#rena talks about herself

[zellk]

Feeling bits and pieces of Lana & Rena's story fall into place these past weeks/months since I've started to re-think about them is so satisfying.... I really wanna find something better than the first/old version of their dynamic ! (I don't blame young me, I didn't know any better back then haha) There's still a lot of weird spots and events & changes to figure out (especially their order of arrival) but it's so so fun thinking about them again aaaaa, I missed my messy girls so much

[zoe-oneesama]

The Kwamis! Some of these came easier than others, but since Angelic Layer has no magic involved, all the kwamis became human~ They won't be very prevalent, they're mostly here to fill in background character roles - shop clerks, MCs Tournament Directors, fans - so they won't have a whole lot of speaking roles (aside from, you know, the MCs who're there to commentate on the fights lol). But I thought I'd give them all a nice nod in the story somewhere.

As expected, Tikki and Plagg are the main MCs. Marinette and Adrien's fights will be going on concurrently so Tikki will be commentating Marinette's fights while Plagg commentates on Adrien's. They'll have the most dialogue of the kwamis, so I do want them to have unique ways of discussing what they're seeing.

Pollen will be working directly for the Bourgeois'. As a VIP with a direct relationship with the international director of Angelic Layer, Chloe has her own private practice layer in her home and Pollen is in charge of it's upkeep and maintenance. She matches Armand the Bulter's levels of competence.

Trixx is a Rena Rouge mega fan. They've been following Alya's blog for as long as they can remember and are mega stoked that Alya moved to their city. When Alya starts to doubt herself, it's Trixx's voice that can be heard cheering her on to not give up.

Nooroo and Duusu are servants in the Agreste Estate. Unknown to Adrien, they are fully aware of his sneaking around to play and the two do what they can to make excuses and deflect Nathalie when Adrien isn't where he's supposed to be. They're rooting him on from the shadows!

Wayzz is the adult son of Marianne and Fu. He brings them to Angelic Layer fights against his will because the two really enjoy them. The two seem to be really invested in Ladybug and Chat Noir's career (and the behind the scenes shenanigans that they secretly spy on).

Longg is Kagami's bodyguard. Like Nooroo and Duusu, they are fully aware of what Kagami is doing behind her mother's back and feigns ignorance when Kagami pulls something..."sneaky" to get to a fight secretly.

Here's where we get into some existing jobs from the show:

Orikko and Kaalki are the "Layer Hot Girls (and boy)". lol I just thought it was funny that Angelic Layer even has them.

Mullo is the sales clerk at the Princess Piffle store (the store where you can buy your Angel and all the accessories). All of them lol. Mullo and her many many sisters who look just like her.

Barkk and Fluff take similar but still different roles (the uniforms are ALMOST the same but there are some tiny differences). So Barkk is the receptionist at the Practice Ring (literally you pay to reserve a mini-layer to practice on) while Fluff is the waitress/cashier at the cafeteria at the Tournament Center.

(and back to making shit up lol)

Daizzi is a nurse where Rose goes to the hospital and she has segmental localized vitiligo. Rose is particularly close to Daizzi since she helps Rose make her donations to the hospital.

Sass is the backstage directory, aka, the guy who makes things run. He has an earpiece that has the same diamond pattern as his pants on it! The anime does show one person who helps backstage, but I wanted to have a little fun with Sass's look and tie in to him being "in charge" of the kwamis.

Ziggy works at Socqueline's family art supply shop, which is frequented by Angelic Layer players who are on a bit of a budget. They love talking with the customers about their angels, though mostly the design part.

Stompp is Ivan's foster mother and Roarr his foster sister (Stompp's bio-daughter). I actually didn't think of what kind of job this outfit would be good for, but I think she'd make a good security guard - usually working at rock concerts, which she bonds with Ivan over, but she's also been hired for Angelic Layer tournaments. Sometimes sore losers get a little...violent.

Roarr falls in love with Juleka's Angel Purple Tigress immediately thanks to her pre-existing love of tigers in general. She's even bold enough to proclaim her love to Juleka herself!

Xuppu is Ondine's sibling and a fan of King Monkey, though they'll go out of their way to make fun of Kim himself. Secretly, they're very invested in Kim's career and get very upset on his behalf when he loses.

[wisteriasymphony]

Chloe had knocked over Marinette's tray at lunch earlier that day. It wasn't anything new, just like the way Chloe had started making oinking noises to Sabrina when Marinette had bent down to clean it up. Or like the way Chloe had said that Marinette didn't really need the extra calories, so she was actually helping her after all.

Lucky Lucky Ladybug kept replaying the scene in her mind, over and over, thinking about just how stupid Chloe would've felt if Tikki had let Marinette transform and give Chloe a talking-to as Ladybug. She had woven the string of her yo-yo between her fingers into a cat's cradle, and every time her hands would stretch apart, the yo-yo would spin on its track. Then she'd bring her hands back together to catch the yo-yo mid spin, the metal body clacking against the bones in her hands. Spin, then clack. Spin, clack. Spin, clack.

Chat Noir had been talking for the past few minutes, but Ladybug never bothered to listen to him anymore. He had probably just made one of his awful puns again, based on the way he started stammering.

"Oh, uh, s-so the joke is that it's a play on the word—" "Have you ever thought that maybe, if you have to explain all of your jokes, you're not funny?" Chat Noir got quiet, his shoulders falling. Ladybug kept her eyes on her yo-yo. "I'm sorry, milady," Chat Noir apologized. "I just assumed you didn't understand the punchline." "Maybe you should come up with jokes other people understand then. That way people might actually laugh at them." Spin, clack. Spin, clack. Ladybug kept imagining Chloe's face, with her pale blue eyeshadow and her cakey makeup.

Chat Noir started to twist his fingers together, the claws on his thumbs digging into his gloved hands. It wasn't anything new—people having little patience with him, that is. His father had gotten him used to it by now. Chat Noir knew that the right thing to do in such situations was just to acquiesce, and that when you acquiesced people liked you more for it. "I noticed you and Rena were on television the other day. How did that go?" Ladybug hunched over herself, scoffing as she wound the string of her yo-yo tighter around her fingers. She had started bring Renared to press conferences and fan meetups because she could trust that Alya wouldn't act like an idiot or say stupid things. Alya was a good friend like that, willing to pick up Chat Noir's slack. Plus, doing things with Rena instead meant that Marinette and Alya could hang out for the rest of the day, and Marinette would actually enjoy herself. Doing anything of that with Chat Noir... would mean she'd be hanging out with Chat Noir. Bad pickup lines and worse jokes included.

"It was fine," Ladybug huffed, rolling her eyes. "Why do you even care?" "Oh- well, uhm. You just used to take me, and I was wondering if you had a reason that you... well... stopped."

One time during an interview, Chat Noir had derailed the entire conversation talking about the intricacies of whether or not their group of holders counted more as a religious or a political organization, entirely unaware that nobody could even begin to care about such a thing. Spin, clack. Spin, clack.

Ladybug thought about the way Chloe's face had scrunched up when she oinked at Marinette. Ladybug thought of Chat Noir's stupid awkward stammer. Ladybug thought about having to admit to her mother that her grades were getting worse.

Ladybug trapped the yo-yo in her hands for the last time, almost trying to crush it.

"It's because she's better at it than you, and I like you better when I don't have to hear you talk. Does that make you happy?!"

Chat Noir almost answered—No, actually, knowing that people didn't like hearing him talk didn't make him happy at all. But he'd learned by now that when Ladybug asked him questions like that, she wasn't actually asking and a response would only make her angrier.

"I'm sorry. I'll talk less, milady."

"I told you to stop calling me that."

"...I'm sorry."

Maybe Chloe could pick on Chat Noir for a change. He deserved it more than she did.

[tumblingxelian]

Chloe Knows:

Apparently game Chloe knows Marinette is Ladybug, so I wrote this:

Summary: Chloé Bourgeois is perhaps the last person Marinette expected to see on her roof after having lost the Miraculous to Felix.

Chloé Bourgeois is also probably the person Marinette least wants to see on her roof.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Chloe knows more than she's ever let on and that complicates things, but it just might end up helping too.

Chloe Knows:

The last thing Marinette expected to deal with right now was Chloe hanging out on her roof, arms folded and tapping her yellow jacket impatiently.

It was also the last thing Marinette wanted to deal with, save maybe finding Hawk Moth waiting for her. & that thought just sent her gut into a tailspin, so Marinette forced open her ceiling hatch and stalked onto the roof.

Chloe zeroed in on her instantly, hissing, "You kept me waiting!"

Marinette barely resisted the urge to grab and shake the blonde, because she had only just finished re-tethering herself after the disaster of losing the Miracle Box.

Still, she had just enough restraint to only force her way into Chloe's space, grounding out, "How did you trick my parents into letting you up here, Chloe?"

The blonde blinked confusedly, "I climbed?" She motioned to a discarded pair of gloves sitting in the rooftop bin. "Why would I talk to your parents about that anyway? This is our business."

Marinette tried very hard to parse that question but she was still trying to process Chloe having scaled her walls!?

"Because they-, I-" No she as not dealing with that right now. "Chloe we don't have business!" Marinette settled on, arms flailing.

"Normally we wouldn't, you made sure of that-"

"Oh I made sure of it?"

"Yes you," Chloe huffed, somehow the one affronted, "When you got me to be terrible for my mother, then made it impossible for me to be good as Queen Bee by taking Pollen. Now you go and lose her & the others? I thought you were at least cunning to pull that scheme off Dupain-Cheng, or are you just lucky!?"

Marinette technically 'heard' what Chloe said, but she didn't have the wherewithal to react to it. Not right now as her whole world felt like it was suddenly unreal and empty and yet crushingly full all at once.

"Hah, haha, what are you t- talking about? Me, take a pollen? I don't know what that is? I don't even like wasps!"

Chloe dragged her hands down her face, screaming into her palms, "You cannot be this thick, no one can, for the- I know you're Ladybug, I've known your Ladybug for ages. Now tell me how you lost the Miraculous!"

"I could never be-"

Chloe stepped forward, counting off on her fingers.

"Rena is Alya, Nino is Carapace, Sabrina the Hound, Max is Pegasus, Kim is monkey guy and Zoe is Vespera, very petty of you, kudos really. Need I list more?"

"I"

"I've seen your Kwami, do I need to grab your damned earrings!?"

Marinette's hands flew to them, and she flung herself back, then started to giggle, maniacally.

"Hahaha, of- of course, this is a nightmare! All a nightmare! I didn't fail, Chloe doesn't know anything, I didn't get tricked by Felix and doom Paris! Hahaha- OW!"

Chloe pulled her hand back and out of pinching distance.

"You're awake Dupain-Cheng & finally answered my question to boot. Felix, ugh!! What, did he pull that stupid 'I'm Adrien' stunt and you just tripped over yourself?"

"Actually-" Tikki cut in gently, drifting out of her bag. "There was no tripping that I recall, & he'd had help this time, as Adrien wished to stay in Paris so it was more believable."

Marinette felt like her throat was closing up as she rasped, "Tikki, why!?"

The Kwami turned to her, big eyes doleful, "I am sorry Marinette, but it was obvious she knew and has evidently known for sometime. I felt you continuing to try and cover this up would only make things worse not better."

"Good thing too, I was about to tackle her and shake you out of that bag-ah!"

Marinette grabbed Chloe, spun her around and trapped her against the nearest wall. Eyes wild and frantic, the command phrase to transform dancing on her lips.

"Where's Hawk Moth? What's your game Chloe!?"

"If this was a game I'd be having fun, also," Chloe brought her hands up, and sharply but lightly 'chopped' her way out of Marinette's grip with the sudden pressure on her elbows and then shot out of grabbing range.

"Uhu, you had your chance to straddle me and passed it up."

Marinette's overtaxed brain wanted to 'scream' at that particular mental image. But Ladybug Brain was taking over and she snapped.

"How long have you known? It can't be that long or Hawk Moth would have found out already. After Penal-Team, no after-"

"Are you kidding? I've known way longer than that," Chloe boasted.

"Then why doesn't Hawk Moth know? Why didn't you just Akumatize and bring him the Miraculous!?" Marinette hissed.

"Because I don't want him to win, obviously!"

"You say you want him to win all the time!"

"I say stupid stuff when I'm angry, sue me!"

"Marinette!" Her parents called, and she could hear them racing up the ladder and nearly tripping over one another in a bid to make it to the rood.

Tikki vanished back into her purse and Marinette stood stock still frozen as her parents clambered out. Her mother hugging her close and her dad stepping between her and Chloe.

"How did you get up here?" Her father groused.

"Marinette, are you OK?" Sabine asked, fretfully.

A million and one excuses flew through Marinette's exhausted brain. Class project, Chat Noir dumped Chloe on her roof, she was Ladybug & Chloe had come to yell at her- No wait, that was the truth!

"What business is it of yours?" Chloe snapped back, evidently not intimidated by her father.

"Because this is our home, and our daughter and you are trespassing." Tom rumbled.

Chloe leaned to the side and looked at Marinette, still in her mothers arms, and then pointedly looked 'past' them.

"That doesn't answer my question, Marinette and I's business is none of yours."

Her mother frowned, "You've never had business with our daughter, just sharp words at best. You have no right to her or anything here."

"Ch- Chloe was just checking up on me, after Monarch's announcement." Marinette rambled, trying to piece the pieces together into something workable that wouldn't send Chloe into a fit.

Both her parents looked stunned and also like they wanted to ask if she was concussed.

Fortunately, Chloe managed to pick up where she'd left off.

"Exactly, we certainly aren't friends, but I felt obliged to check up on someone else I knew Ladybug wouldn't check on."

"What?" Her mothers hug tightened, and her voice actually quivered.

Her father looked between the two sides, seemingly lost for what to do with himself.

The pieces fell into place and Marinette came to the truth, in a sense.

"I was Multi-Mouse, when my science teacher god Akumatized, Ladybug needed someone who was good at multitasking."

"Marinette," Her father rushed forward and pulled her into a hug that knocked the air out of her lungs.

"I... I helped her, I did OK I think."

"You got the Miraculous back so you did your job," Chloe cut in, neither warm nor scathing.

Her mother evidently didn't agree, "It shouldn't have been her job, either of your jobs. You're children!"

"Mum, dad, it's fine, really it's fine!"

Her mother ran a hand through her hair, "I feel like there's something you aren't saying sweetheart."

She glanced at Chloe who was watching the exchange with an inscrutable expression. Some strange mix of confusion and almost starvation like hunger that was honestly painful to perceive.

Marinette licked her lips and pressed on.

"Chloe was right that Ladybug might not check up on me. At least not in a way I could see."

"She's usually such a good hero?" Her father said, sounding despondent.

"It's because I asked her too! I... When I was Multi-Mouse, I used the other Miraculous. A lot. I shouldn't have, but nothing bad happened!" she hastily added, at her parents near frantic looks of worry.

"Ladybug warned me, but I misunderstood and she said even though I was OK this time I shouldn't use magic again for a long time. I was upset, I wanted to help her, I-"

Why was she crying?

"I wanted to be a good hero, but I just screwed up and now," she was sobbing. Gods she was sobbing in her mothers arms.

"There there, my treasure, I am sure you were brilliant, let it out," her mother stroked her hair while her father hovered protectively, one large hand rubbing circles on her back.

Fortunately, Marinette had already cried her heart out once tonight and was too tired for a truly spectacular breakdown.

She managed to half slip her mothers grip, wiping at her eyes. "Thanks, both of you," she glanced at Chloe who was back to not quite staring at them. Her face was a mask of forced, haughty neutrality that looked like it was being kept in place with wires buried beneath her skin.

"Thanks for checking up on me Chloe, and for somehow not telling Hawkmoth our, my, anyone's identities when he had you Akumatized all those times." Because she still needed an answer to that, only the fact Tikki hadn't seemed panicked was keeping her grounded.

Chloe swallowed, hands clenching and unclenching before she spoke.

"Yes, well, I might not be Queen Bee or a hero anymore, but ridiculous circumstances demand ridiculous actions. So for tonight I'm a hero and it's the duty of a hero to look out for people. Even one's they hate."

OK, ow.

Chloe pressed on, "As to identities," She shrugged. "If that idiot Hawkmoth, Shadowmoth or whatever he's calling himself had that kind of control he wouldn't have to wait for people to break before getting them under his thumb. Even when I let him in the last few times, I never let him dig deep and I'd just kick him out if he tried to paw at any of my secrets."

Marinette felt like her heart was going to collapse in on itself because, "Even knowing everything you do, you just- I can't- I don't understand you at all Chloe!"

That actually seemed to draw the blonde up short, "That's a surprise, I thought you knew me better than anyone. You're certainly good at," Chloe looked at her parents ten back to Marinette, "Hitting my weak spots when we come to blows."

It felt like there was a lot to unpack there and for the first time in a long time, Marinette knew she'd actually have to spare no small amount of time and thought on Chloe's inner workings.

For now though.

"Even if you 'can' just kick him out."

"You know I can!" Chloe stomped her foot. "You saw me do it when I was Penal-Team!"

"That's my point! Isn't that like willingly helping him!? Other people have to be tricked!"

Chloe scoffed, "Tricked she says, don't over-sell it, it's being angry or sad, or whatever and taking a deal. Besides, does it look like I'm helping? I played soccer for an hour then quit."

"You had a bunch of people trapped in deadly orbs Chloe!"

"So what!? People try to kill me all the time! Ivan tried to smear me on the pavement! Nathanial tried to chop my legs off! Mommy murdered me and no one cared! No one!"

There was a choked edge in that but Chloe pressed on. "Because it's not a big deal, and anyone trying to make it a big deal is just looking for sympathy points, so there." 

She huffed and unfolded her arms, "Anyway you've clearly got people to tend to and I got what I came for. See you at school, Multi-Mouse."

With that she marched across the rooftop to her sky-box. "I'm not climbing the walls again if I don't have to so I'll just leave out the front and avoid the stray dog."

Before she reached the door, Marinette was surprised to see her mother reach out and gently grasp Chloe's shoulder.

"Chloe," She said firmly, as the blonde practically froze up, looking half ready to bolt, or shout. "Thank you for checking up on our daughter, that was a good thing and for whatever it's worth. People should have cared, I'm sorry those who should don't."

There was a moment where Marinette honestly expected Chloe to start crying, to fling herself at her mother and howl and sob. She was sure she saw something glisten in her eyes before Chloe wiped it away, and swallowed.

Her voice was rough as she said, "It's... Thanks, or whatever, doesn't matter. I don't need anyone's help."

"Everyone needs someone, so if your feelings change, don't be afraid to ask, people can surprise you. Especially if you don't break into their house." Her mother said the last part with a sort of forced, hopeful smile.

Chloe nodded, like taking an instruction, a rasped something escaping her lips before she achingly pulled away and climbed down the ladder.

A million and one feelings, questions and terrors still swirled in Marinette's mind but as her father and mother gently guided her down the ladder, intent on hot coco and comfort talk. She knew they'd have to wait. Could wait, until she was rested and ready.

Even still, a part of her would linger on the question of Chloe. What to think, to feel, to do, certainly. But also on the quieter, more uncomfortable thoughts.

Like who someone who felt they had no one would turn to if they were desperate and at the end of their rope.

'& it's not just Chloe either, who does Chat Noir have besides me?'

It was an uncomfortable thought, but one buoyed by a new revelation. No matter how omnipotent Hawk Moth seemed, no matter how all knowing he claimed to be; he was clearly far less than that.

It wasn't much to build on, but it was something, a foot hold from which she could dig in her heels and drag him down from his perch.

Golden hair flashed in her mind again and another thought echoed in her head.

'One good foot hold may be enough to bring down Hawkmoth. So what could it do for someone else?'

Because no matter what she said or had done, Chloe made a choice tonight, and had been making choices for longer than Marinette realized. Not having fallen down the slope but merely standing on the brink.

'But she took a step back tonight, to somewhere I can reach.'

& maybe all Marinette needed was one good foothold to pull Chloe all the way back, perhaps Farther than she'd ever been, or Marinette even realized was possible. 

It was a tender little hope, strange and unsure, but somehow, in Marinette's mind, it felt like solid gold. 

NOTES:

Wrote this is one sitting, then edited it, I hope it reads well XD

I have no plans to continue this, though if someone else wants to take it and run with it please feel free. I kind of envision Marinette re-inviting Chloe to the class group chat as a sort of olive branch and them slowly working through their respective issues.

Also Chloe turning up at Felix's with a tazer and the same martial arts skills that let her fight Mayura to a stand still and possibly, violently reclaiming Doosoo, cos you can pry Jock!Chloe from my cold dead hands!

[ssivinee]

❇︎Subtle Vivacity❇︎

BEBE! Bada Lee x OC Team! F Reader: The competition was growing in intensity every single minute that passed. Bada felt like a nervous wreck for the most part, but not because of the competition. It was because of you.

Word Count: 4.1k

Note: I literally haven't posted a fic in so long, my bad guys🫡. but I'm back! AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR 600 FOLLOWERS. IT ACTUALLY MEANS SO MUCH TO ME🥹.

Previous | Masterlist | Next

Lia Kim strode towards the opposing side with a mission in mind, picking Mina Myoung as her no-respect dancer. You stared at the two, already envisioning the scene that was about to unfold. The details of the two old best friends having a fallout were no secret, and as you watched, the feeling of skepticism surged within you. 

As a dance teacher, you weren’t a stranger to young students having bad blood. But these were adults. People who could’ve worked it out behind the scenes, yet here they were, about to battle it out. And you just knew it was gonna be a shitshow.

The crews were absolutely hyped, their excitement filling the fight zone. However, your expression contorted, a grim gaze settling on your face, conveying a different feeling amidst the enthusiasm.

“This match-up is finally happening,” Yoonji says, and Rena of Tsubakill held her hands together, almost hoping for a good match.

“I understand having disagreements, but I’d be highly disappointed if they let their emotions get in the way of dance,” you told the camera during your confessional interview.

Dancing should be fun and full of expression that anyone can enjoy, but your expectations come low with this match-up, as you find your eyes fueling bitterness.

“You seem to have a lot of complaints.” “It’s not that I had complaints. The title of chief choreographer at 1MILLION. I wonder if you earned that solely with your effort.”

“It’s not like I stole it from anyone,” Lia Kim points at herself, her face showing off a slight arrogant feeling. As Mina talks, you begin to space out. The hostility in the air was something you didn’t want to hear.

“This feels like a waste of time and a waste of a battle,” you mumble, but Emi hears it, nodding at your statement. “Maybe they should just have a fistfight to duke it out,” the sub-leader jokes, and you laugh, lowering your head to conceal your reaction.

The battle begins, and as you watch, you can’t help but roll your eyes, eyeing the interaction in disdain. Mina couldn’t properly respect the battle, walking around and almost paying little to no attention to her old friend. She then approaches her opponent, and the two almost hit each other.

You scoff with a laugh, “They can’t be serious right now?”

Some dancers found it cool or scary, but you weren’t entertained, not at all. The rest of your crew could clearly be seen staying seated on your bench with looks of disgust. “Doesn’t look like Doyennes is enjoying the show,” Minah points out to her leader, causing Bada to look over in your direction discreetly.

She stared at your crew, seeing the repulsed faces. Your eyes looked bored yet stern as you watched the two dancers battling it out.

“They look fucking crazy,” you mouth silently, telling yourself, but as if Bada becomes the best mouth reader in the world, she understands as her eyes grow wide at your words.

Your eyes roll back as the battle ends, the scene that occurred leaving a sour taste in your mouth. “Should’ve just fought each other,” Bell says, and the rest just nod, not even having the energy to talk after that.

After a few other dances, the ace battles were about to begin. You find yourself turned around, delegating with your crew. “It's either you or Serena,” Athena says, and the other girls nod. You look over at Serena, your youngest, having the most wins and battles despite not showing everything she’s got.

“You think you’ll be up for it?” You question, and everyone looks at her as she gives you a determined nod. “Well, that fixes it then.”

Serena had gone up and challenged every single ace but wasn't chosen once. When it was her turn to pick, it was only between Waaxcky and Baby Sleek, one more hesitant than the other. Your youngest gives the two a friendly smile, “I’ll go with Baby Sleek.”

As if the whole room freezes at her choice, silence engulfs everyone but your crew, who cheer. “This one's gonna be good,” you hear Maya say as she and Bell giggle from behind you.

You stand up behind Serena, arms crossed, as she starts off hearing, “ZOO” by the artists of SM. The song choice has you smirking as Serena’s innocent eyes transform into an intense gaze. Your eyes glide to the right, staring directly at Bada, who you knew helped choreograph this song. Her eyes didn’t leave the younger dancer, probably wondering how she would dance to the song.

As the pre-chorus hits, Serena moves her body, hitting every tick she can, isolating the upper half of her body. She then goes on her knees, hitting dime stops as the chorus comes up. 

Just like a zoo!

Serena acts like an animal crawling on the floor as she bounces back up, hitting a move that feels almost impossible. She bent her back, showing her face upside down to Baby Sleek, then slid black down smoothly head first.

You were hyped, only showing a smile and little jumps at the tricks she pulled. 

The crowd was gradually getting into it, some cheers filling the air as Serena continued to showcase her dynamic moves. As the second verse approached, she switched to a more fluid style, transitioning between smooth waves and sharp pops. The versatility in her dance style was apparent, and the spectators were captivated by the unexpected yet impressive performance.

Baby Sleek, on the other hand, appeared a bit taken aback, her usually confident demeanor showing signs of uncertainty. The complexity of Serena's routine seemed to catch her off guard. Bada observed from her seat, a raised eyebrow indicating her surprise at the unfolding scene.

As the music reached its climax, Serena unleashed a flurry of quick footwork, perfectly in sync with the beats. The energy in the room heightened, and even those who initially doubted Serena's choice were now nodding in approval.

The final beats of the song echoed, and Serena struck a powerful pose, her eyes locking with Baby Sleek's. The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into cheers. Your crew, especially, erupted into joy, proud of Serena's stellar performance.

Bada's eyes were fixed on you, a subtle acknowledgment of the skill displayed by your crew's youngest member. Serena bowed to Baby Sleek, offering a smile, a gesture that carried sportsmanship.

As Serena returned to your crew, you gave her a nod of approval, “Good job. You killed it.” The younger dancer beamed with pride, her eyes gleaming with accomplishment.

The judges held their cards, and when the results were revealed, it was a unanimous decision in favor of Serena. Other crews had a go, even leading into the crew battles, but they finally revealed rankings for the no-respect battles. The show continued with all the groups having a crew dance battle. The day was now about to end with the rankings of each crew.

The crew rankings were announced, and Doyennes had taken second with ten wins and three losses. So when the girls retreat back to their rooms, they cheered. The adrenaline still lingering in everyone's veins.

“We killed that shit!” Maya squeals and Bell is seen hopping by her side, full of excitement. “If only I didn’t lose twice,” Athena grumbles, and Emi adds, “And if I didn’t lose once.” You shook your head at the girls, “Your battles were both against Wolf’Lo members. They’re tough to beat in battles. You guys did good regardless.”

“People should’ve danced against me more during the ace battles,” Serena mumbled as the other girls were cheering and trying to hype the other two up. You look at the youngest, knowing that look of disappointment anywhere. “Chin up, baby. You did good,” You tell her, taking a seat beside the young dancer as you rest your arm on her shoulders.

“Besides, they were scared of you out there. Take some pride in that,” You told her in Korean, and she smiled a little, feeling better at the words of encouragement.

The Korean was something that only you two bonded over the past few months, and Serena learned a lot from you. She knew you viewed her as your younger sister, and she also saw you as her older one.

“We’re gonna kill this competition,” Serena says, suddenly becoming bold with her words of choice. “We’ll show them who the Professors of Dance are,” You tell her, a confident smirk painted on your face.

Suddenly, the monitor turned on, and everyone saw Daniel. “Here we go again,” you heard Emi voice out. “Street Woman 2, the 1st battle, no respect, battle with the worst dancer. Did it help you figure out the other crews? To try and secure your ranking or go up in the ranking, here’s the next mission you’ll have to face soon.”

Everyone sits up except you, leaning back and relaxing on the sofa, almost knowing what the mission would be. “Your next mission is… the Class Mission.” You smile at the words. The mission where leaders had gone viral multiple times for their pieces. Safe to say you were excited, but you held it in, wanting to hear what the songs were first. 

“In the class mission, the elite members of each crew will be assigned to four classes. The leader class, sub-leader class, middle class, and rookie class. Each class will finish a dance video.”

“These are gonna be hard, but I know my girls are capable enough to hold their own,” you said in your confessionals.

“In each class, there will be one main dancer to be the protagonist in each video. The main dancer will get extra points, stand at the center of the video, and direct the dance video. Individual scores will be given out in the class mission. The points will be distributed differently in each class. The three fight judges will rank the dancers of each class from 1st to 9th places.”

“So we have to stand out regardless of whether we're the main dancer or not?” Maya questions, and you nod. 

Daniel explained the rest and the benefits that Wolf’Lo gets, and then the leaders began picking which dancers to put in which class.

You sat in another room, thinking hard about the next decisions you were about to make. One person from your crew would have to sit out, and 2 positions were already set in stone for the crew. You are in the leader class, and Emi is in the sub-leader class. So, who were the next choices? 

“I have to be smart about this,” you mumbled as the camera rolled and recorded each name you wrote down on your paper.

When thinking about the rookie class, you didn’t think of the least experienced member but the most youthful one, so Bell was your pick. You then contemplated the last three, Serena, Athena, and Maya. You wanted to put Serena in one of these classes, knowing she was such a strong dancer but Athen and Maya seemed to be a duo that worked like yin and yang, so you opted for the two instead.

“Joined by the best producers in South Korea, here are the songs for the class mission.”

“Oh, we get to hear them now?” Bell states, almost jumping in her seat like a rabbit.

The first song was the Dynamic Duo’s ‘Smoke.’ The crew listened and grinned as they stared at you. “The songs are totally your style, Lo,” Emi yelled, and everyone agreed and you sat there, only nodding your head as you listened to the song. It was aggressive and hip, something you were fond of hearing. “I can definitely work with that.”

Then Crush popped up on the screen, and you couldn’t help but roll your eyes, not being too fond of the artist. Ehem, with the things he’s done in the past that we don’t talk about.

It was then time to show ‘Click Like,’ and as much as you weren’t fond of the guy, you hated to say that the song was groovy and easy to listen to. “It sounds sexy as hell,” Emi says, almost pondering. It wasn’t exactly her strongest suit, as contemporary was storytelling, but she knew she could make it work somehow.

When ‘Swipe’ and ‘Twerk’ were revealed, you felt a weight come off your shoulders, knowing you picked the right girl for each class for sure.

It was finally the day to choose the choreography for each song and you danced in your designated hideout, doing some final markings for the dance. As the headphones settled comfortably over your ears with bass-boosted music, you didn’t hear the knock on the door. 

Bada peaks her head in, volunteering to get you as every other leader was in the fight zone, already preparing to present their dance. The leader of Bebe didn’t want to intrude and seemed like she was scoping out the competition; however, she couldn't resist gazing at you.

You weren’t facing the door, but Bada felt the immense aura you exuded, the power in your motions clearly pronounced even if you weren’t going all out.

You flaunted remarkable control over your body, a trait Bada undoubtedly possessed. Yet, there was a distinctive quality when it came to your interpretation of dance. The way she clearly saw your muscle flexing, the change in dynamics in certain parts, the way your blonde hair danced with you.

Safe to say, she felt a bit intimidated watching you.

After what felt like forever, Bada decides to step in, tapping your shoulder. You look over, seeing her with a friendly smile as you slip the headphones onto your collarbones, “Everyone else is downstairs now.” Your eyes somewhat widen at the words, and Bada finds your bewildered face adorable. Your siren eyes practically turned into large innocent bubbles.

“Oh god, I’m sorry. Did I make you guys wait for too long?” You ask, settling your devices onto the table as you pat your clothes down a bit. “No, we were gonna start in ten, but I just wanted to let you know,” Bada tells you, not wanting to admit that she basically spent three of those ten minutes staring at your dance. 

“Well, thanks for letting me know,” you tell her, then sipping on your water. “Let’s go down now?” You question, and she nods, moving to the side to let you pass. She closes the door for you. “What a gentlewoman,” you tease, and Bada’s cheeks go pink, making you chuckle at the flustered sight.

As you guys make your way down, you see all the leaders seated on the floor, and the two of you decide to sit next to each other on the rear end. Halo then goes first, and you stare at the dance with dull eyes. She made it work, but as a collective team? It didn’t suit a group performance, or any of the other leaders for that matter.

The feedback was lethal, which was expected in this class. It felt like a barrage of bullets targeting each dancer as they showed their pieces. Nob, Funky Y, Mina, Lia, Kirsten, and Akanen faced the same feat, everyone having more unfavorable things to say about their dances. You stayed quiet for the most part until it was only you and Bada left.

Deciding to go next, you stood on the walkway, rolling your neck a bit. Other crews watched in their hideouts and couldn’t help but compliment you over and over again even if you hadn’t started yet. 

“God, how can someone look so cool?” 

“Doesn’t she look like a Barbie?”

“This mission was probably a piece of cake for her.”

As you began, Bada expected highly of you from what she had already seen from her sneaky preview and you didn’t disappoint. You played it smart, and the choreography was easy to follow. It would appeal to the audience, and Bada knew, with a face like that, you were stealing everyone's hearts as they watched you.

The movement of your hips were fluid, and each move connected perfectly with power and energy. 

This had Bada feeling nervous.

She believed that you and Kirsten were her biggest competitors but for different reasons. Kirsten was a dancer who had the most unique style amongst all the leaders, making any dance her own.

You, on the other hand, were the most similar to her, but almost felt like a better version. You were taller, had more experience, excelled in advanced styles of dance, won competitions, and worked with several global artists.

At this point, you were the only one to look out for.

You ended up blowing out a flame on your pointer finger, and Bada wanted to clap for you but held back. “It definitely felt the coolest as of right now,” Funky Y said, “but I think only some of us can pull this off.”

“This is a dance I would like to do, the power, the fluidity, dynamics. It was entertaining to watch,” Kirsten says, and you nod at her, appreciating your friends feed back. For the most part, everyone said similar things.

Then it was Bada’s turn, and as soon as she began, you knew the fight would be tough. Bada seemed to embody the song perfectly, and it had you smirking. ‘I’m so fucked,’ was what you thought. The tall leader was the definition of charisma and charm, and it irritated you a little bit.

It was a competition, and you were admiring a competitor. 

In most cases, you’d be okay with this, but seeing how you and Bada almost mirrored each other in a way didn’t sit well in your mind. It felt a little unsettling, not realizing the similarities until the she danced.

“While watching Bada, I could find no flaws,” Halo says. That’s when a lot of the compliments were rolling in, and somehow, the two of you were now in the same boat. The votes were evenly split, four for you and four for Bada. Then Mina brings up a point that the choreos chosen seemed to be easy to steal.

That somehow caused a stir for people to reevaluate their decision, but in the end, Bada ended up taking the crown. You pat her on the back, “Congrats.” “Thank you,” she bows at you.

"Your choreography is fun... just don't get too comfortable now," you playfully tease, but she senses a hint of seriousness in your words. "Don't worry, I'm not. I can't be, especially with you in this competition," Bada teases back, and your eyebrow raises at the playful tone.

You held a sly smirk. 

Let the fun begin.

It was now time for the leader class to perform, and you stood beside Kirsten as you waited for your turn. “You ready for this?” Kirsten whispered to you, leaning in a bit. “Always am,” you confidently stated with a smile.

The first group went first, but your attention was fixated on Bada the entire time. You marked the routine as the song played, but your eyes couldn’t stray away from her alluring figure. As Bada rolled her hips, you couldn't help but let out a low groan.

How could someone be so sexy? Bada could quite literally just stand there, and STILL look that good.

As your group took the stage, you casually fixed your hair into a low ponytail. The music started, and during the lighter parts, your expression changed, and your thumb flick signaled the beginning of what promised to be an extraordinary performance. You seemed lost in your own world, drawing everyone's attention with captivating expressions.

You danced with an approach that seemed like a mix of Bada and Kirsten. The power and force were Bada’s style, but the usage of space and foot work were similar to Kirsten.

It wasn’t “their style” but while watching the two practice for a bit, you brain picked up certain portions that you liked from each. The group finishes off and you and Kirsten pose with your left hands on your back, the hand interpreted lighter and its flame, and a little reverb to the movements.

The announcement of a reaudition brought a momentary sigh. Akanen and Bada performed first. Despite Akanen's skill, Bada's towering presence seemed to overshadow her. The tall dancer felt like a lion on that stage, and everyone had to be wary of it.

When it was your turn, dancing with Kirsten felt like a trip down memory lane. The camaraderie and playfulness between you two filled the stage with an energy echoing the past. Both leaders strategically occupied the space, ensuring every eye was fixated on them. Bada, in particular, watched you intently, her gaze never wavering.

You two work so well together, Bada thought. She wasn’t sure if she felt jealousy bubbling within her or anxiety. You and Kirsten were just too good to overlook. Bada would’ve liked to put the two of in your place to show who the better dancer is amongst you three.

But seeing how all these interactions with you… it felt like you were putting Bada in her place without even trying.

The duo of you and Kirsten ended and cheers, screams, and yells could just be heard. Yet when they hear Shownu speak again, the fight zone quiets down.

The announcement of a reaudition between you and Bada sparked more excitement. Speculations about the impending battle buzzed among the crews. "This battle is gonna be intense," Harimu exclaimed. Baby Sleek pondered on the similarities between your dancing styles, a sentiment echoed by Halo, who had a front-row seat to the choreography selection.

As you and Bada stood in the middle of the stage, the energy was electric, ready to set it on fire. The music played and the synchronization of your movements to each lyric showcased a dance battle that promised to be nothing short of thrilling.

Light it up.

As you and Bada approached the flickering flame, there was an undeniable intensity in the air. The atmosphere charged with electric energy as the two of you prepared to unleash pure power onto the dance floor. The crews, judges, and Daniel could sense that something extraordinary was about to happen.

As you both simultaneously blew out the flame, the movements displayed the grand usage the two of you had on your bodies. They were aggressive, energetic, and filled with intensity that seemed unreal to everyone else as they watched on the sidelines.

Your chemistry with Bada was visible, and as the two of you danced side by side, it felt as if the entire room was witnessing a performance by a duo that had been seamlessly engulfed in dance together for years.

The synergy between your movements was more than just coordination; it was a shared language, a non-verbal dialogue that spoke volumes about the connection you shared. The dance floor became a canvas, and each step, each gesture, painted a vivid picture of unity.

The unfolding scene was hypnotic. The onlookers were drawn into a trance as they heard the resounding echoes of your footsteps and witnessed the unparalleled control you both had over your limbs. So when the two of you ended the performance, both facing the judges as you both blow out the flame, you heard the clapping around you, everyone acknowledging the two of you as amazing dancers.

As the judges discussed, the decision felt like it could go either way. Many of the crews pointed out that both of you should just be the main dancer instead, end of story. You peer over to your right, feeling Bada’s ansty movements, as she couldn’t stand still. 

“No matter who wins, you did amazing,” you whisper, leaning into her ear as you pull her into a side hug, gripping her waist ever so slightly. Bada’s body heats up at the feeling of your breath on her ear, and she feels even more nervous. 

But now, it was because of you. 

Your large hands felt warm, and your slender fingers wrapped on one side of her waist, a sensation she didn’t know she needed. Before Bada could respond, the three judges sat back down, and Shownu brought the mic up, “The main dancer we chose for this class is…”

The anticipation seemed to tighten its grip on Bada, making her almost oblivious to her own actions as she subconsciously held your hand. You glanced down, a slight smile playing on your lips as you met her gaze. The announcement of "Bada" prompted a heavy sigh of relief from Bebe's leader.

You clapped, pulling her into a genuine hug. "You were insane," you mumbled, planting a kiss on her temple, feeling honored to engage in such an intense competition.

Monika, beginning to explain the challenging decision, expressed, "You two felt like one person dancing on stage. I still can’t wrap my head around it, in all honesty. The choice ultimately came down to who we felt fit the song better, and that was Bada."

"The two of you, being tall dancers, feels like you’ve started something revolutionary," she continued, and both of you bowed, smiles etched on your faces.

After the competition, you found yourself alone in your hideout, taking a moment to rest. A knock interrupted your light nap, and you welcomed Bada in with a smile. "What’s up, main dancer?" she greeted with a chuckle. "I saw the lights still open in here and just wanted to make sure everything was okay."

"That’s sweet of you," you replied, sitting up. "But I’m fine. Just wanted a little break before heading out." Bada suggested heading out together, and you agreed, ensuring you had everything before leaving.

As you walked together, Bada broke the silence. "The way you dance… It’s so entrancing." You smiled at her. "Dance has been the only thing I’ve known for years, Lee, so I’d hope it feels like that."

“Maybe you can teach me one day?” Bada asks, her face full of mischievousness, but she is being literal.

Who wouldn’t wanna learn from the famous Lotus?

In Bada’s mind, you were someone that people wanted to be. Maybe she wanted something more out of the lessons from you, but only time could tell right now.

Bada had expected you to just laugh and shake off the idea, but while walking, you look at her straight in the eyes, not breaking any eye contact as she sees a smirk on your plush lips.

“When the show doesn’t take up our schedules, I’ll take you up on that offer.” You wink, walking away, into your car, leaving Bada standing there a bit distraught.

Well… I’m screwed, Bada thought while walking away, hands covering her eyes as she shook her head, trying to calm down her flustered self again.

You were dangerous for her, and it felt like you could possibly be Bada’s downfall in this competition.

Previous | Masterlist | Next

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[snakeunderyourboot]

Therapy for Miraculous Team fic idea

cool idea for miraculous fic set during season 2-3 (get away all this shit from seasons 4-5)

Okay, so one day Mayor of Paris announced that as thanks to the Miraculous team for all they did for Paris, they can get free mental health care. Like a free therapist. Talk about perks being superheroes

Anyway, Ladybug of course says that its dangerous and they can't really talk to said therapist because people can figure out their identities. Chat Noir agrees, but in the end they both start using said therapist.

It starts with something more trivial like high school stress or tips for how to deal with anxiety, small things like that. But as time goes and therapist being an actually nice person who never tries to guess who they are under the mask and just wants to help them, both Ladybug and Chat Noir loosen up a little. They now talk about other stuff, more personal to them (still hiding their identities)

Even temporal heroes sometimes use therapist services. Rena Rouge asks how can she be passionate about her hobbies without it hurtung her friends, Carapace asks tips how to help his friend who is in a difficult family situation, Queen Bee (she is the last to visit therapist but even she caves) asks how can she change herself so that she stops losing people. It's all very nice and well, and the team grows so much closer than they were before

Only the thing is, the therapist is actually a double agent working for Hawkmoth.

Maybe they had some personal vendetta against the Miraculous team, maybe they just didn't trust them, maybe some other reason - just the idea that said therapist was not all that great.

Until they started listening to the heroes and suddenly hit with the realization that they are just kids. Ladybug can restore Paris in a matter of seconds, but she is extremely anxious about school and has a poor life-work balance. Chat Noir can destroy everything just by touching it, but he also spends so long pretending to be a perfect version of himself that he has no idea who he truly is. Rena Rouge can make a perfect illusion with a few notes, but she also feels like she constantly misses everything and she hurts more people than actually helps them. Carapace can shield a bullet, but also worries about his friends and not being enough for them. Queen Bee is able to freeze a person, but also is so deep in her own familly problems that she is also comepltly lost what she is as a person.

Suddenly therapist realizes that people who were protecting Paris for so many years - are just kids. Kids who should worry about their grades and school drama and not fight a magical terrorist every day.

Maybe then therapist starts selling false info to the Hawkmoth. Maybe they now trying to figure out the Hawkmoth identity. Maybe then Therapist becomes probably the only stable adult figure in superheroes lifes they can go for. Maybe they start learning more stuff about miraculouses. And maybe they suddenly met with a choice to step away and probably let those kids make so many mistakes or step in and help them in every possible way.

Just the idea of some random parisian therapist looking at miraculous team and deciding that that is enough and help them.

Edit: of course we can take more hilarious approach because imagine you start listening to all the stuff those kids are up to. Someone was in a doomed alternative version of their world, someone tried to cataclysmed themselves and all that while dealing with school. I pity that therapist

[yeonmuse]

`✦ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹ Curtain Call ·˚ ༘

ᥫ᭡ f!Oc x lee heeseung ── 𝒢enre. Uni au. fluff, non idol enha. feats. ot7 [reqs are open] ᝰ.ᐟ 𝓁ibrary 🪷

authors notes This is a follow up to Heeseungs side story in Can You Hear My Heart. It takes place directly after the final chapter of Jungwons Mini Series. This is not a Hee X Reader series, but if youd like to replace the characters name with your own feel free to. This is part of admins University series

IN WHICH 𖤓 Heeseung has a thing for the theaters golden girl, he’s been crushing on her for months. He’s got it so bad for her that he somehow lets Jake talk him into attending auditions just to get closer to her.

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Quiet on set

The hell-like weekend had finally ended and it was now time to get back to classes and rehearsals. The fact that so much had happened in the timespan of just two days still completely shocked sakoia, obviously life was unpredictable and moved fast but she had never expected her weekend to turn out as it had. In two days alone she had met a new friend and lost her due to her being a complete snake.

Aside from the agonizing events of the weekend Sakoia did find herself smiling at the thought of Heeseung going out of his way just to make sure she knew he wasn’t an asshole. Though as quick as the smoke spread across her face it went away, she wouldn’t allow herself to sit and swoon over someone so easily. Though he made it hard, the last 2 months since Jungwons party, any time she’d seen him around or conversed with him he always had this way of making her laugh or smile. The confidence and charm he held could obviously draw a woman in, but it made her feel so easy how simple it was for him to worm his way into her thoughts.

She had been completely lost in her thoughts of the events from last night. She hadn’t realized Heeseung creeping up at her side as she walked.

“Lost in your pretty thoughts so early in the morning?” His voice snapped her back to her senses , warning a smile from Heeseung when she actually made eye contact with him.

“Mm thinking about everything that happened over the weekend, it was a complete shitshow.” Heeseung chuckles seemingly unbothered by the mention of the events, as long as she had forgiven him he truly didn’t care about anything else that had happened over the weekend.

“Mm yeah, ill have to find some sort of way to make it up to Nezz, since it was partially my fault her night was kind of spoiled.”

“Mm don’t worry too much about it, she knows it wasn’t your fault, her and Yuan were completely understating everything once I told them why you blew up like that, we all thought..”

“You thought?”

“We thought that maybe she was just a fling to you, earlier that night Nezza had said that you were the type to mess around, that you don’t usually date.” The tension in the air grew thick as the words left her mouth, she usually wasn’t the type to pre judge but the events of that night had her convinced that it was true up until he explained it all to her. As much as she hated it though, there was part of her that was still holding onto those words, wondering if they were true.

“She was right.” Sakoia felt her stomach twist in knotts at his response.

“She was right about back then yeah, way before, before a few months ago I couldn’t bother dating anyone, didn’t trust anyone enough to date them so yeah there were a few i did have flings with but, wasn’t exactly for me.”

“Is it because of her, Rena?”

“She’s part of the reason yeah, after that it was always hard for me to trust anyone so I steered away from the relationships and titles, though now I’ve had my eye on someone for a while now, been trying to get close to her, she’s the only one I’m really interested in dating.” There was a subtle silence between the two, she seemed lost in thought but all he could do was stare at her as they walked, all he could do was admire how beautiful she looked when she was lost in her own head.

The two of them eventually arrived at the auditorium, sheltered from the cold outside, and engulfed into the warmth of the building. This was their first official practice since the roles had been announced, and thankfully Heeseung wasn’t as nervous as before. Having spent more time with her he was now a lot more confident and comfortable in the role when it came to scenes with her.

Sakoia found heels watching him as he took off his jacket and threw it onto a seat in the front row. She found heels a little distracted after hearing his words earlier, so he was interested in someone. She was forced to come to her senses as the rest of the cast started sauntering into the auditorium, and the two were no longer alone.

For the first time since she started acting she found herself somewhat distracted when she’d look at him. Whether it was her trying to figure out who he had his eyes on, or her trying to distract herself from the fact that she did in fact find him attractive.

Meanwhile all Heeseung could think about was her, how pretty she looked, how angelic her voice sounded as she delivered her lines. The way her nose scrunched up whenever she was deep into her thoughts in between scenes. She was all that he saw.

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[aezyrraesh]

; oc deep dive

i was tagged by @deadrlngers, ty sm rena <33 tagging @sapphicaeris @ecofear @nazali @rosenfey @mercymaker @leviiackrman @thedeadthree @lucaanis @florbelles @mojaves @faarkas & anyone else who wants to do this!

What common/uncommon fear do they have?

Being helpless. Unable to do anything in times of danger, when something threatens her or her loved ones. She's been in a situation where she could do nothing but watch as everything she's worked for (and herself by extension) was destroyed. Luna sweared to never let it happen again, but she is scared it might.

Heights. Get her down, now. Luna doesn't like being high up, she hates being scared because of it, she's annoyed when someone can see her discomfort, you get the picture. She'll whine that it's not necessary to be this high up. So what if the view is nice? It's also decent enough from the ground, thank you ever so much.

Commitment. Luna doesn't want to get attached, because if there's anything at all she'd learned from her mistakes is that every good thing can be taken away when you least expect it. Better to avoid being tied down in the first place. Which is funny because she's married, now. Clown behaviour, I love her.

Do they have any pet peeves?

When someone says "I said so" or something along those lines. She is ready to punch the next person who says that.

Interrupting her when she is speaking. Now, she does this a lot, bc she thinks her point is better, but when the roles are reversed? Luna is annoyed.

Meetings. Any important meetings- political, military, whatever. It bores her to death, and she shows it.

What are three items you can find in their bedroom?

Daggers. Everywhere. Under her pillow, in the nightstand. She is paranoid someone will atack her when she is most vulnerable, better to be ready.

Mirrors. Luna needs to control her appearance, she was taught that good looks can get you far enough. She wants to look presentable and respectable.

Scrolls. Luna is not a wizard, but she enjoys learning new spells. It makes her feel safer, so the more the merrier. But she also simply enjoys the process of learning something new.

What do they notice first in a person?

Status, if it makes sense. Luna will analyze the person's clothes, how they carry themselves, how thet talk, how they move. After that, she can adjust her behaviour accordingly like a chameleon.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how high is their pain tolerance?

Physically: Hmm, I'd say around 5.5-6. She's not a stranger when it comes to physical pain, but she'd do her best to avoid it if possible. Luna's been through enough to handle pain well enough, but she's also a noble, so she was well protected for the majority of her life. If her pain can be avoided, she'll gladly take that route. Others though? That's a different question.

Mentally: A solid 9. Luna simply doesn't give a fuck most of the time. Say some shit about her? Okay, who are you, again? Throw challenges at her? She'll make sure to come on top. Luna has spent a long time crafting herself into a strong person, her experiences at various noble parties and courts, where everything is a snake in disguise solidified that. Luna was a wreck once, she'll die before she lets it happen again.

Emotionally: Visibly? 8. Her face is a solid mask, almost nothing can break that. She was trained to give away nothing, and Luna lets no weakness to show. Internally? 6. Despite anything she says, she's emotional deep down. She's prone to rage. Anger is her immediate reaction towards almost anything that upsets her. After that comes hurt and sadness. She won't show it, but she's an emotional person.

Do they go into fight or flight mode when under pressure? (Or freeze or fawn?)

Fight. She's not going down easy, and if that's inevitable she'll take everyone with her. Luna is ready to fight claw and teeth for her success and power, she is not fleeing again.

What animal represents them best?

Snake. Or the stereotypical description of one when it comes to a person. Cunning, persuasive, dangerous. She can charm people easily, making them sympathize with her or adore her. But Luna always has a motive of her own, sometimes it's hidden, somethimes she carries it openly.

How would a stranger likely describe them?

Charming. Luna seems open, relaxed, someone you can talk to and trust. She had a good education, and can have a conversation on various topics. Her politeness and good manners is also something of notice, but it's marely a habbit, not a sign that she respects or likes the person she's talking to.

But you also can't help but notice that she's not entirely there during a conversation. Like she's taking the all too familiar steps in a now boring game. She asks a lot, says a lot without reveavling much.

Appearance wise.. she's a dhampir which can make people wary, but Luna is also a Svetocher. She's inherited much of the unnatural charm and beauty of her vampiric ancestors, but it's a bit unnerving. She looks good, but there's something lurking in her eyes and behind her sharp smile.

Do they have any hobbies?

Partying, and everything that comes with it. Drinking, card games, ballads. She enjoys the atmosphere, and it never gets old for her.

Magic. Luna loves learning and uncovering something new.

Painting. She's not a master of arts by any means, but it relaxes her. It's the time when she can empty her mind and let her hands guide her and create.

[yubellia]

Can we talk about Marinette‘s behavior?!

Because I think it’s time that we do. I‘ve seen some post here on tumblr and some videos on YouTube. I think we need to talk about ‚Sublimation‘.

I talked about this episode back when the leaks came up. However, I was wrong about certain things.

For example, I believed that Marinette was trying to scare Sublime somehow with this fake Akuma stunt or even sabotage her.

I mean, making the floor slippery with soap while you deal with someone who is using prosthetic legs?… Marinette?! Can you please turn your brain back on?! I mean, seriously?! That’s already a horrible move if someone does not use prosthetic legs. There is a reason why „wet floor“ signs exist!

Turns out, I was wrong and her intentions were not that bad. At least that’s what the writers want us to believe.

Marinette is jealous and still thinks that she is not good enough for Adrien. Mostly probably because she still has this secret about his dad. Like she said in the last episode, ‚she wants to control everything and messes everything up.‘ Yeah, that’s the short version.

Alya and Tikki want to stop her but once again she does not listen until everything blows up in her face. She apologized and everything is fine…. Except it isn‘t.

Because like I said, many people, in my eyes, misunderstood Marinette’s intentions. She feels like she is not good enough. Adrien spending time with this perfect girl like Sublime sends her into a panic. And Adrien lied to Marinette about not really talking to Sublime. Probably because he knows exactly how she is. Marinette got all the information she could about Sublime. So that she could be „a good girlfriend. And Adrien’s friends should get along with her too! Be her friends too!“ and this is where everything comes together. If it wasn‘t for Adrien spending time with her, Marinette would be impressed and civil with Sublime but not really interested further.

Did you ever hear the saying „keep your friends close but your enemies closer.“? Marinette wanting to be friends with Sublime comes, once again, from her desire to control the situation and her relationship with Adrien. And to make this clear, she should consider herself lucky that he is so patient and already knows „yeah my girlfriend is nervous and gets a bit weird when she likes people. Don‘t mind her. She gets better.“

The writers even kind of admitted it later. Marinette looks into the mirror which is her lucky charm and she calls herself the villain. It is her fault that this happened.

I‘m not saying that she wanted Sublime to hurt herself or break her prosthetic legs but her actions are not the ones you use if you want to be someone‘s friend.

So what I am saying is, please think about it carefully. Marinette is very flawed and starting season 6, those mistakes will probably come to bite her. She is not selfless, what she did and tried to do was very selfish and she still did not learn to listen to others and trust them. She still needs to be in control and be right.

I fear, that we will get more episodes like this. Until one day, things really blow up, Cerise makes her move or Marinette really has to face the consequences. Consequences that can‘t be solved with an ‚apology‘.

Now, you have seen it in the tags. Let’s talk about Cerise a bit. Shall we? Because I‘m starting to think that she is suspicious of Marinette and maybe Adrien. Sitting in a café? Ok sure. But why doing it while Marinette and Adrien are having a date? And why is she interested in Sublime? Why should she be there except to maybe keep an eye on Marinette and Adrien?

Remember that scene back when she was using her Lila disguise? That creepy scene where she was cutting Marinette out of pictures and we were like ‚ok she is crazy!‘. I believe that she kept an eye on Marinette and the others for a while.

Thanks to the information she got way back from Nathalie, she knows who Rena Rouge is and who some of the other heroes are. I would not be surprised if she thinks „Marinette is one of the few people who don‘t have a miraculous. But she disappears before Ladybug shows up. And Ladybug called me out just like Marinette did…“

I mean, the writers showed us that she is creepy and manipulative. And in the London special, they showed us that she is dangerous and smart. It would not even be weird if she figures Marinette out.

And let’s be real. Faking an akumatization….. Marinette is getting reckless with her secret if you ask me.

That’s all I have to say so far about this episode. Also, why do we need three kids with horrible parents? First Adrien, than Kagami and now Sublime? That gets a bit old. I know her mom wants Sublime to do her best, despite everything and be the best she can be. But that’s another toxic family right there. Sublime was shaking… that’s not healthy.

Anyway, see you again soon!

[adventuremaker21]

PROTECTORS AU PART 1: THE MAIN 5

Pics is by my good friend @novastar134 please support her

TLDR: Basically it’s when the team formed early after the events of Heroes Day AND after Mayura made he first appearance (so no S3 and beyond). While the villain Papillon gained a new ally, the duo gained 3 new teammates, alongside the foreign friends (more later). Because of this, the adventures grow bigger as more things change, but they do stay the same.

And so, here’s our the heroes changed in this new timeline:

Ladybug

-You know her name and know her stories, so she’s basically the same

-despite the fact that she kind of went behind Fu’s back and made more heroes without his permission (blame chat noir for that)

-anxious about the concequences, but Star tells her that that’ll come later. Now’s the time to have fun

-Helps teach the foreigners about what the Miraculouses are and their limits

Chat Noir

-The trusty partner to everyone’s favorite spotty heroine

-More of a talker then her partner

-Was the one that made Alya, Nino, and Chloe full time and talked Marinette into letting it happen

-filled with hope and possitivity

-more vocal about his father’s behavior

-does not like being called “cat noir”

Rena Rouge

-The first of the new heroes

-People thought she was gonna disrupt the dynamic, but made it better

-Won’t have time for anyone’s behavior, and will be blunt

-Ladybug’s best friend

Carapace

-The second of the new heroes

-Has zero merch, which upsets him

-AmazIng taste in music and will use it to cheer people up

-Great with tech, but not as great as Wukong (later)

-Chat Noir’s best friend

Queen Bee

-Third and last of the new heroes

-Everyone knows she’s Chloe Bourgeois, the nasty daughter of the mayor, but is working on being less nasty to everyone

-Is a hero to save herself and save everyone along the way

-People slowly accept she’s trying to change and does support her

-has a social media following, which works in the heroes favor due to her influential words of cheering people up

-Pollen, Steven, Sabrina, and Mabel (missing) are 4 of the most important people of her road to redemption

-Apologizes to the people she badmouthed one by one, faces some punishment from them but is forgiven.

-Her main villain is Mayura

So yea, this is the main 5 Miraculous Heroes of the Protectors. All 5 knows who eachother is, and so is the 7 foreigners that help make up the Protectors

Leave me an ask about what you want to know about this timeline

[theerurishipper]

Could you please explain why Cat Noir is no longer healing for Adrien after season 4? I technically know the answer but I love your metas <3

Thank you so much for your compliment!

Anyway, about your question. The short version? They made Ladybug treat Chat Noir like Gabriel treats Adrien.

Let me explain. The Ladynoir conflict was about how Ladybug and Chat Noir were experiencing a shift in their dynamic because of Ladybug’s new role as the guardian. Ladybug starts to keep secrets from Chat Noir and leave him out of the loop. She replaces him with Rena Rouge as her primary partner in all but name. And Chat Noir understandably feels neglected and ignored by someone who is supposed to be his partner. His home life is shit, and Ladybug and his life as Chat Noir have always been his escape. Ladybug has been the one who accepted him unconditionally and cared for him with no need for him to change himself to please her. He trusts her with his life and heart, and suddenly, she doesn’t do the same for him. Instead, she’s keeping secrets from him, she’s leaving him out of things and more or less treats him as “just another holder.” And yeah, this is because of her new responsibilities as the Guardian and her trauma from Chat Blanc. But the fact remains that even if she wants to make these changes, she should tell him.

It's pretty obvious now that Marinette has a controlling side to her, and that shows itself more than ever. She wants to control everything, she admits it herself in Strikeback. And that includes Chat Noir. She controls what he knows and what he can do, and denies him information he actually needs. She lashes out at him and dismisses him when he does try to talk to her, like in Kuro Neko. And this behavior is, how do I say it, very much like what Gabriel is. Of course it is more understandable than Gabe and it is certainly nowhere close to the level of Gabriel’s treatment of Adrien, which is abuse plain and simple, but there are some… similarities. They both keep him at a distance, they both start making decisions for him, they both want to have control over everything, and that includes him. They both take advantage of his trust and forgiveness and they both take him for granted.

Again, Ladybug doesn’t go anywhere near the levels Gabe has reached with his treatment of Adrien, but she does in fact take advantage of his trust. Ephemeral is the worst offender here, with Ladybug actively deciding to trick Chat Noir into an identity reveal without his consent. I think it’s awful to do that to someone. And what’s worse is that the episode ends with her not even realizing that she was wrong to do something like that.

Anyway, she’s treating him not unlike the way he’s treated at home. And while her actions are obviously not as severe and not as malicious as Gabe… it doesn’t change the fact that Chat Noir feels suddenly less like an escape, and Ladybug becomes not much different from the people who only like to see him as an object or a perfect little doll. He used to mean something to her as her partner, and now he doesn’t. He’s just another tool in her toolbox. He’s just someone who’s in the way. Ladybug doesn’t care for him anymore. He’s a bother.

She used to roll her eyes at his flirtations, but now she flips out and throws him in a trashcan for them. She used to treat him like an equal partner, but now she yells at him if he tries to talk to her or help her. He’s bothering her. He’s in the way. And he’s not good enough.

So he quits.

And then he decides that he wants to be the partner Ladybug wants. Not Chat Noir, who is his escape and the only way he can be free. No he’s going to be the Adrien side of himself, the perfect doll who wants for nothing except to cater to Ladybug’s needs.

Now, here is where the show loses the plot. Kuro Neko is supposed to be the resolution to the Ladynoir conflict, apparently. And the way it happens is… Adrien putting aside his valid concerns and emotions because Ladybug needs help, and apologizing to her for wanting to be treated with respect. Which is what Gabe taught him. That his feelings don’t matter, and that he should be perfect and cater to everybody’s desires for how he should be. That he shouldn’t have emotional needs because he’s too emotional and he’s a burden on others for having them. He literally says, “the boy who was Chat Noir was probably too sensitive,” which is what Gabe taught him! That Adrien was too emotional to be able to make his own decisions, and so Gabriel had to protect him and keep him in control. He had to be perfect for everyone because in reality, he was too emotional, and no one wanted to see that.

And Ladybug accepts this! She also thinks that Chat Noir is being a bother, and she starts crushing on Catwalker so quickly. And this isn’t salt on her for crushing on Catwalker, but it is so bad from a narrative standpoint and when you consider the implications of that. You see, what Adrien is doing with this whole Catwalker thing is something called fawning. It’s a trauma response because of Gabe's abuse. He pushes aside his own needs and desires to please Ladybug. He assumes responsibility for her mistakes and blames it on himself. At the end of the episode, he apologizes to her! And she just says some things about how he’s irreplaceable to her and how she needs him and all that.

And what is tells me is that Ladybug doesn’t like when Chat Noir has emotional needs and expectations of her in their partnership, and that she likes only boys who take care of her emotional needs without expecting anything in return. Adrien just seems so perfect and unbothered by anything, and he’s always praising and encouraging her. Luka always put her emotional needs first and was always in her corner even when she didn’t pay as much attention to their relationship. And now Catwalker, who says he’ll take care of her. And considering the Love Square from a writing standpoint is supposed to have Ladybug fall for both sides of Chat Noir, seeing her fall so quickly for him when he denies himself his needs and accepts being her emotional support partner is not the best look.

And what’s worse is that this reaction from Adrien is because he is an abuse victim. He is once again, putting on a mask to make himself into the person Ladybug wants. And they specifically say that he should act like the “perfect son” side of himself, so Adrien is acting the way for Ladybug the way he usually acts for Gabriel. And he ends the episode by apologizing for having emotions and for inconveniencing her. And since Adrien pushing aside his own desires is a trauma response, and Ladybug likes people who don’t inconvenience her with their emotions, it comes across as Ladybug benefitting from Chat Noir being traumatized, and it’s so great for her that Chat Noir comes pre-abused and ready to supress his emotional needs and cater to hers while demanding nothing from her.

Yikes.

But let’s move on to Strikeback, where Ladybug admits her mistakes. She admits she wanted to control things, that she pushed him away and left him in the dark. He hugs and reassures her he’s always here, and it’s beautiful and sweet. The Ladynoir conflict was not resolved, but surely, they would address it next season, right? Surely, we would get episodes of Ladybug apologizing and working to make up for her mistakes, right? Surely Chat Noir wouldn’t just forget this treatment, right?

It's never brought up again in Season 5. In fact, Season 5, where the Gabriel-Marinette parallels are really hammered down onto us, ends with Marinette siding with Gabriel and lying to Adrien about his entire existence. So, the entire conflict ends with Chat Noir putting aside his own emotional needs because Ladybug is sad, and he just accepts that he’ll never be treated with the respect that he wanted. Ladybug doesn’t learn squat, and she just does the same things again, but even worse this time.

At this point, they have their own toxic cycle. Ladybug does something to Chat, he puts his own needs aside to forgive and support her instead/accepts the blame onto himself, she does it again. All the while, he’s offering her emotional support while pushing away any of his feelings so that he doesn’t inconvenience her with them. When he does seem at the end of his rope, she says something along the lines of “I need you,” or “you’re irreplaceable to me,” and he comes right back to her, ready to continue being her emotional support partner even though she never actually fixes her mistakes. And while she obviously does mean what she says to him, her actions prove otherwise, and they end up coming across as similar to those little concessions Gabe gives Adrien so that he won’t get away from him. And this is never resolved. Season 5 ignored it, but it was never resolved, and the finale just brings it back full throttle with Marinette literally siding with Gabriel and doing what he wants.

This should have been an arc showing how Ladybug’s and Gabriel’s treatment of Adrien is ultimately different. They both make the same mistakes, though Gabriel is worse. But what’s different is that Ladybug actually does love and value Chat Noir, and she would never go as far as that because learns and grows, and because she is a good person. But instead, they had the protagonist act like the love interest’s abuser, established a bunch of parallels between them, and had her literally follow his request on how to treat his victim. They flat out went beyond it being a coincidental parallel. She’s literally doing what he wants at his own request. Not a good look for the abuse victim’s girlfriend to be behaving like the abuser.

But that was a long tangent. Anyway, to sum it up, Chat Noir was supposed to be Adrien’s escape from a toxic, controlling environment into one where he could be free. But everything changed when Season 4 attacked. And Adrien goes back to his trauma responses that he tries to escape from as Chat Noir, and this is treated as good and correct by the narrative. His hero life is also now being controlled, and Ladybug is behaving like Gabriel. His life where he once felt free is just another prison.

I hope this answers your question. Thank you for your ask!

[mynoiii]

Tigeress and prince Renae headcanons

Cause no, I will not stop talking about them. They are my absolute favorites, and I need to see them on my timeline more often

These are just some silly things I made up in the AM, some of these are angsty and kinda sad LOL so enjoy lol.This got super Long for some reason? lol. Might do other characters cause this is fun, i enjoy talking into the void.

Grammer was not checked.

Also, snice more content is coming out. I'm hoping that around next year, I can post a newer video in regards to more lore and new things I've discovered since my last video 🫠

_________________________🐅👑_________________________

When the prince and tigeress were kids, he made a deal with her that she would be his ' right hand man ' when he became the king/emperor

The queen made tigeress take Etiquette classes to tame her wild and big personality; she failed.

The queens next best bet was to sign tigeress up to be his knight when she's older

Tigeress father knew the two had a crush on each other and found it pretty funny

The two would sneak into balls to watch the dances and listen to exchanges, snice they weren't old enough to attend themselves yet

Tigeress mother was actually from a well-respected old money rich family ( not in the empire, I'm thinking more stealgate ), but she was disowned after running away with pirates

They both have " spoiled rich kid " Attitudes.

The prince is more petty, but tigeress knows how to humble him

They've been friends from snice they we're 6years old to 14years old

Tigeress is the shortest out of all the listeners

Both in the old series and new one tigeress reputation gets around fast, intica looks for the ship often on their seas in hopes they can tempt/convince her to join their army

The prince would sometimes watch and listen to tigeress father teach her new fighting techniques snice he himself can't join in to learn, her father has made efforts to let him join the lessons..but he wants to follow his mother's orders and chooses to sit out

The prince is a hardcore lightweight compared to tigeress who can handle her liquor

These two would find places to hide together in the castle, and it would stress EVERYONE out, eyes gotta be on them 24/7, or THEY WILL go missing for a good few hours

The prince shows tigeress old historic things from around gorgeous era. They both love reading old journal entry together and learning about the old world.

Castle staff loved watching the two hangouts and playing with each other. They got sad when tigeress ' left ' the castle. The prince never looked so sad and bored in his life.

Sad headcanons cause their my personal favorite

The prince father passed away before he was born

For some reason, tigeress mom never trusted Darius, and while she was alive, she made sure her daughter was never in his way

Tigeress mother passed away due to illness when she was 8; 14 is when her father was hanged.

To remember tigeress the prince kept her old play sword; he also kept any ' treasures ' she would give him after her and her father left the empire for ' business ' this is where his love of gold accessories comes from.these items are hidden away from his mother

Tigeress does not call Darius ( the new captain ) captain. She calls him by his name and sticks to that only, she kinda does not recognize him as her captain, but she wouldn't openly admit that

Tigeress does not allow ANYONE to touch or wear her father's old captain hat. She herself doesn't even wear it. Darius was forced to get a brand new one commissioned, and tigeress made sure it didn't look like her father's

On the ship, her father had a private captain study, only he, his wife, and, of course, tigeress was allowed in. After his death, only one key remained. Tigeress has that key and has locked the room snice his death; no one is allowed in the room. Ever.

The prince watched the shoreline everyday in hopes he would see his old friends ship dock.he stopped watching when he turned 17

While the prince mother lied to him about tigeress were abouts he would Secretly give sailors missing flyers in hopes his friend would return

The queen was generally confused when she could not find tigeress after her father hanging. She had sent the guards to the shore lines, across the city, even checked some of her and the prince hiding spots in the castle...but nothing came up she gave up looking after 3 days and deemed she was just taken.

Dispite Tigeress not being the most high rank on the ship now under a new captain her room on the ship is the captains suite, she gave Darius her old room after her father's hanging, Darius allowed this knowing tigeress was extremely close with her parents ( probs the only nice thing he's ever done for her)

Despite her father last wishing of tigeress making it to the ship, she was kicking and scearming, not wanting to leave the empire. It was like a 3 home to her.

She wanted to write renae letters, but Darius stopped her every time in hopes that one day in the future, he could use tigeress for a bigger plan, AKA kidnapping the prince when she was an adult.

Lol that's it, this was fun ☺️🤪

Might do a post about how all the cast feels about eachother cause that would be fun.

[ijustliketoreadstuff]

Why Marinette couldn’t be just a normal girl anymore.

Marinette had long considered herself to be a normal girl with a normal life. Sadly, throughout the seasons, her views of what it means to be a normal girl, had begun to change.

In the beginning of the series, as the opening song is played, we hear Marinette describing herself as someone who goes about her day living a normal life just like anyone else, however, what no one knew about her was that aside from living a normal life, she also had a very exciting and adventurous life as the hero known simply as Ladybug. When we hear her say these words, and as the series progressed, Marinette expressed herself as someone who gradually learned to accept and appreciate her new found role and abilities to help save Paris and its citizens in anyway she could, regardless of them never knowing who she really was. 

(Ladybugs new suit symbolized she had accepted her role as a hero )

Throughout the beginning of the series, we see her and Cat Noir spend their day to day performing heroic acts, then very quickly shift to their civilian lives as if nothing had happened during their absence. However, the longer Marinette remained as Ladybug, the more she began to see first hand how her incorrect choices could not only affect the people of Paris, but bring about the end of the world and the destruction of lives( such as in cat Blanc). Marinette grew to understand that no matter what she was doing and no matter who she was close to, her duty as Ladybug would always need to come first. Of course, being left with a constant dilemma between deciding her life as Marinette or her responsibilities as Ladybug, had naturally affected her normal life, leading to severe draw backs.

 Days when she could just enjoy a movie from beginning to end were cut short, relationships she wanted to hold close, needed to be ended in order to no longer endanger her secret  identity as well as the other miraculous (such as in “Gang of secrets”), and every moment  of peace she had to herself now had to be devoted to planning in order to be one step ahead of the villains who were not only a constant threat to her and everyone else, but who were also actively attempting to find out who she was and where she lived. Days when she could just be normal, were no longer an average part of her life, it had become a rare luxury no one understood how much she missed, but it also became something she could not easily hold onto, let alone talk about to others who were willing to give her a shoulder to cry on.

(In "Gang of Secrets" Marinette describes herself as someone who is truly alone, unable to confide in Cat Noir or those closest to her as she feels she will only run the risk of revealing her identity and endangering everyone, as well as the miraculous)

Even when Marinette did finally confide her secret identity to Alya, she alone could not understand what Marinette was going through, not because she didn’t want to try, but because even with sharing the hero life as Rena Rouge, Alya could not yet fully understand the burden Marinette had to carry as both Ladybug and the guardian of the miraculous, that is of course, until she used the ladybug earrings herself.

In “Hack-san”, when Alya was temporarily entrusted with wielding the ladybug earrings, for the first time, Alya had a glimpse of what it means to be Ladybug, and to no surprise, it wasn’t a simple duty to uphold. The constant worry about someone being akumatized, the fear of weather or not she was suited for the task at hand , and the struggles of never knowing what the villain could do next if she wasn’t careful and stayed one step ahead. Alya understood very quickly that being the ladybug holder was a much more serious duty than being Rena Rouge, but it wasn’t until “Deflegration”, when Alya became the permanent(but still temporary) holder of the ladybug earrings, did she get a better glimpse of the kind of life Marinette had to live with.

In "Transmission", Alya accepted the responsibility of being the new ladybug miraculous holder to give Marinette the chance to finally have a normal life again and live out her love story with Adrien in peace, however, not long after did the full weight of her choice finally set in. Alya helped Marinette recover the happiness of her normal life, but it came at the cost of her own. Alya's life would now need to be consumed with lies and secrets, meaning she had to do whatever it takes to protect her secret identity as Scarabella, including coming to terms with the fact that she really did need to purposely lie to Nino on a regular bases, possibly for months or even years to come. 

Now, although Alya didn’t have to hold onto that burden for long after Monarch discovered her identity and pursued her in “Deflagration”, it was clear that for Marinette, and for anyone else who got a chance to live her life, finding a balance between the two worlds she lived in was as much of a difficult task to find as finding Monarch himself. 

Back in "Jubilation", Marinette expressed a sense of frustration as her principle assumed she was jealous of those who actively are or are trying to be superheroes, but looking back at everything that's happened to her, its only natural she would feel frustrated. After having realized just how grueling the life of a hero really is, and after having experienced time and time again of the burden it  had placed over her day to day life, Marinette could only look at others who wanted to live her life as a superhero and wonder why anyone would ever want to live it themselves, rather than realize just how good their normal lives really are without the weight of her responsibilities constantly hanging over them.

Marinette did not have the privilege to make the simple choice of dressing up as a superhero like Soqueline and Mr. Damocles, or to just go out and about doing whatever good deed she could whenever she had the time, because for Marinette, that hero life was no longer about having fun and bringing a sense of aid to the world, this wasn’t a hobby, and it wasn’t something she could partake in whenever she wanted to or could if she had the time, it was her job. So to see others run the risk of endangering themselves to be superhero's, Marinette could no longer view their actions through their innocent eyes and partake with them over how exciting their heroic acts were, because now, through her experienced eyes, people like Soqueline and Mr. Damocles were simply placing themselves into dangerous situations which would inevitably fall onto Ladybug(her) to take responsibility and fix. 

Ladybug encourages everyone to be heroes without purposely endangering themselves. Even her former team understood that if they wanted to help Ladybug and Cat Noir fight Monarch in the resistance, then they would need to come up with plans where they would not endanger their lives. Despite this, Marinette was still fearful of how Monarch could hurt them if he got the chance and how the responsibility of protecting them would still fall onto her.

Marinette had accomplished many victories alongside her hero team, and yet, despite all this, her responsibilities as Ladybug and guardian made every failure hit ten fold, outweighing any victory she accomplished, why did it hurt so much? Because it wasn’t just herself who would suffer the consequences of her mistakes, it was the entire population of Paris. No matter how Marinette tried to make things work, simply doing what she wanted and pursuing something as simple as her own love life, would nearly always lead to severe consequences, but despite those failures, Marinette continued to try and find some way to make things work, but evidently, the full weight of it all took its tole on her time and time again.

In “Transmission”, Adrien expressed to Marinette how he understood her struggle of being someone no one could truly understand as he to had lived much of his life being viewed as nothing more than an image of perfection on a magazine. Even though Adrien wanted the two of them to take a chance and understand each other when no one else could, Marinette couldn't allow it, not because she didn't want to, but because she was afraid of simply allowing herself to be guided by the one emotion she now considered to be a petty weakness which resulted in disaster after disaster, that weakness being of course, love.

Things with Luka didn't work out as her secrets quickly placed a strain on their relationship and got him akumatized. She felt hopeful a relationship with Adrien could work if she alone knew of his identity as Flairmidable(who was really Felix) in "Strikeback", but none the less failed to ever start and instead led to complications which resulted in her loosing all the miraculous. When she did finally realize her love for Cat Noir, she was content with never knowing who he was under the mask in order to accomplish a romance with him without endangering their secret identities and figuring out some way to prevent the return of Cat Blanc, but failed as Cat Noir himself was conflicted of being with Marinette when she would never know who he was. As Marinette realized she had no choice but to give up on her love for Cat Noir,  after her feelings for him nearly got her akumatized, it was as if every single mistake she faced and was reassured of in previous seasons, came back to flood her mind all at once.

After having failed in accomplishing that balance between her two worlds to live out the love story she wanted, and after seeing so much devastation caused by her choices alone, Marinette now saw herself as an ordinary girl who was no where near as great as others claim she is if she was still making the same mistake over and over again out of love. Tikki knew Marinette was an amazing Ladybug, but the reality of Marinette's situation was one Tikki could not bring herself to accept until Plagg accepted it himself. No matter how hard Marinette tried, the one thing that continued to limit her and restrain her from giving herself a second chance with Adrien, was the miraculous.

It's just as Tikki and Plagg said, love was what gave Ladybug and Cat Noir their strength to work together and overcome every obstacle which came their way, but knowing now that it was impossible for them to actually allow themselves to learn they could love each other without the burden of their hero lives constantly holding them back, the only solution to the problem was for the kwamis themselves to take away that burden, it was the kwamis choice to take the miraculous and put an end to their holders hero lives. 

(Not knowing what more to do, Marinette and Adrien abide by their kwamis choice as they understood long ago that the power of the miraculous was never their right to keep, let alone a burden they alone needed to carry, it could go to someone else just as capable)

Sure enough, after the miraculous were removed from the equation, a weight was lifted, without the burden of the miraculous, Marinette gave herself another chance to love Adrien without fear of what her choices could inflict onto everyone and the miraculous, meanwhile, Adrien gave himself another chance to confront Marinette and properly express his feelings to ensure if she truly didn't love him anymore. Within just a short time away from her role as Ladybug and guardian, Marinette was able to allow herself to reconcile with Adrien and confirm how she still loved him and wanted to spend more time with him .

 And so, when she had come to terms with the fact that she and Cat Noir would need to return to their hero lives near the end of "Deflagration", Marinette understood that 1. the resistance was much more capable of protecting themselves within their limits, and without her, as she saw them face Monarch in "Deflagration" to help her retrieve the ladybug and cat miraculous. 

2. Knowing now that her teamwork with Cat Noir was the only one thus far which could ensure Monarch wouldn't find some way to easily obtain the ladybug and cat miraculous, Marinette had decided her relationship with Cat Noir would be just as Alya said it should be back in “Reunion”, a professional relationship where they would keep their love lives separate in order to avoid further complications. 

And 3. despite having planned so many aspects of her life with Adrien, Marinette had yet to know what her future with him would hold as she continued to uphold her duties as Ladybug, but it didn't matter, because for now, what she was sure of was that she was willing to give herself a chance to once again be a normal girl, with a normal life, and try to live out a normal love story with Adrien, without thinking about how her heroic life and responsibilities could affect them. For her own sake, Marinette had to try and be willing to look past her mistakes, set aside her concerns and not feel afraid to let herself be happy.  Now, how this will all play out as Marinette and Adrien transition into a civilian couple who have yet to know their hero identities, is something we will need to wait and see as the show progresses. 

[iwontusethis255]

Infinity Train theoretical Book & OCs! (long ass post)

INFINITY TRAIN BOOK ???: OVERT ATTACHMENT

Meet the cast!

Renae (They/Them) got on the train at the age of 16, 10 whole years ago, in that time they managed to make friends and adjust to life on the train. Every time their number hits 0, they're struck with such intense fear of going back to the real world and its real problems that the number shoots up. Shortly after arriving they lost their hand, and managed to find...

Liv (She/Her) is Renae's best friend, their left hand gal! she's a living car who gives a glob of her shapeshifting form as a replacement hand for Renae. Renae was actually the one to name Liv! She's eternally grateful for Renae coming into her life, best friends, through thick and thin.

Battrick (He/Him) is also there. A recent member of the dynamic duo, met in The Haunted House Car, Battrick is on a search with the others to find the scariest things he can to improve his house! He has ignored Renaes suggestions of mushrooms and pirates.

Episode Overview!

Episode 1: The Magician Car

Renae and Liv are on their typical trek when something goes wrong.

(Setup, shows the typical dynamic duo interaction between the two as they take down an evil magician guy, until The Living Car is moved far away, and they have to get back)

Episode 2: The Haunted House Car

Renae and Liv go through a spooky manor and make a friend.

(The two go through an unimpressive haunted house experience, and when Battrick, one of the denizens, asks for advice on what’s scary, Renae claims mushrooms and refuses to elaborate. Battrick joins them, hoping to find scary stuff outside the car. It’s shown how he’s not working well in the established dynamic, to Liv’s annoyance.)

Episode 3: The Catfish Car

Renae and Battrick have a moment on a shoddy fishing boat. Liv discusses with The Cat.

(Battrick asks Renae what they’re gonna do after they get off the train, and that sparks a conversation about their old home and the potential for a new one, as well as their past in general, with Renae mentioning they’re not a fan of boats. Cat strikes a conversation with Liv and is suspicious of how she talks about Renae.)

Episode 4: The Chillax Car

Liv and Battrick bond over video games and food.

(Renae finds friends in the car and hangs with them, to Liv’s annoyance. Liv and Battrick interact, with Liv talking about their frustration with Battricks addition to the group, but honestly reassures him that she’s warming up to him, and that it's definitely her just being ironically scared of change. Renae feels a bit bad for kinda ditching them, and apologizes, even though they aren't in the wrong. Battrick feels the need to reassure that, but doesn’t.)

Episode 5: The Telenovela Car

Renae and Liv put on a show.

(Renae and Liv are cast as romantic partners in a show, with Renae’s character revealed to be cheating on Liv’s. Liv’s acting reaction has a slightly concerning level of realism, talking about how she always had a feeling they were with the neighbour (Battrick's character) and yelling with tears in her eyes, her incredible “acting” catches herself, the others, and the audience off guard, but the audience adores the show.)

Episode 6: The Mushroom Pirate Car

Renae remeets a not-so-friendly face.

(Renae is back in the car where they lost their hand, and the mushroom pirate captain who took it is more than happy to finish the job. Liv is overprotective of them and underprotective of Battrick, to Renae’s concern and annoyance. Renae eventually takes down the captain themselves, without Liv.)

Episode 7: The Confessional Car

The three have to confess their feelings and sins.

(The three are forcibly separated, and made to confess in a freakily religious setting that physically cracks with every confession. Battrick says they’re unsure on how good Liv is, Renae eventually admits they’re a bit scared for Liv, and Liv’s is not revealed, but it’s clear it upset her.)

Episode 8: The Fear Car

The truth comes to light.

(The car seems to be a version of Liv, but way, way more hostile. When the captain shows up and they piece together that this is a fear themed car, Liv is incredibly confused and upset that they showed up as the main hostility. They then finally arrive at The Living Car, where Liv locks them inside.)

Episode 9: The Living Car

Liv snaps at Renae and Battrick.

(Liv separates Renae and Battrick, for Renae’s own safety, as she puts it. Liv is having a full on breakdown, constantly shifting and ranting, worried that they aren’t good enough for Renae and desperate to prove the opposite, with Renae trying and failing to reason.)

Episode 10: The Breaking Point

Renae learns to move on.

(Renae finally admits to themselves that their relationship with Liv is not healthy. After freeing Battrick, their number hits zero, but they don’t want to leave without talking to Liv, so they fight through the mass to her center, consoling her a bit before saying they wish her luck for the future and changing for the better, but they don't want to be a part of it. After they leave, she retracts and lets Battrick leave the car, and Renae goes forth on Earth looking for a new life.)

Other Notes

Each book has a genre and theme

Book One is a mystery about reality Book Two is an adventure about identity. Book Three is a tragedy about empathy. Book Four is a comedy about communication.

This Book is a horror focusing on moving on.

Each Book also has an irl classic book associated with it

Book One takes inspiration from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Book Two is basically Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio. Book Three has references to J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Book Four had nods and themes from Nikolai Gogol's short story, Nevsky Prospekt

Man, I wonder what book this one is based- OH.

Renae's Number is revealed to be 54, and stays as such in the majority of the story. Guess what 54 is in roman numerals :]. Go on guess :]. Renae's name also means "Rebirth", with their themes of finding a new life on the train and then leaving to find one off of it. In addition, before they met Liv they were taken in by the Mushroom Pirates and bonded with them, and when they were like "I wanna be a pirate too!" the captain replied "Ha, of course! but you'll have to LOOK THE PART!" and swiftly held down their hand with their hook for the amputation. If they succeeded in making them "look the part" they would have infected them with spores and fully turned them into a mushroom. This is meant to represent betrayal and manipulation that happened in their past as well as would soon happen in their future with Liv.

Battrick was created as an antithesis to Liv's ideals, and as such I chose an animal that apparently represents communication, long journeys, challenge, good luck, dreams, and fear.

Liv using part of herself as Renae's arm is to represent the emotional attachment to them in a literal sense, as well as her unintentionally girl-nipulating them to stay on the train, with her physically covering the (now floating) number. Liv as a villain is on a sliding scale between Morgan and Simon, in all honesty. shes unhealthily obsessed with Renae and wants nothing more than to always be in their life, and them to always be in hers. They NAMED her, they gave her a LIFE, if Renae leaves, what does that make her? She sees herself as an extension of renae rather than her own person, and in the end Renae does feel bad for her, and genuinely hopes she gets a better mental state, but they don't have to or WANT to be a part of it.

Bonus Funnies!

[smok3r7]

One Door Closes & Another One Opens

Joel x OFC!Divorce Lawyer

Explicit, 18+

Wolf vs Bear

Main MasterList & Series Masterlist - My AO3

Summary: She’s a divorce attorney and he’s a husband looking for help to save his daughter, and himself, from his gambling addict wife. Renae Russo is a woman who fights for her clients and wins. She’s satisfied with her life and what she does - but she wishes she could have a little more. What happens when Joel Miller becomes her client and an old flame of Renae’s reignites in the same breath?

Chapter Summary: Things get nasty in court and Renae realizes she has to let go of what could’ve been.

Word count: 5.3k

—

Annie has always been known for her determination and resilience, qualities that she lost due to her inability to stay sober or away from casinos. But now she’s trying to gain them back, or at least look like she is, with the help of divorce lawyer Garcia Cole.

She’s driven by a single motive - vengeance. She’s ready to fight tooth and nail for what she believes is rightfully hers, and she’s not going to let Joel take Sarah away. But it’s not even about her wanting to be a mother because, well, she really doesn’t… At the end of the day, it is all about having control over Joel.

Her persona as a doting mother was just a facade she believed everyone bought into, but the truth was far from that. The only thing that consumes her is when she can escape to the casino again and have a drink. The flashing lights and the sound of slot machines call out to her, offering a temporary escape from her mundane reality of having a child and being a wife. When she sits at the poker table, her mind drifts away into nothingness.

Her whole life keeping up appearances to others outside of her family was burned into her by her mother and she did not break that habit, transforming into a desperation for society to perceive her as the innocent victim in a crumbling marriage, all of it out of her control.

When she decided to fight Joel back in the divorce, she reveled in the thought of outsmarting him, her manipulative tactics hidden beneath a blanket of maternal devotion. However, she was not good at keeping her ideas to herself, because she wouldn’t stop calling him, leaving voicemails, and texts going into detail about how she thought she was going to crush him.

She simply couldn’t help herself.

Joel, on the other hand, understands the true gravity of the situation. He knows that Annie is not going to back down easily; it’s always a fight with her. Just like in the beginning when he would ask repeatedly if she was drunk, and she would deny, but Joel could tell. So he would try to simply talk to her and then she would play the guilt trip and whole victim act; I just want to have fun, we don’t have fun anymore, Joel. I’m not the same person anymore and I miss who I used to be…I just need to find myself again. What…I can’t go out anymore? Is that what you’re saying?

This divorce is going to be no different. Annie's stubbornness and denial of it all only fuels his determination more. Despite the emotional turmoil, Joel remains firm in his decision, ready to face the challenges that come with ending a once loving partnership. He knows that this separation is necessary, even if it means navigating through rough waters ahead.

He braces himself for the battle on the other side of the wooden doors, determined to do whatever it takes to ensure that his daughter remains with him. But also knowing that Renae has his and Sarah’s best interests in mind, eases his panic just enough.

“We got this, ‘kay?” Renae nudges Joel’s shoulder with hers, causing him to turn to her and he’s met with a small genuine smile. Her arms are folded across her chest, supported by stacks of papers and Manila envelopes filled with evidence to bolster Joel's claims.

The weight of the overwhelming evidence hits him like a ton of bricks, shaking him to his core. He’s struggling to come to terms with the reality that he finds himself in, unable to fathom the amount of proof backing him. This isn’t how marriages are supposed to be or even end.

His marriage to Annie had once been full of laughter and love, but now it seemed like a distant memory. The once vibrant woman he had fallen in love with was now a shadow of her former self, lost in a sea of her own demons.

Joel feels like a failure, as a husband and a father. He should’ve been able to see the signs of Annie falling off the deep end but he didn’t. He had ignored the late nights, the empty bottles, and the distant gaze in her eyes, hoping it was just a phase she would outgrow.

He can’t help but wonder where it had all gone wrong. Was there anything he could have done differently to save their marriage? Or was this the inevitable outcome of a love that had faded away?

He knows he’s in incredible hands but that doesn’t mean he isn’t terrified of what’s to come. Gazing into Renae’s beautiful forest green eyes, he sees true determination and care in her, and he smiles back at her. I know, he whispers, truly meaning each word. Despite the chaos swirling around his mind, he finds comfort in Renae's presence, something about her calms his whirling thoughts. With her by his side, he feels a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty.

As they prepare to face the challenges ahead, he draws strength from Renae's unwavering support and her belief in a better tomorrow. In her eyes, he sees not only a formidable advocate but also a compassionate ally in this insane journey towards a new beginning.

Possibly even one with Renae.

—

Glancing over to Annie, Joel takes in her appearance; her blonde hair neatly pulled back into a tight bun, her makeup soft and light, but underneath he can see the faint bruise around her right eye. He assumes it’s from Maria two weeks ago when she served Annie, and he can’t help but chuckle internally.

Coming into this, he had expected to feel angry or frustrated, but to his surprise, he feels nothing. He can’t pinpoint his emotions, which is something he didn’t think was going to happen. Annie catches his gaze and gives him a cocky smile, unaware of the turmoil in Joel's mind. As they sit on separate sides of the courtroom, a sense of uneasiness lingers between them, making Joel question everything he thought he knew about their relationship.

Despite her trying her best to have this put-together appearance, only Joel can sense that she isn’t quite sober either. There’s a certain aura about her, a subtle hint of her struggles with casinos and drinking. After being with her for twenty years, Joel just knows.

Her clothes hang loosely on her small, skinny frame, but tight enough to think they’re just old clothes, if you don’t know her. Joel has always been attuned to Annie's moods, able to see through her facade and into the depths of her struggles. As he watches her from across the room, he knows that despite her best efforts to hide it, she’s still caught in the spiral of addiction, unable to break free from its grasp.

But he doesn’t feel bad, not in the slightest.

As the courtroom falls silent, Renae stands confidently before Judge Mark, ready to defend Joel. "Good morning, your honor," she speaks with a warm smile, earning a nod of acknowledgment from the judge. "We're here today because Mr. Miller filed for divorce and is trying to get full custody of his ten-year-old daughter."

Renae's heart races as she gives a brief introduction of the reasons why Sarah’s best interest is remaining with her father full time. “Mrs.Miller is an addict in more ways than one,” Renae says, and grabs photos and screenshots showcasing Annie's reckless behavior - drinking to the point of blackout, sneaking out in the dead of night, and gambling away her and Joel’s savings at the casinos.

“Here are some photos and screenshots of how frequent these kinds of things happen, your honor.” The judge studies the evidence with a grave expression, realizing the extent of the situation. “It’s clear that Mrs. Miller's addiction is spiraling out of control, affecting not just herself but everyone around her.”

However, Garcia Cole doesn’t waste any time before he’s arguing his side, or Annie’s side, of things. “That may be true before Mr. Miller filed,” Cole announces, “But Mrs. Miller has turned a new leaf. She’s been attending AA meetings for the past two months and plans on continuing going.”

He stands up as he stares between Renae and the Judge, “Casinos have been off limits to her also, same as alcohol. Here are the signed slips from each one, your honor.” Walking up the bench, he hands over the stack of papers as he says, “She’s ready to take care of her daughter.”

Renae's eyes widen in disbelief as Cole presents the evidence of Mrs. Miller's newfound commitment to sobriety and her daughter's well-being, though Renae knows, is all a facade and nothing but bullshit.

The Judge observes the sincerity in Cole's voice and the determination in Mrs. Miller's eyes.

After a moment of silence, the Judge nods, acknowledging the transformation that has taken place. Renae feels a small punch in the gut, but she knows this is only the start of things.

But then Cole drops the hammer and goes for it.

“Mrs. Miller requests physical and sole custody of Sarah Miller because she feels Mr.Miller is not safe for their daughter to be around.” He states as he addresses Judge Mark, Renae, and Joel in one swoop.

Renae senses Joel's protective aura and her own rising anger. She couldn't fathom Sarah being safer with anyone else but Joel. Annie's motives were suddenly suspect to Renae, and she impulsively, but smartly, demanded evidence to back Mrs. Miller's and Cole’s claims.

As Cole confidently approached the Judge's bench, Renae leaped up to join him, her heart racing with anticipation. "I was not aware of this, your honor. If anything, it's prejudice," she declared, trying to make sense of the unexplained picture of minor bruises on Annie’s biceps, looking like finger impressions.

Renae is enraged about Joel not telling her about this incident, whatever it is. She had explicitly asked him if Annie would have any evidence of things like this, to specifically make him look bad. In which he told her that Annie wouldn’t.

With a dismissive snort, Cole turns to Renae then to Judge Mark, his expression intense. "C’mon Russo… You really think this doesn’t hold weight? It's more probative than prejudice, your honor. My client fears for her daughter's safety if this is how he treats her. What will he do to their daughter?"

The tension in the courtroom was palpable as the judge pondered the weight of Cole's words, and Renae anxiously awaits his answer.

“I’ll allow it,” Judge Mark sighs, “Mr. Miller, can you explain these?” He shows the pictures to Joel, whose ears are flaming red. But his eyes adjust to the lights and the small ten by ten picture and Renae she’s something in his eyes click just then, like he instantly remembers the incident.

“I do your honor,” he clears his throat, “That was the night she was blackout drunk and came at me with a knife, while Sarah was home, might I add.“

“He’s lying!”

“Mrs. Miller,” Judge Mark scolds her and then tells Joel to continue, folding his hands underneath his chin.

“Well, I managed to get the knife outta her hand and had to hold her down, which is where those marks are.” Joel gestures towards the pictures that Judge Mark has, “She managed to get out of my grip and so I had to put her arm behind her back and hold her there until she calmed down.”

“Do you have proof of this incident?”

“I’m sure I have texts to my brother about it, if you can give me some time to look.”

Judge Mark glances at the clock on the wall to his left and sits in silence for just a few seconds, fifteen minute recess, he announces as he slams his gavel loudly, you’re adjourned.

—

Renae storms into the small office she has at the courthouse, her eyes blazing with fury. "Why didn't you tell me about this?" she demands, slamming the picture on the maple wood table, "I explicitly asked you if Annie would have any evidence to make you look bad!"

Joel looks sheepish, avoiding her gaze. "I didn't think it was relevant," he mumbles, “Or at least… I burned it from my memory. The one and only time I had to put my hands on her.” He flips the picture over so he doesn’t have to look at it again, clearly ashamed of it.

Renae clenches her fists, trying to control her anger. She knows Joel isn’t a violent person, but the judge doesn’t know that for sure. This incident could ruin everything they had been working for.

“Joel. Everything is relevant right now, you know this.” She scolds, taking a deep breath after. “Like your texts to Tommy, can you find them, please.” She can’t sit down, she’s too on edge to even think about sitting. Renae hasn’t been beaten like this in court since she started her career and it was against Garcia Cole.

It’s like some sort of crazy deja vu and she’s not liking it at all.

"Yeah, gimme about five minutes to find it,” Joel tries to calm Renae down as he scrolls on his phone through his and Tommy’s texts. Renae scoffs to herself, she almost feels played by Joel, she can’t believe that he forgot to tell her this. This kind of thing is so important for an attorney to know and that fact that she didn’t, makes her work look lazy.

As she paces back and forth in the dimly lit room, her heels click on the hardwood floor and her mind races with all the possible implications of Joel's forgetfulness. How could he have missed such a crucial detail? Is he trying to hide something? What’s the benefit from doing that? There really is none. Renae's frustration simmers beneath the surface, stopping from threatening to boil over at any moment.

She knows she needs to confront Joel about this, but for now, she'll bide her time and wait for him to find the information she needs. There’s no point in blowing up on him for this now, now when this is all over, that’s another story.

"Aha, I found it!” Joel exclaims, with his phone in both hands he stands up from his seat causing the wood to scrape against the floor.

“Let me see,” Renae turns around from the window, she snatches it out of his hands and reads his short message to his brother.

Can Sarah and I come over for the night? Annie and I just got into it…she tried to stab me man. Nobody’s hurt but I gotta get out of here before somethin happens.

Renae stands there, her heart heavy with the weight of regret. The fury that once consumed her has now dissipated, leaving behind a deep sense of sympathy for Joel. His warm eyes hold a mixture of pain, but also a glimmer of forgiveness and hope that surprises her. As he slowly reaches out to touch her, he half expects her to recoil after learning this information, but instead, she stands still, letting his hands rest on her biceps.

“I’m- Joel… I’m sorry-“ she tries to convey her remorse before Joel's soft voice interrupts her, calming her inner turmoil.

"Don't, Rae... It's okay," he says gently, his gaze unwavering. And in that moment, Renae realizes that despite the small indiscretions, there is still a bond between them – a connection that goes past the brief anger and frustration.

—

Renae sits quietly in the courtroom as Judge Mark meticulously reads through the print out of the text exchange between Joel and his brother. Her stomach twists and her mouth is dry, she’s not sure how the Judge is going to react to this. Even though it’s all in Joel’s favor, the ultimate decision is up to the Judge and only him.

She carefully observes the expressions on the Judge's face, noticing the subtle shifts from surprise to empathy. As the message is scrutinized, Renae feels a small sense of assurance growing within her.

She knows that Judge Mark is starting to comprehend the complex web of circumstances that had led Joel to take drastic actions. She sees the wheels turning in his head that this is all a lie from Annie and a ploy to try to sway his decision.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, the Judge looks up, locking eyes with Renae. In that moment, she senses a shared understanding between them. Despite the gravity of the situation, Renae feels a glimmer of hope that justice would prevail.

"Mrs. Miller, is there anything else you would like to provide?" Judge Mark asks into the courtroom, but mainly to his left.

“She has a two-bedroom condo that includes a room just for Sarah, and she started her job at her salon shop again.” Cole rolls off his tongue, but Renae senses the tone of defeat in his voice. “But other than that, we rest, your honor.”

Annie shakes her head in defeat, then turns towards Joel with a sad expression. Her eyes plead with him, silently begging for forgiveness or even a bit of leniency in this whole situation.

But Joel looks away, unable to meet her gaze, his heart heavy from the fact this even had to happen, even though he feels relaxed that it’s over. The air in the courtroom feels thick and sticky, suffocating him with its heaviness, and Joel longs to escape and never look back.

The thought of ever returning to this place makes his stomach churn with unease, a deep sense of discomfort settles in. Joel closes his eyes, trying to push away the feeling of sickness that threatens to engulf him, longing for the moment when he can walk out of that courtroom and leave this all behind him.

The Judge clears his throat, breaking the momentary stillness. "Very well. In light of the evidence presented, I have reached a decision."

Renae's trembling hand motions for Joel to silently stand by her side as Judge Mark prepares to deliver his decision. Garcia Cole does the same with Annie, common court courtesy. Renae's heart races in anticipation. Her mind spins with desperate pleas for Joel to be granted custody of his daughter, the one bright light in Sarah’s tumultuous lives.

Joel's eyes meet hers, filled with a mix of hope and fear, mirroring the emotions swirling within Renae. Then swiftly focus back on the deep voice that determines Joel's life in front of him.

As Judge Mark begins to speak, every word feels like an eternity, hanging in the air, heavy with implications. And then, finally, the words that they had been praying for.

“I grant Joel Miller sole legal and physical custody of Sarah Miller.”

Tears of relief and gratitude fill Renae's eyes as she squeezes Joel's hand, knowing that Joel got what he wished for, and rightfully deserved.

Joel can’t believe his ears as the Judge pronounces the decision in his favor, granting him sole legal and physical custody of Sarah. It’s the outcome he has hoped for, and the result of countless nights of worry and stress over the last four months has finally paid off. But the Judge's next words catch Joel off guard.

"However, I also grant Annie visitation every other weekend."

Joel's heart sinks at the mention of his ex-wife's name. The memories flood back - the good times, the bad times, and everything in between. Despite the mixed emotions swirling inside him, he knows that it’s the right thing for Sarah to have a relationship with her mother. Sarah deserves to know her roots, her history, her mother.

So, with a heavy heart and a mind full of conflicting thoughts, Joel makes the decision to just accept this and move on. The arrangement is set - pickups early Saturday mornings and drop-offs by Sunday evening, no later than eight pm.

As Joel looks into Renae’s eyes, he knows that despite the challenges ahead, he’ll navigate this new chapter to the best of his ability.

—

Standing in the parking lot, Renae leaning on her car and Joel doing the same, but on his truck. Side by side with one another, Renae doesn’t want to leave. The cool evening breeze sweeps through the small empty space between them, carrying the faint scent of pine trees. Renae's heart feels heavy as she looks up at the dusky pink sky, knowing that this moment might be the last time she sees Joel.

Joel senses Renae's hesitation and reaches out to gently touch her hand. Her forest eyes and his whiskey ones meet, sparking a silent conversation that speaks volumes. Time seems to stand still as they stand there, unwilling to look away. She knows she has to go, but something holds her back.

Maybe it’s the way Joel looks at her with his soft brown orbs, or it’s the memories of their minuscule time together flooding back. Renae doesn’t want to leave, and doesn't want to say goodbye to what could have been or could be.

As the sun rests above the courthouse, Joel pulls Renae close, feeling the weight of the moment settle upon him. They stand in the quiet embrace, both reluctant to let go of the memories they shared these past four months.

Joel can feel the tears welling up in his eyes, but he blinks them away, not wanting to show his vulnerability. Letting go of Renae was proving to be harder than he thought. He never expected to become so attached. This woman has rescued him and his daughter from his toxic ex-wife, and for the first time in years, he feels truly understood by a woman. Renae looks up at him, still in his arms, her eyes reflecting a mixture of sadness and gratitude.

"Thank you for everything, Rae," Joel murmurs to Renae, his voice barely above a whisper. “But ya’ know this means we can now, maybe… Get serious.”

Butterflies flutter in her stomach but instantly die. She reluctantly slides out of his warm embrace and takes a small step away from him.

There’s no way that can happen right now, Joel needs time with his daughter and needs to figure out his life as a single dad.

She doesn’t feel it’s fair for him to jump right into the next relationship, especially that he has a daughter at a highly impressionable age.

She smiles softly, her right hand reaching up to cup his cheek, her acrylics softly scratch his deep brown beard, and her eyes glisten with unshed tears. "Don't thank me, Joel," she whispers, her voice barely audible, purposefully avoiding the last part of his sentence, "I did what I had to do.”

Joel takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself. His left hand raises to where Renae rests on him, the touch gentle yet filled with longing. "You saved me," he says, his voice breaking with emotion. "I woulda’ been lost without you. You saved me ‘n my daughter, that’s all I coulda’ asked for."

“As much as I want to be with you… Joel,” she sighs into his gentle touch, “It just can’t happen right now, you just divorced and have a ten year old girl who loves you and needs you. I can’t get in between that. It’s not fair to her, you, or me.”

Renae's heart aches as she looks into Joel's eyes, feeling the pull of their connection. Despite the yearning for him swirling within her, she knows that the timing is all wrong. She can’t bring herself to disrupt the fragile balance of his newly divorced life and his daughter's need for stability. The love between them was undeniable, but yet their circumstances make it impossible for them to be together.

Joel's touch holds a mixture of longing and understanding as he whispers softly, "I know it's complicated ‘n all, but my feelings for you are real, Rae and I won’t deny that. When the time is right, we’ll find a way to make it work."

Renae forces a bittersweet smile, touched by his sincerity. With a heavy heart, she pulls away from his cheek, knowing that for now, they have to part ways to do what is best for everyone involved.

Renae's eyes meet him again, a mixture of sorrow and love shining battling for the throne. "But… We saved each other," she replies softly.

"We'll always have these moments, Joel. No matter where life takes us," Renae whispers back, her voice filled with love and understanding. Joel softly chuckles and a warm smile grows on his lips, and then it’s like time stands still.

Finally, Renae breaks the silence, her voice barely a whisper, "I don't wanna say goodbye." Joel's gaze softens, and he pulls her into one more tight embrace.

The world seems to fade away once again as they hold each other, savoring the moment before they have to part ways. The memories of their time together flood back to both of them, filling their hearts with a bittersweet ache that they can both feel through one another.

For Renae, leaving was inevitable, yet she can’t bear the thought of being separated from Joel. Their love, even though they haven’t told each other, has blossomed unexpectedly, catching them both by surprise. As they stand there, wrapped in each other's arms, they know that this goodbye was not the end, but possibly a new beginning.

Just not together, at least right now.

As Renae reluctantly lets go of Joel, she softly sighs, I gotta get home. He nods his head and takes a small step back to give her space, drive safely, text me when you’re home please. She smiles and tells him she will.

Hesitantly, Renae hops into her car and starts it, she looks to her left one more time and sees Joel, still out of his truck, already looking at her. She gives a hopeful smile and a small wave, which he returns. She tells herself to pull away, just drive off, and somehow she does.

Renae can’t shake off the bittersweet feeling as she drives away. Her heart feels heavy, but she knows it’s the right decision and the only decision. As the distance between her and Joel grows, she can’t help but replay the moment in her mind.

The hopeful smile on his face lingers in her thoughts, filling her with conflicting emotions. A part of her wants to turn back, to stay and see where things could lead, but another part knows it’s time to move on. She keeps driving, the road stretching out ahead of her like a blank canvas. With each passing mile, she feels a sense of freedom and a twinge of sadness.

Why does the world need to be so cruel?

—

With every passing day, it seems Joel has an incredibly difficult time letting go of Renae. The last thing he ever expected was becoming attached to his divorce attorney. It’s only been three weeks since the last time they've seen each other, and a couple days that they stopped calling one another, but he’s found himself unable to stop thinking about her.

Her laughter echoes in his mind, her smile still lighting up his world. They had shared intimate conversations and created unforgettable memories together in the short four months, so how could he ever just let her go?

Before court started, Joel knew he would have to leave her but he didn’t think he would’ve struggled with the idea of saying goodbye. When he watched her drive away, leaving him in the parking lot to go home, Joel realized that sometimes, the hardest part of love is knowing when to set it free.

Now, on a warm sunny Saturday, Joel sits at the park watching Sarah play with Ellie on the monkey bars, feeling the weight of his responsibilities as a single dad. Renae's words echo in his mind, that he needs time to adjust to his new life as a single dad. Her words sting since he’s pretty much been one for the last four-five years anyways.

As he sits on one of the many park benches and stares off into space and he wonders why she really didn’t want to be with him, Sarah tugs at his sleeve, a wide grin on her face. In her innocent eyes, he finds the strength to push aside his doubts and focus on what truly matters - his daughter's happiness. Joel knows he needs to navigate this new chapter with care and consideration, not just for himself but for her.

Although, Renae's words linger, a reminder of the delicate balance between his own desires and his daughter's well-being. As he holds Sarah’s hand, Joel makes a silent promise to tread carefully, embracing the uncertainty of this new journey as a true single father. Not a husband who does everything.

As they walk towards Joel's truck, Sarah can’t shake off the feeling that something’s wrong with her dad. She glances at him, his face etched with lines that she hasn’t noticed in a long time.

"You alright, dad?" she asks, tightening her grip on his hand. Ellie senses the tension, and gives Sarah a reassuring smile.

Joel pauses and looks at her, his eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. "I'm fine, sweetie," he finally replies, forcing a smile. But Sarah can tell he’s hiding something. As Joel opens the truck door and lets the girls climb in, buckling themselves up before he shuts the door and walks over to the driver side. His mind is racing, how can Sarah tell? How can his ten-year-old daughter know that something is wrong? He thought he was better at hiding his emotions.

As he drives down the road, Joel steals glances at Sarah and Ellie through the rearview mirror. They're both laughing about something on the playground they saw, and Joel smiles. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow on their faces, and Joel feels a surge of love for his daughter and her best friend. He remembers the struggles they've been through, the joys they've shared, and the bond that holds them together.

Sarah looks up and catches Joel's eye in the mirror. She gives him a wide grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Ellie chimes in, asking if they can stop for McDonald’s, even though Joel hates when they eat junk food, he figures today will be okay and that it won’t hurt them. They deserve a small treat, he reasons.

As Ellie's persistent cravings for McDonald's reach its peak, Joel finally surrenders with a defeated chuckle. "Alright, we can stop," he concedes, knowing there’s no way around it. Ellie and Sarah’s eyes light up with excitement as they pull into the drive-thru, both their mouths already watering at the thought of their favorite fast food place.

Joel can’t help but smile at their enthusiasm, realizing that sometimes giving in to simple pleasures is what makes life all the more enjoyable. As they sit in the car waiting for their order, Joel can’t help but be grateful for these ordinary moments that bring him and his daughter, and Ellie, closer together since the divorce.

[princess-of-the-corner]

Actually, you know what I want?

I want Chloe to be a full time hero, for the pure purpose of roasting Hawk Moth’s Akuma designs. And I want it to be the most effective way to fight Hawk Moth they’ve found.

Like, Ladybug, Chat Noir, Rena Rouge and Carapace are over here with “We’ll never give in to you, Hawk Moth!”, and “Good will always triumph over evil!”, and then you have Chloe, who’s kind of new to the whole “impassioned heroic declarations”, with her mind blanking out, and the first thing that comes out is:

“So, which bargain bin did you grab that out of?”

And like, it isn’t even close to her best work, she sort of panicked when she realized everyone was giving these big defiant speeches, Chloe is honestly disappointed in herself, but for some reason, Chloe’s words tick Hawk Moth off more than the rest. The Akuma gets distracted because Hawk Moth started going off on her - Gabriel has just gotten back from a fashion week that went very poorly, he’s running on about six hours of sleep, caffeine and spite - and the heroes are able to purify the butterfly while he’s ranting. And Chloe, Chloe who grew up with the Style Queen as her mother, as the daughter of the mayor of Paris, as the bully, the Bad Bitch™, who can find someone’s social weakpoint in ten seconds or less, gets an idea.

Next time they fight, she is ready. She is prepared.

“Ugh, really? He put you in that?”

“Sorry to break it to you, but Evil 1690’s isn’t in this season.”

“Taking inspiration from Mode’s last spring line, are we? You’re lucky he didn’t try to get original.”

“You’re jumping off of buildings, and he has you wearing taffeta!?”

“Well, of course you’re working for Hawk Moth. Only someone that evil would think faux pleather is a good look.”

Like, it is bizarrely effective. Insult his designs enough, and Hawk Moth cannot keep his cool. Chat Noir and Ladybug quickly catch on and the roasts just get more and more vicious (Adrien vents every complaint he has ever had about some of the things he’s had to model. Marinette smack talks the stitchwork - “There isn’t any stitching! THEY’RE MADE OF MAGIC!”, “Would explain why it sucks then.”). Rena isn’t as good at it, but Carapace is surprisingly savage when he wants to be (he has not forgotten, nor forgiven, the Bubbler). Absolutely no one gets why this, of all things, gets under his skin, but it quickly becomes Paris’s biggest meme, that Hawk Moth is the World’s Worst Fashion Designer. Four weeks in and there’s merch. The Ladyblog has a Akuma design ranking system that starts in the negatives and just goes down. A single clip of Juleka - “It was terrifying. I looked like a clown.” - goes viral overnight.

And in his lair, you have Gabriel, hair askew, glasses crooked, furiously designing.

“-just skin-tight suits-”

“Sir?”

“-don’t even have pockets-”

“Sir.”

“-think they’re sooooo smart, I’d like to see Queen Bee try and come up with a costume themed around pigeons-”

“Sir, what- Sir, what are you doing?”

“Teaching the world to appreciate my vision!”

“Mr. Agreste, you’re designing outfits that the brand won’t even be tied to-”

“MY VISION NATALIE!”

-

AHAHAHAHHAHAHA

They’re going to drive him insane and he DESERVES IT