s a bit complicated. My reasoning is my own. But, for a glimpse into my thought process, I feel more attachment to a request if it seems genuine in my eyes.”

“OK. So, how long before your personal mission is over?”

“Well, that all depends on a couple of factors. Of course, I’d like to get it over with as soon as possible.”

“Is there any way I can help?”

Adrien smirked. “In some way, you’re already helping. I know I wouldn’t have thought of this Noir Notes thing myself.”

“Right, but is there a way I can help more directly?”

Adrien was cornered. His light obfuscation tactic worked for a while, but this question presented a problem. All he wanted to do was scream “Yes. Lila lied, Marinette’s good, please be friends with her again.” But he knew he couldn’t.

Instead, he resigned in defeat and said “Sorry. The matter is complicated, and anything less than total commitment wouldn’t do.”

Alya sensed something was wrong. She stopped recording. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Adrien answered.

“That doesn’t look fine” Alya retorted.

“Like I said, it’s complicated.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” Adrien snapped.

Alya calmed down a little. “Fine. I get it. You don’t want to tell me. But you should tell someone.”

Adrien smiled. “Maybe I’ll tell my doppelganger.”

“Very funny,” Alya said. She grew a little more serious. “Do you mind if I tell you something that’s been...on my mind?”

Adrien was curious. “It’s what I do.”

Alya smiled. She frowned. “There’s this guy in my class. His name is Nino. I REALLY like him. Like like him like him.” Adrien was surprised, then giggled. “But when I told my best friend, she told me she liked him like that too.” Adrien was surprised. “We promised each other neither of us would confess to him, otherwise we’d hurt each other. But I really want to, and it’s been eating me up inside.

But now, I think she likes this other guy in class. And I’ve been kind of hoping that those two would just start going out already so I can ask Nino no strings attached.” She sighed. “Do you think that maybe you can help those other two confess to each other?”

Adrien was stunned. “Well I guess I could try and talk to them,” he offered, “but I can’t force these things.”

“Ugh. I know” Alya said. “I feel awful for even suggesting that.”

Adrien looked at Alya in distress. “It’s alright. Love makes people do crazy things after all. But I will say, I don’t know if that kind of pact is something best friends do.”

“Well, I wouldn’t know what best friends do” Alya snapped, stunning Adrien this time around. Alya sighed again. “I used to have this other best friend, but she betrayed my trust…”

“How so?” Adrien asked.

Alya stared into space for a good minute. “So, my new best friend, her name is Lila, and my old best friend, her name is Marinette, didn’t get along. Well, I say that, but it seemed a little more one-sided where Marinette was always calling out Lila for being a liar and stuff like that.” Adrien nodded.

Alya continued. “I wanted to maintain my friendship with both of them. I mean, Marinette was still herself when Lila wasn’t present. Besides, Marinette was like the first friend I made at that school. I didn’t want to give that up. But then Marinette stole Lila’s necklace.”

“How do you know?” Adrien asked. Alya looked up at him. “How do you know she did it?”

Alya got a little more serious. “By the time it happened, it was clear that lines were drawn between Marinette and Lila. You could spend time with one, or the other, but not both. More people were drawn to Lila because she kept a cooler head. I tried my best to balance both, but...it got complicated.

The day before, Lila told me she was worried that Marinette might do something. So, I did something. A while ago, I found this little compartment in the locker room. Sometimes, if I think something is going to happen, I set up a camera there to record things. Despite being close with Lila, Marinette and I were still best friends, and aside from me, she was the only one with a key to the compartment.

When it was revealed that the necklace was stolen, I snuck away to go get my camera to see the footage. But it wasn’t there. The lock wasn’t tampered with. So, the only person who could have moved it was Marinette. And the only reason she’d move it was to hide the fact that she stole something.”

Adrien was surprised by all of this. I’m going to need to ask Marinette about this.

“I just couldn’t believe it” Alya went on. “I was upset at her, but I was more upset at myself. How did I not see this coming? How did I not prevent it? Maybe I’m not as good of a journalist as I thought…”

Adrien smiled. “That’s preposterous.” Alya looked up. “You’re a great journalist. You had my back against the wall with your questions.”

“Yeah…” Alya said, unenthused.

Adrien continued. “I just think you need to think things over, and not get so discouraged. If you didn’t see that course of action coming, there has to be a reason. You’re more perceptive than you give yourself credit for. After all, you managed to spot the difference between me and my associate.”

Alya lit up. “You mean that wasn’t YOU at the Louvre?” Adrien nodded. “And when you say ‘associate’...?”

“They were acting in my name,” Adrien said. “They’re on my side in all of this.”

“Wow,” Alya said. She gave it some thought. “Tell you what, that information will stay between us.”

“Um, OK. But why?”

Alya shrugged. “Just as a thank you for hearing me out on all of this. Besides, if this person you want to rescue is still captive, it's better to keep the element of surprise.” Adrien nodded. “I’m going to start the interview again, if that’s alright. I’ll just edit around that last question.”

“By all means.”

Alya smiled. She got the camera out and started filming again. “Well, after everything we’ve talked about, I feel confident in my ability to support you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Is there anything you want to say to the people out there?”

“Yes. Just be yourself. Have confidence. That is the best way to support anyone. But I get it. It can be hard. So know that if your aim is true, I will always be in your corner.”

“Thank you Cat Noir. Well, I think that is it for now. I hope you’ll come back soon. In the meantime, take care.” Alya stopped the recording.

“Well, overall, I think that went well.” Alya nodded. “I don’t think I need to say this, but I hope you remember your end of the bargain.”

“Of course,” Alya replied. Adrien nodded, did his salute, and left. Aya began working on the process of extrapolating the audio from the interview, as well as taking a few steps to set up that fanworks section for Noir Notes. However, she did something else. On her phone, she started a new note. “Re-evaluation: Did Marinette REALLY take my camera and Lila’s necklace?”

Later on, Adrien just informed Marinette of what he and Alya talked about. “Woah. That’s…” Marinette managed.

“Yeah” Adrien followed.

“Well, she is right,” Marinete continued. “I was the only other person with a key. I still have it. But I didn’t move it…”

“What’s wrong?”

“...I was there though. Well before class began. I did want to see if Alya had set up her camera. I noticed it was there, so I gave her a little message. But then the whole thing with Lila’s necklace happened. It happened so fast. I didn’t know, or even THINK about the camera. All this time, I thought Alya got mad at me for nothing.”

“Hey. It’s OK. We’re going to get through this.”

“...Yeah. Besides, we have a new goal: Figuring out this camera mystery. I mean, it’s obvious Lila did something, but what? And how?”

“Right” Adrien agreed. “Although that might be easier said than done.”

“Yeah… But still, it’s worth a shot. Also, I’m even more angry now.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because! Lila’s also standing in the way of Alya and Nino. It makes me SO mad.”

“Heh heh.”

“? What’s that for?”

“I’m just thinking: We both take love seriously. I think it’s another nice way we compliment each other.”

“...Uh, yeah” Marinette said, clearly embarrassed.

“Was that too much?”

“Maybe a little.”

“I’ll work on toning it down.”

“No. ...I like it. It’s part of what makes you you.”

Adrien was now embarrassed. “Uh, thanks.”

“...We should probably get some sleep.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.”

“Well, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

“...”

“...”

“Alright, we really need to.”

“I know.”

“Why are we like this?”

“Because we want to spend time with each other.”

“Right… But if we want to hang out in person more, instead of just on here, we need to thwart Lila. Which we need sleep for.”

“You make a convincing argument. Goodnight then.”

“Goodnight.” They both logged off and headed to bed.

[coffeecomicsgalore]

Hidden in the Shadows

Ao3

@marichatmay

Chapter 3: Dirt

Adrien couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Moving away to London over a little rebellious lie just so he could take Marinette out on a proper date—it was just completely and utterly ridiculous. Yeah, maybe an actual punishment of removing electronics or a week-long grounding where he couldn’t see his friends at all would be a better choice… heck he would take the month-long removal from school and electronics at this rate. But London? Was this really something justifiable?

He couldn’t help it as he sat there, gawking at his father. His brain short-circuited for the long while that Gabriel had given him to soak in the news, only cooling his features when the elder Agreste turned back around to continue his speech.

“Your Aunt Amelie will be your caretaker as you will study abroad alongside Felix, taking in your studies while also learning the business side of things. You will still take fencing, Chinese, and piano during your available moments as scheduled by Nathalie, and you will also be committed to photoshoots that will be scheduled both here and in London. We will have you come back to Paris one weekend a month, where your time here will be limited and scheduled.”

Adrien knew that Gabriel was waiting for him to say something, anything to counter the outrageous demands that his father was now bestowing on him. So, Adrien cleared his throat, treating this as a business meeting. Maybe that would make his father reconsider the situation if Adrien was mature about it.

“Will I have time to study in between my duties? I want to make sure I will be able to succeed in my studies.”

“As always.” Gabriel nodded. “Nathalie?” A light on the tablet turned on indicating she was now connected to speak.

“Yes, sir?” Nathalie responded clearly.

“Could you confirm Adrien’s study blocks while he is in London?”

“Yes, sir. Adrien, you will have an hour to two hours in the evening after your tutoring sessions to complete assignments, plus one additional hour before bed to study any material for the next day. If more is required, your tutors are to notify me, along with you if you need additional time.”

“Thank you, Nathalie.”

Adrien turned back to his father, acting satisfied over the scheduling.

“And how long will I remain in London?” He dared to ask, hoping that it would at least be for a month, or even daring to dream for less time than that.

“For your safety? Until Hawkmoth is defeated.”

----

Marinette barely focused on school as she thought over Adrien. She couldn’t help not seeing his blonde hair sitting in front of her in homeroom, and she could tell that Nino was feeling the same way as she was with the way he was moping.

All she could hear were the whispers from her class, speculating what had happened in order for Adrien to be removed from the school. Chloe glared daggers in her direction, which Marinette could only look away in guilt, and Alya spent her free moments keeping her going so she didn’t become consumed in it.

There were only a few minutes left until the bell would ring to indicate it was time for lunch, and all Marinette wanted to do was run home and hide in her room until it was time to go back. Nino turned around after he gathered his things in his bag and looked at Marinette with sadness in his eyes.

“So, you really don’t know anything, dudette?” Nino inquired, just hoping for something other than what has already been told.

“Besides the fact that he is locked up in his house for the next month with no way to contact us from within the walls of his house? Nope. Nothing.” Marinette sighed, resting her elbows on the desk and letting her head rest in her hands. “I hate this. I hate the fact that someone had caught us at that pet store. Who knew that would happen!”

“It’s not your fault, Marinette. You have to understand that.” Alya tried to reassure her once more, pressing her hand on her shoulder in comfort.

“I know, but I can’t help but feel like it is. I was the one who suggested we go there. We could have just continued our walk.”

“But Adrien was the one who offered to take you out on a date after his dad said no. He couldn’t have predicted he would act like this though.”

“I know my bro. I know he didn’t believe his dad would put him in solitary confinement. I bet he wishes it never happened.”

The bell rang and Marinette stood up, gathering the rest of her belongings to walk out the door. Once she made it to the doorframe, she turned to Alya and Nino with a sad smile.

“Yeah… and I bet he wishes the date never happened.” She said, defeated, knowing full well that was a lie. It was just what her brain wanted her to believe. “I’ll see you later guys.”

------

Marinette managed to make it to her room without much conversation with her parents. They knew the circumstances of Adrien’s sudden predicament and they knew how much Marinette blamed herself for it. She knew Adrien wouldn’t have wanted her to feel like this, especially knowing he would have taken her on a date many times over, but she couldn’t help but feel the guilt take over.

The kwamis had tried to cheer her up with their usual antics and sweet hugs, but it wouldn’t lift her spirits at all. She thanked them for trying before attempting to eat her lunch, but soon left it to the side in favor of getting some air. She looked over to Tikki who was in the middle of chatting with Mullo, deciding it was best to be alone for the moment. She then climbed up to the balcony to sit in the sun, while contemplating whether it would be worth it to transform into Ladybug just to check up on him.

But what she didn’t expect was to see a kitty on her balcony, his clawed hand in a dirt-filled pot near her chair. He was sleeping soundly while leaning against the pot, the ceramic holding him up in a sitting position at his elbow.

She couldn’t help the questionable tone in her voice, but she froze in her spot as she stared at her partner in confusion.

“Chat?”

[kittysuicoffee]

Marinette runaway chapter two

it’s been a few months since Marinette went missing and a lot has happened during though months. the first day that Marinette has went missing the police came to her school to question all the students and teachers about her and where she has gone to. Most of the students was helpful but others were not so much miss. buster's class was the only on that didn’t have anything nice or helpful to say about the missing girl.

  All they’re response about the girl was that she was a bully and she just doing this for attention, the only two who have anything nice to say about the girl was Lila Rossi and Adrien agreste. they both said that Marinette was sweet and kind to help anyone in need and she was willing to do anything for the class without asking for anything in returned.

  when the police question Lila about this morning interruption she explain that Ayla had something out for Marinette so she made up some lie that would get the said girl in trouble the police nodded not sure to believe her or not. the police ended their investigation saying they will be back to ask more in the near future.

  it’s been three weeks when the police found Marinette’s phone in the trash and they found some interesting things on it the fact that the class truly  didn’t believe that Marinette has went missing to the amazement of the police the only one that stuck out was Ayla’s texts they were full up with the downright hurtful texts its seems like the police needed to have another word with Ayla...

  “I’m telling you Marinette didn’t runaway her parents are just hiding her away! Question them not me! Ayla exclaimed officer Maxx didn’t look impress “listen Ms. Césaire we have already questions Marinette’s parents already they were for helpful to us telling us everything we need to know and her school life.”

  “okay and!?”

  Maxx looked annoyed “look I just come to ask about yours and Ms. dupain-cheng relationship with each other, before ms.Rossi came to your school.”

  “why does this have to do with Lila?” Ayla said narrowing her eyes officer maxx shook his head

  “this have nothing to do with her. We’re just trying to understand what happened to her.”

  Ayla still looked suspicious but decided to go along with it she begun to start from the beginning

  “me and Marinette met during the first day of school I was the new girl their but me and her become quick friends and during the few years I known her is was the best girl I could ever asked for. But then she changes when Lila came around, she was accusing Lila of being a liar and other things to then, she started to hurt Lila and our friendship started to go south after that. I don’t know what the problem was Lila a great girl if Marinette have just given her a chance none of this would have never happened.”

  “I see.” Maxx said he signed looking at the tape recorder than back to her.

“what?”

      Officer Maxx looked at her

  “Ms. Césaire I would like to show you something is that okay.”

  “sure.” Ayla said uneasily

  Maxx smile “now before we brought you in ms.Rossi came to us with some information about you and Ms. dupain-cheng relationship the way she put it make it seems like you two was never friends.”

  Ayla looked shocked “w-what?”

  Maxx pick up a tape recorder

  “now do you know what this is?”

  “yeah it’s a tape recorder.” Ayla said not sure where this is going Maxx nodded

  “good now I want you to listen to this.” As Maxx said this, he push play on it.

  Ayla was surprise she didn’t know how to feel after listening to her so called best friend on the tape recorder this has to be a joke right Lila never lied to them once but this was a straight up lie she and Marinette been friends on the first day of school. The class loved and cared about Marinette they had a strong relationship but… the words that came out of Lila mouth were all lies

“w-hat is this? This is some kind of joke did Marinette parents paid you to do this…” Ayla said her voice quiet maxx shook his head “no Ms. Césaire this is not a joke.” And just with those few words Ayla world started to break.

  Adrien was miserable not only was his miraculous was taken away from him, but his best friend had went missing. Missing out of all the people that he care about why his best friend had to go missing why does everything bad had to happen to him, out of all people he had to get the worse of it his mother disappeared, he has an uncaring father that will not give him the time of day, plagg gone forever and now his friend is gone. He wanted to cry but he can’t sit here and cry forever he must find Marinette and bring her home everyone misses her very much the first step is to get his father to help look for her. With that Adrien got off his bed to go look for his father to help with the search party he walked out of his room with determination “Adrien you can’t go in there.” Nathalie said stepping in front of Adrien but his didn’t stop him “Nathalie please move I have to talk with father about something especially important.”

“is this about your missing classmate?”

Adrien eyes went wide how did Nathalie know?

She shook her head than said “your father doesn’t have time deal with stuff like that.”

“b-but…” Adrien was cut off by Nathalie “no buts Adrien now we have to talk about the up and coming events for….” Nathalie words die in Adrien ears don’t have time don’t have time he never had time for him he only care about himself that all he cared about himself anger was the only thing that he felt that day anger at himself and at his father. He couldn’t take it anymore he just walked away as he did Nathalie called after him just ignore her and walked back to his room, he has to talk to someone, and he know who to talk to.

Coraline was happily skipping though out the little town school just got out and she was heading to her new home it been a month snice she left her old life but she was happy plus couldn’t just leave this place after Oliver and Michael show her around this place she decided stay instead of going to her designated place. “I’m home!” Coraline exclaimed with a bright smile

“welcome home dear.” Ms. beauty said with a bright smile of her own Ms. Beauty was an elderly lady that Coraline live with she is an overly sweet old lady she was also the grandmother of Oliver and Michael “how was school dear.” she asked as she walked up to the young girl Coraline skipped to her “school was great me and Oliver got a good grade on our project!” she said happily “oh that wonderful dear.”

“I’m going to my room now.” With that Coraline left when she gots to her room, she signed she taking off her bookbag and walking to her bed to sit on it taking out her phone she check Paris news “so far no akumatizion so far…”

“that a good thing, right?” Tikki said looking at Coraline

“yeah it is but why do I feel so weird about it.”

“what do you mean?”

Coraline looked at her kwami “Tikki it’s been a month since I left and nothing, they should have some high emotions but nothing none from my class. My parents will try to keep clam especially my mother and my father would try but I don’t know I guess a part of me hoped something will happen. “she confesses looking down Tikki looked at her and signed she petted Coraline head with a smile “it’s okay  Marinette your old class showed their true color. Its time to move on.”

Marinette giggled and kissed her kwami “remember Tikki my new name is Coraline not Marinette she long and gone now.”

“oh sorry” Tikki giggled “still getting used to the name.” they both laugh laying back on her bed she was thinking about what Tikki said and she was right it was time to stop thing about it. Marinette is dead and gone now now its Coraline bellamy now and nothing would change that.

“Coraline! Abby is here to see you!” Ms. Beauty called “coming!” with that Coraline left her room to see her friend.

  Lila was over the roof when she heard that Marinette had went missing now nothing will stop her from taking over the school. But there was a problem thanks to Ayla big mouth now she was under suspicion by the police now she must come up with a really good lie luckily for her. She knows that the police were idiot so they will believe whatever she says first was the what was Marinette like and where she may have gone to Lila told some truth in her lie about said girl next was to throw Ayla under the bus in which  she did it was so easy to do because she know that the class already hate Marinette thanks to her it would be no problem to convince police she had nothing to do  with Marinette. To say this was a good thing now she just has to sit back and watch the fireworks and if Ayla turn against her well, she ends up like Marinette lonely and friendless.

Lila was unaware that her plan will backfire in her face hard.

here is the long waited chapter two of Marinette runaway I hope you like this chapter give me some feedback on it and what I need to change from it or not. I’ll work on the chapter three when I get a chance. on I proofread it and edited it if there any place where it don't make any sense or its a run on sentence or any misspellings please let me know so I can fix it!

[nathalie-sancoeur-assistant]

Feast spoilers

Okay so here begins all my thoughts and feelings on the newest ep, from start to finish. I need to get them out there. This is just like what I did for “Ladybug”- I won’t be doing these for all the episodes, only the ones that really get my mind running. 

First things first, we get a shot of Nathalie right in the beginning, right in the center of the screen- and Jagged stone is right there. I guess that’s a tidbit of fuel for all the Jagged x Nathalie shippers out there.

“The highest mountain tops of tibet” 

Me: Tibet? That’s where Gabriel and Emilie got their miraculous. 

Okay so Alya is a BOMB reporter, okay, she’s awesome. But did it not cross her mind that this could potentially help Hawkmoth too? He undoubtedly follows the Ladyblog. If you’re going to go to these lengths, then do not publish what you have found online. Wait until you next find Ladybug and Chat Noir on patrol- THEN you can publish them for the public to see AFTER Hawkmoth has been defeated. 

“Until for some unknown reason they disappeared, and the world forgot about them” I feel like there’s a little more to that line than meets the eye- because yes, sure, Master Fu did some funky ish when he was young and it’s been 200 years since they were last heard of, however, even in 200 years you would think there would be some historical documents or something speaking of these mysterious supers that just come and go. Just...something, you know? I feel like there might have been effort to wipe out the memory of the miraculous by someone. Or maybe Im just looking to far into something that’s already been explained. 

I wonder how this lady treated Nooroo. She looks so graceful- is that her while transformed? If so I gotta say I much prefer her simple transformation to Hawkmoth’s. I dunno, I just really like this. Being able to see some of Nooroo and Plagg and Tikki’s previous holders being memorialized. I wonder if they ever have the urge to go visit museums where their previous masters are displayed- I wonder if they miss them. Or talk about them. 

“Hercules, or, lion miraculous holder?”

Me at first: Lion miraculous? Well there’s a tiger but I think that’s a longshot- 

Fu later on: The sentimonster ate other miraculous boxes 

Me: o h. 

Alix: Why not a bunny miraculous while you’re at it 

Me: You did not just.

There’s an app for everything these days, isn’t there?

She’s ready for her close-up!

Seriously though, I love how she has become a more prominent character and actually gets shots like this. 

Also, why did she not sense the amok until she saw the statue? Does the peacock miraculous harm the wearer even if not transformed (I ask because of her reaction)

Bye bye little butterfly

Also, I love her shoes now that we have a close-up of them. 

Jagged looks a bit concerned- but look at Adrien

This poor child, he doesn’t even hesitate to jump to her aid. He loves her so much. 

And the way she speaks to him here, she sounds motherly. “It’s nothing, Adrien” I think this is the first time we’ve seen them have any kind of intimate mother/son physical contact too.

And he is immediately done- he just wants her to get home where she can relax. He’s so concerned for his step-mom, it’s going to break him when he finds out who she is. Snap him right in half like a glow-stick.

is he holding her arm?

“I never should have entrusted her with the miraculous” She’s actually having doubts about trusting her best friend. I’ve been there honey. 

Oof, Fu looks so terrified. And also kinda like a chipmunk. 

“Alya is an excellent journalist. Sooner or later she would have discovered this secret kept under wraps for centuries” I can’t tell if he was throwing shade or not. 

So basically, Master Fu was taken from his home from a young age by a bunch of monks saying he was chosen for a very important job. They but him through rigorous tests to train him into being a capable guardian for the miraculous and as a result of starving a sad young boy the temple got burned down. Sounds almost like they deserved it tbh.  

Also, Master Fu’s sentimonster had free will too- it had its akumatized object in one of the safest places it could have put it. It had free will like sentibug- but it was created to consume miraculous. No matter what, even if Ladybug had felt at this moment that the creature was a real living being (which it seemed just as alive as Sentibug) she would have had to have destroyed it. The difference is that THIS sentimonster was out of control, because it was made from the grief of a starving child. Sentibug was made out of love and loyalty. She didn’t have that underlying meaning of creation that led her to destroy. But this one, when given free will, did, because it was made from destructive emotions. 

Yin and yang play such a huge role in symbolism with the miraculous. Im kinda glad I chose my OC’s miraculous to be yin & yang. 

This is also how I feel when I am hungry. 

“I created a sentimonster that was very different from the one I had envisions” does that mean that the sentimonsters can latch on to whatever their creators are feeling at the moment and form around them EVEN if they didn’t intend to use the particular feeling or emotion to fuel it? Could that be part of why Sentibug turned on Mayura- she was having doubts while creating her because she knew Gabriel would have never let this happen, that she needed to stop- but she just couldn’t bring herself to? And those feelings got ingrained into Sentibug too, and when Sentibug heard “Stop Mayura and take her miraculous” those doubts resurfaced and took form as it seeming for Sentibug to have a sense of justice?

“A monk told me to run away with....and the miraculous box. The very last miraculous box.”

There are other miraculous.

So judging from the pictures and Fus story, he lost the book and two miraculous not to very far away from the temple- which means that Gabriel and Emilie travelled to one of the highest mountain-tops in Tibet. What on Earth could have made them go up there? That’s not just some sort of vacation spot. 

Look at this honeybun. Poor girl- it looks like her head’s hurting. 

Adrien seems so concerned for her- and now we know that he knows that she’s sick. I had suspected as such, because it would be very difficult to hide it because of how much time they spend together- but honestly this is just heartbreaking. 

“It’s thoughtful of you to be concerned, Adrien”

Of course he’s concerned. You’ve been around so long he probably can’t imagine life without you, you’re the one that’s been there ever since his mother disappeared, he loves you like you’re family. An empathetic and caring young boy isn’t just going to look at someone like you while sick and not get concerned. 

“Nathalie sometimes get’s dizzy spells but it’s nothing serious” Nooo Gabriel, I get dizzy spells that are nothing serious (I’ve been to the doctor for them don’t worry), I understand wanting to protect Adrien but one of these days she’s going to disappear too, and what then?

And this scene? They had a moment. He said that he didn’t need to worry, but I think he saw right through what he said, and maybe even that he was a little worried himself. The way he’s holding his eyes, he looks a little bit concerned too. 

And if you ask me, they do not look happy about lying to him. Because he should be worried. But they don’t want to put that on his shoulders- plus if they told him the truth...yeah. 

Okay so let me get this straight- now, Mayura did not create any sentimonsters in this episode, but she did wake up one that was dormant. How does a sentimonster go dormant? Considering there has been a sentimonster lingering out there dormant, we know for a fact that multiple sentimonsters can exist at one time- however, can two exist and be active at the same time, or does one have to be dormant in order for others to exist after the dormant one was created? And how did she sense the amok- was it the same way in which Gabriel sense emotions through his miraculous? And if that is the case, then does she need her miraculous to sense the amok? If so, where is she wearing it at right now? Also look at her, she’s so cute from this angle- just look at her eyes, they’re so gorgeous. That shade of blue is lovely. 

Don’t look concerned about her, Gabriel, you’re the one telling her to use the miraculous...okay yes, actually, do look concerned for her, feel guilty and take it away (I know you will, eventually, but will you honour that commitment in the finale?)

Look at that smile 

This poor kid...he’s got everything in the world but really, he just misses his mother. And now he’s getting flashbacks with Nathalie as to wht was happening with Emilie.  That’s all the proof we need, that’s the show telling us directly that the miraculous is exactly what caused Emilie to go into a coma in the first place. But then sweet plagg, coming in and making him laugh. I think it’s awesome that Plagg is so good at piano too. But its so sad that directly after such a cute scene, he gets taken away. 

His face just lights up

“Mom’s the only one who could make me laugh like that. Thank you, plagg” Sweetie pie!

clack clack clack clack clack clack The clicking of heels is such an aesthetically pleasing sound

“I can feel it’s yearning, Hawkmoth” and I can feel yours someone needs to give you love.

She has the power to Thanos amoks XD

“Take one step closer and I’ll take your amok away from you...you dont want me to destroy you do you?” Man, that’s brutal. She’s got to reason with it as if its an actual living thing (I’ve heard various theories as to why sentimonsters are and are not living individual beings and I just think its all very interesting)- but looking at this after knowing Ladybug and Chat Noir will come to the conclusion that they are later down the road, this episode kinda shows pretty well too that Sentimonsters could really actually be their own being. It felt almost like she was chastising a puppy. 

Wow, familyagrestefanblog was right about this- they really can be akumatized. Which...also goes along with them being conscious beings as Ladybug and Chat Noir believed. Its all so interesting. And the morals here? If this is all so then where is the morality of using the peacock miraculous at all? Eventually the sentimonster is going to be destroyed. UNLESS the reason they can be akumatized is because they’re the very embodiment of a person’s emotions. 

And did I mention that I LOVE his facial expressions in this ep? 

“Ill even give you the peacocks and mine as a bonus”

“I always honour my commitments” 

So was he not going to blackmail the thing? Or was what he told Lila also a lie? If he wasn’t going to black mail it, then is he really that willing to give up all the miraculous once he has what he wants? Which is literally just to right some wrongs and heal his wife? Low-key if that’s the case I like him a little more. 

Okay so

I’ve always had this idea on if Hawkmoth used catalyst, and akumatized one person to do some damage and draw out the hero’s then akumatized Lila with tracking abilities and put her in the middle of the fight, he could use her to find out who ladybug and chat noir were and take their miraculous in their sleep.

But also, this is so sad.  

Marinette’s first thought wasnt “Oh no, I can’t be ladybug anymore”

It was “Tikki!” 

And she was so desperate to get her back. You could see it in her face, she was so determined. Her clumsiness didn’t get in her way this time- because she was determined and focused, no nerves- she just wanted her friend back. And I liked how Wayzz was trying to convince Fu that it was a bad idea. 

So Bikerbug really just keeps her bike IN the bakery huh?

Okay, so, I really really love watching this scene- his facial expressions, the fluid movement, I quite enjoy it. And I love the way Mayura sounds when she speaks so that’s just an added bonus, but then. 

“My Dear Mayura...”

I think I forgot how to breath when he said that. I don’t think that Nathalie is gonna flip out over every little thing (like people theorizing that her heart sped up or whatnot in Ladybug when Hawkmoth landed in front of her and she got a close-up of the booty- I think there, she was more concerned with survival than that) but that? She had to have felt that. 

Adrien recognized Ladybug immediately. And Master Fu was leading Feast right through traffic. 

Me mentally: Oh hey Bananoir, how you peeling? 

“As you wish, Bugaboo~” He wants her to call him Bananoir omgosh. 

“Master look, Ladybug and Chat Noir, despite their ridiculous costumes” Oh my gosh Wayzz leave them be XD

“The guardian of the miraculous is this decrepit old man?” Honeybun there are gonna be people saying the same thing about you if you’re revealed as Hawkmoth.

& Am I the only one that really wants to see Master Fu’s transformation?

“You sure its the right time, M’lady?” Chat, please. 

Chat is not amused. 

“Keep those miraculous nice and warm for me, and enjoy the other ones, youve earned them” Either he is actually being nice to the sentimonster because it actually did its job or hes planning on blackmailing it and having Nathalie take away its amok anyway? 

“Farewell my dear Wayzz” doesn’t hold as much impact as “My dear Mayura”

“Careful what you wish for”

He’s mad cause he felt so close, when really he had just fallen into their trap. 

And she detransformed without even saying “fall my feathers”

And he rushed to her

And the way she looks at him? She is helpless. 

That is not the face of a heartless man.

1.) Now we have a shot of their official height difference minus nathalie’s heels.  2.) They are standing side by side untransformed. But Emilie is still looming over them. They seem to be equals, But Emilie is between them, behind them, watching, and much bigger than they are. Hmm...

No one related to either of these two showed up at all in the rest of the episode. Why is it so important for us to know that they were watching the broadcast that they cut to them to show us? And why go to the trouble of putting both Tsurgi’s in frame? Also note, they both have dark coverings over their eyes, whereas Gabriel and Nathalie do not. I know Kagami’s mom is blind but I wannt look a little further into it- could it be that they are going to end up allies with Gabriel, or going to Tibet and getting their own miraculous from the different wish boxes and use them for bad too? But what if their intentions are not the same as Gabriel and Nathalie’s. Neither of them have malicious intent in their search for Ladybug and Chat Noir’s miraculous- Nathalie wants to help the man she loves and Gabriel wants to fix the past/his wife. But could these two have more sinister plans? So it shows them with a dark covering over their eyes to show that their vision for the future is dark and muddled? 

Master Fu really out here thinking that that is gonna make him less recognizable. Just goes to show you that the people of Paris really are just blind. 

Oh boy, that ending though. Gabriel seems so determined right here. “And it shall be served very cold...” And he is saying all this in front of Emilie, but he is talking to Ladybug. There’s just something off about it, to me. Idk. That’s all I really have to say, if you made it this far, thanks for reading. 

[commonratmiraculous]

Miraculous Divergence AU

Accidental Good Dad Gabriel Agreste.

Where Gabriel realises that Marinette couldn’t have stolen the Miracle Book from Adrien because Lila knew about Volpina and he, recognising Lila’s toxicity towards Adrien in particular from that interaction and as an akuma, takes Marinette’s side somewhat.

Perhaps this is done by requesting the school look at cameras/video footage - maybe Mr. Damocles is so thrown off by Gabriel showing up at school that he just does it without question - “I’ve been told it was stolen from my son and would like the school’s assistance in verifying this.” Would probably also work honestly if it sounds like enough of a threat.

After that he tells Adrien what Marinette did, specifically the implications that Gabriel believing her would have had on her career in fashion design. Adrien is clearly touched and might give him a bit more of a push towards something other then the high road later on.

Gabriel still plans to use Lila obviously, but it’s more on the Hawkmoth side of things rather then Gabriel specifically. And of course he keeps Marinette in mind, not yet sure of how he’d be able to convice her to help but knowing she’d be a formidable ally.

Adrien and Gabriel would have to get closer because Gabriel would want to know more about Marinette, and maybe that’s why he’s more accepting of Nathalie becoming Mayura - since she’d be a more acceptable ‘sacrifice’ then Adrien in terms of the Miraculous Wish consequences. As their relationship strengthens with that between Adrien and Gabriel.

For the purpose of this fic, the peacock miraculous would have to not be broken and Emilie would have to have been cursed for a different reason but that can be left up to creative interpretation. Since the wish would require an exchange and an already sick person likely wouldn’t be accepted as a sacrifice for the same curse.

Anyway through Adrien he learns that Marinette isn’t very good at being on time, and perhaps it’s found out that as far as scheduling goes Marinette has an as busy schedule as Adrien but less routine (babysitting Manon and commissions come to mind). So while Gabriel doesn’t start off by offering an internship as far as his company is concerned, Nathalie is enlisted to help Marinette get her stuff together.

Of course spending more time just in the Agreste household she gets more comfortable around Adrien. Starting with a few jokes on Adrien’s side of things regarding how Marinette spends more time with his father and Nathalie then he does and Marinette getting upset about it not fully realising the joke.

It becomes very clear to Gabriel that Adrien is falling in love with Marinette even if Adrien himself isn’t realising it. Maybe he talks to Adrien a bit, warning him against aggressive pursuit romantically, and a long overdue discussion on boundaries that he never realised Adrien didn’t get. Both in realtion to himself and others.

And somewhere along the way Marinette realises that she shouldn’t be apologising for everything that goes wrong. Not that apologising is wrong, but that if she apologises for the faults of others she’ll get blamed.

Adrien’s growth comes at the same time as Marinette’s growth and inadvertently they become better heroes as Ladybug and Chat Noir as a result. (i.e. Chat stops flirting with Ladybug in battle and Ladybug is her thinking and her excuses.) With Chat’s growth being more apparent then Ladybug’s, while on the flipside Marinette’s growth is more apparent then Adrien’s - thus keeping them safe from Hawkdad’s suspicion.

If I were writing the fic I’d put a wedding between Felix and Bridgette coming to Paris, and then deciding to just move in with them. The wedding being a good way of bringing Adrien and Marinette closer while shutting others out, while also setting up a support system outside of Plagg for Adrien to lean on when the whole Hawkmoth and Mayura are my parents thing.

And the announcement comes in the same time as Chameleon. Marinette’s still late for school having spent the night sketching wedding dresses after Bridgette asks Marinette to help her do hers, and the Bridesmaids dresses, Mother of the Bride etc. (While Gabriel is presumably doing the other bridal party) and overslept as a result.

It’s a big thing that doesn’t really get mentioned because she arrives in class to hear Adrien mention it’s unfair to expect Marinette to move to the back because Alya wanted to sit next to her boyfriend and everyone else is with friends. In the end they both end up sitting at the back and Adrien politely asks that Marinette not argue with Lila’s lies because he didn’t really want to sit next to someone who stole from him.

The subject of jealousy doesn’t really come up then and at lunch the conversation between Alya, Nino and Marinette happens exactly the same just with Marinette telling Alya that she won’t apologise if the Ladyblog fails for posting unsourced information since she tried to warn her.

Lila doesn’t actually have too much of a reason to threaten Marinette at that point, nor does she go after Adrien that day. But when it becomes apparent that the two of them are focusing on their own successes that would outshine Lila’s fake one’s then things start to get nasty.

I’ve also liked the idea of someone, maybe Chloé or Sabrina mentioning the whole napkin able to gouge out an eye thing to Mme. Mendelieve. And Lila would clearly think that it’s Adrien or Marinette when they both claim to have not believed that. Not to mention by then Marinette and Adrien are sitting next to each other in most other classes because the Tittinus thing isn’t working all that well for her. (Maybe Mme. M genuinely believes that Marinette and Adrien would work well together given Adrien’s own interest in physics and Marinette’s off the wall way of problem solving, and actually lets them sit next to eachother out of scientific curiousity). Marinette: “for clarification, Mayura didn’t turn the napkin into an amok.” Mme. M: “that’s correct” Adrien: “the trajectory is all wrong, the napkin would’ve ended up in Max’ lap” Marinette: “plus he’s wearing glasses” Adrien: “Ladybug couldn’t have thrown a napkin hard enough to produce the force necessary to break Max’ glasses, let alone Marinette” Marinette: “and that certainly doesn’t account for the actual motions the napkin would have to go through to gouge out an eye”

Later when Lila’s returned from her akumatization she tries the whole my Tittinus is clearing thing and Mme. M is just, Ladybug’s powers have never worked like that why would they start now? Sit down Mlle. Rossi or I’ll have the Principal phone your mother.

Some of the others are getting it though. Like, they have no idea what the drama is between Adrien and Marinette and Lila, but there clearly is drama. Though Adrien suggests perhaps dialling it back a bit, for his own reasons it’s because the Lila is a difficult akuma, and suggests they just take the high road until something else is started. They don’t know who each other is yet but Marinette concedes the point, later texting Adrien a “I thought about what you said what if Lila is working with HM?” As a joke.

Adrien doesn’t think things are that bad until Lila breaks into his house, though she meets Felix instead of Gabriel - who’s a lawyer for the brand and just goes into the school requesting they keep Lila away from Adrien and Marinette regarding seating and group work thereafter since legally nothing can be done with Lila’s mother having diplomatic immunity.

A short interview is given on the subject in which it’s announce that Marinette was included because of the family ties as well as her newest internship with Agreste (the Brand as a whole becoming two separate lines/designers under one house etc. since they don’t want to fully compete with eachother ‘Gabriel’ and Bridgette’s ‘Coccinelle’ and - later - Marinette’s ‘MDC’).

Marinette’s progress causes her to start Guardian training earlier then in canon (not that I’ve been able to physically watch the amount of secondhand embarrassment in the show at current) and Chat Noir manages to catch her in the act of it for whatever reason, with Master Fu telling Marinette he’ll handle it.

They still don’t know identities, but Adrien is told by Master Fu that he thinks Gabriel is still a viable suspect for HM especially with the knowledge that miraculous users can be akumatized. He’s stopped from panicking too badly because he’s got more support now and because Master Fu mentions that Gabriel’s recent interest in Marinette is worrying him.

Marinette ends up holding the Rat Miraculous to ‘keep safe’ and also spends some time with Chat Noir practicing fighting or what not. Which a miraculous user that isn’t on either team but is close to Chat ends up being a really good article on the Ladyblog and intrigues Gabriel.

How it goes from there I don’t know. Obviously, this has the makings to be very Adrienette but can also end up being Marichat if the route of DoubleAgent is taken with Mulmouse. Mostly I just like the idea of HM fucking up by telling Ladybug his plan thinking she’ll help him because he doesn’t know she’s Ladybug.

And Lila’s siding with HM would start out subtle enough to be easily used in her becoming a pawn in a possible Old Guardians v New Guardians plot after the fact, perhaps with a HM!Lila?

[unreachablevoice]

Moving In Is What Started It All

Summary:

With Marinette’s parents being away with work, she is left in the care of one of their supposedly family friend; who just so happened to be someone who she has always been idolizing. And throw in the fact that she is having a hard time with friendships experiencing hardships, bridges being burned, and secrets unraveling and her parents unintentionally (plus being clueless with their daughter’s suffering) throwing their daughter in a pit of misery.

Note:

This fanfic will not contain Miraculous. Though, This does still contain the concept and some of the episodes of the show just cut out the parts of Ladybug and Chat Noir.

Previous | Masterlist | AO3

Chapter 8 |Chloé Redemption Arc? (kinda?)|

Adrien's POV

"What are you talking about?" Marinette asks with a chuckle. God, the audacity! I mean, it's obvious that she's just laughing as an attempt to hide her nervousness! What is it that she can't seem to tell me? Does she not trust me?

I reach for her hand. Maybe to comfort her, to comfort me, or both? I'm not sure, all I know is that I want to hold her close. I'm okay even if it's just her hand. I just need to feel some warmth. Her warmth to be precise.

"Last night, you--" I say but am immediately interrupted by the swinging of the kitchen door open, which reveals a newly woken up Nathalie looking at both of us. I didn't even have the chance to hold her hand, my hand is just up here with no place to go!

"Oh," Nathalie exclaims as her eyes caught sight of the dishes that are currently being held at a pause in the sink, widening just a smidge. "It seems that you've already finished with your breakfast, I take it you just need to fix yourselves up and we'll be heading to school now?" she looks at both of us with a bit of confusion in her eyes. I guess the pose that Marinette and I are in right now is a bit weird, all awkward and else.

"And don't worry about the dishes, I'll just call for the housekeepers to finish them for you," Nathalie adds with a small and professional smile, a hand stretched out to the door to usher us out. Like an usherette.

I nod to Nathalie's request but Marinette looks a bit uncertain...? Why though?

"B-But I don't want to be a burden—!"

Ah, so that's why... Really... she's so nice that it kind of hurts.

"It's okay, Miss Marinette." Nathalie smiles at her (a smile that reaches her eyes this time), trying to ease her worry. Well, that's a first. Nathalie rarely smiles like that. She'd usually smile with no feelings, all cold and business-like, nothing more and nothing less (well maybe sometimes her forced smiles would look like a bit of a grimace).

Before she ushers both of Marinette and me to the door and calls some of our housekeepers to finish cleaning the dishes that Marinette left behind and to finish cleaning the kitchen (which I was previously doing, mind you, and I admit... I was NOT doing such a good job at it), I first grab Marinette's arm to make her look at me.

"Let's talk later?" I ask her, my voice pleading and a bit desperate and unsure if she'd want that. I mean, I am kind of putting her in a tight spot and forcing her to talk about something that's obviously making her uncomfortable but... I really want to know what had bothered her so much last night. A downcast look spread through her face and she looked down and away from me, but nodded nonetheless.

I don't want to force her but it really is bothering me too. Whatever it is that's the source of her discomfort, I want to at least make her feel as though she can lean on me; if I can't somehow help her with whatever situation she is in.

Arriving in my room (in to which Nathalie was pushing me to by the way, and I think she also did the same to Marinette), I stood there for a second. Honestly, I kind of wanted to stay and talk with Marinette first before going to school but... Nathalie gave us no room for argument.

I give out a long sigh as I prep myself for school.

Staring at myself in the mirror, I see that all my worrying is taking a toll on me. My face is as white as a sheet and my eyes look like they're ready to pop out of my socket anytime soon; the dark bags under them didn't help either (though they weren't that noticeable unless you look at them closely. Plus, nothing a few brushes of concealer can't fix).

God, I feel like dying.

I felt a twinge of pain in my chest as Marinette's face from last night flashes through my mind. She looked worried—no scratch that. She looked scared. I wonder what made her feel that way...

A sudden knock on the door snaps me out of my trance.

"Are you ready, Adrien?" Nathalie asks from behind it.

Though in actuality: no (and god, am I so stressed), I don't want to keep them waiting so I hurriedly finished and swiftly took my satchel from my bed, opening the door wide enough to see Nathalie fiddling something with her tablet and Marinette waiting for me with a small smile gracing her delicate features.

"Yup, let's go." I smile as I close the door behind me and join them in their step downstairs.

◎◎◎ ◎◎◎ ◎◎◎

The car ride was silent—well, for me anyway. Marinette was discussing with Nathalie some terms about what she'd like to do while she stays with us—mostly about how she won't sit idly and not do anything and not be of some help, at all—and Nathalie compromised with her by leaving the task of making our breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner with her (with occasional help from us of course).

Judging by how she animatedly talks with Nathalie, the negative(???) mood she was formerly in was now gone. Plus, making her come with us to school via car-ride was a bit of a hassle enough since she kept on insisting for her to walls to school instead (Pft–! As if I'd allow that!).

Dropping us off at the entrance, Nathalie looks at us out the window then at her tablet; informing us how I have a small photoshoot session at lunch and that they will come to pick us up at that time.

"Thanks, Nathalie. Thanks, G.", the former nods and Gorilla opens down his window to look at us and grunts.

I wait for them to drive away and get taken aback as they crack a small smile and wave meekly. Although, I'm pretty sure it's not directed at me.

I look down at my left and see Marinette waving at them with a warm, bright smile knitted on her face; whispering a shy "goodbye", loud enough that only us three would be able to hear, as she watches the retreating figure of the car slowly disappear.

Oh god, she's so sweet and so cute! And being able to charm Nathalie and Gorilla with her grace in only a few seconds is proof of that. Not that I ever doubted Marinette's people-pleasing talent for even a second.

I hold my arm out to her and smile, "Shall we?" I ask, in to which Marinette beams in return and hooks her arm to my extended one; humming in affirmation.

We trod the steps up towards the school and went to our classroom. Since it was still pretty early (quarter to 7 being the time),  there were only a few students that are loitering around the hallway. Some were talking with their friends about... a redhead? Someone dancing and singing? Performing on a stage? What?

I snap out of my thoughts when I noticed that we have arrived at our classroom and Marinette had already guided me to my seat and is seated on hers. Merde, I really am a handful at times, huh?

I wince as I think about how Marinette would someday get tired of me and think badly of me and she'll never want to be my friend anymore! Then I'll be forever alone with no family and--

"Adrien?"

I snap my head towards the voice that called out to me and see a familiar bespectacled brunette standing at the foot of my table with her hand holding at the strap of her sling bag and the other at her phone (as usual). An amused and questioning look written on her face.

Alya? When did she arrive?

"Morning...?" she asks as the corner of her lips quirks up in amusement.

"Uh, hi, yeah, I--" I stammer as I embarrassingly look for words and stumble with my vocabulary. I must've been paying too much attention to my inner dilemma instead of my surroundings too long to result in Alya making fun of me like that! Ughhhh!

The said brunette snickers at my word-stumbling and looks away somewhere behind me, surprise and excitement immediately lacing her tanned features. She suddenly bolts away and my gaze follows her direction, her mouth curves up in a teasing smile as she slips in her seat next to Marinette and looks at her.

"Girl, you're pretty early today! A sudden change of heart, maybe~?" Alya sings and pokes Marinette's sides teasingly. The girl in question just laughs at her and shakes her head, neither denying nor confirming the question.

Mon Dieu, how can someone's laugh be that melodious? Her giggles fill the room like little trinkets of bells, sweetly producing a little jingle that makes the butterflies in my stomach flutter. Arghhhh, she's just so cuteeeee!!

"Yo! Morning, dudes and dudettes!" Nino comes in the classroom and waves at us, which is gladly returned with the same enthusiasm.

Nino moves to his seat next to me and looks above us, to the girls, and his face is immediately written in shock (the good kind though).

"Dudette!" he looks at Marinette and his shocked expression is immediately replaced by an amused grin, "Well, you're early. Any special occasion?"

Alya snickers at her boyfriend's harmless and teasing jab to her best friend and is followed by some of the people—including me—that were already there (and I somehow didn't notice when we came in).

"Yeah, it did surprise me when our Little Blueberry here was early—for once." Alix joins in on our little banter and ruffles Marinette's hair. "Even more so when she came in with Adrien," she continues with a smirk and wiggling of her eyebrows, implying something.

Marinette's cheeks redden and she sputters incoherent responses, her hands frantically waving.

"What?!" Alya shouts (in a good way) and shakes Marinette, "What did she mean by that, guuurrlll??!" she whines, feeling a bit betrayed, I think? I don't know why though.

"Stop shaking her Césaire, she looks like she's going to puke." a voice suddenly says in front of us.

Turning towards where the voice came from, lo and behold one Chloé Bourgeois stood there with her hands on her hips and a booming voice that spoke with confidence.

"Well, good morning to you too," Alya responds in a monotone voice and a raise of her eyebrow as if she was asking what and why the blonde was there.

Chloé scoffs and flips her high ponytailed hair to the side, a condescending look on her face.

"I need to talk to Dupa–I mean, Marinette... so move Césaire!" Chloé huffs and glares at the brunette who just looks too stunned to move, even if the look that Chloé was giving can make one shrink.

Since when did Chloé start calling Marinette by her first name? I thought they were still in last-name basis?

The mayor's daughter just rolls her eyes and pushes—more like shoves—Alya aside. I think she did that just to keep a distance between Alya and Marinette? For, I guess, a little privacy? Even if it was just a little space. Alya looked at her incredulously, like how she couldn't believe or she didn't like how Chloé pushed her away from her best friend.

"Hey!" the brunette shouts and shoves Chloé back as soon as the mayor's daughter tried to so much as utter a word, making her fall down on the floor and stare at her, shock and rage evident in both of their eyes. Each competing with who knows what.

Chloé abruptly stands up and stares down at Alya, her eyes in a crazed look and filled with fury. She looks like she wants to rip Alya a new one, "You bit--"

"Guys!" Marinette interjects at the two.

Thank god! I thought a fight between the two bullheaded girls would occur again. That wouldn't be good, I'm sure even the classroom wouldn't be able to handle it and collapse on itself.

"It's okay," she looks at both girls, assuring them with her hands up, like how you'd approach or tame a rabid animal. Which worked (I think?) since Marinette does have that soothing vibe around her. Although Alya still looked a bit furious and ready to pounce on the blonde, Chloé was a bit tamer and had held herself back and ended up just glaring at the bespectacled reporter in front of her and dusting off at her clothes.

Huh... never thought Chloé would be the more docile one.

"Alya," Marinette warns her best friend and immediately the said girl tenses up and looks away, almost ashamed. Marinette sighs and rubs her temples to soothe her upcoming headache, I think. Well, the two are quite a force to be reckoned with so they are also quite the handful.

The classroom grew silent, everyone (I didn't even notice that everyone had already arrived) was watching the scene that the blonde and reporter had started; even some of the students from the other class had stopped for a second in front of the classroom just to watch the (possible) fight that will ensue. The air had a tense atmosphere to it, so thick that you'd hold your breath because it felt quite suffocating.

I mean, I know I look like I'm being a bit dramatic ("well, you kind of ar—OW!") but it's true. Especially if the impending fight is between two of the most headstrong and resolute people in our class and the last fight between them ended up destroying multiple desks—including mine.

Marinette sighs and looks over at Chloé and gestures her to move closer, and which she did. "What is it Chloé?" she asks as an exasperated look takes over her face that screams: I am so done with these two.

Suddenly, a pink hue dusts her cheeks and she turns away. What...? Chloé fumbles for words and it took her a few seconds before she whispers a comprehensible reply. Seriously, WHAT?

"T-Thanks for, um, c-coming over yesterday." she looks down and scratches the back of her head, too embarrassed to even look at Marinette. A scowl is clearly shown on her reddish face yet gratitude and happiness(?) is seen in her eyes. Again, WH--

"What?!" Sabrina shouts at her seat and looks at Marinette and Chloé, then back and forth. "What do you mean 'coming over'? Chloé??????" her voice a bit strained and a questioning look on her face.

Chloé scoffs and looks away with a crossed look, her face becoming even redder, "Pft–! It means nothing! T-That's what," she responds and crosses her arms in front of her.

"But you said you weren't free tomorrow? That's why you said I couldn't come to hang out yesterday, remember??" she asks once more, feeling a bit betrayed. And didn't Chloé dislike Marinette? I mean, she had always tormented Marinette whenever she could so what happened?

Chloé just huffs and still refuses to look her (or anyone actually) in the eyes, face still a bit cherry–colored from embarrassment.

"I guess she didn't want to tell you....?" Marinette cuts in to gently lay the news down to Sabrina, her voice was gentle yet also a bit questioning (I don't know the reason why though) to not make Chloé's lack—best friend feel derided.

"Bu-But! But why?" she asks and looks at the blonde with a pleading and pitiful look, her bottom lip jutted out (I think she did that to make Chloé feel guilty—which kind of didn't work, to be honest).

"Sabrina," Marinette calls her to make the said girl's focus be on her. "Just because you're friends, doesn't mean Chloé has to tell you everything. She can choose what she wants to tell you and what she doesn't. Friends can keep secrets from each other, even those that are the closest." her voice soft and in a schooling, motherly tone.

Sabrina's face first held uncertainty but then slowly morphed into an understanding look. "You're right," she nods and looks down at her lap, "But hearing about it still would've felt nice."

"Maybe you can." Marinette smiles, a sweet and comforting one. "Chloé just must've forgotten to tell you about it, maybe ask her later." she assures Sabrina. Her voice mellow and soft as though she's speaking to a child (in a good way of course).

Sabrina opens her mouth and was about to say something when--

"Sabrina's right!" a sickly sweet—yet obviously forced, and disgusting enough to make me gag—voice had said from the door. Everyone follows the voice and sees Lila with a disgustingly fake concerned face as she pouts. Gross.

She looks at everyone's faces first and basks in the given attention before forwarding in front of Sabrina.

Okay, so this is the last one in my drafts so yeah... this’ll be the ending of ummm MIIWSIA (even though this is unfinished yeah sorry about that) but like as I said here I will be umm rewriting it so yeah don’t be sad *pats your head and gives you a hug* 

[chocoluckchipz]

Dance with Me, Chaton - 19

Read it on A03, WattPad, FF.net

Written for @ladynoirjuly2019

< Previous

19. Identity Reveal

Adrien ran. Going home to take his car would've probably been faster, but Adrien couldn't think straight.

Ladybug and her Chaton.

There was only one person whom Adrien could've called that name. Only one person called him Chaton in return.

He ran faster.

Faster.

FASTER.

There had to be some clues on his phone. He was sure there were. At least he could see if Ladybug texted him yet. If he failed to find her yesterday, she would've texted him already. She did every morning. And if not, well, he only hoped she didn't see him making out with Marinette… if she wasn't her, of course. Because as it stood now… The thought of Marinette being his Lady…

The club in his sight, Adrien dug deep and sprinted.

"My name is—Adrien Agreste. I forgot—my phone—here. Yesterday," he said in one breath as soon as he reached the bartender.

"I remember you." The guy smirked. "The non-drinking guy who downed a bottle of vodka with a girl and didn't make it to a room."

Adrien closed his eyes, still trying to catch his breath. "Yeah, I got it. Everyone saw. Can you tell me where I can find my phone?"

"Model and colour?"

Adrien answered.

"Can I see your ID?"

Adrien pulled out his driver's license.

"Here." The bartender drew his phone from somewhere below the bar.

"Thanks," Adrien murmured, grabbing the device. It was dead. He growled and ran again. This time back to his apartment. The moment his phone was back on, Adrien feverishly unlocked it. There were quite a few missed calls and messages, most from his father and publicist. He ignored them, clicking on Discord.

Chat Noir: Hello. Where are you?

Ladybug: At the bar. Having fun with my crush.

Chat Noir: What's the name of my rival?

Ladybug: Adrien.

Chat Noir: <image1584>

Chat Noir: I'm right beside this lady. Can you show me your Adrien?

Ladybug: <image1281>

The last message was sent only an hour ago.

Ladybug: So, I guess you found me yesterday, huh?

Adrien's lips spread into a lovesick grin. Marinette. His Lady was Marinette. The most awesome girl he'd ever met was also the one he was slowly falling for the last few weeks. On both sides of her identity.

Chat Noir: Now I have a legitimate excuse to give you those hickeys.

She replied right away.

Ladybug: Are you trying to get out of making it up to me?

Chat Noir: Not at all. I'm just saying, I'm not a creep who jumped you for no reason.

Ladybug: Do you want to get together and discuss this and "reasons" and other stuff, like the fact that you're my boss?

Chat Noir: When and where? And I wouldn't worry about the boss stuff. Father's regulations concerning in-company dating are pretty lax and personally, he couldn't care less.

Adrien tried to push the worry away. He didn't lie: Gabriel truly couldn't care less about his employees dating as long as it didn't influence their work. However, Adrien was his son, and that little aspect might affect how his father would react. He didn't want to talk about it now, though. Marinette was his Ladybug! He'd deal with his father when he got there. For now, let him just bathe in happiness he'd never thought possible.

Ladybug: Let's talk about it tonight. I have to go to my parents for dinner in an hour, but I can make it out in two hours? So, I'll be free at seven?

Adrien checked his messages. Nothing from Plagg which didn't mean he didn't have to go today. Just not in the next few hours.

Chat Noir: Seven works for me. I'll pick you up at your parents' bakery?

Ladybug: No way. If my parents see us (and believe me, they will) we aren’t getting out. Stop a block or two away and text me when you're there.

Chat Noir: Got it.

Ladybug: Have to go now. See you soon, Chaton. <3

Chat Noir: Have fun. Ttyl, my Lady. <3

His heart struggling to beat consistently, Adrien grinned at the screen, biting at his lip. She wanted to see him! She even sent him a heart! Being fully aware of his identity and everything he did, including all the embarrassing incidents he'd had.

His breathing hitched as he scrolled higher. He was her crush! He must be dreaming but no, there it was: black letters on a white background. She called him her crush!

He grinned wider. Dreams do come true. Marinette liked him back.

Wait! Was… was this a date then? The word hadn't been said, but it sure sounded like one. He'd better prepare. Just in case. He had three hours until he had to pick her up. That should be more than enough to plan something. Location first. They'd probably want somewhere private to talk. The public had seen too much of them already… speaking of which, he'd better make sure that video was taken down soon. Note to himself: call back Nathalie and his publicist as soon as he finished planning the possible date.

So, should he bring her home? Nah. It might send the wrong message, and he'd rather avoid that. They needed to talk it out first. Her place was out of the question for the same reason. Restaurants were too busy and full of people. Plus, she’d be having dinner with her parents, so a restaurant was a No. They needed somewhere quiet. Maybe they could go to a park or stroll along the Seine? The Seine was probably a better option, less touristy places there. Or he could drive them to one of the more remote places… The farther from the centre of the city, the better. Adrien held his breath. He knew the perfect place. He hadn't been there in years, but it was perfect! Done. Now, off to change his clothes and get flowers because he absolutely had to bring her flowers…

Three hours later, Adrien stood in front of his car a block away from Tom and Sabine’s bakery, a bag with Marinette's clean clothes in one hand, a red rose in his other, and a text message sent a few minutes back. She didn't take long to appear.

"Hey." Marinette waved and smiled at him, her cheeks adorably pink.

"Hi," Adrien echoed, frozen in his place. Gosh, she looked amazing. Her hair tied up in a messy ponytail, a red top, paired with a fitted, cropped jeans and red sandal heels. A simple clutch and a few bracelets for accessories. Adrien forgot how to breathe. There was a reason Marinette got into Gabriel all on her own. She certainly knew how to dress to impress.

“You look amazing,” Adrien whispered.

“Thank you,” Marinette said. "We'd better get out of here before my parents see us. Papa wanted to take Maman for a walk just now."

“Kay,” he mumbled and didn't move, his half-lidded eyes glued to Marinette. She had a crush on him. Him! This amazing woman thought he was worthy of love.

Marinette giggled and pointed to his car. “Is this yours?”

“Yes.” He stirred and offered her a rose. “For you.”

“Thank you.” Marinette smiled, taking the flower.

Adrien opened the door for her. “After you.”

Marinette settled in. As soon as he closed the door behind himself, she asked, "So where are we going?"

"A little garden by the Seine on the outskirts of Paris. It's the most private public place I could think of for tonight."

"Sounds good."

Adrien drove off. His hands sweaty, he glanced at Marinette fiddling with the rose.

“Is it all right?”

She looked at him questionably. “What do you mean?”

“The temperature. Should I make it colder or warmer?”

She smiled. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

He let a few cars pass at an intersection, before making a turn.

“Do you want some music?”

“Sure.”

Adrien turned on his favourite radio station and Jagged Stone’s tune ripped through space. He hurried to turn the volume down.

“Sorry.”

She chuckled. “That’s fine. I love Jagged.”

“Me too!”

Another intersection. Red light. Light traffic. He almost missed their turn.

“How was the—”

“How was your—”

They both chuckled.

“You go first,” Adrien offered.

“I just wanted to know how was your day?”

“Not bad. Lots of running around.”

“You didn't get in trouble with your father? For that video?”

“Not much,” Adrien shrugged. “He’s too preoccupied with his own problems to get me in real trouble. I was summoned more for a scolding than anything else.”

“That sucks. I’m sorry.”

He slammed the brakes, a motorcycle cutting in in front of them. “Sorry.”

“That’s fine.”

They stopped at a red light.

“How was dinner?”

“Good. As always. You know my parents. They are easy to please just by showing up.”

“They seem very nice.”

“They are. I’m lucky to be their daughter.”

The car in front of them suddenly stopped. Adrien slammed the breaks again.

“Sorry. I’m usually a better driver. I promise. Don’t know what’s going on  today.”

Marinette laughed. “You’re alive and your car isn't dented. I’d say you’re a decent driver.”  

He concentrated on the road, terrified of making a mistake. They could talk later. For now, Adrien had to focus on getting them there safely.

"So,” Marinette broke the silence a few moments later. “You are Chat Noir?"

Adrien nodded. "And you're Ladybug."

She hummed.

They fell into silence. Why was it so awkward now when they could chat for hours online and had no issues talking as Adrien and Marinette before knowing they were also Chat Noir and Ladybug? Was it—

"Okay, I have to know: do you really dislike your father's new line?" Marinette asked. "Because I thought—"

"That if I'm his son, I must love everything he produces?"

"Kind of?"

Adrien huffed. "Please. I don't think he really likes it himself. But he was tipsy and Audrey Bourgeois had it out for him. It all happened way too fast, and now he's dead set on going through with that ridiculous bet with his head high."

"So, technically, we didn't have a chance for him to change his mind in the first place?"

"I was hoping more people than just me would appeal to his reason," Adrien replied.

Marinette sighed. "Well, high fashion is full of ridiculous outfits. Let's just hope it'll pass as one of those ‘made for art, rather than wearability' things."

Adrien chuckled. "I'm sure everyone would look at it that way. Though, usually, it's a few outfits in a line, not most of it."

"There is always a first for everything," Marinette snickered. "And your father did start a few new trends over the years. Maybe this time it's us who don't get his genius?"

"I really hope that's the case," Adrien chuckled. "Otherwise, I can't see how Gabriel can remain at the top, considering it's already in the middle of at least two scandals."

"The designers' firing?"

"Yeah. Father's trying to contain it, but from what I've heard, the damage is already done, and if he'd managed to salvage his reputation with payouts only, he'd be lucky."

Marinette sighed and said nothing for a few moments. "What's the other one?"

"Scandal?"

She nodded.

"Us," Adrien said. "#AgresteMakeOut. Though Nathalie assured me she took the video down and it should die out soon."

Marinette turned to watch the scenery in her window, whispering, "It seems I'm at the centre of both scandals. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it." Adrien used the few moments he had at a red light and turned to Marinette, placing his hand on top of hers. "You might be involved, but it was me who pushed it into a scandal territory both times. And since I've been the perfect son all my life, I think it's time I caused my father a few troubles already. Otherwise, how will he experience the full joy of parenthood?"

Marinette giggled. "Still—"

"No stills, no buts, no worries," Adrien said. "We'll have time for those later. For now, let's just enjoy this evening and take one thing at a time."

"Okay." Marinette smiled at him and switched the topic to something unrelated to the main issue on both of their minds.

They arrived at the park shortly after. Majestic trees serving as a canopy, bountiful of bushes and flowers nestled on the sides of wide walks, vining between spacious lawns. Not many people walked around. Birds’ singing filled the space instead. The park housed multiple benches, but Adrien led Marinette to the one from which they could see the sunset over the Seine and the part of the city in the background.

"It's so pretty here," she said, looking around.

"My mom used to take me here for walks when I was a kid," Adrien said, sitting down. "She loved it."

"I can see why."

Shyly, Marinette joined Adrien on the bench, her eyes focused on the scenery, cheeks the prettiest shade of pink. The conversation stagnated, neither brave enough to start.

"So…" Marinette started a few awkward moments later. "We wanted to talk?"

"We did," Adrien replied. A light breeze blew by, bringing a faint, flowery scent of the nearby blooms. There was a distant noise of people chatting and cars passing somewhere far away. Adrien nibbled on his lip, fiddling with his fingers. "You did an incredible job on covering the hickeys. I can't see a thing."

Marinette suppressed a snort. "Thanks. The girl from the store was most helpful."

He rubbed at the back of his neck. "I read our chat from yesterday."

"So did I."

"You said you had a crush on me."

Her face went crimson, eyes snapping to him. "I was drunk! I could've claimed to be a long-lost love child of Namibian Princess or an elephant from the Mars!"

Adrien laughed.

"Not funny," Marinette pouted. "I warned you I say nonsense when I'm drunk."

His chest tightened, smile vanishing from his face. "So, you lie when you're drunk?"

"Not necessary, but I can say stuff I don't mean."

He searched her face for a moment, something tightening in his throat. "So, you don't have a crush on me?"

She didn't answer, bowing her head and hiding her face in her hands.

His gaze falling to the ground, Adrien sighed. "I… Sorry, I thought… I assumed… hoped at least…"

"Maybe a little," she murmured into palms. "Tiny teensy one. Miniscule. Ridiculously small. Like almost non-existent."

Adrien grinned, joy filling his chest as he scooted closer and took Marinette's hands away from her face. “Really?”

"You can shame me," Marinette pouted. "I've had a crush on you since I was, like, thirteen. I admit—a celebrity crush at first, but then it grew into something more. And now that I've met you in person—why do I even have to justify myself to you, anyway? It's your fault for being all flirty and gorgeous and kind and fun and completely amazing and don't you get me started on those Pet Me, Marinette thingy! Do you even realize I almost died in there?" She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "It's not like I'm not allowed to have a crush, anyway, so I'm not sorry, but it's completely your fault."

Adrien laughed and threw his arms around Marinette, pulling her into a hug. His head buried into her hair, Adrien whispered, "Wasn't I the antisocial, thinking-that-he's-better-than-anyone-else son of Gabriel Agreste? How did you still like me?"

Marinette tensed for a moment, but once he wrapped his arms around her tighter, she relaxed. "One reason I've been so ecstatic to work at Gabriel was because I thought it would allow me to meet you. But then you were never around, and when you were, you never paid much attention to any of us, always rushing away as soon as you were free. My crush got squished pretty fast, and rumours were swirling around, and I was in a vulnerable place, so I might have believed them. That's until I've met you, of course, but I'm still sorry."

"It's me who's sorry," Adrien murmured into her hair. "I was too busy to notice you before. To notice anyone. My loss. If only I'd known there was such a sweet and beautiful girl who liked me."

"I'm sure there were and still are plenty of girls who like you, Adrien."

He shook his head, a bittersweet smile on his lips. "I'm sure there are. I mean I get dozens of Valentine cards every year—"

"Oh, gosh, no!" Marinette groaned, dropping her head into her hands.

Adrien pulled away and frowned. "What's wrong? Did I say something?"

"Please, don't hate me," she whispered through her hands.

"Why would I hate you?"

"I used to send you letters every Valentine until I was about eighteen. I'm such a fool. I didn't even sign them."

Adrien sucked in the air. "You didn't sign them?"

Marinette shook her head. "I kept forgetting or was too ashamed."

Adrien chuckled and gently lifted her face to his. "Please, tell me you also put little hearts over your Is?"

She looked at him. "Yes? Why?"

Adrien grinned, pulling her back into a hug. "Every year there was only one unsigned card, and I always thought that person was the only sincere one. They didn't expect me to reply. They just told me their feelings, and that was it. It was cute. I ended up looking forward to your cards, and I might have kept them all."

"You kept them?"

"Yup. Not only that: I reread them often."

"No," Marinette whined. "They were cringy. Why would you do that?"

"They're beautiful." Adrien smiled, pulling Marinette close. "Just like you."

Her lips parted, eyes widening just a speck as Adrien leaned forward.

"I really like you, Marinette. As Ladybug and as Marinette."

She gulped, her cheeks darkening. "You… you like me?"

"Very much," Adrien whispered, cradling her face with his hands.

Marinette's lips parted in an airy, shy smile.

He gave her one of her own and leaned in.

Her breaths shallow, Marinette let wet her lips, her eyes fluttering closed.

That was all the permission Adrien needed. He pulled her closer. Soft breaths burned at his skin, her lips just a speck away—

His phone rang a particular tune.

His body tensing, Adrien growled, closing his eyes. Barely breathing, he pulled back and giving Marinette an apologetic smile, murmured, "I'm sorry. I have to take this one."

Adorably flustered, she squicked something incoherent and pulled away.

He didn’t take his eyes off her, fishing for his phone. The annoying voice from his cellphone brought him back to reality.

“You didn’t answer my messages.”

Adrien frowned. “I didn't get any. Good evening to you, too.”

“Get a better phone then,” Plagg grunted. “Can’t you afford it?”

“My phone is fine. You haven't sent me anything.”

“I did and every single one of them said that you have a session in ten minutes.”

Adrien pressed his lips together. Plagg was lying. He was sure he was. But then, his phone had been off for some time. If Plagg wasn’t lying and he’d missed his messages, what else did he miss?  Funny though, how in the last four hours Adrien had his phone back, Plagg hadn't sent him a single message… “I’m sorry, but I can’t make it tonight.”

“Bullshit. I’ll see you in ten.”

“Plagg, I can’t make it. I’m serious. I’m out of the city. Can’t I have a day off?”

“Absolutely not, but I’ll give you an hour to get here.”

Adrien growled, his body tensing. His pulse sped up, heat coursing through his body. Enough! He’d have enough. “You know what! I’ve had enough! I quit! You win!”

He disconnected and shoved his cellphone on the bench beside himself. Closing his eyes, Adrien dropped his head into his hands. His lips pressed together, he growled. He quit! He’d wanted to quit for a long time, and now he did! Plagg had it coming. He did it to himself. There was no need to make Adrien this miserable, no need to mess up his schedule, his sleep, his sanity. He was tired of his bullshit. He was mentally and physically exhausted! He had a right to quit. Plagg hadn't even taught him dancing yet! Why would Adrien stick around and let that selfish glutton torture him even more?

Why did he feel like he’d just lost something important then?

A light touch to his shoulder. Adrien looked at Marinette, apology written all over his face. “I’m sorry. I just… that was my butt camp instructor… and I just—”

“Plagg?” Marinette looked at him with her eyes wide. “You said he’s name was Plagg?”

Adrien sighed, “Yeah, Plagg. Camembert-stinking tyrant Plagg. He even has a throne,” he scoffed. “Can you believe it?”

Marinette squealed in return. "I only know of one Plagg in the whole of Paris. What does he train you in?"

"He was supposed to teach me dancing, but so far—"

She gasped, her eyes widening. Immediately, she was on her knees in front of him, grabbing his hands. "Oh my gosh! Adrien! You got invited???"

He looked at the ring on his finger. "I think so? The day I visited Kwami Kave, after they kicked me out, I helped an old man on the street. He gave me this ring and Plagg's card. I was curious, so I called him, and it all snowballed from there."

Marinette grinned in excitement. "Adrien. That’s amazing! He invited you. Plagg chose you. Do you even realize how awesome this is?"

He frowned. "No? There is nothing awesome about that glutton. All he cares about is his reeking cheese and making me miserable."

Marinette giggled. "Well, Master Plagg is peculiar, but if he chose you, it means he's quite fond of you."

"Hard to believe he feels anything for anyone but his cheese."

"I beg to differ." Marinette stood up. "We should go. You can't be late.”

“I just quit. I can’t go.”

“Text him back,” Marinette begged. “He’ll take you back. Please, Adrien, I know he’s harsh, but I promise you, Master Plagg has a heart of gold. His approach is just… different, but if he chose you it means you need him.”

“I need my sleep,” Adrien grunted. “I need some normalcy back in my life.”

She shook her head. “I can’t tell you much because I don’t know your life, Adrien, but if you stick with Master Plagg and pass his training, your life would never be the same. My dance trainer practically saved my life. It was also hard; believe me, I’ve been there. But it’s only at the start. Tikki’s become my best friend and still helps me with so much even now. I could never go back to the way I lived before. Do you want to live the way you’ve lived so far, or would you be willing to try something different? Something that might be much better than what you have now? You can always go back if you’d like but don’t quit before you reached the end to see what’s there.”

She looked at him with her eyes wide and begging. Her hands gently holding hers, Marinette still lightly squeezed his. “Please?” she whispered. “Give him another chance.”

Adrien inhaled deeply and squeezed her hands back, closing his eyes and bowing his head. How could he say no to her? “Alright. I’ll give it another go.”

Marinette launched forward, throwing her arms around Adrien. “Thank you! Master Plagg is full of surprises. Good ones, I swear."

He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “Hard to believe there is anything good in him, but I’ll believe you.”  

She pulled away a little and kissed his cheek, cradling his face in her hands. “It’ll get easier, I promise. You’ll love the end.”

“As long as you’re by my side,” he whispered, lavishing under her touch. “I can take anything. Any kind of end, as long as you’re there.”

“I will be,” she whispered back, her head leaning closer. “I’ll be with you all the way till the end, Chaton.”

“Promise?”

She lightly touched his lips with hers. “Promise.”

_______________________________________________________________________

Next >

[edendaphne]

Discordant Sonata - Chapter 2: Blues

Hi guys!  Guess what!  I finished the next chapter of “Discordant Sonata!”

Read on Ao3 (archiveofourown.org)

Read on Wattpad

I’m also including it under the cut, in case you prefer to read it here on Tumblr.

Chapter 2: Blues

Mood Music:  Ballad Of The Sad Young Men - Roberta Flack   

Chat Noir leaped through his bedroom’s open window and promptly detransformed. All he wanted to do was shower and plop on the couch to become a proper vegetable for an hour or two. He could use the downtime to decide whether or not to meet up with Ladybug later that night.

His face felt hot as he remembered how her lithe body felt in his arms, how soft her cheek was when he whispered to her as they danced. The horrified look on her face that morphed into an empathetic one when she found out his relationship to Hawkmoth. He couldn’t forget the way her arms felt around his neck, her head lying on his chest, or how he could smell her shampoo when his head rested on top of hers while tears streamed down his face. He just couldn’t get it out of his head. It was so confusing, so unexpected. He was never meant to get to know her, nor to realize that she was so normal and just so… nice. It would make his job much harder if he thought of her as anything more than an enemy, an obstacle to his father’s-- to his goal.

He pushed those thoughts aside and walked towards the bathroom when there was an abrupt, though not unexpected, knock on the door.

Adrien grumbled before calling out, “Come in.”

His father’s assistant entered the room through the door closest to him (why did his bedroom need TWO doors, honestly?). Her mouth twitched as if she was trying to find the right words, then settled for, “Your father would like to speak with you, Adrien.”

“Thank you, Nathalie,” he replied dejectedly. He was walking past when Nathalie grabbed his shoulder, gently but firmly. He stopped and stared at her, a bit puzzled. She closed her eyes and lowered her head slightly.

She sighed and looked back up at him. “He… isn’t pleased. Just thought I’d let you know.”

Adrien placed his hand on top of hers and squeezed. He quirked a small smile at her and murmured quietly, “I’ll be fine, Nathalie. Thanks.”

She nodded and let go, the creeping sense of dread in her stomach growing as she watched Adrien make his way towards his father’s study. 

Adrien stopped short of the door to the office and took a deep breath to try to gather up as much courage as he could muster. He turned the doorknob with a shaky hand and walked in until he stood a few meters away from his father, then waited, knowing that Gabriel was already aware of his presence. The blinding fluorescent lights made him feel exposed, as if he were in an interrogation room and he had already been pronounced guilty.

“What were you thinking?!” Gabriel barked suddenly, making Adrien flinch. “If you’d only been able to keep Ladybug occupied until my servant returned to you, we would have easily taken her miraculous. It should have been child’s play. But not only were you apparently incapable of doing such a simple task, but you had the nerve to actually help that… that PEST?!” “F-Father, it wasn’t like that!”

“Then explain yourself! You’d better have a damn good explanation for such insolence!”

Adrien tried to steady his breathing before speaking. “When the akuma turned on me I knew she wasn’t going to work out. She was only interested in her pointless ball and couldn’t care less about helping me; her lack of focus would have resulted in defeat regardless. Delaying the inevitable would have been impractical, so I allowed Ladybug to use her lucky charm to speed things up a bit. I know how much you hate it when people waste your time.”

Gabriel paused for a moment and asked rhetorically, “Is that so?”

Adrien gulped and looked down to the ground avoiding his father’s gaze, a cold chill trickling down his spine. 

Gabriel sighed heavily. “How long, Adrien? How long must we keep fighting this exasperating war where that troublesome girl frustrates our plans due to her power of dumb luck? Have you given up on our objective? Have you given up on her?”

Adrien's eyes widened and they shot upward to meet his father's steady, unforgiving gaze.  “N-no! Never!” he replied desperately.

“If you won’t help bring your mother back then you are useless to me. I will take back your miraculous, and your freedom along with it.” 

“Father, please!” Adrien begged. “I’ll get you the earrings, just give me another chance!”

“See that you do. Don’t make me regret placing my trust in you.” He turned away and waved his hand dismissively. “You may go.”

“Yes, sir.”  Adrien nodded morosely and turned to leave, trying to remember the last time he felt proud to be an Agreste... or if there ever was one.

Adrien re-entered his bedroom and locked the door. Leaning his back against it, he slid down to the floor and buried his face in his knees. 

Plagg zoomed out of Adrien’s pocket. “Sheesh, what a killjoy.” He shook his head. “Forget about him, Adrien. Let’s go out and get something to eat before we meet up with Ladybug.”

Adrien laughed incredulously, “Why in the world would I want to do that? You heard my father. One more mistake and that’ll be the end of Chat Noir.” He looked up at Plagg and his expression softened. “I’m not ready to give it all up. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t want to lose you. I don’t…” he squeezed his eyes shut and tried to steady his voice. “I don’t want to be caged up again.”   

“Adrien, Ladybug was right. Your father’s an ass. Plus, a little teenage rebellion is good for you! You should try it sometime. You’ll be eighteen soon, so do it while you still can.”

Adrien gave him a lopsided smile. “And you’re not just saying that because you want me to become Ladybug’s ally and you can hang out with her kwami?”

Plagg crossed his tiny arms and said with feigned outrage, “Hmph! How rude!” Then he smirked and replied with a wink, “Although, that would definitely be a perk.”

Adrien chuckled mirthfully and extended his hand for the tiny cat faerie to land in. He held him close, the other hand scratching his little head. Plagg nuzzled into his chest and returned the hug.

Adrien stood up and walked towards the window. “Well… there’s no harm in just talking, right?”

“Your enthusiasm is contagious,” Plagg replied flatly.  “Anyway, let’s just go!”

Adrien chuckled, “Okay, okay. Claws out.”

-------

Adrien loved the liberty that was bestowed upon him every time he became Chat Noir, sprinting and leaping unfettered across the darkness of Parisian rooftops. The city was quieter up there, the loudness and chaos of the streets dulled to mere white noise. There were no akumas and consequently, no orders or demands made on him; he was free… at least for the time being.

He paused on a balcony railing to catch his breath for a minute. He could see Notre Dame from where he crouched, the full moon highlighting its façade.

Out of nowhere he felt prickles on the back of his neck, the kind you get when you feel you’re being watched. His senses sharpened and he scanned the area, trying to determine the source. It was then that he locked eyes with a small child on the other side of the glass door of the balcony he was perched on. The little boy, around 5 or 6 years old stared at him like a deer in headlights, Chat’s glowing green eyes staring back at him. Adrien loved kids, so Chat smiled and waved at him. Instead of being greeted back, however, he was met with a horrified shriek. The little boy gripped his blankets in terror and tears began streaming down his face. Dismayed, Chat promptly bounded away from the balcony before the boy’s parents showed up and hurried towards his destination.

“Claws in.”  A flash of green and Adrien was back to his civilian self. He leaned on the railing closest to him and groaned in frustration.

Plagg hovered behind him.  “Hey kid, forget about it, it’s no big deal,” he placated.

“Terrorizing children isn’t exactly my idea of a fun Friday night activity, Plagg,” Adrien huffed.

Plagg shrugged. “Well, you are considered a villain. Can you blame him?”

Adrien sighed heavily. “No. I really can’t. That’s the price I have to pay. The faster this is all over then the faster I can stop being seen as a bad omen to everyone in the city.”

Plagg hesitated, then asked, “Are you going to try to steal Ladybug’s miraculous during your meeting?”

Adrien paused to consider, then shook his head. “That would probably be the smart thing to do. Steal it while her guard is down. But this is a parley; it would be wrong.”

“How noble of you,” Plagg said sarcastically and zipped into Adrien’s pocket to fetch some cheese. 

“But... do you think she’s trying to trick me and she’ll try to steal my miraculous?”

Plagg made a noncommittal “I dunno” sound and bit into his cheese wedge.

“You’re no help,” Adrien huffed.

As he had arrived a couple of hours early, Adrien killed some time by reading a book on his phone while Plagg chased pigeons around the rooftop. At thirty minutes before midnight Plagg abruptly zoomed into Adrien’s shirt pocket. Adrien heard a faint yet unmistakable zipping sound, followed by gentle footfall a couple of seconds afterwards. Sure enough, Ladybug landed a few feet away on a raised platform, facing away from him and he froze.  He hadn’t expected her to show up this early or he would have transformed already. He couldn’t risk doing so now without revealing his identity.

He heard her murmur, “At least I’m actually early, for once.”

A moment passed and she sat down, her feet dangling from the side of the adjacent roof. Adrien’s eyes darted around frantically looking for an escape route, then started tiptoeing away from her ledge.

Unexpectedly, Ladybug began to sing softly as she waited.  He stopped in his tracks and whipped back around, mouth agape. That song… it couldn’t be, there was no way. It was one that his mother used to sing to him when he was young; it held so many warm memories for him, of being comforted when he felt sad, of being loved when he was lonely.

  Mood Music:  True Colors - Cyndi Lauper (Amy Diamond cover) 

  You with the sad eyes Don't be discouraged Oh, I realize It’s hard to take courage It was as if time had stopped and the only thing that existed was Ladybug and her enchanting voice, her dulcet tones pulling on his heartstrings. In a world full of people You can lose sight of it all And the darkness inside you Can make you feel so small His heart felt both light and heavy at the same time. He wanted to run away but couldn’t force himself to move his feet. He continued to gape at the silhouetted form, gently framed by moonlight and the lights below. But I see your true colors Shining through I see your true colors And that's why I love you Minutes passed but it felt like an eternity. Fire burned in his chest and spread up his spine and down his limbs. So don't be afraid to let them show Your true colors True colors are beautiful Like a rainbow

 There was no way this could be a coincidence, but if not that, then what else? Was it a sign? And if so, what did it mean?

Before he could continue down that line of thought, Ladybug turned her head and they made eye contact.

“Oh!” Ladybug squeaked and bounced to her feet. She wobbled at the ledge, then waved her arms to regain her balance.

“S-sorry! I’m sorry!” Adrien waved his hands apologetically. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Ladybug hopped down, almost stumbling down to where he was and stammered, “N-no, it’s okay! I didn’t know anyone else was up here. I wasn’t paying attention, I’m a bit distracted tonight. This is a bit embarrassing, sorry.” She wrung her hands together nervously as she rambled.

“No, it’s not your fault, I didn’t mean to intrude on your privacy. I was up here and heard your singing, and I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“Ohhh, you heard that, huh?” Her face reddened as her eyes darted away from him. “I only ever sing when I’m alone, I’m kind of shy about it, actually. I didn’t realize you were here or I wouldn’t ha-” She stopped suddenly and her face twisted a bit. “But wait… what are you doing here so late, Adrien? Is everything okay?” Her tone becoming urgent. “I should have asked you this from the beginning, are you alright??”

“Y-yeah! I’m fine, I just-- Wait, how do you know my name?”

Ladybug’s eyes grew wide and she twiddled her fingers nervously, “Oh! Um, I- that is, you- I, uh… I saw you in a magazine!”

“Oh… right.”  Adrien felt so foolish, he felt like throwing himself into a bottomless pit. Of course she’d seen him before, there were billboards all over Paris with his giant, stupid face on them.  Now she probably thought he was some sheltered, moronic simpleton who was out of touch with “regular” people; she would probably tell all her friends that Adrien Agreste was as sharp as a spoon. He’d never live it down, she might even--

“Anyway, is everything alright? You’re out here all by yourself so late,” Ladybug continued, her voice still laced with concern. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”

“No! No, I’m fine, really,” he replied, rubbing the back of his neck, his cheeks feeling warm. “My father and I were having a late dinner at Atelier Maître Albert. He went straight home afterwards but I had my bodyguard drive me here so I could get some fresh air,” he lied.

Ladybug tilted her head slightly, a warm smile spreading across her face. “Well, as long as you’re okay. Do you have a ride back home? Would you like an escort?” A second later her smile vanished and her head shot up. Her face contorted as her voice gradually rose in pitch and volume, “That is, not like an ‘escort’ escort! I meant, would you like an escort to take home? I mean, would you like to take home an escort? I mean, would you like for me to escort you to your house??”  Ladybug’s face was beet red at this point and she, too, looked like she was trying to find a hole to leap into.

Adrien’s befuddled wide-eyed stare turned into a fit of giggles, and Ladybug smiled sheepishly for a moment, then joined in the silly laughter. By the end of it both teens were sporting matching doofy grins and pink tinged cheeks.

“I appreciate the offer, Ladybug, but I’ll be fine. My driver is down on the street waiting for me.” Adrien gave her the most reassuring smile he could muster.

It must have worked because she visibly relaxed and replied, “That’s a relief. I wouldn’t want anything bad happening to you. Paris can be pretty dangerous at night. That’s when all the weirdos like to come out and cause trouble.”  Adrien felt his body tense a bit. He wondered if she included Chat Noir in her list of dangerous “weirdos”.

He decided to try to pry a little about her thoughts on the subject, “What about you, Mademoiselle Ladybug? What are you doing out here so late at night? I’m sure you can handle yourself just fine, but if I recall, there was an akuma attack earlier so there probably won’t be any more for tonight.”

Ladybug shuffled her foot and replied, “You can just call me Ladybug, Adrien, no need to be so formal.” She grinned at him bashfully, appreciating his courteousness. “I’m actually waiting for someone to show up.” As soon as she said that she kicked herself internally, wishing she’d been able to come up with a vague excuse instead of the truth.  But then again, her thinking always became muddled when she was with Adrien, so as usual, it wasn’t meant to be.

Adrien was a bit taken aback at her straightforwardness. He wanted to know more about what she thought about his alter ego, so he inquired cautiously, “Oh. Are you waiting for a friend? Or… a ‘weirdo’?”  His anxiety climbed and he almost felt a need to hold his breath after asking her. This was about more than just gathering intel; her answer mattered so much to him at a personal level and he wasn’t sure why.

She shrugged her shoulders and sighed wistfully. “Actually, I’m meeting with... someone who I’d like to get to know better.  I’m hoping that maybe someday they’ll want to be my friend too.” She looked back up at him and smiled warmly, the sincerity in her words shaking him to the core.  He genuinely felt that she wasn’t trying to lure Chat into a trap or trick him. Not only that, but it looked like she truly wanted to befriend him, and not just recruit him.

“Well, I hope you two have a good chat. UMM, that is--” he stammered, “I hope your meeting goes well. Anyway, I should get going.” He smiled nervously, hoping she wouldn’t notice his awkwardness and stumbling over his words.

She smiled brightly at him. “Thank you, Adrien.” She stepped closer and extended her arm. “It was really nice to finally meet you in person.”  He shook her hand; her grip was firm but her slender fingers were soft and dainty.

“Likewise. Have a good night, Ladybug.” For some reason he didn’t want to let go of her yet. Holding her hand made him feel safer somehow, as if she was an anchor to keep him steady. He forced himself to let go and headed towards the door that led to the stairs.

He had scarcely taken two steps when Ladybug suddenly blurted out, "S-so, would you like to see a movie with me sometime?!" 

Adrien whirled around and gaped at her. "W-what?"

Ladybug paused and her face looked like she’d been dunked in ice water.  She’d totally forgotten that she wasn’t Marinette right now. She suddenly waved her arms and sputtered, "Ohhhh my goodness, I AM SO SORRY, I don’t know what came over me! I shouldn't have asked, that was super inappropriate! I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, I really didn't mean to! I swear I’m not some creepy fan, it's just that--"

"I'd love to!" Adrien interrupted, shocking her out of her rambling. It was a perfect opportunity for him to compare her treatment of Adrien, to her treatment of Chat Noir. If she treated everyone with the same kindness she was currently showing, then maybe his father's ideal of Ladybug was wrong.

Ladybug’s eyes popped wide open. "Y-you would?!"

Adrien’s face felt hot and he screamed internally, his brain screeching something analogous to WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!  Nevertheless, he replied, "Yeah! I would. Are you free on Sunday? Say, 8pm?"

"Yes! That sounds great! Sh-should I pick you up, or...?" 

"I'll meet you at the Trocadero," he replied. Then he smirked at her cheekily. “I’ll wear a red hoodie so you can find me easier.”

Ladybug let out a giggle and beamed. “That would be wonderful! I’m looking forward to it.”

Adrien took a few steps back and waved weakly at her, a dopey smile plastered on his face as he headed towards the stairwell. Ladybug’s body felt like it was shaking and would implode at any second, but she managed to wave back.

Once he was out of sight, Plagg whisper-screamed from his shirt pocket, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

"This way, I can see if she treats me differently," Adrien explained in a hushed whisper. "She can’t be that perfect, can she?" "Sure. Keep telling yourself that, kid."

“Nevermind, I need to go meet with Ladybug… again.”

A few minutes later, a newly transformed Chat extended his staff from an adjacent building and vaulted onto Notre Dame from the opposite direction. He approached the area cautiously. Now that he wasn’t Adrien, he couldn’t have his guard down anymore.  He wasn’t entirely sure he could fully trust her, and that she wouldn’t behave differently than when she was with a citizen. He slowly turned the corner, not sure what to expect. He certainly wasn’t prepared to find Ladybug leaning on a wall staring out dreamily towards the city, the lights from below giving her an almost ethereal glow.

He walked up to her and she didn’t even notice he was there until he was by her side. She really should be more careful, I could have taken her by surprise and stolen her miraculous, he thought to himself. He tried to get himself into his lighthearted “Chat Noir” mode and greeted her playfully, “Peekaboo, Bugaboo.”

She yelped loudly in surprise, jumping backwards and nearly falling off the ledge… again... (had she always been this clumsy?) but Chat grabbed her arm at the last second and pulled her towards him, holding her steady by the waist.

They froze in place for a few moments, their near-embrace reminiscent from earlier that night when they had danced together, held each other close. They gazed into each other’s eyes for a few moments, memories of tangled limbs and light touches of skin whirling through their heads, bringing up all those intense emotions from before.

He finally released her and rubbed the back of his neck nervously, silently hoping his face wasn’t as red as he felt it, then took a small step back. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. Are you alright?”  

Ladybug let out a nervous laugh. “I’m--I’m fine! Totally fine! I’m peachy! Haha!” She exclaimed a bit too loudly to be natural, then reached back and fiddled with her ponytail, trying to calm down.

“It seems I was 'juiced' in time. If you fell, you'd be nothing but 'pulp' ,” he quipped, winking.

“Well, I a- peach -iate the save.” She smiled back at him. “A-anyway!” She slowly shook off the jitteriness and cleared her throat, her voice sobering as she smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles in her suit. “I’m really glad you came. H-how are you? Is… are you okay? How did everything go with��� with your father?” She looked up at him apprehensively.

He looked away and inhaled sharply. He wasn’t anticipating such a personal question right away. When he didn’t answer after a long pause, she spoke up, “I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer that, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I understand.” She walked up to him when he remained silent and gently placed her hand on his forearm. The physical contact soothed him; he hadn’t been comforted through touch in a really long time. 

He turned to face her and smiled weakly, then replied, “Thank you. I don’t think I can talk about it, at least not right now. It’s…” He sighed. “Things are difficult.”

She looked up at him, not with pity, but warmth and compassion in her eyes. With her other hand, she reached down and grabbed him by the hand. “Come on, I want to show you something.” He squeezed back and followed her across the corridor (was he blushing again? Please don’t let her think he was just permanently sunburned) until they reached a narrow alcove.

She let go of his hand and knelt down by one of the gargoyles, then brought out a small backpack. She motioned for him to sit next to her, at a concealed spot between two tall columns. She reached into the backpack and brought out a round metal tin and a thermos with two cups. 

“I brought snacks!” she announced cheerfully and laid out the goodies she’d packed in her bag.

Ladybug was sweet and thoughtful; she'd brought a wide selection of teas in case he had a particular favourite, and she even remembered that he had once mentioned he'd liked chocolate chip cookies. When serving, she fussed over whether not he was lactose intolerant because these particular cookies went better with hot chocolate, and she'd even brought soy milk as a backup. Her foresight reminded him of his classmate Marinette and her fussing ways, and yet still felt so natural and wonderfully Ladybug, he couldn't help but smile.

“I didn’t realize we’d be having a midnight picnic,” he remarked gleefully.

Ladybug bit into a cookie and replied, “Well, this is our very first official ‘hangout’, so it’s definitely considered a special occasion. Wouldn’t you agree? Besides, no party would be complete without refreshments, and we definitely missed out on those earlier tonight. That was certainly an impressive spread. The next time we meet we should do lunch so I can make us those fancy finger sandwiches.”

“Next time?” Chat asked. Countless thoughts swirled around in his head. Things were moving so fast, he wasn’t sure how to handle them.

Ladybug seemed to backpedal a bit. “Oh! Um, that is… If you’d like to. Sorry if I’m getting ahead of myself. I didn’t mean to presume…”

“No, no it’s fine! It’s… I…” Chat stammered. He smiled and tried to still his fast-beating heart. “I’d like that.”

Ladybug smiled back, although she still seemed a bit nervous. “I’m glad,” she replied, looking down at her drink and gently swirling the hot liquid inside. “I wouldn’t want to scare you away by coming on too strong. The last thing I’d want is for you to think I’m only trying to use you. That I only want to ‘turn’ you and that I don’t care about you as a person.”  She looked back up at him and looked into his eyes, almost pleading. “Please, even if you decide not to meet with me again, please believe me when I say that the last thing I’d ever want to do is to try to manipulate you or force you.”  She picked up another cookie, fiddling with it before continuing. “I have this friend. He has a very controlling family. It feels like none of the decisions he makes are his own and I know he hates it. He puts on a happy face every day, and maybe he even tries to convince himself that everything is okay, but whenever I see him I know that inside he’s in pain.” She placed the cookie down and made like she was about to touch his hand, but changed her mind at the last moment and rubbed her other arm instead. “I’m not able to help my friend, despite how much I’m dying to. I can help make his days a little brighter, but since I’m only a friend, I’m not able to treat the root of his problems.”

This tangent felt so familiar to his own situation that it was uncomfortable to have it described in such a way. Chat looked at her, puzzled. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“Because I see you and you’re the same way. I can tell that inside you are suffering. Deny it or call me presumptuous if you want, but that kind of hidden pain is unmistakable. I hardly know you but I do know of that pain . And I know that you could use some help. Or… or at least, a friend. It’s okay if you can’t confide in me right away but it’s nice to be able to have someone to vent to, to blow off some steam with now and then. Hang out, pal around, make bad puns, and just forget about our regular, everyday lives for a little while.”

Chat shrugged and shook his head. “Picnics and jokes are nice but we wouldn’t be able to keep it up forever. You can’t have a relationship with someone if you don’t trust them.”

Ladybug acquiesced. “I suppose that’s true. Eventually you’d have to make a decision about if you’d like to trust me and actually become friends, or if you’d like to… t-to stay as you are.” 

He sighed and scratched the back of his neck again, nervously. “I don’t mean to sound like a jerk. I would like to be able to trust you. I’d like to call you my friend, I really would. It’s hard. Hawkmoth… my father… for as long as I’ve had my miraculous I’ve been told that you’re an evil, awful person. That you don’t want to help us because you want to keep the power of the miraculous all to yourself. But even still, I couldn’t hate you. In fact, I--” his face reddened and he gathered up all his courage to continue, “I’ve always been d-drawn to you. I don’t know if it’s because our miraculouses are two halves of a whole, I mean, that’s probably why, who knows. But I think you’re a good person too, Ladybug. It’s just that... leaving my father has never been an option, so spending time with you is something entirely foreign to me. I’d never even considered it before; it was never a possibility. I don’t know what to do, I’m so confused.” He squeezed his eyes shut and curled in on himself, as if shrinking would hide him. “I’m sorry,” he said shamefully. “You must think I’m pathetic.”

She frowned. She hadn’t expected Chat to be so honest and open with her. He was laying all his cards on the table without hesitation, as if he genuinely wanted to place his trust in her, wanted to be able to rely on someone. He was afraid to let her in, terrified, even. But he also seemed desperate, and that seemed to be enough for him to at least be willing to try.

She touched him gently on the shoulder and he looked up at her. “Hey. It’s okay to be confused, Chat. Don’t be sorry that you don’t know what to do. And please, don’t ever be sorry for feeling the way you feel.” Chat hadn’t heard anyone say that to him before. She tried to bring back some levity into the conversation, “Anyway, let’s worry about that some other time. You don’t have to decide anything right away or know all the answers. For tonight, let’s just enjoy each other’s company and be happy with the ‘now’.” Then she added, feeling a bit nervous, “If that’s still okay with you.”

Chat beamed at her. “Yeah. That would be great.”

They talked comfortably after that, about everything and nothing. Once the weather started getting a bit colder as the night progressed, Ladybug conjured up two fluffy blankets out of her tiny backpack somehow. She really did think of everything and was quite detail oriented. Chat couldn’t help but find this trait adorable.

Eventually, the bells of Notre Dame struck at two o’clock in the morning and they decided it was time to part ways. Chat helped Ladybug clean up and put everything back in her knapsack. They stood up and looked at each other a little awkwardly, but both smiling nonetheless.

A handshake seemed too formal after sharing so much about themselves, and a hug seemed a bit too intimate. So she did the next thing she could think of and offered him her fist. He seemed a bit surprised at first, but smiled and returned the fist bump.

“See you around, Chat.” she said. “I had fun tonight.”

Chat felt his ears heat up despite the crisp night air. His heart was beating so hard that he worried she could hear him from where he stood. He stammered, “I-I did too. Thank you. And thanks for the snacks. So long, Ladybug.”

Ladybug grinned widely at him, then hefted her surprisingly heavy backpack and zipped away into the darkness. A few minutes later, Chat silently landed in his bedroom for the second time that night. He detransformed and began getting ready for bed, finally taking that much-needed shower, while Plagg spent some quality time with his cheese cabinet.

Adrien laid in bed thinking about all that had happened that day. Never could he have guessed that it would transpire the way it did, or that he had spent time outside of battle with his sworn enemy, and had actually enjoyed it.

“I can’t believe you went on a midnight date with Ladybug,” teased Plagg.

“It wasn’t a date, Plagg.” Adrien argued. “We just talked and ate food.

Plagg wasn’t letting up. “Sounds like a dinner date to me~!” He said in sing-song.

“Urrghh,” Adrien grumbled, turning over in his bed. “Say what you want, it wasn’t a date.”

“Well, your meeting on Sunday is definitely a date.”  Plagg reminded him.

Adrien groaned even louder and put his hands over his face. “I already told you why I’m going out with her! I need to figure her out and see if she’s trustworthy. It is most certainly not a real date,” he retorted. “Still. I’m playing with fire here.”

“Ladybug and Adrien sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G~!”

Adrien’s face got red hot as his stomach filled with butterflies that spread all over his body. He sat up and chided, “Seriously, Plagg?!”

“Seriously, Adrien?!” Plagg retorted with a touch of crabbiness. “Stop trying to deny it and admit that you like her! If not to me, then to yourself!”

He flopped back onto his bed and whined, “NO. Ohhhhhh no, that is not what’s happening here! She's just an attractive young woman and I'm an awkward teenager, and it's just stupid hormones because I've never been kissed and I’m sheltered and nerdy and I’m being mind controlled by my nether regions and I just need to stop talking." He covered his whole head with his comforter.

Plagg snorted next to him. “Yeah, I don’t know if you can blame this one on puberty, buddy.” He zoomed away and added, grumbling, “You knucklehead.” Deciding that the conversation was over, he made himself comfortable on Adrien’s pillow, curling up like a cat.

Adrien emerged from his blankets slowly like a frightened turtle and red as an actual ladybug. His mind raced in a thousand different directions and his anxiety was through the roof. He hoped he didn’t have any early morning activities scheduled this next day, because there was no way he was going to get any sleep tonight.

As he attempted to settle down, his thoughts wandered yet again to the time he spent with Ladybug. Her soft touch, her lovely voice, her mannerisms, her quirks, her expressiveness. The way her nose scrunched when she talked about her pet peeves and how her eyes lit up when she talked about her family and friends. He recalled the strong urge to hold her and be held by her, despite barely knowing her. How she made him feel like he was more than just a tool, or a means to an end. That he was a human and had the right to have opinions and feelings. That he was worthy of respect and love. And, although he felt awful about it, he felt jealous of her family and friends. Because he, too, wanted to be a recipient of her love and kindness.

Adrien caught himself, realizing what he’d just wished for.

This is bad. This is very bad. What am I going to do?

[quicksilversquared]

Lost Heart: Chapter 2

Nathalie: Part 2

Magic can be a dangerous thing to play around with, particularly when that magic is tangled up in a curse. When Nathalie Sancoeur experiments with magic that she doesn’t fully understand, it sends her on a path to become Paris’ most dangerous supervillain and tips the balance between superheroes and supervillain.

But which way will the balance fall?

links in the reblog

--0-0-0-0--0--

Nathalie had started transforming again, only once every week and a half in order to keep her from getting quite as ill as she had before. Her folder of reports on potential improvements for the akuma fights was getting larger nearly every day, and she had just shown the reports to Gabriel several days before. He had been pleased by the idea, and had had her file the reports by supervillain name for easy access in case any of them ever came up again.

Nathalie had ordered a new file cabinet to store the reports in, one that had a secure lock that they could use. She did not want any of the Gabriel secretaries coming in to collect a file and accidentally getting into the wrong cabinet.

They weren't getting far. It was frustrating and Gabriel was already getting impatient with the lack of improvement in the battles, but Nathalie knew that it would take time. There hadn't been any chances to re-akumatize the targets that she had made reports for, even though she had started going back to akumas that had happened a while back in order to widen their database.

Also not surprising. Not every upset person was akumatizeable. While an upset person could attract an akuma that was already out, their feelings wouldn't trip the Miraculous unless they fit certain requirements. That was why there weren't akumas every day, even though Paris was huge and was filled to the brim with people who were upset about something or other.

That, and Nooroo needed to rest and recharge. Even with Gabriel's power-ups, Nooroo could only stay transformed for so long, and once he was released from an extended transformation he couldn't transform again right away, not without a serious decrease in power.

"Nathalie, what do you think about this akuma?" Gabriel's voice crackled through the intercom, and Nathalie looked up from the latest Gabriel sales report. "Good enough for a hand- or should I say a feather?"

Nathalie pulled up the akuma feed again. She had kind of tuned it out, to be honest. This sales report was something that Gabriel was meant to be looking at, and she was trying to keep up with everything.

She was regretting the "team meeting", as Gabriel called it, that they had had the previous day. He refused to call it a supervillain team meeting- after all, he was trying to save Emilie, which was an honorable goal, surely- but that was what it had been, really. It had consisted of several hours of going over the attack reports that she had compiled and trying to identify common themes. The meeting had been at least a little productive- there were, in fact, some areas where Hawkmoth could improve, and they had brainstormed a flow chart of different power-ups that he could give different types of akumas that weren't necessarily specific to certain situations- but it had also taken quite a lot of time out of her day and now she was behind.

Add in the fact that whenever Nathalie did transform, she lost probably an hour to the akuma battle itself, plus another hour or two to poor work due to exhaustion, and she was not staying on top of her actual work. Not even close.

"Nathalie?"

"I- I think I might need another day of recovery," Nathalie said hastily. "It looks like it would be a good akuma, though, if it buckles down and just focuses on fighting the superheroes. Tell him that he needs to get the Miraculous before he thinks about getting revenge. He needs to uphold his side of the bargain first."

Hawkmoth didn't sound impressed. "Of course."

Nathalie winced as she went back to work. She didn't blame Gabriel for not being happy- this akuma did have semi-decent potential- but there would be others, and she did not want to be working late every night for the rest of the week just to keep people from wondering what had happened to the normally on-top-of-everything Nathalie that they all knew. But he had to understand that Nathalie had a normal job, too, and she couldn't just set it to the side to the extent that he had pushed his aside.

Designers could claim to have artist's block, particularly designers who ran their own company. Gabriel had a particularly good excuse, claiming that he had lost inspiration since Emilie went missing. No one would pester him for turning out only a third of the designs he used to do, and he had just hired an extra senior designer to make up for the work that he was no longer doing. Nathalie didn't get to do the same.

If she was just going to lose the one hour from the akuma attack itself, she would have gone, no problem. But it was never just the one hour. It was another hour minimum where she felt too ill to do any quality work, and then an additional several hours where she was doing subpar work. And if she was tracking her work correctly (which she had to be, she had been keeping track for years), then her overall productivity had dropped, even if she hadn't just been transformed.

It was an issue. That made it all the more critical that they succeeded, sooner rather than later.

An hour and a half later, Gabriel reappeared briefly, for just enough time to recharge Nooroo. Then he vanished again, this time to the sub-basement lair, where Emilie was.

Nathalie tried not to wince at the thought of what Gabriel might be saying to Emilie. That Nathalie didn't care enough. That he was the only one who still held out hope of bringing Emilie back. That he would succeed, no matter the cost.

Even the thought that Gabriel might think that Nathalie didn't care enough made her wince. She did care. Emilie had given her a second chance when she was a young, angry, lost adult just out of school, at odds with her family, and already running into trouble with the law. She and Gabriel had taken Nathalie in, giving her a part-time job as a secretary in their fledgling company and pointing her towards a degree that would help Nathalie become the most efficient personal assistant-slash-secretary in Paris. They had given her the chance to straighten her life out and become a model citizen.

So Nathalie had to help them now. They were the closest thing that she had to a family, after all.

(How ironic it was, then, that in trying to help the Agrestes now, Nathalie once again found herself on the wrong side of the law, aiding and abetting a supervillain and occasionally becoming one herself. But Gabriel had sworn that once they had the Miraculous, they would change the past and all of her wrongdoings would be wiped away. She just- she had to believe that.)

Sighing, Nathalie glanced over at Emilie's portrait once again. Maybe she should go talk to Gabriel, and see if there was any way that they could hire someone to work under her, but at the company building instead of at the Agreste home. If some of her workload could be lifted, then she would just have to worry about how she felt when transforming instead of being held back by worries about her workload.

Maybe she would mention it to Gabriel, outlining her concerns and how they could be addressed. It might be a bit difficult to explain to the new hire why they would be working at the office instead remotely at the Agreste home like Nathalie did, but they wouldn't question it too much. No one questioned Gabriel Agreste, not if they valued their job. Nathalie (and Emilie, when she had still been around) were the only exceptions to that rule.

Nathalie hemmed and hawed for a few minutes before finally getting up and heading over to Emilie's portrait. It took a few seconds for her to remember the combination of buttons to head down to the underground cavern instead of up to Hawkmoth's lair, but then it came back to her and she was heading down, down, down.

It was eerie, really, how silent the elevator was. And then the floor to Gabriel's office was soundproof, which meant that if Gabriel wanted to be sure not to appear at a bad time, he had to call her on the intercom (or, before, on her phone) first.

It was all too dramatic, really. But Nathalie couldn't blame Gabriel entirely for that. Emilie had been the one to renovate the underground cavern and have the elevator installed, after all.

In almost no time, a light appeared below Nathalie's feet. Seconds later, she was descending into an alcove of the cavern. Once the elevator came to a stop, Nathalie stepped off, peering around the corner.

Gabriel was there, just as she knew he would be. He stood in front of Emilie, talking quietly to her. Nathalie moved closer, staying out of sight. He would be furious if she interrupted, but Nathalie was curious.

"It's just so frustrating," Gabriel was saying, irritation clear in his voice. "Working around the curse is awful. It gets in the way so much. I'm absolutely positive that if we could use the Peacock in every battle, we would win in no time at all and we could be able to cure you, Emilie. We could change time so that the curse would have worn off for you and you could be with us again instead of being like….this." Gabriel reached out, squeezing Emilie's hand. Nathalie watched closely. There was no reaction, and she winced and leaned back.

Emilie used to respond to touches like that most of the time, her expression shifting slightly or returning a light squeeze. The frequency of the reactions had decreased over time, and now….. Well, now it was rare for her to respond at all.

It wasn't a good sign.

"I can tell that Adrien is worried," Gabriel continued, and Nathalie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Gabriel only could tell because his Miraculous let him sense emotions. If he was left to his own devices, he would probably think that Adrien was just fine. "Which means that I should push even more. It's important for me to succeed, no matter what. I just wish the Peacock would cooperate. I can't- I don't know what I'll do if we push too hard and Nathalie ends up like you."

Nathalie winced at that, too. She didn't want to end up weakened to the point of falling into a coma like Emilie had. She wouldn't let it get to that point. If she found herself on a steep downhill, Nathalie would take a big, big step back from the whole business. Maybe she would take a short trip out of the country.

….she wouldn't take a trip out of the country, Nathalie couldn't even lie to herself. She cared for the Agrestes too much to be able to take a step back like that. Maybe she would take a day trip or two out of the city and see if distance from the Miraculous helped.

"We were hoping that the curse would go after something else, like it did with Mrs. Tsurugi," Gabriel continued, and for the first time, Nathalie frowned. What? What did the Peacock have anything to do with the mother of Adrien's main fencing opponent? And what did Gabriel mean, we? She certainly didn't know of any other ways for the curse to manifest besides how it had affected Emilie. Nathalie would have appreciated knowing that if there was.

She liked knowing all of the information available before making a decision. It was the only smart move, after all. It was why Gabriel was so successful, because Nathalie never made an uninformed decision.

Gabriel sighed. "It would have been better that way. We could have pushed more. Nooroo-"

"The curse latched on to a pre-existing condition in Madam Tsurugi's case," Nooroo's high voice chimed in. "She could not guide it. I suspect that, if given the option, she would have preferred that the curse not do that. Exhaustion is exasperating, but unless it goes too far, it can be recovered from."

"Perhaps." Gabriel sounded irritated. "Still, I would have preferred that Emilie lose the ability to walk for a bit over this. She's fading, I can tell. She's less responsive, and it seems like she's dropping into an even deeper sleep- her breathing rate has slowing down, and so has her heart rate. Like the Peacock is still taking energy from her."

Nooroo didn't respond to that, and Nathalie's eyes narrowed. No response usually meant that the kwami knew something and just wasn't sharing it.

"I can tell it's doing something similar to me," Gabriel said, reaching forward to place a hand on Emilie's tube, and Nathalie's eyebrows nearly shot off of her face. To him? When had he used the Peacock? She would have noticed if he had collapsed, or if he was oddly tired. Gabriel had changed after Emilie collapsed, for sure- he had gotten colder and more detached as he focused nearly all of his energy on trying to find a solution- but he hadn't seemed tired. "I can tell why you never used Heart, Emilie. There are times when I look back at something that I did in the heat of a moment and wonder- when I wonder how I went that far. And I know it'll flare up again, and I wonder what I'll do next time. And I worry. How much are we going to have to destroy our health before we succeed?"

Nathalie perked up and listened intently. This sounded like there were options. Like she didn't have to be exhausting herself with every transformation. She willed Gabriel to keep talking.

"Three options, none of them good," Nooroo added. "Taking from the heart, body, or mind. Those are the conditions of the curse, if the Miraculous is to be used before the curse is broken."

"I wish I could have gotten another unbroken Miraculous," Gabriel muttered. "Or- why couldn't it have been the Butterfly with the curse? You only needed to use the Peacock for your battles, Emilie. Or why couldn't it have been someone else affected? Or why couldn't you have handed it off sooner? Adrien still needs you. I need you."

Nathalie looked away as Gabriel's voice became softer. She wasn't meant to be witnessing this. Still, she stayed for a few more minutes, hoping that Gabriel would elaborate on what Nooroo had said. Since he didn't, she assumed that he had already known about the three options for how the curse would manifest and he simply hadn't told her. Like usual, Gabriel was deciding what he thought would be better for people, all without asking the people involved.

Well. It was one thing when he did it for Adrien- after all, Adrien was both his son and also still a child- but Nathalie was neither related to him nor a child in any shape or form. She could make her own decisions, thank you very much.

While Gabriel was distracted, Nathalie slipped back to the elevator and pressed the buttons that would take her upstairs once again. It whisked her upstairs with the same quiet efficiency as before, and then Nathalie stepped off and onto the main office floor, returning to her paperwork. Gabriel returned to the office nearly half an hour later, heading out almost immediately. Back to the master bedroom, no doubt. After an emotional visit with the catatonic Emilie, it would be a miracle if he returned to work before the end of the day. Nathalie wouldn't interrupt him.

Instead, she let herself sit back and mull over what she had overheard. She wouldn't be able to ask Gabriel about any of it, of course- he would be infuriated to learn that she had eavesdropped on him when she knew full well that she shouldn't be going down to the belowground cavern without permission, especially when Gabriel was already down there- but that didn't mean that she couldn't wonder.

Or that she couldn't make up her own mind on certain things.

Nathalie slid her chair back enough to open her desk drawer. Inside sat a small wooden box, locked shut. It was easy enough to punch in the code and open it up, revealing the cursed Miraculous. Nathalie tipped it into the palm of her hand, trying to ignore the heavy feeling it gave off, as though she was already getting weighed down by exhaustion. There was a sense of wrongness to it, too, as though the appearance wasn't sign enough.

Everything in Nathalie screamed at her to put it down, to put it away and to stay away from it. Instead, she turned it over in her hands, thinking about the choices that she apparently had that she hadn't even known about before.

Heart, body, mind. Well, obviously the default was body, or maybe it was just default because she hadn't known that there were other options.

But body wasn't a good choice, not at all. It was a pain, really, to be rendered so weak every time she transformed, and Nathalie wanted that to stop. She couldn't handle it, and it was seriously cutting into her productivity. So she considered the others.

Not mind, of course. She had no desire to be driven mad by Gabriel's quest. It simply wasn't worth it, not when getting the Ladybug and Chat Noir Miraculous wasn't 100% a given. But heart? Giving up emotions and turning the world back into a black-and-white cost and benefits analysis? That didn't sound so bad. The world was more confusing when pesky feelings were involved, and she certainly didn't need them to do her job successfully. In fact, her life would be better without feelings getting in her way and turning her head.

The more she thought about it, the better of an idea it seemed. She could stop feeling ill and weak so often, stop feeling disturbed about the effects on the city from some of the more disturbing akuma attacks, and even get rid of those last pesky feelings about Gabriel and Emilie and her protective feelings towards Adrien, so she could be more efficient as Hawkmoth's helper. It was a win-win, as far as she could see it.

Besides, Nathalie could just try it out a few times and see how she felt afterwards. There was nothing that said that Nathalie had to commit to using Heart for all of her transformations going forward, after all.

It was an obvious solution to having her body weakened, a solution that Emilie would never have been able to take with a husband and child to think about. Turning heartless when she was the glue that held the family together would have been utterly unthinkable.

Plan decided, Nathalie patted her Miraculous. It seemed lighter now, as though it was agreeing with her.

This would be the turning point they needed She was sure of it.

[cheeseeatingtrashmonster]

Who Said That Every Wish Chapter 17: Take Me Home

The last chapter! Surprise! I’m posting it a day early because I think there’s a new episode tomorrow and I hate posting the same day as an episode lol For anyone who wants more of this universe, I'm working on the sequel(s) now, but I don't know when they'll be done. Thank you all for reading and supporting me. This project means so much to me and sharing it was a big step. So thank you, and please enjoy :)

The twins face Gabriel.

<< First | < Previous | Sequel (Work in Progress!) >

Read on AO3 

Nathalie sighed. "Your father. I still don't want you to see him, but he's being childish. He found a loophole with his lawyer to compel you to visit. Childish.”

"Just me?"

"No, Adrien's in the car. I'm sorry, I wasn’t given the time to fight this. I will be with you the whole time, and the meeting will not last more than thirty minutes. Fewer if he upsets either of you. Or me."

"Maybe this is good," Felix said as he slid into the back seat with Adrien. "Maybe confronting Gabriel will be good."

"I just want to know why," Adrien said. He was shrinking in on himself, arms crossed and shoulders hunched as he stared out the window. "There has to be a reason."

"I wouldn't look for one," Plagg said. (It had come out in the past few days that the Gorilla had known all along that the twins were Chat Noir, so Plagg had no reservations about talking in front of him.) "Even if he has a reason, that doesn't make up for what he did just to the two of you, much less the rest of the city. You shouldn't look for something to justify what he did, because you won't find it. You're too good, Adrien, to understand him."

"I don't think I am," he said in a quiet voice.

The rest of the ride was quiet. Felix zoned out for the check in to the prison and before he knew it, he, Adrien, and Nathalie were on one side of a table, and Gabriel Agreste was on the other. He looked a decade older.

“Hello, Adrien. Hello, Felix.”

Felix tried to harden his heart further, put up yet another wall around himself. This was the monster who destroyed things, possessed people, caused chaos and panic for an entire city, all for more power. This was the person responsible for trapping Felix in the role of child soldier, fighting victim-enemies with even less choice in joining the fight than he had. This wasn't his father anymore. This wasn't the man who raised him, the man who had lost so much, the man who used to read to him, record his dance recitals, wipe his tears. This wasn't the father everyone said Felix resembled in manner and disposition. This was Hawkmoth. Hawkmoth who hurt Nino.

Nino.

Nino who had had to help him pull down his walls, brick by brick.

Felix couldn't sit here and build another, only to have to tear it down again.

Nino deserved a break on that front.

"Father," Felix greeted with a nod.

"Say your piece, Gabriel, so the boys can leave," Nathalie said. "You know my conditions."

Gabriel took a deep breath, looked Adrien and then Felix in the eye, and said, "I'm sorry. I won't ask for your forgiveness, because it's clear even to me that I don't deserve it. But you deserve an apology, and it wouldn't mean as much over the phone."

"I wouldn't have let you call them, either," Nathalie muttered.

"Why did you do it?" Adrien asked. He ignored Natalie's small sigh and Felix putting a hand on his arm. "I want to know what justification you could possibly have for what you did."

"I thought I could combine the miraculous to reset time and keep your mother from disappearing. Nothing I did to accomplish my goal would matter because it wouldn't happen."

"I was Chat Noir," Felix said. Mostly to derail Adrien, but if anything could make it obvious to his father that what he did mattered even in the face of time travel, this would be it. His voice shook, his heart beat too quickly, and everything felt too hot, but he said it.

Gabriel's hand rose to cover his mouth, shaking. His eyes closed for a moment before he forced them back open.

"I became Chat Noir before Hawkmoth arrived, you were right about that," Felix said.

“No,” Gabriel said, shaking his head, clenching his fists.

"You should know that Ladybug is a dear friend of mine. And all of the heroes. What you did to us was unforgivable. But I can't stay mad at you because all that will do is eat me alive."

"No, Felix- no." Fear and anger warred on Gabriel's face. Adrien could feel Nathalie shift on one side of him, preparing to end the meeting. He could feel Felix take a breath on the other.

"How many times did you almost lose me? Even if I was a stranger, what would Mom think about this?" Felix rubbed at his temple, trying to ignore the headache growing. Without his walls, his body was trying desperately to protect his heart for him. "I know you've thought of what Mom would want. And I'm sure that your remorse now is mostly because you have no chance of 'fixing' everything with the miraculouses. So don't try to explain anymore, please. Don't justify. You were wrong."

Gabriel tried to speak. He reached across the table to Felix, stopping short of touching him. Felix took his hand for just a moment before pulling away.

"I'll work on forgiving you. Give me some time." He looked at Adrien, then back at his father. "Is there anything else?"

Adrien shook his head. "I don't think I can forgive you," he said. "Don't expect me to be at the trial."

Adrien stood up and left. Nathalie looked torn.

"I'm almost done, then we can go," Felix said. She nodded. “Does he know you're-” Felix pointed to his shirt where he knew Nathalie kept her miraculous hidden on her own.

Nathalie nodded. “I may have informed him of who ensured his power was taken away.”

Felix turned to his father once more. "You should thank Nathalie for taking you down when she did. I know I will never stop thanking her for saving me from that confrontation." Felix paused here, trying to decide just how far he could put his anger aside at the moment. He gave a determined nod and said, "I'm seeing someone. Nino Lahiffe, Adrien's friend."

Gabriel's eyebrows rose. "I didn't know- I always expected you and the Kurtzberg boy. Or Ms. Bourgeois. Thank you. Thank you for telling me. I hope he makes you happy."

Felix gave a nod again and stood. Nathalie rose with him, waiting on his move.

"I'll be busy during school, and traveling for a while after graduation, but I'll try to visit some when I've returned."

They were to the door when Gabriel called, "Felix?"

He turned around, starting to get what Marinette meant by "Agreste Male Drama" with his father’s timing. "Yes?"

"You have more of your mother in you than you realize."

/*****/

"You saw your father?" Nino said the moment Felix stepped through the door to his room. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you text me? You said nothing! Are you okay?"

"I didn't want to text about it," Felix said, setting down a pile of boxes on the rolling table that extended over Nino's bed. "I don't want to talk about it, either. I'm processing it, I'm taking my time. I'm sure you'll get more than your fair share of helping Adrien and me through our family drama. And quite frankly, I'm sick of crying on your shoulder. Now, how does a game of Battleship sound? Or Checkers? Everyone thinks I'm the type to like Chess, but I actually hate it, so I didn't bring it. I also did not bring Twister, because Adrien cataclysm'd the spinner after the last time I won seven games in a row. Plus you have broken bones and casts and generally shouldn’t move that much."

The pair played board games and card games for as long as Nino could keep his eyes open. Felix was surprisingly good at Battleship and surprisingly bad at Checkers. They were both horrible at Go Fish. Adrien showed up for the last couple hands of Go Fish and marveled that two people could be so bad at such a simple game.

"You staying?" Nino asked Felix while burrowing into his blanket.

"Not tonight. I'll be back in the morning."

"Okay. Take care of each other," Nino said with a lazy wave as his eyes stopped fluttering open.

"Think the Dupain-Chengs will take me for the night?" Felix asked, letting Adrien put an arm around his shoulders as they walked.

"Someone needs to temper Marinette's angry-levels," Adrien said. "She's even madder that we saw Father than I am. I ended up having to talk her down, which didn't do much for how mad I still am."

"We'll send her out for a patrol," Felix said. "A quick run around the city, beat up a few muggers or bicycle thieves, she'll calm down and realize she's not helping."

"I don't know how you did it," Adrien said as they walked the now-familiar path back to the bakery. "How did you just... you saw Father through Hawkmoth. I can't do that. I just see Hawkmoth, and the man who betrayed us."

"I don't know. Probably Nino's influence. He shouldn't have to force me to deal with this, so I'll force myself to. Does that make sense?"

"The part where Nino's the reason, sure," Adrien said.

Felix suppressed a smirk and an eye roll. "Let's just kick your girlfriend out of her own house and take advantage of Tom's cooking."

"Nathalie not much of a cook?" Adrien asked as they climbed the stairs behind the bakery.

"She has the phone number and menu of six separate takeout places memorized."

/*****/

"All right, Nino," Karen said at the end of a PT session. "You're heading home tomorrow. I'm signing the paperwork now."

"Good, because the twins already started back at school and I can only do so much to keep up with classes when I'm here."

"I noticed the lack of Felix the past couple days. But you aren't going straight back to school. You'll spend a week or two doing outpatient PT and getting used to getting around on your own before you start up school. Hopefully, you'll have more time for catching up on those lessons you missed though."

"Good enough. I miss my bed. I miss my computer. I miss my shower." He got himself into his wheelchair and pointed towards the door. "We good? I'm free to go? Last in-patient PT session over?"

"Yeah," Karen said with a smile. "I'll leave your outpatient PT schedule with your discharge papers. Tell Felix hi for me."

Nino had to wait until he was back in his room to text the team that he was getting out in the morning because texting and wheelchairing was not the smartest plan.

"You hear that, Wayzz? We're going home."

"That will be nice. I enjoy my aquarium tank. And now I don't have to pretend to be a turtle all the time. Does Chris know?"

"No, but Mel does. I want to wait a little longer with Chris. One major life event at a time, y'know?"

The next morning Felix skipped school to help Mrs. Lahiffe get Nino home. He wasn't strictly needed, but Mrs. Lahiffe had invited him, and as scary as Nino's family was to him still, he wanted to show he was making an effort. He carried the box of Nino's things that had ended up at the hospital with him and trailed behind the nurse wheeling him to the car without a word.

"It'll be a while before I'm allowed back at school, so maybe you should come to tutor me," Nino said. He was very carefully not looking at Felix and fidgeting with the headphones that were around his neck again.

"Of course," Felix said.

"And I'll be bored with only my family for company, so maybe you should visit even when there's no school related things to work on."

"If you like," Felix said, feeling a ghost of a smile on his face.

"And you've started up dance lessons again, so you need to keep your strength up, and I'm betting we make better food than whatever Nathalie manages to order each night, so you should stay for dinner as often as you can."

"I don't think I'd ever complain about a home-cooked meal. I'd love to learn how to cook, too, so maybe I can also help in the kitchen."

"Just ask him on a proper date and put us all out of our misery," Mrs. Lahiffe said. "My own son, dancing around the point. Thought I raised you better than this..."

Nino rolled his eyes. They had arrived at the car. They got Nino into his seat, then Felix climbed in behind him with the box.

"Hey, Felix?"

"Yes, Nino?"

"Wanna get dinner and get lost in a bookstore some time?" Nino worried he would break his headphones from how hard he was gripping them.

Felix reached over and took Nino’s hat, placing it on his own head. "Sounds like a perfect date.”

Mrs. Lahiffe was talking to the nurse outside the car, very obviously giving them a minute before she joined them.

"How are you doing?" Felix asked, reaching out to touch the cast on Nino's arm. "Need anything?"

"I'm good. Just take me home. That's all I need."

/*****/

“Who said that every wish

Would be heard and answered

When wished on the morning star?

Somebody thought of that

And someone believed it

And look what it's done so far.”

- “Rainbow Connection”

[megatraven]

What’s up I woke up and immediately sprang into writing this salty ass post over why Marinette’s and Adrien’s emotions are treated differently and why y’all should Stop attacking one of them to defend the other.

Y’all know that just because it’s unfair that Marinette hasn’t been allowed to express her feelings over Chloe ruining her gift for Mme. Bustier doesn’t mean you have to attack Adrien for being allowed to get upset over things he has every right to be upset about, right?

Like yeah it sucks that Marinette is Always expected to be the better person, but she herself understands that as a hero like her- who is the only one we know of able to cleanse akumas- she has to be held to a higher standard. That’s why she apologizes. It’s why Mme. Bustier tried to make her see Chloe in another way. Marinette almost got akumatized over being upset. I agree she should’ve been able to express how she felt properly, but when you have this threat of being turned against everything you love- against the guardian of the miraculous stones himself- feeling upset is a luxury she can’t always afford.

And she knows that. More now than ever, she knows she has to watch and keep a handle on her own emotions.

She’s let them get in the way before- she didn’t believe Chloe about Sabrina’s akumatized item, she snapped at Lila. Was she responsible for those two getting akumatized? No, that’s all on Hawk Moth. But did she end up upsetting them? Yes.

That’s why she apologizes in both cases. Because she’s learning to be the hero she needs to be- the hero that Paris needs. That has sacrifices that come with it.

Now, onto Adrien.

I’ve seen multiple people attack him after the most recent episode because he was upset.

Let’s start with Glaciator.

When Adrien was upset in Glaciator, it wasn’t Ladybug’s fault. Adrien has a father who flakes out on him all the time, one who can’t even take a few minutes out of the day to come to the school to judge his own hat competition, or come in for parent day.

He’s not in the best home situation, and a lot of the times we see him in his house, he’s only there for a moment before running away as Chat Noir, otherwise he’s usually pretty sad and lonely.

So he set up this little romantic hangout session with Ladybug, and despite knowing she probably wouldn’t show up, he couldn’t help but hope she would anyways. He wanted to believe he was important enough to her that she would come. 

And she didn’t. So he got upset over it. Like I said, it wasn’t Ladybug’s fault, but you absolutely have to think about where Adrien is in life and how he’s treated at home for this sort of thing, because it’s a large reason why he got upset. He was upset when his father didn’t show up to parent day, but as Adrien, he’s typically more reserved around other people- and his class was right there, in the room he was outside of. And when Plagg’s little problem came up, he didn’t have time to linger on it.

But as Chat Noir, where he has more freedoms to feel however he wants to, he acted a little childish. But, like, he’s 14. He is a child. He’s allowed to be childish. He literally doesn’t know how to deal well with emotions like these because they’re something he feels all the time- just directed at someone else. Not to mention he’s in love with her- which isn’t an excuse, but it should be taken into account too. He’s been trying to let her know it since dark cupid at least. I imagine it would get frustrating for his plans to tell her to fail over and over again.

(And then, she tells him they should pretend to be in love. Ouch lol)

And i know a lot of people got upset over his apology, but again, he doesn’t know how to properly deal with that sort of thing. He’s barely allowed to hang out with friends or go outside at all. Until going to school, he had one friend. So even if he had his parents at home- we have no clue if they were around often, but even then, his parents, plus Chloe, plus Nathalie and the Gorilla? That’s a total of 5 people. Add in photographers, that’s a few more, but they were there for strictly business- they haven’t been shown to care about Adrien beyond getting pictures.

You cannot expect a person like him to know how to act properly in that situation based on what we do know of the people he interacted with prior to school. THAT is unfair.

Y’all get mad over Ladybug for apologizing to him first, too, but that’s just extremely in character for her. She realizes, despite having told him she wouldn’t show up, she still hurt him. And maybe it wasn’t very reasonable that he still expected her to come, but what matters to her is that one of her best friends is hurting. Chat Noir realizes immediately after her apology that he’s being unfair, and apologizes in return. 

(And even if Chat Noir doesn’t know it, Marinette’s plans with her friends did end early enough for her to go hang out with him, she just happened to forget on account of her own heartache, which is understandable.)

And now onto Syren.

Chat Noir is being kept in the dark about something incredibly important and relevant to both heroes. Anyone would be upset if their partner- their supposed equal- is keeping such pertinent information from them.

Now, again, this isn’t Ladybug’s fault- she only found out about the guardian because of the grimoire and Tikki realizing it to be something he needed to see. It wasn’t like she chose to found out. And it was shown she wanted Chat Noir to know- that it was hard to keep the secrets from him, someone she trusts unquestionably.

Chat Noir wasn’t rude to her, he was honest about his feelings, and she acknowledged that. It was obvious she didn’t want to keep secrets, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less that she was.

What if, like what almost happened in Zombizou, Marinette got akumatized? What’s Chat Noir supposed to do, wait forever for Ladybug only for her not to come? Wait for the guardian who he didn’t even know existed until this last episode? What if the akuma would get to him first? Chat Noir would be alone, no backup, no anything. (Honestly the fact Marinette knows the guardian and Chat doesn’t was another reason why Marinette has to be more in control of her emotions.)

So he was upset, and rightfully so. We have no idea if it’s possible to even try akumatizing someone already transformed- each time Adrien’s been upset, an akuma already exists, it’s a normal happenstance, or he’s Chat Noir. Some of those may overlap. There may also be a reason there with Hawk Moth being his father, and him not wanting to akumatize his own son- we’re not sure on that yet.

Basically, both should be allowed to be upset, but with the situations they’re in, it makes sense that Marinette has to sacrifice that somewhat. It’s not fair, but it make sense. And Adrien shouldn’t be thrown under the bus for not having to sacrifice that quite as much. (Hell, he’s probably not even sure if he himself can get akumatized. Marinette at least knows it now- and she was pretty shaken up over seeing it come for her- but it didn’t show her telling him at all.)

tl;dr: Stop attacking Adrien when you try to defend Marinette, and vice versa. Life isn’t fair, and the same applies to these characters. They’re both their own people and will obviously be held to different standards and have different responsibilities.

[vgckwb]

ML: Are They Worthy? Chapter 68: For Someone Else!/Destroyer

“So, let me get this straight” Alix said. “Not now, but sometime in the near future, I will be powered up, know who Rena Rouge is, and have to use my power to transport her to help out today.”

“Basically” Vlad said.

“Huh” Alix said. “That’s a lot.”

“Imagine seeing it,” Vlad said. Alix couldn’t help but giggle. “So, do you think you could manage?”

Alix gave a cocky smile. “Who do you think you’re talking to here?”

Vlad smiled cockily back. “That's just what I expected you to say. Anyway, I gotta go.”

“More work?” Alix said.

“Yeah” Vlad said. “Also, there’s the matter of Mayura.”

“Wait, you know who Mayura is?” Alix asked.

Vlad nodded. “I’m testing her tonight.”

“Why?” Alix asked. “We know she’s evil.”

“Do we?” Vlad asked. “The answer may surprise you.”

“Whatever” Alix said. “I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.”

“Thanks for your support” Vlad said. “Seeya!” He left.

Alya knockd on Marinette’s door. Marinette answered. “Alya? What are you doing here?”

“Girl, it has been too long since it’s been just the two of us!” Alya stated excitedly. “You need a break, and I’m here to give it to you.”

“Well, um, about that…” Marinette said. Alya was confused.

“Marinette!” Manon whined.

“Coming!” Marinette answered back. “Sorry, I’ve got to babysit tonight.”

Alya laughed. “Girl, you seriously don’t know when to slow down. Come on I’ll help.” She walked in.

“Really? I couldn’t ask you to do that” Marinette said.

“It’s fine, Marinette,” Alya said. “Honest. I wanted to spend time with you tonight, and I'm determined to do it. Even if it means splitting it with little monkeys.”

Manon noticed Alya was here. “Hi Alya!” she said.

“Hello yourself,” Alya said.

“What are you doing here?” Manon asked.

Alya smirked. “Marinette has a lot on her mind at the moment,” she said. “I came here to cheer her up.”

Manon looked at Marinette. “Am I too much?” she asked.

“What?! No. Of course not” Marinette said. “I love spending time with you.” Manon still looked sad. “Hey come one” Marinette said, crouching to her level. “If you were really too much, I wouldn’t let you stay over tonight, would I?” Manon smiled.

“Wait, she’s spending the night?” Alya asked. Marinette nodded. Alya pulled her aside. “What if something happens?”

Marinette smiled. “We know what Hawk Moth is doing, and we know Judgement Wolf can figure it out.” Alya was still worried. “I know something could happen, but Nadja was busy at work tonight. I can’t allow Hawk Moth to dictate how I live my life.”

Alya smiled. “That’s the Marinette I know.” They walked back to Manon.

“What were you talking about?” Manon asked.

“Well, we were just discussing some of the things plaguing Marinette’s mind” Alya said. “We sorted it out, so now we can spend all night with you!”

“Hooray!” Manon said.

“So, Manon, what do you want to do first?” Marinette asked.

Later in the evening, Vlad, Nino, and Adrien received an alert. They checked it to see a picture of Alya, Marinette, and Manon having fun with the caption “Girl’s night!” Nino smiled. “You’re a good friend.”

Vlad smiled as well. Beyyo popped up and looked at it as well. “Looks like fun” he said.

“Yeah. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun as well” Vlad said. He checked the time. “We still have some time. What do you suggest we do until then?”

“We could always look for Lila until it’s time” Beyyo said.

“Good idea” Vlad said. “Let’s roll!”

Adrien also smiled at the photo. “Well, it looks like Marinette has her hands full for the evening” Nathalie said, looking over.

“Nathalie?!” Adrien said, shocked.

“I just came in to check on you before I head out for the evening” she said.

Adrien smiled. “Thanks. But I’m fine” he said. “And so is Marinette. She’s very capable.”

“I don’t doubt that,” Nathalie said. “From everything I’ve seen of her, she’s amazing.”

Adrien smiled some more. He looked back at his phone and lovingly said “You don’t know the half of it.”

Nathalie smiled. “Good night Adrien.”

“Good night Nathalie” Adrien said.

Nathalie walked out of Adrien’s room and into Gabriel’s office. “Sir. You might want to wait a bit before contacting them.”

Gabriel huffed. “Very well. What time would you suggest? The longer I put it off, the more at risk this plan gets.”

“I’d say about 9:30 or 10” Nathalie suggested.

Gabriel nodded. “Alright. But we are cutting it super close.”

“I understand sir” Nathalie said. “Good night, sir.”

“Good night” Gabriel replied. Nathalie left.

Later at night, Judgement Wolf was hopping from building to building. He found a chimney to hide behind. “Beyyo! Fangs Dull!” he called out.

He turned back into Vlad. “Still no luck with Lila” Beyyo said.

“Yeah…” Vlad said, dejected. “But on the plus side, if everything goes well, we’ll be having an audience with Hawk Moth tonight. And we’ll have leverage.” He tossed Beyyo some jerky. “Eat up. We’ve got a lot to do tonight.”

“How do you figure she’ll be asleep already?” Beyyo asked, munching down.

“Well, we know Nathalie’s hours, and she usually has to get up early. My guess is she goes to bed kind of early as well” Vlad reasoned.

“Makes sense” Beyyo said.

“You ready?” Vlad asked. Beyyo finished his jerky and nodded. “Beyyo! Fangs Sharpen!”

Judgement Wolf made his way to Nathalie’s place. He snuck in and found Nathalie asleep, just as he had expected. “Wolf Mist!” he said. As he entered the Mist, an akuma came in and perched itself close by.

Nathalie was being arrested for cooperating with Hawk Moth. She looked across the way to see Adrien and his bodyguard standing with Adrien’s classmates at Emilie’s funeral. Nathalie couldn’t help but feel shame. She felt like she should have done more. She never wanted this.

At the funeral, Adrien had burst into tears. The bodyguard tried to comfort him as best he could, but he was still upset. “Why? Why did this have to happen? Why?!” He cried into his bodyguard’s shoulder. Everyone in his class wanted to help, but they didn’t know what to do or say to help. They didn’t know his mom. Neither did Nathalie. No one there knew what Adrien was going through.

As the officer was lowering Nathalie into the car, their radio went off. “Gabriel Agreste has escaped! Repeat! Hawk Moth is free!”

Gabriel then ran down the street to where the funeral was being held. “NO!” he shouted, attracting everyone’s attention.

“YOU!” Adrien growled at him.

“Nooroo! Dark Wings Rise!” Gabriel said, turning into Hawk Moth. He unleashed an Akuma that hit Adrien’s ring. “Destroyer! I am Hawk Moth! The world has taken everything from us! So now, it’s time for you to take everything from the WORLD!”

With barely an confirmation noise, Adrien was swallowed by the aura. Once it disappeared, there stood a human-like figure made up of a pitch black void. Destroyer roared an unnatural roar. He then used his power on Hawk Moth; punching him once and turning him into nothing. He then looked out and saw the crowd and roared again.

“Run!” Nino yelled, as everyone at the funeral attempted to scatter. Destroyer managed to destroy some of the slower moving people.

As Alya was trying to get away, she tripped. Nino went back for her. Destroyer went to try and destroy them, but the bodyguard stood in the way, taking the blow for them. Destroyer roared and the two got up and ran away.

“Adrien!” Marinette called out. Destroyer looked at her. She was clearly afraid of what her boyfriend had become. Destroyer roared and approached her.

Nathalie saw this, managed to escape the officer to run, and place herself between Destroyer and Marinette. “Adrien!” she called. Destroyer stood still. “I know you're upset and angry! I get it! But this is Marinette! You’ve told me she’s the best thing to happen to you! You can’t destroy her!”

“Nathalie” Marinette said.

“Destroy me instead!” Nathalie shouted. “I hurt you! I helped your father! I let your mother die! Take me!” Destroyer was confused. “What are you waiting for, just do it!” Destroyer raised his fist.

The next thing Nathalie remembered is waking up where she stood to protect Marinette. “What’s going on?” she asked. She saw Ladybug and Cat Noir helping Adrien. She smiled.

Ladybug looked over and saw Nathalie. She walked over. “Hey…” she said, nervously.

“Thank you,” Nathalie said. “Do you know where Gabriel is?”

Ladybug looked away. “Unfortunately, no…”

“Ladybug” Nathalie said. “I just want to apologize for all of this. I never wanted any of this to happen.” She sighed. “I just wish you could understand.”

“I do,” Ladybug said. “I understand completely. I don’t agree with it, but I understand.”

Nathalie smiled. “Thanks. That’s all I could ask for. I guess I should return to police custody now.” She started walking back to the police car when the world around her faded into a white void.

“Well, that certainly tells me a lot” Judgement Wolf said.

Nathalie turned to face him. “So, this was your test?” Judgement Wolf nodded. “Do you think I passed?”

“Well, that’s actually an interesting question” Judgement Wolf said. “If it wasn’t for the fact that you’re helping Hawk Moth, I might have passed you. But as things are, it's up in the air.”

“But you know why he’s doing all of this!” Nathalie protested. “You should have an opinion already!”

Judgement Wolf looked at her. “Indeed I know WHY” he said. “But I need to see how he looks at this all. He could be playing you for a fool.”

“NO!” Nathalie shouted. “I’ve served him for a while now. I’ve seen him. He is a broken man, who hopes to fix himself. I can tell you that much.”

Judgement Wolf sighed. “I really wish we could have met under better circumstances.” Nathalie glanced off. “That’s not to say I don’t believe you. That’s to say that no matter what you tell me, I still have to test him. Do you understand?” Nathalie nodded. “Good. See you around, I guess.” Judgement Wolf jumped out of the mist, and Nathalie fell back asleep.

Once he was out, he planned to himself “OK, now I just need to feed Beyyo, and then head to the Agreste manor. The akuma fluttered by and fused with Nathalie’s tablet on her night stand. Nathalie sat up and soon became Catalyst. “Oh no!”

Catalyst jumped out of the room and into the Paris skyline. Judgement Wolf noticed his ring beeping, and he jumped to the streets, hiding as he destransformed. Vlad gave Beyyo some more jerky while following Catalyst, while also avoiding being detected.

Earlier that night, the three girls were having fun relaxing in Marinette’s room. “Today was really fun” Manon said, getting sleepy.

“Yeah,” Marinette said. “Do you need help falling asleep, or…” She noticed Manon had already passed out and smiled gently.

“Well, now that it’s just the two of us, is there anything more you want to do?” Alya asked.

Marinette got a message on her phone. Confused, she checked it. “It’s from Gabriel Agreste” she said.

“What’s it say?” Alya asked.

Marinette looked it over. “He’s asking me to meet him at his place like right now. He says it’s urgent.”

Alya smiled. “Go,” she said. Marinette looked at her confused. “It seems important. Besides, I’ll be here in case Manon wakes up.”

Marinette smiled. “You’re the best Alya.” She quickly changed out of her pajamas and went downstairs, careful not to wake her parents.

She left the bakery and began walking to the Agreste manor. She decided to get there faster by traveling as Ladybug for a bit. Once she was close, she transformed back and walked the rest of the way.

She was nervous about pressing the doorbell, but before she could, the camera popped out and Gabriel said “Ah Marinette! Welcome.” The gate opened and she went in. Gabriel was standing at the top of the stairs. “You got here faster than I imagined.”

“Well, you said it was urgent,” Marinette said. “So, what is this about? Is Adrien alright?”

Gabriel smiled. He knew he made the right choice. “Adrien’s fine. Follow me.” He walked into his office. Marinette quickly followed.

Marinette was nervous about what was going on, but she trusted Gabriel. “Tell me Marinette. Do you like surprises?”

Marinette was confused, but answered “Um, I guess? Why do you ask?”

Gabreil turned to the portrait of his wife. “Tonight's gonna be full of them.” He pressed the buttons needed to bring up the elevator. Marinette was certainly surprised. “Come on in,” Gabriel instructed. Marinette entered the elevator, and the two headed down.

Back out in the city, Judgement Wolf was fully recharged and racing towards the manor side by side with Catalyst. They each knew that any attempt to slow the other down would just slow them down.

Once they got there, Catalyst rounded the building, while Judgement Wolf went to Adrien’s window and knocked. Adrien, who was in bed but not asleep, got up and opened the window for Judgement Wolf. “Vlad?” he asked.

“Adrien, suit up!” Judgement Wolf said. “I found out who Hawk Moth is, but he also has an akuma out and they’re here as well.”

Adrien was confused. “What do you mean?”

Gabriel and Marinette went all the way down to the bottom room. The door opened and Gabriel walked out. Marinette walked out soon after, but was a little more timid about what was going on. Once the lights came on, she saw another one of Gabriel’s “surprises”: His wife, Adrien’s mother, in a glass case. “She’s here?” Marinette said. “Your wife isn’t missing?”

Gabriel sighed. “No, she is not missing.”

“But why say she is?” Marinette asked.

Gabriel looked at his wife. “I figured it would be easier to explain to people that she’s missing. Instead of what actually happened. But now I have to tell you.”

Marinette was puzzled. Gabriel continued “See, my wife came down with a disease. It’s a particularly unusual one. No doctors know of it, let alone how to treat it. This machine is keeping her alive.”

Marinette was having trouble processing all of this. “How...Why don’t any doctors know about this disease? And if there’s no treatment, why are you keeping her alive?”

Gabriel turned to her. “I said no doctors know how to treat it,” he said. “I will do my best to explain everything, but I understand that this is a lot to take in. As I was saying, there is a cure for it, but it’s very hard to come by. Still, I’ve done whatever I can in order to procure it.

Up until tonight, only my assistant Nathalie knew I was doing this. Not even Adrien knew. And he can never know. However, someone found out, and I’m afraid they aren’t going to let me attempt to anymore. That is why I called you here. I need you to finish this for me. Marinette, can I count on you?”

Marinette was still trying to process all of this. “So, what is this cure? What are you asking me to do?”

Gabriel closed his eyes in solace. He opened them up and said “Marinette. This isn’t information I would trust with just anyone. I need you to know that.” Marinette nodded.

Gabriel sighed. “The truth is, my wife’s illness was caused by using a broken miraculous. If used by someone over a long enough period of time, a broken miraculous can wound, or even kill the user. I only figured out she had it too late to take any preemptive measures. The cure for this is one of two things: The assistance of a guardian, which seemed impossible when I first started trying, or by using the ladybug and cat miraculous together to make a wish.”

Marinette turned solid. “But then that means-”

“Indeed” Gabriel said. He took off his ascot, revealing the butterfly miraculous, and said “I am Hawk Moth.”