#dark noir au

[lifeofkaze]

Cherry Red

Find the whole DarkNoir fun here.

Based on this ask by the fantastic @drinkyoursoupbitch

A/N: The last bit of the DarkNoir!AU (for now) naturally brings my favourite couple of them all. The amount of obsession I have developed for this version of them is entirely unhealthy, but what's new. Warning: dark noir world weariness, allusion to drugs and prostitution.

The room is crowded, the stale air stuffy with the stench of perfume and smoke. I know better than to mingle with the rich and famous. They suffer my presence among them - crave it, even - and yet my very being here is a testimony to both their boredom and their vices. They know it, and I do, too. What I don’t know is who is more disgusted by it.

The annual horse show - the start to a new season of gambling, a prelude to the vicious cycle of seeing and being seen and spending so much money it would comfortably feed a family of four in less than an hour - has just ended. The privileged few with enough money to matter have now assembled at the glamorous afterparty held in one of the most exclusive country clubs in town.

The privileged few, and me.

I keep to the side of the room, to the shadows cast by the twinkling chandelier suspended from the ceiling. Its fragmented light dances over the party guests talking about the day’s purchases and the latest gossip in a world open only to the not-so-lucky-few in attendance. I cast a weary look around the room. Through the haze of blue smoke, all I see are forced smiles on the gentlemen’s faces, and bored looks on the diamond-draped women clutching either their husband’s arms, their champagne glasses, or both. 

So much glitz on the outside, so much dullness underneath. 

Leaning casually against the wall, I find amusement in how the curious looks are dropped as soon as I meet them, but it is a grim kind. No matter how expensive my borrowed suit may look, I don’t fit here, and I know it. They know it, too, but that is what’s drawing their eye. I’m an outsider invading their secret circle, an attraction to be gobbled at. No one wants to admit it, but they are all slavering for their turn to talk to me. To do business with me. Money can only get you so much, but it can provide distraction and diversion to the vapidness of life - which is precisely what I’m here for. 

I nod discreetly at the gentleman who has just left me with his head held high and a haunted look in his eyes, turning my attention back to the crowd who all pretend they haven’t noticed. Business has been going slow so far but I’m not concerned. The night is young, and people need their time to loosen up. It’s a tough business, riding out the high of spending thousands with a snap of their fingers. When they���re ripe for a new one, I’ll be here waiting for them.

The evening draws on. The vials hidden in the pocket of my jacket begin to dwindle, each replaced by a roll of banknotes that make conversation with the swanky snobs almost bearable, and the flirting of their bejewelled banshees slightly less pathetic. I nod obediently at the men and give the women with their fake smiles and real diamonds a deep look into their heavily painted eyes, every single time. 

The things you do for business.

I have already given up hope of anything interesting but money rolling in when the doors open and a couple that is arriving late is led into the room. It’s the man I see first - combed back, sand-coloured hair, a suit more expensive than what I earn in several months, and a swagger that marks someone who is used to being made room for.

The woman by his side I instantly recognise. She is wearing a cherry red dress beneath a heavy fur coat, which gets taken from her shoulders by eager hands. The fabric of her dress - probably expensive as sin herself - shimmers in the light as she moves with a self-confidence that makes her look like she owns the world. Judging by the looks she’s receiving, she might as well. A tilt of her hand, the slightest raise of her red lips, and suddenly the light from the chandelier is rendered dull, and the gemstones of the women surrounding her have become lacklustre. The hint of a smile, and it’s her who lights up the room. 

I watch as she follows her companion, accepting the champagne flute she is handed by her companion with a graceful bow of her head. He talks to her, and even from across the room, I can’t stop looking at the movement of her lips as she laughs. She puts her hand on him - well-placed, fleeting touches, never enough to raise eyebrows, always enough to not let him forget she is there. As if someone like her could be forgotten.

I know the man who has bought her company for the night; a lawyer from a well-established family. Rumour has it, he is in the run-up for a spot in the government. It surprises me that he risks being seen with her, out in public. But then again… what screams power more than a woman like her by his side and not a care in the world? Another touch, another smile. She has only eyes for him and him alone but even so I’m sure she knows that I am here. She always does. 

As the music swells, the man takes her hand and leads her to the middle of the room, where other couples have gathered for a dance. She gives him a coy smile as he places his hand on her waist, the slightest bit too low for my taste. She shifts her hand on his body as they dance, not inappropriately but if you look closely, you can spot her fingers lingering, brushing alongside his arm a tad too slowly to not be suggestive. It’s an act she has perfected - the teasing, the game, the promise of something every man in this room desperately wants, including me. 

Once the music has stopped and the poor guys bloodying their hands for the indifferent applause of the elite are allowed to take a breather, I can’t take it any longer. I slip into the crowd, making my way to her and her companion. I only look at him as I approach. I give him a small nod and a smile, my eyes fixed on his. It’s not quite a challenge but no subordination either.

“May I ask for the next dance?” 

His eyes harden, the look in them resembling disgust. I’m not fazed by it. He’s been buying off me for too long to refuse me. He knows that I know, and I can tell how much he hates it. 

“I don’t think this is appropriate,” the woman speaks up in her suitor’s stead, her voice snide and dismissive. I bow my head, my eyes finding hers. The look in them would be unreadable to most but to me, the spark in them is clear as day.

“Darling, don’t be impolite,” her companion says, the condescending smile people like him suck up with their mother’s milk forming on his face. “It’s only one dance, is it not? You’ll be back with me before you know it.”

“I’m counting the minutes,” she breathes as he kisses her hand, giving him a deep look from beneath her lashes as he walks away. When he has gone, she turns to me.

“Mr Amari.”

“Miss Jameson.”

I extend my hand and she takes it, allowing me to draw her closer as the music starts again. She smells like jasmine and mint, the silk of her dress cool beneath my fingertips as I place my hand on her waist, exactly where her companion’s hand has been.

“I’m surprised you’re here, Mr Amari,” she says as she lets me lead her into the dance. I raise my eyebrows fractionally.

“I go where the money goes, Miss Jameson. What better place to be than a horse show? I could say the same of you,” I add after a moment. “You have been gone for quite some time. A peculiar choice of event to make your reappearance.”

Her laugh is quiet and melodious, and I mourn its loss as she stops to speak. “Nothing but a return to the scene as a glamorous party, isn’t there? I missed the glitz and glamour.”

“The glitz and glamour missed you.” 

She hums as she comes closer for a moment, not a second longer than the music dictates her to. I feel the warmth of her against me, and when she withdraws I have to stop myself from following her.

“What would be glamorous about watching breeding mares prancing around to be traded off?” 

“Are we still talking about horses?”

“What else would we be talking about?” The smirk on her red lips has turned bitter. She averts her eyes. “Aren’t we all wares to be sold?”

“How so?” 

“You said it yourself - everyone in this room has come because of money, one way or another. It’s what drives us, all of us.”

“Some of us,” I correct her, slowly spinning her around, “but not you. You don’t need this.”

“Don’t I?”

I tear my eyes away from her face for a moment. The man she has arrived with is watching us like a hawk, his attention like the tip of a knife grazing my skin. It’s as if I can see the tendons on the side of his neck protruding even from where I dance with her. He is ready to step in should anyone dare to claim his prize. I pull her tighter against me.

“You turned up in some illustrious company tonight.”

“I guess.”

She sounds bored.

“He might get into parliament next term. You’re bound to be talked about.”

She pulls a face. “It’s not ideal. Boss told me I could say no but what was I supposed to do? He keeps requesting me, every time he books with us. He wouldn’t let off, not even when I… had gone for a while.” 

“He’d be a fool not to,” I say, but the thought of him singling her out like that makes me uneasy. I don’t like it, but that’s the deal with her, has always been. She’s a light too bright to look at, and the moths are inevitably drawn to her.

The dance floor has become crowded, and we need to watch where we step. I take the opportunity to pull her close, closer than I would have dared otherwise. She lets me, and I feel her body flush against mine, those curves hidden by her red dress, and the soft skin of her neck, beneath which her pulse is throbbing rhythmically. 

Suddenly, she moves to the side, pulling me along so that I come between her and the eyes of her watchdog. She raises her chin, breath brushing over my jawline as she whispers into my ear.

“Are you coming home tonight? The kids are missing their dad… and so am I.”

Her words stir something I keep hidden deep within, yet I guard my face carefully. My eyes flick over the people surrounding us. They all seem too preoccupied with themselves to have noticed anything but you never know. We always have to be careful. So very careful.

“I’ll try,” I whisper back, my words not more than an exhale. “Make sure that you are, too.”

Her lips part to respond but before she can do so, the music stops. It takes a considerable amount of willpower to step away from her. Her eyes don’t leave mine as I raise her hand to my lips and place a kiss on the back of it. As she withdraws, her fingers quickly close around the vial I have pressed into her palm.

“Be careful.”

Her lips draw into a wicked smile that makes her eyes sparkle. It’s like the fleeting look of softness in them has been nothing but a fever dream.

“Worried, Mr Amari?”

I don’t reciprocate her smile. “Always.”

“I can handle myself,” she says and shakes her head. Nonetheless, the small vial with the clear liquid inside vanishes beneath the hem of her gloves as she does so.

“I know. Just in case.”

“Just in case.” She steps away, her perfect mask of indifference already back in place. Her eyes drop from mine but I know what she’s saying, a whispered secret forbidden to any ears but mine. “Wait up for me tonight.” 

Then she turns, and all I can do is watch her leave. It stings, having to watch her and her cherry red dress walk away, right into the arms of the other man waiting for her. But as long as I know who she will be walking back to, I can bear it.

Even if only just. 

[hailstorm-studios]

"I could hear his bones crackling and snapping and smell his flesh rot away" - Marinette's Diary

[desultory-novice]

Brothers

I sketched the initial rough for this the other day while processing some stuff via warm-ups and realized, "Holy cats, this is adorable as heck?!" and decided I ought to try coloring it.

I put a lot more focus into taking things at a measured pace and following the proper steps this time (even reviewing my previous work to re-familiarize myself with the techniques)

The result? I'm much, much more satisfied!

[kaileedraws]

Simply Miraculous Love Square Headcanons!

Shehfiifoekdjfjr okok besides accidentally making Chat Noir too hot, here is our lovely love square! I figured out how to create a plot that incorporates every single combination. Here are brief points describing each pair!

Ladybug x Adrien

Ladybug initially meets Adrien by saving his life a few times and bumping into him accidentally. Because she is just as awkward as Marinette is, she doesn’t initially strike up a friendship

Later she goes to him to ask him questions she thinks only he can answer - how to deal with being a celebrity (ex: the oversexualization, invasion of privacy, etc.)

Obviously they both have a crush on each other - Marinette likes Adrien and Adrien likes Ladybug - but I can see Ladybug stopping any progression of a relationship to keep Adrien safe.

If they both confessed their feelings to each other, things could become messy because Marinette would realize Adrien loves Ladybug and not “her,” and Adrien would realize that Ladybug loves Adrien and not Chat Noir. This might cause adverse outcomes

I could see interactions between them being either very awkward or randomly wholesome if they shared their issues with each other

Marinette x Chat Noir

Screaming because this ship is lowkey growing on me

Best friend dynamic - but also comfort/hurt trope. They’re there for each other through each of their heartbreaks and relationship troubles.

Chat Noir is very protective of Marinette

In their hurt/rejection, I can kind of see them seeking romance/comfort with each other

Could turn into a situationship/rebound - but like Ladybug with Adrien, Chat Noir would shut down any prospects of a relationship for her safety and because he can’t share his true identity with her (like in canon)

Interactions with Marinette and learning about her on a deeper level (without her spluttering her words) could lead Chat Noir/Adrien to develop feelings for Marinette - and perhaps vice versa for Marinette

I’m seeing a lot of angst/emotion with this one

Adrien x Marinette

The classic

Eventually happens after a lot of turbulence and other relationships, like in canon

Adrien may or may not have sexual trauma from Chloe and the fashion industry, so he may be uncomfortable/disassociate during these moments with Marinette. A relationship with her could help him heal, as she would show him how a relationship should be and the innocent aspect of it (it’s giving Astarion romance in Baulder’s Gate 3 vibes)

When they discover they both have secrets they are keeping from one another, this would trigger Marinette’s anxiety and possibly Adrien’s. Mistrust might develop

Like with Luka, Marinette has the high chance of breaking things off with Adrien because she thinks he deserves better than her and she hates keeping her secret from him

Ladybug x Chat Noir

Chat Noir is Mr. Flirty flirt and Charisma until Ladybug flirts back, then he melts like butter

Simp Noir exe has stopped working

Thinking this ship might be the end-all-be-all because they are the only people who know their deepest secret - and although they don’t know their real names, they don’t have to hide non-specific details about themselves

Once Ladybug has feelings, she is a lot more confident to tease Chat Noir because she thinks it’s funny/satisfying to watch his demeanor change and his braincells stop working

Ladybug, if in a relationship, would probably be strict about PDA and keeping things secret between them so that Hawkmoth can’t use it against them

Anyway, why the fuuuuuu did I make him so fine whyyyytt

AGHSJDIIEOEKDKE

[bizarreauhavre]

Voodoo doll, Caracas, Lisette model, 1954.

[oldschoolfrp]

The party sets out for adventure -- Ugurcan Yüce cover for The Dark Eye introductory box set, Schmidt Spiele -- Schmidt France version "L'Œil noir;" originally released in German as "Das Schwarze Auge" (DSA). This art has been attributed to a second alternative version of the 1984 1st edition, and to the 1988 2nd edition.

[blurryisme]

(Bendy Noir) The Silent City's (2nd) most wanted criminals

[driftwoodmfb]

Inspired by this post by @desultory-novice where he talked about what would happen if the Dark Blade chose Adeleine instead. I'm calling this Apologies AU, AU: The Armed Painter and the Dyed Knight aka APDK

I uh... might have gone too far on the second page...

CW: Heavy blood, character death, and body dismemberment

Some info!

The comic starts in the middle of the conflict. The Dark Blade chained Adeleine in one place to make her watch. The start of the comic is when the Blade stabs Noir's back, causing blood to splash on Adeleine's face. All the cuts before hand were survivable, but still very painful.

Adeleine, as dark matter is known as just Dark Matter Blade, never Dark Matter Swordsman because the sword is more or less puppeteering her.

Noir had the paintbrush on him when he was killed because he was keeping it to give to Adeleine on her birthday.

Don't know if I'm going to go with it, but I have the idea of the Dark Blade taking the form of Raquelle. Either killing her and taking her form to befriend Adeleine and Noir or, for this AU, Raquelle was made up by the Blade.

At the end of the comic, the Magic Paintbrush tried to revive Noir, replacing everything missing by painting it. This attempt failed though. It ended up basically making a living puppet. The Paintbrush gained all of Noir's memories and realizes just what he, and it lost.

The Paintbrush didn't turn Noir into Dark Matter because it could feel how much he cares about Adeleine. This ended up making the care about her too; and Noir.

Noir's scarf at the end in a nod to those pocket color wheels

His outfit changed colors at the spots Dark Blade dismembered him. His sleeve cuffs are silver just like the Paintbrush's metal.

'Noir' later paints a glass eye for himself.

Calling this AU the Armed Painter and the Dyed Knight is a double meaning with Noir having the Paintbrush and also dying in this AU.

'Noir' still goes to Popstar, similar to the White Hair Noir AU. He initially pretends to be Noir, not wanting to except he's really gone.

I'll let Dess decide if this should count as Noir propaganda for the tournament

[jojo-schmo]

I’ve adored @desultory-novice ‘s Apologies AU! What a fascinating and emotionally compelling universe to explore, with Dark Matter Swordsman being Adeleine’s brother-?! I love every bit of it and I’m so excited to see what’s next!

This particular drawing was inspired by @driftwoodmfb ‘s take on that AU where Noir instead lives on Popstar and Adeleine was the one taken by Dark Matter…. I just love these characters and the story and AHHHH I need to sing your praises from the rooftops!! And AUs within AUs are so delightful :D

Anyway here’s an AU-squared drawing of Noir <3 I kinda referenced multiple of Dess and Drift’s drawings so hope it’s still true to Noir’s design :)

[sassyduckqueen]

So this is Dark Luka's civilian design in the dark world.

I wanted it to reflect and mimic the Anatisverse Luka while still been different. As you can tell, I've got with a more emo/punk look for him, changing his hoodie for a leather jacket and adding more rips in his jeans. I chose a toxic green for his hair and gave him more pale skin. He has combat boots and a nose piercing. Unlike the good Luka, he doesn't wear a jagged stone shirt as he has a lot of angry towards his parents for abandoning him. Instead, I put a snake skeleton design on it. There's four reasons for this. The first reason is that its a reference to the snake miraculous. The second reason is because he is the host of Simme, who takes the form of a leviathan aka a sea serpent, the third reason is because the Supreme's symbol is a snake instead of a phoenix and finally because he is as deceptive as a snake in this universe. This is also why i drew out three expressions. This version of Luka is a manipulator and will use any technique to get what he wants regardless of if it's intimidation or a nice smile. He will play people and convince them to join him as both Luka or Brumus. Very few people see his true personality. I also made his guitar look more sharp and harsh

Brumus and Lady Ombre

[bloom-agreste-cheng]

Scarlet Lady AU: The Chat Noir Method: A Compilation

@zoe-oneesama I have taken upon myself to build a compilation of every time a lucky charm or any object was used to hit the akuma so hard that it got defeated easily, which you have appropriately dubbed the Chat Noir Method. The earliest instance I could find was the Bubbler.

And my personal favorite:

There were a few instances I wasn’t sure could be considered Chat Noir technique. Cause people were either just dropping the Lucky Charm on the akuma, and not quite chucking hard enough for the villain to pass out,or just chucking stuff at them with little to no passing out.

All of these shots belong to Zoe-Oneesama’s Scarlet Lady AU of Miraculous Ladybug. I’m a big fan.

[lifeofkaze]

Firebug

I could write a whole essay about how and why I love you, @the-al-chemist, but honestly, I don't think I have to.

I think you know. No, actually, I know you know. You're the bestest. Happy Birthday 💛💛💛

A/N: Katriona Cassiopeia is the brainchild of the lovely @kc-and-co. Artemis Hexley belongs to @the-al-chemist, ofc. Warning: Language, dark noir world-weariness.

It’s a day like any other, really.

To be honest, most of them are. Same drag, same routine, day in, day out in this fucked up little world, where a new cigarette brand at the store is the biggest outrage and excitement people have seen in weeks.

My morning starts like most days do - wake up from the shouting in the streets; squint at the dirty midday light filtering through even dirtier windows; roll out of bed and find some breakfast consisting of cold coffee and a cigarette, both of which taste suspiciously like ash. 

I spend my time running errands, helping my brother Bill with those business transactions of his that require a little more subtlety. From the change I find in his debtors’ pockets, I treat myself to lunch at Molly’s - lukewarm eggs, rubbery bacon and beans that are worse than my morning coffee. A bloody culinary dream.

I’m still thinking about Mama Molly’s scrambled eggs as the doors of the custody cell fall shut behind me. Office Corey Hayden, the portly policeman who has locked me up, says nothing, just scratches his fat belly with the doughnut crumbs on it and shakes his head at me. 

“This is the fourth time this week, Weasley.”

“And it’s already Saturday. Disappointing, I know.”

As I said - a day like any other, really.

Officer Doughnut rolls his eyes and turns away. He has a football match playing on his small television in the corner. I bury my hands in my pockets, grunting as I chafe my knuckles on the scratchy fabric. The wounds still sting, but the bastard on the receiving end has had it coming. Thinking about him makes the rage in me flare up again. One scumbag down, a million more to go. 

Like a giant fucking hydra. 

Rubbing my fingers with the fresh blood against each other, I place one bloody thumbprint against the wall, right next to the one from two days prior. My own personal scoring record. I was here. I will come back.

Officer Hayden grunts. “‘Tis ain’t no fucking gallery, Weasley. Stop it.”

“And if not?”

The police officer grunts again and focuses on the match, turning the television so I can see what’s going on.

“Is it too much to watch some goddamn rugby, at least?” I hear a voice behind me, followed by two sharp clicking sounds. I turn. 

Behind me sits a woman; a girl, even, it’s hard to tell. She looks small in her oversized coat, and her mane of unkempt hair. She’s scrawny, almost haggardly so. Mama Molly wouldn’t be able to resist stuffing her with food until she’d throw up from either amount, or taste, or both. The source of the clicking sound, I realise, is a silver lighter she holds in her hand. She flicks it open and closes it again, her eyes trained on the TV screen. I cock my brow at her.

“Not exactly the Ritz, ain’t it?”

“Dunno. Never been there.”

She stares at me, a challenge if I’ve ever seen one. Her eyes are strange, hazel, with a green ring around the middle. They remind me of a cat. How curious.

“And who would you be?” I ask, leaning against the bars of our shared confinement. “Never seen you around before.”

Her cat-eyes narrow. “Are you hitting on me?” 

“Just trying to start a conversation.”

She snorts. “Don’t bother.”

“I’d listen to her, Weasley,” Officer Corey chimes in, putting his feet on top of a pile of paperwork that will never see completion. “Tried to bite me earlier.” 

I turn my attention back to her. “Feisty, are you?”

She only glares.

“Whatever,” I shrug into her sullen silence. “I’m Charlie, by the way.”

More silence. I shrug again and concentrate on the match. Exeter City have just swindled themselves to a penalty. Suddenly, the cat-eye-woman speaks up.

“I’m Fire.”

“Feisty and confident.” 

“No,” she says angrily, “that’s what they call me at work.”

“You have work?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“You’re here, aren’t you?”

“So are you.” 

The corners of my mouth twitch. “Maybe this is my job.”

A snort can be heard from Officer Corey’s corner. The woman gives me a hard look from her strange eyes. 

“Are you taking the piss?”

“Anything to lighten the mood.”

I flash her a grin but receive only a frown in return.

“Forget it, Weasley,” Corey calls again, followed by a groan as Exeter’s striker kicks the ball straight past the goal. “She’s like a feral cat, that one.” 

“Have yet to meet a cat who doesn’t like me.” 

Silence again. Exeter have taken the failed penalty badly and - much to Officer Corey’s chagrin - are falling apart quickly. From time to time, I glance at the woman with the cat-eyes. She’s stopped playing with her lighter and is staring at the wall as if, by the sheer force of her bad mood alone, she could blow a hole in it. I sigh.

“You really are one fun cellmate, aren’t you?” 

I almost think she has stopped responding to me altogether when she raises her chin and asks,

“Why are you here?”

“Animals,” I tell her, seeing her shoulders relax, even if only slightly. “I get them from illegal breeders who treat them like shit. Giving them a taste of their own medicine. That’s why I’m here.” 

I’m not sure she believes me. Her face gives away nothing. 

“That’s what you meant about the cats earlier?”

“I did.”

“And that’s all?”

“That’s all. What about you? Who did you piss off?”

“No one,” she responds stubbornly. “A misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding my arse,” Officer Corey huffs. “Picked her up by the harbour earlier.”

I frown. “Where the big fire was?”

“Right bloody next to it. And good thing we did. She’s with that Cassiopeia lady, or so I’ve heard. No good ever comes of that lot.”

Corey’s words pique my interest. I know KC and her girls. Despite what Officer Corey thinks, they’re good girls, all of them. The business they’re dealing in is beyond me, but everyone with half a brain cell left knows to leave them alone. They look like angels, but their kiss brings death. 

I look at my cellmate. 

Or fire. 

I nod at the lighter she has taken out again. “That why they call you Fire?”

She tenses, and the lighter disappears in her pocket in an instant. “No.”

“Why then?”

“None of your business.”

“Well, I’ve got time.”

“Tough luck. I don’t.” 

With that, she rises to her feet and walks past me to the door of our cell. Beyond the bars, a woman has appeared in the doorway to the police station, surrounded by a cloud of glamour and expensive perfume. Katriona ‘KC’ Cassiopeia takes a long look at the woman calling herself Fire, a resigned sigh leaving her blood-red lips. She pulls a slender purse from her handbag and places a big bundle of banknotes on Officer Corey’s desk. Thumbing through them with greasy fingers, he finishes his doughnut and gets up to unlock the cell.

“Off you go, Miss.”

KC’s eyes only graze me, but she gives me a nod of recognition anyway. I return it. Down in the drags, we’re all in the same boat, after all, one way or another. 

“This is not what we agreed on, Artemis,” I hear KC hiss at her protégée, who stubbornly looks ahead. I swear I can see her non-existent fur bristling. “You’re a proper fire hazard at this point, you know that?”

“Way too small for a hazard,” I can’t help but comment. “More of a firebug, if you ask me.”

“Shame no one’s asking you, Weasley.” KC gives me a look. “Staying longer this time ‘round?” 

“Only until my deposit arrives, I’m afraid.”

“Figures. I don’t have that much luck.”

The two women leave, quietly talking among themselves. I watch as they step outside into the drizzling rain, KC beneath a luxurious umbrella, her fiery friend hidden by the hood of her coat. As they vanish into the night, I see the quick flicker of a flame before that, too, disappears into the night. 

I smirk to myself as I settle into my favourite corner of the cell. A new player, then. 

Welcome to the game, little Firebug. 

You’re in for a hell of a ride.

[idontknowanametouse]

MLB rewrite AU. Chapter 4: Dark Cupid

(Dark Cupid redesign inspiration @crimsonmonsoon)

-

Kim takes a deep breath, checking once again the ring he bought for Ondine. It's silver, with a small (fake) pearl on top and bluish details. She saw it in a store one day and loved it, but they were out of money at the time and she said to let it go. For today, he needs everything to be perfect, so it's better to give her something she already said she likes than to risk something else, right?

-Kim, how are you? – asks his Bô´, noticing his nervousness.

-Ah, yes, yes!! It's just… I'm going to ask a girl to be my girlfriend and… I just want everything to work out!!

-It's Ondine, right? – his dad smiled.

-…how did you know?

-You've only talked about her since you met, Kim. You don't need to be a genius to understand this.

-I noticed and told him. It'll be fine, son, don't worry. Then tell us how it was.

-And take her to get some ice cream!

–

Ondine arrives at class anxious, jumping up and down. Her best (and only) friend asks:

-Ondine-chan, what happened?

-Ah, hi, Kagami!! It's just… remember the boy I told you I liked, Kim? The athlete!

-I remember, yes, why?

-He asked me out today, on the Pont des Arts! I'm excited, I think he's going to ask me to be his girlfriend!! – the scholarship holder gives another little jump of happiness.

-Good, I'm happy for you. What time will it be?

-Two!

-Just know that if he hurts you, I will kill him.

-No, don't do that!

-Alright, but just ask me and he will never be seen again.

–

-Can I ask you something? – Adrien says, sitting next to Nino.

-Of course, dude! What is it?

-It's something I've been asking myself since I met you. What botton is that on your backpack? – and points out the one.

-It's the non-binary flag, dude.

-Non-binary flag? What is that?

-Non-binary is a gender identity under the umbrella of the trans spectrum that includes any identity that is not one hundred percent within the binary of completely male or completely female.

-So… you mean… you're neither a man nor a woman?

-Uhm. I use pronouns he/him and they/them, these are the ones I like.

-Wait… – Adrien stops, his eyes, for the first time since Nino met him, wide. – Can you not be a man and also not be a woman?!

-Yes.

Adrien's jaw drops.

-And you can be called in a way that doesn't sound feminine or masculine?!

-Yes.

-I… I… – and he stops, in shock. – Nino, I think I'm non-binary.

-Really?

-And I really like the pronouns they/them.

-Nice, dude! – and gives a high five.

Adrien smiles. They feel good about themself.

–

-Hey, Adrien! – Marinette says during the break. - How are you doing?

-Good, and you?

-Oh, I'm nervous about something, sorry, so I'll say it right away! – they exclaim, and hands them something. When they open their fingers, there is a ladybug botton there. – I made some friendship buttons for us!! Look at mine!! – and points to the suspenders, on which there is a black button with a green cat paw symbol. – This way, we always remember each other!!

-…thank you very much, Marinette! – and smiles. – Oh, I found out I’m non-binary! I use they/them pronouns!

-Ah cool! I'm trans too, and I use she/her and they/them pronouns!

Following Nino's example, Adrien raises their fist for a punch. Marinette does.

–

-Okay, Max, are you sure it's going to work? – Kim asks in front of the school, at the end of class.

-It will, I calculated this four times with different circumstances to make sure it will work.

-What is it? – Marinette asks, getting into the middle of the conversation and dragging Adrien behind her. Since it's only been three weeks since classes started, they don't know people very well yet, and Nino and Marinette have been trying to start their friendships with other people, since Chloé barely talks to anyone other than Adrien or Sabrina.

-Ah, hi, Mari! I'm going out with a girl today!

-It better be Ondine. – Marinette turns very serious.

-Wait, do you know each other?!

-We met at that swimming competition of yours.

-Oh, yeah…

-But Kim is not dating her yet, he is going to ask her to be his girlfriend today.

-Max!!

-Everything will be fine, Kim! Do not worry! – Marinette says, smiling at him. Adrien, behind her and without saying anything, gives him a thumbs up.

-Go now, otherwise you will be late at the Pont des Arts!! – exclaimed Max.

-Thank you guys!! – Kim thanks him, and runs away.

-…he's cool. – Adrien smiles a little.

-Yes, he is!! Chloé is calling you, right? See you tomorrow!

-See ya… – however, they stop. – Huh… where's Chloé? – and look at the message. She had said she couldn't take them today, as she was going to be at the Pont des Arts. - …Oh no.

–

Kim leans on the edge of the bridge, anxious, and then is startled when she appears at his side.

-Hey you!

-Ah! Oh, it's you, Chloé?

-You're in my class, aren't you? Kevin?

-Kim.

-Yeah, that's it, whatever. What are you doing?

-Not that it's any of your business, but I'm waiting for a girl.

-A girl? – and sees the box in his hand. – Are you going to ask her to be your girlfriend? Oh, my dear, this won't work…

-Oh yeah? And may I know why? – he grumbles, already irritated.

-To begin with, you're a bit ugly, you're dressed like you've just left the gym, you're sweaty, stinky, and besides… - and she picks up the box, and, upon opening it, pushes it back to his hands. – My God, what an ugly ring!! No girl would want to be with you that way, wake up and try to improve all of this before asking anyone to be your girlfriend!!

-What the hell are you talking about…?!

-Kim?

The boy freezes when he hears her voice. No, please don't… But when he turns around, she is really there. And her eyes are watery.

-Ondine!! Ondine, this is not what it seems…! – he tries to explain, however, she puts one hand to her heart, another to her face and runs away.

He tries to run after her, he really does, but she is faster. And in the end, at the end of the bridge, he watches the girl he loves so much leave with a broken heart, along with any chance he might have had with her.

–

Marinette receives Alya's call not long after class ended.

-Look at my blog!!

-What? Why?

-Just look!

That's when she opens the blog.

-…Porra.

-You saw it, right? Don't leave the house!!!

-Wait, what are you doing out there recording, then?!

-Do what I say, but don't do what I do!!

-Get out of there!!

However, Alya just hangs up on her and Marinette growls a little in anger. She turns her attention to the video on the blog. The dark, winged and large figure is not very distinct in the image, shooting something similar to black beams that she can't quite see what it is either, but it is obviously an akuma, because now, with Paris the way it is, what else it could be? Even more so because it’s on Ladyblog, under the caption “dark cupid”.

The girl transforms, frustrated, and goes to the place where Alya is apparently recording.

–

He looks like an emo album cover.

It is Marinette's first thought as soon as she sees him. The large black angel wings, the eye band, the black jacket, shirt and pants, complemented by the fact that he is barefoot. And, of course, she is obviously a little terrified that this is clearly Kim.

What happened? Why is he an akuma? The only plausible explanation would be that he was rejected by Ondine, but he would have to have made a phenomenally big mess for it to have gone so wrong for him to become an akuma.

Trying to get herself to focus on the current situation again, she tries to see what those arrows of his were doing, but she can't see from the angle she is at, but whatever it is, it can't be good. That's when she throws the yo-yo, which wraps around the villain's arm.

She starts to think about whether she should stop using this technique, since this is the second time that the villain is stronger than her, throws her away using the yo-yo string and laughs at her as she flies through the sky.

-How are you, my lady? – Chat Noir smiles, holding her by the arm and preventing her from falling to the ground.

-Ah… hi, Chat… – and, retrieving the yo-yo, they climb onto the roof where they were. - Thanks.

-No problem, that's what I'm here for.

-To stop me from falling off buildings?

-For anything. Where is the villain?

-I think coming after us, he… – however, she stops when she sees, for a moment, just one, Chat Noir's eyes wide. And, in the next second, they grab her and jump to the ground, as if protecting her, and she only has time to see the akuma's arrow dissolving against Chat Noir's back. – Chat Noir!! No!!!

-Ladybug… – they murmur, panting, their voice suddenly weak. – …you are my… my… my worst curse!

-What?! What did he do?! Chat Noir, stop that!! – she exclaims, trying to push them away, but they hold her tighter against them.

-You are the person I hate the most in theisworld, Ladybug!! You are nothing, not to me, nor to anyone!!!

In a panic, afraid of what Chat Noir might do, they bite them on the shoulder, making the cat miraculous move away a little and she has room to push them a little and kick their stomach, managing to free herself and get out of there, playing her yo-yo away.

When Ladybug finds herself alone in the middle of an alley, it takes her a minute to calm down. Okay, okay, okay. What should she do now? Chat Noir, after being hit by the akuma, apparently started to hate her. This makes several options of things that could go wrong come to hwe mind: she could be shot by an arrow, Chat Noir could kill or capture her, Dark Cupid could kill or capture her, they could both team up to corner her, she could…

Her train of thought is broken when she narrowly dodges one of Chat Noir's crutches.

-Chat Noir, stop!! I don't want to fight you!! – and throws the yo-yo to another roof, heading away from there. She doesn't know if she would even be able to beat them in a fight, since they were physically stronger than her.

-Aww, what a shame, is the ladybug afraid of being swallowed by the cat? How did your kwami ​​choose you, anyway? – and raises one of the crutches towards her, which she deflects, and leans on the other.

-Have you even stopped to listen to yourself?! You look like a fucking incel! Just yesterday you were talking about that anime movie where you cried because of the power of friendship in it and… – and she stops trying to move away. – Lä shî. I… I'm really going to have to do this… CAT, COME HERE!!

-Wait, what? – Chat Noir mutters, then widening their eyes and running away. - What's that?! Get out, you savage!!!

-COME HERE AND TAKE YOUR MEDICINE!!! – and, chasing them through Paris, they throw the yo-yo and manage to tie up their body, keeping them hanging over a post, like a pulley.

-No, no, no!!! – Chat exclaims, trying to get away from her.

-Ok, I don't know how to do this. Should I hug you or something? I don't know what people consider an act of friendship or what you would consider or… – suddenly, she is cut by an arrow that almost hits her, taking her away from Chat Noir. - Caralho! Mas que pau no cu!

She moves away, pulling out her yo-yo and freeing Chat Noir, letting them fall to the ground. Ladybug runs from Dark Cupid, who shouts:

-Chat Noir!! Come!!

-I'm going!!

Shit. So they actually ganged up on her. Ladybug calls out the lucky charm, becoming confused when she sees a manga volume. When she sees herself being chased by the two incels, she leafs through the manga in her hands as she runs, trying not to trip, avoid her pursuers and think about what that talisman is for at the same time.

That is when Ladybug notices that this is the manga that originated the film that Adrien talked about yesterday. And, when she skips to the end of the volume, she sees how the best friend let themself be hit for the other, and how, however, they didn't die, because they had chosen to sacrifice themself for someone they loved.

At that moment, she falls to the ground with something on her back knocking her down hard, and her body turns upwards abruptly. Chat Noir stands over her, a hand hovering over her chest as the dark energy she recognizes as the cataclysm envelops it. Their canine teeth are bared in a macabre smile, drool running down them and landing near her face. She hears Dark Cupid saying that, if they kill her, they must bring him the body so he would take it to Hawk Moth so that he can absorb their kwami.

Fear fills her heart. The lucky charm should certainly bring her a solution, but the only one she can see will almost certainly end with her dead.

The lucky charm wouldn't kill me. Chat Noir will return. They need to.

-CHAT NOIR, YOU ARE MY FRIEND AND I TRUST YOU!!! – and, grabbing their arm, pushes the cat's hand towards their chest, cataclysms their own heart.

The girl howls in pain as she feels the destructive power being pumped through her body and distributed throughout all her cells, making her almost wish she would die all at once so she wouldn't have to feel such pain inside her. Her tightly closed eyes release involuntary tears, and she feels small drops falling over them.

When she opens them, she looks at Chat Noir's face, with an expression of pure shock and their eyes watering, muttering at what they had done:

-No, no…

-Chat… you're back… – she sighs with relief, and uses the little strength she has in her deteriorated lungs and throat to scream: – IT'S THE RING!! IT'S IN THE RING!! I HAVE EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL, JUST GO THERE!!

-O-okay… okay!! OK!! – and jumps on top of Dark Cupid. There are some banging sounds, until Chat shouts: – I BROKE THE RING!!

Seeing the white butterfly approach her, still lying down, Ladybug feels like she is going to faint as she throws the luck charm up to use miraculous ladybug. As soon as the magical ladybugs touch her, however, all the pain disappears and she is able to stand up with the same ease as before. Sighing in relief, she runs up to Chat Noir and Kim, and asks:

-Is he ok?!

-I think so…? Hey, man, are you okay? – asks Chat.

Kim then, looking a little confused, looks at the two of them, and his eyes start to water and he bites his bottom lip. Ladybug saw that expression before. He really, really wants to cry.

-Oh my God!! What happened?! Why do you want to cry?! Is there anything I can do to help you?! – she asks, panicking a little because she doesn't know if she should help so much because she's Ladybug at that moment.

-The girl I like now hates me!! There was a big mess and she must never want to look me in the face again!!!

-Kim? – murmurs a voice. The three turn in that direction and see Ondine, timidly entering the street that they ended up unintentionally emptying when they took the fight to there.

-Ondine!! You have to listen to me!!! I swear it was a misunderstanding! – he runs towards her.

-Who is this? – Chat Noir whispers in Ladybug's ear.

-His swimming buddy. You know, the girl he likes.

-I saw the akuma on the ladyblog and he looked just like you, so I ran here… I thought that, as you turned into an akuma right after that happened on the bridge, there must have been something that I didn't understand…?

-I think we can leave them alone, because I want to talk to you about something. – says Ladybug.

-Okay, I also wanted to talk to you. Where are we going?

-My home. I think I'll detransform soon.

-Alright.

As soon as they find themselves on the roof of Marinette's house and she detransforms, she turns around, looking very angry with them, and exclaims:

-What the hell was that?!

-What?! What are you talking about?

-Why did you throw yourself in front of the arrow to protect me?! You could have just gotten me out of the way or whatever!! You didn't know what was going to happen to you! We can't keep sacrificing ourselves for each other, my miraculous ladybug doesn't resurrect people and we don't always know what a villain is going to do to us!!

-But you also sacrificed yourself!! You pushed my cataclysm straight to your chest!! Do you have any idea that you could have died?! I really could have killed you!! I thought I killed you!

-But I didn't die, right?!

-That's not the point!! You didn't know you weren't going to die!

-Yes, but the lucky charm showed that that was the only way out, so I knew I would somehow be able to use the miraculous ladybug later to solve this!! And you, why did you sacrifice yourself?! Why did you throw yourself in front of that arrow for me instead of just pulling me away?! Huh?! Huh?!

-I… I don't know, I didn't actually think at the time! I didn't realize I could pull you away! Besides, I thought that… that…

-That what?!

-I don't know, it would be better for me to be hit than you!! I'm not good in this superhero thing, have you noticed?! I don't know how to make plans, I can't fix things, I don't have a way to always win somehow, you're much better at this than me!!!

-ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I wouldn't have been able to make those plans if it weren't for you! Two weeks ago, I couldn't do anything against Stormyweather and you were the one who saved everyone! We are partners, we have to do things together because NONE OF US IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER!! Never say again that you are worse than me or that it would be better for you to be hit than me!!!

-…alright. Sorry. I'll try not to do that again. If I do, it won't be intentional, I promise.

-OK. I'm sorry I made you think you killed me. Let's agree to never again sacrifice ourselves for each other without doing it in a way that we know is strictly necessary for our victory and know that everything will work out and return to normal in the end. Promise?

-Promise.

-Pinky promise? – and extended his own.

-Pinky promise. You are one of my best friends.

Chat Noir leaves Marinette's rooftop.

–

-…this is weird.

-Why? – asks Plagg in his human form.

-You, here, in my room.

-I'm your new social worker, kid. It's a completely plausible reason for us to spend time together.

-Yeah, the fact that you are a primordial god of destruction, my kwami ​​and my social worker is what is strange.

-At least, I can keep an eye in that shit father of yours.

-Hey, father is not that bad.

-Whatever you say, kid. – and turns into a cat. – But seriously, do you like her?

-Holy hell, you don't speak but the meaning enters my head! That's bizarre! – Adrien feels a shiver. – Wait, what? Like who?

-Marinette, obviously!

-What? No! She's just my friend!

-I was thinking about the whole thing today, that guy turned love into hate… you love her, don't you?

-Yes, but it's not romantic!

-Hmmmm… – and looks at them with very narrow eyes. Then they walk away. – As you wish, kitten. Where is the camembert cheese?

–

-Do you like someone romantically? – asks Tikki, in her ladybug form next to Marinette on the rooftop, at that night.

-I do not think so.

-Not even Adrien?

-What, Adrien? They are amazing and all, but we're just friends. There's nothing much about us.

-You need a strong connection with a person to be able to do what you did today, and I've never seen such strong trust in such a recent friendship.

-Sometimes this happens, Tikki. I don't know what else to tell you.

-

Dark Cupid is here! Yay! Things are starting to get really good! This was a really fun one, and I had a hard time with having them have a (for now) platonic friendship and platonic act of love and trust, but I did it! Remember that cataclysm, you might recall it someday... evil laughter. Kagami and Ondine first appearances, though Kagami will only come back at Revenge (Riposte), the concept of them being classmates is @zoe-oneesama's. Also, Chloé is still a bitch, but she is not the fucking criminal of canon and she WILL have a redemption. Next one is Loverbug (Anti-Bug), in which I hope to get you to understand her, at least a little. Hope you guys liked the chapter!

[desultory-novice]

I get the feeling that Adeline is the most likely to get therapy.

...She'll probably need it too... (Pausing the fun times for something dreadfully serious) -

"Pieces"

-

[Apologies AU Masterpost] [Noir's Field Trip]

[kaileedraws]

Adrien / Chat Noir Moodboards

This one was fun to make, I love my emo kitty boy and his golden retriever alter ego

[bizarreauhavre]

Modern paganism, 1959, (surrealist movie).