#gala friends ladrien

[miabrown007]

On Borrowed Time

The life of Paris’ Golden Boy is all shine and glamour; blindingly bright smiles, neverending parties, bargaining for just a shard of time for being happy. But that’s alright; Adrien has long given up the false hope that someone will get it. That is precisely why it’s a spectacle when she does, when she barges in like a hurricane in crimson and turns his life upside down. Heaven knows, it’s time for the wind of change. *** aka Adrien and Ladybug run into each other at a gala. then at another. and another. some would say, it’s a bonding opportunity alike moonlighting on a civilian’s balcony

gala friends Ladrien for this year's @mlbigbang, letsgoo!!

don't forget to check out the stunning illustrations @curlymakingswirlies made for this chapter! <3

On Borrowed Time (words, Teen, 1/3 chapters)

Time is of the essence, my dear, his mother always used to say, but Adrien was so young back then — just a kid trying to sneak away from his mother’s skirt in the crammed and stifling ballroom — he never really got what she meant. He had a vague understanding of it, something about time and timing being important, but he could never put a finger on the reason behind the benevolent smile on his mother’s face, and then it was too late to ask.

Now, Nathalie has her own motto.

It’s something something being punctual like clockwork and skilled in social situations like a particularly agreeable Swiss Army knife. And though Adrien can’t recite that by heart, it still holds true enough to his motherly heritage of time-themed wisdom for him to do his best to follow — even if his stomach violently contracts at the thought of the strained vivacissimo his life has to adhere to if he wants to keep up. But he understands, of course, that as the ambassador of the Gabriel brand, it's essential that everybody, all day long, like him so much. 

According to his father.

In all honesty, his father would probably be ecstatic — as ecstatic as it gets for a man who has never once smiled in the last ten years — if Adrien wasn’t just an attempt at emulating the perfection expected from him at the price of sweat and tears. (Not that it's much of a concern for Gabriel on a personal level, but, quite frankly, a crying teenager in the charity gala's bathroom is the definition of a PR disaster.) But Adrien — despite his father's valiant attempts at concealing this shortcoming — isn't perfect. 

He’s French. 

French, with all the ups and downs, all the over-the-top romanticism and rebellious streaks, all the moony-eyed, longing stares that follow her carefully — always observing, but never close enough to reach. He can’t help it, though. The way she pulls him is like a rule of nature, a crimson inevitability. Unbidden, unconscious, unparalleled, and Adrien knows no other option than to succumb to it, to her celestial power of baring his soul and making him feel Frencher than he ever thought possible. When he’s with her, he can’t help his slowly crumbling essence surging for the surface with a new force; can’t help his heart leaping to his throat as he's being reminded — in the sweetest, most torturous ways possible — that Paris is the city of love.

And Adrien, Adrien's Parisian to the core; even if his core — doesn’t matter that he wishes to wear it on his sleeve — only shines through when he’s with Ladybug. 

*** 21:00 ***

It’s ‘by pure accident.’ 

The charity gala’s ballroom is gargantuan, filled to the brim by the crowd of celebrities, politicians and businessmen. They bustle around — chat under the pompous chandeliers, shake on agreements by the chocolate fondue fountain, and hover on the dance floor to the string-quartet’s beat, in what appears to be a poor substitute to rehearsed ballroom dances none of them are well-versed with. The maroon tapestry could sing odes about the Parisian elite’s secrets and illicit escapades, but it keeps them all; its discretion only rivalled by that of the catering staff and security. 

Adrien doesn’t care much about rumours either. He’s on a mission of ‘pure accident’. The sole objective is talking to her; a worthy endeavour, even if it only lasts for a minute. 

He drifts next to her at the bar, in the most casual manner he can manage. His fingers fiddle with the cufflinks of his dress shirt; his arms by his side, prim and proper, instead of reaching out and pressing a kiss against her knuckles. But he still flashes his Frenchest smile at her, because that’s not something within his control to amend. 

"Good evening, Ladybug!”

"Good evening, Adrien!" It's hard to believe, but she beams right back, as if he just made her night by this chance encounter. "It is a lovely night. You should really try the champagne," she says, her voice airy as she swirls the drink around in her own glass. 

She's making smalltalk. It's only natural. After all, right now he’s no more than an acquaintance; and she definitely doesn’t have any idea that this almost stranger finds the way fizzy drink drizzles out of her nostrils, when he makes her laugh too hard, quite charming.

"I've heard it's pretty good," Adrien nods, never one to be remiss about the rules of conversation. 

That is— 

He nibbles on his lower lip before continuing. "What I've also heard is that you have had to come alone tonight. Again."

"Ah. Yes," she hums, her smile faltering. Then she leans closer and her voice drops low as she adds in a conspiratorial tone. "Maybe you wouldn't believe it, but Chat Noir isn't the ballroom dancing kind," she tells him — the very same excuse Adrien had to feed her — and he's compelled to laugh along; if nothing more, at the dramatic irony. 

"Or so I've heard. Can't blame him too much, though. Granted, with four paws he must have two left feet." 

Ladybug laughs at the stupid joke, and oh, if that isn’t the most beautiful sound. “That’s exactly the kind of thing he’d say. I don’t believe him, though,” she muses, a fond look in her eyes as she shakes her head gently, the flyaways dancing around her face like a holy halo. “I’m sure I have enough experience for the two of us, I could teach him the basics pretty fast.”

Adrien’s breath hitches because oh, the way she says she misses him beats her laugh anytime, even if only by a hairbreadth. 

“I’m sure he’d like that,” he says, clearing his throat. Her words make his heart swell, and the bigger it gets, the easier it is for it to spur him on, to make him a little more daring than his father likes. "But since Chat Noir isn’t here tonight… Maybe I could keep you company instead of him?"

Ladybug just stares at him for a long second, eyes wide and mouth forming a little ‘o’, before life returns to her face and she looks away, her cheeks tinted pink under the scarlet of her mask. "It wouldn’t be the same, but I'd like that. I'd like that very much.”

"It's a da— deal, then," Adrien grins, toothy and giddy, trying as he might to swallow back the word ‘date’ from the tip of his tongue mid-sentence, because no. It is most definitely not a date. 

He extends his arm to lead her to the dance floor, or out of the city hall — truthfully, he doesn’t even care as long as she stays this close — but just when he does, a cold voice calls from behind his back. 

"Adrien, you have to meet Mr. Giorgio in five minutes. I hope you didn't forget about your duties!"

His shoulders sag but he hides his clenched jaw behind a million-watt smile as he turns. "Of course not, Nathalie. I'll be right there!" 

An apologetic glance at his Lady is enough for her to let go of the ball gown she has just pinched up to float to the dance floor. She wraps the gloved hand so far extended for him to take around her torso. 

"I'm sorry, Ladybug, it looks like you'll have to take me up on my offer another time," Adrien sighs. 

"It's alright, I understand!" she says, but her sour smile makes Adrien wonder if she’s choosing her words carefully, deliberately avoiding saying ‘it’s no problem’. “Have a good time!" she offers, and he can only nod, heart aching. 

He never has time. And he certainly never has a good one without her.

[read the rest of the chapter on AO3]

[mlwritersguild]

On Borrowed Time

On Borrowed Time by MiaBrown

The life of Paris’ Golden Boy is all shine and glamour; blindingly bright smiles, neverending parties, bargaining for just a shard of time for being happy. But that's alright; Adrien has long given up the false hope that someone will get it.

That is precisely why it's a spectacle when she does, when she barges in like a hurricane in crimson and turns his life upside down. Heaven knows, it's time for the wind of change. *** aka Adrien and Ladybug run into each other at a gala. then at another. and another. some would say, it's a bonding opportunity alike moonlighting on a civilian's balcony

Words: 4313, Chapters: 1/3, Language: English

Series: Part 10 of when my stitches come loose (hold me tight)

Fandoms: Miraculous Ladybug

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Relationships: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Additional Tags: Fluff and Humor, Hurt/Comfort, Mutual Pining, Ladrien | Adrien Agreste/Marinette Dupain-Cheng as Ladybug, gala friends Ladrien, Bad Parent Gabriel Agreste, Getting Together, ML Big Bang 2022, Digital Art

Read Here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44159524

[ao3feed-ladynoir]

On Borrowed Time

On Borrowed Time by MiaBrown

The life of Paris’ Golden Boy is all shine and glamour; blindingly bright smiles, neverending parties, bargaining for just a shard of time for being happy. But that's alright; Adrien has long given up the false hope that someone will get it.

That is precisely why it's a spectacle when she does, when she barges in like a hurricane in crimson and turns his life upside down. Heaven knows, it's time for the wind of change. *** aka Adrien and Ladybug run into each other at a gala. then at another. and another. some would say, it's a bonding opportunity alike moonlighting on a civilian's balcony

Words: 4313, Chapters: 1/3, Language: English

Series: Part 10 of when my stitches come loose (hold me tight)

Fandoms: Miraculous Ladybug

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Relationships: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Additional Tags: Fluff and Humor, Hurt/Comfort, Mutual Pining, Ladrien | Adrien Agreste/Marinette Dupain-Cheng as Ladybug, gala friends Ladrien, Bad Parent Gabriel Agreste, Getting Together, ML Big Bang 2022, Digital Art

Read Here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44159524

[mikauzoran]

Ladrien: In the Same Place Twice – “I’m only here to establish an alibi.” (One-Shot)

Read it on AO3: Ladrien: In the Same Place Twice – “I’m only here to establish an alibi.”

Summary: Ladybug attends the same fashion gala as her civilian identity to throw suspicion off of Marinette. She takes the time to dance and flirt with Adrien Agreste while she's there.

Pairing: Ladybug/Adrien Agreste

Rating: T

[ladyofthenoodle]

still obsessed with the idea of alya & adrien fake dating for PR reasons post hawkmoth defeat… they gotta establish adrien’s public image as being anti-gabriel. marinette obviously suggests ladrien but this is regarded by everyone as too dangerous (except adrien who thought it was a great idea). so it falls to alya, the ladyblogger, to convince everyone that adrien is Definitely Not the Next Supervillian. she thinks it’s hilarious at first and plays it up. calls him embarrassing pet names in public. makes them wear matching ladybug shirts (they already own them but she makes adrien wear his at the same time as her). generally is a nuisance to everyone involved except plagg who also thinks it’s funny. nino knows it’s fake but he’s still annoyed. adrien is still processing his Big Trauma so he’s just kinda. going with it. he wishes marinette was the one calling him dumb pet names instead even if it’s fake but mostly he’s just glad his friends still want to be around him. marinette is obviously WILDLY JEALOUS. she is aware that it’s completely irrational but unlike nino, marinette has never been chill about anything in her entire life, so instead of being mildly annoyed she tells everyone that she’s “VERY HAPPY FOR THEM ISNT IT GREAT” while smiling in a way that scares off any passing small children or animals. and then she plans all their dates and gets upset that she’s not going on the date herself.

but then at some point adrien has to go to some Very Fancy Galas with alya as his date at which point this stops becoming fun for alya because she hates wearing these dresses and all these people are so boring and every time she tries to start an interesting conversation people think she’s being rude and none of this music is fun to dance to. adrien of course also is bored out of his mind and they start to actually bond a bit and have some fun and maybe this isn’t so bad. but then they learn that marinette and nino are hanging out while they’re out at these galas and adrien thinks maybe this IS bad because he and alya are spending time together for fake PR reasons but marinette and nino just want to hang out together and one day he and alya come home to find nino and marinette cuddling asleep on the couch and adrien is freaking out because he’s worried that marinette and nino are falling in love because of this stupid plan and he doesn’t understand why alya isn’t also freaking out. alya of course is not only secure in her relationship but also well aware that marinette is still completely bonkers for adrien and there is zero chance of that changing anytime soon.

anyways i just want post hawkmoth defeat to be exactly as ridiculous as they’ve always been thanks

[jennagrinsoverml]

Hi! I’m new to the fandom and your fic rec lists have been so so useful. I was wondering if you have any for general love square identity shenanigans? I live for dramatic irony and these idiots having 0.5 brain cells

Ahhhh yes. I live for the identity shenanigans! (I often tag these identity porn, but that term seems to have fallen out of usage.) Honestly, the hardest part of this ask was whittling the list down haha. I just had too many fics! Yeah, you want identity shenanigans??? I gotchu 😘

The Wrath of a Gentle Man by @mckinlily

Nino catches Chat Noir kissing Marinette. It does not go well.

One-shot. Man, I love when characters catch the post-reveal love square "cheating" on each other! It's just so ridiculous and funny. Bonus points to this one for having Nino call Chat a slut before it was cool (not in those words lol).

This can't be happening by @amiraculousplatypus

Ladybug is unsure whether accompanying Adrien to a gala as his not-date is the best or worst thing that has ever happened to her. But when their table-mates turn out to be none other than her long time friends Alya and Nino and with Adrien acting weirder and weirder she finds herself with bigger worries than an unrequited crush.

Multi-chapter. This one is so hilarious and the disaster!Marinette energy here is off the charts! She's so in love with Adrien, while so terrified that he, Alya or Nino will figure her out, that she's just a complete and utter mess and I love her for it. The identity shenanigans are truly off the charts. (It does have some issues with weird spacing that did impact my reading, so just be forewarned if that really bothers you, but I found it well worth the read despite that.)

this love is a tangled web by @bugabisous

When Ladybug and Chat Noir decided that they should switch things around with their temporary miraculous holders in order to throw Hawkmoth off, they couldn’t have predicted the tangled web they would weave.

Series. This series is so much fun! Chat and Ladybug redistribute the miraculouses after Miracle Queen and we get a fun Snekmouse like dynamic between Dragon!Adrien and Snake!Marinette. Plus there’s some multichat content early on, which is a nice precursor to the way Adrien falls for Marinette in this new dynamic. Absolutely great identity shenanigans in this one.

i just came to say hello by a_miiraculer and @clairelutra

In which Nino finds out his best bro is in love with Ladybug, and jumps the Ladynoir and Adrienette ships for Ladrien summarily.

Adrien is flustered, Alya takes personal offense, and Marinette finally sees her chance to hit that.

What could possibly go wrong?

(abandoned/indefinite hiatus, sorry >.<)

Multichapter. Okay, yes, this is an abandoned WIP. But. But! What’s already there is so, so good that it’s still worth reading even if you’re nervous at the prospect of reading a WIP. Like, this is everything I look for in Ladrien with both of them being so in love and so stupid and nervous and it’s so funny!!!! And, as you can imagine with Alya and Nino fighting over which ship to advance, the identity shenanigans are amazing.

lost in translation by @fictionalinfinity

“What do you mean I can’t be Ladybug anymore?”

“I’m sorry, Marinette. With Hawkmoth at large, it’s simply too dangerous for the Miracle Box and the Ladybug Miraculous to be in the same place. If something were to happen...”

-

In which Marinette has to give up the Ladybug Miraculous, and decides Adrien Agreste is the perfect choice for the new holder.

One-shot. This fic has the BEST identity shenanigans!! Poor Adrien, getting completely blindsided by not just having his partner suddenly retire, but having the earrings suddenly dumped on him. Marinette’s so upset that he doesn’t want them, and Adrien’s so panicked about being asked to take on a role that he can’t possibly fulfill and it’s just amazing.

Shellter Chat by @bridgetinerabbit

A peek inside Adrien's school bag gives Nino some very unexpected insight as to what makes his good friend tick, but leaves him in a very delicate position. He never expected to strike a deal with the Kwami of Destruction, but now he and Plagg are working together to relieve some of Adrien's (and Chat Noir's) burdens for his own good. But being Adrien's guardian angel isn't as easy as it seems; other secret identities start falling apart, and there's no telling where the falling dominoes will stop.

Multi-chapter. My favourite thing about this fic is the dramatic irony of no one realizing that Marinette is Ladybug while they’re all juggling their secret identities and knowledge of same. This fic is so, so good and I’m underselling it because I don’t want to spoil it, but seriously I loved it so much.

rumour has it by @settledownsummer

When Alya reveals to the class that Marinette kissed Chat Noir, Adrien is very confused. Why would Marinette lie about kissing him? He decides to take matters into his own hands, and make the rumour a reality.

One-shot. This is set sometime in season 4 and it’s sweet and hilarious. Because of course Adrien hears, and he KNOWS he and Marinette have never kissed, but it’s not like Marinette to lie. So, he wants to help her out. And it’s hilarious and in character and so much fun!!

what terrible timing by @miabrown007

Alya has always considered herself a ride or die Adrienette stan. But when the boy only started to bombard Marinette with soft looks after he started to date none other than Ladybug… Well, Alya would recognize a two-timer if she ever saw one.

Luckily though, Ladybug was very much capable of taking the matter into her own hands.

One-shot. This is top tier identity ridiculousness. The love square got together as ladrien and, after an identity reveal, want to be able to be together in their regular lives. So they stage a very public break up. It’s all told through Alya’s POV and it’s just. So ridiculous. I love it.

The Unintended Consequences of Being a Superhero's Boyfriend by @karkalicious769​

 "Adrien Agreste, is it true that you're Chat Noir?"

 The world fell out from under him.

 "The two of you do look remarkably similar." A second microphone was shoved into Adrien's hands and he took it instinctively. "And what do you have to say about the footage that showed Chat Noir going to your home after a successful akuma battle?"

 "Yes, Chat Noir did come to my house. But not because we're the same person. See, ah—" His tongue stuck in his throat. And then, either by good luck or bad, Adrien thought of Ladybug. "We're dating!"

Or — With his back against the wall and his secret identity about to be revealed, Adrien blurts out the first thing that comes to his mind. Now, he has to manage the consequences.

Multi-chapter. And now for the king of identity shenanigans, some adrichat! Except the whole thing is really well thought out and non-crack. It’s well-developed and once I started reading I was literally incapable of stopping. Highly recommend (and yes, this fic is love square.)

Change of Plan by alvares715

Now that Adrien is dating Kagami, Marinette decides that she needs to move on. And she stumbles upon the perfect person to move on to.

Set after season three.

Multi-chapter. God they’re just. So stupid. Ladybug finally decides to give Chat a chance now that she thinks Adrien is dating Kagami, and it leads to all kinds of shenanigans. Especially because Alya finds it awfully sus that two of her friends just happen to have significant others she’s never heard of or met or even seen a picture of before hahaha. They’re just so ridiculous and dramatic! I had so much fun reading this!

Save You a Seat by @miabrown007​

Alya once read that you should invite random celebrities to your wedding — with the more than likely assumption that they won’t attend, only send you a card and an overpriced coffee machine.

Luckily, the chances of Hawkmoth’s son reading his mail and showing up to the event are microscopic. Marinette will be busy enough trying to get to know the boy behind Chat Noir’s mask — if he does decide to come — she doesn’t need to worry about being able to look Adrien Agreste in the eyes.

One-shot. And now for something completely different, a fic where Adrien never went to school so they don’t know each other. So, needless to say, things are a little awkward when Adrien shows up to Nino and Alya’s wedding...

[juliuli]

ml playlist

hello so i have a miraculous ladybug playlist that i listen to almost every single day so i wanted to share some of the songs !!! i want people to listen to them and say yeah that’s so ladynoir !! anyways these particular lyrics remind me of the love square in some way or maybe the vibes~ of the song can be related to ml. enjoy :)

relimerence - the happy fits

and she stares as you walk

and she cares when you talk

but you know she’ll never love you

as she moves far away you will dream of the day that she held you so close when she loved you

i could die a million times and i’d still wake up at your door

THIS IS CHAT ABOUT LADYBUG 😭😭😭 my boy

last time - adam melchor

you promise me each time you leave, you haven’t seen the last of me

it’s just i never have enough of you

feed me any lie, just tell me this won’t be the last time

uummmmm chat about ladybug again !! 

little freak - harry

i was thinkin’ about who you are

your delicate point of view, i

was thinkin’ about you

i’m not worried about where you are

or who you will go home to

this part COULDN’T be more ladynoir even if it tried to !!!! i just imagine chat thinking about who lb is when she's not lb because he loves her !!!! he's like idc if u like someone else im just thinking about u 😭

i choose you - adam melchor

if everybody in the world was standing in a line

and i can talk to anyone, wouldn’t waste nobody’s time

‘cause i choose you

out of billions of people i got it down, it’s you

post-reveal post everything adrinette !!

go - cody fry

i wanna dance into the morning

kiss you like you’ve never been kissed before me

i would go anywhere you wanna go

with your hand in my hand

this is marinette to adrien either pre or post-reveal !!!

are you bored yet? - wallows & clairo

‘cause we could stay at home and watch the sunset

but i can’t help from asking, “are you bored yet?”

okay so i imagine this being ladrien, so adrien to ladybug BUT it could also be adrinette as soon as they start dating ahhdhsfhj

like or like like - miniature tigers

tell me how you feel about me

do you like or like, like me?

hehe this is marinette to adrien or it could work magnificently with a reverse love square adrien to mari

friends don’t - maddie & tae

friends don’t stand around playing with their keys, 

finding reasons not to leave, trying to hide the chemistry

drive a little too slow, take the long way home, get a little too close

we do but, but friends don’t

okay this could be adrinette once they are really comfortable around each other OR ladynoir

safe with you - delaney jane

thought i would regret coming to this party

empty bottles left, i don’t know nobody but

i feel safe with you

so this song is LITERALLY fulfilling all my ladynoir going to a fancy gala together fantasies but this could also just be from ladybug’s pov about chat (please listen to the whole lyrics 😭) 

get used to it - ricky montgomery

you want a garden but you got a balcony 

and you’re always lookin’ for some company

you want a say, well what you got to say? 

give in to me, give in to me and see

just for the mention of a balcony this song is PURE marichat but agh i love them so much. also line without a hook by ricky is so ladynoir but i think we already knew that.  

dandelions - ruth b.

and i’ve heard of a love that comes once in a lifetime

and i’m pretty sure that you are that love of mine

‘cause i’m in a field of dandelions

wishing on every one that you’ll be mine

this is marinette to adrien !!!!!! just her. daydreaming about him

okay i think i’m gonna finish this here :p i’ve left out some of the more obvious songs and i haven’t included any t swift songs because we’re all well aware that all her lyrics are about the love square. as well as cody fry’s songs. agh they’re doing this fandom such a service anyway i hope you listen to these songs and recommend more love square ones thank u :) 

[eggrestes]

ladrien fic recs!

there are SO MANY amazing ladrien fics i cant possibly cover them all but here are a few!

(all the ratings used are ao3 ratings)

((this is a very long post!))

FLUFF

Of Ivy and Sunlight by cyanise [ T, 1509 words, 1/1 ]

When Adrien takes to wandering the streets of Paris in ungodly hours, Ladybug has no choice but to keep an eye on him. Still, things are bound to get a little out of hand between two overloaded teenagers with a lot of love and not enough self-control. 

a lovely post-chat blanc fic :’) it has a great flow and is just soft and so sweet and it’s just perfect. gosh i cannot really say more other than read it!!! also almost all of their other stuff is also ladrien so do check it out!

This can't be happening by PlaPla [ T,  6,467 words, 1/2 ]

Ladybug is unsure whether accompanying Adrien to a gala as his not-date is the best or worst thing that has ever happened to her. But when their table mates turn out to be none other than her long time friends Alya and Nino and with Adrien acting weirder and weirder she finds herself with bigger worries than an unrequited crush.

a djwifi/ladrien double date? hit me up! i love identity shenanigans, ball dancing, ladrien, and djwifi and this is a perfect mix for me. i know it’s incomplete but it doesn’t end in a cliff-hanger really, the part 2 is just a promise of more so it doesn’t feel incomplete! PlaPla also has a short oneshot of ladrien going for a motorcycle ride.

Falling again by emsylcatac [ M,  4,506 words, 2 Works ]

They had been dancing around each other for a while now, and while fifteen year old Adrien would have been ecstatic at the idea of dating Ladybug in secret, twenty-two year old Adrien knew better. But Ladybug wasn’t making it easy. It was like… she, too, was falling for him. And that surprisingly enough, she didn’t mind.

* * *

Or Adrien trying (and failing) to keep things professional between him and Ladybug when the two of them partner up for a mission. Older AU

things are a little steamy~ here (don’t worry, it’s only implied it’s very mild and closer to a T rating than the M) but it’s a great mature take on their dynamics! emsy has more ladrien one-shots in her collection of one-shots!

i'd love to go on a date with you by sae_what  [ G,  6,480 words, 1/1 ]

Once it had been falsely announced throughout Paris that Adrien and Ladybug are in a relationship, Ladybug pays him a visit to turn him down gently.

Only, she doesn’t. And instead, she has a formal dinner date. With Adrien. At 8 pm. Tonight.

LADYBUG IN A SUIT!! aaaaaaaaaaaaaa. okay but for real it’s so sweet and also??? they are on a date!!! a rooftop date!! (too man exclamation marks oops)

Always Welcome by  chatonne-rousse [ T, 1,683 words, 1/1 ]

Ladybug knows that Adrien's window is always open for her to swing by and stop in, whether for video games or a chat or, like tonight, for soft kisses and sweet nothings.

He loves these visits. His girlfriend is always welcome. Always. (Especially for kisses.)

Written for Ladrien June, day 8: bluebell eyes.

established relationship, pre-reveal ladrien. there is something very home-y about this fic and it’s all about the comfort and quiet that i adore about it!

Five Times Gabriel Agreste Caught Ladybug in His Son’s Bedroom (and the One Time He Caught Chat Noir) by agrestenoir [ T,  1,923 words, 1/1]

Gabriel Agreste keeps finding Ladybug in his son's bedroom. As a super villain and father, this will not stand.

this crack fic is... honestly so hilarious. it’s all through gabrie-i-am-trying-to-parent-and-failing-a-lot-agreste’s POV so it is so much ridiculous! 

an uncurtain discovery by  Missnoodles [ T, 4,684 words, 1/1 ]

When he returns from school on Wednesday afternoon, Adrien discovers the darkness in his own home. He struggles to come to terms with it. To his utter mortification and delight, Ladybug is nearby to rescue him.

(He does not discover that his father is supervillain. That will happen on a different Wednesday.)

Adrien is being a cat and gets tangled in the curtains on his window and it’s utterly ridiculous. all the bug and the cat tendencies make it funnier and adrien’s inner monologue is just a cherry on top!

secret valentine by a_miiraculer [ T,  12,245 words, 1/1 ]

this is the moment that we will come alive brace yourself for love sweet love, secret love

If Adrien had known that getting himself stuck in a tree would end like this, he would've gotten himself stuck sooner.

A drabble series.

i just,,,, don’t have words for how much i love it! it’s ridiculous, it’s cute, it’s funny, it’s whole-some and just ladrien. the writer also has a M rated multi-chapter ladrien kissing (no the M is very much real here) and a heroic adrien and ladybug one-shot too! 

Those Benevolent Stars by peachcitt [ G,  23,696 words, 3/3 ]

“Will you come back?”

She looked up at the deep blue sky, as if she could somehow find the answer there. “I shouldn’t,” she said, shaking her head and looking back at him. But the stars were still there, caught in her eyes, and Adrien persisted.

“But will you?”

or

adrien meets his soulmate, a thief who calls herself ladybug. he falls for her, but she seems determined to maintain a space between them.

oh my god this au.... just no words!! it’s poetry and it’s tender and it’s about the yearning and just!!! perfect :’). Her current ongoing ladrien june fic is also akin to this (and the fic i linked before it) so do check it out too! (literally check out all of their works it’s so beautiful)

Flowers on the Window Sill by LNC [ G,  2,144 words, 1/1 ]

The first time Ladybug saw him, really saw him, the universe stopped.

this fic feels like poetry and it’s so lovely. LNC is always short and direct but it always hits right in the feels while also being hilarious. Her  other ladrien works are just as good and i highly recommend going through them because it fulfills all of the ladrien needs (along with Reiaji)

whatever a sun will always sing is you by komorebirei [ T,  32,980 words, 37/37 ]

“I didn't think you'd actually... do anything," Adrien admitted, cheeks prickling with warmth. "I-I mean, I never expected... I didn't know you watched my interviews.” That definitely wasn’t how he'd imagined confessing to Ladybug.

“Of course I do!” Ladybug squeaked. “Uhh, that is…” She looked down at her hands, nervously turning her yo-yo over, over and over. “Maybe you’re not the only one with a crush.”

(After an unexpected confession, Ladybug and Adrien start dating in secret. A progressive character- and relationship-study quilted from drabbles, with the intention of digging treasure out of the cove that is Ladrien. Written using kashimalin-fanfiction's kiss writing prompts from Tumblr.)

it does such an excellent job at exploring this dynamic along with the characters. it’s such a sweet fic, each chapter short and fun!

ANGST

whose woods these are (I think I know.) by  Reiaji [ T,  105,000 words, 25/25 ]

Four years after his future turns to cinders, Adrien is a servant in the house he was meant to inherit. Disowned by his father and abused by his stepmother, his days are filled with drudgery until he meets a masked huntress in the forest behind his father's chateau.

As his friendship with Ladybug turns to first love, he dreams of a future spent at her side.

Then, on the eve of the Princess's masquerade, he meets his guardian—and is granted a wish.

[Ladrien Cinderella AU]

Warnings: Child abuse, Graphic depiction of violence

this is absolutely gorgeous. it has so many troupes and so many amazing character arc and great build up and everything just flows so well. it left me in awe for weeks and i just. want to experience reading it for the first time again. look at this gorgeous art inspired by this! {and you have to read  leonard bernstein too because LETTERS and LADRIEN and YEARNING}

i would do it again (oh, a thousand times) by bugabisous [ T, 2,266 words, 1/1 ]

Knowing you can bring someone back doesn’t mean you’re free of the pain of seeing them disappear before your eyes. He can’t imagine he’ll be able to look at her directly without replaying every horrifying moment when he felt her slip away in a puff of smoke.

When it happens once again, he already knows he’ll be trying again. He just can’t give up.

it expands on adrien’s feelings in the episode desperada (my beloved <3) and it is just ouch. such great angst, such great potential. the kind of tragedy that it offers is unusual for ml (it gets only rivaled by chat blanc tbh). to rival this angst bugabisous also has a fluffy one-shot :)

when the world gets too heavy (put it on my back) by Taliax [ T, 4,720 words, 1/1 ]

Chat Noir isn't allowed to cry over his father. But even when he's just Adrien, Ladybug won't abandon him.

Hawkmoth reveal hurt/comfort + Ladrien

the plagg and adrien bond written is just perfect, and oh this hits right in the feels :’) it hurts all in the right way. tali also has so many other ladrien works in all genres too

By Your Side by omniousunflower [ T, 4,361 words, 1/1 ]

(Angry and alone, Adrien waits on top of the Eiffel Tower for his lady.)

“So, how did my kitty get stranded up here?” Ladybug asks.

Groaning, Adrien pulls his knees toward his chest and presses his face against them. “Because he’s stupid and impulsive.”

“Chasing pigeons, then?”

“No.” Shame burns in Adrien’s veins, white-hot now that Ladybug is here to witness his stupidity. “I threw my Miraculous, and Plagg wouldn’t get it for me.”

post-hawkmoth defeat, and adrien is not doing well at all. i am cheating because it is post reveal, pre relationship but it’s still ladrien. this fic is a roller coater of emotions, starting from a slightly crack scenario to a cute, awkward, hopeful ending.  More Than You Know is another of sunny’s angsty ladrien work!

Breaking The Rules (AKA The Ladrien Fistfight) by ThisKwamiNeeds_aNap [ T, 8,714 words, 1/1 ]

Marinette may or may not be dying, but she’s still going to do her best to fix every single problem in the world. She’s not expecting Adrien to be the one who tries to stop her. (Takes place immediately after Kwami Buster)

Warnings: panic attack, broken bones, PTSD. please read the tags!

*slaps this fic* this fic can fit in so much angst. it just?? left me in PAIN oof. it says ‘ladrien fistfight’ on the lid but nooo there is marinette is just having a freak out and it’s all so much??!! and it’s not just marinette there is adrien too and chloe and alya and- wow it’s amazing. love it so much it fills up my angst needs :’)

so that’s it for now! my personal commentary isn’t impressive nor does it do justice to the fic but i still hope you read a few of these!! happy reading!!

[xhanisai]

Could you expand on your kiss au? I just love it for some reason and need more, how do they sneak out? Does Adrien transform to come for balcony visits? How does Gabriel react? Do the Dupain-Chengs shower Adrien with unconditional love even though they only just met? Do they sometimes take off their miraculous to have a moment?

I’m so glad that you’re enjoying this silly AU! I haven’t put much of a thought process into this, improvising as I typed. However, I’ll try my best to satiate your curiousity~

Sneaking out

Before their kwamis upgraded, Marinette and Adrien had to sneak out as their civilian selves, contacting each other in order to meet up in a nearby place. So just imagine Marinette using a rope made out of cloth to climb down her balcony and Adrien pulling a spiderman, crawling down his mansion’s walls. 

The further away they are, the harder it is for them. Marinette had to sneak on public transport a few times, “borrowed” someone’s motorbike almost killing herself in process and so much more. Adrien stole a unattended bus once (he was disguised in that wonderful banana suit so no one knew it was him), hijacked Gorilla’s limo many times, roller skated terribly, etc. 

Their excuses are pretty much the same when an akuma attacks during class save for the fact that their friends believe they exploit this opportunity to make out. They’re not wrong.

After the upgrade

Adrien would in fact take advantage of this to not only visit Marinette at night on her balcony, but also to whisk her away for a rooftop date hangout. Marinette does the exact same as Ladybug. Think of all the high tension marichat and ladrien moments hnnnn~~~

Gabriel 

On any other day, I’d have liked to depict him as a bloody ass. Though, for this AU, I want to make him a comedy relief character (as much as I possibly could considering he’s still a shit dad, maybe has a chance for redemption?).

When Adrien first introduced Marinette to Gabe, it took everything for Agreste Senior to not cackle in happiness. What a wonderful girl to take over his company when he comes to age, what beautiful grandchildren she’ll give him, what wonderful happiness she’ll bring to the family!

He tried to act cool and formal, making Marinette feel as welcome as he possibly could. He vows to never try akumatising her as well. He’s already began creating a children line with drawings of what he thinks his future grandkids would look like.

“Will they give me a grandson? A granddaughter? Three grandkids? And a hamster? Will my grandson have dark hair and green eyes? He will be a wonderful model!!! Eeeek! Nathalie! Back up my designs! I need to work on these traditionally to get more of an oomph~”

“...Yes...Sir...”

He also subtly tries to hook Marinette and Adrien up. When he realised that they’re not actually dating, he was so tempted to akumatise himself and riot. Additionally, he’s “accidently” called Marinette his daughter-in-law a few times, much to Adrien’s delight and Mari’s embarrassment. 

He gets triggered when he sees Chat Noir all over Marinette and Ladybug all over Adrien. He probably focuses more on his son’s love life than grabbing the miraculouses sometimes...

Dupain-Chengs

First thing Sabine chimes when Marinette introduces Adrien to them is:

“When’s the wedding, hun?”

Cue a laughing Tom, a blushing Adrien and a scowling Marinette screaming “Mama-aaaan!”

They pretty much fell for Adrien at first sight, ready to coddle him, love him, after all he’s their future son-in-law. Adrien admits to them that he’d happily marry their daughter but fears that she doesn’t feel the same. That day, six loaves of breads were burnt to a crisp.

They give Adrien a spare key to their house, already accepting him into the family and encourages him to come over whenever he wants. They’ve bought and made spare clothes and supplies for Adrien, made him a delicious cake for his birthday and gifted him with some games, refer to him as “son” or “our boy”, and even give him advice in how to woo Marinette- not that he needs it.

They also give Gabriel Agreste a parenthood intervention. Gabe never felt so intimidated in his entire life, especially by Sabine’s cold eyes of D O O M. Sabine and Tom do manage to help improve Gabriel’s behaviour. Though, there is a bit of rivalry here.

“I’d much rather would like my son and daughter-in-law to attend the Gala with me, Monsieur Dupain and Madame Cheng,”

“Ohohoh- no. My daughter and son-in-law have been waiting for this movie night for weeks! You’re not taking them away,”

Romantic moments 

Marinette accidently admits out loud that she’d like to kiss Adrien as just herself without worrying about transforming. She was merely talking to Tikki, failing to register Adrien’s presence in her room, chilling on her chaise reading Sailor Moon.

The boy ignores her usual babbles, silently slipping his ring off and making way towards her. He beckons Mari to take her earrings off with a reassuring smile, indicating that he shares the same thoughts. 

The kisses are much more slower, passionate, sweeter. They both conclude that kissing in their base forms holds a power and uniqueness that can’t be done in their hero forms. 

Before they can really get into kissing, an akuma attacks and they have no choice but to slip their miraculouses back on, heart beating way too fast.

It’s rare for them to take their miraculouses off regardless of how much different kissing feels without them. They don’t want Paris burning whilst they’re busy tongue tied.

Thankfully, they FINALLY suspect that the other has feelings for them!

Hope you enjoyed! :D 

[sincerelymarinette]

A Recorded Life (40/50) - Miraculous Ladybug

Words: 2097 Chapter Summary: With an Akuma on the loose, Chat Noir is not with the team and needs to be there, so Ladybug must find him. Later, they record an "official" video for their new announcement. Author's Note: I loved this chapter. Also, Ladrien!! Just a little, but it's there :) We're almost to the gala and I'm HYPE

Prev / Next / Masterlist

The NewlyCoupled Game

---

7 days until the gala

The Akuma hadn't even broken anything yet. They were just chasing it across the city, keeping distance, and following. Typically, they liked to show off their powers and be as loud as they can. But this one was different, just flying throughout the sky and leading them through Paris.

Ladybug, Rena Rouge, Carapace, and Queen Bee were following and have been for ten minutes now. They jumped on rooftops to follow the Akuma, and they aren't even sure if the Akuma knew they were following- or if they cared.

"Anyone see Chat?" Ladybug asked.

The other three didn't respond. "I thought he would be with you," Queen Bee replied.

Ladybug shook their head as they continued running and talking. "Not today, he had a mandatory photoshoot that he had to agree to. His photographer must not be letting him leave," Ladybug sighed and stopped running. "Since the Akuma hasn't done anything, you guys good with just following for now? I know where his photoshoot is, and I can grab him. Nowadays, we can't finish the job without a cataclysm."

"We should be okay," Rena Rouge told her. "The Akuma hasn't even done anything. It will give us time to figure it out, and you can go save your prince."

"Besides, if we get in any trouble, I've got my shell-ter!" Carapace winked.

"Okay, sounds good. I'll call when I'm on my way back," Ladybug said and yo-yoed back to where they came from. There were two places that Adrien would be, as they had two different settings for the shoot today. It was between a park and a studio, and Marinette was really hoping they would be at the park- it would be so much easier to snatch Adrien out of there.

She was right, and she got lucky that they were at the park for this part of the shoot. As Ladybug got closer, she could hear the photographer yelling at Adrien. "The Akuma is north of us, so north that they won't turn back here! We have to finish the photoshoot! Your father will be furious if you don't let us do our job."

"I'm sorry, Monsieur," Adrien sighed. "But I don't care how far away from us they are. I have to go help my team, or the Akuma will come back and ruin the whole photoshoot anyway!"

"No, no," The photographer fought back. "There are four other heroes that can take care of it. We must finish this photoshoot."

Adrien groaned loudly as the photographer kept arguing. "They need me. I have to go."

"Let me call Mr. Agreste to confirm your absence," The photographer said and went to grab his phone.

Just as the photographer turned his attention away, Ladybug swept in with a big smirk. She put her arm around Adrien and started swinging her yo-yo. "Sorry to steal your model, but we need him!" She called out and threw the yo-yo to get away.

"No!" The photographer yelled. "He can't leave!"

"It's for the safety of Paris!" Ladybug yelled back just as she was getting out of sight. "How's the photoshoot go?" She smiled at Adrien.

He shook his head with a small laugh. "I don't miss it as much as people think."

"I, for one, hate it. I'm stuck in his bag, starving!" Plagg complained loudly.

Ladybug laughed. "I'm sure you'll have tons of cheese later. Sorry for scooping you up, Adrien, but you know we can't do this without you. Plus, it was bizarre, the Akuma didn't even acknowledge us and just kept running away," She said with Adrien in her arms. After a few more seconds, they landed in a random alleyway so Adrien could transform.

"Well, even if there wasn't an Akuma, thank you for saving me from the crazy photographer. I don't understand why he didn't want me to leave; he knows I'm Chat Noir," Adrien shrugged. "Ah, whatever. Plagg, claws out!"

---

"Hi! I'm Marinette!" She introduced the new video as she sat at a table with her best friends and now boyfriend. "And today, we have a very special video for you guys. I'm sure you've seen the picture on social media of Ladybug and Chat Noir kissing, and well, yes, it's real. This video is to announce that Adrien and I are indeed dating!"

"Woo!" Alya screeched. "Took you guys long enough!"

Marinette rolled her eyes, and Adrien tried to hold back his laughter. "And to announce it, because we have to, we're making a video against Alya and Nino to find out who is the best couple. Even if we haven't been dating for a long time, Adrien and I have been friends for years."

"True! We probably know more about each other than we think," Adrien added.

"Yeah, but you guys won't be able to beat us. Alya and I are like one person," Nino retorted.

"Can I explain the video?" Marinette laughed.

Alya put her hand up. "No, I want to!" She said, and took charge. "You guys know the Newlywed game? That's what we're doing, but for dating. It's going to be a lot of fun. Marinette and I went through Google earlier today and picked out a few questions to ask the other couple, and there are going to be some doozies," Alya said. "So, basically, I'll ask Marinette a question, she'll write her answer on the board, and Adrien will guess. And vice versa," Alya explained.

Marinette sighed and nodded. "Okay, I guess that we can just...start?" She said, and everyone nodded. "Great! I'm going to ask the first question. If Alya won the lottery, what would be the first thing she would buy?" Marinette asked. They both thought for a minute, and Alya started writing.

"I know this one!" Nino shouted. "We've talked about this. She would have a whole bunch of things lined up, but she would definitely get an apartment first and foremost. She loves her family, but it's about time for her to move out, and she needs her space," Nino said.

"Okay, Alya, what did you say?" Marinette asked.

With a big smile, Alya turned the board around to show her answer. An apartment because I need my space. "He got it exactly! Beat that!" Alya shouted in excitement.

Adrien shook his head. "It's only the first question. Don't get too cocky just yet!"

"What is Marinette's biggest pet peeve?" Alya asked.

"You really picked that one?" Nino asked.

"Yes, it's a good question! It could go so many different ways," Alya scoffed. "I want to win."

The two were silent, and Marinette had already erased two answers because she came up with her perfect answer. "See, this could go a few different ways," Adrien said. "It could be something as simple as poking herself with a needle, or something like people getting in her way- no, I got it!" Adrien said. "Akumas."

All three looked at Marinette as she turned her board around. AKUMAS it read as she hid behind the board.

"Yes! I knew it!" Adrien cheered. "Okay, ask the next one! I love this; this is so much fun."

Marinette looked down at her sheet and asked the next question that Nino would write an answer for. "Okay, uh, what was Alya's first impression of Nino?"

A minute went by, and Alya was ready with her answer. "Well, we met on my first day of school a few years ago, but we weren't super close. So, I expect it to be something like: she seems cool, I want to get to know her," She guessed.

Nino flipped his board around and showed that it said not much, I just wanted to get to know her. And they both erupted into cheers again as Alya got ready to ask Adrien the next question.

"What is your favorite memory together?" Alya asked.

Again, another minute went by, and the two had to think really hard about it. "Okay, Marinette, what's your answer?" Alya asked.

"Honestly, we've had so many good times together. And I've told this story before, where Adrien gave me his umbrella in the rain after I was convinced I hated him. It gave me such a different perspective on everything, and I'm so glad I forgave him."

Adrien looked down and turned his board. "That's a good one, but I said something different. I know Mari doesn't like to talk about it that much, but this was a day I'll never forget. It was the day we got our Miraculous and became superheroes, the first time we met. It was really funny, because I had no clue what I was doing, and neither did she, but she tried to use her yo-yo and ran straight into me. Then, she told off Hawkmoth on her first day as a superhero- and I knew she was going to be amazing," Adrien rambled.

"Aw, that's so sweet. I think I'll be okay not getting a point for that one. But we still have to win!" Marinette determined.

They went through about ten questions total, which ended up taking a while because the stories continued coming- but Marinette was sure the fans would not be mad about an extra-long video of their favorite ships. In the end, Alya and Nino ended up winning by two points, only getting two wrong.

"So what, we missed four," Adrien rolled his eyes. "We just started dating, we've got plenty of time to keep learning obscure things about each other," He retorted and put his arm around Marinette. Pushing it off, she ended the video before Alya and Nino could get any bigger ego.

The fans went wild. They loved every second of the video, just as the group had predicted, and the comments blew up the video went live. Soon enough, Adrienette was trending on Twitter again, and Marinette had to shut off her phone to stop the notifications from distracting her from Mario Kart. She would read comments and Tweets in the morning.

I saw the announcement on twitter, but I still can't believe it's true. THE SHIP HAS SAILED???

I love them all so much. Their dynamic with each other is simply the best. Nino and Alya are ultimate goals and I'm so happy Adrien and Marinette are together

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES PINCH ME IS THIS REAL IM GONNA CRY

i love them i love them they are the cutest

I mean, they already live together, we all saw this coming right? n knee ways, SHIP!!!

look at nino and alya being the best couple out there with adrienette right behind them

so whats nino and alyas ship name? I'm so happy we got to learn more about their relationship in this video I mean we already knew they've been together for a while but I love all their stories!

this was the absolute best way to announce the new hot couple. gossip sites are about to go crazy!

I'm so happy Mari is becoming more comfortable talking about lb and can. I know she chose not to for safety reasons and crazy people but now that it's kind of calmed down (a little) I'm glad she's able to talk about it. Look at that growth! we stan

---

Earlier that day

Nathalie arrived at the photoshoot an hour before Adrien was scheduled to be there. She had to speak to the photographer for an important reason and did not want Adrien to interfere.

"Are you sure, Miss Nathalie?" The photographer asked. "If there is an Akuma, you don't want me to let him go?"

"No. He is not allowed to leave.  No matter what. Mr. Agreste does not want him near the Akuma," Nathalie demanded.

"Why not? He is a superhero, correct?" The photographer was confused. "He will not want to be here if there is danger."

Nathalie shook her head. "He is not allowed to leave. And he is not allowed to know I was here. Gabr- Mr. Agreste is worried about him and does not want to risk anything more."

"Well, what am I meant to tell him when he tries to leave?"

"Simply tell him no and that you will call his father. This photoshoot is far too important."

"I'm sorry, but I think the priority is saving Paris," The photographer tried to reason.

Nathalie held up the briefcase she was holding. "This is double what you charge for the shoot. It's all yours. Just keep him at the photo shoot."

"Of course, I will do everything I can."

---

@lady-of-the-roses-and-lilies @bookishserendipity03 @avatheexceed @gkz10 @coccinellegirl @kat-thatoneweirdo @strawberryblondish @snow-swordswoman @lilgaga98 @evufries  

[miabrown007]

Ladrien June 2023: Day 5 — Just Friends

true drabble written for the international holiday of @ladrienjune. thanks to @sunfoxfic for taking a look <3

"So, you and Adrien have gotten pretty close by the looks of it." The million-watt beam Ladybug gives the cameras never wavers. Not when Adrien chuckles beside her. Not when his fingers ghost along her thigh under the table, sending goosebumps up her spine. Not when her eyes flutter closed and she thinks about his breath on her neck, his teeth scraping against her skin. Looks can be deceiving, they both know that. They both count on that.  Because Ladybug and Adrien— "Oh, yeah." She tilts her head and gives him the first real smile of the evening. "We're friends."

[mlwritersguild]

A Case Study of Not-relationships

a case study of not-relationships by MiaBrown

Ladybug and Adrien are decidedly not dating. They just meet up in secret hotel rooms from time to time and talk about their future.

(Too bad the bed shortage in Paris is so evident.)

Words: 718, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of the dissection of goosepimple-stars, Part 8 of when my stitches come loose (hold me tight)

Fandoms: Miraculous Ladybug

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Relationships: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Secret Relationship, Pillow Talk, Implied Sexual Content, Aged-Up Character(s), Ladrien | Adrien Agreste/Marinette Dupain-Cheng as Ladybug, ladrien June 2022, gala friends Ladrien

Read Here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/39455079

[ao3feed-ladynoir]

A Case Study of Not-relationships

a case study of not-relationships by MiaBrown

Ladybug and Adrien are decidedly not dating. They just meet up in secret hotel rooms from time to time and talk about their future.

(Too bad the bed shortage in Paris is so evident.)

Words: 718, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of the dissection of goosepimple-stars, Part 8 of when my stitches come loose (hold me tight)

Fandoms: Miraculous Ladybug

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Relationships: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Secret Relationship, Pillow Talk, Implied Sexual Content, Aged-Up Character(s), Ladrien | Adrien Agreste/Marinette Dupain-Cheng as Ladybug, ladrien June 2022, gala friends Ladrien

Read Here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/39455079

[miabrown007]

The publishing period of this year's @mlbigbang is fastly approaching, which means I can finally share a snippet of the fic I've been working on. Ready for some gala friends Ladrien? They dance, they pine, they defy the status quo before they run out of time.

This year I had the chance to collaborate with @curlymakingswirlies, @acairune and @frostedpuffs, can't wait for all of you to see their art!! :D

Many thanks are due to @khanofallorcs and @alisicecream too for helping me out with their expert beta advice; and to the other mods at the Bang for all their dedication to the event! <3

On Borrowed Time (coming to AO3 on January 9th)

“Ladybug, what are you doing here?” “Taking you out, obviously.” Adrien is moderately sure that the one glass of champagne he had earlier that night was too much, and that at the very least he’s having an auditory illusion. Not that he can, in good conscience, rule out the possibility that he is straight up dreaming that Ladybug is squatting on his windowsill.  However, she seems entirely unfazed by his internal crisis. “I heard you have some extra time on your hands, and I thought that we could do something fun together.” “Ladybug, I—” He shakes his head with a chuckle. “It’s the middle of the night.” Adrien feels a tug at his navel to kiss that smirk off of her face when she cocks her head like that. “And your point is?” He gestures down to his — no, he isn’t blushing, a lot of people have black-dotted red pyjama pants, this is normal — attire. “I’m supposed to be sleeping right now.” “Well, you clearly aren’t,” she says, which is a very good point, but she doesn’t wait for him to explain himself. “And I thought, since we never really have time for fun things, we could just… borrow some.”

[miabrown007]

Prestidigitation

For all intents and purposes, everyone would be better off if they minded their own business instead of trying to pry into the private life of public figures. For god’s sake, Ladybug’s the Protector of Paris, not some celebrity sensation on the gossip column. Still, some people will occasionally pop the insensitive question, and at times like that, she has to repeat the age-old lie: No, she does not have a soulmate. Ladybug finds it infuriating. Adrien finds it hilarious.

Ladrien soulmate AU requested by @risieb for the @miraculers-for-ukraine charity drive. Thank you for supporting the event! <3

Prestidigitation (1,638 words, Teen, 1/1 chapter)

It’s a single question.

A single question that kicks the cogs of a well-oiled machine into motion, a single question that makes the stiff heat of the crowded ballroom settle upon the dinner table with all the weight of the world. The handkerchief gently tapping at the gathering sweat on Adrien’s brows stops at the same time when Ladybug’s eyes flash at him. There’s a palpable shard of heartbreak in them, and Plagg squirming with barely restrained glee in the vest pocket of Adrien’s suit is decidedly not helping the situation.

She abruptly averts her gaze, breaking the eye-contact not longer than a fraction of a second, but it serves as a reminder of a universal truth above all: Ladybug hates lying. She isn’t very good at it, either.

She fixes the remains of her salad on her plate rather deliberately, and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. They are all pink as she says, “No, of course I haven’t met my soulmate yet.”

Maybe it’s her innate luck, maybe the superficial nature of smalltalk at charity galas, or just the infallible human principle that people only see what they want to see, but Nadja Chamack nods in great understanding. She smiles at her, in that benevolently pitying way of people who are in on a secret of life their interlocutor has been denied of so far, and pats Ladybug’s gloved hand gently over the table.

“Worry not, my dear. You’ll meet him soon enough, I’m sure of it.”

Nadja takes a sip of her champagne flute to wash down the chicken confit while Ladybug just nods with a small, agreeable smile. And if she breathes a sigh of relief as she chases a cherry tomato around on her plate, it’s a gesture subtle enough to avoid everyone’s attention around the round table who isn’t so acutely tuned into every whiffle of hers.

Adrien, rather predictably, takes notice.

Enabled by the tiny god of destruction trembling in his pocket, and the pinkening on Ladybug’s cheeks, he inches his chair closer. Just close enough to be able to lean in comfortably. He joins the two women’s conversation, his voice as innocent as a cherub’s as he inquires. “What about Chat Noir?”

Ladybug’s eyes flash at him threatening with a celestial crash and burn, but it’s already too late. Nadja’s face lights up.

“Yes, indeed! What about Chat Noir? I’ve always thought that if there were two people ever destined to be together, it would be the two of you.”

Ladybug’s shoulders tense with the small laugh she forces out, the very same one that makes her fork maneuver itself forcefully right through a whole tomato. By accident. Probably.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing like that. Chat Noir and I are just coworkers.”

You are incorrigible, she supplies mentally, and Adrien feels the huff at the end of her missive.

That’s what you love about me, though, he returns. In lieu of the grin he truly wants to sport, he lets his mirth over her adorable indignation carry with the thought. It passes between them through the soulmate bond.

Out loud, though, he only says, “Coworker? I thought you two were partners.”

Her face pinches up in a slight frown and Adrien feels the mental equivalent of a kick under the table. Actually, it might just have been a real kick under the table. With Ladybug, one can never know, but that only makes Adrien all the more glad to push her buttons.

“Coworkers, partners, tomayto, tomahto,” she waves it off, rapidly popping the real deal in her mouth to avoid any further questions.

I thought we were over this and you stopped getting jealous over Chat Noir, she remarks, deliberately not looking at him for more than a duration of a glare.

Oh, I’m most definitely not jealous of Chat Noir. After all, which one of us is soulmates with the most brilliant girl in the world, him or me? he returns, humouring himself with the joke of the century.

It’s alright that Ladybug doesn’t get it yet, though. One day she will, and that will be the most glorious day of Adrien’s life. But until then, he knows it would be way too dangerous to let her in on the joke, not to mention the violation of Ladybug and Chat Noir’s Handbook of the Good-Enough Hero: Minimizing Emotional Trauma and Keeping Identities Just-Secret-Enough — A Practical Guide. The very one that Adrien, naturally, hasn’t got the slightest clue exists.

[read the whole fic on AO3]

[miabrown007]

a case study of intimacy

Adrien desperately wants to get lost in her embrace and not think about Gabriel Agreste being Hawkmoth. For just a little while. But whatever comforting Ladybug’s arms are, they can’t hide him forever from the question looming over their heads. Can a not-relationship survive as many secrets as there are trying to separate them?

a case study of intimacy (1,623 words, 1/1 chapter, Teen) @ladrienjune

Adrien doesn't expect a visitor.

That's why — when Ladybug lands on the windowsill of the hotel room Chloé had fought tooth and nail to reserve for him — Adrien doesn't think. He wraps an arm around her and pulls her in, kissing her so hard she can hardly breathe, much less speak.

Not looking, not even caring, they stumble to the bed and Adrien already has his white shirt undone when the thought registers.

"Wait—" he gasps, hands flying off of her to palm the comforter instead. "We can't— You can't do this with me."

She freezes immediately, hands still on his chest as she straddles him. “What?” she whispers, bluebell eyes blown wide.

“We can’t. Not after yesterday. Everyone thinks that I’ve helped him, that I’ve helped Fath— ” he tries to explain, but his voice breaks and he looks away. How is he supposed to look her in the eyes after what his family had done? “You can’t be associating with me.”

Her shoulders drop, and she cups his cheeks. Her super-suit-covered palms hold him delicately, still firm enough to guide his gaze until he’s looking at her.

“Did you help him?” she asks softly.

At first, Adrien can only blink at her, mouth agape. Then his violently constricted lungs get some air, and he fights his nausea down to exclaim, “Of course not, I would never!”

Her face breaks out in a gentle smile and she strokes at his fringe to kiss his forehead, as if that would be the easiest thing in the world. “I know. So there’s nothing to talk about.”

“But the public opinion—”

“I don’t give a damn about the public opinion. Being next to you when you need someone is the only thing I care about,” she says with a conviction in her voice that renders him speechless. But then a small crinkle forms between her eyebrows, and she draws away just enough for Adrien to miss her warm breath against his skin. “That is, if you want me to be that someone even after… If you don’t want me after what I did to your family, I completely understand.”

That’s all it takes for his hands to fly back to her hips, to make sure she doesn’t accidentally slip away in a blink of an eye.

“Don’t ever say that again, please,” he says, but it comes out choked up.

She doesn’t seem to mind his clumsiness, though. She relaxes and pulls him closer, until she’s cupping his cheeks and kisses him with the force of a thousand suns — making sure the message is loud and clear.

And Adrien just holds her tighter, kisses her harder and inhales her sugary scent of happiness tainted with sacrifice.

He can’t tell when he starts crying.

But even then, Ladybug sits there, stroking his hair gently and letting him bury his face in the crook of her neck. And she whispers to him, the only thing still capable of holding him together. “It’s okay, I’m not going anywhere.”

And maybe it’s silly to grieve for something he had never had — a stable family, a loving father, a mother who doesn’t need to be buried twice — but she doesn’t call him out on it.

Neither does she propose a solution, a grand plan to remedy everything — which is very uncharacteristic of Ladybug who always goes, goes, goes and does what needs to be done. It might be because she doesn’t have a plan herself either, but from the way she slips her hand under his shirt and traces stars on his skin, Adrien thinks it's more than that.

She sits with him in the silence.

[read the whole fic on AO3]