#and hey maybe I am being harsh maybe they'll surprise me

[unseededtoast]

Rectify | Bucky Barnes

Part 36/37 | Part Thirty Five, Part Thirty Seven

Summary: I've lived every day for the past five years looking over my shoulder. I knew they'd come for me, it was inevitable. I was foolish to think I could outrun my past. It's followed me everywhere I go, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Never would I have anticipated that the shadows would lead me to the light.

Bucky Barnes x OC

Series Warnings: Discussion of human trafficking, alcohol consumption, graphic depictions of violence, sexual content, discussion of suicidal thoughts.

a/n: Hi everyone, thank you for checking this out, I appreciate any and all support! This series is also posted on Ao3 and Wattpad if you prefer those formats/platforms! This is a completed series, and it's going to take some time for me to transfer it to Tumblr, so please bear with me!

This is the fresh start we've been wanting.

I watch the raging water beneath us disappears as the helicopter rises in the atmosphere. I hug my body tightly, feeling shivers come over me. I turn my attention to the people in the plane with me and watch them, study them. They're almost exactly as I remembered them. I close my eyes and take a breath, this is a nice dream I suppose. It's a lot less ominous than the one I've been having. 

"Adalyn, are you okay?" One of them speaks in a soft tone. I keep my eyes closed as I answer, fearing that if I open them I'll be met with the harsh lights and cold bed. 

"I'm fine." I answer, voice raspy from not being used. I feel the same cool hand on my face as I did earlier. Another chill runs through me.

"You don't look fine. Hey, come on now, look at me." I feel the hand move from my cheek to underneath my chin. I blink open my eyes and am surprised when I don't find myself on the bed, facing the wall. I stare into the baby blue eyes in front of me. Maybe this isn't a dream after all. 

I reach out to touch his face, I need to know if this is real. With frail, shaking fingers, I reach out in front of me and my fingers meet the warm skin of his face. I reach another hand out to confirm that I'm really here, this isn't going to disappear. I touch his face all over, expecting the moment to end at any second. He grabs my hands in his and smiles, a sadness in his eyes.

"It's really me." He whispers. I blink a few times. This is true? A sudden warmness fills me.

"Bucky?" I ask. My throat hurts every time I speak but I push the pain aside. He nods his head, and I see tears in his lower lashline. Without another word I muster all my strength and engulf him in a hug. I bury my face in the curve of his neck and shoulder, taking in the way he smells. 

My eyes involuntarily start spilling tears onto his skin. I had forgotten the way he smells, but it's exactly the same. It's all coming back. I hold him as tight as I possibly can and feel his arms embrace me with the same need. I pull back from the hug and look back into his eyes, oh how I've missed them. 

"I've missed you so much. I thought I'd never see you again." I say, a rogue tear dripping from the tip of my nose. 

"You can't get rid of me that easily." He says and wipes his eyes. I see him look me up and down, his face setting into a frown. 

"What did they do to you?" He softly asks. I see Steve turn his head to listen in. I cough a little from my raspy and aching throat. 

"Can I tell you later? I'm sorry I just-"

"Of course you can sweetheart, there's no rush at all." He takes my hand a places a kiss on the back of it. I'm still somewhat expecting myself to wake up back inside the prison. 

"It's good to have you back, Adalyn." Steve speaks from the pilot's seat. I smile, 

"I've missed you too, Steve." I say. There are so many questions I have, but I think they'll have to wait until I can speak long enough to carry a conversation. Or at least until I have some water I can sip on. 

For the duration of the flight Bucky holds me in his lap, my head against his chest. I'm tired but too scared to fall asleep, afraid this might all disappear. Bucky kisses the top of my head, 

"You can sleep, I know you're tired. I'll be right here when you wake up I promise." He whispers. I look up to him, and he nods his head. I give into the exhaustion and fall asleep in his arms, feeling myself start to become whole once again. 

I wake as I feel the helicopter rock from side to side. We better not be crashing, I just got out of prison, I can't go out this way. I open my eyes and feel the comforting embrace of Bucky. My heart feels like it's beating out of my chest. 

"Sorry for the rough landing." Steve says as I feel the helicopter hit the ground. I look out and see we've landed in some clearing. 

"Where are we?" I was expecting to go to a Shield compound or something. 

"We're home." Bucky says and I scrunch my eyebrows together.

"What do you mean?" I ask as Bucky helps me out of the helicopter. I look around and see a small house in the distance. 

"I mean we're going to live here for a while. The two of us." This doesn't make any sense. 

"How is this possible? I just got out of a max security prison that I was supposed to die in." I say, trying to rationalize everything. The ground is cold on my bare feet. 

"We'll explain, let's just get inside." Steve says, starting to walk towards the house. Bucky and I follow, but I can't keep up with their pace. Noticing that I'm struggling, Bucky picks me up and carries me the rest of the distance. He places me down on the front porch. The house doesn't look brand new, but it's definitely not run down or dilapidated. 

Steve opens the front door and we all walk in. I shut the door behind me and look around. It's fully furnished. Thought some of it is outdated, I surely can't complain. Maybe I'm being put on parole or something. But I have a feeling that's not the right answer. 

I go to the kitchen and search for a glass so I can get some water. I take a sip and hold the glass in my weak hands. I look between Steve and Bucky, something is up, none of this is making sense. 

"Am I being placed on parole or something? Why did you guys come get me? Why didn't I know about this?" I ask my questions rapidly. It's weird to hear my voice again, but I've missed it too. The two friends share a glance. 

"Well, I guess you can say you've been released from prison, completely. Not officially though. We broke you out." Steve says and my eyebrows shoot up, my lips fall apart slightly. 

"You two broke me out of a max security prison?" I ask. If the authorities find me I might as well just be put to death on sight. They both nod their heads,

"Why?" I ask. They're risking themselves too by doing this. 

"A lot has happened since you've been gone." Bucky sighs and takes a seat at the dining table. Steve and I also take a seat. I look between them, waiting for one of them to explain.

"You've been gone for a little over a year. In that year the Avengers had to face some consequences for what happened in Sokovia." Steve says. I vaguely remember seeing a news story about the Avengers facing some sort of repercussions but I never heard what came of it. I nod, and Steve keeps talking. 

"The United Nations came up with the Sokovia Accords. It strips the Avengers of their autonomy, makes us pawns. We can't protect the world in the way we need under these Accords. The signing and implementation will happen in a few days. I don't plan on signing those Accords, neither does Bucky." Steve says. 

"So you two aren't going to sign off on it, what does that mean then?" I ask. I know the answer isn't going to be anything good. Steve sighs and runs a hand through his blonde hair. 

"It means we'll be fugitives, wanted by the United Nations for not complying. We figured if we're already going to be breaking the law we might as well make it worthwhile. Plus, we couldn't let you stay in there forever. You mean too much to us." He says with a small smile on his face. I take another sip of water. 

"Thank you for thinking of me, for getting me out of there. I missed you two more than you know." I say, fighting back my emotions. 

"Bucky and I talked about the plan before we got you. We found this place, it's pretty off the grid you two should be good here for a while. You both need the time away from things. Just lay low here and relax. I'll be around, you know how to find me." Steve says as he stands from the table. 

Bucky and I stand as well and follow him out to the front porch. We both give Steve hugs goodbye and watch as the helicopter takes off into the sky. We watch until the helicopter disappears behind the clouds and the sound trails off. I lick my dry, cracked lips and take in the surroundings. 

The house is a nice pale green color, accented with black windows. The porch is made of a light, bamboo colored wood. It's cute, it's cozy. It's everything we could've wanted. 

"So this is all ours?" I ask. I find it hard to believe, it's been an eventful day. Bucky walks up behind me and wraps his arms around me, resting his head atop mine. 

"It's all ours." He says. I take in a deep breath. 

We eventually make our way back into the house, the cool temperatures making me too cold. While Bucky starts a fire in the living room fireplace, I take a better look around. The kitchen is small and leads right to a dining room. The house has an open concept, everything flows together nicely. I walk into the living room and pull the curtains shut, blocking some of the light. I like the coziness of dim lights and a warm fire. 

I'll take all the peace and comfort I can get right now. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that this is all happening, it's surreal. I run my finger along the window sill before I turn back around and sit on the couch. I curl up, hugging my  knees. Hopefully the fire warms the place quickly. I watch as Bucky walks out of the room and down the short hallway. 

I turn my attention to the dancing flames, hearing him rummaging around in another room. I wonder how long this will last, seeing as how we're both fugitives now. I guess I can't complain, and should savor every moment I have with Bucky. He comes back, something in his hands. 

"Steve and I made sure we had everything we would need for a while. Here, these are for you." He says and hands me some soft clothes. I take them from him and make my way down the hall and go to the room he was just in. I wouldn't have minded changing in front of him, but I know I don't look the best. My body is worn down and sick.

I peel the blue uniform off and let it fall to the floor. I unfold the clothes Bucky gave me and look at them. It's so nice to see clothes that aren't blue. I change into new underwear and pull the soft pants on. They're too big. Once upon a time they would've fit perfect, but they can barely stay up now. I feel tears in my eyes, I hate what that place did to me. It destroyed me physically and mentally.

I put the shirt on, and it's baggy. Picking up my old uniform I hold my pants in place as I go back to the living room. I walk in front of the fire and throw the uniform into it, feeling happiness creep back into me as I watch it turn to ash. I roll the waistband of the pants a few times so they'll stay up without me holding onto them and go to sit next to Bucky on the couch. 

He looks me up and down, frowning once more. He probably thinks I look disgusting, he probably is coming to regret breaking me out. I avert my gaze back to the fire so I don't have to be confronted by Bucky's disgust. I don't think I can handle it. To my surprise, he reaches a hand over and puts it on my thigh which is now half the size it was when he last saw me. I look from his hand to his face.

"You're okay now, we're okay now." He scoots closer to me so that our legs are touching. As much as I know I should be feeling overwhelming joy, I still feel the numbness.

"You know you don't have to pretend, right? I know what I look like, you don't have to pretend to like it, act like it doesn't bother you. I understand." I say without looking at him. 

"It does bother me. I know that in order to drop that much weight in that short of time you had to have been tortured. They did this to you, they didn't take care of you. Of course it bothers me, Adalyn. I love you, and that means I only want to see you happy and healthy." He says with a soft, tender voice. I look at him, our eyes meeting. I've longed to hear those three words every day for the past year. It's like music to my ears, heaven's angels playing their trumpets. 

"I love you too." I whisper, my throat starting to ache badly again. 

"I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure you're healthy and happy again. I promise." He says and kisses my forehead. I smile at the feeling, I missed his forehead kisses dearly. I snuggle into his side and lay my head on his shoulder. 

"I noticed you changed your hair while I was gone." I say. He laughs a little bit, 

"I had to look my best for you, do you like it?" He asks. I reach a hand up to his hair, it's a lot shorter than what I remember. I've never seen him with short hair until now, I've only ever seen him with long hair. It's a nice change though, I think. It signifies that the Winter Soldier is completely gone from this Earth, that Bucky is himself again. I think it shows off his newly found sense of self. 

"I love it." I say and look back to the fire. 

I hope we have a lot of peaceful time here together. After this year we both could use the retreat. I plan on telling Bucky about what it was like in there, just not right now. I'm not ready to unpack everything, I'm still processing it all. I'm beyond thankful that Bucky and Steve got me out of there, I'm not sure how much longer I could've kept going. 

Through the numbness I feel love. The love I have for him is blooming once more, being awakened from its slumber. I never thought I'd feel this again, I did my best to bury the feeling. I wanted to forget what it felt like at all so that I would have nothing to miss. I conditioned myself to feel nothing at all, I figured feeling nothing is better than being in constant agony.

But here we can grow together. We can move on from everything and just be us, purely us. We're away from Hydra and Shield, we're out as far as I'm concerned. Maybe this time we'll be out for good. We can only hope. 

I take in a deep breath and snuggle closer to Bucky as I hear raindrops start hitting the windows. I close my eyes and soak in the peace. This is the fresh start we've been wanting.

[sav1ored]

" Can't say I blame him, Maggie. You are daddy's lil' girl. Lemme tell yeh our daughters are precious to us. No matter how old, they'll always be our lil' girls and we jus' want what is best for them. So yeah, I get where your old man is comin' from- " HE UNDERSTANDS WHY HERSHEL MAY BE AGAINST THE IDEA OF HIM AND MAGGIE K-I-S-S-I-N-G and some, after all, Negan was a bit older than Maggie. It's not far off like some dirty grandpa going after some fresh young thang. But he can understand the slight age gap was enough to make her father squint his eyes in displeasure. Hell, even if Negan and Maggie were a year apart he is sure Hershel would still be scolding Maggie, and threatening the living shit outta Negan. Or murder him. 

After all, daddy's little girl, right ? 

IT SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF CODE: ' Don't go after another man's daughter while staying at his home and while he also saved your little girl. ' You'd think Negan would obey that code respectfully, but he's out for the thrill, loves BREAKING A FEW RULES even in this fucked up world surrounded by dead things lurking the streets. And hey, with all this new information given, he has discovered that Maggie has been eyeing him just as much as he has been eyeing her. It's mutual between the two TROUBLE MAKERS. No surprise these two are like magnets to each other. He chuckles to himself, and can only envision Maggie breaking the news to her dad that Negan and her are becoming an item, and it being something she wants to possibly explore. 

In a playful moment, Negan imagines being chased away with a shotgun in his mind's eye. The image only makes him chuckle. " Your old man ain't gonna like it. But I'll fight for yeh'. " Negan quickly reassures her, sending a rather flirtatious wink and a mischievous grin." Visualize this. If Daddy Hershel ain't fond of the concept, which we all know he ain't gonna like- I'll be outside your window with a boombox, holdin' it high ! Playin' it loud ! For all t' hear. And maybe then.... your old man will see how serious I am, oooor feed me to a walker, guess we'll see. " ONLY JOKING-- but shit, if he finds a boombox he might as fucking well live a little and let the two of them feel some sort of amusement out of all this crazy.

He is willing to take the risk in pursuit of love.

NEGAN CARRIES A HEAVY BURDEN ON HIS SHOULDERS, still haunted by the knowledge that he failed as a father and couldn't protect his child from the harsh realities of life. But the touch of Maggie's hand against his face brings him a sense of calmness and serenity. He leans into her touch, savoring the comfort and losing himself in the warmth of her ANGELIC EMBRACE. As he takes a deep breath, he hopes for this moment to last forever. Gradually opening his hazel eyes, he grins softly at her. " I know. I don't like thinkin' 'bout it much, but feels good to talk 'bout it y'know ? Finally lettin' out the guilt that was eating me alive. All thanks to you. " He admits that he doesn't like to think about his past mistakes, but talking to Maggie makes him feel better. It's a relief to finally release the guilt that has been eating him alive all these years. HE LOOKS AT HER WITH GRATITUDE AND AMAZEMENT, wondering if she could be an angel in disguise. " Are you a damn angel, or what ? This can't be real- you can't be real ! Pinch me, I must be dreamin'. " His charming smirk reflects a sense of relaxation rather than cockiness. 

Fuck--- can she feel the beating in his chest ? Does she feel what she does to him ? Does she understand the reason his heart beats the way it does is because of her ? And then her face is inching closer, and closer until the softness of her lips mold perfectly against his own. The breath he was holding hitches in his throat, and his arms circle around her, chest to chest, the space between them no longer exists. He's in no rush, finding that he likes having her lips on him a little too much, he might have to check himself into rehab cause he's fucking addicted to the taste of her... deep in his dirty mind he does wonder... WHAT ELSE OF HERS TASTE GOOD ? Palms pressed firm and flat on her back, they dangerously slid beneath the thin layer of her tank top, shuddering at the smoothness of her warm flesh underneath his fingertips, memorizing this moment, searing it into his brain. HE GROANS LIKE A MOODY TEEN when she breaks the kiss, but he holds back his desires, for now. Laughing with a shake of his head he lifts his shoulders lazily, offering her a shrug. " There is a lot you don't know 'bout me, Maggie Greene. But I'll have yeh' know that I'm a romantic at fucking heart. I've seen Titanic. " Negan says proudly, puffing out his chest. 

Negan loosens his hold on Maggie for a second before positioning himself at Maggie's side, draping an arm over her shoulder and leading her away from the house, towards the farm's expansive field. Negan's intentions were unclear - perhaps a leisurely stroll was in order. Regardless of where they were headed, Negan was determined to prolong their time together. As Maggie spoke, Negan nodded in agreement, HIS HEART SWELLING WITH JOY when Maggie uttered the words ' It's you and I. ' The statement felt natural, almost as if it were meant to be. Negan's face lit up with a smile as Maggie mentioned Tilly, recalling how the two of them had grown close to one another. A memory flashed through her mind of Maggie slumbering beside Tilly on the bed, prompting Negan to think ' My girls. ' He never wanted to forget them like that... so peaceful. 

" I had a feelin'... once I knew Tilly was fine, and I could relax, the second you smiled at me I fuckin' knew you were gonna be the death of me. You and I... I like that ? Hell, love it. You and I.... and Tilly. I ain't goin' anywhere yeh got it ? She's fond of you... I can tell. You don't only BRIGHTEN up the room, darlin'. It's not just my heart you're worming your way into, but hers as well. So, yeaaaah... you're pretty much stuck with us. " Pulling her closer to his side, he leans to press a kiss against her temple. " I know we've gone over the basics... from our names, our past. But I wanna know what your favorite color is ? Favorite food ? .... coffee or tea ? Mornin' person or do you prefer the night when all the sinners come out t' play ? Shit girl lemme in, let me get a good look at Maggie Greene in the flesh ! Could you tell me your dirtiest secrets, what makes those toes curl, huh ? Shit, you can ask me whatever, I'm an open book, baby. "

     𝗵𝗲  𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆  𝘄𝗮𝘀  𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲  𝗶𝗻  𝗵𝗶𝘀  𝗼𝘄𝗻  𝘄𝗮𝘆,     the  kind  of  trouble  that  was  exciting  and  intriguing  in  its  own  way.     as  much  as  maggie  knew  that  she  should  stay  away,  keep  her  distance  and  not  let  herself  get  emotionally     𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱     with   a  man  that  was  likely  to  break  her  heart.      but  she  had  tried  that,  tried  to  keep  her  distance  and  tried  to  not  think  about  him.     it  hadn't  worked,  negan  had  managed  to  work  his  way  into  her  head  in  the  short  time  he  had  been  here.     whilst  something  drastic  and  almost  tragic  had  brought  him  to  the  farm,  she  couldn't  imagine  her  life  without  him  being  a  part  of  it.     especially  if  he  kept  smiling  at  her  the  way  he  was,  that  teasing  tone  at  her  confession  that  had  her  shaking  her  head,  knowing  she  was  probably  a  little  pink  in  the  cheeks  at  his  teasing.

     𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲  𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱  𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆  𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲  𝗵𝗼𝘄  𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱  𝗶𝘁  𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁  𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲  𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻  𝗳𝗼𝗿  𝗵𝗶𝗺,     losing  his  wife  the  way  he  did  and  having  to  continue  on  because  that  was  just  what  life  was  expecting  of  them  all  now.     it  wasn't  that  she  hadn't  lost  people  she  loves  before,  she  just  understood  more  how  tilly  must  be  feeling  having  lost  her  own  mother  when  she  was  around  the  same  tilly  was  now.     plus  the  state  of  the  world  now  just  meant  that     𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵     was  a  much  stronger  presence  than  it  ever  had  been  before.     but  she  had  never  lost  someone  she  chose  to  fall  in  love  with  before,  she  could  only  imagine  how  hard  that  must  be  and  she  didn't  know  how  she  would  react  if  that  was  something  she  had  to  do.     she  just  had  to  hope  that  it  was  something  she     𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿     had  to  find  out.     she  could  only  give  him  his  space  to  grieve,  which  is  why  she  didn't  want  to  just  be  a  distraction,  she  had  to  protect  herself  first  and  just  trust  that  this  was  just  as  real  for  him  as  it  was  for  her.

     𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻  𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀  𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁  𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲  𝗵𝗶𝘀  𝗮𝘀  𝗵𝗲  𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀  𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿,     matching  her  movement  and  she  was  trying  her  best  to  ignore  how  hard  her  heart  was  beating,  very  much  making  it  clear  the  effect  that  he  had  on  her.     she  had  no  idea  that  she  could  ever     𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹     like  this,  it  was  intense  and  different  from  anything  she  had  felt  before.     maggie  kept  telling  herself  not  to  get  ahead  of  herself,  to  let  whatever  is  happen,  happen  naturally  and  at  its  own  pace.     which  was  so  hard  as  she  looks  up  into  his  face,  seeing  the  beautiful  hazel  colour  of  his  eyes,  the  slight  greying  in  his  dark  hair,  that  smile  she  just  couldn't  look  away  from  him.     she  didn't  care  that  he  was  older  than  her,  she  knew  what  she  wanted  and  she  wasn't  someone  who  just  gave  up,  not  when  she  had  so  many  reasons  to  fight  for  it,     "     i  just  know  my  dad  finds  it  hard  to  accept  that  i'm  grown  up.     it  took  a  lot  of  convincing  to  let  you  stay  here  after  tilly  was  well  enough  to  move  around,  he's  just  protective.     but  i  will  talk  to  him  and  let  him  see  that  this  is  what  i  want,     "     maggie  assures  him,  knowing  that  her  dad  wasn't  going  to  be  happy  that  this  had  happened,  he  had  always  been     𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲     but  with  everything  that  was  going  in  the  world,  he  had  become  even  more  so.     but  she  wouldn't  let  him  send  negan  and  tilly  away  if  he  found  out  about  this,  he  could  disapprove  all  he  wants  to,  it  wouldn't  change  anything.     no  one  had  ever  made  her  smile  like  negan  did,  or  made  her  laugh  so  much,  or  actually  made  her  feel  heard  and  seen.     that  was  something  she  doubts  she  would  ever  find  again.

     𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴  𝗵𝗶𝘀  𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱  𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻  𝗶𝘁  𝘄𝗮𝘀  𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱  𝘁𝗼  𝗵𝗲𝗿,     a  smile  forming  at  the  way  their  fingers  laced  together,  his  skin  warm  against  hers  and  it  all  just  felt  so  right.     but  her  smile  falters  as  he  mentions  his  way,  instantly  feeling  the  sadness  coming  off  him  because  he  had  rarely  mentioned  her  since  they  had  come  to  the  farm.     tilly  had  told  her  a  few  things,  not  a  lot  of  details  but  enough  for  her  to  know  that  lucille  had  been  one  of  the  most  important  people  to  negan.     she  didn't  want  to  be  a  replacement  or  a  distraction,  that  was  probably  her  biggest     𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿     in  allowing  herself  to  get  close  to  him.     but  as  he  spoke,  it  was  obvious  to  her  that  whilst  he  would  probably  always  have  a  love  for  his  wife  and  she  wouldn't  expect  anything  less.     yet  when  he  tells  her  that  he  couldn't  kill  his  wife  after  she  turned,  that  tilly  had  to  do  it  and  it  was  clear  how  much  guilt  he  was  carrying  for  letting  that  happen.     maggie's  free  hand  comes  up  to  cup  his  cheek,  thumb  stroking  his  skin  gently,     "     don't  do  that  to  yourself.     you  can't  blame  yourself  for  not  reacting  in  the  moment.     you  just  have  an  incredibly  strong  daughter  who  looks  at  you  like  you're  her  whole  world,  so  don't  blame  yourself  too  much,     "     she  didn't  know  if  her  reassurance  meant  anything  right  now,  her  heart  ached  for  tilly  having  to  do  something  like  that.     if  these  past  few  weeks  had  proved  anything,  it  was  that  tilly  was  a  fighter  and  that  was  clearly  something  she  would  always  be.

     𝗶𝘁'𝘀  𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁  𝗵𝗲  𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀  𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁  𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁  𝗵𝗮𝘀  𝗵𝗲𝗿  𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴  𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼  𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆  𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱,     the  hand  on  his  cheek  moving  to  rest  on  his  chest  as  she  listens,  the  smile  coming  back  to  her  lips  as  she  looks  at  him.     every  word  he  spoke,  she  believed.     nothing  felt  like  it  was  just  sweet  words  to  get  what  he  wanted.     this  felt  real  and  instense,  making  her  heart  race  and  her  body  warm.     never  did  she  expect  this  to  happen  when  she  had  seen  him  running  up  towards  the  farm  with  his  daughter  bleeding  out  in  his  arms.     but  it  was  happening  and  there  was  no  point  in  denying  that  it  was  something  she  wanted  too.     leaning  up  on  the  tips  of  her  toes,  her  hand  moving  back  up  to  his  cheek  as  she  kisses  him  with  a  gentleness  that  felt  so     𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁     that  she  could  almost  cry.     pulling  back  enough  to  look  up  at  him,  she  can't  stop  smiling  as  she  looks  at  him,     "     i  didn't  realise  that  you  were  such  a  romantic,     "     she  teases  gently,  a  soft  laugh  escaping  as  she  lets  go  of  his  hand  to  wrap  her  arms  around  his  neck,  leaning  into  him  as  she  looks  up  at  him.     this  wasn't  going  to  be  easy,  she  knew  that  there  was  no  point  telling  her  dad  about  this  until  she  knew  it  was  more  serious.     she  didn't  want  to  risk  anything  incase  things  went  differently,  but  she  had  this  hope  that  nothing  was  going  to  separate them,     "     i  didn't  realise  what  you  would  mean  to  me  when  we  met.     but  now  i  can't  imagine  my  life  without  you.     whatever  happens,  it's  you  and  i,  okay?     and  tilly,  of  course,  i  couldn't  forget  her,     "     maggie  assured  him,  she  wouldn't  ever  want  tilly  to  think  she  was  trying  to  replace  her  mom,  she  would  form  her  own  bond  with  tilly  and  let  the  young  girl  decide  what  she  wanted  for  their  relationship.     she  just  knew  that  whatever  the  future  held  for  them,  she  would  be  able  to  face  it  with  negan  at  her  side.

[firebirdsdaughter]

Whelp…

… The V&V summary dropped and how many different ways can I say I called it?

[dragonbugsuperior]

Adrien's Manipulation and How He Manipulates

As you can see, I have spoken about the things the ml writers have done and attempted to get away with however I never dug deep into how manipulative Adrien is and how he has manipulated people. I have provided real transcripts from the episodes. You can look it up yourself they're there for everyone to see.

In Malediktator (season 2, episode 24) Chloe threatens to leave Paris, Mr. Bourgeois gets akumatized into Maledikator; invested with absolute power, he wants to make his daughter's dreams come true so that she stays with him. In the episode, Chloe announces that she's leaving Paris to the entire school and the students are thrilled. They were celebrating the fact that their school bully was leaving Paris. Including Marinette, who was also relieved to know her bully/tormentor was leaving Paris. The same girl who's been bullying Marinette for years.

Here's some real transcripts from the actual episodes

Chloé: (from the helicopter, through megaphone) Hey there, losers! I'm headed to New York with my mom. (throws flyers) I'm leaving you all behind in your pathetic little school and your pathetic little city. Adieu!

(Marinette picks up a flyer showing Chloé in front of the Statue of Liberty.)

Nino: Chloé's leaving?

Nathaniel: Forever?

Marinette: Looks like it.

Alya: Yeah.

(Everyone jumps in the air out of happiness; confetti appears out of thin air and there are fireworks for no reason at all. Everyone, including Mr. Damocles, dances and parties.)

Marinette: Without Chloé around, Paris will be filled with a lot less negative emotion!

Tikki: And less akumatizations.

(Adrien walks up to Marinette from behind.)

Adrien: Hey, what’s going on here? What are we celebrating?

Marinette: Chloé’s gone! She’s moving to New York!

Adrien: Chloé left…? For good?

Marinette: (still excited, not realizing that Adrien is not sharing everyone else’s enthusiasm) Yeah! Isn’t it great?

Adrien: Uh… no. I think it’s terrible! How can you celebrate a thing like that?

There

There's the manipulation. Adrien guilts Marinette for being happy that her tormentor is gone. He guilts her for being relieved to know that her school bully is leaving Paris. Not only did he make Marinette feel guilty for feeling the way that she did. But the episode also deems Marinette as if she's selfish for feeling glad that Chloe is gone. While Adrien completely invalidates Marinette's feelings, and does not take into consideration that Chloe has bullied and made Marinette's life a living hell for years. Adrien knows Chloe has been bullying Marinette for years and instead of letting her feel happy that her bully is gone he guilts her and shames her saying that she shouldn't be celebrating something like that. Not contemplating the fact that Marinette has been bullied, shamed, taunted, and tormented for years. All because Chloe's his childhood friend and she was his only friend. He continues to support Chloe, and guit-trips Marinette for being happy that her life-long bully is finally leaving, because he doesn’t care about how Chloe torments everyone in the class or how she’s literally abusing Sabrina, all he cares about is how her leaving affects him.

In Glaciator Chat Noir imposes a date with Ladybug.

Transcript

Cat Noir: So, uh, Ladybug? What would you say if you and I met up tonight for a little dinner? Rooftop style?

Ladybug: For dinner? As superheroes?

Cat Noir: Well, uh, yeah. That's right. We're only together when we're saving Paris. I mean, wouldn't you actually like to get to know one another?

Ladybug: I... That's so thoughtful of you, but I can't. I have to, uh, I already have plans with some friends.

Bus driver: (steps out of the bus and shakes hands with Cat Noir) Thank you. (shakes Ladybug's hand) Thank you, Ladybug.

Cat Noir: Well, if your plans end early, come and join me.

Ladybug: We'll see.

Cat Noir: I'll be waiting, my lady.

(Ladybug uses her yo-yo and leaves. Cat Noir smiles at her for a moment before he leaves too)

Ladybug tells Chat Noir that she has plans with friends, Chat Noir still insists that she comes if her plans end early. Ladybug never says yes to him nor does she confirm she will show up while he says he'll be waiting.

Alya, Nino, Marinette, and Adrien were planning on having a date together, Adrien lies to his friends and tells them that his father said he couldn't go. Actively upsetting them and ruining their date, because 'Oh! Poor Adrien couldn't make it!. The thing is-

Adrien could have made it.

He himself, chose not to.

He didn't even inform his father about going out with friends.

Adrien never mentions going out with friends to Gabriel. He never tells Nathalie nor the Gorilla anything just so he could prepare a date with Ladybug, who also never confirmed she was going on the date.

[Next transcript is very important to read]

(Adrien sighs before he takes out his phone to text Nino. He then checks the time)

Nathalie: There's no point in waiting for your father, Adrien. He'll be eating in his office.

Adrien: (stands up from his chair, quietly angry) Then what's the point of keeping me here if he's never gonna show up, Nathalie? (walks away to go to his room)

Nathalie: Don't forget to practice your piano before you go to bed.

He doesn't tell Nathalie or Gabriel. He tells Nino that he won't be able to make it because his father wouldn't allow him to, yet Adrien didn't even see Gabriel because he was in his office the entire time.

Scene: Adrien's room.

Plagg: You could've at least grabbed the piece of Camembert on that platter!

Adrien: (tosses a piece of Camembert to Plagg and he catches it) Fuel up, Plagg. (He turns on some piano music from his phone. He then places the phone on top of the real piano) Adrien may not be allowed out of the house, but Cat Noir is!

Adrien's off to his date with Ladybug, which she never agreed that she would come, lying to his friends and telling them that his father wouldn't let him go out with them.

Plagg: You seem in a hurry to get stood up.

Adrien: She didn't say she wasn't coming.

Plagg: But she didn't say she was either!

This is also important to take in mind, it doesn't matter if she didn't say wasn't coming, she also didn't say she was coming like Plagg said. She told him she had plans with her friends.

Scene: Trocadéro. Marinette meets up with her friends

Marinette: Hey, Alya!

Alya: Hey, Marinette! (Both she and Marinette kisses each other's cheeks)

Marinette: Where's Adrien?

Alya: Don't get upset, okay? But Nino just got a text. Adrien's dad isn't letting him go out.

Again, Adrien tells Nino his dad won't let him go out. Lying and upsetting his friends, which automatically makes them feel bad because they're poor friend can't come out with them.

Marinette: Once again...

Nino: Yo, Marinette!

Ivan: What's up, M?

Mylène: How are you, Marinette?

Marinette: I'm fine. Thanks. Hehe. So, do you know where André is today?

Later in the episode, they have patrol

And this is what Chat Noir says to Ladybug

Ladybug: Hello, Kitty. Did the bad guys leave you cold?

Cat Noir: (harsh and enraged) How was your amazing evening with your "friends"?

(Ladybug looks confused at Cat Noir, shocked by her partner's harsh words. But she gasps when she hears Glaciator's voice.)

He gets passive aggressive and sarcastic with her. He's angry because she didn't show up to a date she never agreed to going on.

[Transcript]

Ladybug: Are you mad at me because I didn't show up?

Cat Noir: (furious) What do you think?

Ladybug: I didn't mean to hurt you.

(Glaciator jumps over them and continues walking. Ladybug and Cat Noir take shelter behind a car)

Cat Noir: And I also had a surprise for you, too!

Ladybug: I really am sorry.

Cat Noir: No... I'm the one who's sorry. Maybe another time.

Ladybug feels bad for not showing up. Ladybug shouldn't have to apologize for not showing up. She never agreed to going on the date and Chat Noir knows that. He knows she had plans with her friends and guilts her because apparently she didn't show up to a date she never intended on going on. While he was the one who gave her the cold shoulder the entire time they were fighting off Glaciator and acted like a 5 year old child.

The blatant manipulation

Chat Noir guilts Ladybug because she didn't show up to a date she never agreed that she would go on. Resulting in her feeling bad and apologizing to him as if she said she'll go. She never confirms she'll make it. She tells him she has plans with friends and they'll see. That doesn't equate to yes. Adrien lies to his friends and tells them he won't be able to make it because his father wouldn't let him go out, meanwhile Adrien never tells Gabriel anything about going out with friends.

In Syren

Adrien gets tired of all the secrets Ladybug had to keep from him and threatens to quit. Blackmailing Plagg threatening to quit as a superhero if Plagg doesn't tell him what secret Ladybug's been hiding from him.

[Transcript]

Adrien: (imitating Ladybug) Hey, Cat Noir, do you trust me? (as himself) Sure, Ladybug; do you trust me, too? (as Ladybug) Are you kidding? I will never trust you! Ha ha ha ha! (normally, to Plagg) You must know what Ladybug's hiding from me, Plagg.

Plagg: I'm just a kwami, Adrien, and we kwamis have a right to remain silent.

Adrien: Pity. (gets out his phone) Just when I was about to order you some very tasty cheese. Have you ever sampled La Trappe d'Échourgnac? It says here it tastes like walnuts.

Plagg: (swallows some Camembert) I can't be swayed, sorry.

He bribes Plagg with cheese to get information out of him about Ladybug

Cat Noir: Wait! Where're you going?

Ladybug: (hesitantly) I can't.

Cat Noir: (disappointedly) Say anything. Yeah, I know. But we are a team, aren't we? (turns away from Ladybug) I'm tired of all these secrets.

Ladybug: I'm sorry. It's not exactly easy for me either, trust me. (she leaps away while Cat Noir turns to see her leaving him)

(Cat Noir sits down on the roof to wait for Ladybug to return.)

He himself admits that he knows she can't tell him anything. He knows she's under restrictions and he pulls this.

Cat Noir: This is so dumb! (stands up) Claws in. (detransforms)

Plagg: (groans) What's taking her so long? (Adrien holds up his hands to Plagg, and starts to pull off his ring a little bit) Whoa, easy! W-What are you doing?!

Adrien: (grimly) If you don't tell me what Ladybug is hiding from me, I'm done!

Plagg: You can't do that!

Adrien: (bitterly) Why not? No one'll know if I quit. No one'll care!

Plagg: I will!

He blackmails Plagg, and threatens to let millions of people drown just because he wants to know a secret he isn't worthy of knowing.

[Transcript for Frozer]

In Frozer he gets rejected for the hundredth time

Ladyice: Cat Noir. We need to set up a trap for whoever turned the city into a giant ice rink. (throws yo-yo)

Icecat: (bitterly) My feline instincts prefer to track and observe before I attack. You go your way, I'll go mine.

Ladyice: Please don't tell me you're mad at me about the rose.

Icecat: There may be a certain chill now between us.

Ladyice: I get it, but we should really focus on saving Paris

Icecat: We don't always have to do everything together, after all. It's not like we're a couple. (skates away)

Ladyice: Cat Noir, don't get all pouty on me! (groans and takes off on her yo-yo)

(Ladyice and Icecat separately search for Frozer)

Icecat: (notices Frozer's skate marks on the ice) This way.

Ladyice: I need to set a trap, but what could I use as bait? (while Ladyice thinks, Frozer prepares to sneak up behind her, but Icecat spots him attempting to do so and pulls Ladyice out of harm's way)

Ladyice: Thanks, Kitty.

(Icecat winks)

Once again, he makes her feel guilty for turning him down for the millionth time in a row as if he doesn't know she's in love with someone else. Acting like an asshole the entire time they fight off Frozer.

In Copyat, Chat Noir arrives at a ceremony.

Scene: The Place des Vosges. The ceremony has just ended.

Cat Noir: These statues are amazing. One thing's slightly off though— I'm actually taller than Ladybug.

Théo: Ladybug didn't show up. I just wanted to express my adoration for her. Let her know that everything I had went into her statue. I'm sure if she took a little time to get to know me, she would see how much we have in common. Our devotion to the things we love.

Cat Noir: Hey, don't mean to burst your bubble, but you know, Ladybug and me, we're a thing, you know?

Théo: Really?

Cat Noir: Yeah, we're like this. (crosses his fingers)

Théo: (growls; walks away angrily) What does Ladybug see in him?

He lies to Theo about the relationship he has with Ladybug leaving Theo angry causing him to become akumatized.

Cat Noir: Better help the fellow out. His crush just got crushed. (under his breath, as he leaves) That makes two of us.

Théo: Ugh... What am I doing here? Ladybug?

Ladybug: I'm sorry I couldn't make it this morning, Théo.

Théo: Can you autograph it for me?

Ladybug: Of course I can! You've got some real artistry here. You've really captured my essence.

Théo: Thank you, Ladybug. And don't worry. I know about you and Cat Noir. It's okay.

Ladybug: Huh?

Ladybug is left to apologize to Theo and deal with the rest. Theo tells her not to worry, he knows about her and Chat Noir to which she reacts with utter confusion. Chat Noir lied to Theo, causing his akumatization not even facing consequences at the end nor apologizing to Theo, instead Marinette does all the work while being left confused.

Adrien is a lying, manipulative, and conniving person. He has manipulated his friends, Plagg, and Marinette. This is not okay

And the writers portray it to be while making Marinette look bad