#like he doesn't really realize what he's doing he's just like 'okay lb is handling the press that's nice oh look a sad person'

[that-was-anticlimactic]

gonna combine two fandoms and ask for renga miraculous ladybug au 👀 <3

Reki never meant to fall for Chat Noir.

He knew it was unprofessional, he knew, yet... while he (as Ladybug) handled the press and kept the situation under control, he always saw Chat Noir kneeling beside the akumatized person. Usually, he was overcome with pride at the sight of his partner wrapping a blanket around their shoulders and handing them a water bottle, but this time, it was different.

This time, it was a kid, someone around Koyomi's age. All they wanted was attention - they just wanted their parents to notice them. It was akumatization like these that were the hardest.

So, when Reki concluded the interview (he hated doing those - he hated when the news swarmed him and Chat after every battle) and turned to fist bump Chat, he froze, unable to tear his gaze from his partner - the kindest person alive - consoling the kid. When he blinked, it was as if he were watching Chat wiping away his sister's tears instead of this kid's.

His heart swelled, as something far different than pride coursed through his veins. The rhythmic thumping grew faster and his throat grew dryer by the second.

Sh*t.

[adriensaltprompts]

Submitted Prompt: "Shattered Illusions"

Consider an AU where Ladybug confides in Rena Rouge about how frustrating she finds Chat Noir's behavior.  At first, Alya downplays the issue: she ships LadyNoir, after all, and surely she must be exaggerating, right...?  Things can't be as bad as she claims.  She's blowing things way out of proportion, making it all sound much worse than it really is...

...But no.  The more she observes, both while on the front lines and while reviewing her footage, the more it sinks in that Chat Noir has a serious attitude problem.  For all his claims of love, he sure doesn't know how to treat a lady!  Only ever listening to her when it suits him, ignoring everything that doesn't fall perfectly into line with what HE wants... and he wants her.  Wants a partnership that's anything but equal, weighted entirely in his favor, where she's forced to cater to his every whim... more than she already is.

Protecting Paris... it's like a game to him.  A game where it doesn't matter if anyone gets hurt, so long as he's not the one suffering.  And when she tries calling him out on that, he blows her off as easily as he does LB - because Lucky Charm fixes everything, right?  So it's fiiiiiiiine.  Heck, it's about as real as any of her silly illusions, isn't it?  'Cause it all goes away, y'see.  No big deal.

But no.  It's not okay.  None of this is okay, and the more she learns about their toxic dynamic, the sicker Alya feels at the notion that she ever thought it was.  That she joined him in dismissing his casual cruelty as no big deal, and thought the two of them made a cute couple.

(If this is set before the Oblivio incident, Alya naturally handles it differently and doesn't ignore Ladybug's protests... or show off the photo to them, if she even takes it in the first place.  If set afterwards, all the pride she once took in that picture turns to so much bile churning in her stomach, and she debates with herself about the best way to handle the situation.  Obviously it needs to be taken down, but what else can she do?  Post a retraction?  An apology?  How does she phrase that... and deal with the inevitable backlash?)

After she apologizes profusely to Ladybug, Alya doubles down and works harder to make up for Chat's deficiencies.  Rena is called upon more and more - but more importantly, Alya focuses on building up Team Miraculous while chipping away at Chat Noir's image.  Calling his actions into question on the Ladyblog, and encouraging everyone to take a closer look at his behavior.  (Especially other heroes like Carapace.  The more reliable allies LB can trust to have her back, the better.)

Her efforts don't go unnoticed.  Adrien draws her aside at least once to express his concerns about the direction her blog is taking; he knows it's called the Ladyblog, but that doesn't mean she needs to bash Chat Noir, does it?  He makes it sound like she's trying to make Chat look bad in order to prop up Ladybug and the other heroes, and while she rejects those claims, she finds that trying to reason with the sunshine boy about this is like talking to a brick wall: nothing's getting through.  He just keeps frowning at her.  Even questioning her journalistic integrity, comparing her work to tabloids and gossip rags-!

Chat isn't handling being challenged any better.  Rather than reviewing his behavior and realizing how he could improve, he seems intent on doubling down on his bullshit.  Dialing up the flirting and fooling around, the barbs flying off his tongue growing sharper and ever more pointed.  Questioning and challenging his lady more, complaining whenever she goes to find allies... even getting sloppier about 'holding down the fort', letting the akumas rampage more and more... and blaming Ladybug for not being quick enough, or for 'wasting time' going after 'unnecessary backup'.

During one such incident, Alya was on scene recording footage.  Ladybug went off to fetch some backup, and as a pouting Chat Noir turned away, he caught sight of where she was hiding.  They locked eyes, and she saw a cruel smile spread across his face.  She swears up and down that he deliberately lured the akuma in her direction, getting her caught - and hit by its power.

Afterwards, when she tells Ladybug what happened, she watches the heroine's face harden.  She believes her, thank goodness... and this incident makes clear to both of them that something's got to change.  Chat Noir is now officially a danger to civilians.  He has no idea that she's Rena Rouge, after all - only that she runs the Ladyblog.  And if he's willing to do that to her, who knows what else he's capable of?  Especially with the power of Cataclysm in his hands...

Several long nights are spent meeting up and brainstorming ideas, hammering out the details of a plan.  The one they settle upon is simple, but it takes a few more akuma attacks before everything aligns properly for them to put it into action.  Rena joins them for every fight she can, much to Chat Noir's eye-rolling consternation... but she ignores the not-so-friendly jibes and jabs, steeling herself against rising to the bait.

Finally, the opportunity they've been waiting for arrives.  Rena gets through the battle without having to cast any illusions... and after Ladybug uses Lucky Charm, creates a false image of the spotted heroine beating a hasty retreat before her timer finishes counting down. Chat notices - and just as they were banking on, he takes the bait.  The prospect of learning 'his lady's' secret identity is far too tempting, and he pursues her.  Following her into a secluded alleyway, dropping down to cut off her retreat and openly leering at her shock and dismay.  Purring that she "Can't run from me anymore~" as the last spot flickers.

But the real Ladybug slipped away unnoticed while he was distracted by the illusion, to detransform safely, feed her kwami and retransform.  They get the jump on him, and while there's a terrifying moment involving Cataclysm, he fails to hit his mark, and they're able to subdue him.  The Ring is wrested from his hand, and both heroines are horrified to behold none other than Adrien Agreste himself as the one who'd been hiding behind the mask.  His pretty face twisted with utter fury as he spits fire, demanding HIS Ring back and lambasting them both for daring to trick him like that.  They can't do this to him--!  You owe him, m'lady--!

Gaping at the so-called golden boy, Alya wonders how the hell she's going to break the news to Marinette that the boy she's been fawning after for so long isn't worth her time.  She has no idea that her bestie is right there beside her, struggling to keep her game face on.  Telling herself that she can break down on her own time, but not now.  Not in front of him.  She won't give him the satisfaction of seeing her crack.

[fifi-uchiha]

If there is one thing that I sincerely regret in my life... it's that I've been extremely overweight. 273 lbs in the age of 16. It was horrible and I felt like everyone was watching me. I didn't like eating outside because I didn't want people to think that all I do is eat. But not eating wasn't an option either because I didn't want anyone to make fun of me, saying I shouldn't act like I'm not eating 'like a pig'. Guys were picking on me which doesn't mean I didn't fire back. My short temper was kinda helpful sometimes.

A girl directly asked me if I was pregnant once, simply to break my heart. And she did. It really hurt me to hear that from some ugly ass bitch I didn't even know. People didn't see me as a woman and to be honest, neither did I.

I used to look into the mirror and still found one thing I liked about me here and there. My lashes, my eyes at first and after hating those attributes about me too, I still had my long brown hair that I liked. But those girls in my class didn't even want me to have that. They were always telling me how good I would look with short hair while they were trying to grow out their own and I'm really glad my sisters told me to NOT cut my hair. I was known for being the most overweighted girl in fucking school, but damn me for having the longest hair in class. That's the only thing I had but they didn't want me to have this at least.

When I went to high school, we played a dating game in class so we could get to know each other better. No one wanted to come near me, as ridiculous as it may sounds. They looked like the mere thought of being with me would be disgusting, as if I was a plague or a desease or something. It hurt me so much, not to mention that I was 15 or 16, two years younger than those idiots. It felt like a shitty teen movie, but that's how it was. Some bitch was actually trying to fight me but didn't know I had a short temper and I swear, I almost punched her. But almost everyone was on her side simply because I was the fat girl. I was so angry and I hated myself for eating and eating and eating and I knew that I would die far too early just because I couldn't stop eating.

I mean, just think about it.

Guys and girls who looked like shit to me had the audacity to call me ugly, fat, disgusting just because I was fat. And that hurt my pride and I became sick of it. Sick of me.

And sick of them.

Then I started dieting and my cousin showed me zumba fitness.

I lost 110 ponds (97 during that time) and after summer break, no one recognized me. Everyone was absolutely shocked. I was still curvy, but I knew how to dress to highlight my good and to cover my bad body parts. Gotta say I have a good sense for fashion.

People treated me like a woman and I felt like a whole different person.

12th grade was a highlight for me.

I had the same Spanish teacher and we were sitting while she explained the game we were supposed to play.

The fucking dating game.

I can't even begin to describe how my heart punched my chest. This dating game scarred my damn brain and in that moment, I didn't realize that I lost weight. I felt like the girl from back then, the fatest girl in school everyone knew about.

However, no one was avoiding me this time because I was a girl like everyone else was. The guy I was working with was nice and flirty and treated me... Like a girl. We were supposed to create our house in Spanish and he asked me how I would like to renovate our bedroom and what car I'd like to have. He was flirty, funny and in no way perverted, even pointed at me and said:

"You see, guys? That's my dream girl right here!"

That was the very first time someone would flirt with me in such a funny and cute way and I couldn't believe it.

This game...

I can't explain to you guys how happy I was after school.

Now, years later, I realized that I needed certain surgeries. My tummy, my legs, my whole body looked horrible to me because of the immense weightloss. 110 pounds is just too much for my body, not matter how much I worked out.

And guys, the pain was real. The tummy tuck was okay, I could handle it. But my thighs..

I was a mess. It really, really hurt and I'm actually pretty tough. And I probably need them to fix my back and arms too, but I'm still thinking about it.

That's why I regret letting myself become so fat. No way to sugarcoat it, I was fat. It doesn't just end after you lose weight. Those surgeries will seal the deal and eventhough I don't mind scars at all, they'll still remind me.

So please, if you feel like you're too heavy, do something. Stop this mess.

Don't be weaker than food, don't be weaker than fucking sugar and fat. Is it really worth it? Is eating chocolate and chips worth being treated like a piece of shit by people who are ugly as fuck? I know it shouldn't matter what others think, but wouldn't it give you such high satisfaction to lose weight and look much better than those fuckers who will die of jealousy?

I know, dieting and working out is hard.

But I learnt that being obese is much, so much harder and it could destroy your mind an body.

And trust me, guys.

It will.

[phoenixplume117]

Today's Decisions, Tomorrow's Consequences Chapter 14

Alya called for Trixx while Nino dialed Max's second line. To be expected, it just rang, as Pegasus was fighting on the live feed of France 24 from Paris. Suddenly, he grabbed his head and started screaming. Queen Bee rushed to him, and they fled.

Suddenly, the scene switched to Nadja who looked… off, "This is Nadja Chamack, TVi anchor reporting for France 24 international news. Thank you for tuning in. This is an Emergency report; please stay inside and take cover. The akumatized victim known as Painreign has invaded Paris once again."  She looked intently at the camera as if reading a teleprompter.  “Painreign's akumatization is psychic in nature; he telepathically makes his victims believe they are hurt.  He does not physically harm them, however, some doctors believe if the pain is strong enough, it could lead to seizures or heart attacks.  I cannot stress the need for Parisians to stay indoors!  As you can see, Pegasus has been rescued and taken from the battle by our Queen Bee.  So far the list of victims has been Forte, Monkey King, Viperion, Fidélité, and now Pegasus.  We still have not seen Ladybug or Chat Noir." Her iris' shifted the slightest bit and herface implored the camera, "Chat Noir, Ladybug where are you?  Please, come help us!" She looked like she was about to say something else, but suddenly, the scene shifted to three anchors behind a desk.

"That was live from Paris. This is France 24, international news from France, for live coverage of the attack on Paris.  Thank you Mme. Chamack," the North Asian woman in between the men said and snapped the pile of paper in front of her on the desk.   "We will be returning to Mme. Chamack after a word from our sponsor." Suddenly, a Renaun zipped across the screen, taking the anchors with it and showing a race track.

Nino tried calling Pegasus again, but no answer.

Adrien transformed while Marinette called Queen Bee.

"Marinette!  Where the hell are you!?"

Ladybug looked at everyone else, "I got QB!" She spoke back into her phone, "Are you still with Pegasus?"

"Yes!  I'm trying to get him as far away from Painreign's influence as possible.”

"Just find a safe place and take off his glasses."

"What?"

"Trust me, I know you already know who he is," she could hear them in the background.

"It's okay, Max, it's okay. I promise, you're not actually hurt. LB said to take off your miraculous."

Marinette couldn't hear what he said, but she did hear the anguish in his voice.

"Give them to me, or I'll take them off you myself.  We don't have time for this bullshit.  I don't care what you're wearing."

Marinette heard laughing and grumbling.

"I'm sorry, but next time, put something on. Thank god it's summer."

Marinette couldn't help herself, she had to ask, "Um, is he naked?"

QB's laughter came through the line but Max's deep voice cut her off, "NO!"

QB snorted, "He's wearing boxers and a white t-shirt."  Max groaned.

Kaalki had had enough of the Bee torturing her chosen and flew close to the phone, "Ladybug, as always, Max is fabulous. I only need to know: if he transforms again, will he be fine or…" she let the sentence hang.

Marinette smiled. It was terrible timing. but Chloe and Max needed this, they never really healed after their breakup.  "I'm not sure. I hate to make him try it.  Kaalki can you hear me?"

"Yes, of course I can, I have superb hearing, who do you th-"

"Kaalki, focus. Are you hurt?"

Kaalki seemed to be assessing herself, "No, I don't believe so."

"Alright then. I would say try. Chances are he should be fine."

Max transformed, and for a moment, everything seemed fine. Then the screams started again, and Queen Bee snatched his Miraculous off his face, abruptly tearing his transformation from his body and pulling Kaalki from the Miraculous.  QB wasn't laughing anymore as she leaned over and tried to comfort Max. She spoke into the phone, "Did you hear that?"

Ladybug nodded and spoke softly, "Yeah… I did.  Now, I'm going to have to ask you to do something you aren't going to like."

"It's fine, I already knew you were going to," Queen Bee said. Handing the phone to Max, she held his pince-nez glasses to her face as she called out, "Pollen-"

"Chloe?  Don't detransform," came the tinny voice over the line.

Queen Bee's hand touched her miraculous.  "Okay?"  She said unsurely. After all, only Adrien and Marinette were actually capable of powering multiple Miraculous without being too overwhelmed.  

Max's voice came through loud and clear now; he was obviously holding the phone now, and his voice seemed to carry a world of worry, "Ladybug are you sure?  Couldn't it cause brain damage or something?"

Marinette honestly didn't know what it would do, but she had a sneaking suspicion Chloe could handle multiple miraculouses. She knew if Kaalki was carrying the compulsion that Max believed he was hurt, then Chloe would need Pollen to combat it.  Ladybug's authoritative voice reassured him, "The best we can do is try, but I have the utmost belief in Queen Bee's abilities." She turned to Adrien who had transformed while she'd been on the phone, "I need the coordinates for this location," she said and was about to say more but heard Queen Bee in the background.

"Kaalki,transform me!"

"How is she?" Marinette asked Max.

"Woah," he said.

"Max!" she insisted.

"I'm fine!" Chloe replied.

"Alright, then Royal Rider, come get us at 45 Boulevard De La Garoupe, Antibes," Chat said.

"Uh," came Chloe's voice from the background.

"It doesn't work like that," Max said, "Do you have the coordinates?"

"7.137133 by 43.561014," Chat said looking down at his stick's GPS screen. 

"Give me that," Royal Rider said and suddenly her voice was louder. "Go home, get some rest, I'll check on you later, okay?  Actually, we're really close to Kim's; go there."

"Are you kidding?" Ladybug heard in the distance. "He'd never let me-"

"Enough!" Ladybug interrupted, “We don't have time for this. Max, stay wherever you are. If you want, Rider, come get us. Carapace and Rena are here too."

"Hold this," there was some background shuffling then, "Okay, I'm here, where are you?" 

Carapace, who'd been tapping his foot impatiently, looked at Rena, who had been avidly watching the news. Rena saw Nadja, who was back on screen, slowly and emotionally deteriorate before her eyes.  "She's here," he said holding his hand out to her.

Rena held his hand and stood as they all ran up the stairs and out of the house. Chat called out a verbal command for the alarm to engage.   "Guys," Rena called out as they ran through the garage, "I think Nadja was hit! When we get there, I'm going to take care of her first."  

Ladybug nodded, "Sounds good.  I can tell you from experience, though, journalists will usually fight you."

Rena blushed, "Sorry," she said as she shut the external garage door.

Royal Rider stood arms crossed, tapping her fingers on her opposite bicep, looking at the Mediterranian waters.  Her suit was very similar to Pegasus' with one exception, all the leather straps were gold.  Her black hair was braided the way Chloe always wore it now, across her head falling in front of her shoulder.  What was most stunning was the tiara of gold horseshoes at her brow with Pollen's comb proudly in the middle of the crown, acting as an anchor and holding it into Rider's hair. While Pegasus had short wings at his ankles, Rider had thin gold folded wings from heel to knee.  Her venom filled spinning top was strung from shoulder to hip while her fighting horseshoe was on the opposite hip. Most noticeable, though, was her skin. She was white.  Not human white, but paper white. As Queen Bee, she was black from her hair to her toes with only three stripes of yellow around her middle and one stripe through her hair and completely blue sclera with yellow irises. Her appearance showed people where she stood even if it were dark.  It had been necessary when Ladybug gave her a second chance at the bee miraculous, and it worked; no one realized the black hero was Chloe.  Chloe hoped with the pince-nez sunglasses, people still wouldn’t guess her identity. She spoke up when she felt everyone had investigated her suit long enough, "Took you long enough.  Chat, you guys really need to repaint your fence. When was the last time it was painted, the 90's?  You're going to bring down the property values.  'Very tacky,' " she finished in English.

Rena, who'd been about to compliment her or at least thank her, rolled her eyes, "Seriously?  Let's go!"

Rider put her hands on her hips, cheeks warming. "I have a little problem; I'm not Max, and I can't just calculate locations in my mind. Even with the miraculous' abilities, I can only get the basic idea of Paris' coordinates. I have no idea how to get down to the specific location."

Chat sighed with irritation, pulled his stick out and snapped his GPS app open. After a few moments, he gave the coordinates of the Eiffel Tower.

Rider opened the portal, and Carapace hopped through first, running to help the civilians crippled with pain, followed by Rena who ran to help Nadja. Chat turned to Rider, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, "Yeah."

He nodded back and walked through the portal.

Ladybug looked her up and down. "I need you to tell me the truth, are you hurt or tired?"

Rider shook her head and laughed, "I'm seriously fine. Let's go; Paris needs help."

Ladybug looked unsure, but looking through the portal, Chat was staring at her with a worried look on his face, so she hopped through to him.

Rider walked through last and the portal snapped shut behind her.  

"Ladybug! I missed you!" Painreign said, floating over to them.  

He was dressed like a horror version of a doctor.  Most terrifying was the replacement of his head mirror with a rusty rotary saw blade. Suddenly Ladybug realized he must have had negative experiences with mental healthcare before they met the first time, because this had been his costume the last time, too. After he'd been de-akumatized, he'd been taken to Saint Anne's and diagnosed with acute schizophrenia with moments of paranoia and delusions of grandeur.  She never thought about the fact that he had probably been diagnosed with something before their first encounter.  She didn't think she could hate Hawkmoth more before, but this.  This was horrible. Who could do this to someone so deeply and mentally ill?

Hawkmoth stood behind a chimney with Mayura by his side.  "Those fools!" he said, "They should have just stayed away!"

Mayura peeked around his shoulder and around the chimney, "Do you really think getting closer will make a difference?"

Hawkmoth reached down and held her hand, "Him having that akuma is pointless. I can't control him, and he has no intention of bringing me their miraculouses."

Mayura nodded, but he still hadn't answered her, "Do you-"

"Yes, I believe if I get close enough, I'll be able to rip the akuma from him since I wasn't able to pull it away before or even communicate with him."

"Have you tried communicating with him?" She asked.

He tried again, but it was like standing in an empty room filled with white noise. He shook his head, "Nothing."

Mayura shook her head, "How did he get the akuma?"

Hawkmoth looked down at her, "It was supposed to go to nurse who was tired of being used as a weight lifter by everyone in the building." He sighed, "He wasn't even in the building; he'd left for the day. I'm just out of practice.  That or this man's will was just that strong.  I just thought it was a perfect opportunity-Adrien would be safe since he was out of town."

Mayura nodded; she'd thought that before.  If people wanted an akuma, they would go to them regardless of if Hawkmoth had intended that person to be the original user or not.

"How are you?"

Mayura, who'd been staring off into space as she thought, snapped her attention to his face, "I'm fine," she said, and she was. Now.  It had taken a while for her body to fully heal, but since Gabriel had fixed Duusu's Miraculous, she was fine when she used it.  It never kept him from worrying, though.

Hawkmoth looked down at her deciding if she was telling the truth. He settled on yes. Yes, she was telling the truth based on her posture and smile.  "Okay," he said. He turned back to the man and commanded his akuma to return to him, but nothing happened.  He tried again, but no positive result.  He tried to communicate with the akuma, and yet again, even though he felt like he was speaking to no one, he spoke anyway, in case his commands would be heard.  "Painreign, do you hear me?!"

Mayura held his hand tight as if somehow she could lend support to him and strengthen his connection to the man.

He shook his head.

"Nothing?"

Chat held Ladybug tight, feeling her shivers and hating that they'd been forced to come; she wasn't ready to be here.  She probably wasn't even over last night's ordeal, and now, she was supposed to do this?  He leaned forward, "I'm right here, Ma- M'Lady."

She nodded once, and in her head, she repeated, We're not alone, We're not alone, We're not alone. Maybe if she repeated it enough. the memories would fade.  He was one of the most intelligent villains they'd ever gone up against.  He'd used his ability to make her think her arms were broken in different places to prevent her from using her yo-yo.  Ultimately, she'd done it but the pain had been astronomical.  And he'd 'broken' one of Chat Noir's femurs, literally forcing him to bow to him.  Once incapacitated, he'd easily been able to tie them up and take one of her earrings.  But he didn't know how to work the screw backs, and he'd eventually just ripped it out.  Ladybug's eyes glazed over at the memory that woke her up sweaty and chilled at the same time for months after.  She had to treat him fairly. She had to say to herself, remember he is a victim! Desperate to keep the tremor out of her voice she spoke, "Painreign, this is not the way to get my attention.  You are hurting the people of Paris."

He spoke as if he never heard her, "Ladybug, may I have your earrings?" He floated toward her as if on a magical zipline.

Ladybug's reflexes were slow. Chat jumped down from the tower and slid down his pole with her in his arms, but Painreign was faster and was ready to meet them at the bottom. Chat quickly extended his pole again, and they quickly jumped to another level, running apart from one another along the side of the tower. They were grateful they occasionally climbed the famous landmark for fun, giving them the advantage of knowing the structure's design.

Painreign screamed his fury and flew up toward Ladybug, but suddenly, a fog engulfed the level Chat and she were parkouring through.

Chat suddenly heard a cry. "I can't keep up," Ladybug said as she fell. She had managed to throw her yoyo and safely dangled from it a little over a meter from the level below.

Chat scooped her up and continued running and leaping, trying to assess the situation but not finding any clues. His mind raced. Just seeing the man made him see blood, so much blood, Mar- no, Ladybug had been covered in blood the last time they'd seen him.  Seeing him didn't make him angry; it made him scared.  He didn't want her here. He wanted her far away and safe.  Once he'd taken care of the situation, then she could come. That would be much better.  He never wanted to see her suffer like that again. 

"Ladybug, do you have any ideas?" He asked.

Ladybug looked over his shoulder at Painreign, trying to assess him and watching for any type of clue, but she didn't get anything from the man. 

She shook her head, "None." 

Everywhere Painreign looked, there were Ladybugs.  He reached for the closest, "Gotch-" but she disappeared in a poof of smoke.  He spun around; she'd been real, he knew it!  He'd seen it!  He saw her again and flew after her. "Ladybug wait!  I won't hurt you," he said reaching for her hand as she ran from him, but once he touched her she blew away.  "No!" He yelled then twisted and ran for another, but every Ladybug disappeared as soon as he touched her, and soon, he was screaming. 

He saw Chat Noir at that moment.  "You!  How dare you touch my Lovely Bug!"

Chat started moaning with his lips pressed together.

Ladybug looked over her shoulder. "What did he do?  What hurts?" She jumped out of his arms, not paying attention to the greater threat.

"LB!" Chat yelled at the same time she felt Painreign's hands at her ears causing her to stiffen in fear.

"I'll be gentle this time. I know how to take them off properly. Or if you like, you can take them off," Painreign offered reasonably.

Before she could say anything, Chat crawled around her legs and panted up at him, "No, stop, don't, you can have my ring. Stop, just stop, touching her!" He gasped between nearly every word.

Painreign shook his head, pitying Chat who was beginning to sweat. "I don't want your ring, silly." He turned to Ladybug, "I want 'the pretty bug,' and I will be Mr. Bug!"

Chat looked up to Ladybug with a stunned look in his eyes; he'd been Mr. Bug only a handful of times, but it was kind of shocking that it would be anyone's life goal.  She looked terrified.

"How's your back, Kitty Cat?" Painreign asked with a wicked look on his face, clearly punishing Chat for touching the woman he loved.

Chat tried to remember he was fine, that it was all a trick. Unfortunately, he kept remembering an article he'd read that said there was no such thing as mind tricks when it came to pain. Pain was part of the nervous system which was powered by the brain.  So no matter what, the pain was real. This was why addicts who needed pain killers were never lying about their pain.  Thinking that way wasn't helping him at all, but he couldn't help it. He tried to remember how in some countries, people would get up and walk home after having a major surgery.  Pain was literally all in the mind, or at least the nervous system.  After their last battle with Painreign, he'd researched pain and nerves.  Everything he'd learned just made the situation worse.  

"It's fine!" he gritted out, but by now, he was laying on the floor at their feet, watching Ladybug's eyes fill with tears of fear.  Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw a brown leather suit with yellow stripes coming, and then, her venom filled top shot out.

Suddenly, Royal Rider was on her hands and knees screaming, and her top fell uselessly at Ladybug's feet.  Rider's head was hanging down, and she was looking at her legs as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.  

Chat twisted the best he could with his "broken back," and saw the look on her face, "Thighs?"

She whimpered and nodded. "I can't move."

"He did the same to me last time."

"And you carried her?!"

Chat would have shrugged if he could have.

"Must be love," she said between whiny breaths.

Painreign snuggled Ladybug, holding her arms down and preventing her from using her lucky charm. "Here we are, darling. Now as I was saying, please let me have your earrings.  I did say 'please'."

Ladybug shivered she saw a flash of purple from the corner of her eye, then heard Hawkmoth's commanding voice.

"Painreign, you're in grave danger! You've had that akuma too long, and it becomes poisonous to the carrier after so many hours. You must let it go."

Painreign looked at him, "No! You're trying to trick me!" But the last time he'd only had the akuma for an afternoon, this time he'd had it over a day already.  What if he was right…?  Painreign let go of his tight grip on Ladybug to scratch his arm.  

Ladybug threw her arm up shouting, "Lucky Charm!" and her yoyo came down with a purple purse. "Huh?!" She'd never gotten anything other than red polka dotted items.

Ladybug looked at Hawkmoth. He had a frown on his face, but then he smiled. "Mayura, get their miraculouses!"

Mayura jumped from out of nowhere on top of Chat, and Ladybug kicked her in the side.  She grunted from the impact, then bounced back, going for Ladybug's ears. 

Ladybug twisted, hitting the woman with the purse.

Hawkmoth went back to persuading Painreign that the Akuma was slowly poisoning him.  Logically, he knew it was the best way to set off the man's paranoia, but it made him feel ill to hurt someone already so mentally ill.  He told himself he was doing it because if he didn't, the man would harm more people.  The unfortunate truth was this, something needed to be done.  "Painreign?  Are you starting to feel itchy?  That's not a good sign."

Painreign looked at him with fear and he felt like a monster, "Get it out!" the man screamed and clawed at his arms, but thankfully, the white lab coat saved his skin.

Ladybug had Mayura tied up with her yoyo and brought her over to Hawkmoth, "I believe this belongs to you."

Hawkmoth looked at the purple purse trying to figure out what clue the purse was pointing to. He knew it was meant for him, but all he could think of was that it looked like the old pockets he'd learned about in college when he'd taken fashion history.  He turned to the lab coat and realized lab coats had double pockets.  Exactly like historical pockets.  He kicked the man, but the akuma had made Painreign quick.

Painreign whined, "Why isn't this working?!  Why aren't you hurt?"

Hawk Moth laughed, "I am the one who owns those powers. They won't hurt me unless I give them permission and I didn't."  While he spoke he kicked out again intentionally missing but following through with his cane and hitting his mark, stunning him long enough that he was able to reach into the lab coat's pocket where he found a puzzle piece. He tried to gently pull the akuma from it, but it wouldn't budge.  He tried again, this time without being gentle. He imagined ripping it from the cardboard side with a force strong enough the wings could tear off the butterfly, yet it still didn't work. He turned to his enemy in red and held up the puzzle piece to her, shocked at his own action. "I can't get it out."

Ladybug looked at him as if he'd grown a second head. "Are you helping me?"

"Give me Mayura."

Ladybug snapped her yo-yo back and pushed Mayura to Hawkmoth. He threw the puzzle piece at her, and she picked it up and snapped it in half all the while watching Hawkmoth distrustfully. He had his arm around Mayura's waist and bent to pick up Painreign. Before Ladybug could stop him, he'd picked up both of them and jumped from the tower.  Ladybug cleansed the akuma before Hawk Moth could call it back, then she looked at Chat and Rider, who were still in pain. Would the purple Lucky Charm work as compensation?  She looked down at the purse and tossed it high, hoping for the best as she yelled, "Miraculous Ladybug!" She nearly wept with relief when they swept across the city, starting with Chat and Rider.  

She fell to her knees and kissed Chat Noir. "Thank god."  She felt his hand on the back of her head and his arm around her back, and wrapped herself around him. She could faintly hear Rider speaking to her.

"I hope you know the whole world is watching," Royal Rider said plopping onto her back and laughing in joy at not being in pain anymore. She looked at the drone recording the embracing heros and snapped her top at it, causing it to crash to the ground beneath the tower. She smirked; the world would never catch her making out with her boyfriend while they were in disguise.

Nadja Chamack was being carried away from the Eiffel Tower in Rena's arms as fast as she could run, trying to get the reporter outside of the circle of influence.  Apparently Nadja had suffered multiple "injuries."  Yesterday, Painreign had 'broken' her leg and today he had 'broken' both of her clavicles, which was why she was in tears and why her hands were in her pockets.  She told Rena she had refused to go home last night, saying she didn't want to scare her teenage daughter. Nadj stayed at work and when she'd been hit with another psychic blast today, she refused to go off air, telling her cameraman to put her hands in her pockets for her. 

Rena kept running, listening to the story in awe of the woman.  This was what she wanted to do.

"Aaah!" Nadja sighed in relief and went limp. Apparently, they were out of Painreign’s area of influence.

Rena looked down. "No more pain?" she asked.

Nadja shook her head. "I feel fine now," she said.

Rena set her down. "Okay, I'm going back to help," she said and turned back to run toward the tower.

Nadja chased after her.

Rena turned around, "No pain at all?"

Nadja looked up and said, "Ladybug must have fixed everything."

Rena agreed and bounced forward.

Nadja yelled, "Can you take me back?"

Rena turned around running backward, "Sorry! One way trips only; I'm not an UBER."

Nadja jogged toward the tower irritated with the heroine.

Ladybug pulled away from the kiss and rested her head on Chat's shoulder, running her fingers through his unruly hair.

"It went a lot better this time," Chat said.

A laugh burst from Ladybug's lips, and she nodded against his shoulder.

He ran his hand up and down her spine, calming her frayed nerves. 

"Let's get out of here guys.  I'm about to lose Kaalki and I don't know how it affects Pollen," Rider said, jumping up and tossing her top to let it pull her away from the tower.

Chat looked over the side and saw Carapace arguing with the news crew. He called down to his friend to notify him they were leaving.  Ladybug wrapped her arm around him and tossed her yoyo after Rider, following her to wherever she'd left Max.

On the street below, Carapace watched the footage of Ladybug and Chat Noir's embrace being broadcast on France 24's international live feed.  "You cannot broadcast that!"

The cameraman laughed, "We've been waiting 10 years for something this juicy!"

Carapace groaned, "They haven't even been fighting crime for 10 years."

The cameraman laughed with joy at being the first to catch the couple in a romantic situation in years.  "Besides, it has already been shown."

"Once!" Carapace shot back. "No one needs to see it again!"

The cameraman shrugged. "The feed is saved at the office. Sorry, Man," the cameraman said without remorse.

Carapace looked up seeing Rider and Ladybug leaving, "Sorry not sorry is more like it," he said, then ran after them.

The cameraman shrugged and replied to no one, "True."

Rena watched the Paris rooftops as she ran toward the Eiffel Tower and once she spotted the two women's cords pulling them in the other direction, she turned to follow them.  After a couple streets she caught up with Carapace.  "Oh, babe, what happened?"

"You won't believe it."

"I'm sure," she said, scooping him up and bounding up structures until she was on top of the buildings where she could more easily catch up with the rest of the group. "Nothing surprises me anymore."

Carapace wrapped his arms around her neck like a princess. "Dude, trust me. You will not believe what happened today."

"Carapace!  What happened!"

"Hawkmoth saved the day."

She would have stopped, but she needed to get wherever everyone was regrouping before she lost her powers.  She'd created a field of Ladybugs before she ran to help Nadja, hoping she could do it all in her allotted 10 minutes, but her time was dwindling down.

"Rena?" Carapace asked.

She kept running, "Why?"

"The only thing I can think of is guilt."

"Guilt?! The man has terrorized this city forever!  He's akumatized babies!"

Rider yelled, "Rena! Over here!"

Rena jumped two buildings then set Carapace down. Looking around to see if it was safe, she pushed past her friends and stood against the chimney, feeling her disguise fall and along with a disgruntled Trixx into her awaiting hands. "A little close, don't you think?" the kwami snapped.

"Sorry," Alya said checking her pockets realizing she had nothing for her exhausted friend. 

Everyone else looked guilty; looked like no one was prepared or had spare.

Ladybug sighed. She listened, but her earrings hadn't started beeping yet.  She tossed her yoyo skyward using her second Lucky Charm hoping for kwami goodies. "Lucky Charm?" The yoyo came down with a box from her parents' bakery, and once she opened it,Trixx zoomed inside, tearing into a pink macaron.  

Moments later Ryder's pince-nez sunglasses and tiara beeped their final warning, and Kaalki and Pollen both went directly to the treat box, ignoring Chloe who blushed as she was exposed, wearing her pajamas after torturing Max. 

"Nice outfit, Chlo," Max commented.

"Shut up," she replied not unkindly, feeling her face warm, and she crossed her arms.  "I was with Zain, we were watching a movie." 

"If you say so," he replied.

Her head snapped up, and she turned to him, "You know what I was doing!  You came and got me!"

He burst out laughing then reached into the box, but Kaalki snapped his fingers with her tail, "Not for you," she said after swallowing a bite of Les Galettes d’Avoine.

Chloe smiled at him, and said in a haughty voice, "Those are only for real heros.” She reached forward for a treat but was interrupted.

"No, my queen," Pollen said nibbling a croissant that smelled like honey.

Max smirked. 

Suddenly, someone climbed up the side of the building. "Oh, my gosh, are you guys alright?!  Chloe, Max, where are your clothes?" Fidélité asked. She was Barkk the dog kwami's chosen.

Chloe smiled at her old best friend, "Yeah. Are you alright now?"

She nodded then looked at Ladybug and Chat. "Everyone saw that, you know?"

They both looked confused.

"The kiss."

Ladybug blushed and said, "It was bound to happen eventually."

Alya spoke up, "Yeah, but was it bound to happen days after Marinette went to a ball with him?"

Chat spoke up then, "There weren't any cameras inside."

"Plenty of people were there though,"  Max said.

Ladybug shook her head, "Marinette danced with Adrien too."

Max turned to her, "That makes it worse Marinette, not better."

Ladybug swallowed. It was one thing to be told everyone knew, but it was another to have it confirmed.  "Maybe everyone will think he's cheating on her?" She said in a small voice.

Chat looked at her a bit hurt; she was throwing him under the bus, but was it the only way she could save her identity?  "How is that a solution?"

Chloe looked at him, "How isn't it?"

Alya nodded, "He's right. Chat Noir might be a flirt but he has good character.  He'd never cheat on his girlfriend."

By this time, Ladybug's earrings were beeping insistently, and she was looking around for a place to escape to.

Chat whispered in her ear, "Might as well let it go. Everyone already knows anyway."

She turned, finding comfort in his features, but she just couldn't agree. "Guessing isn't the same as knowing."

Chat shook his head, "You know Alya and Nino will confirm it."

Her shoulders fell, and she nodded once, letting him hold her as she told Tikki to de-transform her.

"Told you," Chloe said to Max.

"I didn't disagree. I just said, ‘she was a statistical anomaly,’ " he replied.

"Can you speak like a human?"

Tikki looked around at all the people then back at Marinette. "Are you sure this was a good idea?"

Marinette shrugged her ignorance. "If it's bad, I'm sure Bunnyx will yell at me. But honestly, they already know, and I'll be gone soon anyway."

Tikki sadly floated down to her friends and grabbed a macaron, settling down to listen to the latest kwami gossip.

Max turned to Chat Noir and said, "I suppose you actually are Adrien then?"

Chat shrugged without answering.

Max smiled, "Kind of hard denying it considering the four of you were at Adrien's house."

Chat smiled, "Mari invited me since we're dating."

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Nice try, Adrikins. I heard you verbally lock your house on your way out, and I know Gabriel has all his homes set up with biometrics.  If you weren't Adrien, you couldn't have verbally locked down the villa."

Chat narrowed his eyes at the blond. "Who do you think you are telling Zain about us?"

She looked surprised then a little ashamed, but she did have her reasons. "It's sma-"

He wasn't finished, yet. "No! You don't get to make those choices, and you certainly don't get to make them alone.  No one is allowed to make choices without the group taking a vote, and I'm sorry if you guys don't like it, but LB’s vote and mine will have more weight."

Everyone looked surprised, and most of all Marinette, as she took a step back out of his arms but still holding his hand.  His face showed a frustration born of years of being left in the dark, just expected to soldier along.

Trixx nudged Alya's shoulder, and Alya nodded.

Chloe nodded to Chat. "I understand; I should have discussed it with you two first.  You're right, but when he told me he'd been chosen, or whatever, since he doesn't have a kwami, my first thought was, ‘He could help us!’ "

"How?" Chat replied. "He's in the US, we're in France, and there's an entire ocean between us."

Chloe held one arm toward Max and the other toward Kaalki who was still enjoying her oat cakes with Tikki.

Chat blew out a frustrated breath. "Chlo, why?  You lost your miraculous once because of this, why would you tell him?"

Chloe shook her head, "He knew."

Chat was taken aback, "How?"

Chloe shrugged, "He said he always loved superheroes, and when he found out Paris had real ones, he followed the stories.  When we first met, he knew I was Queen Bee."

Marinette shook her head, "That's not possible."

Tikki swallowed, "Actually it is."

Chat looked at the red kwami, "How?"

"The reason no one here knows isn't because your suits are such good disguises. It's because there is a magical glamour that prevents people from guessing your true identities," Tikki told him.

Fidélité looked as confused as the rest of them felt. "So why did he know?" she asked.

Tikki looked up at the redhead. "I think he lives outside our circle of influence.  I'm not sure how big it is, but that is the only thing I can think of."

Fidélité looked at Marinette and Chat, "That's not good, especially with France 24 broadcasting us internationally. It doesn't matter for most of us, but Chloe and Adrien are all over the internet. Chloe yawned and said, "So are Nino and Alya, and now Marinette is going to be all over the internet."

Pollen smacked her sticky lips and turned to Tikki and Kaalki. "We should do this again."

"Indeed," Kaalki said, taking another nibble.  She was so ladylike that she took forever to eat.

Tikki nodded and watched Pollen float to Chloe.  "Pollen, what did you think about Chloe's decision to tell him about us?"

Pollen smiled and said, "I trust him.  He reminds me of Wang Yong, remember him?"

Tikki nodded. "Ziggy's chosen, that was a long time ago."

Pollen agreed, "I would say more, but I don't think Chloe should hear it."

Tikki hummed her agreement, then said something in their language.

Pollen replied, and they conversed back and forth for a few moments.

Tikki looked thoughtful, "We really need to talk to Sass and Plagg about this."

Chloe looked at the two kwamis, "What, can't I know? What's that supposed to mean?"

There's more on AO3

[thatssonanii]

Todd

Bloodline Family Series

Roman sat in Haleigh’s bedroom scrolling through the comments on Haleigh’s live from a few hours earlier, waiting to get word. He had her go live from her room at Milo's house in California before going out. She was there with Carlito while Ardian filmed. Kandice and the triplets were in Georgia with Apryl, Simba, Trinity and the twins. This was the perfect time to handle his business.

During her live Haleigh mentioned that she was house sitting for her parents alone and how bored she was as he told her to do. Roman knew hearing that would draw Todd to the house for her, it's what he was counting on.

A guy Roman grew up with was a police officer and was able to get Todd's information and whereabouts for him. Having that Roman asked Joe to follow Todd to make sure he would take the bait. Tama hid in the brush on the side of the house to send the signal that Todd had arrived. Jey and Jimmy were waiting in the kitchen.

The plan was for Todd to get inside the dark house, knowing he'd follow the only noise in the house to Haleigh’s bedroom and go from there. It was late night and Todd clearly felt more comfortable at this time a night.

Roman’s phone buzzed, Joe's name showed on the illuminated screen.

"Yeah?"

"He's in your neighborhood. I'll circle around and wait at the front," Joe said with a sinister tone.

"Alright. By the time you pull around, we'll be out."

Roman and Joe disconnected the call. Just as he pulled the phone away from his ear, it lit up again with a text from Tama. A simple emoji. Locking his phone, Roman pushed it into the pocket of his black joggers then got under Haleigh’s comforter.

Todd cept through the house from the back sliding door. He'd saw Haleigh’s live and planned to surprise her. He also wanted to apologize for what he did. Assaulting her wasn't in his plans, she just messed up his plans by rejecting him. He now stood outside her door, straightening his shirt and checking his breath. But he was too preoccupied with himself and his thoughts that he didn't hear Jey and Jimmy follow behind him up the stairs.

Todd eased her door open, smiling when he saw, who he thought to be, Haleigh lying in the bed. When he pulled the covers back he jumped back startled, his hand on his chest as he stared at the large figure before him. The television only lit the large room so much, but Todd saw enough to know it wasn't Haleigh.

Then, there was light.

Todd looked up then down into the eyes of Roman.

Roman didn't say a word. His hands opened and closed at his sides as he stepped closer to the considerably smaller man.

"I..uh.. sir," Todd stuttered stepping backwards.

Roman brought his hands in front of him, cracking his knuckles, ignoring Todd's stuttering. He jumped at him making Todd turn to run away, only to run into the twins and fell on his ass. Todd stared at the three large men as they stood around him with fear in his eyes.

Jey snatched Todd up from the floor then Roman sent a punch to his temple, knocking him out cold. He slumped over in Jey's arms. The cousins laughed.

"Let's get his ass downstairs," Roman said picking up his legs.

Jimmy followed behind them cutting the television and lights off. "Should've rolled his ass down the stairs," Jimmy snickered when they got to the door.

Tama was standing on the porch waiting, Joe in the forest green SUV.

"Got his keys," Tama asked in a hushed tone.

Jimmy searched Todd's pockets for his keys then tossed them to Tama, who them jogged off the porch to Todds's mustang. After throwing him in the back, Jimmy, Jey and Roman climbed into the SUV and Joe cruised out of the neighborhood not wanting screeching tires not wanting to disturb the sleeping neighborhood and bring unwanted attention.

Cold water splashed over Todd's face, making him sputter and gasp for air. He moved backwards on the cold, hard ground.

"What," he gasped trying to breathing, "What the hell is going on?"

"Oh not sir this time," Jimmy asked standing behind him

Todd started to feel the pain in his head and remembered Roman punching him. "What do you people want with me? I didn't do anything."

"You didn't do anything," Tama repeated loudly.

Looking around, Todd realized he was inside a large, concrete warehouse and knew this wouldn't be good.

"Okay, okay," he begged, "I did it but I didn't mean to. It wasn't my fault."

Jey squatted down to Todd's level, baring his gold fronts. "So you sayin' it's my nice fault? Cause if it's not your fault then it's gotta be hers."

"N-n-no. Its...its," he stuttered staring between the men.

Jey slapped him across his face before standing to his full height. "Spit that shit out!"

Joe and Roman stood back watching Tama and the twins antagonize the smaller man. They took turns beating him, tagging in and out, making jokes as usual. Roman was trying to calm down some but he couldn't. Seeing Todd made him angry, it made him murderous.

"I'm gonna step out for a second," Roman spoke loud enough for them all to hear him, "When I get back though, I want y'all to leave us for a few. It won't take long."

They all agreed. Joe stepped towards Todd with a slight smirk on his face.

Roman called the only person he knew could help him.

"Hey, handsome," she cooed sleepily into the phone making him crack a smile.

"What's up, beautiful," he asked leaning against the SUV.

"Nothin, pinned under your circus acts," she laughed softly.

"Better you than me. Y'all having fun?"

"Yeah. The kids loved the aquarium, we gotta go back before we come home or they'll have a fit."

Roman smiled hearing about his children and nephews. "Even Simba's mean ass?"

"Even him," she laughed, "When we were getting the twins and trips some stuff from the gift shop, he tried to sneak and buy Kennedie these cute little penguin couple stuffed animals and the matching snow globe."

"Really? Guess he's not as mean as we thought."

They laughed for a few seconds until it died down. Nothing but the trips' light snores could be heard.

"I'm doing the right thing. Right, Kandi?" He asked softly. "The way I feel is normal, isn't it?"

"She's your baby, Roman. I think any father would feel the way you do. This rage is normal. Can you live with it?"

"Yeah, Kandi. Fuck him, I just don't want Princess to be mad at me," he sighed finally getting his thought out.

Kandice knew that's what was bothering him. His kids and what they think of him mean everything to him.

"Haleigh knows how much you love her and how far that love will go. You just make sure you're as honest and transparent with her as she needs you to be. Okay?"

He nodded like she could see him. "Yeah, I got you."

"You must've heard your daddy," Kandice laughed, "You hear Melly, Ro? Calling for you. She staring at the phone smiling, eyes still closed. I'll put the phone to her ear."

"Go back to sleep, Babygirl. Daddy loves you, okay?"

Melody mumbled back making Kandice and Roman laugh. "She's sleep again. I love you, Ro. Call me when you get home."

Roman put his phone away then stepped back into the warehouse. Tama and the twins stood around watching Joe choke Todd out, they moved back when they heard him approaching. Joe dropped him from his hold. Jey let him know they would be outside when he was finished.

"As much as you say you love my daughter on her Instagram, on her Facebook, on her Twitter, you couldn't possibly love her as much as I do. When you came after her, you didn't think about her father. Her father that's willing to kill and be killed for her," Roman spoke standing over him. "You know what I've always taught her? I taught her that love doesn't hurt so she knows that what you did wasn't out of love. That was anger. But your anger is nothing compared to mine."

"I am so sorry, Mr. Reigns. I came to your house to apologize to her for what I did, sir."

"You came to apologize with condoms and two knives in your pockets? Cause that's one hell of a apology. There was rope, cuffs, and a camera in your car too," Roman chuckled. "You're that close to death and won't tell the truth. You're not a man, you're a coward. The coward I knew you were when I saw how battered you left my daughter."

"This was all a mistake," Todd cried. He stood on his knees, pleading with Roman.

"No!" Roman roared. "You fought my five foot, maybe 120 lb daughter like she was a man so you get your ass up and fight me! Get up!" Roman pulled the small man up to his feet and pushed his chest roughly.

Todd shook his head extending his hands in front of him. "Please, I don't wanna fight. Please don't do this."

Roman laughed again at him but there was nothing funny. "Please don't do this? That's the exact same thing my daughter said to you. I heard the 911 call, she screamed in pain for ten minutes begging you to stop. But did you?"

"N-n-no, sir."

"So fight me. You can fight her, you can fight me."

Todd attempted to tussle with the larger man hoping that would satisfy the large man but it didn't. Roman tossed him to the floor and knelt over him, delivering blow after blow to Todd's face. He blacked out. The only thing he could see was how Haleigh looked in the hospital bed, how she cried seeing the damage done to her face, the mirrors she'd broken, the nights she sat up in his arms crying terrified that Todd would come back.

"That's it, Uce. That's it. Back up," Jey whispered placing a hand on Roman’s shoulder. "Look at him. That's it."

Roman’s nostrils glared as he stared at each of his cousins then down at what used to be Todd. His face beaten in, barely recognizable. Roman’s breathing started to slow when he realized Todd was no longer breathing.

Joe put a strong hand on Roman’s other shoulder. "Come on, man. Let's go. Jey well take you home, we got this."

Roman took one last look at Todd before leaving the warehouse. He didn't feel guilty, he didn't feel any remorse. He felt vindicated, he felt free. He hoped Haleigh would feel the same way.

[ferrerochocobo]

Okay so MOST of the time- I don't post my personal life on here, but I think for just once- this is one of those times I need to address something.

An asshat of a coworker.

For context- yes, we both have Aspergers. I work at a company that employs people with disabilities. But that DOES not mean I get along with my fellow Aspergers people all the time. Especially if they have no desire to be courteous- knowing they're hurting the feelings of others.

With that, here's another segment of what crap my coworker did tonight. Also, I work on a military base. So if I'm redacting- it's for good reason.

So tonight, it started with us getting into the van after the [redacted]. You know- where the [redacted] and [redacted] are. Now, I'm gonna scribble a diagram of the van. So you can understand the seating here.

Okay, that's super shitty BUT the two at the top are the front seats, behind is this long seat, behind that is a long seat with an individual seat beside it. Next to two doors. And behind that, the same deal.

So- we get on the van and he sits in the seat behind the passengers.

I crawl on in with my book bag and sit on the third seat- by the window.

I can hear him sigh and he's like, 'Can you shut the door getting in from now on?'

I tell him that if I was closer, I would. But also have a bag on my back. But if we traded seats, it would be easier. Obviously pissed at my solution, the guy says nothing. We go to the youth center then the other one with the gym. And this dude. Like....christ.

Not only does he like to do this thing where he only opens one side of the interlocking doors when we get to [redacted]- which effectively has me clattering like a turtle around in the van- But when I go to unlock the center's doors- he tries to constantly step in front before I can get in and put my bag down.

So I go to return the keys and ask [Team Lead] what she wants me to do- and per usual- [redacted] comes up and inturupts me in the middle of my conversation.

I've swallowed his inturupting constantly. Chalking it up to Aspergers. Giving him the benefit of the doubt. But holy christ if I was done with this inconsiderate shit. And [Team Lead] saw me. She knows. I turn to him with whatever hes saying and go- 'I was talking. Stop inturupting me.'

In a tone that can only be thrown in with the sound of spiteful pride at getting snapped off at, he says his 'Sorry...!' And that tears it. This man is an adult and he's acting like this. He owns a house. A car. And lives on his own and pays bills. And is acting like this to me.

I don't even let him finish his excuse.

'You always inturupt me in conversation! Learn to respect others!' He goes off in his huff and I turn back to [Team Lead]. She smiles half-heartedly because she can see my frustration. Tells me to breathe. I successfully get my calm back. In between my fear of yelling at others and my own frustration- it's usually why I have panics.

So we talk a bit and I'm like, 'I had to. He always inturupts and I told you I was gonna.'

She grins and she's like, 'I know. He does it to me all the time and it's rude!'

So with that, I go and clean. And the entire time- he's in his usual silent grump, foul mood. The kind that comes from being busted. We finish up and go back to the warehouse. (For context here of what's coming: Sometimes he drives me home.)

So we get back and I'm putting stuff away- I'm on one side of the warehouse and he's on the other.

Some of the coworkers are still around, too. Including [redacted]. A really nice Taurean coworker.

Out of nowhere, in this really smug voice in front of others, jerky guy goes-

Him: 'Hey [redacted].'

Me: 'Oh. Yeah?'

Him: 'Deals' off.'

I arch my brow a bit. Because I know he's trying to stab my pride. He's trying to make me feel helpless.

Me: 'Cool. Cheaper anyways. You need to stop being disrespectful to me.'

Him: 'What?'

And I'm hella sure he heard me. He wants me to shut down. But his 5'10-5'11 is nothing to the 5'7 I have, or the confidence I have with the few around- including my team lead.

Me: 'You always inturupt me. It's rude and disrespectful. Learn to have respect for me. Conversation over.'

I pass him and go to the clock and clock out. He's all, 'You do realize I'm talking about driving you home right?'

Me: 'Yeah, and I don't care. I have my mom. And Uber. Way cheaper.'

Him: 'Like I give a care.'

Me: 'Then why are we having this conversation?'

Me: 'See ya. Once again, conversation over.'

My team lead just knows and I watch him leave as I go to her. Then to [nice Taurus coworker] and the guys and tell them what shit [jerky coworker] did.

He was worried and wanted to keep peace. And I'm like, 'Man, the guy needs to stop that shit. You know me well enough. He tried to stand up and be taller but I'm the Aspie Alpha. Not him.' We do the usual handshake and I head home.

Now, you have to understand- just because we're Aspergers, doesn't mean we don't have a right to be treated kindly. To be treated respectibly. Over the course of the years, he's bluntly called me a bitch. He's made sarcastic remarks when I clean and do my job before he gets to a building like, 'I'm actually surprised you did your job.'

He's belittled me and called me lazy. He's also, multiple times- voiced his opinion on how he feels about religion.

He's made me feel self-concious about my body by knowing I'm a cosplayer and telling me 'I can't see you as that character. You're too big for them. Maybe if you lost 15 or 20 lbs though.' All the while, boosting himself up and talking about all his accomplishments. All the while- basking in the fact that every time he says something rude and I don't call him on it- that that means he's won.

You must understand. I am not a violent person. My heart flutters in fear of yelling at people. Hurting them.

But I feel my anger turn to not spite- but courage. A voice in me that was once a whisper every time he inturupts me turning into a roar of confidence. Something that can't be silent. I wouldn't take this from a friend. And I will not take this from an enemy.

To other Aspergers people- how would you handle this? I really want to know. NTs can answer, but I really want a fellow Aspergers person's opinion.