#i swear by this up and down when someone slanders teddie

[ginger-grimm]

laughter + teddy

Teddy Green loved laughter. Loved hearing it from his family and friends. He knew exactly when they were faking it and when it was genuine, that was how well he had listened to them over the years.

Teddy loved telling jokes, doing dumb stunts, pulling funny faces - anything to make someone laugh and brighten their days. In the last couple of years before graduation, things hadn't exactly been great. People in Riverdale kept dying, being beaten, robbed. Hiram Lodge worked like the Devil to raze the town to the ground. Betty had cheated on him with Archie.

For the first time in his life, Teddy didn't feel like laughing. Didn't feel like there was anything that would ever cheer him up. There was nothing, no one, who could make him feel better. And Teddy didn't like feeling like that.

He was still staring Betty's instagram account. There hadn't been many new posts, she was too busy dealing with her brother. He was staring at old photos of her. She had deleted the ones of them together. She had moved on so fast. Teddy hadn't expected that. He thought they had something special. Two years down the drain just like that.

Teddy sighed, exiting the app and putting his phone on the nightstand. He dropped back into his bed. He hadn't talked to anyone in weeks. He knew people were getting worried so he'd sporatically send out texts - sometimes a short voice message. He'd go downstairs to get some food, avoiding his mom and sister in the process.

Truth be told Teddy didn't want to hear them slander Betty anymore. He didn't bear any resenment towards her. He bore resentment towards the things she had done. Things that had blown up their relationship. He also didn't need to hear Dot swear she'd kick Betty's ass or Kippi calling her a whore.

He just needed quiet. Peace and quiet. And something, anything, to make him feel happy again. It was no surprise then, that when Maddox and Reggie called, telling him to get his ass out of his house, he actually listened.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Teddy 'Can't Pick Up The Phone' Green. Where the hell have you been?" Maddox asked, throwing his arms up.

"Bawling into my pillow. Stalking my exe's insta," Teddy admitted instantly. He didn't feel like being witty.

Reggie scrunched his face up in disgust. "Dear God, Teddy, don't admit that to anyone when we go out."

Teddy knitted his eyebrows together. "What?"

"Yeah, buddy. We're taking you out," Maddox chimed in.

Teddy sighed. "Don't," Maddox warned. "I don't want to hear it. Betty betrayed you. It's been weeks and we're about to graduate soon. You need to get over it. And that won't happen with you moping around. So we're going."

"She could be there. Wherever we're going."

"We're going out to Centerville, dude," Reggie assured him.

Teddy crossed his arms in front of his chest. "For real?"

The boys nodded. "To the carnival," Maddox said.

"Guys night," Reggie added.

Teddy contemplated it for a second. At this point anything would be better than moping in his room. He nodded. "Okay, let's go then."

He walked up to them. Reggie put his hand on his chest, shoving him back slightly. "Woah, woah, woah, dude. You need to shower first. Put on some fresh clothes."

"Yeah, Ted, you reek," Maddox added with a smirk.

For the first time in weeks Teddy broke out into a fit of laughter. "Ya'll aren't supposed to be mean to me. I'm in a fragile state."

"Get your ass into the shower already. We'll raid your fridge in the meantime."

TAGGING: @hughstheforcelou @firsthorror @eddysocs @raith-way @foxesandmagic @reggiemantleholdmyhand-tle

[spartanxhunterx]

Home Support (part 2)

Tags: @elmokingkong, @kuroko26, @votederpycausemufins.

Chloe grumbled as she walked out of the schools doors, the latest Akuma attack was a little too close for comfort for the school, so they were let out again.

Chloe knew that the school would be closed until the ending of the day and she wouldn't be able get picked up until after the Akuma was defeated. She's wished that she could help, really she did, but she had already put herself at too much risk to Hawkmoth.

In an effort to get away from her classmates she made her way to the one place she knew they wouldn't be able to follow. 

The Dupain-Cheng's Bakery.

The bell rang above her as she entered and she found the bakery to be surprisingly empty, it was just her, Marinette's parents and the one customer who was already paying for their order.

 "Enjoy and stay safe out there."

 Her eyes flicked to the sheet of paper tapped to the window, a list of all her classmates under the notice that anyone on the list was banned. She was glad that she couldn't see her name but she knew better than to overstep the line that had been drawn before her.

naturally she moved to the side as the customer moved for the door and she stepped forwards, quickly catching Sabine's attention.

 "Ah, Chloe, what can I do for you? Croissants? Macaroons? Tarts perhaps?"

 " No thank you Mrs. Cheng, I was just wondering if I could stick around until the Akuma is dealt with. My driver can't come to get me until it's dealt with. "

 "Of course." Sabine moved to the front of the shop, flipping the open sign to closed . There wouldn't be anyone just walking around anyway. "Why don't you come upstairs? Get comfy, it might be a while."

 She opened her mouth to protest, not wanting to intrude on their home but she also didn't want to be rude. Chances were she would probably be more trusted under their gaze over being left to her own devices down in the bakery.

 "Very well." She followed Sabine up the stairs and into the Dupain-Cheng household. Being mindful to remove her shoes at the entrance when Sabine pointed out the rule.

She greeted Tom with a somewhat nervous smile before sitting stiffly on the couch, as far away from the large man as she could. It didn't take long for Sabine to take her seat beside her husband and the three of them Sat watching the TV, it was only then that Chloe realised they had the news on where a live stream of the Akuma battle was being broadcasted.

Poor August had been re-akumatised into gigantitan, again. He must have been upset by something, which wasn't surprising since he was just a toddler. That was something that annoyed Chloe, the way how Hawkmoth had no problem using actual toddlers to do his dirty work.

She could understand the disgruntled workers, dumped girlfriends, betrayed friends and other wronged adults but kids... Baby's? It was too far.

on screen she could see Ladybug swinging around, keeping Gigati- August's attention on herself, making the toddler walk into more open areas. Worst of all she could see Chat Noir just sitting back, fiddling with his baton as if it held the secrets of the universe.

He had gotten a lot less involved lately, choosing to sit back while ladybug did all the work. If she still had Pollen she would be out there helping Ladybug herself but she couldn't, as it would put her family in danger again.

She could see Chat leap over to ladybug, speak to her in what was clearly a flirting manner then leap away after the heroine responded.

The blonde couldn't stop the scoff from coming out of her mouth nor could she stop the words from tumbling from her lips. "I swear if I was out there still I would have stung his ass already."

Sabine gave a humored chuckle, who was on her phone prematurely sending Marinette texts about the situation at home. She wouldn't see them until she Dr-transformed but she knew her daughter wouldn't risk coming home in fear of anyone finding out her identity.

Or worse, Chat Noir finding out about her identity.

"For that," Sabine started, side-eyeing Chloe. "I think that you make... Had been, a good hero. "

"Hardly," She sputtered out, feeling her checks darken under the praise. "I revealed my identity immediately and put people in danger just to be a hero. "

"At least you recognise your mistakes, unlike someone."

" The ally cat definitely needs to learn what no means. "

-

It took another ten minutes for Ladybug to calm down August enough to take the Akuma away from him. Mainly with the help of her lucky charm, which was, oddly enough, a giant teddy bear.

The camera crew had a lovely shot of Ladybug/ Marinette cradling the toddler in her arms while she waited for his mother to collect him. She wasn't far, she had learned to stick semi-close to the action to collect her son after he would be freed from Hawkmoths control.

Sabine and Tom couldn't help but think that, in many many years time, Marinette would be a great mother.

A minute later, ladybug had swung away from the scene and just barely three minutes later Marinette clambered through the door, slightly out of breath, clutching her bag to her chest.

"I... Ran... As... Fast... As... I...could."

Chloe didn't comment on her out of breath state, she herself had ran from plenty of Akuma in the past and she wasn't going to berate the girl for doing the same.

"Sit down and take a moment to breath dear, you look exhausted." Sabine was quick to get up to fetch her daughter a drink of water as Marinette flopped down next to Chloe.

Though not close enough that you could make the mistake of thinking they were actually friends.

 "Hey Chloe... What are you doing here?"

 "I was hiding from the Akuma, your parents were nice enough to let me wait up here."

"Speaking of which," Sabine spoke as she walked back around the couch, giving Marinette and Chloe a glass of water. "Perhaps now would be a good time to tell your driver to pick you up?"

"Oh, right." Chloe fished her phone out of her bag, being sure the sent a text to her driver that she could now be picked up and where she was, drinking from her glass as she did so.

The blonde knew she was pushing boundaries, being in a place that was deemed safe for Marinette. A place where she didn't have to worry or be anxious, unlike before.

She had a nagging feeling in her gut that she was forgetting something, something to do with school.

"Oh, right." The words pulled everyone else's attention to her as she sat up straight. Somewhat tense.

"Something wrong?"

" Just... I'm going to be blunt here. " Chloe didn't wait for any sort of reply, she had learnt long ago that it was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. "Lila's been Gaslighting the class, spreading rumors and making everyone doubt there old relationship with Marinette."

Chloe could see Marinette cringe and she knew she was poking some raw wounds.

"Alya's been on a triad about 'figuring out the real Marinette.'" Chloe used her free hand to create quotation marks. "So she may come bug you soon, Lila's also spread lies about Marinette bullying her via text, which is utterly ridiculous since she's changed her number."

" actually, " The bluenette wrung her hands together in front of her chest. "If I did have her number I would be able to but nothing would stop her from blocking me, I've only got family on my phone at the moment. "

Chloe sighed and brought her hand up to pinch her nose. "No wonder she managed to get traction on that claim, cause no-one is able to dispute it." The blonde shook her head. " she's probably got a second phone and is doing it to herself. "

"Wouldn't surprise me. But why? She's got what she wanted, I left and she's got Adrien and the class. Why continue?"

" Attention Marinette, she wants attention and fame. So she had to fake your life to get it. "

"You design for Jagged stone, Know Clara Nightingale, babysit Manon for Nadja, your uncle is a world famous chef and because of that, she was threatened by you. Cause while she has to lie about those things you don't need to, you live the superior life and she hates those who upscale her. "

"Thanks Chloe."

The blonde huffed and puffed out her chest while she pretended to examine her nails. "Don't get the wrong idea, I wasn't complimenting you, I was stating facts."

 "wouldn't even dream of it. "

Their mutual conversation was cut short as Chloe's phone buzzed in her hand, telling her the car was waiting outside. She stood, passing her glass off to Sabine who reached out for it, picked up her bag and made a slow walk for the door.

"Thank you for letting me stay Ms. Cheng." Chloe made a move to open the door but quickly turned around back to Marinette before swiping her phone from her hand as she was using it.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

" simple, " Chloe didn't even look up as she tapped away at the screen. "Putting my number in your phone and giving yours to me, I'll text you if I learn anything about what Lila is planning." After Chloe's own phone buzzed again she returned the phone to Marinette's hands.

" I would suggest speaking to someone about a possible lawsuit for slander and defamation of character, just so you know your options at least. "

With that Chloe sauntered out of the Dupain-Cheng household, leaving all of them in a stunned silence.

It was Tikki, who poked her head out of Marinette's jacket, who broke the silence. "Well, she's certainly changed."

" Am I friends with Chloe now? " When she received no answer she let out a shaky breath. "Why do I feel like this is worse then Lila targeting me? "

-

Turns out it was Chloe who broke their mutual silence first, which Marinette Supposed had been expected honestly. Much like the blonde girl had said, she had given paragraphs of information of the lies Lila had been telling the class.

Some were repeats, some contradicted older stories while others where straight up manipulative. Where Lila would twist everyone's perspective until Marinette was seen as the bad guy and their own minds couldn't see the difference between truth or lie.

As Chloe had said, Gaslighting.

Marinette had thanked her the first time and then shared the information with her parents, her mother had actually taken Chloe's advice to speak to someone about the actions the could be taken... Legally.

Chloe had a lot of illegal ideas, all of which Marinette had shut down. Never let it be said that Chloe wasn't a chaotic force, cause she could be worse than a hurricane.

Marinette wasn't sure who had broken the silent agreement to only message when it regarded Lila's plots or their own legal actions but at some point the two of them started to just message each other over the trivial things that happened each day.

Chloe vented about her mother, Marinette complained about her designs being wrong. Chloe actually gave her own opinion on her designs that really got Marinette out of her funk and Marinette made suggestions on how to deal with Chloe's mother.

before long Marinette actually looked forward to receiving messages from Chloe, it was a nice normality that existed within the chaos of her life as ladybug.

She was surprised when she learnt that Chloe was undergoing therapy and had been since her time as miracle queen. She was trying to make herself better, be better really. She wasn't going to point out that it was too late to be queen Bee, she didn't want to crush the girls drive to improve herself.

-

It would be days later when the fight against Hawkmoth would take a violent shift.

Sabine and Tom were watching the live feed of the Akuma battle, worried for their daughter. They never liked that she had to out and fight, it was made worse after Marinette had brought Chats behaviour to the light.

They never thought that the nice hero could be anything less then great but his whiny, childlike, borderline harassing behaviour made them re-evaluate their stance on the hero. It wasn't good.

The parents watched, worried, as they saw their daughter struggle against the Akuma. Someone who was literally covered in flames from head to toe and was sprouting about having been 'burnt' by everyone. They couldn't tell if it was meant to be metaphorical or literal.

They watched as they saw Ladybug being thrown through a billboard where, mid-fall, she transitioned into a flip and used her yo-yo to swing away. Getting closer and closer to the seine, bringing the Akuma closer to water.

Her journey was cut short by a wall of flames that shot up twenty feet into the air, forcing Ladybug, their daughter, to divert away from the scorching heat.

"There has to be something we can do." Tom's voice came out stern, yet pleading, as if an answer would drop into his lap out of nowhere.

"I know but there's nothing we can do, we're not like Marinette, we don't have superpowers. "

"No we don't..." His eyes seemed to light up, before they glanced over to the hatch that lead to Marinette's room. "But I know where to get some."

His wife followed his eyes before realisation dawned onto her. "You don't mean... But Marinette said to never touch them. "

The large French man rested his hands into his wife's shoulders. "I know but I would rather go behind her back then have to treat her wounds later... Or worse."

Sabine seemed to contemplate his words with a frown, she did not want to go behind her daughter's back. Not after they had all created such strong bonds of trust, more so than most parents have with their children. Superhero or not.

but she didn't want to sit on the sidelines either, she wanted- no needed to be involved. Needed to help.

She didn't say anything as the two of them ascended up to their daughters room, she watched as her husband pulled out the unique locked case that housed the miraculous Box.

Marinette had yet to make something that rivaled the phonograph in terms of secrecy so, for now, it was locked up in a sturdy suitcase. It didn't take Much for Tom to grab the spare keys and open it. Revealing the round, ladybug themed box.

It's new look, as Marinette had said, as its old look was compromised after Hawkmoth had seen it.

"Are you sure about this? Really sure?" The two adults looked at each other from where they were kneeling over the box.

Tom looked to his wife, determination in his eyes. "Absolutely."