#i yoyo between feeling so so cute and feeling like i need to be shot so often LOL

[fiendishartist2]

cute poster study

[olivia-anderson-fanfic]

Into The Unknown, Part 1

... I have no self-control do not perceive me

Marinette stared at the pile of bright red, yellow, and green clothes on the ground. It was all she’d done in the five-ish minutes since she’d portaled onto the scene. Just… stared.

It wasn’t like there was much else to do, anyways. Red Robin was currently beating the absolute fuck out of the person that had the audacity to disintegrate his brother right in front of him. It wasn’t like she could even fix it because the witch had been out cold before she had been able to pull Red Robin off to get a hit in so she could use her lucky charm.

So, she stared.

It was weird. She could almost feel a person inside the clothes but… maybe that was the residue or the ashes or whatever gets left behind when you zap a person out of existence? She didn’t really want to check, to be honest. Gross.

Eventually, though, she hesitantly leaned down and brushed her hand over it, trying to find the energy and get rid of it because it was really uncomfortable --.

… oh hell no that pile of clothes did not just fucking giggle at her.

She narrowed her eyes and carefully lifted up the bottom of the shirt, only to yelp and fall back. She scrabbled on the gross Gotham alley ground until her back hit Red Robin’s arm and he was forced to pause or risk hitting a meta (which would not have been good for his health).

“What?” He hissed.

She swallowed thickly. “That’s a child.”

“... what?” Red asked, all the anger bleeding from his tone in his confusion.

“We let Batman’s kid turn into a baby,” she whispered… then, it sunk in more. “We let Batman’s kid turn into a baby.”

He straightened on top of the thing that was really more bloody pulp than person at this point. “What do you mean ‘we let Batman’s kid turn into a baby’?”

But she didn’t really get a chance to answer because the baby chose that exact moment to be sick of being suffocated under all the armor and pushed it off.

Red Robin gulped. Because, yep, that was Robin as a baby. Batman was going to kill them.

Except he wasn’t going to kill them. Because Batman doesn't kill. No, Batman would find something even worse and that would suck.

The baby -- Robin? Should she still call him that mentally? -- giggled at their pain. Like an asshole.

They were so fucked.

~

He’d let B’s favorite kid get turned into a baby. Was there a way to get unadopted? Because if there was it was totally going to happen. Or maybe his dad would just cut him off because he was 19 now and could just get kicked out.

No. Nope! Not going to happen. No. He could fix this.

“Okay. Okay okay okay. We need a plan,” he heard himself saying.

Ladybug scoffed. “We? I was barely even here, this is on you.”

“Leave me alone to deal with this and I swear to god I will tell B that you did it.”

She paled. “You wouldn’t. No way.”

“Yes way. So, help me think of something.”

The baby giggled and started crawling over and both of them averted their eyes because, unfortunately, the child did not get baby clothes to go with his random transformation. Baby Damian didn't seem to care as he reached them and started climbing on Ladybug since she was closest. At least it wasn’t him. He did not want to see his adoptive brother’s… ew.

Ladybug made a gagging sound and then quickly summoned a lucky charm. She kept her face turned away as much as her neck would physically allow as she fumbled her way through swaddling the child in a polka-dotted blanket.

And then her shoulders slumped a little. “Great. Great. This is… great,” she muttered, picking up the bundle o’ baby.

He let himself look down now that it was safe.

“Alright, we need to go to another dimension where time moves faster,” Ladybug said after a few seconds. “And then we wait for him to age… fifteen-ish years. Best way to not make Batman notice.”

“... what about us? We also age.”

“Huh…? Oh. Right. You’re human.” She pulled off the glasses she was wearing and blinked a few times before handing it over. “Congrats on your upgrade. The tiny horse god is named Kaalki. She likes cake.”

“The tiny --?” He let out the world’s manliest screech as his eyes landed on the floating bug horse hybrid thing holy shit no no no no no the sci fi movies didn’t prepare him for this shit.

Kaalki looked a little offended but then her eyes landed on the baby and she gasped. “Aw, baby humans are always so cute.”

“Great, Kaalki, you take it,” said Ladybug.

Kaalki did try, to her credit. It just so happened that the approximately one-year-old baby was a lot bigger than the… whatever she was. Tim was refusing to believe that this was a god. Too many implications. He already had something to have a breakdown over, he didn’t need another thing right now, thank you very much.

Tim rested his head in his hands but he had more things to worry about than the blood that he was accidentally streaking through his hair.

“Okay. Okay. We can go to another dimension and try and raise him. Maybe we can make it have a ratio of one month here for every year there so any differences could be blamed on that.”

“Ya!” Said baby Damian. He probably didn’t actually know what was going on but he sure seemed excited so that was cool.

Ladybug sighed and nodded. “Great. You get food and money and clothes and I’ll take this lady to the cops… and I guess I’ll watch the kid until you get back because your dad cannot know.”

They shook on it.

~

This may be the dumbest idea that she’d ever had, and that was saying something. She didn’t know if she could trust Red Robin on this one, they hardly ever worked together. What if he just left her alone with this kid and let her try and figure this out on her own?

No. He wouldn’t do that. He was the last person known to be with Robin. Robin going missing would be bad for him, too. And, besides, she was pretty sure that he was a duty-driven person based on what she’d heard, she just had to hope that he saw this as his duty, too.

She turned the baby in her arms to get more comfortable as she waited for him to (hopefully) come back.

Part of her wanted to try and find someone from this world to reverse this but she didn’t know any outside of her, Adrien, Alix, and (now) Red Robin. Not on a personal level. Not enough that she knew for sure that they wouldn’t blab to Batman about it.

So, no, this is what she was doing.

But she had things to do. So, she pulled out her yoyo-phone-hybrid-thingy and wedged it against her ear.

“Chaton,” she said the moment he picked up. “You’re alone, right?”

“Uh… yeah?”

“Great. I, Ladybug, relinquish the Miracle Box and name Chat Noir the new guardian.”

“WHAT --?!” He didn’t get to finish as a box dropped on his lap and knocked the wind out of him.

“Just for, like, a year and a half. Sorry. Bye!”

“DON’T JUST ‘BYE’ ME WHAT THE --?!”

She hung up and closed the yoyo, hooking it back to her belt and ignoring it when it started buzzing again.

She looked down at Robin, who was squinting up at her. She returned the squint. Why was this baby so quiet? She didn’t get it. Surely, he should have been crying at this point.

“Do you still… remember things?” She asked, hoping against all hope that maybe he had retained his memories at the very least.

Robin smiled at her, but it was the blank-eyed baby smile that meant he wasn’t really understanding her. She bit down a curse.

Great. So, she’d not only gotten a baby but she’d gotten a fucking weird one. Great.

~

Tim left a note for his family saying that he, Damian, and Ladybug were bored and were going dimension hopping. His family would probably be suspicious but, hey, at least it wouldn’t be his problem for a good fifteen years on his end.

And, yeah, he knew this was probably one of his dumber plans but… it wasn’t the dumbest. And he was always one to commit when it came down to it. One time he had faked being shot and dealt with crutches for an entire year just to convince Vicki Vale that he wasn’t Red Robin. He had no fears that he couldn’t see this through.

Ladybug, though? A total mystery. She did nearly everything on a whim as far as he knew. She hopped from city to city fighting crime for absolutely no reason outside of boredom and made up all of her plans on the fly. No, he was a bit concerned about her ability to keep doing it.

So, he went as quickly as he possibly could. There was no rhyme or reason to what he was grabbing. He was just… putting stuff in there. There was money and three watches to help them move between dimensions, yes, but there was also a fanta orange and a copy of Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy and exactly seven pairs of socks.

… yeah, he had the necessities. Probably.

He nearly got out the door before he realized he was still in his crime-fighting gear and he quickly shucked it all off and tossed it into the tub so the blood wouldn’t track any more than it already had. He did not need to avoid Batman’s wrath only to end up on the receiving end of Alfred’s.

He pulled on the first hoodie and jeans he could grab and looked around to make sure he hadn’t left anything of importance.

Okay. Now he was ready to go.

~

Marinette was awkwardly bouncing the baby when Red Robin finally showed up.

… not that she would have recognized him if she hadn’t felt Kaalki hovering in his pocket. In her eyes, he was just a random white guy wearing shades in the middle of the night.

She glanced up at him and gave him an awkward smile.

“Ready?”

He smiled back and held out two watches. Neither fit baby Robin so she prepared herself to choke out a literal baby holy fuck what even was her life.

“Which dimension should we go to?”

“Preferably one without miraculi,” Marinette said. “I don’t want to know what happens if there’s two of the same god in a dimension.”

He nodded slowly. “Probably best if Batman doesn’t exist, either, he’d probably notice my existence.”

“... so… no heroes at all?”

“Looks like we’re going cold turkey,” Red Robin said in a tone that was probably supposed to be joking but just came out flat.

She pushed herself to her feet and waited as he scrolled through the millions of dimensions.

Finally, he came upon one and she added the coordinates to her and Robin’s watches.

She readied Robin’s watch against his neck and tried to ignore the kid’s sudden squirminess.

“3… 2… 1…”

They were gone in a whirl of blue light.

~~~~~

Next

@nathleigh @peachmuses

[purrincess-chat]

Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s Spite Playlist: Remix CH17

The queen has arrived ;)

Previous     First    Next     AO3

----------------------------

Chapter 17: Kings and Queens

“Look out!” Chloe shoved Marinette out of the way of a red beam of light. Her knees buckled, and Marinette scrambled to catch her.

“What a shame. I missed.” Black boots climbed long legs, kissing the hems of a ripped dress at the top. A dark tiara crowned flowing red curls, framing the dark green eyes glaring at them from behind a black mask.

“Gabrielle?” Marinette gasped.

“I go by Heiress now, but don’t worry, Marinette, your stupidity has bought you a free pass. I just wanted to make sure my powers were working, and it looks like they do.” She nodded to the girl coming to in Marinette’s arms before strutting off.

Chloe sat up with a groan, rubbing her head. “Ugh, what was that?”

“Chloe, your-” Marinette clamped a hand over her mouth.

Her once shiny hair hung dull and stringy at her shoulders, now resembling straw more than soft silk. Perfectly manicured nails had shriveled into dirty stubs, and her Gabriel-original dress was replaced with a knock-off.

“What?” Chloe’s shoulders heaved, escalating until a shrill scream echoed through the hall.

“You saved me—I think.” Marinette winced. “It looks like Heiress’s power made you-”

“Poor!” Chloe screeched. “Oh, Ladybug better get here soon and fix this! If I see that akuma, I’ll teach her to put me in off-brands!”

“Wait, you saved me. You saved me!” Marinette realized. “Aw, you do miss me.”

“No, I don’t!” Chloe’s cheeks flushed. “I didn’t even know what was happening. I just reacted, okay?”

“Please, you don’t have a selfless bone in your body. You saved me because you miss me,” Marinette said.

“Do not.”

“Do too.”

“Do not!”  At Marinette’s smug grin, Chloe folded her arms over her chest with a huff. “Whatever. I’m going after that akuma to give her a piece of my mind. You can go get help or… go buy some shoes that aren’t awful!”

“I don’t think you’re one to talk about awful shoes right now.” Marinette pointed to the ratty sneakers on Chloe’s feet.

“Just go,” Chloe said through clenched teeth.

Marinette raced up the hall, a smile tugging the corners of her lips. She hated to admit it, but in a weird way, she did miss Chloe Bourgeois. Wow. She never thought she’d say that.

“You’re changing a lot of mean girls today.” Tikki remarked when Marinette ducked into a closet. “I think that was Chloe’s way of protecting you.”

“I’m not holding my breath. She probably had too much wine,” Marinette said. “But never mind that. Transform me!”

Ladybug sprinted back up the hall, palming her yoyo in one hand. She should have known Gabrielle would get akumatized once her secret got out, but now wasn’t the time to play blame games. There was an akuma to catch.

Rounding the corner, she collided with another person, scrambling to catch their hand before they both fell backward. “Sorry!” she gasped, but when gorgeous green eyes locked with hers, her heart took off into a sprint.

“Ladybug?” Adrien blinked in surprise. “What’s going on?”

Why did she have to find him now? Even if she defeated the akuma quickly, she needed to be there for Gabrielle. Lisette would have to help her look cute for him another time.

“There’s an akuma on the loose. You should find somewhere to hide,” she said.

“Right.” He flicked his gaze down to their hands, still twined.

Ladybug let go, cheeks burning. “Um, stay safe, okay?”

“Good luck, Ladybug,” he said before running the other way up the hall.

She watched him go with a longing sigh. What she wouldn’t give to be a normal girl right now. Then they could snuggle up and hide together, and maybe he’d finally kiss her. They could get married, buy a house, and-

She patted her cheeks to snap herself out of her trance. There was no time for that now. Akuma first, then Gabrielle, Adrien later.

Terrified shrieks signaled that Heiress had found the rest of the party. Thomas was the one who outed her, so he was likely Heiress’s first target. Ladybug needed to get to him first, even if he was one of the skeeviest people she’d ever met. It wasn’t her job to pick who needed saving. Why did she have to be such a good person?

Bursting into the dining room, she skidded to a stop as Heiress zapped Thomas before she could even draw her yoyo.

“No!”

The tall boy transformed in front of her. Perfectly combed brown hair shriveled into shaggy clumps, and a once flawless complexion broke out in angry, red zits. Stylish clothes turned to tattered rags as Thomas became a shell of his former glory. He scurried away from Heiress with a squeal, and she turned to Ladybug with a triumphant smirk.

“Too slow,” Heiress said, “but don’t worry. Now I have plenty of time for you.”

Ladybug dodged the red beam. She might have been too late to save Thomas, but there was still time to save Gabrielle. This battle was far from over. She just needed to focus.

“I know you think there isn’t a way out of your situation, but teaming up with Hawkmoth isn’t the answer!” Ladybug pleaded.

“Please, I’ve lived among these people long enough to know that they don’t appreciate what they have. I know I didn’t…” Heiress lowered her gaze, jaw clenched. “My family lost everything, but now I can take it all back!”

Ladybug flipped out of the way of several blasts, taking the time to examine her opponent closely. The barcode scanner shot red beams of light that stripped its victims of their fancy clothes, jewelry, devices—anything expensive. Gabrielle wanted everyone to feel the pain of losing everything, so she was taking all of their wealth for herself.

A metal baton struck Heiress’s hand, skewing her next shot, and a black-clad feline cast his partner a smirk. “Having a party without me? I’m insulted.”

“Your invitation must have gotten lost in the mail,” Ladybug said. “You and I both know it’s not a party without your sweet dance moves, kitty. Care to show us how it’s done?”

“It would be my pleasure, LB.” Chat Noir winked.

Heiress pointed her scanner at him. “I wonder how much that cat suit is worth.”

Chat Noir dodged her attack easily. “This cat’s style is one-of-a-kind. All the money in the world can’t buy this swagger.”

“We’ll see about that,” Heiress growled.

The heroes took turns charging in, dodging and weaving around beams from her scanner. Ladybug hooked her yoyo around Heiress’s legs, swinging her around into the China hutch. Realizing she was outmatched, Heiress retreated to the living room where more party guests were hiding, but Ladybug and Chat Noir were hot on her trail.

“Run!” Ladybug ordered, and terrified teens scattered.

Heiress ducked out of the way of Chat’s baton, scanning anyone who passed her between blows. Lisette’s older brother raced from behind the couch, and Heiress wasted no time scanning him before he reached the door. She caught Chat Noir’s staff on the next swing, a grin curling on her lips.

“Looks like someone’s watch was worth a lot. I wonder how much this costs?” She scanned Chat Noir’s baton, leaving him with a plastic copy.

“Hey!” Chat Noir gasped.

Ladybug snagged her yoyo around Heiress’s wrist before she could scan him, but Heiress kicked him through the large window with one long leg instead. Before Ladybug could react, Heiress gripped the string of the yoyo and spun her out after him.

Chat Noir braced as she landed on top of him in the bush, her yoyo bouncing onto the grass beside them. They rolled over with groans, untangling their limbs, and Ladybug grasped for her yoyo.  

“Everything she scans makes her stronger depending on its worth. We need to think of a plan,” she said.

“I’m all ears, Bug.” Ladybug eyed him. “What?”

“You haven’t called me m’lady or Bugaboo all evening. I think it’s a new record for you.” She flicked his bell with a smirk.

“Well, I- you hate it when I call you that,” he said pointedly, cheeks flushed.

“That’s never stopped you before. Has another lady finally stolen your heart?” she giggled.

“I-”

“Ladybug!” Chloe shouted. “What are you two doing out here? The akuma is turning more people into dried up peasants. Have you seen what she did to my hair? Bring me my Miraculous, so I can beat some sense into her!”

“Chloe, this isn’t the time for revenge.” Ladybug sighed.

“I’m not out for revenge,” Chloe said matter-of-factly. “The faster we defeat the akuma, the faster I go back to looking fabulous. So bring me my Miraculous, and let me help you, please?” Chloe pressed her palms together, and Ladybug pursed her lips.

Chloe was right. They needed to defeat the akuma quickly and save Gabrielle, but did she really want to give Chloe her Miraculous back? With her identity blown, Chloe was in even more danger every time she became Queen Bee. Not to mention trusting Chloe in general was risky, but after she sacrificed herself for Marinette earlier…

Something was different about Chloe. Sure was still the same bratty, primadonna, but her blue eyes were steadfast and sincere. Ladybug once believed that giving Chloe a Miraculous would help her be better, and part of her still believed that.

There was only one way to settle this.

“Lucky Charm!” Ladybug caught the record as it manifested and turned it over in her hands.

“Now isn’t the time to practice your DJing.” Chloe scoffed.

Ladybug glanced between Chat Noir, Chloe, the plants surrounding them, but nothing stood out. A record. What was she supposed to do with a record? Unless…

“I have to go. Chat Noir, keep an eye on Heiress until I get back, but be careful. I don’t want you getting scanned. We don’t know what will happen to our powers if she scans one of us,” Ladybug said.

“Got it.”

“Are you going to bring me my Miraculous?” Chloe perked up.

“Do you promise not to do anything reckless while I’m gone?” Ladybug asked.

“Oh, yes, yes, yes! I promise, Ladybug.” Chloe bounced excitedly, then cocking a hip added, “But hurry up! These shoes make me physically ill.”

Ladybug rolled her eyes and dashed up the lawn, leaping through the very same garden she and Adrien had walked through an hour before. The mansion was far from Master Fu’s apartment, but her yoyo made short work of the trip. Her mentor was enjoying his bedtime tea when she entered, sitting cross-legged on the mat with Wayzz on his shoulder.

“Master, there’s an akuma, and I think my lucky charm wanted me to come here.” Marinette flicked her gaze to the phonograph resting on the chest in the back.

“Then there is no time to waste,” Master Fu said. He set his tea aside and retrieved the Miracle Box from its hiding place. “Who do you have in mind?”

Marinette surveyed her options with pursed lips, then resigned herself and reached for the bee. Chloe was different tonight, and if they were going to stop Heiress, they needed an ally they could count on. Never in her life did she picture that to be Chloe, but given the present circumstances, she didn’t have any other options.

“Are you sure, Marinette? Choosing her is risky.” Master Fu cautioned.

“It’s a long story, but…” Marinette smiled. “I’m sure.”

“Then best of luck.”

When Marinette changed schools, she intended to leave everyone behind and start over, but the most unlikely people had found their way back to her. Adrien took her by the hand and refused to let go. Chloe begrudgingly kept one foot in the door, constantly threatening to close it for good, but something told Marinette she never would.

To Ladybug’s surprise, Chloe actually listened to her instructions to stay out of trouble. When Ladybug found her, she was dutifully ushering other raggedly dressed teens out to the garden. She really could behave when she wanted to.

Chloe spotted her on the balcony, and when Ladybug waved the small box, Chloe raced up the stairs faster than she’d ever run in gym class. She held out her hands expectantly, but Ladybug held up a finger.

“I’m trusting you this time, Chloe, but you don’t need a Miraculous to be a hero, ya know. You can be nicer to those around you all the time,” Ladybug said.

“Yeah, yeah,” Chloe groaned. “Can I have my Miraculous now?”

“Do you promise to be nicer to people?”

Chloe’s cheeks flushed, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “Alright, fine.”

Ladybug tossed her the box, and Chloe ripped it open, completely unfazed as Pollen materialized. She fastened the comb into her hair and smiled. “Pollen, transform me!”

Ladybug didn’t wait for Queen Bee’s transformation to finish before they hit the ground running. Chat Noir had been holding Heiress back on his own, and it was time to bring him some backup.

The two heroines kicked in the front door, leaping straight into action. Ladybug shielded Chat Noir with her yoyo while Queen Bee snagged Heiress’s leg with her spinner and tossed her through the door to the living room.

“You sure kept me waiting,” Chat Noir said.

“It was kind of a long trip, but I thought we could use some help,” Ladybug said as Queen Bee fluffed her ponytail.

“Let’s show this wannabe who the real queen is.” Queen Bee readied her spinner.

“So, what’s the plan?” Chat Noir asked.

“If Queen Bee can sting Heiress with her Venom, then you can Cataclysm her scanner. Avoid getting hit at all costs. There’s no telling how powerful a Miraculous will make her,” Ladybug said.

Heiress was kicking debris from the cabinet she’d crashed into when the heroes found her. They didn’t waste time as she righted herself, taking turns charging in. With a growl of frustration, Heiress flipped back into the foyer, scanning the crystal chandelier in the process. Ladybug’s yoyo wasn’t far behind, snagging her wrist again. Queen Bee bound her legs with her spinning top, but Heiress absorbed enough power from the chandelier to break the stone fountain beside her. Tossing a large chunk at Queen Bee, Heiress freed her legs, using her free arm to sling Ladybug into the staircase. Chat Noir grappled with Heiress while his partners recovered, but Heiress parried his blows easily before taking his wrist and tossing him across the foyer.

Ladybug sat up with a wince, rubbing her back where it had collided with the smooth marble. Her yoyo had bounced to the base of the stairs, too far for her to reach as Heiress closed in. She braced as Heiress raised her scanner, but a flash of yellow shot across the foyer.

“No!” Queen Bee leaped between Ladybug and the red beam.

Vibrant yellows dulled, long golden curls shriveling to dried husks. The bee comb in her hair lost its shine, transforming into a powerless, plastic barrette. Queen Bee collapsed at Ladybug’s feet.

“A noble sacrifice, but even your Miraculous has given me enough power to end this fight quickly,” Heiress said.

“Cataclysm!”

Heiress turned as Chat Noir slid past her, dragging his claws across the tile. The ground crumbled and gave out under his touch, plunging Heiress into the wine cellar below. He raced over to Ladybug, kneeling beside Queen Bee as she sat up.

“She really saved your skin, LB,” he said.

“She saved all of us,” Ladybug corrected. “That was really selfless of you, Queen Bee. Thank you.”

“If she hit you, then things would never go back to normal.” Queen Bee took Ladybug’s hand, pressing the yoyo to her palm. “You’re the only one who can fix all of this, so don’t you dare let me getting hit by that freak twice be for nothing.”

Ladybug nodded, gripping her yoyo tightly before issuing the call, “Lucky Charm!” She caught the small black card as it materialized, turning it over in her hands. “A credit card?”

“Well, she’s certainly got enough money to take you shopping,” Chat Noir remarked.

Ladybug pursed her lips, flicking her gaze around the room. With Chat Noir’s belt, her yoyo, the credit card, and Queen Bee…

“I know what to do. Chat Noir, I need you to lure her into the dining room and be ready to use your belt,” she instructed. “Queen Bee, come with me.”

“But I don’t have any powers.”

Ladybug offered her a smile and pulled her to her feet. “Remember what I told you. You don’t need superpowers to be a hero. Trust me.”

Queen Bee searched her expression, then smiled, and the two heroines retreated up the hall.

“So, what’s the plan?” Queen Bee asked as they entered the dining room.

“How fast can you swipe a credit card?” Ladybug turned to her, and Queen Bee cocked a hip.

“Please, I can swipe one faster than my daddy can realize how much money I’m spending,” she said. “Why?”

“Chat Noir and I are going to subdue Heiress, but we need you to swipe this across her scanner. It’s maxed out, so it’s basically worthless. With any luck, it will short-circuit her powers long enough to get the scanner away from her,” Ladybug explained. She placed the card in Queen Bee’s hands. “I’m counting on you.”

Queen Bee squared her shoulders with a nod. “Okay, Ladybug!”

Footsteps pounded in the hallway, growing closer, and Ladybug signaled Queen Bee to her position. When Chat Noir burst through the door, he removed his belt as Ladybug readied her yoyo. Heiress was hot on his trail, and the two heroes engaged her the moment she stepped through the door.

“Chat Noir!” Ladybug called.

He slid across the floor on his knees, looping his belt around Heiress’s legs and pulling tight. Ladybug lassoed her torso with her yoyo, immobilizing her limbs. Queen Bee slid in, swiping the credit card across the scanner with practiced precision.

Heiress shook them off, but when she raised her arm to scan Chat Noir, no red beams flashed.

“What?” She banged it against her palm.

“Oops, looks like I’ve hit my limit,” Queen Bee said.

Chat Noir kicked the scanner from her grasp, and Ladybug snagged it from the air with her yoyo, slamming it against the ground. The casing shattered, and the black butterfly fluttered free.

“No more evil-doing for you, little akuma. Time to deevilize!” she recited. Queen Bee handed her the credit card, and Ladybug tossed it into the air. “Miraculous Ladybug!”

Her magic spread around the mansion, repairing broken cabinets and missing objects, and most importantly, everyone’s fancy clothes. Chat Noir kissed his baton as it reappeared in his hands. Queen Bee twirled in delight as her Miraculous regained its power.

Gabrielle stood up, averting her gaze. Ladybug approached her, but before she could get close, Gabrielle stalked from the room. A speech from Ladybug wasn’t what she needed—Gabrielle needed a friend.

“It feels so good to be fabulous again,” Queen Bee said with a contented sigh.

“Thanks for your help. You can be really selfless when you want to be,” Ladybug said. “Imagine how much of a difference you could make if you were nice all the time.”

Queen Bee’s cheeks flushed. “Okay, okay, whatever!” She flipped her ponytail over one shoulder. “I’ll think about it.”

Chat Noir joined in, and the three touched their fists together.

“Pound it!”

“Well, I hope this is a lesson to Hawkmoth. If an akuma ever ruins my hair again, he’ll have Queen Bee to deal with.” Chloe removed the comb from her hair and handed it back to Ladybug. She headed for the door with her head high but paused with her hand on the frame. “Thanks, Ladybug. For trusting me.”

Ladybug smiled as she sauntered off, turning to Chat Noir. “Thanks for your help, kitty.”

“We’re partners, aren’t we? I can’t let you have all the fun,” he said, shifting when Ladybug pursed her lips at him. “What?”

“Are you okay? You’re quiet today. Usually, you talk my ear off,” she said.

He eyed her with a pensive frown and shook his head. “It’s nothing. I’ll see you next time.”

He raced off without kissing her hand or even a parting flirtatious remark on how beautiful her hair looked in the light. Something was off about him, but she couldn’t place her finger on what. This wasn’t one of his usual pouts when she refused to go on a date with him, and it had been a while since he’d even asked for one. Was he finally moving on from her?

Ladybug shook her head to clear it. There was no time to worry about him. She needed to find Gabrielle.

♪♫♪ Old Scars/Future Hearts ♪♫♪

 “Gabrielle!” Marinette skipped down the stairs.

The red-head slumping for the front doors turned over her shoulder with a scowl, but her face softened when she saw Marinette—slightly. “What do you want?”

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Thomas told everyone about your family, then you got akumatized,” Marinette said.

“Ugh, you’re such a goody-two-shoes.” Gabrielle rolled her eyes. “You shouldn’t be seen with me. If they catch you being nice, they’ll throw you under the bus just as quickly as they did me. Trust me, it’s better if you just ignore me from now on.”

“But what about you?” Marinette asked.

“What about me?” Gabrielle grunted. “I’m done. Now that everyone knows my family’s out of money, I’m the school laughingstock. As far as they’re concerned, I deserve it. Don’t waste your time on me. It’s more trouble than it’s worth.”

Marinette remained quiet, eyebrows knitting together before she finally muttered, “I’m sorry.”

“For what? It’s not like you spent all of our money,” Gabrielle said.

“Yeah, but I know it must be hard for you.”

“Why do you care?” Gabrielle asked. “It’s not like I’ve been nice to you. I dragged you here against your will, then wouldn’t even let you socialize with me. You shouldn’t care about me.”

“Well, you don’t know me very well,” Marinette said, “but you could. We could be friends if you wanted.”

Gabrielle opened her mouth as if to say something, then shook her head, red curls bouncing against her shoulders. “No. I don’t think we could be. Even if I wanted to be your friend, it’s social suicide for you.”

When Marinette frowned, Gabrielle rolled her eyes and added, “Look, forget about me, okay? Forget any of this ever happened. We’re not friends, and we never will be. Just leave me alone!”

Marinette watched her climb into her town car, a sinking feeling weighing her stomach. Gabrielle was right. She shouldn’t care. But she did. Maybe she was just a goody-two-shoes, but Marinette had seen a more vulnerable side of Gabrielle—one that she likely didn’t show many people. After everything, Marinette truly believed that Gabrielle Burton wasn’t a bad person. She just needed someone to show her how to be good.

“Marinette?” She turned to find Adrien approaching from the living room.

“Hey,” she said lamely. Because what did one say to the love of their life after an almost-kiss in the garden?  

“I saw you talking to that girl, and I didn’t want to interrupt,” Adrien said. “I don’t know exactly what happened, but isn’t that the girl who was picking on your friend the other day?”

“Yeah,” Marinette said, and when Adrien tilted his head to the side, she added, “it’s kind of complicated.”

“Right,” he said. “So, I guess you need a ride home then?”

“What?”

“Earlier you said that girl brought you here, and now she left, so we can take you home if you want.” Adrien offered. Was it possible for him to be any more dreamy?

“Oh… I guess, I do need a ride. Thank you,” she said. And maybe they could pick up where they left off in the garden. Did she dare even think about it? But what if he tried to kiss her again? Oh, the stories they could tell their kids one day.

“Hey!” Chloe called from the base of the stairs.

Oh, right. Chloe.

“Didn’t I separate you two earlier?” she growled.

“Marinette needs a ride home,” Adrien said, and Chloe cocked a hip.

“She’s got legs.”

“Chloe.” Adrien scolded. “She’s riding with us.”

“No.” Chloe whined, but after a stern look from Adrien, she sighed. “Fine, but we’re dropping her off first. I don’t want to be stuck in a car with her for any longer than I have to be.”

“Well, aren’t you sweet,” Marinette said.

“I’m only doing this because Ladybug told me to be nicer to people, so I can still be Queen Bee. Don’t think for a second it’s because I like you.” Chloe retorted.

“Don’t worry. I’d never imagine that you like me.” Marinette rolled her eyes. “I haven’t missed you.”

“Well, I haven’t missed you either!”

“Maybe you two just shouldn’t talk on the ride home.” Adrien suggested gently.

“Fine, I don’t want to talk to Dupain-Cheng anyway.” Chloe flipped her ponytail over one shoulder. “You and I can have glowing conversation, Adrikins.”

“Why do you get to talk to Adrien?”

“Because I’ve known him the longest, so ha!” Chloe stuck her tongue out.

Adrien sighed and fell into step alongside Marinette. “Sorry, I know it’s not ideal, but it beats walking.”

“It’s fine. I don’t get to argue with her much anymore, so this is filling up my quota.” Marinette shrugged.

As Adrien reached to open the door for her, another voice called out from the front door. “Leaving already?”

Marinette’s spine stiffened, and she spun around to see Thomas pacing down the front steps like a predator stalking his prey; however, he wasn’t approaching her.

“I saw you fighting that akuma with Ladybug earlier. Being a superhero is pretty cool, huh?” He looked Chloe up and down. “You’re the mayor’s daughter, right?”

Chloe eyed him with disinterest, her nose wrinkling in disgust. “Didn’t Dupain-Cheng turn you down earlier?”

“Well, she and I didn’t exactly hit it off-” Chloe held up a hand to silence him.

“Save it,” she said. “I’m not anyone’s second-choice, and I’m sure as heck not taking home Dupain-Cheng’s scraps. Buzz off, loser.”

Marinette hated to admit it, but she was actually proud of Chloe. Thomas was sleazy, arrogant, and greedy—just her type. Maybe Chloe really had changed.

“Absolutely not. Move over.” Chloe wedged her way between Adrien and Marinette on the seat.

And maybe she hadn’t.

[xhanisai]

Only idiots try to woo those who are already in love with them

Read on AO3 / FFN

Summary: "So...Marinette Dupain-Cheng Noir, huh?"

Oooh, Adrien wasn't going to let her get away with that so easily. His lady seems to have a crush on him, Chat Noir him! And there's no way in hell he's going to let that go. However, he has a plan and he refuses to go off tangent.

"Personally, I think Marinette Agreste has a nicer ring to it, don't you think?"

~(x)~ . . . Doki Doki... Doki Doki... Whack! Ladybug let out a silent whimper and then rubbed the sore spot below her collarbones after smacking it so hard. She mumbled out silent curses in Mandarin, words that her mother would skin her alive for if she ever uttered them out loud in her presence and willed for the blood rushing to her cheeks to stop. This was the umpteenth time now and it was starting to drive her teeth towards the edge. The heroine scowled at her partner like a child would at a jar of cookies that was placed in a shelf far too high for them to reach. Not that Chat Noir was unreachable. Hell! If she wanted to, she could jump at him right now and permanently glue their lips together. The boy would swoon with indescribable joy! Shaking her head, Ladybug exhaled through her nose sharply as if to scold her brain for concocting up the millionth...LadyNoir...fantasy. The teen directed her attention back at the catboy who was busy consoling their latest akuma victim. The victim was a little girl, no older than four, maybe five. She was giggling at the funny faces that Chat pulled to cheer her up, clapping her hands with a cute blush as the boy followed suit. He was really kind and sweet...especially with the little ones... Chat Noir would make such a loving father in the future. No doubt about it. And perhaps... A loving husband- Ladybug's brain abruptly shut down on the spot and her legs immediately turned to jelly, causing her to trip over the roof tiles and fall off the building with as much beauty and grace a headless chicken would have. The befuddled girl awaited her fate as a soon to be splat on the pavement, too disorientated to even use her damn yoyo- "My Lady!" 

Oh. Forget about being a red and black polka dotted splat on the dirt crusted grimey floor. She's going to be a puddle of goop at this rate. Holding her bridal style, was none other than her one and only Chaton. Suddenly, Ladybug was hypersensitive to every sound, smell and touch. The way his strong, well toned arms flexed under her thighs and waist, transferring a delicious warmth through her body like skin on skin contact... The way his broad chest loomed over her entire being like a thick, fluffy blanket on a cold winter's night... The way the crisp scent of the outside lingered on him like a breath of fresh air, sending welcomed shivers down her spine... Ladybug felt herself heat up from head to toe much to her dismay and she wouldn't be surprised if her face mirrored a tomato right now. He's too close. Way too close. "Heh, I guess angels really do fall from the sky, hmm?" His voice came out as a dark, gravelly purr, causing the poor heroine's heart to go haywire and slam against her ribcage like a gymnast on twenty espresso shots. Why did he have to say it like that!? Not to mention the way his green eyes glinted under his long lashes in such an illegal way! Absolutely unfair! "Eh-erm-ugh- HMPH!" The word soup that spilled out of her lips as a response was the final nail to the coffin, forcing Ladybug to jump out of the confused boy's arms like his namesake. Her hands flailed around in odd gestures as Ladybug carried on trying to speak, only to fail with more stutters and awkward, fake laughs. Dammit. She's fallen for him. And she's fallen for him hard! When did this happen? How did this happen? Why did this happen? Ridiculously unfair. What's with her and stupidly kind blonde boys with sinfully, beautiful green eyes!? "AHAHA- I think I've left my pet crocodile unattended- Eek! Gottagobyehotstuff-" With a speed that could rival a racecar, Ladybug swung away without letting a bewildered Chat Noir utter as much as a word, screaming into the distance: "I can't believe it's happening aga-aaaaaaaaaaaa..."

Noir stood still, gaping on the spot before bringing out his inner model and quickly composed himself, clutching his chin as a deep red blush barely peeked under his mask. One hand grasped his arm whilst the other cradled his chin as he bit down on a finger to see whether or not he was dreaming. The sharp pain that ricocheted through the digit when his sharpened fang pierced the flesh snapped him back into reality and Chat Noir was left muttering in awe. The awe then turned into a chuckle of endearment and a beautiful smile full of love took over as he shook his head and then faced the direction that his Lady vaulted off to. "Dammit Marinette...only you would give your identity away like that," His words came out as a soft whisper, unheard by anyone else. Relief lightened his shoulders of its burden from the months of dilemmas between loving two girls, only to find out they were one and the same. The relief was soon replaced with confusion and a touch of misery when he realised that she was treating him the way she treated his alter ego. Like he's some sort of cold king who would bite off her head. 'Not that I would mind biting if she's into that- BUT ANYWAYS.' Chat Noir brushed off his not-so-innocent thoughts and his trademark optimism shined through when he concluded that he will do anything to make his Lady feel good around him. Now, what to do of the supposed 'other boy' she likes... "I'm going to die fighting for her even if it's the last thing I do. Couffaine? Kurtzberg? I don't know which one of you is the other boy but no matter what, I'm marrying her..." ~(x)~ "Wanna tell me why you're starting to doodle that in the corner of your books now~?" A gleeful Alya held away the book from Dupain-Cheng as she nosely flickered through the pages with a smile wider than a Cheshire cat. Her free hand was preoccupied in pushing the flustered Asian's face away as she attempted to snatch her notebook back, whines and protests falling on deaf ears as the rest of the class made way out of the room to go home. Just another day to them all, much to their amusement. "Speak any louder and you lose your macaron privileges, Alya!" Mari reached for the book once more in a giant pounce, only for Césaire to duck and the former to end up in a pile of limbs against the wall. An adorable pout rested on her lips and her eyebrows furrowed when Alya's giggles turned into fully blown out laughter. "Don't worry Marinette, never have I told your secrets to anyone else, right?" The brunette's lips soon zipped shut guiltily as Marinette gestured her eyes towards Nino who helped her up along with Adrien. "That was one time girl~" Marinette's pout only deepened despite Adrien's chuckles. "I think that's enough teasing our class president for today, Alya," The blonde dusted off (the now blushing) Marinette, skimming his eyes down her body quickly to make sure she wasn't hurt. His Lady could be a tad bit too energetic sometimes. "What could possibly be written in there that provoked Mari into jumping on you like that?" He delivered a cheeky smirk, eating up the way Marinette gawked at him in betrayal and the way Alya's glasses glinted mischievously. "Why you! It's a secret! No one needs to know and certainly not you!" The raven haired teen scoffed, flipping her hair before gesturing to Alya for her notebook back. Her cheeks were turning rosier and rosier and Adrien was dying with curiousity to know what mystery laid in that book. "Oh? Now I really want to know," This time Nino snickered at Adrien's response, fully used to the boy's deviousness and curiousity that could rival a cat. A side of the usually sweet, reserved boy that was kept hidden. "S-So what? No one's allowed to know and Alya will sensibly hand me back my notebook. So hah!" "I don't know, it looks like she's more willing to hand it to me..." "That's because you're egging her on!" "Am I now?" "You can be so infuriating, Agreste." "Ouch. You wound me, Cupcake~"  Adrien flawlessly delivered a well timed wink, relishing the way that Marinette was left in a flustered stupor before speeding towards Alya and grabbing the notebook with the heroine in disguise hot at his heels. He jumped over a few desks, dodged the benches with practised agility yet it was nearly impossible to shake Marinette off his tail. Though, his wide grin that could counter his alter ego's never left his face. "Adrien! Give it back! Don't be such a brat- OOF!" Marinette found herself glomped by both Alya and Nino, the duo holding her down in a tight hug whilst the petite girl was left complaining and mustering all her strength to lift them both off of her. Turns out that all the parkour and part time hero-ing the boyfriend and girlfriend did occasionally gave them an advantage of extra vitality in their civilian sides. So, Marinette resorted to begging. "Adrien ple-eeeeeeease..." Her eyes shimmered like they belonged to a puppy, causing Adrien to falter on his steps and almost choke on his saliva. 'That's not fair, Princesse. You're too fucking cute and I won't be able to handle it any longer and the next thing you know, I'll be pushing you against the wall and kissing you like no tomorrow-' Blinking back out of his thoughts, Adrien cleared his throat and looked away dramatically to avoid the sparkling baby blues. "Open it dude! Quick before Marinette pushes us off! I can feel ourselves slipping!" Nino groaned out, completely put off guard by Marinette's sudden determined strength and he and Alya scrambled to keep her held down. The green eyed boy didn't hesitate and ignored the defeated "Nooooo..." Marinette let out. . A beat went past. Sweat accumulated on Marinette's forehead as Adrien's face went through a variety of motions whilst he skimmed through the book. First his eyebrows were raised and his lips parted in bafflement. Then he squinted his eyes as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Next, his face became unreadable and his lips were pursed.   The only thing Marinette could hear was her heart pounding and the blood rushing through her face and ears. She so was going to kill Alya once she's snapped out of her embarrassment. "So...Marinette Dupain-Cheng Noir, huh?" Adrien rested the tip of the book against his lips as he raised a brow, sighing as Marinette stumbled through a couple of excuses. The girl in question shot up, victoriously pushing her friends off her and immediately snatched the book away, hugging it against her chest with a tight lipped smile. "I'm just testing my calligraphy skills! Nothing more!" Oooh, Adrien wasn't going to let her get away with that so easily. His lady seems to have a crush on him, Chat Noir him! And there's no way in hell he's going to let that go. However, he has a plan and he refuses to go off tangent. "And the hearts? The doodles of you and Chat Noir holding hands? The names of your three future babies with him? Doesn't seem like calligraphy to me." The annoyed frown he purposely slipped out caused his three friends to let out silent gasps, taken aback by his serious expression. Was he...jealous? "A-Adrien...?" Marinette gulped as the boy was abruptly by her side, face lowered so that his cheek brushed hers. The girl couldn't help but enjoy the sensation of his soft, silky lips against the shell of her ear and almost jumped when he spoke again. "Personally, I think Marinette Agreste has a nicer ring to it, don't you think?" His words were nothing but a low whisper, a husky tone that sounded so scandalous and drove Marinette's hormones to the extreme, evident in the way her knees almost buckled beneath her. Totally unfair! How the heck was she supposed to react!? Adrien pulled away, frown still in place and then squeezed Mari's upper arms with a nod but then leaned in again, eyes narrowed and the strands of his hair mingling with her fringe as their foreheads shared a tender kiss. "I'm not losing you to some cat boy." His emerald orbs twinkled with strong emotions, lips only a breath away from hers that Adrien couldn't help but graze Marinette's lower lip with his thumb. He finally turned around and made way out of the door, beckoning his jaw-dropped best friend to come along. A pinch on her thigh- most likely from Tikki who for some reason was hiding in Marinette's trouser pocket, brought her back to the world and before anyone knew it, the girl held Adrien back by the wrist. It was rare for her to initiate physical contact so Adrien couldn't help but halt with surprise. Marinette brushed off all her embarrassment and muddled feelings, fixing a glare at the nonchalant looking model. "He's not just some cat boy. He's one of the most kindest, strongest person I know! He's saved my life more times than I can remember, saves Paris on a daily basis and without him...there would be no Ladybug! So don't...don't just dismiss Chat Noir like that." Adrien furrowed his brows, holding his burning stare against her stern eyes for a bit before leaning in once more, taking Marinette's grip off his wrist and then held her hand in his possessively. The tight squeeze he gave the appendage didn't go unnoticed to the girl and the rest of the audience. "Sorry...I'm just sick of other boys turning your head towards them...when I've been hoping for you to glance at me, just once...for a long time..." His voice wavered between vulnerable and melancholy before settling on determination. Without missing a beat, the boy swiftly kissed the corner of Marinette's lips, cherishing every groove and warmth that emitted from her and then promptly stalked out of the classroom before anyone else could see him turn redder than a strawberry. 'At this rate, she should figure out my civilian identity soon. She has to! With a declaration like that, I should be on her mind for a bit and maybe...she could develop feelings for my civilian side too...?' A hopeful grin took place on his lips whilst Nino ran after him and babbled about how shook he was by the blonde's actions. . Meanwhile, poor Marinette was left frozen in the classroom, wheezing like a kettle and cheeks brighter than a traffic light while Alya squealed with happiness, thanking dieu that she captured everything on her phone. "So, Marinette? Will it be Adrien or Chat Noir~?" Alya's question was met with a defeated wail and a slap against her shoulder. The brunette couldn't keep the devilish smirk off her face. "He's been waiting for me to glance at him!? Is he BLIND!? I have been drooling over his stupid self for like a YEAR! Ugh Alya! What am I gonna do-ooooo?" ~(x)~ She should be suited up right now in her signature spots. She should be battling the akuma right now who was preoccupied in setting fire on everything he saw like a madman. But no. "Princesse...just dump me somewhere in an alleyway and run! Please..." Chat Noir, who was terribly injured, grimaced as Marinette kept on running, fingers digging into the boy's legs as she held him piggyback style. She thanked the kwamis that she was familiar with the thirteenth arrondissement like the back of her hand. She merely huffed as a response and sped up before finally finding a decent hiding spot in the abandoned China town. Much to her delight, the pharmacy shop where her maman usually goes to was empty and open so Marinette didn't hesitate to storm inside. The groans and whimpers that the hero let out as Mari gently placed him against a chair shattered her heart and the teen couldn't help but wince at his injuries. "You stupid...stupid cat! Why did you take that hit for me? You should have dodged!" Marinette spat out, masking her pain with anger as she gathered the medical kit with a mission to alleviate her partner's wounds. The boy responded with a cocky smirk, as if his shoulder wasn't burnt to a crisp and his legs weren't shredded with gashes. This akuma was the first to pierce the magical suit and it was taking everything for Marinette to not fall into a panic attack. Not even the battle on heroes' day was this nerve wracking. "I like my women alive, not barbecued." Noir rasped but then yelped as Marinette knelt down to his level and applied ointment to the burns. This time, tears streamed down his eyes and his claws dug into the plush carpet below him. His faux ears plastered themselves against his hair and his tail whipped against the chair and wall beside him as if to emphasise how much pain he's in. "Stupid flirt...stupid cat...always have to be so self sacrificing...what if that hit killed you!? What would Ladybug have done then!?" Cheng sobbed, letting her forehead flop onto Chat's uninjured shoulder. Her arms wrapped around his middle, squeezing the blonde against her as tight as she could whilst Chat helplessly reciprocated her actions. He soothed her with hushes and encouraging whispers, combing his claws through her loose tendrils, pulling her flush against his body whilst his face remained in the crook of her neck so that the sweet scent that lingered on her body kept him grounded. The next words that he uttered momentarily stopped her heart. "If I didn't take that hit, there would be no Ladybug..." The duo stiffened, the younger of the two plagued with multitudes of questions. Marinette wanted to pinch herself, hope that she misheard what he said but the strong smell of antiseptic that filled the room, the atrocious scent of burnt flesh and blood and the warm, secure arms that kept her in an iron hold proved otherwise. "I...How...?" Marinette gasped, pulling back far enough so that she could see her partner's bashful face. "I was so careful and...and...dammit! Either I released my transformation in front of you by accident or you're one stupidly smart cat!" The ebony-haired teen was far too emotionally exhausted to delve into this and simply accepted her fate. He knew now. This time, there's no time or space to come up with another convoluted plan to knock him off the trail like when Mme. Mendeleiev got akumatised. "I'm a clever cat, your clever chaton, My Lady," Chat Noir couldn't help but gaze down at Marinette lovingly, eyes softened and heart racing. The raspberry hue that took place on her cheeks did wonders to him. "Maybe, if we were strangers, I wouldn't have found you as quick-" He wasn't able to finish his sentence as two fingers were pressed against his lips. "It's...it's dangerous enough that you know who I am...I can't know who you are, Minou. Master Fu-" "-is wrong. He's just as capable of making bad decisions as anyone else. That time he took Plagg and Tikki away from us is proof of that. I firmly believe that the idea of us not knowing who the other is for the sake of our safety is pretty much bullshit at this rate." He kissed her fingers, eyes never leaving hers in a gaze so intense that Marinette felt like her entire body was lit up in flames. "We've been partners for a long time, our trust in each other is beyond comprehensible and you know for a fact that I'd rather die than waver my loyalty to you, Marinette." He pulled her towards him in another embrace, burying his nose into the nape of her neck and let his lips trail on the soft, sweet skin with butterfly kisses. The kiss burned more than the fire that the akuma plagued on Paris. Each and every pucker took Marinette's breath away and the way he tugged her hair so that he could have access to her throat was downright sinful. When his teeth grazed the sensitive area below her ear, Marinette's eyes fluttered closed and a soft sigh escaped her lips. "Chat Noir..." Her voice would have been inaudible had it not been for the boy's heightened hearing. This of course encouraged a deep purr to rumble from the hero and his lips got closer and closer to hers... "My name...say my name, Marinette," Chaton's lips brushed against Dupain-Cheng's as he spoke, voice so hoarse and exposed. Familiarity filled Marinette from head to toe but she couldn't for the love of god figure out why. Instead, she frowned and bowed her head down in defeat. "I don't...I don't know..." She raised her head back up when Chat Noir tsked in response, squeezing her tighter. "Minou..." The familiarity was starting to weigh down on her like a boulder and it was driving Marinette crazy. "Find me. Please. I love you...all of you. If you're not going to let me tell you who I am then you have to find me. You're a smart girl, My Lady. So smart. I can see that you're close to figuring it out." He kissed her cheeks softly and then darted back to her neck, this time to distribute an open mouthed kiss and suck the skin hard. "Chat Noir!?" Mari gasped, face rouged and teeth biting down her bottom lip to avoid any shameful sounds from coming out of her throat. When he pulled away, Marinette bumped her forehead against his with irritation, scoffing at his pained yelp. "What was that for!? O-ooooooh if the cleansing light doesn't heal this, how am I going to explain this to my parents? Alya? AH- and Adrien!? He's going to be so annoyed..." It took everything for Chat Noir to hide his smirk, rubbing his fingers against Marinette's hips. "Then he'll know that this princess is off limits, no~?" "Stupid, possessive, blonde, idiots!" "Hey, I'm smart, not stupid like model boy," "UGH! Fuck you!" "Is that an offer?" "JUST SHUT UP AND LET ME BANDAGE YOU BACK UP SO THAT WE CAN KICK THE AKUMA'S ASS AND THEN I'LL KICK YOUR ASS YOU STUPID ALLEY CAT!" "That wasn't a no~" ~(x)~ Adrien gawked in horror from the doorway when the scarf that was wrapped around Marinette's neck unravelled and spilled onto the floor. The girl quickly slapped her hand against her neck to hide the hickey but she couldn't avert her eyes from his. It was just the two of them in the locker room. Probably the two few remaining students in the building since they had extra curricular activities. "OH- Erm...hi Adrien? I was not expecting to see you here hahah! Did you manage to beat Kagami this time or-" Marinette ended her default babbles with a squeak as the blonde haired teen stormed towards her, peeling her hand off her neck only for his eyes to widen at the 'gift' that the cat bestowed. "Marinette...you chose him?" The boy laid out the kitten eyes, internally cackling at the way his lady scrambled for words. Plagg may have warned him of the rage of a Ladybug but dieu, the shit eating cat inside him couldn't help but keep up the tease. Sure, acting jealous of his alter ego wasn't going to be much help in Marinette solving his identity but at the same time, he didn't want to make this too easy for her. It wasn't fair that he's fallen head over heels for both sides of her since the beginning and struggled with those feelings for such a long time while it's only recently that she began crushing on his vigilant half, right? To summarise, he was the equivalent of a naughty, bratty kitten trapping a bug under his paws and he loved every second of it. "I haven't chosen anyone- not yet...I...I don't know what to do." Now, a tiny bit of guilt was gnawing on Adrien's chest. Maybe he's gone a bit too far? "The two of you have thrown me in quite a loop, confessing left and right..." Her sweet blush wiped the guilt off his chest clean. Maybe...simple, ordinary Adrien Agreste has a chance? Just maybe...she's starting to have feelings for him too...? "Has he kissed you?" Adrien leaned closer, placing his hands against the locker that Marinette was backed up against, pinning her in place. Forward but not aggressive. With the way she eyed him beneath her lashes, his actions was more than happily received. "Not really..." "Can I kiss you?" His lips were barely brushing hers now. "...please," Immediately, their lips crashed into one another without any finesse. All pent up feelings, all raging emotions, all were expressed in this one, deep kiss like a ferocious fire. Adrien tangled his fingers with Marinette's, pressing his body tight against hers and tilted his head ever so slightly to deepen the kiss. Heat and hormones drove their bodies on autopilot. Marinette moved her arms around his neck, slipping her digits through Adrien's hair whilst the boy in question wrapped his arms around her waist, hands wondering dangerously low and cupping every part of her with desperation. The familiarity that laid low in Marinette's mind soon jumped back by ten folds as sharp teeth nipped the rim of her lips, parting the soft pair so that his tongue could slip in and bring her even closer. Her mind kept on rebooting at every touch, every nibble, every sound, every kiss until she forgot her own name. Suddenly, a small hiss of pain escaped Adrien's throat, causing Marinette to break the kiss, heaving and notice that he was edging his shoulder away from her fingers. "Adrien...?" "Ignore it." The boy grunted, slamming his lips back onto hers, this time cupping her cheek with one hand and pulling the bands of her hair so that he could comb his fingers through the smooth, silky locks. Familiarity stroke back to Marinette despite the distracting, excitable kiss. Adrien began to trail his lips south, parallel to the hickey that Chat Noir left till he reached the area below her collarbones. Unlike his roaring passion that started the kissing session, Adrien ended it with a sweet, subtle kiss on her skin. The way Marinette heaved and panted sent many thoughts and fantasies to the dishevelled boy's head, concluding that he indeed needed to take a cold shower as soon as he got home. "Adrien..." Marinette breathed out sweetly, cheeks flushed beyond compare and fingers tangled with the fabric of his shirt as she struggled to stay upright. "That's my name," Adrien cutely bumped his nose with hers and then backed off, smirk growing when she slid down the locker and onto the floor in a daze. "I'll see you around, Princesse," With a wink, the boy patted her cheek and then slinked off with that enviable model grace of his. A few minutes went past yet Marinette refused to move. Adrien's last few words kept circling in her mind. 'That's my name- that's what he said. But why did he say that? That's such a weird thing to say, right? And since when did he start calling me Princesse-' . . . Insert a record scratch. Tikki, the poor kwami who had to witness the entire endeavour simply shook her head with a sigh, praying that her holder didn't murder Plagg's kitten. "DAMMIT ADRIEN AGRESTE! FUCK YOU!!!!" "At least take me out to dinner first~!" The stupid boy's voice came from the window outside the locker room and Marinette didn't think twice before running towards it to see his shit eating grin plastered on his face from below. ~(x)~ "So all this time you were in love with civilian me, ever since I gave you my umbrella?" "Mmhm." "And you were suppressing your feelings for cat me for around the same time?" "Yep." "So basically I was being an absolute, obtuse idiot who's been cockblocking myself?" "Uh-huh." "Wow. Well fuck me!" "After the days of grief you've given me in choosing between you and you, you don't even deserve a kiss let alone getting laid." "Dammit...so...you gonna untie me now or are ya gonna leave me hanging upside down on the tower forever...?" "Heh~ you're gonna stay there and rot till eternity Chaton." "NoooOOooOOoOOooooo..." . . . ~(x)~

[mikauzoran]

Ladrien/Adrienette: Drunk Ladybug on My Balcony? Yeah. This is Fine.: Chapter Twelve

Read it on AO3: Drunk Ladybug on My Balcony? Yeah. This is Fine.: Chapter Twelve: The Realization

Adrien scooted away, back to a suitable distance on the picnic blanket. “Um…so…maybe we should talk about, like, normal things now?” he suggested, grabbing a petit four from the tiered tea tray.

“That’s probably a good idea,” Ladybug chuckled nervously, scratching at her cheek as she tried to take deep breaths to get her racing heart rate and flaming blush down. “What would you like to talk about?”

“You,” he replied immediately.

Her blush only worsened. “What about me?”

“Personal things…but not incredibly personal things,” he gave a temperate response, reaching but not pushing too hard. “You know. Things like your favourite book, favourite movie, favourite colour. What kind of music you listen to. Hobbies. Tell me about you.”

“Only if you tell me about you too,” she haggled.

He chuckled as his own cheeks started to heat up. “You haven’t had enough of getting to know the real Adrien Agreste yet? I would have thought I’d have scared you off a dozen times over by now.”

She shook her head and smiled shyly. “Definitely not. What you’ve told me has only made me more intrigued.”

He gave her an appraising once-over, debating before finally giving in. “All right. So long as you’re not sick of me yet.”

“Never,” she assured. “First question?”

“What colour are your bedroom walls painted?” he inquired.

She quirked an eyebrow at the unexpected question and took a minute before answering cautiously. “…Pink. Why?”

“What shade?” he pressed, wanting to be able to envisage it exactly.

“Light pink. Like cherry blossoms,” she granted, giving in to his curiosity. “Why do you ask?”

“Just wondering about the girl on the other side of the mask,” he confessed. “Sometimes I think about what she’s like, what kinds of activities she does in her free time, what kinds of things she surrounds herself with.”

She shrugged, shaking her head as she looked away. “I don’t know if I’m worth that much thought,” she chuckled self-deprecatingly. “I’m just a normal girl. Not that interesting.”

“You’re interesting to me,” he informed gently, a soft affection in his eyes that made her chest feel tight.

“Oh…. I…I’m glad,” she managed with a bashful smile, wishing she could get across what his words truly meant to her. “Well…in that case…what’s your next question?”

The rest of their rooftop picnic continued in that vein with Ladybug sharing that she was a huge fan of Jagged Stone but had developed a liking for the music XY was putting out since he cut ties with his father’s label and started collaborating with Luka Couffaine.

Adrien confessed that he didn’t do well with scary movies because they gave him nightmares and made him afraid to shower.

“What horror movie had anything to do with showers?” Ladybug replied quizzically. “You mean because of the shower scene in The Shining or Psycho?”

He shook his head. “I’ve never seen those movies, actually, and the trailer for The Shining freaked me out enough that I feel like I’ve experienced enough of it for one lifetime,” he chuckled, rubbing at the back of his neck. “It’s just…I feel so vulnerable in there. Naked. Alone. I feel like a sitting duck. Anything could come and get me while I was defenseless. I’m really easily startled after I see a horror movie, so I’m always anxious about showering for at least a week afterwards.”

Ladybug nodded, trying (and failing) not to picture Adrien in his shower complete with a stereotypically sexy backing track. It also took some effort not to volunteer to sit in his bathroom with him while he showered to protect him after he next watched a horror film.

She was very tempted to suggest watching a horror movie as part of their date so that she could make the offer.

Instead, she replied, “I can see why you would feel that way. I’m always jumpy after watching horror films too” like a normal, non-psychotic person.

They cleaned up their picnic and stowed the leftovers in the wicker basket, tucking it back into the seam between the roof and one of the small white domes topping the church for Ladybug to return for later.

She got out her yoyo and surreptitiously dropped them down into an alley a few streets over so that they could nonchalantly walk out and join the crowd of visitors enjoying the iconic sights and locals going about their daily lives.

“Um…I thought we could do some window shopping?” Ladybug tentatively suggested. “Walk around? People watch? Browse? It’s a nice day, so… I mean, I know it’s a little touristy, but—”

“—That sounds great,” he cut her off with a wide grin, slipping his hand into hers. “I actually haven’t seen much of Paris, despite growing up here,” he confessed sheepishly. “I’ve always been a little…um…”

He tried to think of a nice way to say, “held prisoner”.

“…sheltered, I guess, so I wouldn’t be opposed to playing tourist, if you don’t mind.”

“Oh. No. Sure!” she agreed, a little flustered by the proximity of his radiant smile in the narrow alley as well as the weight and warmth of his hand in hers. “I’m happy so long as you’re happy.”

“I’m happy just being with you,” he countered with a wink, not noticing how she turned into a puddle of goo in response.

He gave her hand a squeeze and turned to guide them out of the alley and onto the cobbled street where visitors from all over the globe were moving from one shop to the next.

They too began to browse, chuckling at the whacky souvenirs for sale in shop after shop: cheap plastic trinkets, shirts, hats, magnets, shot glasses, snow globes…

Adrien held up a Paris-themed oven mitt in black, white, pink, and grey. “This is actually kind of cute,” he chuckled, musing, “It reminds me of Marinette…. I wonder if she’d like it.”

“I think she’d like anything if it was from you,” Ladybug sighed, heart filling to the brim once more as his thoughts drifted to her civilian identity.

Why had she never seen how much he liked her, how much Marinette meant to Adrien? She’d been blinded by his not obviously reciprocating her romantic feelings, so she’d missed out on how much he truly cared for her.

“You think?” he hummed, pleased at her response. “Maybe, but it’s not really practical. I’m sure she has dozens of oven mitts already with her parents being bakers, but… Could you do me a favor?” He looked to her with earnest eyes that made her gulp.

She bit her tongue to hold back the automatic, “Anything for you” that wanted to come out. “Uh, yeah. Sure. What do you need?”

“Could you take a picture and send it to me so I can text it to Marinette later? I left my phone at home so that my family couldn’t track the GPS,” he informed sheepishly.

“Oh, yeah. Sure,” she readily agreed, taking a peek around to make sure that no one was watching before she flipped open her yoyo and snapped a quick picture, forwarding it to him.

“Thanks, Nelle,” he expressed warmly, as if she had fulfilled one of Princess Kaguya’s impossible quests.

“Sure thing.” She blushed as she boldly dared to join their hands once more, interlacing her fingers with his.

He smiled and gave her hand a squeeze.

She loved when he did that.

 “They even have the stereotypical accordion music,” Adrien snickered in amusement as he tossed a hundred euro note into the performer’s case as they passed. “It’s just like in the movies.”

“You’ve never been up here to Montmartre before?” Ladybug tried not to laugh as the accordionist quickly snatched the bill and tucked it into his inner jacket pocket.

Adrien shook his head. “I mean, I’ve been for work, but I’ve never been able to just wander around like this. It’s so different, seeing it in a relaxed, natural atmosphere.”

Ladybug nodded, guiding him towards the Place du Tertre, a little cobbled square where artists had set up to sell their work. “Yeah, I’d imagine a photoshoot wouldn’t provide a very calm environment during which to sightsee.”

“Yeah, unfortunately not. It’s kind of…structured,” he sighed, getting distracted by a middle-aged artist setting out beautiful pastel watercolors of Notre Dame in different seasons at sunset as seen from the Left Bank.

“I wish I was artistic,” he hummed mournfully, moving along to peruse the other artists’ wares before he was tempted or coerced into buying something.

“You could be,” Ladybug encouraged, stepping in closer to avoid a collision with a young American woman who was also browsing.

He shook his head, laughing good-naturedly at himself. “I have, like, zero talent. I can’t even do stick-figures well.”

“You could if you practiced,” she insisted. “It’s true that some people are born with innate talent, but drawing and painting can be learned even if they don’t come naturally. Being artistic is a skill, and, with enough practice, you could learn to be artistic too.”

He hummed as he stopped to admire a medium-sized canvas where an autumn scene set in the Bois de Boulogne was taking form with scarlet, ochre, and tangerine leaves peppering the trees.

“I think ‘enough’ practice would take many years. Still, it couldn’t hurt to try,” he reasoned. “I’m definitely not going to magically gain the ability to produce anything close to that just by whining about how I wish I could do it.”

“You’re not whining,” she assured, inching in closer so that their shoulders brushed. She gave him a shy, heartening smile. “You’re just being honest about what you want for yourself, and it’s okay to do that. It’s not whining.”

She knew his father was often very critical and chastised Adrien whenever he seemed to slide even one toe over the arbitrary line Gabriel had mentally drawn for him. If possible, she wanted to help Adrien to see that it was okay to voice his desires and complaints from time to time without it being considered “whining”.

“Thanks,” he replied softly, the warm look in his eyes partially obscured behind his movie star sunglasses, but she was close enough to see it. “I really appreciate the encouragement. I don’t exactly get a lot of that.”

“Well, I’ll have to see about changing that,” she declared, giving his arm a squeeze.

He smiled affectionately, and they walked on around the square, continuing to browse the various artists’ renditions of many a famous Paris landmark.

“…You know,” he remarked thoughtfully. “My father actually does a fair amount of drawing for work. Maybe I could ask him to teach me.”

“That could be a good way to spend time together,” she agreed, nodding with a supportive smile.

Adrien cringed. “Except that my father isn’t the most patient man, so he’d probably get frustrated with my turtle’s pace progress and end up berating me instead of helping me get better. That’s kind of how our relationship works,” he admitted with a discouraged sigh.

Ladybug bit her lip, searching her mind for a way to build up his self-esteem and lighten the mood. “Well, Marinette isn’t the best artist around, but she does do some drawing as part of her own designing work, so, if you really want to learn, maybe she could get you started in the right direction.”

“That’s actually a really good idea,” Adrien chuckled, turning his head to look at her. “Marinette…”

His brain ran into a mental brick wall as it processed for the first time how close she was and how familiar she looked…and not only because of how long he had cumulatively spent over the years staring at her as Ladybug.

“…Marinette…” he whispered, a revelation shaking him to his very core.

Ladybug had known him and fallen in love with him as a civilian, yet she didn’t think he’d say yes if she asked him out as herself. Ladybug and Marinette had intended to ask him out to coffee at the same time. The way Marinette acted around Chat Noir… He’d always marveled at how sassy and fun she was with him when he was the masked superhero as opposed to how she could barely talk to Adrien for about a year after they’d first met. In those moments when it was just Marinette and Chat Noir hanging out and being goofballs, she had reminded him so much of his Lady.

Now that he was looking at Ladybug and saying, “Marinette”, it all seemed so obvious.

Ladybug tipped her head to the side, waiting for Adrien to continue. “‘Marinette’…what? Is something wrong, Adrien?”

“Nope. Everything’s wonderful, Nette—uh—Nelle. Sorry. Just…” He mentally scrambled to pull together his thoughts and snap back into the moment because she was not going to be happy when she found out her secret was blown, and he really just wanted this date to continue forever, so…

“Sorry.” He covered up his flurry of thoughts with a practiced smile. “Just got distracted thinking about how wonderful Marinette is.”

“O-Oh,” she coughed, a crimson blush swelling up in her cheeks as she bashfully looked away. “Yeah. That’s…Marinette is…good.”

It had to be her…didn’t it? He was almost ninety-nine percent positive. There had to be some way to explain away the times he’d thought he’d seen them together over the years. Both his Lady and his Princess were smart enough to orchestrate some kind of elaborate scheme to throw him off the scent.

“Marinette is amazing,” he stressed, trying to keep his cat-that-ate-the-canary grin under wraps. “She’s super talented and such a fantastic person. If anyone could teach me how to draw, it would be her.”

Ladybug’s blush deepened. “You should ask her, then.”

“I think I will,” Adrien chuckled. “…Do you happen to draw, Nelle?”

“Uh…a little,” she answered, slightly thrown off by the question and still unsettled by his effusive praise of her civilian self. “I mean, I’m not very good, but I enjoy sketching and doodling.”

“What do you draw?” he inquired as innocently as possible.

“Oh, this and that,” she hedged with a shrug.

“Do you ever draw clothing?” he pressed, throwing his scruples out the window along with his resolution not to try to figure out her identity.

“Uh…sometimes,” she admitted. “I mean, like I said, I’m not very good, but…I like designing clothes and accessories. It’s always fun, especially when I have someone in mind I’m designing for. It’s fun to see how I can make their personalities come out in whatever I’m making.”

“I bet you’re amazing at it,” he cooed reverently, remember all the things he’d seen Marinette make for him and their friends over the years. “Have you ever thought about pursuing fashion professionally? Is that something you’d be interested in?”

“Actually…” She bit her lip, wondering if she was giving a little too much away.

He smiled at her, hanging on her every word as if entranced.

“Yes,” she admitted. “I have given it some thought. I mean, somewhat. I don’t know that I’d make it in the big leagues like your father, but…maybe it would be nice to have a little boutique where I took commissions and did a lot of custom pieces.”

“I bet you’d be wonderful,” he replied enthusiastically, face glowing. “If you ever need help with anything, please feel free to use me as a resource. I’ve got all kinds of contacts I could set you up with. Whatever you need,” he stressed.

“Thank you,” she shyly responded, cheeks darkening to match her dress.

“Anytime,” he assured, giving her arm a playful nudge.

 They completed their loop around the square and continued window-shopping, ending up at a little café called La Gallete des Moulins for a snack because Adrien thought the fig tart that they saw through the window looked scrumptious.

“You haven’t had enough sweets for one day?” Ladybug teased, waggling her eyebrows at him. “Better be careful or you’re going to lose your girlish figure.”

Adrien waved her away as he handed the money over to the young woman manning the cash register. “I never get sweets, though. I’m running on a sweets deficit, so I have a lot of catching up to do while I’m not being strictly monitored.”

“You poor thing,” she sighed, pitying him in earnest as they headed out to the fenced-off patio area to sit. “That can’t be fun having people telling you what you can and can’t eat all the time. I’m sorry, Adrien.”

“Thanks. Though, it’s not so bad.” He smiled and shrugged it off as he set down the tray on one of the small green tables right alongside the fence and pulled out one of the wicker chairs for her with a bow. “Nino shares junk food, and Marinette, bless her, sneaks me pastries from time to time. That girl is a saint.”

“I’m glad someone is taking care of you. Thank you,” she chuckled as she took the seat.

He settled in across from her and started on his tart. “You sure you don’t want a bite?”

She eyed the tart appraisingly and considered how much she had already eaten in front of him so far. She didn’t want to look like a pig, but…

“Is it good?” she inquired.

He made an evaluating noise. “Meh. It’s not bad. The crust is nice, and the custard is nearly perfect, but it just doesn’t compare with the raspberry custard mini tarts we had earlier,” he replied honestly. “I’m sort of spoiled on Tom and Sabine’s, and the delicacies that Marinette made for us earlier just blow this out of the water. It’s not bad, though,” he judged fairly. “The figs are delicious, for one.”

“May I try a fig?” she asked, reaching out preemptively, fingers hovering over a slice.

“Go for it,” he encouraged, motioning for her to help herself. “…Hey, so…do you mind if I ask you more questions about yourself?”

She laughed, quirking an eyebrow. “You haven’t run out of questions yet? You were pretty thorough earlier.”

“I don’t think I asked the right questions,” he confessed, watching, mesmerized, as she licked the custard off of the fig.

“What kinds of questions do you have for me?” she hummed, pretending to entertain the idea of answering.

“Do you like video games?” he inquired, keeping up an innocent front, despite his firm intention to delve deeper.

In addition to Ultimate Mecha Strike, Adrien had found out as Chat Noir that Marinette was into some pretty niche games. She hadn’t mentioned them to Adrien, so Ladybug shouldn’t have any reason to suspect the trap. While it was possible that people besides Marinette had played games like Pyre, Titanic: Adventure Out of Time, and The Missing: J.J. MacField and the Island of Memories, it was unlikely that Ladybug had coincidentally played all of the same niche video games as Marinette unless they were, in fact, the same person.

One way or another, Adrien was going to find out because if they were one and the same, if it were possible to be with the woman he’d fallen for twice, Adrien was more than willing to bend some rules and break some promises. He’d waited so long already, and if she really did love him in return, maybe she’d find some way to forgive him.

 Ladybug humored him for almost an hour, answering question after question as they sat and talked and people-watched at the café.

Slowly but surely, Adrien became increasingly certain that he knew who the elusive girl behind the mask was. There was still a part of him that worried it was merely wishful thinking, but the more they talked, the more breadcrumbs she unknowingly dropped until he wanted to scream in jubilation because he had finally found her, and she had been right in front of him the entire time.

They continued their stroll around Montmartre, looping around until they came back to Sacré-Coeur. They leisurely made their way down the hill, arm-in-arm, chatting and enjoying the brisk autumn evening.

When they arrived at the Place Saint-Pierre, Adrien spotted the carrousel, and his eyes lit up. Slowly, he turned to look at Ladybug and casually inquired, “Is it uncool for adults to ride a carrousel, do you think?”

She tried not to laugh as she smiled indulgently. “Adrien, if you want to ride the carrousel, we can ride the carrousel.”

His eyebrows dipped into a slight frown. “Are you sure? We don’t have to. I don’t want to make you do something embarrassing. I mean, I know carrousels are for little kids, so—”

“—Adrien,” she cut him off with a fond chuckle, pulling him gently yet firmly by the arm towards the merry-go-round. “It’s fine. There’s a carousel by my house that I ride with the kids I babysit all the time. I’m not embarrassed. It’s fun.”

“Oh,” he breathed, recalling the park next to Tom and Sabine’s bakery. “Okay. If you’re sure. I mean…”

She stopped and turned to look him full in the face, inquiring earnestly, “Adrien, do you want to ride the carrousel?”

He nodded. “I used to really love them when I was a kid. My mom and I would ride the one over by the Eiffel Tower sometimes when we snuck out to have adventures, so…yeah. I’d like to ride it.”

“Okay.” She gave him an encouraging smile and squeezed his hand, guiding him over to the merry-go-round. “You pick our horses. Whichever one you want.”

He pursed his lips and surveyed the ride with great concentration before deciding, “If it’s okay, I’d like the black one on the outer ring of the bottom level. Would you be okay with the white one next to it?”

“Sure, but don’t you want to go to the upper tier?” she asked, a little surprised. A double decker carrousel was a bit rare, even in Paris with its many carrousels, so she would have thought that Adrien would have taken advantage of the opportunity to ride on the upper deck.

He blushed as he averted his eyes. “I mean, the upper level would be cool, but all of those horses are single file, and I’d rather ride on the lower level and be next to you.”

“I can’t take it,” she confessed, catching him off guard.

“I’m sorry,” he quickly apologized, fearing he’d done something wrong. “I didn’t mean to. What can’t you take?”

She shook her head, face absolutely magenta. “No. No. I mean…you’re trying to kill me with how sweet and perfect you are,” she attempted to explain through her flustered state. “Like, everything that comes out of your mouth is like some line out of a romance novel, and you are just too cute and too sweet, and I’m going to overheat and die because I like you so much.”

His eyes went wide momentarily in shock at her bluntness, but then a wide smirk slowly spread across his lips.

She clapped a hand over her mouth, gasping at her unintended forwardness. “Oh my gosh,” she breathed, a giddy laugh rising in her throat. “I can’t believe I just said that.”

“Me either,” he hummed, clearly pleased with himself and her and life in general.

“I’ve been trying to say something like that to you for seven years now,” she snorted.

“And I’ve been waiting just as long to hear it,” he assured, leaning in to kiss her temple.

“How are you so smooth?” she groaned through a broad grin of her own.

He shrugged and looped his arm through hers, leading her over to their mounts. “I consume an indecent amount of shoujo manga and romance novels,” he confessed. “It’s rubbed off on me over the years.”

“And here I thought it was natural talent,” she snickered.

“I’m sure there’s a certain amount of that as well,” he hummed happily, giving her a hand up before ascending himself.

 The sun began to dip low towards the horizon, and Ladybug tugged Adrien inconspicuously into an alley so that they could take to the sky on her yoyo without anyone seeing her take off.

“I’ve got one last surprise for you,” she informed, carrying him back towards the heart of the city.

“Is that surprise that you’re kidnapping me and never making me go home ever again?” he inquired hopefully, knowing that the bliss he’d felt with her the past few hours was coming to an unavoidable end.

“I wish,” she snorted. “If I could, I would definitely keep you, but I don’t think even Ladybug could get away with kidnapping Adrien Agreste. Your father would have my neck.”

“Unfortunately, you’re probably right,” he sighed, letting his head come to rest on her shoulder. “All right. I guess all we can do is enjoy the time we have left.”

“I think you’ll enjoy this,” she chuckled. “We’re going to one of my favourite spots in all of Paris. Super exclusive with a view that can’t be beat,” she promised.

“Oh,” he breathed, realizing that she was taking him to the top of the Eiffel Tower to watch the sunset.

He wasn’t sure how to feel about that at first. Ladybug and Chat Noir had often met there to hang out and chat, and many a sunset had been watched over the years. He’d come to think of it as one of “their spots”, so the fact that Ladybug was bringing Adrien there felt like a bit of a betrayal.

But then, on the other hand, he was the one who had betrayed Ladybug first by bringing Marinette there on several occasions. And if Ladybug was, in fact, Marinette, she knew what Chat Noir had done.

Ultimately, he decided to be honored that Ladybug thought Adrien worthy of sharing such a special spot.

They touched down at the very top, and Ladybug gently deposited him back onto his own feet.

“Ta-da,” she chuckled, pushing a bang back out of the way as the evening breeze licked it from its place. “This is the best view I know of, so… You’re not too cold, are you?” she inquired, surveying his sweater and undershirt combo and wondering how insulating they would be against the higher winds at that altitude.

“I’m fine,” he rushed to assure. “…Unless you’re suavely trying to get me to cuddle with you. In that case, I’m freezing,” he amended with a flirty wink that made her crack up.

“Actually,” she drawled mischievously, going over to where a second wicker picnic basket had been stowed near the center of the tower. She checked inside and pulled out a thermos, two mugs, a Tom and Sabine’s takeaway box, and two blankets. “I thought it might be nippy, so I planned ahead.”

She spread one of the blankets for them to sit on and set down the thermos, mugs, and pastry box upon it, holding out the other blanket towards him. “Here you go. If you need it, I mean. I know it gets a little brisk up here in the evenings once the sun sets.”

He took the proffered blanket with a warm, “Thank you. You’re always so thoughtful, Nelle,” and sat, wrapping it around his shoulders to fight off the autumn chill.

She settled in beside him and set to work lifting the lid of the takeaway box to reveal the most perfectly baked chocolate chip cookies Adrien had ever seen before moving to unscrew the cap of the thermos, announcing, “I give you Dupain-Cheng Special Hot Chocolate—recipe known only to members of the Dupain-Cheng family.”

Adrien arched an eyebrow, grinning cockily. “Then how did you get the recipe?”

“I didn’t!” she insisted, voice pitching high in her panic. “I just ordered it from Marinette along with the cookies.”

“It was awfully nice of Marinette to cater our date,” he hummed appreciatively, leaning in to survey the chocolate chip cookies.

“I do a lot of business with Marinette,” Ladybug fibbed, pouring the hot chocolate from the thermos into the mugs. “My kwami Tikki loves her cookies, so Marinette has kind of ended up being Tikki’s preferred supplier.” She smiled sheepishly as she handed him a mug and took the other for herself.

“I am exceedingly excited to try out this super-secret hot chocolate and these Tikki-approved cookies,” he chuckled, bringing the mug up to his lips.

In truth, he had had Marinette’s cookies and Dupain-Cheng Special Hot Chocolate before when he’d spent time with Marinette over the years as Chat Noir, but Maribug didn’t need to know that yet.

He purred happily as the chocolate washed over his tongue, coating his mouth in the rich, luscious taste of the special blend of spices Marinette was so secretive about. “This is amazing,” he praised. “What do you think I’d have to do to get the recipe because this is to die for.”

Ladybug gave a snort, sipping smugly from her own mug. “Marry Marinette.”

“Don’t tempt me,” he snickered. “The hot chocolate recipe would only be the icing on the metaphorical cake, if you’ll excuse the baking pun.”

“Try the cookies,” she urged, turning her head so that he hopefully didn’t notice her rampant blush and the way she couldn’t hold in an effulgent grin.

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” he assured, helping himself and then savoring the way the cookie almost melted on his tongue.

“…By the way,” he thought to ask a minute later, “how did this stuff get up here? There’s no way you could have dropped it off before our date. The hot chocolate wouldn’t still be hot.”

“I actually called in a favor from a friend,” she confessed. “The new Turtle hero, Michelangelo, picked up the basket from Marinette’s house and dropped it off here for me.”

Adrien blinked slowly as his brain tried to process what she was saying. “New…Turtle hero?”

She nodded. “Chat Noir has been pestering me about adding another full-time member, and I finally decided he was right, so we’re bringing Michelangelo on for a probationary trial period.”

Adrien had to keep a tight grip on his poker face to ensure that he didn’t react to this news because it sounded like Ladybug had brought Nino back onto the team like Chat Noir had asked but made him leave the Carapace identity behind so that no one would suspect that the “new” Turtle hero was really the same holder who had had his identity compromised six years prior.

“Oh, cool,” Adrien remarked in as neutral-to-positive a tone as he could manage. “I think that’ll be good. I’m glad that someone else will be out there watching your back.”

“I’m actually bringing him on to watch Chat Noir’s back because he already has mine…maybe a little too much,” she sighed, brow creasing in worry as she thought about her partner.

Adrien set down his mug and reached out to take her hand, squeezing it supportively. “Hey. It’s okay. I know sometimes that it doesn’t feel like it, but…it’s okay, Nelle.”

She smiled weakly, returning the hand squeeze. “Thanks.”

“Here.” He scooted in closer, unfolding the blanket she had given him and draping it over both of their shoulders. “Is this okay?” he inquired, slipping an arm around her waist.

“Yeah,” she confirmed with a tired sigh, letting go and resting her head on his shoulder. “This is perfect. …Thanks.”

“Any time,” he whispered, leaning his cheek against the top of her head. “I know you’re tough, but you don’t always have to be around me. It’s okay not to be invincible and perfect. It’s okay to just be a twenty-year-old girl trying to make it all work.”

“Thanks,” she repeated softly, sinking into him.

They watched the sun gradually float towards the horizon for a while in contented silence as they snuggled and enjoyed their cookies and hot chocolate.

“…What are you humming?” Ladybug inquired curiously some time later.

Adrien gave a start and pulled back. “Oh. Sorry. I…I spend a lot of time alone, so I’ve developed the bad habit of talking and singing to myself. Sometimes I don’t even realize I’m doing it,” he explained sheepishly, cheeks going as red as her dress in embarrassment.

“Oh, no. Don’t be sorry,” she entreated with a kind smile. “I was just asking because it’s pretty and I wanted to know what song it was. Your humming is lovely, and lots of people do that. Chat Noir, for one, is always singing under his breath to himself, so it’s not uncommon or weird at all.”

He tried not to grimace as a part of him wished she would just see Chat Noir inside of Adrien already.

“Oh? Chat Noir does too?” he forced himself to chuckle.

She nodded completely unsuspectingly as she asked again, “What song were you humming?”

“Have you seen the movie Tangled?” he inquired even though he had shown it to Marinette himself when he’d learned that she’d never watched it before.

“Mmhm,” she affirmed as a rosy blush spread across her cheeks. She looked down at the blanket with a fond smile. “A good friend of mine is a bit of a Disney afficionado. He kind of flipped out and strapped me down and made me watch it when he found out I’d never seen it.”

He grimaced at her description. “Was this a positive experience or torture?” he had to wonder.

“Oh, no! It was fun!” she insisted, wide-eyed, flailing her hands and nearly upsetting the hot chocolate mugs and the cookies. “I had fun.”

“Oh, good,” he laughed in relief. “Otherwise, I’d have to say that maybe you shouldn’t be friends with this guy. He sounds kind of extreme.”

“No,” she hurried to correct his misconception. “Watching the movie was completely voluntary. He…He’s a good friend.” Her voice dipped low with feeling and softened as she added, “He’s very important to me.”

“Oh,” Adrien breathed, his own cheeks starting to glow. “That’s…good. I’m glad,” he replied genuinely.

There was a beat, and then he cleared his throat. “…Well, the song is I See the Light from Tangled, so…”

“Will you sing it for me?” she asked so earnestly he couldn’t refuse.

“You want me to serenade you, Nelle?” he chuckled, eyebrows dancing jocosely.

She nodded eagerly. “Please? I really love your voice.”

“Is that the only thing you love?” he teasingly fished, holding out hope.

She rolled her eyes, blushing as she gave him a playful shove and commanded, “Sing.”

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and obediently began the song, tenderly and vulnerably, “All those days watching from the windows…all those years outside looking in…”

He sang in English, so she struggled to understand some parts, but the lyrics didn’t really matter to her. She could feel the emotions in his voice as he sang of being isolated and lost and then suddenly finding where he was meant to be.

He opened his eyes and stared into hers, and she couldn’t help but be drawn into him, losing herself in his song as he confessed, “And at last I see the light…and it’s warm and real and bright…now that I see you.”

He stopped singing then and smiled bashfully, reaching up to cup her cheek in his hand as he whispered, “Ladybug?”

“Hm?” she blinked dreamily, still swimming in his piercing peridot eyes.

“I need to tell you something. You’re not going to understand,” he informed sadly, his thumb stroking her cheekbone. “And you’re not going to think that I’m serious because what I’m about to say is going to sound impossible, but please know that I’m telling the truth.”

“Adrien?” she replied uncertainly, brow beginning to crease in confusion. “What is it?”

“I love you,” he breathed with a tortured smile. “I love you more than anything, and being here with you is a dream come true.”

She gasped, stunned by his heartfelt confession, mind spinning as he began to lean in, his eyes slowly drifting closed.

The clear choice was to let him kiss her. The obvious course of action was to wrap her arms around him and kiss his face off like she’d dreamed of doing for more than half a decade now.

But, in that moment, no matter how romantic the set up, it didn’t feel right.

Alya had a point.

Ladybug was misleading Adrien by not telling him the whole truth, and, however much he liked Marinette, he was bound to be upset when he found out who was behind the mask because she wasn’t being honest with him, and how was that going to provide a foundation upon which to build a relationship?

She pulled back and looked away, hating herself for what she was doing to him.

“Sorry,” she whispered, the word sounding hollow even to her own ears. “I just don’t think it’s fair to you, not knowing who you’re kissing.”

He bit his lip, mentally debating how much she’d freak out if he told her he was ninety-nine percent certain that he knew exactly whom he’d been about to kiss.

“Knowing your name isn’t important,” he responded gently instead, resting his hand on top of hers. “What really matters is knowing who you are as a person. I know you, Ladybug, and I know what I want.”

She winced, averting her eyes and turning her head further.

He froze. “…Unless…Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry,” he rushed to apologize as a realization made him feel sick. “I didn’t even stop to think that you might not want to kiss me. Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to—”

“—No!” she interrupted, grabbing his hand and turning back to face him. “No, Adrien, I definitely want to kiss you. You didn’t do anything wrong. I did.”

“Ladybug, no,” he tried to protest, but she shook her head and wouldn’t listen.

“No,” she repeated decidedly. “I’m the one who messed up by asking you out as Ladybug in the first place. None of this has been fair to you, and I’m really sorry, Adrien,” she sighed.

A twinge of guilt struck him as he was reminded of the very similar ways in which he wasn’t being completely honest with her. “Ladybug…that’s not…” he tried ineffectually.

She shook her head, her mind made up. “I’m sorry. I think maybe I should take you home now.”

“Please, no,” he pleaded weakly. “I don’t want this to be over yet.”

“Me either,” she agreed melancholically. “But we need to get you home before they notice you’re missing.”

He didn’t bother voicing the fact that, likely, no one had noticed that he’d been gone for hours and no one was likely to discover his absence now.

Instead, he reluctantly submitted, helping her clean up and then obediently slipping his arms around her so that she could carry him back to the lonely Agreste Mansion just a few blocks away.

He tried to concentrate on the way she held him, the warmth of her against the chill of the wind as it whipped against them, every point of contact between their bodies, the scent of her oatmeal body wash and strawberry shampoo melding with the faint, lingering scent of bakery.

[clementineesotsm]

THE KING: ETERNAL MONARCH EP 9, My Appreciation and How It Made Me Feel

The other person Gon would like to see first is Lady Noh. I appreciate all actors working in this series because they have a good chemistry with all characters involved here. Im a fan of Gon and Lady Noh relationship, reminds me of my grandmother. She is always so understanding but here when she says she knows everything, later we will found out that indeed she knows EVERYTHING. I love how she says (while looking at the flute, also the camera doing blurred shot to show the flute then Lady Noh was great) that she understand that Gon try to fulfill his destiny and this will be secret between both of them 🥺 The production team also have a good sense of connecting the mood with the music, because here we can here Maze as backsound and its match perfectly

Gon finally confront LSD, i have 1 fav line said by Gon here

Gon “How could you when you dont even have the guts nor the caliber?”

Damn this gave me chills. He is angry. And he arrested him.

Next we saw KSJ off duties to stay away from this mess and clear his heads. As i said before, i somehow found the relationship between this police and bar owner was special. They like enemy but they understand each other and the bar owner has somehow empathetic towards KSJ. He let KSJ used the place for a few days and served him nuts. KSJ still refusing the money though. The guitar sound makes me feel soft for them 🥺

1 of my fav scene of JY and JES having conversation before they switch place

JES “i know you care about King Arthur, but you cannot be more sincere as me to my siblings. King Arthur told me, that this is how i can protect my siblings”

JES did not even know that JY to Gon is as sincere as him to his siblings 🥺 also at the end of this scene JY actually worried what happen to JES, both doppelgänger has share some emotional connection 🥺

Gon is having a yearly review with PM. This whole scene was hilarious first of all we got to saw bored JES which is funny, then we saw PM crossing the line once again by asking when will Gon get married and she being honest of wanting to be a queen. Thank god Gon said he already proposed to someone 😎

One of underated scene in the series. Because in this conversation despite of being cute and soft (and the kiss too omg), we actually being told a very important information about time inside the in between 0 and 1

Gon “if i spend 1 day in there, two months flow by the outside”

JTE “then if you’re in there, you wont grow old”

Honorable mention for Gon words “even if i can have eternal life there, i will come to you” and JTE replied “dont think about coming to me, think about going together” 🥺

Gon continue his actual work to see all the security footage as he is try to locate LR. Instead he saw this cctv record written coming from 27/05/2022 . With JTE and yoyo boy in front of a book store, and as creepy as it gets, the yoyo boy inside the cctv are looking to Gon eyes suddenly, then we thunder came and create pain on Gon shoulder

Cracks also continue in LR side. LR knew about KSJ visiting Gon doppelgänger cinerarium. And inform that the police that visit the care center before is JTE. JTE now also looking for the 2G phone. Here i think LR assuming that the enemy side are now know what is LR doing and try to investigate it more. I love how finally LR realizing the cracks

LR “KSJ, the wrong move i made. JTE, the move i did not make”

Why KSJ is the wrong move he made? I assume because he took him to Korea while he is a child and did not even teach him or at least try to keep him close and made him a bad guy? Child has potential to develop a character which will be going againts him when he grow up and it is now kind of look like that and in liaise to that move he did not make, JTE, both ksj and jte are connected in a family like relationship. Which what makes KSJ now.

Gon was looking for the bookstore he found at the cctv record. Ho pil did not found it anywhere. Instead we got to see Prince Buyeong visited the bookstore ahead. Seriously i love this transition from Gon scene to this scene because its connected and im totally shock. And keep thinking, why prince buyeong could came to this non existed book store

Then we came to this heartbreaking conversation between 2 man speaking about fate and all going towards the new year. What a deep deep words, magnificent cinematography, incredible color, Maze as the backsound. PERFECTION.

LG “Uncle, do you believe in fate? People usually tell fate to move aside and challenge it. Should i fight againts it?”

PB “You can never know what happen in life. But if there us a place you want to reach even if your life may be at risk, this is fate. The footsteps you take by risking your whole life is whats fate. Is there a place you want to reach?”

LG “yes there is”

PB “then you just have to go there. You dont need to fight. I hope there is a beautiful lady there”

LG “if i find this solution, i will visit you again with a woman who argues that the earth is flat”

PB “yes, i will be waiting, pyeha”

Then the sunset came, i cried. Not gonna lie.

This scene is a whole new level up for this series, i love that its also very poetic. Well done.

New Year is coming. Time stops. LR is in Corea. Walking very chill on the street, little that he knows. LG already recognize his FACE. LG need to thank JTE because he suddenly remember what she said “Then if you’re in there, you wont grow old” 😱

I love how we got to see them going pass through each other first before they both facing each other. And the music!!! And the way Gon cries “TRAITOR LEE RIM” . Standing applause 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

How it made me feel:

Wow. What an episode. At this point im shock on how its getting darker and darker. I thought it will be some kind a usual romance story but it was more than that. KES really took it to another level. Also i remember before i watch eps 10, i rewatch eps 7-9 once just to keep track on what is happening and also try to see better whether i missed anything. It was so fun. Also i realize that the editing was getting better and better. Every scenes keeps getting me attached and also making me feel deeper emotion to it. Whatever message or feelings that they try to convey, conveyed well. Salute 🍷 Also the acting and chemistry from all the characters were great. I cant even say any words, i haven’t found anyone even with a small role acting bad. I need to also give applause to the casting director.

What makes me extremely curious probably whether KSJ will be bad or not. Last time i doubted Prince Buyeong, but until eps 9 i can safely said that he is on Gon side. I put my faith in him crossed my fingers. But how about KSJ? He is still running away. My heart pumped. Back then i think “Thank God eps 10 is just tomorrow” i havent really acted like this to a series for a long time, but 2020 gave me dark and tkem. Both are similar yet very different, both are amazing.

[tarakizz]

Young love

Pairing: Stuart Twombly  x reader 

Warning: some swear words 

Genes: fluff

A/n: I think this one really sucks I had inspiration in my head but it didn't feel good when I type it out hope you guys like it tho and stay safe everyone.

Masterlist 

it’s funny how we used to hate each other at the start of the internship and now we are like glue that stick together. Yes I'm talking about the dark and gloomy Stuart Twombly he only show his sweet side to me and to be honest with you I don't really know why he’s being like this to every one else, you know like this know it all kind of asshole but when him and I are hanging out his like this sweet little boy that’s like a lost puppy when I leave him for just two seconds to get something from my kitchen. It’s really funny, he’s also very protective can you imagine that, I can’t the first time I met him. 

“hey you.. why are you zoning out”  Stuart ask me from beside me, we are currently at a Chinese restaurant with the team. 

“I thought about how we first met it’s funny that we used to dislike each other and now we are just like glue” I said with a little giggle at the end. 

“well I didn’t dislike you I was just very shy” I look at him to see if he was serious.

“dude you spilled your coffee over me on purpose and try to get me into a another group” he let out a laugh 

“okay maybe I dislike you a little bit back then but why does it matter we are friends now” he said making my smile slip a little when he said “friends” 

“yeah friends” I said giving him a small smile before turning to Billy because he said something about going to a dance club at the end of the street, we ate our dessert and head to the dance club. 

“okay I don’t think this is a dance club Billy” Nick said to billy.

“sorry I was talking Mandarin and He was talking some Chinese and things got a little mixed up but hey it’s not a bad mistake tho” he said I look at Stuart and he was on his phone the whole time and didn’t see the stripper walking up to him.

“okay Stuart I want you to look up only three inches there’s a big world out here” Nick said before Stuart could answer of what he saw in front of him, the stripper shoves his finger down her throat and I mentally cringe at the sight, kind of feeling my stomach drop a little.

“okay guys let follow them” Billy said before following the stripper and Stuart to our table.

“Neha do you think Stuart like her?” I whisper to her but she laugh at me like it was the funniest thing I have ever said to her. 

“y/n he doesn't like her he’s just a guy you know” 

“but what if he likes her more than me I mean I don't care but I want him to have a better girlfriend than that she properly have fucked a lot of guys already” I ramble to her

“y/n stop worrying and I know you like him and he properly likes you too so don’t worry to much she just doing her work” she said before dragging me to the table were the boys are I sat between Yoyo and Neha.

“okay guys grab your glass and we ready to party” Nick said handing out the shots glass to us, yoyo hesitate but at the end he’s drinking it up. “let’s party!” Billy said and it was really fun until I look at Stuart he is getting a lap dance from the stripper that walked up to us so I decide to get some more drink. 

“hey you have some fun?” Lyle ask me when I was done ordering my drink.

“yeah I guess its fun but I think I need more drinks to have even more fun in here”

“is it because of Stuart?” he said making me look at him with wide eyes.

“h-how did you know”

“y/n we may be nerds but we are not blind you guys are in love with each other”

“he's not in love with me believe me I’m just a another friend to him” I said looking at Stuart from afar Lyle follow my gaze and let out a small laugh

“just a friend my ass” he said before walking away I look at him with a question look before the bar men gave me my drink. It was really strong and I'm pretty light weigh so after I was done with my drink I was kind of drunk. I was dancing in a rain shower with Neha, it was fun and I forgot about Stuart for a minutes until he was behind me. I turn to look and him and was basically grinding on him and it feels like he doesn't mind at all. 

“Jesus y/n how much did you drink to dance on me like that” He let out a small laugh before putting his hands on my hips pulling me closer to him. 

“to be honest just one glass of this strong strong strong drink I don't know what it called anymore” I said to him and he laugh at me.

“gosh you are so drunk”

“I'm not drunk I'm sober as fuck and you mister shouldn't you get back to your girl” I said pulling away from him thinking about the stripper from before, Stuart gave me a question looks like he was lost.

“I don't have a girl”

“well it seems like it from before”

“you mean when I got a lap dance?” he said with a smile and I nod my head up and down like a little kid

“were you jealous?” he let out a laugh

“no you are”

“y/n you are so cute when you’re drunk” he said pulling me closer to hug me, I let myself relax for a bit in his arms before we got pulled away from each other by yoyo and Neha saying something about a fights.

“oh look there are the another nerd gang beside you gorgeous” some guy said from the another group and I cringe at him. 

“hey you shut up don’t talk to her” Stuart said before a fight start I kick some guy in there balls before we got dragged out of the club by security’s and we end up at the mountain by the Golden Gate Bridge with a beautiful view. I sat down beside Stuart. 

“did I say something stupid”

“not really but now I know why you were acting so distant in the club”

“wait what?” I said before taking my eyes of the view of the bridge. He gave me a smile before putting his arms over my shoulder pulling me to his side.

“I like you too” he said before leaning in giving me a soft kiss on my lips, I was shocked but I soon melted in the kiss and kissed him back. When we pull away he gave me a small kiss on my forehead. 

“wow that felt amazing”

“yeah you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to do that”

“so does it means that I can call you my boyfriend”

“sure if I can call you my girlfriend”

“of course it would be weird if I call you my boyfriend and you call me a friend that would be hella awkward” I said making him laugh at me. I let my head fall on his shoulder and he put his head on mine, I hear a camera click from behind us but we didn't pay attention to it because at the moment everything feels just perfect. 

“aahhhh Young love is such a beautiful sight, isn’t it nick” Billy said to nick while Nick a few more picture of us.

“yeah it is Billy yes it is” he said while patting him on his shoulder before enjoying the view like the others.

[straight-to-the-pain]

Okay but are you going to share your list of whumpy films because I seriously need some new recommendations!

Film Recommendations 

I’m sorry this has taken so long, but it turned out that I had a lot of recommendations so I needed to figure out a way to group them. I’ve decided to highlight some of my favourites and give them little descriptions, and list some other films in the same vein that you might enjoy. These are all films that I’ve watched and I haven’t included any ratings or content warnings, but those can be easily found online. Please feel free to shoot me an ask if you want to know more about any specific film! Edit: not all of these are inherently whumpy, some of them are just films that I’ve enjoyed but not for whump reasons.

-> Martial Arts 

The Raid 2: you should definitely start with the first one, but this is my favourite simply because of the very fun dynamic between the undercover cop and the known criminal and some beautiful knife content (also this is the favourite film of my notorious eye liking friend, and he would like you to watch it ;) 

The Night Comes For Us: this is basically just pure violence but it is wonderful, there’s some great murder lesbians and a garrotte yoyo and a lot of really good silat fighting (and Iko Uwais is very cute when covered in blood)

Other films you might enjoy include: Chocolate (2008), The Raid, Headshot, Ong-Bak, The Protector (2005) 

-> War

Mine: a soldier gets stuck in the desert for 52 hours after stepping on a mine, featuring dehydration, hallucinations, some shooting and a surprising amount of romance for a film with only one main character 

Saving Private Ryan: a group of soldiers try to locate one of their colleagues during the Normandy landings, features gunfights, field medicine and general scenes of war

Other films you might enjoy include: The Railway Man, Unbroken, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Dunkirk, The Book Thief, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Life is Beautiful, The Pianist, Inglourious Basterds, Hacksaw Ridge, Imitation Game

-> Sci-fi

Blade Runner: this one’s a classic but it does have some great action scenes and a wonderful aesthetic (including someone being shot in the rain in a transparent coat) and of course ‘eye world’ so I can’t not recommend it 

Other films you might enjoy include: Gattaca, The Matrix, Inception, The Martian 

-> Action 

John Wick: I’m sure most people are familiar with the franchise, but it truly has everything you could want: knives, guns, gangsters, branding, plenty of revenge, and a lead who will do anything for his wife and dog 

Reservoir Dogs: a classic about a robbery gone wrong, featuring some great torture, plenty of dramatic death sequences set to fun music and all the blood you would expect from a Tarantino film 

Other films you might enjoy include: Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Cold Light of Day, Arena, Ocean’s Eleven (2001), The Boondock Saints, Trance (2013), Acts of Violence, Mad Max: Fury Road, Baby Driver 

-> Espionage 

The Man from UNCLE: this film manages to be funny but also give us some brilliant torture at the same time, and the rivalry between the two spies who are forced to work together is brilliant, plus there’s a surprising amount of scenes where people get beaten up in bathrooms which is always an added bonus 

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: this one’s all about the intrigue and tension of finding a mole within MI6 in Cold War times, but there’s also a fair amount of threats and implied torture, sad but satisfying in a way that’s hard to explain 

Other films you might enjoy include: Red Sparrow, Kingsman, The Lives of Others, Argo, Johnny English 

-> Political Thrillers 

The Last King of Scotland: this film follows the life of a Scottish doctor who becomes the personal physician of the Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin, featuring political intrigue and some really fun torture involving being suspended from the ceiling by metal hooks 

Other films you might enjoy include: Salvador (1986), Colonia, Munich

-> Horror 

Red Dragon: the prequel to Silence of the Lambs, this film about an FBI agent searching for a serial killer obsessed with mirrors, starts with a breathtaking stabbing that I had to rewatch a couple times, and has some haunting shots as well as plenty of suspense and action 

Would You Rather: a sadistic game orchestrated by a rich man will only end when one person is left standing, and the contestants are prepared to go to brutal ends to ensure they win the prize money, has some fun gore and whipping and of course the terrible dilemma of hurting others or yourself

Hostel: this is probably the most gory film on the list, with some very graphic torture scenes, and I would say the unfortunate fate of the young travellers is almost comical, watch for the slightly slapstick gore and a fun time 

-> Others 

The Green Mile: this film follows the lives and executions of several death row inmates, including one with an exceptional gift, as well as some expected brutality from a sadistic guard 

The Princess Bride: this one is pretty lighthearted, but as the origin of my blog title, I couldn’t not mention it. With sword fighting, loyal gentlemen and even a bit of torture, this is probably the origin story of many a whump lover. 

And many more examples of whump in media can be found here, in the @whumpapedia. Please feel free to add more films or leave your suggestions in the comments, because I know I’m always on the lookout for more! 

[dawnwave16]

Not what I expected

5; 6(here); 7

Chapter 6:

It was about 10:30 pm when there was a knock on the door, it was Marinette's turn to join in on the planning session. 

Sabine was the one to answer the door and bring her in which is why she was surprised to see so many people in the room.

“Is everything alright? Maman? Did something happen?” The questions bubbled out of Marinette before she could stop them.

“Oh honey no, nothing is like that, stop panicking. I'm sure you remember talking to Matt the other day,” Sabine waited for Marinette to nod before continuing. “He apparently recognised your eyes and made the logical choice to call in your biological dad, who then decided that since his team is like an extended family to him, that they should be included.”

Marinette, while stunned that her biological father was in the room, pushed that aside to process the rest of the statement. She was unaware that everyone was able to watch her thoughts fly across her face and that they were amused by the little display she was unwittingly giving them. They were all thankful that they were profilers at that moment as they watched as she first dealt with the relief that something was going to be done about Lila only for her eyes to widen slightly at the fact that her birth father was in the room hit her.

She took a deep breath to centre herself before saying, “Can I ask who my birth father is before we carry on? I have a feeling that if I don't deal with that first my brain might keep coming back to that rather then deal with anything else?”

The team smiled at this as it was such a Reid thing to do that they knew how to handle it. It was slightly weird that it came from someone related to Hotch but it made things more familiar none the less.

“That would be me,” Hotch said with one of his slight smiles, finding some amusement in how easy she was to read for them.

“I'm glad to meet you then, um...” Marinette stumbled to a stop as she realised that she shouldn't know their names. Sure she had looked them up online so that she could contact them as Ladybug bug she hadn't done that as yet and she technically hadn't been introduced to anyone yet. A round of chuckles sounded around the room at this before they all introduced themselves. The men decided to just give the normal introduction of their name and which team they were with as were Mae and Clara, Prentiss was able to keep herself from being over the top as was JJ though it was a close call. Garcia, however, was a different story.

“OMG, you are just too cute. I'm Penelope Garcia but most just call me Penny or Garcia. I love your outfit, is it one you designed? Of course, it is, silly question! Why wouldn't you wear your own designs?”

Marinette blinked twice then spoke in a slightly dazed voice, “I'm glad I'm not the only one who word vomits when I'm excited.”

The comment did two things though both were unintentional if anyone asked. The first was that where there had been a slight tension in the room it was now gone, replaced by a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. The second was that it allowed Marinette to focus on what she deemed important again.

“Right, nice to meet you, what would you like me to call you though? I know it won't be papa because that will always be papa Tom but I think it would be rude to simply call you Hotch.”

Hotch was quiet for a moment then said, “Well how about just calling me dad, if you are comfortable with it that is.”

Marinette nodded then almost chirped her next words, “Now that that is out the way, I'm guessing Matt has filled everyone in on what I told him the other day? I know he said he wanted to confirm something with Agent Rossi so...” She trailed off slightly though the team was more than happy to take up the tail end of her thought.

Before anyone knew it it was midnight and Tom was yawning. Marinette would be staying in Jagged suite that night as there was an extra room and she was needed to help with the final prep work for his wedding so she simply said goodnight to her parents and watched as they left. The team was surprised when no sooner then the door was closed Marinette's personality turned a lot more serious.

“I know that you've been told about what has been happening in Paris, the Hawkmoth situation that is.” She stated as she turned to look at them, they nodded and she seemed to take a deep breath and gather herself before continuing. “Right, well what I'm about to tell you will possibly surprise you and I know it will be a huge risk of my part but I feel as profilers you would figure it out anyway. You see the thing is I'm Ladybug.” Marinette bit her lip as she waited for their reaction to that bombshell.

“You mean to tell me that you are the one running around, putting her life in danger for people that don't seem to appreciate it. No offence to you, kid, but I don't buy it.” Morgans voice was firm as he spoke. Hotch's temper, which had been close to the surface due to the previous topic of conversation was now at a critical point.

“I can prove it if you want?” Marinette was calm, though that changed when she saw the dark purple butterfly approaching Hotch. It was due to this that she didn't wait for a reply before calling for Tikki to transform her and no sooner then the transformation had washed over her, her yo-yo was flying towards the butterfly capturing it. The team blinked at the speed she had moved at in awe.

“Okay, now I've seen everything.” Morgan was stunned.

“What was that? One minute you were calm then you just moved.” Hotch was the one to speak this time, his anger replaced by shock. “How and why did you do that?”

Marinette release the purified butterfly from the yoyo then dropped her transformation again with a small smile.

“Sorry, I saw the Akuma heading for you and couldn't let that happen. Not only do you know my identity but I don't think you would have liked the knowledge that you were controlled.” As she spoke Tikki had floated to the table and helped herself to a couple of macaroons that had been left on the plate. Reid was watching Tikki in fascination, the rest of the team just looked like they didn't know what to think of her.

“What are you?” Reid eventually asked.

“I'm Tikki, I'm what gives Ladybug her powers when combined with her miraculous. I'm known as a Kwami and as I'm Ladybug's kwami I am the Kwami of creation.” Tikki chirped out in between her dainty bites of macaroon. Marinette just smiled at her.

“Don't forget you are part of the reason I'm still sane despite all the madness in my life.” Tikki shot Marinette a look at that which made her laugh. “Yes Tikki, I know I need to head to bed soon as I have a big day today.”

“What do you mean you have a big day today?” Hotch asked suddenly concerned again.

Marinette smiled, “I'm part of a wedding party so I need to be awake to help keep the bride calm and keep the groom from seeing her before she walks down the aisle towards him. I hope you don't mind but could we perhaps meet up again on Sunday at about 1 pm at my parents place so that we can talk about everything else that needs to be spoken about?” 

Everyone nodded as they were getting pretty sleepy, before Marinette could leave, however, Garcia piped up. “When everything started did you get a new phone and number or did you just change your number?”

“I bought a new phone and got a new number and only gave a select few the new number. I carry both with me but I very really check my old one these days. Why?”

Garcia smiled almost too sweetly and for some reason, Marinette felt that it didn't bode well when Garcia smiled like that.

“I just thought if you still had it we could sort through everything on it to see if we can use anything on it and see if we can use anything on it to help catch Lila.”

“Oh, um, sure I guess,” Marinette replied. “You'll probably find a lot of photo's of Adrien Agreste on it though. I went through a time when I had a massive crush on him, almost to the point of obsession so I had an insane collection of his photo's. We, that is Adrien and me, have spoken about it though and we decided we better off as friends for now. If you can find anything helpful on it feel free though.” As Marinette spoke she handed her old phone over to Garcia.

“Oh don't worry, if it's on there and it can be used my Baby Girl will find it,” Morgan stated confidently.

“Well aren't you the flatterer my Chocolate God” came the flirty reply. Marinette looked on in confusion.

“They not dating nor do they want to but this is just how they are,” Hotch reassured her placing a hand on her shoulder. “We'll see you on Sunday?” He asked a little less confidently.

“Barring an Akuma attach which could make me late, you will.”  Marinette smiled, then yawned.  “Come on Tikki, let's go get some sleep, we are going to need it.”  

@northernbluetongue; @moonlightstar64; @wargraymon0709; @winter-gardenflower

[nxrthmizu]

-Lordbug, Robin and Kitty Noir- Chapter Four: In Which They Did Some Ass Kicking

/Part One//Part Two//Part Three//Part Four//Part Five//Part Six//Part Seven//Part Eight//Part Nine//Part Ten//Part Eleven/

Description: Akuma, then Robin-Lordbug change, argument between Kitty and Lordbug, Lila drama

Warnings: Little curses, like in the chapter title

---

An akuma was raging downtown. It was the teacher instead of the student that time, Damian thought dryly as he rushed to the toilet with his Robin uniform in hand. 

“Damian, you need to go as Lordbug!” Tikki told him worriedly. “Or else you can’t purify-”

Slamming the toilet door close, Damian refused. “I’m not going as Lordbug. I’ll change to Lordbug later if necessary.” 

---

“Robin!” Kitty Noir breathes a sigh of relief- And tries to dissipate a faint blush- When she sees the familiar boy swoop over, dodging an attack from the akuma, a teacher fed up with Chloe’s antics. “Great to see you. Um, did you see...” Ducking another blow, Kitty Noir searched for the spotted superhero’s name in her mind. “Lordbug?” 

Robin grunted, biting his lip as the akuma barely scratched him, just nearly missing his eye, leaving a clear, red, gash down next to his mask. “No, I’m here to help you, though. He’ll swoop by later to purify the akuma.” 

Kitty Noir was obviously slightly annoyed by this, and Robin felt a pang of guiltiness at the fact that his partner didn’t like his alter ego. Well, who could, with a name as ridiculous as Lordbug (He knew that the name was a ridiculous decision)?! 

“That drat bug.” She muttered angrily under her breath as she whacked the teacher in the head, apologizing as she did. “Sorry!” Robin shot her a weird expression. 

“Why’d you apologize?” He asked, scrunching up his face in confusion as he threw another Batarang in the direction of the akuma. 

Kitty only shrugged. “Habit. I don’t hit people very often, you know.” With a laugh, she asked: “Do you?” 

Robin scoffed. “Hey, I’m not a bad guy, okay?” 

Together, they took down the akuma, with Robin distracting it while Kitty jumped in and ran off with the item- A lipstick. When she turned back, Robin was gone, and the akuma had just spotted her. 

“Ah, crap.” Kitty murmured under her breath before taking off, running away from the growling akuma. 

---

She was dead cornered. 

The akuma stepped forward menacingly, a wicked grin splattered over her dark, black lips as she crept towards Kitty Noir- Exactly like a predator would corner a prey. 

I’m not a prey. She told herself, Think. There must be a way. 

She was running out of time. If she was poisoned by the akuma, Lordbug would go help Robin, right? Robin wouldn’t be alone? 

No, Lordbug didn’t show up. He wouldn’t be reliable enough. With a determined grit, Kitty swung herself towards the akuma, kicking her in the face, extending her baton as the akuma groaned in pain, clutching at their face (Where there was a mark of her foot), getting away from her dead end. 

Robin needs me. She panted in her head, repeating the phrase. Well, he doesn’t, but he would be better off with a little help. I won’t let him fight alone. Repeating the phrase again once more for effect, she tried to ignore the gradually crescending volume of the akuma’s footsteps and cackles from behind her. Keep running. Robin. Robin.  

“Get away from her!” A familiar voice- 

Robin? 

She turned around to see someone kick the akuma in the face (Again, the poor thing), growling in anger. A yoyo whizzed past her, and she realized that no, it wasn’t Robin she was looking at, feeling a pang of disappointment hit her in the gut. 

It was Lordbug. 

---

“About time you showed up.” She grumbled, refusing to meet him in the face, and then she remembered. How could she forget? “Where's Robin?” She asked frantically. Was he okay? Was he injured? 

Lordbug coughed suspiciously before he scoffed. "I came all the way here to catch your akuma, and the first thing you say to me is 'Where's Robin?'"

Kitty Noir huffed. "Right. We could've handled everything just fine without you." The only thing he even did was kick the akuma (Once) and demanded her to Cataclysm the object before simply swinging that dratted yoyo that made that annoying noise to catch the black butterfly. "In fact, why don't you just give that... Yoyo to Robin? Then we could both handle everything, and you don't have to come all the way here to catch our akuma.”

He seemed to momentarily choke on some non-existent object, and if it was a normal person (As in, someone who wasn't Lordbug), she would show a little worry, but with Lordbug, she only scrutinized him, scoffing dryly. 

"You don't have to come next time.” She spat at him, angry. He lifted a hand to wipe a scratch off his dotted mask (When did he even get hurt, anyway? He literally just appeared two seconds ago), and if she paid attention to the act, she would've noticed that 1, there was a little faded scar of a gash- Right next to his mask, where Robin had gotten scratched- and 2, that his mask had changed from the first time they met- It had developed sharpened, curving-downwards pointers- Just like how Robin's was. 

He watched her go, turning down an alley to detransform back into his Robin uniform. "Back to school. Hopefully, angel's okay.”

---

"Dupain-Cheng!” Damian called out, catching the dark-haired girl exit the toilet. "What were you doing in the toilet! There was an akuma attack! You should've evacuated with everyone else!”

Marinette laughed nervously. "Sorry, I... Got stuck.”

"For thirty minutes?”

"And what about you? I saw you go into the toilet, too." She replied with a cocky grin. Damian blushed, unable to come up with a refutation. 

---

"Angel?” Robin knocked softly on the trapdoor leading into her room. "Angel?” He repeated a little louder this time, hoping she was in her room. When he gained no reply, he swung down to one of her windows, sighing fondly (And in relief) when he saw her engrossed in her work by her desk, earplugs stuck firmly as she nodded along to the beat. "How cute.” He murmured, Tikki nodding in agreement. 

"She is cute!” She chirped, nudging him. "Why don't you knock on the other window? It might gain her attention.” 

Robin was going to ignore the Kwami, but the urge of seeing his angel was too large. 

Tap. Tap. Tap tap. 

Marinette looked up, glancing around in confusion before she saw emerald eyes, looking straight at hers- From outside the window. Bluebell orbs brightening, she hurried over to the window, grinning as she let him in. 

"Patrol?" She asked, humming as she continued to do the work, watching him sink down next to her lounge chair out of the corner of her eye. 

"Yeah. Kitty Noir was supposed to join me tonight, but she didn't show up. Guess she was busy.” Robin shrugged. Marinette jolted, remembering with a start. Right, she had scheduled patrols with Robin!

"S-Sorry-" Wait, why was she saying sorry? He wasn't supposed to know that she was- 

Robin had caught her mistake, narrowing his eyes as he sat up, looking at her. "Why are you sorry?" 

---

Damian pondered the question circulating around his head. Why was she sorry? Tikki- Well, Tikki was frustrating herself out. Damian was in love with Marinette. Marinette was Kitty Noir, who- Obviously- Liked Damian- Robin- But Damian didn't like Kitty Noir. Not really. 

Tikki sighed. As always, there was always some sort of romantic love-square trouble between the Cat and and the Ladybug. Always. Except now, one of them had an alter, alter ego. That throws in another one to the mix. Well, she was the Kwami of luck, after all. Maybe with her around, and if she crossed her paws- Flippers- Whatever those things are, really- Maybe, the two would start unravelling their love story. 

---

"Um... Why're you here?” Marinette asked awkwardly, feeling no sort of feelings whatsoever for the boy standing in front of her. 

"To make sure you aren't late.” Damian scoffed, running through the various ways the scenario could go in his mind, frantically panicking inside as he did so. 

Marinette giggled. "Okay, let's go!” 

---

She was alone. Now was the chance, Lila thought. 

"Marinette. Can I talk to you?" She asked sweetly, smiling for effect. The girl looked at her confusedly, tucking her bag into her locker. 

"Um, yes, sure?" She smiled tightly. 

"Stay away from Alya. And Adrien. And practically everyone, if you don't want me to destroy your life.” The girl told her simply. Marinette narrowed her eyes, not quite understanding. 

"Stay away?" She questioned. 

"Is that a challenge? I'll show you just what I can do.” Before the dark-haired girl could make another comment, the lying fox and fled the room, crying. 

---

"It-It-It was Marinette!” Lila sobbed, clinging onto Alya for support as the classmates gathered sympathetically around her. "She- She- She threatened saying that if I didn't- B- B- Back off, she'd make all my friends turn against me!" 

"What?" Alya was appalled. "When?" 

"J-Just now, in the locker room.” Lila hiccupped, wiping some of her 'tears’ away. 

"That's not possible.” Damian cut in, entering the room, having overhead the conversation as he was walking in. "I just saw Marinette.” Yes, and he also just saw Lila randomly and spontaneously start crying straight after running from the room. But he couldn't just say that- He had no proof. But he would be more careful next time, and he would get proof to clear his angel innocent. 

"Y-You're saying that just to c-c-cover for her.” Lila whimpered, beginning to sniffle again. 

"What's going on?" Marinette asked, breathless as she entered the classroom. Could it be that Lila already carried out her threat...? 

"Marinette! How could you say such things to Lila!" 

"Marinette! How could you?" 

"You're too much!" 

"D-Don't blame her, guys. She-She's just jealous of me." Lila sniffled. "Marinette, if you want, you can have your seat back." 

The round of protests and harsh comments at Marinette from the class arose again, and Marinette felt claustrophobic. They were being too loud. There were too many things being said at once. She could hear bits and pieces of everything that everyone was saying, and it was killing her inside. Then she heard his voice, flowing smoothly through every other single noise in the room. 

"I've got you, angel." 

Robin?

---

"Are you okay?" He asked her softly after escorting her out of the class. Seconds after the words left his mouth, he wanted to smack his head onto a wall. What a stupid question! Of course she wasn't!

"Y-Yeah. I'm fine." She hiccupped, trying to control her breaths, embarrassed about crying in front of someone as regal as Damian. Damian, who was always composed and cool- And she'd tried to get to his level, too. She wanted to be a cool friend who wouldn't embarrass him- Because she knew he wouldn't want that. 

"No, you're not. Cry it out." 

And she did. 

If Damian was born with a certain objective- Purpose- (Besides killing people, and he wasn't allowed to do that anymore)- Then he believed that he had fulfilled it, right then and there, with her, softly crying in his arms- Because he had never felt any less out of place than right then.

(Tag list! @yin-390 @mysteriouslyswimmingfan-blo-blog @constancetruggle @the-navistar-carol @never-neverland @rayray384 @mystery-5-5 @black-streak @bluerosette23 @seraphichan @you-will-never-know-how-i-think @mikantsume @graduatedmelon @thebookwormfairy @crazylittlemunchkin @shizukiryuu @screamingtofillthevoid @serenacross200 @zestyzealot @redscarlet95 @roseinbloom02 @beautym3 @resignedcatservant @sizzling-fairy-oil @tinybrie @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry )

So this one’s a little bit short, but Chapter six is going to be a wilddddd ride, so hang on. 

[nerdypanda3126]

Late Night Hangout - Ch. 6

It's the last chapter of this fic! Thank you to those of you who were reading along!

Read on Ao3 Ch. 1 Ch. 2 Ch. 3 Ch. 4 Ch. 5

Chapter 6: La Vie En Rose

When Adrien starts towards Marinette, it reminds him of an experiment he and Nathalie did when he was a kid. A magnet and a paperclip. It seemed to him at the time that no matter how far away the paperclip was, it always zoomed back to the magnet. He was right, in a way. Marinette is his magnet. He had always been moving towards her.

She looks like a dream, with the lamplight haloing around her in the misty evening air, waiting for him.

He closes the distance without noticing, and then he’s in front of her. She gives him a small wave.

“Hi… Adrien.”

“Hi, Marinette.”

He needs to say something, he knows, but where could he possibly start? Should he crack a joke like he would as Chat? No, she already thinks he’s a flirt and that he’s never serious. Point out the obvious, maybe? ‘Hey, you’re Ladybug, that’s cool,’ but that just seems like a jerk move. He rubs the nape of his neck. He’s never not known what to say to either Ladybug or Marinette. When his arm drops, he fiddles with his ring instead. The only thing keeping him calm is that Plagg’s weight is still nestled against him in his usual spot.

Marinette shifts uncomfortably. “About…what you saw… um, that’s just my rare hairless flying cat that I got from the kingdom of Atchoo when I-”

“No, that was Ladybug’s kwami, Tikki.” His lips twitch in amusement. Really, Marinette? Did she think he hadn’t figured it out?

Plagg zooms out of Adrien’s pocket carrying the small piece of camembert that Adrien always has on him. “Secret’s out, Sugarcube, can we go now? They’re about to be all mushy and I don’t want to lose my appetite.”

Tikki peeks out of Marinette’s purse uncertainly. “Are you okay, Marinette?”

“I…yeah, I think so. You two go ahead.” The two kwamis zoom away to nestle in a nearby tree, leaving the two of them alone.

Her eyes dart to his hand, to the ring he’s worn since middle school. “So, it’s really you, then?”

“Yeah, it’s really me.”

“I’m not dreaming?”

“Funny, I thought the same thing.” He can’t help smirking. She rolls her eyes at him and relaxes. Better. “Good to know you dream about me, though. And you think I look hot in the suit. I’ll have to keep that on the back burner.” He wiggles his eyebrows at her and she shoves his shoulder and it feels like they’re on solid ground again. Or at least less shaky ground. Might as well just go for it. “I’m sorry if I upset you earlier.”

“Oh, no, you didn’t. I mean, I was upset, but it’s just that I had it in my head that – well I mean to say, I didn’t expect–”

“You didn’t expect me to be Chat Noir?” He can’t hide the disappointment in his voice. Of course. Marinette likes Adrien. Ladybug doesn’t like Chat. Must be a shock for her to realize the guy she had built up in her head is the same dork she had to turn down a million times. Maybe he should’ve quit while he was ahead. After all, did he really want to know the answer to that question?

“That’s not it.” She takes his hand in hers, squeezing it gently. Whatever had been clutching at his heart released in an instant. “I didn’t expect any of this-” she gestures between them, “to go like this.” She pauses, looking down at their linked hands and she seems to take some strength from it. She takes a deep breath before she continues. “You know, I once planned an elaborate, romantic outing for us, just so I could tell you how I felt?”

He raises his eyebrows at this. “More elaborate than a rooftop filled with roses and candles?”

Her hand slips out of his to cover her mouth. “Oh my God, Adrien. The rooftop.”

He reaches out to her again, but he pulls her into his chest so she can hide her face from him. “It’s okay, Marinette.”

“No, but I-”

“I said, it’s okay.” He rubs her back.

She nuzzles against him, then wraps her arms around his waist. A silence falls between them, but it’s comfortable. He thinks back on every time he fell a little more for Ladybug, and each time he fell harder for Marinette. They’ve always been intertwined in his heart, and he struggled for so long with the guilt of loving them both. If Marinette had only confessed sooner. He had been waiting for a sign, for her to make that move and tell him she wanted more. He never gave up on either of them. And now here she is, the woman with his entire heart, in his arms at last. He kisses the top of her head.

“You know, this is easier without the bell,” she mumbles.

He snorts. That’s where her mind went? “Oh, come on, what is it with you and my bell? Seriously, what do you have against it?”

“It jingles constantly-”

“All the better so you know where I am during a fight.” He feels her face scrunch against him. She pulls away so she can argue with him better.

“When I hug you it gets tangled in my hair.”

“Okay, that’s a fair point. But, counterpoint, it is cute.”

“I guess I can’t argue with that,” she says.

“Huh, what was that?”

“I said it’s cute, okay?”

“No, no, you said-”

“Fine. I said I can’t argue with you.”

“I’m sorry, can you just repeat that one more time, I just want to get this on record,” his hand travels to his pocket, pretending to go for his phone. She shoves him away playfully.

“Oh, shut up already.” She realizes her mistake a moment too late. He pauses, letting it sink in.

“Make me.” He smirks at her, narrowing his eyes in his most classic Chat expression. “I dare you.”

Her jaw sets in the way he’s very familiar with. She’s up to this challenge. With bright red cheeks, she grabs the collar of his overshirt with both hands, pulling him down to her. For a moment, their faces are less than a half inch away from each other, but they’re both too stunned to close the distance.

Behind him, Adrien hears the front door slam open.

“Yeah, get it girl!” Alya. Adrien can’t help but smile. Impeccable timing, as always. Marinette is like a deer caught in the headlights.

“Don’t mind her,” Nino says, loudly enough for it to carry across to them. Adrien hears a light scuffle behind him.

“But what about the ship!”

“Babe, if you want the ship to sail, you need to go back inside.”

“But-” The door slams shut again. Thank you, Nino. He leans his forehead against Marinette’s, which seems to bring her back to herself.

“How about a do-over?” He murmurs. She still has his collar in her fists.

“A do-over?”

“Yes. You, me, dinner, roof-top style?”

She hesitates, her hands softening to lay on his shoulders instead. “As us or as superheroes?”

“Whichever, although it might be hard to get to our rooftop without your yoyo.”

She nods thoughtfully, meeting his eyes. They’re so close. All he would have to do is lean a little farther forward and their lips would meet. But he was hers to take. She’s always called the shots, anyways. She slides one of her hands down from his shoulder, her fingers lingering in the hollow between his collarbones, right where his bell sits. A devilish grin spreads across her face.

“So I guess you’ll be there with bells on?”

Oh, that was a good one. His lips twitch and he barely avoids smiling before he fixes his face into a pout. She’s giggling at her own joke, which is impossibly cute. When she catches the look on his face, her giggles turn into abandoned laughter. That was the effect he was going for. Her laughter is contagious, always has been, and he drops his act to join in.

Eventually their laughter dies down. She meets his eyes, and yes, they’ve always been that blue, the color of a summer sky, he’s just never let himself see it before. She slides her hands up over his chest. Her fingers find the nape of his neck and start to curl into his hair. There’s an electricity that thrums between them. Something different from anything he’s ever felt. He has to close his eyes at the intensity of it, and his fingers curl into the fabric of her shirt. Her breath catches. Hesitantly, he leans down, hoping against hope that she’ll come up to meet him.

He feels her hips shift when she goes up on her toes. She meets his lips softly at first, shyly, a light brush of his skin. He circles the small of her back with his arms, supporting her and pulling her closer all at once. He presses his lips more firmly on hers, and her hand tangles into his hair. They deepen the kiss together, falling into it as easy as breathing.

When he starts to feel lightheaded, he pulls away as little as he can, his top lip still brushing against hers. He can feel that he’s smiling, but he can’t seem to stop. When he opens his eyes, she’s smiling at him, too.

She starts to lower herself back down, but he’s not ready to let her go at all. So instead he lifts her entirely off the ground and spins her around. She squeals, clinging to his neck tighter and hiding her face in his shoulder.

He sets her back on her feet reluctantly, her squeals of delight echoing in his mind.

“I guess we’d better get back inside?” He asks. Please say no, please say we can stay out here all night.

She glances at the front door and sighs. “Yeah, they’re probably wondering what happened to us.”

“Or Alya’s been filming from the window this entire time.”

“You know, I wouldn’t put it past her.” Marinette touches her lips lightly. “But I hope she sends it to me if she was.”

“Me, too.” They pause together again, then Marinette flicks his nose.

“Race you back inside, Kitty?”

“Right behind you, Milady.”

[purrincess-chat]

Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s Spite Playlist: Remix CH24

It’s here!!! I’m so excited to share it with you all. What was Marinette shouting about at the end of last chapter? Is Lisette going to get akumatized? Will Eliott? Find out below ;)

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Chapter 24: Dancing With Our Hands Tied

Marinette grabbed Lisette by the wrist and tugged her to the ground, narrowly dodging a blue beam of light. A large robot with an old computer for a head towered over the buildings, absorbing passing cars and bystanders. It scanned the movie theater, and the whole building vanished in a flash.

“Upload!”

“What is that thing?” Lisette gasped.

“Lisette!” Eliott raced to her side. “Lisette, are you okay?”

Her cheeks flushed pinker than her dress as Eliott looked her over.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” she said.

Adrien pulled Marinette in for a tight hug. “Nothing broken?”

“I’m fine.” Marinette assured him, leaning against his chest. There was no time to savor how good he smelled, even if Marinette wanted to. “We need to get out of here.”

“Marinette’s right, we shouldn’t stay here,” Macy said.

Eliott took Lisette’s hand, and their group darted up the street. Hawkmoth’s latest creation shot blue beams left and right, absorbing everything in its wake. Marinette needed to break away from the group, but Adrien’s tight grip on her hand told her she wasn’t getting away any time soon.

“Ah!” Lisette tripped on the pavement and stumbled forward, her cute white shoes clearly not made for running.

“Lisette!” Eliott stooped to help her up.

“Upload!” The akuma took aim, charging another beam.

In one swift motion, Eliott swapped places with Lisette, taking the hit. He vanished in a flash, the akuma absorbing him into its mainframe.

“Eliott!” Macy cried.

“No.” Lisette’s eyes watered.

“Macy…” Martin eyed the akuma as it charged another beam. “Move!”

He wasn’t quick enough, and the akuma took them both. Marinette’s jaw clenched. No one else was getting uploaded on her watch.

“We have to move.” She pulled Lisette to her feet.

“This way!” Adrien instructed, taking the lead.

They rounded the corner and started up the next block. Marinette drilled excuses to get away in her head, but to her relief, Adrien stopped at the end of the street where the road forked.

“We should split up. The akuma will have a harder time uploading us if we aren’t grouped together,” he said.

“Good idea.” Marinette added.

“But what about the others? Shouldn’t we do something?” Lisette’s eyebrows furrowed.

“There’s nothing we can do. We just have to wait for Ladybug and Chat Noir to defeat the akuma and bring them back,” Adrien said. “The best we can do is not get captured ourselves.”

Marinette placed a hand on Lisette’s shoulder. “I know it’s hard to run away, but Ladybug will bring Eliott back. I promise.”

Lisette searched her expression with a frown and nodded, pointing to the road straight ahead. “I’ll go this way. Be careful, you two.”

As she took off, Adrien pulled Marinette into his arms, leaning his head against hers and squeezing her shoulders.

“I don’t want to leave you,” he murmured.

Marinette wrapped her arms around him, nuzzling into his neck. She clung to his waist, breathing him in for one blissful, selfish moment. It wasn’t fair. When akumas attacked, everyone else got to hold their loved ones close until it was over. Why was she the only one who had to let go?

She pulled away and smiled up at Adrien. “See you when everything goes back to normal.”

Adrien kissed her forehead, brushing her cheek with his thumb. They turned their backs and ran in opposite directions up the street. Marinette’s face still tingled from his touch as her suit materialized. Her heart longed for the boy running away from her, but she couldn’t listen to it now. Paris needed Ladybug, and a good hero always listened to her head. She swallowed the ache, steeling her focus. There would be plenty of time for snuggling after they defeated Hawkmoth, and she had a fist or two with his name on it for all of these interruptions.

The akuma had made its way up the block by the time Ladybug looped around. André the ice cream man cowered behind his cart as the akuma closed in. Hooking her yoyo between light poles, Ladybug tugged her net tight as the akuma raised a leg to step. The threads of her yoyo tangled its feet, and it stumbled forward onto the concrete with a loud thud.

Civilians ran for cover while it was down, and Ladybug waved André on. He bowed gratefully before scurrying off with the rest of the bystanders.

“Aww, what a shame. I was hoping for a scoop of mint chocolate chip before we got started,” Chat Noir called from his perch atop the lamppost.

“We’ll just have to treat ourselves afterward,” Ladybug replied.

“Down, Ladybug. This cat’s got a date with another lady. You had your chance.” He winked, and Ladybug stifled a laugh.

“I’m just happy you’re not calling me m’lady anymore, though I do feel sorry for the poor girl that has to listen to you run your mouth,” she said.

“Joke’s on you. She loves when I mess around. She’s perfect,” Chat Noir said with a dreamy sigh.

“Just be sure she gets her brain scanned before your next date.” Ladybug giggled.

“Ha-ha.” He rolled his eyes, flicking his tail.

“Come on, kitty. Let’s make this battle quick. We don’t want to keep your dream girl waiting.” Not to mention, she was eager to get back to Adrien herself.

The robot rose to its feet, scanning the media van at the end of the block.

“Upgrade!” Its aura glowed, electricity sparking down its limbs. The clunky gray casing morphed into a thinner black model, reminding Ladybug of the computer her parents had when she was little.

“Something tells me that’s not good,” Chat Noir said.

Ladybug charged in again, brandishing her yoyo. She and Chat Noir took turns striking the monitor, but none of their blows seemed to deal much damage. Ladybug searched the mech high and low for an object where the akuma could be hiding, but everything was so streamlined.

“Any ideas on where the akuma is hiding?” Chat Noir asked when they landed to take a breath.

“I don’t think it’s on the outside. If only we could get inside…”

They dodged a sweeping arm. Ladybug tossed her yoyo, but the akuma caught it in one clawed hand. It swung her around, crashing her into Chat Noir and flinging them both across the city. They handed in a pile on a deserted street, their weapons clanking on the concrete beside them.

“It’s assimilating newer technology and increasing its power. I have a sneaking suspicion the akumatized person is inside the mech suit, probably with the object where the akuma is,” Ladybug said.

“Well, if you’ve got any ideas, I’m all ears. This Technobot is interrupting a very important date,” Chat Noir said.

Ladybug tapped her chin, palming her yoyo.

“Lucky Charm!” She caught the teacup as it materialized and turned it over in her hands.

“I don’t think now’s the best time for tea.” Chat Noir teased.

Ladybug hummed, studying the cup, and shook her head. “I need to go to Master Fu. We’re going to need some help for this battle.”

“What should I do in the meantime?”

“Give our little Technobot the runaround, and try not to get uploaded.” Ladybug instructed. “I’ll be back as fast as I can.”

Ladybug shot off toward Master Fu’s street, letting her transformation drop behind a parked car. Her footsteps pounded up the stairs to his flat, where her old mentor was drinking tea.

“Master, I need to borrow a Miraculous!”

Master Fu set his cup down and retrieved the Miracle Box from its hiding place. Small drawers opened on all sides, and Marinette pursed her lips. Malin’s illusions wouldn’t do them any good against a computer. Queen Bee’s venom might help, but she wasn’t sure where the akuma was hiding yet. The turtle might stop them from being uploaded temporarily, but it wouldn’t solve their problem. Plus, she didn’t know who to replace Carapace with yet. Today was Gabrielle’s day off, so Ladybug would be hard-pressed to get her to agree to be Tigress again. She needed something new. Something that could get past Technobot’s defenses and get inside. Something like…

“Good luck,” Master Fu said when she reached for the mouse.

“I’ll bring it back when I’m done.” Marinette winked before trotting off.

All of her friends had been uploaded by Technobot—all but one, and Ladybug had a feeling she’d be more than willing to help.

Lisette was sitting on the edge of the Seine when Ladybug found her. Her blonde buns bounced as she glanced up, brown eyes clouded with worry.

“Ladybug! Have you defeated the akuma yet?” she asked hopefully.

“Not yet,” Ladybug said, and Lisette deflated. “I need your help.”

“Me?” Lisette tilted her head to the side. “Why me?”

“Well, I heard that the akuma took someone important to you. How would you like to help me get him back?” Ladybug offered her hand.

“I dunno, Ladybug. I don’t think I’m cut-out to be a superhero.” Lisette lowered her gaze to her lap. “I can barely even get the boy I like to look at me.”

“He sacrificed himself to save you. I think he looks at you more than you know,” Ladybug said. “Trust me.”

Lisette searched her expression, taking a deep breath. “Okay. What do you need me to do?” Her eyes widened when Ladybug held out the small box.

“Lisette Auclair, this is the Miraculous of the mouse which grants you the power to multiply. You will use it for the greater good and return it to me once the mission is complete. Can I count on you?”

With a hesitant hand, Lisette took the box, wincing against the bright light as she opened it. She recoiled with a squeal when Mullo manifested, but Ladybug held up cautioning hands.

“It’s alright. This is your kwami, Mullo. He gives you your powers,” Ladybug assured her.

“To transform, just say, ‘Mullo, transform me!’ Your powers will let you shrink and multiply for a short period of time. All you have to say is, ‘Multitude!’” Mullo explained.

Lisette fastened the necklace around her neck and nodded.

“Mullo, transform me!”

When her transformation finished, Lisette examined her pink and grey suit with curious eyes. Ladybug beckoned her on.

“Come on. Let’s go save your friends,” she said.

Ladybug led the way through the rooftops, Lisette hot on her heels. Technobot had looped his way to the news station when they caught up to it. Chat Noir smiled as they touched down beside him.

“You sure kept him busy.” Ladybug commended.

“He’s heading for the news station. If he absorbs it, he will be even more powerful,” Chat Noir said. “What’s the plan?”

“We haven’t been able to spot the akuma object, which tells me it must be inside the casing like the hard-drive of a computer,” Ladybug said. “If we can get someone inside to take care of it, we can take it down.”

“I assume that’s where our little friend comes in.” Chat Noir winked at Lisette. “Hi, I’m Chat Noir.”

“Yeah, I know who you are,” Lisette said with a smile. “You can call me…Souris Rose.”

“Chat Noir, extend your staff between the buildings. Souris and I will try to trip him up like we did earlier. That should distract him long enough for Souris to slip inside and destroy the object where the akuma is hiding,” Ladybug said. “Whatever you do, don’t let him reach the news station.”

“Got it.” Her partners nodded.

Chat Noir charged ahead, dodging blasts. He planted his staff as directed, and Ladybug looped her yoyo around its arms. Souris swooped down, kicking him in the back, and Technobot stumbled forward, tripping over Chat Noir’s baton—a few meters shy of the news station.

“Yes!” Ladybug cheered.

“Upload!” It extended an arm and absorbed the news station in a blue beam.

Souris Rose and Chat Noir flanked Ladybug as Technobot rose to its feet. The dated black casing morphed into a sleeker design, and Technobot moved quicker with the lighter weight.

“I think we need a new plan,” Chat Noir said.

“Lucky Charm!” Ladybug summoned a can of soda, mask furrowing as she caught it.

“I know it’s a long trek to Master Fu’s, but I don’t think now is the time to rehydrate.” Chat Noir placed his hands on his hips.

Ladybug glanced between Technobot, the soda can, Souris Rose, and Chat Noir, then nodded.

“Got it.”

“Really?” Souris Rose blinked.

“I don’t question it at this point.” Chat Noir shrugged.

“Have you ever spilled soda on your keyboard?” Ladybug asked, handing the can to Souris Rose. “I need you to get inside that casing. Chat Noir and I will do what we can to distract him, so he doesn’t upload you. This should short-circuit his system long enough for Chat Noir to use his Cataclysm.” She placed a hand on Souris’s shoulder. “I know you can do it. Think about all the people you want to save.”

Souris pressed her lips together and nodded. Unwrapping her jump rope from around her waist, she issued the command, “Multitude!”

Ladybug scooped up her tiny copies and set them on her shoulder, readying her yoyo. She and Chat Noir charged in, hitting Technobot with their weapons. Souris Rose and her doppelgängers leaped from Ladybug’s shoulder onto the robot, crawling between the seams in the casing. Chat Noir and Ladybug took turns taking swings, keeping the akumas attention until smoke billowed and the monitor sparked.

“Cataclysm!” Chat Noir rushed in, scraping his claws down the body.

The mech rusted and crumbled to a pile of ash, and the operator fell to the ground. A small hard-drive stumbled from his lap, and Ladybug stomped it under her foot. A black butterfly fluttered from the rubble, and Ladybug readied her yoyo.

“No more evil-doing for you, little akuma.”

Tiny copies gathered together, reverting Souris Rose back to her original size. The three heroes touched their fists together, and Ladybug tossed the empty soda can into the air.

“Miraculous Ladybug!”

Chat Noir readied his staff, giving a two-finger salute. “Well, I’ve got a lady in waiting, so I’ll see you next time, LB.”

“Send her my condolences.” Ladybug waved as he shot off, turning to Souris Rose. “Right, let’s get you back to your lucky boy.”

Martin, Macy, and Eliott were back by the movie theater when they arrived. Eliott pushed to the front of their group when Ladybug and Souris Rose touched down.

“Ladybug! Have you seen Lisette? She’s about this tall, light blonde hair, the most beautiful warm brown eyes—I got zapped by the akuma, and now she’s missing, and I-”

“Your friend is safe.” Ladybug assured him, casting a sly grin in Souris’s direction. Her cheeks were pinker than the accents on her suit. “Tell you what. We’ll find her and tell her to meet you at the Trocadero. How does that sound?”

Eliott opened his mouth to protest, but Macy draped an arm over his shoulders.

“He’ll be there,” she said.

Souris Rose turned to follow Ladybug, but Eliott caught her wrist.

“Wait! I messed up earlier and let my nerves get the best of me. When you see Lisette, can you tell her I’m sorry?” he asked.

Souris Rose eyed him, a small smile curling on her lips. “I think it would mean more to her to hear it from you.”

“I guess…” He flicked his gaze to her necklace when it flashed. “Looks like you need to go.”

Eliott stepped back, but Souris remained in place, lips pursed.

“Between you and me, most girls will forgive anything if you buy them ice cream. If she really likes you, then I’m sure she’ll understand,” she said.

“Thanks, uh, Mouse…”

“Call me Souris Rose.” She corrected. “Good luck with your date.”

Ladybug wrapped an arm around Souris’s shoulders, tugging the slack on her yoyo, and the two heroines shot off into the rooftops.

♪♫♪ The Only Exception ♪♫♪

“Lisette!”

Taking a deep breath, Lisette turned over her shoulder as Eliott descended the stairs two at a time. Brown eyes clouded with worry, he pulled her into a crushing hug. Her heart fluttered, and she nuzzled against his shoulder, cheeks warm.

“I was worried something happened to you when the akuma attacked.” He pulled away and looked her over. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” she said. “Ladybug and Chat Noir took care of everything. I was actually worried about you because you got uploaded by that monster.”

“Lisette…” Eliott pressed his lips together. “I’m sorry for how I acted earlier. I’m just not used to this, and it freaks me out.”

“Oh.”

“Not like that!” He waved his hands frantically. “I’ve just never felt this way, and it’s all new and scary and exciting. I lost my cool earlier, but only because I really like you.”

Lisette stretched up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “I like you too.”

Eliott touched the spot tenderly, a smile warming his face. “Let’s start over. We can go find André and get some ice cream if you want.”

Lisette bit back a smile, linking her arm through his and leaning her head against his shoulder.

“I do.”

♪♫♪ Lover ♪♫♪

“Aww, they’re so cute!” Macy squealed.

Martin, Macy, and Marinette had gathered to watch Eliott behind a column. Macy bounced excitedly as their friends headed up the steps together.

“Today was a success.” She declared.

A hand slipped into Marinette’s and tugged her away. Blond hair filled her vision, heart fluttering in her chest. When they were safely away from Martin and Macy, Adrien pulled her into his arms. How was it possible for anyone to smell this good? Hopefully, he didn’t notice how aggressively she was inhaling.

Behind them, a silver town car rolled up to the curb and honked its horn. Adrien’s grip tightened, shoulders heaving with a sigh.

“We keep getting separated today.” He remarked, touching his forehead to hers. “I always wish we had just a little more time together.”

“Me too,” Marinette said. She closed her eyes, gripping his hands tightly. “Let’s do something together soon. Just the two of us.”

“We still have to celebrate your designs for Clara. Don’t think I’ve forgotten, mon ange.” He winked. The car behind them honked again, and Adrien sighed. “Though with how busy my schedule stays, I’m probably going to be a terrible boyfriend.”

Marinette’s heart skipped. “It’s fay- okay! Fine. It’s fine.” She shook her head. “I’ll take any chance I can to see you, no matter how brief.”

Adrien leaned down with a smile, pressing his lips to her cheek. “Then I’ll see you as soon as I can, mon ange. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

She touched her cheek as he climbed into his town car, watching it pull away with a dreamy sigh. Her boyfriend Adrien. Her boyfriend Adrien! It was finally happening!

“Hey, Marinette!” Macy called from the top of the stairs. “We’re gonna go get some ice cream, you wanna come?”

Marinette turned, glancing over Macy’s shoulder at Martin. A smile curled on her lips, and she shook her head.

“Nah, I’m gonna head home. You two go together,” she said.

Martin’s cheeks flushed, and Macy sighed.

“Alright, suit yourself.” She turned and linked an arm through Martin’s, calling over her shoulder, “Congrats, by the way!”

Marinette giggled, skipping to the subway entrance. Her boyfriend Adrien. She liked the sound of that.

 ------------------------

You can see Souris Rose here!

[seasonofthegeek]

Sea Kitten, Part 2

This drabble is dedicated to @mommas-wombats to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY  month. You requested a Ladynoir kwami swap so I dug this universe up to create a part 2. I hope your August is full of wonderful things!

Parts 1, 2:

“I like the new hair, Sea Kitten.” Luckbug dodged a power blast from the latest akuma and sent a charming grin her way. “It’s making me all weak in the wings.”

“You don’t even have wings,” she shot back but couldn’t ignore the rush of heat that went to her face. “And I told you not to call me that.”

She wondered if he’d noticed the other changes she’d had Plagg help her make to her costume. They hadn’t had much of a chance to see each other before jumping right into the battle.

She took a moment to watch him use his yoyo to lure the akuma into the trap they’d set and realized he made changes to his suit as well. Large blocks of black intersected the red spotted areas and sturdy boots covered his feet. There was also what she could only think of as a utility belt slung around his waist. She couldn’t imagine what he needed all the compartments and attachments for but she would be sure to ask him. 

The trap sprung and Jynx called up Cataclysm and leapt into action to destroy the akumatized object. It felt like it was all over as quickly as it had begun and then Luckbuck was sauntering over to her, obviously fully expecting her to comment on his new look.

Jynx narrowed her eyes. It was very tempting to pretend as if she didn’t notice anything different only to discourage his ego stroking but she wanted him to notice her changes just as much so she let an easy smirk slide into space.  “What in the world do you need that belt for?”

He grinned and attached his yoyo back in place on the belt and then patted the compartment resting above his left hip. “First aid kit.” He moved to the next one. “Phone, in case something happens to my yoyo or if I need to make a call as, well, not spotted me.” He grinned at her before he continued his show and tell. “Snacks and....snacks.”

“You have two pockets of snacks on your utility belt?”

“I get hungry,” he replied sheepishly. “But I’m happy to share.”

“You can just admit you didn’t know what else to put in there.”

Luckbug laughed and it was a happy sound. “Stop acting like you know me so well, Kitten. Now let me see what you’ve changed.” He walked a slow circle around her and whistled. “The skirt is a cute addition and I love the hair.”

Jynx preened and moved her hips a little so the lightweight skirt would flutter with the movement. “It can come off easily to turn into a sling or carrier. I thought it would come in handy when we have small kids to get to safety like the other week when that building was collapsing.” She did a spin and couldn’t stop the giggle the bubbled out as her tail wrapped around her legs. “And you’re right, it’s really cute.”

He smiled fondly at her. “And the hair?”

“Easier to have it short than pulled back all the time.” She rubbed her gloved hand along the close cut. “But I didn’t have to make a big commitment. It grows back out when I transform back. I made Plagg agree to that if I fed him more afterwards.”

“Wait, really?”

“Mmhmm. Also works well with keeping my identity a secret.”

“Maybe I should look into that.”

Feeling brave, she reached up to brush his blonde hair back from his eyes. “I think I might miss your hair a little bit. I like it like this.” Her breath hitched in her throat when she saw the look in his eyes and she swallowed thickly and stepped back. “But you should do whatever you want.”

Luckbug closed the distance between them until she could feel his breath warm on her face. “I think that maybe I’ll keep it since you like it.”

“Okay,” she whispered. “Whatever you want.”

They stared into each other’s eyes and knew exactly what was about to happen when loud beeps rang out from both their Miraculous. They parted with flustered apologies and said their goodbyes, each going in different directions. 

By the time Jynx made it back home, she could feel her face burning and her heart pounding but she couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she did one last twirl in front of her mirror before dropping her transformation.

Buy me a cherry coke?

[128andfalling]

Not Easily Forgotten 2

Mutual Pining

Post-Oblivio Fic (part 3 in the works!)

@melyxan @coccinellegirl @bratayleysdraw @bowser14456 @miiiraculous @writerzblock12 @7701deathlyhalfbloodprincess Thanks for your comments/encouragements on the first chapter!!

And a big thanks to @baelfyre1053 who’s awesome!

Part 1       Ao3

Adrien didn’t need photoshop to be up in the clouds. All weekend, he practically floated to each of his scheduled activities. Marinette was Ladybug, and his world had never seemed brighter. He hadn’t seen Marinette since leaving school on Friday, though. Adrien had started a few texts to her, but was at a loss of what to say. What if he was the only one that remembered? Of course, it would be his luck for that to happen. But it would be the sweetest of torture. At least, he knew his lady’s name.

Arriving at school Monday morning, Adrien wasn’t sure what to expect. He wanted to be as normal as possible since he didn’t know if Marinette knew. Plagg had teased him for practicing greetings in the mirror earlier, and he was suddenly feeling very nervous to see a certain classmate.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the car. Nino waved at him from the steps. I can do this. Just act natural. Cool cat. Adrien greeted his best friend with a fist bump and joined the conversation he was having with Max about the new Ultimate Mecha Strike IV: his lady’s favorite game. Adrien felt himself start to blush.  Cool cat! COOL CAT!

“I’m going to go to my locker!” Adrien barely announced before bolting off. This was going to be harder than he thought.  

After retrieving his books, Adrien settled on waiting in the classroom. Being in the courtyard proved to be too overwhelming as he constantly scanned all the students for a pair of pigtails. Marinette typically arrived with only a few seconds to spare, and even though there were a few minutes left until class began, he couldn’t help but look each time someone entered.

Adrien jumped at the sound of Nino’s voice. “Dude, are you okay?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Adrien offered a sheepish smile. “Yeah, sorry. Just worried about an upcoming fencing tournament.”

“You’re the best fencer in the league, though! You got nothing to worry about.”

“Thanks, Nino.” Trying to relax, Adrien focused on talking to Nino about their weekends until Ms. Bustier called the class to attention.

As predicted, Marinette entered the classroom without a moment to spare. Adrien’s heart thudded in his chest, but he kept his eyes on their teacher despite the temptation to let his eyes follow her. As Marinette slid into her seat, Adrien thanked the stars that she wasn’t in front of him, else he would never be able to focus.

Behind him, however, Marinette worried her bottom lip as she stared at the mop of blond hair. He hadn’t even acknowledged her when she came in. If he remembered, he would have at least looked at her, right?

Going into the courtyard for lunch, Marinette tried to conceal her disappointment. When she had tried to talk to Adrien in between periods, he treated her as he always had: just a friend. He barely responded to her before taking up a new topic with Nino.

Picking up on her friend’s mood, Alya nudged Marinette. “Hey, do you want to go to the park after school? I heard that someone was going to be making balloon animals today.”

“That sounds fun! As long as we aren’t out too late. I have to work on that history report tonight.”

“Oh, yeah. Me too. I am not looking forward to that,” Alya sighed. They were almost to their favorite bench when a loud voice bellowed above them.

“I am Recyclops, and I will take revenge on behalf of the earth!” The akuma shot a recycle sign at a table causing it to grow vines and come to life. Students screamed as the table began chasing them. Marinette reached out to grab her best friend only to have her hand pass through empty space. Alya was already running closer to the akuma with her phone held out in front of her.

Marinette scanned the area for a safe place to transform, but was tackled to the ground before she could even take a step. A trash can behind her began to sprout leaves. Before Marinette could recover, Adrien was pulling her to her feet and guiding them to an empty classroom.

Once inside, Adrien braced his back against the door, breathing heavily. “That was close. Go find a hiding spot. I’ll chill here and make sure nothing gets in.” The door budged as something hit it from outside.

Marinette hesitated, not wanting to leave him. “There must be something—”

“No. There’s no time. Go!” Adrien urged.

She nodded and moved towards a back door, stealing one last glance at the boy over her shoulder. He’s Chat Noir. He’ll be fine. This would be so much easier if he remembered, though.

Marinette checked that the hallway was clear before transforming into Ladybug and making her way back outside. Landing on the roof of the school, she surveyed the situation. Recyclops must have moved to a new target, but a small, lively forest remained, terrorizing the school grounds. Below her, Chat batted vines away from some students that weren’t quick enough to escape.

Ladybug landed behind her partner. “M’lady,” Chat Noir greeted, “What’s a flower like you doing among thorns like this?”

“Focus, Chat,” she chided, grabbing hold of the students and guiding them towards a nearby open door. Ladybug recognized it as the classroom Adrien had pulled her into only a few minutes ago. He must have transformed as soon as she left and joined the fight while she made her way out through the back.  

Closing the door behind the students, Ladybug turned around just in time to see a leafy vine wrap around her partner—who had been distracted trying to glimpse her reaction to the room they had just been in—and pull him into the canopy.

Hanging upside down, Chat Noir offered her a guilty smile as he swayed.

“Now’s not the time to have to rescue kittens from trees!” Ladybug called as her yoyo collided with the vine and freed him.

“Trunk you for the rescue.” The heroine rolled her eyes. “Let’s stop beating around the bush and get to the root of the problem. He went West.”

Instead of responding, Ladybug jumped to the roof. The akuma had already transformed most of Paris into a giant hedge maze, the streets barely visible below. Finding Recyclops was going to be difficult.

Chat’s tail flicked as he crouched next to her overlooking the city. “Well, I’m stumped. What’s the plan, m’lady?”

“Stay out of the maze and stick together. We need to lure him out without being caught in a trap ourselves.” Ladybug caught Chat’s smirk at her unintentional pun before setting her eyes back on the horizon. A plastic bag drifted through the wind only to be plucked out of the sky by a vine. “I think I have plan. But we are going to have to do some recycling.”

Ladybug had had a lot of strange plans, but none quite as strange as turning Chat Noir into a giant piece of garbage. Her partner was covered in plastic water bottles that she had borrowed from the school’s recycle bin.

“Why do I always have to be the bait?” the cat whined.

“Because you’re cute and sappy. It’s the perfect combination.” Ladybug tried to conceal her smug expression as Chat Noir’s face reddened. She waited for a response, but her partner was still blushing and avoiding her gaze. Ladybug pursed her lips. How am I supposed to flirt with a guy who doesn’t think I’m interested even though he thought I was his girlfriend 3 days ago and just forgot?

“Let’s leaf.” Ladybug resisted the urge to slap a hand over her face. This is where she was at now. Making puns. She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts. Akuma. Focus on the akuma.

Next to her, Chat Noir was trying and failing to steady his heart beat. Be. A. Cool. Cat. Coooool.

The pair set of across the rooftops, careful to avoid any creeping stems until they reached the Eiffel Tower. Ladybug shivered at the unsettling silence. Most akumas could be located through their taunts to the heros. Recyclops, however, was choosing to hide in the shadows. The pair exchanged a nod before Ladybug swung up to the rafters to wait. Chat Noir clanked his baton against the rails as he dropped a an extra bottle on the ground. Just as Ladybug suspected, vines started creeping up and leaves began to rustle.

“Now, I don’t mean to bark up the wrong tree, but why do you care so much about a piece of plastic?” Chat smashed one of the vines trying to wrap around his ankle.

A recycle symbol hit the plastic bottle that Chat Noir had dropped, turning it into a flower.

“Nice to see you branching out,” the hero said as Recyclops emerged. “Let me guess, you want to harvest my miraculous?”

“You have no respect for the planet!” the akuma called floating above Chat Noir. “I speak for the Earth who has no voice. Humans are bad for the environment, and I plan to show them the errors of their ways.”

Ladybug studied their opponent as the duo below her engaged. Recyclops’ yellow boots and gloves were an eye sore against the rest of his blue and green suit, but nothing stood out as a potential akumatized item. The only option was his blue helmet which covered his eyes and featured a white recycling symbol.

“I can be a little rough around the hedges, but I think you’d like me if you got to know me.” Chat leaned on his batton, sending the akuma a playful wink.

“I wish I could recycle your jokes!” Recyclops yelled, hurling a stick at him.

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you don’t have a good sense of humor to begin with.”

At that, the akuma sent all sorts of plants towards Chat Noir. Ladybug swooped down, knocking her partner off his feet and barely dodging the torrent of thorns.

She smiled down at him and said, “You know, I never heard you say timber when you fell for me.”

Chat remained sprawled on the floor as she got up to ward off Recyclops. This is it, he thought. I’ve died and gone to heaven.

Despite her distracted partner, it wasn’t long before Ladybug had Recyclops tangled in his own vines and she was cleansing the unwelcomed bug.

“Pound it,” the heroes exchanged their signature fist bump.

“Recycling is really important,” Ladybug said, helping the akuma victim to his feet, “I’ll talk to Mayor Bourgeois about opening more recycling centers around Paris.”

“It’s never too late to turn over a new leaf,” Chat piped in. The heroine rolled her eyes as her partner failed to contain his smug grin.

“Well, bug out!” Ladybug removed her yoyo to return to her civilian life but was stopped by a hand on her arm.

“Ma- Lady,” Chat Noir froze, forgetting what he wanted to say after almost saying her name. Her eyes locked with his, and he could feel himself losing his footing in a sea of blue. He longed to kiss her, but knew that he had to wait until he heard his name from her lips once again. In attempt to satisfy the urge, he swooped down and pressed a kiss to her hand instead.

The world around them stopped. Ladybug didn’t withdraw hand like usual, and Chat Noir was still at a loss of what to say or do. His fingers ached to interlace with hers, but he could hardly move, let alone breathe as he gazed at her.

Think! Adrien’s brain screamed. Say something! Say anything!

“You, uh… You look really pretty today.” Dumbass, she looks pretty everyday!

“Thanks!” Ladybug squeaked, a tint of pink seeping out from underneath her mask.

The boy continued to stare at her unable to function and still holding her hand.

“I-got-to-go-now-bye!” Chat Noir barely caught her string of words before she turned and left. He watched her disappear in the distance, his fingers tingling where hers had just been.

[akria23]

Note: Part 2 of my all gay rec list...I really should do a girlxgirl one...there needs to be more stories truly. anyway....I accidentally deleted this whole damn thing and had to type not up again so thats why it took so long I was highly pressed. I almost said fuck it cause most of ya’ll gonna swipe past it anyway but I also like to keep my word so...not as good as when I first did it but here all the same. 

Crashing: one of those stories that are best when you're in need of something quirky and funny. Fred is tall nerdy and the responsible type while Sam is the short over the top drama queen that makes you laugh in a - that lil asshole - type of way. They're totally on different ends of the spectrum and it makes for a charming awkward combination that works.

The way he Looks: tells the story of Leo, a young man who does not have the ability to see. This lack has created a life of being dependent for him where those around him feel like he's incapable and thus his life is sheltered. That is until he meets Gabriel of course. Gabriel is a new student and after he starts to hang with Leo and his best friend he finds himself quickly enamored (read head over heels in love) with Leo. Gabriel doesn't view Leo's lacking the ability to see as a need for dependence as others do however, not being able to see doesn't mean Leo is incapable of doing - it means he just may have to do it differently. As Leo let's Gabriel into his world, Gabriel intern introduces him to the world we take for granted everyday.

Akron: a story that has no coming out issues introduces us Benny and Christopher who meet at a game and decided to get their attraction a shot. That is until Benny finds that their family history is more twisted and connected than either one of them would have ever thought possible (no not incest you losers lol). Benny finds himself stuck between still wanting to be with Christopher and the decision he knows those he loves would want him to make. They cute shit so...I would've been looking at my loved ones like 😬...

The Get Down: (Thizzee) The get down is about a a group of brothers and their friends coming together to create music. Set back when hip hop was in the scratch of a record and disco was the thing. Dizzee is a revolutionary - he tags (spray paints) as his preferred artistic release. And that's how he meets Thor, another tagger whose tags he's seen before. They become quick friends and then something more when Thor introduces him to a new world, where rules are different and freedom reigns - aka bish we all gay round these parts. The scene was hands down one of the best until the show topped itself by having this scene where the two stood in a house covered in their art that represented them both and painted one another while dancing around and laughing. A metaphorical beast - the intimacy, the endorphins, the thought of being so high on happiness that you feel strong enough to do anything allow yourself to be anything. Thizzee is just such purity man - usually I'm not even down for that type of shit but they really pulled the shit together on another level. Thor had respect for Dizzees art, understood him where others called him weird. He helped him realize this greatness of self acceptance.

Note: THD and Thizzee are both still important to me even though Netflix was a lil bitch. They're not overt like my other ships and that bothers some people. I get it after for many years of Hays not getting that rep we want to see them get to be overly physical because we lack that, but I think it's okay to create a story where overt is not the key, I just feel like EVERY story should not be that way cause then it's bad representation and message sending. Dizzee is my fav character, he's what I'd been waiting for for young black men for a long time.

Shelter: I'm sure everyone has seen this one - it's one of the few and more popular gay films we have in America. But I did add this one for a reason - before I get to that, for those of who who don't know, Shelter is about Zach a young man that works at a dead end job and seems at a standstill having given up hos dreams to help raise his nephew Cody because the father is a deadbeat and his sister, the mother, might as well be a deadbeat. Zach has an on again off again gf and it makes sense why they yoyo so much when Zach's best friend's older brother Shaun comes back to town. Zach been on hold for the D - that's okay because Shaun has been in love with him since before that was probably even okay.

Anywho - like I mentioned before I love to read as well, there is a book that is very very similar to Shelter. The book allows a deeper exploration of the characters and their stories - with only slight changes. The book takes Cody from a shit cute kid to an intelligent, charmer that excels at sass and whit. He even ends up getting his own book later in the series. So I'd def give it a try if you loved Shelter. The author is T.J Klune - Bear, Outter and The Kid, the sequel Who We Are and the the kids book, The Art of Breathing.

Also I have switch the vid for the Eyewitness I prefer the new one. And link to original rec list. 

[miraculousladyb]

Ladrien June - Days 2 & 3: Babysitting and Kwami Swap

This will be my last Ladrien June post for a few days - life unfortunately is getting in the way. However, I will continue to post more fanfic next week!

Here’s Days 2 & 3: Babysitting and Kwami Swap

Adrien groaned as the gravel of the alleyway dug into his elbows, a furious gust of wind barrowing over his head, his golden locks rippling like sun-drenched waves. He and Ladybug had been fighting Hawkmoth’s latest victim and she was proving to be one of the most difficult yet, with Chat Noir and Ladybug already down a Cataclysm and Lucky Charm between them. Having been dumped by her boyfriend, Lodestone’s powers caused everyone to be sent hurtling away from anyone they loved by an invisible, magnetic-like force. This had proved an issue for the superhero pair, whose close friendship had sent them flying to two separate ends of the city. Adrien’s transformation dropped shortly afterwards, fortunately, he’d landed in a secluded alley way which meant his secret identity wasn’t compromised. Unfortunately, Plagg had shot out of his ring and promptly flown away from him like a balloon losing helium. Without Plagg, he was effectively useless.

Adrien punched the ground in frustration, the small stones digging into his hand. The stench of several-day-old trash lingered in the air from the various rubbish bags littering the alley way. As Adrien desperately tried to think of a way to find his tiny kwami in the French capital, he heard a small moan a few feet away. Curious, Adrien slowly crawled over to the source of the sound. He carefully lifted an empty coffee take-out cup to reveal a miniature, red creature that looked similar to Plagg, but ever smaller.

“Chat Noir?” it spoke in a high-pitched voice, its wide eyes reverting from panic to hope in an instant.

“Are you Ladybug’s kwami? Did you two get separated like me and Plagg?” Adrien asked, gently picking up the kwami in his hands and cupping her close to his chest.

“I am, my name is Tikki,” the red creature replied, before sighing heavily. “Yes, Ladybug and I got separated by Lodestone’s force, I was afraid it might have happened to you and Plagg too.”

Adrien’s eyes widened, his brow furrowed in worry. “Tikki, how are we going to find Plagg?”

“We can’t, not while Lodestone is still out there; we need to capture her akuma,” Tikki replied calmly. “Plagg and I are two halves of a whole, meaning unlike other kwamis, we can use each other’s Miraculous to transform.”

Adrien tried to hold back the grin that was creeping across his lips. “Are you saying I get to be Ladybug for the day?”

Tikki giggled. “Just say the words, Adrien!”

“Tikki, Spots On!”

Adrien had transformed into Chat Noir hundreds, if not thousands, of times. Yet, transforming with Tikki felt like an entirely new experience. A mask identical to his superhero crush’s swept across his eyes. His suit included Ladybug’s signature symbol in the middle of his chest. The rest of his chest was black, which carried down to his forearms. The sections down to his hands were red with black spots, his yoyo resting on his left wrist like a watch. His thighs matched his forearms in pattern and finally his lower legs were fully black to complete his suit. His ring was still black but the symbol inside held Tikki’s Ladybug.

***

Adrien managed to hold back his internal fan-girl and quickly swung across the city to find Lodestone. The adrenaline pumped through his veins as he flew through the air, his hair flapping wildly. Spotting his target, he landed on the Champs-Elysees, surprised to find he could feel the ground beneath his toes; unlike his usual suit, it hadn’t come with boots.

“Oh my gosh,” he suddenly heard beside him. “Are you another Ladybug?” a teenage girl asked excitedly, her Smartphone out ready to film him.

“Uh, sure,” Adrien said, uncertainly. “I am Ladbug!”

“Are you Ladybug’s boyfriend?” the girl asked.

“Uh, sure,” Adrien said again. “Sorry but I gotta go, Paris won’t save itself!”

As Adrien, or ‘Ladbug’ was about to reach Lodestone, his yoyo began to ring. Keeping the item attached to his wrist, he flipped it open and his eyes lit up with glee.

“My Lady?” he said, excitedly. “You look purr-fect!”

The caller rolled her eyes. “Even when you’re not the cat you’re making the puns. Nice outfit by the way!”

“Why thank you, you look beautiful as always,” he said with a wink. She rolled her eyes again but smirked, her black mask creasing around her eyes. Similar to Adrien’s usual superhero attire, Ladybug had black cat ears resting on her midnight hair and a bell around her neck. Her outfit was similar to her usual spandex suit, except it was all black with a cute tail attached and green paws around her waistline. Her baton rested on her hip and her outfit was completed with a pair of high-heeled boots.

“Enough flirting, Bugsy,” she said with a wink. “Let’s go capture that Akuma!”

***

It took a while, given that they couldn’t get close to each other, but eventually they managed to defeat Lodestone. Adrien didn’t want to admit that the fan-girl in him had been screaming with joy at getting to yell “Lucky Charm!” and “Miraculous Ladybug!”

Their transformations were about to run out, so the superheroes had to split up before they could discuss their kwami swap. Adrien managed to find a secluded alleyway just as his suit fell away.

“You did great, Adrien!” Tikki said, proudly as she emerged from his ring. Adrien rubbed the back of his neck bashfully, the setting sun complementing the blush on his cheeks.

“Thanks, Tikki, it was fun to switch it up a bit! We really need to get you back to Ladybug and find Plagg though.”

Tikki smiled wistfully. “Don’t worry, Plagg will be fine with my Ladybug. It’s late; we can sort things out tomorrow.”

***

Having been swept away by Gorilla, Adrien was soon back at his house. Immediately after walking through the door he was informed by Nathalie that his father had left moments previously to go on a business trip, meaning he would be eating alone tonight.

The giant grandfather clock ticked monotonously as Adrien silently ate his dinner, Nathalie typing furiously away on her laptop at the other end of the overly long table, the click of the keys almost in time with the ticking of the clock. Tikki stayed hidden in Adrien’s overshirt pocket, but watched the blonde with sad wonder as he resignedly finished his meal.

“Is your father away often?” Tikki asked gently once the pair were alone in his bedroom. Adrien sighed, running a hand through his blonde locks.

“Either away, in a meeting or just busy with work. We barely see each other anymore.” 

Tikki floated close to Adrien’s face, so their eyes were level, “That must be hard on you.” 

Adrien scoffed, shooting a sad smile at the kwami. “I’m pretty much used to it now to be honest. I wish things were different, but you’ve just got to focus on the positives; I’ve got Plagg, Ladybug and all my school friends. I’m lucky to have all of them.”

Tikki smiled softly. “I’m sure they all care about you very much, I know my Ladybug does.”

Adrien let out an embarrassed chuckle as his eyes focused on the floor. “I know. I have no doubt you know how I feel about her too.” 

A wistful expression graced Tikki’s tiny features. “It will all work out, Adrien, I promise.”

Adrien smiled softly at the cute kwami. “So what do you eat Tikki? Are you also a fan of smelly cheese like Plagg?”

The boy laughed as Tikki pulled a face of disgust. “Ugh, no. I’m a sweets kind of a girl, cookies are my preference!” 

Adrien smiled, patting the kwami gently on the head. “Then cookies you shall get!”

After asking his personal chef for a batch of freshly baked cookies and a large glass of milk, Adrien and Tikki got comfy on Adrien’s expensive, white sofa and watched a film. The cookies were on the table in front of them, Adrien passing Tikki one whenever she finished her last.

“Is this Lilo & Stitch? Ma- my ladybug likes this film too,” Tikki said before taking another bite of her cookie.

Adrien nodded. “This film used to make me so happy as a kid. I always wanted a Stitch. I guess Plagg is like my Stitch,” Adrien said with a chuckle. 

The pair watched the film quietly, and as the credits began to play Adrien turned to see the red kwami snoozing cutely on the blanket he’d draped over them. Smiling gently, he scooped her up and placed her in a small alcove above his bed, where Plagg’s little bed hid. He climbed into his own bed, reaching to switch off his bedside lamp and snuggle into the sheets.

“Good night, Tikki,” Adrien whispered.

***

The next day, Tikki seemed entirely unfazed about finding Ladybug, which baffled Adrien but given that he had to go to school first he agreed. 

At the end of the school day Adrien opened his bag to see two luminous green eyes staring back at him, holding a cookie in his paw.

“This isn’t Camembert!” 

Ah, it was good to have Plagg back.