#Ao3 is your accident prone bestie

[chimaeraonwards]

DownDectector x AO3

To celebrate AO3 coming back online, here is the fic I wrote to cope with the Great AO3 Shutdown.

_____

“DownDetector, what is your emergency?” 

Sharp, shallow breaths come through their headset. A panic attack, unfortunately not that uncommon in Emergency Website Shutdown Reporting.  

“Hi, can you hear me? Take deep breaths, slowly,” Dow continues, their training kicking in immediately. When the caller sounds a little deeper, longer. “How can I help you?” 

A small frantic voice rushes out, “I was on Ao3 reading a 400k hurt/comfort fic, and then, they were finally going to make up after all the angst, and now”. A sob wreaks through the other end of the line. “It's gone, it's all gone. Ao3 is down.”   

A shudder pierces through their heart. No, wait, focus on the call - you’re on the job damn it. 

Automatically DownDetector replies, “Thank you for your report. Not to worry, sometimes servers go down but Ao3 usually bounces back in at most, a few hours.” Down glances at the screen. Usually Arch messages Dow quickly with an update, they know how much Dow worries. 

“I just feel like something is different this time. It feels wrong.”

Oh right, the call. Dow quickly types through the report in front of them. “I understand how alarming this may be. Please check Ao3’s official Twitter account for any updates. Can I have your location to complete this report?”   

Dow goes through the motions but there is a blaring alarm going off in their mind. 

Ao3 is down. 

Ao3 is down.

Ao3 is down.

Ao3 is down.

Ao3 

is 

down.

A glance at the screen shows no messages from Arch but the usual flood of reports that follow any of Ao3’s technical issues. 

The caller was right. This feels wrong. The notification sounds are the only thing that graces the dreaded silence hanging in the air. 

Dow’s finger hovers over the call button. It would be so easy to call Arch right now and find out if they’re okay. Dow doesn’t talk with Arch often, just a few pictures of the bumps and scrapes Arch sends after each tussle with technical issues (often accompanied by a selfie with a thumbs up and a goofy smile). 

It's not professional to directly message websites that get reported here, but Ao3 is different. 

Whenever a website goes down, so many people barge into DownDetector with complaints and anger, but with Archive of Our Own, it's only love and worry. Looking at their previous messages which consist of mostly Arch sending memes and fluff fic recs, Dow smiles at the screen. When Ao3 goes down, so many people come in with care and understanding, and it's easy to understand why. What’s not to love about Ao3?

The contact image of Arch putting French fries up their nose comes with a call. Dow would lie to you if you asked them how fast their picked up Arch’s calls every time. It's always borderline impossibly fast. 

Dow is greeted by a flurry of wet coughs. Okay, shit shit shit this does not look good. 

“Arch? Arch? Are you okay?” 

The coughs die down. 

Arch’s voice sounds so small, smaller than it has ever been. It's unnerving. Archive of Our Own is a titan - more than 11 million fics, over 57 thousand fandoms. Time, love, and care has put been fed into the website, making it the envy of most. Dow doesn’t think Wikipedia’s rants about donations can get worse but it takes a step higher every time Ao3 has a donation drive. Arch was never meant to sound so small. 

“I don’t have a lot of time, but I wanted to call you first”, Arch’s voice is raspy like they’ve been screaming while eating glass. “I’m going to be gone for a while.” 

“What’s going on? Everyone says something is wrong.” 

Dow hears a deep tired exhale down the line like Arch is thinking about the words to say. Just like their users, sometimes words don’t come easy to Arch. “It was an attack, they came out of nowhere. A DDOS.” 

DDOS – the weapon of cowards trying to take down a titan, a deity, worshipped by so so many. 

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be okay. I’m more worried about everyone else.” Even at the brink of a meltdown, Ao3 always put everyone else before themselves. “Maybe Fanfiction.net or Wattpad can take them back, huh?” 

Oh, this isn’t a warning, it's a goodbye. 

Dow takes a deep breath. It's all in the handbook, you cannot panic in a time of crisis. Breathe, breathe deeply. “Archive, what’s going on? Something’s wrong.” 

“Hey hey don’t worry, alright? The volunteers are coming, you know how well they take care of me.” 

“Down, they’re going to take me offline for a while. 

“Take you offline?” Dow exclaims. “For how long? You can’t go! It's not even been 5 minutes and everyone already misses you.” 

I will miss you goes unsaid. 

A pregnant pause fills the room. Dow can hear the rush of blood behind their ears. 

“I don’t know.” 

“Arch please –” 

Dow is cut off by shouts that come down from the other end of the call. Before they can say anything, Arch rushes out, “I have to go, the volunteers are here.” Tears can’t stop rolling down Dow’s face. “Take care of them for me, will you?” 

Dow looks back to the screens on their desk. The overwhelming cries of terror, care, and worry fill the comments section. 

“I will,” spills off their tongue without hesitation. 

“Thank you,” whispers Arch, their voice clear as day amidst all the commotion. “Goodbye, DownDetector.” 

The disconnect tone plays. 

“I’ll see you soon, Archive of Our Own.”  

Silence fills the room again. 

For the first time in their lives, Dow gets down to their knees and prays. 

Please, whatever entities are out there, please. 

Bring them back.  

[albertasunrise]

Blind Truths - Part 1

Masterlist

Summary: Up until now, you and Javi had a purely professional relationship. You work together and that is that. But, when Javi has an accident in the field, you’re forced to spend more time with him and truths are revealed.

Warnings: Like AO3, I chose to give none. This fic is not suitable for under 18’s... This will be in 2 parts.

Relationships: Javier Peña x Reader

Up until that afternoon, your relationship with Javier Peña had been purely professional. You were a researcher of sorts for his department. The leads came in and it was your job to check their validity. You didn't see or speak to him outside of the office and you preferred it that way. After all, on your first day, you were warned about the Bogota Bachelor.

"You're pretty... He'll eat you right up." Said one of the CIA guys one morning as you poured your morning coffee.

You'd blushed at his comment. You had not been called pretty by anyone other than your parents and your high school bestie. So to be told by a complete stranger that you'd be desirable to the most desired man in the office gave you a real ego boost.

Only, he never made a move.

You were a little disappointed initially. You'd developed somewhat of a crush on the man but after two years of purely professional words shared, you managed to shake those feelings. He was nice enough to you. Would give you a sweet smile and bring you a coffee every now and then but that was as far as things ever went.

Fast forward to the present day and all that was about to change.

...

Steve panted as he stopped momentarily to catch his breath. He couldn't stop long, the guy was getting away so as he sprang back into action, he looked to his left and saw Javier sprinting along the adjoining rooftop. This had become a theme for them. Chasing Sicarios across rooftops. This time though, they'd both made the sensible decision to wear a vest. One too many times in recent months, they had almost taken a bullet.

They were closing in now and the guy knew it. The house ahead was a dead end. The only way out was down.

Steve leapt to the roof after the guy, his eye catching Javier doing the same and then he was stuck. Guns pointing at him from his front and rear.

"Manos arriba hijo de puta." (Hands up son of a bitch.) Javier growled but the man didn't move.

His shoulders sunk and rose with each heavy breath he took and for one painfully slow moment, everything was silent. Then in the blink of an eye, he pointed his weapon and fired. Time slowed as Steve watched Javier get knocked from his feet and fall from view. Steve's momentary lapse of attention was all the man needed to leap from view, down a fire escape and to safety.

"JAVI." Steve yelled upon realising their quarry had disappeared. He sprinted to the edge Peña had fallen from and saw the agent laying unconscious on a balcony below.

Steve didn't even think about leaping down onto the table that sat near Javier's prone form, the distance a lot less dangerous than what Javi had fallen. He then jumped down and fell to Javier's side. Worried hands fumbled about as he attempted to decern what his partner's injuries were.

"Javi... Javi, can you hear me?"

The agent didn't stir and Steve started to panic. He was careful not to move his partner too much. He was no medical expert but he knew that it was bad to move someone who'd fallen from a great height and looking up at the roof, Javier had fallen at least 7 feet straight onto his back. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small pool of blood starting to develop under his partner's head. Steve knew that wasn't good.

...

You were watching the clock, eagerly waiting for twelve to come around so that you could take lunch. It had been a slow morning. Two sets of agents had been out in the field this morning and you were their port of call for any emergencies. It was only a small aspect of your job but it was the one you hated the most. Not because it was boring but because you dreaded someone calling in to tell you an agent was down but you knew that these things happened. These were dangerous times in a dangerous country.

"This is agent Murphy." His southern drawl came through the speaker, crackly but still clear and your stomach dropped as you picked up the headphones to answer.

"I hear you, Agent Murphy." You said, your name flowing down the waves as you fought to keep your voice steady.

"Agent down." Steve stated and you felt sick "Agent Peña has taken a gunshot to his vest." He continued and you breathed a sigh of relief "Fallen from a roof onto a hotel balcony. Sustained a serious head injury. I need medical assistance." He finished before rattling off the address.

The breath you'd managed to capture was ripped away from you again as you noted down everything that Steve told you. You were immediately on the phone after, calling for a medical evac and praying they got to them both quickly.

"Medical help is en route to you Agent." You stated, amazed that you had managed not to lose it completely.

Your relief came into the room a few minutes later and you were quick to dash to the bathroom and throw up the contents of your stomach. Perhaps you weren't cut out for this.

...

Steve balled his shirt up and pressed it hard onto the wound to the back of his partner's head. His hands were shaking so much. He couldn't believe that they were in this situation yet he also wasn't all that surprised. Since Escobar had escaped, the two of them had become desperate. Connie had left and Steve had grown more reckless so Javier had taken it upon himself to make sure the man was taking some sort of care of himself. Steve knew it was his time to return the favour. He needed to make sure that Javier made it out alive.

"You're gonna be okay brother." He muttered to his unconscious partner "You're gonna be fine." He promised and he hoped he was right.

He hated making promises he couldn't keep.

...

You'd been worried when your boss had called you into her office. You had wracked your brains for what you might have done wrong. You prided yourself in your work. You put your heart and soul into it, knowing you were helping to make a difference in Colombia. You wondered if it was because of the other day. When Simons had come to relieve you and you hadn't briefed him before leaving. He hadn't said anything to you but you didn't know him well enough to know whether he would have.

You knocked on the door and waited for a tick before being called in. You then stepped into Messina's office gingerly, taking the seat she motioned to and wringing your hands in your lap.

"So you're probably wondering why I called you in here." She started and you gave her a nervous nod "Well, I understand that you were a nurse for a few years before leaving to join the DEA as a Research Specialist."

"Yes, Ma'am." You replied "Turns out I didn't have the stomach for it." You joked and she gave you a small chuckle "What does that have to do with why you wanted to speak to me?" You asked and she gave you a small sigh as she sat back in her chair.

"We, as you know, Agent Peña was injured in action a few days ago." She started and you nodded "He sustained a nasty head injury that has left him temporarily blind."

"Blind?" You blanced and Messina nodded grimly.

"The doctors have assured us that his sight will return as the swelling goes down however he needs someone that we can trust to live with him for a few weeks whilst he recovers."

"Why me?" You asked, your stomach twisting a little as you awaited her response.

"Honestly?" She asked and you nodded "Between you and me, I need someone that he hasn't screwed and left high and dry." She chuckled and you swallowed thickly "I know you have a good working relationship with Peña and Murphy and we need someone that we can trust."

"Right." You replied, nodding grimly.

"You can say no." She stated, taking you by surprise "This isn't an order. Agent Murphy has offered to help him but we need him here and not babysitting Javier Peña."

"It's fine Boss." You replied, holding your hand up to stop her "I will be happy to help him." She gave you a nod and you took a shaky breath "What about my work?"

"Simons can pick up your workload for the time being." She replied plainly "Lord knows it's about time he pulled his weight around here." You snorted at that before looking at your boss in horror at your sudden outburst. Her response was a rambunctious laugh that brought a smile to your face.

"Did they say how long it would take for his sight to return?" You asked and Messina shrugged.

"The doctors said it's hard to say. Could return tomorrow, and could return next week. He's got a pretty nasty concussion. Suffering with dizziness, broke his arm and dislocated his shoulder also." She stated and you sucked in a breath "He was lucky really. Could have been a lot worse."

You nodded grimly and she gave you a reassuring smile.

"So he's going to need assistance with cooking meals, his medications, etc?" You asked and Messina nodded.

"I'm hoping we won't be without you for too long but I really appreciate your support."

You gave her a nod before getting to your feet. You weren't sure how this was going to go but you knew that you wanted to help. It was your tip that had sent Javier and Steve out into the field that day. You felt responsible for what had happened.

...

"I don't need a babysitter." Javier growled as he crossed his arms like a petulant child, only to wince at the pain that movement brought.

"Why isn't your arm strapped up as it should be?" Admonished Steve and Javier rolled his eyes.

"He's right Javier." You interjected "You should have it strapped to help it heal. Won't be much use to the DEA if you have a gammy arm."

"I'll be no use to them if I can't see" Javier grumbled and your brows drew together as you sat down beside him.

"Javier, your sight loss is temporary." You said softly and the man scoffed "You just need to have a little faith."

"Easy for you to say." He grumbled and you threw your hands up.

"Whatever, act like a child." You growled, taking both Javier and Steve by surprise "I am here to help you get better. You will let me strap your arm up. You will take your medication and you will do as you're told because I am here at the request of Messina and I will not let you make me look incapable."

"Yes ma'am." Replied the agents in unison and you smiled to yourself as you gave yourself a small nod.

You proceeded to strap Javier's arm up, give him his pills and cook him dinner. The agent grumbled here and there but otherwise, he remained quiet for the rest of the evening. He was silently grateful you were there. When he'd been released from the hospital, he'd worried about how he was going to get around. Waking up blind had been the most terrifying thing he'd ever experienced. The hardest part of this was when it came to getting ready for bed. You sat him on the edge of his bed before grabbing him a fresh t-shirt and some sweats for him to sleep in. You blushed when you pulled down the ones he'd been wearing, averting your eyes and desperately searching for a distraction from the fact he wasn't wearing underwear. The situation was no less embarrassing for Javier. Usually, he was confident around women but with you, he was shy and unsure.

He'd had a crush on you from day one. Something Steve had teased him about almost daily. For that reason, he had chosen to keep things professional between the two of you. He didn't want to taint you with his reputation. You were too good for that. So to now be stuck relying on you for everything had those feelings rushing back tenfold.

He allowed you to manoeuvre him how you needed. You slipped his legs into his sweats before lifting them up and letting him pull them over his hips. You helped him out of his sling, into the fresh t-shirt and back into his sling again. Giving his arm a gentle squeeze when you were done to let him know he could lay down.

"Thank you." He said softly as you made your way out of his room, stopping you in your tracks "I know I was acting like a jerk earlier but I really do appreciate your help."

"It's fine Javier." You replied, giving him a weak smile "Sleep." You finished before making your way out of his room.

...

You and Javier slipped into a routine with ease. His sight had yet to return but his other symptoms had eased off. He wasn't suffering from as many dizzy spells and the headaches had receded to dull intermittent pangs every now and then.

Despite the routine, Javier had grown more irritable the longer he was blind. You could understand why. He was completely reliant on you and that must have been hard for him. Javier Peńa hadn't needed to rely on anyone for years. Now all of a sudden he was rendered useless and vulnerable and he hated it.

"You didn't have to bring dinner, Steve." You said as you helped the blond dish up.

"Nonsense." Steve said as he waved you off "You've been babysitting Peña all day, least I can do. Heck, you deserve a night off."

"I may be blind but I'm not deaf," Javier grumbled as he felt his way to the kitchen table.

"Javier, I told you to wait and I'd come and get you." You scolded and he growled.

"You're not my fucking girlfriend." He snapped and you winced at his statement.

No, you weren't. You weren't pretty enough to earn that title.

"Don't be an asshole Javi." Steve warned, "She's just trying to help you."

"Yeah well, I don't need her fucking help." He snapped and that was it.

"Fine, you don't need my help... Serve yourself." You scoffed, grabbing your plate of food and heading for the table.

Javier was rendered speechless. Truth was, he did need your help. He needed it more than he cared to admit but he was tired of being unable to do things for himself. He blindly felt his way to where Steve was standing and cursed when he stuck his hand in his food. Steve smirked but otherwise remained silent as he watched his partner feel around for the cloth hanging by the sink. When he found it, he wiped his hands and then carefully felt for the edge of the plate. Grabbing it and lifting it carefully he blindly headed in the direction he believed his table was.

"Gonna eat that in the lobby Javi or?..." Steve trailed off and Javier stopped, hanging his head before turning back and giving both you and Steve a pleading look. You didn't budge but Steve did. He guided his partner to the table and helped him put his food down before grabbing his own and sitting beside him.

"Sorry," Javier grumbled before digging into the food that Steve had brought and you shared a look with Murphy before digging into your own meal.

The next few evenings followed a similar pattern. Javier was grumpy, you and Steve told him off and then he ate his dinner in silence as he sulked. You couldn't help but feel sorry for the man though. He was trapped inside his own head, unable to do anything but listen to you and Steve drone on about work or how he was getting on. You'd heard him sobbing one night when you had gotten up to use the bathroom. You could see that the longer he went without regaining his vision, the more he lost faith that he'd ever get it back.

The days merged into a week. You drove Javier to his check-up and sat patiently for him in the waiting room. You hoped for his sake that the doctor gave him some good news because he was growing more and more irritable as the days went by. He thanked you for your help but he was still short and snappy with you and Steve. Your patience was starting to wear thin and you weren't sure how much longer you could take it.

Your attention was grabbed by a nurse helping him walk back to you. You grabbed his arm and thanked her before steering him from the building and back towards the truck. He was silent the whole way back. You decided not to push a conversation and when you made it home, you helped him to the couch and proceeded to make him a coffee, knowing he'd want one.

Steve arriving later that afternoon would finally give you the answers you wanted.

"How'd the appointment go?" He asked as he opened a beer and handed it to his partner.

"Doc said the swellings going down and that my sight should return soon." Javier replied and both you and Steve shared a look before he asked what you were both wondering.

"So why are you so fucking miserable?" He asked and Javier growled.

"I'm not." He grumbled and you rolled your eyes.

"You've not said a word to me since we got back." You argued and Peña groaned.

"Don't have to talk to you." He snapped and that was the final straw.

"I'm done with this." You snarled before making your way to his spare room and grabbing your suitcase.

"Hey." Called out Steve as he sprinted after you "What are you doing?"

"I don't have to put up with this." You grumbled "I offered to help because I felt guilty for what happened to him. It was my tip that got him into this mess but I don't deserve to be treated like shit for it."

"This ain't your fault sweetheart." Steve stated as he grabbed your hand "I know he's being a miserable bastard but he needs you."

"He doesn't need me." You scoffed "Said so himself."

"You know he didn't mean that." Steve urged but you scoffed.

"Sure he did."

In the other room, Javier could hear your conversation and his guilt started to swallow him up. He knew that he had been a bit of an asshole lately but he hadn't realised that he'd been hurting you. He pushed himself to his feet. He had to talk to you and tell you he was sorry but as he straightened up, he suddenly felt off. This wasn't one of those dizzy spells he'd been suffering from or even head rush. No, this was something completely different.

"Please, don't do this." Steve pleaded "I can talk to him, get him to-"

Steve was stopped in his tracks by a thump and you rolled your eyes at him.

"Peña's obviously trying to prove he doesn't need me." You uttered as you shoved a few more items unceremoniously into your bag.

Steve let out a sigh before he jogged into the lounge, ready to berate Javier for getting himself into trouble again but what greeted him made his blood go cold. Javier was on the floor, eyes rolled back into his skull as his body writhed on the floor. Blood trickled from his mouth and from his temple and Steve screamed your name before dropping to his partner's side.

You were out in a flash and you choked on a breath when you were greeted by Javier seizing on the living room floor. You were at his side in a heartbeat, supporting his head as the seizure started to subside.

"Steve, call an ambulance and grab me a cloth." You ordered as you stroked Javier's hair.

The agent did what you asked, tossing you a cloth from the kitchen as he spoke to the operator on the phone. Javier was completely out of it. His already unseeing eyes darted around the room and you pulled him into your arms and held him as you pressed the cloth to his head wound, hoping it brought him some semblance of comfort.

"You're okay Javi." You said softly "You're going to be just fine." You repeated as you kissed the crown of his head and rocked him gently.

The ambulance arrived a short while later. You went with Javier and Steve followed in his truck and then you both waited together for news on his condition. Your stomach twisting into knots. You knew as you waited, that you couldn't leave him. Not now.

Next

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[morganaspendragonss]

holly's august extravaganza day 4: a friend in me

📍 anon - I don't know but I feel like Carlos and Nancy can have such an awesome best friend dynamic. Maybe something sad/scary regarding Nancy happens where she has to make a report at the precinct and Carlos doesn't tell anyone as she made him promise so he starts to just check on Nancy and they just develop this caring, supportive, beautiful, fun, full of banter friendship to the amusement of TK and the 126.

kept this separate from your original ask because i want to keep those other prompts you sent alongside this one for later 😊

ao3 | 2k | hurt/comfort, brief references to gun violence, mostly just carlos and nancy being besties

Carlos has never seen Nancy look so small.

She’s sitting hunched over in one of the interrogation rooms, shock blanket around her shoulders, hands seemingly moving of their own volition to tear the empty styrofoam cup in front of her to shreds. As soon as Carlos had seen her being escorted into the precinct, shaking like a leaf and clutching her coat like a lifeline, he’d persuaded the officer with her to let him take over the case. His association with the 126 is well known so the officer had been reluctant, but Carlos had managed to wear him down, saying that he doesn’t really know Nancy that well.

And it’s—it’s not exactly a full lie. Through their hangs and TK’s stories, he’s coming to see Nancy as a force of nature, a woman who will let nothing and no-one stand in her way, whether that’s out on the field or during a game of Monopoly. But of her personal life, Carlos knows next to nothing; she mentioned a sister a few weeks ago, and TK delights in teasing her about her growing crush on Marjan, but that’s about it.

He needs to make more of an effort, he decides. When they’re anywhere else but a police station.

Carlos knocks lightly on the door to announce his presence before entering the room, sending her what he hopes is a reassuring smile. Nancy visibly relaxes at the sight of him and she drops the remains of her cup, though Carlos doesn’t miss the continuing tremble to her hands.

“Hey Nancy,” he says, sliding into the seat opposite her. “How are you doing?”

Nancy’s lips twitch, the corners barely curving into the beginnings of a wry smile. She breathes out shakily, meeting Carlos’s eyes for the briefest second before staring back down at the table. “I’m not great,” she answers, and for her to admit to that… Well, Carlos suspects it’s not a regular occurrence.

He nods, reluctantly pulling out his notebook and pen, hesitating before flipping to the next blank page. Nancy tracks his movements, resignation clearly etched all over her features. Carlos glances at the two-way mirror—not that it does him any good—then reaches across the table to take Nancy’s hand.

“We don’t have to do this right now,” he murmurs. “If you need more time, just say the word and I’ll leave. Or if you’d prefer to talk to someone you don’t know, we can do that too. Anything you need.”

The sudden tightness of Nancy’s grip is unexpected, as is the flash of panic in her eyes.

“Please, don’t go,” she whispers. “I don’t—” She cuts herself off, shutting her eyes and breathing slowly for a few seconds. Slowly, her hold on Carlos begins to loosen until her hand is slack in his, then she draws both hands into her lap and straightens in her chair. When her eyes reopen, she seems more like the Nancy Carlos knows—strong, confident, assertive—though there’s still clearly an undercurrent of fear underneath it all.

“I’m fine. Let’s do this.”

Carlos bites back an are you sure and settles for clicking his pen, his smile unwavering. “Can you run me through what happened, exactly?” he asks. “Take your time.”

A second or two passes, then Nancy nods, her voice steady when she speaks. “I was restocking the bus at the end of shift. I was alone; Captain Vega was in her office and TK was with the others in the showers—he did try to help but he’d had to go into a fire on our last call to help a patient and the smell of smoke was giving me a headache, so I told him to go.”

Carlos pauses in his note-taking, mentally filing that last piece of information away for follow-up as soon as he sees his boyfriend again. Judging by the amused quirk to Nancy’s eyebrow, she’s fully aware of where his mind has gone, so Carlos clears his throat and motions for her to continue, forcing his thoughts back to the present.

“Like I said, I was alone. I didn’t mind it; it was kind of relaxing, you know? Then this guy appeared from nowhere and pointed a gun at me, saying if I called out or turned on the siren or anything, he’d shoot. I thought—” She inhales sharply, her knuckles going white on the tabletop and her jaw clenching tightly. Her voice sounds different when she next speaks, more controlled, as though forcing each word out. “I thought it was happening again. I thought he was going to take me somewhere, make me his personal pet paramedic, something like that.

“Turns out, he just wanted drugs. I gave him what we had on the rig and he seemed satisfied, so I figured he’d shoot me anyway ‘cause I’d seen his face, right? He didn’t—obviously—but it looked like he was considering it.” Nancy pauses and flicks her gaze up at Carlos, biting her lip. “I think he might have done it,” she admits quietly, “but he got spooked by one of the guys making noise so he just bolted. I’m not sure how long it was between that and TK coming back and finding me. I’m sorry.”

Carlos shakes his head. “It’s okay. We can check the cameras at the station. With luck, that should get us an ID, maybe a license plate if he drove. I think that’s almost everything; just one more question, if that’s okay. Can you tell me what you gave him exactly?”

Nancy nods. “Morphine, Ativan, tramadol… I’d have to check stocks for the exact amounts.”

“We’ll do that, don’t worry about it.” Carlos taps his pen on the pages before flipping his notebook shut and leaning across the table again. “Are you okay?” he asks softly. “Speaking as a friend and not a cop, if there’s anything you need, anything I can help with, let me know.”

She smiles wanly. “I’m okay. I just want to go home and forget all this ever happened.”

“Fair enough. I’ll walk you out to your car.”

Carlos half-expects her to brush him off, but she just nods and allows him to escort her back through the precinct and out to her car. He dithers awkwardly, shuffling his feet as Nancy turns to him, one hand on the door handle.

“Thank you, Carlos. For real. I have the feeling it wasn't a coincidence that you were the one in that room with me.”

The tips of Carlos’s ears go pink as he finds himself caught out. “That, uh… That would not be inaccurate.”

“Well, thanks.” She pulls open the car door and Carlos takes a step back, wanting to wait until she’s safely away to go back inside. Nancy ducks as if to get in, then pauses and straightens again, biting her lip as she looks back at him.

“Hey, Carlos?” she says. “Can you do me a favour and not tell the others? Not even TK. They— They know vaguely what happened, but I’d prefer it if the details and, uh, some of the other stuff I told you could be kept between us.”

He agrees immediately, just grateful that she trusts him enough to handle this for her. “No-one will know any more than they need to,” he promises, which seems to relieve her. She thanks him again, then gets in the car and drives away, Carlos watching after her with one hand raised in farewell.

*

It grows from there.

It’s not intentional exactly, but one text to check up on her soon turns into a steady stream of messages, stories and jokes and even the occasional meme passing back and forth between them. Carlos especially appreciated Nancy's carefully curated collection of dirt on TK, which, as a concerned boyfriend, it is his duty to know. Many a conversation has been spent griping about TK's accident prone ways or sighing over his latest mishap.

Lovingly, of course.

Nancy, 15.48: you’ll never guess what happened this time

Carlos, 16.22: ?

In answer, he receives a picture of a dejected-looking TK sprawled on the floor with Buttercup’s front paws squarely resting on his chest. Buttercup’s tongue is lolling out, a wide grin on his face, and in the background stand the rest of the crew. All of them also seem to have their phones pointed towards TK—probably the reason TK looks so down, as Carlos knows his boyfriend couldn’t be upset with Buttercup to save his life.

Nancy, 16.26: he thought he’d try to teach buttercup some tricks. turns out, dog trainers exist for a reason

Carlos has to stifle a laugh—technically, he is supposed to be working—but his attempt at being subtle is thwarted when his phone repeatedly pings with similar texts and photos from Paul, Marjan, and Mateo. He screenshots the sudden influx of notifications and sends it to Nancy before saving every single photo.

Nancy responds with a laughing emoji and a promise to keep him updated.

*

Not all of their conversations are about TK, naturally.

Carlos, 19.10: I don’t understand why you don’t just talk to her

Nancy, 19.12: i do talk to her. every shift, actually

Carlos, 19.13: Nancy

Nancy, 19.13: carlos

Nancy, 19.14: i don’t even know if she’s into women, alright? it’s not like i can just march up and ask, that’s like waving a banner saying ‘hey, i’m in love with you’ in her face

Carlos, 19.16: Oh, we’re talking about love now, are we?

Nancy, 19.17: can it, reyes

Carlos, 19.20: Noted. Look, take it from someone who’s been navigating gay relationships in Texas his whole life. Sometimes you just have to go for it. Ask her for coffee, test the waters, see where it leads. You never know, it might work out. I mean, look at me

Nancy, 19.24: wow, way to rub your happiness in my face 😑

(Carlos doesn’t find out if she follows his advice, but he does notice her and Marjan showing up to their hangs together)

(Nancy does not appreciate his smugness)

*

Without even realising, they become a formidable team. This fact is highlighted one game night about three months after the incident, when Nancy and Marjan blow into his and TK’s house, a determined glint in both their eyes.

“We’re switching up the teams,” Marjan declares, much to TK’s outrage.

“What? Why?”

“Because,” Nancy continues, “we’re tired of losing to you guys. You’re like, freakishly good at board games and it’s not fair. Plus, we have to watch you both being all lovey all the time when you’re on the same team and it’s exhausting. We want to see you being competitive for once.”

TK pouts, but Carlos just shrugs when he looks to him for backup. “It’ll be fun,” he says, smiling at Nancy and Marjan. TK still looks put out, so he leans in close and half-murmurs, “C’mon babe. How about a prize for the winner?”

TK perks up considerably at the suggestion, and, going by the twin looks of despair on Nancy and Marjan’s faces, they caught both the comment and the innuendo. Marjan groans and Nancy raises her eyes skyward, as if pleading for divine intervention.

“This was a great idea, actually,” TK says, grinning. He quirks an eyebrow at Nancy. “You and me, Nance?”

That seems to shake Nancy out of her silent prayers for strength. “Uh, no. I’m with Carlos.” To emphasise the point, she strides forward and grabs Carlos’s arm, dragging him to the couch. He nudges her gently when they sit, smirking at the disgruntled way she digs into the snack bowl.

“You did say you wanted to see us being competitive.”

“Shut up.”

*

In the end, TK ends up paired with Mateo, and Marjan with Paul. It’s clear from the outset who’s going to win—Nancy and Carlos dominate the board, and not even Paul’s master strategy is enough to catch up with them.

They win by a comfortable margin, fist-bumping in celebration. There’s a general air of bemusement in the room, and when Carlos looks round at the others, he finds four pairs of eyes fixed on them.

“What?”

“Since when have you two been such a good team?” Paul asks, leaning back in his chair and raising an eyebrow.

Carlos shrugs, sharing a smile with Nancy. “Guess we just are.”

[chelseaapproved]

But All I’m Seeing is You

My gift for @ao3bronte!! Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year :)

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Also on Ao3

Ladybug’s heart is pounding as she watches Chat Noir’s—Adrien’s—frame shift under the moonlight. It’s been a week since she found out his identity and she’s finally ready to talk to him about it. She can do this. Hopefully.

With a steady breath, she swings over to him and sits down. He tenses the moment she lands.

“Hey,” she says.

He doesn’t look at her when he responds. “Hi.”

“So, you probably know why I asked you to meet me here tonight.”

“Not really,” Chat says, bowing his head. “I mean, I guess kind of, but not specifically.”

“I just want to talk about where to go from here.”

“You’re not going to take away my miraculous, are you?”

“I—what? No! Of course not! Why would you even—I would never, Chat.”

He shrugs. “We weren’t supposed to tell anyone,” he whispers, so quietly Ladybug nearly misses it over the sounds of the city below.

“You didn’t tell me. It was an accident.”

“That’s even worse,” he whines, dramatically covering his eyes with his arms. “I was reckless and stupid and wasn’t paying attention. What if someone else saw me? What if it wasn’t you?”

“Are you trying to convince me to take your miraculous?”

“No!” Chat clutches his right hand in his left.

“Okay then. Let’s put this silly argument away then.” Ladybug slides closer to him, using all her strength to lower his arms; the stupid cat is giving her too much resistance.

“Adrien,” she says softly. It’s enough to get him to stop fighting against her but he still won’t look at her. She gently holds his chin and turns his face to her. His green eyes burn into her and oh gosh he’s so attractive. How did she not realize before? “I’m not mad at you. And I’m so happy that you’re my Chat Noir.”

His face softens and his entire body practically melts as he leans against her shoulder. “Your Chat Noir?”

Ladybug hesitates before running a hand through his hair. She already made up her mind before arriving that she wanted this. Even after losing the argument with Tikki about revealing herself, she couldn’t ignore her heart any longer. They can make it work even if he doesn’t know who she is, she’s sure of it.

“If that’s ok with you. I’ve always been yours,” she says.

Chat stills before extracting himself from her. He stares at her long enough to set her blood on fire. “You—” he clears his throat. “I’m confused.”

Ladybug fidgets under his stare. For all she wanted him to look at her not moment ago, now she wishes he would stop. “I’m not allowed to tell you who I am,” she starts slowly, turning away from him. She knows she’ll get everything she wants out but she can’t look at him while doing it. “Tikki, my kwami, absolutely refuses it. But I—I like you Adrien. You were the reason I kept pushing Chat Noir away all those times you pursued me.”

She gulps and starts fidgeting with her hands. “If you—if you still feel the same way, I’d like to… to try to give us a shot?”

She chances a glance at him through the corner of her eyes. He’s staring at her, red-faced and wide-eyed. She can’t tell if he’s just shocked, angry, or happy. He doesn’t say anything and the silence between them hangs for what feels like ages.

“It’d be hard, I know, because you won’t know who I am so it’d have to be a secret. And obviously if you don’t feel that way anymore I understand. That’s- that’s to be expected, really, and—” her rambling gets cut off with his lips, soft and perfect and Ladybug’s heart flutters.

“Of course I still like you,” he says, his lips still close enough she can feel them move as he speaks.

“R-really?”

“You’ve been my world since you crashed into my life.”

Ladybug’s face falls.

“No,” she says.

“You really swept me off my feet.”

“Stop.”

“I really fell for you from day one.”

“That’s it,” Ladybug says, stepping away from him and reaching for her yo-yo. “This relationship is already over.”

“No wait,” Chat says, laughing as he grabs her arm. Ladybug can’t bring herself to keep frowning at him, not when his eyes crinkle at the corners and sparkle with mirth. “I’ll stop. Pawmise.”

“You’re actually the worst,” she says with a grin. “I can’t believe I ever thought I liked you.”

Chat’s blinding smile slides right off his face as he steps back, shrinking into himself once again. “Are you sure you want to date me even though I’m Chat Noir? I’ll understand if you only liked Adrien Agreste the model.”

Ladybug curses herself for not realizing her teasing could hurt his feelings. She knows how crazy in love she is but she hasn’t done nearly enough to assure Chat her feelings are here to stay. And she knows how insecure the boy in front of her can get; both Adrien and Chat Noir were prone to random bursts of self-deprecation.

The problem is, she doesn’t know how to let him know her feelings are genuine without revealing who she is. Adrien isn’t friends with many people, there’s no way she could say they’re friends as civilians without him figuring it out.

“I like you,” she settles on saying. “Adrien Agreste, Chat Noir, and everything in between. I had a week to think this over, you know. If I thought for one second I didn’t like you anymore we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Finding out my long-time crush is the same person as my crime-fighting bestie is literally the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Wow,” he breathes. “I don’t think I’m ever going to stop blushing.”

Ladybug giggles, weaving her fingers through his. “I don’t think I’m ever going to stop smiling.”

“Oh, me neither. There’s a very good chance I’m going to wake up any second and find out this was another vivid dream.”

“Dream about me often,” she jokes.

“Nearly every night.”

Oh. Ladybug feels her face grow uncomfortably warm at that. She always got flustered whenever Chat Noir would so freely talk about his feelings for her. It’s nothing compared to knowing it’s Adrien under the mask. She might actually faint.

“S-sorry,” Chat says, rubbing the back of his neck. Seriously, how did she miss that they were the same person? Adrien looks exactly the same when he gets bashful. It’s something she found adorable about both of them. “Was that too much?”

“N-no! I just—sometimes you—I mean....” Ladybug takes a deep breath and uses the time to focus on her words. “I can sometimes get tongue-tied around you. And hearing that you like me as much as I like you is kind of surreal. I didn’t know how to respond.”

It’s the wrong thing to say. Gone is the cute shyness and uncertainty. Instead, a huge smirk begins to grow on Chat Noir’s face as he leans in close, wiggling his eyebrows. “I make you tongue-tied, My Lady?”

“Sh-shut up,” she says, pushing him away by the nose and pivoting away.

“Gladly,” he responds. He grabs her arm and spins her around to face him. Their noses touch as they look into each other’s eyes. She’s entirely spell-bound. “Can I kiss you,” he breathes.

“Please,” she whispers.

The kiss is slow and gentle at first, long enough to properly appreciate it this time. His lips are soft and supple against hers and she can feel his smile, even as he pulls her in to deepen the kiss.

All things considered, it’s a pretty effective way to shut her up.

--

Ladybug isn’t expecting a crying Adrien when she knocks on his window a few days later. She just left Alya’s after feeling too much like a third wheel around Alya and Nino. Since her parents aren’t expecting her back for another two hours, she decides to pay her boyfriend a visit.

But apparently she’s there at the wrong time.

“L-Ladybug,” he says, tripping over himself to help her into his room.

“Hi,” she says, awkward. She’s still kind of getting used to the idea of dating Adrien Agreste; being presented with a red-faced, puffy-eyed Adrien is a bit too much for her brain to handle.

“What are you doing here?” Adrien wipes at his eyes as though he only just realized his tears were visible.

“I have some time before my parents are expecting me but I can leave if this is a bad time…”

“No!” He grabs onto her arm, desperate and sad. Her heart breaks. “No, please stay. I could use the company.”

Ladybug nods before walking over to his couch to sit. She’s been in his a room a few times as both Ladybug and Marinette but this is the first time she’s there as his girlfriend. It should be more intimidating and exciting but his obvious pain puts a damper on any ideas she might have had coming here.

“Is everything okay,” she asks when he joins her, sitting close enough that their thighs are nearly touching.

“It’s stupid,” he mumbles.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to but if it makes you upset, it’s not stupid.”

He wiggles around in his seat as he pulls his phone out of his jeans pocket, brushing his leg against hers in the process. Adrien punches in his passcode before passing his phone to her.

Her face stares back at her. It’s a picture she took with Nino and Alya about 20 minutes ago, when they were trying to convince her to stay. Their faces are pressed together, large smiles on their faces.

Swallowing down a lump in her throat, she asks, “these are your friends, right?”

“Yeah and they’re hanging out without me. Again.”

Marinette licks her lips, trying to think of what she should say. They thought sending the picture to Adrien would be nice. Something to let him know they were thinking about him.

“I mean,” he says in the absence of a response, “it’s not like I’d be allowed to go anyway. But they didn’t even ask if I wanted to hang out. And then Nino sends this picture like he’s rubbing it in my face.”

“I’m sure they didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” Ladybug is at a loss on what she should say. She knows that the meeting was impromptu—she had plans with Alya but Nino showed up to surprise her. There’s no way to tell that to Adrien without revealing who she is. And Tikki is still insisting she’s not allowed to do that.

“I know they didn’t.” Adrien draws his legs up and wraps his arms around his knees. “Doesn’t make it hurt any less.”

Ladybug hesitates for a second before wrapping her arm around him. They’ve kissed, it shouldn’t be this hard giving him a side hug.

“I’m sorry you’re feeling left out,” she says, hoping her voice and body language lets him know how sorry she truly is.

“I’m really glad you’re here,” he says. Adrien shifts his position and Ladybug is about to take that as a sign that he wants her off him before she feels his arm slip around her waist. “It’s like you knew I needed you.”

“I promise I didn’t but I’m glad I’m here too.” They sit in companionable silence before Ladybug musters up enough courage to ask the question that’s been nagging her. “Does this happen often?”

He laughs but there’s no humor behind it. “All the time,” he says. “Sometimes I do get invited but I’m rarely allowed to go. Being the kid who’s never allowed to do anything really sucks.”

Ladybug watches as Adrien rests his head on his knees while he pouts. She resolves then and there that she’s going to help him feel less left out. She doesn’t know how yet, but she’ll figure it out.

--

Her answer comes in the form of a moping Nino. “I don’t know how I’m going to graduate if I keep getting grades like this.”

“It’s not that bad, Babe,” Alya says from her seat next to him at the lunch table. It’s just the three of them today which Marinette never minded before but now she aches on Adrien’s behalf, knowing that he’s stuck going home by himself.

“Dude, I was three points away from failing.”

“Maybe you just need a tutor,” Marinette says. She knows all too well the struggle of keeping her grades up. Her past few years as Ladybug has been a killer on her grades but she’s finally found a system that works for her.

“I don’t have money for a tutor,” Nino says.

“You can try to ask a friend. I’m sure tutoring looks good on a résumé. Wait. That’s it!”

“What’s it,” Alya asks.

“Nino, you’re a genius,” Marinette says as she gathers her stuff.

“Pretty sure we were talking about how not-genius I am,” he says.

“No, no. This is perfect. Thank you!” Marinette runs off to talk to her teachers. She figures she can find a few people in each class that might need help.

Several conversations later and Marinette has everything set up. M Mendeliev agrees to talk to Adrien’s dad (or more likely, Nathalie) and five classmates have agreed to be tutored. Everyone involved have sworn themselves to secrecy so Adrien won’t find out who set the whole thing up.

She may not be able to tell him who she is, but she’ll be damned if she doesn’t use all her resources to ensure her boyfriend is happy. It’s the least she could do.

-- “What’s the best way to thank someone,” Adrien asks Ladybug as they cuddle in his bed.

“You say thank you?”

“I’m serious,” Adrien groans, rolling over so his back is to her. She takes that opportunity to spoon him, knowing him well enough by this point to know he enjoys being the little spoon.

“Who are you thanking and why?”

“You know how a few weeks ago I started tutoring a bunch of my friends?”

“Yeah,” she says, suddenly uneasy.

“I just found out today that my friend Marinette is the one that set the whole thing up.”

“Oh. You-you just found out today?”

“Yeah. Apparently she made everyone promise not to tell but Nino accidentally let it slip.”

Damn Nino.

“If she didn’t want you to know, she probably doesn’t expect any kind of thanks.”

“That just makes it worse!”

“What do you mean?”

“You kind of know her, right? She’s, like, the nicest person I know, present company excluded. She’s always doing stuff like this and I can never seem to catch up.”

Ladybug squeezes Adrien. “Catch up?”

“She’s not going to want to stay my friend if I can never return all her favors.”

“Adrien.” She tugs on him but he doesn’t budge so she rolls on top of him, forcing him to look at her. “Friends don’t keep track of how much they do for each other. It sounds like she just wants you to be happy.”

“Sounds fake but okay.”

“Adrien.”

“I still want to thank her, even if she doesn’t care.”

She eventually convinces him to make her a really nice, homemade card, which he hands her a week later, shy and unsure. She makes sure to fawn over it, gushing to Alya about it in front of him. He, in turn, gushes to Ladybug about Marinette’s reaction for the next week.

--

As annoying as it is that Nino spilled the beans, Marinette can’t help but feel grateful for his mistake. She didn’t have much reason to pursue Adrien’s friendship as Marinette before but his gratitude seems to have brought them closer. If there’s ever a group project, she’s the first one he seeks out. Whenever he’s allowed to have lunch with friends, he makes sure Marinette is joining them. They spend hours texting after school and during weekends.

It’s everything she could ever ask for but being so close to him and not being able to hold his hand or kiss him whenever she wants is near torture.

Somehow, Alya and Nino’s teasing is even worse.

Marinette watches in embarrassment as Alya and Nino make yet another excuse to leave her and Adrien together. She doesn’t mind it, obviously, but they aren’t exactly subtle. She turns to him with a bright smile that slides off her face the moment she sees his frown.

“What’s wrong?”

“Have you noticed that Alya and Nino leave us alone a lot?” Adrien begins walking to his house.

Her face immediately heats up as she hurries to catch up to him.

“Ah, I guess? They just like their private time.”

“They never do that when it’s just you. Or when there’s a bunch of us. It’s only when it’s you and me.” He pauses, looking away. “I think they don’t like hanging out with me anymore.”

“No, that’s not true.”

He gives her a look that clearly tells her he doesn’t believe her for one second. “That’s what it feels like.”

The wind sends a chill through her, making her pull on her sleeves. She should have worn a thicker jacket but she didn’t realize how cold it was going to be. She takes the pause to gather her thoughts, coming up with a plan that will hopefully assuage his fears as well as protect her heart. If he knew the truth, he would let her down and even though she’s already dating him, her poor fragile heart wouldn’t be able to handle the rejection.

“I have a boyfriend,” she blurts.

“O...k.”

Marinette wraps her arms around herself. “Alya noticed I’ve been… hung up on someone. It’s a total secret, though. No one else knows about him so I might have let her believe I have a crush on you?”

“I… what?”

“I love Alya but no one is supposed to know and she’s not always the best at keeping a secret. Or being subtle, obviously. I mean, she clearly told Nino about my crush on you even though I swore her to secrecy. So, yeah. Sorry.”

“Wait. Are you telling me Alya and Nino keep ditching us because they’re trying to set us up?”

“Yes.”

Adrien stops walking, grabbing her shoulders to stop her in her tracks. He stares at her, his green eyes hypnotizing her. She wants so badly to tell him the truth and pull him into her, use his warmth and love to settle her pounding heart. Instead, she smiles as he lets out a huge laugh.

“Why would she even assume it’s me you like?”

Marinette shrugs, unable to lie now that she’s looking him in the eye. “You know Alya. She’s always trying to draw conclusions. Once I confirmed her theory it was kind of hard to stop her from meddling.”

He chuckles before letting go of her. Only to swing his arm around her shoulders and pull her closer. They set off once again at much slower and awkward pace.

“So you really haven’t told anyone else about this mysterious boyfriend?”

“Nope,” she says, leaning into him on the pretense of being cold. “You’re the only one who knows.”

“I’m honored.”

“I trust you,” she says earnestly.

He squeezes her in response. “I—I have something to tell you too,” he says. She waits patiently while he musters up his courage, not quite believing he’s going to say what she thinks he’s going to say. “I’m actually in a similar situation to you. I have a secret girlfriend that no one knows about.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Since we’re both pretty famous we decided it’d be best to keep quiet. You’re the first person I’ve told.”

“It feels nice to finally have someone to confide in, doesn’t it?”

“Amazing,” he agrees. “I wish I could shout it from the rooftops that I somehow managed to land the best girlfriend in the whole entire world.”

Marinette hides her face in his shoulder at the praise before realizing that’s a bit too familiar for them.

“If you’re not comfortable with me using you as a red herring, I can tell Alya that I got over you or something. I don’t want to make things awkward with you and your girlfriend.”

“No, I think it’s brilliant. We can be each other’s covers if we need it.”

“Okay,” she says, quiet. “Thanks for trusting me with your secret.”

He looks down at her, his nose a little red, his eyes sparkling as he beams. “Of course. I’d trust you with my life.”

--

“So,” Chat Noir says at patrol that night. It’s getting harder and harder to go on casual patrols with him. If acting cool around Adrien as Marinette were hard, it’s nothing compared to being Ladybug and Chat Noir. Knowing that the boy beside her would also like to hold her hand or cuddle or make out makes it that much harder to resist. “I might have told one of my friends about us today?”

“Oh?” Ladybug hopes she sounds sternly surprised but she thinks she mostly sounds nervous. That could still work for her though.

“It’s Marinette. I know she won’t tell anyone.”

“You told her you’re dating Ladybug?”

“No! I just told her I have a girlfriend. She doesn’t know it’s you, I promise.”

“Okay,” she says. “I actually told a friend that I had a boyfriend, too.”

“You did?”

She nods. “I didn’t say who but yeah. Someone in my civilian life knows I have a boyfriend. He won’t tell anyone though, I trust him.”

“He?”

Ladybug rolls her eyes. “The person you told is a girl. You don’t see me being jealous.”

“I’m not jealous,” Chat pouts. At Ladybug’s pointed look he sags. “Okay, I’m a little jealous. It’s not my fault; my gorgeous, amazing, badass girlfriend gets to spend all day long with other people and I don’t know who they are or what they’re like. It’s hard.”

“I’m sorry Chaton.” Ladybug steps forward, wrapping her arms around him. It’s more intimate than she usually allows but if anyone catches them, they can still pull it off as a friendly hug. “I have insecurities about us too sometimes. Imagine how hard it must be being a perfectly ordinary girl secretly dating a world-famous, super sexy model.”

“But I love you so much,” Chat says. “And you’re far from ordinary, My Lady.”

“I love you too. There’s no reason to be jealous of anyone. We were made for each other. There’s no one else for me but you.”

“Good. ‘Cuz I’ll kill anyone who thinks they can steal you away from me.”

Ladybug snorts. “That’s a healthy reaction.”

“Only the best for you.”

“Hey, wanna go back to your room and makeout?”

“Um, yes?”

--

They’re sitting in a closed nook in the library, secluded from other students so they can practice speaking in Mandarin. Marinette watches Adrien as he stares dreamily at his textbook, a soft smile on his face. She felt particularly daring today and opted to sit next to him instead of across like usual.

“Are you alright,” she asks.

He jumps and a light pink blush creeps over his cheeks. “S-sorry. I kind of zoned out, what were you saying?”

Marinette smirks. “Thinking about your girlfriend?”

“Uh, yeah,” Adrien chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. He’s so cute. “Sorry. I read something that reminded me of something she said the other day.”

“You’re so red.” Marinette nudges him teasingly.

“Shut up,” he says as his face grows steadily redder.

“It’s cute. She seems to make you really happy.”

Adrien beams at her. “She does. I don’t know how to explain it, Marinette. She’s so amazing. I liked her for so long, I was honestly beginning to give up hope but now she likes me too and it’s… She’s filled my life with light and laughter and love and I’m so. Happy.”

Marinette hides her face in her book, knowing that it has to be bright red. “I’m glad. You deserve it.”

“I never really knew what it felt like to be so loved. I don’t know what to do with it all sometimes.”

“Adrien,” Marinette says, reaching out to hold his hands in what she hopes is assuring and platonic. “I know it’s not the same as the love your girlfriend has for you but you’ve always been loved. The moment you joined our class we all loved you.”

He squeezes her hand. “Thanks Marinette. I love you too.”

Marinette plants her face into the book, incapable to functioning at a normal human level.

“How’re you and your boyfriend doing?”

“We’re good,” she says, her voice slightly muffled by the book. “He’s always trying to kill me with how cute he is.”

“So you’re happy with him too?”

“The absolute happiest. It feels like we were meant to be together.”

“I know what you mean,” he says. She chances a peek at him to catch him smiling down at her, his pearly whites sparkling, and she doesn’t care if her cheeks are burning.

--

“Tikki,” Marinette says, plopping down on her bed next to her kwami. Tikki’s munching on a cookie before they head out to patrol. “It’s time for another talk.”

Tikki makes an ordeal over swallowing her cookie, drawing it out to excruciating lengths. Marinette scowls, knowing what Tikki’s attitude means.

“What would you like to talk about,” Tikki asks once she finishes her treat.

“You know what I want to talk about. It’s the same thing I want to talk about every time.”

“The rules still haven’t changed, Marinette. I’m sorry.”

“But I love him,” Marinette says, her heart sinking despite herself.

“I know you do. I’m sorry.”

“No you’re not.”

“Marinette.”

“Your rules make no sense. The whole world knows about Queen Bee, I already know the identities of Rena Rouge, Carapace and Chat Noir. Would it really be horrible if one single person knows about me?”

“That’s different.”

“How is it any different? I want to marry this boy one day, Tikki. How am I supposed to do that if I’m never allowed to reveal who I am?”

“This is why I said dating him as Ladybug might not be the best idea.”

Marinette whines and cuddles against her oversized cat plushie for support. “You’ve always encouraged me to go after Adrien. Why would you do that if you knew it would never work out.”

“Don’t give up hope just yet, Marinette. Things always have a way of working themselves out, especially for Ladybugs.”

“I can’t think of a possible way for anything to work out if I have to hide my identity from him for the rest of our lives.”

Tikki flies over to Marinette to give her an encouraging hug but Marinette is too annoyed to feel the love right now. “It’ll all work out in the end.”

“You still haven’t told me why it’s ok that I know about all the other miraculous holders but not a single one is supposed to know about me.”

“We can talk about it another time. It’s almost time for patrol.”

“Why are you being so weird about this?”

“I’m not!”

“Tikki.” Marinette stares down the Kwami. Tikki’s tiny frame sags and she looks away.

“I didn’t want to tell you this because it might stress you out for no reason but Master Fu has been slowly training you to be the next guardian. That’s why it’s not a problem if you know everyone’s identities; the guardian is supposed to know them anyway.”

“You didn’t think that was important information I should know about?”

“I was trying to protect you.”

“Your way of protecting me involves a lot of secrets,” Marinette snaps. “You know what? I don’t have time for this. Spots on.”

Ladybug knows she’s being snippy with Chat during patrol but she can’t bring herself to stop. There’s no one around to stop her from detransforming in front of Chat and finally revealing herself, not when Tikki is safely inside her earring. But no matter how badly her heart is begging her to do it, she can’t. Ladybug may be mad at Tikki but she still can’t disobey the kwami.

Her unwavering loyalty to the tiny god leaves a bitter taste in her mouth.

“Did I do something wrong,” Chat finally asks after Ladybug ignores him for the third time that evening.

“No.”

“Lady, please. What’d I do?”

“You didn’t do anything,” Ladybug says, caressing Chat’s face to reassure him. She lets her thumb linger on his cheekbone before removing her hands to hold his.

“Then why—”

“I got into another fight with Tikki. I’m sorry I took it out on you.”

“Oh,” Chat says quietly, stroking her hands with his thumbs. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“There’s not much to talk about. It’s the same fight we always have. I want to tell you who I am. She doesn’t think I should. Lather, rinse, repeat.”

“I don’t want to be the reason you and Tikki keep fighting, Love.”

“You’re not.”

“No?”

“I mean, only a little bit. We’re fighting because I want a future with you and I can’t picture that working unless you know me.”

Chat’s face softens, a light blush peeking through under his mask. “I want a future with you too. If there’s anyone who can overcome this, it’s Ladybug and Chat Noir.”

Ladybug smiles up at him. “I really love you, you know that?”

“I had a feeling,” he says with a wink.

--

Adrien’s air-conditioned room is a safe haven from the heat. Marinette doesn’t know how she survived before befriending Adrien. Even sitting in silence doing their homework is more enjoyable when she’s not at risk of heat stroke.

“Hey Marinette,” Adrien says, pulling Marinette from her thoughts. She looks up at him with her pen still in her mouth. He smiles fondly at her before continuing, “what’s your boyfriend’s name.”

The pen clatters against her textbook when it drops out of her mouth. “I— what?”

“Just his first name, even.”

“I thought we agreed it’s a secret.”

“I know. I’m just. Curious.”

“Why?”

Adrien shrugs, closing his book and sliding closer to her on the couch. “I’ll tell you my girlfriend’s name if you tell me your boyfriend’s.”

That makes Marinette pause, trying to figure out what he’s getting at. Is he planning on lying to her or is this him trying to tell her that he’s dating Ladybug? She doesn’t really like either option but the idea that he trusts Marinette to tell her he’s dating Ladybug is extremely flattering. Stupid, but flattering.

“Well,” she says slowly, “I guess there are plenty of people in Paris. If we just stick to first names, it won’t give too much away.”

He nods eagerly, endearing him to her even more.

“His name is Adrien.”

Adrien blinks at her. “Oh.”

Heart pounding, she says, “You don’t have to tell me your girlfriend’s name if you don’t want to.”

“What a coincidence,” he says.

Marinette panics. “I know right? Ha ha that’s why I figured I could—”

“Because my girlfriend’s name is Marinette.”

“What?”

Adrien is staring at her, his eyes piercing through her very soul.

“Tell me I’m wrong,” he whispers.

“A-Adrien.”

“My girlfriend’s name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng,” he says, grabbing her hands. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

“I… How’d you figure it out?”

“Marinette,” he says, so fond it hurts. “Did you really think I wouldn’t figure out the love of my life and best friend were the same person?”

At a complete loss for words, Marinette does the only thing she can think of and kisses him.

Tikki might give her a talking-to later but she can’t bring herself to care. Not when Adrien is finally kissing her as Marinette. Not when she can feel his hands caressing her bare skin for the first time. Not when he’s looking at her like she’s the answer to all his prayers. Besides, it wasn’t technically her fault that Adrien knows her identity. That can be a problem for another day.