#noir's field trip

[desultory-novice]

"Watch Your Words"

Adeleine: "My brother would not F#$!%ing say that!" Dedede: "A-Ado...?!?" O_o

(It's true though. Noir drinks respect women juice through a straw because Daisy's steel chair to the face shattered his jaw But it was the best way to get the joke across. Ah, the OOC we do for humor!)

[Vote Noir]

...to get him out of the hospital! XD

-

I initially sketched this for the OC Discord, which is why it references Noir being stuck in the hospital after getting shot by an Anti-Dark Matter weapon by Dawn and, while he was still writhing in pain, crushed by Mordred's 800 lbs motorcycle! Cosmo and Periwinkle had to drag him from the fight (to kill Baby Uther) that ensued...!

I was going to attempt another, more melancholy and artistic piece as Tumblr propaganda but, err, my time got cut short so I decided to clean this one up instead, also because it makes me laugh XD

That said, it’s looking like a longshot, but it would mean a lot if my fail boy made it to the semi-finals, so any votes you can send his way are appreciated >.<

@kirbyoctournament

[sortanonymous]

On the last Meta Knightmare...

Kirby and the A-Team stumble into Zan's part of the Jambastion, leading to a truly shocking (and one-sided) family reunion for Susie.

Chapter 13 of MKMIV: The Unforgettable Star-Studded Finale out now! (Shoutout to @desultory-novice for letting me throw Noir into Adeleine's backstory in the middle of this chapter by the way! Now go reread Apologies and keep voting for Noir! (Although of course I wouldn't mind if you still remembered to read my stuff too.))

[desultory-novice]

"...Huh. Weird."

"Was the sky always this...blue?" "Everything around me feels...so much brighter now."

"And me. I feel... lighter too. Like...the weight of life's oppressions and the call to the void and the millions of voices screaming to me about my darkest pains and greatest regrets are just...gone."

"Is this...happiness...?" "...I feel like I could sing...!"

(I wonder if I inherited any of mom's talent...?)

-

Achievement Unlocked! "Kleptomaniacal Kindness" (Steal Noir's cursed sword away from him, making him happy! ...It will find its way back to him eventually, but we'll let him have this moment of joy! PS: Some of you may be receiving some asks from him in this form, fwiw.)

@kirbyoctournament

Sorry guys Wisp’s habit got the best of him and took some of your oc’s things🥺….

(Might as well tag the ocs who got robbed owners)

@maybe-arts @isaackkkbunn @starmagnets @moonverc3x @starflungwaddledee @gethoce @desultory-novice @pinkestmenace @what-is-love-babey-dont-hurt-me

@kirbyoctournament

[bubblewrapjunkie]

✨ sunshine kid

[carolmunson]

8✨ with virgin Eddie cos he’s the loml

'I look you in the eyes, I try to read you thoughts. I ask you to go with me, to a far off place.' virgin!eddie (well, not so virgin anymore) from the 'the nerve' one shot. (18+, references to drinking. implied stancy wedding.)

Eddie didn't really love to dance. He always felt awkward, never really getting the beat to anything that wasn't related to a guitar slung across his chest. His hips always moved too jerkily, he never knew where to put his hands. When Mrs. Mitchell from across the park tried to teach him to waltz for prom he stepped on her toes so much she needed a brace.

It didn't even matter for anything, he didn't go to prom. That's another reason he doesn't like dancing, or dances. Couples nuzzling close while they hold their partners -- what was the point when no one was gonna dance with 'The Freak' anyway?

He drums his fingers along the white cloth covered table to the beat of the DJ's thumping music, sipping his third glass of pinot noir. You had stepped out to run an errand for Nancy and Steve after the ceremony, 'maid of honor' duties you called it. Something about fashion tape and bandaids for blisters. While the music slows down he feels his heart sink, another dance where he sits alone in the low light. It comes back to him in a haze, two months before his senior prom -- He woke up early to take a shower and shave the little facial hair that had started to grow on his upper lip and chin. Painstakingly finger coiling every wave on his head with gel he knicked from the five and dime down the street. He asked Wayne if he could borrow his smart black button down and Wayne even pressed it before he left for work the night before -- hanging it up in the living room by the mugs. He wore he least ratty jeans and cleaned his Reeboks with a toothbrush and bleach. Eddie had never felt more together, more sure, and if he would say so himelf -- more handsome than he did that morning.

He cracked open his campaign notebook to the last page where he'd scrawled a script he'd been working on for at least two weeks:

Hi Chrissy What's up, Chris? How are you, Chrissy? Hey Chrissy.

I know you might not be expecting this but This might come as a surprise, but I was wond It would be an honor if Would you want to go to prom with me? Prom?

It was the first time he was ever at a loss for words. Tripping over himself any time she'd ask for a pencil in Bio or walk by the drama room on her way to cheer practice.

He stopped at Melvald's for a small bouquet of daffodils -- it was all they had that morning, and made his way to school, stomach full of butterflies while he played the potential outcome in his head over and over. He knew he had to have caught her looking every now and again. Giggling at his jokes in class. Always asking him for a pencil or a ruler when she could ask anyone else.

He parks in the spot furthest from the school, using the brisk walk to calm his nerves. With a few rolls of his shoulders he pushes through the main doors to his locker, only four down from Chrissy's. She'd be there any minute, ponytail bouncing, lips glossed.

He leaned against the wall, checking his watch and each end of the hallway, a flurry of students making their way in and out. The humdrum of the morning making his heart beat faster, the slamming of metal, the sneakers on the tile.

And there she is -- a blonde beacon of something special. She's smiling -- grinning. Looking right at him. He gets up off the wall, heart racing -- This is it Munson, he thinks, you're gonna ask her.

Chrissy's smile turns into a jump, a celebration of sorts -- and from behind him, another cheerleader appears, running up and jumping with her. They hug tight, screaming the way girls do when they're excited about something.

"He literally made a sign for the whole team to hold on the field!" she titters, "I can't believe he asked me!" "You're going to prom with Jason! Ahhh!" her friend screams back.

Going to prom with Jason.

Jason Carver? That asshole?

The hallways spins, his heart has never dropped so fast before. He'd never felt something so fast before. Dissappointment? Embarrassment? Rage? He wasn't sure. All he knew was that Chrissy was going to prom with Jason Carver, and everything he planned was for nothing. Just standing there in the hall way with --

"That's a pretty bouqet, Eddie," Chrissy voice floats by, bringing him back to himself, "Whose the lucky girl?"

Coulda been you, he thinks.

His face sours, "Wouldn't you like to know."

Eddie's heart breaks again when she backs off, making her way to class when the bell rings. He chews on the inside of his cheek the whole way out of the school and back to his van -- making sure the shove the daffodils in the trash on the way out.

Right now feels the same, the only young guy sitting around while couples get up and jump around to Whitney's I Wanna Dance with Somebody when the music switches. He finishes his glass of pinot, sighing while he stands up to get another at the bar. He knows better, but something his gnawing in the pit of his chest -- that ache. He wishes you'd come back so he didn't have to keep putzing around like a lost puppy. Even Dustin had Suze out on the dancefloor.

Another ten minutes pass and he's settled back down at the table, the speakers rumbling down to a slow beat again, Luther Vandross's gentle croon floating over the room. Eddie swallows.

'Always and forever, Each moment with you, yeah Is just like a dream to me That somehow came true, yeah...'

It's then that he feels a warm hand on his back, sliding up to his shoulder, nails gliding comfortingly into the back of his hair. "Hi handsome," your voice like salve on his heart, "Did you miss me?" He turns, entranced by the way your dress hugs you and the scent of the perfume you have on tonight. There was no denying he picked right, no denying that he was right to wait for you this long.

"Of course, sweetheart," he smiles, smiling into the kiss you lean down to give him.

"You've just been sitting here while I was gone?" you furrow your brow, "C'mon, get up. Come dance with me."

He flushes, "No, no I'm...I'm not good at it..."

"Neither am I," you shrug, offering your hand, "C'mon."

He looks at your manicured nails, the bare finger that he wants to put a ring on now more than ever, then up at you. That little smirk you give him has never sold him quicker. With a deep breath he takes your hand, letting you lead him to the dance floor.

"Y'know, I've never slow danced with anyone," you say quietly, guiding his hand to your waist while you hold the other close to his shoulder. Eddie pulls you close, nose to nose, toe to toe. He can handle the gentle sway you start him with, a slow two step, winding bodies.

"Not even your ex? Seriously?" Eddie asks, mesmirized by your glossy lips.

"He never wanted to dance at the weddings we went to," you shrug, "Always thought it was lame. But I like to dance."

"What about prom?" he asks.

"I um," you look down and back up at him, "I didn't go to prom."

"No? How come?"

"Uh," you offer a tight smile in rememberance, accepting it, "No one asked me."

Eddie stops moving, hand holding yours going to your cheek. "No one asked you?"

You shake your head, "It ended up being okay, had a movie night with some other weirdos."

He remembers his own anti-prom with the guys, pizza and beer that he got Rick to buy for him.

"But it's okay," you reassure, "Cause now I get to have my first slow dance with you."

"We're doin' a lot of firsts together, aren't we?" he teases.

"Yeah," you nod, "And this is like, y'know, kinda like prom." "Sort of," he laughs, pulling you tighter, two stepping again to the rhythm. You give him a mischevious smile, teashing.

"Are you going to the after party? I hear they're gonna have winecoolers," you joke.

Eddie grins, boyish, "Oh yeah, yeah, I'll be there."

"Good 'cause uh," you lean to to whisper, giggling at your own bit, "They're gonna play seven minutes in heaven."

"No way," he gasps in fake astonishment, "Is there uh -- is there anyone you're hoping to land on?"

"Well um," you flick your eyes as him flirtily, "There's this one guy."

"This one guy?"

"Yeah and I was hoping like, after the dance." you continue in an exaggerated Valley Girl accent, "We could like, make out after."

"Yeah?" Eddie asks, voice deepening, smoky.

"Yeah."

"Yeah, we can um," he leans in to kiss you, deep and slow, "We can definitely make out after."

[azziebaddy]

The Acotar Boys: Pet Familiars Headcanons✨️💖

@prythianpages thank you for inspiring me hehe

Rhysand: Black Cat

'Spspspspsspspsppspspsps'

-Probably names it's something like 'Onyx' 'Frosty' 'Jet' 'Noir Sr the 3rd'

Likes to snuggle into his lap whilst he looks over reports 🥹

Cassian: Pitbull

'Mr worldwide tm'

- immediately adopts him on the spot after seeing him in the alleyway behind Rita's.

Helps comfort him after training sessions because he deserves some snuggles too 💖

Azriel : Ferret

'Come back here you little shit'

-noodle boy found Azriel when wondering the wild fields of autumn court. He got so transfixed with his shadows he jumps into his pocket.

Azriel gets secretly upset when he can't bring his familiar on a trip because it's too dangerous. His shadows whisper

'Friend where friend where friend where'

Helion : Shrimp

'Hey have you ever met my friend Shrimp'

-he's got so much Riz that one day he bought a shrimp to see if he could charm a woman with it

Ended up bro-ing with the shrimp too hard that some days he just doesn't feel like going to the club, instead building a little sanctuary for his new familiar

Eris: Snake

'Sssssssoo lassssstttt ssssseeeaassssssonnnnnn Diiiooorreer'

- his snake is an ancient familiar that understands the hardships Eris faces. He decides to accept his new bond with Eris after judging that his designer outfit is worthy enough to have them hang round his neck

The dogs guard the Court; the snake guards the future High Lord.

[desultory-novice]

> "...Is this what it feels when one loses their own child...?"

-

"...I can't forgive your Zero on either of their behalves but..." "...Thank you. Those feelings do count for something."

How strange. Though similar sounding... ...that voice did not come from the boy in front of you.

-

AN: Ahhhh! Thank you for writing something so beautiful and poignant about Noir and your Zero's relationship with its own Dark Matter "child!" It really tugged at my heartstrings...! (Also, I really like the whole cosmology you've built...!) [edited]

Amaterasu, what do you think of some of the other competitors in the tourney?

@kirbyoctournament

“If I talk about all of my thoughts, we’ll be here all day, so perhaps I should talk about a couple.”

“Rubi, my competitor… they’re cute, not going to lie. I’m surprised that she is friends with a dark matter.”

“Clark… I hope he gets out of the IKEA. Zero could really need another awoofy friend.”

Zero looks at Amaterasu, surprised. Amaterasu gave it a smug look.

“Rimuri… they seem nice. Them being the new leader of the dark matter of their world was surprising to me, but considering that each Zero’s biology seems to differ from world to world, why should I be surprised?”

“Noir…”

Amaterasu’s smile fell.

“It… pains me to learn of his fate. I know that’s not my Zero doing those terrible things, but… it still hurts to hear that it did those terrible things to him…”

“…and the worst part? I can see it doing that exact same thing. Before Kirby came and changed its ways.”

“…say, where did our ‘Noir’ went, anyway?”

Zero looked away.

“…Kirby killed him. I saw it with my own eye.”

Amaterasu looked down.

“You… you said that he only wanted a friend, yes?”

Zero nodded slowly.

“I think, if we’ve met Kirby in different circumstances, then he could have… we could have…”

Zero trailed off. It then looked upwards. A red tear fell from its eye.

“Is this what it feels when one loses their own child?”

“I… I didn’t even feel guilty…”

Amaterasu placed her hand on the fallen god’s fur, massaging it. Comforting it. Zero closed its eye, feeling content.

And yet…

“…sometimes, I wonder why you forgive me despite everything I did.”

Amaterasu looked at Zero.

“Because you’re not that person anymore. You don’t want to harm your children, even if they are defective or otherwise, right?”

Amaterasu then cleared her throat.

“Sorry, anon. It got off-topic at the end.”

Tsukuyomi pops out of nowhere.

“And how about Sir Uther?”

“Don’t vote for him. And don’t vote for Tsuku if he joins next year.”

“Hey! I was just trying to lighten up the mood!”

“I appreciate it, but I don’t think Amy forgives you for digging that up.”

Tsukuyomi pouted.

…

OC owners in order of the mentioned characters (apologies!):

@dimensional-traveler3

@absolutely-zero-regrets

@zeros-witness

@desultory-novice

@quanblovk

[psychhound]

happy nearly halloween :D it's itch sale time!! come get yalls ttrpgs

the sale features ...

two solo games

the graveyard game: write an ethnography of a magical, haunted graveyard, built on the for truth's sake system

osteotzee: play as a bone auger putting great beasts to rest using a yahtzee scorecard

one duet game

mama werewolf: play as a werewolf mother and her child, playing out emotional scenes over the course of a month with tokens you find out in nature

three multiplayer games

familiar field trip: play cooperatively or competitively as witches' familiars trying to wreak havoc in the village, completing challenges and wracking up points

crescent grin: play as noir detectives in an eldritch world in a twisty turny one shot built on horseshoe srd

interstate 10 1/2: play as roadtrippers facing bizarre threats in a light horror comedy game build on horseshoe

one lyric game

you are thinking about silver: an autofictional game about a memory from when i was 14, reimagined as if my family were werewolves

two d&d 5e homebrews:

psychopomp sorcerer: a subclass for playing as a sorcerer tasked with delivering souls to the afterlife, featuring three unique flavors and spell pools

witch class: a constitution based half caster class with a whole new way of casting spells (no slots!), familiars, curses, and more! includes 3 subclasses. made with @hmooncreates

get everything for 40% off or all 9 for $18!!

[desultory-novice]

「妹弟のためなら、今度はもうちょっと ヒーロらしくなってやろうじゃないか…！」

Making one of these was on my to-do list for a really long time. It's Noir's Star Allies Guest Star Pause Screen!

(Thanks to SkewedCanvas for the template/tutorial)

-

Noir's Field Trip Masterpost

[sortanonymous]

Dudes, you won't believe this! Noir has a Tumblr! It's @darkmatterboi95! Let's all follow him!

(Thanks @desultory-novice for bringing him out of silence! Maybe he was just hiding online and faking his death for 29 years! Wait until Adeleine sees this!)

[desultory-novice]

"...Huh. Shape-shifting abilities."

(The only time I was ever able to shift my shape was when Adeleine...)

Noir touches his collar

(Sounds like the only way to escape this was...) (...to never have done it. Right...)

"Yeah. That checks..." "...Anyway, good luck and stuff..."

Noir walks away just as a loud man in green armor walks up

AN: Agh! I forgot I hand't reblogged this yet! The upshot is it gave me time to draw this because Uther's ask immediately following this one was too funny to me!

Tagging @rosiegardenlove @quanblovk and @shippyo for Shade Knight, Sir Uther, and the beautiful Life!

@kirbyoctournament

"Hey... Uhhh..."

"...Nooo way! I can't do this! Just looking at him is messing with my head! He's like some kind of kid's TV friendly Dark Matter mascot!"

(...#$%! Didn't mean to say that out loud....)

"A-anyway... Nice...armor? What's with all the transformations and stuff? Is that a thing it just does or a skill you picked up?"

(Has anything been able to damage or break it? Ever? Just...curious...)

//Noir rolls a "1" attempting to communicate!! ...No pressure to answer all or any of this! Just sending it along because I've been really liking Shade Knight's story (and the fun costume changes!) and wanted to throw something your way! ^^

I think it's pretty cool the more I think about it. I didn't think my shapeshifting would work on my gear as well!

@kirbyoctournament

[purrincess-chat]

Adrien Agreste's Road to Recovery Playlist CH1

Happy Christmas! You all voted, so here we go~ The sequel to Marinette Dupain-Cheng's Spite Playlist: Remix has begun.

Summary: The day Hawkmoth was unmasked was a day marked in Paris history as a celebration, a triumph, a victory, but for Adrien Agreste it was anything but. Left to grapple with his father's villainy and a yachtful of childhood trauma, Adrien finds himself spat back out into a world that no longer knows what to think of the face they once revered, and neither does he, for that matter. Who is Adrien Agreste? And what does he want? The answers lie at the end of a long road filled with painful memories, secrets, and of course, black cat ears.

Rating: T

Read on AO3

For those who don't like sodium chloride content and therefore, haven't read MDCSPR, I've provided a quick summary of MDCSPR that includes everything you will need to know going into this fic as it is a direct sequel, though this fic contains no sodium content and is entirely an exploration of Adrien's character amidst the fallout of learning the truth about his father. If that interests you, here is what you missed:

Quick summary of MDCSPR for those that never read it, but who want to read this:

After the events of Chameleon, Marinette changes schools because of Lila’s influence over her classmates and because she was almost akumatized. She enrolls at a private art academy full of incredibly rich and talented classmates. There she meets a new group of friends:

Macy Chanteur: a tall, perky, brown hair, brown eyed girl with the voice of an angel who has been recovering from an eating disorder. Modelled Marinette’s center-piece design in her summer fashion show. Former wielder of the rabbit Miraculous (Bunny). Dating Martin.

Eliott Chasse: a black trans boy with aspirations to be a famous actor. Starred as Chat Noir in a community play. Somewhat of a flirt. Bi panic incarnated. Former wielder of the fox Miraculous (Malin). Dating Lisette.

Martin Michel: a lanky brown hair, green eyed boy with glasses. Very smart and a skilled photographer, one of his photos was featured on the cover of Style Magazine (Audrey’s company) after Marinette’s fashion show. Shy bean. Former wielder of the turtle Miraculous (Emerald Shell). Dating Macy.

Gabrielle Burton: a tall red-head with green eyes. Formerly wealthy, formerly the school mean girl. Friends with Marinette. Former wielder of the tiger Miraculous (Tigress).

Lisette Auclair: tiny blonde girl with brown eyes. Makeup fanatic. Shy bean. Secretly savage. Pastel bitch. Just a tiny little fairy. Former wielder of the mouse Miraculous (Souris Rose). Dating Eliott.

During her time at her new school, Marinette helped her new friends change into more confident individuals who stand up for each other and others. She even helped a few of them find the courage to confess their feelings to one another. Shortly after she transferred, she and Alya’s friendship fell apart after Alya was akumatized. Alya spent the rest of the story trying to figure out what went wrong and who to trust.

After Marinette transferred, Adrien began visiting her to check in and keep in touch. He often relayed Lila’s influence over their classmates. Chloe tried to enlist Marinette’s help in taking Lila down (because she’s stealing all the attention away from her), but Marinette refused. After Lila taunted Adrien about Marinette, he joined forces with Chloe to attempt to out her as a liar, but the two were unsuccessful.

Adrien realized that he cares deeply for Marinette, and eventually the two started dating. The rest of the class remained torn on who to believe in the Lila vs Marinette debate. However, when Lila accused Marinette of pushing her down the stairs on a school field trip to the Louvre, most of her classmates turned back to Lila’s side, prompting Marinette to join forces with Adrien and Chloe to take her down. They devised a plan to make Marinette famous by pitching a fashion line to Chloe’s mother who helped Marinette start her brand by hosting a fashion show.

After the show’s success, Marinette’s brand took off, and she was propelled into stardom that she and her friends used to perform a lot of charity work, but more specifically, they performed all of the acts Lila claimed to have done, thus rooting her lies out from underneath. When Alya caught wind of all of their accomplishments and realized Lila lied, she outed her in an Instagram live, thus bringing her down once and for all.

On the same night as Alya’s Instagram live, Ladybug and friends finally defeated Hawkmoth, a revelation that rocked Adrien to the core. He spent several months in a hospital wrestling with mental demons inflicted from his abusive childhood. Around the end of November/beginning of December, he left the hospital only to find that his mother had succumbed to her illness and passed away. He attended her burial alone, then returned to his old home to retrieve a few items before it is set to be demolished and turned into a new foundation for akuma victims to help heal their trauma. (funded by Marinette). He parted ways with Nathalie and left to meet Marinette at the train station where they both gave their Miraculouses back to Master Fu who headed to London to finally be with Marianne. After their goodbyes, they returned to Marinette’s home where her parents set up a spare room for Adrien to stay with them.

(Epilogue) Several years later, he and Marinette return to Paris from NY where they both live while Marinette is in school and training under Audrey Bourgeois. Adrien visits his father in prison for the first and last time to tell him how happy he has become when not under his control. He and Marinette enjoy tea with friends, and after they leave, Adrien brings her to the Trocadero to the exact spot he was standing when he fell in love with her as Chat Noir all those years ago. He asks her to marry him, and she says yes.

This story takes place between the events of Adrien moving in with the Dupain-Cheng’s and the epilogue. Specifically, it begins the very same night that MDCSPR ended on. The Adrien and Marinette of this story are not canon’s Adrien and Marinette as they have already been through the events of MDCSPR. In particular, this Marinette is now a famous fashion designer, and Adrien is essentially a traumatized orphan trying to find where he fits in in the world. This story follows his road to recovery with all of its ups and downs. Keep the epilogue in your thoughts as you read this. It will help XD Enjoy!

Without further adieu, here is Adrien Agreste's Road to Recovery Playlist CH1:

Chapter 1

♪♫ Easier to Run ♪♫

The soft brush of Marinette’s fingertips on the nape of his neck should have been relaxing, but Adrien was still on edge. It was a losing battle really. Laying against her chest on the couch, while she played with his hair, warm and safe. Last summer, Adrien would have considered it bliss and fallen right asleep, but he didn’t want to close his eyes, a fact that became increasingly frustrating the sleepier he felt. He could tell her to stop, but after 3 months apart, the last thing he wanted was to let go of her, even if the steady rise and fall of her chest only made his eyelids heavier.

A laugh track played from the sitcom on the living room TV Adrien had stopped watching, a heavy fog descending over him. His eyelids drooped, his vision clouding over. He took a sharp breath to wake himself up again, but the effect lasted less than a second. It had been a long day—leaving the mental hospital, saying goodbye to his mother, Nathalie, and Master Fu. Plus, M. and Mme. Dupain-Cheng cooked him a feast worthy of a king to celebrate his homecoming. He really shouldn’t have eaten that extra slice of cake. The sugar-high he’d been riding was about to run out, and he was crashing fast. He cursed himself when Marinette nuzzled closer, pressing a soft kiss to his temple, and his exhaustion took control.

The blackness was nice at first, but purple light filled his mind, flashes of deep grey eyes glaring up at him. His eyes flew open with a jolt, and he let out a sigh.

“You okay?” Marinette asked.

She was as perceptive as ever. It was one of the things he loved about her, but it made it hard to maintain the mask.

“I’m fine.” He assured her.

“Are you ready to go to bed?” She shifted to look him in the eye.

He smiled up at her and shook his head. “I don’t want to get up just yet. Let’s just stay like this a while longer, please?”

Marinette searched his expression, blue eyes filled with worry. She laid back down after a moment, seemingly appeased, and Adrien’s battle against his eyelids resumed. When he was in the hospital, he could pace in the privacy of his room or call in a nurse if his nerves became too much to bear, and although he knew the Dupain-Cheng’s would be supportive, he couldn’t bring himself to tell them about the nightmares. He was already burdening them enough.

A couple minutes passed—or maybe it was twenty—and Marinette clicked off the TV. Adrien sat up, stifling a yawn as Marinette stretched. His phone read midnight, the start of a new day. The second longest day of his life was officially over, but the sleep haze only brought with it flashes of things he’d rather not think about.

“We should go to bed,” Marinette said, her voice low and gravelly.

“Or we could stay up and play video games.” Adrien flashed her a grin, but she wasn’t biting.

“I’m exhausted, aren’t you?” She stood up.

“Oh, come on. It’s been months since you’ve kicked my butt. Just one round.” He took her hand, tugging her back to the couch, but she stood her ground.

“I’ll kick your butt tomorrow,” she said around a yawn. She stooped to give him a quick kiss, smoothing her thumb over his lips. “Good night.”

Adrien sighed as she headed for the stairs, jumping up to chase after her. “Wait, give me a real kiss good night.”

She paused on the bottom step with a moan, and Adrien flashed her a pleading look. A coy smile curled on her lips as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He pulled her in, kissing her long and deep, but as his lips parted to invite his tongue into the equation, she pulled back with a giggle.

“I love you so much, but I’m way too tired for that. I’m falling asleep on my feet,” she said. 

“Five more minutes.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I’ve missed you.”

With a relenting sigh, she leaned in again, running her fingers through his hair. He held her close, memorizing how her body felt against his. It wasn’t completely deceptive. He had missed her, achingly so, but her pity only lasted another minute.

“Go to bed, minou.” She squished his cheeks together. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Oh, come on. We used to stay up later than this talking on the phone.” He teased. “You’ve gotten soft.”

“Bold talk coming from M. Bloodshot-Eyebags.” Marinette cocked a hip. “Why do you want to stay up so bad? Do you not like your room?”

“No!” He insisted. “No, it’s perfect. I just… You’re right. It’s late. We should go to bed.”

Marinette quirked a brow, so he leaned in to kiss her.

“Good night, mon ange.” He flashed her a smile that faded the moment she turned around and headed up the stairs.

Rubbing his hands on his soft pajama pants, he stared down the dark void at the bottom of the stairs that led to his room. Stony eyes flashed in the abyss, and Adrien averted his gaze with a huff. Squeezing his eyes shut, he mentally sifted the image from his brain. He couldn’t stay awake forever. Shaking himself to relieve the tension in his shoulders, he made his way down the stairs, making a pit stop to the bathroom, but he could only scrub his teeth for so long before he ran out of toothpaste on the brush.

Reluctantly, he found his way into his room, but unable to bring himself to get in bed, he opted to pace instead. It got old quick—4 paces from the door to the wall, 5 paces length-wise. For the first time, he missed the massive room of his childhood. He could pace for hours there. With a defeated grunt, he flopped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The bed was comfortable, and although his muscles were screaming to melt into its embrace, he couldn’t give in.

The old building creaked, and the thin walls did little to drown out M. Dupain-Cheng’s snoring. Adrien drummed his fingers on his chest, curling and uncurling his toes before jumping up and resuming his pacing. 4 paces across, 5 paces deep. 4 across, 5 deep. The walls were too close. Adrien swore they got closer with each lap, and the air in the room seemed almost too thick to breathe. He needed to get out.

Stepping with the balls of his feet, he quietly crept back upstairs to the living room. He took deep breaths, running his hands down his thighs, and paused at the base of the stairs leading to Marinette’s room. M. and Mme. Dupain-Cheng would be upset if they caught him up there, and the last thing he wanted was to make them think he was taking advantage of their hospitality. But he just needed to be near someone.

Just one more kiss good night. That was all he needed. A hug and a kiss… a really, really long hug.

His feet found each step with haste, but when his hand curled around the trap door handle, they locked into place on the final steps. Hands clenched tightly and feet glued to the stairs, Adrien stood frozen like a statue in a museum. His breath hitched, a trembling hand shooting up to catch it. His shoulders shook, and for a moment, he worried he might be sick. Creeping back down the stairs as quietly as he could, he scrambled for the kitchen sink, breaths rapid and shallow. He flicked on the faucet in anticipation, but the sensation passed after a few moments. He sat up, turning the water off, and ran his hands over his face.

It was selfish… He was being selfish, always running to Marinette with his problems. And she’d always do her best to fix them because that’s the kind of person she was—always looking out for those she loves. But he couldn’t expect her to fix everything. Even still, his restlessness showed no signs of ebbing. He needed fresh air to clear his head. Just for a minute.

He found a black Marinette branded hoodie in the closet in his room and pulled it on, then laced up his sneakers. Locking the front door behind him with the key M. Dupain-Cheng gave him earlier, he headed down the stairs and out into the night. The brisk cold almost sent him right back inside, but the air was so much clearer. He blew warm breath over his hands and rubbed them together. Summer was a distant memory in the mid-December frost.

Tucking his hands under his arms to keep them warm, he paced the sidewalk in front of the bakery, hoping the movement would warm his muscles. Just one minute, then he’d go back inside. A breeze blew past, cutting right through Adrien’s hoodie, and he ground his teeth together to keep them from chattering. He needed to move faster to stay warm. A quick run would do the trick, just around the block. Then he’d go back inside.

He picked up the pace, venturing down the pavement with increasing speed. The dreary streets were empty as Adrien ran, street parked cars that had long gone cold as their owners fled indoors. He ran past Francois-Dupont, flashes of his time there playing in his mind. He remembered his first day, how nervous and excited he’d been to meet people his age. To have a normal life. A life he’d still never quite managed… but he’d met Marinette there and Nino. And Plagg… The day Ivan was akumatized.

Adrien’s mind filled with gray, and he shook his head to clear it, pushing his legs to run faster as if he could put physical distance between him and the memory. He rounded the next corner and pressed on, cold air burning his lungs, but he couldn’t stop. Not when he passed Nino’s block or his old Chinese tutor’s house, not even when he passed the street corner he and Ladybug used to meet up at. The corner he and Marinette would meet at.

Marinette… Ladybug. His partner. His girlfriend. He wanted to see her, but it was too late. She’d be asleep by now, and he shouldn’t disturb her. Even if she’d understand and listen. Even if she’d hold him and comfort him. Even if she loved him. She’d always love him. So, why couldn’t he tell her he was struggling?

The rubber soles of his shoes skittered on a patch of ice, losing their traction, and Adrien hit the cold, hard pavement with a yelp. Pain shot up his leg as his knee collided with the concrete. He rolled onto his back, chest heaving with each breath as he stared up at the towering buildings blocking the night sky.

What was wrong with him? Why was normal so hard for him? Normal people were at home asleep at this hour, and Adrien Agreste was outside, lying in the middle of the sidewalk because he was too anxious to close his eyes. Everyone kept asking him how he was doing, and most days he told them he was getting better because that’s what they wanted to hear. But was he? Some days he felt like he was, but others… They all wanted him to be fine. He wanted to be fine. He coveted their normalcy, but it always hovered just above his grasp.

He wanted to go to school and make friends, but his father forbade him from seeing them most days while plastering his image on every billboard in town. He gained fans and wealth, while other kids played games at the park. He became a superhero with a double-life, fighting bad-guys between fencing lessons and modeling gigs. Other kids ate dinner with their families. He filmed movies that normal kids went to see, posed in clothing ads that normal people bought. His father spent the majority of Adrien’s life making sure he stood out from all the rest — making sure he’d never fit in. He became a supervillain that threatened the city, just to ensure Adrien would always be talked about. To ensure that he’d never be normal.

Everyone put him on a pedestal, but he’d trade everything to be the one looking up from the crowd. To not have to feel the way he felt. To be home in bed with pleasant dreams instead of lying haunted in the middle of the sidewalk, staring up at his ghosts in the rooftops.

He missed Plagg.

“Having trouble sleeping?”

Adrien shot up, blinking at the arms crossed in a bright pink coat. Clouds of steaming breath billowed from her mouth with each heave of her shoulders, cheeks flushed from the cold. Fuzzy pink pajamas were stuffed haphazardly into winter boots, and the blue eyes looking down at him were creased with concern.

When Adrien remained quiet, Marinette shifted her weight. “Me too.”

Adrien balled his hands into fists at his sides. “How did you find me?”

“I heard you downstairs, and I got worried. When I came out of my room, you were heading out the door, so I followed you. It’s a lot harder keeping up with you without superpowers, but I’m kind of an expert at following you.” She crouched beside him, brushing his hair out of his face as she cupped his cheek. “You okay?”

He leaned into her touch, a hot tear slicing down his cheek. He couldn’t tell if he was relieved or embarrassed to have been found out. Mostly, he just loved that she cared enough to chase after him. At the shake of his head, Marinette pulled him into her arms, and he locked his arms around her waist, his quiet sobs muffled by her thick coat. He savored her warmth, a shiver creeping up his spine.

“No one expects you to heal all at once, Adrien,” she murmured in his ear. “I will always be here for you, and so will Maman and Papa and all of our friends. We all love you, and we’ll be with you every step of the way through all of the good and the bad. You don’t have to run and hide.”

“I’m sorry.” His voice shook. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m-”

“It’s okay.” She squeezed him tighter. “I’ve got you. Always.”

Always.

Marinette pulled back, taking his hands in hers. “Come on, let’s go home. It’s freezing out.”

“Yeah…” Adrien let her help him to his feet, wincing against the pain in his knee. He did his best not to limp on the way back to the bakery, keeping a tight grip on her hand.

Marinette shook herself when they were back inside. “The good thing about living above a bakery is the brick ovens keep the building warm in the winter.”

“I’m partial to the lingering smell of fresh croissants,” he said.

“That’s another plus.” She flashed him a smile, and he felt one tugging at the corners of his own lips. “Come on, let’s get you in dry clothes.”

She toted him up to the apartment, only letting go of his hand when he needed to change, but her fingers trailed up his bare back as she helped him out of his shirt. He shivered, goose bumps dotting his skin while she helped him into fresh pajamas. Her hands were small and dainty, but they kept him grounded enough to crawl into bed. Marinette laid beside him on the edge, running her fingers through his hair. He really had missed her touch.

“Can I ask you something?” he asked.

“Anything,” she said.

“What are your nightmares about?”

She paused mid-stroke, her fingers warm on his scalp. Shifting to look him in the eye, she pursed her lips. “It’s always that same day. You’re there crying on the ground, but I can’t ever reach you. No matter how hard I try, you’re always just out of reach.”

“For me, it’s my father. The moment that purple light fades, and all I see are his eyes glaring up at me with hatred and anger. I see those eyes everywhere, like he’s still looming over me. It feels like I’ll never be free of him.” Adrien squeezed her hand.

“We’ve been through too much,” Marinette said. “But we survived. Miraculously.”

“Barely.” Adrien grunted. “Is it weird that I miss how things used to be? For the longest time, all I wanted was to defeat Hawkmoth with you. To ride off into the sunset when the day was saved. It sounds selfish, and maybe it is, but now, I wish things could go back to the way they were. Fighting by your side, both in and out of the mask. I’d never been happier.”

“I know what you mean.” Marinette resumed playing with his hair, and after his stint out in the cold, he was grateful for her warmth. “For the longest time, I always thought that Hawkmoth was our biggest enemy, and that once we defeated him, things would go back to normal. We could be happy and free, but everything has been way more complicated on the other side of things. Those days seem so simple now.”

“Nothing’s simple anymore.” He sighed. “Do you think it ever will be?”

“Mmm.” She hummed. “I hope so. I think you and I more than deserve it.”

“Yeah…” He stifled a yawn.

“You should get some sleep. It’s been a long day,” she said.

“Will you stay with me?” he asked.

Marinette leaned to kiss his forehead and laid her head beside his on the pillow. “Of course, chaton. I’m here.”

Reluctant, but too exhausted to fight it any longer, Adrien closed his eyes. His body ached from his fall, but the bed was soft and warm. The steady brush of Marinette’s fingertips on the back of his neck helped ease the tension in his muscles, and he finally drifted off to sleep.

His nightmare began as it always did, but instead of shying away from his father’s piercing gaze, Adrien reached for Ladybug’s hand. When he turned to face her, her mask vanished in a flash of pink light, and Marinette smiled back at him. He wrapped himself in her embrace while she stroked his hair, warm and safe.

“I’m here, kitty. I’ve got you. Always.”

[ilikekidsshows]

It's honestly distraughting how badly the New York special holds up Ladynoir wise now after season 4 and 5.

It was already back then annoying how one-sided all of that was handled with all the blame being only put on Adrien while Marinette can't ever be asked to open up her mouth to say anything to Cat Noir while he horribly spiralled in front of her or later to get him back, so the fucking VICTIM had to do it for Marinette

But now after the retooling seasons any good faith reading is just GONE. That all of that was set up to give Marinette the needed development later, cuz nah, that ship has sailed. It is almost impressive how little is ever asked of Marinette to grow out of her flaws. All they do is doubling down. And that's the worst part of it. They aren't even ignoring her past flaws, they ALWAYS double down. How insecure can a main character's writing BE?

---

I hated the New York Special when I first saw it due to how unlikeable it made Marinette as a protagonist. A character died, by Adrien’s hand, and he was justifiably traumatized by it, and yet, only moments later, we veer so fast into Marinette crying about Adrien being sent home early from a field trip that it gave me whiplash. And then they had the character who recently died go fetch the character who was forced to kill her, and neither of them talk about their trauma, instead talking about nothing but Marinette and how much Marinette needs Adrien so he’ll just have to ignore his own trauma to go back and make her feel better.

Back then I still hated Kwamibuster more, because I thought the special wouldn’t affect the main series canon, that it was just a one-off adventure with the familiar cast at a certain point in the canon. Then it turned out it was actually the new way Miraculous was going to be written now. Ever since they’ve kept on doing the exact same shit. Something fucked up happens to Adrien, Marinette’s far pettier problems are treated with much more gravitas and Adrien is forced to ignore his problems to coddle her.

[kawaiichibiart]

Adrien bonding with the Gotham City Sirens is something I think I've only seen in like, two fanfics.

The first is a bio!mom Harley Quinn, bio!dad Joker fic, where Harley asks the Batfam to look after her daughter (Marinette) when she visits, because she's apparently coming to Gotham (class field trip) despite being told it was dangerous. Iirc, she and Adrien are either dating or have a sibling like relationship, it's been a while. Marinette obviously introduces Adrien to her moms and they end up bonding for a while. It was only one chapter, since the majority of the story is moreso focused on Marinette and her asking the Bats to help with the Hawkmoth or whatever he's going by, situation. And of course what the class is doing. The fic isn't done, nor has it been updated in a while, so there might have been more bonding there. I would have loved to see Ivy talk to Adrien about how her more dangerous plants liked him and slowly be the first to learn about him wielding the cat miraculous and thus, the powers of destruction (because we learn around the end of the chapter where Adrienette visit Harley that Ivy's more dangerous plants like Adrien while her other plants, such as flowers, were scared of him). Again, it's been a while, so take this summary with a grain of salt.

The other is a more recently discovered fic, and it's a dimension travel fic, where Ladybug and Chat Noir are fighting Monarch, but Monarch is winning. And as things seems to come to a bad end, Chat Noir manages to get the Rooster Miraculous back, but at the cost of breaking it. I can't remember how they entered a different dimension, if it was Monarchs doing or if Chat Noir managed to get some last use of the Rooster so they could get somewhere safe. Either way, they end up in a different universe, and more specifically, in Gotham. They decide to hide out but of course, the Bats find them. But they aren't able to find out who they are or where they came from, to them these are just some really beat up kids. Meanwhile, they quickly learn who the Bats are, thanks to: THE POWERS OF ANIMAL INSTINCTS!! Yeah, Adrien could smell them (Jason/Red Hood and Damian/Robin) and realized it was same smell. And while that's happening, Adrien also heads out as Chat Noir and meets Catwoman. Stuff happens, Selina manages to get Barbara to help her find out his secret ID, and they find out. Selina brings Chat Noir to where she, Harley and Ivy live and talks him into letting her help. He does and she reassures him that Ladybug won't be mad. She even lets him know her secret ID and let's him know she knows his, and then she learned they knew who the Bats were. Again, stuff happens. And iirc, she called dibs. You'd think I'd remember this one better, but I don't, which sucks because I love this fic.

[desultory-novice]

"A basilisk! I thought a basilisk'd be more lizard like, and I've filed all lizards away with frogs as giant pests. Literal, because they grow to the size of doors on my planet. It's bad! But I'm ready to come around on them now if there are more basilisks like you!"

"!! Oh, yeah! King Dedede! That's his name! Sorry, everything feels so fast (??) that I'm having trouble sorting through memories right now! I'm sure everything will come back to me soon! Birds support birds! And he's your dad? That's amazing!! My dad might've been a bird too? My little sister said he had wings but I never saw them!"

"But like you said, Adeleine and me are definitely humans, so I'm pretty sure she was just imagining it!"

-

AN: It's a Noir in your style!! Ahhh! He's so friend shaped, I love him! I would put him on my desk as my little buddy, he's so cute! Thank you! I hope I drew Fy just as well!!

Also, sorry that Noir is SO cheery now he's throwing people off. Poor boy can't socialize properly under any conditions! Plus his head is highly scrambled atm! XD

@kirbyoctournament

"PENGUIN SPOTTED!!" "I can't believe there's a PENGUIN here at the..."

"...Oh, wait.... You're not a penguin. Those wings and tail..."

"Are you a DRAGON?! That is THE coolest thing I've ever seen! A penguin-dragon hybrid!! You're so fuzzy too! And blue! You really remind me of his majesty! (Majesty of what...? Shiver Star doesn't have kingdoms, does it?) But yeah! The color of your feathers and the way you dress! You look so much like him! Have you met him?"

"He's this really great guy! He calls himself the 'great king' and he deserves the title, for sure! He's helped me out a couple of times (can't quite remember them in detail) and he's been really good to my sister. He's also THE strongest hero in Dream Land! (Oh yeah! Dream Land! That's the name of the kingdom.) I mean, of COURSE a penguin would be the strongest hero, right? You'd understand! Anyway, my name's Noir! It's nice to meet you!"

AN: Noir has lost his cursed sword for the moment and the resulting explosion of emotions has rendered him in a state of foolish fanboyish euphoria! (That also has him confusedly glazing over all his traumatic memories!)

(Sorry for the blurriness)

Ah, hello Mr. Noir...! Er, the name's Fylass...! And you could say I am...! Although, probably the term ''Basilisk'' fits me better...! Thanks for calling me cool and all too...! I appreciate all compliments...

I also assume that you're talking about King Dedede, yeah...? Well... Indeed, I do know him - in fact, he's now... uh... my dad, so to speak. Birds support birds, that's what they say... Also, your sister...? You are a human... So... I guess I have an idea on who your sister is...

But overall, nice to meet you...!

(...I didn't know there were other humans, still...)

[jennagrinsoverml]

HI i love your fic recs! This is gonna sound really specific but do you have any good fics about time? I'm thinking Bunnix-involved, time loops, alternate universes... it's been on my mind lately. thank you so much!

I had a lot of fun with this list! I feel like this one has been anxiously awaited since I posted about it a while back haha

Remember That Time When... by @mostlovedgirl

Twenty-two-year-old Marinette Agreste was looking forward to the anniversary trip she would be taking with her husband Adrien that weekend. Those plans are derailed when she wakes up in her old bedroom... and she’s seventeen again.

Multi-chapter. This fic is so fun, and I love the way it plays with both sides of the time travel trope. On the one hand you’ve got Adrien and Marinette suddenly transported to a future where they’re married, while in their time, they’re not together (though Marinette’s crazy in love with him of course). And on the other hand, you’ve got married Adrienette back in the past needing to pretend they’re not even together! It’s sweet and fun, and I loved seeing both how Adrienette got there, as well as what they’re like as an established couple at the same time.

A Hundred Thursdays by Midnight Musume (Peas)

Marinette is stuck repeating the same day over and over. Her friends (and especially Chat Noir) help her cope.

Two-shot. Groundhog day type fic where Marinette’s stuck in a time loop. (In the second chapter, Adrien’s the one who is stuck.) It’s extremely well executed, and I really enjoyed the Marichat dynamic, especially with how it was influenced by the interactions Marinette had (or did not have) with Adrien earlier in the day.

Clairvoyance by @whatarubberchicken

Being hit by an akuma is not usually this delightful. Or bright. Or completely eye-opening.

One-shot. This fic hits me right in the feels, with Chat Noir being transported to a perfect future where he’s married with children and so, so happy, and it’s just so beautiful. Before, of course, the akuma’s power is ended and it’s over.

Eight Years Overnight by @coffeebanana

All Adrien wanted was to finish grading papers and have a relaxing weekend with his family. He most definitely did NOT expect Bunnyx to show up and drag him eight years into the future. When Ladybug followed her husband into the future, she didn't expect to see him playing the part of the villain. She didn't expect fourteen-year-old Emma to follow her through, either. And Chat Noir from the future was wrong to think that saving his kidnapped wife would be a piece of cake the second time around.

OR: Ladynoir July with a time-travelling twist.

Multi-chapter. This fic is exactly the kind of fic I’m usually thinking of when I think of a time travel fic. It’s a little bit confusing in the way that such stories always are, but the confusion is really kept to a minimum. It’s so interesting because the love square get together is not a component of this fic, they’re married in both times! But it works so well, and the trust they have in each other in both times is a recurring theme and it’s beautiful. This is plotty and well constructed. 

Why Are You Like This? by @carpisuns

An older Chat Noir shows up in the middle of a class field trip with a special mission for his younger self.

Two-shot. This is sweet, hilarious, and utterly perfect. Chat Noir meddles in the love square and it cracks me up.

A Sound of Thunder by Tempomental

“Bye-bye, little… actually, that’s your line, isn’t it? Sorry.”

Ladybug stared at the man in front of her. Tall. Shaggy, but not unkempt blond hair. Oh yeah, and he was wearing a Ladybug costume.

“Who - who are you?”

“Oh, right, sorry.” He drew himself up to his full height and proudly announced, “My name is Adrien Agreste, and I’ve come from the future to rescue you!”

Multi-chapter. Adrien also comes back from the future to help out with the ladybug miraculous. It’s extremely intense and well written and every time I thought I had spotted a problem in the writing, it turned out to be a plot element but holy shit I thought I was going to die with how intense this is. If you like plot, you will absolutely LOVE this fic.

when you weren’t mine to lose by @bugsandchatons

Change is a scary thing, especially when it feels like nothing has stayed the same.

It’s been a year since Marinette became the Guardian of the Miracle Box - a year of struggling beneath a burden she never asked for, a weight that has her leaning on her partner more and more as the hours fly by, of letting him come to her, too, when he needs a soft place to land. A year of falling for the boy who takes on the world by her side with a smile made of sunlight, and fighting the growing urge to tell him what he means to her.

After all, they’ll have time enough for that when Paris is safe.

But when the unthinkable happens, Marinette learns the tragedy of loving someone quietly, and the lines she’ll cross to save him.

Multi-chapter. This is what happens when Ladybug loses Chat Noir: she uses Hawkmoth to go back in time to save him. It hurts in all the best ways and the writing is absolutely gorgeous and somehow we still get a happy ending!