#was around the same time sabine passed out for the last time and never woke up again

[bigfatbreak]

"what's the biggest difference in Tom's character in the dad villain au" you've never seen a papa-bear go so grizzy mode so fast

[ravennm84]

Marinette’s Family Court Circus

I got this idea from a post @unmaskedagain and decided to put my own little spin to it. It’s a bit sad and does have my usual Lila-Salt spin, but I really loved writing this. Warm-Fuzzies and please enjoy!!

The day of her greatest triumph was also her greatest tragedy. Hawkmoth had finally been defeated, the butterfly and peacock miraculous back in the miracle box where they belonged, and Paris was finally safe. 

However, when Gabriel Agreste was revealed to be the magical terrorist and his assistant, Nathalie, his accomplice, Adrien had been devastated. When the Paris police sought to find out the extent of Adrien's involvement, he had no choice but to reveal in a private interrogation room with only the mayor, Officer Roger, the chief of police, and Ladybug herself, his identity as Chat Noir. After which, Adrien said a tearful goodbye to Plagg and surrendered the ring of destruction to Ladybug. A press conference was held within an hour, absolving Adrien of any crimes in relation to his father, and his bodyguard would also be absolved four days later.

That night, after Ladybug had returned home and tearfully placed the ring, broch, and pin back in the miracle box; her parents and Grandma Gina had told her that they were going out to dinner to celebrate; Gina had even rented a car so they wouldn’t need to walk or take the subway. How Marinette wished that they had just gotten on the subway.

She woke up the following afternoon in the hospital. Apparently, her family weren’t the only people celebrating Hawkmoth’s defeat, and a car load of university students had celebrated too hard and T-boned their car while running a light. The doctors told her that her grandmother and father had died on impact and her mother passed away during surgery. Marinette had been extremely lucky to survive without any life threatening injuries; a broken leg, arm, collar bone, two cracked ribs, and a few lacerations across her body. 

She was hardly paying attention to what the doctors were saying. Too shocked by the whole situation. There was no Miraculous Cure that could fix this. In the span of a single day, she had defeated her enemy, saved Paris, lost her partner, lost her grandmother, and her parents. She was alone.

When her family’s lawyer, M. Contere came to talk about custody, it was revealed that her grandmother was supposed to take custody in the event of her parents' deaths. Her grandfather would have been the next logical choice, but he had recently suffered a stroke and had been placed in a nursing home. This left the lawyer scrambling to find someone to take the girl or risk having her surrendered to the city of Paris.

Going through the Dupain-Chengs’ contact list, M. Contere made phone calls to numbers listed as family friends or emergency contacts. There were three that particularly stood out to him, all listed under the title of ‘uncle’. 

The first was to an ‘Uncle J’; a woman answered the phone, introducing herself as Penny. When Contere told her it had to do with the Dupain-Chengs, the phone was handed to a man with a distinctly British accent. He sounded devastated to hear that Tom, Sabine, and Gina had all passed away before going into a panic and asking if Marinette was alright, showing absolute relief that she had survived the crash. When Contere mentioned the custody hearing, the man practically demanded to know the date, time, and place before promising that he would be there.

The second contact that stood out was labeled as ‘Uncle Tony’. That call was answered by an assistant named Jarvis before transferring the call to Tony. Again, Contere could hear the surprise and hurt at hearing that his friends had passed away before asking if Marinette had been in the car. When told that she had survived, there was relief and he mentioned that Peter would have probably cried for a week if he’d lost his childhood friend. Tony then offered to take custody of Marinette and Contere quickly told him the details.

Although M. Contere was relieved that at least two family friends/possible relatives seemed more than willing to take Marinette, he knew how fickle and difficult the courts could be and wanted as many options as possible for the girl, which led to the third contact labeled ‘Uncle Bruce’. 

The phone was answered by an older sounding gentleman named Alfred before transferring the call. Contere could hear multiple voices in the background, most sounding like young men, and when he told Bruce about the passing of Tom, Sabine, and Gina; it went very quiet for a moment before all the voices began speaking at once demanding to know what happened, who was responsible, and if Marinette was okay. M.Contere answered the questions that he could and told them that Marinette was in need of a legal guardian. Bruce said Gina had been a great friend and mentor to him when he was younger and that he would be honored to care for her granddaughter. So he told him the details of the court hearing with the promise that he would make sure that Marinette was taken care of until then.

After hanging up, M. Contere had a strange feeling that he couldn’t shake. A feeling that told him that those three ‘Uncles’ were either going to make his job of getting Marinette into a stable home a lot easier… or it would be a total nightmare.

~oOo~

The day of the hearing was a Monday and Marinette's case was the first on the docket, which was a relief. If things went smoothly, she could be placed with one of her respective uncles by the end of the week and be taken care of. When the two of them stepped into the room, with Marinette rolling beside him in her wheelchair, M. Contere was surprised to see multiple familiar faces in the courtroom that he had not expected. Jagged Stone, Bruce Wayne, and Tony Stark were glaring, arguing, and puffing out their chests at each other; ignoring everyone else in the room. He also noticed how each man seemed to have an entire team of lawyers backing them up.

The tension and glaring match only broke when the two women; Pepper Potts and Penny Rolling, and the four Wayne boys; Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damien, noticed Marinette’s arrival. 

“Marinette, sweetie, how are you feeling?” Penny asked as she walked away from Jagged to kneel beside Marinette’s wheelchair.

“Been better, but I’m glad to see some familiar faces,” she said with a weak smile.

Pepper leaned over a bit to give the girl a gentle hug while minding her injuries. “We’re here for you, Mari. No matter what.”

Then the four boys were almost surrounding her, offering to hunt down the people that took away their family and pile so many lawsuits on them that they’ll die of papercuts. This made her chuckle and grimace a bit from the pain, telling the boys that was sweet but unnecessary.

Jagged, Bruce, and Tony immediately put their argument on hold as they hurried over to check on the girl as well. Contere found it to be a good sign that Marinette seemed familiar with the three men, that they all asked how she was and if she wanted anything, as well as promising that they would take care of her. That last one, the three said at the same time and got them glaring at each other again. This caused Contere to sweat and Marinette to give her head a resigned shake.

What followed would probably go down as the most intense, well argued, and most headache-inducing case in the history of the Paris Family Court System with all three men vying for custody of the teenage girl. 

Being able to provide financial stability wasn’t a concern as Jagged Stone was currently the most successful rockstar in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas; while Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne were two of the wealthiest businessmen in the entire world. All three even offered to completely cover Marinette’s tuition to any school she wanted, so long as she was accepted.

Her safety turned out to be a large factor with all three men, and they were willing to hire their own private security to make sure that she stayed safe at all times. However, the three men also argued how the others lived in unsafe environments. 

Jagged mostly lived in tour buses and out of hotels, which was a factor; but he was willing to call off his tours during the school year and only go on tour during school breaks so Marinette would never be without her guardian. Penny was also willing to help Jagged at every turn, stating that she loved Marinette like a niece and would make sure that she had a strong female role model in her life as well.

Tony’s reputation as a playboy and his identity as Iron Man brought up the possibility of attracting a dangerous element. He argued that his homes were equipped with the most advanced security systems on the planet. As well as being friends with an actual “God-Alien”, who had met Marinette and liked her a great deal. Tony was also willing to make Marinette her own personal Iron Suit that would be programmed to protect and fly her to a safe location at the first sign of danger. Pepper also offered to share custody as she already took care of Tony’s daily life as his assistant, taking care of Marinette would be easy and she was looking forward to having her around.

Bruce’s residence in Gotham, the most crime ridden city in North America, was a big factor. Bruce made a point that he already had experience as a guardian of his three adopted sons and his biological son, and they were kept safe. That he also had a top of the line security system at his home, which was located outside of city limits. Dick, Jason, and Tim also commented that they thought of Marinette like a little sister and that Wayne Enterprises had locations all over the world. If the judge decided that Gotham was too dangerous, one of them would gladly take up residency in a city that the judge approved and would stay there to watch over Marinette while still working and providing for her.

After two hours of listening to the back and forth of the three men and their lawyers, the judge decided that he’d heard enough for the day and set the next meeting for the following Thursday after lunch. He also recommended that the men bring proof that they have the mental capability of caring for a teenage girl, lists of schools near their homes to show that she will continue her education, and character witnesses, if available. 

The three men wanted to take Marinette out to get something to eat after the court was adjourned, but M. Contere was forced to tell them that it would not be appropriate during the legal proceedings. He also recommended that they follow the judge’s instructions and make sure that they had everything needed, otherwise they would likely not qualify. Hearing that got all three men, their assistants, family, and lawyers moving at top speeds to get everything they needed for court in a few days. 

Once they were out of sight, the lawyer couldn’t help but let out a stress induced sigh as he raised one hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. This custody battle had the potential to turn into a total circus, and although it could do great things for his career in the long run, he was more worried about how this would affect Marinette. 

Speaking of, he was brought from his thoughts when he felt her small hand gently pat the hand that was holding his briefcase. When he looked down at her, she gave him a kind, though slightly amused smile. “You had no idea about the can of worms you were opening when you made those phone calls, did you?”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “How was I supposed to know that Uncle J, Uncle Tony, and Uncle Bruce would turn out to be three of the most influential men in the world? How does your family even know all of them?”

“Uncle Bruce was raised by the family butler, Alfred Pennyworth, after his parents died. Grandma Gina and Alfred were best friends when they were younger. After the Waynes died, Gina would go check on them in Gotham, she liked to brag that she helped get Bruce back out of his shell. Uncle Tony knew my parents back in university, he was a lot younger and smarter than the other students and you can guess that didn’t go over well with some of them. My parents looked out for him and they became friends, and even after he got busy when he took over the company, he always made time to be there for the big moments in our lives; my parents’ wedding, their baby shower, and when I was born. I’ve actually spent a few summers in Gotham and New York visiting them.”

“And Jagged Stone?”

“He’s the most recent of my honorary uncles. I’m his personal designer, but he got unofficially adopted into my family after the tv show that took place in my parents’ bakery. Uncle Jagged made a bread guitar and sang rock songs with my dad. Once the show was over, Mom invited him and Penny to stay for dinner. During the course of the night, Dad claimed him as a new little brother. Jagged was so happy that he started calling my parents big brother and big sister, and started calling me his niece. Since then, he’s come over at least once a month to just relax and be a family with us.”

M. Contere couldn’t help but smile at that. From the sound of it and what he had seen, all three men truly cared about this girl and were willing to bend over backwards for her. That was a good thing, but he still worried that a custody battle between these three men could go for a long time and possibly cause mental distress for Marinette. Although the final decision was ultimately up to the judge, he was allowed to make recommendations if they were in the best interests of the child. 

With that in mind, he knelt down beside Marinette. “You know the three of them and what they’re living situations are like better than I do. And even though you’re not 15 years old yet, I could petition the judge to factor your opinion. Which of them would you like to have guardian status?”

When Marinette gave him a knowing smile, he just knew that things might get more complicated.

~oOo~

It got a lot more complicated.

The media had caught wind of the custody battle, causing a giant crowd of paparazzi to stake out the courthouse to catch a glimpse of the rockstar, billionaire, and the self proclaimed “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist” who was also a superhero. To their credit, the three only said that they were devastated by the loss of the Dupain-Chengs and wanted to do what was best for Marinette and left all the other questions at the door.

In the courtroom; all three men, as well as their assistants and Bruce’s boys, had done mental evaluations that their lawyers submitted to the judge. They also provided lists of different schools that Marinette was free to choose from; including public schools, private, and even schools that specialized in fashion. But the absolute kicker was the character witnesses.

Jagged Stone had brought other music stars, movie stars, and production mega stars that made Contere wonder for a moment if he’d accidentally walked into an award ceremony. Tony Stark had brought the Avengers, The Avengers, as his character witnesses. Contere wasn’t too proud to admit that he was a bit starstruck when Thor himself came over to great Marinette and complimented her on her ‘battle scars’, saying that they were a testament to her strength. If that wasn’t enough, Bruce brought multiple members of the Billionaire’s Club as character witnesses, many of whom had been suspected of being members of the Justice League. 

The judge looked just as surprised, though somewhat irritated, by the people crowding his courtroom. He quietly looked over the mental health evaluations that had been provided, as well as the lists of schools; finding that everything was in order and that any of them would have been wonderful guardians to the girl. He was tempted to call another recess and pick this back up the following week until Marinette’s lawyer raised his hand.

“If it would please the court,” the judge motioned for him to continue, “although Mlle. Dupain-Cheng is not yet of legal age to make a final decision on the matter of custody, I felt that she was old enough to state her opinion. We have discussed it over the past few days and I believe we came up with a proposal that will satisfy all parties involved while still being in the best interest of the child.” M. Contere presented the four copies of the proposal to the bailiff, who handed one to the judge, and the three lead lawyers.

The judge read the summary at the top before looking at the lawyer in surprise. “You’re proposing joint custody?”

“Yes, your honor. My client and I feel that due to the influence that these men hold, as you can see by the character witnesses that have come here to speak on their behalf, that this custody hearing could be drawn out for a long time, which could have mental repercussions on Marinette.” Contere didn’t miss the ‘you ain’t kidding’ roll of his eyes, or the looks of shame that the three men shared at the thought of hurting Marinette.

“Keeping that in mind, my client came up with an outline for a possible custody agreement. M. Stark would retain custody during school as he has listed one of the top fashion schools in America, which would further Marinette’s future career. The weekends would be spent with M. Wayne, as Wayne Enterprises has connections to the fashion industry and would be able to give her training to help her successfully run her own business. M. Stone would have custody during summer breaks, so Marinette may continue gaining experience as his personal designer, a position she has held for close to a year and has already earned her recognition in the industry.”

The judge grew quiet again as he contemplated the proposal and read over the details. He didn’t want to deal with these three powerful, and in a lot of ways eccentric, men for the next few months while attempting to figure out the best placement for the child. Nor did he want to deal with the media frenzy that this case had already brought on. If anything, this was likely the best option, if he could get the men to agree to the terms.

“Do you have any objections to this proposal?”

There was a moment of silence as the lawyers continued to look over the proposal and spoke to their clients. Jagged’s lawyer was the first to respond. “No, your honor. M. Stone believes that this would be best for Marinette, but we would like to add a clause that M. Stone be permitted to call and visit Mlle. Dupain-Cheng so long as it does not interfere with her school work.”

“My client would also like that clause added to the proposal, your honor,” said the Wayne lawyer. “As well as the clause that Messieurs Stone and Stark work together with M. Wayne in securing Mlle. Dupain-Cheng’s safety. As previously stated, all three men could be considered high-priority targets and normally require bodyguards. M. Wayne has proposed that any potential bodyguard be vetted and approved by all parties involved before being hired.”

The judge looked to Stark’s lawyer. “And do you have any stipulations you would want to see added to the proposal?”

“Only that there be an open line of communication between Messieurs Stone, Wayne, and Stark at all times in reference to Mlle. Dupain-Cheng’s well being and any possible travel. As all three men are known to travel the world for business; there will be occasions for the child to travel as well. When this occurs, the other guardians should receive notice of the country, city, and address that she resides; so, in case of an emergency, they will be able to be present to assist and protect her.”

“My client has no objections to these clauses,” said Jagged’s lawyer.

“And you, M. Wayne?”

The Wayne lawyer nodded. “The clauses are more than reasonable and are in the best interest of Mlle. Dupain-Cheng. Although I only speak for my client, I do not believe that I would be out of line to say that is the main focus of Messieurs Stone and Stark as well.”

The lawyers hid their relief when the judge nodded in agreement. “As the proposal was presented by the child and the three of you are in agreement, I’m scheduling a meeting in my chambers for next Tuesday to go over the finer details of the custodial agreement. I will allow your clients and one lawyer each to attend; this includes you and your client, M. Contere.”

“Yes, your honor.”

“And as for you, Mlle. Dupain-Cheng,” Marinette’s head snapped up to meet the judge’s gaze. “It seems that you have gained three extremely powerful, influential, and in many ways crazy guardians. I don’t know if I should congratulate you or give you my sympathies. What I will do is wish you the best of luck and hope that you are prepared for the future. Court is adjourned.”

There was a hum of surprise and joy that spread through the courtroom as Jagged, Bruce, and Tony stepped up to each other and shook hands before approaching Marinette and M. Contere. 

“Of course, my niece would come up with a way to keep everyone happy, she’s so rock n’ roll that way.” Jagged beamed with pride as Tony and Bruce nodded in agreement.

“Would it be alright if all of us went to dinner to celebrate,” Bruce asked Contere, indicating the ‘all’ to be himself and his boys, Jagged and Penny, and Tony and Pepper; along with Marinette and Contere.

“So long as there’s no discussion of custody and everyone stays civil, I don’t see any harm in it.”

Everyone smiled in agreement while Pepper mentioned that she’d just finished making reservations for all eleven of them at a nice restaurant that had the best view of the Eiffel Tower.

As the others began filing out of the courtroom, Marinette patted his hand and gave him a sympathetic look. “You just opened your second can.”

M. Contere wasn’t sure about what she’d meant until after the meal was over and the waitress brought the check, and then watched as the three billionaires fought over it. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he only hoped that this would all be over on Tuesday and he could go back to his normal, boring cases.

[allhailthecoffeegods]

A lonely kitty in Gotham

Chapter 1

Tired... Marinette was extremely tired. All she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and sleep but instead she sat staring at the wall of her office in her small apartment she had bought and was now living in because her parents kicked her out.

Why was she staring at the wall you may ask? Short answer, she had finally done it! She had finally tracked down Hawkmoth and Mayura after 3 years of fighting she now knew both of their identities (Gabriel Agreste and Natalie Sancoeur) and not only that but she had an entire file filled with proof. Now all that was left was to take back their miraculous and hand them over to the police (not before cursing them first... obviously).

Unfortunately it’s not going to be as easy as it sounds. You see Marinette or Nettie which she goes by now was alone, completely and utterly alone.

No Parents, no family and no friends.

Three years ago Nettie had all of the above she was happy, she had a best friend Alya and a group of many friends from her class, she had two loving but slightly distant parents who ran the most popular bakery in all of Paris possibly even France and her amazing grandmother Gina who traveled the world and told her all about the crazy things she did (some of which she promised not to tell her parents about because it may have been considered breaking the law but nothing reallllly bad).

But all of that soon changed over the first year Hawkmoth terrorised Paris with his akuma and was later joined by mayura with her sentimonsters. Slowly she lost everything including her partner in fighting crime Mr.Bug holder of the ladybug miraculous.

Nettie is in procession of not only the black cat miraculous but also forcefully became the last remaining guardian of 18 other mini gods that are bound to jewels (excluding the butterfly and peacock (not that she would ever give them up because they are basically her family now and she will do absolutely everything to protect them)). How?

Running late to class 3 years ago she saved a (very) old man (186 years old to be specific) from being hit by a car, and for some reason that was enough for him to “gift” her the black cat miraculous as he saw her true chaotic soul and aura (it didn’t matter that she was only 13 YEARS OLD!) he thought it was a brilliant idea to turn her into a child soldier fighting a war against two supervillains more than double her age.

After and introduction to the one and only God of Destruction, who by the way is OBSESSED with the stinkiest of cheeses, she became one of Paris’ main superheroes Kitty Noir alongside her partner Mr.Bug who she guessed to be around the same age as her at the time. It was easy to deduct that he was going to be more of a problem instead of a partner due to his obsessive and intense flirting and lack of skills other than some possible fencing training, all in all he didn’t have a clue how to fight. He was also apparently extremely reckless... like more reckless than her pouring 2 energy drinks into coffee before downing it and has died so many times in a fight she now also has a close relationship with tiki the God of Creation having had to end the fight herself (honestly why did the old guy pick him because it seems like he didn’t even do a similar ‘oh help save me’ situation like he had with her otherwise the old guy would already be dead!) Even though she wasn’t that much better to begin with she did have some hand to hand combat training curtesy of Gina and her ‘friends’ (let’s talk about those later). And she was now training in martial arts and going to the gym to build more muscle and become better without the enhanced supersuit just incase (she also sticks a domino mask on before transforming because she’s paranoid okay and if she is ever forced to detransform she doesn’t want anyone knowing her identity right of the bat to use against her, okay!)

Alongside that she was also extremely smart (like genius level) great with technology and quick to come up with some absolutely insane but brilliant plans. This all resulted in her taking on more of a leadership roll whilst fighting akumas. Mr.Bug only got worse as time went on and her civilian life went downhill, it took 8 months for the old man (previous guardian of the miraculous and temporary mentor for 2 of the months) to become compromised and pass the roll onto her. And the first thing she did was take the ladybug miraculous back and erase the holders (Adrien Agreste her former friend) memories of being Mr.Bug.

The only problem with that was the battle Miracle queen where master fu (the old guardian man) was compromised, and so were all 8 of her temporary heroes except Viperion, holder of the snake miraculous, who had started to tour around the world with his farther Jagged Stone) this ment there were two consequences of taking The ladybug back, the first being she was now alone against two superpowered terrorists but also that she had to switch transformations at the end of a battle to be able to purify the Akuma and cast the miraculous cure to fix everything and yes that did include... resurrection of people who died in the cross fire.

Anyways, back to how Nettie is alone. Only a few weeks after the first attack, an exchange student transferred to the the newly dumbed Akuma class *sigh*. At first she seemed nice and had and was telling the class of her interesting life, her mother was a Italian diplomat and she’s traveled the world.

But Nettie had a bad gut feeling about Lila Rossi which unfortunately was correct. On her third day in the class she started gushing over how kitty noir aka Nettie dearest (obviously unknown to everyone else) saved her from and Akuma attack and they became “best friends”, to say Nettie was left speechless and confused at the lie is an understatement.

Regrettably Nettie was unable to prove her story was a lie because how would she know said superhero didn’t save her without revealing her secret identity.

But the girl carried on creating more and more outlandish claims, such as how she saved Jagged Stones cat on a jet runway (like come on seriously what airport would allow a CHILD of even a cat to run out onto the tarmac). But pointing this out was apparently a mistake which Nettie soon discovered in the girls bathroom after class. Lila sauntered in with a sickly sweet smile that was soon dropped when Nettie refused to give into this girls bullshit.

Hence she was pinned against the wall and threatened, that if she didn’t go along with lie-la’s lies she would lose everything she loved before leaving so she wasn’t caught. Not believing her Nettie continued to point out inconsistencies and facts that contradict her story’s but no matter how much proof was presented to the class lie-la was able to turn it around (meta theory coming into her head: maybe she wasn’t affected because of the miraculous magic) and plant the idea that Nettie was a bully into all her friends heads which apparently all share one brain cell ( or so she thought until Adrien confirmed he knew they were lies to but he was taking the ‘high road’ because nobody was getting hurt, it’s definitely not like lilas ruining all there future careers by promising favours and opportunity’s that will never come and convincing them they no longer need to put in any effort for their futures *insert eye-roll* ).

So life continued and her friends started to turn on little Nettie the scattered brained, clumsy girl who bent over backwards to protect and make sure they were all happy. It hurt more than words could describe the day Alya her BEST FRIEND led the class to turn their backs on her and declare they no longer want to be friends with a jealous bully anymore.

Luckily Nettie wasn’t akumatised but she came very close to it. The only things keeping her going were her duty to Paris and her family.

But as a consequence to that good luck, bad luck hit like a truck. She didn’t know for a few weeks until a guy named Jason called her parents to inform them that her favourite person in the whole world her amazing grandmother Gina had passed away in a accident somewhere in the United States. And if that wasn’t bad enough Lila also managed to place a seed of doubt in her parents around the same time. Life fucking sucked. She wasn’t able to process and grieve due to Hawkfuck still being around so instead she threw herself into creating her own business (NeTi Designs) doing commissions, did I mention she’s a talented fashion designer... no, well now you know. As well as diving head first into a very thorough investigation on mothfucker in between fighting Akuma, helping in the bakery, plus training and patrolling the city of lights for two hours each night.

Atleast she didn’t have to make excuses to not hang out with her ex-friends anymore heh heh *cough*.

Eventually this resulted in her parents questioning her on her disappearances from her room after randomly checking in one night while she was out patrolling and the conversation sort of went like this.

“Marinette, where have you been?! I just checked your balcony and you weren’t up their. It’s 2am” Sabine exclaimed when she dropped back onto her bed moments after detransforming. “Mamma I swear I was up there and I fell asleep in the corner near my pillows behind the deck chair. I just woke up from the cold and I thought I herd movement and panicked because ‘oh my gosh!’ Is it an Akuma but it wasn’t it was you mamma” Nettie responded with dramatic waving of her hands and a fake smile.

Sabine was NOT impressed and most certainly knew it was a lie but it was 2am and she couldn’t deal with this right now so she glared at her daughter whilst leaving her room through the trapdoor.

This continued for two weeks with both her parents randomly checking in. Nettie had to eventually relocate her research into a small apartment a few streets away from the library (which she paid for with commission money that nobody but her knew about especially since her business was doing well and she didn’t put it past her class to try and destroy that if they ever found out) and say she was studying to not be caught doing deep background checks on all her suspects, making files for every Akuma and tracking the butterfly’s on a app she created that has multiple resources available to the public ranging from an alert for attacks that can be activated all the way to videos she made in her hero persona showing things such as meditation or basic self defence that should only be used if they’re unable to get to a safe area away from the Akuma or to buy time to then get away depending on the powers of said Akuma. (Could also be useful in regular crimes like attempts at mugging)

This lead to longer disappearances to the point all her stuff that had any value to her or was related to business and miraculous matters (so basically everything) she was practically living there already. Not that she realised since she got maybe 5-6 hours of sleep and week? She was so enclosed in her little world when her parents decided they had enough (after multiple accusations of her sleeping around with older men and doing drugs (all tests came back negative because her choice of drug was caffeine) which where definitely lilas doing) her parents yelled at her to get out and never come back... so she did the only thing she had to grab where her pillows and fairy lights and she was out of the door, the situation was dubbed a future Nettie problem because ya know suppressing your emotions so the world doesn’t end.

(Authors note: I have plans on making this a series. Hope you guys like it 🙃)

[cassava-49]

Death 1

Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5/ Part 6/ Part 7

The water looks so inviting mostly after all that has happened to you. Marinette felt numb, not really caring whether or not people, other than her family, would care. She didn't feel like the bubbly girl that she was since the start. She didn't feel the responsibility of being Ladybug surge through. All that filled her head was how everyone in class turned against her because of Lila's lies.

"Marinette can you stop being so jealous and possessive and manipulative for once!" Alya shouted at her. "Alya, can you stop blaming Marinette for once!" Adrien shouted back. "I know that Lila's lying and I know Marinette's telling the truth. Can you stop! For once, stop thinking that Lila's such a perfect angel!" he added. "Adrien, just stop, please," Marinette pleaded him. "I-i-it's a-alright Alya, Ma-ma-marinette didn't mean to," Lila cried, hiding her victorious grin. "Sh, sh, don't worry Lila, but it's not okay," Alya comforted her. "Dude, you should apologize," Nino said to the pair. The two then scowled at their ex-best friends, but before they could retaliate, Natalie appeared to the scene. "Adrien," she sternly called. He flinched, knowing what will happen. He then took Marinette by the wrist and walked towards the exit with Natalie following behind. "I'm sorry Adrien," Marinette said as he got into the car, he then gave her a sad smile and a curt nod.

That night she waited for his call. Anxiety teasing through her body, finally after dinner, she heard her phone ring. She immediately answered it and heard Adrien's shaky voice on the other line. "What happened? How did it go?" she asked. "H-he, m-my father," he stuttered. "He's pulling me out of school," he said. "What! Why?" she asked, worry slowly sunk in. "He said that you're a bad influence and so is the school, he's sending me to New York," he replied. "I-I'm so sorry Adrien," she replied, feeling the tears attempting to escape. "It's alright, it was my choice anyway. It was either going to school but ignore you, or go to a different country but be able to contact you," he replied. "If I chose the former, it would break my heart seeing you, and it's not like I have any other friends," he added. "Promise that we'll keep in touch," she whispered. "I promise, but I've got to go now, I need to do something," he answered. "Yeah, sure, good night," she replied. "Good night," he responded.

Once the call ended she summoned her transformation to vent out by swing across the city. She arrived at their rendezvous point to find a crying Chat. Without hesitation she walked to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Chat, are you ok?" she asked. "My lady," came his response. She then sat beside him as she let go. "What's wrong?" she queried. "I'm leaving," he replied. "Why?" she asked. No please, not Chat, I can't lose them both at the same time, she thought. "My father, he wants to transfer me to New York," he answered. "That's why I have to give up being Chat Noir. I'm sorry," he said in between sobs. "When?" she pressed. "Tomorrow, he already got the papers done this morning, with all his connections and money, I never doubted it," he let out a strained chuckle. "I planned to give up my miraculous after patrol. One last taste of being Chat Noir. Never had I wanted an akuma attack so badly," he cried. He then felt Ladybug pull him up to his feet. "Let's go have one last run together, until you come back," she said with tears in her eyes as she wiped his. He gave out a small smile as they raced on the rooftops of Paris.

After their run they heard a blast, making both of them smile and eagerly defeated the akuma. With five minutes remaining, they raced on the Paris rooftops with Ladybug leading. Ladybug grabbed his arm and pulled him onto her balcony. "Why are we at Marinette's?" Chat asked. "I want to tell you who I am," she replied. "A-are you sure?" he asked. "I've never been more sure. I want you to know," she replied as both of their transformations fall. If they were not crying earlier, they were crying now, crouched down in each others arms. Adrien Agreste WAS Chat Noir, Marinette Dupain-Cheng WAS Ladybug. They smiled at each other and hand in hand entered her room The two then spent their time in her room as Plagg floated next to Adrien, knowing that he'll miss his presence. It was one in the morning when Ladybug returned Adrien to his room with a longing kiss goodbye, promising to be together once he's back.

That was our plan, Marinette thought as she leaned on the railing if the bridge. The bridge where she and Adrien bought ice-cream from André's. This was the bridge where she and Kagami became friends. This was the bridge where she shared her ice-cream with Luka. Unfortunately, Adrien's plane crashed in the Atlantic, the cause was still unknown. If he had the horse miraculous, he would have survived, she thought again. Ever since his death, she gave up her miraculous giving it to the new ladybug holder as she apologized to Tikki. She also told her parents the truth and asked them to be part of the order of the guardians, and taught them the secrets to the miraculous.

It's been weeks since Kagami and Luka became the new Lady Luck and Monsieur Noir of Paris, they still reminded Paris about the original Chat Noir and Ladybug, who will always remain in their hearts, they even asked the mayor to make their debut Ladybug and Chat Noir's day. As for Lila, she began making more lies as to why Ladybug quitted like, "She felt too much pressure and wanted me to become the new ladybug but I had to refuse since I didn't feel worthy and it would be too obvious because I'm the new Ladybug since I'm her best friend, but I helped in picking out the new recruits."

Lies, lies, it was all lies, Marinette was the one who gave Kagami and Luka the cat and ladybug miraculous. It hurts, it hurts, so much. With one last look at the stars, she fell into the icy cold water of the Seine. She didn't feel anything else, until her head collided with a sharp rock at the bottom.

...

Marinette woke up with a massive headache. She found herself in an hospital ward, but her clothes were what she had been wearing when she tried to commit suicide. She watched her parents stare animatedly at her but said nothing. She then realised something, her parents were not looking at her, but something behind her. She followed their line of sight to find herself. She had her head wrapped up in bandages, her hair was down, a pipe was in her throat for food. Her nose also had the typical dexterous to help her breath, another was connected to her large intestine for excretion. That was when she knew, she was in her astro form. Her soul left her vegetable body and is free to wander since she was in a coma.

She got up and began walking towards her parents. Their tear strained eyes watched her wistfully, hoping that she would wake up soon. Her grandfather's bread was in a basket next to her bed. Her Nona's helmet was found in one of the chairs, signifying that she was there. She touched her father's cheek, only to have her hand pass through his face. She was a ghost, or a spirit, either way she was neither dead nor alive. She went to her mother who was walking towards her body taking her hand, she felt warmth, a sign that she can still feel and not exactly dead. She watched as the monitor showed that her heart beat was normal and resting.

All of a sudden her classmates, along with Lila were inside her room. All with devastated faces, even Lila, which surprised her. Alya and Nino was crying along with Rose, Mylène, Chloé and basically everyone was crying except for Lila who still had shock written all over her face. Although the same couldn't be said for her parents. Tom got up as Sabine moved closer to Marinette's body. "Leave," he said. "What? Why? Marinette is our friend, we have to be here for her," Alya exclaimed. "Really, so you have no idea as to why she committed suicide?" Tom asked with a growl this time. "Isn't it obvious? It's because Adrien died," she answered. This time Sabine got up and threw her Marinette's note. Alya dropped to her knees as she read it out loud, causing everyone to cry harder. There she explained that Adrien was not the reason as to why she died. He was the reason as to why she still lived even though he passed, but she said that she could not take it anymore, all the bullying, all the rumours, all the lies and the threats. After reading the note, Alya turned to Lila asking for an answer. But this time she was crying, was it guilt or were they real.

"Get out," a growl erupted from behind them, to find Marinette's grandfather. "I-I'm so so-" Alya tried to say. "Don't give us your half assed apology, the damage has been done, now get out!" Sabine shouted. They all but rushed out of the room with Marinette's ghost. Once the door was closed they all turned to Lila for an explanation and as if some divine intervention, Jagged Stone appeared with his mascara dripping down with his tears as he pushed past the teens to enter her room.

"Mr. Stone?" Kim asked. "What! Can't you see I'm in a hurry to see my niece!" he exclaimed. "Niece? But isn't it just Marinette in there?" he asked. "Just Marinette," he says in a low voice. "Just Marinette! This is my niece we're taking about, the sweetest, kindest girl I'll every meet!" he exclaimed as Penny arrived. "But what about Lila?" Kim asked. "Lila? Lila! That crazed girl who thinks I have a kitten and deliberately bullied my niece! She's here? Where is she!" he exclaimed with outrage only to be held back by Penny.

If Marinette was still alive, she would have enjoyed watching Lila's lies crumble down, but now she doesn't feel anything. "What a mess?" she heard someone say from behind. She turned to find a boy around her age standing beside her. Not really minding, since he couldn't see her, she returned her attention towards Jagged and her classmates. But she turned her attention back to the boy when she saw a nurse pass through him. "Y-you're a ghost?" she asked catching his attention. "You can see me?" he asked. Now looking at him she thought that he resembled Adrien, like a lot. He was blond with green eyes, a head taller wearing a grey Polo shirt with a black vest she tie. "I'm Marinette Dupain-Cheng," she introduced herself unconsciously. The boy stared at her and replied, "I'm Felix Graham de Vanilly." They turned their attention back to the commotion as they watched Alya punch Lila letting out her anger once she found out the truth.

"I'm sorry, they're my classmates," she huffed. "What's the deal with the girl in the glasses and the Italian?" he asked. She sighed and replied, "It's actually a very long sob story. Are you sure you want to hear it?" she asked. Felix smiled and replied, "There's nothing wrong with a long story, it's not like I'm going anywhere." Marinette smiled as Felix lead her away from the commotion as she began telling him her story.

[the-alice-of-hearts]

Kids Again Ch 2

Ch 2: He likes to keep his burner on

First Next>

Marinette would always remember the first time she looked through her romantic Soulmate’s eyes. She was five years old when she started crying in the middle of the day in maternelle. Nino ran to get the teacher while she gasped, trying to form her feelings into words. Her parents came to pick her up and her maman held her while she cried. When she was able to tell them what she saw, they held her close.

Her papa told her that her Soulmate must have been even more scared than she was, but that she could help look over him.

Her maman said that she wasn’t responsible to be the one to save him, that the people who were responsible for this had a duty to take care of him. She also said she didn’t have to sacrifice her own life for his.

Her maman told her that if she showed him kindness and love, the universe would make sure that they could meet one day. Marinette kept that in her heart every day. She wanted to show her soulmate that the world could be a brighter place than the dark place he lived in. She lived every happy memory to its fullest, and every night she sent a prayer into the sky; asking her guardian spirits to watch over her soulmate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Marinette was nine, she woke up in the middle of the night in a panic. She saw through her soulmate’s eyes as he got stabbed, but even after that stopped, even as he passed out from the pain, she still felt emotions coming from her soulbond. She felt like she was watching someone die right in front of her. She was frozen in terror, knowing she could do nothing to change it. She didn’t go back to sleep that night, instead, she grabbed her sewing kit and started to take the pink applique flowers off her only black dress. She then went to work on making a veil. She also found the blue dress that she had worn to her great-grandfather’s funeral. She wasn’t sure what you were supposed to wear to a funeral for your soulmate’s family, but she wanted to be ready to get dressed in the morning.

When her mother came to wake her up in the morning she shifted her gaze up to her from the floor. She had sat there to write in her journal. She opened her mouth and asked her mom the important question she needed an answer to, “Maman, can you have more than one soulmate?”

______________________________

Sabine looked around her daughter’s room when she saw the dresses Marinette was sitting next to, “It does happen. What did you see Bǎobèi?” ((mandarin: baby))

Marinette shook her head, “I didn’t see it, mama. I just felt like I was watching someone really important to me die. I can still feel the link though, so it couldn’t have been my soulmate. But I didn’t see it, I just felt it... Could I have a platonic soulmate too?”

Sabine scooped her daughter up into her arms, “You could. I think it’s very possible you do.” Marinette started crying, “Shhh, it’s okay sweetheart.” She adjusted her grip on Marinette so she could move to sit them both onto her fainting couch. “Do you want to talk about it?”

She sniffled nodding, “what do you wear to mourn someone you aren’t related to?”

“In China, you would wear a dark color to the funeral of the death of a loved one who you aren’t related to. But not black. You only wear black for your parent’s or husband’s funeral. In France, you can wear black if you want to, but any dark color is okay. If you follow your gut feeling where does your platonic soulmate live?”

Marinette furrowed her brow, “I don’t know māma, I can’t see them.”

Sabine smoothed Marinette’s hair down, “Did your heart say somewhere when I asked you?”

Marinette nodded, “America. I thought about America… but I also thought about Paris…”

She looked at her daughter in contemplation, “Meiyun, do you remember how I taught you to meditate?” Marinette nodded, “I want you to meditate with me, but I want you to focus on your soul link. Can you do that for me?”

Marinette nodded. She sat up and got into a relaxed position. Taking in a deep breath she closed her eyes. After a few moments, Sabine started talking to her, “When you breathe in I want you to gather up all your emotions, and then, as you breathe out, let them flow to the background of your mind.”

Marinette smiled, “Like music?”

She smiled at her daughter, “Exactly like music. Let your feelings be the beat of the song, and look for the melodies of your soulmates.” She watched Marinette breathe and then start to hum.

Sabine’s older sister had been a part of a multibond and she knew it ran in the family, but she wasn’t sure how she would be able to help her daughter. Her soulmate died when she was a girl, they were a platonic bond and she hadn’t even met them. Tom’s soulmate bond was also platonic. He had met him once and they were pen-pals, but their friendship had never gotten that close. When Marinette was born she had a spark in her eyes that Sabine knew was pointing towards a difficult journey for her daughter. When she started to see through her Soulmate’s eyes Sabine knew she was right. She looked at her little girl, so young and yet so strong. Her sister had the same strength when she was young, Sabine just hoped that her daughter wouldn’t follow the same path. When Marinette opened her eyes Sabine waited for her to talk, her daughter was young, but, when it was something important, she always tried to figure out what she was going to say before speaking.

“There are three other melodies. So if I include my own that makes four. My song and Jay's are really close, but the other two are a little lower? They are as close to each other as ours are though.”

Sabine smiled at her, “It sounds like you have two platonic soulmates, and that they are romantic soulmates. Multibonds are rarer in the world, but they happen more often than most people think. My sister had a multibond too, she had four soulmates total. That just means that you have a lot more love to give, and a lot more love to receive.”

Marinette nodded at her, “So I could find one of my Soulmates here in Paris?”

Sabine scooped her daughter up in her arms, “You might sweetie, but unless all four of you are together you might never know.”

Marinette tilted her head in confusion, “but why?”

Sabine smiled and booped Marinette on the nose, “soulmates have a spark when they meet each other. It’s your soul saying ‘you did it! You found my other parts!’ but that can’t happen until all the pieces of your soul are together.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eventually, Marinette learned how to pick out each of the distinct ‘voices’ of her soulmates. She knew when her platonic soulmates were hurting.

Each year her soulmate from America would mourn the same loss, her soulmate from Paris would have days where they would be filled with so much sadness and loneliness, and her Soulmate would have days where he couldn’t eat or would be running for his very life.

When her Paris bond started having the same hunger pains she got worried. She was used to the pains coming from Jason, knew exactly what they felt like and how long you went without proper nutrition before the pain kicked in.

She started reaching out to those around her, making sure that everyone she interacted with knew she was a person they could turn to.

She made herself known as someone who cared deeply about her friends.

When Chloé started being mean to her she spoke only kindness.

When Kim and Alix got into a fight she was there to hear both sides and help them see the other’s point of view.

When Nino got overwhelmed she sat quietly by his side so he knew he wasn’t alone.

She did everything she could for her friends because she was fighting the feeling that she could do nothing for her soulmates.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She was 11 when she learned all about the Gotham vigilantes.

She had some memories of Jason on the streets where he hid from Batman and had heard him talk about him, but she had never seen him.

Until she checked in Jason when he was caught in the middle of taking the tires off the batmobile. She hadn’t meant to look through his eyes, she was just very tired. When she closed her eyes for a little too long the soulbond drew her to him. She giggled when he was spooked in the middle of taking off tire number 4. She was worried when she felt his burst of fear when the vigilante placed him in the back of the batmobile. She watched him scared when he was taken to the bat-cave, heard him plead not to be taken to the cops. He sobbed telling the vigilante that he would rather die than go to the foster care system.

“Marinette, earth to Marinette.” Alix was waving their hand in front of her face, “you want to come back to Paris?”

“Huh? Oh!” Marinette jumped back. She looked around at her trio of friends.

“Dudette, what happened?” Nino reached out to hug her, then added in a soft voice, “you were laughing and then got this look of panic on your face.”

Kim was sitting behind the two of them, with Marinette by the wall she could see that the three of them had formed a barrier of sorts. She could see him watching to make sure that no one tried to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“It was really funny, he tried to steal the tires off the batmobile.”

Kim started to laugh at that, “no wonder you looked panicked. Did he get caught by the bat?”

Marinette bit her lip trying not to cry, nodding at Kim, “He did. He was so scared.”

That shut him up real quick, “Mari, look at me.” Kim reached out a hand, “Jason is going to be okay. You know he will, he’s been in tougher spots before.”

Alix scooched closer to her to lay against her shoulder, “not like he hasn’t gotten out of worse scrapes before. Didn’t you say he took down two guys with guns like last week?”

Marinette giggled and rubbed her eyes, “yeah, but they aren’t batman.”

Nino had been looking up any information about the vigilante he could find, “Netté, it says here that he has a strict no-killing policy and a soft spot for kids. Jason could beat the shit out of him and he still wouldn’t hurt him.”

That got a loud laugh from them.

“M. Lahiffe, do you have something you want to share with the class?”

They all snapped to attention, “No Ma’am.”

Their teacher nodded, “Then might I request that you all return to silent study time.”

_____________________________________

After school, they all ran to the bakery. It was a long-standing tradition to lay around Marinette’s living room and eat snacks while they did homework. Alix was throwing a paper ball into the air while Kim checked over their math assignment.

“I don’t know why you have me check, it’s not like I’m the best at math.”

“You are in this group. Nino is our french lit. guy. Mari can check over English assignments. I have History, you have maths. And then we struggle with science and geography as a group.”

“Hey! I’m good at geography!”

Alix threw their paper ball at him, “then you should have volunteered to check my geography assignment.”

Marinette interrupted the start of an argument that would become a bet that would lead to her cleaning up the mess, again. “Alix, you have to stop using so much slang in your English assignments.”

“Why? You do, I’ve seen your papers.”

“I use common slang, you’re using the slang that I’ve picked up from Jay. He uses a lot more regional slang. And you know our teacher has given you marks off for it in the past.”

“Not my fault that he didn’t understand my essay.”

Marinette rolled her eyes, “haven’t you ever heard of writing to your audience?”

Kim laughed at her, “Mari, you sound just like Nino!”

She stuck her tongue out at him, “at least I’m not the one teasing my foreign language tutor before she checks over my work.”

“You wouldn’t!” he turned on the full puppy eyes, “please Mari, you know I would fail without you.”

“Yeah, I know. Hand it over I finished Alix’s.”

They sat there for a while, each finishing their assignments and then checking over the other’s work. Quiet afternoons spent above the warm bakery always lulled them into a peaceful state. The soft sounds of writing and the speaker in the kitchen playing one of Nino’s new study playlists. Marinette always loved these moments when she felt so loved; surrounded by her best friends, able to hear drifts of the conversations on the street below. Moments like these were feelings she cherished, images that she engraved into her mind. Opening her small pink journal she started writing to Jason. She wanted to tell him everything about her life, so until she could see him in person she wrote to him.

Nino was the first one to break the gentle silence, “Netté, why do you think he was so scared?”

Alix and Kim both looked up from where they were doing the maths homework. With all their gazes on her she knew she had to say something, “he doesn’t want to go into the foster care system.” She took a deep breath and started to doodle on the corner of her page, “he, well he knows some kids who have been in the system. It’s really corrupt in Gotham. A lot… a lot of foster care parents are bad people. They abuse their wards and get the money from the system. Older kids get it worse, a-an-and he’s 13 now. S-s-so he would ha-ve a harder time getting a good family.”

She had started crying and was now quietly sobbing. Kim moved closer and picked her up to hold in his lap. Nino and Alix moved closer to join the group hug.

After she had calmed down enough to talk Alix asked her, “Mar, why don’t you try to check in on him?”

She sighed, whipping her tears away, “I tried earlier during lunch, I think he was asleep though.” She bit her lip, “I could try again maybe, but he seems calm now. What if I just worry him more?”

“It’s up to you Netté. We are here to support you, not tell you what you should do about your bond.”

She nodded, “I think I’ll wait then.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Over the next two years, she learned a lot more about Gotham’s heroes vigilantes. Jason was the new Robin. His new brother was the first Robin, now he had a new alias Nightwing. Bruce Wayne is Batman was a huge secret that was dropped on her. One that her three closest friends knew too. They had been sworn to secrecy, but she couldn’t not tell them.

They were her small family, and if she wasn’t going to tell her parents then she was going to tell them. Sure, his identity needed to be protected. But what harm could four people from halfway across the world do? She started collecting news clippings of Robin. Each time he helped someone and they caught him on camera. The kids around the blocks he patrolled being in awe of the kid in the bright colors who would help anyone who needed it. She got to see him splitting off from patrol to take food to a building he knew had people living in it.

Then came the other good moments. His butler, who was more grandfather than employee, taught him how to cook. His new father, the adoption papers went through really fast, enrolled him in school. Bruce saw how much Jason liked to read and put a couple large bookcases in his room. Then bought him different books that he thought might interest him. He was trying, but things were still awkward sometimes. His brother, Richard but people called him Dick, was in the circus before becoming a Wayne. He taught Jason to use his natural dexterity to flip around attackers, telling him that a moving target was harder to hit. The robin colors made you easy to see, so you had to be fast and think on your feet. If you never stopped moving then they couldn't hit you.

Marinette asked her parents if she could continue her gymnastics classes. They were only a little surprised. She had taken a break when her soulbond had gotten to be too much, but knowing that he was safe meant she could focus on herself again.

That started with being fast and nimble and getting herself ready for when she ran the streets with him. She spent hours redesigning the Robin suit and making herself a hero persona. She had decided on Nightingale as a name and designed her suit in black and orange. She made her design a partner to her redesign of Jason’s Robin suit. She knew they were going to be partners, so they needed to match.

She just wished that she could be there with him now. Running the rooftops by his side, helping him, making sure he makes it home.

[katelynnwrites]

pairing: Ezra Bridger x f!Reader

warnings: mentions of blood and injury as well as canonical tyle violence

word count: 1024

summary: Ezra wakes up from his bacta treatment in an unexpected state

A/N: set after season 4 finale

Febuwhump Prompt: ‘Who are you?’ (Day 12)

It was almost unbelievable, the sense of relief you had when you found Ezra’s unconscious body on the wreck of the Chimaera. He had been severely injured, cuts all over from the shattered glass, a blaster wound on his shoulder and hypothermia from exposure to space but he was​ alive.

The doctors at the medcenter had been amazed that he was still breathing, calling it a miracle. Sabine had just smiled and looking over at you, said it was simply Ezra keeping his promise to always come back to you.

You had honestly thought that everything was going to be okay from then on. Lothal was no longer being controlled by the Empire, Ezra’s injuries had been healed by an extensive stretch of time spent floating around in a bacta tank and the once invincible Empire had recently begun to fracture.

Until Ezra woke up and his first words were ‘Who are you?’

You had been sitting by his bedside, as you had been doing everyday since you had found him.

At first you didn’t notice anything had changed until his hand twitched on top of his covers.

Holding your breath, you watched as his eyelashes fluttered and his blue eyes met yours for the first time in a long long time.

‘Ezra?’ You softly say.

His eyes were wide and he frantically looked around the room.

‘Who are you?’

‘It’s me Y/n. I’m your girlfriend Ezra.’ You explain, your heart beating fast. He didn’t remember you?

‘I don’t have a girlfriend. Where am I?’ He says, his voice rising.

The door opens and the rest of the crew come in. Their faces light up and Hera smiles widely.

‘Ezra! You’re awake.’

Sabine immediately goes over to hug him and he flinches away.

‘He doesn’t remember us.’ Your voice cracks and tears fill your eyes as you look back at the blue haired boy. What if this was permanent? What if he never remembered you?

Zeb goes to get the doctor while Hera takes you out of the room. Sabine and Chopper stayed with Ezra who was understandably freaking out.

‘It is probably temporary Y/n. The doctors will sort it out.’ She reasons, rubbing circles into your back as you sob.

‘I can't lose him again Hera.’ Your voice trembles and Hera winces, remembering those few hours that they had searched for Ezra. You had barely held yourself together.

‘You won’t lose him Y/n. He loves you too much to leave you without putting up a good fight.’ Hera firmly tells you.

You let loose a shuddering breath and scrub the remaining tears from your face.

‘Okay.’

******

‘It’s likely a side effect of the long period of time he spent in bacta. It should resolve itself within a rotation.’ The medical droid explains, causing the entire crew to relax.

You feel hope well in your heart as you enter Ezra’s room. The boy was fiddling with the edges of his covers and looked up at you immediately.

There was an awkward pause before he asks, ‘The girl with the helmet and really colorful hair says that you really are my girlfriend.’

‘I am.’ You reply, slightly unsurely.

‘Can you tell me our story?’ He looks at you pleadingly and you nod, taking a seat beside his bed.

‘What do you last remember?’

‘Running a couple of odd errands to earn some credits before returning to the LothalNet tower.’

‘That was at least 3 years ago Ezra.’ You gently tell him and he blinks, shock crossing his face.

‘I met you when you tried to steal some crates of blasters from Kanan.’ You recall, smiling fondly at the memory.

‘Who’s Kanan?’

Your smile disappears and you swallow hard before telling him who Kanan was to him and what happened to him.

‘Oh. I’m sorry. He seemed like a good guy.’ Ezra genuinely says.

‘He was the best.’ Tears sting your eyes as you thought of your space dad.

‘We lived on the same ship, the Ghost for almost a cycle before you finally admitted your feelings for me. You were so shy and embarrassed about it.’ Giggling slightly, you recall his stammering and blushing.

‘Future me sounds so uncool.’ Ezra complains causing you to laugh.

‘Future you saved Lothal from the Empire.’ You say and he shakes his head slightly.

‘I know that she said I became a Jedi and summoned an army of space whales to help me but I still can’t believe I did that.’ Traces of doubt are clear in his voice and you take his hand in yours.

‘You are capable of so much more than you think you are. You joined the Rebellion and even earned the rank of commander.’ His eyes widen, causing you to smile a little. This Ezra seemed so much younger that the boy you knew. Still they shared many similarities.

‘Once, you woke me up in the middle of the night to watch the stars. You said your favourite constellation was the one of the Loth Wolf.’

‘It is.’ Ezra seemed amazed and you decide to tell him that he’s met Loth Wolves before.

‘No way. You’re kidding me. You have to be.’ The blue haired boy shakes his head in disbelief and you’re doubled over in laughter, assuring him that it’s real.

The rest of the day pass in a similar fashion, you and the rest of the remaining Ghost crew taking turns to tell him stories of his adventures.

******

‘I hope I wake up as your Ezra.’ He sincerely says, causing you to choke back a sob.

‘I can see why he fell in love with you. You’re everything I ever dreamed of.’ He admits and you swallow thickly, reaching out a hand to brush back his hair. It had grown out and was now almost as long as it used to be.

******

You stay by his side through the night and in the morning you’re awakened by the most beautiful sight.

Ezra’s bright blue eyes meet yours and now his first words are, ‘Hey love.’

Flinging your arms around him, you’re now absolutely sure that everything will be okay.

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[thebrotherssalvatore321]

Keeping Secrets Ch. 50

Keeping Secrets Masterlist

Katie woke up to a note left on the bedside table from Elijah that read, “Katie, three of Marcel’s best men are guarding your room. I assure you, you are safe here. I am paying the witches a visit. Be back soon.”

The note was set aside when she noticed a covered plate on a tray on the table in the corner of the sitting room. Under the cover sat a plate of scrambled eggs, toast and two pieces of bacon. The knots of worry in her stomach had her feeling like she couldn’t eat, but she knew for the baby’s sake she needed to. So with a heavy sigh she sat down and ate the hot breakfast.

When she was done she got dressed in a pair of dark wash distressed jeans, a white tank top with an open, light grey sweater jacket over it and brown ankle boots then left her quarters. She was going downstairs to get a cup of coffee and wait for Elijah in the courtyard when she passed a room and heard Elijah call her name having seen her walk by.

When she walked into the room she saw him taking off his light blue dress shirt, tattoos of words written in cursive were scattered over his torso and arms. She stopped mid stride in front of the desk that Marcel was standing at getting a notepad and pen. Seeing Elijah shirtless for the first time since they were together caught her off guard and she felt her cheeks reddening. “Um, what’s with the tattoos?” she drawled as she walked closer to him.

“I need you to make a list of these names, please.” He told her, not answering her question.

“Sure thing.” she answered as she walked around him, looking at the names on his skin. “Are you going to answer my question?”

“I believe they represent the names of women Celeste inhabited for the past two centuries.” Elijah answered.

“It’s called a devinette.” Marcel told her as he handed her the notepad and pen. “It’s old school, kind of a riddle. Witches use them to teach their kids. Solve it and it disappears.”

“So what do we get by wasting time solving this riddle?” Katie asked with a frown as she started writing down the names that were on his back.

“Celeste forced me to make a choice between yourself and my siblings and now she means to mock that choice, taunting me with a childish game. The longer the game the more they suffer. So to find Niklaus and Rebekah we need to solve this riddle.” Elijah then held his arms out, looking at the names on them. “The solution lies somewhere in these names.”

“The name next to Sabine, Annie LaFleur.” Marcel pointed to one of the names on Elijah’s right arm. “She’s a witch that was shunned by her coven over a year ago. I never knew why, but I can find out.”

While Marcel got to work on tracking down Annie LaFleur, Katie got back to work on the list. When she got to the names on his chest he looked down at her, noticing the slight pink tint of her cheeks. “You’re blushing.”

She cut her eyes up at him from where she was trying to read the broken cursive of the name next to his belly button and he gave her a smirk. “Yeah, well,” she jotted down the name then stood up straight, turning her eyes to the name scrawled over his collar bone, “the last time I saw you in this much of a state of undress was the night of the ball your family held in Mystic Falls.”

“Ah, yes, your first experience with blood sharing.” He recalled fondly. “I have yet to hear Niklaus pull those same sounds from you.”

“You know, you and your siblings share a certain lack of boundaries. Do none of you know how to respect others' privacy?” she asked as she wrote down one of the last names.

“We do.” He answered. “However we also understand that the noises one makes during the trawls of passion are nothing to be ashamed of.” Katie ignored him, hoping he would drop it. “Plus it is not our fault you are a little louder than most.”

“So you’re a noisy one huh?” Marcel asked with his signature playboy smile as he walked in making Katie’s face heat up.

“Okay! Change of subject.” Katie said as she wrote down the last name, took a picture of the notepad then slammed it and the pen into a smirking Elijah’s chest. She looked at Marcel. “Did you find Annie LaFleur?”

“Yeah, I got an address.” He told her with the smile still on her face.

“Okay, good, hop to it then.” She replied as she grabbed Elijah’s shirt off the table and tossed it to him.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie was sparring with one of the three vampires Elijah had left her with when her phone started ringing. After seeing Elijah’s name on the screen she pressed talk and asked, “How’s it going?”

“Annie LaFleur is dead, suicide.” Elijah informed her. “She drowned herself in the Mississippi to be precise. Celeste had clearly tired of the body and was ready to take Sabine’s.”

“Why are you so certain that it was Celeste?” Katie asked.

“She leapt to her death from the very location that Celeste and I had our first kiss.” he answered.

“Oh, well, yeah that could be a clear clue.” Katie replied not knowing what to say.

“All of these names, these lives, stolen so that Celeste might take her revenge. I suppose we have no choice but to see where they take us.” Elijah told her. “Katie, I have to go. I’ll call you back when I find out something else.” He told her then hung up.

Katie tucked her phone into her back pocket then looked at the more talkative of the three vampires. “Alright, Nate, back to it.” she told him, taking a fighting stance.

“Are you sure this is safe? You’re what, six months pregnant?” Nate asked, blocking her attempt to hit him.

“I’m fine. I just…need to keep my mind busy and off of the fact that I have no idea where the father of my child is, no idea how to help find him and am pretty much powerless as a human.” She answered then punched at him again. “I really should have asked my high school history teacher slash local vampire hunter for training.”

“Your hometown sounds like an interesting place.” Nate told her as he threw a punch.

“Only if you live there as a vampire or know about vampires and werewolves, otherwise it’s the most boring place on planet earth.” She countered his punch. “Do any of you know a nightwalker named Josh?”

“You mean the traitor?” Nate asked and Katie just nodded. “Yeah. He usually hides out in a storage building at the docks during the day. Why do you ask?”

“Because he cared about Davina and I haven’t seen him since her death. I’m just worried about him is all.” She answered then threw another punch that he blocked.

When the front doors that led straight into the courtyard opened the three vampires whooshed in front of Katie forming a wall between her and whoever walked in. Katie peeked around them to see Hayley. “It’s fine, guys, you can relax.” She told them, patting Nate on the shoulder as she walked around him and over to Hayley. “Elijah’s not here.”

“I’m actually here to talk to you.” Hayley told her with a look at the three vampires behind her.

“Why me?” Katie asked with a shake of her head.

“A curse was placed on my people.” Hayley told her.

“The reversal curse that makes them human on a full moon.” Katie said with a nod.

“I know that you want to keep the peace with the wolves and if you help me find the information I need I’ll help you keep that peace.” Hayley offered.

“I’m not sure I can help you, but…” Kate jerked her head for Hayley to follow her, “let’s talk.'' She led her to the common room and motioned her to the couch while Katie sat in an armchair. The three vampires stood outside the closed doors. “What information do you need?”

“Sophie Deveraux has said that her bloodline put the curse on my people yet Elijah said that Sabine, aka Celeste, worked the spell.” Hayley told her.

“When was the curse put on your people?” Katie asked as she walked over to the desk and grabbed the notebook she’d been taking notes of Celeste’s past lives in as Elijah gave her information.

“1991.” Hayley answered.

“During that time window Celeste was taking a joy ride in Brynne Deveraux.” Katie told her. “Celeste is the one who cursed your people, not Sophie’s bloodline.”

“Okay next question. Do you know where I can find Celeste?” Hayley asked as she stood from the couch.

“Not a clue, but we’re working in it.” Katie answered then pulled her cell phone out of her back pocket. “If you give me your number I’ll text you when I know.”

Hayley took the phone and started putting in her contact information. “Can I ask why you’re helping me?” she asked as she handed her the phone back. “After I helped Tyler I expected you to tell me to get the hell out of your house.”

“From what I hear, you helped Tyler against your will and…Elijah seems to like you.” Katie told her as she stuck her phone in her back pocket and Hayley made a face. “Also I’m going to hold you to the deal we made to keep the peace between us vampires and your pack. So as long as you don’t screw me or him over we’re good.”

“Good to know.” Hayley told her as they headed for the closed double doors. “And I swear, I’ll keep my promise. If I can’t convince my pack to leave the vampires alone as a whole, know they will never touch you or your child.”

“I just have one more question before you leave.” Katie told her. “Why didn’t you just ask Elijah about this?”

“He didn’t want me getting involved.” Hayley answered with a roll of her eyes. “But getting involved is the only way to help my people.”

“Understandable.” Katie replied then opened the door. “Like I said, I’ll text you when I know something.”

“Thank you.” Hayley told her then walked out and Katie followed behind her.

TVDTVDTVD

An hour later Katie sat at her desk in her quarters writing in her journal. She was in the middle of an entry when her phone started ringing again and when she saw that it was Elijah she picked it up eager to know if he’d found Klaus. “Elijah, hey, please tell me you’ve made progress.”

“Every name upon my flesh signifies a witch who died by her own hand. All but one.” He answered. “I need you to do a bit of research on Clara Ward Summerlin. She died of Spanish flu in the epidemic of 1919.”

“I’m on it.” Katie told him as she closed her journal and grabbed her laptop off the corner of the desk.

TVDTVDTVD

“What have you found?” Elijah asked as he walked over to her where she sat at a table in the courtyard.

“I have been through every historical site and the newspaper archives online and literally all I can find about Clara Ward Summerlin is this.” She pulled up an open webpage with black and white pictures of Clara and other nurses dressed all in white. “She was a nurse at the Fleur-De-Lis Sanatorium.” She pointed to Clara on the screen. “Does her face ring any bells?”

“No. It doesn’t.” Elijah answered from where he leaned down with one hand on the table next to the laptop and the other on the back of her chair. He looked up at Marcel who was pacing slowly with his arms crossed over his chest. “Marcel?” He asked, wanting to know if he had anything to add, but he didn’t answer. “Marcel?” Elijah asked again with a harder tone and Marcel turned to Elijah and hummed in question as he lifted his brows, as if he’d been pulled from deep thoughts. “Do I need to remind you that Niklaus and Rebekah are somewhere suffering horribly?” he asked as he walked around the table to Marcel. “If you know something…talk.”

“The sanatorium. That’s where you’ll find them.” Marcel answered as he walked around to stand across the table from Katie.

“You sound really sure about that. Wanna explain why and how you know that’s where they’ll be?” Katie asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“I just know.” Marcel said with a shrug.

“How do you know?” Elijah asked.

Marcel was silent for a few seconds before he took a deep breath and let it out. “If I’m right…You need to know exactly what we’re walking into. We did something, Rebekah and I.” Marcel confessed, making Elijah raise his brows and cross his arms over his chest, giving Marcel his full attention. Katie stood from the chair no longer able to sit. “I think the witches are trying to use it against her. It’s uh…something you’re not gonna like.” He looked at Katie, “Either of you.”

When a few seconds passed without him saying something Katie spoke up, “I’m sitting on the edge of my seat here, Marcel, out with it before I fall off of it please.”

“In 1919 Rebekah and I had a witch, Genevieve, send a message to your father. We’re the reason he came here.” Marcel answered.

“For the better part of a century, I have wondered how father had found us, what foolish mistake that we had made to destroy our time in the one place that we could finally call home.” Elijah told him, walking menacingly closer to Marcel. “Did you know I even blamed myself for a time, Marcellus?” he asked a split second before he grabbed Marcel by the neck and whooshed him back against the wall of the courtyard holding him high on the wall. “Niklaus treated you like a son…and Rebekah-”

“I loved her.” Marcel argued as Katie walked cautiously over to stand behind Elijah. “I still love her. All we ever wanted was to be together, but as long as Klaus was around that was never going to happen. But hey,” he looked at Katie then back down at Elijah, “I guess you wouldn’t know anything about that, huh?”

Elijah dropped him. “When Niklaus learns the truth, there will be no end to his rage. I will not let my sister suffer that wrath.”

Marcel looked at Katie as he walked around Elijah then turned around to look at him. “Then we need to get to them before he learns the truth.”

Elijah gave Marcel a nod and he walked off. With him gone Elijah turned his attention to Katie who was looking at him as if she didn’t know rather to say what was on her mind or keep her lips shut. “Speak your mind.”

“No.” she told him as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Doing so would only burn precious time. Just…find him and bring him back to me in one piece. The rest can be dealt with afterwards.”

“Katie-”

“Just go, Elijah. Go keep your family from tearing itself apart from the inside out.” She told him with a glare and he nodded then turned and left.

When Elijah was gone she pulled out her phone and texted Hayley. “The Fleur-De-Lis Sanatorium. I can’t guarantee that’s where she’ll be, but it’s the best I can do.”

A few minutes later she got a text back. “Thanks. I’ll keep you updated.”

Katie tried to stay up and wait for Elijah, Rebekah and Klaus to return, but ended up falling asleep at the dining table in her quarters. Elijah found her in the morning, her cheek resting on the pages of the book she had been reading in an attempt to keep herself awake. “Katie.” Elijah rubbed her shoulder, waking her gently. “Rebekah and Marcel are on the run.”

She sat up, and rubbed her eyes, her contacts dry from falling asleep in them. “And Klaus?” she asked as she rubbed her eyes then winced.

“Get dressed and I’ll bring you to him.” Elijah told her with a stern face.

“What do you mean bring me to him, where is he?” she asked as she went to the bathroom to take her contacts out.

“I’ll wait for you outside.” Was all he told her before he turned and left.

Not feeling like messing with her contacts and already irritated eyes she grabbed a pair of glasses and put them on then threw on a pair of jeans, a hoodie and a pair of slip on tennis shoes and met Elijah. He led her to a bedroom where Klaus laid on a bed similar to the one that was in her and Klaus’s quarters.

“Klaus.” Katie rushed to his side and sat down on the bed beside him. An ugly red line ran from just below his chest down to his bellybutton, red veins branching off of it all the way down. She cupped his cheek in her hand taking in the dark circles under his closed eyes and how he trembled in his sleep. Katie turned to Elijah with worried eyes. “Why does he look like death warmed over and what’s with the mark on his stomach?”

“The blade of Papa Tunde is buried in his chest. It is infused with dark magic and every second it remains inside him causes Niklaus untold suffering.” Elijah said as he started rolling up his sleeve.

“Which one of those witch bitches stabbed him?” Katie asked, now furious.

“Neither. I stabbed him.” Elijah answered.

“What? Why?” she asked with glaring eyes.

“He was going to kill Rebekah and Marcel.” he answered emotionlessly.

“So you stabbed him with a blade of endless suffering!?” she yelled as she slid off the bed to face him.

Elijah remained as cool as a cucumber. “I had to.” Katie’s nostrils flared as her glare intensified. “Now if you would kindly step aside, I will remove the dagger.” She stepped aside and watched as he grabbed a bowl of water, a washcloth and a scalpel and set them on the bed. With the scalpel he sliced down the red line on Klaus’s stomach then set it aside. Klaus started to stir and a small grunt left his lips when Elijah jammed his fist into the cut. As soon as he pulled the blade out Klaus took in a deep, guttural breath. Katie tried to go to his side, but Elijah grabbed her wrist with his clean hand stopping her. “You make him see things in a new light. I’m counting on that and your open mindedness to convince him not to kill our baby sister.”

“No.” Katie told him with a frown and a shake of her head. “After bringing Mikael to town just so she could continue her escapades with Marcel…so she could choose water over blood…she deserves everything he may or may not choose to dish out.”

“I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this.” Elijah told her then bit his lips closed in aggravation. With a whoosh he pulled the vervain charm from her ankle, tossed it aside and cupped her cheeks in his hands, keeping her from looking away from him.

“Please, Elijah, don’t compel me.” she begged with wide eyes, shocked by him.

“I do not want to, but your hatred of my sister leaves me no other choice.” He told her, genuinely hating what he was about to do.

When he tried to look her in the eyes she closed them. “I am begging you, Elijah. Don’t.”

To make her open her eyes he grabbed the scalpel and stabbed Klaus in the arm making him scream and Katie opened her eyes. “You will push your anger and aggravation at my sister aside and find legitimate reasons for Niklaus to not Kill Rebekah, reasons you genuinely believe in and can stand behind. You will watch over him while I’m away, feed him small doses of vervain laced blood. No more than two ounces per hour. In no other way than feeding him and providing a voice of reason will you aid him.”

Feeling like a zombie she blinked out of the compulsive state. A tear slipped down her cheek as he took his hands from her face. With gritted teeth and a snarl she backhanded him as hard as she could. Pain radiated through her hand and the fact that it didn’t hurt him at all only pissed her off more.

He simply walked around her to Klaus and leaned down. “Niklaus, It was not my desire to bring you pain, but I will not see you hurt Rebekah. Now, I fear Sabine may be making a final move against us. I intend to find her and to end this.” Elijah stood up straight and started to walk off.

But Klaus rasped, “Elijah,” and he turned back and leaned back down to his brother, “You…will pay…for this.” Elijah just stood up and walked away. Katie walked over to Klaus and leaned down, pressing her forehead to his as she cupped his cheek in her hand. “Kiss me.” he rasped so she placed a gentle kiss to his lips.

After a few seconds she pulled back and stood up straight. “I’ll be right back.” she told him as she slipped her thumb over his cheek then left him to go to the kitchen and grab a blood bag. She didn’t want to grab the vile of vervain out of the cabinet, but she couldn’t resist Elijah’s compulsion. With a shaking hand she set it on the counter next to the blood bag then balled her hands into fists as she squeezed her eyes shut. In all the years she’d gone without being compelled, her mind untouched by that of another vampires, only for that to change by Elijah’s hand. She’d had no idea how violating it felt to be compelled.

She wanted to cry, scream out and curse Elijah’s name, but she couldn’t. Right now Klaus, and doing everything she could to get him better, was her main priority. So she grabbed the blood and vervain along with a shot glass and headed back up to Klaus. She could feel his eyes on her as she measured out two ounces of blood with the shot glass then picked up the vial of vervain. Her hand shook as she fought to not put the vervain in the blood, but it was no use. Three drops of vervain were added before she managed to pull her hand back. “Don’t fight it.” Klaus rasped as she brought the glass to his lips and helped him drink. “It will only wear you out and you need to keep your energy up.”

“Let’s focus on your energy levels for now.” she walked around to the free side of the bed and crawled up on it to sit beside him. “I’ve always wondered, but thought it to be none of my business, thanks to Elijah’s compulsion I have to ask, why is it that you never allowed Rebekah the freedom to love?”

“Various reasons, but the main one…” he started as he pushed himself to sit up in the bed and lean back against the headboard, “If she were to love only for us to leave when Mikael inevitably found us, her heart would be broken.”

“So in your mind you did it to protect her from herself.” Katie surmised. “But in reality you broke her heart every time you overthrew her attempts to find love.”

“You’re defending her?” he asked with a side eye at her.

“I don’t want to, but Elijah’s compulsion is having a really weird effect on me.” she answered.

“I admit, I came between her and Marcellus on several occasions.” He told her weakly and she bit her lips shut, fighting the compulsion. “But, after I saw that this place could be our home, when I thought we were settled here, permanently. I let my guard down, gave into happiness, and gave her and Marcel my blessing.”

“You did?” he asked with a confused tilt of her head. “Then why did she and Marcel feel the need to bring your father here?”

“Because as it turns out, they’d already betrayed me. There was no way they could take back what they had done.” He answered with rage clear in his tired eyes.

“Rebekah and Marcel are fleeing. They could be anywhere by now. So how exactly do you plan on getting the revenge I know you are already planning?”

“You’re right, they could be anywhere in the world by now, but I doubt it.” he answered, making her give him a curious look. “There’s only one way they’ll be able to hide from me forever. They’ll need a cloaking spell and for that they’ll need a witch. No witch in the French Quarter will lift a finger for Marcel now. Soon they will realize that there is only one thing they can do and one place they can go…home.” He told her with a weak version of his diabolical smirk. “Davina is their only hope.”

“But they don’t even know which witch will bring Davina back.” Katie thought out loud and Klaus just lifted an eyebrow at her. “You think they will try to kill Genevieve, Celeste and Bastiana?” she asked with a frown. “The three of them took you and Rebekah down with ease. It would be a suicide mission.”

“If they want to be together as much as it seems they do, it will be their only choice.” He argued. Katie sighed and rubbed her temples. “Are you alright, love?”

“Other than feeling like the part of me that hates your sister and my voice of reason are having a knife fight in my head, I’m fine.” She brushed her hair out of her eyes and gave him a weak smile. “Please, tell or show me more about 1919. We can use gathering information as a loophole to keep me from attempting to talk you out of killing your sister.”

Klaus took her hand, taking her back in time. A jazz band played music in the corner of a club while a man sang and people danced. Elijah, Klaus and a beautiful almond skin woman wearing a shimmering gold flapper style dress stood at the bar. Elijah poured drinks while the woman leaned her back on the bar with her elbows resting on it. Klaus stood close beside her with one elbow on the bar and his side leaned against it. “Well, this is a first. Werewolves, vampires, witches and dirty cops, all happy as clams and drunk as stoats.” Klaus said with a look out across the room then at the woman who looked up at him with an impressed smile.

“You gotta love this city.” The woman said with a look between the men.

“To a new era of collaboration in the face of prohibition.” Elijah told them then handed Klaus and the woman shots and grabbed one for himself.

“To your docks, their booze and our theaters to hide it under.” The woman said as she lifted her glass with a smile and a glance up. The three of them clinked their glasses together and took their shots. After setting her glass on the bar the woman gave Klaus a smile.

Klaus leaned into her. “You know, I shall have to think of a way to thank you personally. In a manner befitting a werewolf queen.” He told her in his charming way.

The woman slipped her finger enticingly under Klaus’s chin. “Catch you on the dance floor.” She gave him a flirty smile as she walked away.

“Who would have thought it possible…the unification of New Orleans?” Elijah told Klaus as he moved to lean on the bar next to him.

Klaus clapped his hand on Elijah's shoulder and shook it with a smile. “We did it, brother.”

“Oh, certainly we worked together, Niklaus, but this vision…” he motioned out over the room of happy and drunk people, “This was all you.” Elijah lightly punched the happy Klaus in the side a few times.

The vision faded and Katie opened her eyes. “So there hasn’t always been a civil war raging in this city.”

“No. I hope to unite this city once again.” He told her right before the one hour timer started ringing on her phone. So she turned it off, slipped from the bed and grabbed the blood bag and vervain. She moved them to the dresser where she mixed another two ounces of blood and a few drops of vervain. This time when she handed it to him he took it and threw it back like a shot then handed it back. He adjusted himself in the bed then held his arms open for her. “Come, let’s pass the time until my next dose.”

She crawled onto the bed and sat between his legs, leaning back against him as he wrapped his arms around her and once again took her back in time. Klaus was in his, now their, quarters, in bed with a giggling woman and as the sheet moved, the face of the woman that had been at the underground nightclub with him and Elijah came into view. When sliding doors opened the woman covered up and they both looked to see that Elijah had walked in. “Sleeping with the enemy I see.” Elijah observed with a smirk.

“I’m the ally now, darlin’.” The woman replied.

“Well, indeed.” Elijah, instead of giving them their space walked in and poured himself a drink.

Katie sat up and looked at him over her shoulder. “How is sleeping with an ally important?” she asked, not feeling like seeing Klaus with another woman.

“I was getting to that part.” He told her with a weak smirk. She just rolled her eyes and shook her head as she leaned back against him and the vision of the past took back over her mind's eye.

“Oh, and as a gesture of goodwill from our old enemy, tickets to tonight’s opera” Klaus, still in bed with the woman, held up three tickets. “Les Huguenots.”

“They have a soprano to die for.” The woman spoke up. “I’ll introduce you if you promise not to eat her.”

“Oh, Lana, a good soprano is never dinner.” Elijah replied as he walked over to the door and stopped to take a drink.

Klaus smirked and pointed at Elijah. “Tell Rebekah to bring Marcel.” Elijah lifted his chin in interest. “Feel free to tell her now, big brother. I have some business I need to discuss with our new Ally.” Klaus patted Lana on the leg and the vision faded.

“What’s “Les Huguenots” and why is it important?” Katie asked not looking back at him.

“It’s not the opera that’s important, but rather the tickets to the show that night.” He answered. “Although I always had a particular soft spot for “Les Huguenots”. I like the story. It was a tale of forbidden love, a “Romeo and Juliet” of sorts. On the day they are to marry, family and long festering hatred intervene. Thousands are massacred. A father even kills his own child in the final act. I can almost appreciate the irony.” Katie frowned and grabbed his hand, hating how much power his father still had over him even in death, just like Esther. Just like her grandfather and first father and their voices that still randomly popped into her head to degrade her.

“Unless you want me to start making a case for Rebekah I suggest you get back into my head.” Katie told him, feeling the voice of reason in her head winning.

“You’re willing to see anything to keep from giving in to Elijah’s compulsion, aren’t you?” he asked and she could hear the smirk in his voice.

“I can tell you’re starting to feel better, you’re getting sassy.” She told him with a look over her shoulder at him. “No more rolling around in the sheets with Lana, please.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He told her with a smirk and she relaxed against him again. “Not that it matters, but I actually liked her. She deserved better than the ending she got at the opera house that night. But I’m jumping ahead.” He sighed, hating being as weak as he was. “Turns out my father had been in town for a few days, scoping us out. He even tried to enlist Elijah to help kill me. It didn’t work, Elijah, unlike Rebekah, would never choose our father over me.” Katie, feeling like she was hurting him moved around to face him, sitting on her knees beside him. “Elijah has always carried guilt for that night, for not stopping our father. I told him not to blame himself. When your father wants to kill you, he wants to kill you. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

Apparently Klaus had been using his time in her head to make time pass faster for her because the one hour timer started going off again. So she made him another drink finally giving him the strength to get out of bed and start getting dressed. When he was done he sat back down on the bed and grabbed her hand taking over her mind's eye one more time. Rebekah and Klaus sat on a private balcony in the opera house. “Well this is off to a bad start. Your first big date together in public after I gave you my blessing and he stood you up.” Klaus told Rebekah while looking at the paper program in his hands.

“Something must have delayed him.” Rebekah told him with a mean look.

“Or, now that your illicit affair is out in the open, he finds the whole relationship a tad lackluster and has run off to Havana with a showgirl.” Klaus told her with a jesting smirk.

“Don’t be such a toerag.” Rebekah gave him a glare. “I’m going to check the lobby.” She got up and walked through the curtained doorway.

“See if you can find our brother while you’re there.” He folded the program and placed it on the seat beside him. “The curtain is about to go up.” he folded his hands in front of him and looked down at the curtain.

As he waited, Mikael sat down behind him and put the ornately carved white oak stake to Klaus’s back. “I would advise against trying to flee, boy.” Katie rolled her eyes at the way Mikael always called Klaus boy. “I can drive this into your heart before you can even think of getting to your feet and I don’t want you to die…yet.”

“Father-”

“Father?” Mikael asked with a laugh. “Still clinging to that word after all these years, a bastard desperate for a daddy?” Mikael asked as he leaned up to look at Klaus. “I wonder if your real father would be as embarrassed as I was of you before I discovered you were not mine.” Mikael wrinkled his nose and tilted his head with a shrug. “Most likely.” Klaus made a move to get up, but Mikael stopped him with the stake to his back. “Easy now, Boy.” He grabbed Klaus’s shoulder and forced him back down into the chair. “Don’t worry. Death will come, but we need to have a little chat before you shuffle off your immortal coil.”

“Any words we have for each other have been spoken long ago, but know this.” Klaus said with a look at Mikael over his shoulder. “I am no longer the animal begging for scraps of your affection. I will die knowing my hatred for you was just. I will fall proud of all I have achieved here. So…Mikael…If you’re going to kill me, then get on with it.”

“Oh, au contraire, Niklaus. Some things remain unsaid.” Mikael countered. “For instance, you were right to be proud of your achievement here. As I walked the streets, your name was spoken of in reverent tones by the city's finest. So after I kill you I will remain here in New Orleans until every last person who remembers you is dead. The deeds of the mighty Klaus will be remembered by no one.” Mikael whisper yelled and Klaus squeezed his eyes shut then opened them. “And you, boy, will simply never have existed.” The lights dimmed and Mikael sat back. “Ah, the grand show. Oh,” he sat up and put his hand on Klaus’s shoulder making Klaus look back at him, “I made some alterations in your honor. You’ll love it.” they both look at the curtain as it went up, revealing Marcel, tied to a wooden x, still alive. Lana was stabbed through the chest by a thick pointed board. Other dead vampires she assumed to be Klaus’s closest men hung from the ceiling by wires attached to their limbs making them look like puppets.

Not being able to watch anymore Katie let go of Klaus’s hand. “Mikael compelled the audience to watch it all, applaud as if it were the drollest of comedies and then to leave celebrating a terrific night at the opera.” she moved to sit cross legged. “I tried to save Marcel, but my father had other ideas…Rebekah attempted to intervene, but Mikael took her down with ease.” Katie looked down at her hands that she folded in her lap. “All these years I actually believed she was trying to save me.” Katie opened her mouth not being able to stop herself from defending Rebekah. Klaus put his hand over her mouth stopping her. “Then big brother swooped in just when we thought all was lost…So I ran, beaten like the dog my father believed me to be. And as we fled for our lives, he burned it all to the ground and with it, we assumed, Marcel.” He uncovered her mouth. “I lived, but all that we had built died. As did the last shred of me that felt human.” She lifted her eyes to look into his. “That night, along with another particularly horrendous night a thousand years ago made me into the man you first met in Mystic Falls. Dead to the word, feeling nothing, set on achieving one thing and one thing alone.”

“Becoming a hybrid and creating your army.” Katie nodded.

“An army I hoped would protect me and my siblings from Mikael.” He added. “Turns out all I needed was you, standing at my side…putting that stake in my hand.” He brushed a lock of hair out of her face and slipped his thumb over her cheek.

The one hour alarm went off on her phone again. “Okay, I swear that alarm just went off, like, twenty minutes ago, how are you doing that?”

“I was wondering when you’d ask.” He told her with a smirk. “I didn’t think you would mind.”

“No, I don’t mind. I hate seeing you weak and suffering like you are. The faster it’s over the better. I’m just confused as to how you are doing it.” she told him with a shake of her head.

“Years of manipulation and messing with people’s minds. I’m simply altering the rate at which your mind absorbs the information I’m feeding it.” he answered as he stood from the bed, walked over to the blood bag, picked it up and sucked it down. “That’s better, but I’m still hungry.” He jerked his head for her to follow him so she did. “I’m curious, what does your voice of reason have to say?”

“It says that if you kill Rebekah it will be one of the biggest regrets of your life.” Katie answered as they headed to the kitchen.

“And how could you know that for sure?” he asked as he opened the fridge and grabbed a couple of blood bags.

“I just do.” She answered. “My voice of reason also wonders if Rebekah only brought Mikael to this city simply to run you out of it.” she told him as he closed the fridge and sucked down the blood bag then started putting the second one in a glass. Deciding to give in to Elijah’s compulsion Katie let her mouth run away with her. “I’ve lost a sister, I watched as she was drug away by a werewolf, not that I knew what it was at the time.” As she spoke she followed him back to their quarters. “I was human and the pain of losing her nearly tore me apart like that wolf most likely did her. I can’t possibly imagine what that would feel like with heightened emotions and it is not a pain I wish to see you go through along with the regret of it happening by your own hand.” Klaus moved to cover her mouth again, but she grabbed his wrist, stopping him. “I hate Rebekah for what she’s done to you, for running you out of your home and nearly getting you killed by your father, but Klaus…compelled or not I am genuinely asking you not to kill your sister. I know you love her just as much if not more than you hate her right now.”

His phone in his pocket chimed and he pulled it out to look at the screen. “I hate to say I told you so, but Rebekah and Marcel have been spotted in the quarter.” He put the phone back in his pocket. “I’m afraid this is where story time ends.” He knocked a statue off of a pedestal breaking it. She sighed and let her head fall when he pulled the un-destroyable white oak stake out of the broken mess.

“I don’t suppose I can get you to trade that for a dagger could I?” she asked, not looking up.

“No such luck, Little Phoenix.” he lifted her chin and looked her in the eyes. “I will, as I always have, take what you have said into consideration, but I cannot promise my sister will make it through the night.” She just bit her lip and nodded. “Are you okay here by yourself?”

“Yeah, there’s a vamp, Nate, that’s volunteered to stand guard whenever I need it.” she answered and he gave her a look. “Calm down, I’m pretty sure he bats for the other team.”

“Just don’t let your guard down, okay?” he told her as he cupped her cheek in his large hand.

“Okay.” She told him with a pointed look. He slipped his thumb over her cheekbone as he pressed his lips to hers in a lingering kiss that was only broken when he whooshed away.

TVDTVDTVD

She was sitting in the courtyard with Nate when Josh walked up making her realize that the sun had set. “Long time no see.” Katie said as she stood up to greet him.

“I hear you’ve been worried about me.” he told her with a small awkward smirk.

“Yeah, I haven’t seen you since Davina left us.” she replied. “I know you two were friends and I didn’t know how well you were taking her loss.”

“Not well, but I’m making it.” he answered.

“Well, just keep in mind witches have a funny way of coming back and if Marcel gets his way Davina will be one of those witches.” Katie reminded him, happy to have a good distraction from the other things going on at the moment.

“Yeah I hear one of the other harvest girls woke up after that Papa guy was killed.” Josh replied.

After making small talk with Josh and Nate for a few hours her fight against sleep became obvious. “Okay, you need sleep.” Nate told her, taking on a bossy tone.

“I’m fine.” Katie argued as she took in a deep breath and picked her head up off of where it rested on her hand, propped up by her elbow on the table.

“Sleep deprivation can raise your risk of preeclampsia.” The handsome green eyed brunette, that looked like he could be a soap opera actor and had a voice that reminded her of Jensen Ackles, argued.

“What are you, a doctor?” Katie asked sleepily.

“No, but my wife was an insomniac and did end up with preeclampsia when she was pregnant with our daughter.” He told her as he got up from his chair. “So come on,” he held his hand out to her and she took it and let him help her up, “off to bed with you.”

“Wait, you’re not gay?” she asked sleepily before she covered her yawn with her hand over her mouth.

“No.” he answered with a good natured laugh.

“But you are, right?” she asked with a look to Josh who bit his lips closed and gave her a nod. “Well, it’s a good thing I figured that out before I tried to play matchmaker.” She said with an awkward laugh.

“Please don’t ever try to play matchmaker.” Josh told her with a small laugh and a shake of his head. “Your gaydar isn’t strong enough for that.”

“Okay, come on sleepy head, before you pass out and I have to carry you to bed.” Nate told her with a jerk of his head upstairs. “Knowing my luck Klaus would choose that moment to come home then kill me for even laying a hand on you.”

Katie just laughed at him and shook her head. “Goodnight, Josh.”

“Night.” He told her with a wave and a nod of his head then she headed upstairs with Nate right behind her.

“Not to possibly bring up old wounds, but can I ask where your wife and daughter are?” Katie asked as they came to the door to her quarters.

“A cemetery in North Dakota.” He answered. “My wife passed during the birth and the baby followed soon after.” He told her getting a little teary eyed but he didn’t cry. “You’re the first pregnant woman I’ve been around since.” Katie didn’t know what to say and he seemed to sense it. “So…” he said as he blinked out of his thoughts, “maybe you can understand why I’ve made it my mission to protect you and see to it that you get plenty of sleep.” He told her with a tight lipped smile.

She smiled back and tilted her head. “Thank you.” she walked into her quarters and turned back to him. “If Elijah stops by during the night can you tell him I said to go screw himself and to not shoot the messenger?” she asked and he laughed, having been told of how he pissed her off by compelling her.

“Sure thing.” he gave her another small smile as he leaned in, grabbed the doorknob and closed it giving her a look that told her to stop stalling and get some sleep.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie was pulled from her restless sleep by a knock on the door and she threw on a robe before answering it. Marcel stood on the other side. “I realize I’m probably one of the last people you want to see right now, but-”

“Marcel,” Katie cut him off with a tired blink, “I hate what you and Rebekah did but on some, crazy and vindictive level I get it.” He blinked a little surprised. “So, what’s up and have you heard from any of the Mikaelson’s?”

“I’ve spoken to Rebekah. Celeste put a boundary spell on the cemetery before Elijah killed her. They’re all stuck there until the next moon rises.” He answered.

“Celeste is dead?” Katie asked with raised brows.

“Bastianna too. Three out of the four harvest girls have risen, including Davina.”

“Thank god for good news.” Katie sighed then noticed Marcel didn’t look as happy as he should considering Davina was alive. “Why the long face?”

“While the other girls were welcomed by their ancestors on the other side, Davina was isolated and abandoned. She’s not talking to me and she asked for you. I was hoping maybe you could come to the church and try to help her.” he told her with a hopeful look.

“Yeah, of course.” Katie answered. “Just let me get dressed and I’ll meet you downstairs.”

After putting her hair up in a messy bun, throwing on some jeans, a long sleeved shirt, a hoodie and tennis shoes she met Marcel and they headed to the church.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie walked up the stairs to the attic, while Marcel remained in the chapel talking to Father Kieran who had been hexed by Bastianna. Davina was sitting on a metal frame bed in the middle of the room staring off into space. “Davina?” Katie asked quietly to get the girls attention as she walked over to her and sat down on the bed next to her. Davina surprised Katie with a hug so she rubbed the girls back comfortingly. “Do you feel like talking about it?” Katie asked as Davina pulled back.

“I was on the other side.” Davina started. “And at first I was alone…but then I heard them…voices whispering to me.” tears pooled in Davina’s eyes.

“The ancestors I’m guessing.” Katie said more than asked but Davina nodded.

“They’re so…angry with me. I used my power against my own and they said they’d do…horrible things to me if I misuse my magic again.” Davina’s voice cracked and Katie’s heart went out to her.

“And therein lies the problem with ancestral magic in my opinion. Your magic comes from them so they get to dictate how you’re allowed to use it.” Katie sighed thinking out loud and a tear slipped down Davina’s cheek.

“When I came back, the voices I heard, they said the only ones who could help me were the witches, but after what I did to them…they hate me. So how can I go back and ask for their help now?” Davina asked, getting more and more upset.

“I don’t know.” Katie said with a shrug.

“How do I even know who to trust? Should I trust Marcel? The first thing he did when I came back was try to use me again to help Rebekah. And please be honest, Katie. Isn’t there something you want too?” Davina asked.

“No.” Katie answered with a shake of her head.

“You’re honestly telling me that you don’t want me to drop that boundary spell and let the originals out of the cemetery?” Davina asked.

“I’m honestly telling you that I don’t want you to drop the boundary spell.” Katie answered. “The only thing I want right now is to help you.” Katie shrugged. “Even if all I can do is give you an ear to vent to.” Katie reached out and wiped a tear off Davina's cheek with her thumb.

“I’ve never felt so alone and hated.” Davina sighed.

“I know the feeling, and it sucks, but you’re strong and I have all faith that you will get through this.” Katie told her taking in her tired sad eyes. “Have you slept at all since returning to this side?” Davina just shook her head no. “Why don’t you try?”

Davina lay down with her head on the pillow. Katie stood from the bed and grabbed a throw blanket off of the foot of the bed and covered her up. “Katie?” Davina asked sleepily and Katie hummed. “Will you stay with me?”

“I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.” Katie sat down on the edge of the bed and brushed Davina’s hair out of her face. “I promise.”

TVDTVDTVD

Davina had been asleep for hours and the sun had set when Marcel walked into the attic and over to Katie where she sat in a chair beside Davina’s bed. “How is she?”

“Depressed.” Katie answered then stood up and looked down at Davina. “She said the ancestors told her the witches were the only ones that can help her and as much as I hate to admit it, they’re right.” She looked up at Marcel to see a surprised look on his face. “I know you probably don’t want to send her back to them after what they put her through, but the ones that put her through that, that lied to her and manipulated her into being a harvest girl, are dead now.”

“No, your right, she’s a witch. She needs to be with her people.” He agreed.

“She’s not going to want to go.” Katie warned him.

“I know.” He said with a sad look at Davina. “I have somewhere to go, do you mind staying with her a little longer?”

“No. I told her I wouldn’t go anywhere so I’ll be here until she wakes up.” Katie answered then looked back down at the sleeping Davina.

Davina woke up while Marcel was gone. “You’re still here.” she said as she sat up.

“Where else would I be?” Katie asked with a small smile.

“Doing damage control for the originals.” Davina answered with a small smile of her own, feeling a bit better after getting some rest.

“Na, the moon hasn’t reached its apex yet, the barrier’s still up. Besides, I told you I’d stay.” Katie told her with a shrug and Davina tucked a lock of her long brown hair behind her ear. “Look, I hate to be the one to point out the obvious, but you know you have a decision to make pretty soon, right?”

“The ancestors made it pretty clear I don’t have a choice in the matter.” Davina answered. “If I want to get my magic back I have to go back to the witches and ask for forgiveness.” Davina’s eyes locked on Marcel when he walked into the room. “Will you take me to them?”

“Yeah.” Marcel nodded then looked at Katie. “ The barrier’s down. I’ll drop you off at the compound first.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Katie told him with a thankful look then turned back to Davina. “And in case you ever need me, even if it’s two in the morning and you just need a listening ear, I put my number in your phone.”

“Thank you.” Davina told her as she wrapped her arms around Katie’s shoulders in another hug.

TVDTVDTVD

When she walked into the compound she was met with Rebekah. “You’re still alive.”

“Yes, but I’m afraid you’re still losing a villager.” Katie gave her a confused frown. “Nic and I came to a sort of, all-or-nothing arrangement. I leave town, he allows me to. So I’ve come to tell you goodbye.” Rebekah told her.

“It’s going to be boring around here without you stirring up trouble.” Katie told her with a playful smirk.

“I know we have an odd, love hate relationship, but I do care about you Katie.” Rebekah assured her.

“I know.” Katie told her with a tilt of her head and a nod.

“Listen, about Nic, he wants more from life than to just be feared. He’s too broken to find it himself, but I do believe there is hope for him in you and the baby that you carry. Please don’t ever give up on him.” Rebekah’s words made Katie cross her arms over her chest and pick her foot up, tapping the toe of it down into the tiles of the courtyard. “And speaking of your child, you know our family has no shortage of enemies. She will inherit all of them. Please, be careful.”

Katie looked around, making sure they were alone. “You know, there is such a thing as video chat.”

“Well, if I can’t manage it. Be sure to tell her stories of her crazy Auntie Bex and let her know, despite my absence, I do love her very much.” Rebekah told her holding back tears. Katie just nodded and let Rebekah walk away.

She was sitting in the courtyard when Marcel and a bunch of his men walked in and the men fanned out around the courtyard. “What’s going on?” Katie asked Marcel with a frown.

“You and I may be on okay terms, but I have no doubt that Klaus will try to kill me or at the very least run me out of town like he did Rebekah.” He explained. “This is my city and I will not turn my back on it.”

“Have fun with that.” Katie told him as she pushed herself out of her chair.

She was half way up the stairs when Klaus’s voice reached her ears. “Is there a reason why you lot are loitering in my home?”

“I asked them to be here.” Marcel replied as Katie turned to watch how the interaction played out. “You and I need to settle this, out in the open.”

“I thought you would’ve run off by now.” Klaus replied as he turned to look at Marcel.

“Yeah. Well, this is my town. You may want me to beg for forgiveness, but I’m not sorry. I may not be able to beat you, but I came here to face you, to end this in front of my people.” Marcel motioned to the men around him. “If you’re gonna kill me for that, get on with it.”

Klaus just turned from Marcel and walked over to Katie where she stood on the stairs, placing his hand on her lower back as they walked up them. But when they heard a whoosh and the sound of a body hitting the solid wall they stopped and looked down to see Elijah.

“Good evening. I trust I need no introduction.” He said as he straightened his suit jacket and looked around at the people in the courtyard. “After all, this was once my family home. Tonight, I’m fully taking it back. Your privileges here have been revoked.” He turned and started walking over to Marcel, “Marcellus, out of respect for my sister I will grant you this one…mercy.” He held up his finger then pointed at Marcel. “I will allow you to keep your life. However, you’re hereby exiled.” He turned from Marcel and walked back to the center of the courtyard. “If I so much as find a trace of you in the French quarter, it will not end well for you. Do you understand?” After a few seconds he looked around. “That is all. Run along.”

The vampires and Marcel started filing out of the place. “Nicely done brother.” Klaus said and Elijah looked up at them. “You’re starting to sound like me. I’m impressed.”

Klaus put his hand back on Katie’s lower back, ushering her to their quarters. While Klaus looked around on the book shelf in the entry room for something Katie poured him a drink then brought it over to him where he sat down with a box in his hand. When she handed it to him he set the box on the table and took it from her. He took a drink, set the glass on the table then opened the wooden box, dug around until he found the little wooden knight on a horse and looked at it in thought. When he looked away from it, up at her where she stood next to the armchair he was sitting in and held his hand out to her she took it, knowing that he was about to show her a memory.

She was taken back to when Klaus and Rebekah were children, a thunder storm raged outside the house they slept in. Rebekah’s whimpers, afraid of the thunder and lightning woke the young Klaus and he slipped from his small bed and sat next to hers. “Hush now, it’s just a storm.” Klaus told Rebekah then placed his hand gently on her arm. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let it hurt you.” After a few seconds of thought he turned from her and dug around in a woven basket under a nearby table.

“Nik, don’t go.” Rebekah whisper yelled.

He pulled the wooden knight out of the basket, turned back to Rebekah and gave it to her. “I carved it for Father. It’s a brave knight.” Klaus whispered to his little sister who examined the wooden figure. “Now you can be brave too.”

Little Rebekah clutched it to her chest and gave him a smile. “Will you stay with me until the storm ends?”

Klaus grabbed her hand. “I will always stay with you, Rebekah, no matter what.”

When the vision faded from her mind's eye she looked down at Klaus and brushed her fingers through his hair. “It was never my wish to hurt her. I do love my family,” he wrapped his arm around her waist and moved her around to sit in his lap, “But our father, who caught me carving a replacement knight with his hunting knife and beat me so mercilessly and for so long my siblings feared for my life, has broken all of us beyond repair.”

She took the time-worn knight from his hand and leaned sideway against his shoulder. “I refuse to believe that any of you are broken beyond repair. Your family, like this little knight, has weathered through a million storms over the course of a thousand plus years, but it’s still hanging in there and in some ways, it’s solid as granite.”

Klaus just sighed and wrapped his arms around her. After a few minutes Katie noticed his eyelids grow heavy. “Do you have any idea how relaxing I find the scent of you?”

“Probably just as relaxing as I find the feel of your arms around me.” she answered then stood up and set the wooden knight in the box that Klaus had taken it from then held her hand out to him. “You look like you’re about to pass out.” He placed his hand in hers and let her lead him to bed.

[deathbymeow]

Truth Hurts

Viperion crouched behind one of the Eiffel Tower’s pillars. His laid back demeaner started to slip away as he watched the scene play out in front of him. Normally he wouldn’t let anything get to him, but everyone has their breaking point and he’d just witnessed his.

At first, he’d followed Ladybug to make sure she was okay but then he’d spotted Chat. He didn’t hate Adrien or his alter ego but he didn’t understand why the blonde hadn’t fought harder to stay when Luka would rip out his heart for her.

Viperion knew he didn’t stand a chance against his blonde rivel. He’d watched over and over how Marinette tore herself apart in anguish at everything she’d lost, including Adrien. It broke his heart that he wasn’t enough, but it didn’t stop him from loving the raven-haired beauty. Even if it wasn’t his name she called out in her sleep.

Viperion watched in silence as ladybug grabbed Chat’s face and kissed him. In that very moment he felt the weight of what he was about to lose, and it hurt. It hurt more that any physical pain he’d ever felt.

Having seen enough, he moved back into the shadows. Part of him wanted to yell and scream but what good would that do. Instead, he wiped his face with trembling hands and left as quickly as he could.

                                              ……………………….

Luka hadn’t slept and found himself walking along Paris’s empty streets with Sass. When he’d turned up at the Liberty the night before Juleka and Rose knew something was wrong straight away.

“Lu, you okay? I heard Adrien’s back.” Juleka asked, concern written all over her face. He wasn’t in the mood to talk and only shook his head before curling up on his old bed.

For the last two years he’d officially moved into the spare room at Sabine’s apartment above the bakery. He helped Sabine in the bakery when his studies let him and kept a constant eye on Marinette. His relationship with Marinette was complicated to say the least. They did everything a couple would do together but when it came to labels Marinette refused to commit. Sometimes he slept in her room and sometimes she’d crawl into his bed late at night when she couldn’t sleep.

Luka didn’t mean to walk back to the bakery but as if on auto pilot he’d ended up at the one place he wanted to avoid. Before he could retreat back to the Liberty, Sabine waved to him through the window. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. Sabine was behind the counter filling the shelves for the morning rush.

“Oh, Luka honey thank god you’re here. I was worried about you. Marinette was awake most of the night. I think it was the nightmares again. Do you think you could check on her for me? She wouldn’t talk to me. I haven’t seen her this bad in ages.” She sighed before she rushed out the back to grab more trays.

Luka didn’t know if he was ready to see Marinette, but he hated how drained Sabine looked. The last three years had taken a toll on her. It had been a struggle to keep the bakery running without Tom.

In the early days after the akuma attack, Tom’s father had come out of retirement to help keep the business running until they could hire another baker. Alya, Luka and Nino as well as Marinette’s grandmother had helped behind the counter while Sabine had taken some time off to mourn with Marinette.

“I umm, sure.” Luka smiled weakly. He could never say no to Sabine and knowing Marinette could be spiralling again scared him.

Luka took the stairs two at a time. He’d already forgotten his own feelings. Now his only concern was Marinette. Moments later he pushed open the hatch into her room only to find it a disaster zone.

Marinette’s sketches were everywhere and her roles of fabric had been thrown across the room. In the centre of the floor a pile of old pictures Luka hadn’t seen before had been tipped out of a box. A lamp lay broken on the floor as well as broken glass from picture fames she’d clearly thrown.

The kwami’s were huddled together over the dolls house looking solemn. They looked at Luka with sad eyes and Barkk shook his little head. “The guardian is hurting, we don’t know how to help Luka.”

“I know Barkk it will be okay though. Can you please start cleaning up this mess and I’ll find her?” Luka asked before leaving the room to find Marinette.

The first place Luka looked was his room and sure enough he found her curled up on his bed with a fluffy blanket wrapped around her.

Tikki Marinette’s kwami floated in front of his face, holding up her little paw. “Shhh, she just fell asleep.”

Sass flew out of Luka’s hoddie. “My boy hasn’t slept at all either Tikki because of your selfish charge.”

“Sass, that’s not fair. Luka I’m sorry.” Tikki said looking deflated. “Nothing is easy when it comes to matters of the heart.”

“It’s okay Tikki.” Luka rubbed the little red kwami’s cheek then walked over to his bed.

Kicking his shoes off he lay down and snuggled in next to Marinette. She shifted unconsciously to mould herself to his side, her arm slid across his stomach and he felt her body relax. Brushing the hair off her face he kissed her forehead.

Luka felt himself drifting somewhere between consciousness and sleep when he felt her start to toss and whimper in her sleep. He was used to her nightmares by now and he tightened his arms around her hoping it would pass quickly. Her whimpers turned into words and Luka felt his chest tighten.

“Please… stop… no Adrien… don’t go…”

It wasn’t the first time he’d heard it, but it didn’t make it any easier or hurt any less. Now Adrien was back Luka needed to talk to her. It was time for Marinette to choose. She had to let one of them go even if that meant breaking his heart.

                                                  ………………….

A month passed, and Luka still hadn’t talked to Marinette about choosing once and for all. It’s not that he hadn’t tried. They’d talked about the kiss and Marinette had explained it as more of a goodbye than the start of anything. But it was still Adrien’s name she called out in her sleep.

There’d been awkward moments when Marinette turned up at events Adrien was also attending. Luka would watch Adrien try and catch her before she ran off. Luka took it upon himself to stop Adrien chasing after her. He wasn’t sure if he was doing it to protect her or to keep Adrien as far away from her as he could.

It confused Luka to no end, he wasn’t a jealous person and he wanted Marinette to heal even if that meant losing her. So why did he keep stopping Adrien. It led to more than one awkward and sometimes confrontational conversation with him.

Last night had been no different when Adrien ran into them at the bar Luka sometimes played at with his band. Luka was drinking with Marinette, Juleka and Rose after a long week of exams. Marinette’s nightmares had been getting worse, but she refused to talk about it. At the same time, she also refused to sleep alone which meant Luka hadn’t been sleeping.

Chloe and Adrien appeared out of nowhere and before Luka could stop him Adrien had sat down next to Marinette and begged her to talk to him. Seeing the panic on Marinette’s face Luka grabbed Adrien’s arm and pulled him to his feet.

“Get the hint Agreste. She doesn’t want to talk to you.” Luka hissed at him.

“It’s not up to you Couffanie. You’re not her boyfriend.”

Luka didn’t remember much after that. He hadn’t snapped like that since he was fourteen and been expelled from school. The next thing he knew Spencer and Marvin the bouncers were trying to break the fight up. Little did they know both Adrien and Luka were stronger than the average twenty-year-old and it was proving harder than it should’ve been.

It took Marinette putting herself in-between the two to break the fight up.

Marinette dragged his ass back home and cleaned his bloody nose all the while giving him a lecture on how she could look after herself and didn’t need him. It was their first real fight. Luka said things he didn’t mean and when Marinette broke down, he crumbled. The two ended up naked and tangled in his bed sheets. After the wild makeup sex, he had the first full nights sleep he’d had in a long time.

Now watching her sleeping next to him, he knew something had to give. His love for her was starting to turn toxic and he didn’t like the person he was becoming. He carefully slid out from under her naked body and found his pants. He knew what he had to do. He should have done it ages ago but he’d always told himself that she wasn’t ready when in reality maybe it was him who wasn’t ready.

Luka opened his wardrobe and reached up to the top shelve. His hand closed around the box hidden at the back.

“Lu, come back to bed. It’s only 7:30. You own me more snuggles.”

Marinette’s sleepy voice almost had him putting it back, but he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I need to give you this, my love. I hope you can forgive me someday but please know I did it to protect you.”

“Luka, what are you talking about?” Marinette asked, her eyebrows knitted together in concern as she sat up holding the blanket to her bare chest.

“After Chloe’s first trip to visit Adrien, she brought these home with her and every time after that. She gave them to me to pass on to you and I… well I didn’t. At first it was because you’d told me you never wanted to hear from him again. And then you were so angry at him I didn’t know if it was the right time and then… and then I guess there was never a right time.” Luka couldn’t look her in the eyes. He put the box infront of her and stepped back again stuffing his hands in his pocket.

Marinette lifted the lid and gasped. “Luka why? How could you make that decision for me?” Her voice sounded pained.

Finally, Luka looked at her. “I have no excuse. I hate seeing you tear yourself apart for him. If he really loved you Marinette like I do, he should’ve been the one here holding you late at night when you woke up screaming. I have to go, I have rehearsals.” And with that he grabbed his shirt and guitar and left the love of his life still naked and clearly in shock in his bed.

Part 1

[bisexualsforprompto]

A Ladybug’s Revenge

This will most likely be a one shot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If Marinette had the words to describe the intense hate she felt when he walked into the room she would.

She might say that everytime he spoke to her, the acid dripping from his vile words made her dig her nails into her skin and grit her teeth.

Maybe she’d say that when he blamed her for something, not being on his moral compass it made her pray for release.

Or she could say that the very way he held himself, the very way he stayed out of conversations made him look timid, but how could a timid coward of a pacifist make her feel like she wanted to throw up and shove him out of a window at the same time?

Everything she felt about Adrien Agreste made her feel so contradictory. She wanted him dead but at the same time she wished she was dead.

She wished she was dead so that she could show him that lies did hurt, that lies could kill.

She wished he was dead because everytime he stared at her and smiled she felt boiling hot rage course through her veins. Every single muscle tensed. Yet he didn’t care what he did to her, he only cared about his own selfish ideas.

Adrien might’ve preached taking the high road but he was a hypocrite, as low as they could get. He said he didn’t want Lila to be akumatized.

Marinette thought it admirable at first.

Then she found out.

As guardian Marinette had to know who Chat Noir was, so she asked Tikki for his identity. She couldn’t say she was surprised, but everything had truly clicked the moment she saw the blonde the next day.

He didn’t want Lila akumatized, he didn’t want her lies exposed, because he didn’t want to deal with the backlash.

Lila was a formidable foe, so by handing her every battle and all her enemies heads on a silver platter Adrien was able to keep himself from having to work too hard.

Because god forbid the model had to work for once in his life.

Marinette had seriously considered ending it all. One could say out of sheer spite. She wanted to see the look on his face when he found out she took her own life because of him. A beautiful revenge and it would ruin his life.

No more Ladybug to love, no more Marinette to be his friend, and a gigantic mess for him to solve...because Marinette would tell the class every single thing before she died.

She had written the letter outlining all the lies and giving all the evidence, she written every little thing her classmates did to her, she made sure Adrien had the longest section.

Harassing her when Marinette was Ladybug and standing idly by at her suffering when she was Marinette.

The letter had ended being almost five pages.

But Marinette burned it. She wasn’t taking her life.

For one, she wasn’t the problem and two, if she were dead she would never see the look on Adrien’s face or anyone’s for that matter when the truth came out.

She still had many who stood beside her.

She had her parents, she had Kagami, Alya and Luka, and she had the kwamis.

She had a duty to protect the people she loved, the city she loved, even if there were those in it who she didn’t.

But most of all she had a plan.

The night she decided to put her plan into action she told her parents everything. Ladybug, the Lila situation, everything that Adrien, Chat Noir, had done.

Tom was furious and Sabine was even more so. Marinette had called Kagami, Luka and Alya to her house. The six of them, plus the kwamis when Marinette introduced the miracle box were ready to work.

Marinette knew since Adrien was Chat Noir he couldn’t be Hawkmoth, but after consulting the kwamis Gabriel Agreste was back on the table.

Her parents, Luka, Kagami, Alya and she mapped out every akuma occurrence, besides the Collector incident he was nowhere to be found every single time. They scoured every single footage from attacks, no Gabriel.

Until they found traffic camera footage, apparently Kagami had picked up hacking as a hobby when she wasn’t busy with fencing. It was foolish for Gabriel Agreste to mutter to himself after the Animistro was defeated, they heard every word. And that was all the confirmation Marinette needed.

Kagami had wielded the mouse miraculous, Luka the snake, and Sabine the turtle. Kagami had hacked into the Agreste’s security feed so Tom was there lookout. Alya waited on a rooftop nearby the Agreste mansion waiting for her task, the most important one.

In the dead of night the four miraculous wielders snuck into the Agreste manor.

They found Gabriel Agreste sleeping, hunched over in his office. Luka activated his second chance and Kagami used her multitude.

The small Kagami mice had run over to Gabriel on his desk and took his brooch off him without alerting the man.

At the same time Marinette and Sabine had gone upstairs to Adrien’s room.

Ladybug pulled off his ring in his slumber and right after it was fully in her grasp Adrien woke up.

Sabrine used her shelter around the boy, creating a force field he couldn’t get out of.

“Adrien Agreste, I hereby relinquish you of the black cat miraculous, and deem you unfit to ever wield any miraculous again.” Marinette spoke steadily as Adrien banged against the protection around him.

Marinette grabbed her mother and swung her yo-yo out of Adrien’s window. She dropped in front of the manor in a Spider-Man like fashion. Kagami and Luka ran outside to her.

“It took a few second chances but-“

Kagami shoved Hawkmoth’s miraculous to Marinette.

“Good. Now one last thing…” Marinette leaped onto a nearby building, the others following her soon after. They began working on the most important part of the plan…

Adrien Agreste couldn’t believe his eyes. In huge bold print on the Ladyblog read “Ladybug reveals identity after Hawkmoth’s defeat, watch the whole video to help Ladybug get justice.”

Adrien shakily pressed play, his lady had taken away his miraculous but maybe he could still make her his, the first step would be finding her identity.

“Hello Paris,” Ladybug begun with a stone cold look gracing her face, “You know me best as Ladybug, but underneath the mask I am not as strong.” The bluenette sucked in a breath, “I have been harassed by my ex partner Chat Noir and his civilian identity as well. In addition I have been a victim of relentless bullying at my school, this involves a liar, Adrien Agreste, yes the model, and the rest of my class. I am not telling you this so that you take matters into your own hands,” Ladybug said as she stared at the camera dead on. “I am telling you this because I need my class to know lies do hurt, you all know and trust me as Ladybug, but my civilian identity is considered to be a bully. I’m here to disprove that.” Ladybug sighed before whispering, “Spots off.” A blinding pink light surrounded her.

Adrien’s bugaboo was there no longer, Marinette Dupain-Cheng was staring in front of him. “I, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, was Ladybug. Revealing my identity was the only way to get everything to end. Some of you will be happy to know,” Marinette growled, “That you made me want to kill myself.” Adrien winced. “I wanted to die because of the people in Paris. But that doesn’t matter anymore.” Marinette gave a shy smile, “I am here to tell you that because Hawkmoth is defeated I will no longer be Paris’s saviour.”

Adrien gasped. Marinette was abandoning Paris? Didn’t she remember what he said about the high road?

“I have experienced physical torment and emotional abuse from school. The old Chat Noir was sexually harassing me on the job and to top it all off one man knew all about this and did absolutely nothing. The man who used to be Chat Noir, Adrien Agreste.

“Adrien, if you’re watching this I need you to know: I am not your Lady. I am not anybody’s. I also want you to know that if you try to find me you will not succeed. I am leaving France and nobody will ever see me again. I won’t tell you where I’m going, but I will tell you why...Adrien Agreste, Lila Rossi, Gabriel Agreste, and Caline Bustier, you are the reason that Ladybug will no longer stay in Paris.” Adrien’s eyes widened, it couldn’t be true…

“This is Ladybug, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, signing off. Bug out.”

The feed stopped. Adrien threw his phone on the ground, leaving it shattered as he stomped out of his room. He refused to believe it.

Gabriel Agreste had to admit he was bested, but there were two things Ladybug or Miss Dupain-Cheng forgot. One was the peacock miraculous that he had just fixed and the second was the crucial fact that he always got what he wanted. No matter what the cost.

Marinette stared out the window feeling her shoulders relax as the cab passed a dismal grey sign. She sighed and smiled, feeling a new beam of hope shine into her life. She read the sign and began to dream of her class’s faces when they watched the video, she then pushed it away, ready to start her new life,

“Welcome to Gotham.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ngl, I have no idea what this was it was going somewhere and then my brain went FUCK IM TIRED, I am so sleep deprived and I wasn’t planning on writing anything this weekend but here we are posting this weird ass salt fic that I wrote in a night and am definitely going to regret tomorrow...YOLO.

(This wasn’t really Maribat but it was kind of I guess) Tag list:

@northernbluetongue

@queen-of-the-trash-planet-tm

@luciferge

@legendaryneckjudgestudent

@interobanginyourmom

@beaversuenightly

@worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry

@mochinek0

@shamefullove

@emjrabbitwolf

@actual-disaster-human

@littleredrobinhoodlum

@elijahcoser

@daminett4life

@18-fandoms-unite-08

@kawaiigiantjudgefish

[kibastray]

Casse-Cou (DareDevil x MLB)

Intro

Everyone knows about Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the baker's daughter, and eventual seamstress. 

But what if I were to tell you there are other versions of the baker’s daughter that are just as great in other professions? Sometimes she is a dancer, an olympian, or an everyday girl. Countless variations of the same lovely bubbly girl.

The story I want to tell you about is of one version that is a young soon-to-be lawyer. Open rival to French mob Milieu. Both in the courts and behind her black mask. Everyone will come to know the woman without fear. The Cat of the Devil. The DareDevil.

Preface (Chap 1?)

Marinette wasn’t always blind. When she was younger, she could see just as well as any other kid. 

Marinette even remembers the day it happened. She remembers it better than she does some colors nowadays.

It was a day like any other for the Dupain-Cheng family. Actually that wasn’t true, it wasn’t a normal day. It was a slow day for the bakery and Tom and Sabine decided to close early and take a young Marinette to a day out to the park. 

The family enjoyed their time in the sun during the nice late spring day. From swings to sandcastles, from running through the grass to a small picnic in the park. 

It was a great day in her opinion. And looking back, Marinette would say it was a good day to be the last she saw.

A car crash on their way back home changed the fate of the Dupain-Chengs from that day on. 

It was almost cartoonish in its execution. Two drivers were not paying attention to the lights and crashed into each other. Causing the truck behind one of them to swerve to avoid slamming into the back of them. The truck struck into a hydrant instead. That hydrant went flying into and ricocheting off a light pole and crashing into the back of a semi-tanker. 

That tanker was holding a noxious concoction not safe for humans in any manner of the imagination. When the hydrant hit its side, and pierced it, it caused the toxin within to spill out. 

That spillage arced into a horrid rainbow, and stuck the poor young girl in the face. 

It flooded her vision, burning its way from the Cornea all the way to the Optic Nerve.

As it did, Marinette cried out in pain while her world went black in more ways than one.

When she woke up, she was told what had happened and how the accident affected her. 

The doctors told the family that she would be blind for the rest of her life.

Her parents were shocked, while Marinette was heartbroken. 

She ended up crying herself to sleep after that. 

She woke up later that night to a percussive beeping. It was so loud that she had to cover her ears. 

The beeping was intense even with her hands covering her ears, but after a while the noise became manageable. And once she was able to manage it without flinching she realized something amazing. 

She could see! Well, maybe not see but she could make out the outlines of things around her. 

To her adolescent mind it was like a coloring book without the colors added. 

It didn’t take her long to notice that her other senses were heightened too. 

Her face itched from the medical tape covering her eyes. When she brought her hands up to inspect the cloth she found out that she could feel each individual thread. Her sense of touch was so fine tuned that she could feel when there was a missed stitch.

It was all overwhelming to her, with all of her senses overclocked the way they were. 

She was close to a panic attack until she smelled something familiar.

The smell came from a small object next to her. It was a small teddy she had brought with her to the park. 

It smelled like her parents. It smelled like her home and the bakery. It was so clear to her she nearly forgot she was still at the hospital before she was lulled back to sleep by the small plush comfort. 

~~~~~~

The next day the doctor told the family what they would need for Marinette’s new life. They did go on to explain that Marinette’s other senses would get stronger to compensate for the lack of sight. 

Everyone understood that. The adults understood it was supposed to take time for her body to adjust. The baker’s daughter even use that explanation as to why everything was much MORE than it was before. 

But what everyone didn’t know is that horrid concoction may have taken her eyesight but it heightened all her other senses to a superhuman degree. And that it took hold much sooner than what they expected. 

Marinette still had to stay a few extra days in the hospital to make sure she didn't get sick from the accident and to make sure the chemical burns around her eyes didn’t get infected. 

While she waited to go home she became familiar with her new enhanced senses. 

The doctors and nurses noticed but didn’t connect her small requests as anything worth of note. 

It was always small things like “Could you stop the beeping? It’s really loud.” talking about the heartbeat monitor, or “Can you change my bandages? They are very scratchy.” Referring to her bandages. 

When she left the hospital, she had fresh and silky bandages, a silenced heartbeat monitor, and a room that smelled more like bread than antiseptic. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

It took awhile for Marinette to fully bounce back from the whole ordeal. 

There were good moments: The local defence attorneys that would frequent the shop took a liking to her and told her all about how they defended other people’s innocents and stood for justice.

The blind girl was always enraptured by their stories, and had a new profession in mind for her future. She asked her parents if she could be a lawyer when she grew up, and even asked if they could get her a law book for a birthday. Even though it was well above her reading level neither parent could deny her with how cutely, and innocently there 6 (maybe 9) year old requested the book.

There were bad moments: The first time she actually shared her new abilities with anyone didn’t end well. 

Her friend at the time, Chloe, had been upset about something but was hiding it from everyone. When Marinette asked what was wrong, Chloe did her best to hide the waver in her voice and told her friend she was fine. With how in tune she was, Marinette, easily saw past the lie and asked why her friend was lying. Taken aback Chloe got defensive and angry at being read so easily. 

Unfortunately Marinette lost a friend that day. The confrontation helped her understand not everyone would appreciate her new abilities. From then on she kept them a secret that she would never really share with any other human.

It took over a year, almost two, before she was back to anything resembling normal. And her parents were happy to share the day things officially became normal once more. 

Even if it wasn’t as celebrated as it was in America when Halloween came around Marinette dressed like ‘Lady Justice.’ 

Roman style clothes, exaggerated bandages over her eyes, a cane in place of a sword, she even cared around the scales. It was on that holiday that Tom and Sabine celebrated their daughter reaching equilibrium. They took many pictures and shared the day with her. 

‘Lady Justice’ is still one of Marinette’s favorite things to dress up for Halloween, and it turned into the family’s favorite holiday. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later in the year, in the same park that changed her life years before, Marinette found herself trying to find someone that had piqued her interest for a while now. 

She couldn’t explain it if you asked but there was something about the elderly man that was THERE where as it wasn’t with other people. 

She hadn’t encountered him directly yet. It was always in passing: coming, going, staying in one spot, or leaving. Whatever she was doing he was doing the opposite. And she knew it was him that was giving off that… whatever it was. 

It intrigued her and she didn’t know why. 

Today was the day that she got the courage to talk to him and ask what his deal was. 

It was well timed too. He had just got to the park and sat at a bench to feed the birds.

“May I?” she asked when she got close enough. 

“Oh?” he was quiet for a moment, most likely taking in her appearance. Her normal everyday apparel was nothing eye-catching; it was her cane and glasses that got the most attention. 

It only took that moment of silence for him to understand her condition before he spoke again, “Of course, young miss.” 

He quickly moved over to give her room to sit. Whether it was out of pity or courtesy she could never tell. 

She stayed quiet for a while just sitting next to him. 

Being this close to him was a bit overwhelming. Whatever it was about the elderly man took a bit to get used to. And once she got over the overwhelming sense she spoke.

“Why do you feel different from everyone else?” She had tilted her head, half facing him, in a way she learned to help people understand she was talking to them, them while keeping an ear out to hear them still. 

“I feel different from other people?” He asked. He sounded curious rather than put out by such a strange question.

“Yeah,” She nods. “I don’t know how to describe it, but there is something about you.” She pauses trying to come up with the right words. 

“And what would that be?” He genuinely wanted to know.

“It’s like you are in the center of a bubble. I don’t know what to call it other than that.” 

She goes on “It feels like a fluffy blanket that came out of the dryer and is all staticy.”

Fu watched the girl try and explain what ever it was about him that she couldn’t understand with a raised brow. He had an idea of what she was talking about but didn’t want to say anything yet. Instead he just watches her try and suss it out. 

“Sigh, it feels like…” She huffs,  “You are there even if you are standing far away.” 

“It feels like you could protect anyone if you wanted to.”

It wasn’t the word Fu was looking for but she practically named the very Kwami he was connected to. (he was looking for her to say magic)

“You are a very smart (may need to change that) girl.” he states. 

“And as to why I feel different from other people, that is difficult to explain.”

He looks her over again, “I would like to ask you how you even noticed. Not to sound rude but are you not blind?” 

“Most people can’t tell me apart from any other senior citizen, even if I were right in front of them standing on my head.”

She chuckles at that. “Truth is blind and she isn’t fooled by what people want her to see. People say, I am like that a little too.” (change that phrase) It was a catch phrase that the defense attorneys said enough around her that she had picked up. 

“That has a very nice turn of phrase to it.” Fu said, thrumming his chin. “What would you say if I told you it was magic?”

She looks at him full on. 

Fu can’t help but wonder how she can look like she is judging him without being able to see him. 

Marinette tries to find out if he is lying or not. Listening to his voice, his heartbeat but neither tell her he is being deceitful. 

She hums, “That would be hard to believe, but you aren’t lying.” (probably need to change this too)

“I would currently hope I am not. Otherwise I would just a crazy old coot instead of the wise old man I try and portray myself to be.” 

Fu makes a decision with what he is going to do.

“Wayzz, would you mind helping me explain this to her?”

With a surprise introduction, and an explanation from Fu and Wayzz, Fu takes Marinette on as an apprentice in the magical ways of the order. As a way to hone her abilities to detect magic.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Fu later meets the Dupain-Chengs and tells them that he could help their daughter with her condition through meditation. 

Her parents agree to Fu and his kind mannerisms. 

Once at Fu’s house Marientte meets the other kwami. 

She has a strong connection to the two main kwami, Tikki and Plagg. 

As much as she likes Tikki and could see herself getting along with the creation deity, Plagg is far more lax and pushes all the right buttons to egg her into listening to her more chaotic impulses. 

A small list of things he has convinced her to do that the others know about: 1) lay down and enjoying the sun in strange places when ever she can. 2) sharing snacks with him and/or getting him cheese anytime she could 3) pushing her to help out her attorney friends (which was a little strange until he explained how). by helping them by listening to their clients and outing all the lies they tell (that explains it).

And all other manner of things that helped her relax or caused a bit of chaos.

He did convince her one thing that the others don’t know about: Taking his miraculous out during the night for a nice run every now and then. 

Which by itself isn’t bad and would have been put in the other list of things he has convinced her to do. But, she ended up coming across one of the mobsters from the Milieu that had escaped justice and got of scot free from the charges he was facing. She ended up fighting him and leaving him for the cops to find the following day.

Needless to say they both kept that night and all others she took his miraculous out for the night a secret from Fu and the other Kwami.

Overall though he was the little devil on her shoulder that helped balance out her more justice seeking and law abiding personality. 

He would always call her one of his ‘kittens’ and she would call him ‘a little devil.’ And an off handed comment during one of her nights out gets her the name of “The Cat of the Devil.” (note: The news does call her this as well as “The woman without fear” and “DareDevil” that takes on the mob and its underlings)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chap 1 (start of it at least)

Marinette is given Plagg’s miraculous when Fu needs help getting back the butterfly miraculous. 

Fu ends up giving Tikki to a nice young man that would be a good partner for his young apprentice. 

When Paris and France first get to see the miraculous duo, it is from the Ladyblog (crap I didn’t think of a different name for Alya’s blog) during the ‘Stone Heart’ akuma attack. 

Mister Bug (gawd I don’t like the kwami!swap names but coudn’t think of a different one) as a blond young man, covered in red and black spandex. His chest, shoulders, and outer thighs are covered in red with black polka dots. While the rest of him is covered in black. He has a domino mask that is red with black polka dots. 

Marinette, That Cat of the Devil, is covered in black synthetic leather with accents of green here and there. The leather goes all the way up her neck and lines her chin line. Her mask covers more of her face, starting at her cheeks and going all the way to her hairline and wraps around her face following her sideburns down to connect to the rest of her suit. She has a long ponytail flowing behind her acting as the tail of her costume. Her eyes are different from her partners though. Where Bug has a mask covering his face and the whites of his eyes showing hers are a solid green that don’t show off the eye themselves. She also has a pair of leather cat ears on the top of her head (and a small pair of horns pointing out on her forehead.)

The pair deal with the large rock monster quickly enough. Bug seems exited about the whole thing and looks to be having fun fighting and coming up with plans. While Chat is a bit more collected and focused. She protects her partner while he finds a way to get past the Akuma’s defenses with his Lucky Charm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(((This is a gift for @miraculous786​. They have been one of the people that have helped me be more vocal in sharing my ideas/prompts  with others and even giving me the confidence to post my own stories. This idea was just going to a quick “Hey guys, here is an idea.” But Miraculous786 said they were a fan of DareDevil. So I decided to work on my notes a little and try and make, at least, a decent start to it. Well Miraculous786, this is the start I thought of. its a little rough and is like draft1.1 but with this and the notes I sent you before, I officially hand it off to you. This story is now yours to do what you want with it.  My only request is that you keep up the good work and remember to “Have Fun With It.”)))

[black-streak]

Waiting for the Worms - Bring the Boys Back Home

Part 11

Jason's time up until the blackout. Very few warnings for this bit... Umm, mention of guns and a touch of violence later? This part is a bit shorter than usual, especially in comparison to the last part.

CLOSED LIST. Tickets for the angst express are sold out!!! : @northernbluetongue @thethirdwheelfriend @shizukiryuu @theatreandcomicfreak @michellemagic @karategirl119 @moonlightstar64 @my-name-is-michell @mystery-5-5 @zalladane @queen-of-the-trash-planet-tm @miraculousdisapointment @dorkus-minimus @jardimazul @allthebooksandcrannies @g-arya @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @persephonescat @mycupisbroken @luciferge @18-fandoms-unite-08 @dawnwave16 @alwaysreblogneverpost @kris-pines04 @mysteriouslyswimmingfan-blo-blog @weird-pale-blonde-person @you-will-never-know-how-i-think @kokotaru @naclychilli @slytherinhquinn @clumsy-owl-4178 @ladybug-182 @darkthunder1589 @evil-elf16 @dast218 @lysslovsanime @emilytopaz @naoryllis @iloontjeboontje @thepeacetea @danielslilangel @finallyaniguana @i-like-fairytail-and-stuff @vixen-uchiha @yuulxd @bleeding-heart-romantic @magic-inthe-stars @st0rmy-w1th1n

~---~

Explaining why 'Marinette' had a newfound interest in guns and weaponry had been difficult to say the least. Sure, she already took martial arts and Jason added kickboxing and trained with the team regularly, but her parents weren't aware of the latter and quite frankly, the team showed some confusion as well. Sure, Kagami already new fencing and regularly used a bow staff as she saw fit, but guns? That was something else. Jason always had an interest and refused to give up, especially with Bruce no longer able to restrict his training. Tikki, surprisingly enough, fully supported the decision while Plagg actually showed more caution. 

Nevertheless, with the excuse of wanting to know how to disarm and be able to disassemble a weapon in case someone were to attack him, Sabine reluctantly agreed to allow him to attend lessons and visit a shooting range. After figuring out the basics and quickly dropping the lessons as to not raise suspicion for the real reason he wanted to learn, Jason took Kaalki and borrowed Plagg so he could transport to isolated locations and use Tikki's creation magic to summon different models and learn them inside and out along with explosives that he took apart and put back together under the careful guidance of Plagg. When he was done, he let Tikki remove it from the world once more, undoing any damage he might've caused. 

With graduation in two weeks and Marinette's seventeenth birthday right after, Jason knew he had a few decisions ahead of him. 

Honestly, he just felt grateful Marinette skipped a grade when they were younger. He's not sure if he could take another year of living like this. The fight to stay normal, to stay under the radar and appear okay itched at his skin, reminding him at all times that it wasn't his. Back before the nightmares began, he almost settled into the routine, almost adjusted to the too smooth skin, the brush of hair between shoulder blades, the small stature and feminine voice he spoke in. Living as her almost came naturally. Sometimes he forgot Tom and Sabine weren't actually his parents and that his teammates didn't know the truth of who he was. Then the dreams started and horrific imagery flooded his mind every few nights and everything felt wrong again. Suddenly he couldn't forget where he was, who this body truly belonged to, the fact that he was meant to be dead, not finishing schooling. 

The methodical rhythm of disassembling and cleaning weapons eased the tension and grounded him in his worst moments. Maybe if he knew how every weapon worked and how to counter them, the constant attacks in his dreams wouldn't terrify him so much. While his dream self seemed to have no issue fighting back and taking out his unseen enemies, his brain couldn't keep up in his sleeping state and threw him into a breathless fit, shaking and panicking as he startled into wakefulness. The panic lessened since starting to learn, so he figured he just needed to learn more and adjust. Really he just wished the dreams would end.

His phone buzzed, startling him out of his contemplative state. Raising it up, he checked the caller ID before answering, the video chat opening up to show Marc.

"Hey, Marc, what's up?"

"Kagami said she needs you to transport back now, something about disappearing too much for your own good?" 

"She's one to talk. Alright, heading back now. Have somewhere in mind?"

"Chloe's suite. We're all gathered here," Marc said, shifting in place, more comfortable than they once were, but still shy by nature and unable to hide the edging nerves.

"Oh really? Maybe I should just head home then. Sounds like an intervention."

He watched as his friend jumped a bit, surprised eyes widening rapidly. Before they could even begin to speak, Jason chuckled, cutting them off.

"I'm opening the portal now. See you in a moment." 

Hanging up, he opened his bag and woke the sleeping kwami to transport them back to Paris. Upon arriving in Chloe's suite, said blonde launched herself at him, wrapping him up in a hug and swinging them about with the momentum.l, before immediately backing off before he could get annoyed, Kagami coming up from the side and gripping his sleeve in her own form of affectionate greeting. Marc and Juleka looked up from the couch and offered excited smiles.

"You're all entirely too happy. What's happening?"

"Your birthday is in three weeks," Juleka stated softly.

"You're finally hitting our age, oh fearless leader," Chloe drawled out.

"You say that as if you aren't already eighteen," he deadpanned back.

"Semantics."

"There are some highlights to graduating and be surrounded by legal adults," came from his side.

"Like?"

"Your parents agreeing to let you go on a trip with us, no real adults present. Happy Birthday, Marinette."

"What did you guys do?"

Marc spoke up here, "well, we were trying to think of what to give you and I remembered how much you use to talk about leaving Paris all the time and with how much you've been using Kaalki to escape, we figured you wanted out, especially now that Hawkmoth isn't necessarily holding us back anymore and your guardian training is complete. So then we had to think of where to go and what to do and maybe Chloe and I remembered back years ago, no matter how your list of places to go changed, one always stayed the same and-," they rambled in a spiral until Juleka landed a hand on their shoulder, cutting them off gently.

"We're going to Gotham," she offered.

He felt his pulse pick up and eyes widen, thoughts and emotions tearing through him too fast to hold on to.

"Mari? This is an excited reaction right? We can change plans if you no longer want to go," someone spoke. He had to stamp down his anger and tears, to reassure his teammates they hadn't done anything wrong.

"No no, I'm thrilled, I just never thought I'd be going there as an adult is all."

"Oh," Chloe flinched, putting two and two together first, having been the most present back when the connection broke and knowing something bad happened to Marinette's soulmate, "Mari, if it hurts to go there, we won't. I didn't realize," she trailed off.

"I want to."

"Are you sure? This trip is supposed to be a celebration for you."

"It'll give me closure. I want to go. Thank you or this," he forced a watery smile which ended with another hug from Chloe and soft smiles from the rest. They couldn't have realized what type of closure he sought out. Bruce, explaining why he thought it okay to let his soulmate pass on without a proper funeral, without any retribution or justice for their death. The Joker dead. Some people should not be allowed to live, he'd always believed that and the clown was one of those people. Sure, this would look like petty revenge, but how many others lost their soulmate to his hands? This was necessary. And his team had just given him the means to do so without raising suspicion. He felt a type of peace settle over him as he thanked them again for their thoughtful gift.

…

Two weeks came and went and suddenly they were graduates. Suddenly, her birthday was upon them and her parents presented a beautiful cake and invited all of their friends and family over to celebrate. Tom cried over his baby girl growing up and Jason teared up, knowing she never did. He hugged them twice as tight in apology, giving watery smiles mistaken for his realizing his own new status as an adult, if a young one. Gifts were given and promises were made and at the end of the day, it all hit like a whirlwind. She'd been dead for one week short of three years. On the anniversary of her death, he'd arrive in the place where it all began. That godforsaken hellhole of a city. It felt like poetic justice. He struggled to fall asleep that night.

…

His nightmare was more vivid that night. Throwing a blade at a barely seen threat, pinned beneath another, the streak of silver above him and downpour of blood. Moving out and up on instinct, and meeting terrified green eyes.

Moving down a path, a glance at the bodies in another. The woman from before, the other one with the jade eyes, among them. Twisting the kid out of sight and away from there. A dark tunnel. An abandoned building.

He woke then, bright blue and acidic green eyes watching him wearily from the other side of the room. Shoving it down, he shifted over and fell back asleep, use to these restless nights by now.

…

The airport was too bright and loud for this time in the morning. Their flight was at eight in the morning from Paris, meaning they would arrive in Gotham around ten in the morning. Time zones were annoying that way. All of them had stayed up the entirety of the night before and planned on sleeping for the duration of the flight as though that would help. Eight hours in a plane with only two hours difference in time was sure to throw them off no matter what.

Either way, they all boarded, tucked into their first class seats, courtesy of the rich kids, with blankets and reclined positions and went to sleep.

… 

Landing, going through customs, and retrieving their bags went smoothly enough, making it to their hotel rooms by ten thirty. Now they were regrouping, having dropped off their things and changed out of their airport clothing. The urge to pass out for another eight hours was tempting, but none of them had anything in their stomachs and food took president for now.

Picking their way into a coffee shop down the road, Jason ordered a latte and a slice of pumpkin bread and settled in a corner table, blocked off from most of the place. 

As the others slowly trickled over with their own findings, a tension slowly grew amongst the group. Amongst the entirety of the cafe actually. Looking around he couldn't catch sight of anything out of the normal. Surely none of the rogues would attack here. It was just a cafe, nothing worth holding up. Until he remembered where they were. On the very edge of where the penguin's territory usually landed. Right on the edge of where Scarecrow's usual haunts began. Glancing about more frantically to see why everything had fallen silent, the privacy of his corner table also blocking too much of the view, a scream picked up right as a cloud of smoke spread from the last table to their own. 

Stiffening up in preparation for what was to come, the breath knocked right out of him as a sharp yank came from the back of his head. No, his mind. Right as the cloud reached his face, he blacked out.

…

Coming to, he jumped up, dizzy and disoriented. The room spun and he immediately fell back into his seat when a movement in his peripheral caught his attention. His hand instinctively yanked a knife off the counter (counter?) and launched it towards the figure while he twisted to face them.

When the room stopped spinning, he caught sight of the boy standing in the doorway to what appeared to be a bedroom, jade green eyes trained on him as he carefully pried the knife out of the wall beside his head. Once it was freed and lowered in his grasp, he turned fully towards Jason, eyes hardened with a wary glint. Everything went still.

"Marinette?"

[myownworldstayout]

New Friends Ch. 2

Ch.1 / Ch.3

Enjoy!

The next morning, Marinette woke up more tired than she had fallen asleep. Any dreams she had were just nightmares, nothing more. That’d been happening a lot recently. 

“Marinette, you’re going to be late for school!” Her mother called from below. 

“Coming, Mama.” Marinette mumbled, rubbing her eyes as she stumbled around her room for clothes. 

“Maybe you should go to bed earlier tomorrow?” Tikki suggested worriedly, flying around her holder’s head. 

The ravenette hummed at the thought. sleep wasn’t the real issue. They both knew that. It was Lila and Marinette’s friends. 

Sounds like you need new friends. Felix’s words from yesterday echoed in her mind. Though Marinette felt guilty about it, the more she pondered the words, the more they made sense to her. She hated to admit it, but what kind of friends did she have if they didn’t believe her over a foreigner? 

As she continued to think it over, Marinette hobbled down the steps to grab a bagel or two for the walk to school. 

“Honey, you look like a zombie. Are you okay?” Her mother frowned, gently rubbing her shoulder. If not for the touch, Marinette might not have registered that Sabine was even talking to her. 

Pulling a weary smile, Marinette nodded, pressing a kiss to her cheek, and grabbing a bagel. 

“I just stayed up too late last night, I guess. See you after school.” She answered, slipping out the door before her mother could ask anymore questions. 

Despite being exhausted, Marinette managed to make it to class on time. When she walked in, though, she found Lila sitting in her seat.

“Lila, you’re in my seat.” Marinette remarked flatly, too tired to play nice at the moment. She ignored the sting of seeing Alya protectively put a hand on Lila’s shoulder. The journalist used to protect Marinette just like that. 

Lila blinked in feigned surprise at Mari. 

“I’m so sorry, Marinette, my tinnitus is bugging me a lot today.” The liar apologized, placing her hand on her ear. 

“I thought you said ladybug healed your Tinnitus.” Marinette countered, wearing the same blank expression. 

It wasn’t so much as Marinette’s words as her attitude that threw Lila off.

“S-she did!- or I thought she did, but it came back this morning."

“Mari, it’s just moving seats. Does it really matter?” Alya spoke up, annoyance lacing her tone. 

Marinette’s gaze flickered to her supposed best friend, then to Adrien, who was giving her a displeased look. 

“It’s really okay guys.. I know Mari doesn’t like me, and she really wants to get at me for some reason, but we shouldn’t band against her like this.” Lila pretended to be a mediator for the situation.

The class, as usual, started angrily buzzing about Marinette’s “behavior”. Marinette wanted to believe in her friends, to think they would eventually come to their senses and realize what Lila’s done. Sadly, the only thing she found herself believing right now were the words from the strange boy she met yesterday. 

The bluenette looked back at Lila for a solid minute without saying a word. Then she simply turned and headed for the back seat she had been exiled to. 

(Credit to @nobodyfamousposts for this next bit!)

“Tinnitus is the persistent ringing in one’s ears.” Came a new voice. “If you are claiming to hear things that no one at any point has said, then perhaps your disability should be diagnosed under mental health rather than hearing.” 

All of her classmates immediately turned to the new student standing at the door who was the source of the cutting remark. And though she couldn’t help but feel relief at no longer being the center of her classmates’ ire, Marinette’s eyes similarly snapped to the owner of the voice as well, though for a different reason. 

The others were confused, but growing angry at the clear insult. She, on the other hand, was seeking out the one other person who was willing to see the obvious lies and manipulations for what they were, even if that person was a stranger. And how much did that have to hurt that it was someone she didn’t even know who was willing to side with her instead of her own best friend? 

What she saw was a familiar blonde haired-boy wearing a grey dress shirt and black pants. His steely grey eyes almost seemed to glimmer as he took in the scene of the classroom. 

“Who exactly are you supposed to be?” Alya demanded. 

The boy barely gave her a glance before looking back over the rest of the class until his gaze settled on Marinette. He seemed to look her over, as if assessing her before starting to speak again. 

“I have to say, it’s hardly impressive when the first thing to see upon entering a new classroom is everyone bullying a single student.” 

Marinette blanched at that. “They’re not—no one is bullying—” 

His steely glare cut her off. “They pushed you out of your seat without your knowledge or permission—a seat that isn’t even needed for the one who is claiming to have a special need, at that—and are requiring you to sit alone in the back where you clearly don’t want to be, only to gang up on you when you express unhappiness about the matter. What is that if not bullying?” 

It was phrased as a question, but it certainly in no way sounded like one and brokered no room for argument. It left Marinette stunned and the rest of her classmates actually looked a bit sheepish at that. 

“He’s right.” Came a response from Lila that brought the tension right back to Marinette’s shoulders. The girl had her head lowered and brought a hand up to her eye like she was trying to wipe away a tear before it formed.

“I’m causing so much trouble. I could go to the back after all. It’s fine. I probably shouldn’t even be here.” 

Oh gosh, was she actually sniffling? Yes, yes she was. 

The rest of the class rose in their seats at that, as if to rush to the liar’s side and try to comfort her. The clear ploy only made Marinette more frustrated. Fortunately, this time she wasn’t the only one. 

“If you’re quite finished with your self-inflicted pity party,” The strange boy continued. “Perhaps you could acknowledge that the issue here never needed to be about you.” 

That gave Lila pause, actually bringing a stop to her fake tears. “What?” 

“In order to accommodate you, only one student would have needed to move. There was absolutely no need to move everyone in the class, especially to do so without all members of the class present to be able to advocate for themselves, or do you all regularly make decisions for classmates without consideration as to their feelings?” 

Finally, Mlle. Bustier intervened. “Felix, please. There’s no need for harsh words. I’m sure the class meant no harm.” 

Marinette looked back at him, taking in his features. She was too preoccupied yesterday to really get a look at him. 

He was tall and standoffish, exuding an air of seriousness and sternness that would be off-putting to most people. But he stood up to Lila without hesitation and seemed prone to speaking his mind. She was wary, but also curious. 

Felix, on the other hand, was less than appeased with the teacher’s attempts to calm the situation. 

“Then shouldn’t you have been the one to arrange the seating? Or have the class wait to make changes until after class starts and everyone would be present?” 

Seeing the way Mlle. Bustier’s eyes widened and the rest of the class gaped, Marinette chose that moment to jump in. 

“It’s fine!” Marinette insisted, waving her hands up and causing the boy to turn to her. “I mean, it was really my own fault for being late.” 

“You weren’t late. The bell hasn’t even rung.” He shot back. 

She hesitated. “Still…” 

“Such decisions that affect everyone should be agreed upon by everyone before being implemented. That they made the choice when not everyone was present only to turn on the one who was not allowed a say speaks volumes.” His eyes narrowed. “Or do you regularly let others make decisions for you?” 

Marinette froze. She really had nothing she could say to that. Neither did the rest of the class.

Mlle. Bustier coughed, bringing everyone’s attention back to her. “Marinette, perhaps as the class rep, you can take Felix on a tour of the school and help show him around?” 

It wasn’t something they normally did, but separating them for now seemed the best move. This would hopefully allow the class time to calm, and maybe Marinette could help Felix to acclimate. At the very least, it would prevent a fight from breaking out. 

“Uh—sure!” Marinette agreed, uncertain but willing to try to help diffuse this growingly tense situation. Felix was smart. And fully willing to speak out if he felt it necessary. Those were admirable qualities, even if they seemed to turn people off. Marinette had hopes that maybe if they got to know each other, they could perhaps become friends. 

Desperately trying to ignore the intense stares from her class, Marinette stepped down to the bottom floor and smiled at Felix. He simply raised an eyebrow in response. She coughed, then forcefully smiled again. 

“Shall we go?” She asked, as she gestured to the door. 

A moment passed. Then thankfully, he nodded and moved to follow her as she started for the entrance. However, once he reached the door, he turned back and looked up at the class with a critical eye. 

“My first impression of this class is…I don’t like any of you.”

Marinette managed to pull him out of the room right before the shouting started.

(Back to mine lol)

“I thought you were in Luka’s class.” Marinette commented as they walked the school grounds. 

“I never said that. I used to go to the same school as Tsurugi. That’s why I was at lunch with them.” He answered vaguely, skeptically looking around the school. 

“So you transferred here?” 

“Yesterday.” He confirmed shortly. 

Marinette nodded in understanding, falling silent for a moment. She couldn’t help but think- once again- of his advice. 

“Thank you.” Marinette spoke without thinking. 

It gave Felix a pause. They both knew what she was thanking him for. Anyone defending Marinette against Lila was apparently a rarity now.

“I simply stated the facts. Nothing more.” He replied flatly.

Marinette shrugged, though she felt differently on the matter. 

They continued the tour without much conversation after that, with Marinette pointing out the classroom, gym, and library, and explaining the class schedules and how to look them up. 

By the time they got back to the class, everyone had settled down, though they still pointed Marinette and Felix with a hard glare. Marinette just avoided their gaze, moving forward to sit in the back. 

Felix, however, seemed to meet each of their eyes with an icy glare of his own. He slid into the back seat next to Marinette without much hesitation, pulling out  his books. 

“You’re sitting next to me?” She asked, her eyes widening in surprise. 

“It’s the only other seat in the classroom.” Felix responded, not even sparing her a glance. 

Marinette flushed with embarrassment at that, mumbling an “oh” as she took out her own books. Felix was extremely blunt and pretty cold most of the time, but.. He was also the only person who took her side against Lila.

Sure, Adrien knew about Lila’s lies, but he never did anything about it. He never  defended her the way Felix did just now. No one did. 

So, Marinette supposed, Felix couldn’t be that bad, right? She just had to get to know him more, and that was what she intended to do.

tag list: @unabashedbookworm @minightrose @rhub4rb @bluerosette23 @clumsy-owl-4178 @kuroko26 @angstyrastuff @fanboy7794 @dargeon-lissa

[twoblueheartslocked]

Mini Para: December Flashback.

Rating: R.

Pairing: Seblaine.

Sebastian: @colorsicantsee

Blaine: @twoblueheartslocked

Time: Four years before the events of ( Hold On To The Memories, They Will Hold On To You ) Events taking place in December of Blaine’s Senior Year and Sebastian’s Junior Year. Blaine (17) Seb(16).

Location: Sebastian’s House. Westerville, Ohio

Info: A glimpse into the month of December ending with Blaine spending the night with Sebastian.

Warnings(PLEASE READ THIS): This para includes non graphic descriptions of sexual situations between minors.  We’ve kept it as YA as possible. We are in NO way trying to spotlight sex between teens, we just wanted to show how natural and comfortable they are together and the progression of their relationship. There will be absolutely no smut written until they’re adults. If anyone feels we’ve taken it too far please let us know and we will fix it.

Extra Warnings: (This RP is not Kurt Hummel friendly. You’ve all been warned.)

Notes: Some canon events remain in place while others have been changed. Some things may even be out of order. You can consider this sort of canon divergent AU. A few changes are that Blaine’s parents are different from the show (His mother is Filipina), he didn’t cheat on Kurt or date Dave and Sebastian is younger than Blaine. Feel free to send a message if you have any questions!

Blaine’s POV:

Blaine squeezed his mother tightly as she and his father said their goodbyes to him on Saturday morning, two days after Christmas. They were leaving for a weekend belated Christmas and early New Year’s party that his father’s work friend had invited them to and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow evening sometime. Blaine tried his hardest to keep his excitement in check as he waved their SUV off, the light snowfall clinging to his dark hair as he stood there, waiting for them to turn off at the end of the street. He couldn’t believe his absolute luck, he’d been stressing since his stolen moments in his bedroom with Sebastian on Thanksgiving over how he was going to come up with a lie to tell his parents when a week and half ago his dad had announced that he and his mom would be gone for a whole night and it just so happened to be the weekend that Sebastian’s parents would be out as well. He was ecstatic to spend some real alone time with his guy. Ecstatic and so nervous he thought he might throw up or giggle himself into a mad happy fit over it all.

The two of them had already celebrated their Christmas together, exchanging small gifts at Blaine’s house and precisely placed mistletoe kisses against a snowy backdrop that had been so romantic that when Blaine voiced just how romantic he thought it was Sebastian had rolled his eyes, feigning annoyance but then had surprised him by grinning down at Blaine like he was the most important person in the world and pulling him into his arms and kissing him again just to make it all that more romantic for Blaine. He smiled at the memory as he made his way back into his house so he could properly pack for his overnight stay at Seb’s house.

He’d left his small duffle bag empty and tucked away under his bed so that his parents wouldn’t catch onto what he was going to do. He felt a little pang of guilt knowing that they wouldn’t really approve of him spending the night alone over there no matter how fond of Sebastian they’d grown.  But the guilt was short lived as he packed a change of clothes, a pair of pajamas and a few toiletries into his bag- he couldn’t help it, he’d been waiting weeks, probably subconsciously even longer, for this night.

Before he zipped the bag up he made his way over to his nightstand, his fingers twitching nervously as he pulled a newly purchased three pack of condoms out of their hiding place. He was afraid that if he thought about it too much he’d leave them behind. He wasn’t even sure if it would happen, he had a feeling they were on the same page, that Sebastian wanted him just as much as he did, but his nerves always seemed to get the better of him and he was torn. Without looking at them too hard he quickly shoved them into his bag along with a small bottle of lube, tucking them under his clothing, but not before his eyes could catch on the ridiculously bold XXL on the slim package.

The letters seemed to leer up at him and made him feel self conscious and overly embarrassed. He knew he needed them, he’d learned the hard way how uncomfortable the smaller size was for him the few times he’d used them, but it didn’t make him feel any less full of himself. Would Sebastian think he was stupid for getting that kind? Was he being full of himself? He forced himself not to think about it too hard, his hands moving on their own accord to zip his bag up as if that meant he couldn’t still change his mind. He pulled out his phone and opened up the text log between him and Seb- a smile passing over his lips as he read the last text from him. -Can't wait to see you, killer.  Blaine quickly typed out his own message, his fingers a little shaky at the prospect of getting to spend the whole day and night over at Seb’s house with absolutely zero supervision or interruptions. -You’re in luck, they've left. I’m on my way, okay?

Seb had sent back the words- Hurry! But also be safe. And that was really all the prompting Blaine needed. He made sure the house was locked down and left the television on in his living room in a half hearted attempt to throw his neighbors off, they didn’t tend to pay much attention to what he did, but it would be his luck they’d pay attention now and call his parents back or something. Or that was just his nerves talking again. He slung the bag across his chest, hoping it looked more like he were going to go study than like he were spending the night somewhere and got into his SUV, his vehicle seemingly taking him in the direction of Sebastian’s house like it was following an invisible line that connected the two of them so surly. Before he knew it he was there, parked in the long driveway and feeling small as he knocked on the door, his fingers clutching the strap of his back as if it could keep him grounded. Seb’s for Blaine only smile was brilliant as he opened the door to greet him and it took Blaine a second to find his voice.

“Hey you.”

Sebastian’s POV:

Sebastian was buzzing with energy. He woke up early, drank a bunch of coffee with his dad’s sugar free french vanilla creamer and ate four pieces of peanut butter toast. He sat on his mother’s bed and helped her pick out her outfits for the trip and packed her bag. Thomas hadn’t noticed Sebastian’s surge of helpfulness and burst of jittery energy but Sabine had. “You seem eager today, Sebastian.”  She stood by the car as Thomas and the maid packed the hatchback trunk of the SUV and she had a knowing glint to her green eyes. “Just here to help, Mom. Have a safe trip.” Sebastian grinned and leaned down to give her a kiss on the forehead before he walked backwards into a house that was basically all his. Sure, the maid and the cook would be around but, he and Blaine pretty much had the place to themselves.

He made sure to ask the cook to pick up hot cocoa and pizza ingredients from the store so that they could make themselves a meal, cleaned his room himself (fresh sheets and no dirty laundry anywhere!) stole a few cigarettes (sorry Mom) and bought some condoms from the convenience store he often  passed on his way home. Sebastian took a long, detailed shower and picked out a dark green hoodie and his favorite Dalton LaCrosse sweatpants to wear.  He gave himself a once over in the mirror and smiled to himself. He was positive that they were on the same line, same chapter, same book because they always were. Seb never got this anxious excitement for anybody but the other boy. He had been daydreaming about this night for weeks and his veins were buzzing and his stomach kept jumping. Sebastian shot Blaine a few quick texts and stared at the clock on his phone, he couldn’t wait for him to arrive and he couldn’t sit still.

He was already standing by the door when Blaine had knocked because he had stood by an upstairs window and watched the snow fall as he waited for his car to pull up. Sebastian basically leaped down the stairs  and could have tackled Blaine into the snow right then and there. There he stood, on his porch with his cheeks red and little snowflakes perched on a few curls that started to escape their perfect styling.

“Hey B.” Sebastian smiled before he could catch himself and stood back for the other to step inside. “Do you want to eat first or, hear me out, I found my old sled in the garage the other day. We could go to the hill and try it out.”

Blaine’s POV:

Blaine couldn’t fight the smile that fought its way onto his lips as he listened to Sebastian speak. He could picture them already, sledding down the hill at the end of Seb’s street- cheeks numb from the cold and from laughing and all at once the idea was something he wanted more than anything he’d ever wanted before. He took his bag from over his body and sat in neatly at the end of the kitchen counter next to an assortment of instant hot chocolate and marshmallows so that he could take it up to Sebastian’s room later on.

His stomach  gave a little flip at the thought, and he wondered when they’d find themselves up there. Would they cuddle on the sofa and watch movies in their pajamas first like this was their home and this was a normal night? Or would they get overly excited and fumble clumsily up the stairs, lips and limbs tangled in two hours? He personally hoped that they took their time, he wanted this day and night to last, he’d been here five minutes and already the thought of leaving was making him feel a silly bit of sadness.

“I would absolutely love to go sledding with you, Seb. I haven’t done that since I was a kid!” He laughed, and reached out for Seb’s hands, taking them into his before pressing a kiss to them. He hoped his lips weren’t too cold. “And then after that we can come back in and I’ll make you the best cup of instant hot cocoa you’ve ever had on top of the best pizza, no second best pizza- the first would be the one I made on your birthday, you’ve ever had and we can warm up.” He pulled Sebastian closer using their linked fingers and wrapped his arms around his neck, his fingers toying with his hairline.

“I promise to keep you warm if you get too cold.  We can do whatever you want, you’ve got me all night long. I’m completely yours.” His smile turned a little shy, his nerves catching up to him before tip toeing up and stealing a kiss from Sebastian’s lips, his fingers scraping lightly through his hair. He let his eyes slip shut as he deepened it just a bit, as if promising Sebastian that he’d keep him warm and that he wasn’t going anywhere. When he said he was his for the rest of the night, he hoped Sebastian knew that he meant so much longer than that. He meant always.

Sebastian’s POV:

Sebastian’s heart fluttered when Blaine tipped up on the tips of his toes to press a kiss to his lips. His stomach flipped in a way that was almost uncomfortable, the sort of dip that happens when you drive down  a hill too fast and gravity catches up before you’ve even realized you were flying down a slope. He had goosebumps all over his arms and legs and a promise that hung tight in the air between the two of them. Seb smiled and felt a thrill run up and down his spine. “I’m a lucky guy.”

“I’m gonna hold you to that.” Sebastian clasped onto Blaine’s hand and pulled him up the stairs. The two of them bundled up in scarves and gloves and earmuffs that his mother kept tidy in a tote in the upstairs linen closet. He wrapped a fluffy hunter green scarf around Blaine’s neck and toyed with the frayed ends for a moment, “I’m all yours,too. For the record.”  He smiled his toothy grin that he kept reserved for the other boy and gave him a quick kiss before troping down the stairs, the two of them laughing all the way to the garage and down to the end of his street.

Sebastian sat down first on the bright orange sled and tapped the plastic in between his legs with a gloved hand, “You get to steer.”  The two of them flew, just barely missed a tree and landed in a heap of laughter at the bottom of the hill. They slid down the hill successfully a few more times before they crashed and rolled into the snow with red cheeks and frozen puffs of amusement as they wrestled playfully and kissed as snowflakes drifted around them.  Sebastian threw the first snowball in a not so serious snowball fight that ended in more kissing and laughing. They decided to head back to the house when Sebastian’s glove started to freeze and his body shook with cold tremors.

“Don’t forget that you promised me the best hot cocoa ever and, you know I think I still need some more warming up.”

Blaine’s POV:

Blaine’s skin prickled all over at Sebastian’s words. He wanted to follow up with how lucky he was too, wanted to tell Sebastian that he meant the world to him and tell him just how incredible being with him felt- but Seb was already pulling him the stairs and making Blaine feel like he could do anything by telling him that he was all his, too. Blaine felt an odd sense of belonging as Seb wrapped his green scarf around him. Sure, it had been washed since the last time it had been worn, but there the ghost of Sebastian’s winter scent still clung to the fluff like a kiss. Wearing Seb’s things made Blaine feel like he belonged there, like this life was meant for him. He found he couldn’t stop beaming as they made their way outside hand in hand.

And each slide down the hill, each press of Sebastian’s body pressed against his back as he tried to steer and they flew past glittering trees made Blaine smile bigger and bigger until his face hurt from doing so. The cold adding to his pleasurable discomfort as they kissed in the snow, Seb’s lips tasting like snow and a lingering of forbidden smoke that was absolutely driving Blaine wild. It felt like he was in a book or a movie and again he didn’t want any of it to end.

As they made their way back into Seb’s house, the fireplace roared and warmed his chilled bones instantly. Blaine wasn’t sure who had turned it on, probably one of Sabine’s elusive staff, but it felt magical and Blaine wanted to pull Sebastian in front of it and snuggle into him there. But, he promised he’d make him the best cup of cocoa he’d ever had and he meant to do just that. He made his way through the kitchen, Sebastian’s words about warming him up making his heart flip a little.

“I did promise, didn’t I?” He pulled Seb close and wrapped his arms around him before running his hands up and down his back in an attempt, his lips finding his neck, the pulsepoint spot Seb loved so much and pressing an assortment of kisses there before pulling back. “Better?” He grinned up at the other boy, “There’s more where those came from later, I promise that too.”  He winked and forced himself to pull away before he got too carried away in exploring the gorgeous expanse that was Sebastian’s neck. He didn’t want to rush the day and doing that would for sure rush things.

He cleared his throat and made his way around the Smythe family kitchen like he’d done a dozen times before gathering ingredients for the perfect cup of instant. “Right, so the best cup of instant hot cocoa ever.” He placed a pan on the stove and then put the water in and set it to heat before he pulled down two large mugs and filled them with the powder. He went to the fridge and pulled out the whole milk and set it next to the mugs. He then added the boiled water into the mix and tossed in a few marshmallows. “The key is to add milk to make it creamier and to mix in the bigger marshmallows and just keep adding them as they melt. It’s super sweet but my mom used to make it like this when I was a kid and it’s my favorite. Here, try it. He handed Sebastian his mug and watched as he blew on the liquid before taking a drink. The other boy's smile was all Blaine needed to know he’d done a good job.

The day went on way too fast for Blaine's liking between sips of cocoa in front of the fire and giggling about their sledding mishaps and Blaine pretending not to like the smoke on Seb’s lips that Seb totally saw through- and before he knew it it was evening and they were cuddled up down in their basement, cozy in warm sweats on Seb’s sofa, half eaten plates of Blaine’s homemade pizza discarded to the side so they could kiss each other properly as the sounds of the movie Gremlins (Which kinda scared Sebastian) played in the background. Blaine, needing air, finally pulled back enough to look down at Seb from his spot half on top of him and hovering above him, his leg pushed up and over Seb’s body, his guys cheeks flushed from the earlier cold and from their kissing. He looked fucking gorgeous and Blaine blurted it before he could stop himself. His voice was soft and almost in awe.

“You’re beautiful...”

Sebastian’s POV:

Sebastian sighed and pressed his hands into Blaine’s hips when he felt his lips on his sensitive neck. He laughed , loud and bright though his skin still felt hot from the kisses but Blaine had winked and it seemed like they had switched personalities for a split second. It felt like a perfect moment, the sort of memory that Seb wished he could wrap up and keep close because it was pure and so specifically them.

He watched Blaine make himself at home which gave him a special sort of warm satisfaction. The other boy knew where the pans were, knew the correct cabinet to find mugs. Seb liked to see it, Hunter wasn’t even this familiar with the Smythe house. It felt like Blaine was always meant to whisk into the kitchen and sing and laugh and bake pies and make pizza and hot cocoa. It was the most alive the house had felt to Seb in a long time.

Blaine had set a giant mug of frothy hot chocolate in front of him. “Looks perfect.” He leaned forward and let the steam drift over his cold face for a moment before he blew on it and took a sip. Sebastian smiled and took another drink because of course Blaine could make instant hot cocoa taste like it came from a coffee shop.

The next few hours were a blur of pizza, some weird 80s movie Blaine had picked (the only redeeming quality to Sebastian was the lead actor who was sort of cute.), and kissing until their lips began to hurt and their cheeks were red. Blaine sort of hovered over him, the noise of little gremlins screaming on the tv as he blurted out You’re beautiful and Sebastian blinked a few times, a slow smile spread over his face. He looked up into the other’s big, golden eyes and realized that nobody else had ever called him beautiful before and he felt a satisfied shiver spread its way all over his body. Sebastian didn’t think any words could suffice so he leaned up and kissed Blaine all soft and slow and suddenly it felt like pressure in the room changed. It was the feeling of jumping into the deep end of a pool, sudden and intense, lungs burning and legs kicking to break the surface. The rush of running full speed down the track, every tendon screaming for release. The thrill  of swinging so high on a swing set that it lifted off the ground dangerously with every pump.  His body felt hot and his hands trembled as they knotted in the neck of Blaine’s shirt, his hips ached, he moaned despite himself.

“I think that you should take me upstairs.”

Blaine’s POV:

A shiver and a tingle spread throughout the lower half of Blaine’s body at the sound of Sebastian’s moan and the tone in his voice. All at once he was overwhelmed with want and a desire he’d truly never felt for anyone else before. Every crush or person before seemed like a little insignificant when it came to the way he felt about Sebastian and I love you threatened to surge forward again but Blaine pushed it down and back into his chest next to his heart in favor of giving the other boy a wide eyed nod as he scooted off of him gently and reached down to help Seb up with him. He knew what this meant, he knew what Sebastian wanted and he wanted nothing more than to give it to him. He wasn’t quite sure how he was going to manage to get them both of two sets of stairs without stumbling.

His hands were shaking as he pulled Seb’s shirt up and over his head once they’d managed to make it into his bedroom. His fingers tentatively explored each little freckle, wanting to count them like the stars in the sky. He leaned down and pressed a kiss into a few of them, trying to show Sebastian that he loved how he looked, wanting to get this right, wanting Sebsatian to know that Blaine loved him and his body without saying it outloud. He reluctantly pulled away from Sebastian, his skin instantly missing the contact as he quickly rummaged around in his bag for the small pack of condoms and small bottle of lube he brought and sat them down on the bedside table before moving back to Sebastian and pressing a kiss to his lips to hide his growing blush.

The queen sized bed seemed too large yet inviting as he pressed Sebastian down and into the sheets before crawling up between his legs, his excitement apparent as he pushed his hips against the boy beneath him, his fingers fumbling with the the hem of Sebastian’s sweats and boxers for a moment before managing to push them down and to the ground. Blaine bit his lip as their bare skin touched before ducking his head and kissing Seb so slowly and gently that he thought he’d float away from how fucking good it felt to him. After what felt like hours, kissing and touching like that he finally pulled his head back to look down into green eyes, his voice a nervous whisper.

“ I-...Are you sure this is what you want?”

Sebastian’s POV:

Sebastian laughed a little, he had to.  Of course Blaine would ask even as he was flushed and panting underneath him with desperate hands and hips. He loved that about him-his sweet demeanor and how naturally charming and polite he was. God, it made him even crazier for him, that fucking concerned look in his amber eyes and the thoughtful furrow of his eye brows.

“More than anything.”

It all happened so fast. Such a cliche of a thought but it was true. It was all a tangle of hands and mouths and names whispered into hot skin. Sebastian felt satisfied and complete as Blaine pulled him close under his heavy bedspread. His body felt spent and tired and he was sure he could sleep solidly for 12 hours if he let himself but all he wanted to do was trace  his long fingers over Blaine’s torso as he listened  to his heart beat beat beat under his head. Sebastian kept catching himself smiling anytime Blaine spoke or touched him and he wondered if they could live in his bedroom forever, in this little wonderful moment like a snow globe.  He was always mystified by the way Blaine flipped his world upside down and brought all of his feelings to the surface and made him daydream  and laugh and smile and want to be nice. Seb was terrified to put a label on the way he felt but he couldn’t deny it any longer, he loved the kid.  

Sebastian took a deep breath and leaned up on his elbow so he could see the other boy’s face, “Wish you didn’t have to leave in the morning.”

Blaine’s POV:

Blaine lay there with Sebastian’s head on his chest, his fingers tracing his freckles, the ones he could reach, across his shoulder. The world felt still and the world felt like it belonged to them and Blaine wanted nothing more than to freeze this moment and save it for bad days. Sebastian felt like he belonged here in his arms, and he wondered, not for the first time, how he’d gone so long denying himself this comfort. Blaine swallowed hard, his chest aching and swelling and he was so afraid that if he spoke he’d ruin the moment.

He was so afraid that if he told Sebastian how he felt that Seb would stiffen and maybe ask him to leave and things would be awkward and stressed and while he thought that maybe they were on the same page, on the off chance that Seb turned him away, Blaine thought that might kill him. So he held onto him tightly and whispered to him that he’d  come back over tomorrow night. Told Seb that he just needed to be home when his parents got home so he wouldn't be in trouble. And when they drifted off to sleep together, Blaine was wrapped tightly around the taller boy, his face pressed against the back of his neck, and his arms locked around him as if he’d always fit in that space between Blaine’s arms.

And when he forced himself to leave the next day Blaine made sure to kiss Sebastian extra sweet and long so that he’d know that the night had meant everything to him. That the whole thing, not just the sex, was important and to show Sebastian that he was the reason Blaine felt the happiest he’d ever felt in his whole life. I love you hung silently in the air between them as he stepped out into the December wind and Blaine made a promise to himself that when he came back over tonight he’d tell Sebastian how he felt. So what if it had only been a few months? Who made the rules that you could only fall in love after years? Blaine knew how he felt and he needed Sebastian to know too. He had to have faith that Sebastian would accept it, maybe even say it back. How incredible would that be? How good would that feel?

He was all smiles, his heart singing louder than his voice as he straightened up his house for his mom and dad, his earphones blashing away so loudly he almost missed his phone ringing from his bedroom. And as he raced to pick it up thinking it might be his reason for smiling. That Sebastian’s slow, comforting voice might be on the other end- 

He’d come to wish that he had missed it.

/fin.

[vgckwb]

ML: Are they Worthy? Chapter 76: Personal Joy!/Siren and Princess Charming

Marinette and Adrien returned to Marinette’s place. Tom and Sabine greeted them. “So, how was your visit to the hospital?” Tom asked.

“Was Nathalie alright?” Sabine added.

Adrien smiled. “She’s doing just fine. She hasn’t lost her wit.”

Marinette nodded. “She seemed alright, but I’m assuming she’s going to need to be kept there for a bit.”

“Yeah,” Adrien said. “And then it’s off to jail” he said, sorrow in his eyes.

“Adrien…” Marinette said.

Adrien perked back up. “Which means we should use this time to visit her when we can.”

“Um, you can visit people in jail, sweetie” Sabine added.

“Oh. Yeah” Adrien said.

“I got what you meant,” Tom said. The four giggled.

Marinette had a thought. “By the way, I know my parents and I would be just delighted to have you over forever, but have you actually thought about what you want once everything is settled?”

Adrien was stunned. “Well, I’m assuming when my mom gets out of the hospital, I can go live with her. What that would entail is unknown, but I feel like it would be the best.”

“I see,” Marinette said.

Adrien smiled. “Well, since I’m still here for a while, what do you want to do?”

“Well, I know video games always help me relax” Marinette said. “How about it?”

“Um, maybe I’ll just watch…” Adrien said. The Dupain-Cheng family chuckled. Marinette and Adrien then went to Marinette’s room.

Later that night, Judgement Wolf found his way to Ondine’s place. He snuck in. “First I invite a girl up to my room. Now I’m in another girl’s room. How scandalous” he remarked. Ondine was fast also. He drew his sword.

Duusu popped out. Judgement Wolf looked at her. “Do you wish to observe?” Duusu nodded. “Very well. Wolf Mist!” The Wolf Mist encapsulated Ondine. “Shall we?”

“We shall” Duusu remarked. The two entered the mist. Judgement Wolf pulled up the screen. Duusu seemed confused. “Why is she on a beach?”

“You’ll see soon enough,” Judgement Wolf answered. “Though, to be perfectly honest, it was a little tricky coming up with a test for her. But I think I came up with something good.”

“Well, I think she’ll pass” Duusu said

“You and every other kwami,” Judgement Wolf remarked. Duusu giggled.

Ondine was sitting on a beach. She was wearing a green two-piece swimsuit with a pink floral pattern and pink flip-flops. Her boyfriend Kim was going to get snacks, so she was just enjoying the sun and the tide. Suddenly, something swam up to the shore. “Hello” it said, in a sinister, yet familiar voice.

Ondne looked at it. “Siren?” Siren popped her head out of the water. “But how?”

“Funny. I could ask the same question” Siren said. “How did you manage to trick Kim into being your boyfriend?”

Ondine got mad. “I didn’t trick him. He asked me out!”

“Sure. But that’s because he felt bad” Siren said.

“And who’s fault was that?” Ondine snapped back.

“So you don’t deny he’s going out with you because of pity” Siren said.

“Wha- NO! That’s NOT what I meant” Ondie said. “Look, he apologized for not taking my feelings into consideration! He didn’t need to do that! He cares for me deeply.”

“Does he?” another voice said. Ondine turned around and saw Princess Charming. Princess Charming continues. “Or do you constantly have to make him care?”

Ondine smirked back. “You should know the answer to that. He made that scarf on your neck apropos of nothing!”

“Yes, but aren’t you afraid?” Princess Charming asked. Ondine was taken aback. “Afraid that the affection will stop? Afraid that it’ll be your fault? Afraid that it’s because you’re not woman enough for him?”

“Well, nothing is certain…” Ondine said. “But if something were to happen, it won’t be for the reason you’re suggesting!”

“You say that,” Siren chimed back in, “but how can you be sure?”

“Indeed” Princess Charming added. “It is that uncertainty that led to the creation of me in the first place!”

“The instant Kim finds someone better, he’s going to abandon you,” Siren said. “You’ll never be enough for him.”

Ondine had just about had it. “SHUT UP!” she shouted, making her two akumatized forms jump back. “I can’t deny that you two are a part of me! I can’t deny that I am afraid of what you are suggesting! But I have the confidence to overcome that fear! I can push through it! I know I have that strength!”

She pointed to the water. “When I was a child, I was afraid of the water,” she said. “But look at me now! After some perseverance, I became an excellent swimmer! Heck, I even named myself after water! My name is a symbol of the fear I concur on a daily basis! So no matter what you do, YOU CAN’T CONTROL ME!”

Suddenly, her two akumatized versions had disappeared. Ondine was confused. “Hey, are you alright?” Kim asked, swimsuited up, with snacks.

Ondine smiled at her boyfriend. “It’s nothing,” she said.

Kim looked confused for a second. “Well, OK. Here’s your snacks.” He handed off some snacks to Ondine.

Ondine smiled. She gave her boyfriend a kiss. “Thanks.”

Kim was flustered for a moment. He then smiled back and said “Anything for you.”

Suddenly, the scenery disappeared into white and Ondine was back in her usual clothes. “Hey,” Judgement Wolf said.

“Oh, hi Vlad” Ondine said.

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer to be called Judgement Wolf when I’m like this” Judgement Wolf said.

“Oh. Sorry” Ondine apologized.

“No need for apologies” Judgement Wolf replied.

“So, did I pass?” Ondine asked.

Judgement Wolf stood still for a second. “Before I give my answer, there’s something I want to try. See, since before Saturday, most of the people I tested didn’t have their kwamis with them when I tested them. So, I would like to hear what your kwami thinks.”

Duusu flew up. Ondine was surprised. “I believe you demonstrated the courage you display, as well as acknowledging your weaknesses. You believe in yourself so much, which is one of the strongest aspects any hero could possess. Your overall charm, composure, attitude, and spirit all make you worthy under my book.” Ondine was elated.

“Heh. Couldn’t have said it better myself” Judgement Wolf said. “You passed.” Ondine nodded with determination. “I’ll send Beyyo out to to tell you what he thinks. Well, goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Judgement Wolf” Ondine replied. Judgement Wolf left the mist, went back to his place, and detransformed. He found Kagami sleeping on the floor. He gently picked her up and placed her on his bed. He quietly went downstairs and fell asleep on the sofa.

The next morning, Ondine woke up. She processed what happened last night, and a smile appeared on her face. She then decided to give Kim a call. “Hi sweetie” she greeted him.

“Hey Ondine,” Kim said.

“Oh, did I wake you?” Ondine said. “I’m sorry.”

“Nah, it’s fine,” Kim said, waking up more. “I needed to get up anyway.”

“Oh. I see” Ondine said. “Say, did I ever tell you about the story of my name?”

Meanwhile, Marinette was waking up to the sound of an excited Adrien. “Adrien? What’s gotten you so excited this early?”

Adrien could barely contain his joy. “I just received a call! My mother’s AWAKE!”

Marinette was shocked awake by this news. “Adrien that’s WONDERFUL!” She gave him a hug.

“I want to go visit her right now!” Adrien said. “And I was to show her my super awesome girlfriend.”

Marinette blushed. “Alright Kitty, just give me some time to freshen up, OK. And maybe you can do some of that as well.”

“Right,” Adrien said, slightly embarrassed. Still, nothing could put a damper on his mood right now. The two got ready and headed out.

[chocoluckchipz]

Dance with Me, Chaton - 14

Read it on A03, WattPad, FF.net

Written for @ladynoirjuly2019

< Previous

14. Sick Day.

It didn’t work. All the luck that Ladybug had sent his way must have stuck somewhere in the internet traffic because the next morning Adrien woke up with a pulsating headache, stuffy nose, and a sore throat. He groaned, shifting in his bed and threw his cover off. Too hot. Water. Thirsty. He needed some water stat, or he would die.

Adrien sat up. His head spun; a pained moan escaped lips. The clock showed… nine?

Shit.

Struggling to stand up, Adrien picked up the phone. There was a missed call from his father’s secretary and a few from Plagg. Adrien opened his messages. Ladybug has sent a few, wishing him a good morning and telling him about her plans for the day. Same stuff they’ve been exchanging for weeks now. He smiled. She was an amazing girl. He always looked forward to her messages. Unlike Plagg’s.

Plagg: Congratulations! You’ve won an extended session for the price of one. I’ll see you at my studio at seven in the evening. Next time you won’t pick up, you’re out.

Adrien groaned and flopped back onto the bed. The way he felt now, there was no way he could handle any session of Plagg’s, less an extended one. Maybe he should quit? Or maybe he could tell Plagg that he was sick? Surely even Plagg had a heart. Most likely he did. At least a physical one he certainly had.

Adrien: Can I get a rain check on that? I don't feel too stellar.

Plagg replied immediately.

Plagg: I'm not a convenience store to give out rainchecks. Seven or never.

Adrien groaned.

Adrien: At least make it a regular one.

Plagg: The only thing I can make it is a double-priced one. Would you like that?

Adrien pouted. Not that he couldn't afford Plagg’s fees. He could, but for Plagg’s attitude to him, Adrien refused to support the glutton further other than what they’d agreed upon.

Plagg: What are you a baby? Can’t handle some dancing?

Adrien scoffed. He called it dancing? He hadn’t danced a single step yet, pointlessly repeating exercises and moves Plagg ordered him as a broken record. He even stopped going to the gym. There was no need. Plagg worked him thrice as much as his personal trainer did, all while offering Adrien to quit at any given opportunity. Adrien growled. No way! Not after everything this arrogant glutton had put him through! Adrien couldn’t let him win. He’d go to that session and rock it.

Adrien: I’ll be there at seven.

Plagg: :thumbs-up:

Turning his phone off, Adrien shuffled to the kitchen. If he were to endure one of Plagg’s lessons this evening, he needed to get better. That meant rest, nutrition, and medicine. He lacked two: food because he was too tired to shop for it yesterday, and medicine because Adrien didn’t get sick often, so whatever he had was long expired. Trip to the store it was, and since he already was late for work, he might call in sick and skip it altogether. There is always a first time for everything, right?

Adrien changed and dialled his father. Gabriel wasn’t ecstatic, but he let it go, telling Adrien to get back as soon as he could. Glad that at least his father wasn’t heartless, Adrien went out to pick up food and medicine. He grabbed breakfast at a nearby café and focused on getting better upon returning, which meant hot bath, relaxing on a couch, and chatting with Ladybug. He kept his illness to himself, though. Ladybug had just gone through hell because of him. He had no right to get her sympathy.

Closer to the evening, Adrien ordered Tom and Sabine’s pastries to be delivered. After Marinette introduced him to the wonderful world of her parent’s bakery, Adrien couldn’t help but stop by every day after work. Today, however, he didn’t work, and he had to conserve energy for the torture session, so ordering in it was. Half an hour later someone knocked on a door.

“Marinette?” His eyes widened, followed by a lopsided smile on his lips. What a nice surprise.

“Hi.” She shyly waved at him from the hallway. “I’m sorry, I hope I’m not interrupting. Papa asked me to deliver this to you.”

“Thanks.” Adrien motioned Marinette to come inside. “Did something happen?”

“What do you mean?” she asked, entering.

"It's five. Usually, you'd still be at work at this time."

“Ah, so the boss would scold me for leaving the work an hour early to attend to a sick father?”

Adrien chuckled. “The boss may do that. I’m not him, however. What’s with Tom? He looked healthy yesterday.”

“Nothing serious.” Marinette rolled her eyes. “Dad caught a man cold and is being a baby about it. But of course, he didn’t tell me that when he called my work. I thought he was dying and raced over only to find out he has a slight fever and cough.”

Adrien laughed. “Tell him I said Hello and hope he gets better soon.”

“Thank you. I will.” She smiled. “His colds rarely last more than a few days. You, on the other hand, don’t look so well.”

Adrien rubbing the back of his neck, shrugging. “Cold. A regular one, though. Not the one your father has.”

“I hope you feel better soon,” Marinette said, passing him the box in her hands. “I believe these are yours.”

“With these, I definitely will.” Adrien grinned, opening the box. Once the lid was off, he frowned. “Um. I think someone made a mistake. Was Tom the one assembling it?”

Marinette leaned over to look inside the box. “Did he give you the wrong items in his feverish state? Although, I think it was Maman who packed this. Papa’s dying in his bed.”

Adrien shook his head. “Oh no. I have everything I asked for. Double the amount.”

Marinette frowned, glaring to the side, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her following grin was way too tense for Adrien’s liking. “They must have put it for you as get well wishes. Mama loves to spoil their regular customers.”

“I’m not that regular yet,” Adrien said. “I've only started going there after you told me about them a few weeks ago.”

“Really?” Marinette mumbled, still avoiding looking at him. “The way they talk about it, it seems much longer. In any case, enjoy and I’ll go. I have some scolding to do.”

She turned around to leave when a genius idea hit Adrien.

“Hey, Marinette?”

She paused, her body tensing. “Yes?”

“If you have some free time, do you want to come in for a cup of coffee? I mean only if you’re free because I’ve been kind of locked in here all day by myself and wouldn’t mind some company, even for a little while. And I have double the pastry, so… Please? If you want, of course. I don’t insist. I mean if you have free time… and not afraid to catch my cold.”

What was going on with him? Adrien could practically feel his cheeks burning. Why was it so hard to invite a friend for a cup of coffee? It’s not like he was asking her on a date or anything! Geez, Agreste! Compose yourself.

Marinette failed to suppress a chuckle. “I think I’ve already caught all the cold germs I could from Papa,” she said, the most endearing expression on her face he’d seen. “I have an hour to spare.”

Adrien glanced at the clock. It was five. He had to leave anywhere between six and six-fifteen. Perfect.

“Yes, please.” He grinned and prompted her to follow him into the kitchen. His heart full; he could hardly contain his excitement. How lucky was he to get Marinette all to himself for the whole hour? The perfect treat before he had to face Plagg The Tyrant.

Marinette was nice. She was fantastic. She reminded him more and more of Ladybug the longer they’d talked. She was smart and witty and funny and beautiful and everything in between. They had a lot in common, and even chatting about nothing was an experience Adrien would never forget. She made him feel so great; he’d cherish it forever. Somehow, Adrien didn’t notice where the time rushed to off, but when Marinette thanked him for the meal and stood up to leave, the clock showed thirty minutes to seven.

“Don’t be too grumpy about your butt camp,” she said gathering her things. “One of my best friends told me once that moving is the best way to get over a cold. It gets oxygen into your body and helps your blood to expel the germs out of your system faster, so even though it’ll be hard, it’ll help you.”

“Well, yes, mild exercise does. Whatever that glutton puts me through isn't remotely mild.”

Marinette shrugged with a smirk on her face. “Fake a fainting spell when it gets too much? I’m sure he’d let you go if you faint.”

Adrien laughed. “I’ll be sure to follow your advice when the insatiable desire to strangle my coach will kick in.”

Marinette laughed. “Didn’t peg you for a violent person.”

“I’m not. Or rather I wasn’t. Not until I signed up for that cursed course. Now, I’m just praying all the anger won’t spill over, so having someone like you to talk to and relax really helps. Thank you.”

Marinette blushed and standing on her toes, kissed his cheek. “Thank you for the meal.”

Adrien gasped. Her lips were so soft. Warm. Gentle. “Thank you for the company,” he mumbled back, awkwardly waving.

A moment later, she left. Adrien rushed to the bedroom to change. He had twenty minutes left before his lesson.

***

“You’re late.”

“By five seconds?”

“By two minutes and thirty-five seconds.”

Adrien groaned. “Plagg really? I show up here sick, and you lecture me about being two minutes late?”

“Two minutes and thirty-five seconds.”

Adrien closed his eyes trying to breathe evenly.

“And no Camembert that I can see.”

“That’s it,” Adrien snapped. “If you’re going to lecture me about being late and forgetting your damn, stinky cheese for once, then I have the right to ask you when will you start teaching me to dance?”

“What are you talking about?” Plagg stretched innocently, lounging on his throne. “I’ve been teaching you dancing this whole time. What do you think we have been doing here?”

“Pardon me for not noticing,” Adrien snarled. “Or do you call that pointless, excessive repetition of the exercises and moves you make me do dancing?”

Plagg smirked, looking at Adrien. “You’re finally asking questions. Good.”

“I’m glad you’re amused by my curiosity, but can you answer me while you are at it?”

“Feisty, aren’t we?” In one smooth move, Plagg leapt from his throne and walked towards him.

“What did you expect?” Adrien barked. “I’m sick and tired of your crap, and it’s time I finally told you.”

“I didn’t drag you,” Plagg said. “You ran here yourself.”

“As if you left me any choice.”

“There is always a choice,” Plagg said. “But congratulations. Your shell has finally cracked. All we have to do now is to pull you out.”

“What are you talking about?”

Plagg said nothing, stopping behind Adrien.

Adrien turned to face him. When Plagg remained silent instead of answering, Adrien bitterly puffed. “Spectacular avoidance of answering me. You truly are a Master. Only I’m not sure I want to study your craft anymore.”

“Tell me, Adrien,” Plagg said, looking him straight into his eyes. “What is dancing?”

Adrien frowned. “Movement to the music?”

“Wrong.”

“Relaxing?”

“Try again.”

“Exercise.”

Plagg laughed before leaning closer and whispering, “Dancing, Adrien, is storytelling.”

“Storytelling?”

“Exactly,” Plagg said and strolled back to his throne. “People express themselves in a dance just like they do with verbal stories. Moving to the music, they can tell you how their day went, how much they’ve missed something, how much they hate someone. People can tell you their whole story through dance. Now imagine this: you put on music, and you hear the beat, and your mind decides on a move, but BAM! before you can do it the music moved on and the beat has changed. What do you do?”

“You move on and decide on the next one—”

“Only for the same thing to happen again.” Plagg plopped into his throne and added, “A true master never allows his mind to decide their moves for them. He lets his body and the music to become one, unity in the beat, and tell the story without stammering. But, for your body to do that, the moves have to become reflexes.”

Adrien stared at Plagg in a dumbfounded stupor. “So, all this time you’ve been—”

“Implementing new reflexes into you, so you can sing your song, not stutter it out,” Plagg finished for him. “Kid, it’s like learning a language. You must learn to write letters before you can imprint a poem on a blank sheet of paper. Now, stop questioning my methods and take this.” He pulled a small, plastic packet out of his pocket and threw it to Adrien.

Adrien twisted in his hand. “Is this weed?”

Plagg snorted. “No, seriously? Who do you take me for? It’s cold medicine.”

“Are you sure?” Adrien frowned, inspecting the content of the packet. “It looks suspicious.”

“You’re my main Camembert supplier at the moment. Why would I want to poison you?”

Adrien huffed. “I never know what’s on your mind, so don’t blame me for checking.”

Plagg laughed. “I love the level of trust we share, kid. But, seriously. This is some ancient Chinese crap. My doctor makes it himself. It does miracles, though, so you’re lucky I’m sharing because you can’t buy this shit in stores. Make some tea with it and drink before bed. You’ll be brand new in the morning.”

“I guess, thank you?” Adrien said hesitantly.

“Don’t mention it.” Plagg shrugged. “Now get out of my sight before you contaminate this whole place.”

Adrien frowned in disbelief. “What about—”

“You didn’t bring me my cheese. Why should I teach you for free?” Plagg huffed. “Get out and come back tomorrow evening. Oh, wait.” He pursed his lips. “I’ll be busy tomorrow. I’ll call you for time and date later. Now, go. Don’t spread your germs here.”

Adrien stood in his place frozen. A tiny smile sneaked onto his face as he nodded. “Thank you, Plagg. I didn’t expect you to be so—”

“Ugh, geez, kid,” Plagg groaned. “Get out of here before I smack you for being sappy. Just go! Au revoir! See you later. Do svidaniya. Sayōnara. Adiós. What other language do I need to repeat it in?”

“Got it.” Adrien chuckled and headed for the exit. “Thanks for the medicine. I’ll see you later.”

He closed the doors to loud music starting behind him, the smile on his lips not vanishing until he reached home. Who would’ve guessed? Plagg actually cared.

_______________________________________________________________________

Next >

[sabine-leo]

A smile to remember

Chapter: 10 / ?

Author: @sabine-leo

Genre: Fluff, Humor, Romance,

Note: The chapter inculdes Textmessages I marked them with < >

> for incomming

<for outgoing 

-Chapter 10-

 The one with a Lokirilla

 “Miss (Y/L/N) you look like somebody ate your cake!” Dylan climbed onto your lap.

You muster a smile. “Hey Mr. Dylan. Nah, I´m going to be fine. I was just thinking.”

Dylan looks into your eyes as if not believing you for one second and then snuggles up to you.

“Yeah, me too. Uncle Tom had to go away to be the villi…villa…Loki again. I´m a little sad too.”

You close your arms around that sweet little kid and smile a little. For some minutes you just sit there quietly before Dylan looks up. “Did someone really eat your cake?!”

You laugh out loud and shake your head.

“No, you were right…I was feeling a little sad too. But I do feel better now.

Thank you for helping me out Mr. Dylan.”

Dylan smiles and jumps of your lap. “Can I have a cookie?” Not able to be stern you take his hand. “Let´s go see if we can find some in the kitchen!”

 The day went by fairly slowly. It was just one of those days. The kids were rompish and wild at times and you had to clean up a hell of a lot before you were able to go home. Not fussing over anything you had to do you just straight went to bed after a hot shower and opened up a new book. You really tried to, but after reading a whole page and not even knowing anymore what you just read 2 seconds ago you throw your blanket over your head.

 ARGH…Get a grip. You ordered yourself and start to take out your laptop. Maybe an episode of Doctor Who or Sherlock would be nice for a change. As exhausted as you were from this day, you didn´t even last 20 minutes before falling asleep. Your phone buzzed quietly on your nightstand. Signalling a new message.

 Wednesday morning came and you had a late start. You woke at 7.30 and after getting rid of your bed hair you see the light on your phone indicating something.  You unlock the screen and a new message lit up. You didn´t recognise the picture at first but after taking another look you knew who texted you. A gorilla with a Loki helmet. Who on earth could that be?

 A little giddy you smile and open up the text.

 >Hey (Y/N), I wasn´t able to write earlier, the jetlag just got the better of me. I hope you don´t mind I transferred our numbers. And Thank you for the notebook! I forgot to tell you the other day in the rain. I do love it. It´s is so beautiful!  Tom

 You couldn´t help it and read it another 2 times. Smiling you texted back.

 <Hey Tom, it´s good to hear you arrived save. No, I really don´t mind. I´m happy to read from you! It´s nothing much, just a thank you I wanted to gift to you. Have fun filming! (Y/N)

 You didn´t know if it was the right thing to write back, but you hit send anyway. The night in the Jazz Club taught you some things. 1: Tom was one hell of a dancer 2: He probably was the kindest person on earth 3: It was easy to talk tom him. So, you figured the same would apply about texting.

After breakfast and getting ready for work you here your phone ding…a new message.

 >Good Morning (Y/N) No work today? My costume fitting is finally finished. I´m +11h to your time zone. Here it´s getting dark but I’m only starting to wake up now. Can I ask you a favour?  

 You answered back

<I´m off to a later start today. Sure, ask away!

 Almost instantly you see that he´s typing back. A smile appeared on your face.

>Splendid, Dylan was a bit heartbroken yesterday. Would you give him a big hug when you see him?

 He really was the kindest person you knew. And it was obvious that he adored his nephew.

<Absolutely, I will do it right away when I`m at work.

 With that written you left your flat and took the tube to work. You made good on your promise to Tom and Dylan took your hug gladly. “Uncle Tom is the best!” he smiled as you told him that he asked you to give him a hug.

 The next 2 weeks passed in a blur. Tom and you texted every now and then when he had the time.

It got easier with every text. Sometimes he would start a conversation, other times you would.

It was light and fun. Soon you got to know each other a little better through the text messages.  Asking each other light, fun questions about the other one. His heavy schedule in the first weeks and the time difference not often allowed you to be awake at the same time. But the conversation carried on without a hitch…just with a little bit of a delay.

 After 4 weeks of texting you started to tease each other a bit, like friends would do somewhere along the road to a deeper friendship. You could tell that staying in character got easier and easier for him. His texts became somewhat mischievous at times.

One particular night you were still awake as he was on set.

 >I can´t believe all I get is texts, what about pictures, sing to me, dance for me, amuse me! I´m a God for Odins sake! And I’m boooooored !

 You laughed about that, knew he was sitting around in full gear, waiting to film his next scene.

<Tom, your Loki is showing! Go tease Thor!

 >No respect, really…this is sad, so sad. Earth used to be more worshiping to Gods!

 With that response you got a selfie. Tom with wig and makeup, an eyebrow drawn up and a glint in his eyes. Looking very sassy. You saved the picture on your phone and shook your head laughing.

 <Oh, boohoo Prince of Asgard. Cry me a river. I never get worshipped or kneeled before…get used to it :P  

 Tom was typing…and typing…stopping…typing…stopping again

>Well, we will talk about that when I´ll be seeing you again. Your sass is getting you in trouble darling!

 <can´t wait !

 You teased him further. He must have had to film again cause no answer appeared.

You fell asleep somewhere between 1 and 2 that night. Glad the next day was a Sunday. As you woke up you had a new text.

 >I left Loki behind. Thanks for keeping him company. You must have fallen asleep. So, I hope you slept well. Good Morning Darling! I´ll be off to bed now.

 Waking up to Toms texts was a real nice way to start the day. You two got along so well, you really thought you could be friends when he was back. Forgetting the tension, you had felt when he was around. How your skin had tingled where he had touched you. The distance between you made it easier to think about him like a friend. Even the little surge of heat as he sent that selfie you kept at an arm long distance. Maybe it was because he looked like Loki in it. Still hot and handsome but not like the Tom who had made you shiver with a touch.

 THANK YOU for reading :) 

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