#no miraculous AU

[celestiall0tus]

@gamerknight7310 and I bring to you all the cast of the harem and the lead lady herself for Rapture

[littleinkling64]

Ok so I know I said like a magic consultant for the JL (for that Dickinette AU), but I've decided straight-up wizard/magic-user suits Mari better so....here

[lily-drake]

The Birds Baby Bug

Chapter 1

TW: Mention of attempted suicide

Ao3

Marinette: 10 Tim: 19

The halls were a blur as she ran past them as quickly as she could on her shaky legs.  All of them seemed to blend together, though some of the doors turned into different colors signifying what their purpose was supposed to be.  Her door was red and yellow.  Her door, and so many others’, was a curse she had finally been able to break free from.  She swallowed the bile that climbed up her throat when she thought of the things they did to her behind those doors.  The needles, the scent of bleach, and…no!  She couldn’t think about that now.  She needed to run, run, RUN!  She could feel the magic that flowed through her, it wanted to escape, to be used, but she shoved it down.  The entire reason she was here was because of the magic, the curse that flowed through her very blood.  Blood they constantly took and took and took from her.  

Her body was weak, she didn’t know where she was going or how she had even gotten this far.  She was hungry, her limbs ached , her head pounded in time with her racing heart, but she wouldn’t slow down.  If she dared to stop moving for even a second she might as well have signed her own death certificate.  Her dark unkempt hair flew behind her, falling into her wild blue eyes before whipping back when she turned a corner.  

She needed to escape.  She needed to get out.  She knows that if she’s caught that she won’t be killed, she knows that she will wish that they had killed her by the end of the punishment.  She quickly took another corner, bare feet pounding against the cold stone floor, yet they still barely made a sound.  She could feel the spark of her magic at her fingertips, begging to be released as adrenaline pulsed through her system, feeding the spark.  But she couldn’t.  She didn’t know what would happen if she let even the smallest speck loose.  

It didn’t matter though, because as she took the corner she bowled into someone knocking both of them over due to her velocity.  Her body ached from both the force of the fall and the magic that crawled at her skin like ants, fighting to be released.  She tried to push herself up, tried to move so that she could get her former momentum back, but she couldn’t.  She couldn’t hear the footsteps, but she felt their presence, could hear the breath of the assassins that were coming to retrieve her.  She didn’t want to go back, she would rather die than go back!  She could feel the outline of a sheathed knife pressing into her side, so with nimble fingers she grabbed it and held it to her chest, right above her heart.

She watched all of the dark shadows pause, the person behind her as still as a statue.

“I’ll do it!”  She screamed almost hysterically, her hands shaking despite her best efforts.  “Don’t come closer!  I won’t go with you again!  I won’t be used anymore!”

She kept the tip of the knife pressed to her chest, the small, sharp point nearly breaking her skin.  Her breathing was quick as she stared around the circle of ninjas.  The man in the green cape, she had never learned his name, was nowhere in sight.  She could feel one of the men cloaked like shadows step forward.  He continued to creep closer, and closer, and with all of the nerve she could muster she lifted the small blade and thrust it towards her chest.

Hope, excitement danced in her mind, at last this torment was about to come to an end.  But it was swiped away as the man she had forgotten that she was still sitting atop of rolled over and pinned her to the floor.  Shock filled her before she realized what was happening and tears fell down her cheeks.  The pulsing thrum of her magic burned, it burned so badly she felt like she was set ablaze, she hoped that it would kill her from its intensity alone.  But it didn’t.  The eyes that looked down at her were wide and frantic, filled with fear and a deep sadness.  She hated it.

“Leave, I’ll take care of this.”

She wanted to roll her eyes, but she could feel the shadows creep away on their silent feet, following his command.  The man stared at her a few moments longer before sitting up, legs still straddled around her waist.

“I’m going to get off you now.  I don’t know who you are or what they are after you for, but please don’t run.”

Marinette glared at him, if she had any moisture left in her mouth she would spit at him, but the rest of her moisture left when her tears had fallen.  His warning didn’t matter though, she doubted that she even had the strength to move.  After a few moments she felt the weight begin to lift and despite every nerve, every thought telling her to run , she couldn’t push herself up.

When the boy was fully off of her she nearly breathed a sigh of relief as the agonizing pain slowly began to recede.  The man—no, a boy—stared at her with wide, concerned eyes, though she could see his curiosity as bright as day (she hadn’t seen the sun in so long…).  He tilted his head slightly, which created the perfect angle for her to truly see his face in the torchlight. 

He had hair dark as night, eyes as blue as the sky, and skin as pale as clouds on a summer day.  At least, that’s what she thought as she hadn’t seen the night in probably years…

“Hey, a’e ‘u ok’y?”

Everything was starting to blur together, his voice fading in and out as her body shut down.  Not again, please not again!  She needed to get up, she needed to get out of here once and for all.  Even if they were telling the truth when they said they killed her family, that there was a tracker in her blood, chemicals running through her that would cause her death if she ever tried to escape by herself.  

Her body was heavy as it laid across the stone floor, the man’s desperate gaze never leaving her.  She thought he might be trying to talk to her, but her ears were ringing too loudly for her to hear everything.  Each blink grew heavier and heavier until it all went dark.  The last of her control on her magic slipped and she could feel it flow out of her like a fast running stream.  Then everything went dark.

_______ Tim stared at the small girl in both shock and horror.  Quickly he went to check her pulse point and was relieved when he felt her pulse.  It was slower than was normal, but not deathly so.  Once he had made sure that she was truly okay, he studied the small girl to see if he could find any clues for who she could be.  

She had long dark dark hair covered in tangles and knots like it hadn’t been brushed in years.  Her skin was pale, paler than his (and that was saying something), he couldn’t see her eyes but he was pretty sure from his brief glances that they were some shade of blue.  She was wearing a typical dark blue hospital gown that went just above her ankles.  The gown itself was large and flowy making it hard for him to see her rib cage without having to touch her.  Her skin was littered with small red dots as if she had been stuck with multiple needles.  Each of the dots were at different stages of healing making him wonder how long she had been here.  With the utmost gentleness he picked up her wrist and noticed the large cuff-like bruises that wrapped around her wrists; a light purple with specks of greens and yellows.  They had barely begun to heal.  When he laid a gentle hand against her ribs he nearly pulled back as he could feel her ribs even through the thin fabric.  Tim was going to be sick.

The girl could be older than 8, but depending on how long she’s been here her growth could have stunted placing her at maybe 10 or 11.

He kept his hand against her chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of her chest, but there was something else.  She was hot, burning even.  It was unnatural, wrong.  A tingly sensation crept up through his arm and Tim quickly shot his hand back, holding it close to his chest.  He could feel an invisible energy moving along his body easing his tense and sore body, then there was a pain in the right side of his body.  He held back the panicked and pain filled noises that threatened to escape his throat.  Maybe there was a reason the other leaguers were after her, maybe he should have let one of them stay.

The pain only lasted for a minute at most, and then it was gone.  And he didn’t just mean the sudden pain in his abdomen, but all of the physical aches and pains he had received from his training and missions.  In fact, it felt like something internally was different.  He glanced at the small child, still asleep, before he carefully lifted his shirt to look at his chest.  All of his scars were…gone.  Every single one of the scars he had ever received throughout his life, even the cut from his splenectomy, were completely erased from existence.

He looked back at the unconscious girl, so small yet seemingly filled with a large power.  She was a meta, and it looked like she had some sort of healing power.  Tim wondered why until he remembered the Lazarus Pit and its side effects.  Ra’s owns the pits; but if he could find a person, or rather a power, that could heal him without the pit and its side effects, he would do anything to extract it for himself.  

The best thing for him to do would be to take and hide her in his room, then come up with some sort of extraction plan while Ra’s was still gone.  But if Ra’s were to find out that he stole one of his “prizes” he would stop helping Tim; which would make it 10x harder to destroy The League of Assassins from the inside out.  

Tim glanced down at the small unconscious child, body littered in scars of her own, none healed despite what just happened.  Bruce’s face flashed in the front of his mind, and he knew that Bruce would never forgive him—nor would he forgive himself—if he didn’t help this child right away. 

Tim took a steadying breath, and carefully picked the small girl up.  He expected for there to be something else, something to what he had just experienced.  But there was nothing; in fact the only thing that happened was she subconsciously leaned against him.  His heart melted, a protective surge running through him as he hugged the small girl closer.  He could feel each and everyone of her ribs against his sternum, her face hallowed out with dark circles he hadn’t noticed before under her eyes.  She looked dead, but she was breathing, and that’s all that mattered.  At least that’s what he kept repeating to himself.  He just needed to get to his room, request extra food and water, then he’ll come up with a plan.  He just needed to get her to his room first.

_______ Tim didn’t have a plan.  The girl was still asleep, tucked into his bed barely moving.  Tim was currently hacking through firewall after firewall to discover where Ra’s kept his files on the child.  Ra’s might be old-fashioned with his methods—he definitely had a paper file somewhere—but he also knew that the man knew when he needed to adapt.  After hours of hacking, the child still asleep, he finally broke through the correct wall and was honestly surprised at the amount of information that began to download to his laptop.

Marinette Gina Dupain-Cheng (Test Subject E131): 

Immediately, the name set off an alarm bell in the back of his mind, though he wasn’t sure why yet.

Meta Gene: Confirmed  Age: 7 Sex: Female Parents: Deceased Power: Life & Creation Trigger: Currently Unknown 

Test #1                    Conducted June 6, 2016 18:35 

This was three years ago.  Another alarm bell, and a shiver down his spine at the implications.

Before the test began one sample of 5 mL of blood was extracted as the control group while E131 was asleep.  The subject had a heart monitor attached at the pulse point at the right bicep.  Average vital patterns ranged from 86-98 BPM.  When they awoke, tests immediately began.  This test was specifically focused on narrowing out and separating the Meta Gene for further observation.  Past observations of the subject have shown that they hold the power to revive dying and even completely dead plant life, even renewing the soil life.   

Subject E131 was locked in a 80cmx80cm room with no restraints and in the same clothes they arrived in.  Subject awoke at 18:53 alarmed, vitals immediately spiked up to an average of 110-120 BPM.  Subject immediately began to call for their parents for two minutes and twenty-five seconds.  During this time E131 began to cry hysterically, no change to the BPM. 

Tim paused his reading, he needed to take a breath.  This was wrong, this was all so wrong.  She’s just a child, she was seven when all of this began.  But he needed to keep going, he needed to know what had happened so that he could properly help her.

When it appeared that her BPM was going down, it was decided that at 18:58 there would be another blood draw while the subject was conscious.  When medical entered the room, subjects BPM spiked once more.  Subject tried to evade medical, including fighting back when restrained, spiking the BPM to 115-135.  Another 5 mL of blood was taken before the subject was left alone. 

Blood work:

Blood Type: A+ Meta Gene: Dominant Resting Systolic Blood Pressure Average: 93 Resting Diastolic Blood Pressure Average: 76 Stressed Systolic Blood Pressure Average: 127 Stressed Systolic Blood Pressure Average: 86 

Analysis: 

It was found that when the subject was asleep the gene was left neutral, floating through the bloodstream and helping the cells in the body reproduce and remain healthy. The blood that was taken when Subject E131 was on high alert showed a higher amount of the gene being produced, as though protecting the host.  .05 mL of blood from each vial were placed in the soil of two different pots, both with the same dead plant and soil.  The plant with resting blood revived in 30 minutes while the plant with the stressed blood revived in 15 minutes.  It begs the question, what else can E131’s blood revive, what are the side effects, what triggers their power, and how fast can we make the revival become? 

Tim felt sick.  Three years, she had gone through this for three. Years.   But he had to know more, he needed to know what exactly he needed to do to get back at Ra’s for these horrors.

Marinette Gina Dupain-Cheng (Test Subject E131): Meta Gene: Confirmed  Age: 8 Sex: Female Parents: Deceased Power: Life & Creation Trigger: Emotion Based 

Test #96                    Conducted December 25, 2017 14:15 

Subject E131 no longer has the same emotional reaction to the video of her parents death.  Where once they would fly into a fit of rage and sorrow, creating life out of seemingly nothing; they remain numb and limp.  Today we will try something new.  Something more advanced now that we see the subject's basic capabilities.  

Subject was placed in a room full of small animals ranging from chicks, to rabbits, and a small tabby kitten.  The subject was slow to trust the animals, but after nearly thirty minutes of nothing happening, they began to play with the animals.  It was agreed upon that the subject be allowed to spend time with the animals for three hours.  While the subject was in a state of bliss, blood was pulled from E131 from the automatic needle attached to their bicep.  Subject showed no reaction to the extraction. 

Once the three hours ended, all animals were killed right in front of E131.  Subject had the intended reaction as they began to scream and cry, emotions spiking into a high.  Leaguer, who was heavily injured in battle, was sent into the room while E131 was at the peak of their emotional state.  When the Leaguer exited the room five minutes late, they were completely healed¹ .   

Analysis: 

We have taken the blood samples from the two emotional peaks and added them into two different samples of the pit before using the pit and blood concoction on two dead rabbits of the same height and weight.  The rabbit with the distressed blood sample created a single heartbeat in the dead rabbit before it flatlines once more while the one where the subject was happy created no signs of life.  The hypothesis was that the subject's heart rate did not reach the same peaks as the fear sample.  More tests will be conducted around this.

*Footnote�� Leaguer was put under observation for two months with biweekly check-ups.  There were no harmful side effects, but the Leaguer seemed to have a higher pain tolerance and faster healing process for a short period of time.  

Tim read and read and read through each and every report.  Electrocution, starvation, hypnosis, forced to watch death, etc.

Test #254                    Conducted April 2, 2018 14:15 

Subject was so distressed that a dead animal that was hidden in the corner was revived from the dead.  …Sample showed the highest positive effects in removing pit side effects. 

Test #317                    Conducted July 13, 2019 01:15 

Age: 10 

This was last week.

Subject has been shown to wield more promising results in a dream-like state.  10 mL of Fear Gas obtained from Scarecrow from Gotham, New Jersey USA was used on the subject.  Emotional response was not as high as it was as high as it was in Test #315 despite a higher amount of gas being released.  Subject attempted to stab herself with an imaginary knife.  …Blood from peak emotional outburst was able to revive a dead rabbit with no help from the Lazarus Pit.  Subject E131 will have their blood extracted and placed into the Lazarus Pits in two weeks time.  The next and final test will see if emotional outburst will be able to revive a human from the dead without blood sample or Lazarus help. 

Tears streamed down Tim’s cheeks in a never ending stream.  How-how was anybody this heartless, this cruel?  How was she still alive?!  Tim turned to look at the small child only to see them staring right back at him.  

“Hey.”  Tim whispered, his voice cracking slightly.  He didn’t care though, what mattered was making sure that he saved this small child and made sure that Ra’s would never be able to get his disgusting hands on her ever again.  The child didn’t speak, only watched him with wide, fear filled eyes.  

“Are you thirsty?  I had some food and water brought up for when you woke up.”  The only reaction he got was her pulling the covers closer to her chest.  Slowly Tim stood up, telegraphing each of his movements as he approached the dresser next to the bed where the food and water were located.  “Do you want me to try it first?”

Hesitantly she nodded.  Tim gave her a small encouraging smile before he took a large sip of the water and swallowed it.  He waited a few minutes for her to see that there were no side effects from it before slowly placing it back on the dresser for her to take by herself.  Then he picked up the food, which consisted of rice and beans with a little bit of some sort of meat, and mixed it together before getting a bit of everything on his fork and taking another large bite.  Once again they waited about five minutes before he set the plate back on the dresser and he took a few steps back.  

He watched her eat, she appeared almost ravenous, so much so he had to remind her to slow down a few times worried that she’d choke.  Tim’s heart ached with the fierce want, no need to protect this small vulnerable child.  He was 19, he could legally adopt her, especially since the League had taken both of her parents, meaning she was an orphan.  But he was getting ahead of himself, before he could even plan giving her a new life, a life that she deserved, he needed to find a way to get her out of here without being on the receiving end of Ra’s rage.

“More?”  She whispered.  Her voice was cracked, brittle sounding.  It broke his heart, and he prayed to whatever God existed that the damage could be repaired.  

“I can’t get you any more food right now.  You're too malnourished, and if I give you more than that you could get really sick.  I can get you another cup of water though, but that will have to do so we don’t accidentally cause your electrolytes to crash.”

The small girl nodded as if she understood him, but he didn’t think she fully did, after all she still only had the schooling of a first or second grader.  There weren’t any files that showed they had tried to school her after all.  

“Wh-”, she fell into a coughing fit, and it took everything inside of Tim to stop him from rushing to her side.  “What’s your name?”  She croaked out.  Blue eyes dull and full of pain.

“I’m Tim.”  He whispered, trying to encourage her to do the same so she didn’t hurt her voice anymore.  

“Why are you here?”  She whispered back.  That small gesture eased some of the weight he hadn’t even realized he was carrying.

“I’m trying to find my dad, and they’re offering me help.  How did you know I wasn’t one of the ninjas?”  He asked softly, making his voice only sound curious.

She pointed to her face before replying, “No mask, different robes, and y-you talk to me.”

Marinette fell into another coughing fit after that, her skin looking even paler than when he had first found her.  Tim clenched his fist against his knees as he was seated on the floor.  Was this what Bruce felt when he saw Dick and Jason?  This overwhelming need to protect such a small child when so much bad has already consumed their life?  Did Bruce ever feel this way about him?

“What’s your name?”  He asked, he didn’t need her knowing that he knew about the worst years of her life.

“E-...No, that wasn’t…Ma-Marientte.  Mama always called me Marinette.”

Tim now understood why Jason did what he did.  He wanted to kill these Ba*, but more than that he wanted them to feel the same agony they made her feel first.  Then suddenly a face flashed before his eyes followed by a name, and hours and hours of research that lead to a dead end.  A Paris cold case he had stumbled upon a few years ago when he was checking in on the city where he received a good portion of his training.  

Marinette Gina Dupain-Cheng, presumed dead as her parents and grandmother were brutally murdered by an unknown person for unknown reasons.  Only problem was, they had never found Marinette’s body.  But he had, and she was still alive .  

“I’m going to get you out of here.”  He whispered, shocking the young girl as her eyes seemed to grow as wide as saucers.

“I’m going to get you to safety and you’ll never have to worry about whether or not you’ll be another experiment again.  I’m sorry it took me this long to find you,” Tears began to well in his eyes.  If only he’d been smarter, there had to have been something that pointed to the League that he had overlooked.  Bruce would be so disappointed in him, Ra’s was probably laughing his a* off.  “I’ll take care of you.  I will protect you.  I won’t let them hurt you ever again.”

She just stared at him, face blank and passive.  It was as if she were seeing something that he simply could not.  Then tears spilled from her eyes and Tim couldn’t restrain himself as he moved closer to the small child, but never touching her.  But it didn’t matter because she launched herself at him, holding onto his shirt in a vice-like grip.  Tim quickly wrapped his arms around her, letting her cry.  Tears fell out of his own eyes.

“...You talk to me.” 

When was the last time she had heard anyone but herself, felt a touch from another person that wasn’t cruel or fake, treated as a human being.  He thought back to his own empty house.  The cold haunted rooms that echoed with nothing but the ghost of a 9-year-old boy that wasn’t even living.  Parents that only cared about him when he messed up, only touched in public or as a warning.  

“You’re safe now.  I promise it.”  He whispered, holding the girl as close as he dared in fear of injuring her further.  He would protect her, be the guardian that Bruce was for Jason and Dick.  The shadow that haunts the dreams of those who dare hurt what was his.  Marinette Drake had a nice ring to it, but only if she too agrees.  Jason’s never going to let him live this down.  It would be worth it though, because she would be safe.

Next

Taglist:

@aespades @adrestar @astrynyx @doll246 @queenz-z @toodaloo-kangaroo @crazylittlemunchkin @seraphichana @miraculous-ninjabird @dorkus-minimus @mysticsoulgirl @ritacrow-blog @snow-leopard-777 @fidget-eep @sometandomstuff333 @lady-phoenix-of-tardis @shreeing @achaoticmess1 @liquid-luck-00 @buginetye @stainedglassm @prettylittlebutterflie @laurcad123 @iloontjeboontje @heartsong18 @raeuberprinzessin @when-no-wings-do-broomsticks @jennifer-rose123 @moon5608 @corporeal-terrestrial @skitarii-alpha-c6-555 @saltysugarysembei @phantom120 @kking13 @depressed-bitchy-demon @a-slytherinish-gryffindor @iamablinkmarvelarmy @fleursroses @izanae

[inner-sakura]

Theoretically Forever

[Adrien POV sequel to Hypothetically Ever After, childhood friends AU, adrienette, fake/pretend relationship]

Adrien Agreste has had a crush on Marinette Dupain-Cheng for as long as he can remember.

Unfortunately for him, however, she’s only ever had eyes for his older brother Félix, who’s never so much as looked her way.

But when an opportunity suddenly presents itself to turn the tables and rewrite the script on their relationship, Adrien finds himself hard-pressed to turn it down… Especially when it means getting to date the love of his life.

Even if it is only fake.

AU where PV Felix is Adrien’s older brother. inspired by the novel “the boys next door” by jennifer echols. hello and welcome back to the brothers AU fic series that no one ever asked for yet i remain obsessed with. 

read it here

chapter one

Adrien Agreste had been in love for as long as he could remember.

Or at least since the age of five, which was practically the same thing.

It may have seemed a bit excessive, or perhaps even absurd to most people. But he’d always been considered mature for his age—more advanced than most of his peers, according to his tutors—and he had a pretty solid grasp of what love looked like, thanks to his parents.

Although his father wasn’t the most demonstrative with his affections, it was clear that his mother and father were crazy for one another. It was there in the way they gazed at each other when they thought no one was looking; in the way his father’s eyes seemed to find his mother the moment she walked into a room, and the way her face lit up when she found him in return. And most of all, it was clear in the way they loved and cherished him and his brother Félix: dearly, wholeheartedly, and without reserve.  

Still, five was pretty early for romantic love by most standards.

But Adrien didn’t care. He knew it was real. Even if no one else seemed to believe him.

“Maman, when I grow up, Marinette and I are going to be married,” Adrien declared proudly, beaming up at his mother where she sat on the edge of his bed.

Émilie paused, her hands hovering above the blankets that she was tucking around him. Her lips stretched into a smile.

“Is that so?” She said, smoothing the covers over him with one hand while the other reached out to softly card through his hair.

Adrien nodded emphatically, his hair falling into his eyes and obscuring his vision.

“Uh-huh. And we’re gonna have a big house with a waterslide and live together with you and Papa and Félix forever.” He wiggled under the covers, his body filling with excitement at the thought.  

“Oh really?” His mother pushed the hair back from his forehead, laughter clear in her voice even though he couldn’t see her facial expression. “And what if Félix wants to marry someone and live with them instead?”

His vision now clear thanks to her ministrations, Adrien gazed into his mother’s warm green eyes; the same eyes he saw reflected back in his own face every time he looked in the mirror.

“Well, they can live with us too,” he decided finally, his mind made up. “It’s going to be a big house.”

“And what if Marinette wants to marry someone else?” Émilie asked, one brow raising in question.

Adrien didn’t even bat an eye.

“She won’t, Maman,” he assured her, his lips pulling back in a sneaky grin. “I'm a real catch, you know.”

At that, his mother burst out laughing, her eyes sparkling as she leaned down to kiss his forehead.

“Yes you are, my love. But for now, why don’t you focus on catching some sleep... It’s quite late, you know.”

Adrien snuggled down into his pillows, satisfied at having made his mother laugh, and assured in the knowledge that there was no way Marinette Dupain-Cheng could possibly wind up marrying someone else.  

They were made for each other, after all.

Even if no one else knew it yet.

-x-

Present

-x-  

Adrien had been dreaming about this summer for the better part of the last year.

It had been a warm light on the horizon, and the only thing that helped to carry him through some of the bleaker winter days in Paris. The days where everything outside his window had been cold and grey, and there was no solace to be found inside—the frigid air chasing him through the empty halls of his perpetually silent home.

On those days, especially, he’d clung to that light, letting the warmth strengthen him even when it felt like the darkness might last forever.

But now they were finally here, after so many long days and nights.

Adrien took a deep breath in, savouring the clean, fresh air in his lungs.

It smells like home.

His moment of gentle introspection was brought to an abrupt end by his older brother, who rudely hip-checked him out of the way, nearly running over his toes with the wheels of his rolling suitcase in the process.

“You’re in the way,” Félix said, making his way toward the house without sparing so much as a glance at the natural beauty around him.

Adrien withheld a sigh, refusing to let his brother’s early morning surliness dampen his euphoria.

Summer was here, they were finally back at the lake, and all was right with the world. Or at least it would be shortly.

Fishing his phone out of his pocket with one hand, Adrien dialled the number he’d had memorized since almost before he knew how to count to ten without relying on his fingers.

“Hello? Hi, Sabine, it’s Adrien. Is Marinette there?”

-x-

After getting settled in and unpacking his things in record time, Adrien found himself with both time and energy to spare.

He was too amped up to play video games or sit down and watch something, and he didn’t want to wander too far from the house for fear that he might miss Marinette’s arrival.

And so he made his way to his brother’s room, content to dedicate his efforts to his third favourite pastime:

Annoying his older brother.

Bursting into Félix’s room without knocking, Adrien bounded across the floor, throwing himself onto the bed with a dramatic sigh.

“Yes, do come in,” Félix intoned without looking up from his book. “Make yourself at home. You’re not disturbing me at all…”  

“Brother, have you no compassion for my poor nerves?” Adrien cried, slinging an arm across his forehead with enough melodrama to bring his acting coach to tears. “Don’t you know what today is?”

“It’s Thursday.”

“No! I mean, yes, technically it is Thursday, but that’s not what I meant. Today is a much more important day. I’m finally going to be reunited with Marinette, after nearly a year of not seeing her!” He grabbed a pillow, hugging it to his chest and repressing the urge to squeal like an infatuated schoolgirl.

The intent must have been clear in his posture though, if Félix’s disgusted scoff was anything to go by.

“A most auspicious occasion, to be sure.” His brother’s tone was glacial.

Adrien lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling ponderously.

“I think I’m in love with her.”

“Uh-huh.”

“She doesn’t know I exist.”

There was the sound of a page turning. “I find that particularly hard to believe when considering the fact that she’s been your friend since you were in preschool.”

“No, I mean, of course Marinette knows I exist physically,” Adrien said, struggling to find the words. “I meant like…mentally. Romantically.” He fell silent, pouting up at the rafters.

She’s never looked at me because she’s been too busy mooning after you, Adrien thought resentfully in his brother’s direction.

Oblivious to his internal grumbling, Félix sighed, closing the book he was reading with a snap.

“If I tell you what you want to hear, does that mean you’ll give me my bed and my peace and quiet back?”

Adrien rolled over, shoving his face into the comforter and letting out a pathetic groan.

Félix sighed again.

“If you want her to consider you seriously, then you’re going to have to step up your game,” Félix said at last, his words brusque and business-like. “Make your intentions so clear that there’s no way she’ll be able to misinterpret them.”

Lifting his face from the comforter, Adrien shot his brother a suspicious look. “Okay, but how?”

Although to the untrained observer, Félix’s expression may have appeared impassive, Adrien was easily able to pick up on the glint in his icy blue eyes.

“…I can think of a few ways.”

Adrien bristled, his face reddening.

“Pervert,” he muttered, pushing himself up and off the bed, no longer interested in continuing the conversation if Félix was going to insist on being so unhelpful. Besides, what did his iceberg of a brother even know about relationships, anyway? Theirs really was a textbook case of the blind leading the blind.

Adrien shook his head, heading for the door.

Before he could reach it, however, the intercom in Félix’s room buzzed, which could only mean one thing.

Someone was at the front door.

Adrien’s heart leapt straight into his throat.

“Oh my god, she’s here!” He lurched forward, only to double back at the last second, wanting to check his appearance. He fussed with his hair, pushing it back behind his ears and straightening his shirt until he was satisfied that he looked half decent.

“You look like a twat,” Félix said, his version of a compliment.

Adrien eyed his reflection, his face twisting with disgust.

“You’re right. I look like you.” He shook his hair out again.  

When he caught Félix rolling his eyes in the mirror, Adrien stuck his tongue out playfully.

“You’d better hurry, otherwise Father is going to be the one to greet Marinette at the door, and we both know what his idea of a welcoming committee looks like…”

At his brother’s not-so-gentle reminder, Adrien bolted, single-mindedly focused on subverting disaster and making sure that his father didn’t do anything horrible that might scare Marinette away before he’d even gotten the chance to say hello to her.

Unfortunately for him, however, disaster seemed intent upon finding him that morning.

Throwing the door open with a bit more force than was strictly necessary, Adrien all but catapulted himself forward, oblivious to any perils that awaited him. Which meant that he’d barely set one foot over the threshold before he was immediately colliding with another fast-moving body.

Well, he had time to think before the inevitable descent began, I don’t need to be a physics whiz to know how this is going to end.

With nothing to grab onto to steady himself, and plenty of g-force behind him, Adrien practically flew through the air, landing on the floor with an inelegant thump, successfully and quite spectacularly knocking the wind out of himself.

He was given very little time to contemplate the cruel nature of gravity, however, because suddenly a high-pitched feminine voice was speaking in his ear, causing his breath to catch for an entirely different reason.  

“Adrien!”

And then he was on his back, two slim arms wrapping around his torso and squeezing tightly.

Adrien’s head spun, the combination of a lap full of soft teenage girl and her titanium grip—which was slowly cutting off his air supply—doing funny things to his brain.

“Can’t—breathe, Mari—” he wheezed, his vision going spotty at the edges.

“Sorry!” Marinette laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet of the hallway. “I’ve been working out more lately and I guess all that weight training is finally making a difference.”

She began to pull away, and Adrien felt a rush of panic.

Oh no, she’s getting up, a little voice in his brain cried in alarm. Don’t let her leave—!  

He quickly tugged her back down, his grip tightening as he cradled her against his body, inhaling deeply. How was it possible that she smelled even better than he remembered—sweet and smooth, with an undercurrent of spice that made him want to dig his nose into the point where her neck met her shoulder and drink her scent in from the source.  

Ashamed at the direction his thoughts had taken, Adrien turned his face away, trying to ignore the burning in his cheeks.

“It’s okay,” he said eventually, his next words coming out far more earnestly than he’d intended. “I’m glad to see you.”

Marinette didn’t respond, but Adrien felt the way she softened in his grasp, melting into him just that bit more. His heart fluttered.

“Ahem.” Félix cleared his throat, shattering the tenderness of the moment with the impact of an atom bomb.

Oh my GOD, has he been there this whole time?? Adrien grimaced, trying not to be offended by the way the sound of Félix’s voice sent Marinette scrambling out of his lap like his pants had just caught on fire.

He eyed his older brother distrustfully, taking in the look of smug superiority he wore. It was clear by his expression that Félix knew exactly how much Adrien had been enjoying that impromptu embrace, and how much he was currently cursing him out in his head for interrupting it.

“If you’re both quite finished, I’d prefer it if you moved your tearful lovers' reunion to a location that isn’t the middle of my bedroom doorway.”

Adrien flushed, shooting daggers at his brother behind Marinette’s back.

I know where you live, he mouthed silently.

Félix merely smirked.  

“F-Félix!” The soft breathlessness in Marinette’s voice made Adrien’s stomach clench, even more so than the elbow in the gut he received as she clambered to her feet.

Here we go, he thought, resigning himself to invisibility as his childhood best friend proceeded to make goo-goo eyes at his brother.

Silently, he watched as Marinette threw herself all over Félix, her arms snaking around his torso as she hugged him tightly. And Félix—the traitorous bastard—even went so far as to override his programming and return the embrace (!), patting Marinette once on the back in what was basically his equivalent of an enthusiastic double cheek kiss.

When Marinette pulled back, her face was an adorable shade of pink, her blue eyes shining as she gazed up at him.

A sour taste filled Adrien’s mouth. The image of the two of them embracing would almost certainly revisit him later in his nightmares.

After what felt like an eternity, Félix finally extricated himself from Marinette’s clutches and left, but not before throwing Adrien one last loaded look for good measure.

Your move, little brother. His expression seemed to say.

Yet Adrien remained seated on the floor, stewing in his resentment and jealousy.

He was so preoccupied with glaring after his brother, in fact, that he almost missed the hand extended towards him.

Adrien blinked at Marinette in confusion. Was she… trying to help him up?

How adorable.

“What?” She snapped after a moment, bristling when he didn’t immediately take her up on her generosity.

Adrien raised an eyebrow.

“I’m bigger than you.” And as much as I enjoyed having you in my lap the first time, I think I’ve had enough crashing to the floor for one day, thanks. This part he had the presence of mind not to say out loud.

A twitch of the eye was the only warning he received before he was suddenly being hauled upright and unceremoniously plunked back on his feet. Adrien staggered, shocked at the ease with which she’d lifted him.

“And I’m stronger than I look,” Marinette replied smugly, her expression radiating satisfaction as she gazed at him, her arms crossed in a way that inadvertently showed off muscles he hadn’t known until that moment she’d even possessed.

Holy shit, that was hot. Adrien gawped at her, quickly glancing away before she could catch him staring like a buffoon. Even though he knew the floors were immaculate, he busied himself with dusting off his clothes, just to give himself a minute to regain his composure.

As he was doing so, he heard Marinette gasp.

“You grew. Again.” She appeared outraged by the notion, as though growing was some sort of illicit, sinful activity.

Adrien puffed up with pride.  

“A whole eight centimetres,” he confirmed, pleased that she’d noticed. Now he was finally on eye level with his father and Félix, a fact which brought him no small amount of glee. Gone were the days of being the baby of the family in both the figurative and literal senses of the term. At the rate he was going, he might even outgrow both of them by the time he reached his twenties. The concept was thrilling.

“Eight centimetres? How—?” Marinette gaped up at him, her blue eyes bright with incredulity. “What kind of freak body grows eight centimetres in a year?”

Adrien leaned towards her, his lips quirking when he realised just how far he had to bend over to be on eye level with her now.

He rested an elbow on her shoulder, marvelling internally. She’s so tiny!

Outwardly, he decided to do what he did best, which was tease her relentlessly for her shortness. “I’ll have you know that it’s perfectly normal. Most people experience these things called ‘growth spurts’ during puberty. Where they actually get taller!” He lowered his voice as though he was divulging some great secret.

Then he blinked.

“Oh right,” he pretended to take her in for the first time. “I forgot who I was talking to for a second.”

Marinette’s eyes flashed, her nostrils flaring.

“You’re hilarious,” she deadpanned, elbowing him in the side roughly as she slipped out of his grasp.

Adrien grinned, his lips pulling even wider when he noticed the way her mouth was twitching, her efforts not to laugh obvious.

She’s still as easy to read as ever, he thought fondly, gazing at her out of the corner of his eye as they made their way to his room. He chatted her ear off the whole way, practically buzzing with excitement now that she was finally here. The prospect of spending two weeks of uninterrupted quality time together had him so euphoric, in fact, that he didn’t pick up on Marinette’s uncharacteristic silence, or notice that anything was amiss until she was hauling his loft’s ladder up behind her.

And by then, of course, it was far too late.

“Woah, woah, woah, what’s this about now?” Adrien asked, his eyes widening. There was only one reason that the ladder ever came up.

Marinette’s response did little to reassure him of her intentions.

“Top secret.” Was all she said as she fiddled with the hatch, seemingly determined to ensure that it was properly closed.

Once she was satisfied with her efforts, she turned to face him. The look she wore was enough to make Adrien recoil.

This must be a new record, he thought, taking a step backward instinctively. She’s only been here for ten minutes and she’s already up to no good.

“I know what that look means… You’re either about to rope me into something dangerous—and quite possibly illegal—or you’re about to tell me something that I’d really rather not hear.” Adrien said, his mouth going on autopilot as he tried in vain to halt her advance. He could feel himself losing ground, both physically and metaphorically, yet he remained helpless to stop it.  

When the backs of his knees met his bed, Adrien merely allowed himself to fall, landing on the mattress with a final sounding thump.

Marinette gazed down at him intently, looking like the cat that got the canary.

“Adrien,” she said, her voice nothing but saccharine sweetness as she leaned into his space. At this distance her scent was nearly overwhelming in its intensity, filling his senses and leaving his mind hazy and punch drunk. “I think it's time to take things to the next level.”

Adrien’s heart was pounding so loudly now that he was almost certain Marinette would be able to hear it if she listened closely.  

His voice came out strangled as he repeated. “The next level?”

Marinette drew even closer and Adrien swayed forward, all of his rational, higher-thinking processes abandoning him as his gaze darted between her eyes and her lips.

If I just leaned up ever so slightly…

They were so close now that he could practically feel her inhalation more than hear it, the warmth of her breath fanning across his face.

Yet, instead of kissing him as he’d hoped, Marinette opened her mouth to speak. And when her words finally registered, Adrien couldn’t help but wish that she hadn’t.

“I need you to help me seduce your brother,” she said, blissfully unaware that she’d just dealt him the verbal equivalent of a killing blow.

Well, it’s official, Adrien thought, staring at her in disbelief as he felt his fantasies sinking faster than the Hindenburg.

God hates me. That is the only plausible explanation for any of this shit.

-x-

[jasmine-the-fox]

May the spirits spare your soul

And at long last... I present to you all a new salt fic! So sorry for the wait I didn't mean to take this long to write anything... I have been trying to limit when I use my laptop and so I forgot to even make any fics for you all. Anyways this is my salt fic and I hope you all enjoy!

The time has come for the students at the Light academy to summon a spirit and see there soulmate thread to find the one they were meant to be with for all eternity. Jasmine and Marinette were very excited about this event, the two of them have talked about all of the spirits they could summon and they imagined who there soulmates could be in the end. Mari believed her soulmate would be charming and protective of her.

All the while Jasmine believed her soulmate would be loving, caring, strong and many other things... But at the end of the day she just wanted someone who would love her no matter what happens, as a result they were waiting in line for there turn to summon there spirit and soulmate thread... All of a sudden they heard laughter and looked to find ahead of them was Lila Rossi, she is a liar and still was able to get people around her to believe everything she claims.

"Don't waste our time you losers! We all know that neither of you will get anything so just go back to your rooms" she said making Mari want to smack her but Jasmine stops her "You know she will make us look like the bad guys if you try anything. It's for the best to ignore her for now and wait for our chance to take her down" she explained making Mari sigh but nod in agreement.

They stay where they were which angers Lila before she looks forward and keeps moving as time slowly moves for her to have her turn to summon her spirit and get her thread to her soulmate... She couldn't wait to shove it in Jasmine and Mari's faces when she get's one and they don't in the end, she smiles as she walks to her spot in her white dress and gives her name so she can be marked as her turn being done. She recites the incantation that is required to summon the spirit... And nothing happened which shocked her, she was about to try again but the dish that to reveal her thread was brought to her.

She dipped her hand and nothing happened again... She was angry and stormed over to where the others who had there turn were talking to there spirit or there friends. Time goes by and soon it's Mari's turn, she takes her spot and just as she was about to give her name Lila speaks "Don't bother with her or Jasmine. They won't get anything at all" she claimed but was ignored as Mari gave her name. She then spoke the incantation and all of a sudden lightning began and before Mari was a little storm... That revealed her spirit. He was a boy that looked around her age with blonde hair and green eyes, he also had black markings on his body.

"Hello my dear Soulmate. I am Adrien the God of Destruction and i am here to serve and care for you" he said making Mari look at him in shock, when the dish was brought to her she trembled as she placed her hand inside and the liquid began to glow. She pulled her hand out and just like he said her thread connected to him... They were soulmates, she opened her mouth to speak only for there to be a shriek "You thief! You stole him from me! He's my spirit and soulmate so give him back now!" Lila ordered only for an elder to speak "you should know Rossi that it is impossible to steal a spirit or even a soulmate from another" she claimed making Lila get looked at in confusion.

Of course she felt shame and so she ran away to her room, Jasmine then walked to her spot to speak her name... Only for two things to happen before she could: A tree sprouted before her and a fire tornado formed... Both of them revealed two beings that made many gasp in shock. The one in the tree was slightly shorter then Jasmine but not by much, he had curly green hair and bright green eyes, he had freckles all over him and was clearly an elf if you could tell by the clothes then by the ears... The other was taller than the both of them, he had spiky blonde hair and sharp red eyes, he also had dragon wings and a tail.

"Hello soulmate! I am Izuku elf God of the forest! I am so happy to finally meet you!" Izuku said making Jasmine smile "And I am Katsuki Fire dragon God" Katsuki claimed making Jasmine nod, the dish was brought to her and just like for Mari... It glowed and her threads connected to her two spirits. Everyone was shocked by this as they had never seen someone with two spirits who were also there soulmates, Jasmine soon walked over to Mari and Adrien "Why hello there Jasmine. Marinette has told me about you... But would it be alright if I could look around before we go somewhere to relax and talk?" Adrien asked making Jasmine smile and nod.

They then walked around so the three Gods could be shown around, Adrien would keep an eye out for anyone who might try to hurt Mari... All the while Katsuki had his tail around Jasmine's waist and Izuku spoke to some of the plants around him. When asked about it, he explained that it was to connect with the area so if he wasn't with Jasmine... He would at least know where she was and if she was alright, after awhile they split ways to show there respective soulmates there room, Adrien began to bring his things to decorate the room and to replace some of Mari's old things with new ones.

Izuku and Katsuki on the other hand... They completely took over the room, stuff was thrown out to be replaced with better furniture, decorations were added, jewelry was presented to Jasmine as gifts, plants were added for Izuku and that was just the tip of the iceberg on what they did to her room. A month goes by, and the two girls are bonding well with there soulmates and while some agree with Lila about her claims about it being unfair she didn't get anything... Others disagreed with her and began to stay away from her, this angered her as they shouldn't be leaving her like that.

Lila was so angry but determined to get back at the two... She was the winner in this place and there was no way she will allow them to win even once while she's around... So she began to form a little plan, this however was sensed by Adrien, he looked over to find Lila heading somewhere and he could tell she had a plan in mind "Adrien? Is something wrong?" he turned back towards Mari and smiled towards her "Sorry love... But I think it would be for the best that we go inside now" he explained, this of course confused the two girls but they both nodded as Jasmine offered they go to her room.

Mari nodded in agreement and they all headed inside to Jasmine's room, they slowly walked over and Mari was surprised that she moved "Katsuki got into a fight with a girl next to me because she was being too loud with her potions... Then she made a hole in the wall and almost hurt me so he went to attack her" she explained making Mari gasp while Katsuki grumbled about how he had warned the girl to be careful. They walk into the room to find it much larger than her old room, she had a large bed, a chair swing, a table to read and drink tea on, a large bookshelf and so much space to do her own thing, they all sat down at the table while Izuku went and made them all some tea.

They talked for a while as they relaxed until there was a knock on the door, Izuku goes to open it and finds Lila who looked sad and teacher Bustier who looked displeased about something "Now Jasmine, I know your happy with your situation but it's not fair at all to Lila that you summoned two spirits while she didn't. So it's for the best that you hand one of them over to her" she ordered. They were all shocked by her words as she then grabbed Izuku to force him by Lila to follow her... He wasn't the one she wanted though since she would rather have Katsuki by her side but she was happy to have still won... But Adrien stopped it "Miss, while I understand you wish to make her happy... You are wrong to force a soulmate to be with another who isn't there soulmate or master" he explained.

This of course angered Caline, she tried to force what she ordered to happen... But then teacher Mendeleiev came over "What is the meaning of this Caline! You know that a spirit or even a soulmate can't be with another as they are bound to there summoner and soulmate no matter what!" she screams, Caline tried to explain but she and Lila were dragged by the woman to be spoken to... leaving the group alone for now as they were certain that Lila wasn't done with them just yet. Izuku who had been terrified from the situation quickly ran to Jasmine who held him close to her side, Mari feeling like it was for the best to leave said her goodbyes and left with Adrien for her room, later she received a letter explaining that she and Jasmine were excused from classes for the entire day after what happened to them thanks to Lila.

She didn't know what Jasmine had planned... But she knew that she wanted to go to the market and get to know Adrien a little better today, while she was out and about... Jasmine didn't leave her room, Izuku needed her and Katsuki went out for her to get them food after making sure that the seal around the room was there and active so no one could try to enter. Later, during the night he didn't sleep... Instead her kept himself awake to watch over his soulmates and to keep them safe... And warm as they both despised the cold. As for Lila and Caline, Lila was given a warning for her actions while Caline was pulled out from her classes for a week even after she focuses on writing 300 times that she couldn't force a spirit to be with another student or a soulmate to be with someone else.

They of course hated this... But those were there punishments for there actions, the worst part was that all of the students found out what she did... Turns out Jasmine's neighbour was in her room and heard what happened... She was the reason Mendeleiev came and also told everyone what happened... Resulting in Lila being hated and ignored while Jasmine was asked how Izuku was doing. Lila of course tried to save face by lying to her old followers... But only the three who were loyal stay by her side which upsetted her as she wanted more of them by her side... But they snapped out of her lies and went to apologize to Mari and Jasmine for there actions, after that things went back to normal.

Jasmine and Mari went to there classes while bonding with there soulmates, many students praised them for there strength while some went to them for help which resulted in them becoming popular, this caused Lila to want what they have back... And then she got a plan. One day everyone began to talk after the first class of the day about how Lila didn't come to class and no one knew why, but then... They were all in a panic when an explosion happened outside, Adrien claimed that Lila was the reason for the explosion and when asked why... Everyone felt fear "She summoned someone by force... And it's not a spirit or a god" he explained.

The teachers rushed outside with some students' including Mari and Jasmine followed them... Sure enough Lila was where they do the annual spirit summoning with a bright smile "I did it! I summoned my spirit and soulmate!" she claimed... everyone gasped in horror as she didn't summon a spirit... But a high ranking demon "I am Tomura... A pleasure" he said, teachers screamed that they needed to send Tomura back and cleanse Lila after what she did which was against so many laws but she refused and screamed that they were trying to tear her from her soulmate. Tomura made things worse when he claimed that they were being rude to him and his soulmate... And then... He noticed Jasmine, he grinned and pounced to attack her, she screamed in horror as Mari called out to her but luckily Izuku and Katsuki moved quickly enough to protect her while Adrien went to attack him and move him away from everyone.

Lila tried to stop Adrien, but teachers take her back inside by force making her scream for Tomura... only for Adrien to succeed in sending him back where he belongs... However he turned in horror to find Jasmine on the ground in pain, in the end Tomura had been able to lightly touch her and as a result his powers were slowly killing her from the inside and outside, unable to keep watching her suffer... Katsuki and Izuku move and give her some of there blood and begin a binding incantation. This will bind her to them and she will live as long as they do, unable to die and unable to age anymore... As a result the attack Tomura did on her disappeared and she woke up fully healed, Mari cried tears of joy at this and held her friend close to her side, after that, they watched as Lila was punished for her crimes by being sent to the shadow realm.

This realm was a prison to make the criminals suffer by either going mad... Or end there own life, Lila tried to fight back but failed and was sent to the shadow realm, Jasmine was offered some time out of class and she accepted to return home with Katsuki and Izuku to inform her family and friends there of what happened to her... Many cried but accepted in the end that she would watch them all die in the end which hurt her greatly, she stayed there for a few days before heading back to the school to continue with her studies. Mari does check on her at times because she still worried about her friend, but Jasmine always smiled and told her not to worry about her and to focus on herself... Adrien ended up explaining to her that Jasmine needed time to accept that she might never die.

This broke Mari's heart... But she accepted this and allowed time for her friend to heal from this new life she was to live, of course it wasn't easy on Jasmine either as many of the students began to ask her questions about being immortal... She tried to turn them away but most of the time she would return to her room tired and drained from answering there questions. Katsuki and Izuku try there best to help her but most of the time... She simply wanted to sleep, one day Katsuki and Izuku took her away for a few days, she was of course confused until they took her to a lovely house that was by a gorgeous lake. They revealed how they built it for her to relax and be able to heal from what happened to her because of Lila... Jasmine cried that day for the first time after she was told she wouldn't die as long as Katsuki and Izuku live.

She looked around the place and slowly adjusted to the place with them showing her around, she returned to class much better then before and even spoke to Mari with a bright smile... This made her friend so happy that she was doing so much better now. Time went by and soon they graduated, Mari returned home to her parents to be with them for a while while Jasmine went back to him to celebrate with her friends and family before she goes back to the home her soulmates built for them to live in together. Years go by and now Mari is also immortal and is a teacher at the academy, Jasmine on the other hand is the mother of five kids: two forest dragons, two fire elves and one dragon elf with great magic... the five will attend the academy when they are older but for now learn from there parents while Jasmine carried there younger sibling.

Mari and Adrien visit when they can and are always happy to see them, currently Mari and Adrien's daughter Emma wasn't with them as she had to study for a test so they only had Lucas with them... But they promised she would be with them next time, Jasmine simply smiled as she greeted them and had the two join her while Lucas went to play, they talked for a bit until Mari went to join the kids in there little game "Adrien? Are you happy?" Jasmine asked making Adrien look at Marinette "Yes. Being with my soulmate at long last makes me so happy... Just like i believe Katsuki and Izuku are happy to be with you" he said making Jasmine smile and nod as Katsuki came over to carry her over to the others with Adrien following.

Yes... Adrien was very happy now... He wait 300 years to be with Mari once more and now he would never let her go... He knew that Katsuki and Izuku on the other hand... Waited five thousand years to be with Jasmine once more...

He also knew that Lila who was stuck in the shadow realm... Was praying for the spirits who live there... To spare her soul... Even though they have waited centuries for her to finally be in there grasp...

[mysticraven20]

I’ve had an idea for a continuation of Diagnosis: Yours

Not sure when I’ll be able to get it out… but it’s now on my ‘To Do’ list 🩺

[starrynighttime]

Tangled Ribbons Sequel Concept: Tied Ribbons

Original fic by @sadrien

(demistories on AO3)

Full concept under the cut (Spoiler Warning for OG fic)

Chloe had many regrets, but losing her best friend was on the top of the list.

His words still rang in her ears 8 months later, and they only rang louder now that they were all in the same class again.

Marinette’s more than us. She’s better than us.

I don’t know what you want from me, but I don’t want anything from you. I want the Chloe I used to be best friends with, but I don’t think she exists anymore.

She stretches herself out on the barre as Tikki and Plagg spoke to everyone in the background.

Chloe couldn’t hear them. All she could focus on was Marinette and Adrien, giggling quietly and nudging each other when the teachers got close.

She knew that they were dating. It was clear as day to her how close they had gotten over break.

In fact, Chloe had never seen Adrien so happy.

She wanted to be happy for him, she really did, but she couldn’t.

Not when they were barely friends anymore.

He didn’t even tell her.

Chloe sighed and leaned her forehead against the barre. She knew he had no reason to even want to be in contact with her again, but the distance between them still hurt.

And now… well, now, Marinette was roommates with Adrien and Chloe was stuck with an overconfident new girl who had zero talent.

Yippee.

(At least Marinette knew she barely had talent last semester and tried to be better. Lila made empty boasts and constantly wore perfume that stunk up the studio and gave Chloe migraines.)

Honestly, she couldn’t bring herself to be mad at her situation. It was her fault after all.

If she didn’t destroy Marinette’s shoes last year, she wouldn’t have gotten so close with Adrien, and he wouldn’t have fought so hard to be her roommate this semester.

Sure, Chloe had apologized to Marinette, but she doubted that Marinette would ever-

“-loe? Chloe!” Tikki’s voice snapped Chloe out of her train of thought. “Is everything okay?”

Chloe heard Lila snicker in the background and fought back the urge to scream.

“I’m fine, Tikki.” She forced out. “I just… have a lot on my mind”

Chloe pretended to not notice as Tikki looked at her with concern before returning to the lesson.

~~~~~

When class was over, everyone started filing out.

Chloe was going through her bag in a shadowy corner of the sitting area when Adrien and Marinette came in.

“Do you think it’ll work?” She heard him ask. Marinette snorted.

“Maybe not, but I am so sick of Nino and Alya being into each other and doing nothing about it.” Marinette grumbled. Adrien chuckled, then went silent.

“…is this how they felt?”

At his words, Chloe saw Marinette blanche.

“Oh my god, I’ve turned into the very thing I’ve sworn to never become.” Marinette groaned. Adrien smiled at her.

“You know I love you just the same.” He said, putting his hand on her shoulder and pulling her towards him. Marinette smiled and rolled her eyes.

“I love you too, you dork.”

They kissed, and Chloe’s vision blurred. She swallowed back a sob and waited for Marinette and Adrien to leave before sinking down onto the floor.

Chloe never cried. She didn’t cry when Adrien left her, she didn’t cry when her mom moved to New York, and she sure as hell wasn’t about to cry now.

But seeing them together, hearing them say that they loved each other so casually as if they said it every single day was too much for her to bear.

She didn’t bother putting her shoes on. She just shoved them back into her bag and walked out of the studio barefoot, slamming the door shut behind her.

[disorganizedkitten]

A Day In The Life Of - Mafia Au

Miraculous Ladybug | 2018 | 1,984 | Ao3 | Masterlist | Next

' “Well that was… a unique experience,” Paon voiced, pulling her mask off once safely back in the lair. “Oh?” Hawkmoth prompted, leaning on his cane. '

The Miraculous Syndicate is wide reaching and employs a wide array of people. Follow along throughout their workdays, and see just what happens on the Paris down low.

“No.”

“Maybe you should reconsider.” Renée’s comment was punctuated with the distinct sound of a gun cocking.

Paon Vigilant closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “I already gave you my answer. It would be best for you and Lansky to accept that.”

Renée moved moved the gun closer to her head, a silent reinforcement of the threat.

Paon gave herself a moment, a part of her wishing some people understood the meaning of the word ‘No’, and the rest wishing it would be a smooth enough attack for her to grab her knifes at this angle, and then she moved.

The gun was out of Renée’s hand in a second, two tops. Another second to position the gun in her hand as she spun, kicking Lansky in the same motion.

The first gunshot echoed through the room, loud enough and long enough that the second seemed to merely be an extension of the noise. Two thuds, and Paon just needed to wait for her ears to stop ringing.

“I’m fine.” She called to her partner, wanting a moment to breathe in the familiar scent of fresh blood as she cleared her head.

Paon nodded to herself, and stepped over the two bodies she had just dropped, heading towards the door. Honestly, these guys thought she would take a bribe like that in the first place? Idiots. If they knew enough of her to try to bargain with the Miraculous Syndicate through her, they should have known she was smarter than to take such an imbalanced bargain.

It was a shame Renée had pulled a gun on her, knives were much more in her element.

Her partner for the day, The Mime, was waiting for her in the hall, raising a dark eyebrow when she left alone. Paon shook her head, moving her left hand across her neck while tapping her new gun against her leg with her right. He had probably heard the entire commotion, but it was still good to communicate. Mime nodded, adjusting his bowler hat before starting down the hall.

Paon followed Mime towards the door, fishing her burner cell out of her pocket as she did so. She tapped the buttons on the screen, dialing the familiar number of her husband and partner in crime, Papillon.

It didn’t even finish one set of dial tone before the line came live. “How’s it going, Lovebird?”

“Scenario three, I’m afraid,” Paon said, sighing as she dropped the now-cooled gun into her knife pouch.

“Aw. I was really hoping they’d be good on their word. Are you and Mime on your way back?”

“Leaving as we speak. Is someone waiting outside?”

“Robustus should still have a car there,” Papillion answered without hesitation. “Were you sick again this morning?”

“Butterfly, my love, can we discuss my health somewhere we won’t be overheard?” Paon asked, adjusting her pace so she was passing Mime.

“Of course,” Papillon agreed. “According to Catalyst you can’t come home quite yet though. Are you and Mime still okay with vetting Mr. Pigeon in half an hour?”

Paon Vigilant turned to Mime as she reached the next doorway, leaning against the bar so she could sign the question.

‘You still good with going to vett Mr. Birdy?’

‘I’m not due for my daughter’s play until five.’ He replied, the smile at the thought of his daughter obscuring the teardrops under his eyes.

‘Alright. Robustus’ Or Helicopter with eyes, as was his literal sign name, ‘should be waiting for us outside.’

‘Yes Ma’am.’ Mime saluted.

Paon pulled herself upright and nodded into her phone. “Yeah, we’re still on.”

“Perfect!” Papillon cried. Paon could hear his smile, and could imagine well enough the happy movement on the other side of the phone. He had been very optimistic about this possible ally, and was seemingly sure that he would be on their side.

Paon smiled back, sliding her daggers into her previously unoccupied hand as she pushed the door enough to actually open it. She spun, checking the alleyway outside, and relaxed a little once it proved to be clear.

“Is Befana going to pick us up from Mr. Pigeon’s meeting place?” Paon questioned, making her way down the alley towards the street.

“She’s overseeing the kids’ practices since Zombizou was needed in the field today,” Papillon answered nonchalantly.

“Well at least there’s someone there making sure they all behave themselves. And she’s there for tech support too I assume?”

“Actually, a good amount of the adults are overseeing that for us since we have to be out today.”

“I’m glad they’re not being left alone for it.” Paon reached the edge of the alleyway, and scanned the road in front of her. “Where’s the ride Robustus sent?”

“Down the road, nearer to the river.”

“Perfect, thank you, Love.” Paon spun again and relayed the message to Mime. He tipped his hat at her, gesturing for her to lead the way. She did so gracefully, walking through the streets as if she owned them. And really, she did. Not even Audrey Bourgeois, known as Style Queen in the world of Mafia and reputed to rule the undergrounds of New York, could compete. Emilie Agreste ruled Paris under many names and as many things. Emilie Agreste, model and movie star, known and beloved by many; Paon Vigilant, leader of the crime syndicate Miraculous, -feared by many, bordering on all; mother of Adrien Agreste, the sunshine child, and Chat Noir, pure destructive power hiding behind a playful smile; possible future mother-in-law of Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the growing celebrity designer, and Ladybug, leader of the next generation of underground; Wife of Papillon, the second half of the brains running the best set of underground warriors to date; She ruled Paris in many ways, and would not be dethroned by anyone. Ladybug may be her successor, but Paon Vigilant didn’t plan on retiring any time soon.

Passerbys averted their eyes when she turned hers toward them, some even ducking inside the nearest building to avoid her. Paon didn’t mind it though. She welcomed it. People would swarm Emilie, but they all avoided Paon Vigilant to the best of their abilities.

Mime kept pace with her easily, causing anyone who may have been stupid enough to try to challenge her on her own to think again. It was why the basic rule of Miraculous Syndicate is to travel in groups of two or more at all times. While almost all of them could easily fight on their own, having a partner kept spirits up and showed trust between members.

The car wasn’t empty when the doors opened, but Paon hadn’t actually been expecting it to be. Traveling in groups was a common occurrence, even past individual mission groups.

Riposte and Anansi were waiting inside.

“Hello, Miss Feather!” Anansi called, waving.

“Miss Vigilant.” Riposte nodded shortly from beside her partner.

“Hello girls,” Paon nodded to them each in turn as she entered the car, settling across from Anansi while Mime sat across from Riposte. “What have you two been up too?”

“Vanisher’s busy with the movie contest, so we’re being substitute spies concerning the Guardians,” Riposte explained.

“We stood out like bunnies in a hamster cage,” Anansi shrugged.

“Well if someone hadn’t gone head to head against a passerby about which version of that crazy spider myth of yours we might have stayed under the radar,” Riposte snapped.

“I was correcting misinformation!” Anansi defended.

Paon just smiled as the girls’ squabble kept up throughout the drive to Anansi’s drop location. Teenagers.

Hopefully Adrien’s teen years would be easy for her and Gabriel to deal with.

They reached Riposte’s destination not long after, leaving Paon and Mime again in silence for the last few miles to the arranged meeting place.

It was surprising, really, how far away the meeting places were from each other in Paris. Entirely different sides of town could sport buildings perfect for their needs. Out of the public eye, whilst not being too far out of the way.

Paon stepped out of the car, scanning the area for traps. There were none, but it would hurt more if she just breezed by instead of checking. Mime flanked her as they entered the building, following the soft cooing of pigeons to the correct room.

They reached the door, and after a quick conversation in sign, agreed to both go inside and meet with the possible new guy.

Paon Vigilant paused in the entryway of the meeting room, doing her best to not let her emotions show through her mask. Monsieur Pigeon took his name seriously. Very seriously.

There were pigeons and feathers everywhere. Bird feeders hung in the open windows, and any birds that weren’t flocked around M. Pigeon himself were staring at them from said feeders.

Even though she used a bird for her symbol, the majestic peacock, she had never taken it this far. Even Gabriel knew better than to take his butterfly symbol quite that far.

A part of Monsieur Ramier’s charm, or so she would suppose.

“Ah ha ha! You must be from the Miraculous Syndicate.” he shot out of his seat, moving irregularly across the room and scattering pigeons. “A pleasure to meet you! Isn’t that right my lovelies?” he chittered at two of the birds still on his arm, then turned back to her. “I am Monsieur Pigeon, if Hawkmoth didn’t tell you before he sent you.” The pigeons moved to his shoulders, leaving an arm open for him to offer his hand to her.

“Paon Vigilant,” she answered, taking it carefully. She pulled it back right after and gestured to Mime. “And this is my colleague, The Mime.”

“Not one for talking, is he?” Pigeon asked, tilting his head. “That’s okay! My darlings don’t talk much either, but we still make an amazing team. Isn’t that right my boy?” the pigeon in question just cooed, rubbing their head against his neck.

Paon was in crazy town. But he was said to be a good fighter, so she would have to trust that. And finish this interview.

“I’m sure that’s true. So you and your... friends... think you’ll be a good addition to our team? Most try rather hard to avoid being pulled into this, don’t they?”

She glanced around the room again, taking in the pigeons cooing around her, and wrinkled her nose ever so slightly at the smell of the poop wafting about the room. It was going to be a very long meeting.

***

“Well that was… a unique experience,” Paon voiced, pulling her mask off once safely back in the lair.

“Oh?” Hawkmoth prompted, leaning on his cane.

“Pigeon is not enough warning. He had at least thirty with him, and they all had names, and he was really nice, but I’m not sure how much he’d actually be able to do. We’re supposed to be scary, not nice.” Emilie handed the mask and hat to Hawkmoth, moving onto her hair.

“Are the pigeons at least unsettling?”

“Very,” Emilie assured him, walking over to where Catalyst was waiting.

“Anansi will be out soon, we could always use another bodyguard.” Catalyst offered, handing Emilie her purse. She took it and dropped her hair pins into it.

“I suppose you’re right. Nathalie, how long do we have until the film contest?”

“Two hours,” Catalyst replied.

“Perfect! We have some time to spend on the fashion world! Your newest line is due in two weeks, right?”

“It’s the one to go with Marinette’s hat.” Gabriel explained. “I still need to meet with her for the last set of checkups. Movie night?”

“I’m up for that!” Emilie agreed. “But only after you change back. Nathalie, do you want to join us?”

“After I finish the paperwork from today’s missions I might join you. You two should go ahead.”

“Alright.” Emilie moved back to hug Hawkmoth. “See you later Nathalie! Hit the button Lovebug.”

[sillysiluriforme]

[ratottoman]

His life is so concerning out of context

Also really important thing I also had to draw:

[celestiall0tus]

Court of Miracles, Mylene

Y'all have no idea how long I've had the original sketch for this sitting in my files. Finally got around to it and decided she needed a slight redesign from the simple original design she had. Giving her a more forest, nature look with a royal gown as her place in the court as the Heiress of the Dragon/Nature. I had this idea that her dresses change based on her environment, so when she's in the realm, they have an enchanted forest look and color palette.

[buggachat]

Part 206 of my bakery “enemies” au!

THE END!! I can't believe I finally completed this. When I first started this comic, I had no idea that it would end up being this long. A little over 3 years and over 200 parts, so around 2000 panels. (My folder that holds all my files relating to this comic is 3 GB with 2,017 items....). I honestly can't believe that I managed to stick around to the end of this. Thank you all so much for the support, I never imagined that so many people would care about this comic when I started it!

Of course, there are still some loose threads. The kwamis and Nathalie for example, but the core of this series has always been about the emotional conflict between Marinette and Adrien, and that has been resolved. I have some epilogue ideas to cover those loose ends, but this comic has already taken so much of my time and I'm not sure I want to promise that I'll get around to it. ... But who knows. Maybe!

For now, Adrien and Marinette will get some long-deserved rest.

First / Prev / All

Kofi

[danismilek]

[inner-sakura]

Theoretically Forever

[Adrien POV sequel to Hypothetically Ever After, childhood friends AU, adrienette, fake/pretend relationship]

Adrien Agreste has had a crush on Marinette Dupain-Cheng for as long as he can remember. Unfortunately for him, however, she’s only ever had eyes for his older brother Félix, who’s never so much as looked her way. But when an opportunity suddenly presents itself to turn the tables and rewrite the script on their relationship, Adrien finds himself hard-pressed to turn it down… Especially when it means getting to date the love of his life. Even if it is only fake.

AU where PV Felix is Adrien’s older brother. inspired by the novel “the boys next door” by jennifer echols. hello and welcome back to the brothers AU fic series that no one ever asked for yet i remain obsessed with.

read it here

chapter four

Adrien speared a stalk of asparagus, crunching on it angrily as he glared daggers across the table. 

That was about the extent of the rebellion he could allow himself, since his father was currently seated at the other end of the table, silently demolishing his egg white omelette with the same militant efficiency he did everything else. He would almost certainly be able to pick up on Adrien’s mood, and would no doubt dismiss his displeasure as a side-effect of being forced to spend one of his precious vacation days schmoozing with his father’s business associates and their families. 

Which, admittedly, was partially true. 

Nevertheless, that wasn’t the only thing that had Adrien chewing his breakfast like he had woken up with a personal vendetta against all stemmed vegetables.

No, the reason for his upset was currently seated across from him, looking wan as he pushed the healthy but ultimately flavourless meal around on his plate. 

Although he was as put together as always—as expected of the scion of the Agreste empire—Félix appeared distinctly green around the gills this morning, a side effect of his undoubtedly raging hangover.

Adrien’s eyes narrowed to slits, a grim sense of satisfaction filling him. 

Sure, it might have been slightly vindictive, perhaps even unkind to wish ill on his only brother, but after the performance Félix had put on last night, Adrien thought it only fitting that he be made to squirm a little. 

Aside from his drunken shenanigans—Adrien very deliberately tried not to think about his favourite pair of shoes, currently lying in their ignoble resting place at the bottom of the garbage bin—Félix had other, far more grievous offences to answer for. 

Namely, the look of pure devastation that had flashed across Marinette’s face last night when she’d finally clued into what was happening. 

Adrien couldn’t help but replay the moment in his head, recalling the bright flash of hurt he’d seen in her blue eyes in the instant before she’d been able to mask it. It felt as though it had been permanently etched into the walls of his memory.

It had been brutal to witness because Adrien hated seeing her in pain, and he especially hated it when it involved his dunderhead of a brother, who at every turn managed to throw Marinette’s love and devotion back in her face, whether he knew it or not. 

Marinette would willingly offer him her bloody and still beating heart if given the chance, and Félix simply didn’t give a damn. 

Not that Adrien actually wanted Félix to accept her offer. The thought alone was enough to leave him sick to his stomach. 

Still, it would have been nice if Félix could at least pretend to be grateful about it. Lord knew that Adrien would gladly offer up any of his limbs and even his firstborn child to be afforded the same opportunity. 

The whole situation was endlessly frustrating, and this frustration was what allowed Adrien to give in to his pettier desires that morning.

And so he sat back, and enjoyed watching his older brother attempt to conceal a massive hangover from their father’s hawk-like and all-knowing gaze. 

“Eat up, Félix,” Adrien said, shoving a large forkful of omelette into his mouth. “We’ve got a long day ahead of us...”

He smiled, making sure to showcase the mouthful of half-chewed egg he was sporting. 

The scolding he received for his improper table manners was well worth it, if only for the way the sight of the food between his teeth caused Félix to turn even greener. 

-x-

“Adri-kins!” Chloe squealed as he stepped into the grand foyer of the Bourgeois’s villa. 

He barely had one foot through the door before she was glomming onto his arm, behaving as though they’d been separated for years, rather than a matter of hours. 

To his brother, she delivered a perfunctory, “You look like shit,” accompanied by a steely once-over that would have felled a lesser individual where they stood.   

Félix merely grunted in reply, too exhausted from trying not to hurl during the car ride to muster anything more vitriolic. 

Rather than capitalising on her enemy’s momentary weakness, as she was normally wont to do, Chloe turned her attention away from his older brother, seemingly satisfied at having won this round in their neverending verbal sparring match. 

“Now,” she said, clapping her hands excitedly. “You must let me show you these new centrepieces that Mummy and I picked out!”

Without releasing her hold, she tugged Adrien forward, forgoing the greeting line entirely as she led him further into the house. He had just enough time to nod in her father and mother’s direction before he was being ushered into the elegant dining room and plunked into his seat.  

A seat that was conveniently located right next to hers. 

As Chloe continued nattering on beside him, Adrien sighed under his breath, resigning himself to his role as captivated audience member—a role it appeared he would be playing for the duration of their evening. 

This… is going to be a very, very long day, he mused, already counting down the hours in his head.  

-x- 

Before heading to dinner at the Bourgeois’s, Adrien and his brother had been hauled about town, carted to various lunches and meetings that Adrien had so little interest in he had almost mastered the ability to fall asleep with his eyes open by the end of the last one. 

He made sure to nod and smile and politely answer any questions that were directed his way—of which there were few, seeing how his main role at these meetings was always to sit still and look pretty—all while silently wishing for a swift and merciful end to his suffering. 

By the time they’d made it to the Bourgeois's house, Adrien was exhausted. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how Félix was feeling. It was a miracle he was still upright.

Yet, as luck would have it, Adrien’s day from hell wasn’t entirely without its silver lining. 

His solace was delivered in the form of one Marinette Dupain-Cheng, which really shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone. 

Although she wasn’t able to alleviate his boredom with her physical presence, she’d provided him with the next best thing in the form of the text conversation they had been steadily maintaining all day. 

While they would occasionally message back and forth for extended periods of time, they’d never kept a consistent conversation going for quite this long before. Marinette tended to be a horrible texter, often replying hours or sometimes even days later because she either couldn’t find her phone, or she simply forgot. It was something that Adrien had learned not to take personally, cataloguing it as one of the many quirks that made up her endearingly chaotic personality. 

But not today apparently. Today it seemed like Marinette was as glued to her phone as he was, her messages flying in within moments of his replies being sent. Adrien had almost been caught texting under the table several times already, but he couldn’t bring himself to care, so engrossed was he in their conversation. He’d even caught himself grinning like a fool after receiving a particularly hilarious response, which had garnered him a few strange looks from both his brother and Chloe, who were seated beside him at the Bourgeois’s long dining room table. 

Luckily he wasn’t in his father’s line of sight, so the chances of him getting into any real trouble were limited. But still, Adrien knew that he should exercise a bit more caution. The last thing he wanted was for his father to confiscate his phone. Then he wouldn’t be able to message Marinette at all. 

With that in mind, Adrien shoved his phone deep into his pants pocket. Then he grabbed his water glass, downing it in one fell swoop. 

If he drank enough water, then perhaps his frequent trips to the bathroom over the course of the evening wouldn’t look quite so suspicious. Hopefully. 

-x-

Halfway through the second course, Adrien felt his phone buzz against his hip. Unable to ignore its siren song for very long, he slipped it into the palm of his hand when no one was looking. 

His face broke into a grin at the message on the screen. 

[16:45] Marinette Dupain-Cheng:                                         hey can we hang out tomorrow? i have an idea i want to run by you

Adrien brought his napkin to his mouth, pretending to dab the corners of his lips as he tried to wipe the giddy smile off his face. 

He nodded along with whatever the person seated across from him was saying, pretending to pay attention as he quickly typed out a reply and hit send. 

[17:28] Adrien Agreste:                                                                               sure thing!  what time works for you?

Now he had even more of a reason to look forward to this day being over. 

-x- 

In hindsight, Adrien really should have realised what she was up to long before Marinette managed to corner him. 

After all, he was normally pretty good at sussing out her schemes—the benefit of an entire childhood’s worth of experience in dealing with her machinations. This inherent paranoia had served him well on multiple occasions over the years.  

It had saved him from The Great Treehouse debacle, along with a lifetime of GI issues that her brief foray into baking could have caused. Not to mention preventing him from meeting his watery end on the sad excuse for a jet ski her father was continually ‘fixing’. 

Up until now, he’d had the utmost confidence in his sense of self-preservation. 

And yet, these fabled, well-honed instincts had evaporated when he needed them most; abandoning him in the face of Marinette’s pretty, pretty blue eyes, and her sweet-talking mouth. 

Which was how Adrien found himself in his current predicament, hedged in by water on three sides, staring down the barrel of Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s completely unhinged proposition, and reconciling with how well and truly screwed he was. 

“Let me get this straight,” he stared at their clasped hands, willing himself not to hold on too tightly. It wouldn’t do for Marinette to discover just how desperately he needed a lifeline to navigate the treacherous waters of this conversation. 

He tried to focus on the way her fingers tapered elegantly at the ends, rather than the sheer, overwhelming terror trying to claw its way out of his chest. 

“You’re suggesting that I have a fling.” Finally mustering the courage to meet her eyes, Adrien had to summon every ounce of composure he possessed to keep from choking on his next words. 

“With you.” 

Marinette leaned back slightly, her expression mildly affronted. 

“Yes with me,” she said, sounding increasingly annoyed. “What’s wrong, am I not good enough to pretend to date you? Do you think people won’t buy that we could possibly have romantic feelings for one another?” 

Adrien clenched his jaw and looked away, unwilling to let her see just how deep of a blow she’d landed with those words. He had to remind himself that Marinette wasn’t deliberately setting out to hurt him with this proposition. She had no idea how he felt, otherwise she would have known that what she was proposing was the single most agonising scenario imaginable. 

Still, Adrien couldn’t bring himself to dismiss the idea outright, despite the fact that both his head and his heart were screaming at him to run for the hills and not look back. 

“That’s… not it.” He said at last, rubbing the back of his neck with the hand that wasn’t currently entwined with hers. “I just really don’t think this is a good idea. How can you even be sure this will work?” 

“I’m not,” Marinette answered honestly, her desperation plain. “But I have to try something. I can’t let this summer end and still be left wondering what if. This is it... This is my last chance, and I need your help.”

She clenched his hand unconsciously as she spoke, her slim digits slotting themselves more firmly into the groves between his fingers, as though the spaces there had been carved just for her. 

And just like that, Adrien felt the last of his resistance crumble away, reduced to dust in the face of her earnest plea. 

Perhaps sensing his brief moment of weakness, Marinette pressed on, her words tumbling forth in a rush. 

“Besides, what do we really have to lose?” She added with a laugh, her countenance brightening now that she had apparently convinced him to go along with her plans. 

“If anything, this will help us both in the long run. It’ll show Félix that I am girlfriend material, and it will help you get your groove back. And you know what they say—” Here she winked, levelling him with an enthusiastic and completely unironic snap and finger gun combo. “—the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.” 

Adrien gaped at her in disbelief. 

……..did she really just say that? 

Marinette stared back at him, apparently rendered mute.

OH MY GOD SHE REALLY JUST SAID THAT. 

For a moment, Adrien genuinely wasn’t certain who was more mortified out of the two of them. Marinette, for having said such a corny and overtly suggestive line, or him for having had to bear witness to it. 

In the end, he decided that they could comfortably call it a tie, based on the bright red flush that had overtaken Marinette’s features, and the unbearable heat he felt prickling his own skin.

She began babbling, undoubtedly deeply invested in recovering some semblance of her dignity, but Adrien found himself unable to tune back into her words, too preoccupied with contemplating all of the possibilities her statement had managed to dredge up in his brain. And the corresponding mental images. 

Marinette pressed underneath him, her body warm and soft and pliant—

His face grew even warmer. 

“ANYWAY—” Marinette cut in loudly, successfully breaking him out of his brain fog. Adrien sent up a quick prayer that the lecherous direction his thoughts had taken hadn’t been too obvious. 

“—I don’t see how anything could go too terribly awry. We’d both be going into this with our eyes open and our cards on the table. It’s not like we’re hiding anything.” 

Adrien's eyes widened, panic setting in as a new thought occurred. 

There’s no way she knows, right? 

Marinette leaned closer and his breathing picked up. 

If she only knew how much he was really hiding, there was no way she’d be able to gaze into his eyes with such warmth and openness. 

“Please, Adrien. I can’t imagine doing this with anyone else. I don’t want to do this with anyone else.” She admitted, her voice wavering ever so slightly. “You’re the only person I can trust to help me with this. Please.”

She squeezed his hand, imploring him with her eyes. 

And, just like the Roman Empire in 476 AD, Adrien could do nothing but fall. 

I can’t believe I’m seriously considering doing this, he thought, torn between wanting to laugh and cry in equal measure. This is a horrible idea. This is the most horrible idea in the HISTORY of horrible ideas. 

“So, just so we’re clear here: you want to hook up with me in order to make my brother jealous, which will allegedly also come with the additional benefit of signalling to everyone that I’m over my ex and ready to date someone else?” He asked, hoping that by listing it in explicit terms, she might come to her senses and realise how insane the proposition was on its face.

Marinette merely nodded, her expression resolute. 

Okay, he swallowed, very deliberately ignoring his mounting hysteria. So I guess we’re doing this. 

-x-

Later that night, Adrien flopped down on his bed, staring up at the ceiling as he replayed the events of the last few days over in his mind. 

After the fiasco that wound up being Friday’s party, he’d known that Marinette might resort to drastic measures. She was single-mindedly focused in her pursuit of his brother, after all, regardless of the fact that this often wound up being to the detriment of both herself and any and all people that happened to be around her. 

Still, this plan was… A lot. Even by Marinette’s usual standards. She must have been truly desperate to resort to this level of skullduggery. 

His mind flashed with the image of her face crumpling when she’d seen Félix with Bridgette. As much as it stung to consider how deeply her feelings for his brother ran, it had been equally agonising just witnessing her distress. She was hurting, and if there was anything that Adrien hated in the world, it was seeing Marinette get hurt. 

Perhaps that was why he’d been so quick to agree to help her, despite knowing on every level that this plan of hers was a capital B Bad Idea. 

That’s not the only reason, and you know it. A small voice pointed out, and Adrien rolled over, trying in vain to smother it. 

Okay, so maybe his motives weren’t entirely altruistic for agreeing to date her. But was it so wrong of him to leap at the chance to date the girl of his dreams? 

The voice remained silent and Adrien huffed, dissatisfied. 

Although he might not want to, Adrien could certainly acknowledge that the potential for catastrophe with this plan was astronomical. If he was going to agree to go into this, then he would have to make sure to stay one step ahead of Marinette at all times, lest any of his secrets come to light before he was ready to reveal them. 

Like the fact that he was hopelessly in love with her, and he’d even gone so far as to date another girl in a vain attempt to both get over her and make her jealous. 

“This is so messy…” Adrien groaned into his pillow, fisting his hands in the back of his hair. After the catastrophic failure that was his relationship with Kagami, Adrien had never felt less confident in his ability to woo a woman. And now he was being presented with the golden opportunity he’d been waiting for—the chance to get to date Marinette and make her realise how perfect the two of them would be together. 

It was both exhilarating and terrifying. High risk, high reward. 

And oh, the rewards there were to be had. 

Adrien’s mind went back to the kiss he and Marinette had shared earlier on the dock, the magic of the moment still lingering as he recalled the way they stood suspended in the sunbeams.

He’d been surprised that Marinette had gone along with his seemingly flimsy excuse of them just figuring out their feelings for one another were reciprocated. As far as cover stories went, it certainly wasn’t his best, and Adrien had been convinced that Marinette would see right through him immediately. Hell, he’d half expected her to toss him into the water the moment he’d reversed their positions, and pressed her up against the wooden rail of the gazebo. 

Yet, she hadn’t. 

Instead, Marinette had gazed up at him wide-eyed, her face slackening with surprise, and if he wasn’t mistaken, the tiniest hint of intrigue as well. 

Adrien had waited with bated breath, giving her plenty of opportunity to back out, even as his heart pounded out a frantic rhythm in his chest, screaming at him to lean forward and do what he’d been dreaming of for the better part of his life. 

Up until the moment their lips finally touched, he’d been waiting for something, anything to happen that might indicate that what he was experiencing had only been a dream after all. 

Because there was no way that he was standing hand in hand with Marinette Dupain-Cheng, kissing her for the very first time. 

He hadn’t been able to bring himself to bridge any more of the gap between them, leaving their only points of contact their joined hands and their lips, softly brushing. 

If he allowed himself to give in to his desire to melt into her and crush her body to his, Adrien feared that he might never be able to uncross that line and go back to the way things were. That he would forever leave some part of himself inextricably linked to her, deeply embedded in whatever material their souls were made of, the same way she was sewn into his. 

As it was, Adrien already knew that a cosmic shift had taken place at the core of his being, and that every moment after that point would be defined by the fact that he now knew the taste of her lips, and the sound of the soft huff she let out through her nose when he leaned into her ever so slightly. 

Adrien squeezed the pillow tighter, feeling his face grow warm at the memory. 

So maybe this whole situation isn’t entirely without its benefits… 

If they were to fake-date, there would be plenty of opportunities for all of the things that he’d always dreamed of doing with Marinette, like holding hands, and going on dates. 

He rubbed a hand over his mouth, his lips still tingling. 

And more kissing. There could be plenty of that too. 

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, after all. Maybe, if he played his cards right, he could somehow manage to make the most of this unexpected arrangement and find a way to turn it around in his favour. He’d basically made a career of hiding his true intentions up until this point, so how hard could this be? 

All he had to do was make Marinette fall out of love with his brother, and into love with him, all within the span of two weeks. 

And without revealing the nature of his own subversively devious plans. 

“I am screwed,” Adrien breathed, his words catching on a hysterical laugh. “I am royally and unequivocally screwed.” 

-x- 

[katzebruh]

I'm just going to be uploading all my old stuff I did for MLB (and new stuff) that I forgot about on here