#The Rebellion of Adrien Agreste

[car-toons]

My favorite part about reverse Adrien is that he still gives off prep energy, most likely because of his father. He rebels, but the rebellion is small, in the haircut and eyeliner. But when he transforms in the Claw Noir, his rebellion is free and he goes FULL PUNK! I love my son so freaken much!

[violet-2084-turkish-warrior]

I want a Talia and Adrien/Chat Noir rebellion story/arc from a decent writer. I want Talia to disobey her father and Adrien to disobey Marinette.

[kaileedraws]

Introduction: Adrien Agreste

Hey fellow miraculers! Here’s Adrien and a little about how he’s going to be portrayed in this AU. I’ll list the characteristics and/or problems that I saw in the show and then delve into how I’m going to take things here. Most of the issues I found in his character is just that his issues aren’t really talked about, but the subtext of a great character is there and he definitely has main character potential

1. His outfit

This is honestly a budget issue/creating recognizable characters for the show, but like all characters, I want to see more Gabriel Agreste fashion on him.

2. Love interest or main character?

In the show, it’s said that he’s the main character, but he doesn’t appear as such. A lot of his emotions, struggles, and life isn’t delved into as much as Marinette, yet he has so much potential. He’s a teenage Rapunzel trapped in a tower waiting for his ladybug in shining armor to come save him. I want to explore not only his fears of losing his freedom, but also his experimentation with rebellion and standing up to his father.

3. Adrien as a Model

In the show, his life as a model isn’t talked about really much, he just thinks it’s boring and it’s a nuisance to him. However, with some research, I discovered how horrible it can be. For one, Adrien would become desensitized to personal space and being touched without permission, putting him into awkward positions in his job and even with classmates. He would get taken advantage of a lot easier. As a model and celebrity, Adrien would also experience Parasocial Confusion — which is when a celebrity has difficulty distinguishing between genuine personal connections/love and relationships/infatuations of fans. This would make relationships with him incredibly difficult.

Additionally, model assault is a huge thing in the fashion industry. Unfortunately, because Adrien is such a pushover and people pleaser, this puts him up to be a prime target for abuse that he probably thinks is just normal (yes this happens, I promise, it sucks.) I want to see a huge character arc with him learning about personal boundaries and learning how to enforce them, with his friends teaching him what is Ok and what is not socially.

4. His personality before his mother dies

If I’m not mistaken, I don’t think we ever get much insight into how Adrien is like before Emilie “disappears.” From what we know about her, she is a princess and an actress, which brings me to my headcanon:

Emilie brought Adrien up on broadway shows, fairytales, and romances — this would explain why he has an “old fashioned” ideology that “boys save girls” (S3E3). This would also explain his gentlemanly behavior— like he was literally written/taught his behavior by a princess (he was. Her name is Emilie).

Inspired by musical theatre and the arts, Adrien began to take dance classes, where he meets Chloe Bourgeois — Emilie is to blame for this, and Gabriel would rather him take fencing, but he gives in. Chloe and Adrien become childhood friends through dance and being partnered often is how they became so close. Based on his “breakdancing” moves as Chat Noir, I think it would also be reasonable that he took other forms of dance too, like hiphop.

As Emilie started to get sicker and sicker, his ambitions for dance and the arts faded. He began fencing like his father wanted to and abandoned dancing. He and Chloe still remained close friends — as this was the only friend he was allowed to have. Gabriel knew Chloe’s dad, after all.

Although Emilie was portrayed to be kind, beautiful, and caring, it’s easy to paint memories of a person better than they actually were. Although she was those things, Emilie also was dramatic, hotheaded, and emotional. If Adrien did something wrong, she’d be quick to scold him harshly, but then just as quick to apologize for her outburst. Toward the end of her life, she was also rather absent from Adrien’s life, as she didn’t have much energy to take care of him anymore. It was difficult for her to take care of him as she got more and more sick, and he would often try to be the best little boy he could because he didn’t want to be a burden on top of her sickness. I mean remember, the last 3 years his dad had gotten him a freaking PEN for his birthday. This occurred when Emilie was still alive.

The person who raised him the most was Nathalie — as his mother became weak, and Gabriel became absent

5. Mental health and coping so he isn’t akumatized

Headcanon that to keep himself from being akumatized, Gabriel has him talk to a counselor who prescribes him multiple medications that work a little TOO well. Meaning? Let’s just say that he starts to become numb to feelings and that it’s just another way for his father to control him — His rebellion streak is going to hit hard yo.

Despite these methods, he’s still going to get akumatized — don’t worry, no one is safe.

His mental health illnesses insinuated from the show include depression, ADHD, parasocial confusion, abandonment trauma, social anxiety disorder, attachment disorder/trauma (which leads to lack of boundaries), and to add some spice, probably claustrophobia (or just feeling trapped). This poor boy has so much he needs to shift through and I’m excited to guide him on an arc to healing.

Conclusion

I think Adrien is my favorite character simply because of how there are certain aspects of him that I heavily relate to — plus he’s such a kind soul who has every right to turn into a villain but stays a sunshine golden retriever boy. It takes a lot of strength and determination to go through so much and be good in the end. I can’t wait to write him in this AU and give the boy the healing and happiness he deserves. There’s so much more I could talk about with him, but this is just the beginning!

[uptoolateart]

Hey, hey, hey - time for a Gabriel analysis!

So. After we learned that Gabriel Agreste wasn't his original name, my mind jumped to Andre Bourgeois, who also once had a different name. In keeping with the themes of the show, we are seeing that secret identities don't always come with masks and comic book names.

We had a hint of Gabriel's secret past in Psycomedian, when Harry visited and alluded to his Gabi days. How, oh how could the Gabriel Agreste we all know have ever been friends with someone like Harry Clown? This is only possible if he was once a different sort of person.

We had further clues in Gabriel's vision of the past, in the time burrow in Evolution - and in Emilie's video messages left for Nathalie, and the photographs of Gabriel, Emilie and Nathalie on some expedition, seen in Passion - and in Amelie's accusation that Gabriel has changed, in Emotion.

Adrien is also aware his father has changed with time, demonstrated when he tells Gabriel that Emilie once said they came from different backgrounds.

The photos shown in Revelation finally gave concrete evidence that Gabriel used to have an adventurous spirit and he used to smile. He was fun...but something changed...and I don't think it was just Emilie's death that caused the personality shift. Based on casual comments Adrien has made throughout the series, his father has been strange for years.

Gabriel tells Adrien that he and Kagami are 'of the same design' - and we know he means this literally. But taking it as a metaphor...for two seasons I've wondered what Emilie's parents were like. We can infer that she comes from a wealthy, 'important' family. Maybe Gabriel struggled to fit in and win the approval of his in-laws. Maybe he never felt good enough. When he tells Adrien things like, 'You're clinging to Marinette because her mediocrity lets you shine more,' perhaps someone once talked like that about him. With that kind of background, it would be unsurprising that he decided to try to forge a new identity.

And let's remember that Gabriel is a designer. His whole empire is founded on inventing personae. Even beyond the sentimonster aspect, he tells Marinette that he designed the image the world holds of his son. Everything is his invention. That speech in Pretension proved just how deep his God complex runs - he fully believes he has made the world in his image. Even the episode title - Pretension - smacks of the image he is presenting to the world in lieu of truth.

At this point, what we're seeing is a 'new money' stereotype - a self-made man who now spurns those who remind him of where he came from. It's one of the most shameful things about him. No matter how much fame and money you get...you can't forget your roots, people. Maybe that's easy for me to say because I'm not rich or famous. But I just can't imagine turning my back on my own origin story. It's what makes you who you are. Gabriel clearly didn't want to be that person anymore...and that's sad.

What's also fascinating is that, if we zoom in on those pictures Nathalie took in Revelation, we see that once upon a time, Gabriel - Gabi Grassette - was a punk. Let's take a moment to appreciate the spiked hair, makeup, leather jacket, ripped jeans, and dog collar - not to mention that smirk. And far from being ashamed of his work with Harry Clown as a human frites (who, by the way, reminds me so much of Mr Banana), he was smiling about it. Man, he loved it. Contrast that with Gabriel in Party Crasher - 'JOY.... What's going on in my HOUSE!?'

If it were at all possible for the old Gabi to meet Cat Noir, I can imagine him loving Cat's costume. On that note, I can't help but compare that dog collar with Cat's bell. I've said before that I see the bell as a symbol of Cat being domesticated and under control. Gabi probably saw his dog collar more as a rebellion, but maybe it too is a symbol of how he once felt controlled by someone.

The thing is...the punk movement was all about anti-establishment anti-authoritarianism. Today, Gabriel is the establishment he once rebelled against. It makes me think of John Lydon of the Sex Pistols turning Conservative and advertising butter. Musicians like Donovan - not a punk, but in a similar category, as a 1960s hippie - are rare for maintaining that same spirit all through their lives.

Gabriel is a 'sell-out'. He gave up that spirit and became someone unrecognisable. Those photos demonstrate that Emilie isn't the only body buried in a 'basement' in the Agreste mansion. There is a different person buried under the cold veneer that is Gabriel - a person Nathalie probably misses. I expect that's why she's stuck with him all this time, despite her better instincts. Something tells me Gabi would've made a better father.

The irony is that Adrien's moments of rebellion are probably one of the few things he has in common with his father, if we look far enough back in Gabriel's past. That, and their temper - and randomly breaking into eccentric dance and song. Gabi might have appreciated Adrien more for standing true to his principles. Maybe Adrien sometimes reminds Gabriel of himself and he can't stand it - can't stand thinking of what he's lost along the way.

I believe Gabriel exists in a perpetual state of regret. Part of him probably misses Gabi, too. After all, Gabi got Emilie. What has Gabriel got? Wealth, sure, but Emilie's dead, Adrien all but hates him, Nathalie's wasting away, and Gabriel himself has only weeks to live.

If you think about it, Gabriel's whole quest has been about getting a do-over. He wants a second chance with Emilie - a second chance for Nathalie - a second chance at his own life. He then tells Adrien that his greatest wish is to try to reconnect with him...because he knows he doesn't have much time left with his son. Even then, though, his selfishness prevails. (Psst, Gabi...you can't make up for years of terrible parenting with banana pancakes.)

Thinking of the snake miraculous, the second chance lets you know what's going to happen, enabling you to make better decisions the next time around. In other words: it's about learning from your mistakes. Gabriel never learns, and it is his refusal to accept destiny and his own human fallibility that is causing his disintegration.

The more Gabriel necrotises, the more we can see this as his 'sins' catching up with him. He doesn't seem to grasp that all the blackness devouring him is, in a way, the blackness of his own heart. Even if he erases the whole world, he can't erase his deeds. If he managed to get his Wish and bring Emilie back, she would be horrified. She'd wonder where her Gabi went.

Gabriel is proof that 'evolution' isn't always positive. He reinvented himself once, and now, because it didn't go the way he wanted, he's trying to reinvent things again. Tomoe also hints at a belief that the solution to her problems is to make the world anew - to get a second chance. Felix tries this, too, when he creates the red moon to wipe out all people except his select group.

But Felix does learn - Ladybug helps him see that even if you erase all the people causing you so much grief...you still have to deal with that pain. What Gabriel fails to see is that - like Cat Blanc on the roof, all alone without his lady - destroying your witnesses won't remove the witness in your own heart.

Even if Gabriel wiped everyone else's memory of his crimes, he would still know what he'd done. And when you cross those kinds of lines, you can never go back to who you once were.

Please no post-Revelation spoilers in the comments :)

[wonderwomanpleasesteponme]

Some Maribat thoughts with bio dad Bruce Wayne.

Normalverse -

Bruce coming to get the daughter that he has somehow managed to get to live a life sperate from his life as a vigilante: Marinette, your parents and I have come to the agreement that it would be best for you to come to Gotham with me as it is no longer safe for you to be here with Hawkmoth around.

Marinette internally: but I'm Ladybug I can't just abandone Paris and my team like this. Oh all my friends are here and my fashion business was just starting to take off. Most importantly who will defend Paris while I'm gone, I'm the only one who can purify akumas! Wait I'll use the horse miraculous to go back and fort whenever i get an akuma alert.

Marinette out loud: fine, I'll go.

Meanwhile in the world of Shadybug and Claw Noir after the events of the Paris world special -

Mirror Bruce Wayne coming to collect his daughter: l am going to say this once, you will be coming with me back to Gotham as that foolish rebellion has gotten more power and started wining more and more fights against to Supreme.

Shadybug/Marinette internally: shit shit, fucking shit, god fucking damn it, may the kwami of death if there is one and their not Plagg take me now.

Shady: I'm going to get my things. *goes into her room*

Shady who has all but officially moved into the Agreste Manor so most of her stuff is over there: *shoves whatever she hasn't moved into the Agreste Manor as yet into a backpack, before jumping out her bedroom window and booking it down the street.

Shady upon spotting Adrien's limo:*pulls open the door and gets inside startling Adrien and Gorilla* Fucking drive!

[universaln0b0dy]

Rewriting miraculous- Adrien agreste

[Note] Hey, hey! I wanted to start rewriting and designing miraculous for the fun of it. Please note that this is just for fun and giggles! I will try to keep the rewrite as close to the show as possible, at the same time I want to put as much of my ideas into it as I can. Also this is probably an angst au, because of my 3 am brainrot.

Adrien Agreste:

Look he isn't written good, I will say it as it is. Too much wasted potential, too much he is the love intrest not enough plot. I need more Adrien because the snippets of his personality he has are very Intresting, so we can work with that! But he is honestly kinda annoying at times at the same time he isn't, I don't know how to say it better, but that's how it is!

Backstory:

Adrien is a human child in this, not a senti-monster. His behaviour is all because of Gabriel, not because of some magical force. Adrien grew up in the Agreste household, with his mom Emily and his father Gabriel. Most would say they are loving towards one another, just until you look past the facade.

Emily is Gabriel's muse, his sunshine, his world his everything and the reason he adores his son so much is because he looks just like Emily, with his green eyes and blonde hair. But Gabriel hates Emily's twin with a burning passion. She looks just like his muse, at the same time she doesn't, she is ugly in his eyes, not comparable to his wonderful sun and so he forces Emily to cut of contact with her sister. Emily fights with Ģabriel about this, but Gabriel just responds by locking her up.

Emily tries to shield Adrien from this, telling him that Gabriel loves her and that he only wants to protect the two of them. Very soon in his life, Adrien is barely five, he first learns that his father's obsession is true love. (It actually isn't.)

Adrien looks at all the movies all starring Emily, all the pictures on the wall and Gabriel's obsessive jealousy as something good. Realising what she has done, Emily is devastated, devastated enough to risk something and that is bringing Nathalie back. Natalie desperately needs a heart transplant to survive and Emily does that, creating a heart with the peacock miraculous, ending up comatosed. (More to this when I am starting with the miraculous)

Gabriel is devastated by this because his wife slipped through his fingers like sand and completely abandonds Adrien in his grief, during the loss of his sun. (Luckily Natalie is there to help)

Gabriel actually thinks Emily was naive and that Natalie serves no other purpose than being his assistant. (He is delusional)

But back to Adrien, he first learns that love seems to equal obsession and then gets neglected, only for his father to come back into his life to plan every single step of it. Ever since Adrien is 8 he isn't allowed to pick his own clothes, style his hair or have a say in his own life. Luckily because of his mom and Natalie he actually was able to experience freedom of choice and doesn't think what Gabriel is doing is normal, at the same time he doesn't dare to speak out against anything.

His friendship with Chloe starts somewhere between the neglect and his loss of freedom. They both relate to eachother for having parents that either aren't there anymore or just neglect them, but unlike Chloe who only has her wealth to keep her company, Adrien has Natalie so he turns out a bit better than her.

His very first form of rebellion ever is going to school when he is fifteen. His dad still has a say in everything, but at least he can talk to other people, right? The thing is his classmates hate him at first, mainly because of Adriens behaviour. He wasn't ever part of the normal school kid society so he acts like he does in high society. No one liked that.

Adrien also tries his best to help Marinette who at first is totally against this, Marinette despises him, him and his behaviour. She compares him to Chloe.

Adrien actually needs some time until he becomes friends with Nino and Marinette, by trying to prove himself as a good person, but his fathers controlling and manipulative behaviour gets in the way. Lady bug will actually become his first friend, closely followed by Marinette.

Marinette becomes his friend after he protects her from Chloe, also developing a crush on him. Adrien falls in love with Lady Bug because he considered her amazing and while she is controlling, she is someone he idolised, which becomes the start of his possessive ness.

Personality as Adrien (season 1-3)

Oblivious: Adridens sheltered life stops him from picking up social cues, in a way you might not expect. He reads too much into everything. He has only ever interacted with the upper class, so he tries to interact with the normal people just exactly like he does with high society. Which causes a lot of things to fly over his head that would be said/ indicated by every day people.

Indecisive: Adrien was never allowed to pick something himself so he doesn't know how to react when someone asks him about what he would like for lunch, etc. The worst thing that happened because of this was that he almost was completely hated on by the class for not picking a side in a fight.

Possessive: Let me tell you, this guy is possessive of his friends, stuff anything! The mixture of seeing how his father was and the fact for the first time in his life he gets to make his own friends makes him loose control over his emotions occasionally. Nino would be the one to slowly bring him over to a more calmer path with his chill attitude.

Jealous: Ahaha, this ties in to the possessive ness and stems from his deep insecurity about the fact that his mother went missing (he blames himself) and that he is always so indecisive. He believes his friends can simply be snatched away. Which is stupid, he is a model, but still he feels like he just lacks everything. Kagami also has to suffer because of it

Helpful: Yes, despite everything Adrien is helpful. His mother taught him this and he won't ever, ever let it go. He tries to help anywhere he can whenever he can and in general is such a sweetheart!

Adrien as Chat noir:

Joyful, cocky, funny: do I have to explain in detail why? Marinette becoming Lady Bug gave her something to do, a responsibility. Adrien gets freedom, freedom he wished for so desperately secretly. As Chat noir he lives out the emotions he has to hide for his father and he can finally be himself

Possessive and jealous: Lady Bug is the sun as one would call it, less love more obsession. Suprise suprise I guess. For him lady Bug is what Emily was to Gabriel, a light in the Darkness. (Though Marinette still has more in common with Gabriel considered that she thinks of Adrien as her muse at some point.) Chat noir is helplessly in "love" and he wants to claim his possession.

Loud, obnoxious: This guy goes wild, he does the craziest stunts and just flings through the air cackling loudly to himself. For the first time in his life he wants to be seen and heard. Everyone admires him for the self he never was able to show and he enjoyed every second of it.

Insecure: needing reassurance daily that he isn't a useless side piece. Occasionally when his real life hits too hard he also doubts himself as chat noir and when villains find the right spot to hit it is over for chat noir with his incredibly fragile ego. Because chat noir is the most vulnerable part of Adrien.

Adrien "Chat Noir" Agreste season 4 and up

It takes longer for him to mature in the way lady Bug does and so does connecting his two sides. After a while though Adriens overcomes his insecurities and more, he heals from the neglect and even calls out his father occasionally when the latter is being unreasonable.

He becomes less jealous and possessive and learns about the correct way to love someone, just like Marinette does. Adrien even apologises to Kagami, who has of course never harboured any resentment towards him, but is relieved about it anyways.

Chat noir also stops clinging to Lady Bug as much and let's her do her own thing without feeling insecure in the eye of the other heroes. He knows he is capable now and he loves himself. (Though he developed a bit of an ego)

Art

Soo, Adriens human design looks way different when it does in the show, but that has a reason! Gabriel uses him as an walking advertisement and Adrien is forced to look perfect every where he does. No jogging pants or sweatshirt for him. His hair is styled and so ar his clothes. (Not by him)

Chat noir is silly. The black fur an his arms and Legs that act like leg warmers over to his hair, everything just looks a bit less than Adrien Agreste. The little bell makes noise, but the suit looks dark, perfectly matched together, not really special. A reflection of how he views himself. His costume does change after his personality does, but he is one of the rare users where the more power you have the more you look like the animal your miraculous represents and the it also reflects your personality don't clash that much.

Soooooo next is either chloe or Alya, I haven't picked yet but I hope you enjoyed this drawiting session and I'll see you next time! (Also, do you prefer Chat noir, or chat Noire)

[rachelsshowerthoughts]

I had the most hilarious Aware AU thoughts:

OK, so everything leading up to Origins is the same as discussed.

When Adrien stops to help Fu he's almost caught but Chloe was waiting outside & jumped in when Nathalie showed up and made a sufficient enough spectacle that Sabrina could grab Adrien and they bolt into the school.

Argument over seats ensues, Adrien & Nino making tentative friends.

Kagami is probably around but maybe not in this class. Gabriel is irritated but also figures that an Akuma attack is a good reason to force Adrien out of going to school & keeps Nathalie waiting. So he can't even head out to the arcade across the street.

This is all a big red flag to Nino when he hears & sees that yes, Adrien's bodyguard & his fathers assistant have basically parked outside the school to obsessively watch them all day.

Stuff happens, Ivan becomes an Akuma & in the chaos Adrien, Chloe & maybe Sabrina, grudgingly agree to go to the Agreste Mansion cos it is at least very heavily fortified. Minor argument with Nathalie but time is dead bodies with a giant rock monster around.

Anyway this means Adrien has company when he finds Plagg.

Fortunately the Kwami of Destruction is all in favor of teenage rebellion "Fuck yeah, stick it to the old people!" & has no issue ignoring that Chloe knows Adrien's identity, though they do work to cover it up a little bit when needed.

But, but, but, here's the fun part.

Chloe also becomes Chat Noir.

Not all the time but when its impractical for Adrien to do it she dons the ring. Both already having many aesthetic commonalities and a familiarity with each others personalities, the way the Glamour works & mild physical form changes when transforming and... No one notices, not even Fu!

Also both flirt with Ladybug, a lot.

This also helps keep a bit of a divide going once Fu is discovered, because Adrien shares details on the book with at least her, or potentially the entire "Shitty parents club". & this leads to knowing about Fu earlier and a more contentious relationship.

IE, he wants to take Plagg back, Plagg does not want to go back, they do not want Plagg to go back & they have enough information to make Fu's entire operation very fucking difficult.

Also the book may be found or stolen earlier.

Like Bubbler is a great time/excuse to trash the mansion for funsies ya know?

Obviously Marinette is not a fan of this whole... Everything, even if she doesn't get all the details or learn IDs, she respects authority figures and seniors, & though she might not want to lose Chat she doesn't think turning it into a contest of wills is the "Right" way to fix things.

Also I think Kagami might be Marinette's first pick for an extra ally which might happen sooner as Fu would want someone else more in line with his thinking on side.

This isn't a dig at Alya, but in Aware Marinette as technically known Kagami longer. Sees her as very respectful & dutiful, and has 100% seen her bravely try to throw down with Akuma to keep people safe.

Meanwhile the bee, or perhaps snake or tiger can still end up lost XD

Chat: Me, knowing the location of the Miraculous no one told me was missing? Its less likely than you think! Also Chat: Hey, new hero, we should definitely 100% accept this person & not question their identity!

One big difference between Fu & the other shitty adults, is that he's much more like Roger. IE, he is trying to do the right thing, genuinely does not want to bring anyone pain. He is just intensely paranoid & overly cautious tot he point where it can become harmful.

So, first of all, this is hilarious to me. Yes, absolutely, all of this.

second, I see your "Kagami is chosen by Marinette first", and raise you "As a body double". Like, I think part of why Alya gets picked to be the Fox was proximity - the Akuma was her little sisters, it was the middle of the night, she's already aware of the situation, Marinette trusts her and needs a teammate, boom, Alya gets to be the Fox. However, for Kagami, you're right, she does know her longer here, so probably trusts her more. So, I suggest learning about the "Cat Siblings" (this is Marinette's best guess, if she doesn’t have their identities, that the Chat Noir duo are siblings) gives Marinette ideas. Like, yes, Fu is clearly against it, but part of Marinette probably thinks "dammit, that’s such a good system, though!". How many times has she been screwed over because she had to be Ladybug, and completely fucked up her schedule? There being TWO people to be Cat Noir, while not ideal, is still better for Cat Noir in general. Not that Marinette would EVER do something like that, once the Guardian makes his stance clear! Oh no, absolutely not!

Which, uh, doesn’t mean she hasn’t THOUGHT about someone else to let borrow the earrings in an emergency, OR that she hasn’t thought about Kagami specifically, OR that she hasn’t quietly discussed it with Tikki (in hypotheticals) what to do if she's taken out! So (my best guess for what happens) when Marinette comes down with a particularly nasty flu, and can't even stand up without feeling dizzy, she actually doesn’t think that long before calling up Kagami, like, "uh, hey, weird question, do you think you could take over being Ladybug for me? I can taste colours, and not in the fun way."

Of course, Kagami does it, and because she's VERY different from Marinette (personality-wise) while the public is fooled thanks to the Glamour, Cat Noir is "uh, excuse me? Who are you???", and Kagami has to awkwardly explain that your regularly scheduled Ladybug currently has a fever of one hundred and four, and can't really leave the bathroom right now, so she's filling in. After it’s all over, she quickly leaves to give Marinette the earrings back (maybe drop off some medicine?), and Cat Noir(e) is left feeling, like, "ha, maybe the old man will get off our backs now, Ladybug clearly agrees with us!"

Which. Uh. Yeah, no, that doesn’t really happen. Maybe Ladybug's just better at explaining it, (or Fu is just a little prejudiced against the Cat in particular, I imagine the Order weren’t Plagg’s biggest fans, Fu probably internalized a lot of their shit), but he's . . . not OKAY with Ladybug sharing her ID and position with another person, but much more understanding. If Marinette was really that sick, then going out as Ladybug would have been seriously detrimental to both her and the fight against Hawk Moth. And there NEEDS to be a Ladybug in every fight, to purify the Akuma. Yes, Fu would rather she hadn’t done it, but it was clearly the right decision at the time, so Fu will trust Marinette on this. He still doesn’t recommend doing it too often, but a back up Ladybug is clearly a good idea.

Well, this means that Back Up Cat is good too, right? Nope! Still salty about them, still thinks one of them should knock it off, still thinks he should take the Miraculous back!

Yeah, you can imagine how this is going down with the Cat Noir(e) Duo. ESPECIALLY because this is the Aware Kids. It’s every instance of favouritism, of "unexceptional", of "not good enough". Congrats Fu, you just got knocked into "Adults we DO NOT trust"! You already had a foothold, now you get a proper seat!

On the flip side, I see this as where Marinette starts questioning Fu a little more. Because for all her black and white mentality, all her naïveté, the double-standard is GLARING. She's spent the past few months watching the battle of Wills that is Cat Noir(e) Vs Fu. She was expecting a HELL of a talking to once she wasn't throwing up her stomach. Instead, she gets mild disappointment at the SITUATION, general understanding, and even gets COMMENDED for her reasoning and quick reaction to the situation. Which makes her go "waitwait,wait, wait, hold the FUCK up", because what? What the HELL? Why is it ok if SHE does the thing that Fu's been railing against, but not Cat Noir(e)? Good grief, shouldn’t it have been a worse decision? The Cat Noir(e) Duo at least started at roughly the same time. They've been training and getting better alongside her. Now that Marinette's no longer fever-fogged, she's thinking it honestly would have made more sense to have Tikki take the earrings, and go find one of the duo to be a replacement Ladybug. They would have at least had some idea what they were doing! But no, instead she sent a friend, who had barely any idea, to do the job. And that's . . . . fine? What? And DON'T say it’s cause Ladybug needs to be there to purify the Akuma, Marinette knows she NEEDS back up! If anything, the Cat Noir(e) Duo was always kind of a comfort to her, cause she knew she was always likely to have SOMEONE there to support her. Fu so clearly showing favouritism is a hit to Marinette's view of all authority figures being kind and reasonable, making her start questioning him a bit more. Which, ya know, is probably needed.

On Fu himself, yes, he is very much like Roger. I'm not sure on how the particulars work out, since we have no idea what Roger's home life was like as a kid, but I've been operating under the adage "nothing exists in a vacuum". Roger didn’t spring forth fully formed with his opinions on "serving the public (toxic)", he had to learn that somewhere. Someone taught him those views, which he's passing onto Sabrina. And we SEE, at least partially, Fu getting taught his paranoia - if not from the Order itself, from the incident that took the Order away, which Fu probably feels a lot of guilt for. Which, as far as I can tell, he's managing by doubling down on the few teachings he had. Don’t give out IDs. Always put the Miraculous back in the box, don’t let them out. Don’t let the Kwami know any secrets.

Unfortunately, much like Roger, I feel like Fu also needs to see his stubbornness blow up in his face before he realizes he's fucking up.

[marimbles]

Ey I forgot to post this here but! I wrote a lil ladrien fic!

Word count: 3.2k

Summary:

Ladybug sniffed. “I saw through you right away. You look just like a celebrity trying to sneak past the paparazzi.”

Adrien frowned. “Well, I think I blend in better than you do. What are you supposed to be, a film noir detective on holiday?”

Or, Incognito Adrien runs into I'm-Not-Here Ladybug on the bus.

Mr. Perfect Disguise

13:38

adrienagrestbrand

HALLELUJAH! My shoot was canceled!

lahiffesbeats

oh sweet!

wait the one with Lila?

adrienagrestbrand

Yes!!!

Apparently she caught the flu

lahiffesbeats

uhh why are you so excited that lila’s sick. that’s not cool man

adrienagrestbrand

Oh um I’m not excited that she’s sick! I’m just glad to have some extra time.

One of my mom’s movies is playing at this indie cinema downtown. Want to go see it with me?

lahiffesbeats

aw man, i cant :( im watching chris

adrienagrestbrand

Maybe you could bring him?

lahiffesbeats

nah, he can’t sit still during a movie lol

maybe alya is free?

adrienagrestbrand

Uh, you don’t think that would be a bit awkward?

lahiffesbeats

why

adrienagrestbrand

I mean, Alya is great, but we never hang out with just the two of us.

lahiffesbeats

ok so ask marinette

adrienagrestbrand

I don’t think Marinette would want to go with me 😅 Last time we went to the movies together, Gorizilla showed up and it was kind of a disaster.

I think I’ll just go on my own. I’m not sure the movie would be that interesting to any of you anyway, haha.

lahiffesbeats

well i know for a fact that marinette would be 3000% down to go to literally any movie with u but ok lmao

adrienagrestbrand

What do you mean? How do you know for a fact?

lahiffesbeats

nvm

have fun dude!

adrienagrestbrand

Sorry, but would you mind covering for me? I told Gorilla I was going to study with you.

lahiffesbeats

sure thing bro. i’m honored to protect your scandalous sneaky ways

i’m proud. honestly i might tear up

adrienagrestbrand

Thanks

And shut up

Gorilla will drop me off in a few, OK? Then when the coast is clear I’ll head over to the theater

lahiffesbeats

How are you gonna get there

adrienagrestbrand

I’ll take the bus

lahiffesbeats

the bus?

mr. famous rich boy teenage heartthrob model adrien agreste is gonna take the bus

adrienagrestbrand

Yes

And shut up

lahiffesbeats

bro i hate to ask but have you ever been on a bus

like do you know how it works

adrienagrestbrand

Yes!!!!

No

But how hard can it be? You just get on and pay the driver and ride it, right?

Wait, do they give change back for 100€?

lahiffesbeats

probably not lol

just take my travel pass

adrienagrestbrand

Really? You’d do that?

lahiffesbeats

ofc. i’m very invested in your teenage rebellion

u can give it back tmw

adrienagrestbrand

Thanks, Nino!! You’re the best

lahiffesbeats

yeah, yeah. i know

just have ur bodydude drop u off here and i will help u turn on Incognito Mode. for maximum stealth

i will make you a kit

adrienagrestbrand

A kit?

lahiffesbeats

yee

for Operation Teenage Rebellion

just trust me

see u in a few

adrienagrestbrand

See you

— — —

“Uh, Nino, are you sure about this?”

Adrien frowned down at his outfit. Nino’s “Incognito Mode” had turned out to be a pair of sunglasses, his signature red hat, and an old denim jacket with a mysterious stain on it, which he insisted Adrien wear to hide the fact that his shirt “cost literally a million Euros, dude.” He’d even made Adrien swap out his orange Agreste-brand sneakers for pair of Nino’s old Nike slides, which were the only thing small enough to fit him.

“Have I ever led you wrong?” Nino grinned. “Just trust me.”

Adrien opened his mouth to name a time or two when Nino had, maybe, actually, led him wrong, but before he could say anything, Nino was nudging him out the door.

“Sorry, man, I really gotta get back to Chris. And you gotta get to the bus.” He shoved a plastic sack into Adrien’s hands. “Later! Keep me posted.”

The door clicked shut behind him.

Adrien peered into the bag. It contained a neon yellow sports drink, a pack of American crisps with a cartoon cheetah on them, and a plastic blue card, which he assumed was Nino’s transit pass.

The bus would arrive in just a few minutes. Adrien hurried down the steps of Nino’s building and jogged to the corner to wait.

Soon, the bus rolled to a stop in front of him. He climbed aboard, pulling Nino’s hat lower over his eyes. The woman in front of him drew a ticket from her pocket.

“Oh—shoot.” Adrien reached into the bag and grabbed the blue card. The plastic rustled loudly. Blushing, he tapped the plastic card on the reader with a beep.

There was photo of Nino on the back of the card. Adrien’s hand shot back. He glanced up nervously at the bus driver, who was busy adjusting his mirror. Adrien’s muscles relaxed.

He followed the woman into the aisle. At this time of day, it was a crowded ride—standing room only. He squeezed through to an empty space next to a girl in a sunhat, pulling out his phone.

adrienagrestbrand

Why didn’t you tell me your transit card is also an ID??

lahiffesbeats

eh, they never check

how is operation teenage rebellion going

adrienagrestbrand

Well, I’m on the bus, at least.

lahiffesbeats

:’) proud of you, bud. my little rebel bro. breaking the law and everything

adrienagrestbrand

Wait, using someone else’s travel pass is illegal???

Before Adrien had a chance to fixate on the horror of his father bailing him out of jail (in this outfit), the bus took off with a lurch. He stumbled forward, nearly dropping his phone and treading on the toes of the girl in the hat.

“Sorry,” he said with a wince. So much for staying inconspicuous. He reached out and gripped one of the metal handlebars, tucking his other hand into his pocket. His fingers found his Marinette lucky charm, rolling the beads between his fingers.

“Oh, um, it’s fine!” The girl ducked her head. “It’s not a problem.”

Adrien blinked. There was something familiar about her. And something strange. Maybe it was the dark trenchcoat, which looked too heavy for the mild weather. Or maybe it was her wide-brimmed hat, more suitable for a beach than a crowded city bus.

He glanced down at her black leather gloves. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think she was trying to hide, just like him.

The bus rounded a corner, and despite his hold on the bar, Adrien staggered to the side. His free hand was thrown out wildly to try to keep his balance, and he nearly hit the girl on the nose.

“Sorry! Sorry,” he said quickly, scrambling back into place. His neck burned underneath the collar of his jacket.

“Don’t worry about it,” the girl mumbled.

Adrien shoved his hand back into his pocket and froze. His lucky charm was missing.

He scanned the floor and spotted it next to the girl’s boot.

“Um, excuse me, miss,” he said. “Would you mind handing me that? I dropped it.”

The girl peered down where he was pointing, face still hidden from view. Then she seemed to stiffen, frozen in place as she stared at the charm.

“Um, miss?”

She scooped it up and held it out to him, head bowed. “Here you go.”

“Thank y—” he started to say, but the words got lost on their way out. The girl’s hand was still outstretched, and he stared at the gap between her sleeve and her glove.

It was bright red, with a black spot.

The bus hissed to a stop. People clamored to their feet.

“Ladybug?” he whispered.

Her head snapped up. He caught a glimpse of her wide eyes through a pair of oversized sunglasses. Then she shot to her feet and pushed past him.

“Wait!” he called. He stumbled after her, down the steps and out the door. “Wait, please!”

She didn’t turn around. Just strode quickly down the street, the brim of her hat flopping with each step.

He broke into a jog and to catch up with her. “Ladybug!”

“I’m not—uh—who’s Ladybug?” She let out a breathless laugh. “Or, I mean, of course I’m not Ladybug. Why would you think that?”

“I, uh, saw your suit. Could you stop for a second?”

“No! I have to ca—I have … important business to attend to.”

“Um, before you do that, would you mind giving me back my lucky charm?”

She came to a halt, and he almost ran into her.

“Right,” she said quickly. “Here you go.”

She shoved the charm at him—he had to fumble not to drop it—and kept walking. But Adrien wasn’t willing to lose her that fast.

“What kind of business?” he asked quickly, dropping the charm into his plastic sack.

“Superhero business. Top secret.”

“Well, if it’s superhero stuff, then, um … why isn’t Chat Noir here too?”

“Because! It’s not—he isn’t—” She let out a little huff. “Because he wouldn’t get it. I have to do this alone.”

“I don’t think you ever have to do anything alone,” Adrien said. “Maybe he would get it if you explained.”

Finally, she stopped. Even with the double layer of her mask and her sunglasses, he could feel the weight of her gaze. “Why are you following me, Adrien?”

He blinked. “I … I didn’t realize you’d recognized me.”

“Well, um, that disguise isn’t very good.”

“It’s not?” He glanced down, suddenly feeling very self-conscious of the stained jacket and open-toed shoes. There was even a hole in the toe of his sock—Plagg kept stealing all of his good ones, and he always forgot to ask Nathalie for more.

Ladybug sniffed. “Not for me, anyway. I saw through you right away. You look just like a celebrity trying to sneak past the paparazzi.”

Adrien frowned. “Well, I think I blend in better than you do. What are you supposed to be, a film noir detective on holiday?”

Ladybug stiffened, and Adrien’s stomach dropped. He’d done it again. He’d let a stupid joke fall out of his stupid mouth, and now his lady was upset with him—this time, with Adrien him.

But Ladybug didn’t scoff, or cross her arms, or do any of the things she usually did when she didn’t like his jokes. Instead, she groaned, flattening the sides of her big, floppy hat to her head.

“This is so embarrassing,” she muttered. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“It’s—it’s not that bad,” Adrien tried, but Ladybug just buried her face in her hands.

“Ugh! This stupid suit!” Her head snapped up. “If you have any better suggestions, Mr. Perfect Disguise, I’m all ears.”

“You could just … detransform?”

She froze again, and before she could say anything, he went on in a rush.

“I mean, if you don’t want to be noticed, couldn’t you just take the bus as, like, yourself? And then just transform when you get to wherever you’re going? That would draw less attention. Unless, by chance, you daylight as a circus clown.”

He laughed awkwardly, mentally kicking himself for cracking another bad joke. But to his surprise, she laughed too.

“Nope,” she said. “That’s Chat Noir’s civilian identity. I’m just a normal girl with a normal life.”

He clung to the echo of her laugh, letting it fill him up with a hesitant sort of confidence he couldn’t resist testing.

“Aw, come on, mila—Ladybug,” he dared to say. “I’m sure there is nothing about you that isn’t special. Spots or no spots.”

“You’re wrong. I’m super normal. The normalest.”

“No way.

“Yes way! I bet—” She seemed to hesitate. “I bet I could sit behind you at school and you wouldn’t even notice me.”

“Lies,” Adrien said. “I would definitely notice.”

“Right. Well … um, wow, would you look at the time!” She let out a nervous laugh, glancing down at an invisible watch on her wrist. “I’d better be off. It was nice to love you, Adrien—I mean, nice to see you. Bug out!”

She spun on her heel, and without his permission, his hand shot out to stop her.

“Um,” he said, “do you—I mean … well, I still don’t get why you’re in disguise. Do you need help with something?”

“No! I mean, thanks, that’s okay, but I really need to … oh.” Her voice trailed off, mouth falling open.

“What is it?”

“I was going somewhere, but I guess now I don’t … need to.”

“What do you mean?”

She held his gaze, biting her lip, and then released a breath, her words spilling out in a rush. “I heard you and Lila were gonna have a photoshoot today, so I was going over there to, like, stake it out and stop her from whatever terrible thing she was planning. But I was worried that if I wasn’t suited up already I’d have to find a place to transform and that could take forever because do you even know how hard it is to find a decent hiding place in one of the biggest cities in Europe?”

“Well—”

“And by the time I hid and transformed and got back, who knows what kind of damage she could’ve done? So I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll just have to suit up beforehand so I’m ready for action at a moment’s notice.’ But there really isn’t much that can cover a whole supersuit, so I stole—borrowed—my mom’s coat and the hat she bought for her trip to Côte d'Azur last year because, I mean, she literally never wears it, and I was gonna put it right back when I was done, and I couldn’t use any of my hats because they don’t have a big enough brim to hide my mask. Because, like, even with sunglasses on you can still see it, so I thought I could just kind of, like, bow my head and it would be fine—”

“Ladybug—”

“—and of course Tik—my friend told me it wasn’t a good idea, but I just couldn’t let anything happen because I’m the only one who knows what Lila’s capable of. So I’m the only one who can stop her.”

At last, Ladybug paused, breathing heavily, looking flushed beneath her mask.

“This is about Lila?” Adrien asked. “What were you afraid she was gonna do?”

She was definitely blushing now, pink spilling out from under all her layers of disguise. “Well—I don’t know! She would think of something! She’s a liar. Or—I mean …” She breathed in, closing her eyes briefly. “She is at high risk for akumatization. Or getting others akumatized.”

Adrien nodded. “I know.”

“You—you do?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I thought you did, at one point, but then you started doing all these photoshoots with her, and you guys seem pretty … friendly.” She made a face at the word, like it was something slimy and poisonous. “I mean, like, being all cuddly and couple-y and—like, if you’re dating Lila, that’s … that’s fine, I just have to, um, warn you that—”

“We’re not dating,” Adrien cut in. “We’re not even friends.”

“You’re not?”

“No,” he said firmly. “The photoshoots are my father’s idea, and I kind of let Lila do what she wants with them because, well, I made a deal with her.”

Ladybug frowned. “What kind of deal?”

“I told her I would do the shoots with her if she’d leave my friend Marinette alone. Lila got her expelled from school temporarily. She almost got her akumatized. It was terrible.”

“You … you did that?” Ladybug asked, sounding strangely distant. “You did that for Marinette?”

Adrien nodded. “She’s really important to me. I couldn’t let anything else happen to her. I mean, I hate having to hang around Lila and pretend to be her friend, but”—he shrugged—“it’s worth it. To keep Marinette safe.”

Ladybug appeared to be in some kind of daze. She wandered to the edge of the walkway, sinking down onto a bench.

“Is something wrong?” Adrien asked.

She shook her head slowly, taking in a deep breath. “That’s, um, really nice of you, Adrien.” A pause. “You’re a good friend.”

He sat down beside her. “You know Marinette, right?”

“Yeah,” Ladybug said. “Yeah, I know her.”

“Then please don’t tell her about this. I don’t want her to feel guilty or anything. She has enough on her plate already. She does so much, and she cares about people more than anyone I know, and I don’t want this to be one more thing for her to worry about, you know?”

“Right.”

Adrien pulled his lucky charm from the sack. “She’s the one who gave this to me. Maybe it’s silly, but I feel like it brings me good luck. I always carry it with me wherever I go. My Marinette lucky charm.”

“That’s …” She looked down, hiding her face under the brim of her hat. “That’s really sweet.”

“Maybe … maybe this is what made me run into you today. At least, I feel like it’s good luck to see you.” He paused, smile faltering. “But maybe it wasn’t so lucky for you that I, like, chased you down. Sorry about that.”

She raised her head. “No! I’m really glad we ran into each other. Maybe that thing is lucky after all.”

“But you don’t need luck anyway, huh? You’re Ladybug.”

She laughed, and for the first time, she leaned her head back, lifting her face to the sky. “Trust me. I need all the luck I can get.”

For a moment, they just sat there, watching the people passing by. It was strange, to sit side by side like this with Ladybug—exactly like he’d done a thousand times before, but nothing was the same. A bench instead of a rooftop. The street instead of the sky. And Paris, bustling all around them, instead of twinkling from below.

He liked it like this. (He liked it any way, with her.)

“So,” she said, “were you not actually supposed to have a photoshoot today?”

“I was, but it was canceled.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Because Lila has a huge zit.”

Ladybug’s eyes widened, and then she snorted as her face crumpled with laughter.

“I’m serious,” Adrien went on. “It’s enormous. Like, a category 5 disaster event.”

“You’re lying! They’d just cover it with makeup.”

“You can’t cover a geographical landmark with makeup,” Adrien said gravely.

Ladybug doubled over, clutching her sides as she howled. He laughed with her, feeling almost weightless with the thrill of it. He was laughing with his lady, without his mask. He’d made her laugh, and she knew it was him, and when she lifted her head again, the smile on her face (big, bright, beautiful, brilliant) was for him, Adrien Agreste, and no one else.

Finally, Ladybug straightened, nudging her sunglasses up on her nose to wipe at her eye.

“Wanna go out with me?” Adrien blurted.

She froze. “What?”

“I mean—sorry!” Adrien shook his head quickly. “I was on my way to a movie. And since you’re free now, and you’ve already got your disguise, I thought maybe you’d want to … come with me? Or—or not! I don’t mean to presume any—”

“Yes,” she said.

“Wait. Really?”

“Yes, I’d, um …” She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’d love to go with you.”

Warmth shot through him like a firecracker, and he felt his face split into a grin. “Great. I’ve always wanted to see a movie with Beach Vibes Sherlock Holmes.”

She laughed. “Lead the way, Mr. Perfect Disguise.”

[beezonia]

got bored and wanted to write something!

I’m dedicating this to the felnino (what would be a better name for this duo) lovers out there including @paracosmicat (who inspired me to write this) and @ninadove (who I promised would be the first to read if I did write something for them)

——-

Félix doesn’t let his emotions get the better of him. He can’t show weakness, it never ends well if he does.

But when he hears from Adrien what Nino Lahiffe has done for his cousin, Félix’s usually small heart grows bigger just a smidge.

Nino had fought for Adrien, had faced off against his uncle so Adrien could have a better life.

Nino worked so hard, not caring about the consequences that came with his rebellion.

All so his cousin could be happy, so Adrien could be free.

Félix needed to thank him.

So one day he manages to find Nino, greeting him in the usual Félix way (a small wave with a lopsided smile) and begins to thank the teen.

“Thank you for looking after him, for caring for him.”

Nino smiles, it’s soft like he knows what Félix is getting at. The boy wraps and arm around the blondes shoulders, bringing him in for a side hug.

“It was my pleasure, Adrien doesn’t deserve to be treated like that. By his own father too, it makes my blood boil.”

Felix nods, Nino knew exactly what was going on and he himself had been a driving force for the rebellion.

“It needs to be stopped, Gabriel Agreste should not be allowed to dictate his son like this at all.”

The Dj hums in agreement, Nino drums his fingers on his knee. It’s a constant rhythm, drumming. A war cry.

“I say we make an alliance Félix. It’s clear we have a similar goal~”

The blonde smirks, glad to know someone was thinking two steps ahead in this cruel world.

“I agree, Nino. Together we can bring hell right to Gabriel’s doorstep and happiness will finally come to my cousin.”

The share a knowing glance, oh what a sweet victory this was going to be.

Lahiffe and Graham De Vanily.

The perfect team.

——

[fatherfigurefusion]

AU where I give the DRDT cast original talents (plus my reasons for these talents)

Teruko Tawaki, the Ultimate Police Officer

(NGL: In addition to my theory of Wolfgang Akire getting a Teruko arc and my mental association between Teruko and Tsurugi Kinjo, the other reason I made Teruko a police officer was because of a Paw Patrol DRDT AU that had Chase as Teruko.)

Xander Matthews, the Ultimate Graphic Novelist

(He'd honestly write some pretty awesome graphic novels, probably centering around awesome adventures of rebellion and vigilantism.)

Eden Tobisa, the Ultimate Petsitter

(I only really gave her this talent due to that one remark she made in the prologue: "Do you think I walk dogs, silly?")

Hu Jing, the Ultimate Kickboxer

(I just love the mental image of a buff yet still chubby Hu who can and will beat someone up.)

J Moreno, the Ultimate Chess Grandmaster

(Just have the Rosales be a high-grade military family with J being groomed to be their best military strategist, only for her to just want to chill and play chess.)

Veronika Grebenshikova, the Ultimate Dollmaker

(She just has "dollmaker"/Jane Doe from "Ride the Cyclone" vibes.)

David Chiem, the Ultimate Part-Time Worker

(Customer service voice. Can also swap the XanVid dynamic by having David be a massive fan of Xander's graphic novels.)

Arturo Giles, the Ultimate Caterer

(Spending his whole life catering to and being surrounded by celebrities? That is Arturo's dream. Would cook the most elaborate and expensive dishes ever.)

Levi Fontana, the Ultimate Undertaker

(Maybe the indifference that comes from years of dealing with dead bodies could tie into both Levi's struggles with being seen as "heartless", despite wanting to be helpful, and Levi's friendship with the talentswapped Ace.)

Ace Markey, the Ultimate Paranormal Investigator

(A cowardly yet competent paranormal investigator is a character prompt that's too much comic gold to pass up. Also, see Levi's prompt above.)

Min Jeung, the Ultimate Archer

(I decided to swap Min's academic talent for an athletic talent, and found that archery would fit the focused and stoic Min. Also, Mafuyu Asahina.)

Whit Young, the Ultimate Model

(It's the Adrien Agreste energy. Also based around my theory that Kai and Diana would act like Whit figures for Damon, and decided to give Whit a talent that combines both Kai and Diana's talents.)

Charles Cuevas, the Ultimate Debater

(It's the Damon Maitsu energy.)

Arei Nageishi, the Ultimate News Reporter

(What better way to ruin people's lives then to dig up dirt on them and then put them on blast, on national television?)

Nico Hakobyan, the Ultimate Robotics Engineer

(Just swap out their love and understanding for animals with a love and understanding towards machines. Possible Entrapta kin.)

Rose Lacroix, the Ultimate Street Performer

(She would most likely take up busking, in order to support her family. I could easily picture her pulling multiple party tricks out of nowhere, wowing everybody around her.)

[theerurishipper]

A disappointing ending to a disappointing season

Most of us have watched Avatar: The Last Airbender, right? Consider, for a moment, the following. Imagine Aang, upon his confrontation with Ozai, instead of taking away Ozai's bending and protecting the world, chooses to let Ozai use his Avatar powers and save the world. Imagine Ozai confessing to Aang tearfully that he just wanted respect from the people around him. Imagine this being painted as a sad, emotional moment, wherein we are supposed to infer that this man is not a bad person, no really, he's not! He just wanted love after all! Sure, he may have destroyed countless lives, ruined nations and the people living in them, destroyed homes and families, and horribly abused his children to the point of driving one to a mental breakdown and horribly mutilating the other, but actually, he's a good person at heart, who was just misguided! He didn't mean any of it! And he saves the world, but only to make himself look good, and tells Aang to make sure everyone knows he saved the world, and we cut to a statue of Firelord Ozai being erected in the Water Tribe. Zuko and Azula, despite their horrific abuse at his hands, now only remember Ozai as a hero and a loving father, because the world has been rewritten and their memories changed.

That's the ending of Season 5 of Miraculous Ladybug.

Gabriel Agreste, the terrorist, the child abuser, the man who took advantage of people with a grin on his face, is a hero.

Despite all his crimes, all his awful actions, all the horrors he put everyone through, he gets a statue, he gets honored, and his victim never realizes he was his victim, instead choosing to look up to the man who abused him his whole life. Adrien's whole arc about reclaiming his agency and independence, and breaking away from his controlling father to make his own choices, is left to wither and decay, and drift away on the wind. He spends this whole finale locked up by his father and without any agency or ability to do anything. He ends the finale with having the people closest to him hide important information about who he is from him, hide the truth about his father and who he was from him, and deny him any sort of ability to make his own choices. He is denied honesty, he is denied agency, and he is denied independence and free will. He has the rings now, but how free is he if what he believes is still controlled by other people? Gabriel controlled Adrien his whole life. His every action, his every word, his every relationship. And just when you believe he is about to break away, when he is on the verge of self-actualization, on the cusp of freedom, we return in the picturesque finale to Gabriel, once again, controlling Adrien, by denying him the truth, and making sure Adrien perceives him the way he, Gabriel, wants himself to be seen by his son. Adrien is not allowed to decide for himself how he wants to view his father, knowing everything he is. He is fed a lie about his father, about what he has done, and about who he is, that forces him to view Gabriel the way he wants people to view him. As a good father, one who did no wrong, someone who he was not. His father continues to dictate his thoughts and feelings, even after he is long gone.

In the end of this conflict with Monarch, Monarch wins. He gets to make the wish he wants. He is remembered fondly as a hero. His victim was brainwashed into forgetting the abuse he suffered, so that the abuser could be remembered as a loving, caring person. And not for Adrien's own benefit, though that hardly makes it better. It is so that Gabriel could be remembered as he wants, so that he could continue to control what his son thought of him, so that his son could continue to love him. After the rebellion he witnessed from Adrien when he was being taken away to London, this is his final way of making sure he doesn't lose the power and control he has over him, doesn't lose the love Adrien has for him that makes him stay and listen. He faced no consequences for what he did, nor did he express any regret. He insisted that he was not evil, and the show agreed with him. Despite everything he's done, the show excused him, simply because he had sympathetic motivations. He was treated with empathy and compassion by the characters and in fact the narrative itself, which pushed us to see him as misunderstood, as someone with good intentions who went astray, but is not bad. It forgives him every sin, and vindicates him by having his wish be the one that saves the world, because supposedly he was going to wish for this all along.

Framing Gabriel as an ultimately good man who only did what he did out of love, and honoring him in the end and having his victim forget his abuse and love him deeply, this is excusing him. He did awful things, but he had good intentions, so it means he's good and nothing he did matters, and so everyone should love him. Everyone should forgive him, and no one should hate him. Because he was right in the end, and everything he did was for this, so really the heroes were fighting against this perfect world. Gabriel is portrayed as "not wrong" and "ultimately good" and so everything he does is forgotten and quite literally erased, even though he showed no regret or remorse, because he was "good all along." He did not have a moment of acknowledgement or a moment of apology, because his sympathetic motivations mean that his mistakes are justifiable and acceptable. And everything he did is retroactively not bad and not important, because he did it all for good reasons, he did it for a good cause, and he wasn't all that bad after all. He hurt so many people, but his motives were pure, and for that reason he is worthy of sympathy and compassion and is free from accountability. He is allowed to have his wishes to be seen as a good person respected, even though he was not. He is not forgiven, but is given a step beyond, where he is revered for fixing a mistake he caused. He refuses to let people hate him, he refuses to let people hold him accountable by denying them the truth and controlling how they perceive him, even in death. And Adrien, the victim of his abuse, who spent his arc trying to break free of him, has any development he had towards independence erased and reset by this new, untrue perspective his father wanted him to have. His father may have hurt him, but he was a hero, and is someone to be admired and respected and loved, despite everything. Years of neglect are made up for by a lie. The writers would rather have the memories of every character literally rewritten to make Gabriel seem better and absolve him of his mistakes than write him being held accountable for his wrongdoings.

This excusing of Gabriel is abuse apologism (Here is a good post discussing it). I don't throw the words around lightly, really. But to say that he may have done horrible things, but that his sympathetic motivations make up for it, and ultimately presenting him as a hero and not holding him accountable for his actions is excusing his abuse of his son. He never admits to how he hurt his son, he never admits to how he affected countless lives. He bemoans how he was not there for him, but his actions are downplayed, and the part where he controlled his son and abused him are forgotten in order to make him seem less monstrous and more sympathetic, as though he were just a grieving husband who coped poorly rather than a toxic abuser who controlled his son for years. To say that he may have abused his son, but he did so with love, and later have his son excuse him every flaw and look up to him without any acknowledgement of that treatment is abuse apologism.

Adrien is the greatest victim of this, of having his feelings and thoughts controlled by Gabriel to fit his own desires. He doesn't get to face Gabriel and confront him, to see his mother and be the one to reach his father in any way. Instead, it is Marinette who waxes poetic to Gabriel, which is something Adrien should be doing, since this affects him as well and is his family. All he is allowed to though, is sit around and wait, utterly absent from the plot thread that revolves around him, and accept this man as a hero at the end of the day. All he gets to do is be lied to and controlled. And the others in his life, like Marinette, Felix and Kagami, like Nathalie and Emilie are also complicit in this controlling of Adrien. Gabriel is the primary perpetrator, but in withholding the truth from him, they are also taking away his ability to choose, and are forcing him to perceive things the way Gabriel wants him to perceive things. Not by thinking for himself, but by being told what to think. That his father is a hero, and that he was a good father. I acknowledge that this is writing choice that has mutated these characters (Marinette and Kagami) into making choices they never would (Marinette and Kagami, who hate liars, lying to Adrien about who he is??), but nevertheless, it is what happened, and it is not okay. Any hope I held out for Adrienette died in the final kiss, because their relationship is tainted by this lie.

I wish this finale was different. I criticize the show a lot, but I always did hope it would fix things. But after this? All that hope's gone down the drain. This takes everything that the season has been building up to (however poorly) and tears it to shreds. And I've heard the hope that it will be resolved in Season 6, that this is something that is meant to be dealt with and addressed. But I don't think so. The way the narrative frames it, as a perfect ending, as a time of peace and happiness, all point to this being seen as the best outcome, the right outcome. And we're going to have other plot threads to deal with next season. Gabriel's time is done and he has emerged victorious. There is no bigger winner than the villain, and there is no greater loser than the hero.

[toxinellebug]

Paris Special HEADCANONS

Marinette only became emo after Chloe posted the video of Kim humiliating her online because there was no Socqulien to stop her.

Marinetter didn’t wear fishnet gloves or a scarf until those black veins started to appear.

Adrien only cut his hair after his father FORCED him to go to school, (because socializing with kids his own age would be good for his mental health) as an act of rebellion.

When the black lines started to appear, Adrien took inspiration from the Baker girl’s emo makeup to hide it.

Marinette ended up in Ms. Mendeliev’s class, NOT Ms. Bustier, which is why she never met Alya or met Adrien personally, but knew he was a spoiled brat because Chloe paraded him around the school as her Adrikins.

Adrien, who resented being sent to school, followed Chloe’s lead and probably bullied Nino, while Chloe made Alya her new fav target.

Marinette never met Luka since she and Juleka never became friends.

The Crush who thinks she’s a pathetic loser that she references is Kim. (In eng dub she says bf, which makes no sense since the special takes place at the begining of S5 after they got the Rabbit back and right after Cat Noir cataclysmed Monarch at the wax museum- and at this time Adrien has not yet fully accepted his feelings for Marinette and Marinette had broken up with Luka in ep 1 of s4 so she doesn’t have a boyfriend, which would be clear in her diary, but she does have a crush who sees her as a very good friend, whereas bad marinette’s last crush would have been Kim)

Adrien probably enjoys fame and modeling. His mother wanted to be a famous movie star after all. Also, he praises the perfection of Adrien Agreste when he is Claw Noir/Griffe Noir, and frowns when Shadybug/Toxinelle insults him. But Cat Noir has said that he is better looking and better dressed than Adrien and doesn’t understand why girls were fighting over him. Enjoying his fame and possibly relishing in signing autographs at school could also reinforce Marinette’s belief that he is self-centered despite not knowing him… Cuz remember, she was surprised that he seemed to know her, which means they aren’t classmates.

Good Gabriel obviously made Adrien go to school since being alone isn’t healthy for a teen, and Gabriel can’t design for his brand, save the world AND homeschool his son all at the same time. Plus, making friends and learning social skills would help Adrien overcome his grief.

The Centralist nature of the world ruled by the Supreme would result in Sabine having more conservative values, which would make her a more harsh disciplinarian who criticizes her daughter frequently.

Good Gabriel could not risk someone else suffering from the peacock, nor having his identity exposed to the Supreme, therefore FELIX was never born because Fathom Colt could not be trusted. (Sure, you could argue that the Supreme willingly lent Colt the peacock in exchange for something and that’s where Gabriel got the idea from but he had nothing to offer so he stole it, but since his wife is Amalie’s twin and suffered from the same infertility issues, it would be too suspicious if Emelie just miraculously got pregnant when it was impossible for her suster to do so without a miraculous.) The Gorilla was sent at Amalie’s insistence since Adrien is the heir of the precious DeVanilly bloodline and thus must be protected!

Gabriel accepted only because it stopped Amalie from insisting that she be allowed to adopt her nephew after her sister’s death.

This would also mean Amalie sees Adrien as the rightful owner of the DeVanilly twin rings and she would not insist on having them back, which means Gabriel could claim to keep them in a safe until Adrien comes of age because he knows Adrien will lose his free will if anyone gets their hands on those rings and good Gabriel respects his son’s autonomy as a person.

Gabriel never met Nathalie. She was a relic hunter, and since Gabriel stole what he needed from the Supreme, he never needed to hire Nathalie to search for magic jewels.

XY is famous and popular, Jagged Stone is either a nobody or his music is strictly underground indie because it is banned for it’s anarchist nature.

Andre never became Mayor, but he still has the Hotel and is a Movie Director. Chloe’s bad attitude still comes from her father’s wealth and Mother’s influence.

Mylene would not be allowed to attend Francios Dupont.

(Let’s face it, it is a Private school and all the kids who go there are either rich, middle class, or have show biz connections. They have an exclusive curriculum, including textbooks no other school uses, and no handicap access. Nino DJ’s as a hobby- do you know how expensive equipment is? For a 14 year old kid to have that as a hobby he needs to come from money. Building an AI robot isn’t cheap either, Max- son of an astronaut. Alya’s dad has at least a Master’s Degree if not a Doctorate in order to be a zookeeper and her mom is a chief in a 5 star hotel which affords her an apartment in one of the most expensive cities in the world, and ALYA, despite having 3 sisters, has her own bedroom with a balcony. Bakers in Paris also earn more than just a decent living, and sewing is not a cheap hobby either for a 13/14 year old who could lose interest because she’s a teenager. Mirelle and Aurora have the networking and connections to get on TV, you really think their parents wouldn’t send them to a highly rated private school? Chloe is repulsed by public transportation, do you think she’d be caught dead in a public school? Do you think the daughter of the Mayor and the Queen of fashion would go to public school? Do you think Gabriel Agreste who has a bodyguard for his supermodel son would allow him to attend public school? Do you think a world famous Fencer who also runs for political office would teach at a public school? Do you think Tsurugi san, who demands perfection and nothing short of the best, would allow Kagami to join a fencing club at a public school? No, Francois Dupont is a private school, and the only reason Mylene is able to attend is because her dad works there as a janitor. That’s why Chloe is always digging at how poor her clothes are.)

Betterfly said mutual aid is a crime in his world, meaning it is Centralist politics, which means Mylene and Ivan would not be able to protest anything legally and Ms. Bustier would not be able to get a job as a teacher with her idealistic liberal values… meaning she is not a teacher, or she is a mean teacher and probably even has a husband rather than a wife.

Post Paris Special, in addition to being homeless fugitives, Adrien will be a mess because the girl he has been yelling at, calling a cockroach, and trying to steal from is also the girl he’s been head over heels in love with but never had the guts to actually TALK to and it turns out she HATES his civilian identity and he has no idea how to talk to her without his mask but wearing the mask he falls into old habits and has to constantly correct himself before calling her cockroach and he constantly berates himself “WHY did I say that?? Stupid, stupid!” Everytime he ends up saying something snarky, rude, or tries to flirt and it just comes out cringe because he REALLY wants her to like him but he is also low key terrified of her hating him, yet just her grabbing his hand turns his brain into mush and have him daydreaming about wedding bells and a hamster.

Meanwhile, Marinette has never had a friend before, and has zero idea how to work as a team, especially with a moron who is as conceited and spoiled as Adrien Agreste, but they are stuck together now, and she DOES want to give it a shot, especially if it means she can change her crappy life and NOT be destroyed by her own powers. But she has no idea why her so called Partner is so bi-polar; one minute he’s acting smug and showing off, the next aloof (trying to play it cool), then he’s trying to crack jokes and get her praise, then he seems like he’s ready to snap and call her shittybug only to become apologetic, nervous/embarressed/awkward, and try to change the subject. Sometimes he acts like her touch burns him, othertimes he acts like he wants to hold her hsnd and follow her like a lost puppy. But most annoying is when he screws up her plans by trying to protect her by becoming a human shield or tackling her out of harms way (and spending way too long on top of her) when he used to be content to let her hit the ground and laugh about it. She doesn’t know if treating her like a damsel in distress is his idea of “team work” but it is annoying because for her plans to work he needs to focus and do the jobs she TELLS him to!

Marinette is still anti-love after her trauma from Kim so she has no romantic interest in anyone and is completely clueless to Adrien’s feelings and gets annoyed because she sees Paw Noir’s pathetic attempts at flirting as him mocking her even though they are supposed to be “good guys” on the same team now.

Gabriel is aware of both their feelings and it gives him a headache because teen romance is the worst and he knows Claw Noir would sooner drop dead from embarrassment than accept love advice from him, and quite frankly, Gabriel is far more worried about these children being put in danger and all the school they are missing and how worried Marinette’s parents must be with their daughter missing. But he knows the Supreme would show these two no mercy so they can’t return to their civilian lives until the Supreme is defeated.

IDK if Gabriel was able to remove Nooru’s muzzle, or if the Supreme started muzzling Kwami’s after the butterfly and peacock was stolen, but if Ladybug and Paw Noir are going to use their miraculous the right way, they will need to feed their kwamis.

Plagg still does not trust Adrien; it’s not the first time his miraculous has fallen into the wrong hands and been misused and the whole thing has left him jaded with a strong dislike of humans (who are only good for making cheese!) so Plagg will hate and be an asshole towards Adrien for a while before the kid can earn his trust and friendship.

Tikki wants to trust but she is nervous and dispirited from all the harm that has been done with her powers. She wants to believe there is still hope for her young holder, but she’s also not ready to open up her heart just yet. Marinette also is not used to showing or receiving affection, but she knows from reading her other self’s diary that Tikki is supposed to be her friend but she has no idea how to open up to the tiny creature that until now has only been her slave.

Gabriel feels great sympathy towards Marinette who has suffered so much abuse, and great guilt towards Adrien who has never learned how to socialize with kids his own age or deal with negative emotions in a healthy way, but he is certain that these two kids are made for each other.

Nino is still terrified of Paw Noir, and is super weirded out that the biggest bully in School after Chloe is now suddenly, awkwardly, trying to talk to him and asking about his favorite movies for dome reason? But they are members of the underground resistance together now and he’s not going to risk ticking this kid off and getting cataclysmed.

Alya is wary because Shadybug has tried to kill her several times these past few months… and now they are suddenly allies? Sure, that’s not weird or suspicious AT ALL.

[tumblingxelian]

Chrysididae 

The Birth of the Hero Chrysididae!

A student film premiers, a lost heiress in enraged at the perceived betrayal of her sponsor, classmates, family and even oldest friend.

Why she wonders, why do these things keep happening to me?

It is a question she had wondered before but only rarely, too often it was too easy to find some enemy to blame, or her own lack of exceptional talent.

But on this day, when she reflects on Gabriel Agreste's souless stare from the tablet, something clicks.

He did this on purpose.

Like one domino hitting another, it sets off a chain of memories and with them a realization.

On what was to be Adrien's first day of school, the first Akuma appears, despite the fact that surely other teenagers were embarrassed or angered.

This should have scared Adrien and compelled him to stay home, but no.

So it is again with Stoneheart, but somehow, for some reason he chooses Chloe as a victim despite nearly every member of class being terrified and enraged, despite his intent to be to confess his love to Mylene.

He still takes the time to kidnap Chloe, who was the instigator of Adrien's rebellion.

This would be her first near death, but not the last.

Lady Wifi would come next, suitably aggrieved perhaps but to what purpose? Hawk Moth of all people should know Chloe could not have been Ladybug, so there needs to be another motive, one to target the girl and not a presumed hero.

Ah yes, punishing her for helping Adrien slip his grasp.

Evilillustrator, would be next, neglecting the humiliation and abuse his teacher subjected him to in favor or murdering a girl for a snide comment regarding his crush.

Now you might say, what of Roger, Rose, Juleka and Kim?

But remember, even an Akuma will not go against the deep and abiding instincts of its source human. Their loved one's may be in endangered on accident or in a deranged bit to assist them.

But never would they be intentionally harmed.

In this same vain, a man who believes wholeheartedly in his duty to be of service to the community, a girl whose most malevolent self only wanted a dream wedding, a girl who wished to be seen and a boy who wished for love to disappear.

All Akuma that either would not or could not kill by their nature or that of their powers. They would be insufficient for breaking the girl who defied him.

Antibug is where things begin to change.

Convinced that her beloved idol hated her just as her mother always had, Chloe began to break. So much so she could not avoid his Akuma this time.

Able to defeat Chat Noir and a fair match for Ladybug she was one of the stronger Aluma. Not in the upper echelons like Style Queen or Sanboy, but worth stoking over the coals for an even greater reaction.

Speaking of Style Queen, you may question why Gabriel would allow his son, who has so far avoided all harm from any Akuma to be struck low.

I remind you that while his control is great it is not infinite. I would add that not only does Hawk Moth's ego outstrip his control but so too does his scheming.

Why snub the notoriously angry Style Queen? Why would Nathalie, an otherwise sensible woman go along with the insult. Only to see him retract it the next day? Why was Gabriel who has refused to leave his manor in all other attacks absent when the Style Queen invaded his home?

Why if not for the fact he sought to make Style Queen and with Mayura's help could do so. But she was not enough alone, but her presence would bring about inspiration for his newest scheme.

It would bring about Queen Wasp.

But first, you may question why Gabriel would allow his son, who has so far avoided all harm from any Akuma to be struck low. I remind you that while his control is great it is not infinite, and would go further and note how strange it is that Gabriel would be absent from his manor.

He would not leave during any other Akuma attack, yet the this one? How odd, lest

Murdered by her mother the day before, then rejected by her yet again, mind on the edge of snapping she orchestrated her own self destruction and from the wreckage crawled the first Akumatized Miraculous User.

For we cannot call her a hero.

Who was the next Akuma, but her own father. His intent with her just as it was with his wife, to keep her in Paris for his own pleasure at her expense. Conveniently ensuring Hawk Moth's new muse could not slip the leash she did not even know was fastening around her neck.

Just as hoped it would see, she was chosen this time to wield a Miraculous and she would be chosen again on Heroes' Day. Hawk Moth's only known effort to Akumatize others rather than letting the people of Paris do his work for him.

This was where we first saw sign of Mayura and to any who have been wondering. Yes, this is why The Collector & Simon Says mean so little. There was always a hidden second who could have commanded the Akuma, and if not, paint a target on his back from a target so far away that the here's would surely arrive in time.

With Mayura's arrival came a new wave of terror, not just for Paris but Chloe in particular.

Don't believe me, I do not blame you, but it is the truth.

Over the months following Heroes Day, battle after battle would be fought before the former Miraculous Holder. Always in front of her home where the Bee Signal shone, always to see her rejected by her idol.

From this came Miracular.

Close, but not close enough, Chloe resister the Akum, but Sabrina could not and within moments of Chat's arrival Mayura was upon them.

The villains had been waiting, a clear signal they had been observing her for sometimes, a clear signal of their continued interest.

Especially given, despite the months of absence, the moment it was necessary, Queen Bee flew again. Even as Ladybug swore this would be the last time as she doubtlessly had done for the last two months of battle.

Only to change her mind as needs demanded it.

But do not think her egotistical my witnesses. It was not merely Chloe who was targeted but another as well.

Marinette Dupain Cheng. A girl who has yet to be Akumatized, who holds a disdain for liars and seeks truth. Such an ideal recipe for an Akuma that could force Ladybug & Chat Noir into the light.

Thus it was, she'd be framed for cheating, theft and assault before her classmates by one Lila Rossi. Perhaps this would not convince you alone but I ask.

How did Hawk Moth know the class he has so often predated on, the class which contains Adrien Agrest, if he did not have a hand in this event?

This was not the first time Lila was used as such. Whispering sweet lies into Chloe's ears about how to summon Ladybug but leaving her humiliated instead.

Has she not done the same with others? Kagami for instances.

Decaying day by day, and nightmare by nightmare, Miracle Queen approached and this is where it all comes together.

Her feuding parents presenting with a garment both ugly and enraging that binds them together by a man who proclaims himself a designer.

An Akuma on the scene in mere moments, to combine them into one. The parents turned against the child enough to harm her yet again, but kept from devouring her. Finally, the Bee Signal sabotaged.

Why this family, why this girl even before the Miraculous? Who would know her well enough to orchestrate such targeted strikes against her psyche? What man has the motive, resources and insight to break Chloe Bourgeois?

Why its the same man whose beloved assistant fell ill at the same time as Mayura vanished from the field of battle. Its the same man who had a hand in the transformation of Style Queen & Heart Hunter. It is the same man who promised a desperate girl a movie, only to rip it away with a subtle smile. Knowing his Akuma would find her soon.

But he was not ready for me, or in a way, for her.

Chloe Bourgeois, the girl you knew, no longer exists. She had no desire to anymore, more than Hawk Moth saw to that.

What she did desire was to prove she was more than a Super Disaster and means by which to free her from the role long since assigned to her.

For the latter, came a Sentimonster not long for this world. Its power exorcising that malevolent miasma of Hawk Moth. But even as it was destroyed the creatures magic did as it was bid.

For his voice had gone silent, the rage faded and the Akuma was taken into more than this mere suit but into the skin, to course through her blood and bury itself in her marrow.

Now I emerge from the girl that was once Chloe Bourgeois with three purposes.

To tell the world of Gabriel's crimes, to defeat Hawk Moth, and be an exceptional Hero.

I am Chrysididae and for what its worth, I am sorry.

[pearl484-blog]

WIP Hand Me The Shovel

Nino is worried about Adrien. He's been working on some mysterious project for some time now for every waking moment of the day for months now. The few times that Nino sees him, Adrien always looks, paler, skinnier, and with darker circles under his eyes, and each time, Adrien rushes him away. Then, one day, Adrien called, and invites Nino on a camping trip. And Nino, of course, says yes. Together, they journey far out to the country side until they reach a small, but luxurious cabin with a waterfront view. As they unpack their belongings and prepare a nice dinner, Adrien remains quiet, always responding to Nino’s questions, but never actually SAYING anything. It's beyond maddening for Nino. Until, finally, a breakthrough. During dinner, Adrien nervously brings up the idea of going for a hike to test out a new gadget he'd bought. It isn't like Adrien to buy things on a whim, and it really isn't like him to be so nervous. Deep down, Nino knows that this isn't a normal hike. Yet he loves Adrien. So he says yes. The next day, Nino’s suspicions are confirmed when Adrien pulls out a device that Nino’s never seen before and starts scanning every bisible inch of dirt they can find, backtracking frequently. Half-joking, Nino asks Adrien if its a metal detector or something, and Adrien gives a rueful smile back before saying its something like that. He doesn't elaborate, and he clams up even tighter for the rest of the search. That is until, he lets out a gasp.

Its part relief and part resignation, but Nino doesnt quiet understand why. Then, Adrien tells Nino the terrible truth. "This is my grave," he tells Nino. "Adrien Agreste's grave". If Nino were a younger man, he might've dismissed Adrien as being crazy or a liar, but living in Paris under the reign of teeror that was Hawkmoth does things zo a person. So instead Nino asks Adrien if he's a ghost. "No", Adrien chokes out, shaking his head. "A sentimonster" "Okay", Nino says, nodding slowly. He can handle this. He knows senti-monsters, more than he knows ghosts. "How long-?" "Since I was 8," Adrien admitted, "or he was 8? I dunno. It's so complicated. I mean, where does he start and I begin?" Nino nods, pretending to understand. Then, faking a calm he doesn't feel, he asks, "What happened?" Adrien shakes his head. "He was swimming in the lake, and...and he drowned. Mom and Dad, they didn't want any questions. So....so they put him here, and they just went home and pretended it never happened." Adrien starts crying. "They made up some fake story about Adrien being sick, and then Mom started doing experiments with the Peacock. There were so many, she'd made herself sick doing it, but...she made me." 'Maybe? Or maybe it someone else! I...I don't even know if I was the one she replaced him. Maybe she made us over and over and over again, just brand new dolls in a line to give the illusion of growing up! Maybe she threw us away every time we were too big a disappointment!" Adrien threw his hands up in frustration. "I've always been a coward! A spineless little lapdog, and I know part of it was because my Dad- No, my father who, by the way-" Adrien laughed, sounding a little hysterical, "was not a hero, but actually HAWKMOTH! Had my amok! So, I was under freaking Hawkmoth's control, but what about everyone else?" 'How much of me was just designed to be a people pleaser? How much of me was made to make my parents feel good and how much was actually what he-" Adrien gestures angrily towards the grave, "was like?" Nino is quiet for a moment. "That Adrien isn't my friend. He's not the one i met in school. He's not the one I hung out with every day in class. He's not the one who listened to all my music." "Don't you get it?" Adrien asks bitterly. "That Adrien doesn't exist. I'm just a bunch of commands for a friggin' psycho!" "You helped with the Rebellion." "I was probably a spy." "You tried to curb Chloe's worst impulses." Adrien laughs, "Yeah, look where that got us." "You care about me." Nino says softly. "Even though your dad hated me, you still love me. That's all you. That has to count for something." Adrien’s silent for a moment. "He was a bad guy." "The worst." "And no one knows what he did. They all think he was some hero! Heck, I thought he was a hero until I found some of my mom's old journals, and even then, I didn't believe it. I mean, who would?" 'But I double checked everything she said, and I found most of the people she talked about, and I put together names and faces and dates and things, and everything lined up...but...their own son? I had to know."

[celestiall0tus]

Miraculous AU - Chapter 46 - Changes

Beginning || Previous || Next

            Lila sat at her desk with her phone hooked to her laptop. She finished sorting through her photos for the day before she scrolled through her social media. She paused when she saw an image of Adrien Agreste with his hair dyed, wearing grungy rock clothes, while standing next to a boy with dyed hair and the same grungy clothes.

            Lila squealed in delight. “Trixx, look!”

            Trixx floated from the bowl of grapes he was in. “What am I looking at?”

            “A delicious opportunity to cause mischief.”

            “How so?”

            “Well, according to the little research I’ve done, Adrien Agreste is some teen celebrity. Boy’s a model for his father’s dull, tasteless brand. The best part, the boy is a shut in, a perfectly well-behaved child. And he’s hitting rebellion!”

            “Who’s the other boy?”

            “I don’t know. Maybe his boyfriend?”

            “Are you sure?”

            “You know I never am, but that’s what I’m calling him. I mean, come on, they look like boyfriends. Adrien’s wearing that boy’s clothes and even has his hair dyed like the boy’s. They have to be dating.”

            Trixx shrugged and grabbed a couple of grapes. He placed one in Lila’s hand. “Another all-nighter?”

            “For me. You can get some sleep.”

            “And miss the fun? Not a chance.”

            Lila smiled and nuzzled Trixx, then returned to her work.

~~

            Nathalie rolled out of bed and went about her morning routine. She dreaded what the day would bring after the madness of yesterday. She needed something to pacify Felix and keep him from agitating Adrien. With Adrien, she needed to keep an extra close eye on. Gabriel threatened to terminate her if he continued to step out of line. She doubted Gabriel would go that far, but she’d rather not test that. She finished her routine as she heard the click of claws on the floor. She stepped out of the bathroom and saw Duusu running around the room like a madman.

            “What’s gotten into you?”

            Duusu jumped on the bed and ran circles around Mayura’s phone. Nathalie grabbed it as Duusu perched on her shoulder. She looked at an article of Adrien with dyed hair and grungy rock clothes next to Luka. The article spun a story of Adrien hitting teen rebellion and potential coming out. She closed out of the article and searched up Adrien. She found countless articles and posts regarding the image.

            Duusu transformed into his kwami form. “So, what do we think?”

            “I think we need to start packing.”

            “You really think Gabriel will fire you?”

            “He did once. What’s to stop him from doing it again?”

            “Alright. I’ll start packing. Oh! This means I can look for apartments again! I’m going to find a nice one this time now that we have good money.”

            “Don’t blow the bank. We will need to make the money last if he’s going to fire me.”

            “Fine. Can I at least look for a bigger apartment? You know in case your children want to move in with you.”

            Nathalie sighed and rubbed her forehead. “That’s fine.”

            Duusu gasped and smiled. “You’re not going to fight me on that? I’m so proud of you!”

            “No, because I can see it clearly. Adrien and Alix see me as something of a mother figure. I was thinking of offering Alix a room if it ever came to this, but Adrien would have to stay here.”

            “Of course, of course.”

            Nathalie grabbed her normal phone and headed to Adrien’s room. She knocked once but heard no answer. She knocked again, then entered the room. She turned the corner and saw the bed was empty. Fear gripped her as she looked into the bathroom but didn’t see him.

            “Oh, shit.”

            Nathalie returned to her room and shut the door behind her. Duusu turned and tilted his head.

            “Everything ok?”

            “He’s not here.”

            Duusu’s tail twitched. “What? Like, he’s still out?”

            “I think so. I think he’s still with Luka.”

            “Well, I don’t know what to say, except, we’re screwed.”

            Nathalie sat on her bed. She hadn’t heard anything from Gabriel, so she had time. She could go retrieve Adrien, have him back before Gabriel was up, but what then? The gossip spread like wildfire through the night. Once Gabriel saw that, she’d be fired if seeing Adrien wouldn’t do it. Even if he didn’t fire her, everything would change. Adrien finally took his steps to stand against Gabriel. She was proud of him, but terrified for herself. Where would she go? What would she do?

            Duusu flew over and sat on Nathalie’s shoulder. “Hey, may I?”

            Nathalie nodded.

            “I know you wanted to change. You wanted to make a step towards your future and maybe this is a chance. You’ve been caged here for so long, that even when you were free, you weren’t truly. But now, the lock has been cast away and the door is open. This is your chance to escape this gilded cage. Mayura would. What about Nathalie?”

            “What about Adrien? He needs me.”

            “Just because you aren’t here, doesn’t mean you won’t be around for him. You’re both holders and will see each other. He also has the phone you got him, and you have your own as well. You’ll always be in touch no matter the distance. You won’t be abandoning him.”

            “He may not see it that way. I’ve only just… and now I might be leaving.”

            “I think of everyone, he’d be the one to understand why. Especially if the choice is yours. And I think it’s time to truly live for yourself, Precious. You’ve lived for others long enough. Live as Mayura even as Nathalie. You have that chance. The door is open. Fly and be free, Precious.”

            Nathalie took several deep breaths, then nodded. “Start getting the stuff I’ve bought and only what I’ve bought. I’m going to get the book.”

            Nathalie hurried to her office and retrieved the book on kwamis. She rushed back to her room. She pulled a travel bag from under her bed. Duusu filled it with the beauty care products while she factory reset the laptop and phone Gabriel gave her. She pulled her personal cards out, then set the wallet on the desk with the laptop. She grabbed her phone and dialed Anarka Couffaine. It rang a few times before Anarka answered.

            “Who’s bloody calling me this early? Explain yer self!”

            “Miss Couffaine, I apologize for the early morning wake-up. This is Mayura.”

            “Oh! It’s you, lass. Ignore that earlier statement. What can I do for ye?”

            “I have a big favor to ask. I hate to ask it since you don’t really know me.”

            “Nonsense, lass! You’ve been helping me kids become heroes. How can I help ye?”

            “I need a place to stay while I search for an apartment. I have the money to compensate you.”

            “Is everything alright?”

            “I’m afraid not. I will likely be fired today. And even if I’m not, I don’t think I can stay here much longer.”

            “Well, this is the least I can do. You fine with the couch, lass?”

            “Couch is perfectly fine.”

            Duusu paused and recoiled at the declaration.

            “It’s settled then. I’ll call my girls.”

            “Thank you. See you soon.”

            Nathalie hung up and called Alix. The phone rang to voicemail. She tried a few more times before Alix answered.

            “Mayura? What’s up? Is everything ok?”

            “Alix, I need a small favor. Can you come teleport me to the Couffaine residence? I had just spoken with Anarka and made arrangements to live with them while I search for an apartment.”

            “Hold on.”

            Nathalie waited while she heard Alix’s voice in the background with a few other girls. Alix screamed at them to wake up, followed by more screaming. Nathalie pinched her brow as she moved to her closet. She pulled out a box she kept in the corner. Inside were the only clothes she actually owned that Duusu pushed her to buy. She shifted through the colorful garments when she heard Alix’s voice.

            “Hey, Mayura? Are you still there?”

            “I am.”

            “We’re on our way. We just need to grab our bags and breakfast from Marinette’s dad. Where are you?”

            “I’ll text it to you. I’ll be outside as soon as I change.”

            “Sounds good. See you soon!” Alix hung up the line.

            Nathalie texted Alix the location. She put the phone down and stripped out of her suit. She hung the clothes up in the closet before she pulled her own clothes out. She settled on a light blue ruffle shirt, jeans, and high-heeled boots. She let her hair out of its bun and fall around her. She removed the glasses Gabriel paid for and put in her old contacts.

            “Are you finished, Duusu?”

            “Yup! All my supplies are packed away.”

            Nathalie nodded. She placed the brooch on her shoulder under her hair. She slipped her cards into her phone case, then put her phone in her back pocket. She slipped the bag around her shoulder and scooped the box. Duusu phased into the box as she headed for the front door.

            “Nathalie? Where are you going?” Felix asked.

            Nathalie stopped and looked back at him. “I’m leaving, Felix.”

            “Why?”

            “If I’m going to lose my job again, I’ll be leaving on my own terms.”

            “Why would you lose your job?”

            Nathalie laughed. “I hate to ruin the surprise. Have fun with Gabriel later.”

            Felix called out to her, but Nathalie left. She headed out the gate as Liberte appeared with Juleka and Rose. They stared at each other until Duusu popped his head out.

            “Greetings, ladies. I am Duusu. Pleasure to meet you.”

            “Good to see you again, Duusu,” Fluff said atop Rose’s head.

            Mullo squeaked and peaked out from Juleka’s hair.

            “Is everything alright-?” Liberte started

            “Nathalie. And I will be. Eventually.”

            “Do you want to talk?” Liberte asked.

            “There will be time to talk once we get to the Couffaine residence. First, I need some coffee. Do you ladies drink coffee?”

            Juleka and Rose nodded.

            “Can I choose the place?” Liberte asked.

            “You’re the taxi,” Juleka remarked.

            Liberte snorted and teleported them to a café. The people jumped back as the group approached the counter.

            “Alright, let’s see. Two black coffees,” Juleka started.

            “Three,” Liberte interrupted.

            “Alright, three black coffees, one regular, a mocha, and Nathalie?”

            “Another mocha and a triple espresso.”

            Nathalie paid for the drinks and Liberte teleported them to the Couffaine residence. They put the drinks and breakfast on the countertop. Nathalie put her stuff next to the coffee table.

            “So, what’s going on?” Liberte asked.

            “I’ll show you. Juleka, which room is Luka’s?”

            Juleka showed them to Luka’s room. She opened the door, and they stepped inside. Luka and Adrien sat on the bed, shoulder-to-shoulder, fast asleep. Adrien had his head on Luka’s shoulder while Luka rested his head on Adrien’s. Sheets of music lay scattered around them on the bed and floor.

            “When did Luka have a boyfriend?” Liberte asked.

            “He doesn’t,” Juleka said.

            “Then what do you call that?”

            Juleka and Rose shrugged.

            Nathalie sighed and approached the boys. She reached out and hesitated for a moment, then shook Adrien’s shoulder. It took a few shakes before Adrien cracked his eyes open. He stretched and shifted. He blinked as he saw Nathalie.

            “Nathalie? Is that you? You look different.”

            “Who else would it be?”

            Adrien sighed and closed his eyes. “Five more minutes, please.”

            “I think Luka needs to get up too.”

            Adrien opened his eyes and looked around. He panicked when he realized he passed out hanging out with Luka.

            “Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no! I’m sorry, Nathalie. I-.”

            “It’s ok, but we need to talk. Come on. Let’s grab some breakfast and sit outside.”

            Adrien nodded. He followed her and grabbed their coffee cups and a pastry, then headed up to the deck.

            “Nathalie, did Father… fire you?”

            “No, but I believe he will. So, I left on my own terms, before he could.”

            “I’m sorry, for what I did. I didn’t want to cause you your job. Plagg reassured me-.”

            “Easy. I’m not upset with you, I’m proud of you.”

            “Why? I cost you your job.”

            “It’s just a job. There’s no need to fret over that. Especially since what you did was a major accomplishment.”

            “How?”

            “You’re finally becoming your own person and it’s a better look that whatever Gabriel had. I didn’t say this, but I think all his taste died with Emilie.”

            Adrien’s eyes widened, then he giggled. “That’s a little mean.”

            “Maybe so, but your old man has put me through hell and I’m finally free of him. Well, I will be once I drop you off.”

            “I wish I could stay with you.”

            “I’m sorry you have to go back there. I don’t want to leave you alone in that house, but Duusu is right. It’s time to let go, to move on. And it’s the hardest thing I’ve had to do.”

            “Are you ok?”

            “I’m terrified. I don’t know what will happen. What the future has in store for me, nothing. It reminds me so much of last time, but this time, I’m not alone. This time, I won’t be hoping Gabriel will take me back. This time, I will finally let go of the chains I clung to and head forward. After all, I should lead by example with so many eyes on me.”

            “Can I still come see you? Will you stay in touch?”

            “Of course. I may not be there, but I won’t leave your life. I’m always a phone call or text away. And once I have an apartment, you’re free to stay should you need to get away from Gabriel. You’ll just have to put up with Alix. I do plan on extending an invitation to her.”

            They paused when they heard Luka screech. “Alix! What the hell?”

            “What’s the problem, Luka? I’ve got something on. I’m sure you’ve seen this all before!” Alix yelled.

            “I have not.”

            “How? You live with three girls, soon to be four.”

            “Oh, don’t be mean, Alix. Luka’s just a really modest guy,” Rose said.

            “Aye. Poor lad can’t even look in the mirror with a shirt off,” Anarka added.

            “Mom!” Luka yelled.

            “Hey, Luka! Wanna wrestle?” Alix asked.

            “Don’t even, Alix. Alix? No. Stop. Get away!”

            They heard a loud crash followed by sounds of a struggle. The rest of the girls cheered on. Duusu materialized and perched on Nathalie’s shoulder. Plagg walked up in cat form and sat on Adrien’s lap.

            “They’re like animals in there, Precious. Animals.”

            Nathalie sighed and rubbed her forehead.

            Adrien smiled and hugged Nathalie. “Thank you.”

            Nathalie hugged him back. “You’re welcome.”

            They finished their breakfast, then Nathalie stood. She held out her hand to Adrien.

            “Alright, time to take you home. Let’s show Gabriel that he can’t control us.”

            Adrien nodded and took it. Plagg vanished as she helped him up.

            “Alix? We’re ready,” Nathalie called out.

            Liberte rushed up with Juleka, Luka, and Rose.

            “Alright, let’s go!” Rose cheered.

            “We’re going to be there for him,” Luka said.

            “So, we’re coming too.”

            Nathalie nodded. Liberte teleported them outside the Agreste manor. Gabriel was outside with the Roger when they turned to see the group appear. Adrien shrank back when Gabriel’s eyes fell on him. Luka and Juleka placed a hand on Adrien’s shoulder, then stepped past Adrien.

            Gabriel locked eyes with Luka. “You. Explain yourself. What have you done to my son?”

            “I gave him a makeover. Something fresh for your dying brand,” Luka said.

            Gabriel sneered and started towards Luka but was stopped by Roger.

            “Let me handle this, Gabriel. It’s my job after all. Alright, care to explain what happened and how you came in contact with Adrien? Gabriel says Adrien doesn’t have any friends and was likely kidnapped.”

            “On the contrary, he does. He met us the one day he went to school. And I was the one that found him last night in the streets. He snuck out and when I tried to take him home, he refused. So, I took him to my place where he met my brother here,” Juleka explained.

            “And what were you doing out late, young lady?”

            Juleka smiled. “Mullo, get squeaky.”

            Mullo vanished into the pendant and transformed Juleka.

            “Alright. Adrien, please step forward.”

            Adrien joined Luka and Souris. Rose stepped up beside Juleka and Liberte beside Luka. Nathalie trailed behind and stood in the back.

            “Is what Souris claimed true?”

            “Yes.”

            “How did you get out?” Gabriel demanded.

            “The front door. It was easier than I expected.”

            Alix snickered. “Even my parents wouldn’t let me slip out the front door.”

            Roger gave Liberte a stern look. She snorted and flipped him off.

            “Well, looks like this was nothing more than a rebellious teen. Good luck, Gabriel. Alix, we’re watching you.”

            “It’s Liberte now, pigs.”

            “What about Nathalie? She’s missing too.”

            Nathalie cleared her throat.

            Gabriel looked at Nathalie. “Who are you?”

            “Father, it’s Nathalie.”

            “What? No, it isn’t.”

            “Yes, Gabriel, it’s me.”

            “What the hell are you wearing? Why aren’t you in uniform?”

            “Because I quit, Gabriel.”

            “What? You can’t do this to me, Nathalie!”

            “Yes, I can and am. Now you can raise the son you’ve been too busy to raise his whole life. You can’t give that responsibility to anyone else now, Gabriel. Liberte, let’s go.”

            Liberte nodded. They each hugged Adrien, then teleported them back to Juleka and Luka’s place. Adrien took a deep breath as he waited for Gabriel to speak.

            “Go to your room. Now. I’ll deal with you later.”

            Adrien blinked, then headed inside.

            “Well, if that’s all, we’ll be heading out.”

            “Hold a moment, chief.”

            “Is something wrong, Mister Agreste?”

            “A loose end has been undone. Take care of it.”

            “To what end?”

            “Whatever gets the job done.”

~~

            Liberte and the group arrived back at the Couffaine residence. Luka sighed and retreated to his room. Souris de-transformed and sat on the couch with Rose. Liberte lingered behind with Nathalie. She looked up at Nathalie and tilted her head. Nathalie had a thousand-yard stare and her skin pale. Duusu materialized before Nathalie.

            “Precious? Are you ok?”

            Nathalie shook her head as she hugged herself. Anarka peered out from the kitchen and moved over to Nathalie.

            “Lass? What’s wrong? Ye look ill.”

            “Duusu, spread my feathers.”

            Juleka and Rose turned as Nathalie became Mayura. She fell to the ground as she hyperventilated. She buried her face in her hands as tears fell.

            “What have I done? What have I done? What have I done?”

            Anarka rushed to Mayura’s side. “Easy, lass. Breathe.”

            “I can’t believe what I just did. How could I do that? How could I think he’d fire me? Why did I say those things? He’ll never take me back after that. What have I done?”

            Liberte knelt beside Mayura. “Fuck him! You shouldn’t have to be stuck in a place like that. Not where you’re trapped by a man like that asshole.”

            Juleka and Rose joined them.

            “Yeah. Even if we don’t know the full extent of your employment with the Agrestes, it was painfully obvious that Gabriel didn’t value you,” Juleka added.

            “What happened?”

            “Gabriel didn’t recognize Nathalie. He scolded her for not being in uniform, and when she said she quit, Gabriel said that she couldn’t do that.” Rose answered.

            “Which, she said she is, and he’d have to actually raise his son now,” Juleka added.

            “Oh, lass, you did the right thing.”

            “But I didn’t have to leave. He wouldn’t have fired me. I should have realized he was bluffing, that I was needed. Now Adrien and Felix-.” Mayura stopped when Liberte hugged her.

            “They’ll be ok, but you needed to get out of there. Look at you. Look what he’s done to you! No one should ever make you feel this way. No one. I’m glad you did and said those things. Cause now you’re free.”

            Anarka hugged Mayura. “Aye, lass. Freedom is a valuable thing. No one deserves to be in a cage. And you broke free. I know you’ll worry for the boys, but they’ll be alright. If they need you, they’ll come to you. And I feel we’ll see them again before long. You’ll see.”

            Mayura lowered her hands and nodded. Tears fell from her eyes as she stared at the ground. Rose hugged her, then Juleka. The girls sat on the floor as they all embraced and comforted Mayura.

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