#also marinette: love at first sight of cat walker

[flightfoot]

hello! i dunno if you were accepting fanfic recs asks but - might you have any fanfic recs about chat noir angst with the rest of the superhero team?

Yeah sure! I'm not entirely sure what you mean about having the rest of the superhero team, but I'm assuming it involves them having at least some sort of role in the story? Anyway I'll do the best I can.

---

Dr. Walker & Kitty Hyde series by @pearl484-blog

Summary of the first fic, Rain Falls, Everybody Lies:

Chat Noir loves the rain. He loves the danger. He loves the excitement, and he especially loves how much Catwalker hates it. 

Jekyll and Hyde AU

Adrien AUGreste Entry 3: Rain

So like the summary says, and the title indicates, this series is inspired by the popular conception of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - not how the book actually goes, but how it’s portrayed in popular media, with Jekyll splitting himself in two, with a “good” side and a “bad” side. 

During Kuro Neko, instead of just changing his appearance through changing his mindset, Adrien took more extreme measures, sealing off his “undesirable” characteristics, his anger and sadness and all his sharp edges, into the ring so he could assume a more placid, genial persona that’d be more accepted - Cat Walker. 

But Chat Noir’s still there, taking over whenever Adrien gets too testy, and desperately trying not to be pressed out of existence entirely. With embodying Adrien’s sealed anger and snappishness and rebelliousness, he’s not too kind to the other heroes - he already felt looked down upon and ignored before this, and seeing them accept Cat Walker while he’s fighting for his life doesn’t endear them to him either.

The series isn’t unfair to them - this isn’t a case where one party is entirely in the wrong and another’s entirely in the right. Marinette, Zoe, Nino, and all the others - they did wonder about what was going on with Chat, but he wasn’t in a position where he could see it, and he did have legitimate questions about how much Ladybug would budge on things, if he’d told her what he was going through. It’s a series that emphasizes characters hurting and lashing out in some terrible ways, but that hurt still being respected, and working things out, trying to get everything to a better place.

---

drowning (in plain sight) by @buggachat

Everybody had expected Monarch's defeat to be a moment of triumph. Nobody had expected Gabriel Agreste, unmasked and mind frayed from continual abuse of the miraculous, crying out to all who would listen and making Paris certain of one thing:

His son, Adrien Agreste, is one of his sentimonsters.

And now he's missing.

Nobody can find him— not even the superheroes, and not even his closest friends. But Marinette, Nino, and Alya aren't ones to give up so easily. They'll find him, no matter what it takes.

(But, geez, would it kill Chat Noir to lend a hand?)

I’m sure everyone saw this one coming. If there’s one thing buggachat’s good at, storywise, it’s capturing raw, tumultuous emotions, frantic breakdowns as the characters desperately try to navigate bad situations. This was a real treat to read, as I’m betting most people reading this will agree, given just how popular the fic has been. It also has a ton of fanart, both by buggachat and by random fans, if you go looking for it (there’s a drowning in plain sight tag which I’d advise perusing). 

---

one does not love breathing by @wackus-bonkus-maximus

All of Paris watched as Hawkmoth murdered Chat Noir, taking the Black Cat Miraculous for himself. Ladybug swears revenge, but her enemy—and every miraculous in his possession—disappear without a trace.

Six years later, a new team of villains launches an attack for the last remaining Miraculous: Volpina, armed with new powers; Queen Bee, with questionable loyalty; Argos, the new holder of the Peacock Miraculous; and Cat Walker, who Ladybug hates the most.

Takes place after S4 - Strike Back.

This is a simply phenomenal fic. You get to explore a lot of different perspectives, like Felix, Kagami, Marinette, and Adrien’s, just to name a few, and see their different thought processes and plans and priorities, and how it can cause their plans to collide with each other, even when they all ultimately are aiming for a good outcome for everyone. The characters are pretty complex and can mess up at times, even when they’re doing things (or not doing things, looking at you Luka) with the best of intentions. It was a joy to read and a real nail-biter the whole time, I actually wrote a fic for it halfway through just to resolve some of the tension for myself, One Does Not Love Shadows.

It also features the version of Luka I’ve connected best with to date, as he feels like Luka, but also is a lot more fleshed out, and can make some major errors while simply trying to avoid missteps. It’s helped me get a better handle on a character who I’ve generally had a lot of problems with really understanding.

It is an M-rated fic, though I think Wackus is being overly cautious on that front. There’s no sexual content and I wouldn’t put the violence or gore above a T-rating, so I wouldn’t let the rating scare you off.

---

Chat Walker’s Trial by @pearl484-blog

Instead of Catwalker showing up to serve as her new Chat Noir, Ladybug is stunned to find that Chat Noir has returned to her, having “improved” himself by repressing his emotions, memories, and willfulness. Deciding that this will not stand, she organizes her teammates to convince Chat Noir that giving those traits up and becoming the perfect partner was not the right move, but how can she argue against perfection?

Adrien Augreste 2022 entry for the day 23-24 prompt: Swap

This is a really intriguing fic. Instead of becoming Cat Walker in Kuro Neko, Adrien instead runs across a mage who helpfully provides some spells to make him into the “perfect” partner for Ladybug, magically suppressing his emotions and urge to rebel, as well as his memories of being Chat Noir, in order to make sure he doesn’t love her anymore. Ladybug, naturally, is distraught about this, but since Chat did all of this of his own free will, she needs to actually persuade him it was a bad move, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. It’s exquisitely painful at times with the amount of self-hatred Chat has for his previous self, and how the Miracuteam is divided on how bad these changes actually are, since he does seem more focused now - though the holdouts are a lot less on board when they think of someone who’s closer to them going through this process.

---

I hope that these scratch your itch!

[dxitydoo]

More Miraculous Ladybug Fic Recs! #2

I managed to lose pretty much all my bookmarks so I’m still working on re-finding them and saving them again. However, its been 3 years since my last one of these and I still read a lot of MLB fics so here’s some more recs.

Key

* - unfinished

M - mature

☆ - favourite

Arranged in alphabetical order.

☆ A Good Actor by 11JJ11 | 3k

To avoid auditioning for the role of Ladybug, Marinette finds herself trying out as Chat Noir for a school performance. It’s just her luck that she’s trying out with Adrien, who she can barely get a sentence out around. So when she’s told to improv the heroes’ patrol night she does the easiest thing– and repeats exactly what Chat Noir said to her on patrol last night.

My thoughts: look, I’m a sucker for identity reveals in kinda stupid ways and this fic is one of the best imo. I genuinely go back and reread this one on a regular basis

A Rational Fear of Dragons by orphan_account | 4k

When Kim gets paired with Marinette for a history project, he learns a lot, though most of it has nothing to do with their project.

My thoughts: unfortunately, the author has deactivated but this fic is still a good read. I always like fics from an outsider’s perspective and this one does it really well. I especially like Kim and Marinette’s relationship in this.

And They Were Housemates by DxityDoo | 35k*

He was turned away from her. Looking back on it, maybe that was why she didn’t recognise him at first. But then he turned to look at her and her mind went blank. Adrien. Oh my god _________________ Marinette was excited to start the next chapter of her life. Making it into her first choice university had been her dream for years and now it was finally here and it was going to be perfect. It was just her luck she would be housemates with Adrien Agreste of all people. Now she had to navigate university life while living with her crush as well as trying to keep the trouble-making Chat Noir from getting in her way. It was going to be one hell of a year.

My thoughts: alright, this one is mine. I tend not to like when ppl rec their own works so apologies if you’re the same but I’m really proud of it. It’s still unfinished but its fully planned out and I’m slowly but surely getting there.

A Thing for Models by WriterRiderDirtyThirties | 4k

Ladybug figures that, as a fellow model, Chat Noir could give her some insight on how to talk to her model crush. Enter Professor Chat.

between reflection and truth by theriveroflight | 1k

Trying a tuxedo awakens new feelings in Kagami. Or: Mirrors lie between two worlds — the reflections and the truth.

Cat Walker's Secret Is Revealed... Twice. by CassarillaDraws | 3k

Ladybug and Chat Noir swapped Miraculous for a week in hopes of making their partnership stronger. Marinette feels inadequate when she compares herself as Ladynoire to Cat Walker. Plagg explains that it wasn't exactly the feline hero's first night on the job.

☆ The Dating App by leadernovaandthemacabre | 15k

Chat Noir and Marinette cross paths on Paris’ newest dating app and keep crossing paths until secrets slip. - [MDC]: why are you here [OfficialChatNoir]: we matched! shall we go out for sweethearts ice cream? [MDC]: i’m blocking you [OfficialChatNoir]: wait wait marinette wait *[MDC] has blocked you*

My thoughts: this one is rated Teen on AO3 but I'd just say that there is quite a bit of sexual discussion so if you're sensitive to that then maybe skip this one? But this one was really good. It's one I've read more recently and I really enjoyed it (hence why it got the favourite star). It's on the longer side for a oneshot but the pacing is So Good. It's another identity reveal fic (look most fics I read will be identity reveal fics coz they're my fave) but it also has some really good Marichat close/flirty friendship (my favourite side of the love square and one of my favourite dynamics)

☆ drowning in plain sight by buggachat | 73k

Everybody had expected Monarch's defeat to be a moment of triumph. Nobody had expected Gabriel Agreste, unmasked and mind frayed from continual abuse of the miraculous, crying out to all who would listen and making Paris certain of one thing: His son, Adrien Agreste, is one of his sentimonsters. And now he's missing. Nobody can find him— not even the superheroes, and not even his closest friends. But Marinette, Nino, and Alya aren't ones to give up so easily. They'll find him, no matter what it takes. (But, geez, would it kill Chat Noir to lend a hand?)

My thoughts: buggachat is a staple of this fandom for a reason. This fic is incredible. I think I read it in one sitting? Or thereabouts anyway. I really like sentimonster!Adrien fics and this one was especially good

fills columns to new heights by orthostatics | 12k

Purifying the akuma, restoring the street, was special. Full of light and easy confidence. What he’d always imagined being Ladybug was like.

---

Ladybug, called away from a fight, gives Chat her earrings. Being Ladybug brings up a lot of things Adrien hadn't previously known about himself. Well, one in particular.

My thoughts: trans!Adrien, my beloved

☆ Maintaining a Professional Distance by buggachat | 43k

“I mean, how dumb does the mayor think we are? Offering us a permanent hotel room as a ‘gesture of gratitude for all our work for Paris’, like it isn’t clearly just some half-baked political ploy to place him more in the public’s favor after the whole school funding scandal, like we’ll allow ourselves to sleep in a hotel that we were publicly offered, making ourselves sitting ducks for Hawkmo—”

“It’s a pretty big building,” he countered, and at least he seemed amused, because she certainly wasn’t, “Nobody knows which room we were given but us.”

“It doesn’t matter!” she scoffed, “It’s still a security risk that he can narrow our location down at all! Also,” she jutted her arms out towards the bed a second time, “May I remind you? ONE. BED. ONE!”

———

Or, Ladybug and Chat Noir receive a hotel room from the city, which they most certainly will not use. After all, that wouldn't be very professional, would it?

Yes, it's a Ladynoir bed sharing fic.

My thoughts: yes its another buggachat rec. I actually read this one first before realising it was by buggachat and loved it. Once again, I am a fan of identity reveals. Also I will forever find it amusing that both of them wrote the room off and yet both end up immediately using it

☆ The Messenger by CassarillaDraws | 5k

In a recent conversation Ladybug had jokingly suggested to Chat Noir that if Alya knew both of their identities they could contact each other through her. When Marinette shares this conversation with her best friend, Alya thinks it's an idea that they should consider for real. Since it's about his identity, the final decision is left up to Chat Noir. But he'll have plenty of opportunities to talk to Alya, since Ladybug has the flu, and she's filling in as Scarabella.

My thoughts: I love stories where Alya finds out both of them and is then just watching the sitch and sighing heavily. The identity reveal in this one is really good and kinda emotional and I love it

Miraculous Hive (series) by SailorChibi | 85k

Following Chameleon, Chloe figures out who Ladybug and Chat Noir. Her bee instincts then set off a chain of events that change everything.

Oh To Be a Catboy by LetTheHuman | 2k

Alternate Universe: Adrienne's transformation into Chat Noir turns her into her ideal self. He is funny, strong, confident... and undeniably male. He is so much easier to be than Adrienne. This causes "her" to think about some things.

one does not love breathing by wackus_bonkus | 144k

All of Paris watched as Hawkmoth murdered Chat Noir, taking the Black Cat Miraculous for himself. Ladybug swears revenge, but her enemy—and every miraculous in his possession—disappear without a trace. Six years later, a new team of villains launches an attack for the last remaining Miraculous: Volpina, armed with new powers; Queen Bee, with questionable loyalty; Argos, the new holder of the Peacock Miraculous; and Cat Walker, who Ladybug hates the most. Takes place after S4 - Strike Back.

My thoughts: idk if I can rec this coz I technically haven’t finished this one yet. I was reading it as it was coming out and I remember it being really good (I believe if you look hard enough, theres a comment somewhere which says I almost missed my bus coz I was reading the update). I ended up busy and didn’t have time to keep reading it as it updated but I remember really enjoying what I read and I do plan on actually finishing it eventually. This one has been a bit of a staple rec recently so you can also have it from me too lol. 

From memory, this one deserves to be in my favourites but given I haven’t finished it yet, I’m gonna leave it starless for now. But just so you know, its good

Operation Marichat by CoffeeBanana | 7k

When the news gets out that Ladybug and Adrien are an item, Alya and Nino make it their life's mission to comfort Marinette. Because obviously she'd be sad that Adrien's off the market, right? (Never mind the fact that Alya knows exactly who's underneath Ladybug's mask.) And if Nino's plan to cheer up Marinette involves setting her up with Chat Noir...what could possibly go wrong with that?

Puppies by Nation_Ustria | 3k

Adrien doesn't dislike dogs, per se, but ever since becoming Chat Noir being anywhere near them makes every part of him scream to get away. It's not too much of an issue, though, and the one time it actually was one (thank you Hawkmoth for a dog-themed akuma) Ladybug was there to help him calm down. The thing is, Alya just had the bright idea for the four of them to go play with puppies. He can handle that, right? Turns out, he can't, and that results in Marinette finally connecting the dots.

☆ Practice Makes Purr-fect by orphan_account | 7k

Marinette has something really important to tell Chat Noir, so she decides to practice on her friends. Adrien gets a little more than he bargained for when Alya suggests he be Practice Chat Noir.

My thoughts: I've read this one multiple times by this point and I'm grinning like an idiot through the whole thing everytime I read it. Again, unfortunately the author has deactivated but this fic is still worth a read. I'm still a sucker for kinda stupid identity reveals and this one is Very Good. Identity shenanigans, my beloved

☆ The Rocketear Revelation by Emmalylis | 1k

When Carapace decides to ask Chat Noir out, it sets off a chain of events he couldn’t have anticipated.

My thoughts: very short, very sweet. Adrienino is usually not a ship I read that often but I loved the dynamic in this and it made me desperate to read some more polycule!core four. Alas, it appears there really isn't much atm. I love the final scene so much

Trying to Get Bi by breeeliss | 3k

“Alright. How about Adrien Agreste?” Chat Noir sat up abruptly and stared at Ladybug over his shoulder. “Say what now?” "Let's hear it," Ladybug encouraged. "Hot or Not? He totally seems your type.” Chat Noir opened his mouth, closed it, and winced. “Eeehhhh, I dunno. T-That’s kind of a….a hard question.” Featuring: Bi!Ladybug and Bi!Chat Noir, a billboard of Adrien Agreste, a game of celebrity Hot or Not?, and a very awkward reveal.

My thoughts: I adore fics where LB and CN are genuinely close friends even without knowing each others identities and I also love identity reveals (one-sided but still). This fic is a win-win!

where roses bloom by carpisuns | 6k

“You’re sick, aren’t you?” He drops down to the balcony. “You’re sick because you love someone and … they don’t love you back.” (Love square Hanahaki AU, Marichat centric)

My thoughts: yes it's Marichat again, are we surprised? This one was short and sweet. I don't always love hanahaki fics but I enjoyed this one

[diviedrawn]

Ladybug simping for Chat Noir Cat Walker was the best part of this episode