#LADY STONEHEART IS NEVER BEING RESOLVED SORRY!

[remythologise]

bitchy drunk post but just saw someone denouncing the good/flag/shadows fandom as being ‘superwholock 2.0’ that makes ‘tumblr unusable again’ ok well sorry some of us were having fun in 2013. truly cannot imagine what you use The Supernatural Website for that would make it ‘usuable’ for you - targaryen headcanons? just blacklist and move on dot com

[thewritewolf]

Two For Two Chapter 18: Close Call

A team of four enemies might be a little too much for our heroes to handle... especially with the elemental powers each of them possess.

@ladynoirjuly2020

Enjoy!

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“Okay, Hawkmoth is definitely getting some extra power somehow,” Dragonbug said as she did her best to hold off what appeared to be a person made out of fire and a living whirlwind.

It was a frustrating combination - the whirlwind was scattering embers from the fire akuma, leading to a blaze that was slowly spreading across her city. A glance at the scene around her - all fire and smoke and heat haze - was enough to make her grateful once again for her miraculous cure. Soon enough, neither of them would be able to breath in this arena, let alone fight in it.

“Four akumas seems like an awful lot,” Snake Noir replied as he tried to stay ahead of two more enemies. “Do you think he’s been doing his homework? Or did he just find a new magic crystal or something in his cereal box?”

One of his opponents was similar to Stoneheart in that it looked like a person made out of boulders. The main differences were that this one was more the size of a large person rather than a giant, and it lacked a face. The other looked like a rolling tidal wave with a giant human face in the seafoam. As much as she would hope the water would cancel out the fire, it was doing a great job avoiding being helpful, instead constantly striving to slam into her partner.

“Only two of them are akumas,” Dragonbug corrected, using her yoyo shield to block a heat blast and getting a little singed anyway. “I think the earth and air ones are amoks.”

“Great, so Hawkbutt still has help. At least I feel better about this!” Snake Noir slammed his baton full force into the earth amok’s side, sending it flying into one of the burning buildings.

As glad as she was that they’d managed to get all the citizens out of the area before Hawkmoth’s crew arrived, she also recognized a losing fight when she saw one. And seeing the building collapse into a hellish blaze reminded her that they still had options.

“Chat, follow me!”

Latching onto an as-of-yet intact piece of masonry with her yoyo, Dragonbug pulled herself away with the wind roaring in her ears.

Or so she had thought, until she realized it wasn’t the usual wind whipping past her, but the living whirlwind assaulting her. She was being battered all around, her grip on her yoyo slipping as she held on for dear life.

It ended in an instant. There had to be something solid inside the air amok, otherwise Snake Noir’s baton extending into it at max speed would’ve done nothing. With a nod of appreciation at her partner, she pulled on her yoyo and they both got out of there.

A few streets over and they leapt through the windows of an abandoned office building.

“Over here!” Snake Noir grabbed her hand and pulled her into a bathroom. He let go of her and rushed into one of the stalls. She took the one next to his.

“Longg, Tikki! Divide!” Longg’s powers left her and for a moment, Ladybug stood in the bathroom stall. It didn’t last long before she called off that transformation as well. “Tikki, spots off.”

While the kwami looked up at her expectantly, she heard Chat go through the same process, less than a meter away from her.

“Sass, Plagg! Divide. Plagg, claws in.” Whoever it was behind his mask addressed her. “So, my lady. What’s the plan?”

“Well, the red potion for Tikki and Plagg, for sure. I'm not sure what else we should use, though.”

“‘Cause of all the fire, yeah, I figured.” There was a pause. “Wait, does that mean…?”

“Yes.” Marinette looked into her kwamis eyes and saw some surprise, but also steady resolve. “I think it’s time to use two potions at once.”

“Well,” Tikki said with some uncertainty. “You won’t have access to both at the same time, I think.”

“How would we use both then?” The boy who was Chat asked. “Is it wasted?”

“No…” Sass said. There was a hint of worry in his voice, but Marinette couldn’t figure out why. “You’d have to either turn off your primary miraculousss or redo the unification.”

“Sounds easy enough.” Marinette nodded. “Got it, Chat?”

“Y-yeah,” he said. Before she could wonder about his uncharacteristic nervousness, he pushed on. “So, second potion. What are you thinking?”

“Well… ideally we’ll be beating the fire akuma with the red potion.”

“It might be good to take out the water guy at the same time,” Chat added. “That way, we can put out some of the fires.”

“And if I’m right about them being the two akumas-”

“-which you no doubt are, knowing you-”

“-then that means we can focus on the mindless monsters afterwards. So maybe something that gives us some leeway. Flight again?”

“No orange?”

“If its true that Hawkmoth is copying the potions we use, then I’d like to keep that in the bag for now. I think we can manage with the others.”

“Spot on as usual, my lady. Ready to feed the kwamis and suit up?”

A smirk crossed her face. “Always.”

-----------

Snake Noir was working hard to keep the whirlwind and boulder monster at bay for his lady. Teaming up on the fire guy had ended up in disaster, but a quick reset and a change in strategy later and things were going a little better now. Even if he felt the loss of having more allies now more than ever.

Against his better judgement, he snuck a look over his shoulder toward Dragonbug while his opponents were still reeling from one of his attacks. Black covered her hands and feet, with bright flame markings ending the soot-like marks at her wrists and ankles. A scale pattern had replaced her usual suit texture, and gleamed like hot embers. He caught a look of determination as he saw through the blue tinted visor of her new helmet.

Then she swung her sword turned axe, its blunt side sweeping against the water monster and splashing the fire guy with a sizzling hiss. His attention was pulled back to his own fight just in time to dodge a rocky fist.

In comparison, his suit hadn’t changed all that much - instead of his smooth black leather, his suit almost looked like bronze. Tufts of tawny fur edged the cuffs of his gauntlets and boots, and a whole mane of it surrounded his head - a head which was now completely covered in something similar to a motorcycle helmet.

Which was topped with cat ears, naturally. A perfect match to the lion’s tail that had replaced his leather belt tail.

In this fight, the tail was less useful than the ears, which often gave him his only warning about when an attack was coming in. Sure, he didn’t need much help when it came to the rock monster since it telegraphed its attacks in what felt like hours ahead of time. But that wasn’t the one he was worried about.

No, what he had to listen for was the whistling wind that rapidly built to a howling gale as the air amok tried to slam into him. There was never much time to evade since it came so quickly, but the trade off was that it didn’t hit all that hard.

The problem was that the rock monster did pack a punch and being hit by the gale stunned him long enough for the boulder fist to wind up and hit him, something he’d figured out the hard way. Thank all the kwami for Second Chance or this battle might have been over already.

All that to say, this fight was on a razor’s edge but only for him. He was struggling to make any offensive moves, but then again, he didn’t really need to.

“Found you!”

The eager shout from his lady saw him look back just in time to see a splash of water reveal a necklace around the fire guy’s neck, buried in flame. But while she was busy rushing for that, he caught a glimpse of something in the water akuma as it took a moment to recover. Something weirdly shaped located at the core.

On the bare-looking akumas and amoks, odds were that it was the source of their power. He waited and listened, staring intently at the rock monster as he positioned himself just right.

The whistling started just where he thought it would, but even then he waited, tensing all his muscles, until the howling gale were nearly on him then-

He threw himself to the side with as fast as he could, at the very last possible second. The living whirlwind breezed past him to slam into the stone beast, staggering it back a step and stunning the wind as well. The two of them distracted briefly, he whipped around and ran.

As he approached, Dragonbug was making desperate grabs for the now freely dangling necklace, but the fire akuma was keeping just out of reach. The water akuma, trying to support its ally, was too focused on Dragonbug to notice him. At least until his baton was slicing through it. It connected with something solid which shattered satisfyingly.

The water creature began to shrink in on itself as it transformed back into a human. The sight of which must have surprised the fire akuma and uncertainty flickered in its flames. A moment of hesitation, but more than enough to give Dragonbug the upper hand as she lunged forward and yanked the necklace off it. A swift punch shattered it and the fires coating the person extinguished.

Two purifications later and two citizens in The Last Airbender cosplays stood blinking in bewilderment on the battlefield. Trusting Dragonbug to fix things, Snake Noir returned to the remaining amoks who were even now barreling down on them.

“Water Dragon!”

A sudden rain, like a tropical deluge, fell all around them. The fires were extinguished, leaving the area much colder and darker than before.

“Chat, come on! Get the civilians out and swap out!”

After blocking a swing from the rock monster and dodging the whirlwind, he nodded and scooped up one of the civilians. Dragonbug got the other and they escaped the area. The whirlwind seemed to be playing it safe now, since it didn’t chase after them.

The four of them landed on a rooftop, where they dropped off the civilians.

“I’m super sorry about all this,” the woman wearing a Water Tribe cosplay said. “I didn’t think an argument would be enough to cause… that.” She gestured toward the scorched section of the city, now dripping wet.

“Just an argument turned you into such powerful akumas?” Dragonbug’s eyebrows rose.

“Well, it was a pretty heated fight,” the man in a Fire Nation outfit said with a smirk. Snake Noir chuckled appreciatively.

“Any clue where the… control thing for those things are?” Snake Noir tapped his chin in thought. “It’ll probably be something tied to your fight.”

The man and woman glanced at each other, then patted themselves down.

“Uhh… Do you have that wood leaf?”

“The one painted to look slightly burned, like Aang had practiced firebending on it, right?” The woman shook her head. “No, I don’t. Do you have the glowy crystal, like from the cave of two lovers?”

“Nope,” the man replied, popping the ‘p’. He turned to the two heroes. “Looks like you’re after a crystal and a wooden leaf.”

Dragonbug tapped her chin. “I bet the leaf is lightweight, huh?”

“Oh for sure,” the woman said. “It kept getting blown away by the fan.”

“I see…” Dragonbug took out her yoyo and jumped up onto the roof ledge, Snake Noir following her lead. “Thanks for the help, you two!”

Snake Noir waved at them as he jumped off the roof after her. “Stay out of trouble!”

“I’ve got-” Dragonbug stopped when Snake Noir’s bracelet let out a shrill beep. “Take care of that first and meet me at the amoks. Just follow my lead and we should have this one in the bag.”

“I never doubted it for a second.” He gave a quick bow and dashed off.

----------------

“Perfect timing, Chat,” Dragonbug said as she engaged in an aerial duel with the living whirlwind and nimbly dodging the occasional thrown boulder from the rock monster.

Snake Noir’s emerald green wings carried him into a flanking position, no doubt intending to help her beat up on the wind amok. But she had different plans. It had taken her a while to figure out which piece of floating debris was the leaf in question, but once she saw it she had refused to take her eyes off of it. All she had to do was wait until-

Now!

“Wind dragon!’ A gust of wind, even stronger than her enemy but very short lived, blew straight at the leaf… and right into her partner.

Although he was surprised at the sudden attack, it all clicked for him once the leaf smacked him in the forehead. A quick punch shattered it and the winds finally died down around them.

The purification must have been the final straw for Hawkmoth and Mayura, since they retracted the feather from the rock monster’s amok after a moment of hesitation. The feather slipped from between the monster’s fingers, causing it to drop the crystal the cosplayers had mentioned. Despite its best attempts, the feather didn’t get away either and it too was purified.

“Lucky Charm!” A first place medal landed into her hands and a smirk crossed Dragonbug’s face. She immediately tossed it back into the air. “Miraculous Ladybug!”

Dragonbug put her hands on her hips and watched with satisfaction while the city was mended before her very eyes. Snake Noir stepped up to her with a smile and a raised fist.

“May I interest you in a ‘pound it’ for a job well done?”

She pretended to consider it for a moment before nodding and returning the fist bump. “You may.”

[gryffindorcls]

It’s You (Part 1)

This AU is based on a drawing made by the amazing @yunyin that you can find here.

Enjoy!

---

Marinette was not having a good day. It was bad enough that Chloe was in her class again, but now Paris had a supervillain...that she had to fight! At least that’s what the little red bug-mouse had told her. Marinette could barely walk a block without tripping on a rock. How was she supposed to be a superhero?

Even though she was scared and unsure, she still transformed and swung into action. The thought of her fellow classmate being under the control of an evil butterfly man helped her choke back her insecurities...well, for about thirty seconds. While she managed to successfully attach her yo-yo onto one of Notre Dame’s gargoyles, her landing was not very graceful. She quickly found herself hanging upside-down in a tangled mess with what looked like a cat-themed superhero.

“Ugh...what a terrible first impression,” she thought while tugging on her yo-yo.

“I bet you’re the partner my Kwami told me about!” he said with a grin.

“He probably wishes that he was partnered with someone who knew what she was doing.”

“I’m...hmmm...Chat Noir. Yeah, Chat Noir...and you?” he asked, still smiling.

“Be cool...be cool...be cool! Don’t say something stupid. Don’t say…”

“Marinet…uhhh…” She groaned.

“STUPID! YOU’RE SO…”

“STUPID! Ohmygod...I’m so sorry! I can’t believe I just said that!” She hid her face with her hands.

He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay. Consider it forgotten. It never happened. We’ll work on your superhero name later.”

Her heart thumped in her chest as he cast her a sympathetic look. “Thanks. Uhm...I can’t get my yo-yo free. It’s stuck on your baton. Could you help me?”

“Sure, and don’t worry. I’m still learning the ropes, too.”

“Thank you.”

He jumped up and grabbed his baton. Once he got it to retract, the tangled string fell to the ground.

“Hey, you know...with the spots and all...you kind of look like a Ladybug,” he remarked.

“Ladybug...hmmm...yeah! Okay, I’m Ladybug. Nice to meet you, Chat Noir!” she giggled.

He laughed. “Likewise, Ladybug. So, partner...we have a job to do. Shall we?”

She smiled. “We shall.”

The newly named superheroes leaped onto the rooftops together to face their first foe. Upon reaching the stadium and seeing Stoneheart, Ladybug froze while Chat Noir took action.

“Come on, Ladybug, we can do this together!” her partner called out from the field.

Trepidation kept her feet glued in place, but she didn’t want to let down the nice boy who had shown her kindness despite her blunders. Ladybug took a deep breath and attempted to find the courage to fight.

Suddenly, she heard a cry from the far corner of the field. Ladybug’s eyes landed on Alya who had almost been killed by a flying soccer net and Chat Noir who had been captured by Stoneheart.

“What are you waiting for, super red bug?” Alya called, “The world is watching you!”

The fear of failure immediately turned into the desire to save Alya and Chat. After mentally steeling herself, Ladybug found her resolve. She used her yo-yo to swing onto the field, rescue Chat Noir, and get Alya to safety.

While attempting to find a way to break the Akumatized object, Chat prematurely used his Cataclysm.

“Uh, oh! I guess I only get one shot to use my power,” he said with a sheepish grin.

Ladybug sighed as she watched Chat get punted across the field. “And you only have five minutes before you transform back. Didn’t your Kwami explain anything to you?”

He smiled. “I guess I was a little excited about my new life.”

“It’s alright. We’ll figure something else out. I think we’re both allowed mistakes today.”

“Thanks, but what are we going to do?”

“Hmmm...well, I haven’t used my superpower yet.” Ladybug tossed her yo-yo into the sky. “LUCKY CHARM!”

A wave of confusion washed over her as a spotted wetsuit landed in her hands. However, after talking it over with her new partner, the solution came to her easily.

Ladybug’s chest swelled with pride as she broke the Akumatized object and watched the purple butterfly flutter away. She turned to Chat Noir and beamed.

“You were incredible, Ladybug. You did it!” he exclaimed.

“No, we both did it. I couldn’t have done this without you. Even though we made a few mistakes along the way, I think we’re going to be a pretty good team. Pound it?” She held out a fist for him to bump.

He returned the gesture just as his ring started to beep. “Uh, oh.”

“You better get going before you transform back. We don’t want any of your secrets being revealed. I just hope I didn’t mess up too much by accidentally telling you my name.”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t worry about it. I don’t get out much, and I only have one friend. I’m hoping to make more soon, but what are the chances of us running into each other in our everyday lives? Paris is a big city. I’m sure you’re fine.”

“Still, you better get going.”

“You’re right. See you around, my lady.”

She giggled and rolled her eyes as he unsheathed his baton and vaulted away. After comforting Ivan and announcing her superhero name, Ladybug followed in suit and returned home to rest after the day’s excitement.

When she detransformed in her room, she breathed a sigh of relief and turned on her computer. “I did it Tikki!”

Her kwami nuzzled her cheek. “You see! You were up to it!”

Later that evening, the television blared while Marinette’s family cleaned the kitchen after dinner. Marinette’s joyful mood vanished when Nadja Chamak interrupted the broadcast with news of Parisians being turned into an army of silent stone beings.

Marinette rushed to her room and called for her Kwami.

“Tikki,” Marinette cried, “What’s going on? I don’t understand.”

“Did you capture the Akuma?” the red Kwami asked.

“What's capturing the Akuma got to do with the other stone beings?”

“An Akuma can multiply, that's why it must be captured. If Ivan's emotions become negative again, then the Akuma will turn him back into Stoneheart! He'll control all the stone beings and bring them to life to serve as his army!”

“Oh, no,” she thought, “I messed up even more than I thought...I don’t know what to do.”

Marinette withered upon finding out that the appearance of Stoneheart’s minions was due to her failure to cleanse the Akuma. She’d been so excited while watching that beautiful purple butterfly disappear into the distance, but it turns out that she’d only created a bigger mess.

“So that means... this is all my fault? I knew it! See, Tikki? I'm not cut out to be a superhero! I'm only gonna keep messing up.”

“Keep calm. It was your first time. You're going to go back and capture Stoneheart's Akuma, and you will do it successfully!”

“I can't! I told you, I'm clumsy! I create disaster all the time! I'll only make things worse for me, for you, and for everyone. Chat Noir will be better off without me. I'm quitting.”

“Don’t say that, Marinette. You are going to be a great Ladybug. It’s only your first day. Besides, Chat can’t do this without you. You’re the only one who can cleanse the Akuma.”

“If Chat Noir can't capture the Akumas, then... just find another Ladybug. I told you, I'm not cut out for this!” Marinette began to take off her earrings. “I'm sorry, Tikki.”

The Kwami held out her paw in an attempt to stop her holder. “No, don't do tha...”

Tikki was silenced before having the chance to finish.

Marinette looked around the room, but the Kwami was nowhere to be found. “Tikki? I'm really sorry, Tikki.”

She then put away the earrings, stored the box in a drawer, and slumped against her dresser. This was turning out to be the worst day of her life.

“Chat needs someone who can do the job right the first time,” Marinette thought, “Alya will make a much better Ladybug.”

***

“Ladybug’s name is Marinette,” Adrien sighed as he watched Paris’ new heroes on the nightly news.

Plagg shook his head. “Yeah, kid, you’re not really supposed to know that. Let’s just hope that you don’t come across any spunky, pigtailed girls with that name in the near future.”

“Would it really be that bad if I met her in real life?”

“It wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it would make things more...difficult.”

“How so?”

“Usually, we like our holders to have a little bit more time to bond before we even begin to consider an identity reveal. It helps to build trust.”

Adrien flopped onto his side. “I don’t know...we had a connection out there earlier today. I think she and I would be able to overcome anything.”

“Great!” Plagg threw his hands into the air. “I got another lovesick one.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s not uncommon for my cats...well, you’re more of a kitten...anyway, they tend to fall in love with their bugs. It’s all part of that annoying yin and yang ‘made for each other’ mumbo jumbo.”

“So...Marinette and I are...like soulmates?”

“Not ‘like soulmates’. You are soulmates.”

Adrien beamed. “Wow...I have a soulmate. I hope I get to meet that girl in person one day.”

“Life always seems to have a way of working itself out,” Plagg assured, “I’ve been around for eons. Trust me, this isn’t my first rodeo.”

“You think so?”

“Yes...now...onto more important things!”

“What could be more important than my soulmate?”

“Uhhhh...my stomach,” Plagg noted while turning his nose away from the various dishes put in front of him. “Eww! What is this!”

Adrien was offended. “Seriously! My personal chef made all of these!”

“If you expect me to get my energy back after a transformation, I need to eat something more... delicate!”

“Okay. What do you want?”

“Hmmm...we’re in France, right?”

“Yeah…”

“Look, it’s been a while since I’ve been activated, and I recall one of my holders visiting France about three hundred years ago. He came across a particularly lovely cheese called ‘Camembert’. Do you have any of that around?”

“You’re joking right.”

“I would never joke about something like this. You’d know if I was. You’d be laughing.

I’m hilarious.”

“Camembert is the ripest smelling cheese.”

Plagg shrugged. “Fine. I guess you don’t want to be Chat Noir.”

“Ugh,” Adrien groaned, “Okay. I think we might have some in the kitchen. I’ll check. Everyone at school is going to think I’m the weird new kid. I mean, who carries around camembert?”

“You’re not seriously going to school tomorrow, are you?”

“Well, yeah. I am. This time, no one is going to stop me.”

“You’re crazy, kid.”

“And you have a terrible taste in food.”

Plagg smiled. “I’m glad we understand each other. Call me back when the cheese comes.”

Adrien frowned. “Camembert cheese. Fantastic. All he eats is camembert, which means I'm gonna smell like stinky, old cheese.”

He turned his attention towards the television. Adrien leaned forward in his seat while he watched a breaking news report.

Nadja’s voice rang through his room. “These victims transformed into stone beings are still like statues. The police are perplexed as to what will happen to them. Will they come back to life or be frozen in time forever?”

Adrien looked at his Kwami. “Plagg? What's going on? I thought we defeated him.”

Plagg shot him a worried expression. “Did you cleanse the Akuma?”

“What do you mean?”

“If Ladybug doesn’t cleanse the Akuma after it has been released from the Akumatized object, then it will fly away and multiply. That’s what you’re seeing on your moving picture box right now.”

“Can I cleanse the Akuma?”

“No.”

Adrien sighed. “So, I can't do anything without my partner?”

“Only Ladybug can capture Akumas and repair damage caused by supervillains,” Plagg responded.

“Well, should I transform right now and wait for Ladybug to show up?”

“Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do unless that boy gets Akumatized again, and trust me...it will happen again. Things will sort themselves out...eventually. I just hope that Ladybug’s Kwami is preparing her for what comes next.”

“Well, Marinette is awesome, so I don’t think we have to worry about anything.”

Plagg nodded. “Yeah, kid. Like I said before, things will work out. ANYWAY, I’m tired and hungry. I think it’s time for you to go get that cheese.”

Adrien rolled his eyes and chuckled to himself. He was excited to be a superhero, but he knew that life with Plagg was going to be...interesting. (Nonetheless, he already loved him. It was nice to have someone to talk to for a change.)

He spent the rest of the night strategizing his next attempt to get to the school. He was determined to make it all the way this time. Adrien couldn’t understand why his father was so adamant about keeping him home. What was so bad about making friends anyway?

The next day, ALMOST everything went according to plan. He made it to school, and people seemed friendly...and then Chloe surprised him by trying to put gum on another person’s seat. He knew that Chloe could be a little spoiled sometimes, but he never expected her to be so mean.

“Hey! What are you doing?” an annoyed voice asked behind him.

Adrien jumped back and his green eyes met a familiar blue. “Uhhh…I…”

He cringed while he heard Chloe and Sabrina laugh at his interaction with the enraged girl standing before him.

The girl huffed and shot him a hurt expression. “Okay. I get it. Good job, you three. Very funny.”

Her words made him panic. “No, no, I was just trying to take this off!”

She only seemed to become more annoyed upon hearing his explanation. “Oh, really? You're friends with Chloe, right?”

That was the second time someone had asked him that question today. Adrien hung his head and trudged to his seat. “Why do people keep saying that?”

Chloe snickered. “Now do you see what I mean about respect?”

At that moment, he didn’t know if he wanted to cry, scream, disappear, or all three.

The boy in the seat next to him looked up. “Why didn't you tell them it was Chloe's idea?”

Adrien shrugged. “I've known Chloe since I was a little kid. I know she's not perfect, but I can't throw her under the bus. She's like my only friend.”

The boy smiled, surprising Adrien. “I'm Nino, and it's time for you to make some new friends, dude.”

He shook his Nino’s hand. “Thanks.”

“You seem super chill. Unlike Chloe. How do you two know each other anyway?”

“Our parents are...or maybe were...I don’t know. They were friends. I didn’t get out much when I was little, but they let me play with Chloe.”

“That’s rough, bro.”

“I still can’t believe she was so mean to those girls. I never expected that from her.”

Nino shook his head. “Chloe has always had it out for Marinette. I have no idea why, but they’ve never gotten along.”

Adrien’s brain short-circuited. “I’m sorry. What did you say her name was?”

“Marinette. She’s really cool. I think the new girl she’s sitting with is named Alya.”

Visions of red and black spots flashed through his mind. The ocean-blue eyes he’d seen earlier fused with the striking azure irises he’d seen the day before. He glanced in Marinette’s direction and saw the familiar bob of two raven pigtails.

It was her.

It was her.

It was her.

Adrien couldn’t believe that he’d found his Ladybug. Joy flooded his body but was quickly replaced by icy panic.

“Oh, no. She hates me,” he thought.

“Agreste, Adrien,” called a voice from the front of the room.

Nino nudged him. “You say ‘present’.”

His nerves were already frayed, so the shock of this new experience caused him to leap out of his chair, stand at attention, and raise his hand. “PRESENT!”

The rest of the students giggled while he sheepishly sat down again. The teacher continued roll call until she reached the name of a student who was not in the classroom.

“Bruel, Ivan?” she called.

A large stone being broke through the door. “PRESENT!”

Adrien ducked out of the way as the re-Akumatized Stoneheart grabbed Chloe and another student before crashing through the wall. He knew he needed to transform, but Marinette was still in the room. He paused to look at her.

His mind was reeling. “Why isn’t she leaving? She’s Ladybug.”

There were other people in the room. Adrien couldn’t tell her that he knew who she was, but he didn’t want to transform before he was sure that she was going to fight by his side. He’d just found her, and he wasn’t ready to leave her behind.

He turned to Marinette. “You need to go.”

She looked at him with fury in her eyes. “Excuse me?”

His heart sank. “Ohmygod...she really does hate me.”

Adrien tried to find the right words to say. “I...uhhh...I what I meant...I uhhh...I don’t want you to get hurt, and you should probably find a place to hide.

She scoffed. “Ugh...thanks for the concern, but I can handle myself.”

He watched as Marinette ran to Alya. She attempted to give her friend a messenger bag; however, the phone-wielding girl ran out of the classroom before taking the satchel. Adrien looked up at the dejected-looking Marinette who was still holding the blue bag in her hands.

Adrien knew that look…it was the look of defeat. It was the same look that he had every time his father stopped him from living his life. He didn’t want her to give up. She was amazing, and he knew that he couldn’t stop the Akuma without her.

“Paris needs you,” he noted cryptically before making his way towards the exit, “and I need you, too. Please. I’ll explain everything later.”

Adrien dashed into the locker room and called for his transformation. Within minutes, he was standing in front of a roaring Stoneheart. However, his partner was nowhere to be seen.

“If you can hear me, Ladybug, I could use a little help!” he yelled.

After using his baton to prevent a car from crushing Alya, he was scooped up by one of the stone beings.

In a final attempt to get away, he flailed his legs in protest. “Let go, you rock-head!”

“This is it for me,” he thought, “I just hope Ladybug can help everyone else.”

However, just as he began to lose hope, he heard Ladybug call out to him. Somehow, she managed to return his baton. After freeing himself, the duo raced to standoff against Stoneheart at the Eiffel Tower.

They leaped over the police barricade just as Chloe was flung to the ground by the Akuma. Chat found himself (once again) in awe as Ladybug swooped in and caught Chloe in her arms.

“Even though Chloe was terrible to her, she still saved her. She’s beautiful, brave, and kind. Is there anything she can’t do?” he thought lovingly.

“We’re clear to attack!” screamed Officer Raincomprix.

Ladybug looked at the police officer with pleading eyes. “Wait! No, don’t attack them! You know it will only make it worse!”

The man sneered. “I have a new plan, unlike you! Move aside, and let the pros do their thing. You’ve already failed once!”

The spotted heroine turned towards Chat and hung her head. “He’s right, you know. If I had captured Stoneheart’s Akuma the first time around, none of this would have happened! I knew I wasn’t the right person for the job.”

Chat’s heart broke. “No...doesn’t she realize how incredible she is? Doesn’t she see what I see? How can she keep doubting herself? Say something...help her to believe that she can do this!”

“No,” he began, placing a hand on her shoulder, “He’s wrong. Without you, Chloe would no longer be here. Considering how awful she was to you earlier today, that couldn’t have been easy.”

She knitted her brows. “What? How did…”

Chat quickly cut her off. “Nevermind. I’ll explain everything later. But for right now, just remember...without us no one will make it, and we’ll prove that to them. Trust me on this. Okay?”

Confidence flared in Ladybug’s eyes. “Okay...oh, and I’m holding you to that explanation later.”

“Don’t worry...when this is over, I’m all yours.”

“Thanks.”

Their heads snapped towards Stoneheart as he roared and released a swarm of cursed butterflies into the sky. Within seconds, the Akumas formed a menacing face.

Chat’s heart seized as the cloud of butterflies began to speak. “People of Paris, listen carefully. I am Hawkmoth. Ladybug and Chat Noir, give me the ladybug earrings and the cat ring now. You've done enough damage to these innocent people!”

There was something eerily familiar in the way Hawkmoth spoke. It made his blood run cold.

Ladybug clapped and sauntered towards the Eiffel Tower. “Nice try, Hawkmoth, but we know who the bad guy is. Let's not reverse the roles here. Without you, none of these innocent victims would be transformed into villains. Hawkmoth, no matter how long it takes, we will find you, and YOU will hand us YOUR Miraculous!”

Chat stared in awe as she used her yo-yo to cleanse the Akuma cloud.

Standing triumphantly atop the monument, Ladybug declared, “Let me make this promise to you. No matter who wants to harm you, Ladybug and Chat Noir will do everything in our power to keep you safe!”

“Wow,” he whispered under his breath, “I’m definitely in love with her.”

“Let’s just hope she doesn’t hate me when she finds out who I am,” he added mentally.

In a matter of minutes, the battle was fought and won. The heroes eventually found their stride and worked in tandem to defeat Stoneheart and purify the Akuma. Once they were safely on the ground, Chat’s Miraculous beeped.

Ladybug looked up at him. “You’re going to transform back soon. You still owe me an explanation.”

Chat smiled. “I know, but not here. There are too many eyes. Just...go back to school, and I will explain everything there.”

“You keep saying things like that. Do we know each other? Did you already meet the civilian me? Oh, no. Hawkmoth could use that against us. It’s one thing to know my name, but it’s another thing to know who I am. This is really bad, Chat!”

“No, it’s not. It’s going to be okay, I promise. Please...just trust me. I would never let anything bad happen to you, my lady.”

“Okay...I trust you. Thanks, kitty.”

“Kitty...hmmm...I think I like the way that sounds.”

“You know...I’m pretty sure school is canceled for the rest of the day. This whole Akuma business really scared everyone.”

“Then I will talk to you tomorrow.”

Her Miraculous beeped. “I need to go.”

He nodded. “Yes, and don’t worry. I will explain everything!”

She smiled and swung away on her yo-yo. After a moment, Chat used his baton to vault towards the Agreste mansion.

***

Despite the anxiety that boiled in her gut regarding her impending discussion with Chat, Marinette felt a burst of confidence as she reclaimed her seat and told off Chloe. However, her mood quickly soured when Adrien walked in and waved at her.

Anger flared inside of her as she turned away from him. When Miss Bustier called the class to order, Marinette found it hard to concentrate. It took most of the morning for her to calm down.

By the end of the school day, the sun had disappeared behind the clouds. She held out her hand just as rain began to fall from the heavens. She sighed as she prepared herself to get wet on the way home.

“Hey,” a familiar voice said behind her.

“Chat?” she thought, “We do know each other. It’s now or never Marinette.”

Her heart sank when she looked up and saw Adrien trying to wave at her again.

He hung his head and opened his umbrella. “Marinette...I told you that I owe you an explanation. Look, I just wanted you to know that I was only trying to take the chewing gum off your seat...I swear. I've never been to school before. I've never had friends. It's all sort of new to me.”

Adrien turned towards Marinette and held out his umbrella for her to take. When their eyes met, something inside of her brain clicked.

Thoughts raced through her mind as she processed her revelation. “Those eyes...it’s the same look Chat gave me when I messed up. He told me that he owes me an explanation...wait which he? Both of them...they both said that...they both...that’s his voice...his eyes...it’s...it’s him…I can’t believe...”

“It’s you,” she finally managed to whisper.

The softest smile spread across his lips. “Yes, my lady. It’s me, and I swear...I would never intentionally harm you or hurt your feelings. I meant it when I said I would never let anything happen to you. You told me that you trusted me yesterday. Please...I need you to trust me now.”

She did her best to control her breathing. “Oh my God.”

He frowned. “Is that all you can say?”

“I can’t believe this. When you said all that stuff to me yesterday, I had a feeling that you met civilian me. I didn’t want it to be true...one of the first things Tikki told me was ‘don’t tell anyone your identity’, and I blow it on the first mission!”

“My lady, it will be okay. It’s not so bad. Besides, we’re classmates. How long could we have really kept this a secret? Even if you didn’t tell me your name, I feel like I would have recognized you anywhere.”

“I guess you’re right. Wow...what are the chances?”

Adrien’s eyes lit up. “I’d like to believe that this was fate.”

Marinette giggled. “Whatever you say, kitty. And for what it’s worth...I believe you. It’s not beneath Chloe to let her friend take the fall for something she did. Wait...I was so focused on the whole identity thing...did...did you say that you’ve never really had friends before? Yesterday, you mentioned that you only had one friend...were you talking about Chloe?”

He bit his lip and scratched the back of his neck. “Uhh...yeah...Chloe was my only friend until I met Nino.”

“That’s terrible.”

“It’s okay. Now that I’ve convinced my dad to let me go to school, I can start meeting new people. I’m...uhhh…I’m really happy I met you, Marinette. You’re incredible...and not just because you’re Ladybug. You’re amazing because you’re you.”

“Oh.”

Adrien once again held out his umbrella. “Here, my lady. I don’t want you to get wet.”

Their fingers briefly touched as Marinette tentatively took the umbrella. It promptly closed, trapping her inside. She heard Adrien laugh as she lifted the fabric and wire away from her face. Seeing his joy made her begin to laugh with him.

He looked at her again and smiled.

All at once, something seized inside of Marinette’s chest. There were no words to describe this new sensation. It had been building for two days, but whatever it was, it took her breath away. It was a feeling she’d never experienced before. Within a millisecond, the whole universe was crashing down on her at once, but at the same time, the whisper of a cool summer breeze gently caressed her face. It immediately became her new obsession. It was filled with sunshine, green pastures, and a laugh that sounded like the sweetest symphony.

She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Adrien smiled and placed his hand on her arm. Fireworks exploded from point of contact and spread throughout her body. It was exhilarating, and she never wanted it to end.

“I need to go now. Goodbye, Marinette. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a wave of his hand, he turned and began walking away towards his family’s car.

She held up her hand to wave back. “Uh… see you to…mo… tomo… Haha! Whoa, why am I stammering?”

Tikki zipped up to her face and nuzzled her cheek. “Hey! I think I might have an idea!”

Marinette took a deep breath and let the new feeling wash over her a second time. After taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she made her descent down the stairs and onto the sidewalk.

“This must be what it’s like to fall in love,” the thought quietly to herself.

Next --->

AO3

FanFiction

---

Hello, lovely readers!

Thank you for reading Part 1 of the It’s You AU.  My plan is for this to be three parts.  It diverges from canon a lot after this.

Anyway, thank you for reading!

My username on Fanfiction and AO3 is clslovegood47.

[glitteriztical]

Miraculous Fanfics

Hi @ofdragonsandpaladins​. Sorry I have to type them here to make it look organized.

Here are the finished fics in my “My Favorite Fanfics” folder:

A Host in Paris by Otoshigo

A friend from Adrien’s past has suddenly appeared after years out of touch. Not only that, but he’s determined to wreak chaos on the model’s love life (or lack of one). Misidentities ensue! Will the students of the Collège Françoise Dupont be able to handle one largerthan-life playboy, Tamaki Suoh?

daydream by clairelutra

you're my daydream you know that i've been thinking about you lately

In which Adrien finds out Ladybug is Marinette, and beats the 'this is fine' dog at his own game.

Girls Night Out by LNC, Squabbler

The fate of Alix Kubdel’s birthday party rests in the pants of one Adrien Agreste.

Glory by Leisey

It was hard to believe, but Chat Noir didn't want to know who was under his Lady’s mask.

If At First You Don't Succeed by Leisey

The course of true love never did run smooth...especially when it involved thirteen wellmeaning classmates, numerous failed plans, a butterfly-loving maniac, and two oblivious lovebirds who won't do as they're told.

In other words, fed up with how Marinette and Adrien refuse to admit their love for one another, their friends band together to play matchmaker.

Macaron kisses by KryallaOrchid

It’s always the little things people notice when they fall in love.

People Write Fanfiction About Me? by TerminalMiraculosis

After the fight with Prime Queen, Marinette and Alya have a chat about whether or not people actually think Ladybug and Chat Noir are dating. One thing leads to another, and suddenly Marinette is reading slow-burn romance fics about her and Chat, feeling very uncomfortable about the whole ordeal. Then she reads one particular story, and things quickly become infinitely more complicated.

Sixty Minutes by mikochan_noda, peonydee

Alya Césaire, award-winning pursuer of truth, is honored with an intimate interview with Ladybug and Chat Noir. However, she doesn't count on finding out certain things that are making her regret asking in the first place.

Stop Doing That by Leisey

When Emma Agreste arrives from the future, Adrien tries to stop her from blurting out spoilers. It goes about as well as you'd expect.

Trouble in White by imthepunchlord

Finding your soulmate is supposed to be uplifting, and amazing, and just... miraculous. But for Marinette, it wasn't any of that. Her soulmate, he... he was... What does one do when your soulmate is an akuma?

Unraveled by overworkedunderwhelmed

When her holiday family obligations leave Chat Noir more than willing to pick up the slack, Ladybug comes to a rather startling observation -- one she was shocked to realize she hadn’t picked up on before.

Resolved, Marinette gives her all to make Christmas extra special for her partner.

But even the best laid plans can unravel.

Draw me like one of your French Girls by Baneismydragon

When Chat Noir and Queen Bee get into an argument over who is the hotter superhero, things quickly spiral out of control. Marinette and Nathaniel find themselves drafted into the contest, drawing the strangest commission of their lives and learning a lot more than they ever expected.

THIS FIC WAS THE FIRST ML FIC TO EVER MAKE ME CRY (back in 2016):

My Last Thoughts are of You by SKayLanphear

When a freak accident sends Marinette into critical condition, the only thing she can think about is Chat Noir. Someone had to tell him. Otherwise, he'd never know what had happened to her-why his lady had never returned. And, as it just so happens, Adrien is there with her near the end, so she decides that he can take the message to Chat just as well as anyone. No character death

These are in-progress ones in my bookmarks:

History Repeats Itself by JazzGirl123

Felix Beauchamp and Bridgette Cheng did not have the sweet love story of their successors. Instead, they had one filled with heartache and misfortune.

Years after retiring as Ladybug and Chat Noir, they are reunited in the city of London with the arrival of his nephew and her cousin's class, still oblivious to who was behind the mask.

As they watch Adrien and Marinette dance around each other, old feelings arise and Felix and Bridgette wonder if the answers to their questions are closer than they thought.

Bring Me Back Home by tournee_de_la_ladybug

When an akuma sends Marinette flying into a parallel universe, she can’t help but think her life can’t get any worse. From the strangers surrounding her to the mysteriously cold Félix Agreste, she can’t seem to catch a break. Back home, things are no better as a displaced Bridgette Dupain-Cheng cleanses an akuma and finds her whole world changed with a Chat Noir that doesn’t seem to understand that they aren’t partners - they’re enemies.

You Don't Know Me by Ferisae

When Ladybug suffers a near-fatal accident and is presumed dead, it is up to Adrien - who has discovered Ladybug's secret - to help her through her painstaking recovery and reacquaint her with herself. All this while trying to save Paris on his own without losing himself in the process.

The Kissing Contest by Icedcoffeeslut

*POST REVEAL*

"Are you sickeningly sweet lovebirds up for the challenge?"

when their classmates confront marinette and adrien for being overly affectionate, they challenge them to a kissing contest to see who can refrain from kissing the other the longest. both adrien and marinette must attempt to seduce, trick, and set up their partner so that they won't suffer the consequences of losing

Lucky Fox Paradox by imthepunchlord

After the failure with Stoneheart, Marinette had successfully given up the earrings and thought that was that. That she was done with the hero business. Done with anything miraculous. She was wrong. And her actions sparked off a great change of events. 

There are several more here on my bookmarks but I recommend checking these out first!

Oh before I forget, the following will be fics I haven’t read yet but are loved by the fandom:

Lucky Us by PrincessKitty1

-AU- Marinette Dupain-Cheng's life isn't going as planned: twenty-six, recently dumped, and running her parents' bakery. The highlights of her day are the emails sent by her mysterious pen pal, Chat Noir. That is, until handsome model Adrien Agreste starts swinging by the bakery after hours. But how is he to know the Ladybug he loves is standing right in front of him?

Serendipitous Fate by SKayLanphear

Adrien is excited to reveal his true identity, while Marinette is terrified. But Master Fu says they can't afford to be distant any longer. Chat Noir and Ladybug are meant to work in tandem both in and out of uniform, their strength stemming from the bond created between them. Yet, teenagers are sometimes better at dancing blind than running with wide open eyes, even with the steps laid out before them.

Steps in the path of an expanding world. Apart, they'll flounder. But together, they might just stand a chance.

Takes place following season 1.

Enjoy reading!

[anoldwound]

they who made you - Jaime/Brienne [ASOIAF]

Title: they who made you Characters/Pairings: Jaime/Brienne Rating: PG-13 Word Count: ~6200 Warnings: Mild violence. Summary: "To be honest, she didn't know what, exactly, was going to happen. But her main priority was to keep Sansa safe – and to stay alive, if she could. For Sansa. For Jaime. For my father." Brienne brings Sansa to Lady Stoneheart Disclaimer: These characters don't belong to me, and neither does the world they inhabit. A/N:         This is part of the Made of Steel series, but can be read as a stand-alone fic. Apologies for taking so long to update this!    Spoilers ahead for all of the books. (also at AO3) One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three. Brienne counted her mule's steps in the snow, for no real reason other than it was a way to pass the time. It was too cold to talk to her companions, with the icy wind whipping at their cheeks, and they still had miles to go before they reached the Inn at the Crossroads. Sansa rode beside her, as did Jaime, with Pod, Sandor, and Mya Stone holding the rear. “You're not taking my mules if I'm not with them,” the bastard girl had told them when it was finally time to leave the mountains of the Vale. And so they had somewhat reluctantly agreed to take her along, and she had proved a boon rather than a burden, with her knowledge of the mountains and how to properly utilize and care for the mules. And Sansa seemed to enjoy her company. But Brienne was growing more and more apprehensive the closer they got to Lady Stoneheart. She, Jaime, and Sandor had slowly been preparing Sansa for what was to await her in that dark cave, so it wasn't as though she was completely unaware, but... well, Brienne had come to think of Sansa as though she were her own little sister. The idea of subjecting her to such horrors was a discomforting notion,  though it had been her idea in the first place, as Jaime was like to remind her whenever she expressed her doubts to him. “Besides,” he had said, “where else to take her now but the Brotherhood?” Brienne turned her head to check that everyone was still there. Yes, behind them were three riders atop three mules – Sandor with his face of stone and scars, Pod and his cheeks pale from cold, and Mya Stone, yet another one of King Robert's bastards. She wondered how many illegitimate children this man had fathered. “If Gendry is the oldest, his claim to the throne is more legitimate than Tommen's,” Brienne had said to Jaime before they had left the caverns. “If the boy even desires to be king.” “All the same, are you worried?” “Not really.” Jaime never seemed to worry about anything. She wished she could be the same way, but never seemed able to quiet her own thoughts. Sansa appeared to be lost in thought herself. Brienne wished she could know what she was thinking. Was it her mother and the monster she had become who haunted her thoughts? Was she wondering what to say to her, whether she would cry out in fear or run sobbing into her almost lifeless arms? Or was something – or someone – else occupying her mind? For Brienne had noticed the extremely odd tension between Sansa and Sandor, and while she understood it from his end after all the stories he'd told, she was having trouble fathoming why Sansa would have such tender feelings for a man that, until very recently, was a savage beast known as the Hound. A man who had held a knife to her throat and demanded a song from her in the middle of a battle, something that, when Brienne had first heard about it, practically made her challenge Sandor to a duel right then and there, in the center of a holy island full of Septons. I fell for a former monster myself, she thought, glancing over at Jaime. Perhaps I should not think too harshly of it. And besides, the Hound was dead. One. Two. Three. * * * “It is good that you've arrived now,” Thoros of Myr said as they all entered the Inn at the Crossroads. Only he and Gendry sat in the dining room. Brienne and Jaime exchanged a look after both of their gazes flicked between Mya and Gendry. Will they figure it out on their own? They certainly looked enough alike. “Why now, especially?” Jaime asked. He was still bundled in his lion pelt, though a hearthfire was not far from him. “I've managed to convinced most of the Brotherhood of our side,” Thoros said, gesturing to himself and Gendry. “But we need to act soon. Every second we waste is another second Lady Stoneheart continues to lead the Brotherhood down a path it will be unable to walk away from.” “Should we burst into the cave all at once, or can we go in pairs? I claim Pod as my companion.” “Now isn't the time for japes.” Thoros poured himself a glass of wine. “Brienne and Lady Sansa will be the only ones, at any rate.” “Probably the wisest course.” Sandor took a chair. “Another massacre is not the answer. The woman will not harm her own daughter, I trust?” “Stoneheart may not be Catelyn Stark anymore, but her wrath is for Lannisters and Freys, not her own blood.” “Not even if her own blood was married to a Lannister?” It was Sansa who asked this question. Thoros glanced at Gendry before saying, “No, my lady. She knows it was against your will.” Sansa nodded, and took a seat by the fire, shaking the snow out of her long red hair. “Is there any news from King's Landing?” Jaime asked. “News of your sister, you mean?” Thoros gave a wry smile. “Cersei's trial went in her favor. Some mystery knight named Ser Robert the Strong fought for her, and triumphed against one of the Faith's knights. Margaery Tyrell was not so lucky. Your uncle was serving as Regent, but – ” “What's happened to Margaery?” Sansa interrupted. She held her palms near the flames, and the light danced across her features. “What's going on?” “Did you know her, my lady? I'm sorry to be the one to deliver such a sad message, but – Margaery Tyrell was executed not a week past.” Sansa didn't say anything. Her face was as still as stone, and she turned her head back to the fire. Brienne remembered all of the wonderful things Sansa had said about Margaery Tyrell – tales Brienne had listened to patiently but reluctantly, for the wound from when she had wed Renly still cut deep. The girl had been one of Sansa's only friends. Brienne was about to go over and comfort her, when Thoros continued: “Kevan Lannister is dead as well, along with Grand Maester Pycelle. Both were shot with crossbows in the dead of night. I'm sorry for your loss, Ser Jaime. ” “Oh.” The lion pelt seemed to slide off his shoulders of its own accord. Suddenly he looked so small. Jaime... Brienne reached her hand towards him, but he walked past her and sat near Sansa, his legs pulled up to his chest. Neither of them looked at each other, or said a single word. “And I'm afraid I must be the bearer of even more bad news. Much has happened in your absence. Lady Brienne, we hear rumors of the Stormlands falling to The Golden Company, which is being led by – well, these reports must be false if this is being said, but – the fisherfolk say Aegon Targaryen has returned.” “What? Aegon the Conquerer has been dead for – ” “No, I mean Prince Rhaegar's son. He was supposed to have died at the hands of the Mountain, but it's possible that... I never saw this in my flames. I cannot be certain. But the rumors say that Tarth has fallen as well.” Brienne nearly stopped breathing. “Tarth? My – my father – ” “Is alive, but has been taken prisoner. I am sorry... if these reports are even true. Which they might not be.” I have to go home. I have to go back. Just to see that everyone was safe and well. That no armies had destroyed her home. That Evenfall was still there, that her father was still there, and all was well. Aegon Targaryen could not be alive. He couldn't. His head had been dashed on the wall when he was but a young babe. Tarth was fine. It had to be. But I have to go. I have to. After this, I have to go home. I need not stay there, but I must return to Evenfall as soon as I am able. She was sitting between Jaime and Sansa now. The flames were warm, and melted the snowflakes from her boots. But if it's true... Brienne looked at Jaime, and at Sansa, and was struck with the thought that all three of them were resolving to return home – she to Tarth, Sansa to Winterfell, and Jaime to King's Landing. She couldn't imagine being separated from them – especially not Jaime – but all good things in this world must come to an end, as she had already learned. But still, it pained her acutely. You knew it could not last, Brienne thought, her eyes lingering on Jaime's face, his eyes, so green and bright in the light of the fire. But there had been a part of her that had hoped it would, at least for a little while longer. She jerked her head away, not wanting anyone to see the tears in her eyes – a silly young girl, still dreaming of impossible things. The fire crackled, and Mya Stone wrangled the mules and carried all of their clothes and baggage upstairs with the help of Sandor, and Pod touched Sansa's shoulder and the two of them ate dinner, and Thoros retired to his chambers, and Gendry went outside to his forge, and Jaime and Brienne sat. “I understand,” Jaime finally said, “if you want to go home.” There was something in the way he said this that made Brienne reach for his hand. Even now the touch sent a warm thrill through her body. His fingers absently stroked hers. “I understand if you do as well,” Brienne whispered. It took all her will to keep her voice steady. Jaime turned his head towards her sharply. “Me?” “You're Lord Commander, and... your king... your sister is well... and your uncle is... don't you wish to mourn him with your family?” He smiled at her. “I meant I would come with you, if you wanted me to.” “O-oh.” She blinked rapidly and gazed back at the fire. “Do you not want me to?” “No, it's – of course I – well, it's only that... you'll have to go back at some point, won't you?” Brienne could feel her voice faltering, and wanted to slap herself for getting so sentimental. Jaime chewed on his bottom lip. “I suppose. Sansa is safe now, but... I'm not sure you will be, should you decide to venture back to Tarth. If these rumors of assault are true, it would be incredibly dangerous.” “I can take care of myself.” “I know that. But you shouldn't go alone.” “Are you sure about this?” Jaime shrugged. “I don't want to think about you doing this all by yourself. I already let you go off without me on a quest once. I don't particularly want to do so again.  And you returned me home safely. Allow me to return the favor.” Brienne felt as light as air as she embraced him. His soft laugh in her ear rumbled, and nestled against her like a blanket. “I love you,” she wanted to whisper, but didn't. She stroked his golden hair instead. * * * They woke up the next morning in front of the now-extinguished fire with their arms and legs entwined. Only Sansa and Pod sat in the room, beaming cheekily at them. “Did you sleep comfortably?” Sansa asked. “The floor doesn't seem very suited for repose. I suppose the fire kept you both warm, at least.” Pod giggled behind his hand. She was right – Brienne's back ached, and there was an imprint of the hardwood floor on her good cheek. She and Jaime disentangled themselves and sat upright, joints cracking. Jaime rubbed his neck and grimaced. “We lost track of the time, my lady,” Brienne said. “At least you weren't naked for once,” Pod said. Jaime burst out laughing while Sansa and Brienne both gave Pod shocked looks. “Pod! What would make you say such a thing?” “Do you honestly think I forgot about that time in the practice yard? You two always wake up together in the strangest places...” True enough. Brienne felt a pang of guilt, remembering that. The boy was so young, and had seen too much as it was. “Did they really wake up naked in a practice yard?” Sansa whispered to Pod as Brienne walked past to go upstairs and change. “Yes, and it was very awkward,” Pod whispered back. When Brienne came back downstairs dressed in her armor and a fresh bandage, the atmosphere had changed from its previous light-heartedness to a deep somberness. Sansa was wearing her wolf fur once again, and the rest of their company was gathered in a circle. She could hear the children outside, laughing and playing in the snow. Thoros of Myr stood up straighter at her entrance. “Lady Brienne. I trust you're ready?” She held back a gulp. “Yes.” Sansa was trying put on a brave face, but was not entirely succeeding. Brienne suspected she looked the same. Outside, Mya was feeding the mules. She could see Gendry still at his forge. He glanced up at her for a moment, but went right back to his work. As Brienne was about to climb atop her mule, she felt Jaime's hand on the small of her back. She felt a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold, and looked over at him. “Come back for me,” he said, and smiled. “I shall.” Don't make promises you don't know you can keep, she thought. * * * They were nearing the cave, their entire journey having been spent in relative silence, when Sansa suddenly said, “Daeme.” Brienne looked at her with confusion. “What?” Why was she referring to the alias Brienne had assumed at the Gates of the Moon – Daema? “Daeme Brienne,” Sansa said. “Instead of Ser. You wanted a different title, did you not? To distinguish you from men?” “I... I did.” Daeme Brienne. It sounded a little odd, but it sounded a little right, too. It wasn't too long after when they had reached the cave at last, and right away Brienne noticed the lack of severed heads scattered about the entrance. Thoros' influence, she imagined. “Pod had said there were heads around the entrance,” Sansa remarked as they dismounted their mules and tied them to the stake. “He told you that?” She would need to have a word with him later... assuming everything went according to plan. “They've been removed, it seems. So much the better. You shouldn't see such things.” “I saw my father's head,” she whispered. “My Septa's... Jory's... Joffrey made me look. I almost pushed him off of the walkway. The Hou – Ser Sandor stopped me.” “You've never told me that.” Sansa gave a small shrug, and nodded towards the entrance. Her hands were shaking, but other than that she gave no indication that she was afraid. The pair climbed down the passage to the main room, except unlike the last time Brienne was here, torches lit their way. R'hllor's symbol was painted on the cave wall as well. Never had she felt so relieved to see a foreign god's insignia. Surely this meant they had at least a few allies down here. It was not the welcome she had exactly been expecting. Only a few stood guard over Lady Stoneheart, who was still perched on her throne with Robb Stark's bronze crown. It was as though no time had passed for her. The shadows obscured her wretched face, and Brienne was grateful for that. She was also grateful that it seemed the refugees were either in another cavern or somewhere else entirely. She lightly touched Sansa'a arm. “I have your daughter, my lady,” she announced. “I have fulfilled my promise to you.” “Your promise.” Stoneheart slowly stood up. “Your promise was to kill the Kingslayer.” “My lady – ” “Bring my daughter here.” “What is she saying?” Sansa whispered to her as Brienne guided her closer to Stoneheart. “How can you understand her?” “Just follow my lead,” Brienne whispered back. To be honest, she didn't know what, exactly, was going to happen. But her main priority was to keep Sansa safe –  and to stay alive, if she could. For Sansa. For Jaime. For my father. Lady Stoneheart rose from her throne, crown still held loosely in her hand. The cavern was so silent, so still. Stoneheart's face came more and more into the light as she slowly, laboriously, walked towards them. Brienne felt Sansa stiffen next to her, but she made not a peep, not even a gasp of horror or revulsion. “Sansa,” Stoneheart said. She was but a foot away from them now, and Brienne could smell the rotting flesh that hung from her face. “M-mother?” Sansa stared, blue eyes wide and fearful. Stoneheart gazed at Sansa, but little emotion seemed to pass her features. Finally, she extended her paper-thin, rotting hand towards her daughter. “Come,” she rasped. Sansa looked over at Brienne, who could only nod. She grabbed Stoneheart's dress sleeve and stepped behind her. Lady Stoneheart turned her red eyes back to Brienne. “Lay down your sword,” she said, “and accept your sentence.” “My – ?” “You chose the noose,” Stoneheart said, loud and high-pitched, “and you will hang. You slaughtered my men. You failed to keep your promise. Hang. Hang. Hang.” Brienne grabbed Oathkeeper's hilt, but did not unsheath it. “Mother, this is madness! Brienne has done nothing! She saved me, she brought me back to you!” Sansa cried, but Stoneheart did not even acknowledge her. “Your sword.” “Mother! Mother, please!” “Your sword.” “I fulfilled my promise to Lady Catelyn,” Brienne said. “I don't care about any promises I made to you, Lady Stoneheart, who hangs young boys and butchers innocent people and won't even listen to your own daughter!” “Kill her,” Lady Stoneheart screeched to the Brotherhood. “Kill her now!” No, no... Brienne trembled, and looked at the party assembled around them. All looked, none moved. “Uncle!” Stoneheart whirled and faced a man standing in the back corner, who Brienne had not noticed. “Strike this oathbreaker down!” The Blackfish? Brienne had never met this man, though she had certainly heard enough stories. He, too, did not move. He stared at his niece with regret and sorrow in his eyes. “Cowards,” she snarled. “Cowards, all.” Stoneheart reached under her skirts, and a long dagger was in her hands. “NO!”   Before Brienne could stop her, Sansa had leapt in front of the dagger that Stoneheart was starting to thrust at her. The blade ripped through Sansa's furs and pierced her arm. Sansa screamed and screamed and fell down and screamed.  Stoneheart looked startled and scared for a moment – Brienne unsheathed Oathkeeper and severed Lady Catelyn Stark's head from her neck. I swore a vow, she thought as the head rolled onto the floor, and the bronze crown fell with a clatter. I swore. “Lady Sansa, are you alright?” Brienne scrambled over to where Sansa lay on the ground, clutching her arm. She could see blood pooling on her wolf furs. She winced and whimpered with pain, and one of the men finally came rushing over, holding bandages. “Let me see,” he said, and Sansa lifted her furs to reveal a shallow stab wound. “It won't stop bleeding – it won't – ” “Shh, you'll be just fine.” As the man applied pressure to the cut, Sansa buried her face into Brienne's shoulder. Brienne threw her arm around her, and held back the tears that threatened leave her limp and useless and dead. Sansa seemed to be doing the same, with her short and ragged breaths. Brienne soothed her and tried to calm her as the man dressed the wound (which did, in fact, stop bleeding after a while) and gave Sansa a little milk of the poppy for the pain, and before long the business was done and now all there was, was the head of the ghost of Catelyn Stark and the sword that had done the deed. Oathkeeper was lying on the ground, coated in dark blood. I killed her. I killed her. Brienne remembered the place she had pledged her life and loyalty to Lady Catelyn. She remembered Lady Catelyn walking in by accident as she sang quietly to herself, and how she had said she had beautiful voice. She remembered sharing meals with her, taking walks, long conversations about home and family, and one of the only friendships she had ever had. It was that old grief all over again, only increased a thousand-fold. “Brienne,” she heard Sansa say. “I'm sorry,” Brienne said, and now her head laid on Sansa's shoulder. “I'm so sorry. I'm sorry.” “She wasn't my mother,” she said. “That wasn't her. You didn't kill my mother. You killed Lady Stoneheart.” “I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I failed – I'm sorry – ” In the end, she always failed everyone and everything. I was never fit to wield that sword. I'm not a knight. I don't know what I am. “I'm so – I'm sorry – ” “You didn't fail anyone... Brienne... Brienne, please...” But she had. Oh, she had. And it was only a matter of time before she failed Sansa as well.  And Jaime. The Blackfish was crouched next to them now, his hand on Sansa's back. “My great-niece,” he said. “I'm sorry we had to meet this way.” He had picked up the crown, and was holding it before her. “This was your brother's.” Sansa gingerly took the crown. She seemed to inspect the runes etched onto it, before turning her attention back to Brienne. “I think I can stand up now,” Sansa said to her. “Can you help me? Can you help me rise?” That much, at least, she could do. She lifted Sansa up, and as Sansa leaned on her for support, and Catelyn Stark's face filled her thoughts, and the cavern felt so cold, Brienne wanted to give up and give in, but knew she could not, not while Sansa still lived and still needed protecting and still needed help. “You'll need to ride back to the inn and get Thoros,” the Blackfish was saying to her. “Some decisions are going to have to be made.” “Of course.” Brienne could hardly process her surroundings, but Sansa turned and looked at her great-uncle quizzically. “Decisions?” she asked. “If you'll notice, the Brotherhood is now without a leader.” He smiled. “And there's several plans in motion right now that will need to be dealt with.” “What kind of plans?” “I will explain everything, my lady, as soon as your arm is more properly tended to. Lady Brienne, are you in need of a horse?” “Daeme,” she answered. “It's Daeme Brienne. Not Lady.” Everyone in the cavern muttered to each other, confused. “Brienne is a knight,” Sansa announced. “The very first lady knight. And her title is Daeme, not Lady, and not Ser.” She said this with such firmness, such conviction, her back straight and head held high, that Brienne could not help but imagine a crown on her head instead of in her hand. “I've never heard of such a thing,” the Blackfish said with a doubtful look, “but Daeme Brienne, there is a horse waiting outside for you, should you have need of it.” “I don't.” With that, Brienne stumbled blearily out of the cave, the light from outside stinging her eyes. * * * “Where's Sansa?” She had barely clambered off of the mule before Pod had sprinted up to her, Thoros of Myr standing in the doorway of the inn. Brienne could see Jaime in the window on the second floor. “In the cave, with her uncle. Lady Stoneheart is gone.” She tied the mule to the post. She just wanted to sleep... “When you say gone, what do you mean, exactly?” Thoros asked as Brienne made her way past him. “I mean that I chopped her head off.” Her voice sounded lifeless even to her. Jaime was atop the stairs, his left hand clutching the railing so tightly his knuckles were white.   “Is all well?” he asked, attempting bravado, but the slight tremor in his words betrayed him. “As well as it will ever be.” Gendry and a few of the children had entered the room as well. More questions were asked, questions she did not have the energy to answer. She ignored them all and went upstairs, past Jaime, whose fingers brushed her arm, but she couldn't look at him. She wanted to get away from everyone, everything, all of this madness and pain. The child inside her wanted to crawl under her sheets and pretend the rest of the world did not exist. But it did exist. The world existed, and so did she, and so did the horrible things she had done. There was a small mirror on the wall, and Brienne, in a fit of rage, tore off her bandage and got her first real look at her disfigured face. She was monstrous. She was terrified looking at her own reflection. She did not look real; she looked like some sort of hideous beast of a creature, her inner flesh exposed. She hastily grabbed a bandage from the bag next to the bed and wrapped it up, quick. “Is this how you felt,” she said as Jaime walked into the room and closed the door behind him, “when you realized honor didn't matter?” “Honor matters.” He sat next to her on the bed, and took her hand in his. “You taught me that. You reminded me of that.” “I was stupid. I am stupid.” Stupid and naïve and foolish. “Shh. You're not.” She wished she could believe him. It was impossible for her to believe in anything good right now, while the memory of Lady Catelyn's head on the cavern floor was but still so sharp and fresh that it stung and cut worse than a sword ever could. “Tell me what happened,” he said. “Please.” She did, though her throat was so raw and dry that it was difficult to get out. “You did it to save Sansa,” Jaime told her, after she was finished and shaking so hard that he had to wrap his arm around her. “It wasn't Lady Catelyn you slew. It was Stoneheart.” “Stoneheart was Lady Catelyn. A twisted, grotesque version of her, but still her all the same. I saw her eyes... when she stabbed Sansa... the real Catelyn was still in there, somewhere, and I... I...” The tears were spilling out of their own accord – how was it that Jaime could always disarm her so, bring her walls down and leave her so vulnerable? – and Jaime's embrace was a comfort, but not enough of a comfort to make her forget. And she needed to forget it all, just for a while... So she kissed him, fiercely, eagerly, and he kissed her back and she went to un-lace his breeches but her fingers went limp and her head fell against his shoulder. “I want to sleep... I want to sleep...” she murmured against him. “So we'll sleep.” * * * She dreamt of home that night, Tarth, but its waters ran red and Evenfall was split in half by a giant's blade. A dragon roared in the distance as her father floated on a small skivvy, out out out to sea. Brienne watched from the sky as her father sailed away from the castle wreckage and into a mountain of winter, where Sansa was waiting in a dress made of snow. “Where is my daughter?” he asked her, on his knees. “Away, my lord,” she answered. “Far and away.” As her father wept, his tears sliced through the snowflakes. * * * “We had a visitor at dawn,” Gendry said the next morning. Brienne, Jaime, Pod, and Mya all looked up from their meager portions of oatmeal. The children sat at the other table and chattered happily amongst themselves. “A visitor? Who?” Mya asked. “A rider. I was at my forge when he came. He asked if I had seen you.” He looked at Jaime. Jaime chewed and swallowed. “Not a surprise. My disappearance must have the entire Lannister forces out looking for me. What did you tell him?” “I told him that I hadn't, but – they weren't looking for you just because you're missing.” “What do you mean?” “Well, apparently – he didn't tell me much, but – there's a warrant out. For your arrest.” Brienne nearly choked while Jaime simply stared at him. “My arrest?” “For treason. Deserting the Kingsguard. And for – ” He hesitated,  his eyes shifting back and forth between the two of them. “For what?” Jaime demanded. Brienne felt her stomach sink to her feet. “For the... rape of Brienne of Tarth.” Jaime dropped his spoon on the floor, where it fell with a great clatter. Their table fell completely silent, as the orphaned children giggled and played innocently.  Brienne felt dizzy, and her oatmeal churned in her belly. “The rape?” he cried incredulously. “How did – I don't understand –  what even gave them the idea – where did they conjure up such a vile lie?” “Ser Hyle Hunt.” No. Surely that was not right. Ser Hyle had a small streak of cruelty in him, most certainly, but she could not believe that he would... “You jest,” she said. “He's leading the search,” Gendry said. “By order of Queen Cersei.” Jaime fell back in his chair. Brienne tried desperately to piece this information together in a way that made even a little sense. Why would he say that Jaime raped me? He knows that is not the case. Why did he not tell the queen the truth? Unless... He wanted her to be absolved of any blame. Of course. She would be executed as well if it was known that she had consented to laying with Jaime, especially with his sister controlling the executioner's axe. He still means to marry me. And now that her virtue had been compromised, he would now be the only candidate for her hand. He's a fool if he thinks this is going to work. At least, if that was even his plan to begin with. “You can't stay here,” Mya was saying. “You'll be putting everyone's lives at risk if you do.” “There's nowhere else for me to go,” Jaime said through clenched teeth. His face had gone so, so pale. “There's the cave,” Pod suggested. “The Blackfish is there,” Jaime said. “As soon as he sees me, he's like to kill me.” “What? Why?” “Let's just say there's no love lost there,” he replied, but seemed a little pouty. At that moment, Thoros and Sandor were descending down the staircase. “I will be riding for the cave as soon as I break my fast,” said Thoros. “Anyone who wishes to accompany me can do so. It is far safer there than here.” “Is it?” Jaime downed his drink and slammed it back on the table, but  accidentally knocked the glass over. “Seven hells...” “If you're concerned about Ser Brynden – ” “I'm staying here, for the present. Brienne, may I speak with you a moment?” They made their way into the kitchen, and Jaime sent Hot Pie away before sitting down on a stool. “Have you decided whether you want to venture home to Tarth?” he asked her. Brienne froze. “I...” “I'm not sure whether it would make this current predicament easier or more difficult, but whatever you decide, I shall be right there with you.” You have little choice, was the first thought to enter her mind, but she knew that was unfair and so did not say it aloud. She thought about the dream she'd had, and knew that what she was about to decide, she might wind up regretting. “No,” she said. “No?” He looked surprised. “No,” she repeated. “My place is here now. There is nothing I can do to help my father. I believe I remember someone saying I wasn't good enough to take on two hundred men all by myself?” She gave a hard smile. “There might be thousands on Tarth. There isn't... there isn't anything I can do. I can serve a greater purpose here, with Sansa. I don't... I don't have a home. Not anymore.” She suddenly recalled the Elder Brother urging her to go home, saying that she was lucky to still have one. Now I have nothing, except a promise and a young girl who needs my protecting. If I don't fail her also.   “Strangely rational of you. Almost too rational.” “I suppose your good sense is rubbing off on me.” “I doubt that. But, if this is what you want...” It's not what I want. It is what is necessary. “It is.” “Well.” He rose from his seat and stood very close to her, so close she felt warm between her legs. “I suppose that's settled.” With that, he strode out, Brienne not far behind him, face slightly flushed. “Sorry, but – I have something for the both of you,” Gendry said to them as they re-entered the dining area. He brought them out to the forge, where he had three objects lying on his work bench – one was a large steel shield that shone in the sunlight. It had large spikes affixed to the center, and smaller ones studded around its edges. Second was a steel fist, also with spikes, that managed to match Jaime's armor almost perfectly. Brienne could picture it on Jaime's right arm, and if one did not know that he did not have a hand, they would merely think it was his gauntlet. Brienne remembered telling Gendry about the new fighting style she and Jaime had developed for him, and was amazed that he had actually gone out of his way to help him like this. Jaime looked shocked as well. Third was a small piece of metal painted beige, with a thin, almost invisible string around the side. “What is that?” she asked, pointing at it, while Jaime stared at his shield and steel fist with wonder. “That's for you, m'lady,” said Gendry. “For your – your wound.” “I don't understand.” “You can wear it as a sort of... mask, to cover the bite. It's so you don't have to wear the bandages all the time. It'll be easier. Here...” He demonstrated how to put it on before handing it to her. “I dunno. It might be stupid, but... you saved our lives, way back. Figured it was the least I could do.” Remarkable, Brienne thought, putting it on as he had instructed. It felt extremely strange, and she imagined it would feel even stranger without the bandage underneath it, but it certainly solved the problem of running out of the bandages the Septons had provided her with. And Gods know I cannot walk around with half of my face bitten off without terrifying everyone I come into contact with. Not even Jaime had seen the full extent of the bite. “Th-thank you,” she stammered. He looked so like Renly that even now it was still a little difficult for her to look him right in the eye. Luckily Jaime didn't notice, as he was still too busy admiring his new weapons. “You're not gonna be able to fight as well as you did,” Gendry said, “but at least you'll be able to defend yourself.” “Or others.” Jaime gripped the shield with his left hand and held in front of him, turning towards Brienne. “Good?” “Better than good.” The shield was extremely well-made and deadly. Brienne and Gendry leapt back as Jaime began to swing it back and forth. “It's heavy,” he said, “but I'll get used to it.” Brienne absently stroked her mask as Jaime continued to test out his new shield and battle hand, which Gendry had helped him strap on. A few of the others came outside to watch, Sandor included. He looked over at her and her new face and raised an eyebrow. She turned and began to walk away, before stopping next to Thoros of Myr. “You knew, didn't you,” she said to him. “You knew what was going to happen in the cave. You saw it. In your flames.” Thoros only gave her a sad smile. Why can't you see my father in your flames?! she longed to ask him, longed to shake him from his collar and lift him off the ground until he told her something, anything at all– but there was no point to it. Her father was lost to her, and so was Tarth, and that part of her life was over and done with and she must move on, she must always move on, she must adapt or she must die. She put up her walls and closed the inn door shut behind her.