#because they wont put my name on my headstone. they wont even know they were supposed to

[arsenicflame]

they wont put my name on my headstone

[legends-live-in-memories]

“How Did All This Happen?”- A Memoire by one Marinette Dupain-Cheng 2

wow. okay. so first off i dont have an update schedule but im on winter break starting next monday so i just have a lot of time on my hands. if this progresses into next year updates wont be as frequent. hell updates probably wont be as frequent next week either. who knows not me. Also i have a few spots left open on the tag list for those who were wondering.

Part 1 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

without further ado 

People Fucked Up and Now It’s All Marinette’s Mess to Clean Up II

Marinette knew how she ruined the eastern coastline, but for all that is magical she could not fathom how that team of hero proteges managed to completely decimate the western side. She knew they were capable of it though, Constantine had warned her that they had an interesting habit of bending, if not outright breaking, the rules and legislation of the UN. He had also warned her that the group of Justice League mini-me’s had a unique calling card. The symphony of everything going to total shit in the background was the declaration of their presence on the island. She hasn’t even seen them from her new cliffside perch but she knew they were there by the distinct sounds of explosions. God, she hoped that super son wasn’t there. And she really hoped he didn’t get his indestructible hands on the magical dagger and destroyed it. It was one thing to return from this mission empty handed. It was an entirely different kettle of fish to return and join her grandfather in having “Broken a magical artifact” added to her list of crimes against the universe. Adrien would never let her live it down. No, Chloe would never let her live that down. She probably would put it on her headstone or something. 

Deciding she has wasted enough time, Marinette began enacting one of her contingency plans in hopes of salvaging this night. She had brought the Tiger, the Horse and the Cat miraculouses for this mission, fearing that a Ladybug Cure would bring too much attention to her and her family. She was right in that fear because reconstructing two coastlines would not fly under international radar.

She called upon the magic of the Tiger, camouflaging with the scenery as she made her descent back to where Kobra himself hopefully still was. 

She found him making his escape from the hellfest that was once their base of operation, followed by two other members. Marinette begrudgingly gives her thanks for the intruding hero team who distracted the cult from her presence and created enough wreckage that forced the cult members into separating. Sneaking up from behind, she jumped on the shoulders of the one furthest back. A swift jab to his throat, and Marinette was using his falling body as a springboard to kick the second cultist. At this point Kobra was aware of her presence and tried to attack her. Keeping the magical dagger on his person, he moved to grab Marinette by her hair. Extending the claws from her panja bracelet, Marinette slashed Kobra by his outstretched hands and used her semi-sentient tiger’s tail to retrieve the dagger. Before Kobra could regain his bearings, Marinette merged the Tiger and the Horse and made a hasty escape to her hideout.

She was greeted to the sight of her grandfather who Marinette believed was entirely too relaxed, enjoying some mint tea as he watched the night sky be curtained by smoke mushrooms from the nearby island. He was reclined in one of the couches in their AirBnB back in Trinidad. She dropped her transformations, Roaar and Kaalki flying to the kitchenette. Plagg slowly came out of Marinette’s purse and pointedly avoided her gaze. So the hellcat did have a guilty conscience, she lamented. Who knew? Apparently accidentally sneezing from the sand on the beach of Santa Prisca, and leaving behind a new cliff, was not one of the Destruction god’s finer moments. If he had any. 

“Don’t tell Tikki,” he began. And look, actual names, he must have been really embarrassed if that’s how he’s referring to his counterpart. 

“Don’t tell me what?” The answering scream Plagg released was actually comical and Marinette decided to be merciful. “Don’t worry Tiks, just a hiccup in the mission but all is well now.” Plagg looked at Marinette like he was about to lay worship to her for not selling him out. He took it in stride and joined the other Kwamis on the counter, already with a cheese wedge in hand.

“You did well, Mei,” her grandfather began. “I will report to Constantine and we will discuss further in the morning. For now get some sleep.” That was a dismissal if Marinette ever heard one so she placed the panja bracelet and the glasses, the tiger and horse miraculouses, back in the box and retreated to her room. A quick shower and a call to her parents later, Marinette was left awake in her room. Bored.

Plagg soon joined her, and despite his earlier reservations, he was brimming with chaotic energy. He had an idea and nothing spelt trouble faster than Plagg’s ideas. Apparently Plagg was curious about what the other young heroes were even doing on the island and wanted to know more. Now Marinette had half a mind to tell him to go by himself and leave her out of it. But she was kind of curious too. They weren’t after the dagger, that much she figured, or else Constantine would have had them go for it instead. So why were they there? A voice that sounded painfully like Kagami in her head told her not to be bullheaded and leave well enough alone.

Ignoring that advice, Marinette went to the den to retrieve the Tiger and the Horse again, the two most suitable for reconnaissance missions. Plagg, of course, would still be accompanying her for it was his shitty idea anyways. 

“Going somewhere?”

The two turned to come face to face with Wayzz, Tikki and Master Fu, all wearing matching faces of disappointment but not surprise.

“We were just going to stake out the island again, figure out what the other hero team were up to.” Marinette was not going to quiver under their gazes. No. Nope. Her maman may not have been an assassin, but she still didn’t raise a weak bitch. Hell, she shadowed one of the most feared assassins for her more formative years. She. Would. Not. Break.

“Why?”

“It was Plagg’s idea.” She broke. 

“HEY!” No offense to Plagg, but he was the only one out of the two of them that was immortal, he could survive Tikki’s ire. 

“It’s not a bad idea, Master,” bless Kaalki and all their endeavors. “If the hero team were not after the dagger, but still after the Cult of the Kobra, investigating would provide valuable insight to what plans the cult had for the dagger in the first place. And perhaps, allow us to put in cautionary measures to prevent the cult from finding other magical means to meet their ends.”

“Yeah, what they said.” Marinette wasn’t all in favor of extending the mission if they did find anything concerning, but she committed to this idea and she’s going to see it through. Logical rational and self-preservation be damned. 

Taglist:

@deathwishy @neakco @ virtualreading @f-rget-lt @your-resident-chicken-nugget @nathleigh @toodaloo-kangaroo @irontimetravelflower @trippingovermyfeet @t1dwarrior-of-earth @tip-tap-tired @fidget-eep @thenillabean @officiallydarkgeek 

[andtheyweredeskmates]

Of Latte’s and Lingerie- Chapter Four

So I ended up putting this on AO3 if anyone would rather read it there. I probably wont update this for at least a week because I live in Texas so my job opened back up plus I have finals till next Friday. 

Links to the first 3 chapters: 1 2 3

Taglist: @catsssmeow

Adrien hated conflict. Like really hated conflict. Like the idea of conflict kinda made Adrien want to curl up in a ball and sleep until all conflicted parties were dead or unconflicted.

Unfortunately, Gabriel was privy to that. So while the deal he offered Adrien seemed stupidly unbalanced, it was kind of an act of genius. Adrien stared at his toes as he walked his way into Dunn’s. He really wanted to just shut his brain off. He didn’t really have to come to a decision immediately anyway. There was still time to enjoy his coffee and pretend like life was grand. Adrien was really good at enjoying coffee and pretending life was grand.

When Adrien got in line he shoved his hands in his back pockets and looked up at the sign, pretending he didn’t know what he wanted. But he always knew.

“Hey Tim,” Adrien said casually, walking up to the counter.

“Your large mocha frappe extra whip will be out in a minute.”

“It’s a little embarrassing how well you know me,” Adrien mumbled, getting out his wallet.

“Yeah I get that a lot,” Tim chuckled. Adrien paid for his coffee and started to walk to his corner. He stopped for a moment and gaped. It was taken. Adrien’s whole train of thought was derailed as he floundered, trying to think of a place to sit. He glanced nervously around to see that the coffee shop was completely full. Every table, chair and booth was occupied. His eyes lingered on Marinette in her usual spot and he felt the slightest bit of relief for the familiarity.

“Mocha Frappe for Adrien!”

Adrien walked hesitantly to the counter, still glancing around for a spot to open up. Maybe if he stared at someone long enough they’d get the mental message to leave.

“Your spots taken huh?” Adrien looked pathetically at Tim.

“You know, there’s a girl here that’s usually here when you are and she’s got plenty of room at her table. She’s really nice. You should ask to sit with her.” Adrien’s eyes got wide.

“Marinette?” Tim raised an eyebrow.

“Uh yeah, do you know her.”

“Not really. She’s… a work associate of my father.” Tim stared at Adrien for another moment before smirking.

“Well like I said, she’s really nice and she’s kind of having an existential crisis right now so I’m sure she’d love the company to keep her distracted.” Adrien glanced back over to see Marinette with her head in her hands. She left her hands slightly parted just enough to get the straw between them so that she could still easily sip her coffee without moving. Adrien smiled softly.

“Yeah, okay!” He took his coffee in hand and made his way over to the booth.

…

“Hey!”

Marinette was so startled she nearly spilled her coffee in her lap.

“Ohmigosh,” she stuttered. She looked up to see the hot blonde boy who usually sat in the corner booth.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you!” Marinette was frozen for just a fraction of a second, eyes wide and mouth open in a look of terror. Once she realized how stupid she probably looked, she immediately attempted to compose herself.

“Oh no! I just wasn’t paying attention! Um whats up?” She spoke quickly and she stumbled a little over her words. God he was freaking hot.

“Well, my usual spot kinda got taken and there’s no more tables left. I see you here a lot so I was wondering if maybe today I could sit here with you.” This could not be happening. Marinette had a slight inclination to burst out the door and never come back. But this also had the potential to be the best day of her life. Maybe this would be the story she would tell her kids when she explained how she met their father. She’d totally have his babies. He was so hot….

“I can sit outside if you don’t want company.” Marinette immediately realized she’d been staring silently for far too long.

“NO!” Adrien jumped a little at her squeak.

“I mean, no I’d love the company, um I just didn’t realize you’d noticed me here. I mean I’ve noticed you but you’re gorgeous… I mean- Your clothes are gorgeous! Um they’re Gabriel right?” Marinette rolled her eyes in her thoughts. Real smooth. The hot boy blushed a little and scratched his head.

“Uh yeah I wear a lot of his stuff.”

“Wow, I love his designs. They’re so beautiful. I’m hoping that maybe one day I could work for him. I’m a fashion designer.” Marinette was ready to die. And she would have if she hadn’t kept imagining “Marinette, beloved idiot” on her headstone. She had no idea how to talk to men.

The hot boy sat down across from her and smiled.

“I know! My father is in the business and he speaks very highly of your work!” Marinette could feel her cheeks heating up.

“Um, oh you’ve heard of me?”

“Yeah! You’re Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I thought about talking to you a few times but you’ve always seemed really busy.”

“Oh yeah… Um this is kind of like my workspace away from work.” The hot boy grinned widely.

“I love this place! I won’t even tell my friends about this place because I’m scared it’ll get to popular.” Marinette chuckled.

“I know what you mean. My best friend is a reporter so I tell her I go to Starbucks so she doesn’t expose my secret lair.” Marinette let herself relax for a bit. She found conversation really easy with the hot boy. He was good making small talk and Marinette just kind of felt her worries trickle away. Briefly.

“So what are you working on right now?” Marinette clammed up almost immediately.

“Oh, um nothing important. It’s kind of lame, I um I don’t really want to talk about it. I’ll probably bore you to death.” And just like that Marinette was mentally kicking herself again. If he had asked her 24 hours earlier about her project she would probably have talked his ear off. She was extremely proud of her line and she was equally proud to be submitting it to Gabriel Agreste.

But here, in the present, the idea of her project made her nauseous.

“Well I heard that you’re working on a line for Gabriel Agreste.” Marinette prayed briefly to god and thanked him that she hadn’t had been sipping on her coffee when he said that.

“What!? Where did you hear that?” Marinette couldn’t look in a mirror but if she could’ve she would’ve see a jittery, crimson frinese (an inside joke between her and Alya) woman, fidgeting frantically with the collar of her blouse. And if she had looked in this mirror, not knowing that it was her, she would’ve laughed hysterically at the poor sap.

The hot boy however, was much nicer and much worse at reading social cues than Marinette.

“Oh you know, I have connections. I was actually considering attending the show your line’s gonna be featured in.” And if Marinette had an ounce of sanity left, it evaporated with that sentence.

“Oh.” Was all she could manage.

“I bet its gonna be great. I’ve heard really good things about your work.” If Marinette’s sanity hadn’t evaporated, she probably would’ve been very flattered.

“I guess you’ll have to wait and see,” she said flatly. She was staring off into space with a dead look in her eyes. If the hot blonde boy saw her in any of the pieces she’d designed, she’d die for real.

“I guess I will! I got to get going but do you think I could come sit with you again another time?” Marinette suddenly looked at Adrien who looked very hopeful and a little embarrassed.

“Of course!” she responded. “Anytime!” The hot blonde boy grinned.

“Awesome, see ya Marinette!” He got up and walked away, giving Marinette a brief wave.

“Yeah! See ya!” The conflicting emotions in Marinette were so intense she nearly crushed the coffee cup in her hand. On the one hand, she was still freaking out about work and the hot boy was doing absolutely nothing to make her feel better. On the other hand, Marinette was also kind of freaking out because she was excited that the hoy boy wanted to hang out with her again even after she acted like a complete jackass in front of him. Marinette pulled out her phone, shaking a little (from caffeine or anxiety, who could say?) as she typed.

To: Alya

I need you to come over tonight. Bring wine. Coffee is not strong enough.

…

Making new friends always put Adrien in a better mood. He was glad he went to Dunn’s. That place was literally the best place on earth. It made him feel infinitely better no matter what was going on. Adrien thought about Marinette. She was funny and a little awkward but Adrien liked that. He got over the confident, sexy façade in his previous line of work very quickly. Not that there was anything wrong with confidence but he hated that every woman he seemed to come in contact with tried to give off the same old, “I’m gonna break your heart and you’re gonna like it” vibe.

Adrien sighed. He was thinking about his fathers offer again. He supposed he could handle events a lot easier with a friend. Maybe they could go together. He figured Marinette would be up front and center for the upcoming show. It wouldn’t be far fetched to say they could sit together. Although he supposed he’d have to fess up to who his father really was. He scrunched his nose a little at the idea. He liked that she didn’t know. It made their friendship feel more real. But maybe he was getting ahead of himself.

             He couldn’t exactly call 20 minutes of conversation over coffee friendship. Could he? He was reminded for a moment of how he became friends with Chloe.

“Is your name Adrien?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re going to be my friend.”

Maybe Adrien could be adventurous. Just proclaim that Marinette was his friend now. He chuckled a little at the idea. He regretted for a moment not asking for her number. At least then he wouldn’t have to wait for a happenstance meeting with his friend. But thinking on it, he couldn’t remember a single time he’d gone to Dunn’s after 5:00 pm and not seen her there. Jeez maybe it really was her work away from work.

Adrien let his mind wander as he drove back home. But the soft smile never left his lips. He just couldn’t stop thinking about her. Marinette. His new friend.

Next Chapter

SPOILER FOR NEXT CHAPTER:

“MARI WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN YOU DON’T KNOW HIS NAME!”