#chat noir needs a hug too

[moonlit-orchid]

These two lines in the movie make me the most mentally unwell.

"I should have been the one to go. You needed your mother more than you needed me."

The amount of layers to this, oh my god. He's blaming himself for being alive. He probably wants to die. He genuinely thinks Adrian needs Emilie more.

And it's been YEARS since Emilie's passed away. Look how tiny Adrian is over there, he only just about comes about the bedpost. Gabriel still looks like he did in the pictures of when Adrian was little. It's been literal years. It could have literally been a full decade ago.

And Gabriel breaks the narrative here. He's supposed to be telling a story, he's supposed to be saying what happened in the past. But at this point, he doesn't say "your mother was taken from us" or anything like that referencing Emilie's passing. The story breaks, he's using a statement. I should have been the one to go. It's completely out of the story, because he isn't saying what he felt then, there's no "I felt like I should have been the one to go". It's just "I should have been."

Because he still thinks this. It's been about a decade, and his opinion, his feelings about this, is still "I should have died". It interrupts his storytelling because of how strongly he feels this way, almost like it's a fact to him.

And then he follows it with "You needed your mother more than you needed me." Again, he says this like it's a fact, like Adrian actually did need his mother more. Because he believes it himself. And this could be because of so many things. It could be because of the way people consider the mother to be the one supposed to care for the children much more than the father, or it could be that Gabriel himself didn't see how much Adrian needed him, or even that Gabriel didn't see himself as useful to Adrian. Especially because he said he should have been the one to die. He's essentially saying he was useless. That he was expendable but Emilie wasn't. He literally is implying he doesn't see any worth in himself regarding being a father.

And then it's not just his grief, it's Adrian's grief that has him desperate to bring Emilie back. He literally doesn't care about himself, he wants his son to be happy and doesn't see himself as able to do that. He loves him to the point of being suicidal and self-sacrificing if it would give Adrian what he need, all while simultaneously not seeing himself as what Adrian needs because he doesn't think he has that much worth regarding him.

[that-one-fandom-girl]

For real! Besides, didn’t the sand that shows people their worst nightmares fly over him before he said that? He was affected by the sand and I think it tells a little bit more about their friendship and how close they are if right after the nightmare-inducing stuff falls on him, Adrien fears for Plagg in addition to fearing for his freedom. Plagg didn’t even have to be mentioned, but Adrien was in full distress and turned to his best friend, only to be scared some more when his best friend, who was supposed to be sleeping, (right?), seemed to have something bad happen to him.

People give Adrien too much flack for believing plagg turned into a sock. Be real, if you lived in hawkmoth's Paris that's what you would think happened. You wouldn't immediately think your best friend ran away and left a sock puppet in thier place.

[donat-senpai]

Can you please write a platonic Yandere Adrien with (best) friend reader. Reader also has a miraculous, Adrien finds out. Kinda like a scenario

Please don't read this if you are uncomfortable with the yandere!

Pairing: Yandere! Adrien x Reader

tw: platonic obsession, stealing other people's things

Adrian sighs heavily. Lately, too many problems have been piling up on him. He didn't get a moment's peace at school. His father was constantly demanding something. And Hawk Moth seemed to never sleep. He added work for the heroes at the most inconvenient times. During a recent attack on the city, another person joined the famous hero duo. A little later, Adrian (or Chat Noir, to be precise) learned that Ladybug had nothing to do with it. This made him worry. Who is this person? Can they be trusted? And where did another Miraculous come from that doesn't belong to the guardian of the box? Too many questions filled the blond's head.

———

You greet Adrien with a joyful hug. The boy finally relaxes and forgets all his worries. In your presence, he feels calm. You excitedly start telling him about a new game and make him promise to play it with you this weekend. Adrien looks around the classroom. Every classmate is busy with their own thing. Once (when he had just started going to school) they used to tease you with jokes about being long-lost sibling. You two had just become friends too quickly and easily. Adrien sometimes joked himself that you were actually an Agreste. A bright glint distracts Adrien from his memories, and he notices a new pendant on your chest.

"What’s that?" Adrien asks.

You don't immediately understand what he's talking about. But when you catch his gaze, you start to stammer.

"Oh… Umm… just a piece of jewelry," you answer awkwardly.

"I’ve never seen you wear it before."

"I found it recently in a shop. Just some junk. Doesn't matter," you laugh nervously and change the subject.

Adrien raises an eyebrow in surprise. You've never behaved like this before. So… strange. It's like you're hiding something.

———

The villain throws Chat Noir into some trash cans and moves further into the city center, leading Ladybug away. Cat Noir groans in pain and tries to stand up, not very gracefully. A new hero lands softly next to him and extends a hand.

"I thought cats always land on their feet."

"Ha. Very funny," Chat Noir grumbles, but accepts the help. Chat Noir's gaze stops at the new hero's Miraculous. It's a pendant. The jewelry reminds him of something, but he can't remember what exactly.

"Let's deal with this quickly. I still need to make it to the book fair," the hero heads towards the noise, not waiting for his partner.

Chat Noir freezes. There’s only one fair in the city today. And Adrien was already planning to go there with you. A strange feeling washes over him. Now that he knows the new hero will be there too, he’s not so sure if he should go. Although there will be hundreds of people. The chance of revealing someone's identity is practically zero. Even if he accidentally starts scanning the crowd.

———

Ladybug was delayed. The heroes found themselves in a disadvantageous position. They barely escaped. Chat Noir was in a panic. He admitted that he hadn’t come up with the best plan. But the idea was reliable if they wanted to throw the villain’s minions off their trail. The minions ability will not allow them to find specific heroes if the heroes exchange Miraculouses and become new heroes. They needed to buy time until Ladybug showed up. That was what Adrien thought as he handed his ring to his partner behind the door.

He shuddered at the thought that if they wanted to betray him and reveal their connection to Hawk Moth, now would be the perfect moment. But they obediently handed him their pendant. Adrien almost thanked them but restrained himself. It was best not to talk too much without the magic of the Miraculouses. After all, Adrien was a famous model and it wasn’t hard to recognize his voice.

He finally looked at the other’s Miraculous and felt a shock. In his fingers lay a very familiar object. He couldn’t help but recognize your pendant. He had looked at it too often since he first noticed it. You were the new hero. Adrien panicked, wondering if you would recognize his ring. You rarely paid close attention to his hands. The hero (it can’t be… it’s you!) knocked on the door and asked him to hurry. Adrien decided to put his inner turmoil aside. The city needed saving right now.

———

The next day, Adrien watches you more closely than ever. You act as usual, which leads him to think that you haven't figured out Chat Noir's identity. A whirlwind of emotions overwhelms him. He's angry that you haven't told him anything. He understands you because he kept his secret the same way. And he's scared. What if one day you can't handle a villain? What if Hawk Moth finds out too? What if all of Paris learns your identity? Adrien starts to have a small panic attack. Nino jumps up and tries to help. Adrien is gasping for breath and can't explain anything.

-------

Adrien sneaks into the empty locker room while you and the class are swimming in the pool. It's one of the rare moments when you take off your pendant. It turns out that not all Miraculouses are as convenient as his ring or Ladybug's earrings. He never thought about how lucky he was before. He quickly finds your locker and breaks into it. The lock is so flimsy that Adrien feels a bit ashamed of how easily he was able to open it. He grabs the pendant and goes to hide it in his bag.

Adrien mentally prepares himself to comfort you. If he lost his Miraculous, he would be horrified. He thinks about what words he could say to console you. Adrien wonders if you would tell him your secret if you had nothing left to lose. He wants this. This will prove your trust in him.

Adrien thinks about what to do with your Miraculous now. He would like to use it sometimes along with his ring. But that would completely ruin your opinion of Chat Noir. Maybe he should bury the Miraculous in the forest or throw it into the sea so that no one could find it.

Now, you don't have to worry about the villains. And Adrien doesn't have to worry about your safety. Protecting Paris is no longer your job. Ladybug and Chat Noir will handle it together.

[runawaycatwalker]

Part 31. Perfect Dichotomy (Midnight Rendezvous, Part A)

< First | < Previous | Next >

Description below the cut

Chat Noir attempts to sit on the rolling chair by Marinette’s computer, but Ladybug pulls his tail and points at the chaise lounge instead.

Ladybug: Over here.  We can sit on the chaise lounge together.

Chat Noir: Oh?  You want me to be closer?

Chat exaggeratedly sprawls out onto Ladybug’s lap, arching his back and flinging his arms above his head.  Ladybug looks down at him with a teasing grin.

Chat Noir: How about this close?

Ladybug: A cat lying on my lap, huh?  That sounds...

Ladybug scratches the top of Chat’s head as he grins with deep pleasure.

Ladybug: Purr-fect.

Chat turns over and hugs Ladybug’s shin while she gives Chat more head scritches and rubs his back.

Ladybug: So… wanna tell me what's got you so spooked about Mayura?

Chat Noir: She and Catwalker… talked.  About me.  She mentioned some things that not many people would know.

Flashback to “Glaciator”: Marinette and Chat Noir rest on the railing of the balcony and look at each other as the moon shines over the city.

Ladybug (voiceover): But Marinette knows?  I suppose you have visited her a fair bit.  It's not all that surprising that you've shared some personal things with her...

Chat looks up at Ladybug and holds his finger and thumb an inch apart.

Chat Noir: It’s a bit more complicated than that.  Though I suppose I am missing some key details...

Ladybug puts her fist on her chin in contemplation (Her other hand continues giving Chat scritches).

Ladybug: So Catwalker’s been hiding things from you too...?

Chat Noir: More like Mayura was being extra cryptic—or lying.  All I really know for sure is that she’s looking for me.

Ladybug: I still don't understand why she cares so much...

Chat holds his hands out in a self-satisfied ‘Oh well!’ gesture.  (Ladybug stops giving him scritches).

Chat Noir: I like getting on villains' nerves, what can I say? I'll just have to keep frustrating her in our little game of 'Cat and Mouse'.

Ladybug pulls out the pillow from under her leg and ‘bonks’ Chat Noir on the head with it as he tries to placate her with a large grin.

Ladybug: Why do you make it sound like you’ve been doing something really stupid?

Chat Noir: Just because my methods are ridiculous, it doesn’t mean they don’t work!

Ladybug: That is not reassuring.

Chat leans against the chaise lounge next to Ladybug, hands clasped.

Chat Noir: Don’t worry, LB.  I’ve got it handled. I think the bigger problem is what prompted you to bring me here.  Wanna tell me what's wrong?

Chat kneels a leg next to Ladybug and places one hand on her arm and the other on her back.

Ladybug: I'm not sure how to explain...

Chat Noir: Start anywhere.  I think I can keep up.

Ladybug closes her eyes and holds her head in her hands with an expression of longing.

Ladybug: It's... Catwalker.  He's too perfect.

Chat Noir: ...You lost me.

A series of flashbacks with events shown pretty much as they occurred:

Flashback to “Kuro Neko”: Catwalker peeks around the corner at Kuro Neko, while Ladybug leans forward, catching her breath.

Ladybug (voiceover): He notices things that I'm too blind to see.

Catwalker (flashback): If that was Chat Noir, don't you think he'd talk to you?

Flashback to Part 6: View of Catwalker and Ladybug from below as they travel across the sky.

Catwalker (flashback): I can’t rule that out, but… my gut says that’s not it.

Ladybug (voiceover): His instincts about akumas are much better than mine.

Flashback to “Kuro Neko”: Ladybug looks at Catwalker as they kneel on a rooftop.

Ladybug (voiceover): It's like he already knows the answer I need.

Catwalker (flashback): Cats sometimes eat grass, it helps them spit out their hairballs.

Flashback to Part 8: A close-up of Ladybug looking right next to a close-up of Catwalker looking left.

Catwalker (flashback): You still have a multitude of people who can help you.

Ladybug (voiceover): And he's just nudging me to think of it myself.

Flashback to Part 18: Ladybug, still falling, throws her yo-yo through one of the holes in the lower conical barrier.  In the cone above, Catwalker places his hand against its barrier.  Both barriers begin to disintegrate.

Ladybug (voiceover): He always finds the right moment to use his powers.

Catwalker (flashback): Cataclysm!

Flashback to Part 26: Ladybug uses her yo-yo to flee as Oni-Chan lunges towards her.  But behind Oni-Chan, Catwalker has backflipped into the room behind her, his finger touching the amok with his Cataclysm.

Ladybug (voiceover): But I just ruin the opportunities he gives me because I never expect him to live up to you.

Flashback to Part 15: Ladybug turns back to looking down at the city below.  Catwalker holds up a hand to offer a friendly suggestion.

Catwalker (flashback): If you’d like to talk about anything, I’d be happy to stay and listen.

Ladybug (voiceover): And even when I can't do anything, he still acts so unbelievably kind...

Flashback to “Kuro Neko”: Catwalker, illuminated by the moon, reaches his hand before him for Ladybug to hold.

Ladybug (voiceover): He's just so... perfect.

Catwalker (flashback): Now I want to take care of you.

Ladybug (voiceover): But then I learned the truth:

Another series of flashbacks, with events depicted slightly off from what actually happened and Catwalker showing more malice.

Flashback to Part 12: Catwalker almost pointedly looks towards Carapace, who looks away guiltily.

Ladybug (voiceover): He lies and bends the truth with ease.

Catwalker (flashback): We only assume Adrien wants to be found.

Flashback to Part 17: Catwalker looks down towards Ladybug, the hand in front of him leaning on one of the barriers between them.

Catwalker (flashback): If he was dead, no one would know.

Ladybug (voiceover): And his lies lead to people suffering.

Flashback to Part 19: Catwalker steps forward, his hands palm upward in front of him, trying to explain himself.

Ladybug (voiceover): He'll use his heroic duty as an excuse to hold back.

Catwalker (flashback): I can't be as lax as Chat Noir was.

Flashback to Part 14: Catwalker grabs the end of Rena’s flute and pulls up the phone screen. Embedded flashback bubble from Part 20: Alya looks away and rubs the back of her neck.

Alya (flashback): He stole my phone number from my flute.

Ladybug (voiceover): But he crosses boundaries he shouldn't with no excuse.

Flashback to “Kuro Neko”: Catwalker pauses as he leaves Ladybug to finish everything on her own.

Ladybug (voiceover): He pretends to do what I want.

Catwalker (flashback): I won't make another move.

Flashback to Part 28: Astrowalker, wrapped tightly in yo-yo string (even his wings have been folded in on themselves and bound), hangs upside-down as Cosmobug points angrily at his face.

Catwalker (flashback): I followed you in case I needed to stay in your way.

Ladybug (voiceover): But he goes rogue once I'm not watching.

Flashback to Part 8: Catwalker lays on his side next to Emilie, reaching away from her.  Embedded flashback bubble from Part 20: Marinette clenches her fists in front of her, looking haunted.

Ladybug (voiceover): I can only guess at what other awful things he's hidden beneath my nose.

Marinette (flashback): What if he used his powers on his mom?

Flashback to Part 4: Catwalker grins at Ladybug with perfect posture, his hands on his lap.

Ladybug (voiceover): His perfection is an illusion.

Catwalker (flashback): I considered what I needed in order to be your 'ideal' partner.

Ladybug (voiceover): And I don't know what prices were paid to uphold his illusion.

Flashbacks end. Chat Noir kneels next to Ladybug on the chaise lounge as they embrace.

Chat Noir: I'm sorry, m'Lady. It's unfair that you've had to go through all of this.  If Catwalker is so wrong... would it be better if I was your Chat Noir again?

Ladybug: I wish I could let you. But I can't let Mayura target you.  Even if you were careful, she'd probably go after your loved ones in retaliation.  I won't let that happen.

Chat Noir: Alright.  Then what's the best way for me to support you?

Ladybug: Tell me how to fix everything?  *sob* I'm sorry, I don't think there's anything you can do.

Chat Noir: You're underestimating me.  And I think that you're underestimating him.  You're right that he's not perfect.  But I do think he's trying to be good.

Ladybug: I wish I had your ability to believe in people.  But Catwalker is too good of a liar.  I can't really know if he cares about anyone.  But I have to keep him as my partner.  I just have no idea how.

Chat Noir stands and rubs his chin in thought as Ladybug looks on.

Chat Noir: What if... What if I showed you the truth about Catwalker?

Ladybug: The... 'truth'?  You don't mean his identity, do you?

Chat Noir: No, of course not.  But this could fundamentally change how you see him—you wouldn't even need his name to trust him again.

Chat smiles down and touches his chest with both hands.

Ladybug: I can't see how that's remotely possible.

Chat Noir: You trust me even though you don't know who I am, don’t you?

Ladybug: Because I know you.

Chat Noir: Because you got to know me.  And if you knew the truth, you could know him too.

Chat scratches his head sheepishly and holds up a finger.  Ladybug turns away with hands raised, exasperated.

Chat Noir: There's just one itty-bitty catch.

Ladybug: Of course there's a catch...

Chat looks away, rubbing his arm.

Chat Noir: If I share this with you...?  My identity would make it dangerously easy to figure out who he is.  And a part of me was kinda hoping that I could show you who I am tonight.

Ladybug’s eyes widen in astonishment.

Ladybug: You wanted to share identities?

Chat Noir: Just mine.  I know his identity, so I shouldn't risk learning yours too anytime soon.

Chat leans down to touch Ladybug’s shoulder and holds up his fist encouragingly.

Chat Noir: But if you want to be absolutely certain of Catwalker's loyalties?  To understand the person who is hiding behind the mask?  I'd need to keep my identity from you a little while longer.

Chat Noir raises both hands to offer two options.  Above his right hand is the image of Catwalker.  Above his left is the image of Adrien Agreste.

Chat Noir: But it’s your choice, Ladybug: Learn the underlying truth about your new partner?  Or learn the civilian identity of your old partner?

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

[xhanisai]

AU where Marinette is an extended Art and Design teacher and Adrien is a science and maths teacher and they teach at a secondary school and they also are Ladybug and Chat Noir

- Marinette is 23 and Adrien is 24. They’re new teachers at this school but they meet after meeting each other as Ladynoir (so around the same time period).

- They got their miraculous around the same time at that age but decide to not hide their identities from each other because FUCK THAT! They need each other’s support! They become happily surprised finding out that they know each other sort of.

- They fall madly in love with each other but are absolute chicken shit about properly confessing. Adrichat is dramatic, flirty and also shy and sweet. Maribug is also flirty and teasing but can also stumble over her words because of him when she least expects it. The longing and yearning they have for each other is so clear to an outsider but they’re idiots. Absolute idiots. Like little chicks stumbling around idiots.

- They’re silly, goofy, inexperienced af adults because I NEED more rep of that and their students are always making comments about them that will make one swoon like an old Victorian woman.

- Adrien always brings them coffee in the morning and always gives Marinette a kiss on the forehead. And if she’s currently teaching at class, he’ll wait till she’s settled on the chair and then come into class and kiss her head and give her coffee. He gives no shits if the students are giggling at them. Nothing will come in between him and giving his Lady some well deserved kisses :)

-Their classrooms are next door to each other. So, when students are behaving, they’re allowed to study in any of the two classrooms. 

- Everyone at first thought they’re married because of how sickeningly sweet and adorable they are with each other. Imagine their surprise and outrage when they realise that no, they’re not even dating (yet).

- Marinette also visits Adrien’s classroom often, making sure that he’s eaten on time and that he’s taken his breaks. A few times, he comes to school with a nasty fever and the students get a front row view of her babying him and scolding him lovingly.

- Whenever an akuma attacks, they both have to make excuses to leave (even if it is in the middle of teaching). This gets students and staff coming up with rumours about them much to the pair’s embarrassment.

- No one questions Adrien’s mini fridge full of cheese and Marinette’s drawer full of cookies and macarons.

- In the staff room, they’re always together and they help one another with coming up teaching stuff and all that jazz. 

- Often, these chats will be in nearby cafes and bistros (totally not a date).

- Adrien loves children and wants to try his best becoming a good role model for them whilst teaching them about things he loves. This is his dream job. Marinette enjoys her job too, especially when she’s teaching about Fashion. She also has an online store (this girl can do fucking anything you know what she’s like, nothing can stop her) and has designed many incredible things.

- Marinette often brings in treats from her parents’ bakery for her class and Adrien’s and she always makes sure to bring his favourites. One time, he was having a long, bad day and Marinette didn’t come in until mid-afternoon with a dozen of passionfruit macarons. Everyone witnessed him light up like a kitten and spin her around in a hug with a “Ma Princesse!!!!”

- Because of how affectionate and how sweet they are with one another, every Parisian believes that ladynoir are married. Both of them have simulateously decided to let the citizens believe that and even play along because it’s another layer that can hide their identities. Totally not a reason to get all touchy as they please and share many hugs and kisses on the cheeks and heads as they like.

- If a class makes Adrien upset, they get severely chewed out by Marinette and that absolutely shitscares the students so they try their best to never make him sad. And if a class makes Marinette upset or super stressed and frustrated, Adrien would substitute and teach said class but he would be quiet and professional so that the students know he’s pissed at them for making his Lady upset.

- Marinette often overworks herself and being Ladybug only makes it worse so the only way to ensure she takes better care of herself is for Adrien/Chat Noir to visit her home often and pester her. Sabine and Tom have already accepted him as their son-in-law.

- Adrinette’s students have a bet on when they think their teachers will get married. The parisians have a bet going on of when they expect a Ladynoir baby. 

“We can’t just fake a baby, Chaton! It’s too complicated!”

“-I didn’t say fake a baby-”

“And we absolutely are not borrowing someone else’s baby as a civilian and pretend it’s ours for the press! Even if we mask the baby’s identity!” 

“I see...wouldn’t it be interesting if we genuinely do marry for real and have a baby for real...?”

“Hehehheh...yeah...so interesting...hahahah...”

“Yeah...”

- Like I said, they’re idiots.

- Sometimes, especially during their breaks, the students find Adrien and Marinette asleep next to each other on the bench or on the chairs, her head leaning on his shoulder and his head leaning on hers.

[miabrown007]

post-Representation reveal for @ladyofthenoodle and @asukiess <3

Time stops when Chat Noir plummets from Marinette’s skylight. She stops in her tracks and stares at him, eyes blown wide behind the polka-dotted mask that sits snug over the mascara streaks on her face. Her heart skips to her throat, because she doesn’t understand. She doesn’t understand what Chat Noir is doing at Marinette’s right now, in this break of dawn, when she was just about to head out to purify the Akuma he and Alya captured. He has even left her a voicemail to cheer her up—he always had an innate talent to know when she needed some cheering up—and he sounded so calm and collected then— Face buried in her mattress, he sniffles now. And Marinette knows that her identity is at stake here, that she’s incapable of explaining away Ladybug’s puffy eyes staring at him from the end of Marinette’s bed, but Chat Noir’s crying. He came to her because something so devastating happened to him that he’s crying.  If there’s one thing Marinette knows, it’s that they have sacrificed enough. She gave up love and gave up her friends for the mighty cause, and in the end, it was her friends and their love that saved the world.  She won’t give up her partner. Never again.

She reaches out, stroking her fingers through his hair gently. “Marinette, I need to tell you that—” he starts, then looks up and his eyes go wide. She smiles down at him. “It’s okay, Chaton. I’m here for you.” His bottom lip trembles, and several beats pass until he finds the voice to whisper, “I love you, Marinette. I’ll never let anyone separate us.” And maybe that should feel like a surprise. Maybe his arms around her and his lips on hers should wreck her world. Maybe, once, they would have.  Now, they feel like a small sound of ‘oh’ at the back of her mind.  Of course, it’s him.  Of course, he’s hers.  Of course, it’s them until the end of the world. She cups his face and smooths the messy hair out of his eyes, kissing away the tears spilling over his black mask. “I love you, too, Adrien. I’ll never let anyone hurt you ever again.” And if he cries harder and buries his face in the crook of her neck, that’s alright too. She hugs him, rubbing his back and peppering kisses all over his face—his nose, his forehead, his crown and his little cat ears—and holds him until he needs her to. She would be his Atlas and hold him until the end of the world, but slowly, his breathing calms and Adrien draws away, wiping at his eye with the palm of his hand. “I need to— I’ll need to go back,” he stutters over a swallow. Marinette shakes her head firmly and holds him tighter. “You are not going back.” His face softens. “My lady,” he begs, and she thinks her heart might give in from the way he says her name alone. “You know I have to before he discovers I’m missing, otherwise—” She cuts him off with a kiss before he gets to finish that train of thought. It’s an option she isn’t willing to entertain. “Your cousin owes me big time. You are not going back. Never ever,” she confirms.  If the surprised fervour and gratitude he dives back in for a kiss with is of any indication, he believes her. Marinette isn’t delusional enough to think Félix would do her a solid as an apology for his theater kid nonsense, but she suspects a chance to be closer to Kagami in place of Adrien will do it. She laces her fingers with Adrien’s, as if gluing them together, but he doesn’t seem to mind. She smiles against his lips with confidence only his support can grant her. “Okay, Chaton. Here’s the plan.”

[gale-gentlepenguin]

ML What if:

(What if Emilie, was Betterfly/Hesperia in the Paris special?)

-The theme song at the start would be different, with it speaking from Emilie’s perspective. Allowing the viewer to hear Emilie outside of memories and videos for the first time.

-Aside from that, the begining events are the same, except with Emilie/Betterfly

-Betterfly ends up in Ladybug’s dimension, but instead of being freaked out that it might be monarch, Marinette is simply more confused on who this mysterious holder is.

-Betterfly takes Marinette and goes. Saying that she is safe and she will go handle Shadybug and Claw noir.

-Ladybug of course joins in, after learning about the multiverse from Tikki. (Somewhat)

-Chat noir arrives and is confused on who this butterfly woman is, but feels that something familiar about her.

-chat noir gets Kamikotized and becomes Celestecat. They fly off and escape.

-Now we start to have Ladybug and chat noir think that Shadybug and Claw noir are similar to them (their alt versions) but aren’t sure since this butterfly user is different.

-Betterfly tells them about the supreme, and how her husband took two of the miraculous from the supreme… but instead of her death, Gabriel died protecting her.

-Chat noir hears the name, and feels a twinge… Gabriel?

-Ladybug doesn’t think much about the name, but Chat noir does. But realizes now is not the time for that.

-Shadybug and Claw noir still do what they’re doing before, even finding out about the wish. They meet and make a deal with Monarch.

-the heroes moved to London so that Monarch couldn’t spy on them to make a plan.

-Unlike in canon where Betterfly goes out of view, this Betterfly doesn’t see the need to hide her identity. As she detransforms, Chat noir freezes. Ladybug does believe the woman looks kind of Familar.

-Emilie assures them that they will have time for pleasantries later. And they go forward with the plan. Chat noir does ask that they talk when the matter is settled.

-the plan ends up going the exact same way as it does in canon.

-With the heroes split off fighting their alternate counterparts, but while Ladybug’s is being handled the same. Chat noir is slightly different.

-With Chat noir saying that he lost his mother, not his father… which causes claw noir to stumble. Chat noir tells him that he understands the pain of losing a parent, how distant they can be, but that they aren’t alone. They can be happy once again.

-“Your mother does love you, she may seem distant, but she is also hurting too. Reach out to her, I promise she understands your pain.”

-this helped stop claw noir. Ending with his redemption.

-Shadybug and claw noir eventually go and change to Ladybug and Paw noir.

-Monarch tries to pull the multiverse bs But Ladybuquity kicks his butt in every universe he visits.

-Paw noir and Ladybug head back to their own dimensions,

-before Betterfly leaves, chat noir hugs her.

-“I know you aren’t my dimensions mom… but I really miss you.”

-Emilie felt her heart ache at that. She understood. Hugging the boy back.

-“I love you in every dimension. Always remember that.” She says softly.

-Chat noir smiles as tears roll down his eyes. Betterfly leaves.

-Ladybug asks what he told Betterfly.

-“I’ll tell you one day.”

[princess-of-the-corner]

Random fic snip:

“Why were you locking yourself away in your room for a week? You didn't deserve it.” Adrien matches her energy. They have been around each other for hours every day for weeks. He understands what needs to be said.

“Why are you running away from all your problems? Hiding in my company won't solve them!” Chloe screams back, pulling off the cucumbers over her eyes to look at Adrien.

“It's because I'm scared to lose anyone. Like I lost my mom and dad!” Adrien screams back. “That's why I'm always visiting you. If I keep an eye on you. I can't lose you too.” Adrien lets her in. Chloe takes a moment to register what he said, the honesty in the words.

“It's because I deserve this punishment. I am a defective product, that's why I break everything I touch. I bring trouble everywhere I go.” Chloe is equally as honest back to him. “You know you're not responsible for what happened to your dad? Chat Noir or not you were just a kid. Hawkmoth was a bad manipulative man, who took advantage of children and people alike.” Chloe repeats some of the rhetoric her therapist tells her.

“You’re not defective, Chloe. You didn't break me. You have always brought more to my life.” Adrien says, holding her hand.

“Now, I know you're just saying that.” Chloe rolls her eyes.

“No, it's true. You were my first friend. You are the reason I got to go to school. And that's how I met everyone, that's how it became Cat Noir. All because you annoyed your father into convincing my dad.” Adrien pulls Chloe into a hug. “Thank you. I would have truly been lonely without you. I only wish I could have given you what you gave me.”

GOD let them be friends and also get therapy

[cardiac-agreste]

normally i write people in pain, but i really wanted to get in on the loveybug action

I doff my hat to @blur0se, @asukiess, and @pisoprano for giving us this precious jewel, and then I'll return to making Sabine Cheng cry.

---

He’d told his new partner that the Arc de Triomphe would be an excellent regular meeting place for them to talk and recuperate. It had a broad, flat top for laying down. It was centrally located. It was also a tall landmark, which gave them the security of high ground. He’d presented his case, but given how much Ladybug had enjoyed the Iron Lady and Notre Dame, he underestimated how easy it would be to convince her replacement.

She had been effusive in her praise.

“A brilliant idea, Catwalker! It’s so energetic!” She flitted around the perimeter, drinking in the views from every corner as he stood behind, marveling at her passion.

“Shhh, listen to the cars.” She closed her eyes and swayed. Then she popped like a firework. “I love this city!!” she said as she threw her fist in the air in celebration.

When he landed atop their spot after a rough day with his father, he was bursting with joy. He got to see her again! And she wanted to see him, too! He rarely had people—

“My lord, you’re already here!”

Catwalker spun on his heel. She’d snuck up on him again! His eyes rolled up from the ground to her face, and his breath hitched. She, a being of pure light. She, zipping through space without a sound. She, illuminating everything in her path. A figure of tulle, of chiffon, of organza.

She skipped toward him and threw her arms wide for a hug. She leapt at him with a broad grin on her face. “I missed you!” she screamed right into his chest as he teetered back, whether from the force of her body or her joy. Her muffled voice vibrated as she nuzzled against him. He remembered a song he’d spent a summer playing on repeat, fantasizing about exactly this kind of girl. Careening through the universe, your axis on a tilt.

She danced back out of his reach and twirled on her heel, leaving a wisp of nutmeg and cloves behind. A hint of allspice. He could be all spice; could she? Settle down.

She took a deep breath and screamed to match the honking horns of evening traffic. “I feel alive!”

Loveybug, Loveybug, Loveybug.

When he’d met Ladybug, all knots and tangles and grit, he thought he understood what Keats meant by a steadfast, bright star. He thought she was his future. He thought many things. But she rejected him, and then she rejected him, and then she disappeared. Then so did he.

He’d met Loveybug as Chat Noir. She seemed happy to be around him, but starstruck, too. It was time for Chat Noir to fade away and pass on the mantle. Catwalker would mourn Chat Noir (and possibly Paris would!), but he needed a reset. He owed it to her, who entranced him effortlessly and shared her heart with him.

So here they were, beneath a night sky full of her blue eyes on a curtain of her black tresses. He spread his dreams beneath her feet and she came to him, treading softly. She lay her cheek against his chest. He rested his chin atop her head. And together they hummed a lullabye to old partners, and together they murmured a sonnet to new ones, and together they were together.

[literaphobe]

sorry i was feeling things lol um: ladynoir drabble post s5

those first few patrols sail smoother than the big shiny statue of his newly dead father.

ladybug doesn't know that chat noir's father is dead. or, to be more accurate, she knows who he is, but doesn't know chat noir has to mourn him.

or not. wasn't it such a celebration? that his father died and took monarch with him? and everyone clapped and sang praises, but not a single tear was shed?

he doesn't blame any of them. he didn't shed a tear either.

well, not at first.

at every patrol, many new things came to pass. every kwami has a permanent holder now. this doesn't bother him the way it would have torn him to shreds months ago. it all happens too fast for him to feel it happening anyway.

until her ever so present smile cracks, shattering apart, and the facade falls.

ladybug collapses into his chest one lucky day of patrol, one of those where they find someplace quiet, someplace empty. somewhere to stare at the sky.

he can only thank the stars; no one else tagged along.

today, the sky looks pale. they match her cheeks, not in color, but in feeling. empty. all of it's very empty.

he lets her sob. he can barely feel his bones, and he fears her wailing will torture him for weeks to come. she doesn't stop for a moment, not to breathe, not to explain. she's just in pain, and she can't hold it together anymore, has lost her footing, and the only thing she can do is cling onto him, like he's the only thing that matters. like he's the only one who can fix it.

chat noir hasn't fixed much in life. he's far better acquainted with the breaking and ruining of everything. perhaps this power was match-made for him, his soul.

and as long as it lasts, it suddenly stops. everything comes to a halt, and she's looking at him again.

she's devastating, and perhaps a bit too beautiful for her own good, and he's a little too used to finding her beautiful. even if its so wrong to think it right now, he does.

"i needed you there," is the only thing she says, and she's spoken so little of that day, and this gives no more details than before, but... he understands.

he knows. without knowing anything at the same time. and it all builds and builds and builds in him, until his eyes match her own, so blurry and painful. his heart swells and swells until he wants to die, matching corpses with the father he can no longer resent, because there isn't a torso to punch, a face to yell at, arms to dive into. he can't hate him for leaving because he isn't here to hate.

so he cries too. because it's appropriate now. because she's in agony, and he wants to join her. because she hugs him back, holds him close, lets his brewing storm rage and rumble.

there are things she can't tell him. there are things he can't tell her. they both know better by now not to ask or second-guess.

and in the face of all these questions that might go unanswered for a long time, they settle. because today, this is enough.

it has to be.

[lemonjamdraws]

LILANETTE WEEK DAY 7 - FREE SPACE

AKA bonus uncertain sincerity chapter in the same year? no way!

Marinette isn’t imagining it, because even Alya takes notice of Adrien’s newfound frostiness towards her. But he doesn’t take any steps to talk to her or explain anything at all, only pointedly avoids her.

Frustration and anxiety roil inside her like a stormy ocean as she follows Lila’s lead throughout the day, wearing something akin to her Ladybug persona to keep up cheerful appearances. She doesn’t even pull away the next time Lila takes her hand or brushes her shoulder, feeling so twisted inside over the lies, the whole Chat Noir and Noire thing, and Adrien’s strange new hatred, that she just goes along with it all. 

It’s the path of least resistance, in a world that seems to be turning upside down all around her for no reason at all. She hopes it’s mild enough to avoid catching Hawkmoth’s attention.

“Hey girls,” Alya says after the final bell rings, “hang out at my place?”

“That sounds fun,” Lila says with a smile, “but I think Marinette is feeling a little down after the akumatization and… well…” 

“Adrien, yea,” Alya sighs with sympathy. “I don’t know what’s up with him.”

“I have to help my parents out at the bakery,” Marinette says quickly. “Can’t hang out. Sorry. Maybe tomorrow.” She wants nothing more than to get in bed and then be unconscious for the next twenty years.

“I’ll walk her home,” Lila offers, “I see Nino’s waiting for you, Alya.”

“Oh, shoot, I forgot we had a date! Sorry y’all, and thanks, Lila. Cheer up, Marinette, I’m sure you’ll get to the bottom of this and make everything right.” Alya wraps her arms around Marinette in a quick hug, but it doesn’t feel like much in the wake of Alya’s disbelief in Marinette’s words over the last few days.

“See you tomorrow!” Lila calls out brightly. Marinette keeps her eyes to the ground. “Lift your damn chin, girl. If Adrien’s going to treat you like that, then you should act as if it doesn’t bother you.”

“But it does bother me,” Marinette says mulishly, feeling so pathetic. Without even a goodbye, Chat Noir surrendered his miraculous like it was nothing and is now gone forever. And Adrien, too, wordlessly seems intent to never speak with her again. Unrequited feelings aside, she really did view them both as trusted friends, more than most of her classmates.

Hell, the next time she has the opportunity, she needs to talk to Fu. If Chat Noir is retired for good, Fu at least should know his civilian identity and can maybe clear everything up.

“Christ,” Lila swears, grabbing her hand to pull her along. “You should never waste emotions on stupid boys who won’t give you the time of day.”

“He’s not stupid…” 

“Just come on.” With vigor, strength, and a potent eye roll, Lila pulls her down the street. They’re halfway to the bakery by the time Marinette remembers Lila’s holding her hand, and it feels… warm .

No one else is around them now. Their classmates are far away. What does Lila have to gain from this ? Besides pretending friends for appearances, what does she stand to gain?

She might know you’re Ladybug .

How would she even know that?

Marinette should pull her hand away, but she can’t find it in herself to actually do it. She agreed to be Lila’s friend, didn't she?

“Here you are,” Lila says, her hand falling away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Adrien hates her, Alya’s with her boyfriend. Marinette should speak with Tikki but at the moment she doesn’t want to be alone otherwise.

“You can come in if you want, since I guess we’re friends now,” Marinette sighs, pushing the door open. Lila binks in surprise but follows after.

“While you help in the bakery?” Lila asks pointedly.

Marinette doesn’t reply. They both know it was an excuse to dodge hanging out with Alya. As expected, Tom and Sabine are all over her with overbearing concern, and then perfectly charmed by a smiling Lila. Sabine somehow convinces Lila to hang out for a bit and promises to bring snacks up to Marinette’s room with perfect hospitality, so the two girls find themselves together there.

“Very cute decor,” Lila observes as Marinette lies on the floor face down. “I swear to god, Marinette. Don’t cry .”

“I’m not,” she mutters, “wouldn’t want to attract another akuma.” Marinette is activating the emotional repression technique, an ancient technique used by girls worldwide.

“Come on, girl. Your pores are going to get full of floor gunk. I need you to look your best.”

For some reason that works and Marinette drags herself up to a sitting position. Transactional or not, the “friendship” with Lila seems to be keeping her steady in the wake of her closest friends seemingly ditching her.

“I can’t believe you actually got akumatized because of me,” she mutters as Lila walks about the room, picking up random things to look at.

“I’m on my period,” Lila returns without missing a beat, “my emotions are volatile, so it was hard when the girl I admired so much seemed to dislike me.” Marinette’s eyes follow Lila’s steps. She flips through a loose sketchbook on the table, which, in normal circumstances, would prompt Marinette to leap over and tear it away. But these are not normal circumstances, and she feels strangely defeated and resigned to just letting Lila do whatever.

Her thoughts are still occupied with trying to figure out why Adrien hates her all of a sudden.

“How can I believe anything you say?” Marinette shakes her head though the explanation seems sound. “I can never tell when you’re acting.”

“You think I’d fake a period?”

“Uh, yea.”

“Fair. Well, let me put it this way. I like attention. I want to be the girl everyone loves. This much has to be obvious.”

“Yea, very obvious.”

“You are a girl with many talents and beloved by many, right?”

“Ehh…” Marinette is unconvinced. Lila rolls her eyes.

“You are, Marinette. I can list off all your titles and accomplishments, but I’ve already done that before. So, like I’ve said, you are perfect for what I need. Two beautiful and confident girls like us, we’ll be the star of the show everywhere we go.” Lila holds up the open sketchbook, on a page of two dress designs side by side. “Let me spin my stories and have a little fun.”

“Um.” Marinette is still uncertain, and can hardly take the praise as genuine. “Chloe isn’t going to like that.”

“You still care what she thinks? Please . She’s nothing. If you’re with me, I’ll always have your back, as long as you have mine.” Lila extends a hand down confidently, determination radiating off of her. “I’ll keep my stories within reason, and you won’t have to worry about anyone getting hurt. Unless of course, it’s Chloe. You know how it is.”

Strangely, it’s reminiscent of that new black cat holder she met with just the other day, the one who claimed to have freed Lila from akumatization. Despite it all, Lila is no longer pursuing Adrien, and Marinette won’t say no to some capable female friends. She looks up at the hand, Lila’s fingers and wrists adorned tastefully in rings and bracelets, and up at her face, to see a cool smile.

Adrien would never agree to telling Chloe off, even when Chloe so blatantly hurt Marinette and so many others, so to hear Lila so easily diss the girl is refreshing. Maybe she really will have a good ally with Lila. She reaches out and takes the hand. Lila’s grin deepens, and she pulls Marinette up to standing. Maybe this is for the best.

***

Just above Marinette’s room, on the rooftop balcony, Tikki and Plagg stare at each other.

“ Lila got the miraculous?” Tikki exclaims. “ How ?”

“What a pickle,” Plagg says with a shrug. “Gosh. Let me try to remember. It’s a little blurry. That crazy girl was the akuma, of course. Except we thought it was Marinette? She fooled Adrien real good, that naive guy. She gave him a peck on the cheek and he dropped out cold! It hit me too, I was blacked out for some time. Good nap, though.”

“Plagg!”

“Right, so when I woke up, I was really confused, because then she was Chat Noir? Adrien was nowhere to be seen. Uh, let’s see. Then the new Chat Noir put the ring on. He was acting confused and said his memories were fuzzy after getting hit by the akuma, so I reminded him how to transform and stuff since he seemed to have forgotten, even though he was already transformed? Yea, weird, right?”

Good gods , Tikki thinks. What the hell . Plagg, you idiot .

“The craziest thing is that then he just used the Cataclysm on a different ring he was wearing and I realized it was her the whole time! She de-akumatized herself! That’s practically unheard of!”

Tikki’s jaw drops.

“Lila de-akumatized herself?” She repeats.

“I don’t know, she said that after recognizing Adrien or something, she came to her senses. But yea. She used me, freed herself, and then kept tabs on the akuma while waiting for Ladybug to show up and purify it. I can’t really explain it.”

Tikki and Plagg phase through the roof to look into Marinette’s room. Strangely, Lila seems to be giving Marinette a pep talk that seems to be working . She seems to be being good , and even performed Chat Noir’s job when she was literally the akuma.

“That’s not what Lila said at all,” Tikki says pensively. “She told Ladybug that Adrien gave up the miraculous voluntarily.”

“She did?”

“Plagg, you were there .”

“Right. Well, she does have a penchant for telling her little lies.”

Tikki lifts her arm to her chin as she thinks.

“The only benefits to saying Adrien gave up his miraculous voluntarily, is that Ladybug will be less likely to try and return the miraculous to him,” she says. “I’m guessing she wanted to reduce the chance of Ladybug trying to take the ring back.” Does she have any other motive to keeping the ring?

“Plus, maybe she was trying to spare Chat Noir the embarrassment of being defeated so easily? I’m sure Adrien wouldn’t want Ladybug to ever know how the akuma managed to get him so quickly. It was kind of uh… well, it was embarrassing, to be honest.”

“Maybe. Either way, we should get you back to Adrien,” Tikki says after they pop back on the roof. “Lila’s not supposed to be the holder. She wasn’t chosen; Adrien was .”

“Well, yea, but your holder agreed to let Lila go for a test run, and both Hawkmoth and Lila know his identity now! That’s no good.”

“Shit,” Tikki swears, “you’re right.”

“I’m just hoping Master Fu will have answers,” Plagg says with a shrug. “If I can convince her to actually go there. She seemed interested. Plus Hawkmoth must know it’s her.”

“Something doesn’t feel right about her,” Tikki says, frowning, “we can’t let her just steal a miraculous and use it. I mean, you’ve seen it. She’s been super weird with Marinette.”

“Well, she was akumatized at first,” Plagg reasons. “Maybe after she got ahold of herself, she felt she needed to take responsibility, especially after revealing Adrien to Hawkmoth. As for sucking up to Marinette, well, who really knows what’s going on in a teenage girl’s mind? Maybe she’s in love , ew. Not two lovesick buffoons, gods help me.”

“Hmm,” Tikki says, but she’s still worried. At the same time, when Adrien is leaving her behind and Alya dedicating most of her time to her newfound relationship with Nino, Lila is providing support that Marinette desperately needs. “Wait. You said you and Adrien thought the akuma was Marinette. Oh no .”

“Ack!” Plagg squeaks. “He must think she stole the ring.”

Tikki slaps her forehead. That’s why Adrien was giving Marinette the cold shoulder. How has Hawkmoth not sniffed out his desperation yet?

“And we can’t let him know that it’s Lila, because then he’d know the identity of the new hero, and that’s no good because he’s so prone to akumatization, and, oh gods . Plagg, this is a disaster!”

“You’re telling me, sister!”

***

“You know how you can show Adrien that you’re thriving without him?” Lila says, carefully applying a coat of nail polish to Marinette’s ring finger. Marinette can hardly understand how this scenario came to be, after the whole Volpina thing, but somehow Lila is raising her mood, what with the commitment to an anti-Chloe concord and to having Marinette’s back.

“Yea?” Marinette says with a raised eyebrow. She’s not sure she wants to do anything before just talking to the boy first and figuring out what's up.

“Here’s my idea: you should move on . Everyone in the entire world knows about your crush, him included, I’m sure. So, find yourself someone else, steal their heart, and show it off the world. Post about it on your social media, walk hand-in-hand at school, look like you’re having the time of your life. That’s what I’d do, at least.” Lila starts on some simple nail art, dotting on some small white spots to the pink base color.

“I’m sure not everyone knows,” Marinette says, bright red, and Lila sends her an unamused look. “OK, fine. But… I don’t know if I want to move on.”

“We’ll see if his behavior improves,” Lila offers, “you can just think about it. But now that we’re going to be friends, I don’t let creeps get away with disrespecting my people. If he keeps this up then I might have to even the playing field.” 

Marinette never expected such a strong pledge of support from Lila of all people, but following the logical benefits that she is seeking from their friendship, she guesses it only makes sense that Lila would want to make their alliance strong enough to last. And even if her heart still throbs at the thought of Adrien, having Lila come to her defense feels… nice .

“That’s pretty harsh,” Marinette comments, “but I guess I appreciate it. I’ll try to resolve this first, though. I don’t know what’s got him so upset. I must have done something really bad.”

As Lila’s fingers continue to work on Marinette’s hand, light glints off one particularly large ring amongst the several she wears. Smooth dark silver with a single large orange gem, it looks very beautiful and matches with Lila’s general color palette.

“A girl as goody-two-shoes as you, I can’t imagine you doing anything that bad,” Lila says with a shrug. She briefly looks away.

“Haha. Anyway, it’s not like I can just pick someone new. I’d never want to date them under false pretenses. I don’t like playing with people’s feelings.” And after the Kim fiasco, too, Marinette isn’t sure she wants to entertain the possibilities of something similar happening again.

Her eyes drift up from the warm hands on hers. The cuff of a stylish jacket, the bow of a cute romper, the chains of fashionable necklaces and the face of probably the most fearless girl she’s ever known, despite her penchant for lies. Framed by those two iconic locks on either side, Lila’s green eyes are focused on the task at hand.

They’re pretty when she’s not spinning her web of lies, Marinette thinks. She blinks in surprise when those very eyes flick up to match her gaze.

“What about me?” Lila asks, and Marinette stares.

“What?”

“Well, I perhaps forcefully threatened you into my friendship,” Lila muses, “since I always get what I want. But, if you want, we can pretend to date so you can show you’ve moved on from Adrien. It’d only be fair. Though… I’d date you for real regardless.”

“No way,” Marinette says quickly with a laugh, “that’s crazy!” But Lila’s expression is serious, with maybe a hint of red, and her breath catches in her throat. She’s not ready to move on, and she might never move on. And that over-the-top flirting, it can hardly be genuine. Lila said that kind of stuff to Adrien and plenty others, she’s sure.

“It’s just an option,” Lila says in a flatter tone, dropping her gaze to continue her work. “I’m sure it would benefit our mutual popularity quite a lot. In my experience, couples always get more attention than individuals. And you’d do quite well, since you’re so cute.” Right, Marinette remembers. It’s just a strategy for Lila’s goals, not an extension of feelings, not that Marinette could ever trust everything Lila actually says. She’s sure all the compliments are just to fortify the alliance and nothing else.

“Marinette!” Her mom’s voice calls from below. “A classmate’s here to see you!”

“I wasn’t expecting anyone,” Marinette says after a pause, and glad for the distraction from the topic at hand. Discussing strategies to manipulate her social standing as if it's a battlefield is very weird for her, though it seems to be Lila’s default activity. “I’ll be down in a minute, Mom!”

“Well, I’ve finished your nails. Give them time to dry and it’ll be all good. I’ll head out for now so I don’t impose on whoever’s visiting.” Lila stands and puts away the supplies. “But seriously, think about it. We’d make quite the impression, I bet, and Chloe would be so hilariously mad.”

Marinette lets out a large breath as she gets up as well, shaking her head in amusement at the thought of the Bourgeois. But jeez, never has a normal girl with a normal life had so much crazy stuff to think about before. She needs a conspiracy board just to map it all out at this point.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen,” she says, “but I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I’m asking for.” Lila pulls up the trapdoor and gestures for Marinette to go first, reminding her to watch out for the wet nails. Down the stairs, and some more stairs.

“Sorry for the wait,” Marinette’s saying as she steps through the door, “I was just-”

Her voice cuts short as Lila almost stumbles into her back, her feet freezing on the spot. Because before her is none other than Adrien Agreste, a tight expression on his face.

“Speak of the devil,” Lila says contemptuously, a hand supportively on Marinette’s elbow. Somehow that breaks Marinette out of her stupor.

“Marinette,” Adrien says quietly, “we need to talk.”

[flightfoot]

Hi, I'd be interested in some fanfictions that center around Nino (all ships welcome, bonus points if it's the core four hanging out).

Most fics that have him tagged don't focus on him. If you have any recs lmk, feel free to take as long as you need! Have a nice day

I'm on it! So long as you're fine with ships that also revolve around couples anyway, otherwise this would be rather sparse. I'm gonna go ahead and limit it to completed fics. Oh, and if you wonder why some of these have commentary and some don't, it's because the ones with commentary are from previous reclists I made.

(Edit: I'd said that I'd only include complete fics, but I accidentally included Withered Wings anyway, because I kinda forgot that. It's pretty close to finished at any rate, and it's good and long so I'm keeping it.)

Within Your Heart by Inkyibis

It’s Valentine’s Day and Ladybug just wants to her superhero partner to find his love. And what she wants, the Lucky Charm will create. If only she could remember what it is she did last night.

Adrino fic here! Marinette’s drunk and feeling awful that her superhero partner is alone on Valentine’s (she’s in a loving and committed relationship with Alya), so she creates a Lucky Charm to help Chat find love! In this universe, Ladybug’s Lucky Charms have the power to create new rules for the universe to follow, such as making one that demands that if you have any magic in you, you have to tell the truth or else you’ll freeze. Or in Adrien’s case, that he has to wake up in the arms of his true love every day XD. It’s very sweet and I love both Adrien’s and Nino’s relationship, and the relationship between the rest of the Miracuteam members as well, even though that’s not the focus.

---

I’ll give myself a name (something stupid and pretentious) by @bbutterflies

Nino looked at the number and didn’t recognize it. Usually he wouldn’t answer, but he had nothing better to do – and could still really use a distraction – so he did. “Hello?”

“Hey, Nino.”

Nino stood up quickly, chest tightening. He knew that voice. He’d been waiting to hear it again for over two years. “Adrien?” he whispered.

“Yeah. It’s me."

-

When Monarch is defeated (and revealed to be Gabriel Agreste), Chat Noir immediately goes missing. Adrien disappears not long after. When Adrien finally shows up in Paris again, Nino would do anything to make sure he doesn't disappear again.

Ah this is lovely, Adrien’s been in a lot of emotional turmoil since Monarch’s defeat, convinced that everyone would hate him, SHOULD hate him, for not realizing that his father was the villain, and should hate him even more for disappearing like he does. But slowly Marinette and Nino get through to him, convince him that they just want him back. 

And also Adrien and Nino smooch. Multiple times. So that’s a bonus XD.

---

Would Trust You With Everything by @kasienda

Nino breaks off, tears streaking down his face. Adrien wishes he was here as himself instead of Chat so he could offer a hug.

“It’s not like I don’t think she deserved her privacy. It’s just it felt like I was her last priority. And if I knew why, then maybe we could overcome it. But when I don’t, I’m not willing to be her last thought. You know? I always put her first.”

“Yeah,” Chat agrees, able to relate too well. He always put Ladybug first too, and he’s not sure it has ever been the same for her. “I’m sorry you’ve been so alone through this."

“I haven’t been totally alone,” Nino disagrees, holding up his phone. “My best friend has been keeping me company virtually most of the day.”

“Yeah? It helped?”

“I don’t know if any of the stuff he sent helped, but like, given what I know he’s up to, he totally had to move heaven and earth to talk to me so much, and that really helped. You know, just knowing that someone was thinking of me.”

“I’m glad,” Chat Noir said. “I wish he could be there in person for you.”

Nino sighs. “Yeah, me too, but at least you’re here."

...

Season 4 au - canon divergent from Rocketear Rocketear led to DJWiFi breakup.

Ahh, Adrino my beloved XD. I love the identity shenanigans in this one with Adrien being around Nino as both Adrien and Chat Noir, and both of them vaguely describing their situations to each other. It takes Adrien a bit to figure out that he has a crush on Nino, but once he does...

---

The moment I knew (I’d no choice but to love you) by @bbutterflies

“He’s dating me,” Nino said, taking Adrien’s hand in his own.

Adrien could only stare back at him in shock.

“How dare you all force him to come out?” Nino continued, glaring at the reporters. “That was disgusting.” He pulled Adrien over to the car, guided him in, and shut the door behind them.

In the relative quiet and privacy of the backseat, Adrien finally processed what had just happened. “So… when were you going to tell me we were dating?”

This Adrino fic is delicious XD. Reporters keep hounding Adrien about his love life, so Nino finally gets them off Adrien’s back by fake-dating him. Problem is, Adrien’s actually been madly in love with Nino for years but has never been able to tell him. And now as they’re spending more time together, Nino’s beginning to find that he’s enjoying all these “couple” activities more than maybe he ought to if it’s entirely platonic...

If you want to see Adrien and Nino PINING for each other while “fake” dating (is it really fake if both parties want it to be real?) then you’ve come to the right fic!

---

Chemistry With Him by @bbutterflies

It kind of sucked Nino was taking chemistry, but classes had filled up fast and he needed to take something and his advisor had said the credits would, somehow, count towards his major. It really sucked he was taking it first thing on a Monday morning (and Wednesdays, and Fridays, unfortunately). But he could get through it. He knew he could.

So no more boys. No distractions. He could do this all on his own.

“Is anyone sitting here?”

Nino looked up to find the source of the voice. A blond, green-eyed, absolutely beautiful someone.

Okay. Maybe one distraction.

Ah, adorable Adrino. This is a universe where Adrien never went to public school, so while Chat Noir, Ladybug, Carapace, and Rena Rouge all know each other (and Marinette, Alya, and Nino all know each other’s identities) they’re unaware that they are all already friends with Adrien. I loved seeing Chat and Carapace excitedly tell each other about their awesome crush/boyfriend, not knowing they were talking about each other XD.

---

Strangely Familiar by @sunfoxfic

Alya Césaire’s life is perfect. Indeed, between the success of the Ladyblog, how well she’s doing in school, and the fact that she’s a superhero who has never bore the weight of a crisis of epic proportions, her life almost couldn’t be better. Almost.

But Alya has always been a go-getter, and so she’ll chase after that perfect life if it kills her. Which is how she ends up rushing to move out of her father’s apartment and in with Marinette, Adrien, and a complete stranger: Nino Lahiffe. And in fact, her life does seem perfect — she and Nino are fast friends. They spend a lot of time together and get to know each other really well.

But in the end, fortunate situations will bear unfortunate truths, and she learns things about herself that aren’t quite comfortable. Like I said, though: Alya has always been a go-getter, and she won’t let new feelings deter her from chasing after her perfect life.

This is the single longest DJWifi-centric fic on AO3 (which is a travesty) and it is GLORIOUS. Alya and Nino are both well fleshed-out here, with their own problems and baggage they’re dealing with, but it’s easier together.

---

Shelltering Others by @rosie-b:

When Ladybug wakes Nino up in the middle of the night to scold him for revealing his identity, he thinks his career as a Miraculous holder is over. But instead, Ladybug gives him the opportunity to prove himself by becoming Chat Noir’s confidant and learning his secret identity through a scavenger hunt of sorts. Will Nino pass Ladybug and Chat Noir’s test, or will he fail to put the pieces together in time?

Quick disclaimer here: the first chapter looks kinda salty towards Nino, with Ladybug laying into him for revealing his and Alya’s secret identities to Adrien and Marinette. She’s mostly just trying to scare him into taking them seriously, though, since she herself has just proposed that Nino become Chat’s secret-keeper, and he can’t afford to be lackadaisical with that identity. I highly recommend getting through at least chapter 2 of the fic when giving it a shot, because this had some great character development and introspection for Nino, on Chat Noir, Adrien, Ladybug, and himself. 

---

run boy run by tinuviel_tinuviel

Nino was sprawled on the floor of his room with Alya when his phone chimed, in the quiet of a premature autumnal sunset. It was one of those lazy evenings that had become rare lately. Contrary to popular belief, he and Alya could get studying done when in the same room, and he was elbows-deep in late assignments, which meant his phone was on Do Not Disturb, which meant the notification could only have come from one person.

ADRIEN 🐈: cmoe ove rnow ADRIEN 🐈: like riggt now ADRIEN 🐈: plag NINO: that is literally incomprehensible NINO: wait is that you plagg ADRIEN 🐈: mov faster

So this is a “Adrien finds out that his father is Hawkmoth and consults with Nino about what to do” fic, with Nino throwing Hawkmoth off Adrien’s track, though inadvertently at his own expense. Love Nino’s perspective here, and I always enjoy a good Hawkmoth-takedown fic!

---

Best Friend and Boyfriends by @kasienda

“Someone’s in a good mood,” Nino commented when Adrien slid into the seat next to him in the student lounge during the mutual gap they both had between their university classes. Adrien turned his grin towards his best friend. “Yeah,” he agreed. Nino grinned back. “I haven’t seen you in this good of a mood in months. Were you hanging with your mystery lady?” The question caught Adrien completely off guard. Was Nino seriously comparing his feelings for Carapace with his feelings for Ladybug? Sure, Carapace had become one of his favorite people. Adrien currently coveted every moment spent in Carapace’s company. He walked away from talking to him for hours feeling like he was floating on a cloud. And he was anticipating their next patrol like a giddy child waiting for Christmas morning. Holy shit! “You okay, dude?” Nino asked. He totally had feelings for Carapace. When had that even happened?

---

Withered Wings by @11jj11

Nino wasn’t sure if anyone had ever willingly took the akuma butterfly before him, but with his mind completely open to this apparent son of Hawk Moth he knew that he couldn’t turn him away. Not someone that was so afraid, not someone who would be left at the mercy of Hawk Moth.

---

5 times Adrien, the person, helps Nino aka Chat Noir and one time Adrien, the turtle themed hero (still not the fragrance) does it by DearLittleRobin

Adrien is a cool guy that needs more friends Nino is a good friend (and he's also Chat Noir)

---

Turtle-y Awesome by chattonne-rousse

Hugo Dupain-Cheng loves turtles, and by extension, he loves Carapace, his favorite superhero of them all. He doesn't know yet that his idol is also his Uncle Nino, and Nino hasn't yet seen the Carapace shrine that is Hugo's bedroom. But the little man is turning five and has just two wishes - a Carapace-themed party with friends and family, and the latest, greatest Carapace play set. This is a story of best friends, laughter, good kids and even better parents, and a whole lot of turtles.

---

I hope the worst isn't over by thescuttlebug

Falling is exactly like flying right up until you stop. Like, assuming the kind of flying you’re used to involves busted steering and useless panic, Nino guesses. “GO LIMP!” a voice shouts, and Nino catches a glimpse of black something-like-leather and the twin flashes of a golden bell and silver staff streaking through the air. “Are you kidding me, dude?!” he shrieks.

---

Foxy Lady by WizardlyMagik

In which Nino finds himself unexpectedly attracted to Rena Rouge, tries and fails to tell his friends and get some advice, and desperately attempts to hide it from his girlfriend. (Who in fact, is planning to use it to her advantage)

---

Won't Tell A Soul by @thelastpilot

Nino accidentally runs head long into the biggest most stressful secret he can imagine, but now that he knows the truth about Marinette he is determined to help her in any way he can.

[nullsleepy]

Infection 2.0

Chapter 1: Betrayal

Chapter 1(HERE), Chapter 2(TBA)

Summary:

Marinette has had enough. Enough of all their jeers, their bullying, their outright assault on her entire being. After piling up all her emotions, she can barely find it in her to breathe anymore. When Chat Noir gives up his ring for selfish reasons, she loses it. She and Plagg are going to bring a ruin to Paris, one infection at a time.

The cold breeze stung against the warmth of her flushed skin, her eyes unfocused as she gazed at the streets below. She leaned her bare forearms on the smooth marble of her balcony, shivering at how cool the material was. Marinette’s light pink nightgown pressed against her body, flapping as the wind got harsher. She did her best to ignore the chill of the outdoors, wanting to take a break from it all. As she continued to stare down at the streets, looking at nothing in particular, the memory of the other night began to taunt her.

“Chat…” Marinette whispered, her warm breath materializing from the freezing temperature. Her heart ached, her mind ached. How could he do that to her? After everything they had been through? Marinette couldn’t believe it, wouldn’t believe it. She denied it even as she stared down at the metal ring on her finger. The Chat Noir she knew would never do something like this, would never give up on her, on them.

“Think happy thoughts, Marinette, think happy thoughts,” she bit the inside of her mouth, trying to stay calm. She focused on the sounds of busy streets, of the people laughing down below. She thought of her own family, when they were playing games and baking. She thought of her friends and when they would plan surprise parties for each other. But then… then she started remembering how her life is currently. Of how her parents barely talked to each other or to her. Of how her friends had begun sticking gum to her seat and stealing her sketchbooks. Of how Lila Rossi tipped her entire life out of balance. Of how Chat Noir-

NO!

Marinette stood up from where she was leaning, clutching her head. Bad Marinette, bad! She had gotten too lost in her mind again, had taken off her rose tinted glasses for too long. She gripped her pigtails, strands of midnight blue hair sticking out of clenched hands. Marinette rushed forward into her room, slamming the glass door behind her closed. She drew the curtains, trying to hide in the dense darkness of her room.

“…Marinette” A low voice whispered next to her from where she sat in the middle of the room. She glanced over, noticing the glowing neon green eyes. The eyes of her chat, her kitty, her-

“Marinette, look at me.” Plagg stared at her, her chat nowhere to be seen. She saw the pity in those beautiful green eyes, saw the way they wavered as they looked at her.

“…Plagg…” Marinette’s voice was soft, like a scared little girl’s. “Why are you here? Where’s Chat Noir?”

“….” The pity in his eyes intensified. He flew up and onto her head, curling on top of it.

“Plagg? I asked you where Chat was! It’s dangerous if he doesn’t have his miraculous!” Marinette tried to look up at him, but it was impossible. He was on her head and wasn’t moving. “Don’t just ignore me, Plagg! Tell me where Chat Noir is!”

“…” No movement.

“Plagg! You have to go back to Adrien! He- no… I…” Marinette stopped, her eyes wide. She couldn’t know who he was, not unless- “NO! Chat wouldn’t do that to me! He wouldn’t!”

Marinette’s tears stained her flushed cheeks as she curled in on herself, shaking. “He wouldn’t! He wouldn’t! Chat Noir would never! He…”

Marinette felt a warm touch on her cheek. She took in the green glowing eyes of a creature that wasn’t her kitty, almost making her sob harshly once again.

“Plagg…” She reached over, hugging the small creature. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!”

Her kitty hadn’t left just her but his kwami as well.

“Chat! I got your message, what do you need?” Ladybug swung in, landing on the rooftop her kitty was standing on. “Don’t tell me you have to miss patrol again! You know as well as I do that-”

“I quit.” The low hum of her partner’s voice startled her, causing her to look him in the eyes.

“What?” She couldn’t believe it, she had to have heard him wrong. There was no way-

“I quit.” Her cat stood there, his tail softly swinging below him. “I just can’t do this anymore, Ladybug. This isn’t a joke. I can’t take it anymore. It’s too much- too much on me and my life. I had a lot of fun with you, Ladybug, but I can’t force myself to be someone I’m not. I’m just… It’s better if I show you- Plagg, Claws out!”

There he was. There was the boy- the man who had worked beside her and made her day for years. He was…

“I'm just Adrien. I'm not a hero.” He stood there, swaying slightly. His stance was awkward with his hand on his neck.

“Adrien? No, no! Chat, please, turn back! I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything so-”

“No, Ladybug,” he held out the now purely silver ring to her. “I’m just Adrien now. Chat Noir is a nobody. He doesn’t exist.”

He looked at everything that wasn’t her as he grabbed her hand and shoved the ring into it. He turned and walked away before she could say anything.

“…idiot.” A voice beside her mumbled, causing her to almost fall over. She turned towards the voice with tears in her eyes. A small creature with cat-like features was floating beside her, looking at Adrien's back. “You idiot! If you do this- you can’t go back!”

“I’m sorry Plagg, but you know how this is. I’m not cut out for this anymore. There’s nothing keeping me from quitting anymore.” Adrien kept walking, reaching the door that would lead him into the building. “It’s too much responsibility on me. And.. It's not fun. It’s not something I can mess around doing. I’ve realized this now. Goodbye, Plagg, Ladybug.”

Marinette and Plagg stared at the closed door with wide, shaky eyes. The image of Adrien’s back was clear in their eyes, as if the door hadn’t separated them. As if he hadn’t cut off their connection forever…

Chat Noir wasn’t spotted after that night, ever again.

Plagg said nothing to the girl, his presence could only be felt by the warmth on a small spot on her head.

“I’m sorry.” She mumbled for what must have been the hundredth time this evening. She still denied what happened days ago at this very same hour. She couldn’t believe it. Her companion in this ordeal, in life, had abandoned her. She both understood and didn’t. So she denied what happened with everything she had.

Plagg continued to warm that spot on her head, almost calming Marinette down.

“It… It didn’t happen, okay, Plagg? It didn’t happen and you’re still with Adr- Chat. You’re still with Chat and we are going to meet up tomorrow night since tonight he’s busy. Yes, he’s just busy.” Marinette tried her best to convince herself, insanity almost leaking out of her voice.

Not a single sound could be heard above her head.

“Yes, yes- that’s exactly it! He’s just a little busy right now! He’ll be back for you soon. Yes, yes!” Marinette smiled, her eyes bloodshot from her hours of crying. Her smile felt forced, too large to be normal. She looked every bit insane as she sounded, with only one pigtail still left half-tied.

“Hehehehe, yes! My chat is just a litttttttttle busy right now! He’ll be back soon!” Marinette started giggling, smiling even bigger.

“Marinette.”

“Hmmmmmm…? What is Plagg…?” Marinette tilted her head up, forgetting he was on her. She looked up, seeing him peak out a bit on top of her forehead.

“…I’m sorry.”

“…For what Plagg? For what?” Marinette continued to smile inhumanly large, eyes wide.

“….”

“….You’re weird, Plagg! You don’t even finish your sentences.” Marinette giggled again, and again, and endless continued to giggle the night away.

Marinette’s eyes lazily left the board as she fiddled with her fingernails. Her eyes narrowed in on Adrien’s sunny blonde hair as he laughed at whatever Nino said. She couldn’t hear it from where she sat all the way from the back of the class, but she imagined his laugh sounded like angels singing. She reached into her jean pockets and pulled out the silver ring, playing with it under her desk.

“Dude, what happened to your silver ring?” She could make out Nino’s voice as she leaned over her desk, obviously staring at him.

“Uh, I just gave it away to a fan. I’m sure they needed it more than me.” Adrien smiled brightly, as if he was the sun himself. But his words hit Marinette hard. She physically flinched back, ring in hand.

“Oh, alright. Dude, you should get Lila to get you a new one! She knows a cool up and coming artisan who was like the great, great grandson to Da Vinci.”

“Maybe I’ll ask her later, I don’t want to bother her too much.” His smile strained just as Marinette’s eyes became shooting glares at the mentioned girl.

..Lila…

“Marinette…?” Her darling Adrien’s voice called out to her, making Marinette sit up from where she dozed.

“…Adrien? Adrien! Hi! What’s up?” She scrambled to sit up, a paper sticking to her face. She beamed at him as she took in his gaze.

“Could I talk to you outside?” His large green eyes overwhelmed her, entrancing her like a magical forest. His hair was the sun beaming down on the plants of life and his smile was the very air that life needed to breathe.

“Y-yeah! Sure! Let me just clean up, I’ll meet you outside!” Marinette crammed her papers into her bag, blushing brightly as she ripped a paper off her face. She shoved all the rest of her belongings in after it, rushing after Adrien who had just smiled and walked away.

“So! What’s up? Whatcha need, my good old pal-io?” Marinette internally cringed at herself, but continued to smile at him.

“I just… I know you have a way to contact Ladybug and…” HE’S GONNA ASK FOR THE RING BACK! HE’S GOING TO BE MY PARTNER AGAIN! “I just want you to tell her that I haven’t changed my mind. I’m never going back. I like my life now, and I’m just going to forget everything.”

He’s going to forget everything? Everything they’ve been through?

“Could you tell her that for me?”

“S-sure…” Marinette stared past him, not really sure what she had just heard.

He… he’s abandoning her. He’s abandoning everything they ever did together… them.

He’s abandoning them.

“Plagg…” Marinette slid her earrings into their case, ignoring Tikki’s call. Her eyes were even more bloodshot than before, but now she lacked any type of expression. “…I can’t do this anymore.”

The cold metal of the ring in her hand stung, as if it was trying to burn a hole in the middle of her palm. She stared down at it, the light from the window reflecting off of it. Her entire room was pitch dark aside from a peak in the window and the glare on the ring.

“I’m sorry…” She mumbled, a hand reaching down to fiddle with the lab coat she stole from her Chemistry class. She clenched the ring tightly with the other, the feeling of burning getting worse.

Her hair was still tied into a messy bun, with random pieces of hair sticking out. The circles under her eyes seemed to get worse every second as she continued to stare down at her closed hand.

Tears began to leak out from her swollen eyes, forcing her to close them. Her eyes ached painfully, the tear ducts abused from her hours of nonstop crying. The feeling was even worse than the time she got her wisdom teeth taken out without the use of anesthesia. She still continued to stand there, though, despite her pain. She didn’t even notice it, really. All she could feel was how the ring kept burning her hand.

A sudden warmth on her nose caused her to break out of the trance, making her look up with mostly unfocused eyes. A black blur stood floating in front of her, green eyes staring down at her.

“Plagg?” She stared at the green eyes as they changed to a bright yellow and the pitch black fur became green tinted. So confused by the image in front of her, she didn’t even notice as a certain black-purple butterfly flapped its wings and entered her lab coat.

Notes: Rewriting a fic I wrote in the past(still continuing that one, but I’m redoing things in this fic) anyways I’m obsessed with doing polls so poll time!

Tag list: (Open)

[gg-ladybug]

I bet Parisian Police are FREAKING the FUCK OUT in universe

Roger, holding his notepad: …so he was murdered?

Bugnoire: …he sacrificed himself. You know. For Paris. Against Monarch. It was a valiant battle.

Roger: So he was murdered. Where’s his body?

Bugnoire: …gone?

Roger, waving towards Emilie: And his wife just…?

Bugnoire: …returned home. So Adrien wouldn’t be put in the system.

Roger: Ladybug, what the fuck, there were public enquiries—

Now the movie-verse is melting down too because

Roger: Ladybug, why did Gabriel Agreste give up? We need to know in case we pursue prosecution. It’ll decide how many years he gets.

Ladybug: The power of love <3

Roger: LADYBUG, HE STOPPED AFTER HUGGING CHAT NOIR

Ladybug: Yeah, bye now <3

[graaythekwami]

Little random game: name the eps you most hate and most love of each miraculous season and explain why

Hmm, there's not many episodes I'd say I hate, but my favorites and least favorites of each season are as follows:

Season 1:

Favorite: Origins -I don't care if this is technically two episodes, I loved seeing the origins of how the children met and how everything went down. The beginning of LadyNoir and oh my gosh we got such good LadyNoir moments here.

Least Favorite: Reflekta -Honestly looking through season 1 there really isn't any that stands out as a least favorite for me. So I chose Reflekta solely because this episode is the start of the curse of the many Reflekta akumatizations to come. xD

---

Season 2:

Favorite: Heroes' Day -I had to put this one as my favorite just on the premise that I feel that Heroes' Day is the best final/two parter we've had in the entire series. I loved everyone's role in these episodes, and of course we get to see Nathalie being an absolute queen as well.

Least Favorite: Frozer -Eh. Just an episode that's never stood out to me. Forgettable in the long run.

---

Season 3:

Favorite: Chat Blanc -Favorite episode of the season? More like my favorite episode ever! The angst. The feels. Chat Blanc's hurt and rage. Chat Blanc's design. It's all so beautiful the only change I'd make is making it a two parter and maybe adding a LadyBlanc kiss. But those changes aren't even needed because it's wonderful as is. 11/10. -Gamer 2.0, Oblivio, and Reflekdoll are honorable mentions. For the adorable LadyNoir moments, adorable Lovesquare moments via memory loss, and kwami swap! Season 3 is probably my favorite season overall.

Least Favorite: Christmaster -Just another episode that's never stood out to me. Plot wise it felt mid, and I can't see myself going back to rewatch it or basing a fic on it. Or including it in a fic. -Honorable mention of Miracle Queen though, as this used to be my least favorite of the season. I was really on board for a Chloe redemption when season three ended so this episode kind of stung (hehe) then, but nowadays I don't have the same issues with it.

---

Season 4:

Favorite: Qilin Least Favorite: Qilin

-Ha! Didn't see this coming, did you? I love love loved so much of Qilin. I loved the themes it addresses, Marinette and Sabine's relationship, the design of the akuma, it was all so good... until the very end!! They let Marinette take the blame when the real problem was racism?? I hate you ticket dude. And also bus driver dude you saw Sabine with her tickets and she literally gave you baked goods and you said nothing when she was taken away? Why???

And if you don't accept one episode being both the favorite and least favorite, then here are my thoughts on other episodes of the season: -I love the setup of Truth and Lies and would love more episodes focusing solely on Adrien. -Guiltrip when Chat Noir almost Catalcysms himself hurts me on a physical level someone give Adrien a hug. -I will forever live for the Plagg and Adrien moments in Kuro Neko.

Season 5:

Favorite: Evolution -Season 5 has a lot of plot-heavy focused episodes, which I always love to get. We got canon Adrinette, Gabriel getting Cataclysmed, awesome lore... but in the end I still think it's this first episode that's my favorite. I loved the action, how it picks right up at the end of season four, and also Rabbit Noir had such an awesome design too. I liked seeing Master Fu again, and the role Alix got to play. Gabriel got his good Monarch design with the stained glass look. Also timetravel can be tricky to write, and they pulled it off well.

Least Favorite: Action -After a whole season of the most plot-heavy episodes yet with a lot happening emotionally... Action has very little action is the way of plot or even as good “filler”.

Specials:

Favorite: Miraculous Paris -Gah honestly I think this is one of the very best episodes in all the show. Fantastic writing, great characterization, a fun adventure and seeing the alternate universe was fascinating. I love Shadybug and Claw Noir. Hesperia was awesome (I refuse to call him Betterfly). I have so many questions about the other world and who the Supreme is. Gabriel singing the intro. I could go on all day.

Least Favorite: ...idk -I mean there's only three specials thus far, and honestly I can't rank the Shanghai or the New York special as the lowest.

Movies: -Jk we only have one. xD But with how movie one ended with Nathalie I'm excited to see what they might do with this universe in the future.

[sariahsue]

Jealousy Ch 2

Adrien's point of view

(Chapter one (Marinette's pov) here. Please note that I started this story in the ancient days of May 2021.)

---

Chat Noir almost always felt at home in Marinette's room. It was cozy and warm, lined with layers of fabric, like she was building a soft den. It was so different from his own old and sterile room. His windows let him see outside at the same time they reminded him he would always be disconnected from it. Marinette leaned against him, but tonight, no matter how close he physically was to her, he felt like they were on opposite sides of glass.

Their playing cards had been knocked out of their piles by Marinette's victory dance. A container of leftover noodles lay empty on its side. And Chat Noir held steady against Marinette's weight as she relaxed into his side.

There were so many things he couldn't tell her. So many things he wanted her to understand. "Hey, Bug?"

"Hm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Aren't you asking something now?" she joked. "Sure."

He hesitated. Asking was only a few steps removed from the forbidden act of telling. (Not his name. Not how many days it had been since he'd last had dinner with his father, or been given a hug.) He wanted to ask why she'd taken down all her pictures of Adrien. What had he done as his civilian self that had upset her so much? She stayed perfectly polite to him at school.

Instead he asked, "If it weren't for that other guy, do you think you would have fallen for me?"

Marinette leaned away. It wasn't the first time he'd asked a variation of this question. It was almost always on his mind. His rival.

"Um... do you want to play another round of Uno," she deflected, "or should we do something else?"

"Marinette, I'm serious. Would you have?"

She shrugged. "Maybe, I guess. Video games? I have UMS 4."

"Really, that's it? You guess? That's not a real answer."

"Please, chaton. Don't do this to yourself."

He selfishly slid closer to her. Not many people allowed him to be in their space like this, and the need to touch her was too much. If she felt like he was chasing her, she didn't complain. A reminder that at least someone wanted him around.

He didn't stop until he could feel her comfortable body heat against his side again. "I just want to know."

He'd expected a simple yes or no.

"You're kind and compassionate. You're reliable. You're funny." She stopped, taking care to find her next words. He thought she would just tell him no. "We have such a strong connection, and I trust you with my life. You're brave. You're my best friend."

Marinette's voice dropped for the devastating truth. "It would have been so easy. That's the real answer."

Chat Noir struggled to stay still, focusing on not hugging her, not crying, not moving. Even if she didn't love him back, she did in some way love him. She just… loved someone else more. Differently. Who was it? Adrien watched her at school. He knew Alya teased her constantly about her love life and Marinette's inability to talk to the mysterious boy who'd so effortlessly caught her attention. Adrien never overheard his name, though he'd tried.

"So why haven't you talked to him yet?" Chat Noir asked.

"What?"

"If you'd pick him over all that, then you must like him a lot, but you aren't together."

Marinette shifted, looking at him for the first time since gifting him a list of her favorite things about him (a gift he didn't deserve). "And I can't imagine anyone rejecting you, so you must not have asked him out yet."

"I'm... very awkward around him. I'm pretty sure I make him uncomfortable sometimes."

"I doubt it," he said. "So who is he?" Another question he hadn't been able to ask before. But he was tired of the glass in between them. If he couldn't be with her, maybe knowing more about her would help. This nameless boy was such a huge part of her life.

And one of the biggest obstacles in his.

Marinette got up and walked away, her back to him. "We shouldn't be talking about this."

"Why not?"

"Because I hate this!" Her face was pained as she turned to him. "I hate hurting you every time you bring it up."

The headless mannequin was suddenly very interesting. Father didn't have his own mannequin until he was nearly 18. Marinette was more passionate and more talented.

"I'm only curious," he lied. He felt like a bad friend for pushing, but there was only so much he could learn about her from studying the decor in her room. "I just want to know what type of person attracts Ladybug. That's all." And find out what he still lacked.

"I'll tell you under two conditions. One, you stop asking about it. Two, you don't laugh at me."

"Laugh?" he asked. "Why would I laugh?"

"Because you're going to think it's a celebrity crush, and it's not."

He waved to distract her from his face. He hoped it was neutral, but he couldn't be sure. A celebrity? She had a crush on some random celebrity? That's who his competition was?

Marinette groaned. "Adrien Agreste."

He didn't think. Didn't realize he'd stood up until he was walking toward her. The glass was shattering. "Plagg, claws in!"

"NO!" she shrieked, snapping her eyes shut. Had she seen? "What are you doing? Put your suit back on!"

"No."

"I'm not going to look at you."

Plagg bobbed back and forth between the two of them, then flew off to find Tikki. That was as close to permission as he was going to give.

"You have to retransform." Her commanding tone was at odds with the way she backed up, flinching away from him until she hit her desk, hiding her face in an effort to protect him. Or maybe herself.

"No," he repeated, "not until you look."

"You'll have to," she said. "You can't walk out my front door and let people see you. You'll have to leave the way you came in."

"You're just going to keep your eyes closed for the rest of the night?"

She nodded.

Adrien walked over to her, his socked feet stepping lightly over the remains of their time together. He wrapped her in a loose hug, and then waited. After a few seconds, Marinette dropped her hands from her face and sunk into him. He took that as permission to hug her the way he'd always wanted, like he was never going to let her go.

Maybe he didn't have to.

He was the boy. The rival. The obstacle. She could know all of him, and he wouldn't have to feel so fragmented and broken. There would be nothing left to come between them, if only she would open her eyes.

Marinette shivered in his arms. His fire dimmed, replaced with softness at her worry. It was so much better to hold her without thick armor in the way, just a few layers of fabric.

He wouldn't force her to look, but he wasn't above leading her for once. He could tell himself that it would be an advantage, tactically, for her to know who he was. It would strengthen their partnership, but really, he just needed her to know him.

"I'm not opening my eyes," she said.

"Then please just listen to my voice. I won't tell you my name, but please just listen?"

She pushed her face into his neck, skin to skin, and breathed deeply, nodding. Adrien wanted to drop his head on top of hers, but instead only leaned down, letting her hair brush his cheek. Almost nothing in between them.

"When I'm not transformed, I'm much quieter."

"A quiet Chat Noir?" Marinette teased. "What must that be like?"

"I don't show off either. I try to avoid attention, actually. I get too much of it."

Marinette didn't ask him why, though he'd expected it. He hoped it was because she was trying to figure it out despite herself.

"Did you know that we know each other outside the masks? We go to the same school."

He stopped, letting her come to the truth if she was ready. Despite what he wanted, and how desperately he needed to be seen by her, this ultimately had to be her choice. If she wanted to understand, she would.

Marinette's fingers started to roam, first to his ungloved hand, maybe testing to see if he really was detransformed. The hairs on his forearms raised as she drew a line from his wrist to the edges of his rolled up sleeves. Over and across, to his shoulders, a breathless slide along his collarbone, then down the buttons of his shirt, then back up to his shoulders as she breathed into his neck, and her eyelashes tickled him as she opened her eyes.

She wouldn't be able to see his face, but she knew. He rested his head on hers, strengthening his hold on her.

"You're kind and compassionate," he said. "You're brave and creative and amazing. It was so easy to fall in love with you, Marinette."

Her hands slid from his shoulders and wrapped around his neck, holding him just as tightly as he held her. "I love you too, Adrien."