#chat noirs goofy hair is so silly

[wildtornado-o]

Pov two emo kids make fun of you

Excuse the messiness but I just HAD to draw these goobers djsksks

[mostmagical]

for @zodoods, I hope this lives up to expectations 🙏

Words: 4k Summary:

Marinette knew she tended to get tunnel vision when she was focused, but luckily her boyfriend Chat Noir was always there to watch her back as they fought Monarch. With their enemy having disappeared, however, they decided together that it was finally time to reveal themselves. In public. Face to face. It's a little silly to have to introduce yourself to your own boyfriend, but after all, it wasn’t Marinette’s fault that she never knew her boyfriend’s name. (Adrien has never been to school, and Marinette doesn't know him.)

Marinette hadn’t known her smile could be so wide. Staring at herself in the reflection, she couldn’t be bothered to worry about the awful dark circles under her eyes, or the frizzy mess of her hair. Everything could be covered or smoothed over, after all. None of that really mattered. Not when her whole world was about to change.

Today was the day.

“Today,” she breathed the word to herself. “Tikki, can you believe it’s today?” she asked, turning around to look towards her kwami.

Tikki giggled from where she sat atop the dresser. “You and Chat Noir have only been planning it forever,” she replied.

The smile was beginning to make Marinette’s cheeks ache. “We have.”

For months following the disappearance of Monarch, Ladybug and Chat Noir had been planning and mentally preparing to finally reveal their identities to one another, eventually coming to the conclusion that they were both ready for it just a week prior. She could still see Chat’s goofy smile in her mind’s eye, clear as day.

“So, we’re really doing this?” he had asked as they sat atop a rooftop together. “For real?”

“For real,” she had replied, excitedly nodding her head. Taking his hand in hers, she had pressed three rapid kisses to the back of it, trying to impress all of her enthusiasm and all of her love into his skin through the suit. “I can’t wait to meet you, mon Chaton,” she had promised him.

His face was rosy, with that big, beautiful smile of his stretching out his cheeks. “Neither can I, my Lady.”

Marinette let out a low squeal at the not-so-distant memory, pressing her hands against her hot cheeks.

She was going to meet her boyfriend. For the first time.

Well, not exactly the first time, but first enough.

They had plans to meet at a little café just a few blocks from the Grand Palais. He had surprisingly been a bit apprehensive at first, but she assured him everything would be okay. Marinette promised to wear the rose he had given her in her hair, and she was going to look for the boy wearing the scarf she had made him on his pretend birthday (and then he could tell her his real birthday!).

She couldn’t wait.

This day was a long time coming, and Marinette had plenty of fantasies to prove it. She wanted to hold her boyfriend’s hand in public, kiss him and go to the movies, all without a crowd of people taking photos of them. She wanted to goof off and be silly with him, all without worrying about being a hero, or acting like a good role model. She wanted to take him over to her house, and have him meet her parents, and stay for dinner without the threat of a supervillain interrupting the desert.

And after today, all that could finally be reality.

She got to work applying her makeup and wrangling her hair, not wanting to waste another second. Although she was notoriously late for most events, this was something she hoped to actually arrive early to. The ruby red dress she had laid out the previous night while she should have been sleeping was the last to slip over her head, perfectly matching the scarlet of Chat’s rose tucked behind her ear. The knee-length skirt fluttered to and fro as she took one last scrutinizing look in the mirror. Everything had to be perfect for her not-so-first impression.

Once she was finally satisfied, Marinette tossed her purse over her head. As soon as Tikki was settled and comfortable, she at last headed out.

There was a skip in her step the entirety of the walk, completely out of her control.

Although excitement was certainly at the forefront of her emotions, she would be lying if she didn’t acknowledge that little seed of nervousness. What if he didn’t like her? (He would.) What if he wasn’t as kind as she thought, and his personality was nothing more than a front? (Impossible.) What if his nerves got the best of him, and he didn’t show?

With her heart thundering in her chest, she turned the last corner to bring the café into view.

Her eyes zoned in on a mop of blond hair instantly. It was neat and combed back— completely at odds with the wild wind-blown look she was used to seeing on her boyfriend, but something in the way her stomach twisted and swooped inside of her told her that she may have spotted him. Taking slow steps closer, she traced the curve of his posture with her eyes as he sat hunched over the tiny café table, gasping slightly as she located the familiar shade of blue peeking from his collar.

It had to be him. It had to.

A chorus of giggles broke her concentration, drawing her eyes to a gaggle of girls a couple tables over. They were whispering excitedly and pointing in the direction of the same mop of blond hair, all with cell phones raised. A sudden wave of heat ran up Marinette’s spine as she realized they were ogling him.

She wasn’t surprised that girls were looking at him. Chat Noir was the cutest, most handsomest boy in the world, so of course they would. But that was her cutest and most handsomest boy in the world.

Her slow steps quickly evolved into a fast walk until she was right beside him, at which she practically threw herself onto the table, bodyblocking the girls’ view. The boy visibly jumped at her entrance. She glanced at his face for his reaction, but his eyes were covered by large sunglasses, effectively hiding any expression of recognition. Face feeling suddenly warm, Marinette stood back up straight and cleared her throat, casually drumming her fingers against the laminate surface.

��H-hi. I’m looking for my kitten,” she said, uttering the code phrase they had planned to use to confirm each other’s identities.

The boy smiled, instantly easing her worries. “I saw a little bug on the flyer.”

A grin spread across her cheeks before she could stop it, giddiness overflowing to the tips of her fingers. “I found you,” she murmured, just quiet enough to be just for him.

He stood from his seat, still smiling, and Marinette thought he was going in for a hug until he stepped around her. She was only confused for a second before he pulled out the chair on the other side of the table.

“Oh.” So the gentlemanly thing wasn’t an act after all. Accepting the gesture, Marinette turned to sit, feeling him push the chair in behind her as she did so. “Thank you.”

He simply hummed, before returning to his own seat across from her.

“So, um–” Not really sure where to start, (how does one introduce themselves to the boy they’ve been dating for two years?) Marinette figured the basics should go first. She almost wanted to laugh as she realized she was essentially on a blind date with her long-term boyfriend. “I’m Marinette,” she said, tugging at her bangs before pushing them behind her ear.

“Marinette,” he breathed. Breathed, as in he actually sighed her name when he said it. Marinette thought she might melt. “That’s a beautiful name.”

She wondered how dopey her smile must look to him. “Thank you,” she replied. “And you are?”

Thin blond eyebrows raised over the rims of the glasses, before dropping back down out of sight almost as quickly as they appeared. He laughed. “Okay,” he said between chuckles. “I’m Adrien.”

Marinette wasn’t quite sure what was so funny, but his laughter was just as contagious as always. With a giggle, she stuck out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Adrien.”

His returning smile was soft. “Nice to meet you, Marinette.” He took her hand, and turned it to rest atop his on the table, running smooth circles over the back of her palm with his thumb. The feeling of his warm skin on hers was foreign and exciting, setting off yet another flurry of butterflies in her stomach.

“You still wear your pigtails,” he stated.

Naturally, her free hand trailed to her hair. She smiled as her fingers brushed the velvet petals of the rose. “They’re kind of my armor,” she replied with a shrug. “All the better for you to recognize me.”

The corner of his lip twitched, but the soft smile remained unchanged. Part of her wondered if he was still nervous about meeting. Hoping to ease his worries, she grinned.

“And I’m glad to see you don’t wear whiskers,” she joked.

He laughed again, and that seemed to be enough to lower the tension in his shoulders, to Marinette’s relief. “You’re right, I don’t,” he said. “I have a clean public image to maintain, you know.”

Marinette furrowed her brows, trying and most likely failing to hide the confusion on her face. It was surprising; Chat Noir was definitely the type of person who would grow “whiskers” just to commit to the bit. To each their own she supposed. Mustaches did seem to be more supervillain-y than superhero-y, after all.

“I do have to ask, though, what’s with the glasses?” she asked, moving the conversation along. “They’re so big, they’re covering half your face. Any plans to take those off?”

“Well, I–” Adrien’s head turned minutely towards the girls at the table behind her, barely perceptible to anyone who wasn’t looking for it. “I don’t know.” His hand pulled at the scarf where it crossed over his black t-shirt.

“Please,” she insisted, putting on her best baby-doll eyes. “How unfair you get to see all of my face and I can’t see all of yours.” She held his hand tighter, imploring but hopefully he knew it was still light-hearted.

“Marinette, it’s just–”

She pulled out her secret weapon: the pout. His mouth instantly stopped moving.

“I’ve never really seen your eyes before,” she added. At his answering sigh, she felt a bout of pride swell in her chest. Victory.

Hesitantly, he removed the sunglasses and folded them on the table, all the while looking shyly up at her through golden lashes.

Marinette’s pulse quickened as she finally— really— met his eyes. Such strange feelings of déjà vu ran through her when she caught sight of how green they were. It was the first time she had seen his whole face, and yet it already felt so nostalgic and familiar. It was almost as if she had seen him before, and she supposed she had, in her dreams at the least.

“Gorgeous,” she sighed, unable to stop her tongue from embarrassing the rest of her.

All the regret she might have held drained out of her, however, when she saw how pink his cheeks went in response. His dropped jaw slowly curved into a small smile, and those pretty green eyes closed in half moons as he replied, “Thanks for the compliment.”

Was this really the same boy?

Marinette snorted. “What? No cheesy remark about how you knew I wouldn’t be able to resist you?”

“I’m just far too stunned by the beauty in front of me to think straight,” he said, mouth pulled sideways. “I daresay you could outshine me anyday.”

There he is.

She rolled her eyes in response, but she couldn’t deny the coils of warmth that spread across her skin. With a fond shake of her head, she brought one elbow to the top of the table to cradle her chin in her hand.

“You know, you’re taking this really well,” Adrien said, the smirk fading back to a humble smile. It was odd seeing him so reserved. “Better than I thought you would.”

“Taking what well?” she asked. Her heart squeezed in her chest as she recalled his apprehension from the night before. She attempted to keep things light, sliding into a teasing tone as she conspiratorially whispered, “Did you think I wouldn’t like you without the cat ears, mon Chaton?”

“Well, no, that’s not exactly—”

She cut him off, making sure to speak with all the sincerity she could muster, “Because there is no universe where I wouldn’t like you.” With a coy wink, she added, “Believe me. I checked.” She grinned with pride as her fingers squeezed his on the table, feeling as though she had one-upped him in cheesiness.

Again, his mouth hung open slightly as he processed her words, but soon morphed back into the soft smile. His head tilted to the side. “You always know what to say to make me happy, my–” The corners of his lips twitched, his intended endearment clear to both of them— “my Marinette,” he said instead, pulling their joined hands up to brush his lips against the back of her palm.

Dimly, Marinette registered the sound of a squeal from somewhere behind her.

“But, um, no.” His countenance took on a much more nervous expression, his free hand drifting back to play with the nape of his neck. “I meant more–” He paused, waving his hand awkwardly towards himself.

“What?”

His brows furrowed, mouth open and clearly poised to explain himself, but he was interrupted by a waiter arriving to take their orders, and the moment was surreptitiously forgotten.

As the date went on, conversation flowed freely between them. Marinette learned so many of his favorite things, what he was studying in school, that he was an only child just like her, and of course, his birthday, time and year. So many things that she would normally have naturally learned over time, which was something that she took for granted in her other relationships with family and friends. It was odd, but wonderful that this absurd blind date was just another unique experience that they could share together.

She would have been more than happy to talk to him forever if she could, but a trill from Adrien’s phone stopped their conversation short.

His eyebrows turned down as he read the screen. “How did it get so late?” he pouted, just as cute as before when he wore cat ears on his head. “I’m sorry, Marinette, but I have to go.”

Her smile was sympathetic, barely holding herself back from mirroring his pout. “That’s okay,” she replied. “We’ll just have to have our next date sooner.”

The answering smile on his face made it all worth it.

Adrien’s fingers flew across his keyboard for a second, before another trill responded. “My bodyguard says he can take you home, though!” he announced happily. “So we can spend a little more time together.”

Marinette couldn’t stop the confused noise from escaping her mouth. “Your…bodyguard?” she repeated slowly.

“Yeah!” He looked up from his phone, lips softly quirked upwards. “And don’t worry; he may look mean but he’s the kindest man I’ve ever met.”

That certainly wasn’t something Marinette was worried about, but now she felt like she needed to be.

She tried to cross the appropriate wires in her head. Okay, so Chat Noir, famed superhero of Paris and wielder of the power of destruction, had a bodyguard in his everyday life. And that bodyguard apparently drove him places?

Perhaps she needed to collect more evidence.

Too busy thinking to come up with anything to say, Marinette mutely nodded her agreement.

Having already paid the bill— well, Adrien paid, despite her protests—, the two stood from their seats and headed down the sidewalk. Marinette followed Adrien closely, too busy sweeping her eyes across the busy street to spot this ‘mean-looking’ man to notice Adrien’s knuckles bumping into hers. She finally looked up at him when he laced their fingers together and squeezed. His green eyes almost seemed to shimmer as they looked into hers, and Marinette could feel all that wound-up tension melt away in response.

The spell between them was broken by a sudden honk.

Adrien was the first to break eye contact, turning back towards the street. “Oh! There he is.”

Marinette followed his gaze. Her eyes widened as they landed on the sleek sedan that had pulled up to the curb in front of them. She didn’t know much about cars, but she knew enough to identify the logo of a luxury brand. The car was well-washed and shiny, unlike most of the vehicles that parked along the dirty city streets.

A burly man emerged from the driver’s side door, and walked around the car. To Adrien’s credit, he did seem a bit scary, based on sheer size alone, but Marinette supposed her Papa was probably about the same size. She figured if the man smiled a bit more, he would come off much friendlier. He greeted the two of them with little more than a low grunt and a nod, before briskly opening the rear passenger side door.

Marinette froze in place as she waited for one of the others to move. She couldn’t for the life of her understand what was going on. Was Adrien going to drive and this man was graciously letting her have the front seat?

“Marinette?” Adrien cleared his throat. “Are you ready to go?”

She blinked a few times, looking back and forth between the open door and her boyfriend’s face. “Um, yes,” she replied nervously. “I’m ready.”

He bowed his head, gesturing with his free hand towards the open door. “Then, after you, my lady.”

The familiar name quelled the voices in her head long enough for her to step forward. “Thank you, my prince,” she teased in response.

Though she did step in first, she held fast to his hand, pulling him along with her. The inside of the sedan was just as clean as the outside. Small tablets nestled into the back of both front headrests, and a far fancier screen than Marinette had in any of her devices at home was centerstage on the dashboard. She could feel her eyes widening as she took it all in.

Chat Noir was rich.

Chloé Bourgeois rich, maybe.

That was… unexpected. Admittedly, she never imagined Chat to have a high-class upbringing (if she could even call Chloé’s that). She had always envisioned him as a rough and tumble sort of kid. He would take soda over wine any day. Canned tuna over caviar. He had never turned up his nose to fast food, or cheap nosebleed seats at a concert, or acted like he was any better than anyone else.

No, Chat– Adrien— was amiable, gracious, and an appreciator of the little things–

“Marinette?”

She whipped her head around to meet her boyfriend’s gaze, having been yanked from her thoughts. “Yes?”

Adrien seemed to be holding back a laugh, clearly having recognized her thinking face. “Your address?”

“Oh!” She leaned forward in her seat, directing her attention to the driver. “12 Rue Gotlib, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”

Adrien’s face lit up in the rearview mirror. “That’s just around the corner from us!”

“Really?” She was reminded of that flash of déjà vu she had felt upon seeing his face for the first time. Maybe they had met before. Most people who lived in the 21st arrondissement got their baked goods from her parents’ bakery, and Marinette often worked the front counter. They must have had at least one encounter before as their civilian selves.

It was almost a shame.

She would have loved to know that her favorite person was just around the corner.

He tightened his grip on her hand as she turned back to face him. “Almost too good to be true,” he said, echoing her thoughts.

All lamentations of lost time were forgotten at that, and she chose instead to be happy in the moment they had now. She smiled, squeezing his hand back.

They were content to spend the short ride in comfortable silence after having spent the majority of their time together with endless conversations. Adrien’s bodyguard didn’t ask any questions after Marinette gave her address, so she saw no reason to try chatting with him when she could cuddle into Adrien’s arm instead. The world was pink and fuzzy, and the only leather pressed against her skin was that of the car seats. Feeling the rise and fall of Chat Noir’s breaths through warm cotton was a wholly different, welcome experience.

The ride was too short, however, and before she knew it, they had pulled up in front of her family’s bakery.

Adrien’s short intake of breath pulled her eyes upwards, and she noticed him staring at the sign with eyes full of wonder. “Whoa, you live so close to the boulangerie,” he noted.

Marinette grinned. “Well, yeah, I live above it,” she said, delighted when his head whipped back to face her. “My parents own it.”

His eyes looked about ready to bulge out of their sockets. “You do?”

She pointed to the sign. “And I designed the logo. Tom and Sabine Boulangerie,” —she turned the finger towards herself— “Tom and Sabine daughter.”

Adrien’s face was painted with the most excitement she had seen from him all day. “That’s so cool! They have the best macarons— I’ve had some at events when we get catering— and I’ve asked Nathalie a few times, but, well–” His face was a bit pink as he paused. “You’re amazing, Marinette.”

“I’ll have to bring you some macarons next time I see you,” she giggled.

His eyebrows danced over his eyes. “Now I know why you’re so sweet.”

“Oh, hush.” She lightly shoved his shoulder. “Takes one to know one.”

Following some pointed clearings of the throat from the driver’s seat, they eventually got out of the car and Adrien walked her to her door. She left him with a quick kiss and a promise to text him later.

The remainder of the day went by in a blissful blur. Dinner, homework, and television with her parents faded into the background as she slipped lovingly into her daydreams. Adrien was too busy to talk, but he had sent her a few hearts and memes throughout the evening, and she looked over all of them with her chest fit to burst. Before she knew it, it was time for bed and they were texting each other good night.

It wasn’t until the next morning that Marinette realized the true shift the world had undergone.

The incessant buzzing of her phone was an unwanted wakeup call. Marinette blindly slapped her hand against the mattress until her fingers met the smooth plastic of her phone case. She slowly cracked her eyes open as the screen lit up again with notifications.

New Message - 🦊Alya🔥(32), Missed Call - 🦊Alya🔥 (2), New Message - Adrien ♥️🐈

Wondering what was so desperate for Alya to be blowing up her phone so early, Marinette quickly responded to Adrien’s “Good morning <3” in kind before opening the floodgates. She was immediately treated to a number of news articles, all caps messages, and photos. Photos of her and Adrien.

Her fingers flew through the slideshow of photographs: Adrien waiting alone with those ridiculous sunglasses, herself haphazardly draped over the table, Adrien kissing her hand, the both of them stepping into his car. She paused on one of the last photos. It was of the two of them, hand-in-hand as they waited for their ride. Adrien’s soft eyes that had mesmerized her up close were just as soft from a careful distance.

She blinked rapidly as she processed it all.

How did Alya get these?

Scrolling back up in her conversation history with Alya, she looked at the articles again, scanning over the headlines: “Adrien Agreste - Dating?” “Adrien Hits the Town with Mystery Girl!” “Who Caught the Eye of Adrien Agreste?” “Agreste Son is Growing Up!”

…Agreste?

The conversation shot down to the bottom as another text from Alya came in: CANT BELIEVE YOU DIDNT TELL ME????

Faster than she could process, Marinette swiped away from her messages to plug “Adrien Agreste'' into her search engine. A shocking thousands of images popped up, all of her boyfriend in various poses and campaigns— including one with the bowler hat she had designed for a competition run by Gabriel Agreste.

A banner notification popped up at the top of her screen, Marinette’s finger tapping it automatically.

Adrien ♥️🐈: I have a photoshoot until around noon, but do you want to get ice cream after?

Marinette dropped the phone as everything suddenly became clear.

Perhaps maybe their civilian relationship wasn’t about to be quite as low-key as she thought.

[lady-de-mon-coeur]

Ice cream never lies

AO3

Rated G. Language: English. Words: 1,474

Summary: What would've happened if André gave a sweetheart’s ice cream to Chat Noir and Marinette?

!Exaltation spoilers ahead!

André couldn't keep his eyes off this couple.

He didn’t stop fuming since these two had literally fallen from the sky and landed in front of him.

All that was happening right now didn't make any sense. That shouldn't be happening.

Chat Noir’s only true love was Ladybug. He just knew that. His ice cream never lied to him before.

But here that leather-clad superhero was, right in front of him, shamelessly flirting with the girl who was destined to be with another guy, a certain blond, green-eyed model. At least that's what his ice cream always told him.

After having gotten their damned ice cream (blackberry, peppermint, chocolate, and strawberry—a ridiculous combination that didn’t honour his talent whatsoever), they didn't go away as he’d expected.

As if to tease him more than they already did, they stuck around. They were eating their ice cream, laughing, and elbowing each other jokingly. Marinette’s eyes were sparkling as she laughed. She even went so far as to put her head on the superhero’s shoulder.

And the silly cat wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him, as if she were his prized possession he was too scared to be stolen from him.

They were clearly enjoying each other’s company!

She even had a red rose in her hair. This silly catboy must've given her the flower.

As if it wasn't enough, after the ice cream had been relocated to their stomachs, they stood up and came over to the dance floor.

And they danced!

André was furious. Something so audacious couldn’t be happening in front of his eyes. And he has seen a lot!

Things seemed to only get worse with each passing minute.

Marinette threw both of her arms around Chat Noir’s neck and pressed her head against his chest, closing her eyes with pleasure. The dance floor was crowded with people who were casting glances at them, but they seemed not to notice.

There has obviously been something going on between these two for a while now. André didn't forget the day a few months ago when he spotted them in a bus laughing together, then exiting the theatre hand in hand.

He clenched his fists in rage when he saw how that "something" had developed over time.

Now they were leaning closer and closer to each other so that their noses brushed each other’s, goofy smiles on their faces.

André knew that kind of smile. He had seen it so many times before on the people he was selling his ice cream to. And he also knew very well what it meant.

It was all his fault. He shouldn’t have sold his ice cream to this couple in the first place. He should've called to order these youngsters. He felt like he had committed a betrayal.

But it was just now that he saw red for real. These kids have no shame! Now they've started kissing for real!

They seemingly didn't care that the whole dance floor was now staring at them.

That must end. Whatever it takes, he must stop it. He couldn’t stand it.

***

It seemed like only a few seconds passed before he heard a familiar low voice in his head:

"Glaciator, I am Monarch. These arrogant kids are mocking the power of your magical ice cream? It's time to teach them a lesson. Do you want me to give you the power to separate the pairs that aren't meant to be? They need to be shown that your ice cream never lies."

"And everyone will be happily in love, as they should." André hissed, squeezing his ice cream scoop.

"Of course, Glaciator," the voice confirmed. "The only things I want in return…"

"Yes, I know, you want that magic jewellery." André responded, as the ice cream started gathering around him, forming a giant snowman.

The dance floor filled with shrieking and screaming, as people were rushing around. Ice cream bombs exploded, freezing some of the couples and leaving others unaffected, except they were covered in a sticky, sugary liquid.

But Glaciator didn't pay them any attention. His main targets—a superhero in black and a girl in pink pyjamas over there—just stopped kissing and dancing and now watched him terrified.

He took aim really well.

He shot.

Spinning your staff in front of you won't help, silly cat. Look, you and your beloved Marinette got trapped in a pile of multicoloured snow.

Finally! You will never doubt the gift of prophecy that his ice cream holds. His ice cream had been uniting sweethearts for so long. It had never failed.

Except it didn't work this time for some reason. It didn't make any sense, but he saw it with his own eyes.

The damned couple that has been annoying him so much the whole evening was somehow unaffected by his superpower. Stained with a gooey icicle he has spread on them, but pretty active.

"What are you waiting for, stupid villain? Hurry up and take his miraculous!" Monarch barked from his lair.

"I can't! They are not frozen! I can’t come near Chat Noir!"

"Nonsense! You know quite well that these two aren't meant to be!"

"I really thought so, but I guess that's not the case. Or did you give me the wrong superpower, maybe? not the one I asked for? What the hell kind of a supervillain are you?"

"How dare you?" The voice in his head growled. "I'll take your superpower back, ungrateful villain."

But before Monarch had time to carry out his threat, Ladybug appeared on the scene.

***

"Ladybug, Chat Noir? Have I been akumatized again?"

There was a silent nod from the heroes.

"I'm so sorry; I completely lost my mind. The truth is, you two would make such a beautiful couple. But it doesn't matter; the most important thing is that you are happy. Of course, you're allowed to date whoever you want. It's not up to me to choose for you."

The heroes gave him a sympathetic look.

***

"You defeated me again, Ladybug." An older man, meanwhile, was talking in his lair. "But at least I got to know some useful information: Chat Noir and the baker's daughter are meant to be. And Chat Noir seems to be aware of it. He's head over heels in love with that Marinette! I'm going to use his feelings in order to get to you, Ladybug."

***

The battle has ended, the damage done by the villain has been fixed, as usual, and the heroes were about to part ways.

"Are you really in love with that Marinette?" Ladybug asked all of a sudden, looking at her Chaton with wide eyes.

"I can't help it, my lady, she's too precious to me," Chat Noir said, scratching the back of his head in confusion.

Ladybug said nothing, but her eyes went even wider, her mouth agape, and there was a light shade of cherry-coloured blush peeking out from beneath her mask.

"I still love you, my lady," Chat Noir added hastily, misinterpreting her silence, "but as a friend. Do you agree?" He held out his arm with a clenched fist.

Ladybug nodded vigorously, her pigtails slightly shaking, and stretched out her trembling hand in response to do their trademark "pound it".

"I've got to go now, my lady. I must bring Marinette back home." Chat Noir said, clutching his staff.

"Wait a minute, Chat Noir," Alya called, appearing out of nowhere and pulling out her phone. "May I ask you a few questions for the Ladyblog?"

"Of course you can," Chat Noir said nervously, casting glances towards the beach where he had hidden Marinette. "But please be quick. I don't have much time left".

"Don't worry, it won't take much time!" Alya winked at Ladybug as she pulled Chat Noir by the arm.

***

"Do you know what superpower Glaciator has been given this time?” Marinette asked when Chat Noir found her in her hiding spot. “I was so surprised it didn't have any visible impact on us." 

"I don't know exactly what it was," Chat Noir said with a rather harsh voice, "but one thing I know for sure is that his main goal was to break us apart, and that's something I couldn't have let happen." He leaned in and looked her right in the eyes. "No one can decide for us who we should date or not. Only we can decide what to do with our lives."

Marinette listened to him silently, blinking in surprise at the seriousness of his tone.

"Marinette," Chat Noir called more softly, placing his hands on her shoulders. "It's up to you. Now please tell me, do you want to be with me?"

Marinette’s eyes lightened up as she gave him a warm smile.

"I do, Chat Noir. I do want to be with you."

[hamable]

Thoughts while watching the new miraculous movie cuz I’m three minutes in and can already TELL I’m gonna be losing my mind:

Spoilers under cut obv

Daddy no :( you can’t take me to school tomorrow with fresh baked goods for my whole class :( that’s so embarrassing :( what would they THINK ?!?!

Marinette: I want a better life (beautiful, picturesque Paris, apartment above your parents bakery, heading to a fancy school) cause I’m so clumsy???

Me: GIRLY ILL SWAP WITH YOU???

God I saw stuff about the singing voice and it’s so tonally and stylistically different from Christina Vee’s VAing that I can’t take it seriously. The singer isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s so clearly a different person.

Aside from the im loving the animation so far. It’s so cool seeing these character I’ve known since like 2017 in a new, more polished style.

Goddamnit we’re still making popular girl no carbs jokes???

DAMN ALYA THATS COLD (oh sorry, do I need to take a number behind the line of friends coming to your rescue?) LIKE YOUVE HAD ONE LINE SO FAR.

Chloe going about this bully/rival thing reeaallll fruity

Emo Adrien just trying to listen to MCR and tune out the normies that just don’t get it 😡😭

NINO BEST BRO

EW WHAT HAIR IS THAT GABRIEL

Nooroo called them the ladybug and chat noir miraculouses, but shouldn’t it be the ladybug and black cat miraculous? I thought they chose their names for themselves, ladybug sticking with ladybug, chat noir coming up with his own?

TIKKI IS SO CUTE OMG

This chat noir so silly and goofy

NOT CARELESS WHISPER ARE YOU KIDDING ME. YALL COULDA DONE A BEAUTIFUL ORCHESTRAL SWELL AND YOU PICK C A R E L E S S W H I S P E R?!?!?!?!

Btw why did Marinette prove her worth while adrien was just like. Doing hw. It’s easy to prove you can use the ladybug for good. Show me why he was chosen to use destruction for good. That’d be so interesting.

PUSS IN BOOTS

Plagg take an antacid plz

SHE THREW IT OUT THE WINDOW

Pop off hawk moth villain song honestly, best one so far

OK HAWKMOTH SING

Nino Dr. Love omg my favorite guy

Golden rule: always stay cool… (voice immediately shoots up an octave when Alya speaks to him)

That’s NOT HOW ROLLERCOASTERS WORK

That’s gotta be at least a few casualties

ASHDJFJF Catches Chloe from a deadly fall only to redirect and chuck her HARDER into a dumpster

Chloe you gotta stop giving off repressed fruity vibes

This movie has not established enough of a connection between marinette and adrien to justify ladybug rejecting chat noir (on the basis of loving someone else, I mean, not that she can’t reject him at all)

Plagg? Not the time.

WTF HAPPENED TO YOU GABRIEL?!?! DID YOU GO ON A BENDER?!?!

The movie has not established enough, if any, disconnect between adrien and gabriel. I love seeing adrien stand up for himself, but it feels kinda weird

LMAO HES LIKE BOUNCING IN PLACE WITH ANGER DONT MAKE ME LAUGH

Adrien with headphones is so fucking funny to me. Head down shoulders hunched, listen to welcome to Nightvale cause no one else gets it

Chloe. Every. God. Every word out of your mouth is so fruity. “There is someone else. And she’s right in front of you.” Someone else for who, Chloe?? For marinette?? I better you’re hoping she thinks you mean u and her huh?

Crush likes someone else. Life not worthy living. Dreams not worth pursuing.

All these songs run together. Except hawkmoths. His kicked ass.

Jesus Christ it’s Armageddon

STOP WITH THE FUCKING CARELESS WHISPER

HAS HE BEEN LISTENING TO CARELESS WHISPER THE WHOLE TIME?!?! THIS FUCKING LOSER OH MY GOD

Ladybug out here in YOUR FATHERS APOCALYPSE and you’re MOPING IN YOUR FANCY HOUSE

It’s the end of the world are you really gonna be salty rn?!?!

Ew why it’s the cataclysm like. An oil slick?!

Oh shit he dead

Oh he super dead

From the top of the Eiffel Tower? Into water?? You’re dead.

WHERE IS THE LAVA COMING FROM?!

SINCE WHEN DO YOU HAVE THE FORCE HAWKMOTH?!

Damn show hawkmoth could never.

Jesus fucking razor winged butterflies

Movie says fuck sentimonster adrien here’s Emilie pregnant

Anyways uh you killed and displaced likely hundreds of citizens so get ready for a lifetime in prison, hawky

OH I FORGOT ABOUT MIRACULOUS LADYBUG LMAO WERE GOOD ACTUALLY

Ok you placed the rubble back together but a bunch of people are still probably dead right

Ya Chloe make a quick exit bc of that gay crisis you’re having. Next year? Back to bullying. What was this year Chloe? Hm?

Overall: cool animation and effects, nostalgic for early lady noir dynamic, writer brain is itching for what could’ve been, but otherwise it is what it is, prob won’t watch it again.

EDIT: SHE DISNT DO MIRACULOUS LADYBUG UNTIL THE END RIGHT???? LIKE AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF HEROING??? SO ALL THE SHIT AT THE FAIR. JUST HAPPENED. YOU CANT TELL ME THERE ARENT LIKE. DEAD BODIES. I DONT THINK SHE KNEW SHE COULD FIX IT RIGHT??? PEOPLE DIED. YOU DESTROYED A CHUNK OF A CITY GABRIEL.

[communitypoolswimlessons]

last July I decided to record my thoughts on the miraculous ladybug movie

, here you go

(prepare for the most massive text block of your life)

Why is the lighting so harsh all the time????Marinette's speaking v singing voice is soooo. Different

AND WHY DID GABRIEL HAVE LONG HAIR AT ONE POINT BURN IT

And also? Why do they have a ginormous portrait of them in MOURNING CLOTHES.

careless whisper playing as chat takes ladybug's hand is the most correct ever

Also, Adrian is me coded fr

Chat is chaos incarnate

WHY TF DOES CHAT LEAP AWAY LIKE THAT

Adrian get your life together why does a girl make you smile this much you JUST met her

stHAP WHY DID THEY MAKE ADRIAN SO BBGGabriel????? Singing?????

STOP it right now (his whole villain song is sendingggggg meede)

You know what I love how Marinette loves her dad

Marinette's emo song goes hard

I know this is, like, a show about magical powers and whatnot but I really like how they show the destruction of the fight and how, even while helping, damage is done

DONT THINK I DIDNT SEE LUKA I DID I WAS CHEERING HIM ON IN ANY SCENE HE WAS IN

HEATHENS. ABSOLUTE HEATHENS. WHY MUST THEY BITE THEIR ICE CREAM

The banter as they fight is killing me oh my god

And before people ask who I ship in the weird love square, it's just the two of them with the banter ladybug and chat noir have.

IDK WHY IT GOT SO COMPLICATED BUT IT DID AND IM CONFUSED. they are LITERALLY the same people, different fonts.

*breath has been stolen from my body* THE WALL OTS LITERALLY FANFICTION WRITING ITSELF

Also, /gen, how old are they? Because I know in the series they're like 14-15, but in the movie the animation really does make them look younger idk. I think it's around the same?

GEEZE when Marinette claps back she does so brilliantly

$$$picture of dead spider, could have been spiderman$$$

If a) chat noir gets akumatized or b) they don't end up together I will riot I have seen both happen and I have already suffered!!!! I've paid my dues!!!

IM SORRY THE WHOLE HAND THING WHERE IT SHOWS THE PROGRESSION THROUGHOUT THE MOVIE I HAVE DIED DEAD OH MY GOODNESS I HAVE PASSED AWAY /VPOS

Chat is so goofy frOH MY GOD NO NOT THE DOIBLE DUMP SHUT UP AND SHOW YOUR SECRET IDENTITY ALREADY

Also the earbuds?? As a symbol for Adrian's mental state??? Pretty smart ngl

There's only half an hour left Marinette needs to stop singing and get this fixed!!!

Why is hawkmoth like that???? He went from some silly goofy villain with a dark past to me angst machine who only cares about joining his wife like, yes that's his motive in the series but it's much more sane? I guess?

NOOOOO CARLESS WHISPER IS HIS RINGTONE?????

adrian oh my god stop being angsty AND DO YOUR JOB

Plagg has my whole heart fr

Sad we didn't get to see a slow transformation for chat tho

the suspense oh my god stop it

THEYRE TOO YOUNG FOR THIS YOUR HONOR GET YOUR GRIMY LITTLE HANDS AWAY FROM MY BABIES

damn got them with the force

OH MY GOD THIS MAN KNOWS THAT THEY ARE CHILDREN AND DOES. NOT. CARE. LIKE SIR???

what the heck oh my god OH MY GOD THE REVEAL ITS TIME

literally only half of the mask is gone when he recognizes adrian this man needs to spend more time with his child.

If hawkmoth has a redemption arc I will be waiting in line to punch him. Take a number I will gladly do so. Just lemme at him.

How does his cat ears stay on?

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD THE REVEAL

why is the wife not in her glass case she's gonna decompose!!!!

[depressedcatgirl]

soooo i keep seeing stuff about miraculous ladybug and keep seeing it in my yt recommended either video essays about how bad/flawed it is or funny out of context clips...also used to follow someone who simped for the evil dilf villain. So i decided to watch the first episode and here are my thoughts so far

the animation is kinda weird in a good way. Like it looks both bad and good. It feels pretty anime inspired but still looks like a modern western 3d cartoon. Probably would've personally liked it better if it were an anime...i actually used to think it was an anime bc i saw screenshots of an animation in an anime style. The animation does feel a little dated but i think the first season is from 2015 so idk if that will change...it is a tv show so i guess it's to be expected that its not super high quality.

the evil guy is voiced by the same guy who did zhongli in genshin impact (and mondo oowada in danganronpa!)...now i can't stop thinking of gabriel as an evil zhongli lol

speaking of him...does he have mind control/manipulation/corruption/turning ppl evil powers? 😳that's kinda hot. I just really like villains who can do that. Also i love butterfly motifs in character designs. I know he's probably an irredeemable asshole who's hated by the fandom but i'm probably gonna like him.

Adrien is cute especially as chat noir...cute silly little catboy :3.

But how does no one recognize them in their super forms btw? I guess a case can be made for adrien bc theres probably like a million blonde teenage boys in paris, even if he appears to be popular and somewhat famous? But Marinette? How many blue haired teenage girls are there in paris with that hairstyle? And she even talks to the little girl she was babysitting and her friend...how did they not recognize it was her in that costume?

The transformations are cute...reminds me of when i'd used to watch winx club as a kid...I'm glad the whole "magicial girl" genre isn't exactly exclusive to anime even if it's less common in western cartoons. This + winx club are the only things i can think of off the top of my head that do the magical girl transformation thing (not as a joke/parody like i've seen some cartoons do).

Probably would have loved this show if it came out years earlier instead of when i was a teenager and stopped watching tv.

But yeah i think its a cute goofy show that i would like a lot more if i was watching this when i was like 13 and not 23 lol. I still kinda like it tho and am probably gonna try and continue watching it as long as it interests me :3.

[seas-of-silver]

Nino took off his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose in an effort to relieve the dull ache the glasses had caused, and leaned back, contently soaking up the summer sunshine. He was on a picnic date with Alya, and it was going splendidly! No akumas rampaging, no setting up their blindly yet ridiculously in love best friends, no frenzied blogging... just wonderful food, beautiful weather, blissfully peaceful atmosphere, and the most perfect girlfriend to ever exist.

'You're so freaking pretty without your glasses.'

Nino blinked languidly as he slowly tilted his head in Alya's direction, who was staring right at him, and then her words registered.

'Pfft!' he laughed. 'Sure I am.'

Even though she was quite blurry to him without his glasses, he could see that Alya pouted with a little frown, clearly taking exception to his sarcasm.

'I'm being serious, you goof!' she told him, lightly tapping his arm with the back of her hand. 'You're gorgeous!'

Nino sat up a little, amused by his girlfriend's sudden defensiveness to his supposed beauty. 'Did you put on your rose coloured glasses today, babe?' he teased.

'Just my regular ones,' she retorted easily, with a roll of her eyes, 'and they can see the truth! And the truth is you’re beautiful!'

He couldn't help but blush under her effusive praise, but he didn't know what to tell her. He knew gorgeous people existed: Adrien, Marinette, Ladybug, Chat Noir, Juleka- hell, most of his classmates were beautiful! (With clear exceptions of Chloé and Lila, because their personalities sucked.) And Alya was on the very top of his personal "Beautiful People" list. But him? Him... beautiful? That sounded fake.

'If you say so, Als,' he appeased, not in the mood to battle Alya on his beauty or lack thereof. Today was a beautiful day that he was thoroughly enjoying, and he wasn't going to dare ruin it with a silly squabble.

'I do say so!' she crowed, looking particularly pleased with herself as she stood up from the picnic blanket, victoriously pulling her phone from her pocket with a massive grin. 'And I'll prove it! Say cheese!'

Nino chuckled. He should've known better than thinking Alya would let the matter drop that easily. He looked up at her, her gleeful gaze fixated on him through her camera's lens, and couldn't help but smile. She was breathtaking when she was all passionate and fired-up.

'Cheeeeese.'

He heard the telltale sound of the picture being taken, and Alya inspected the photo before immediately plopping down next to him, pride emanating from her like sunshine.

'See? Look! I was right! Go on, take a look!' she babbled, eagerly pushing her phone into his hands.

'Hang on, hang on!' he laughed. 'Let me get my glasses first!'

Putting his glasses on, he accepted the phone, and upon seeing the photo, his smile slowly slipped away. The person in this photo couldn't be him... right? This guy was wearing his shirt, but... his eyes weren't brown like his, they were like deep, luxurious honey, its colours glowing under the light of the sun. This guy didn't have his brown hair, but locks of silky chocolate, strands as light as the air, curled delicately to rest atop skin of rich caramel. This guy's smile wasn't goofy, but was worthy of the billboards Adrien normally adorned. Nino looked up to Alya with his mouth agape.

'See?' she teased, dragging out the word as she preened triumphantly.

'I do,' he replied breathlessly, before fixing her with a playful glare, 'you put a filter on me!'

Alya's look of outrage was so ridiculously comical that Nino struggled to not break into a fit of laughter.

'Filter?' she shrieked, and Nino suppressed his snort of laughter with a few coughs. 'Filter? No filter created this - this is your natural beauty!'

'Not a filter, huh?' he drawled, smothering his smirk with a contemplative look; Adrien's flair for the dramatic was obviously rubbing off on him. 'So then it must be an app! What's it called? I know Kim would love to use it.'

'There's no app!' Alya cried, waving her arms about. 'It's just you and- oh, wait a damn minute.'

It was then that Nino knew the jig was up. He shot Alya a shrug and a grin before leaping up to his feet and running for his life, with his girlfriend hot on his heels, phone in hand, and demands the concede and just admit he was good looking echoing through the air as they ran amok around the park. Regardless as to whether or not he was handsome (which he still very much did not believe), he did know two things: 1. He was suddenly grateful for all the unintentional running training that he got chasing Alya through akuma battles, as he now sprinted away from her, and 2. No matter how beautiful she thought he was, Alya was most definitely infinitely more beautiful than him, and on the phone inside his pocket, he had the photos to prove it.

So, this was supposed to be only a sketch to practice angles m, but turned into a whole ass illustration.

(You can support me on KoFi 🦊)

[justafewsmallsteps]

Reversal AU where Adrien constantly flirts with his crush Marinette who is so not buying it, but as Ladybug she can't help getting flustered by her absolute sweetheart of a partner. Lovesquare reversal and self-personality swap. Drabble part 1 below.

Title: The Other Way Around Pairing: Lovesquare Rating: G+ Word Count: 1170

Akuma attack aside, today had been an exhausting work day for Adrien. The photoshoot had gone well, but working in a group was always extra tiresome. It's not like keeping up his appearances in front of a camera was anything new. It was simply that he preferred either solo shoots or partner work, because as much as he liked crowds and the excuse to socialize, it was still work, and more people around just meant keeping the facade up for longer. He’d almost welcomed the attack, happy to transform and focus on something other than entertaining half a dozen fellow models who would not stop asking about his father. He knew they were in it for the connections, but he never had the guts to be forthright about that kind of thing. People used people. It’s what his father had both warned him about and told him to take advantage of at the same time. It was a game, and at this point in life he knew how to play it well enough.

Adrien had learned at a young age that flirting really worked at charming people into getting what he wanted, so he honed the craft. It was a personality trait he found useful more than anything, and he credited his mother with his acting skills. A wink thrown this way, a smirk timed at the right moment—those were the sort of things fans fawned over. His father expected that he would keep up his public image, only demanding that he not do anything to embarrass their name. That had a reputation to uphold afterall. It was something he’s always been aware of. People fawned over his good looks even though he was just a kid. His gold hair and large green eyes were a winning combo amongst fans who labeled him as a heartthrob and heartbreaker before he knew what either of those terms meant.

Ultimately he was a people pleaser. If they wanted him to be some kind of bachelor then he’d fashion himself to fit their expectations. “Fake it until you make it” was a mantra he’d lived out—waited out, was more like it actually, since nothing he ever did made him feel like he’d actually “made it” to wherever he was heading.

At what point could he stop pretending? It seemed the goal post of approval was always moving forward, always out of reach. Maybe it was somewhere in the distance and he just wasn’t running this marathon fast enough to see it. Eventually he ran so hard that he swore somewhere along the way he’d managed to lose himself. He no longer knew what was genuinely himself having fun or playing around and what was done to keep up appearances.

Adrien Agreste was more of an ideal. He was a poster or a billboard or a commercial. That’s the version of him that everyone flocked towards, and he was willing to do whatever he had to in order to keep from being left alone. Who cared if he didn’t know himself? Who cared about who he wanted to be?

Enter Plagg. Enter Chat Noir.

“Transform me!” was more than a costume change, Adrien realized one day.

Hidden behind the mask, Chat Noir could be anyone. Adrien could be anyone he wanted to be--even himself. So he was honest; he was silly and goofy in an authentic way that made Adrien laugh at himself; he was still hardworking and friendly, but could genuinely show that he was angry or sad or anything not perfect whenever he wanted!

Chat Noir was a break from the burden of being Teen Idol Adrien Agreste: always cool, always glamorous, always impeccably fine with whatever came his way. The only expectation that people had for Chat Noir was that he do his job. Okay, okay, so that job happened to be saving all of Paris from destruction, but really, he was happy with the deal. In black leather and with a gleaming gold bell hanging from his neck, Adrien had never felt more comfortable.

Being one of the Heroes of Paris was getting to be someone he actually liked. It beat the stupid playboy role he’d been handed as a civilian. At least now he earned praise and adoration because of what he did and not because of what he looked like.

Another perk of being Char Noir was getting to share the limelight with his partner Ladybug. She was a standup girl--brave, earnest, caring. She was incredible and every bit deserving of the way people adored her, but she was always shy about the attention. He found it funny that she seemed larger than life against akumas that rivalled Godzilla, but then seemed to shrink to her namesake whenever he complimented her.

They worked together well, and she was always quick to thank him for everything he did. She made him feel appreciated.

“Little Lady seemed like she was in a good mood today,” Adrien commented to his kwami, tossing him a bit of camembert as he collapsed in front of his computer.

Mouth full, Plagg’s toothy grin was covered in cheese. Gross. He had the decency to swallow (like a snake!) before quipping back, “Probably because you were flirting with her.”

Adrien rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t flirting. I know what flirting looks like, and I was just complimenting her about the interview.” He pulled it up on his browser as if to make a point. He handled camera crews perfectly well, but seeing as he dealt with the media in his personal life, he preferred when Ladybug was the star. She knew that, and often took over when the lenses were pointed their way.

“You put your arm around her,” the kwami sneered as the scene showed him do exactly that.

“Like that’s a big deal.”

“You look like a couple.”

“We look like we’re partners.”

Plagg shrugged. “Aren’t you a playboy or something?”

He stuck his tongue out in disgust. “That’s my Adrien Agreste reputation, but Chat Noir is a gentlecat, and Ladybug knows it.”

“Uh-huh. Maybe that’s the reason she’s so into you.”

“Yeah right! Ladybug is a professional. We’re partners and friends.” She was probably his best friend, even though he didn’t know her name. “Besides, you know there’s only one girl I’m actually trying to impress.”

It was the little kwami’s turn to roll his big eyes. “Bakery girl.”

Adrien pouted, “You know her name is--”

“Marinette,” Plagg mocked the way his keeper would wistfully sigh out her name before taunting at the kid. “Marinette is so cool and sweet and smells like flowers! Marinette is funny and pretty and likes me for who I am!”

Adrien’s ears turned red with a blush. All the things Plagg was saying were true, but he argued, “That is not what I sound like.”

“Oh yes it is.”

“It is not! And Marinette usually smells like vanilla.” What a lame thing to say, he realized. It didn’t wipe away his pout.

“Well, she is not into you.”

“She could be!”

“But she’s not!” Plagg cackled.

[xhanisai]

What if Adrien/Chat can communicate with cats and is also really good at making flower crowns and bouquets?

- I know these are really specific but we really went off tangent in the server and suddenly the idea of Adrien having cute cats and kittens deliver Marinette some flowers was born.

- Ever since he was young, Emelie would teach Adrien flower language, how to arrange bouquets tastefully and even make the most beautiful flower crowns. He would create flower crowns for his mother almost daily- just imagine a wee lil’ bab, his itty bitty fingers carefully weaving flowers and plucking out thorns, a cute lil’ blep and then happily placing them on his mama’s head~~

- He does dream of opening his own flower shop in Paris. Especially with his Lady by his side. He’d love to have her wake up to fresh flowers and bouquets every single day before he greets her with a good morning kiss and breakfast in bed~

- When Adrien first received the miraculous, that’s when he began to understand what cats say and also communicate with them. Plagg can’t communicate with cats because I want to see cats bully him since I love him so much.

- Plagg would present himself before the cats, demand them to bow down before him and bask in their “awed” and “respectful” meows and purrs. Adrien, in the background is just grimacing since he really knows what the cats are actually saying.

“Meaw!” (Lmao what the fuck is that little midget saying? I wanna eat him.)

“Meee!” (I wonder what would happen if I bit his tail?).

- Sometimes, cats would say random things which Adrien tunes out like idle chatter. Other times, they can be absolutely savage. 

“Miau~”

"EXCUSE ME!? HOW FUCKING RUDE!"

“Meeeeew~~~”

“I AM NOT FAT. SCREW YOU.”

“...Chat Noir? Are you arguing with...a cat?”

“MY LADY! SHE CALLED ME FAT THOUGH! ;A;”

- Parisians and the Ladyblog would often take videos of Chat Noir having full on conversations with cats and kittens. A lot of them are really comedic and he’s dubbed as ‘The Cat Whisperer’. Adrien has to be more discreet about it to ensure that his identity is safe. 

- The cats know that he’s both Chat and Adrien and they also know that Marinette is Ladybug so they take full advantage of this.

“Meow!” (Look at this twink- he claims that he’s in love with Ladybug only to turn around and make goo-goo eyes at Marinette~! Two timer!)

“Mrew.” (What is this rubbish. I’ve asked for lean, fatty tuna. THIS IS NOT FATTY TUNA. OFF WITH YOUR HEAD.)

“Meeeew.” (Just because you’re glaring at me doesn’t mean I’ll go away M. Furry. I will stay here for as long as I want, bitch).

“Mao!” (Why are you getting all bristly for, model kid? I thought Marinette is just a friend so I should be allowed to get cuddles and pets and kisses from her ;)).

- A lot of the cats and kittens purposely get cosy with Ladybug after patrols just to spite Chat Noir. He’d be in the background, seething since he can’t do anything about it. It doesn’t stop him from growling out stuff like:

"He's not THAT cute ya know."

"My hair is softer!"

"I smell better!"

“At least my breath doesn’t reek of rotten fish and whatever rubbish that cat has eaten- MY LADY THAT BASTARD IS SCENTING YOU! OI YOU FURRY YOU LITTLE POTATO GO GET YOUR OWN LADY AND LEAVE MINE ALONE!!!”

- Though, on days where Ladybug feels generous with her affections and boundaries, she allows Chat Noir to play with her hair. He often likes to weave small flowers into her hair or make beautiful flower crowns for her. She has them all pressed in a secret album at home which she sometimes likes to look back on when she’s having a bad day. She even annotates them with dates, meaningful conversations and the atmosphere.

- After getting a bit too curious, Marinette searches up the meanings of the flowers that Chat has made for her only to blush as bright as an engine when she saw how loving and passionate they were. This cat definitely was aiming for marriage...

“That’s not fair. He’s supposed to be a clown. All goofy, silly and funny. Not romantic, sweet and wonderful...”

“One person can be all of those, Marinette.”

“BUT TIKKI-”

- Adrien/Chat would even make small flower crowns for the cats that are nice to him or place cute little flowers behind their ears. The kittens love it.

- One time, he gave an asshole cat a flower that meant “Fuck you <3″ and when the cat found out, it stole his Ladybug Body pillow. He ended up brooding and crying like a little kid for the rest of the day and during patrol, even though he didn’t tell LB what was really up, she held him in her arms and stroked his hair whilst he hugged her waist against his face with a pout.

- One day, during break at school, Adrien was idlily making a flower crown which he nonchalantly put on Nino’s head and suddenly everyone in his whole class wanted one. Nino let out a tearful “B-Bro~ <3″ whilst Kim demanded for twenty flower crowns.

- Marinette also wanted one but was always too shy to ask, chickened out in many of her attempts and would come up with excuses like:

“Oh but I don’t want to overwhelm him...”

“I’m pretty sure he has his hands full...”

“I don’t want to bother him...”

- Soon, everyone in class had at least one or two flower crowns made by Adrien, Kim and Alix arguing about whose was better, Alya and the girls snapping selfies and the lads in la-la-land, babbling about how amazing their bro was. Mari was feeling a bit left out...even huffed to Chat Noir about it, vaguely mentioning how she’ll always have his flower crowns and doesn’t need the ones her good friend was making for everyone in their class.

- Until, she suddenly felt a soft weight on her head, turned around and saw Adrien smiling at her sheepishly, his hands which were above her head beforehand to place the crown was now on her hands. 

“I had to save the best for last~”

“A-A-Adrien?”

“The girls told me about how you really wanted one but worried about bothering me even though I said many times that it’s no problem at all,”

“But you have so much on your plate already, not to mention everyone else’s requests before mine-”

“Marinette, I’ll always find time for you~<3″

- Marinette’s flower crown was definitely the most beautiful and most carefully created much to everyone’s chagrin. There were soft pinks, lavenders and peach coloured flowers. 

- What really caught Alya’s fancy were the lavender roses...because you know...

“...They mean love at first sight...Tikki...why would Adrien give me these?”

“Well, I think you should wait and find out, Marinette~”

- So clearly, Adrien has figured Marinette out. He bribed cats to deliver flowers to Marinette, all with different meanings and messages.

“Ooh! Tikki! This one means ‘I’ll always be by your side,’“

“Tikki! Tikki! This one means ‘You’re the light of my life’! Who’s sending me these?? And managed to get cats of all animals to deliver it to me??”

“...Tikki...I think this cat accidentally ate the flowers it was meant to give me...it looks so guilty...I should hug it.”

“This one means ‘I’m sad that you didn’t give me a croissant’. TIKKI WHO DID I FORGET TO GIVE A CROISSAINT TO!?”

- Marinette soon realises how similar the arrangements were with Chat’s and Adrien’s flower crowns and starts to suspect. Plus, who else would be able to get cats to deliver flowers if not the ‘Cat Whisperer’?

- She also catches Adrien arguing with a cat right after an akuma attack which finally gives him away.

“What do you mean I should have read the fine print when it comes to the payments!? I paid you with 3KG of the finest, freshest salmon! That costed more than three months worth of stinky camembert that I feed to Plagg! All I’ve asked you to do was give the tulips to Marinette and I bet she’s rewarded you with some goodies...so no. I am not to paying an additional 5KG of tuna.”

“MEOW.”

“Don’t go all karen on me ya little punk.”

“MEOWWWWW.”

“Ohoho! You’re not the only one with claws here- I won’t hesitate to fight back-”

“...Adrien?”

“M-MARINETTE!?”

- She presents him a bright red rose, one that she’s grown on her balcony, her face shy and loving.

“I love you too, mon Chaton,”

[barkkletshunt]

Those Worth Fighting For Part eight

I feel like I’m really pushing out these parts right now lol It’s been so long since I’ve had a few days off to work on this. I hope you like it! 

Part one             Part two

Part three           Part four

Part five             Part six

Part seven         Bonus scene 1

Part eight (You’re here)

Taglist: 

@ladybug-182 @fruit-snacc-ace @miraculous-simmer7 @lavenderjunes @use-flamethrower @fan-written @all-mights-asscheeks @birdie-posts

Marinette looked over her pajamas, wondering why she thought having a pajama date as one of their first dates was a good idea. It was her idea and she wasn’t going to go back on it, but oh God why didn’t she own any cute pajamas? 

“Marinette, I thought you wanted to have a laid back date? Why are you stressing out about your outfit?” Tikki knew Marinette better than anyone else, but even she had a hard time understanding her current holders mind sometimes. “Why not wear your comfiest pajamas?”

The blue haired girl looked over to the pajamas she had worn the night before, the comfiest pajamas she owned, and sized up the hot chocolate stains and the tear on the left leg from when she got it caught on the balcony bar. She meant to fix it, but with school and her other projects as MDC the PJ’s were put on the backburner. “Yeah, no, that’s not happening. I’m still trying to impress him.”

“Then what about the set your Grandfather bought you for christmas?” Tikki asked, floating above Marinette’s shoulder to look at the silk pin striped PJ’s. “Those are impressive!”

“But they’re too impressive. It won’t look natural and it will come across as I’m trying too hard.” The woman began biting at her lip, looking over the other pairs of pajamas she owned. “What if I wore the pair Chat Noir bought me? They are comfortable, kinda cute, and they come with slippers to match.”

“The Ladybug ones?” Tikki thought it over for a moment. “They are nice without being too nice, and comfortable without being overworn. I think they’re a good bet!”

Marinette changed into the pajamas her former hero partner had given her, and tucked her feet into the boot slippers that matched. Although they were too big for her as a teen they now fit her perfectly now that her body looked more like her body as a heroine. She was taller now, and from constant training with her mother and Kagami her muscles had grown strong and resilient. She still couldn’t leap from building to building as a civilian, but she could certainly hold her own when it came to freerunning and parkour. 

“I wonder what he’s going to wear,” she said absentmindedly to her kwami as she changed, stripping off her school clothes and hopping into the pajama pants successfully without falling over. “Something flashy, I’m sure.”

“Maybe he has normal pajamas and is worried you’ll think he isn’t as fancy?

“Ha, I wish. He’s fancy through and through.” Marinette laughed, pulling the shirt over her head. “Maybe I can convince him to dress like a normal person like the rest of us mere mortals. He’d look really good in a turtleneck.”

She looked herself over in the mirror and sighed. She looked too much like Ladybug for her own comfort. While they were the perfect level of baggy, and the colour was slightly off from her actual suit, having red pants with black polka dots made her take a second look at herself. 

The shirt was white, with a pun on it, with red sleeves that matched the pants, and even the booties matched the ladybug pattern to tie everything together. She either looked like someone who absolutely loved Ladybug, or Ladybug herself trying to throw off someone's scent by pretending to be a die hard fan. Either way, she needed to change.

Knock, knock, knock.

Or she would change if Felix wasn’t so damned punctual.

Marinette grabbed her coat and the baked goods she got from her parents earlier and headed towards the door. On the other side was Felix, looking as handsome as ever. She could see baggy track pants underneath his black trench coat, but none of that mattered the second he leaned forward and placed a delicate kiss on the top of her head.

“I brought you coffee.” His voice was soft, as if worried saying anything would stop the butterflies that began to flutter in her stomach. “Are you alright with pizza tonight? I was running errands all day and I didn’t have a chance to pick anything up to cook.”

Marinette wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight, feeling him stiffen for just a moment before returning the affectionate gesture. It wasn’t the first time she had hugged him since reuniting with the blond, but it was the first hug she had given him that she allowed herself to savour. 

She could feel his back muscles through his thin coat, and wondered briefly what he did to make them so defined. In his suits it was hard to tell how muscular he was, but from the hold he had on her she figured he was a lot stronger than he looked.

It was just a simple hug, but he held her like he was afraid to let her go. Maybe it was just her mind going haywire from how good the man before her smelt, like fresh soap and coffee. It was warm and clean and she loved it. 

The hug was over too soon and both parties let go with mild embarrassment at how much they enjoyed it. They looked at the walls and the floors, anything not to meet each other's gaze until they finally did. Neither could help the laughter that bubbled from their lips at seeing how the other felt the same way. It was easy and light being with him, and she wondered if that was how the starting of love was supposed to be. 

“So, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, are you ready to go back to my temporary Parisian home with my cousin and his fiancee and look over the seating placements?” Felix asked, trying to regain his air of formality but failing as his smile kept returning. He offered his arm to her, finally giving up on hiding his giddiness at their first official date. “And start preparing the invitations to what I assume is half of France itself?”

“Why, Felix!” She giggled, taking his arm and walking down the hallway of her apartment building with him. “I thought you’d never ask!”

Felix was a gentleman. This was an irrefutable fact. He took the bag of baked goods from her to carry it himself, he opened the car door for her and waited until she was in and buckled before closing the door and getting in on his side. He made sure to get out of the car first to hold her door open for her again, and did the same at the front door of the house. It didn’t even seem like he was trying to impress her, it was just his natural habits. 

“Fel! Mari! Good timing!” Adrien’s voice called to them the second they were in the house, before Felix had a chance to take her coat and hang it up. “We’re in the living room.”

The two looked at each other, their confusion etched upon their faces. 

“Well, better get this over with.” Felix sighed, slowly unbuttoning his coat and taking it off. Revealing the black t-shirt underneath with the design of a suit printed on the chest. She wanted to laugh. Of course, how did she not think of it? This way he could still wear a suit to bed! “Oh, it gets better. I have a matching pair of slippers to yours.” 

As Felix reached into the closet to put his coat away, he pulled out a pair of familiar looking slippers. She hadn’t seen them before, but she had seen up close where the design came from. The slippers Felix put on resembled Chat Noir’s boots. Without planning it out ahead of time the two of them matched. No wonder they liked each other so much.

When they made their way to the living room, with a slight detour to the kitchen to set down the pizza and the baked goods, they saw Kagami and Adrien sitting on one of the sofa’s dressed like they came right out of a 90’s parent teacher conference. Kagami wore a blouse Marinette was sure she had never seen on her friend before, and Adrien wore a dress shirt with a sweater vest over it. They both had glasses on, and she knew for a fact neither of them needed glasses. 

Adrien looked at Marinette and seemed to freeze for a moment before returning to his disappointed face. 

“What’s going on?” She began to ask, but the two crossed their arms and nodded towards the couch across from them. 

Marinette and Felix sat down, looking confused as ever. 

“Marinette, darling, we need to talk.” Kagami started, her monotone voice not matching her words. “We were informed today about something that shocked us to our core.”

“We’re not mad that you didn’t tell us,” Adrien continued, nodding along. Marinette noticed the model was wearing a fake mustache. “Just disappointed.”

“And what, prey tell, was I supposed to tell you?” She wanted to laugh. She knew their game, she knew exactly what they were playing at. It didn’t make it any less hilarious to her. 

“And Felix, I expected better from you than withholding secrets from me.” Adrien fake cried onto Kagami’s shoulder, who only patted his back in an attempt to soothe him.

“It’s okay dear, as her father I will handle this.” Kagami whispered.

“I thought I was the father, that’s why I’m wearing the mustache.” Adrien lifted his head.

“You’re the emotional mother who doesn’t know how to handle her daughter's secret life, and I’m the father who will be stern but also loves his wife despite the facial hair because you have a beautiful spirit.” Kagami stated. 

“You’d be a great dad.”

“I already am.” Kagami adjusted herself. “Marinette, how could you not tell us you were dating Felix?”

Felix stared at his cousin and his fiancee. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Had Adrien always been this goofy? Had Kagami?

“Mom, Dad, I’m sorry, it’s still new. This is our first date.” Marinette leaned forward and grabbed Kagami’s hand. Felix groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. If he wasn’t already smitten with the blue haired woman, he was sure he’d fall for her again right then and there. His cousin and his soon to be wife, correction, his family loved Marinette so much that they had these silly little jokes and the woman had no problem playing along. She was every bit of the family already and if they were that protective of her then he knew he was falling for the right girl. 

“First date so far, but thankfully you two have given us enough excuses to spend time together that we’re bound to have more dates in the future.” Felix nudged Marinette lightly with his elbow. “Maybe we’ll even, gasp, become a serious relationship and rival your fame.”

“You will if Alya has anything to say about it.” Kagami mumbled. 

“What?” Marinette squinted at her friend, but Kagami shook her head and refused to answer. 

“Well, do I need to grab my sword and threaten you not to hurt my daughter?” Kagami asked Felix, all joking leaving her. 

“No worries, Ma’am, er, sir? I will treat Marinette with the utmost respect.” Felix gave a salute to the Japanese woman. “Now can we go and finish our mission of preparing the invitations to your wedding? While we may be dressed for night time, we aren’t planning on working all night.”

“Speaking of how you’re dressed,” Adrien’s voice wavered for a second. “Marinette, where did you get those pajamas?”

She looked down at herself. How was she supposed to say that the former black cat of Paris gave them to her alter ego self for Christmas? She wasn’t. “A friend got them for me, I’m not sure where he bought them from. Why? Are you jealous?”

Adrien laughed, but it almost sounded forced. “You got me. I wanted them, but oh well.”

Kagami looked at her fiance who just waved her off.

“Well, those pajamas look good on you, M’lady.” Adrien stood up and offered his hand to Kagami who took it and followed his lead. “We’re going to go spar for a bit. Let me know if you two want to join us!”

M’Lady? When had Adrien ever called her that? 

“Well Miss. Bug, shall we be off?” Felix’s voice snapped her out of her train of thought, and then immediately threw her down another hole of questioning. Did he just call her Miss. Bug? The same way that Alley Cat did? Was it just her pajamas making the two blonds act this way, or was there more to the story? God, she was beginning to sound like Alya. 

“Pizza first, invitations second, and third movie time! Sounds good?”

“Anything sounds good if you say it.”

Marinette’s cheeks burned. With all thoughts of Chat Noir and Alley Cat forgotten, the two of them left to the kitchen.

[aalissy]

Cuddles

Day 29 is donee!! And that leaves only one more day of Adrienette April D: D:. Ima miss themmm! I hope you guys like this chapter tho <3. It’s another post-reveal, pre-relationship bc it’s my fave hehhe

AO3

Marinette lifted an eyebrow curiously at the boy who had just flopped into her lap. Slowly, a smile formed on her lips as she stared down at Adrien who looked up at her rather pitifully. She put down her sketchbook, running her hands through his hair and watching as his eyes fluttered closed. 

How can he be so cute? He’s too adorable for his own good. It makes getting over him absolutely impossible, Marinette sighed in her mind. Cuddling him closer, she murmured, “Long day, kitty?”

Adrien simply nodded with a long exhale. “Yep. I had an awful, long photoshoot today and then I had to go to fencing practice and do my tutoring after that.”

He huffed, his blonde hair swaying slightly as he pouted rather sulkily. Unable to stop herself from giggling lightly, she ruffled his blonde curls. “Well, at least you were able to come over.”

He immediately brightened, looking up at her with a brilliant grin that caused her heart to stutter in her chest. His emerald eyes then glimmered at her mischievously as his grin turned into a smirk. “You’re absolutely right! And all I had to do was tell my father that we had a group project I needed to study for.”

Marinette threw her head back in a laugh, scratching right where his ears would be if he was transformed. Her eyes had closed due to her giggles so she missed the rather silly, lovestruck smile Adrien sent her. Eventually, when she calmed down, she looked down at him, biting her lip to stop her wide smile from getting too big. “You know, sometimes I wonder how it took me so long to figure out your identity. It’s so obvious that you’re Chat Noir.”

Adrien chuckled before purring at her, “That’s because I was purrfect at hiding my identity from you, m’lady. You, not so much.”

“What do you mean?” she frowned, feeling slightly offended. There were many times that she went to great lengths to keep her identity safe. How could he say that she wasn’t good at hiding it?

“Well,” he started with a shrug. “I had strong suspicions that it was you from the very beginning. In fact, if it wasn’t for the Multimouse incident I would have probably figured it out a long time ago.”

“Ah, yes, Multimouse,” Marinette said, rolling her eyes. “Where I managed to come up with a way to produce two of me and you just acted like you didn’t know what type of school it was.”

Adrien laughed before wiggling his eyebrows at her. “But it worked, didn’t it?”

Rolling her eyes again with a fond smile, she flicked him lightly on the forehead. “You’re such a dork.”

“But I’m your dork,” he said, giving her a goofy grin.

Marinette’s heart raced with that declaration. Did he have any idea what he did to her? Sometimes, she wished she could fluster him even half as much as he flustered her. 

Adrien then pouted, nudging into her hand which had paused from its previous track in his hair. Giggling quietly, she resumed her ministrations, enjoying the way that he cuddled even closer to her. If only she could brush a soft kiss against his lips. It would make this moment that much more perfect.

They sat in silence for a few minutes before a small furrow appeared between his brows. Glancing to the side, he murmured, “I remember how disappointed I was after I saw Multimouse, though.”

Marinette blinked at him in surprise. “What do you mean? Why were you disappointed?”

“Because it really did mean that Ladybug wasn’t you.” Adrien shrugged, his lips pursing.

Shock flooded through her as she tensed up. He noticed immediately, gazing up at her with a look of concern. He called her name hesitantly which snapped her out of her daze. Marinette looked down at him seriously, asking her question rather pointedly, “You were disappointed when you thought that Ladybug wasn’t me?”

“Yeah,” Adrien blinked like he didn’t quite understand why she was so shocked.

“Why?” She shook her head in confusion as she searched his gaze, wondering if she could somehow find the answer in his eyes.

“Well,” Adrien’s cheeks flushed as he gestured to her. “Because you’re you and I couldn’t imagine Ladybug being anyone else.”

Marinette gulped before stuttering, “E-even back then?”

“Of course,” he said simply, “You’re amazing, Marinette. I’ve known that for a while now.”

She let out a startled squeak and before she was able to stop herself, her lips pressed against his lightly. Immediately, she scrambled back though, jostling him from her lap as she fell onto the floor. Grimacing, she began stuttering out apologies, “Oh my god, I am so so sorry, Adrien. I-I don’t know why I did that. I know you’re over me and that was entirely my fault. Please, please forgive me.”

Adrien’s eyes which had closed during the quick kiss, immediately popped open once she said that. He frowned down at her before slowly sliding from her chaise to join her on the floor. Cautiously, he asked. “You think I’ve gotten over you?”

 Marinette’s mouth fell open at that. Clearing her throat, she asked, “W-well, haven’t you?”

Slowly, he shook his head and her mouth dropped open even wider at that. He couldn’t be serious? Could he? She was about to ask him another question, when he beat her to it. “Didn’t you get over me?”

Her whole face flamed as she shook her head rapidly. Her heart thundered in her ears as she gnawed on her lower lip. Marinette peered over at him nervously as Adrien drew even closer to her, cupping her cheek lightly. She leaned into his palm as her eyes fluttered closed. 

Quietly, he murmured, “You don’t ever need to apologize for kissing me, Marinette. In fact, I was wondering if we could do it again?”

She squeaked, barely able to nod before their lips connected again. Her nose bumped lightly against his as she immediately wrapped her arms around him. She tilted her head, deepening the kiss as she nibbled at his bottom lip. Adrien sighed into her lips as tingles raced up and down her spine. 

Eventually, she pulled back for air, gasping for breath as she looked over at him. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were still closed as he smiled brightly. Butterflies roared to life in her chest as Marinette laughed. “We really are idiots, aren’t we?”

Adrien’s eyes opened as he beamed directly at her. “Most of the time, yes we are.”

Throwing herself back into his arms, she hugged him tightly. Leaning in, she left another light peck on his lips as she murmured, “I hope you know I’m never letting you go again.”

“Please don’t,” Adrien whispered before connecting their lips in a much longer kiss.

[unmaskedagain]

Five boys the Batfamily scared off (And the one boy who helped Marinette get revenge on them all)

This is actually based off a prompt/ask I got by #vixen-Uchiha

Okay, believe it or not, I’ve in history of all my days writing fanfiction (I just turned 27 and have been writing since I was sixteen); I started when Twilight was still at the height of its popularity. (All that work has been deleted, burned, and doused with holy water; don’t ask questions) But even with almost a decade of writing fanfiction, I never even considered approaching this fanfiction classic.

Until now.

Wish me luck. And don’t judge me too harshly.

Note this was also inspired by a poem I loved called To the Boys Who May One Day Date My Daughter by Jesse Parent

 Marinette always knew Tom was her step-father. Sabine and he married when she was three after all. And while she considered the great cuddly bear to be her dad, she still had a great relationship with her actual father: Bruce Wayne. And all her brothers and Sister.  She spent every summer with them and every other Christmas in Gotham. She loved her family. She just wished they take a chill pill.

And stop scaring away her freaking boyfriends.

Lê Chiến Kim: The Boy who swears Marinette’s related to the Boogieman

           If anyone asked Marinette now if she would ever date Kim, she’d have died of laughter. Kim was like a goofy cousin. They were great friends. Their moms were best friends. She just didn’t see him like that.

           However, it wouldn’t have been so funny to six-year-old Marinette who ran from school with a Daisy in her hair and a big smile her face.

“Daddy, Daddy,” She’d squeal to her Papa later that day. She barely noticed he was still wearing bat uniform, except the mask. Or all her brothers were with him.

“Hey Sunshine,” Bruce smiled lovingly at his youngest daughter. “You have a good day at school.”

“Give ‘em hell, firecracker,” Jason called from the background.

           Tim and Dick laughed. Bruce just shook his head amused.

“I got a boyfriend!”    

           Silence.

           That day would forever be known as the day all the smiles died. Seven-year-old Damian just blinked in confusion. He didn’t know what had happened but he knew it was bad. And that it involved his sister. Was she in danger? Did she need help?

           Before Bruce could process or respond to his precious, baby girl, who was way too young to date (And what the hell was Sabine thinking?). Dick literally pushed him out of his chair like it was nothing. “What’s his name? Who are his parents? Where does he live? And where can I find him right now?”

           Marinette, being too young didn’t notice the threat in her eldest brother’s voice and the look of murder in his eyes, had no problem telling Dick all about her best friend Kim, who was super nice, and gave her a Daisy, and kissed her cheek.

           When the call ended, Bruce brought up the picture of the boy in question. A nice-enough looking boy to most, but he knew the truth. He knew the evil in his heart.

I have been waiting for you, Bruce thought, not just to Kim but to all the boys who would day date his daughter, since before she was even born. Before you took your first steps, I was preparing to make it so you’d never walk again.

           However, Kim was still just a child. He needed a kinder touch. He looked back at his children: Dick, Jason, Cassandra, Tim, and Damian, and made his choice.

           When Dick showed up to walk her to the school the next day, Marinette didn’t think to question how her brother got from Gotham to Paris so quick. (Cough, misuse of Zeta beam). Or why he was dressed in all black with a scary biker jacket on. She just shrugged and let him help her tie her shoes and carry her bright pink, hello kitty, and backpack.

           He held her hand the entire way to school, where Kim and his dad were waiting by the doors. Kim had another daisy in his hand that he gave to Marinette.

“This is Dick,” Marinette introduced her brother. “My biggest brother. This is Kim, my boyfriend,” Kim preened. “Look, Dick, Kim got me another daisy.”

           Dick beamed at his sweet little sister, “I see. Hey! Isn’t that you’re friend Rose? Why don’t you go show her?”

“Okay!” And she ran off.

           As soon as she was gone, Dick’s smile quickly disappeared and he glared at the little Casanova, and his father, who felt like someone had just walked over his grave.

“My sister is a little young for a serious boyfriend,” Dick hissed. “Don’t you think? Don’t want her to grow up too fast, right?” The two could only nod in fear. “Good. Don’t hurt her. Don’t make her cry. Because I’d hate to have to have another talk with you, Chiến. It might not go as… nicely.” And with that, he left to go find his sister, leaving two terrified people in in wake.

           That conversation would be the reason Kim broke up with Marinette over recess but to the girl’s dismay and why the boy wouldn’t allowed to date for another ten years.

           Looking back Kim would swear darkness and shadows started to fill the schoolyard. That Marinette’s older brother’s voice got deeper and his eyes turned completely black. He had been a living nightmare, one that would haunt his dreams for years.

Marinette wouldn’t get another boyfriend for years.

 Chat Noir aka Adrien Agreste; The Boy who just didn’t want to Get Neutered

           Marinette never considered Adrien or Chat Noir her boyfriend. He had been her best friend, her partner, and for a long time, her crush. However, before Marinette found out who was behind the mask, and he earned the title of her best friend in the whole world.

Chat Noir had the title of Guy who can’t take a hint.

           They had been just thirteen at the time. Chat had been spending for more and more time flirting with Ladybug and joking around then actually taking the fight seriously. And when he wouldn’t get the response he wanted from his Lady, he’d pout or throw a tantrum and storm off. It had been getting to be a real hassle. And as much as she liked Chat, she had been seriously considering Master Fu’s offer of getting her a permanent partner to replace him.

           Then one day if all change. All the silly behavior, most of it anyway, and the constant flirting all stopped and never started back up. It would take Marinette months to find out why.

           Unbeknownst to Marinette, her Papa, Bruce had been keeping a watchful eye on the deteriorating situation. The flirting, his daughter’s frustration, the lack of care. It had to be stopped. Chat Noir had a few lessons to learn.

           Bruce glared harshly at the image of the cat-themed Superhero. He was proving to be a useless partner for Ladybug. And a prime example for a sexual harassment claim. “You’re sure you can handle this,” He asked son.

           Damian scoffed, “I will teach that alley cat the true meaning of fear.”

“Go.”

           When his son was gone and Bruce was once again alone in the Batcave, he smirked darkly at Chat Noir and all other boys who would come and go. “When you were still playing war in the school yard, I was perfecting headshots. You can’t catch up at this point.”

           One night, after a particularly hazardous fight with an Akuma, Chat Noir had been running home when suddenly everything went dark.

           He woke up, tied upside down, and gagged. For a few moments he thought Hawkmoth had finally gotten, wondered if this was the end.

           When a sword pressed against his throat, and a chilling voice whispered in his ear, “Care to find out just how many lives you really have, fleabag?”

           At the moment, Chat Noir no longer wondered if it was the end. He knew it was.

           A boy, Robin, he realized glared fiercely at him.

“I should kill you,” Robin sneered. “I should rip you limb from limb and leave your head mounted on a spike to show the next fool who thought he was worthy of my sister’s hand. Ladybug is too good for the likes of scum like you.”

           Chat Noir gulped. Sister? Ladybug was Robin’s sister. Adrien’s eyes widened, that meant Ladybug was Batman daughter. He was going to die. He was just going to disappear and his father, or most likely Nathalie, wouldn’t even notice until he failed to show up for his next appointment.

Gorilla would notice though, Adrien thought, he’d miss me.

           Robin pressed the tip of the sword to Adrien’s face until blood was drawn. “You will cease your incessant flirting with my sister. You will train harder for your battles. And you never, ever, leave Ladybug to fight alone again. Am I clear?”

           Adrien nodded his head earnestly. He’d never flirt with anyone again, he swore. He wouldn’t even celebrate Valentine’s Day. Or anything.

“And if for some miracle,” Robin hissed, “My sister deems you suitable to date, you will treat her will respect. You will never touch her without permission. And if you hurt her, Consider my genes a mark of Cain; you will suffer seven times whatever you do to her.”

           Chat Noir whimpered.

           A smoke bomb later. Chat Noir’s bonds were released and Robin was gone.

           It took a long time for him to stop shaking.

           He never flirted with Ladybug again. He worked harder and became the partner she deserved.

           And when Adrien discovered Marinette was behind Ladybug’s mask, he only managed to stumble a little.

           However, when Marinette told him that her brothers was coming for a visit; she couldn’t understand why he paled and stuttered out excuses for photoshoot he never mentioned before in far, far away countries. That same day, Adrien had his father taken them to Australia for vacation under the threat of Adrien dying his hair pink. He wouldn’t return for a month.

Jon Kent: The Boy who, in retrospect, really should’ve known better.

           Marinette’s first real boyfriend was the son of her father’s best friend, Clark Kent, otherwise known as Superman.  She had been only fourteen and it had been a summer romance while she stayed in Gotham. She had thought Jon was perfect; handsome, kind, funny…

           Invulnerable to most weapons and had amazing healing factor.

           Plus it’s not like her papa would kill the son of his best friend, right?

           Right.

           It had all been going great… until it wasn’t.

“I welcome you in my home,” Bruce hissed at the picture of Jon Kent on the bat computer. “I trained you. I trusted you. And you betrayed me.”

“Let me speak with him, father,” Damian demanded. “He is my friend. He will listen to me.”

           Bruce shook his head, “That’s why I can’t send you. You’re too close to the situation. He snuck past all our defense. Now I have no choice but to do same. J?”

           The Asian girl smirked, “Little Superboy will know dread.”

           Jon had been visiting the fortress of Solitude when… it happened.

           Before that day he had never dreamed the place would be anything less than safe, anything other than secure.

           His dad had just flown off to help someone in Brazil. Jon waited patiently for him to come back while he dreamed of his beautiful new girlfriend. Marinette was amazing, perfect, and the nicest, sweetest girl ever.

           When suddenly he felt a tickle in his throat, and he tried his best to clear it but it just got worse and worse. Until Jonathan Samuel Kent, Superboy (now that Connor was going as Krypton), fell to his knees as he struggled to breath.

           No matter what he did, the more breaths he took, the worse he felt. It was like his lungs were on fire.

“Do not struggle,” A voice said. Jon looked up see Blackbat, Cassandra, standing above him. How did she get into the fortress? Not only could only a Kryptonian open the doors but only a member of El could be let in. It was impossible. “Struggling makes it worse.”

           Jon coughed, “What?”

“The air,” Cassandra waved her hand around. “It is filled with dust. Green dust of Kryptonite. It has disable you and your powers. It’s concentrated. You will not die. The alerts of the fortress were disabled. No one is coming to help you, villain.”

           Jon shook his head frantically. He wasn’t a villain. He wasn’t a bad guy. This had to be some mistake.

“No, not villain,” Cassandra corrected. “Not yet. A thief who thought he could earn my family’s trust and then steal away our most precious jewel; our princess. And do it without consequences. I am here to teach you better.”

           Superboy flinched at her words.

“You will not pressure my sister,” Cassandra hissed. “You will be the gentleman we believed you to be. If you cheat on her, I will ensure you never have children. If you strike her, I will know. She will not keep your secret. You can’t make fire feel afraid. And I will come for you. Do you understand?”

Jon nodded, fear in clear in his eyes.

“Good.” She leaned forward, right into the young superhero’s face. “Some say you and your father, your cousin Kara, and Connor, are invincible. That you can’t be stopped. That you are gods among us.” She scoffed. “Let me make this, if you break my sisters’ heart, you will learn, boy of steel, that even gods bleed.”

           And then she was gone, and with her all traces of kryptonite. It didn’t stop the chill that filled Jon to the core.

           It was to no one’s surprise when Superman showed up at the Batcave not long after. “Bruce,” Clark asked with his arms out. “What the fuck?”

           Marinette’s relationship soured when suddenly Jon was too scared to hold her hand, her be alone with her, or kiss her. She got the hint that he just wanted to be friends and broke it.

           She found out a year later what really happened.

Luka Couffaine: The Boy who decided he didn’t want to sing his tune yet.

           Luka had been Marinette’s first serious boyfriend. She was sixteen. They had been together for months and were getting to the ‘I love you’ stage.

           He was cool. He was funny. He was a budding Rock star. He had dyed green hair, tattoos and earrings. Luka went onto tour with his band every summer. He was older than Marinette by two years. He had quite a few previous girlfriends. And he hadn’t been scared off by the normal attempts by his other kids.

           In other words, he was Bruce Wayne’s worst nightmare.

           And the nightmare got worse, when for the first time ever, Marinette was bringing a boyfriend home for Christmas. It was all the confirmation he needed that the things were serious.

           It was why he knew he had to send the greatest soldier he had. Luka Couffaine would rue the day he decided it was good idea to ask his princess out. “Are you ready?”

           Tim nodded. “I’ve done my research,” he declared. “I know what makes him to tick. I. Will. Break. Him.”

“Excellent,” He drawled out the word like it he tasting fine wine. Not caring at all that he sounded like a superman.

“You really think he’s a threat, dad?” Tim asked. “Because I can take care of it. I can have him eliminated. Ra's al ghul owes me a favor. It’ll look like an accident,” He promised. “It’ll look like he just… disappeared.”

A sense of pride filled Bruce. Tim was his most capable and resourceful soldier. He would make a great batman. Any of his kids would.

Batman stared the picture of the boy on his phone as he fought the urge to crush it in his hands. “No,” he finally answered. “I’ve known plenty of rock stars and so called bad boys in my day.  Angel’s smart,” he said using Marinette’s codename. “I have been routing out indifference apathy from her life, her childhood was filled with love and affection. There are no daddy issue for his teenage talons to latch upon. Just… make sure he understands who he is dealing with.”

“Understood.” And then call ended.

           He looked up and saw all the other Justice League members staring at him with expressions of awe, fear, and confusion.

“…Marinette’s got a new boyfriend, huh?” Diana asked when the call disconnected. Amusement in her tone, she knew Bruce would never seriously hurt a kid.

“Poor guy,” Barry said with a shake of his head.

           Clark pinched his nose, “You can’t keep scaring guys away from her forever. Eventually, she’s going to find one who isn’t afraid of you.”

“And then she’ll marry him out of spite,” Dinah added.

           There were snorts from the other league members.

“Like that’ll ever happen,” Oliver said with a shake of his head. “That kid would have to be the biggest moron in the universe. I’ll pity his family.”

           Marinette had constantly warned Luka about how overprotective her family was. Luka hadn’t thought much of it. He dealt with overprotective fathers and brothers before. Eventually they grudging begin to like him. Or realize that if they actively hated him, it would just make the girl get attached.

           He was excited for Christmas, excited to prove himself to the girl of his dreams, and impress her by dealing with her entire family. Luka didn’t understand why Adrien looked so afraid when he told him. Or why he asked what type of flowers he liked.

“For the funeral,” Adrien shrugged. “I need to know what to buy.”

           Luka had laughed, thinking the blond was joking. He had already met a two of her brothers; Dick and Damian. They had been growls and threats but nothing he couldn’t handle. But Adrien didn’t laugh. He just shook his head and promised he’d be there for Juleka. Luka thought he was overreacting.

           However, nothing. NOTHING. Could have prepared Luka for the first time he met Tim.

           Luka had been walking home with Kagami, his long-time friend and one-time rival for Marinette’s affection. It was board daylight, there were tons of people around, and then they had made the apparent mistake of walking by an alley, when suddenly they were pulled into the back of a van, hoods thrown over their heads, and their hands bounds.

           He didn’t know how much time had passed. Or where they were being taken. All he saw was darkness. All he felt was fear. Was this how died?

           When the hoods were finally removed, the two teenagers found themselves in what looked to be a deserted warehouse, bound to their chairs, with a teenage boy not much older than they sitting across from them, looking absurdly comfortable given the situation.

My name is Timothy Drake-Wayne. I am Marinette’s older brother,” He said. “Let me make something clear before we begin. The last hour never happened. This conversation never happened. We never met. And if you say otherwise,” Tim’s eyes narrowed.  “No one will believe you. I was just by dozens of witnesses in Mexico with my boyfriend less than two hours ago. But if you do tell anyone, there will be consequences. Do you understand?”

           They nodded not daring to say a word.

“Luka, Luka, Luka.” Tim smiled an eerie grin that should look more at home on the monsters from Horror movies, and not on such a handsome face. “I hear you’ll be visiting us over the holidays. Must be so exciting for you, meeting your girlfriend’s family. Are you excited, Luka?”

           Luka swallowed hard. He never thought he’d hate the way his own name sounded. “I was- I mean I am. I am.”

“Good,” Tim said. “I just wanted to offer you a bit of advice. So you can know to expect. You see it call all be a bit… daunting to newcomers. Some people don’t understand the Wayne family’s unique tastes. Okay?”

           He nodded.

           Tim still smiled. In fact he never lost his smile the entire time. Yet his eyes were empty like there was no real life in them. “When you first come to my home, you will see the bone carving over the doorway. It will be hard, but try not to imagine your own femurs so expertly carved.”

           At this Kagami’s eyes widened. She had done her best to remain calm but somethings were too much.

           Tim smile widened, “There are one or two rooms you will not be allowed in. However, accidents happen and we understand. But we do ask that you pay no attention to our… ample crawl space. Or the smells that can sometime come from it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Luka stuttered. “Sure, no problem. Man.”

“Try not to go into Father’s playroom,” Tim continued on. “It will be easy to spot. It’s mostly empty, apart from a rubber mat and a drain. He gets so testy when stranger go in there. You’ll hear strange noise from time to time but just ignore them. That is just father… playing.”

           The green-haired boy just stared. Because what the fuck.

“Just follow that advice, and you should be fine,” Tim promised. “Though you are a pretty one.  You both are. And we like pretty ones. Oh the things we do to pretty ones”

Luka whimpered. Kagami felt tears build in her eyes.

           Tim laughed, “Now, now, none of that,” He said channeling his inner Brucie. “We’re not going to hurt. We’d never hurt Marinette’s friends.” He promised. “We would hurt people who hurt Marinette because people who hurt Marinette are not her friends.”

           Red Robin looked over the two, “What I’m trying to say is. Break my sister’s heart, and we will kill you. I will kill you. You won’t see if coming. You won’t know we’re there. And if you’re lucky, you might not even feel it. Clear?” They nodded. “Excellent. Now you’re going to leave the same way you came. Remember not a word.” He smiled got even bigger.

           They felt hands on their shoulders.

“Oh and Kagami,” Tim’s voice rang. “Should romantic feelings spring to life between you and Marinette again, just know our sister Cassandra is much scarier than I. And a much better shot.”

           Then the black hoods and complete darkness came gain.

           When they were finally let go, in the exact same place they had been taken, neither Luka nor Kagami spoke for what seemed like forever. Their minds still wrapping around what had just taken place. However, it was Kagami who finally broke the quiet.

“Well, it appears I dodge a bullet, huh,” She shrugged, her face not betraying the fear she still felt. “Sucks for you. I’m going to go propose to Chloe. I know can I take her mom in a fight. And that she’s not a serial killer.” Kagami then gave him a grave look. “Happy holiday, Luka. I’ll send best flowers to your funeral.” And the she was gone, literally fleeing down the crowded street, leaving Luka alone with his thoughts and sense of his impending doom.

           He broke up with Marinette an hour later.

           It would take weeks before he would willingly be in a room with her again.

Kaldur'ahm: The Boy who regretted ever walking on land.

           Marinette had met her next boyfriend through her brother Tim. Ironic, considering she had just found out what he did to Luka. She had gone in for some extra training with the Black Canary when she spotted him. Kaldur; aqualad. Marinette had never talked too much with him before but found he was a very calm person and level-headed. A good leader, no matter how much Tim complained.

           They had spared together one day. And another. And Another. Then he asked her out. It was sweet… While it lasted. And it didn’t last long.

           Batman had looked at Kaldur’s picture, scoffed, and said, “Jason?”

           The sound of a gun clocking was heard, “Little Mermaids going down.”

           Unlike his brothers, Redhood had no time for mind games. He went for the quickest route.

           Aquaman burst into room where the justice league meeting was, “He shot Kaldur,” He roared to Batman. “The Red Hood shot Aqualad!”

           Bruce didn’t bat an eye, “Is he alive?”

“Yes,” The King of the seas said quickly. “But that’s not point.”

“Seems like it is,” Bruce said and went on with the meeting leaving a stuttering, red-faced Aquaman still standing there.

It was to one’s surprise when Kaldur dumped Marinette and was gone. Disappeared to the safety of Atlantis. And when he came back, Marinette was barred from Young Justice Headquarters.

It was on that day, that Marinette Dupain-Cheng-Wayne decided enough was enough.

 Roy Harper-Queen: The Boy who should start making better life choices

           It was weird to say but Marinette met the boy who would turn out to be the love of her life when she was ten-years-old. And then sometime after her eighteenth birthday, she would team up with his clone to go rescue him. They became friends, went on missions together. It was a year later that he asked her out.

           Roy was pissed at the world, ready to die for anything if it meant he’d went fight, had a rude mouth, feared nothing and no one, and didn’t play by anyone’s rule but his own. In other words, he was perfect.

           Marinette just never meant to fall in love. She certainly didn’t expect to say yes when proposed.

           They had been keeping their relationship a secret from both their families for over two years. They were happy together. They loved each other.

           But more importantly, they could plot revenge together.

           And revenge was sweet.

           It all played out during a Justice League meeting. Roy, Red Arrow, and Ladybug had been full members for quite some time. The meeting was just about to close, when Roy stood up, “I have an announcement to make,” He said. “Red Arrow will be withdrawing from missions for the perceivable future. As will Ladybug,” He looked at Marinette who nodded firmly.

“What’s going on, Roy?” Oliver asked his once wayward son, with a frown.

           Batman eyed them suspiciously. As did the other members of the batfamily, all were present. Apart from Alfred because Marinette liked Alfred.

           Wonder Woman frowned, “Are you going solo again, I thought you were happy.”

“We’re fine. We’re very happy,” Roy said slowly before taking a deep breath and doing the bravest thing he ever would in his entire life. “Ladybug’s pregnant and I’m the father.”

           A few seconds passed before the words were processed in the Superheroes mind.

           Bruce’s eyes widened, his mind stopped working, and then a snarl ripped form his throat as he moved to attack. The batkids joining him.

“Alpha Code Angelbug” Flash shouted.

           That was all the other league need to go into defensive positions around Roy, against the batfamily. Marinette remained where she was with glee in her eyes. Superman stood in front of Roy, blocking him from view and potential danger.

           The Flash, Cyborg, Black Canary, Wonder Woman, and the Green Arrow stood in front of them. Oliver aimed at arrow at Batman, “Don’t move!” He yelled. “Don’t you dare move, Bruce. I’ll do it. Roy’s my son. And I won’t let you hurt him.”

           Batman growled, “He. I. My daughter!”

“Get Roy out of here, Superman,” Wonder Woman ordered. “We’ll hold him off but we can’t do it for long.” She stepped towards Bruce. “Marinette’s a grown woman. She makes her own choices.”

           Dick shook his head, anger clear on his face, “Dude, you were my friend.”

           Damian snarled, “Harper’s a sneak and a coward.”

“No honor,” Cassandra agreed.

           Jason just looked at his best friend, “I love you…. But you’re dead.”

           Tim just growled.

“No one’s dead or dying,” Marinette said as got up. “Because I’m not pregnant,” She said loudly, drawing everyone’s attention. She walked to her boyfriend and pulled him out from behind his shield. “But Roy and I have been dating for almost three years. And we’re getting married. You can be happy for us. Or I can never talk to you again.”

           Roy grinned, “Pops,” he said to Oliver, whose face was torn between relief and fury at it was prank. “We thought you and Bruce could be the main wedding planners. With the rest of the Queens and Waynes helping out; you know now that we’re going to be family. ”

           With that the two lovebird left the room, leaving the chaos they had created.

           Silence filled the room as Batman and Green Arrow stared at the other.

           Oliver gulped. He let out a breathy chuckle, “So I think a wedding in Star City would be great. Lots of Lilies. The Queen family loves lilies.”

           Batman’s eyes narrowed, “Gotham, roses.”

           Black Canary crossed her arms, “Star City would be safer.”

“Gotham is far more beautiful,” Tim snapped back.

           And just like that, battle lines were drawn. Justice League members’ face turned weary.

           Whether they knew it or not, that was Marinette and Roy’s last act of revenge.

           Forget Batman vs Superman.

           Try Bruce Wayne versus Oliver Queen: billionaire against billionaire, father against father. Elsewhere, thousands of journalist, photographers, florists, and caterers trembled and they didn’t know why.

[perditaalottachocolate-blog]

Caterwauling in the Rain

Summary: Marinette and Adrien share their very first kiss after their very first date. Chat is so overjoyed he’s ready to burst into song, albeit not all Parisians share the sentiment. Ladybug comes to investigate the complaints about a feline caterwauling in the spring rain. Luckily, it’s just her very wet boyfriend. A Miraculous Writer Zine​ story.

A/N: This is my piece for @mlwriterzine . I’m so happy I can finally share it! I feel honored to be among the chosen authors. I want to thank everyone, who made this zine possible, it was an amazing adventure! Make sure to read works in the zine collection, they're all a m a z i n g !

AO3

The whisper of wind in his ears, the tap of boots on the tin roofs, the pigeons nesting among the chimneys, cooing to the spring in his step. Chat Noir ran high over the streets, reveling in this late April evening, basking in the fading light of day. 

 Everything in his path was blooming recklessly, fueled by sunshine, turning the warmth of spring into an opulent palette of greens, whites, yellows, pinks, and every other color one could think of.

 It wouldn’t have been far from the truth if Chat claimed he floated on the breeze. It certainly felt like it. Butterflies, the good kind, not the evil purple ones that’d been giving them so much grief, fluttered happily in his stomach. His chest swelled with affection as if it tried to contain all the smells and scents at once.

 His heart was so full he was ready to burst into song any second now. And snugly pressed to his chest was none other than the bravest, prettiest, awesomest, and the most amazing girl he knew. The love of his life, sans the spots. Marinette Dupain-Cheng. His Lady. His girlfriend. His everything. 

Her hair tickled the exposed skin under his chin, but he was too focused on carrying his precious cargo to utter a chuckle. It was her who giggled happily instead. 

 “I really could have gotten home myself, silly Kitty,” she murmured to his sternum. Only his enhanced hearing allowed him to pick up the words over the rush of air and the buzz of traffic. 

 “A gentlecat always walks the lady home after a date,” he countered, allowing a little bit of flirt to seep into his voice.

 A date! he thought excitedly, his heart skipping a few beats. The very first real one, official and everything. Not that anyone paid attention to two goofy teens sharing an ice cream, walking down the banks of the Seine and doing all the carefree, silly things teens did. Bantering, picking flowers, playing tag just because. Holding hands, stealing glances, blushing. Basically half of Adrien’s bucket list went down on that date, more than he could ever hope for. It was still very fresh—the romantic side of their relationship, just like nature herself, coming to life with spring—yet he doubted the excitement of enjoying her company on both sides of their masks would ever ebb.

 Alas, their time had run out all too quickly. For unfathomable reasons their parents set a curfew and warned them not to break it. Yet Adrien refused to leave Marinette to return home by herself. He announced his arrival at the mansion, claiming he was exhausted after a busy day, and dashed off to his room. The door barely had time to close behind him when Chat Noir was already leaping through the window. He scooped Marinette into his arms and vaulted them high and away from the prying eyes of pedestrians. Just a little run and they were already on the little balcony of 12 Rue Gotlib.

 It wasn’t dusk yet, although darkness already settled over the city thanks to the rain clouds that flocked from the west, keeping the last rays of spring sun to themselves. A silver half-moon peeked tentatively over the rooftops, picking up the slack. 

 Unexpectedly the sight filled him with nostalgia. “Anything can happen at half-moon,” Chat recited absently. He didn’t remember where he’d heard the verse. 

 “Anything?” Marinette frowned in confusion. After all, they had just spent a delightful afternoon together. Why would his mood turn wistful so suddenly?

 He decided to play it off. He grinned cheekily. “Like maybe … a kiss?” 

 He was pushing his luck, he knew. They hadn’t reached that milestone yet, still tiptoeing around each other after the accidental reveal, still testing the waters, although neither of them was oblivious to the other’s feelings anymore. 

 To his astonishment Marinette fixed him with a coy smile and threw her hands around his neck. She climbed to her toes. “Maybe,” she whispered, her lips a hairbreadth away from his. Her eyes twinkled in the moonlight. 

 Chat released a ragged breath against her mouth. He shuddered from head to toe as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her flush against him. His body screamed for her, longed for her presence. But he wouldn’t dare to make the first step. He always followed her lead. He had to be sure it was what she wanted, even if he knew it wasn’t in her nature to tease him like this. 

 And then Marinette was kissing him. Sweetly, tenderly, with just a hint of passion simmering underneath. The gentle caress shrunk his world to just her and this moment.

 He was sure he died, his heart flatlining out of sheer euphoria, his neurons fried from overjoy, his body coming apart at the seams. He floated to heaven and then her kisses brought him back to life. Back to the warmth of her embrace, to the flowery scent of her skin, and to soft kisses he knew he would never have enough of.

 All too soon she withdrew, leaving his lips tingling and cold. He stumbled, dizzy with love in his heart and springtime in his lungs. 

 She must have thought he was being dramatic, because she ruffled his already wild mane.

 “Goof,” she giggled. “Go home, before you catch a cold.”

 “A cold?” He knitted his brows. “Why would I catch a cold now?”

 “It’s raining, you dork.” Marinette bopped him on the nose and turned her hands up. A few plump droplets splashed on her palm.

 Huh? How long did that kiss take? He hadn’t noticed when the rain started. Either those clouds had been moving faster than he’d thought, or he might have been more distracted than usual. Lately he tended to get tunnel vision in Marinette’s company, tuning out everyone and everything while soaking in her presence. 

 From behind the deck chair Marinette produced a black umbrella. She pressed it into his claws. “This is no dew, Kitty. It’s going to pour heavily soon.”

 “Really?” He chuckled. She walked straight into this one. “I’m purring already, my Lady.” He grabbed her hand and put it to his chest. Then he released a rumble worthy of a thunderstorm.

 “Besides, where I stand, the sun is shining all over the place.” He dropped the cheesy line with a flourish.

 “See, you’re already delirious,” Marinette replied matter-of-factly. “Also, yes, I’m very proud of you for getting the ‘Singing in the Rain’ reference, you dorkasaurus,” she added, seeing his pout of indignation. “Now go, before you get wet for real.”

 “Didn’t you mean furrrrr real?” he started, but dropped it immediately when she set him with one of Ladybug’s finest glowers. “A kiss good night, purrrhaps?” he asked hopefully.

 Marinette grabbed him by the bell with such force, his hand slipped on the umbrella’s handle. She pressed her lips to his, but with more fire than sugar this time. 

 Snap! The black canopy sprang to its full size, startling them both.

 “Sorry! Sorry!” Chat exclaimed, but Marinette just shook her head, launching into a fit of laughter. It was impossible not to join her.

 “This umbrella is absolutely terrible,” she wheezed, clutching at her belly. “The ultimate killjoy.”

 “You mean this is …” He trailed off, finally giving the umbrella a thorough look. Sure enough, he soon found the loopy ‘Agreste’ carved into the handle. “Oh, wow,” he whispered reverently. Marinette had mentioned the significance of that first rain they’d experienced together.

 “Yup. And I want it back, mind you,” she added. 

 “This is an Agreste umbrella. You’d need to marry me for the name to check out, Princess.” Chat shot her with a toothy grin.

 “Did you just propose on the first date, Adrien?” She raised a brow. “You might want to save something for the second one.”

 “Ooops.” He feigned a horrified gasp. Incidentally, that absolutely had been on his bucket list. This was Marinette after all. “I’m gonna have to google some new ideas. But anyway, your answer would be …?”

 Marinette shook her head again and thrusted her hand into his face. “You’re impossible. Just go home already before we both catch a cold.”

 Right. He hadn’t noticed her shivering in the cold evening breeze, and the rain probably wasn’t helping. 

 “As you wish, m’Lady.” He bowed. “See you tomorrow?”

 “Tomorrow it is, my Prince,” she replied with a curtsy, raising the imaginary fabric of a long dress with her fingers. Then with one last playful wink, she disappeared through the skylight. 

 Chat sighed in contentment, drawing in the chilly, humid air. He didn’t feel even a little bit tired, more like ignited after the spectacular afternoon of romance, flirting, and banter. He leaped to the railing and elongated his baton so that it hit the pavement. Then, like a leather-clad Mary Poppins, he floated down, startling a few passersby. 

 “Du-dudu-du, du-du-dudu-dee-dudu,” he hummed under his breath, setting into a leisurely stroll. The rain picked up a heavier rhythm, just like Marinette predicted. 

 “Du-dudu-du, du-du-dudu-dee-dudu.” He continued letting his inner Gene Kelly come out and play. He always wanted to perform that song, ever since he’d watched the movie with his father ages ago. And what better place to do so than the Parisian streets, a classy background to the classic number?

 He already felt the tune bubbling in his throat. He couldn’t contain it any longer even if he tried. With a theatrical shrug he folded the umbrella and propped it against his shoulder. His lips stretched into a dreamy smile when he set off again. Then came the song.

 “I'm siiiingin' in the rain, just siiiiiingin' in the rain.” His voice carried over the street, earning him a few confused glances. He gave his audience a little wink. 

 “What a gloooorious feeling, I'm haaaaaappy again,” he claimed, jumping onto a lampost. “I'm laughing at clouds. So daaaark up above. The sun's in my heart ...” Chat’s smile turned into something more smitten as he gazed upon a certain balcony looming in the distance, “… and I'm reeeeeady for loooove.”

 “Let the stoooormy clouds chase everyone from the place.” He waved at a couple making their way through the rain, hiding under an already-soaked newspaper. They chuckled at his antics and clapped, rewarding his performance. 

 Encouraged, Chat turned his face to the sky while throwing his arms to the sides in a truly musical fashion. “Come on with the rain! I've a smile on my face!” 

 He resumed his walk, nonchalantly swinging the umbrella in large circles. “I walk down the lane, with a haaaaaaaappy refrain. Just singing, singing iiiiiiiin the rain.”

 Chat spotted a few phones aimed at him and chuckled inwardly. People always looked for a scoop. Alya was going to be so angry she missed this. He could almost hear her gritting her teeth. Let's give them a show, he thought as his feet carried out the routine, a mix of waltz and tap dancing. 

 “Daaaaaancing in the rain,” he howled. “La-daaaa-da-da-di-daaaaAAA. I'm happy again.” He grabbed the umbrella as if it were a ukulele and struck a chord, making an elated face, as if he were Luka’s more handsome twin. “I'm singin' and dancing in the rain.”

 More tap dancing followed. Chat finally found a way to release all the pent-up energy that had come from the afternoon spent with the love of his life. He tapped, he stepped, he pirouetted, for his joy and for the entertainment of a significant crowd that had gathered to witness his performance. The umbrella was his partner, his pendulum, his microphone and staff. Oh, how versatile a prop this was! Chat leaped like a very wet ballerina, jumped over the puddles or right into them, frolicking in a totally unfeline manner, splashing the water onto himself and all around. A reckless, unstoppable dancing and singing machine.

 Slosh! A wall of cold water washed over him, effectively ending the show. He wiped the liquid from his eyes only to see a very familiar red-clad figure holding a polka-dotted bucket, which must have been the source of his unexpected and involuntary shower. 

 Concern marred Ladybug’s face. She breathed heavily—she must have been running fast to get here. But why did she have to be such a … what had Marinette said? Ah, an ultimate killjoy.

 “Why did you go and do that?” he complained, frowning in accusation. Water dripped from his soaked hair right into his ears. Both pairs. 

 Ladybug narrowed her eyes at him. “The neighbors were complaining about some caterwauling felines and I decided to investigate in case there was an akuma,” she said. 

 Chat shook his head, trying to get rid of the ear leak. “Well, was there?”

 His partner raised a brow and smirked, taking in his drenched form.

 “Oh.” It suddenly dawned on Chat that maybe performing a musical number in a city regularly haunted by mind-controlling villains wasn’t the best of ideas. “Sorry,” he said sheepishly, then shivered. “I’m cold,” he added.

 “Awww, poor kitty,” Ladybug cooed. She relaxed her shoulders, no longer alert. “I need to take you home.” She tangled her yo-yo around a chimney, grabbed him at the waist and in the next moment they were already soaring over the streets. 

 She stopped on a roof a block away from the mansion. Her timing was perfect, as usual.

 “AAAACHOOOOO!” Chat’s sneeze was so powerful Plagg flew out of the ring, taking the leather suit with him. The little kwami didn’t look happy in the least. 

 “Awww, shucks.” Adrien trembled. “Now it’s even colder.”

 “You don’t say,” Plagg grumbled. He was dripping wet. 

 Ladybug sighed in disbelief. She scooped the sprite into her hand and hid him in her pigtail. Then she proceeded to lift Adrien princess style and set off in the direction of his house. Unseen and undetected by the mansion’s security system, she slipped through the bathroom window and into the warmth of his room. 

 A true hero, the epitome of helpfulness, she grabbed a blanket from the bed and wrapped him tight. Then, with a towel she had taken from the bathroom, she gave Plagg the same treatment. 

 “I’m gonna leave you to change and go to sleep,” she finally declared. “No more clowning!” She pointed a finger at Adrien.

 He gave her an innocent blink. Alas, Ladybug seemed to be immune to his charm. Or maybe it was just late for her. After all he had caused her to leave the dry room and investigate an alleged akuma attack. He decided to step up his game.

 “Maybe a good-night kiss?” He fluttered his golden lashes hopefully. That always got a nice fluster out of Marinette. 

 “Haven’t you gotten like two already?” she frowned.

 “Nuh-uh, that was Chat. Adrien didn’t get any,” he complained. “Besides”—he fixed her with the delightful smile of a teenage heartthrob, his voice lowering to a murmur—“three is the charm, as Lady Luck should be perfectly aware.”

 Ladybug tapped her lip thoughtfully. “Well,” she drawled, stepping closer, “you do make a compelling argument …” Then she closed the space between them.

 Meowrrr, the cat in him uttered. Three was definitely the charm.

 - The End - 

[mikauzoran]

Lady Noir/Adrienette: Save Yourself (I’ll Help You): Chapter One

Read it on AO3: Save Yourself (I’ll Help You): Chapter One: Save Me

“You’ve been awfully quiet tonight,” Ladybug noted as they rounded the spire of Sainte Chapelle. “Something on your mind?”

“That obvious?” Chat Noir chuckled mirthlessly, rubbing at the back of his neck as he mentally kicked himself for worrying her needlessly when he knew she had so much on her own plate.

He forced a playful smile. “I thought I was putting up a pretty good front. Do I at least get points for effort?”

She slowed to a stop on the steeply pitched roof to frown in concern at her partner. “Chat Noir, if something’s bothering you, you shouldn’t stuff it down and try to hide it.”

He looked away, struggling not to laugh darkly at the irony of her assertion because bottling things up and concealing his feelings was exactly the way Adrien’s father preferred that he deal with matters.

“It’s nothing.” He shrugged, hoping she would buy the lie and move on. He felt stupid for being upset over something so silly, and the last thing he needed was for her to think he was stupid too.

“Will you let me decide if it’s nothing?” she inquired tentatively, afraid of pushing him to open up to her but wanting to be there to support him, if he needed it.

“If you feel comfortable talking about it,” she quickly added at his surprised silence. “You don’t have to. I don’t want to force you to confide in me, but…I wish you would.”

He studied her for a long moment, taking in her earnest expression, the pure desire to help that was perpetually shining in her eyes.

In spite of himself, his lips pulled up at the corner into a soft, weary, lopsided grin.

“All right. How can I say no to my Lady?” he reluctantly agreed, walking over to the edge of the roof’s gable and hopping down to the arcade just above the church’s rose window where they could sit and talk undisturbed.

She lowered herself on her yoyo and settled in beside him, stressing, “Thank you.”

He quirked an eyebrow, chuckling in earnest, “Why are you acting like I’m the one doing you a favor?”

She shrugged sheepishly. “I just…It makes me really happy that you’re willing to confide in me. I know I haven’t always been…” She bit her lip uneasily, averting her gaze. “I know you feel like I don’t always keep you in the loop, both before and after we lost Maître Fu, and I can appreciate how hard it might be to trust someone who doesn’t always act like she trusts you, so…”

Hesitantly, she looked back up at him, meeting his eyes. “…So I’m really happy that you still trust me…that I haven’t messed this up yet.”

“Oh, Bug,” he sighed, scooting closer and pulling her into a side hug. “La-dy-bug.” He clicked his tongue in feigned admonishment as he squeezed her tight. “I know you trust me in all the ways it really counts. Maybe I didn’t always get the point of all the secrets when we were younger, but I get it now…most of the time, anyway,” he amended a little more honestly as an afterthought.

“You do?” She tipped her head to get a glimpse of his expression.

He nodded and then nuzzled her hair. “I get that our lives are in constant danger, the lives of our loved ones, the fate of Paris… I get that all of that weighs heavily on your shoulders, and I understand that you’re just trying to keep yourself and me and everyone safe. I understand….” His voice lowered, softening with vulnerability. “That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt me sometimes when you feel like you have to keep me at arms’ length, but I get why you do it, and I don’t hold it against you.”

“You don’t?” she echoed in disbelief.

He fluttered his hand, palm down, back and forth. “Meh. Not much. Not usually. I mean, I have my sulky days where I’m a total drama queen about it and collapse onto my bed with my arm thrown over my face and whine to my kwami incessantly, but…yeah,” he chuckled. “Normally, I don’t hold it against you. Not anymore. I think it comes with growing up a little bit, getting more mature,” he bragged, waggling his eyebrows at her playfully to lighten the mood.

She burst out laughing, assuring, “You’re very mature, Chaton.”

His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“Oh, yeah?” he hummed as his eyebrow arched. “You don’t sound very sincere, Ladybug. It sounds like you’re mocking me,” he began to pout. “I think my feelings are hurt.”

“No, no,” she insisted as her giggle fit slowly dried up. She rested a hand lightly on his knee and smiled genuinely, making his heart flutter. “You really have matured over the past three years. I might not have said anything, but I have noticed. Sure, you’re still goofy and ridiculous sometimes—and, I mean, I’d never want that part of you to change because sometimes your sense of humor is the only thing that gets me through some hopeless-seeming situations—”

“—I knew you always secretly enjoyed my jokes,” he snickered, finally vindicated after years of her groaning and eye rolls.

“—But,” she continued, rolling her eyes and shaking her head with a wide grin she couldn’t suppress. “you really have matured into a capable, dependable partner who I can always count on when my back’s up against a wall. I trust you,” she stressed, her expression sobering. “You read my mind and know what I want, what I need, without me having to say anything. There’s no one else in my life I can trust like that, not even myself, Chat Noir.”

She looked down at the cobbled streets of the Île de la Cité below them and sighed, muttering, “So I worry that I’m screwing everything up by keeping secrets and putting walls up between us…but I’ve talked to Tikki, and she doesn’t think that there’s any other way to keep everyone safe. In the absence of other mentors, I have to trust her judgment and believe that she’s right…but I worry that I’m alienating you…that I’m losing you.”

“Shhh, Buguinette,” Chat cooed, pulling her in closer once more and resting his cheek on the top of her head. “You will never lose me. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I feel like I’ve almost lost you so many times,” she laughed miserably, a bitter snort.

He shook his head, effectively nuzzling her. “I always come back. And don’t worry. I’m not going to get frustrated and quit on you. …I’ve learned from you that being a real hero means not running away and giving up when you make a mistake but sticking around, toughing it out, and fixing things in whatever way you can…. I’m in this for the long haul, Ladybug.”

She snaked her arm around his back, returning his squeeze. “Thanks. I just…I can’t help but worry that one of these days you’ll be gone permanently, and it’s going to be my fault.”

“No,” he assured with absolute certainty. “We started this together; we end it together.”

“Thanks,” she repeated, some of the tension finally melting from her muscles. “I hope so.”

“Believe it,” he urged, giving her a squeeze and then pulling back to meet her watery gaze. “You know, it sounds like you were the one who really needed to talk, Buguinette. What was that you said about not bottling up feelings and trying to hide them?”

She blushed, looking away as he chuckled at her expense. “Do as I say, not as I do,” she admonished, whapping him on the arm before turning to him with a pout. “So? Spill already. I lowered my guard and got all vulnerable and touchy-feely with you. Now, it’s your turn. What were you so broody about earlier?”

He took a deep inhale and blew it out slowly, looking up to contemplate the stars along with his word choice. “Honestly, like I said, it’s nothing. I feel kind of silly getting so upset about it.”

“It’s not silly if you’re upset,” she comforted, gently placing a hand on his shoulder in support. “I’m not going to laugh at you, Chat Noir.”

He pursed his lips. “Yeah. I know. I just…I don’t want to bother you. I know you’re crazy stressed out with your own stuff, so I try not to throw my problems on top of your already heavy load.”

“Oh, Chaton,” she sighed, shaking her head. “You’re not a burden. I promise. Yes, I have a lot to deal with, but I will always have time and energy for you. You’re one of the most important people in my life.”

He gave a start, his head whipping around to stare at her in astonishment. “Wait…really?”

She nodded, eyes shining with sincerity. “Of course, Chaton. You’re really precious to me. Irreplaceable.”

“Oh,” he breathed, letting her words sink in.

“Yeah,” she whispered, a soft smile spreading across her lips.

He took her hand in his, threading his fingers through hers.

“…It was just something my father said,” he sighed, coming clean.

She braced herself, knowing from what he’d shared with Ladybug and Marinette that things never ended well when Chat Noir’s father had a word with him. His father could be insensitive at best, downright cruel at worst.

She gave his hand a squeeze, gently prompting, “What did he say?”

Chat chuckled darkly. “Well, apparently, my father hasn’t noticed the way I’ve matured over the years like you have. According to him, I’m too childish for a seventeen-year-old. We were talking about…” He paused, mulling over the best way to explain it. “…our family situation. I made the mistake of suggesting he try to move on from Mother and get remarried and be happy so that we could be a family again…and he just kind of lost it,” he sighed, hanging his head.

Ladybug winced, scooting in closer so that her knee touched his thigh in a reminder of her presence.

“He told me I was idealistic—a naïve, asinine romantic who still believed in fairy stories.” Chat Noir laughed flippantly, almost sounding amused, but Ladybug could tell how much his father’s scathing rebukes must have hurt. Despite everything, Chat Noir still loved his father and yearned for his respect and love.

“He told me that real life doesn’t work out the way it does in fiction. Apparently, in real life, you’re alone from the day you’re born until the day you die, and no one’s ever going to save you.” He wilted as he repeated his father’s words, chinks forming in his veneer of composure. “…He said that there are no happy endings, no true love, no magic spells, no fairy godmothers to solve all of your problems.”

She turned so that she could rub his back soothingly without releasing his hand. “I’m sorry he went off on you like that. He must still be very heartbroken over your mother leaving to have developed such a cynical view of the world.”

“Yeah,” Chat whispered, the word hollow. “…Except…I’m afraid that maybe he’s right.”

Ladybug’s brow furrowed into a deep V of confusion. “What do you mean?”

He looked up at her searchingly. “Fiction isn’t real…is it? Real life doesn’t actually turn out the way it does in books or movies, does it?”

She pursed her lips as she parsed his words, trying to come up with a truthful yet hope-inspiring reply. “…No, not all the time, it doesn’t, but fiction isn’t completely made up either. It’s based in some truth…deeper truths. I think fiction conveys really important lessons about being human and how to live, so it’s not like it’s worthless, even if the things in books and movies didn’t actually happen.”

He looked away and was quiet for a long stretch, lost in thought.

She bit the inside of her cheek, desperately trying to read the mercurial expressions flitting across his face.

Finally, he spoke again, as if narrating a story, “I was really sheltered as a child. I didn’t grow up with many friends, and I didn’t get out much. What I learned about the world, I learned primarily through the books I read and the TV shows and movies I watched. I thought fiction was real for years.”

“Oh,” she breathed, his father’s words taking on a deeper meaning, a new sting.

“I found out when I was, like, ten that fiction didn’t depict historical events, but I’ve still always believed that the books that I read, the movies I watched, were realistic, you know?” He snuck a peek at her. “Like…as in, they could actually happen. I thought my parents’ story was an outlier because I had read hundreds of thousands of pages of happily ever after and seen hundreds of hours of movies where things worked out in the end.”

He licked his lips nervously. “I thought…my becoming Chat Noir was the start of my story. I thought there was some grand plan my life would naturally follow, and I’d meet the person I was destined to share my life with, go through a couple trials and tribulations, but then come out on top at the end and ride off into the sunset.”

She looked away, and so did he.

The air was heavy between them, but she didn’t let go of his hand.

“…My father is right, though, isn’t he?” Chat whispered after a long silence. “There is no guarantee that things are going to work out. We’re all just grasping blindly at whatever scraps of happiness we can get our hands on while we’re alive, and then we’re doomed to die alone.”

“I think that’s too fatalistic,” she replied, putting all her conviction behind her words.

He turned his head and studied her with interest. “You think?”

She nodded. “If I’ve learned anything from being Ladybug, it’s that human beings are fundamentally good and loving.”

He cocked an eyebrow, listening intently, grabbing onto her words like a lifeline.

“Yes, there are horrible people out there who do abominable things,” she granted. “But, for as much ugliness as I’ve seen, I’ve also witnessed bravery and strength and selflessness and compassion. People are good,” she reiterated, “and even though there’s no master plan or guarantee of happiness, there are beautiful things out there just waiting to be experienced and friends waiting to be made. It’s not all chaos and misery. Life is good and worth living, even if it doesn’t proceed in a neat, orderly fashion like it does in fiction.”

“Oh,” he mumbled softly, tears trickling down his cheeks.

“Shh,” she cooed, releasing her hold on his hand to reach up and wipe away the tears carefully with her thumbs. “I can’t promise that the stars will align and everything will work out in your life, but I can tell you that my parents have a relationship straight out of a meet-cute romance novel. They’re living their own version of ‘happily ever after’, so it really is possible. Don’t let your father completely stomp out your hope.”

He nodded, his sniffles becoming a weak chuckle. “Thanks, Buguinette. I guess I really did need to talk things out too after all.”

“You’re very welcome,” she assured with a bolstering smile. “I’m glad that what I had to say was able to help.”

“Me too,” he laughed a little more strongly. “I’ve been feeling really down since he said all that to me last night.” His lips drew together, doubling back onto themselves as he considered how honest to be with her.

Deciding to go all in, he looked down and to the side as he admitted, “…before that, even, actually. I’ve been feeling kind of hopeless recently. For a while.”

“What? Why?” she pressed urgently, alarmed and distressed that she had missed any and all of the signs.

He shrugged. “Just…again, this is probably silly, but—”

“—I promise it’s not,” she huffed.

“—I’ve been feeling lonely. A lot of my friends have found the person they want to marry and spend their lives with,” he explained. “And, like I said, I kind of grew up learning how the world works from books and Disney movies, and, in the stories I read and watched, people always seemed to meet the person they were destined for when they were young, and I feel like I’m getting old, past the point where I was supposed to find my soulmate, but I haven’t found them yet, so…”

He flinched, grimacing as he clarified, “Well, I mean, I thought I’d met my soulmate, but I can’t very well marry you against your will, so…”

“No,” Ladybug agreed softly, compassionately, giving his arm a supportive squeeze. “But you can do better, Chat Noir. There are plenty of other people out there who you haven’t even met yet. You’re seventeen—not old by a long stretch—and you have plenty of time to find someone who appreciates you the way you deserve.”

“Thanks,” he chuckled, oddly comforted by her reassurances. “I always appreciate you rejecting me gently and trying to frame it in terms of me being out of your league.”

“You are lightyears out of my league, Chaton,” she insisted, giving his shoulder a friendly bump with her own.

He rolled his eyes and gave her arm a playful elbow in return. “Says you.”

“I do say so,” she snorted. “You’re the sweetest, most genuinely good guy I know. The only reason I’m turning you down is because I am insane and a masochist who doesn’t allow herself to have nice things.”

“So long as you know what you’re missing out on,” he snickered, and they shared conspiratorial grins before the atmosphere turned solemn once more.

“…I guess I’ve just been feeling lost lately, and what my father said completely threw me into a tailspin when I was already feeling turned around,” he sighed. “I’ve been feeling like I don’t know what kind of ‘story’ my life is, so I don’t know what to read or watch to show me what to do.”

Ladybug nodded, scooting in so that her shoulder rested against his in solidarity. “I can relate to that. I’ve felt totally disoriented many times over the years, and I’ve only been able to keep going because someone stepped in and did or said something that made me realize that I was stronger, smarter, and more capable than I was giving myself credit for.”

She looked to him and smiled bashfully. “You have been that person on so many occasions, Chat Noir. So, thank you. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you in my corner, cheering me on and supporting me.”

“I’m glad I could be there for you,” he replied in such a sincere tone that she knew he really meant it. It wasn’t just the usual platitude.

“I think that’s part of my problem,” he sighed, his affectionate smile of seconds before dimming and disappearing.

“In the books I read about people who are…” He mentally fished for the word, face twisting up into various frowns along the way as he came up empty. “I don’t want to say ‘broken’ or ‘damaged’ because that’s such an ugly way to talk about people, but…I mean people like me who have had crappy childhoods or messed-up relationships with their parents…people who have gone through things that leave them struggling to deal with life and the world the way that it is….” He looked at her uncertainly. “Do you know what I’m trying to say?”

She nodded. “You mean ‘survivors’. Survivors like you.”

Slowly, he started to nod, accepting her word and assimilating it into his self-concept. “Yeah. Survivors…. In the books I read about people who have survived various things and are trying to heal so that they can be happy and healthy, there are always people who help the main character through things and support them and encourage them.”

He took a deep breath before confessing, “I was thinking that maybe that was the kind of story my life was. Maybe I hadn’t met the person I’m supposed to marry because I have to go on a healing journey first, but I don’t feel like I’ve met the mentors I need to guide me or the friends who are supposed to support me yet. Like, maybe I’m still in the first stages of the book where all the characters haven’t been introduced yet.”

He looked up, suddenly anxious that he sounded insane. “I’m sorry. Am I even being coherent?”

“Of course,” she insisted, nodding encouragingly. “Keep talking. I’m with you.”

He took another slow inhale and continued, “Lately, I’ve started worrying that maybe there are no other characters in my story. Maybe I’m on my own and no one’s going to save me or teach me how to save myself. Maybe I have to do this all on my own…but I don’t have any precedent for that kind of story,” he reasoned sadly. “I don’t know any books or movies where the main character pulls themselves up out of whatever they’re going through all on their own, so…it’s like I don’t have a road map, and I don’t even know where I’m going in the first place to be able to ask directions. And then Father told me the stories I’d based my entire understanding of the world on were a pack of lies, so…”

His shoulders slumped in defeat, his ears and tail drooping.

“…I feel like everything’s been turned on its head lately,” he confided in a whisper. “I don’t know if any of what I’m saying is making sense, but what I’m trying to tell you is that I feel lost and alone and scared, and I feel like the things I put my trust in weren’t true.”

She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him in, tipping her head to rest against his. “Shhh. It’s okay. I think I get the important parts.”

“I don’t sound crazy?” he forced a chuckle, trying to put up a lighthearted front even while his chest felt like it was being crushed by a boulder.

“No,” she assured. “Your experiences may be really different than mine, but I think I can appreciate trusting in something only to find out that the thing…or person, in my case…wasn’t really worth the amount of trust you placed in them. Like I said, I’ve been lost and confused before. You’re far more coherent than I am when I’m having a breakdown.”

“Okay, good,” he laughed genuinely. “Thanks for letting me word-vomit all over you. I didn’t realize how much I needed to get all of this junk out of me.”

He bit his lip, hesitating before admitting, “I don’t really have anyone to talk to.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You don’t feel comfortable talking with any of your friends about things like this?”

He grimaced, dropping his gaze. “I mean…It’s not that I couldn’t talk to them. I just don’t want to be a burden. I don’t want to be the boring, depressed kid who sucks the fun out of everything either. I typically keep up a cheerful, resilient front with them because they’re good, kind people, but they haven’t really gone through any of what I’ve gone through, so I don’t know if they’d be able to understand.”

He shook his head, glancing at her to gauge her reaction (distressed but eager to help in any way possible). “The last thing I want is to spill my guts to them and then for them to stare at my blankly, internally freaking out because they don’t know what to say. I don’t want to make them uncomfortable around me, so I tend just to keep things to myself…but, now, I really need support, someone who understands and can help me…but I’ve reached a point where I feel completely alone sometimes…and it feels like it’s too late, like I can’t tell them any of this now.”

He sighed, gazing up toward the stars once more. “I don’t know, Ladybug. I just wish I had someone to talk to so I didn’t feel so desperately isolated anymore.”

“…You can always talk to me,” she offered, feeling small and insignificant and completely ill-equipped to be the kind of support system he needed. Still, she was willing to try.

His lips twitched into the approximation of a smile, and he dropped his head to rest against hers. “Thank you, Ladybug. I really do appreciate it. Tonight… I needed this…but I don’t think this is something we could do regularly. I know you’ve got a lot going on, and I’d hate to take up your time.”

“I don’t mind,” she insisted with a huff. “I was serious when I said I always had time and energy for you.”

He nodded. “I know, but I don’t want to be one more thing on your plate. Besides, it’s kind of hard to skirt around identity-revealing information with you. There are a lot of things that are just too specifically personal that I’d want to vent about but couldn’t. If we start doing something like this regularly, I know it’s only a matter of time before I say something that gives me away.”

Her face crumpled into a deep frown as she wracked her brain for a way to make it work, a way to be there for him. Her partner needed her, and she refused to let him down on something this vitally important.

“Even if you said it was okay for you to know my identity,” he continued quietly, ruefully, “that would only cause problems. It wouldn’t feel fair. I’d want to know who you were. I’d worry about whether you didn’t want me to know because my identity changed how you felt about me or something. I don’t know. It would just drive me crazy, so we probably shouldn’t even go there. It should be mutual identity reveal or no reveal at all.”

Her heart sank as he laid out the facts for her, crushing her nascent plans.

She gulped. “I…can’t reveal my identity to you. Tikki says that it’s too dangerous, especially with me being the Guardian. No one can know who I am. We can’t endanger all of the kwamis and Miraculouses.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, voice soft and resigned. “I know. It’s okay, Bug. Don’t worry about it. Tonight was wonderful, but I’ll be okay, so don’t worry.”

She pursed her lips, frustrated by her own impotence as she found herself stuck between choosing her duty or her partner.

She wanted to cry and tell him not to lie to her, that he wasn’t fine, that it wasn’t okay. She wanted him to hold her accountable for her actions, for how she was failing him.

But he didn’t.

He snuggled up with her, pretending everything was fine, enjoying the moment in all of its transient glory.

“Life is beautiful sometimes,” he whispered.

“Mmhm,” she agreed, unable to find her voice amidst her troubled, roiling thoughts.

They stayed like that for nearly a quarter of an hour, and then he pulled away, getting to his feet and stretching.

She blinked up at him curiously, arching an eyebrow in question.

“I should be going,” he explained. “It’s getting late.”

Alarms started going off in her head.

She felt like her window of opportunity was quickly closing, like if she let this moment end, it would be as if it had never happened. He would pretend everything was fine while slowly crumbling on the inside.

She couldn’t leave him stuck where he was, lost and alone without anyone to turn to.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng,” she blurted out suddenly.

He blinked at her, staring startled for a moment before his mouth finally formed the question, “Sorry, what? What about Marinette?”

“You should talk to her,” she hurriedly insisted, scrambling to her feet. “If I can’t be there for you, maybe she can. She’s very trustworthy and nonjudgmental. You could tell her anything, and I bet she’d listen and try her best to understand. I…I need you to talk to someone, Chaton. I need you to be okay, so…”

She surged forward on impulse, pressing a kiss to his cheek before turning and running, tossing, “Talk to Marinette” back over her shoulder as she fled the scene and all of the feelings that had welled up inside of her on that rooftop, making her feel very mixed up indeed.

 In a daze, Chat Noir somehow made it back home, his head spinning as he tried to make sense of the world.

He released his transformation and collapsed backwards onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling in mystification.

“Plagg? What just happened?” Adrien inquired of his kwami, praying that the little cheese gremlin would be in one of his beneficent moods.

Taking mercy on his holder, Plagg forewent his usual after-patrol Camembert fest and landed on the comforter next to Adrien.

“What part are you having trouble with, exactly?” he snickered. “The part where she kissed you on the cheek? The snuggling? The honest conversation?”

“All of it,” Adrien laughed. “Like…did that happen?”

“Yep,” Plagg helpfully confirmed.

“She doesn’t usually open up like that,” Adrien hummed thoughtfully. “I mean, sometimes she’ll confide in me about things a little bit, but, even then, she’s still pretty guarded. Tonight was…really nice…. And it was good to finally get some of that stuff off my chest too.”

“Like I’ve been saying for years now, you ought to talk to someone, Kid,” Plagg sighed, moving up to perch on Adrien’s chest. “It’s not good for you to hold everything in until you fall to pieces like that. You should talk to your friends.”

Adrien averted his eyes.

“I know you don’t think they’d understand and you’re afraid it would make everything awkward,” Plagg conceded in a weary huff, “but I don’t think you’re giving them enough credit. They love you, and they would be sick if they knew you were in such bad shape mentally.”

“Yeah,” Adrien whispered, imagining how distraught Nino, Alya, and Marinette would be if they only knew how bad things were behind Adrien’s perpetual smiles and cheery disposition. “I don’t know, Plagg. I don’t want to mess things up and lose the few friends I have.”

“Kid, you won’t,” Plagg rebutted for what was probably the thirtieth time. “Nino would never cut you loose like that.”

Adrien made an indefinite noise and repeated, “I don’t know, Plagg.”

Plagg pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes in frustration. Sometimes he just wanted to shake his chosen and make him wake up and see how precious he was to his friends.

“…Are you at least thinking about what Ladybug said?” Plagg prompted with far more gentleness than usual.

Adrien quirked an eyebrow. “…About talking to Marinette?”

Plagg nodded, staring down his holder expectantly.

Adrien heaved a deep sigh. “I know that Marinette would be compassionate and try her hardest to understand what I was saying and help in any way she could just like Ladybug did tonight, but…”

Plagg intensified his gaze. “‘But’ nothing. There’s no downside to talking to her.”

Adrien cringed. “Other than the fact that admitting you have mental health issues doesn’t necessarily make you an attractive prospect as a romantic partner,” he grumbled. “I’ve already admitted to one girl I like that I’m a train wreck; I don’t necessarily want to come clean to the other one too. I mean, I know nothing is ever going to happen with Ladybug, so I didn’t have anything to lose there, but there are times when I genuinely think that maybe I have a chance with Marinette, and I’d really rather not mess things up with her preemptively.”

Plagg took a deep breath, attempting to rein in his ire. “…Do you really think so little of yourself that you’re able to write yourself off entirely based on one perceived defect?”

Adrien’s gaze narrowed as his eyebrows drew together in confusion. “I…don’t understand.”

Plagg shook his head, his expression dripping with exhaustion. “Kid, your struggles with mental health don’t define you, and they don’t detract from all the amazing things about you that would make you a wonderful romantic partner…but you don’t see that at all, do you?”

Slowly, Adrien shook his head. “…I’m glad you think I have redeeming qualities, though…. Thanks, Plagg.”

He reached up and gently began to scratch behind the kwami’s ear.

Plagg gave a full-body shudder of pleasure, enjoying the attention for nearly half a minute before flying in to give Adrien’s cheek a fortifying nuzzle. “There’s a lot to love about you. I don’t pick losers to be my holders.”

“No, I don’t suppose you would,” Adrien chuckled, his morose mood lifting incrementally. “…Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Plagg snorted. “Now, as payment for my magnanimity, I demand—”

“—Expensive imported cheese?” Adrien guessed teasingly.

Plagg clicked his tongue. “No, but if you’re offering, I’m not going to protest…. No. As payment, I demand that you think about talking to Marinette. In earnest,” he stressed, suddenly without a hint of humor.

Adrien’s eyes widened at Plagg’s unexpectedly serious demeanor.

“Do you promise to think about it?” Plagg pressed.

Slowly, Adrien began to nod. “Okay. I’ll think about it, Plagg. I promise.”

Plagg nodded, satisfied. “All right. Good.” He flew in again to give Adrien’s cheek an affectionate lick and then resumed a more standard distance to look Adrien intently in the eyes. “My holders typically have an affinity for destruction. That’s not a bad thing. It takes tremendous strength and control to systematically tear things down, clear it all away, and start over from scratch. Destruction makes way for creation, new beginnings.”

Adrien frowned once more as he struggled to follow Plagg’s train of thought. “Oookay? …I’m not sure what you mean.”

“What I’m saying is, a little bit of destruction can be good. It creates room for growth…but don’t turn your power in on yourself, Kid,” Plagg softly entreated, warmth radiating in his voice. “Not the whole package, anyway. There are pieces of yourself you could stand to lose, but you don’t need to scrap the whole thing. Like I said, there’s plenty about you to love that’s good as is. Stop selling yourself short…and talk to Marinette,” he stressed. “If she can’t love you the way you are, she was never worth your time in the first place…but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised if you give her a chance to prove herself.”

“…I’ll think about it,” Adrien reiterated, actually meaning it this time.

“Good,” Plagg decreed, heading over to the minifridge for his post-patrol meal. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am officially off duty. I think I’ve expended this year’s allotment of empathy and compassion in one sitting. Don’t ask me to be helpful again for at least twelve months.”

Adrien let out a snort of laughter, shaking his head and rolling his eyes at his kwami’s aloof charade. “Sure thing, Plagg.”

“I’m serious,” the little deity insisted. “Next existential crisis, you’re on your own because I am spent.”

With a fond smile curling up the corners of his lips, Adrien pushed himself up and started getting ready for bed.

[callmegremlin]

Soulmate AU

I was inspired by the Soulmate Nickname mark AU originally by @chatalyst and couldnt help but write something for the love square.

~~~

Marinette had spent her whole life with the cursive script behind her right ear ‘Bugaboo.’ It was cute, she supposed. For most of her life she didn’t understand why anybody would give her that nickname; but she’d seen people with worse nicknames in more obvious places. Hers was at least discrete, most people didn’t even know it was there unless they saw her from a certain angle. She appreciated the subtly of her soul mark’s placement the most, specifically now that she’d gotten the ladybug miraculous. Once she’d began saving Paris and became the hero known as Ladybug, she had understood as to where her nickname came from. But the idea that her nickname would have to do with her secret identity made her stomach twist in knots, whoever her soulmate was would know she was Ladybug. She hoped maybe they’d only know her as Ladybug, at least until Hawkmoth was dealt with. But a part of her did worry they’d also know her real identity.

Adrien, just as Marinette and everyone else, had a soul mark as well. His was small cursive script around his right ring finger saying ‘kitty.’ It wasn’t an absurd nickname, he’d grown fond of the idea of being called kitty by his soul mate. And once he’d gotten his miraculous, the nickname made much more sense to him. Though part of him did worry on the ties his soul mate had to his secret identity, he was more excited at the premise of the freedom being Chat Noir gave him. He was also grateful for the fact the ring made it easier to hide his soul mark, covering it nearly perfectly. He at least didn’t have to worry about someone seeing it and trying to make a connection between the mark and his super hero self.

For the most part neither of the teens worried about their soul mate though. Both being too busy catching akumas’, doing well in school, and trying not to look a fool in front of their crushes. Neither particularly cared to find their soul mate either, but thanks to luck and fate the nicknames practically smacked them both in the face one day during patrol.

“This night is purrfect, don’t you think, Bugaboo?” Chat Noir purred, a satisfied smirk on his face; green eyes practically glowing in the moonlight as he bowed in front of her, taking her hand and pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it as he looked up towards Ladybug. Marinette stiffened at the nickname, her stomach twisting into knots as her face became a light pink,

“D-Don’t call me that.” She said nervously, pulling her hand back and rolling her shoulders in an attempt to shake off the feeling that had settled in her. Chat Noir? Chat Noir was her soul mate? He couldn’t be. That’d be some horrible irony. She thought to herself. Chat of course was not oblivious to the soft pink that dusted his lady’s face at the nickname. He’d thought the name was cute but hadn’t expected such a response from her.

“My lady? Blushing and stuttering?” he teased, grinning as he stood up straight, “Don’t you think it’s cute… Bugaboo?” he continued to tease, only making the blush on Ladybug’s face grow more. Her right hand instinctively going to cover her right ear, looking away shyly,

           “Oh, hush kitty.” She muttered, stepping back awkwardly. Now it was Chat Noir’s turn to blush. His heart raced at the nickname, his smirk growing into a smile. His mind racing with the beat of his heart. Ladybug. My soulmate. The thought had him purring. Before he could say more though, Ladybug looked over the skyline wanting to get out of here before he called her Bugaboo again. “It looks like there’s nothing happening tonight. I should get home. Goodnight.” She said softly, tossing her yo-yo and swinging away. Leaving Adrien a mess as he watched her red figure disappear in the night. He went home feeling like he was floating on clouds, while Marinette was confused. Both in shock at what had occurred in the night. Adrien’s hand spinning the ring on his finger and Marinette’s caressing behind her ear as they were lost in thought.

           Both Adrien and Marinette got used to being called by their nicknames over time. Still feeling a flutter of butterflies in their stomachs when they heard their nick name but not showing how it affected them.

~ ~ ~

Marinette raised a brow at the familiar thud on her balcony, telling her Chat was visiting tonight. She’d grown to appreciate her visits with Chat Noir. As Marinette, he didn’t call her Bugaboo, so it helped her relax around him. It also let her appreciate his goofy humor more, not being stressed to solve an akuma problem like she usually had to do. She had just gotten out of the shower, her hair still wrapped up in a towel and recently changed into her pajama’s. She peaked her head out from the trap door that led to her balcony and smiled sweetly,

“I wasn’t expecting you tonight?” she said, raising a brow as he leaned against his staff with a shrug.

“This cat felt a little stuffy staying home. Thought I’d visit my favorite princess.” He said with a smile. Marinette rolled her eyes and giggled softly, beaconing him inside as she ducked back into her room. Chat followed her into the room and looked at the latest sewing project Marinette had laid out on her desk, “I like the new do, Princess. Really stunning. Reminds me of your movie date with Adrien Agreste.” He teased, unable to not be reminded of the day running around with Marinette in those silly sunglasses and a towel on her head. He sat down on her chaise as he smiled up at her.

Marinette roller her eyes, a faint blush going over her face at the mention of her moment in the tabloids with Adrien. Slowly undoing the towel on her head and tossing it to her laundry basket before using her fingers to comb through her hair,

“It wasn’t a date, silly cat.” She said with a scoff, grabbing her comb and hair ties from her desk. “I was just helping him get away from some fans.” She explained as she used her brush to comb out her hair. Her explanation wasn’t fully listened to though. The sight of Marinette combing her hair made him think back to his childhood. Memories of laughing with his mother as she taught him to comb and braid her hair. Fond memories. He smiled softly. The sweet memory made his chest bloom in warmth at the thought if his mother, his hands twitching as he tilted his head shyly.

“Hey. Could I put your hair up?” he asked curiously. Marinette raised a brow at him and he shrugged awkwardly, “My mom used to let me play with her hair and she taught me to braid it and stuff….It’s been a long time since I got to do anything with long hair.” He explained, flicking at his own short locks with a shrug, “I won’t hurt you, I promise.” He added, the kind smile on his face making Marinette’s heart warm. He’d mentioned his mother on few occasions, and Marinette had figured that she wasn’t in his life anymore. This was something she felt good that she could at least do for him to remind him of her,

“I know you wouldn’t, Kitty.” she cooed, sitting down on the floor in front of him and holding up the brush and hair ties to him. The sound of his nick name had sent a shiver down Adrien’s spine and thrown him off. He’d only been called that by Ladybug before. Now Marinette? He shook his head, trying his best to ignore the pounding of his heart. He reached out and gently took the hair supplies held up to him. Sighing shakily as he began to brush out her hair smoothly, separating her hair at her part. Marinette wasn’t shocked at his gentle hands as he brushed out her hair and put her left pig tail in.

As Chat began combing out the right side of her hair, he was quick to notice the black script behind her ear. He continued to comb her hair out, his hands nimbly twisting the hair tie around her hair as his eyes couldn’t help but read over the soul mark. He had never noticed it before when hanging out with her. As he read the script, ‘Bugaboo’ he felt his breath catch. Marinette noticed how Chat Noir’s movements had faltered on the second pigtail, and right as she was about to say something, she felt his thumb graze gently over her soul mark. Her back stiffened as she realized he’d seen it, he’d read it.

“Bugaboo?” he asked softly, making Marinette’s face go bright red. His hand continued to wander along her ear to notice the black earrings she wore. The earrings she always wore. Instinctively Marinette’s hand shot up to her right ear, pushing Chat’s hand away and covering the soul mark. The movement was familiar to him. The same movement he’d seen Ladybug do when he first called her Bugaboo, and one she did occasionally at being called the nickname the past few months.

“Chat.. I-“ she tried to think of what she could say,

“Ladybug?” he asked, his heart was pounding in his chest. A grin grew on his face as he began to connect the dots, the hair, the eyes, the kindness, why Marinette was always late or running off alone during akuma attacks.

“N-No. No I’m not.” she said in panic, not wanting to look up at him. She was trying to lie, but the red blush on her face was giving her away. Chat chuckled,

“You’re definitely my lady.” He purred, his hand pushing hers out of the way gently to caress the soul mark again, “Claws in.” he said softly. His mask falling and Plagg flying out to land on the chaise beside him. The kwami was about to complain about needing cheese, but the scene in front of him had even him quiet.

           Adrien moved his hands in front of Marinette, the back of her head pressing into his chest. He used his left hand to shift his ring down his finger, revealing his own soul mark. Marinette blushed more as she read the cursive word, the nickname she’d given Chat and had been calling him for months now.

           “Y-You shouldn’t have detransformed Chat.” She said shakily, her heart was pounding, her palms were sweaty, and her stomach was turning. Chat Noir, or really whoever he was under the mask was her soul mate. He had to be. Adrien only chuckled,

           “You’ve always been such a stickler for the rules Marinette.” He said with a grin, slipping his ring back onto his hand properly and using his hand to tilt Marinette’s chin to turn and look at him. She closed her eyes tight, knowing she shouldn’t see his civilian form, but wanting so desperately to. It didn’t even take Adrien any coaxing for her to open one eye for a peak, too curious for her own good.

           The sight of Adrien smiling down at her made Marinette’s face go redder than before.

           “A-Adrien?” she stuttered in shock, her brain could barely process the idea that Chat Noir was actually her soul mate. Adrien being Chat Noir, and therefore being her soul mate was enough to fry her brain. Adrien only shrugged awkwardly, gently pulling Marinette up to join him on the chaise, sitting between his legs.

           “In the flesh, Bugaboo.” He said with a shy smile, setting one hand gently on her thigh. Marinette stared, wide eyed and blushing up at Adrien; the sight of which made a blush form on Adrien’s face as well. With his other hand he cupped Marinette’s face, running his thumb across her cheek as he leaned his face down to hers slowly. Giving her a chance to stop him as he leaned into her, his stomach filling butterflies as their eyes closed and their breath mingled.

Marinette was certain that Adrien could feel her heart thumping in her chest; and Adrien lost himself in the scent of buttery croissants, macaroons, and other baked goods that clung to Marinette. Slowly, their lips met in a shy kiss. Marinette’s hands slid to wrap around Adrien’s torso, fingers curling into his shirt as she leaned into him, hungry for more she kissed him harder. She’d been a mess internally for months, in love with Adrien but torn at the idea that Chat Noir could be her soulmate. Now all the puzzle pieces that didn’t seem to fit had found their place. It made sense.

They parted, shaky breaths still clinging to one another as their faces still lingered close. A soft wave of pink dusting both their faces as Adrien smiled gently, placing a small kiss to the tip of Marinette’s nose.

“Whoever that mystery guy you liked can’t beat a soul mate can it?” he purred, pride filling his chest. No matter who the guy Marinette had liked was, they were soul mates. They were meant to be. Marinette couldn’t help but giggle softly, she was at a loss for words at everything - not knowing what to say at Adrien’s obliviousness. Marinette’s silence had Arien raise a brow, “Cat’s got your tongue?” he teased. Marinette roller her eyes and pushed his face away from hers as she laughed at his silly pun,

“I’m just shocked at how dumb my kitty is.” She said giggling, enjoying the confusion on Adrien’s face as he scratched at the back of his head in thought. She leaned in close to him, hooking her finger in the collar of his shirt, “I was denying Chat Noir for Adrien.” As she explained herself a light went off in Adrien’s eyes, finally connecting the dots he chuckled. Resting his head on Marinette’s shoulder,

“This is why you’re the brains of our duo.” He mumbled. Both sighed gently as they enjoyed the embrace, their faces still pink, stomachs fluttering with butterflies, and hearts pounding.

[nattikay]

Sooooo I’m not sure if anyone would be interested in actually reading something like this, but I was looking through some of my older Miraculous art and seeing how the designs of my future AU characters have subtly evolved over time, so I wanted to make a post about designing these characters and how/why I made the decisions that I did! 

So first off, the birth order! I was originally intending to have the kids born in the order that they’re listed in the Stormy Weather episode:

...unfortunately, instead of actually looking at the episode to be sure, I just went off memory; I remembered Emma being the second but accidentally mixed up Hugo and Louis. By the time I realized this, the characters were already too cemented in my head to switch them back. ^^” Oh well.

In addition to the above, in my ~10 years of experience with next gen fics/art/OCs (I know, I have a problem), I’ve noticed that a pretty large fraction of the time folks opt for their OTP’s firstborn to be a daughter over a son. Nothing wrong with this, of course (heck, I’m a firstborn daughter myself haha), it’s just so disproportionately common that I thought making Hugo the firstborn instead of Emma might make my version stand out a bit more. ^^

Now with the siblings’ order decided, on to the designs! Starting with our oldest, 

Hugo!

Black hair and green eyes seems to be the most popular design for an Adrienette kid, and for good reason! It’s an appealing combo on its own in addition to using traits from both parents for the most notable genetic features in characters: hair and eyes. 

I also wanted to give Hugo some of his own flair though. I think the best next gen characters are recognizable as their parents’ offspring BUT can still stand on their own as unique individuals. One way to help do this is, when available, to draw on extended family rather than only their parents. 

Hugo’s strongest example of this (at least as a kid) is his slicked-back hairstyle, which was somewhat inspired by Gabriel’s. The slicked-back style seemed to fit his nerdy personality, but because he is a child and not nearly as uptight as his grandfather, Hugo’s hair is much messier than Gabriel’s, and he often has pieces falling out in the front. 

Admittedly I’m not super great at conveying the slicked idea from the front view, but you can see it a bit better in profile:

Hugo more than either of his siblings also takes after the Dupain side of the family, which isn’t super noticeable as a kid but becomes much more so as he grows up and develops the broad shoulders and strong upper body of Tom and Rolland. He’s not quite as enormous as Tom but is easily the strongest sibling (Louis, meanwhile, is a lanky little noodle like Adrien and Gabriel).

Going along with that, Hugo’s personality has loosened up a bit over time. While I do still draw him in his tucked-in button-up, I’ve also started drawing him in looser styles a bit more, because after all, he is just a goofy kid! This has included anything from using shorts instead of long pants to sometimes wearing just regular ol’ t-shirts instead of his nice button up (on which I rarely actually draw the plaid pattern I initially designed him with because wow it takes forever).

Funnily enough, this is a bit of the opposite of what happened to Adrien. My first sketches of adult!Adrien from this AU all have his shirt untucked, even whilst teaching, but now I almost always draw it neatly tucked in:

...interesting, interesting.

Anyways, while Hugo is still very much a little nerd who does quite well in school and LOVES learning about space and astronomy, he’s also a little more goofy and active than he was when I first created him. He’s probably the most athletic of his siblings (though really none of them are exactly jocks) and while he’s not particularly interested in organized competitive sports, he loves a good game of catch or tag. :)

While people in real life obvious wear any color they want, with my OCs I tend to pick a general palette and stick to it though all (or at least most) outfits, for consistency and easy recognizability. Hugo’s palette is mostly greens (for Chat Noir of course! ;) ), dark blues, and warm browns.

Now, onwards to 

Emma!

I decided to make my version of Emma blonde for two reasons: one, it appears to be so in the screencap shown at the beginning of the post, and while Marinette’s imaginations do not necessarily have to dictate how you design your versions of the kiddos, I liked having the consistency.

...plus then some years later Frozer rolled around and showed a blonde (imaginary) Emma again, so like 

...validation ;)

(by complete coincidence they’re even accurate to the color schemes I use kashdfgjsddsafjdf)

And the second is just that, again, most (not all, of course, but a lot) of the other Emmas I’ve seen in the fandom have been dark-haired, so again I thought it’d help mine stand out a bit.

So now with hair color established, it’s time for eye color. Most of the blond-haired Adrienette kids you see have blue eyes, for the same reason that a lot of dark-haired ones have green. Which, as said with Hugo, makes sense, since it’s the hair color of one parent and the eye color of the other. So why didn’t I make Emma’s eyes blue, then?

Well, it’s a bit of a silly reason tbh, but the blond-hair-blue-eyes combo reminded me a little too much of Chloe. ^^” Not that it would cause any parentage concerns, of course, since obviously Marinette is the one who gave birth to her, but the visual similarities still made me go like...eh ^^”

So green eyes it was! Which, of course, made her look a heck of a whole lot like her father.

But of course, it’s fine to favor one side of the family, but she’s gotta have SOMETHING from Marinette, right? So what other visual could she inherit to show at least some of her mother’s genes?

✧・ﾟ:* F R E C K L E S ! *:・ﾟ✧

And since Marinette’s freckles are so subtle, I decided to make Emma’s a bit more prominent and easily visible.

Actually her freckles have multiplied quite a bit over the years. She’s always had more than Marinette but it used to be confined to just a few on her cheeks and shoulders. Now drawing her is more like DOTS! DOTS EVERYWHERE! with freckles all over her face, down her neck and arms, and even a few on her legs! It is very much her Thing at this point haha

Freckles everywhere!

As for her hairstyle, the default is a simple headband, but she also sometimes wears it just plain down with no accessories at all (usually when in PJs), or up in pigtails like Marinette’s!

Those are just the main ones though...really she can do pretty much whatever ^^

Emma’s outfit palette took a bit more consideration than her brothers’, since I needed it to match the yellow hair (whereas black, as a neutral, can go with just about anything. So I took a minute looking at her established colors--bright green eyes and golden-blonde hair--trying to think of what theme I could used. 

The grassy green and sunshine yellow ended up reminding me of warm weather, like a spring or summer morning. The easiest color for that would’ve been green, but I was already using greens for Hugo and didn’t want their schemes to look too similar. Ultimately I decided on pinks, because the pink outfit with the yellow hair reminded me of some nice fresh lemonade! Some bright whites and warm creams/off-whites then added to the cheery, springy theme. ^^

Her original outfit design included some small dots on her collar and pant cuffs, not unlike the inside of Marinette’s jacket, but I don’t really include that detail much anymore for the same reason I rarely draw Hugo in his original plaid.

Lastly but not leastly, onwards to 

Louis!

Thus far we’ve had Hugo, who’s a pretty good visual mix of his parents, and Emma, who takes more after her dad. As such, I figured that it’d only be fair if the third and final kid took more after his mom!

So in many ways Louis looks a lot like a mini male Marinette, right down to the subtle freckles. If Hugo has the most Dupain genes and Emma has the most Agreste genes, Louis probably has the most Cheng genes and has the easiest time convincing people that yes, he is actually 1/4 Chinese (absolutely no one believes Emma when she says this lol...she has to show pictures of her family haha).

We can’t completely ignore the Agreste side of the family though, and in Louis’s case is manifests mostly in his hairstyle which is very similar to Adrien’s, as well as his lean and lanky body type as an adult, very similar to Adrien’s and Gabriel’s (unlike Hugo who, again, is stockier like a less-extreme Tom).

His outfit color scheme is light blues and grays with splashes of red. The blues and grays work well for his shyer, more reserved demeanor, while the splashes of red like the t-shirt hidden under his sweater are like his big imagination! (Like his mother and grandfather, Louis is very much into art and design, though his interest tends to be geared more towards characters and stories than fashion).

Not as much to say about him tbh...he’s “evolved” the least from his original concept and is mostly just the cute baby brother ^^”

So yeah, there you have it! That was roughly my thought process for creating/designing my little kiddos ^^ 

Hopefully some of you found this interesting; I enjoy talking about my ideas and stuff so if you ever want to know more or about something else that I do/make, feel free to ask! ^^