#angry Nathalie is amazing but I miss this

[hauntedbythefanficsofmypast]

Spell Caster Pt. 1

Masterlist

Hawkmoth stood on the platform above, laughing at the two downed heroes. Ladybug and Chat laid facing each other barely able to move, exhausting shining in their eyes. They had fought long and hard but in the end he had led them into a trap, delivering hit after hit till neither could stand anymore. He had led them to his secret garden where beloved wife rested, and poor Adrien could barely keep himself together. He kept fighting, unwilling to let Hawkmoth win even if it was his father. While Marinette did her best to cover her hurting partner, he was just too much for them. Hawkmoth stood talking to Emilie as if she could hear him, going on about how he was finally going to bring her back. Ladybug shifted her gaze from Hawkmoth’s back to her partner’s eyes. Chat was crying as he stared at his best friend, knowing he hadn’t really helped in the fight.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered softly trying not to draw attention to them for as long as possible. “I’m sorry Ladybug, I should’ve helped but that-that’s my dad. I kept freezing up and I failed you.” Ladybug smiled gently, moving her arm and grabbing his hand.

“It’s not your fault Chaton.” A single tear fell from her eye as they stared at each other.

‘You need to move.’

Ladybug tensed at the voice looking around when she noticed Chat didn’t react to it. The voice was a woman's, it was soft and comforting, almost familiar.

‘You need to move now!’

She couldn’t find anybody else in the room, there was nobody but them. Yet the voice was still there, perhaps she was going crazy. It would make sense to her, especially because she couldn’t place who the voice belonged to.

‘Sweetheart, I will explain later I promise, but you must remember!’

Remember what? Why did this voice want her to remember something, couldn’t they see she was in a bit of trouble right now.

‘Ugh! Foolish girl! You are more than just Ladybug!’

Rude. Of course she was more than Ladybug, she was Marinette...she was Marinette daughter of..

‘Yes Marinette! Marinette daughter of! You are so close, remember the book!’

Marinette, she was Marinette, the book...what book, could the voice mean her spell book?

‘Yes! Yes, my little Spell Caster!’

She was Marinette, she was a spell caster. She was Marinette, and she was a spell caster. She was the daughter of Tom Dupain and Sabine-

‘Not by birth.’

Not by birth…Not by birth?! A distressed whine left her lips as she thought of her Maman, not by birth repeating in her head. Until she shoved it back focusing on her current crisis. She was Marinette and she was a Spell Caster, why hadn’t she thought of this before? She tried so hard to split Ladybug and Marinette to hide her identity that she forgot Marinette was special, if not more than Ladybug. What should she do though? She could alter his mind, but would it work? Would the Miraculous Gods affect her powers? Perhaps she could try an illusion?

“Chat, what was she like? Your mother.” Chat looked surprised as a gentle smile crossed his face.

“She was amazing, soft spoken, always so gentle and warm. She hated violence but she never backed down when it came to her family. She’d...she’d never want this to happen.” Chat broke as more tears fell and he held her hand tightly, barely even able to find the strength to.

“ Do you trust me?” She whispered as Hawkmoth began walking towards them. She’d need him in order to pull this illusion off. She’d need to see his memories. Chat nodded weakly, not willing to look away from her.

“Yes” She smiled and her dark blue eyes shifted into an unnatural swirling lavender.

“eciov reh raeh em tel.” Soon Emilie's soft and melodic voice graced her ear. Perfect, now the illusion will trick him.

‘That’s my Spell Caster.’

Who even is this voice, no no focus, she needs to create the illusion.

‘Silly girl.’

Hey! This voice seriously needed to stop distracting her. She turned her head slightly looking past Hawkmoth, and ignoring the smug smirk that she wanted nothing more than to punch off his face. Very hard.

“trapa mih raet reh evah efiw sih mih wohs.” She watched as an angry vision on Emilie appeared behind him looking as if she had sat up from her high tech coffin. Yes, coffin, the woman was dead, soul long gone and she didn’t have to be a daughter of Hades to know that. Daughter of Hades? What? What is she talking about?

‘Soon my child, soon.’

Who even was this voice! Later, she promised herself focusing on finalizing the illusion.

“Gabriel Agreste.” The same melodic voice called out, but instead of a soft and loving tone it was stern and angry. Hawkmoth turned immediately, staring at the vision of his wife in mute shock and disbelief. “What in the world are you doing!

‘I have called in a favor, one that will help you.’

Ugh, this voice popped in at the worst time. At least they were trying to help her though. She watched as Emilie’s illusion shifted slightly and it took her only a second to realize that it was more than an illusion now. No that was Emilie, just not her in body it was her, her soul.

‘Yes my child.’

She let out a wobbly grin as Emile began tearing into her husband. She squeezed Chat’s hand briefly hoping Emilie’s soul would be here long enough to say goodbye to her son. His eyes moved away from his mom’s form back to Ladybug’s.

“I will explain everything, I promise Chat. After this, no more secrets.”

She turned her attention back on Hawkmoth staring at his back intently. How could she get his miraculous? She was exhausted already so it couldn’t be anything complicated. Not to mention they’d need to get out of the lair after she took it. Summoning and a transportation spell, not a good combination when magically and physically exhausted. This left her in a very tough situation.

‘Someone is coming for you. You are too weak right now, the summoning spell will knock you out. Tell your partner to trust the one that comes from the shadows.’

Someone is coming? How can she know to trust them, just because a voice told her? Ugh, this was too difficult. Very well, tell Chat to trust the one from the shadows and then summon the butterfly Miraculous. She’d already taken the Peacock from Nathalie when they fought her earlier, so all that left was Hawkmoth’s.

“Chat, trust the one that comes from the shadows.”

“What? Ladybug-”

“Please Chat, trust me?”

“Always. Milady.”

“Then trust the one that comes from the shadows.”

“Okay.”

“Good. Suolucarim ylfrettub eht nommus i.”

The Miraculous immediately came to her hand but she didn’t get to celebrate as she began to see black spots. Her transformation dropped and she didn’t even get to enjoy Chat’s shocked face. Soon everything faded to dark with only parting words from the strange voice.

‘You and your partner are safe now my Spell Caster.’

She barely remembered what happened when she came to for the first time, everything was blurry as she panicked. Waking up in an unfamiliar room with someone she could barely see standing above her. Marinette threw a messy punch at the blonde above her, just barely missing even in her state. She lurched to throw herself off the bed but Will stopped her pulling her back onto it and talking softly. It did not help her at all and she didn’t stop panicking until Tikki flew in front of her face. Marinette took deep breaths staring at dearest friend. Will began pulling out new bandages getting ready to fix everything messed up in her panic. He was stopped by Marinette’s hand, she gave a weak smile as their eyes met. “Sorry…” She whispered out accent strong before falling back into the darkness.

Sun was directly in her eyes this time and she whimpered until it was blocked. Eyes meeting yet another stranger and instead of their stunning blue were a bright orange. She let out a distressed whine but did not move, Tikki was pressed against her neck. She was safe, even in the company of a stranger. Percy glanced at the door wishing for Will to magically appear before lifting the girl's head slightly holding a straw to her lips. “Drink please, it’ll help I swear.” He whispered trying to comfort her. Marinette took small sips, eyes changing to a soft and soothing blue at the taste of her favorite toasted white chocolate with triple espresso coffee. She glared when he pulled the straw away from her, causing Percy to laugh softly. He ran a hand through her hair in an attempt to be comforting. “I know, I know but too much will hurt you.” Her eyes watered slightly at the comfort.

“The voice didn’t lie.” She said softly, leaning into his hand. He quirked an eyebrow leaning closer to hear her. “The voice said we’d be safe, and we are.” Percy was silent before connecting the dots and nodding continuing to stroke her hair.

“The voice didn’t lie, you’re safe.” Marinette gave a small smile before darkness took her again.

“I can still barely believe it, Mar. The Gods are real, like real real, and you. You! You’re the daughter of one, her most powerful daughter too! I wouldn’t expect anything less of you. You’ve always been amazing in and outside of Ladybug. You’re my best friend, and-and I can’t wait for you to wake up. I need you to wake up please.” Adrien said softly, holding her hand, playing with her fingers. “I don’t know what our relationship will be. I don’t know if we’ll stay best friends or we’ll start dating. All I know is I want you in my life for the rest of my life.” Marinette squeezed his hand gently as her eyes faded to a soft pink.

“That sounds amazing, Rien.”

“Marinette!” Adrien cried out hugging her, laughter falling from both of them along with happy tears.

“Till the end?”

“Till the end.”

Percy smirked standing in the doorway, Chiron beside him as they watched the two.

“The holders of Creation and Destruction, in our camp.” Chiron mused watching the two before turning and walking toward the archery range. “This summer will be interesting won’t it.” He said ignoring Percy’s snort.

“I call training them Chiron!”

“Oh Gods help us, just what we need. Two more added to the chaos that is Percy Jackson.” Percy grinned, turning back to the two.

Yes, it would be a very interesting summer

✨Tag List Closed✨

@kanamexzeroyaoifangirl

@throneoffirebreathingbitchqueen

@athena452

@thornalchemist23

@fangirlnerd001

@witchbitch1998

@insane-fangirl-of-everything

@thewackest

@vivilikesmiraculous

[immaturityofthomasastruc]

IOTA Reviews: Lies

You guys ready for almost twenty straight minutes of Angstdrien Depreste? Neither am I.

Let's get into the third (chronologically the second) episode of Miraculous Ladybug's fourth season: Lies (Oh, I get what they did there).

We open with Marinette struggling to decipher the grimoire she inherited from Fu, before two of the Kwamis screw around and play a video about Adrien.

Jesus Christ... it hasn't even been an episode since she broke up with Luka, and the writers are already back to making her simp over Adrien again. And this part of the episode takes place during “Truth”, where she's still dating Luka. This is supposedly meant to show her conflicting feelings regarding both Adrien and Luka, but it just comes across as yet another joke about Marinette simping over Adrien because the writers have forgotten she has other interests outside of her hero life.

And here we go. The writers are going to go out of their way to make the audience feel bad for Adrien in this episode by showing how tough his life is. What do we see him do that is allegedly so exhausting? He models for another statue, goes to a photoshoot, and then goes to some drama class where he repeats some phrase (I think it's supposed to be a warmup, but it's never explained why he's there in the first place). That's it. This is his definition of an “endless day”? Oh yeah, his life must be soooooooo hard.

Adrien is a rich white boy who is the son of one of the biggest names in fashion across the world, has legions of fans, an honest education, and is also one of the most beloved superheroes in the city while not having to struggle with the same responsibility his partner has. But no, Adrien's life is much harder than anyone else who has suffered this past year. It's yet another trick the writers are pulling to make people feel bad for Adrien instead of criticizing his behavior. I'm sorry, but I find it a little hard to relate to someone whose biggest problems amount his diamond shoes being too tight.

Good lord, I'm not even a minute in...

So Adrien transforms into Cat Noir and heads off to patrol. Keep in mind that the first part of this episode takes place during the events of “Truth”, so we see how he reacts to Ladybug not showing up for patrol. He waits for a while before he starts, but not before leaving a message for his partner.

Now, this moment honestly could have worked. What doesn't make it work is the air quotes Cat Noir starts off with. If he had said something like that honestly and kept his feelings a secret, it could have shown he understands the burden Ladybug has to bear now that she's the Guardian, but doesn't want to worry her. The problem is that the way he phrased the first sentence coupled with the air quotes make it seem like he doesn't care about what Ladybug has to deal with now, and only wants her to spend time with him.

You think I'm being overdramatic or I'm just jumping to conclusions? In the very next scene, Cat Noir actually tries to see if Mr. Ramier is emotional enough to get akumatized into Mr. Pigeon again just so he can see Ladybug.

This is just... why? Why would any of the writers expect the audience to feel bad for Cat Noir here? It's one thing for him to miss Ladybug's company, which is natural considering how much time they spend together, but wanting to start a life-threatening situation just to see Ladybug just isn't cool. What makes this any different from Chloe causing a subway to go out of control so she can save it herself, or Lila intentionally akumatizing herself and working with Hawkmoth just because she hates Ladybug? If you can find a reason other than “because the plot says so”, I'll want to hear an explanation.

So Cat Noir goes to Le Grand Paris to drown his sorrows in alcohol with his favorite drink, a White Russian without the vodka and coffee liqueur. Also, instead of cream, it's skim milk. And speaking of Chloe, we see her get into a brief squabble with Sabrina over missing a bag she has underneath her shoulder, and Cat Noir gets excited again at the prospect of getting to fight an Akuma, but thankfully, the situation is resolved fairly quickly.

Ignoring how unheroic this makes this supposed “superhero” look, I have a quick question. SHOULDN'T CHLOE BE IN PRISON RIGHT NOW? She essentially committed treason against her country by willingly conspiring with a terrorist. I get that everyone in Paris was paralyzed at the time, but did Ladybug not tell anyone what happened? How is she not in trouble? Did her father pardon her or something? Is she not even going to do any community service? You would think given how much Astruc hates her, Chloe would be forced to face more consequences for her actions other than losing her Miraculous permanently. Hopefully, “Queen Banana” will shed some light on Chloe's situation, but I'm not exactly holding my breath on that.

But yeah, Cat Noir actually gets excited at the prospect at fighting an akumatized Sabrina, while ignoring how cruel Chloe's being to her, because I guess it's a day that ends with a “Y”. Remember when Adrien actually called out  Lila and compromised with her in order to get Marinette back into school? Good times.

Cat Noir keeps calling and leaving messages for Ladybug, but changes his mind as soon as he sees Kagami, because he has the attention span of a puppy looking for someone to play with. Adrien stares at his phone's wallpaper of Ladybug, implying he still has feelings for her, and is then informed by Nathalie that his fencing class with Kagami was moved back by an hour. In reality, it was a trick by Kagami to get the two to spend some quality time together.

They choose to hang out in the art room because, get this, Kagami has always had a passion for drawing. Of course! That explains why it's never been mentioned in any earlier episodes, not even the one where she attended the premiere of an animated movie, which is a similar form of art. It's almost like the writers wanted to have Kagami do something that doesn't involve swinging a sword around. It's a good reason, mind you, but maybe if it was foreshadowed more, I would be more open to it.

Kagami says that she loves drawing because “art never lies”. Because it's not like someone can draw something completely inaccurate to what's actually being depicted, much like a certain character who likes to make up stories of people she knows to get others to like her, right? Kagami also says that her mother doesn't let her draw because she doesn't think her art isn't good, even though she's blind. Because when it comes to parents in Miraculous Ladybug, they're either amazing people who love their children, or they're emotionally abusive pieces of garbage who make you wonder why they even had kids in the first place. There is literally no middle ground. Maybe some of the writers have daddy issues?

So Kagami decides to draw a picture of Adrien, but wants him to give her a more “natural” pose instead of the standard model poses he usually gives.

Okay, this scene is raising so many red flags, the dialogue might as well be in semaphore. Where the hell did this side of Kagami come from? Why is she so controlling and forceful all of a sudden? In fact, why is she so obsessed with Adrien being “perfect”? The two made jokes before in the past (Desperada), and even spent half of the Season 3 finale playing around with Marinette? Why is she now Little Miss Serious?

Also, Kagami is really overstepping boundaries with Adrien here. Like, to a seriously uncomfortable degree. I get she isn't good with social cues, but how can she not see how anxious Adrien looks while she forces him into a pose, all while saying how wrong he is for doing what he sees as “natural”? This is not what a healthy relationship looks like, and spoiler alert, this isn't exactly why they even break up at the end of the episode.

Before the two can kiss while they're actually at fencing practice, Adrien is forced to leave Kagami to help Ladybug fight Mr. Pigeon (which means the narrative basically gave him what he wanted for no reason), leading to the same scene where Ladybug almost kills him, while he jokes about how he likes how angry she gets, and she apologizes for something that wasn't her fault. Just remember, he flirts with Ladybug right after he left his girlfriend to join her for an Akuma battle. The same montage from “Truth” happens, only it's Adrien missing opportunities to be close with Kagami, culminating with the little Kitty Section concert that happened right before Luka got akumatized.

While the two wait for their rides, Adrien accidentally drops the charm Marinette gave him all the way back in “Gamer”, which Kagami picks up. When he sees an Akuma flying, Adrien soon heads off to fight him, saving Ladybug from blowing her cover. After the events of “Truth”, Adrien apparently heads to Prince Ali's birthday party (yet Rose isn't there for some reason), meaning the second half of this episode takes place immediately after the previous one, even though it's been established that Hawkmoth/Shadowmoth needs time to recharge.

After Cat Noir flirts a little with Ladybug again, he heads off to the party to meet up with Kagami. When he had to leave to fight Truth, Adrien claimed that he left something on the Liberty, which Adrien later claims was the charm Marinette gave him. Kagami soon realizes he's lying about something, and doesn't take it well.

There's a good performance from Kagami's voice actress here, and it's a nice parallel to Luka, who also feels a sense of betrayal when Marinette can't be honest with him. But this scene does tie into the problem with Adrien and Kagami in this episode, and I'll get into it towards the end.

Kagami storms off, and is immediately akumatized by Shadowmoth, turning her into Lies.

Like Truth, the design here is really forgettable. The design is all white and gives Kagami a haircut that looks like it belongs in The Jetsons, but that's it. The one thing I like about her is the way her powers work. Instead of going from victim to victim, Lies creates an energy dome that slowly grows and paralyzes anyone has lied before in the past, which is basically everyone who comes into contact with it. It's a pretty interesting idea, and it means that Ladybug and Cat Noir have to rely more on strategy while avoiding any contact with the dome.

Adrien transforms into Cat Noir and charges into action, with Jagged Stone offering to help out.

I don't think you can say the same for your family, can you, Jagged?

Cat Noir tells Jagged to get to a safe place, but much like his one night stand with Anarka, he refuses to pull out, so he gets paralyzed by the dome, along with everyone in the building.

Ladybug meets up with Cat Noir and immediately summons her Lucky Charm, a remote control drone. Since it hasn't lied, it can go into the dome and be used as surveillance while Cat Noir distracts Lies. While it seems like nobody inside the dome can touch Lies, Ladybug realizes that Fang, Jagged Stone's pet crocodile, hasn't lied either, so she uses the drone to lure him out of the building.

Cat Noir thinks of a way to distract Lies by doing what he always does to increase the tension.

You know, I thought of a little game we could play. Why don't we count how many times Cat Noir sacrifices himself this season? So far, the Cat Noir Self-Kill Counter is at 1, but I'm guessing it will be higher the longer this season goes on.

So while Lies is distracted by Cat Noir's unconscious body, Fang runs over and breaks her corrupted object, Marinette's charm. So after using Miraculous Ladybug, Ladybug runs over and, for good reason, I may add, scolds Cat Noir for recklessly sacrificing himself yet again.

You know if this plan failed, not only would Shadowmoth get your Miraculous, but Ladybug would be all alone, you idiot! And we're supposed to find this reckless endangerment funny!? Seriously, Ladybug smiles at Cat Noir's stupid little quip as he still flirts with her right after he got into a fight with his girlfriend.

The next day, Adrien apologizes to Kagami, but she says she can't trust him, not as a boyfriend, and not as a friend either. And here is the problem with the Adrigami breakup. Like with the Lukanette breakup, it chooses to focus on one detail instead of the other, and glaringly obvious detail. The episode is trying to say that the whole reason Kagami and Adrien can't work as a couple is because of Adrien keeping his life as Cat Noir a secret. In reality, both of them have problems that they need to work on before they consider dating. Kagami has shown herself to be a massive control freak in this episode because of her own vision of what Adrien is like, showing she doesn't respect his boundaries or beliefs.

And Adrien? Where do I begin?

Adrien clearly shows several signs that he hasn't moved on from Ladybug with how much he flirts with her, even before he and Kagami got together, and there's the fact that unlike Marinette who realizes how she can't have a love life, it doesn't feel like Adrien actually learned that lesson.

We are supposed to see Adrien focusing on his secret life as Cat Noir as the responsible thing to do, and that like Ladybug, he needs to prioritize being Cat Noir over dating. The thing is that this episode has only showed how he doesn't take any of the hero stuff seriously. Throughout the episode, he treats being Cat Noir as a fun pasttime, when it comes to craving Ladybug's attention to the point where he's just short of causing an Akuma attack out of desperation until he sees someone else to spend time with, constantly flirts with Ladybug despite how annoyed she can come across, doesn't understand any of the stuff she has to deal with now that she's Guardian, and will sacrifice himself all so Ladybug can do all the work for him. He doesn't care about anything unless he gains something in return. It doesn't matter if lives are in danger, he thinks his personal feelings are more important because his civilian life is sO hAaArRd.

At one point when we were all kids, we all wanted to be superheroes because we all thought the idea of having superpowers and the freedom to do whatever we wanted sounded awesome. But that's not what being a hero is. We never thought about the responsibility that comes with being a superhero. One of the main themes of superhero media that we all watched growing up was that they would help us to learn right from wrong, and that sometimes, personal sacrifices have to be made for the greater good, and our feelings just aren't that important in the grand scheme of things. Whether we learned this lesson from Superman, Spider-Man, Sailor Moon, the Power Rangers, or even the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, what matters is that by the time we reached the age of these heroes, we would have a similar moral compass so we would understand why these heroes would make some of the choices they did, and we would be able to make similar choices if we encountered situations like the ones they went through.

Part of growing up is realizing that being a superhero isn't all fun and games. Sometimes, you need to put your own personal desires aside to make sure nobody gets hurt because of something you did or didn't do. We are currently in the fourth season of this show, and after 82 episodes, Cat Noir has still failed to learn that lesson. He doesn't understand that even if his “true self” is clowning around, that's not how a hero acts. You don't see Batman or Captain America acting this way, and you don't see real life soldiers or emergency workers acting this way either.

And that's not even getting into the fact that this is the same problem the Lukanette breakup had. Even though Marinette had a valid reason to break things off with Luka because she realized being Guardian was more important, the narrative framed it like she was still into Adrien, no matter if she was making an effort to get over him. Likewise, even though both Adrien and Kagami have issues the narrative refuses to actually acknowledge, they frame it as Adrien's hero life was ruining their relationship, when in reality, the reasons for both the Adrigami breakup and the Lukanette breakup should have been flipped. “Truth” should have been about Marinette coming to terms with her new responsibilities as the Guardian, and “Lies” should have been about Adrien realizing he needs to work on his own personal issues before he considers his feelings for Kagami or Ladybug.

So the episode just ends with Ladybug and Cat Noir saying that even if they have to keep secrets about their identities, they can still trust each other. Also, before Kagami dumped him, Adrien reaffirmed his feelings for Ladybug (the only time they were actually referenced outside of flirting and his phone's wallpaper), which implies that Adrien is going to continue to pursue Ladybug, having learned nothing from this whole episode.

You know, after watching both this episode and “Truth”,  and seeing how it undid two of the major changes from the Season 3 finale, does it almost feel like nothing's changed at all? Does it almost feel like you've been here before? How am I gonna be a optimist about this? Hell if I know, this episode's honestly worse than “Truth” was.

Put aside your feelings on the Adrigami breakup, the pacing here was awful. Because the writers thought it would be interesting to have some continuity for once by having it take place right after “Truth”, the timeline is incredibly confusing. Can Shadowmoth just create more Akumas at once without having to recharge? And shouldn't Ladybug and Cat Noir be exhausted from having to fight two Akumas and a Sentimonster in one day?

Even then, about half of the episode was spent following Adrien as he whined about how hard he supposedly has it, proving despite what Astruc continues to state, he is far from perfect, and like what he loves to say about Chloe, refuses to change. Wow, that's so interesting. And we're supposed to feel bad for Cat Noir and be mad at Ladybug for missing their patrol, forgetting everything she's been going through in the last week, considering how Gabriel just fixed the Peacock Miraculous, suggesting that the events of “Truth” and “Lies” happened not too long after “Miracle Queen”. Even the Akuma fight wasn't that interesting because it was crammed into about five minutes thanks to everything else going on in this episode.

In an attempt to make the audience sympathize with him, this episode only made me loathe the way Adrien is portrayed even more. Seriously, he reaches “Frozer” levels of unlikability in this episode. Maybe he'll get some much needed character development, but given how much Astruc will put him on a pedestal and ignore his flaws, I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon.

But I still don't see the point of spending so much time building up this relationship for two seasons just to end it as soon as they hook up. At the end of the day, all Lukanette and Adrigami amounted to was filler. It was a way to get in some romantic scenes for the fans while the writers continue to drag out the Love Square drama like a taffy puller. And now that Luka and Kagami have served their purpose, watch as Astruc and the other writers start to slowly remove them from the narrative until they appear about as often as Nino does now.

After all, why care about anything in this show that isn’t related to the Love Square? It’s clear none of the writers do.

[a-chlolix-blog]

Scarabée and Kitty Claws AU

Master Wang Fu/Jade Turtle & Wayzz

Fu gives the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculouses to Alix and Adrien through their school bags.

What he didn't count on was Chloé Bourgeois being a worried friend.

When he sees Scarabée and Kitty Claws on TV, he and Wayzz are shocked.

Wayzz: Master, that's not Adrien...

Fu: I can see that, Wayzz.

Fu's happy that Scarabée and her unsuspected partner end up saving the day, but he's still quite wary of Kitty Claws.

When he secretly helps Alix with Tikki, she gets a suspension of him quickly.

"There's NO WAY this guy isn't magic..."

After Lila's whole Volpina deal, Tikki takes Alix to give the book back to Fu. She responded with a quick "I knew it!" while walking in.

They talk for quite abit and he asks her if she knows who Kitty Claws is. Of course she says no.

Fu straight up tells Alix that he never meant to give the Black Cat Miraculous to Kitty Claws, which obviously surprised her.

He then tells her that he doesn't trust Kitty Claws, and she TELLS HIM OFF!

Alix, angry: Kitty Claws has been nothing but a helpful and amazing partner, how could you not trust her?!

Fu: You care for her quite abit...

Alix, still angry: Of course I do! I care for her alot!

After Alix calms down & asks about the other Miraculouses in the Miracle Box, Fu tells her about all them & their powers as well as their Kwamis.

Including the three that were missing. The Butterfly, the Peacock, and Rabbit (which they didn't know was currently with Jalil).

After the fact with The Collector (& a new hero coming into play), Fu trusts Alix's judgement alot more.

After being taught by Fu for a few hours a day (during free days of course) after two weeks of meeting him, Alix studies on her own with the history within the Louvre Museum.

She relays what she's learned from the Louvre to Fu to make the info is correct (and it is!).

Fu insists that she doesn't tell Kitty Claws about him yet (not completely trusting her yet).

It isn't until Paris is flooded (by a different Syren) & he sees Kitty Claws (as well as Stallion Star & Draconia) getting as many people as possible to safety & sees her hide and transform back into Chloé.

After figuring out how to make the Element Power Ups, Fu goes to find Chloé (who was taking a quick break after getting all those people out the water) & gives her the Aqua Power up so they can fight the Syren.

After giving a bit of the Power Up to Stallion Star and Draconia, that battle's won and done, Fu goes to visit Chloé at the hotel and gives her and Plagg the rest of the Power Ups.

He even has Alix as Scarabée secretly deliver the other Power Ups to Adrien and Marinette at their homes.

With the Miraculouses that were given to new permanent welders, Fu noticed that Scarabée never needed a Turtle Welder on the team & asked her about it over tea.

Fu: Is there a reason you haven't picked Wayzz to give to a permanent welder?

Alix: It's obvious that you and Wayzz have a close bond, I don't wanna keep you apart.

After the whole Sandboy situation (and the other Kwamis sneaking out), Alix has a better understanding of Fu and his inner struggles with his past.

Even tells her about him and Marianne & how they keep in touch through letters.

They work even harder. Going as far as to make Element Power Ups for the other heroes as well.

What they don't know is that Hawkmoth has been doing some studying of his own (along with Nathalie) & has came up with a plan that involves the newly fixed Peacock Miraculous & the return of Volpina.

Fu tries his hardest to help the other heroes fight, but can only shield them, so they could come up with a better plan.

After that long battle and the celebrating Heroes' Day, Fu comes to quite the decision.

He texts Alix and Chloé to meet with him tomorrow as Scarabée and Kitty Claws & sends Marianne one last letter.

When the heroines arrive, he tells there's no more he could teach them & that he's making Scarabée the New Guardian of the Miracle Box.

Scarabée and Kitty Claws spend almost an honr trying to talk Fu out of this, but he doesn't change his mind.

Fu: You two and your allies have done more without my help than with it. My time has come to retire...

Then Fu does the whole ordeal to remove his memories & signs over the Miracle Box to Scarabée.

Scarabée and Kitty Claws are even there when Marianne comes to get Fu and take him to London.

Alix after getting the now transformed Miracle Box settled in she's tries her best to comfort Wayzz.

Alix, holding Wayzz: I know what it's like to lose someone... I'll help you get through this, little guy.

Wayzz: Thank you, Master.

Alix: Just Alix is fine. Since I'm not your welder, you can say my name.

Despite an anniversary of a certain tragedy coming up, Alix cheers Wayzz up in anyway she can.

She's shocked that after a month he's ready to be given toba permanent welder.

Which she's more than happy to help him find.

Inspired by: @emdoddles @muggle-born-princess @symphonic-scream @justanotherpersonsuniverse @dcschart @princess-of-the-corner

[thecaptainhelm]

Shut Your Mouth Pt.2

hahaha, daminette part two, wasn’t a one shot, gn gn gn.

Marinette sighed as the shower warmed up, rolling her neck and relishing in the light feeling of accomplishment. Ever since Hawkmoth had been defeated, a mere two days ago, things had been tense. Hawkmoth, now known as Gabriel Agreste, was arrested along with his assistant Nathalie Sancoeur who had since retired as Mayura the year before. It was a stroke of luck to discover that the Guardian had the ability to forcibly renounce a broken Miraculous. Something Gabriel hadn’t known, granting them extra time as he futilely tried to ‘fix’ the brooch. While that happened, she managed to finally convince Chat to at least keep him as a suspect if not out of suspicion, then to actually strike him from their list. It didn’t take long rack up evidence against him, especially after learning from the Bats of Gotham. 

The battle was quiet, in the early hours of the morning, where the city forcibly cut the power to the Agreste mansion, and it only took one Venom for each while they slept defenselessly. It took only a few minutes to find evidence that he was at least working with Hawkmoth, and when they found the miraculous pin and brooch, it was confirmed that he was, indeed, Hawkmoth with Nathalie working as his henchwoman Mayura.

Soon, with what was probably the fastest trial of the century, Gabriel Agreste and Nathalie Sancoeur were declared guilty and sentenced to serve life in prison and an insane asylum respectively. It had only shocked her for a moment that Mayura pleaded guilty and asked to be sent directly to rehab for mental help, by reason of insanity wrought by grief. What did surprise her was that she was the one to take the miraculous and give them to the Agreste couple as an anniversary gift, ultimately setting off a chain of unforeseen consequences.

That was a whole other cake she didn’t want to bake just yet, so she decided to finally just take a moment to breathe for what felt like the first time in five years. 

So it was only normal that her smartwatch chimed on the hook of the shower caddy, a picture of a frowny eagle glaring right at her. She cursed her luck, yeah, no breaks was still her usual routine. It must be real hard for the universe to break out that particular habit.

Then she remembered that she set this particular picture and ringtone for the one person who had never called.

Robin, the vigilante that she might have, kind of, definitely made an enemy of.

Who was also her crush, so that was just. Great.

In her defense, she was a human being, and human beings were capable of amazing feats. It was just that her amazing feats were more amazing bouts of stupidity. Seriously, why did she do it? Just where did her common sense escape to make her think that was even a remotely good idea, because she wanted to go there and never come back.

She had kissed-- no! She made out with Robin, the most notoriously ill-tempered member of Batman’s team. The only reason he didn’t deck her in the face was because, because, well she didn’t know! Was it mercy, a misplaced feeling of pity, perhaps?

No, actually, it was more likely that he was frozen stiff with rage. Marinette couldn’t blame him, heck, she’d be angry too, suddenly getting passionately smooched in the middle of livid rant. 

She had planned on giving him her contact information for the longest time, since they'd come to the understanding that they only wanted to do what was best for everyone, the kind of understanding that only leaders could have. And to maybe get closer to him as much as professionalism allowed. So, it stood to reason that she had to go ahead and ruin that, too. She really couldn’t believe herself sometimes, who randomly kisses someone, hands them their number, and then trots off back to work? Marinette Dupain-Cheng apparently.

In fact, it was about time he called. She had pretty much an entire year to prepare herself for what was sure to be a concise and frigid rejection, maybe even a “Stay for away from, lest I stab everyone in this room and then jump out of a window out of utter disgust”? She might as well get it over with and then move on to be alone for the rest of her life.

She wiped the water out of her eyes and squinted at the text message, before jumping out the shower with a loud curse. She hurriedly dried off and put on her clothes, before heading to the Miracle Box, rereading his message.

Emergency evac, one person, requesting Pegasus’ portal twenty kilometers horizontally above sea level precisely fifteen minutes after this message. Coordinates attached.

The message was sent ten minutes ago. How long was she catastrophizing for?!

Max was partying along with the rest of Paris while she took a breather in her art studio. Even with the full fifteen minutes she wouldn’t be able to find him in time. Shit, would she even be able to transform in time?

She grabbed the glasses from the box and Kaalki appeared in a proud flash. 

“No time, there’s trouble,” she panted. “Ready?”

“Hmph, of course,” Kaalki tossed her head. “Let’s go, shall we?”

“Kaalki, transform me!” She eyed the time, two minutes left. She memorized the coordinates as she searched for a suitable place for him to land, and realized she was going to have to catch him in her storage closet.

One minute left. She opened the door and cleared space in the center of the room.

Thirty-five seconds. She stood on an old chair that she moved into the center of the room.

Twenty seconds, and she called, “Voyage!” and threw the portal up towards the ceiling.

Zero. She braced for impact and caught a body that plummeted through in a free fall.

“Ow,” she closed the portal with a groan, amidst the shattered pieces of what used to be a pretty sturdy chair.

“Don’t complain, it could have been worse.” A deep voice rasped.

Wow, to think she missed him, that asshole.

“Shut up, Robi-- oh my god your arm! Get up, getupgetupgetup!” She hauled him up as gently as possible, annoyance giving way to concern.

Robin was, putting it lightly, a mess. He had lost his mask, his eye was swollen shut and his face was bruised with cuts all over, and he was sticky with blood practically everywhere she looked. It was his arm that she was most concerned about, however. It was set in a splint, but he must have been in a rush because it was set wrong, his thumb facing perpendicular lyaway from his body.

“I am fine,” he sagged into her, weary. “I just need a place to stay for the night.”

“If you weren’t so grievously injured, I’d throw you out for that,” she remarked. “But guess what? It’s your lucky night monsieur, and I’m a trained field medic.” Robin looked at her, maskless, and she had to dart her eyes away from his maskless face.

“Oh, so Ladybug finally started replacing her subpar lineup? About time, either she benched them or Hawkmoth would kill them at some point. They were woefully incompent.” Yep, this was definitely Robin, no doubt about it with that attitude.

She called off the transformation and was somewhat pleased when he reflexively jerked his head away. She pulled him into a princess carry and made her way back to the bathroom, inwardly delighting at his reaction. She would never let him live this down.

“It’s me, Robin. Ladybug. Pegasus couldn’t make it, so you’ll have to do with me instead of a random stand-in.” She raised her brow, not that he could see it.

“Unless that bothers you, Boy Wonder?”

“...I’m not,” he mumbled.

“Hm?”

“I’m not Robin anymore.”

What. What.

“What?”

“I’ve retired, effective as of nine months ago today, Robin’s cape has been hung up for the next generation.”

Relief didn’t come yet. “Oh, so you’ve taken on a new mantle? Or are you finally the next Batman, though it would take some time to fill those shoulders. Literally, I mean that literally, um.” She observed his downcast expression and once again started walking to the bathroom. When had she stopped?

“I’m not taking over anything,” he said sullenly. “I can’t. Not after what I did.”

“Come on, it couldn’t have been so bad,” she opened the door with her heel as she backed them towards the stool by the sink. She set him down carefully, taking full stock of his injuries.

“It was. Batman’s cowl has always represented a strict moral code, one that I’ve always...struggled to adhere to.”

Marinette bit her lip as she kneeled in front of him. He didn’t say anymore, and she couldn’t think of anything to say. She sighed and brought out her med kit from the towel cabinet. She was always like this with him.

With Robin (now not Robin?) she had always drawn a blank. She could read his emotions somewhat well, had a good grasp on his moods, and could have genuinely insightful conversations with him. It was only at crucial moments like this that she struggled. Even with Adrien she had always known what she wanted to say, but Robin was different. Everything about him screamed “one chance only” and that caused her mind to go blank. It was so unbelievably frustrating that she could scream.

Marinette handed the glasses to Kaalki and nodded towards her purse hanging on the door handle. The kwami zoomed towards it and soon disappeared into it with the miraculous.

“Robin,” she called gently. He didn’t move. “I’ll have to cut your shirt off, okay? I need to see where the blood is coming from.”

“It’s not mine.The blood.” He kept his gaze away as she froze.

“Well, we’ll have to reset that arm,” she tried again. “It’s not...it’s not looking good, to say the least.”

He looked towards his mangled right arm and nodded. 

It took some time to undo the splint and she tried not to think about where he had been for him to only have rotted wood and prison rags on hand. She cut his shirt off at the sleeve and down his middle, pulling it off and exposing a painful canvas of mottled bruises, scrapes, and cuts. She handed him her towel and he stuffed it in his mouth without a word. She gently untied the splint.

“Are you ready?” She gazed at him resolutely. He nodded and braced himself as best he could.

“On my count, one, two--” She re-broke his arm a count early on purpose.

“Arrghh! Ffuk!!” He jerked out of her grip.

“Hold still!” He spat out the towel and glared in response.

“Mizq dhiraei allaeaynat 'aw aidbitha!!!” She only understood ‘rip’ and ‘arm’ but she got the gist of his screaming.

“Alright it’s done now, I’m setting it, so stop moving,” She couldn’t help but sigh under his vicious scowl.

“Tsk. Be grateful that I can barely discern your features Ladybug. You’re on my shit list and I don’t feel like kicking your ass today.”

“Wow, thanks for saving me Ladybug, I could have died if it weren’t for you!” Marinette couldn’t help but snark at him.

“...tsk!” Yep, that was as good as she was going to get in his condition.

After years of fighting akuma victims she was able to observe the complex and hidden emotions of her opponents and the civilians that she rescued. And right now, her experience was telling her that Robin had more than his pride ruined. His self-confident, courageous, and taciturn nature seemed to be regressing as he fell back into what was probably a self-defense mechanism. For him to be like this instead of exhausted in his current state told her that he must have been through a lot since she last saw him.

She started to gently clean the blood off and noted the bruises underneath definitely came from an intense melee battle. Most of them were in places that made her cringe just looking at them. At least he doesn’t have any other broken bones, or stab wounds. Lucky him.

Robin put an ice pack to his face in the meanwhile and wouldn’t look in her direction.

It was quiet for a while. “So, what should I call you, then?” And she had to open her big fat mouth, didn’t she? Now it was awkward. It was awkward, and he hated her, and she was never speaking again, ever.

“Damian.” Uh oh.That didn’t sound like a moniker.

“Um, nice code name?” She started disinfecting his cuts and scrapes, trying not to panic.

“I no longer require such aliases.” Ok, process that later, heal Robin now. Process. Later.

“Ro--, Damian, uh, well,” She sighed.  “My offer still stands, you know?”

He made a quiet noise. 

“Last time I saw you, I mean. I had left in a rush,”-- after kissing you senseless-- “but I’m always here to listen if you want to talk about what happened.”

Robin, or Damian now, she still wasn’t used to that, froze. His brows furrowed and he strangely went red in the face, before sighing, slumping against the sink.

“I...the blood’s not mine. It hasn’t been my for a long time, but it might as well be for how long I’ve carried it. I’m not a good person so much as to blame myself completely, but I do recognize some of the fault as mine. I’d gotten help, and I was making progress, but it wasn’t enough. I started falling back into old habits and I hated it. I tried and I failed, and I kept trying and failing for months and I…” He gained a look of despair, the first real emotion she’s seen on him since he dropped in.

“I couldn’t do it anymore. I just kept disappointing everyone and I hated it so much,” he dug his fingers into his matted hair.

“So, I left. I decided to go on a journey to try and repent, and it was working, at least I thought it did. But, then I had stumbled upon a Shadows base and I…” He peered unseeing at the floor.

“It was like I lost all sense of reason. I lay siege to the entire facility and found my way to the next base. It all turned into an endless cycle, all the way until I reached headquarters and inadvertently met up with high ranking members of the Justice League, teaming up to diminish their power. We were successful, but a candidate for the position of the Demon’s Head activated the self-destruct module. Everyone was scrambling to get out and suddenly my mind felt clearer than it had ever been.” He took  a deep breath and Marinette moved closer to offer some comfort. He leaned towards her gratefully.

“The Justice League had already had an escape route, but the Shadows were in disarray for some reason. After I was sure my old comrades were out, I locked all the doors, and dived down to a ceremonial bathing chamber.”

“And that’s where I came in,” she whispered. I think I’m starting to like him more than I should. What is wrong with me?! Who made me this way?! She had some complaints in regards to that.

“You saved my life,” he inclined his head in an informal bow. “Thank you, Ladybug.”

“...Marinette.” She croaked suddenly. She was left reeling from his info dump and her intense, romantic feelings. So, why not go for a confession? 

Damian whipped his head up in disbelief.

“My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Enchanté, Damian.” She smiled at his bewildered state, wiping away a bit of blood under his chin. She opened her mouth to say more, but didn’t get the chance.

Damian leapt up, furious. “You fool! I knew you were a space cadet, but I didn’t think your brain drifted beyond the stars! How utterly moronic!”

“Wait, why are you so mad?!” She panicked. She kind of had a spur of the moment idea to kiss him on his split lip, but that was looking less and less likely to happen.

(Damn it.)

“You told me your name!” he shouted.

“Yes, and you told me your’s?” She retorted. 

“Have you forgotten Hawkmoth?! Your enemy that can read the minds of the emotionally disturbed should he decide to possess them!” He started to hobble out of the bathroom, still half-treated and mostly in pain.

Oh. 

Oh!

“I have to leave, now! If I can stay calm long enough to reach the trains then I’ll be moving too fast for a butterfly to suddenly get me.”

“Uh, Damian?”

“No, it might already be enroute to someone else and might even already be on board,” He winced and stumbled on the tassel rug in the hallway.

“Woah, hang on a second Damian,” she grabbed him before he could fall, but he pulled out of her grip.

“We don’t have time for this, I can guarantee that I would be one of the worst akumas you’ve faced in your hero career, nevermind the insider information I hold within my mind.”

“Yes, but listen to me,” Damian moved towards the small sitting area, not listening to her. 

Again.

“This safehouse should be around one hundred kilometers from the city limits, you’re safe for now, but Hawkmoth’s estimated rate of growth was--”

That’s it!

Marinette grabbed his jaw and slammed it closed. She had had enough.

“This isn’t a safehouse, we’re in my art studio,” she snapped. She could see the rage begin to build to new heights in his eye.

“No, shut your mouth, and listen!” A vein in his forehead started to pulse, but he didn't move to speak.

Good.

“Hawkmoth has been defeated as of last week, and the trial was concluded a couple days ago. Going by what you told me, you've been out the loop for almost a year, so you don’t know that my team and I had closed in on Hawkmoth’s trail some time ago and were able to build a solid case that’ll go through in a court of law,” She carefully let him go.

“So, you’re safe, I’m safe, and Paris is safe too.” She’d already started to calm down in the middle of her explanation, and idly noted that she should probably take an anger management class.

And sign up for therapy. Lots of it, preferably.

Damian nodded slowly as he rubbed his jaw and she couldn’t help her wince.

“Sorry, did I handle you too roughly? Come here,” she started to pull him back towards the bathroom. He resisted.

“No, it’s fine, no damage just from that much force,” he tugged his arm away but she quickly moved behind him and began to push him through the bathroom door.

“Well, I’m not done treating you, so get back in there.” He grabbed the door frame and pushed back, and her calm demeanor left as quick as it came. Was it even truly there to begin with?

“I said,” she picked him up and threw him back on the stool where he grasped for stability.

“Come here.” She leaned in close to his bruised face, and wow, the one eye that she could see was so very, very green. “I’m not done with you, yet.”

“...okay,” he whispered. He kept his head down.

It didn’t take long to finish disinfecting the rest of his wounds, and soon she started applying ointment to the worst of his bruises. She had enough, but she was definitely going to be restocking in order to play his nursemaid for the next week or so. She rose to her feet and started packing away her kit.

“I’ll give you some pain meds for the night, I’ll leave you to take care of the injuries under the rest of your clothes. Come find me in the kitchenette. I’ll make something for us, though it won’t be anything fancy.”

“That is fine.” Marinette frowned at the strange husk in his voice. Did someone try to suffocate him? Why hadn’t she noticed until now?

She kneeled beside him and reached around him for the water bottle she had left in there earlier, but noticed him twitch and start to blush. Did he get a fever too?

She observed his red face and clear, but dilated eyes. Merde, did she embarrass him from earlier? She knew he had a large ego, but it was his own fault for being stubborn.

“Here, get yourself some water from the sink,” she handed the glittery black bottle to him and hurriedly strode out of the bathroom, calling,

“Holler if you need me!” 

Completely aware of the flustered state she left Damian in. Though not for the reason she thinks, at least.

[thewritewolf]

What He Deserves

Summary: Not even a week has passed since Hawkmoth was revealed to all the world to be Gabriel Agreste. As Adrien sits in his truly empty house, unable to leave thanks to the crowd of people outside, he wonders if this is what he deserves for not realizing sooner.

But then again, not everyone has the same ideas about what he deserves...

Hello and welcome to another birthday fic! This one is for the ever amazing @leviaana, founder of my favorite discord group, fantastic artist, and occasional candy exchange buddy. She said she likes post-reveal hurt/comfort that turns to fluff and I aim to please!

Enjoy!

Read on Ao3

Adrien tentatively pulled back the curtains in the second-floor living room and peered outside, across the porch and over the wall that separated him from the outside world.

The news had broken only a couple days ago - only hours after Adrien himself found out. He wasn’t sure what he had been expecting at first, but it wasn’t long before the crowd started to form. Some were unquestionably reporters. His years as Chat Noir had made it easy for him to pick them out from a crowd. He even recognized some of their voices, which had long been chasing him for interviews.

Somehow, he didn’t think they were going to be asking him about his favorite flavors or the most interesting akumas now. Although they definitely would be interested in what he knew about Hawkmoth, now that his father had been unmasked.

Which is why he believed the other people in the crowd were here. Some just seemed curious. Others seemed... Angry.  

Maybe that was to be expected. The fall of Hawkmoth was as sudden as it was unexpected. Just another routine akuma attack that had accidentally revealed his base of operations. A quick five on one fight later and the butterfly miraculous was in Ladybug’s hands, a battered Gabriel Agreste was taken into custody, and Adrien Agreste’s life had been left in shambles.

It meant that there wasn’t much closure for anyone - not yet, at least. While people waited for his father’s trial to start, years of building frustration had to find an outlet somewhere.

And who better than the last free, living Agreste?

Thankfully, nothing had happened yet, but the crowd had turned his home into more of a prison than it had ever been while his father was in it and that was an accomplishment all on its own. Without his parents, Nathalie, or even the Gorilla to take up space in the mansion, he had never felt so alone before.

The only company Adrien had Plagg and his own emotions, and neither were doing wonders for his mental health.

“Kid,” Plagg said with a tired voice. They’d had this conversation plenty of times before and Adrien knew they were about to have it again. “None of this was your fault.”

“Yeah?” Adrien closed the curtain just as people started to look his way, plunging the room into darkness once again. “I’ve lived under the same roof as Hawkmoth for years.” Adrien raised his voice and threw his hands over his head. “I’m Chat Noir! If anyone could have found Hawkmoth ages ago, it would be me!” His arms fell limply to his sides once again and he stared dully at his kwami. His voice dropped to just above a whisper. “So why didn’t I?”

Plagg shook his head. “He was good enough to hide it from everyone and he was a recluse, even with you. There’s no way you could have known without doing some serious digging.”

“Maybe…” Adrien stared at a massive family painting, saw the cold and calculating look his father had even then. “Or maybe I just didn’t want to even consider it. Maybe I was having so much fun being Chat… fighting alongside my friends… alongside Marinette, that I just didn’t care.”

“You know that’s not true,” Plagg replied quietly.

“Who knows? That’s probably what they think now. No wonder they haven’t tried to visit since the news broke. They don’t want to be anywhere near me right now, and I can’t blame them.” Adrien put his back to the wall and slid down it, taking a seat on the ground and pulling his knees up to his chest. “I don’t want to be near me right now. No wonder they feel the same way.”

“Kid-”

Whatever Plagg was going to say was cut off when there was a knock at the front door. With how quiet and still the rest of the house was, it sounded as loud as thunder as it echoed in the emptiness. Adrien shot a fearful glance toward his kwami - had people finally stormed the mansion? - but Plagg just shook his head and smirked.

Cautiously but now a little curious, Adrien went down the stairs. He watched the door all the while as soon as it came into view. There was another knock. Not violent or angry. Polite. Familiar. But definitely insistent.

Adrien peeked out the window next to the front door and his eyes widened at the sight of his friends loitering on the other side.

Nino and Alya were chatting as if this was nothing out of the usual. Marching up to Hawkmoth HQ, straight past a future angry mob, just to knock on the front door? Who doesn’t do that on a Friday afternoon, honestly? And there was Chloe, of course, checking her makeup in her compact, looking as fashionably detached from her environment as ever.

And standing right in front of the door, expectantly, happily… was Marinette herself. One hand was holding onto a big duffle bag that was thrown over her shoulder and the other was held at her side as she stared up into the sturdy wood door. There was no doubt in her eyes, no worry that he might not answer. Just complete and patient faith.

How could he even contemplate letting her down?

Adrien opened the door and it was like breaking open the flood gates. The first thing he saw was Marinette’s face, her bright blue eyes looking up at him as they shifted from quiet contemplation to soft affection. Their eyes connected in a moment that lasted forever and he could almost swear that his heart stopped beating as they stared into each other…

“Dude!”

The moment shattered when Nino bodily threw himself over the threshold and collided with Adrien, forcing him to stumble back a few steps or fall down in a heap.

The others quickly followed Nino’s example and soon Adrien was caught at the center of one big group hug. Marinette was the last to join since she paused to close the door. A few seconds into the hug, Adrien realized to his surprise that he was trembling - had he really missed human contact that much over the last few days?

All too soon they each pulled back until they were standing around the foyer, watching him. That’s when he noticed that it wasn’t just Marinette with an overstuffed bag with her. It looked like each of them had packed for a long trip.

Some of his confusion must have shown on his face since Alya grinned and said, “Better get used to having some roommates for a while, blondie. We’re not going anywhere.”

“But how did you get passed the-?”

“She knew the passcode for the gate.” Chloe jerked a thumb at Marinette. “The rest of us glared at the crowd until they gave us some space.”

“But don’t worry ‘bout that, dude!” Nino threw an arm around Adrien’s shoulder. “We’re here to have a chill time. You’ve got the space and we’ve got the fun, so let’s get this party started!”

Nino steered Adrien towards his room and they got started.

‘Bringing the fun’ hadn’t even been close to an exaggeration on Nino’s part. There were video games, movies, board games, all sorts of ways to keep themselves entertained. His room started off as the cold and sterile place that it had been for most of his life. But as the hours ticked past, it slowly changed into something else. Someone would go and grab more pillows. They’d push some couches and chairs together in front of the television. Tables would be pulled together for a huge game. Snacks and drinks were strewn everywhere.

It was chaotic. His room was a mess.

It was the most fun he’d had out of the mask in his life. The house was filled with light and life and love for the first time in years and he had his friends to thank for that. Or, as he slowly realized, Marinette specifically. She was the one who had planned it all, organized them, and got as much entertainment together as possible.

The day gave way to night and they were all camped out in front of his television, lost in a cozy den of blankets and pillows propped up against his couch. They were deep into a movie marathon. It could have been twenty two hundred at night - it could have been four in the morning. Time was meaningless at this point. Almost everyone was asleep, except for him.

Well… him and Marinette.

She was laying right beside him as they shared the same blanket, scooted close to each other as the winter chill began to set in. They weren’t touching, but he could feel her warmth radiating off her. His hand twitched ever so slightly as he yearned to move it just a few centimeters and take her hand in his.

The years had brought them closer together than ever, especially after their identities had gotten revealed to each other. They’d always teetered on the edge of a relationship, but with all the uncertainties of life and the tangled mess of revealed identities, they never could commit.

But now, as he glanced furtively at her, lit only by the pale light of the movie, he wondered…

Then he remembered the reason they were here in the first place and his mood crashed. He didn’t deserve her. He didn’t deserve any of them. He-

“Adrien?”

Her voice was soft - he could barely hear her over the television, even with the audio turned down to a low rumble so their friends wouldn’t be woken by it.

She was waiting on an answer.

“Yeah?”

“We’re all here for you. We love you.” His ears may have heard ‘we’, but his heart had heard the ‘I’ that was hidden beneath it.

She was braver than him. Her hand crossed the short distance between them and she intertwined their fingers.

The television became blurred as tears began to build, clouding his vision. He shook his head as he bit his lips to hold back a sob.

“I don’t- I don’t deserve- After everything-”

“You aren’t your father,” she said quietly but firmly. “You’ve proven yourself so, so much better than that.” Her thumb began to rub against the back of his hand. “We’re not going anywhere.”

She scooted closer to him. His arms wrapped around her waist, with his hands meeting up on her back, pressing her close to him as he buried his face into her shoulder as the tears that he’d been holding back for so long began to fall. He was worried he was holding her too tight, but she didn’t seem to mind at all.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said as she held him back and kissed the crown of his head.

[gale-gentlepenguin]

ML AU: In Another Life: NY Special

(So a few things to note, Since this takes place after the events of this version of the season 3 Finale, there are a few key differences. Fu still being guardian is one of them)

-Gabriel finds himself on the back foot, without a fixed peacock miraculous, he needs something to boost his advantage over the teens. And at the rate Nathalie has been going, he might lose her as well.

-While desperately searching the book, he caught notice of the eagle miraculous, it looked very familiar. (He comes up with his plan to go to New York to get that miraculous), well thats how he realizes his plan that is in canon. But this version is clearly more desperate. He needs to know what it can do and how to use it.

-Marinette’s class kicks but with their sock puppet show and pretty much the set up for how the class is going to America is the same. Including Miss Bustier’s reason for not going.

-Adrien is bummed because there is no way he would be able to go on the trip, not with how strict his father is. Lila tries to cheer him up, saying she couldnt go either (cause in canon reason is the same)

-Marinette states that she will try talking to Adrien’s father, she seems to have a slightly higher opinion of her, its worth a shot. “Afterall, your our sock washington.” She says with a flirty smile.

-Adrien has heart eyes over his cute girlfriend.

-Marinette and company go ready to convince Gabriel to let adrien go.

-Marinette gives a convoluted speech similar to canon, but minus the extra bits of friendship.

-Gabriel complies, saying that she convinced him.

-Marinette is over the moon and immediately texts her boyfriend who is at fencing practice the good news

-Adrien gets his butt kicked by kagami just like in canon.

-Kagami tries cheering him up by saying they could use this time to practice and she can help beat the sad out of him if he wants.

-He checks his phone and is excited. He can go on the trip!

-He tells Kagami the good news, she congratulates him. But comments she will be bored without him here to fence.

_____________________________________________________________________

-Marinette Calls Fu  and tells him about her trip to New york, and that her whole class is going.

-”Your entire class?”

-”Yes, even Adrien. Can you believe it? His father never lets him go.” She is over the moon.

-Fu notes to remember that.

-”Well dont worry about Paris. If anything happens, I will be sure to alert you and Chat noir. You will have the horse miraculous on your person.”

-”I am sure Chat noir will be able to handle things here. I will let him know I am leaving. You could use a break.”

-Fu remembers that Ladybug doesnt know that Adrien, her boyfriend, is actually Chat noir.

-”I will tell Chat noir about the departure. You enjoy your trip.”

-”Alright, if you are sure.”

___________________________________________________________________

-Fu decides to meet with chat noir.

-Fu contacts Adrien to meet him at a rooftop.

-”Ladybug wont be in paris?” Chat noir was shocked. (He was so happy to be leaving for the US with his friends and Girlfriend, he actually forgot that Ladybug is marinette and that means she wont be in Paris. And that HE wont be in paris.”

-”Right, and I have a feeling you wont be in Paris either. Your class is having a trip.”

-Adrien doesnt bother asking how he knows that. He assumes Marinette told him.

-”Wait, If Ladybug or I are not in paris...”

-”Dont worry, i will alert you both should anything happen. Ladybug has the horse miraculous on her. If she is close by, she can give you a ride, if not. Your astro form should be able to fly you back to Paris fast enough to get there.”

-Chat noir nods. He cant say he knows she will be close by. But he does know.

-Ladybug doesnt contact Chat noir about the trip, because there is no need to burden him over it.

______________________________________________________________________

-Marinette isnt late, because Adrien had G come pick her up with him.

- So they have some cute handholding as Marinette excitedly talks about going to new york.

-Once they get on the Plane, Marinette and Adrien sit next to each other. So we get Startrain 2.0. With them sleeping on the other, and being cute. No musical plane tickets.

-Alya and Nino are happy for the two of them, commenting that they are still so innocent. But they have no plans on pushing them

-Marinette and Adrien both end up needing to get up and they catch the sunset together. Cue cute almost kiss. But then Techno pirate ruins it.

-The United heroes step in to handle things just like in canon. Marinette and Adrien both internally relieved that they can relax and let other heroes handle things.

-The two enjoy a nice flight to the states

_______________________________________________________________________

-Fu may have called Marianne to help him keep an eye out in the city. She was happy to have an excuse to see fu. It was like a date for them.

-Meanwhile, Marinette and class arrive at the hotel. Aeon comments that Adrien and Marinette are perfect for eachother. Jess doesnt care.

-Chloé isnt depressed as she was in canon, so she isnt dismissive of Sabrina having fun with an american boy. In fact, she decides that she would be more positive. Trying to be the heroine ladybug said she could be. Though... being nice is hard. Alix comments that she looks constipated

-Sabrina is so happy that Chloé is supportive of her. It was a surprise change.

-Chloé was still not thrilled about rooming with Alya and Marinette. But says its fine. Alya is kind of creeped out by Chloé's more ‘Friendly’ attitude. Marinette says that they should still encourage it.

-The class sneaks out to go to the roof party. Marinette and Adrien end up in Aeon and Jess room.

-”Im marinette and this is Adrien.” “Im her boyfriend”

-Aeon is VERY happy to hear that. Jess is indifferent, but helps them both get to the roof.

-The class has fun and Hotdog dan arrives with his magical dogs of hotness.

-Marinette and Adrien have no trouble sharing the hot dog. Alya still a pro wing woman, totally gets Jess to play the song.

-Marinette is 100% down with dancing. Commenting that she remembers that dance.

-Adrien thanking Marinette for convincing his dad, and that she is so amazing. She is practically melting.

-”You’re the perfect girlfriend.”

-Marinette happy giggling and telling him he is such a cute dork.

-Yes there is a kiss under the moonlight. 

______________________________________________________________________

-Next day, the class is at the museum. Aeon knows Jess ships it too, cause she admits they are adorable. There is no need for an elaborate plan, so they dont have the class do the thing.

-Gabriel sets his plan into motion.

-Fu see’s robustus and texts Marinette. Allowing her to move. Adrien notices her sudden rush and figures there is trouble.

-Ladybug transforms in private and uses unify with the horse miraculous to make a portal to paris. Chat noir calls out to her. Which surprises her.

-”Wait, why are you in new york?”

-”Its cool, I cleared it with Fu before I left.”

-Ladybug sorta does the same thing she did in startrain and just rolls with it, just commenting how lucky he is that they were both near eachother, and that if he is leaving paris, he should tell her. Chat noir agrees.

-They get to Paris and start fighting Robustus, who they realize shouldnt be here, because Markov is in New york.

-Meanwhile, Technolizer, takes the sword and Sparrow and Uncanny Valley hear the commotion. They dont see Ladybug and Chat noir being independent, so they dont try to strike out on their own, they do the responsible thing and call for back up, Then try to fight him.

-Ladybug and Chat noir are in Paris fighting Robustus, and trying to find his weakness. But after a bit, Robustus just vanishes. Confusing the two. ladybug uses her Lucky charm to fix the damage, and then they get a portal to head back. Ladybug and Chat noir head back.  Ladybug is mad suspicious over the sudden monster that seemed like all for nothing.

-Ladybug and Chat noir arrive to see the damage to the museum. Hawkmoth had successfully snatched the Eagle necklace thanks to the distraction from Technolizer. He is able to help the villain escape from the heroes, who were having a tougher time with the beefed up villain (until Majestia got more serious)

-Ladybug telling chat noir that if there is trouble to contact her, and she would do the same. Something is up with Hawkmoth.

-Hawkmoth has the eagle miraculous. He finds out the power of the miraculous is to liberate people. Which doesnt sound as useful to hawkmoth as he would like, but he gets a plan. He reakumatizes Techno Pirate.

-The events left New york damaged, but the heroes were not angry at ladybug and Chat noir since they have NO idea why Techno pirate got an upgrade.

-Marinette and Adrien went to catch up with the class. Where a car arrives for Adrien. Commenting that he clearly made a mistake letting him come.

-Marinette didnt stand by and say nothing (since she wasnt depressed or downtroden) she told Gabriel that she should let him stay. That the heroes would protect him, and that she would be by his side.

-Adrien also sided with Marinette. Gabriel was shocked, and angry that his son would Dare disobey him (which stirs the seeds on why he would use Marinette as a tool for an akuma at a later time). Gabriel gives one more stern command but Adrien is determined to stay. (plus he wasnt bummed about everything either so that helped his confidence)

-Jess and Aeon wanted to go with the heroes to help find technolizer but Civillian Majestia and Knightowl said that they needed them to stay here to protect the tourists. Which made them want to prove themselves.

-Cue the Hawkmoth’s plan using The akuma techno pirate with the eagle miraculous.

-Jess and Aeon notice that things are going wrong. Marinette and Adrien both realize it as well and sneak out to go help.

-Aeon realizes that Chat noir and Ladybug are Adrien and Marinette (because she is tech and is immune to that glamor effect. And is of course is even MORE stoked on them. The four of them meet up and work on the plan thats the same as in canon, (using the door hero’s power)

-The fight pretty much goes the same way as in canon, and Hawkmoth is actually pissed off instead of happy that there are more miraculous. Nathalie is now worse off then before. He is now even More desperate since his plan failed.

-Majestia and Knightowl are proud of their side kicks and Jess/eagle gets to be a hero in her own right. Proving her worth. Uncanny valley is her partner.

-Uncanny valley tells them she knows who they are and that she will clear the memories so that no one will know. Jess gets the eagle miraculous. (Marinette tells Fu about this, Fu says its fine. It isnt from his miraculous box, not his jurisdiction.)

-Marinette and Adrien enjoy the rest of the trip with the class. Marinette commenting to adrien how amazing all these heroes are.

-”I think you are much more amazing Marinette.”

-Cue adrinette cuteness

-Gabriel goes back to america, angry and now so much more desperate then before

[shadowmayura]

Hi! I wanted to ask what would your favorite line/s from your fic or from other author's fics be?

I apologize for the inevitable delay in this because my head is bouncing around with so many amazing fics! I can already tell just from thinking about what I’m going to write that this is going to take a while because I’m such a geek about this fandom’s work.

Also a lot of these are love/hate lines because they’re angsty moments that hurt me, but honestly I crave the pain.

Okay, let’s dive in 😂

"I love you," she whispered suddenly, and as she said it, Gabriel watched her heart break through her eyes. He saw within them, pain that his miraculous could never communicate, not even as it tried, sending continuous stabs of agony into his heart, ripping it apart beat by beat. No, all of that fell away from him. All he could see were her eyes, how much she loved him, how much she wished more than anything that she didn't, how she wished just a little bit less that he would say it back to her, how she knew he wouldn't. Gabriel saw everything in the azure pools of her irises. She freed one of her hands, which came up to her mouth, taming the sounds of her sobs. "I'm so sorry," she cried miserably from behind her quivering fingers. "I'm so sorry, Gabriel."

From The Beginning of Goodbye by @dishwater-blondie

---

Warning: big spoilers

The audience, if they heard, would think it another tap of her shoe, think the grimace on her face outstanding acting as he held her draped in their final pose. The applause swelled as the curtain began to lower, but Gabriel knew from the ragged rise and fall of her ribs under his fingertips and the trembling of her body that this was different from practice because as soon as the curtain kissed the stage he realized she couldn’t stand.

From C’est la Vie; C’est le Ballet by @maybemayura

---

Gabriel looks away, “The doctor explained to me the cause of Hanahaki. You love someone who doesn't love you. Who is it?”

She looks back at her hands in defeat. He has no clue, “It doesn't matter. He doesn't love me back.”

“Does he know?”

“That I love him?” Before she might've said yes, but if he has to ask her who she is in love with, it's obvious he doesn't know her true feelings, “No.”

From Pink Carnations in my Throat by @thehopeelias

---

Time seemed to stand still as the blade rested on the underside of his chin… until it was raised, forcing his head up slowly. Blazing blue eyes peered into Gabriel’s very soul as their owner whispered, “Will you promise to uphold my secret?”

“W--What?”

The sword was lowered. “Vow to keep my secret until after I am wed, and I will allow you to live.”

From Veil My Face, Veil Your Feelings by @rrainingart

---

Warning: big spoilers

“We don’t know that,” she cries. “And even if we did, this still isn’t how I wanted to have a child. It doesn’t change the fact that the baby’s father is a man who could never love me, no matter how hard he tries!” She stops, breathing heavily. They look at each other with wide eyes, and Gabriel feels frozen in place.

Shock hits him in waves, coming in quick succession. For a second, he can’t even breathe, taken down by the unrelenting current of his own disbelief, and his brain is unwilling to cooperate in forming words. Finally, he manages to take in just enough air to speak.

“You think I don’t love you?”

From Throwing Up These Butterflies by @mymayura

---

Warning: big spoilers

She could feel the others’ emotions as well, like a shrieking cacophony. Adrien’s friends were angry, craving to take it out on one of the creepy guardians. Gabriel was terrified, his fears amplified by the physical contact- he was still holding her wrist limply.

She could hardly imagine what he was feeling from her. Bitterness probably. Frustration. Rage. Perhaps he could feel her small childish fear. Not childish because it was irrational, instead the fear of children, primal and pure and helpless. She knew he wouldn’t press that deep into her emotions. She almost wished he would, so she wouldn’t be so alone in it.

From Daydreams and Nightmares by @la-belle-dame-sans-coeur

---

And honestly, so many others, so my apologies if I’ve missed any big ones. I’m always in awe of the work this fandom puts out, and these authors have multiple works that deserve some love and attention, so go check them out! As for my favorite lines in my own works:

When she looked back up at him, she expected to see the soft, mournful eyes she had turned away from moments before. It was akin to a slap in the face to see how quickly he had moved on, brow lowered in determination and shoulders set squarely. Gone were all traces of grief, replaced by laser-sharp focus and a will to take action. “Do you think we can still pull it off?” he asked, and even the tenderness in his voice had vanished, leaving rugged stone behind.

From It’s a Long Way Down. My favorite line in this fic is yet to be published as I just wrote it recently! But that’s my favorite line from the published chapter!

and here’s a total 180 because I have to leave you with some crack to lift the spirits:

Gabriel looks to Nathalie. “I felt a draft,” she explains. “I thought the front door was open. I see it is not. Goodbye.” She turns and retreats back into the office.

Gabriel shakes his head and turns pensievely back towards the portrait, reveling in the stillness.

After a moment, he sighs. He pulls a tacky pink light-up Eiffel Tower ornament from behind his back and hangs it on the tree.

From The Great Agreste Tree Heist

---

I hope that that answers the question well enough!

[alexannah]

MLB Incorrect Quotes: Gabriel Has a Plan

Nathalie: Let me see if I’ve got this correct. You plan to akumatize your own parents.

Gabriel: Yes.

Nathalie: In your own house.

Gabriel: Correct.

Nathalie: Don’t you think that’s a little risky?

Gabriel: I’ll be subtle!

Nathalie: Subtle? You? I can’t wait to hear this.

Gabriel: I won’t provoke the negative emotions directly. I have it all planned out.

Nathalie: I’m listening.

Gabriel: They’re arriving by train, so I booked them tickets for the weekend in which there’s maintenance works on three-quarters of the journey.

Nathalie: Won’t they wonder why you picked that weekend?

Gabriel: They know we have a strict schedule. I offered to book them a flight instead but they turned the offer down, as I knew they would.

Nathalie: Alright, what else?

Gabriel: I created a fake social media account for the sole purpose of setting up a huge climate change protest on their route from the station to here, encouraging the throwing of rotten produce onto environmentally unfriendly vehicles.

Nathalie: I was wondering why you’d told my brother the limo was in the garage and asked to borrow his car.

Gabriel: They’ll have to pass the Dupain-Cheng bakery on the way, and they’ll stop to admire the cakes.

Nathalie: Won’t that put them in a good mood? And how do you know they’ll stop?

Gabriel: I created another internet persona for the purpose of arranging a novelty cakes competition, and ensured the Dupain-Chengs’ entry will be in the window. I’ve spent the last six months using words associated with gardens in all conversations with Adrien in which he talks about Miss Marinette—

Nathalie: Which is a lot.

Gabriel: It is. And as expected, the moment she mentioned the competition to him, he immediately suggested a garden-themed cake. As you know, my father is absolutely obsessed with gardening. He won’t be able to resist stopping to take a look.

Nathalie: And that will cause negative emotions how?

Gabriel: Because no-one with a functional sense of smell can get near enough to that place to see the window display properly and not go in to buy something. My mother loves macaroons, and I bought up a large supply of flavourings to sell to the bakery, under a different name of course. She’s allergic to rosehip, and I spiked her favourite flavours with rosehip juice—not enough for the taste to be detected, but enough to cause a non-lethal reaction. Not putting that in the ingredients list, obviously.

Nathalie: …

Gabriel: What?

Nathalie: Knowing your parents, they’ll sue. Marinette is Adrien’s friend; I’m not sure he’ll like that.

Gabriel: I’ve already prepared a letter of apology from the “supplier” accepting all responsibility, so it doesn’t fall on them. And because Marinette is associated with Gabriel it gives me a justification for offering legal aid.

Nathalie: …

Gabriel: What now?

Nathalie: I’m actually impressed you thought through the consequences of your actions for a change.

Gabriel: I saw how worked up Adrien got last month when one of my victims sent the school furniture flying and caused a tiny graze on Marinette’s forehead. I know he’ll understand once he knows the truth, but seeing him that angry at Hawk Moth was quite … unsettling. I decided to minimise the mission’s effect on that girl where possible.

Nathalie: I’m proud of you.

Gabriel: *blushing*

Gabriel: …

Nathalie: Anyway, after the spiked macaroons?

Gabriel: Oh—yes. Well, by then they’ll both be frustrated and angry, and my mother will be feeling unwell on top of that, so when they arrive here, I’ve put in place two proverbial last straws.

Gabriel: Though last anvils might be a better indication of impact.

Nathalie: What’s the first?

Gabriel: Chloé will greet them.

Nathalie: So that’s why you offered her work experience. What will you have her do?

Gabriel: Be herself.

Nathalie: *winces* Poor bastards.

Gabriel: And then they’ll find Audrey in here, finishing up a meeting with me which will have run on because I will have ‘mislaid’ one of my designs.

Nathalie: *winces again* Knowing your mother’s lack of fashion taste, that will be excruciating.

Gabriel: *sounding gleeful* It really will.

Nathalie: Forgive me if I’m missing something, but … aren’t you going to a lot of trouble? Why exactly are your parents worth it? Do they have some amazing skills I don’t know about which will help you get Ladybug and Cat Noir’s Miraculouses?

Gabriel: Er … no.

Nathalie: So … why?

Gabriel: …

Gabriel: Revenge.

Nathalie: …

Nathalie: Revenge? On whom?

Gabriel: My parents, of course.

Nathalie: For what? Causing you to grow up emotionally stunted?

Gabriel: No.

Nathalie: Not supporting your ambitions?

Gabriel: No.

Nathalie: Not buying you the childhood toy you desperately wanted?

Gabriel: No.

Nathalie: I give up. Revenge for what?

~*~

***TEN YEARS AGO***

Gabriel: … I don’t believe you’ve met Nathalie Sancoeur, my executive assistant.

Nathalie: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr and Mrs Agreste. If you’ll excuse me; I promised to tuck Adrien into bed and read his favourite bedtime story with him.

Nathalie: *exits*

Gabriel’s Mother: *gives a disapproving tut*

Gabriel: What was that, Mother?

Gabriel’s Father: Why is your secretary putting your son to bed?

Gabriel: Executive assistant, Father.

Gabriel’s Mother: That’s a glorified secretary. And you didn’t answer the question.

Gabriel: Because Emilie is filming and I’m waiting for an important conference call. And because Adrien likes her. Your tone makes it sound like you think that’s a problem.

Gabriel’s Father: It is a problem.

Gabriel’s Mother: I can’t believe you would hire someone, especially live-in staff, without doing a thorough background check.

Gabriel: I beg your pardon? What makes you think I didn’t?

Gabriel’s Parents Simultaneously: Because you hired her!

Gabriel: …

Gabriel: I see you’ve been doing your own research into my employees.

Gabriel’s Mother: I’d say that was a good thing, considering your lack of sense in this area.

Gabriel: I’ve known Nathalie several years, and I have never met someone more loyal and hard-working than she. I don’t care about her history.

~*~

***PRESENT DAY***

Gabriel: …

Gabriel: …

Gabriel: …

Gabriel: Did I say revenge? I meant … er … relationship. Yes, relationship.

Nathalie: *disbelievingly* Relationship.

Gabriel: Yes. I thought they could do with a break from their monotonous routine. To, you know, grow closer as a couple.

Nathalie: …

Nathalie: You do realise you’re not fooling me in the slightest, don’t you?

Gabriel: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Adrien: *enters room* Are they here yet?

Adrien: *senses awkward atmosphere* Is everything okay?

Nathalie: Everything’s fine, Adrien. We were just discussing your grandparents’ arrival.

Adrien: Great! I can’t believe it’s been so long since they visited. Father, why haven’t we seen them in ten years?

Nathalie: Yes, Mr Agreste, why haven’t we?

Gabriel: *glares at her*

Nathalie: *holds his gaze*

Nathalie: *stares him down*

Adrien: *looks from one to the other, trying to work out what’s going in*

Gabriel: *gives in*

Gabriel: Fine! If you must know, they took issue with … *now mumbling* where you spent your gap year.

Nathalie: *eyes widen*

Adrien: *curiously* Why, where did Nathalie spend her gap year?

Nathalie: …

Nathalie: Prison.

[miraculousbelladonna]

The Edict, Part 2

Part 1 - AO3

She thinks that if she were human, if she were anything less than what she is, (a god, the embodiment of creation, of life) it would have broken her.

*****

Miles away, locked in a secret compartment behind a painting, Nooroo and Duusu feel the release of power, and they feel the shift in guardianship. They hold each other, ecstatic, waiting for their miraculous to be reclaimed, to return to the miracle box with their brethren, but it doesn’t happen. They feel the end of the summoning, Tikki’s final release of power, and their miraculous don’t move.

They’re still there. They’re stuck.

It hits them. They realize the gravity of what’s been done to them.

They’ve been away for so long, and Tikki doesn’t know who has them. She can’t revoke a miraculous when she doesn’t know whom she’s revoking it from, when she doesn’t have a name, which is the one and only limit to her power over the miraculous.

There’s a loophole when guardianship is being revoked, in which she can recall all the miraculous the guardian has distributed, but the butterfly and peacock miraculous were lost years ago, even before the previous guardian acquired guardianship.

They all agreed to it back when the miraculous were formed, because it seemed innocent enough. They would never not know who had a miraculous.

Not even Plagg could have imagined the depravity and selfishness of humans. The innate, almost compulsive, need not just to have, but to take. To own.

They found out soon enough.

Which is why nobody, not the Guardian, not even the Order, knows about the limit to Tikki’s power. The mage who made the miraculi took it to her grave with her. The kwami themselves are never allowed to discuss it unless they are all safely within the miracle box, nor can they be compelled or ordered to divulge the information.

That is the only solace for Nooroo and Duusuu. The fact that their abusers will never know, they will never have even an inkling of an idea, and they cannot be forced to give the information up.

They didn’t realize that someone would abuse them so profoundly, so consistently, and that if they did, that not even the Kwami of Creation would know who was culpable.

Gabriel and Nathalie have perverted the miraculi in a truly heinous way. Terrorizing innocent people and using their emotions as cannon fodder.

Nooroo and Duusuu are exhausted. They are spent. They don’t have enough in them to be angry, not anymore.

But, it’s a new day. There’s a new guardian. For now, it’s enough. It has to be enough.

They cry themselves to sleep in each other’s arms.

*****

There’s something beeping, she doesn’t know where she is, and she’s got something stuck in her throat.

Her throat is working to get rid of the intrusion, and she’s coughing so hard her chest hurts, everything hurts, hands flailing as she tries to get her bearings, all while the beeping gets faster and louder until it’s practically screaming in her ear.

Suddenly, out of seemingly nowhere, someone is at her side whispering in her ear. “Hey Marinette, welcome back honey. You’re in a hospital and you have a tube down your throat to help you breathe. You’re ok, I just need you to relax for me.” She tries to listen to the voice, it’s soothing and somewhat familiar, but her body is still rejecting the intrusion.

“I know it’s uncomfortable, sweetheart. This is a good thing, I promise. Just relax, and try to keep breathing like normal. Inhale, exhale.” She does.

“That’s it honey. You’re doing amazing. Now, we’re gonna go ahead and take the tube out now, just open your mouth, say AAAAAH, nice and easy, and … done! There we go.”

She’s still feels like she needs to cough, and her throat is beyond sore, but it’s easier to breathe now.

Which is when she registers the pain in her side, in her chest.

Her face scrunches as she shifts and tries to sit up, wincing as it shoots more pain through her body, and the voice who she now realizes belongs to a nurse floats back to her.

“Marinette, sweetie, don’t try to sit up on your own. Let me grab a couple of pillows to help prop you up.” She does so and explains as she props Marinette up on the pillows so she’s in a position in between lying down and sitting up. Reclined enough to be comfortable, but sitting up enough to show that she’s awake.

“You have a tube in your chest right now. I know it hurts, we can give you some more pain medicine for it in just a minute, but first I have to take your vitals. You’ve had a very busy night, you’ve given all of us quite a few scares.”

She relaxes as much as she can with the pain still shooting through her. “Why? What are chest tubes for?”

The nurse, who’s name tag says Claire, stills a little at the question. “I’m going to take your vitals really quick, and then I’m going to go grab the doctor and your parents to let them know you’re awake. The doctor will be able to explain more about what's been going on, and I know your parents have been in the waiting room all night.”

She’s confused. “All night?” Exactly how long has she been here? Why is she here? What’s going on?

Claire’s eyes are soft when she looks up after finishing documenting her vitals. She nods at Marinette solemnly. “They’ve been here all night. I’ll be right back, honey. If you need anything, anything at all, just press that red button on the remote on your left and it’ll notify the nurses station, and they’ll send someone right to you.”

*****

Tikki comes back to herself and notices that the miracle box is still open.

She sees the empty slots where the peacock and butterfly miraculous go, understands the meaning of it, and thinks that if she were human, if she were anything less than what she is, (a god, the embodiment of creation, of life) it would have broken her.

The hurt still pangs deep in her chest.

She closes the box and mutters an incantation that will make it seem unassuming to any eye except the Guardian’s, in this case, it takes the form of a sewing machine, and it hits her.

Marinette is the Guardian. The consequences of the imbalance would have lifted as soon as the guardianship was passed. Marinette is the guardian, and she is alone in the hospital without even knowing what’s happening.

Marinette is alone.

She doesn’t think she’s ever flown faster in her life.

*****

Adrien wakes up with his alarm, which strikes him as odd, because Plagg is usually harassing him for cheese hours before, but he isn’t going to protest a little extra sleep.

He rolls over to turn his alarm off, and runs his hand through his hair as he looks to the ceiling.

He realizes that his ring hasn’t snagged his hair like it usually does, and when he looks at his hand, he sees it’s because it isn’t there.

His miraculous is gone.

He bolts out of bed, frantic, calling for Plagg, upending his pillows and sheets, looking under his bed, under his tables, chairs, hoping desperately that it fell off, that he’s going to find it any second now.

He doesn’t.

Plagg doesn’t show up when he calls for him, and the ring isn’t anywhere in his room.

He’s confused, and angry.

The Gorilla drops him off at school, and he walks right through the building and out the back. He’s not going to school when his miraculous is missing. He’s going to go see the guardian, who better have a decent answer for him.

He is Chat Noir. The miraculous of destruction belongs to him, no one else.

He makes it to the tiny shop in good time, and doesn’t think twice before barging in.

He’s angry, and he is owed some answers. If the guardian needed his miraculous for something, he should’ve told him.

He steps into the shop, and it’s eerily quiet, there’s no music playing, no scent of freshly made tea, and it has the hairs on his neck standing on end.

He steps further into the shop and sees the old man lying on the floor, surrounded by the wreckage of ridiculously overgrown plants, and he has no idea what’s going on.

“Master Fu! Master Fu! What happened?”

He goes over and shakes him, frantic now, did someone rob him? How did they get his miraculous?

The old man sits up, and when he sees Adrien, he starts crying. Adrien helps him stand up, still confused.

“Master! What happened? Where is my miraculous? What did you do?”

Fu shakes his head and taps his throat, still crying, and why is this old man so pathetic? How did he end up with power over someone like Adrien?

Well, Adrien realizes. He doesn’t have power over him anymore.

The old man has nothing on him, and from the looks of his shop, he doesn’t have anything over anyone else either.

Master Fu sees what’s coming, he sees the shift in Adrien’s expression, the shadow that passes over his eyes, but without the power of the miraculous on his side, he’s too slow and old to react.

Adrien shoves him, hard, and he trips over the mess of plants and vines and leaves on his floor.

Adrien smiles as he watches the man fall. Smiles as he cries out in pain, breaking a bone, maybe a few, considering his age. He watches him writhe in pain on the floor, struggle and fail to get up, and he turns on his heel and walks right back out of the shop.

He’ll find out what happened on his own.

He stops in the middle of the street on his way back to school when he realizes … maybe he doesn’t have to find out on his own. There’s already someone out there looking for the black cat miraculous.

An eerie grin stretches across his face as he realizes, all he has to do is get himself akumatized. All he has to do is double cross Hawkmoth at the last minute to get his miraculous back, his lady will realize how much she needs him, and everything will be purrfect.

Now, all he has to do is make sure his akuma form looks exactly like he does as Chat Noir. He’s almost positive he and Hawkmoth can come to some sort of agreement, in that regard.

*****

Tikki flies to the room Marinette is in, and hovers outside the window until she sees the nurse leave.

She flies in immediately as soon as the door closes behind her, and she’s frantic as she flies to Marinette, who isn’t moving, and oh no, what if it didn’t work, what if something went wrong, what has she done?

Marinette turns to her, eyes crinkling in confusion and a little bit of fear as she asks, “Tikki. What’s going on?”

Tikki almost sobs in relief at the sight of Marinette’s eyes, so blue and open and alive, and she flies up to rest on her forehead.

“Oh, Marinette. I thought I’d lost you. A lot has happened tonight, too much to go into right now, but I promise it’ll all make sense soon. How are you feeling?”

“I’m ok. My chest hurts and the nurse didn’t tell me what this tube is for, but I’m ok.”

Tikki seems to radiate warmth from her spot on Marinette’s forehead. “Good. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Human doctors are so particular, we’ll have to see what they can do about that tube.”

There’s a knock on the door and Tikki darts under the pillow as Marinette says, “Come in!”

Her parents all but barge into the room, her mother is trembling, one hand over her mouth, the other reaching out to Marinette but not quite touching her, almost like she’s afraid to, and her dad falls to his knees beside her bed, weeping.

She still doesn’t really get what’s going on, and her face twists in confusion as she reaches out to her parents. “Maman. Papa. I’m fine. What’s going on?”

Her mother steps closer to the bed, sees the tube that’s still in Marinette’s right side, and blanches. Her voice is shaky as she turns to the doctor, and it’s obvious she’s trying to hold back tears as she asks, “Surely that’s not necessary anymore? The nurse said her vitals were good, and she’s breathing on her own. She doesn’t still need that, does she?”

The doctors mouth tightens in sympathy. “I understand how it looks, but although Marinette’s vitals are good, and it’s an extremely positive sign that she woke up rejecting the tube and able to breathe on her own, we do need to keep her here for observation for at least 8 hours, with a check up every hour on the hour. We might be able to take the tube out in a couple of hours if no more liquid has built up in her lungs, but for now it’s safer to keep it in. We will of course, be administering pain meds accordingly in the meantime.”

“Liquid in my lungs? What happened?”

Tom rests his giant hand on Marinette’s, engulfing it, and she turns to him, still confused. “Papa. Please tell me what’s going on.”

His face crumples and he starts weeping again as he finally tells her the truth. What everyone has been dancing around since she woke up. “You were drowning. You kept drowning and dying and drowning and dying and no one knew what was going on, or why, the akuma was defeated, but then Ladybug disappeared and you were still drowning and you kept - you just - you just kept dying!” He’s sobbing even harder as the doctor hands him a box of tissues, and he pauses to blow his nose.

“You were experiencing what we in the medical world call ‘dry-drowning.’ Your body wasn’t submerged, but it was reacting as if it were. Your lungs kept filling with fluid and you were essentially, drowning. Your heart stopped a couple of times last night, so you did experience cardiac death, but our code team was able to bring you back every time. You’re a very strong young lady, Marinette. None of us will be forgetting that anytime soon.”

There’s a tinge to the doctors voice as he calls her strong, an undercurrent of knowing, of seeing, and her eyes widen as the doctor reaches up to rub his ear in a way that looks completely innocent.

She looks frantically from him to the nurse, whose eyes are watering as she nods and does the same motion the doctor did.

Her parents are none the wiser, still weeping in relief at Marinette’s bedside, and she swallows heavily.

“Thank you. I really -” Her voice cracks with emotion as she realizes just what these doctors have done for her. “I really appreciate that. I’m feeling kind of tired. Can I have some of that pain medicine now? And maybe a nap?”

Her parents crying peters out after she takes the pain meds, and she’s in a comfortable floaty haze as they leave with the doctor to go and sign paperwork and talk about what’s going to be happening for the next 8 hours, and what’ll happen after that.

The nurse is left alone with her after they leave, and as she tucks a warmed blanket around Marinette, she ducks to whisper, “Don’t worry, Ladybug. We’ll keep your identity a secret. None of us have been akumatized, and we all go to a therapist regularly to help us regulate our emotions enough to make sure we never will be. Your secret is safe with us. You’ve also got doctor - patient confidentiality. But we meant what we said. We won’t forget what you’ve done for us, and this city.”

She stands up and steps away from Marinette, under the pretense of checking the heart monitor as she says, louder, “I’ll go ahead and leave you to it. If you need anything, even if you just want another warmed blanket, just press the red button on the remote.”

Marinette’s eyes are watering as Claire dims the light and leaves, closing the door behind her.

Tikki flies out from under the pillow, hands covering her mouth in shock.

“Oh, Tikki. Did you hear that? They found out my identity but I’m not in any danger, and they were so kind to me, they didn’t have to do that.” She’s crying now, tears streaming down her face as she talks. “They didn’t have to do any of that.” She cries as Tikki just floats there, almost glowing with pride.

This is humanity. This is the very best of it.

“Oh Marinette, don’t ever say that. You deserve this kindness and so much more. You deserve the world. Now. I do have some things to tell you that I wish could wait but unfortunately can't.”

“Things? Like why I’m here in the first place?”

Tikki’s expression goes hard as she remembers what she did. What she had to do.

“Yes. First things first. You, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, are the new guardian of the miraculous.”

Marinette’s face goes pale with shock. She holds one finger out to Tikki as she pushes the red button on the remote.

Tikki hovers out of sight as Claire comes back in.

“Can I have some ice water please?”

Claire brings it to her.

She drinks it all immediately, wincing at the soreness in her throat.

“Okay. So, I’m the guardian. I thought I had only been here for a night? How the hell did I miss so much?”

Tikki winces as she regales Marinette with the story of what happened, keeping in mind to pause ans wait when Marinette gets too angry, so her heart can calm down. Considering how many times her heart stopped last night, they have it on an extra sensitive monitor, and someone rushes in anytime she gets too excited.

“Ok. Ok. O. K. That is entirely too much for me to process right now. Especially after I spent the entire night apparently dying. I’m going to take a nap. We will continue this discussion when I wake up.”

Tikki can’t help the grin that spreads across her face at Marinette’s declaration. “Of course. I know you’re probably exhausted. I’ll give you a little creation boost while you sleep.”

“Is that why you were so warm on my head earlier? Not gonna lie, that was a little weird.”

“I was just trying to give you an extra boost!” Tikki gasps, falsely indignant. “To help you heal!”

Marinette can’t help the snort that comes out of her, but she regrets it immediately. “Ouch - Tikki. Stop being so hilarious. It hurts to laugh.”

Tikki’s expression sobers, and she lowers herself onto Marinette’s head again. “Sleep, Marinette. I’ll give you as much of a boost as possible. Once they take the tube out I can heal you completely, but not a minute before then, or we might have some uncomfortable explanations on our hands.”

“That’s fine Tikki. Thank you.” She succumbs to the haziness of the pain medicine, and the last thing she feels is Tikki giving her a kiss on the forehead.

Tikki glows as she lets her power bleed into Marinette from where she’s resting on the girls forehead. She works hard to contain it, to funnel it into Marinette and make sure it’s not radiating around her, and does her best not to think about how it’s not fine. Nothing about this is fine. Marinette’s chest and ribs are bruised with the force of the CPR performed multiple times last night. Her lungs are battered from the inside out. Her throat is raw. Nothing about this is fine.

But it will be.

Marinette is the guardian now. Everything is about to change.

tags: @smolplantmum @vixen-uchiha @lavenderchaitea @tired-butterfly @marinettepotterandplagg @interobanginyourmom @saphiraazure2708 @starwindmaden @valeks-princess @scribblinggraveyard @justanothersepticeyefan @gray-of-the-fallen @alissasmith21

[themiraculousladyblog]

Adrien’s Crash Course in Girls

This all happened because of a conversation between me and one of my guy friends. I hope you guys enjoy!

(A huge thank you to @chanceuseladynoire for beta reading!)

---

AO3

---

Adrien sighed as he flopped on his bed. “What’s wrong with Marinette, Plagg? I just told her that her hair looked nice and she burst out crying.”

The black kwami let out a laugh as he scarfed down another piece of cheese. “Sorry, kid, but I’m here to help you save the world, not to give you a biology lesson.”

“Biology?” Adrien sat up quickly. “What does that have to do with anything?” Plagg didn’t answer, instead he shrugged and flew to his spot on the sofa. “Wow… Thanks so much… I know, I’ll just call Marinette and ask her what’s wrong!”

“Yeah, cause that won’t ruin your friendship at all.”

“Well, who else am I supposed to ask? Wait. What about Nino? He’ll know the answer for sure. I mean, he’s dating Alya.”

“Or you could just forget about it and eat some cheese…”

The blond ignored Plagg’s comment and reached for his phone, texting Nino.

A: Hey, Nino! Could you help me with something?

N: Sure thing dude! What’s up?

A: Well, lately Marinette’s been acting weird and I was wondering if you knew what was going on?

N: Weird how?

A: Like, moods changing constantly. Like she’s happy one sec then angry the next. Then cries out of nowhere. Did I do something wrong?

N: How long has this been going on? It probably doesn’t have to do with something you did

A: Ummm maybe 2 or 3 days.

A: I try to be respectful and give her some space but then she thinks I’m ignoring her. She acted this way last month too but I thought she was just having a bad week or something.

N: Ok well

N: Based on what I know from Alya it’s not really my place to tell you but

N: Let’s just say it’ll probably happen for a week every month then it’ll be okay again

N: Just give her a couple days and she should be fine

A: She’s usually really sweet and understanding but when she’s in those moods she’s hard headed but I try to just stay low and keep her happy

A: Wait, every month?

N: Yeah it’s got to do with hormones

Adrien’s eyes widened and a slight blush settled on his cheeks.

A: You know what, nvm. Okie dokie I’m not gonna dig in anymore.

N: You asked! I was just telling you what it probably was

A: So every week once a month?

N: Yep

A: Should I ask her what’s wrong?

N: NO

N: You can ask if she’s okay though

N: But don’t ask her about any of the stuff we just talked about. Some girls are sensitive about it for some reason

A: Ok. Girls are confusing

N: You can say that again

Adrien set his phone on his bed and leaned back again. “I don’t understand… but then again, maybe I don’t want to understand.”

“Eh, don’t worry. You’re not missing out on much.” Plagg shrugged as he flew over to his chosen. “It just complicates things.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well—”

“Adrien, it’s dinner time.” Nathalie entered the room and the kwami flew into Adrien’s shirt quickly.

“Okay. Thanks, Nathalie.” Adrien followed the woman downstairs to the dining room where he ate his dinner in silence.

-----------

Adrien erased another math problem and looked at the clock before sighing in defeat. “I can’t do it, Plagg! I have to know what’s going on with Marinette. I won’t be able to sleep if I don’t know.”

Plagg rolled his eyes and tossed the blond his phone. “Fine but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

A: Hey uh question

A: Why does that thing happen to girls one week every month?

A: Is it something I should worry about?

A: Or should I not even be talking about it?

N: Oh

N: It’s uh

N: Got to do with reproducing

A: Oh

A: Wait, reproducing?

A: As in like, having kids?

N: Yep

The model thought for a moment. “Reproducing? Having kids?” He gasped and quickly texted back.

A: IS SHE PREGNANT????

N: What

N: GOSH NO

N: DUDE

Adrien’s ears burned with embarrassment. How was he supposed to know that reproducing didn’t just mean pregnancy?

A: Look I’m tired and confused and I don’t know why I’m still talking.

N: I mean

N: I’m not sure I should be the one telling you this

N: It’s not really my place

A: Oh

N: Your dad would probably do a better job at it

N: If you want me to tell you I can but I thought you’d already know

A: Know what?

N: About IT

A: Hm?

A: Am I supposed to?

N: Didn’t your parents ever give you the talk? My dad gave it to me a couple years ago

Adrien was confused. What did he mean ‘the talk’? He had never been told about what happened to girls once a month.

He called Nathalie into his room and asked her about it. The assistant’s face turned red and she gave a quick explanation before exiting the room quickly.

A: Well my father is always busy and I just asked Nathalie but she got all flustered and said it’s a conversation for him but he can’t really talk because of all the stuff he has to do

A: I’d appreciate it if you explained it but I don’t want to make you feel weirded out

N: Nah

N: I can try and explain it

Adrien slipped into his pajamas and got into bed as Nino began explaining what was happening to Marinette. Cramps… Uterus… BLOOD???

N: So that week is called a period, monthly visitor, or as I like to call it “Torture time”

A: Blood??

A: Torture??

A: So she’s losing a lot of blood???

N: Technically it’s just Mother Nature though sometimes Alya says it feels like torture

He cringed at the thought of Marinette being in pain. Wait, what if she died? Was she going to die? Did he need to take her to the hospital? Why wasn’t she already in the hospital if she was losing a ton of blood?

A: That’s not good

A: She won’t bleed out right?

N: Alya said something like it didn’t come out of your actual blood supply that you need to live so no

N: Marinette won’t bleed out

A: And it happens EVERY month??

N: Yep

A: That’s terrible!

A: And all I can do is just give her space and wait?

N: Yep

N: Maybe give her chocolate

N: But there’s not really anything you can do

N: Oh and never EVER ask if she’s on her period

N: I learned that the hard way

A: Gotcha

N: Anyway I gotta go dude

N: I need to finish this homework

A: Ok Thanks Nino

N: No problem

Adrien was astonished. How could girls go through that every month and still act so normal and calm. How were they still alive?!

He never knew exactly how strong girls were until that moment. They went through this thing every month and never complained. Wait, that meant that Ladybug probably had this thing too. Could she get any more amazing?

He should do something for Marinette. How fast could chocolate be shipped to his house? Maybe he could talk Gorilla into stopping by a store tomorrow morning before school.

Adrien couldn’t take the pain or suffering away from his friend, but he could at least try to make it bearable.

---

Tag list: @secretly-miraculous @miraculous-obsessed872 @areshasissues @pawsitivelymiraculous

[edorazzi]

It’s the post everyone’s been waiting for! 

It’s taken a little while for me to get around to this, but it’s worth it for being able to make a full reaction post. This is really long so I’ll put it under a cut, but check it out for my complete scene-by-scene reaction of Miraculous’ “Felix” episode! (´∀｀)♡

Okay, I’ve been putting this off for days now so it’s time to finally get to it. I’m comfy and undisturbed and have my supplies ready to go.

I know next to nothing about what I’m going into. I’ve seen a little bit here and there because some people haven’t tagged their content properly, but I haven’t watched either of the trailers. I haven’t even looked directly at the images of Felix which have been going around. I’ve tried to stay as blind as possible, so as a result I’m pretty excited but also very anxious. I’ve taken two beta blockers today and I’m considering taking a third.

I usually liveblog episodes on our Ladybug PV Discord server (message me for an invite!) but this time I’m making a proper post out of it. I’ll be typing up my reactions as I go then cleaning everything up a little bit afterwards. I think it’s the first time I’ve done something like this on my blog so here goes!

- “Script: Thomas Astruc” NO. HE REALLY COULDN’T JUST STEP AWAY FROM THIS EPISODE GRACEFULLY, COULD HE. HE HAD TO GET HIS HANDS DIRTY. I’m not going to say “fuck this man” but, you know, identical sentiments. I’m opening my chocolate bar.

- God, Emilie looks more like ET every time I see her. Such an awkward model.

- Oh but wait, Sébastien Thibaudeau was on the script? That does actually give me some hope! Next to Zag himself he’s the only writer on this mess of a show I trust. HE FIXED WAYHEM, CAN HE DO FELIX A SOLID TOO? PLEASE. PLEASE SÉBASTIEN OL BUDDY OL PAL OL FRIENDA MINE

- Does Gabe have anything else to say to his wife other than monologuing his Miraculous plan over and over? They say people in comas can still hear things but Emilie’s probably double unconscious from how boring her husband is.

- DON’T LIKE THAT KNIFE SOUND EFFECT FROM THOSE RINGS. Am I supposed to find it sweet that Gabe’s taking such good care of their wedding bands or is he about to use them for evil? Also where’s Felix.

- ADRIEN SWEETHEART. I maintain that it’s weird to have a statue of your wife/mother/self in your own garden but it kills me that he’s just sitting there in front of it like a lost kitten.

- “Of course, someone will get you right away.” IS THAT FELIX. WAS SHE ON THE PHONE TO FELIX. WHERE’S MY SON, NATHALIE HAVE YOU SEEN MY SON

- That wide-eyed look Adrien turns up towards the window is killing me even more. I’M SO SAD. I see he also hasn’t noticed he’s sitting in the middle of a giant butterfly circle, unless he’s so used to it being Gabe’s logo that he’s just not paying it any mind. When was this all built? Has Gabe always used a butterfly motif even before he got his Miraculous and it was just a great coincidence, or did he commission this whole garden area after Emilie went missing? I guess you could pass it off as eccentricity but in the real world that would be a HUGE red flag that Gabe murdered her. I dunno man.

- DON’T WAVE AT HIM LIKE THAT, NATHALIE. YOU RATTED HIM OUT IN 5 SECONDS IN THAT THEORETICAL FUTURE WHERE YOU DISCOVERED HE WAS CHAT NOIR. YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT THIS BOY. >:V

- “It’s been one year.” HAS IT? Hasn’t Adrien been at school for at least a year now? Didn’t his mom vanish two years prior to that?! Maybe she’s talking about how long Gabe has been fighting Ladybug and Chat Noir but knowing this show’s messy timeline it could be anything. WHERE’S FELIX.

- That’s the song from Chat Blanc! Was that something his mom taught him? OH NO, I’M EVEN SADDER NOW. This is what I mean about Sébastien’s writing, we’d never get this kind of focus on Adrien from Garbage Man Astruc. This kind of character exploration does wonders for ML whenever it’s brought up so I hope this is consistent.

- SHIT, GABRIEL’S OUT OF THE HOUSE. SOMETHING’S WRONG. THOSE EXPENSIVE LEATHER SHOES HAVEN’T TOUCHED ACTUAL GROUND IN YEARS. ADRIEN GET OUT OF THERE.

- I do like that Adrien doesn’t get up when his dad comes to stand right next to him like that. It’s just informal enough. He’s waiting for Gabe to make the first move this time and that’s nice development considering how stiff and cold their relationship was in S1.

- OOOOH GABE THAT’S AN AWKWARD CROUCH. Any lower down and his back is going to go. He’ll be stuck there. I do LOVE that he’s trying though, I don’t even know what he’s going to say to Adrien but this is already SO good.

- “There’s something important I have to talk to you about.” Finally time for The Talk, huh.

- GABE PLEASE. ADRIEN’S WAY TOO CHIRPY TO HAVE ACTUALLY CAUGHT ON TO WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY. HE THINKS YOU’RE TRYING TO SAY YOU LOVE HIM OR SOMETHING ELSE RIDICULOUS

- “I’ve noticed how close you and Nathalie have become!” CLOSE ENOUGH. Still in the ballpark of Adrien thinking his dad has real human feelings! 

- “HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY THINK SUCH A THING??” I GENUINELY LAUGHED OUT LOUD AT HOW ANGRY GABE WAS ABOUT THAT. I’m not sure what to think of the “Nathalie replacing Emilie when Emilie’s technically still alive” plot either but GABE’S DECIDED FOR ME. Also good job yelling in your son’s face when you were JUST having a moment, good luck getting back up off your knees in order to storm away, old man.

- Oh alright, he did get up, but it was with a strange angry bow-legged prance. I think he still had trouble.

- I love the way Adrien just kinda wide-eye-blinks at him, like Gabe’s emotional outburst is going totally over his head. He’s been dealing with akuma FAR too long to be bothered by this.

- Guests, plural? I’m guessing Felix is one of them but is he with someone else? That makes sense given he’s (as far as I’ve gathered) the same age as Adrien so he wouldn’t be running around far from home unchaperoned, but OHHH this is so interesting.

- So they ARE claiming it’s been one year since Emilie vanished! This just doesn’t work as a Season 3 episode, especially with Nathalie and Gabe’s romantic development being as far along as it is. Emilie’s been gone for at LEAST three years by this point! Read your show bible once in a while you horrible garbage man!!! Also ADRIEN SWEETHEART THAT’S A LITTLE PREMATURE. You can say “went away forever” when you’re three years into her disappearance, the anniversary of one year really isn’t long enough to claim she’s never coming back!

- OH NO, IT’S THE GIRLS. I’m already bored. Unless Luka is here I really just do not care what they’re all up to. I haven’t missed Marinette at ALL in the first two-and-a-half minutes and I don’t want to see her now. WHERE’S FELIX.

- I’m sorry, how are Lila, Chloé AND Kagami all on a video call together without any blood being drawn? Also for god’s sake PLEASE leave Adrien alone, you want to ask first if he’d LIKE some company or if he’d prefer a quiet personal day to think about his mom? OF COURSE NOT MARINETTE, YOU WOULDN’T WOULD YOU. 

- Okay, a video message is definitely a better idea than trying to break into his house AGAIN. At least then he can watch it whenever he feels up to it. The first good, safe, noninvasive idea Mari’s had for SEVERAL episodes when it comes to Adrien.

- I’M REALLY TORN WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENGLISH DUB. On one hand I hate how little screentime Nino has when he’s not just being Alya’s fashion accessory, but on the other hand I’m so glad they switched scenes the moment Nino started his video because I CANNOT handle his dub voice. Nino just deserves better in general really.

- HE WAS CRYING. MY BOY WAS CRYING AGAIN. I’M NOT COOL WITH THIS. IT’S NOT ABOVE YOUR PAYGRADE TO GIVE HIM A HUG, NATHALIE.

- ALRIGHT HI ELSA. IS THIS HIS AUNT? THAT’S SPOOKY. 

- Her name is Amelie? So their parents had twins and named them Amelie and Emilie, and they turned out the same right down to the over-the-shoulder Dead Anime Mom hairstyles? That’s lazy parenting down to a tee, can’t mix your twins up if you never have to learn the difference between them in the first place! But that’s INTERESTING that Felix is (I assume, still haven’t seen him yet) from Emilie’s side of the family, I’ve always had the impression he was a petit Gabriel.

- OHHH THAT’S MY BOY! I CAN SEE MY BOY IN THE DOORWAY!!! OH MY GOD GIVE HIM TO ME. GIVE ME FELIX. GIVE ME MY SON.

- ADRIEN IMMEDIATELY JUMPING ON HIM IN A HUG IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. WHILE FELIX’S HAND IS STILL OUTSTRETCHED FOR A HANDSHAKE. I know this episode is going to go downhill because there’s no way it won’t, but this one single moment is EVERYTHING I WANTED. I should just close the tab now and leave it at this, I really should.

- “Do you remember when they used to have so much fun pretending to be each other? Once they had you and Emilie fooled for a whole weekend!” WHERE HAS THIS BEEN FOR MY ENTIRE ORDEAL GETTING THROUGH THIS SERIES. I don’t even care if this Felix is a stone cold bitch, it’s enough to know he and Adrien were besties when they were kids and Adrien still wanted to hug him the second he walked through the door. AMAZING.

- “I WON’T BE FOOLED A SECOND TIME.” WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, GABE. THEY WERE PROBABLY TODDLERS. ARE YOU JUST SO USED TO GETTING YOUR ASS HANDED TO YOU BY CHILDREN THAT YOU’RE SUSPICIOUS OF EVERY SINGLE ONE NOW

- Aww, Felix is American (dubbed, anyway). I was really hoping he’d be British with all the references to London over the last season. He does have a nice voice though! I can tell he shares Adrien’s actor but he’s got the softness I’d have expected from his character. There’s kind of an interesting look about his face though, I wish they’d tweaked it a bit to give him a sharper look but I guess he IS like 14, he can afford to still have a bit of baby-cheeked roundness. I’m going to find the positives in every part of this because I will NOT give Garbage Man Astruc the satisfaction of being disappointed like I know he wants me to be. It’s been a fucking war from the moment I saw his name in the writing credits and my best weapon is being pleased about everything in this episode.

- Okay, he looks a little better in the following closeup where his eyes are slightly narrowed. I think it’s the slightly-below-the-chin angle which doesn’t really work for his character model with his soft cheeks and high collar. FELIX IS A BABY.

- WHY WILL NOBODY SHAKE HIS HAND. Adrien hugged him instead and Gabe is ignoring him completely, Felix is clearly so perplexed and I love it. He’s fourteen! He’s fourteen and doing his best with social graces but NOBODY WILL HELP HIM.

- “Felix, you know your uncle’s never been the physical sort!” HE KICKED HIS OWN SON RIGHT ACROSS PARIS IN THE LAST EPISODE BUT SURE, IF YOU SAY SO.

- “Oh, how sweet! You’re still wearing your wedding band!” YEAH? IT’S BEEN LIKE A YEAR?? Again this would make more sense if it had been around three years like we KNOW Emilie’s been gone for, but picking someone out for still wearing their ring after 12 months?! And why isn’t Amelie more emotional about this anyway, isn’t it her sister who’s missing? I wouldn’t be poking fun at MY sister’s husband for keeping his ring if SHE went missing. No wonder Felix seems like he turned out weird.

- I CAN’T MAKE OUT THE NAME OF HER BRANCH OF THE FAMILY AND IT’S KILLING ME. SOMEONE LET ME KNOW WHAT THAT WAS. Graham de Vanily? I can’t place the words. I mean I’m going to keep calling Felix “Agreste” no matter what but I’d like to know what canon is trying to get at.

- “It’s been a long journey from London” I KNEW IT, I FFFFFFFFFUCKING KNEW IT. SO THEY ARE BRITISH?! BUT THEY HAVE AMERICAN ACCENTS?! I mean I guess they’re French first and foremost, but what the fuck is with the American accents if you’re making a POINT about them being from London?! I can’t wait for the French audio to be released, I really want to know what Felix sounds like there. Regardless AAAH MY SON IS FROM MY CITY, I’M SO PLEASED.

- “TakeFelixtoyourbedroom.” EASY GABE THEY JUST MET, ALSO THEY’RE COUSINS

- Poor Felix looks so depressed being saddled with Adrien. Sweetie it’s okay, think positive! You could be stuck with Marinette and THAT would be a true nightmare.

- Now why does Felix keep glancing at Gabe? Is there something going on there? Is he suspicious about what happened to his aunt? I can’t imagine he knows anything about the Miraculous so what’s the deal here?

- UuuuuUUUUGH we’re back with the rest of the gang. I’M NOT INTERESTED, SHOW ME MORE FELIX.

- “Help me Tikki! What would you tell a Kwami friend who’s lost their mom?!” You’re talking to a 5000-year-old demigoddess, Mari, I don’t think she’s gonna relate.

- MARI YOU CAN’T CONFESS TO ADRIEN. NOT AFTER CHAT BLANC. GABE WILL LOSE ALL HIS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT TO WRECK THE LOVE SQUARE AND ALSO THE MOON’S GOING TO EXPLODE. WHY ISN’T BUNNIX HERE TO SLAP THE TABLET OUT OF YOUR HANDS

- Should Tikki really be encouraging this?! I have no idea where in the timeline this is supposed to be. Maybe this is at a stage where she doesn’t know Adrien is Plagg’s chosen so there’s no reason to steer Marinette away from bonding with him. Or maybe every episode just plays by its own rules and there’s really no such thing as continuity in this series. I want to see Felix again.

- YANKING AT AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE ON THE OUTER EDGE OF A BOAT ISN’T GOING TO END WELL. DON’T. I do love how :D Alya is about it though, if nothing else I love what a supportive friend she is.

- Oh, the tablet didn’t go into the water! I’m genuinely surprised by that. Though I imagine Felix is going to fuck things up in some way so he’ll probably be the one to destroy the video somehow. We all know the relationship development isn’t allowed to move forward so SOMETHING’S going to happen to it.

- Thank god we’re back to the mansion. I’m surprised and pleased that (for now at least) we’re only getting the girls in small doses and the plot is mainly focused around the Agrestes. Gorizilla is my favourite episode to date and it did a similar thing with allowing Marinette to be a side character for once along an Adrien-centric plotline, so hopefully this episode will be similar. I’m liking its odds so far but who knows what Horrible Garbage Man Astruc has up his sleeve.

- “I’m really sorry I didn’t come to your dad’s funeral.” I’M SORRY WHAT? PARDON ME? THAT’S AN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM I DIDN’T EXPECT. As a side note I love Felix being killer at basketball for some reason, he doesn’t look like the athletic type at ALL but he still made that net over his shoulder without even LOOKING. Goddamn. Can everyone please appreciate how cool my son is!!!

- “My father thought it would be too hard on me, considering everything that’s happened this year.” So Felix lost his dad VERY RECENTLY. OUCH. DON’T LIKE THAT. Or I DO like that because it’s already giving his character some extra depth when we’re still only just getting to know him, but on an emotional level I don’t like that. 

- “He’s very... protective of me.” CHAT BLANC REALLY WAS A HOT MESS OF AN EPISODE WASN’T IT. 

- Now Felix is giving Adrien a hug?! I didn’t see that one coming. My canon Felix would mean it but I don’t quite trust this new Felix yet, he’s probably up to something.

- WHAT A JARRING PIANO TRANSITION. Also why?! What does he have to gain from swiping Adrien’s phone? He’s probably got a terrible roaming plan on his own mobile, that’s always my problem when I go to France. If you truly loved your cousin you’d let him browse Reddit on your phone, Adrien. This is worse than not coming to his dad’s funeral.

- PLAGG KNOWS SOMETHING’S UP. He ought to, in another life he and Felix are STILL dealing with each other.

- Okay I take back what I said about Felix’s voice. Bryce Whatshisface isn’t doing a very good job separating the tones. I can buy that Adrien and Felix sound very similar but their delivery should be completely different! I really do want to watch this in French, I get the feeling it’ll sound much better.

- AH YES, HERE WE GO. I’m getting the feeling this is Garbage Man’s part of the episode. Squished cheese aside, I do like the implication Felix does (or did) card magic and karate. I’m thinking of that Mickey Mouse episode where he vanishes Donald’s car keys with a hand trick except it’s Felix vanishing Marinette’s phone when she’s about to text Adrien or something. I’ve got to draw that.

- “Mind if I take a shower?” WHY, FELIX. I mean I’d probably want to shower too after the London-Paris commute (and I’m sure he’s only going in there to wreak havoc, put food colouring in Adrien’s shampoo bottles or something) but what a weird time to ask!

- I mean Plagg has a point about difficult home situations not justifying bad behaviour (and I feel like that’s not what’s going on, with how he was glaring at Gabe I think he’s behaving like this for some other reason), but Felix’s dad LITERALLY DIED. Like they had a funeral and everything. Emilie is just “missing”. They’re SIMILAR but that’s still a false equivalence because Adrien’s got hope to hold on to and Felix doesn’t.

- So we’re not going to talk about how Felix got into Adrien’s passcode-protected phone? I guess he could have done the fogging-up-the-screen trick from Oblivio. Standing around in a steamy bathroom in three layers of clothing is a great way to sweat yourself out and ruin your hair though, way to get even more gross than a five-hour commute between countries.

- “Of course that idiot has a crush on a superhero!” EASY THERE, MR HOWLING-ON-A-ROOFTOP-BECAUSE-HE-SAW-THE-GIRL-HE-LIKED. WE’VE ALL SEEN THE PV.

- I’ve just noticed Felix has a ring too! I don’t know how I missed that before this scene! That’s NICE. He’s still not allowed to have it on his middle finger (LET HIM SWEAR) but that’s a nod back to Chat Noir which I really appreciate!

- ROSE HAS BEEN ON THE HELIUM. SOMETHING’S NOT RIGHT THERE.

- FELIX KNOWS CHLOÉ! THAT’S NICE, THAT’S GOOD. I LIKE THAT. That’s also a really nice little video from her, I love the few small moments we’ve had that affirm she and Adrien really ARE friends, whether she wants to date him or not. 

- OOOH HE DELETED THE VIDEOS. I’m curious about him borrowing Adrien’s clothes too, are they going to dress the same? You’d think Adrien wouldn’t give someone an exact copy of the outfit he’s currently wearing but I genuinely don’t know if he owns anything different. I hope they don’t just use two Adrien models for the rest of the episode, please let me see Felix properly :/

- WHY. HONESTLY, WHY. CAN I PLEASE GET AN EXPLANATION FOR WHY FELIX IS DOING THIS.

- OOOH MARI YOU’RE NOT GONNA LIKE THIS. I can imagine Felix is going to say something nasty and that’ll set the girls off and bring about the akuma of the week. I’m mildly entertained but I’m still not engaged with this idea without any proper explanation. We’d better get something by the end of the episode which justifies what’s made Felix do this, because “he’s just evil lol” would be a reeeeally low move from Garbage Man Astruc. 

- MARI SWEETIE. YOU’VE GOTTA LEARN TO CHECK A ROOM IS EMPTY BEFORE YOU RUN INSIDE AND START FREAKING OUT VERY LOUDLY. LUKA’S HEARD ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. 

- Luka is such a nice character. Why does he get to be so high quality when Felix has been turned into a cheese-smashing phone-stealing gremlin? I mean I KNOW why, but I’d like to think the showwriters are better than this. They’re not, but I’d like to think they are.

- WHAT A VIDEO MESSAGE. I love how Luka’s just sitting there grimacing while Mari speeds off into battle, he doesn’t know what she’s about to do but he knows better than to try stopping her.

- Back with Gabe and Nathalie. Is this what was being foreshadowed when Gabe claimed he wouldn’t be fooled by the boys’ identity switch twice? Is he GOING to be fooled again or will he be the one person who can tell immediately that this isn’t his son? 

- “FELIX.” WOW, HE REALLY WASN’T FOOLED TWICE. RESPECT. He may have trouble getting up off the ground if he sits down too low but he can at least identify his child in a difficult situation like this, props to Gabe this week.

- “All this disappointment might just help us get rid of our unwanted guests!” SHUT YOUR MOUTH, FELIX IS A DELIGHT. The only unwanted guest here is Astruc on the writing team.

- “Felix... I told you that you couldn’t fool me twice.” Way to blow your identity in five seconds Gabe. I guess he hasn’t sent out the akuma yet so this might just be a personal monologue, but he starts addressing his victims directly so often at this stage that I’m really not sure what they can or can’t hear. SHIT’S RISKY.

- OH OKAY, SO HE’S SENDING THIS TRIPLE AKUMA AFTER FELIX? AND/OR ADRIEN, DEPENDING ON HOW HARD IT IS TO TELL THEM APART? I guess that’s what he means by getting rid of their guests, if the house is attacked by a monster (or monsters?) they aren’t going to want to stick around, but I REALLY HOPE YOU’RE TAKING ADRIEN’S WELLBEING INTO ACCOUNT HERE GABE OL BUDDY :/

- “TIKKI, SPOTS ON! MNUURGH” ME TOO MARINETTE. I’M REALLY ONLY 12 MINUTES INTO THIS.

- I’m gonna be honest, I’m not really interested in the girls. I was hoping for a real triple akuma (like Oblivio was apparently Alya and Nino together) but they’re all just villains we’ve seen before. There’s stuff I could comment on here but I just want to see more of Felix, that’s what I’m here for.

- “Nathalie, get Adrien to a safe place far from his cousin!” YOU’RE REALLY JUST GONNA SACRIFICE FELIX LIKE THIS. I guess that makes sense, I WAS complaining during Chat Blanc that Adrien is Gabriel’s weak point, so all things considered I’m not surprised that he’ll protect Adrien but just flat-out wants Felix dead. Fair enough.

- WOW. I THOUGHT ADRIEN WAS GOING TO BE HEROIC AND DEFEND FELIX BUT HE WANTS HIM DEAD TOO. Or was that a double bluff to make the akuma think he MUST be Felix so he can lead them away and keep his cousin safe? He’s just run off with a wild cackle so I’m thinking it’s the latter. HE’S A GOOD BOY AND A TRUE HERO.

- I also find it kind of funny how Nathalie will jump in harm’s way to defend him when there have been INNUMERABLE other episodes of Gabe just setting an akuma directly on Adrien for the hell of it. Maybe because there isn’t really any ‘harm’ here to start with; the three girls’ powers are probably the least violent of all the akuma we’ve seen so far.

- AM I REALLY ABOUT TO SEE FELIX DRESSED AS ADRIEN DOING KARATE. I HOPE HE’S GOOD AT IT.

- OH MY GOD HE IS GOOD AT IT. That’s cool! I was expecting him to totally flop considering how badly his imposter trick went down a few minutes ago, but it’s nice to see he’s as capable at fighting as he is at basketball. When do I get to see his magic card tricks?

- YEAH I FEEL THE SAME PLAGG. WHAT’S EVEN HAPPENING. Not that I think Adrien shouldn’t save Felix, I just want to know WHY Felix felt like he had to do this in the first place! I feel like “can I PLEASE get a waffle” except instead of watching the employees fight I’m watching this episode careening away with no pauses to explain what’s going on.

- FELIX C’MON. STOP CAUSING PROBLEMS ON PURPOSE. I can tell Garbage Man Astruc still has the reins here because causing even MORE trouble even AFTER Adrien saved his ass is a completely illogical course of action. PUT SÉBASTIEN BACK IN THE WRITERS CHAIR.

- “WHICH PART OF THE WORD ‘NO’ DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?!” Oh perfect, great, can’t let this episode end without accusing Felix of not respecting consent! That’s a hot button issue and if Garbage Man Astruc can get him on that bandwagon then fans HAVE to hate this character! Great move! Fucking pillock!

- WOW CHAT THAT’S MEAN. I guess accusing Felix of having no friends is justified in the context of the episode but yikes :(

- Was that a flash of humiliation from Felix there? God will one of the writers PLEASE save this character, PLEASE don’t let this episode end without someone getting him out of the Garbage Man’s big meaty claws.

- Excuse me WHAT? Felix is talking directly to Papillon?! So he knows about all the Miraculous stuff?! Oh NO, is this about getting his dad back? I don’t know whether the One Wish is common knowledge (I don’t think it is?) but maybe Felix put the pieces together on his own back home, so all his behaviour here has been trying to incite an akuma that he can take advantage of to appeal to Papillon?! Or he could just be a bitch all on his own, which is probably what the Garbage Man would prefer, but this makes a lot of sense all of a sudden.

- BRO HE NEARLY DIED. BRO. BROOO.

- “I hope you’ve learned your lesson!” YOU’RE NOT EVEN GONNA ASK ABOUT THE PAPILLON THING? YOU CAN’T JUST TREAT THIS AS A REGULAR DISTURBANCE, FELIX KNOWS SHIT ABOUT THE MIRACULOUS YOU GUYS--

- FELIX’S MOM IS REALLY GOING TO BLAME HIS DEAD DAD FOR THIS? HARD YIKES. NO WONDER FELIX IS WEIRD.

- I’m expecting this isn’t over, because Felix still clearly wants something specific that he didn’t get, but I’ll take this cute hug for what it is. He didn’t have an evil expression behind Adrien’s back this time either and the music is all soft and nice, plus he FINALLY got a handshake from Gabe, but I absolutely do NOT imagine this episode will end without getting an extra shot in at the PV fans somehow. We’re not getting off this easy.

- Why doesn’t Gabriel want Adrien to go after Felix? Is he scared he’ll try to run off, or ask them to stay longer when he really wants to get rid of them?

- AHAHA FELIX STOLE GABE’S RING. WHAT A BRAT. Was that the “jewelry” he mentioned wanting in return for helping Papillon? I figured it was a Miraculous thing but maybe not.

- OHHH, look how much Felix loves his mom! This is such a sweet scene. I particularly like the idea that Amelie was trying to get the rings back to give one to Felix because the way she was speaking to Gabe made it sound like she wanted them Just Because. But you can’t mention some wild story connected to the rings and then not explain it! I want to know what that is, I want to know why Felix is so fascinated with it!!!

- ALSO, FELIX GETTING A BIG KISS RIGHT ON THE FOREHEAD. EXCELLENT. I’ll fucking BET this is another scene Sébastien sneaked in because it’s such an emotional quality shift from the whole clone mess. Like what the fuck even WAS that.

- Yep, Felix is still evil! WHY THOUGH. WHAT’S GOING ON. CAN I PLEASE GET A WAFFLE

- I was expecting a worse ending, but “Felix can’t ever come back to Paris because Gabriel will kill him with his bare hands if he does” is decent enough. If there’s no further confirmation (and NO, anything Garbage Man Astruc tweets later on does NOT fucking count so don’t try me) I’m going to take it that he WAS actually sorry for what he did to Adrien. That’s better than nothing.

.

.

WELL THAT WAS AN EPISODE. That actually wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be - it could have been a lot better but it could have been a lot worse too. The beginning and end were nice enough even if the middle part was Garbage Man Astruc’s usual atrocious mess of self-service, though I do particularly despise the hamfisted consent issue shoved in there just to generate extra reasons to hate the character. WE GET IT, YOU DON’T LIKE FELIX. OFF YOU FUCK. 

I’ve slept on this next paragraph to give myself time to formulate some concrete thoughts about the plot, so... Well, it was a mess, that’s for sure. They spent way too much time establishing how oH sO eViL Felix was and not nearly enough time actually explaining his character. 

Why is he acting out like this? What has he got against Adrien in particular? Is he really sore about Adrien not supporting him at his dad’s funeral or is that just what Adrien thinks is his problem? What was his relationship with his dad before he died? Was his troublemaking all about trying to provoke an akuma and ask Papillon to help him get his family rings back (which he was clearly trying to steal from the moment he walked through the door, only Gabe wouldn’t shake his hand the first time), or was that just a side effect of causing shit for no reason? Did he mean his apology to Adrien at the end? WHAT was the deal with the rings and the story attached to them? There’s a whole interesting story buried in here which just got completely overlooked by the emphasis on how terrible he was and that’s really disappointing. 

I did like his damaged-but-still-good relationship with Adrien though, there’s still hope there and maybe Felix (if he ever shows up again, which I only hope he does if it’s NOT another excuse for Garbage Man Astruc to shit on the PV fandom again, for the love of FUCK don’t give this guy multiple opportunities) will start coming around and making the effort to be a better cousin since Adrien’s given him a second chance. I don’t know. What I liked just as much was Marinette actually barely being in this episode at all, for the first time since Gorizilla she’s ALLOWED to be the supporting character again and that’s GREAT.

I don’t really know what else to say. I’m exhausted. Adrien’s a darling and I think I prefer my Twin AU, though canon Felix being a delightful little gremlin who causes problems-on-purpose is something I can work with in the future too. 

Thanks for coming on this... interesting journey with me! I posted a set of tweets last night which I’ll leave here to finish up:

[silvia7272]

6 ~ The Second Akuma

So, I think I’m going to have to upload this one before the salt SongFic because it has one spoiler that will make sense if I upload this before the SongFic.

The episodes Timetagger, Chat Blanc, Felix, Loveater and Miracle Queen will not happen. If you haven’t guessed. I might add more but I’m not sure, I’d have to go through each episode. Also, I don’t really care what happens in season 4 I’m going by my ideas.

Word Count: 4361

Tags: @queenmj10, @fangirl39, @animegirlweeb, @northernbluetongue, @daminett4life, @raisuke06, @indecisive-mess-named-me, @luleck @themamaravenclaw, if you wish to be tagged all you have to do is say. Sorry, it's different but this was the reason I started posting in the first place.

***

The limo was a first for our sliver-eyed hero. She was used to being on foot or using her ‘special’ transportation, and a limo was too big to construct. Instead, she looked out the window, she could see so many different sites she hadn’t seen before, she so had to take her newfound friends there, until she remembered that they had probably already visited.

“Rosina, do you have any idea why Father invited you? Not to be rude but Father never invites any of my friends, he’s normally too busy for this, but now it seems different.” She looked back at him and he did genuinely feel confused, but then she saw something else.

Fear…

She wondered why he would think that, but then she remembered what Chloé had said.

“He’s Adrien’s Dad and a famous fashion designer. He never lets him out of the house except for school, photoshoots and fencing lessons. He doesn’t even allow his friends to come over and visit”

“I’m as much in the dark as you are, but don’t worry Adrian, no matter what happens, we’ll get through it together, so there's no need to worry” He looked almost hopeful, just how bad was Gabriel she mused?

Until the limo stopped.

“We’re here”

The door opened courtesy of the Gorilla with Nathalie by his side. She looked around, amazed by its structure and area.

“Wow, this is like, two houses stuck together” Nathalie and the Gorilla gave questioning looks while Adrien was gently guiding her towards the door.

“Sensational, it looks even bigger on the inside. I’ve never been in a house so big”

“I appreciate the compliment Miss Scoats” They turned to see the famous fashion designer before them.

“And I’m pleased you came on such short notice” He held out his hand, shocking Adrien the most, he’d never willingly made contact with anyone, not even him.

“It wasn’t a problem Sir. I just hope I haven’t done anything that would damage my image. I am confused about why you decided to invite me, however”

“Let us discuss matters privately” He started walking towards the room he spent most of his days in, Nathalie followed despite the privately being said, and Adrien was about to be whisked away by his bodyguard. That was until he felt a tug on his arm.

“I’m sorry but I would feel a lot more comfortable with Adrian with me, Sir.” You couldn’t tell if Gabriel was annoyed or considering it but nodded after a moment.

Adrien, however, was glad he was included, plus he didn’t really want to be spending all his time in his room when one of his friends was downstairs, the last time his friend had a meeting with his Father… It didn’t go so well.

“It’ll be alright” He squeezed her hand comfortingly before they made their way inside.

“By your indication, you don’t have any idea why you’re here?” They both nodded as Adrien spotted Nathalie on her tablet, it looked like she was pulling something up on the screen in front of them.

“There was something that had caught my eye when it showed that my Son was included in this video, does this jog your memory?”

“Our fencing match? I remember Alya posted it on her blog” Adrien reasoned with himself while Rosina was still confused.

“What's a blog?”

“Ahem, I have to say I’m quite intrigued by your impressive set of skills. And I’m willing to make an offer.” They both looked surprised, well more Adrien than Rosina.

“If you will become Adrien’s bodyguard where our other cannot, to protect him in school hours, your payment will be substantial. With the rising activities of Akuma’s I wish he would be protected more than I’m able to give him.”

Adrien.Exe has stopped working.

Was this?

Was this his Father’s way of providing him with another friend?

So, the gods did love him, he knew his Father cared about him, he knew it.

Now he wouldn’t be alone as much, he could spend time with one of his friends.

“I’m sorry Sir but I can’t” Her head lowering into a sort of bow.

And then he stopped again.

Why? Why couldn’t she stay with him?

All he wanted was to hang out with someone.

“Why not?” Gabriel’s voice was callous. And Adrien really hoped Rosina would be emotionally strong enough to withstand an Akuma.

“I-I mean I don’t need to be paid, I already have enough money as it is, and I still need some time for my friends and Aunt, plus I wouldn’t want to agree to something without Adrian’s approval. I’m very sorry Sir, I hope you haven’t wasted too much time with me” She didn’t want another decision to be forced on Adrian, he had all his choices made for him already, he didn’t want him to resent her, plus she kinda wanted to leave and be with Marinette, Chloé and Kagami. It was hard enough getting here in the first place she didn’t want to make them wait anymore.

“Wait, Rosina, I don’t mind, I really wouldn’t mind having a friend near me. I think it would be good for me someone as strong as you. And I’m sure Father won’t mind you having as much free time as you want. Right, Father?” He turned and prayed to whatever god was out there now. He felt happy when Rosina wanted his opinion, it felt nice someone wanted him to be heard rather than someone speaking on his behalf. But he hoped his Father wouldn’t mind.

“Really, I was really worried, that and I don’t work so well cramped inside all the time, would there be a way to have some lessons outside? At the park perhaps?” She wondered out loud, it was like all of Adrien’s prayers were being answered right now, Father would have to let him go outside for Rosina’s proposition. Wait, could she read his mind? He’d have to get his foil hat from his emergency box.

“I believe there are some aspects I can negotiate on, but is this a deal?” His hand was still stretched out.

“Of course, although there was something else, I’d like to mention” Gabriel was getting a bit restless here, how many times would she add to her previous comments?

“What would that be?” Everyone sans Rosina could tell Gabriel was getting mad, there weren’t a lot of hints, but they were there.

“I was wondering if I could help Adrian with his languages?” He rose an eyebrow, even if he wouldn’t have believed she had super fencing skills he couldn’t place her with being multilingual as well. There had to be a test.

“Is that so?” Adrien paused, if he had to guess that sounded German, and then the panic-struck in, he was testing her! Oh no, there was no way he could be this lucky in a day, maybe it was his destiny to be alone.

“Of course, Sir,” They all seemed surprised.

“That wouldn’t be all you know would it?” He switched again, Italian?

“If not, I would be Trilingual but as I said I’m Multilingual” Her smile never wavered.

“Impressive, a number of all the languages you know will be helpful” He ordered, but Rosina didn’t seem to mind.

“Of course, Sir: Morse Code, Binary, French, Italian, German, English, Mandarin, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Latin, Spanish and Thai.” They looked at her in disbelief while she rubbed the back of her head.

“I travelled a lot when I was younger, and Aunty still makes sure I remember all of the languages on top of… Other things.” She seemed to trail off, Gabriel and Nathalie noticed but either didn’t care or didn’t comment.

“Then I suppose I can allow this to happen, now Adrien, if you would like to show our guest around, I have some important matters to attend to.” He couldn’t keep the smile off his face.

“Of course, Father, c’mon Rosina I’ll show you the dining room first” He offered his hand out as they walked off.

***

“And that’s how Rosina became my tutor/bodyguard” All of Adrien’s friends were on his computer screen, looking ecstatic.

“That’s great dude, at least now you’ll have some company.” He nodded.

“Wow Rosina, thanks so much for doing this for Adrien, that’s so nice of you” Rose praised as our red-haired heroine rubbed her head again.

“I didn’t really do anything, Mr Agreste was the one who gave me the offer, I don’t even get why though.”

“But don’t you see? This is perfect, with you having to spend more time with Adrien that means we’ll all have to spend more time with you. And that means we’ll all soon become closer friends” Lila presented the idea as they all praised her like they had become accustomed to.

“Plus, whenever me and Adrien have our photoshoots, I’m sure I can tell all of you the location of where we’re stationed. That way we’ll have more time to hang out outside of school. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

“Lila I can’t believe how smart you are, why didn’t any of us think of that before?”

‘Because you’re too dumb’ She wished she could’ve retorted but held her tongue.

“I don’t know, I don’t think my Father would be too happy about that.” He grimaced; he would hate to see his Father angry.

“Oh, don’t worry Adrien your Father loves me, I’m sure he’ll let it slide. And besides, after the many times you’ve had to cancel on get-togethers don’t you think it's fair?” There it was again, the disappointing stares of his classmates. Why did it hurt he wondered?

“Fine, I’m sure he won’t mind, I hope.” He muttered but no one heard that part. Except for the girl next to him.

“And don’t worry girl, we haven’t forgotten about you, how about we all go out to the arcade next week?” This worried the girl. A, she didn’t know how her other friends would react, B, her Aunt had made it clear they needed to find the Trinklets and C, what the hell was an arcade?

“I’m sorry guys but I err already promised to hang out with Mari and Chlo, we’re bound to have a sleepover at one point I just know it.” God, she looked adorable, they really wished they didn’t have to ruin their image of her ‘friend’.

“I hate to tell you but there is an 83.98% that Marinette will cancel on you?”

“Why?” She tilted her head.

“Because she’s always flaky, she’s never where she says she is, I’ve checked too. It's one of the reasons why we aren’t friends. Plus, both of them are just as bad as each other, Chloé would bully all of us constantly, but because her Dad is the Mayor of Paris, she was able to get away with it. She’s never been punished. Just ask Sabrina” It was then she noticed the ginger held a worried expression.

“It's true, I was always there for her beck and call and I could never have any time to make any other friends, she pushed them all away, but please Rosina, don’t fall into the same trap I did, everyone forgave me before it was too late, and I know they’ll forgive you too. Don’t fall for Chloé and Marinette’s lies”

Rosina paused, she felt a new emotion in her, but couldn’t place it, she was normally always excited and happy, why did she feel the same feeling of when Chloé and Marinette were arguing in that supply cupboard on that trip? Why did they have to be so mean to one of her first friends? What was the reason?

“I hate to put this short, but I think me, and Rosina should start studying now.”

“Ok, we know how your Father can be, we’ll expect your answer at school ok girl, please come to your senses” They all hung up.

“Why are they so mean to Mari?” She whispered this to herself. But Adrien was able to hear it.

“Hey, don’t worry about it, it will all work out in the end. We’ll all become friends just like the old times… Just as soon as Marinette apologises.”

“Apologises? What for?” Adrien winced knowing he’d have to tell her the truth.

“Lila is lying to everyone for attention. Marinette and I are the only ones who know about it and while she wants to call her out, I think we should let her have it her way. She’s not hurting anyone, so I don’t understand why she won’t take the high road?” Now Rosina was just confused. Unless you had to lie for certain situations, her Aunt always told her lying was bad, why did he have to overlook it?

“And I know it’s a huge favour to ask you, but do you think you could overlook it as well? I would hate it if you became despised because of this. Please?” He put his hands together in a praying position as she stared at him.

But before she could answer, Adrien got a notification, and he knew what that type meant.

“Oh no,” He took his phone out to see what type of Akuma he would be facing off today.

“What is it?” Rosina looked puzzled and Adrien was quick to understand why.

“Oh right, this is your first Akuma attack right?” She nodded and Adrien sighed, how was he going to get away now?

“You should stay in the bathroom, it’ll be safer” Before he could retort she was already pushing him into his bathroom. And with her out of site Plagg flew out.

“Well now looks like you’ve got yourself another friend huh? How many girls are in your corner now?” Plagg snickered out as Adrien rolled his eyes.

“There's no time for that, now Plagg! Claws Out!”

“I should be getting paid for thiiiiiiiiisssssssssss” But as he was transforming, he could’ve sworn he heard his bedroom window open.

But he paid it no mind, it must’ve been something else.

***

“Well, Bugaboo what seems to be the situation?” He seemed to slip right in the battle while Ladybug swung her Yo-Yo around to avoid a blast.

“I told you before, stop calling me Bugaboo!”

“You know you love it M’Lady” He winked as he blocked an attack on his end whilst Ladybug rolled her eyes.

“So, what seems to be the situation? Another love Akuma perhaps?”

“In your dream’s Kitty, their actually called SleepSis. Make sure you don’t get hit or you’ll end up as a sleeping statue. The more statues the stronger she gets” They were back to back as they awaited her next attack. She seemed to attack from the shadows, but her next attack would be unknown to the two superheroes.

“Ladybug! Watch out!” It was a familiar voice, more so to one than the other but familiar all the less.

It had looked as if the voice had stunned the pair as she mysteriously hit one of the blasts away.

“Are you ok Ladybug? I really hope I wasn’t late to the battle” She worried as Ladybug approached her.

“Its fine, Chat Noir only just got here as well” Chat blinked, hadn’t he seen her before?

“Hey, haven’t we met?” He scratched his head as all three had to defend themselves from the Akuma.

“Yep, I’m Crisono Tassa, I’m new and here to help. I wish we’d met under better circumstances. Oh, and by the way, I love your ears, are they real? Can I touch them pretty please?” Now, why did that sound so similar?

“Crisono you need to focus; this is your second Akuma battle and they’re all different.”

“Ok Ladybug.”

“Wait wait wait. You seriously can’t let her stay Ladybug? She’s just a civilian, she can get hurt. I’m sorry Crisono but you have to leave” He wasn’t usually the stern one, but Ladybug wasn’t being reasonable.

He saw how they both glanced at each other before continuing on, did they just ignore him?

“Don’t worry Chat, I thought that too, but she is a capable fighter, I’ve seen it myself” He didn’t want to believe it at first but if his Lady did then so would he.

“Okay, then I hope we get along Crissi” He was able to place a kiss on her hand as Ladybug had to yet again block an attack.

“Chat! Focus!”

“Ok ok, so what's the plan then M’Lady?” To make up his mistake, he then blocked an attack that was meant for Ladybug.

“I think her mask is the Akumatized object, I need you to distract her while I sneak up and take it”

“Sure thing, but I will need my cat nap soon” Ladybug groaned at his joke, while he heard Crisono giggle.

“At least someone appreciates my humour, well shall we go Crisono?” He offered his hand out, she inquisitively looked at it before smiling.

She pulled him along instead, Ladybug couldn’t help the little bit of laughter she let out. She called out her Lucky Charm only to be given two planks of wood. She looked around but couldn’t find anything with her Ladybug vision. Did she have to wait? But for how long? What did she have to do?

Meanwhile with the adventures of Crisono Tassa and Chat Noir.

“This isn’t how it works but ok” She laughed as she threw Chat across the street.

“Hey, I’m not just some ragdoll you can throw. No matter how far you throw me I’ll always come back”

“Really? But what if I threw you out of Paris? I say I can beat SleepSis before you can run back here” The attacks were getting more and more havoc as the two newly acquainted heroes teased the other.

“How dare you two treat me like a joke, I’ll show you the real power of SleepSis”

“Then show us your power, I wish to see what else Hawkmoth can do” A pink mask appeared on her face but before Crisono could register that, she became the more prominent target.

“Hey, I’m here too! You want a piece of me!?” Chat would be lying if he said he wasn’t at least a little bit worried about the newbie. He was still ever so slightly mad that Ladybug knew about her and didn’t tell him about it, but maybe there was a reason for that. He tried to apologise but couldn’t find her anywhere. And besides, his Lady would tell him eventually, they were partners.

Right?

“C’mon, just a little further.” His ears picked up to Ladybug, ahh the sight could put his mind at ease. The love of his life, he would do anything for her. To admire her beauty was something he could do forever.

“Chat lookout!” His Lady’s voice was captivating as well. He would’ve continued his thought process until he was unpleasantly shoved aside.

He expected to be able to joke about not paying attention since she had stolen it, but he didn’t. because his Lady wasn’t the one in front of him.

It was Crisono.

And she had been hit.

***

“Crisono!” Ladybug had to stop her plan as a fear of dread kicked in. She heard Chat shout out her friend's name and panicked when she saw Crisono on the ground.

“Oh no,” But then something happened, her vision was showing her a plan.

The wood.

Her Yo-Yo.

Chat Noir’s Baton.

Rosina and her Sabre.

“Chat I’ve got a plan. Grab Rosina and come back” She blocked some more attacks as she was in SleepSis’ vision.

Chat did what he was ordered, and they made their way onto a building.

“I’m sorry M’Lady, she took the hit for me”

“Its fine Chat Noir, we’ll sort this out together I promise.” He smiled at that as he helped Ladybug with whatever her plan was.

For the time being, SleepSis was trying to track the fellow heroes down, but she couldn’t find them.

“Hurry, Ladybug’s time limit will be up. Find her immediately!” Hawkmoth ordered.

“Yeah yeah I know.” She heard a thud behind her and released an attack which made contact. She smirked in victory, but it vanished as she saw what she hit.

“Damn it, Ladybug using you as a shield was clever. But don’t think it will stop you from winning.” She looked up to see Ladybug and Chat Noir giving a smug look. That wouldn’t last.

She jumped to meet them but was stopped, by… The redhead?

“What?” She was being moved by Ladybug like a… Like a puppet?

“It won’t be that easy SleepSis” She was controlling Crisono almost perfectly, SleepSis was on the edge.

“Chat now!” What? Wasn’t Chat with- No he’s gone! Where is-

“Gotcha -Grabs The Mask- Cataclysm!” He destroyed it making the woman become De-Akumatized.

“Time to De-Evilize!” She did her usual routine as she cast the Miraculous cure over Paris. The ones asleep awoke and continued on their day as it had become the norm.

“Crisono are you ok?” She awoke to the worried voices in front of her, they were surprised when they were trapped into a hug.

“The plan worked, oh how wonderful” They smiled. She must’ve been aware of what was happening.

“Sorry about that Crisono, I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again next time. I’m paw-sively sure of it” One groaned as the other giggled softly. The duo stuck their hands out, signalling for her to join.

“Like this? I’ve never done a fist bump before?” Chat would’ve been shocked until she uttered a Faa Lalalala. He gasped as he held her hand.

“You’ve watched Big Hero 6 too?” She had to shake her head.

“Sorry, I overheard some children do that to each other, is that not how normal fist bumps work?” He was slightly deflated but maybe he could get her to watch it, he wanted to hang out with other heroes now and again damn it.

“Ladybug what do you think, can it be an extension to our routine? As our newest friend, it would be nice to change some things. It would be a cat-astrophe to say otherwise” She rolled her eyes before nodding.

“Sure, but I’ve gotta go, Bugout” She swung her Yo-Yo away as Chat Noir blew a kiss in her direction before turning to Crisono.

“So how did you meet Ladybug? And how come you’ve decided to come to Paris? Are you going to help us with Hawkmoth?” She nodded to the last part.

“My Aunt said we’re going to stay here till Hawkmoth is defeated, plus it was our next location anyway. We travelled around the world, defeating crime. France just so happens to be next.” He would’ve asked more questions, but he remembered his Miraculous time limit and had to get going.

“Sorry if I stay then the cat will be out of the bag, Cya next time” He was about to take a leap.

“Wait?” He stopped to be polite, but she could see it couldn’t take long.

“Err, did you mean it when you said I was your friend?” She pushed her index fingers together, seemingly looking nervous.

“Of course, a friend of Ladybug’s is a friend of mine. I hope to see you next time” He had to quickly leave but he waved goodbye.

‘A new friend and a new hero. What else can happen?’

***

“Claws In” He made it back.

“So, what happened out there, you seem happy now?” When their chosen transforms, their Kwami is unable to see anything that happens outside, all they can do is concentrate on giving their special power when the time comes.

“I saw Crisono again, and we’re friends. She likes my puns as well, maybe we can hang out after battles?” He seemed as giddy as a kid on Christmas.

“Ohh so it looks like another type of cheese has entered the fray. Huh~”

“Plagg” He wined. Seriously why does every girl he meets have to become a love interest; it was getting annoying?

“And besides, she’s just a-”

He opened his door.

“Ahhh, ouch, boy did that hurt.”

“Friend?” He only questioned himself as he saw a figure come tumbling through his window. Not that he was one to judge, he would sometimes trip and fall onto his floor. He was glad that at times like that no one could see Chat’s accidents.

No, he was questioning the fact why Crisono was in his room in the first place!? Did she follow him and now she knows who he is? Did that mean he’d have to give up his Miraculous? No, anything but that, he’d rather have Lila’s clinging onto his arm than give up his freedom.

“Ah, Adrian it is all safe now, Ladybug and Chat Noir have defeated the Akuma. You have no more reason to fear, should we get back to our lessons?” Ok, now he was confused.

“R-Rosina?

“Yes? Is something wrong Adrian? Do you need to lie down?” It clicked.

“You’re Crisono Tassa!?” He exclaimed, no wonder he liked her, they were already friends.

“Oh no I forgot to switch out of my costume again. Oh, Adrian please don’t tell anyone, my Aunt will kill me about this mistake, I know exactly what she would say too.”

“H-Hey don’t worry about it, I promise I won’t tell another soul” He held out his pinkie, but she was puzzled.

“Why are you showing me your pinkie? Is it hurt; do you require medical assistance?” He laughed nervously, and people thought he was sheltered?

“It’s a way to signify a big promise, if we cross our little fingers together, it means we’ll remember/keep it forever.” At least, that’s what his Mum used to say before…

“Ohhhhh I see now, ok.” She made her first-ever pinkie promise while they smiled. Oh, the happiness radiating off the two newfound friends. And since Plagg was hiding somewhere else in the room, he was able to see who it was. And knew that he would just have to see that old Lady soon.

.

.

She still owed him that cheese. He would never forget that.

***

Hazar. The 6’s chapter is complete, please don’t worry, the SongFic will be out afterwards, at least it should be. I needed to make it clear that Plagg now knows who Crisono was. You can decide how I’m going to use that in the next SongFic.

I hope you all enjoyed this and stay tuned for the next one, I know it may not be what you lot wanted but I had to get info out somehow. Plus, this is my main story. Cya later.

Also 100 Followers? Thanks so much guys I’m so happy.

[mcheang]

Curse of the purse

Inspired by a Shake It Up episode. The 5 heroes know each other’s identities.

While Marinette and Alya are talking about a future class trip, Chloe rushed up them to show them a picture of the latest Gabriel purse.

Marinette: Chloe, we are in the middle of planning our (Chloe holds up the photo) that is stunning! Isn’t it, Alya?

Alya just said dazedly, “Purse...too pretty. Must have.”

Chloe winced. “No can do. This is a limited edition purse and it just sold out. Apparently it uses some special leather.”

Alya frowned in disappointment but Marinette just waved her hands impatiently. “Then we can ask Adrien if we borrow the original. I’m betting my sketchbook Mr Agreste kept it. And if he does, surely he wouldn’t mind loaning it to Adrien.”

The other girls squealed in excitement.

Sure enough, Gabriel did keep the original purse. Adrien willingly went to Nathalie and asked if he could borrow it. She didn’t even blink.

The girls were waiting impatiently at Marinette’s when Adrien arrived, bearing the purse.

Along with Adrien was a grouchy Plagg. He actually found the purse comfy and didn’t want to leave.

Now the question was who was getting her turn with the purse first.

Passionfruit macarons are an easy way to bribe a Boyfriend. That and Adrien doesn’t like an angry Girlfriend.

Marinette wears the purse when she meets up with the housekeeper of a famed manor that had been used as the setting of several French classic films.

The interview had been going favorably for Marinette. She was trying to organise a field trip here for her class. Then the housekeeper saw the purse.

“Is that the latest Gabriel purse?”

Marinette beamed. “Yes, my Boyfriend got it for me.”

The housekeeper frowned. “Do you know what the purse is made of?”

Marinette blinked. “It’s leather.”

The housekeeper nodded. “Yes. The finest, hand-massaged, calf-skin leather.”

Marinette then tried for a winning grin. “Then I guess that explains why it feels so soft and smooth to the touch.”

The housekeeper gave a fake grin of her own. “How familiar are you with Monsieur Delacour’s (the owner of the mansion) reputation?”

Marinette suddenly felt relieved. She knew the answer to the question. “I know he’s happily married with his Wife, has 4 kids, lives in one of his 3 chateaus in Provence, and is a notable fundraiser for the homeless.”

“Yes, all correct. But did you know that Monsieur Delacour is an animal activist and that he is currently on strike against farms that have poor living conditions for animals- one of which supplied the leather for that purse?”

Marinette faltered. “That I did not know.”

Marinette returned to the bakery, threw the bag aside and wept into her boyfriend’s arms. Adrien quickly soothed her and promised to help her find a new location for the class field trip. At Marinette’s glare, he also promises to talk to his Father about his choice of materials.

Next up, Chloe. Oh, she has been dying to show up that Liar Rossi ever since she gloated about how she was a muse to fashionistas everywhere. She even dared to critic Chloe’s choice of wardrobe.

The next morning, Chloe arrives with the purse and a new outfit. She is in time to hear Lila brag about turning down an internship with Gucci.

Chloe: Really, Lila, you expect us to believe that Gucci is looking for inspiration from sausage hair and pumpkin orange?

Lila and her entourage turn to stare at Chloe in all her glory. She did look amazing.

Lila smiled. “My hairstyle is actually quite popular in Italy. Ponytails are very commonplace, you know. And I dress in autumn shades. Yellow can be garish for me.

And then Lila stood up so everyone could see what she was wearing. An envy-inducing ensemble that was completed by the same purse Chloe was sporting.

Chloe was aghast. “How could you afford that?"

Lila raised an eyebrow. “I am Gabriel’s muse. He gave it to me.” This is actually true. Gabriel also hired a fashion consultant for Lila’s wardrobe or the critics would question his sanity for his choice of muse- hence Lila’s suddenly trendy outfits.

The students looked back and forth between the two girls. Who wore the purse better?

Chloe started out strong but the shock weakened her.

Lila saw her chance and pounced. She stepped out from her desk and exposed her matching heels.

Chloe blanched.

The students winced for her. Lila wins, no question.

Chloe threw the bag at Alya at first glance. Marinette offered the bee heroine a sympathetic shoulder.

Alya shrugged. They were just exaggerating. But at least she had an amazing new purse to wear to her mom’s award presentation for a cooking contest.

That very night, while Alya was dressed in her finest, a thief stole her purse’s contents.

Alya couldn’t care less about her wallet when her phone was declared missing.

When Alya returns the purse, she confronts Adrien about the curse. Adrien insists he is innocent. Tikki pipes up that Plagg isn’t.

The teenagers turn to see Plagg trying to hide from Tikki’s glare as her head pops out of the purse.

Plagg: I don’t know what you mean, Sugarcube.

Tikki: Don’t lie. I can sense traces of your magic in here.

Plagg: I must have accidentally done it then. I’m sorry.

Tikki: Plagg, Atlantis was an accident. This was on purpose!

Plagg: You are never going to let that go, are you? I said I was sorry!

Adrien: Plagg, what did you do?

Plagg: nothing big.

Tikki: he cursed the purse to give bad luck to whoever holds it. Only Plagg and his chosen are immune.

Marinette: Plagg...did you curse the purse so we would give it back to Adrien...?

Alya: and you would get your comfy bed back?

Plagg: ...no

Chloe: this purse is for girls! Adrikins would never even wear it.

Plagg: he could have kept it in his room! Ah! (He quickly covered his mouth.)

Too late. The girls were looming over the kwami. Adrien was wisely staying out of it. Tikki didn’t look like she would budge from her position either.

Marinette: I’m replacing all your Camembert with dairy-free cheese (NOOOOOOO!)

Chloe: I’m giving you a nice, long bath. (No!!!)

Alya: I’m gonna dress you up in doll clothes. (Eh, I can just phase through.)

Plagg (quickly): now, now, let’s not be hasty. I’ll make it up to you.

Marinette quirks an eyebrow. “You can organise a class trip?”

Plagg flounders for an answer but is silent. Finally he comes up with a suitable solution. “No. But how about I curse Lila and find Alya’s thief.”

Alya and Chloe look interested. Marinette isn’t impressed. “That doesn’t solve my problem.”

“How about a camping trip?”

Marinette pauses. “That could work.”

So while Plagg gave up his sleep to track down Alya’s thief, Marinette organised a camping trip in the countryside over the weekend.

Ms Bustier approved.

Alya’s thief was found when he tripped in front of the police and his stolen goods spilled out.

Lila suddenly found herself making mistakes everywhere. She accidentally tore her new jacket. A dog peed on her new heels. Rose accidentally spilled her soda into her purse so now Lila needs a new phone. Oh and apparently on the camping trip, Lila is suddenly mosquito bait.

On the bright side, Plagg got his extra sleeping space.

[milknette]

day 15 - mythical creatures

how i miss yesterday, and how i’d let it fade away.

tumblr month: @auyeahaugust

links: ao3 | ff.net

THE Agreste Mansion could have been beautiful, if not for the overgrown greenery and rusted fence that decorate the estate's exterior.

It looks like the textbook definition of what a haunted house is.

Marinette should be scared.

Instead, she takes out her cellphone, turns it on, faces the camera, and...

Goes live.

"Hey everyone, Marinette here!" She starts, waving almost awkwardly at the camera. (Thousands of viewers come storming into the live in seconds.) "So… welcome to the Ladybug— crap, I mean, the Ladyblog!"

Noticing that the camera is angled a little too low, she shifts to show herself better.

(Wow, she really is bad at this.)

"As you all know, or maybe you don't, haha… I'm heading the vlog for today!" She tries to smile, but it's clearly panicked. "Alya couldn't come back with me to Paris, unfortunately, and you all really wanted to see us cover the Agreste story so…," she moves along with the camera, trying to show off her surroundings.

(Nobody watching has the heart to tell her they can't see anything because her head's covering half the screen.)

"I'll be heading this adventure myself!" Marinette scratches her head awkwardly, and almost drops her phone as she hears a sudden crack! behind her. "Ohmygod what was that—"

She immediately turns the camera, only to notice a black cat pass behind her.

Its vivid green eyes almost make her shudder.

"Black cat," Marinette mutters to herself. "Sure, like I didn't know this was a terrible idea already.

She remembers a little too late that she's still online.

"I mean! This is going to be fun! Let's do this!"

The chatbox is filled with messages, but they all really say the same thing:

This is going to be a trainwreck.

But I am going to enjoy absolutely every minute of it.

(She pointedly ignores these messages and goes forward.)

Marinette walks towards the estate, using a key to unlock the rusted gate to the Agreste residence.

"If you're all wondering how I got entry to this place," she starts. "One of our subscribers actually helped us out," she turns towards the camera and smiles. "So Chloé Bourgeois, thanks a lot!"

(Yeah, thanks for giving her no choice but to go through with this video.)

"If it weren't for you, this video wouldn't be possible at all."

The gate opens with a resounding creaaaaak and Marinette has to force the unbothered smile on her face.

"Alright, let's go in."

.

.

.

[ INSTAGRAM STORY: maribug ]

"Hi guys! In case you don't know the story of the Agrestes, please swipe up with an article Alya wrote on the story below. As usual, be warned for creepy content!"

The Mysterious Disappearances of the Agreste Family

Almost five years ago, the Agrestes were the so-called 'it family' of Paris, France. Their family consisted of top fashion designer Gabriel, his beautiful wife, Emilie, and their only son, Adrien— a teenage model for his father's brand early on. In the public's eyes, this was a picture-perfect family.

However, this was soon revealed to be a ruse.

In 20XX, Emilie Agreste suddenly passed away. The family refused to comment and held a private funeral. A few weeks later, residents were surprised to find large fences erected around the residence, gating outsiders from entering the home. Father and son withdrew from contact with the outside world, aside from secretary Nathalie Sanceour and Adrien Agreste's unnamed personal bodyguard, nicknamed 'The Gorilla'.

Any media or news shared about the family were quickly taken down. For a long time, any and all information about the death of Emilie Agreste was removed— presumably by the husband himself.

News on the Agrestes stayed quiet for a year, until Adrien was spotted attending a local high school.

This was only for a day. After finding out about Adrien's attempted "escape", he was quickly returned to the premises and brought home.

The school refused to comment when we asked for an interview.

Due to limited information, little is known about what happened next.

The most accepted story, however, is that after Adrien was returned home, the Agrestes completely dropped off the radar. Even Gabriel Agreste was completely unreachable to his company.

Both Nathalie Sancoeur and 'The Gorilla' we're suddenly fired and removed from the premises without warning.

After a year of silence from the family, Sancoeur was finally given a warrant to enter the Agreste Mansion with the police force.

The mansion was empty. In fact, it seemed that nobody had occupied the space in months. A written report states that a cup of coffee Sancoeur remembers making from Mr. Agreste, on the day of her sudden termination, remained to be on his desk.

No sign of forced entry or violence was taken note of. They had just… disappeared.

A nationwide search was held to find the father-son duo, but to no avail. They were not found alive nor dead. The police soon branded this a cold case and filed it away.

Sancoeur was given control over the Agreste brand. 'The Gorilla' was also rehired to be her assistant.

Both declined to comment and continue to avoid topics talking about the Agreste family.

The mansion has been left untouched since then.

Until now.

(Please follow TheLadyblog on Instagram, tomorrow by 8PM vlogger Marinette Dupain-Cheng will visit the abandoned residence!)

.

.

The house is huge.

Marinette enters into a large foyer, run-down from years of neglect and disrepair. The pristine white of the walls have faded into a dull gray, complemented with spiderwebs in almost every corner. She holds her flashlight almost like a weapon.

Then, she switches to the front camera and shows the audience her surroundings.

"As you can see, the house seems untouched from when its previous owners lived here," Marinette begins, holding back the need to shudder. "Chloé messaged me that she ensured nobody else lived or even came in its vicinity," she explains, her tone turning more empathetic. "Apparently she and Adrien used to be friends, and she's still hoping that he'll come back to claim the house someday."

(Personally, Marinette doesn't think that he will— doesn't think he can, really— but decides to keep that little fact to herself.)

She turns the camera back to her.

"So anyway, I was given a floor plan to the building," she continues, raising up a piece of paper and showing it to her viewers. "Since the mansion is huge, and I can't possibly visit all the rooms tonight, tell me where you want to go!"

The comments flood in, and the answer is unanimous:

The previous room of Adrien Agreste.

.

.

Marinette opens the door carefully.

The door squeaking isn't that loud, but it echoes throughout the corridor and makes things so much creepier than they have to be.

She bites her lip, and enters the room— which takes up almost the entire second floor story.

Arcade stations, computers, games, books, and CDs fill up the entire floor. A television screen almost three times bigger than she is lays upon the wall. A basketball half-court decorates one side of the room. There are more doors which likely lead to other things to see, but she decides to check that later on.

"Okay, I don't think I'll do this room justice with a phone camera and a flashlight for lighting, but this is amazing," Marinette raves. "I feel like this is a teenage boy's dream room. Honestly, it's my dream room." She laughs to herself lightly, turning the front camera on. "Though I'd maybe change out the basketball court for my personal sewing space."

(Marinette briefly wonders why anyone would want to leave such a place, but dismisses the thought almost immediately; realizing that none of it could be enjoyed at all if she were alone.)

In fact, standing in the middle of it at that moment made her feel much lonelier than she was previously.

Except, she's not alone.

But Marinette's too busy looking around to notice the increasingly panicked messages of her viewers:

do yall

u all see that right…..

ohmygod is-

IS THAT REAL WTH

MARINETTE OMG

PLEASE TURN AROUND

RUN? DONT LOOK BACK?

PROTECT OUR SWEET SUMMER CHILD

I CANNOT WATCH ANOTHER LIVE WHERE SOMEONE GETS MURDERED PLS

CHECK UR MESSAGES GIRL !

Noticing her phone buzz with messages, she clicks on the tab that opens them.

Marinette's eyebrows wrinkle together.

"What are you guys talking abou—"

A scream, the sound of her phone cracking, and the live video suddenly being turned off.

well, there goes ½ of the ladyblog…

.

.

Alya wakes up to her phone overflowing with messages.

The first one she reads is extremely straightforward:

HELP I THINK MARINETTE'S DEAD

So understandably, she does what any good friend would do.

Think it's a prank set up by Marinette (for making her hold the live without her), get irritated, send her a 'haha nice try mari but dead is a stretch' message, then immediately go back to sleep.

Marinette, however, never gets the message.

.

.

It's easy to panic when death's staring you right in the face.

So she does, because death is quite literally staring right at her.

In the form of a sixteen-year-old boy whose face she knew all too well from all the hidden fashion magazines her teenage self hid under her bed.

Adrien Agreste.

(Well, at least now the question of did-he-live was answered. A stone-cold, dead, nope!)

And also, ghosts really do exist— who knew?

(The so-called paranormal expert didn't, apparently.)

The ghost moves toward her, as she scrambles away, her back suddenly hitting the wall.

"Please, if you're gonna kill me, do it quick," Marinette replies, rushing through the words. "I don't know how angry you ghosts are, but I swear violence isn't the answer. It'll solve nothing and make me dead so let's maybe move away from that—"

Adrien tilts his head, and it almost looks human. (Maybe if his head hadn't done a complete three-sixty at that exact moment, she would've calmed down. Instead, and understandably, she panics more.)

"Hey, hey! Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you."

"You aren't?" She asks, then suddenly horrified (and almost embarrassed), covers her body with her hands. "Don't possess me! Look, I'm a klutz and have literally no coordination. You don't want me! Actually, I can get you better bodies! I have this friend named Alya…"

(Marinette isn't sure why, but she feels extremely irritated with her best friend for some reason.)

The ghost laughs.

And it doesn't echo ohmygod he really is dead and she really is going to die and all this drama for a bunch of views what has she become—

He floats closer to her, and smiles. "I won't possess you either," he replies. "You can keep your body."

"... then, what do you want?"

"Well, I don't really want anything."

"Really?"

He looks almost amused. "I mean, you were the one who broke into my house. I guess I'd like to know why."

Okay, fair.

Marinette looks almost sheepish when she responds, realizing how dumb her reasoning actually is:

"Well, I'm a paranormal vlogger…"

.

.

Marinette has done a lot of strange things in her life.

But this— talking to a ghost about YouTube of all things, is probably the weirdest of all.

(The really terrifying thing about it was how comfortable she actually felt about it.

Talking to Adrien was terribly easy that you couldn't help but let your guard down.)

He looks at her with wide-eyed awe. "That's amazing! And I can't believe I get to be included in your video!"

She smiles lightly. "Well, you are kind of a big deal…"

"I never knew fashion meant that much to so many people!"

(The truth was that they knew Adrien because of his disappearance and the conspiracy around his family, but she decides against mentioning it. Though, it's quite strange to be so cautious of hurting a ghost, of all things.)

"Yeah," Marinette replies instead. "I used to collect your magazines, you know?"

Adrien brightens up. "Dang, you're a fan of me?" He bows down, and his head almost falls over. (She finds herself laughing.) "I'm honored, milady."

"Milady?" She asks teasingly. "What era are you from?"

"Hey—! Technically, we're the same age." He protests, before suddenly quieting down. "I guess I'd be twenty now, huh?"

The mood shifts, and Marinette can't do anything about it.

"... I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he only says. "I guess I'm just a little sad that I never really got to experience being a teenager. Y'know, being normal." He laughs to himself. "And even after death, I'm still not. Being stuck here and all."

Quiet.

"Do you mind if I ask what happened…?" Marinette begins, her voice soft. "Not that you have to answer but… it was so sudden when everyone got the news you were gone."

Adrien sighs. "I'm not sure myself," he explains. "My dad… he thought there was some way to bring her back. Bring my mom back to life. And he did things, some dark things, but they didn't work… and before I knew it, he was gone, and I was stuck like this."

He gestures down at himself. "I can't even leave the house, can you believe it? I've just been here and alone for years…" Then, a smile. "Until you came along."

"I'm glad I can be of some company," Marinette replies, smiling back.

(It's strange— so strange, but she feels connected to him in ways she's never felt connected to anyone.)

"I'm glad that the company who showed up was you."

At that, Marinette decides on an idea.

She stands, and gestures for him to follow.

"You're a ghost, so you can't touch things, right?"

"Yeah… but I can move them. I learned a lot of ghost skills while I was stuck here."

She smiles. "Great."

"What do you mean?"

Marinette walks over to the foosball table, groaning from years of neglect, and places her hands on it. "I may not be able to bring you back, but I can let you experience what it feels like to be a teenager." She tilts her head, pointing towards the game.

"Let's play?"

.

.

They play games late at night and into the early hours of the morning.

Marinette has never seen someone enjoy her company that much— like she had given him the whole world, and everything he'd ever wanted.

It makes her heart soar, to see him so happy.

They take a break as the clock tells them it's almost three in the morning.

Marinette settles into the couch, with Adrien lying down as he floats over her.

"I'm sorry you had to play with me," she starts. "Not really great at sports. And I can get pretty intense when it comes to online games."

Adrien only smiles at her, without a hint of irritation or regret. "No, this was perfect. It's the most fun I've had in a long time." He laughs. "Maybe ever. And I'll never forget this, no matter how long I stay like this."

She frowns as the words leave his mouth.

(Wasn't the thing tying him to the real world his failure to experience his life as a teenager?)

Marinette says it aloud.

"If only it were that simple," he responds, almost sad. "But I don't think that was ever the reason."

"Then what is it?"

"..."

"Adrien?"

"..."

"I won't judge it or anything. Please, I want to help."

Adrien sighs, then looms over her, the expression on his face almost breaking her heart. "It's corny, but… I wanted to experience love." He finally says. "After my mom died, I was locked away. I never felt my dad's love, and Nathalie cared for me, but that was it. My mom was the last person who ever loved me. I just wish I could've experienced that feeling one more time."

"...

I loved you."

"What?"

Marinette looks up at him, vulnerable. Her hands curl up into balls as they grab at the couch.

"I don't know if you remember me," she begins shakily. "But I was there that day you went to the high school."

"..."

"It was raining. And it was only for a moment, but you lent me your umbrella because I forgot mine," she laughs to herself. "I'm sure you don't remember me but…"

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

"... how did you know that?"

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng," he repeats. "I remember that name. I talked to Miss Bustier over the phone then, and she told me you were the first person I should find when I came to class. She told me you'd make me feel right at home. Adrien looks up at her, and smiles. "I guess she was right."

At that, Marinette feels her mouth tilt upward. "Took you a long time to find me, huh?"

"Better late than never, though?"

They share a laugh, before Adrien continues. "I was really looking forward to meeting you," he says. "And somehow, I knew it was you when I gave that umbrella. You just gave that feeling of home Miss Bustier was talking about… and I was so desperate to have you know me that the umbrella was my way of doing so. Even if I never gave my name, I hoped that somehow, in some way, you'd remember me." He smiles. "And you did."

"... I don't know what to say."

"I think I loved you then," Adrien says, almost to himself. "I just didn't know it yet."

They stare at each other for a moment, and Marinette feels her heart break and be whole at the same time.

The sun starts to show itself, peeking through the clouds.

"... I won't see you again anymore, will I?"

Adrien doesn't even have to nod for her to know his answer.

"Maybe I'll take back my, 'I love you', then."

He laughs.

"I don't like having to lose you all over again."

He makes his way to her, then presses a kiss to her forehead.

(She knows that ghosts can't touch her, but the warmth that spreads from his touch isn't anything short of real.)

"Good luck with your YouTube channel."

It's Marinette's turn to laugh.

"Are you sure those are what you want your last words to be?"

Adrien hums.

"I guess you're right," he replies softly. "I'll go with this then:

I love you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

And as the sun rises, she suddenly finds herself alone.

.

.

Marinette rushes home to use her laptop.

She scrolls through the messages— all assuming she's died, and dials a number she knows by heart.

"Oh thank God you're alive, I was so worried about you!"

"I saw your message, Alya."

"Oh. Haha, well! How was I supposed to believe that an actual ghost showed up on your live?"

"I guess you're right."

"... so, is it true? Was the ghost real? Is the Agreste mansion haunted?"

Marinette pauses.

Then, almost too softly for her to hear, she says it:

"Not anymore."

[thewritewolf]

Multiple Second Chances Chapter 27: Naps

Adrien talks with Plagg, making plans for how he'll confess to Marinette.

@adrinetteapril

Enjoy!

First Chapter | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Read on Ao3

Adrien wasn’t sure how long they studied for, the closed curtains and pocketed phones making the minutes and hours blur together. What didn’t help was that he had apparently fallen asleep at some point. This realization came as he blearily raised his head, a couple of papers sticking to his face as he did so. While he was taking the papers off, Adrien heard a snickering to his left.

And there he was. Sitting on the desk as if nothing had happened at all, like a month hadn’t passed, was Plagg.

Could he really be blamed if he quickly snatched his kwami up in his hand and held him close to his face in a hug?

“Plagg!”

“Yeah, yeah, spare me the mushy stuff, kid,” Plagg grumbled, but Adrien noted that he didn’t actually try to get away. In fact, it almost felt like…

“Are you purring?” Adrien said with a smile. “Aw, you really did miss me!”

Plagg rolled his eyes. “Of course I missed you. Pigtails does her best, but only you give me the best camembert and ear scritches.”

Adrien smiled as Plagg got free from his grip and settled into the crook of Adrien’s neck. It was just like how his kwami showed affection - not with words, but with his actions.

Suddenly, Adrien’s eyes flew open wide. “Wait! Father is going to be so angry! He’ll never let me out of the house again! I-”

“Relax, kid. When he - or, more accurately, Nathalie - couldn’t get ahold of ya, they called the bakery. From what I overheard, they said something about you two studying super hard and asked him to let you stay over.” Plagg bumped his head up against Adrien’s chin. “It took some convincing, but Nathalie backed down eventually.”

“O-oh,” Adrien replied simply. He hadn’t expected that the Dupain-Chengs would fight for him like that. Suddenly, the bakery felt even more like home than it had been before.

“So I bet you’ve figured it out by now?”

“Huh?” Adrien blinked, returning to the moment. “You mean about Marinette?” Adrien asked as he looked around, eventually spotting Marinette sprawled out on the chaise, cuddled up to a textbook. “I get she’s the Guardian, which means she must be my lady.”

Saying that while looking right at her serenely sleeping face suddenly made him very nervous. He’d always known Ladybug was amazing but… knowing she was Marinette only proved just how amazing she really was.

“So what are you going to do now?” Plagg asked as he floated in front of Adrien, bright green eyes all but glowing in the dark.

“I…”

That was a great question. How exactly was he supposed to broach this topic? After all, he couldn’t just say, ‘hey, you’re Ladybug, I’m Chat Noir, wanna kiss?’ That was a good way to mess things up. He’d have to do something more subtle. The gears started turning in his head.

“I’m not totally sure, but I think I’ve got a plan that just might work…”

Plagg gagged. “Oh no, you’ve got that romantic look in your eye that’s making me queasy again.” Adrien scooped him up with both hands, a look of concern on his face.

“For real, though. How are you feeling? You sounded in so much pain the last time I saw you…”

“Better, for sure. Pigtails is a clever one, no doubt about that. It took a little nudge from you, but she got there and we’re getting loads better everyday. Won’t be much longer now.”

“A nudge? From me?”

“Yeah, something about Wuxing or whatever. I wasn’t paying much attention.”

“Huh.” Adrien thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. “Well, the first step in my plan is getting home. So, for now…”

Plagg quickly zoomed out of Adrien’s hands and bumped his head up against Adrien’s temple. “Stay safe, kid. We’ll be together again soon.”

“And do your best to get better Plagg. Don’t cause Marinette any trouble, okay?”

Plagg rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just get outta here already.”

After gathering his things, Adrien went downstairs and called for a ride home. There were some things he’d need to get together before Marinette returned to school.

[hermionemonica]

Destination: Chapter 3

Welcome to the third chapter! Thank you for appreciating my work so far, and thank you for sticking around! I cannot emphasize how grateful I am to you all! There's less sadness here and things actually start rolling. So, enjoy! 

(I own none of the characters of this universe. This is merely a fan fiction.)

AO3 link

First chapter || Previous chapter

Finally, thought Adrien. After weeks of requesting and begging, his father had finally allowed him to go out with his friends. Every time he had asked, some photoshoot or press event would always come up. He secretly wondered if his father intentionally scheduled those in such a way that he could not meet his friends. Because honestly, he had never quite liked Adrien's friends. Nino was a taboo in the Agreste mansion since the Bubbler incident, Alya was only “the girl who runs the Ladyblog". The only person whom his father seemed to treat with some respect was Marinette; he remembered her as the girl who had designed the hat which Adrien wore to his father's fashion show.    

Marinette.    

His beautiful, talented, kind, amazing classmate. His everyday Ladybug.    

His friend, who had once been in love with him.    

It was Kagami who had told him that Marinette had been in love with him for more than a year.    

“I am surprised, how could you have never noticed? She was hopelessly in love with you!”    

Marinette had been in love with him. The awesome girl whom he had admired since she stood up to Chloe in class, she had been in love with him. And he had never noticed. Seriously, how stupid could he have been?    

Strangely, his father had seemed particularly interested in Marinette for a while. He had been surprised to know that it was Kagami he was dating. Adrien recollected the conversation.    

“Father, I just wanted you to know that I have a girlfriend now.”    

Adrien thought he saw a glint in his father's eye as he spoke. “Well, I believe it was only a matter of time before you got involved with Miss Dupain-Cheng.”    

“What, Marinette? No father, I am dating Kagami.”    

“Oh,” his father had been surprised, “Well, Miss Tsurugi is a pleasant candidate too.”    

‘Candidate'. Adrien laughed. As if this was a competition. Although to be honest, that was probably how Kagami saw it. She was constantly pushing him for more and more. She refused to take things slow. And towards the end, she had started to demand an explanation of what he had been doing or where he had been at any time. She almost detested the times when he chose to hang out with his friends instead of with her. It was like she wanted him to be hers and hers only.    

Like he was a prize she had won.    

And that’s what led to their break-up.    

“I cannot do this anymore, Kagami.”    

“What are you talking about, Adrien?”    

“I don't want to be with you anymore. You’re making it too hard. I-I just can't breathe.”    

“So, you want to break up with me?”    

“I am sorry Kagami.”    

“I knew this day would come. I had been mistaken, you do not belong with me,” Kagami placed her hand on his shoulder. “I just have one thing to say. Follow your heart; it will lead you to your destination.”    

And that had been it.    

Adrien had feared Kagami would get upset, and maybe she would end up akumatised. But none of that happened. It was almost as if she had been expecting this to happen.    

But Adrien was yet to figure out Kagami's last advice. He was confused about his heart. Kagami had never made him feel the way Ladybug had. And now, Ladybug was even further away from his reach than she ever had been. But Adrien had long reconciled himself to that.    

The ring on his phone shook Adrien out of his reverie. He picked the phone and saw Nino’s contact name displayed on the screen.    

“Hey, Nino, what's up?”    

“Just calling to check on you dude. You still up for the Louvre, right?”    

“Yeah, of course!”    

“Okay, see you in an hour!”    

Adrien went to take a quick shower. Nino’s call had made him feel all the more excited. And in spite of himself, he found himself thinking about the one person he was more excited to meet today than anyone else.    

Marinette.  

It was strange, how he had started to spend most of his time thinking about her. It was almost as if thinking about her made him feel happy. Over the past couple of months, they had grown much closer than they used to be, which meant they got to spend more time together. And every day, Adrien found himself being more and more blown away by this wonder of a girl. Everything about her was so amazing. And when he was with her, he felt this unexplained warmth in his chest, that made him think of all the good things in life.    

Not unexpectedly, his thoughts distracted him and he took a bit longer in the bathroom than he normally would have.  

“Ready for your day out, kid?” Plagg asked from his cheese corner.  

“I am, but you aren’t.”  

“What do you mean? I’m always presentable!”  

“No, you’re not. Not until you get rid of that gross smell of cheese!”  

“That is an unthinkable insult to my precious baby!”  

“Oh shut up! You have to clean up if you want to come with me today. I don’t want to be smelling like stinky cheese today.”  

“Ah, of course! Gotta impress the girlfriend, huh?”  

“Plagg, you know Kagami isn’t going to be here today.”  

“I wasn’t talking about her.”  

That statement confused him, but a summon from Nathalie made him hurry. Much to Plagg’s chagrin, Adrien sprayed him with the same deodorant that he was wearing on himself. He was downstairs in a few minutes.  

His father had insisted that his bodyguard drop him at the Louvre. Although that wasn't quite to his liking, Adrien had conceded to it. He would have loved to walk with his friends, but he had given in, thinking it to be a small price to pay in return for an entire afternoon with his best friends.    

When Adrien got there, he found Nino was already waiting for him. “Adrien, you're here! The girls should be here any moment now.”    

They had barely exchanged pleasantries when they heard Alya’s voice, “Are you boys done with your love-fest already?”    

“Alya!”    

At Marinette's voice, Adrien turned around with a smile. But as soon as his eyes found her, his smile was replaced by a deep blush that spread over his cheeks.    

Marinette was wearing her hair down. Just like that day when she had helped him and Kagami escape from the Bourgeois party.    

Her raven locks fell on her shoulders, and a few strands framed her face. And when she walked, her tresses danced in the breeze just a little. And she took his breath away just like she had the first time. Because she looked beautiful. So beautiful. It took him a few moments to recover. And then he took in the rest of her.    

Her outfit, that is.    

She was wearing a black t-shirt with a large green paw-print at the centre. She had paired it with a pair of shorts in matching green, and a pair of high-heeled black boots.    

Adrien felt his breath catch in his chest.  

Marinette was wearing a Chat Noir inspired outfit. And from the looks of it, she had designed it herself.    

Adrien felt a little shaky at the knees. Marinette had created that outfit with her own hands. She had made the design thinking about him. She had sewed it thinking about him. She had put it on thinking about him. He could not explain why his heart-beat accelerated at that thought.    

“Doesn't she look really pretty?” a voice brought him back to reality.    

“She does,” Adrien answered dreamily, and then he recognised the voice who had asked the question.    

Luka.    

“Hey Luka, I didn't know you were coming?”    

The reply to his question came from Marinette. “He was free today so I dragged him along. I hope it won't be a problem?”    

“Of course not, girl!” Alya said, but Adrien didn't quite agree with her.    

The afternoon turned out to be much less fun than what Adrien had expected. At least for him. Nino was with Alya, and Marinette was with Luka. And Adrien ended up third-wheeling with either of them. Of course, they tried to involve Adrien in every activity as much as they could, and there were times when the five of them did something together. But most of the time they stayed with their partners and he ended up being the odd one out. He couldn't really blame his friends though.    

Adrien was used to third-wheeling with Nino and Alya, because he had been doing so ever since they had started dating. But it used to be easier before, because he had never been left alone. Marinette would be with him. Even though they weren’t “together”, it was nice to have someone third-wheeling with him. For a moment, he wondered if there was someone he could call over to join him, but he couldn’t go ahead with that. Because he didn’t think he’d enjoy third-wheeling with anyone as much as he would with Marinette.  

But now, Marinette was with Luka, not with him. And they were “together”. For some reason, that thought made him feel even worse than being left out. Adrien could not ignore the way he felt a burning sensation in his chest every time he looked at Marinette and Luka. For the first time in his life, Marinette's smiles made him angry, because it was not him she was smiling at.    

What did Luka have that he didn't?    

Woah, where did that come from?    

Wait, was he jealous? Of what Marinette and Luka had?    

And then, all the emotions he had been subconsciously pushing away came to him in a rush.  

He was jealous that Marinette was with Luka. He was jealous of the attention Marinette was giving to Luka. He was jealous that Luka was allowed to be so close to her and he wasn’t.    

He wanted to be the one who held Marinette's hand. He wanted to be the one who made Marinette smile.    

He wanted to be Marinette's one.    

“Are you okay, kid?” Plagg called out from inside his pocket. “You have been silent for a while.”  

“Yeah,” he breathed. “Now I am.”  

Next Chapter