#Adrien would fall in love with the giant croissant | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

themiraculousladyblog · 4 years

Text

Gabriel’s Final Wish Pt. 1

“Finally!” Hawk Moth’s voice rang throughout his lair. “The Miraculous are mine!”

“No!” Marinette struggled to stand as she watched her sworn enemy clutch the earrings in his hand.

Chat Noir stood in shock at the sight of his “good friend” replacing the spot where Ladybug was just sitting. Marinette was his lady? He couldn’t believe it. All this time, the love of his life was right in front of him and he didn’t even realize it.

“Chat!” Ladybug’s, or Marinette’s, voice brought him back to reality just in time to see Hawk Moth running towards him. Right. The battle for the Miraculous. He’d have to deal with the shock and romantic feelings later. For now, his main goal was getting the earrings away from Hawk Moth and saving Paris, maybe even the entire world. Which would be easier if he wasn’t losing blood from a cut through his suit.

Chat dodged the attack quickly and grabbed his baton, swinging it and hoping to land a strike. Hawk Moth gave an evil smirk and caught the baton halfway through the swing, sending Chat Noir flying backwards into a wall.

Marinette heard a thud and winced, knowing that her partner had hit the exact target at which Hawk Moth was aiming. She followed the villain with her eyes as he walked over to Chat, picking up his limp right hand to remove the ring. “Ah, you fought well but not well enough.”

Green light enveloped Chat Noir’s body and left a bruised and bloody Adrien behind. “N-No..” The blonde reached out, trying to grasp the ring back. Two sets of blue eyes widened in shock.

“Adrien.” Marinette’s eyes snapped to Hawk Moth, who seemed to know exactly who her partner was underneath the mask. He looked as if he had just received the greatest shock of his life before regaining his composure and turning away. Marinette crawled over to Adrien and took his hands in hers.

“Hey, hey. You’re okay. You’re gonna be okay.” She comforted him and glared back at man who caused all of this. “I have a plan.”

“At long last! My wish will be fulfilled! Finally, I will get back what I love most!” Hawk Moth let out an evil laugh.

“And what’s that? The croissant you dropped on the floor this morning?” He paused and turned around, seeing Marinette limping towards him. “You know, my family’s bakery offers really good pastries. No need to get all upset over one small thing.”

Hawk Moth let out another laugh. “You really think you can defeat me? I have the Miraculous. You’re powerless now.”

“Oh, really?” Marinette threw a spool of thread at him.

“What was that supposed to do? Leave me in stitches?” The Antihero asked, watching the thread hit his chest and fall to his feet.

“Good pun, but no. It’s supposed to distract you.”

Hawk Moth looked back up to see Marinette’s fist coming right towards his face. Closing his eyes, he felt a sting and stumbled backward. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Marinette breathing hard and holding her ribs but still standing bravely in front of him. She wanted to play hero? Fine, let her play hero. “So, the designer still has some fight in her, huh?”

Marinette couldn’t help but be slightly afraid when she heard him chuckle. “I… have to protect… Paris.”

“Aren’t you a little young to protect Paris? Seventeen, right? If your Master couldn’t defeat me, what chance do you have?” She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists at the mention of Master Fu. “Oh, did I strike a nerve? Does bringing up the people you couldn’t save hurt?”

The heroine let out a yell of frustration and went to punch Hawk Moth again but this time he caught her fist and grabbed her by the throat. “You think you’re so brave. So smart. When really you’re just a little girl. Afraid, frightened…” Marinette’s breathing became more labored as she tried to remove his hand. “Perhaps if I kill you right now, I’ll finally be able to make my wish in peace.”

“Stop!” Hawk Moth sighed and turned around to find Adrien leaning against the wall. “Let her go!”

He rolled his eyes and let go of the girl, Marinette falling onto the ground and gasping for air. “Adrien, Adrien, Adrien. I thought I taught you better. We could’ve worked together you and I.” Hawk Moth came closer to Adrien. “We could’ve saved your mother together.”

“My Mother? What does she have to do with any of this?” Adrien asked, eyes focused more on his lady who hadn’t sat up yet than the villain in front of him.

“You still don’t know?” The blank look on the boy’s face revealed the answer. “Well then, allow me to enlighten you… Dark Wings fall.”

Adrien had to close his eyes from the bright purple light that flashed through the room. “Come on, son. Open your eyes.” At the sound of his father’s voice, Adrien’s eyes flew open and he froze.

“You’re not-You can’t be. It’s impossible.”

“Is it? Join me, Adrien. Together we can-”

“No.”

“No?”

“Mother wouldn’t want this…. I don’t want this. Please, you don’t understand. The wish would take someone else’s life. It may take MY life.”

“A hefty price but I’m willing to pay it.”

Adrien froze for a moment. The realization that his father didn’t love him finally sunk in and he took a step away from the wall. “I will never join you. I will always fight against you. I will fight for the greater good. For those who can’t fight for themselves.”

Gabriel sighed. “So disappointing. Though I suppose it was expected.” With that, he landed a punch into Adrien’s stomach, just a little to the left of his wound. The model dropped to the floor, pulling his knees against his chest. “You see, Adrien. If you aren’t with me, you’re against me. And we can’t have that now, can we?”

Adrien watched through teary eyes as his father turned and began to walk to the giant window. He slipped on the ring and placed the earrings in his ears, Plagg and Tikki appearing. “I command you to tell me the phrases that will transform me.” The kwamis shared a look before shaking their heads. “Tell me or I will kill them!”

Plagg and Tikki looked at their chosen, both writhing in pain on the ground. They sighed. “To transform, say the words, ‘Tikki, spots on.’”

“And the words, ‘Plagg, claws out.’”

“Tikki, spots on! Plagg, claws out!” Gabriel recited the words and the kwamis were sucked into the ring and earrings. Adrien and Marinette watched helplessly as the man they had fought for so long finally recited his wish.

“I wish to have my wife, Emilie, back.” All of the sudden a bright light illuminated the room.

*~*~*~*~*

Tag List: @sadrienaline

128 notes · View notes

celestialtitania · 4 years

Text

Small Joys

@galaxiuu I was your secret santa for @mlsecretsanta! I hope you enjoy this fluff piece for MariChat. I don’t really read much fluff and have never written any before so I hope you like it. Happy Holidays!

Chat Noir looked at the girl sitting alone on her balcony. He had been leaping across rooftops to escape the atmosphere in his house. Finding his Lady would have helped, but Ladybug was nowhere to be found and it was getting a little lonely.

The pigtailed girl swiveled her head, ending up staring right at him. Chat jumped up guiltily, feeling bad he’d been caught. He moved to leave but she shook her head. Then she motioned for him to come towards her.

Never one to refuse an invitation, Chat catapulted towards her, landing on the railing of her balcony.

“Hello, citizen of Paris,” he told her, a cocky grin on his face. She rolled her eyes.

“Why hello, hero of Paris. We have never met before.”

Chat laughed, his shoulders losing the tension he had kept stored within him. “Yes, hello Marinette.”

“What are you doing here?” She asked warmly leaning on the wall of her balcony, making room for him to come down from the railing. He jumped down to stand beside her.

“Oh...I’ve just been out and about. You can’t keep cats cooped up for very long you know.”

“No Ladybug?”

“Milady is quite busy. She prefers to be in costume for an akuma. Though we do patrol constantly, no need to worry!”

She giggled at his words, causing her face to light up. Chat envied her for a moment, it must be nice to feel free in one’s home. He shook his head trying to dispel those thoughts. That was why he was in costume during the holidays after all. “Are you still in love with her?”

“What?” Chat blinked, unable to understand the question. What had they been talking about?

“You mentioned Ladybug and then your voice got really quiet. And the look on your face…” Marinette trailed off, looking worried. Her eyes droopy and her lips curled downwards. She seemed to be closing in on herself and that was the last thing Chat Noir had wanted to do.

“I’m sorry,” they both blurted out. “Why are you sorry?” Marinette asked incredulously.

“I wasn’t talking about Ladybug. I mean I was, but I was thinking about some personal issues. As a civilian. I didn’t mean to worry you. And please don’t be sorry. I rejected you, you don't have to worry about my love life.”

Marinette stared at him for so long, Chat Noir began to squirm. It was getting a little uncomfortable. Just as he was mustering the courage to speak up, she burst into laughter.

“Oh that. Don't worry Chat Noir. I'm so over you. It was just a hero crush I guess, after you saved me so many times.”

Chat Noir blinked. “So you don't like me anymore?”

“Never did!” Marinette chirped cheerfully.

Chat stared at her this time. She seemed to realize what she'd said because Marinette flushed bright red to the tips of her ears.

“I mean, of course, I like you. I just don't like you like you. I mean I don't like you in that way. I like you because we're friends. Uh not friends. Because we barely know each other. I mean me saying I liked you was just this build up in my head. And you can't like someone for a reason like that. I mean to say…”

Chat Noir began to laugh as she rambled, hands flailing in every direction. That was more like the Marinette he had come to know.

She looked at him reproachfully, her blush getting darker if that were even possible.

“I'm just joking Princess. And we are friends. As if I'd ever turn down being your friend.”

Marinette beamed at him, making his insides feel warm and fuzzy. She really was amazing. He was so lucky to have her as a friend. Both in and out of costume.

For some reason, Adrien could hear Plagg laughing at him inside the suit but he ignored it. It was probably just his imagination.

“Are you cold?” Her voice startled him out of his thoughts. “Oh sorry!” Marinette immediately said reaching out to steady him.

“No, no,” Adrien shook his head trying to regain his bearings. “My own fault.” He glanced upwards to see Marinette was looking at him thoughtfully.

“So are you?”

Adrien looked her blankly “Am I what?”

“Cold,” Marinette snickered. “Unless that suit has heating attached.”

Suit? Adrien thought before glancing at his body. Right he was Chat Noir right now. It was so easy to be himself with Marinette that he forgot which persona he needed to display.

When he didn't answer, Marinette continued. “I was just going to suggest, that if you are cold, maybe you'd like to come inside.”

Chat Noir stilled as he glanced into her home. Warmth and the scent of baked goods was wafting out, even in the frigid air. “I’ll even feed you. Though, they do say you shouldn’t feed strays.”

“I’m no stray. I’m a good house cat. Trained to fight the forces of evil. This much charm doesn’t come naturally after all,” Chat preened. He dusted himself as he prepared to accept Marinette’s offer.

Along with some cheese Danishes to go. Plagg would kill him otherwise.

“I’d love to come inside Purricess,” Chat smirked. He held in a crow when despite her groan, he could see Marinette’s lips twitch upwards.

“Well, in you get,” Marinette ushered him down the balcony, inside her room. She sat him down on the chaise and threw a heavy quilt at him. It was covered with soft cloth and Chat Noir could see the multi-coloured threads in each cross-stitch.

“Did you make this?” He blurted out. Marinette started in surprise, as she had been rummaging in one of her drawers, before nodding. Chat Noir took another look at the quilt. It was a beautiful quilt, with quite intricate flower designs. It was divided into multiple squares, each square containing a different flower. It must have taken her ages to complete.

He squinted. There were little red dots in the flowers. No, not dots. Ladybugs. Chat Noir was once again, completely blown away by just how talented Marinette was.

“This is gorgeous.”

Marinette laughed. “Didn’t realize you would fall so hard for a quilt.”

Before Chat Noir could try to gain back his dignity, Marinette shook her head. “Tell you what? Anytime you want to come and cuddle in that quilt, it’s all yours.”

He paused to stare at her uncomprehendingly, she couldn’t have meant what he thought it meant. “Chaton?” Marinette questioned after a few moments of silence had passed by. Before Marinette could panic and take her words back, Chat Noir smirked.

“Is that an invitation Princess? You might just have to adopt me.”

“I just might,” Marinette told him firmly, stunning him into silence. “I’m going to go get some snacks. You stay put.” He nodded absently, still wide-eyed from her previous proclamation.

Marinette was probably the kindest person he knew. Who else would just practically adopt him? Sure, he was a superhero as far as she was concerned, but when his own father couldn’t be bothered, how could he expect a virtual stranger to? His face fell. Perhaps she was just trying to be friendly. He was the only one sad enough to be alone on Christmas Eve.

She had said that she had a crush on him, due to him saving her. Now that the hero-worship had worn off, Marinette must have felt obligated to help him out. It was probably best to just leave. He didn’t want to ruin her Christmas. He had just stood up, ready to climb out the trapdoor, when he heard someone clear their throat.

“I thought I told you to stay where you were,” Marinette stated crossly, her arms laden with croissants, cookies, macarons, quiches and other goodies. Behind her, her parents waved excitedly.

“I-I was just…” Chat Noir stammered awkwardly. Marinette sighed, as she set down the tray of food down on the table. Then she grabbed his arm, pulling him towards her. He glanced nervously at Tom, but the man just grinned at him.

“We can either watch Christmas movies downstairs with my parents or we can play video games up here. Up to you. But either way, you’re staying here tonight.”

“It’s Christmas. You have to spend it with us,” Sabine added firmly.

Tom let out a booming laugh. “I recommend not arguing with these two. There’s no winning.”

Chat Noir let out a sigh of defeat, though the wide smile on his face belied that action. “I’d be honored Dupain-Chengs.”

“So, which will it be?” Marinette questioned.

Chat Noir took a glance at Tom and Sabine. He thought about his own father never having the time nor desire to spend any time with him. He found making such a choice painfully easy.

“Great!” Tom gathered the food tray. “We’ll get more snacks prepared. And hot cocoa, with peppermint. You kids better hurry down!”

Chat Noir frowned, confused now. Why weren’t they just going downstairs with Marinette’s parents?

Marinette chuckled. “Curiosity killed the Chat.”

“But satisfaction brought him back,” he replied, never missing a beat. That one made her laugh for real.

“We have to get dressed,” she explained as she headed towards her closet. Chat Noir gestured towards his suit. “Can’t really change Princess.”

“Wear it on top,” was her simple solution. She spun around to give him a reassuring look. “I would never ask you to compromise your secret identity.” He smiled back at her.

“What am I supposed to be wearing though?” He asked hesitantly.

“Christmas sweaters!” Marinette exclaimed brightly. “You can just pull them on, so it’ll work with the super suit.” Chat Noir cocked his head to the side. She was right, that would work. A little warm but that was fine. Then he got a look at the sweater in question. Marinette was holding up a sparkly red sweater, with reindeer and snowflakes.

“Ugly Christmas sweaters?” Chat Noir made a face.

“Don’t be so judge-y. It’s a tradition. I’m wearing one too,” in her other hand was a green sweater with red and gold bells, a giant snowman decorating the front.

“I get sparkles?”

“Well...you already have the green eyes and a bell,” Marinette shrugged. Chat Noir held in a laugh as he pulled the sweater on.

“Glad the suit is so convenient.”

“Christmas ready,” she agreed. They were really ugly sweaters. He hadn’t thought that someone as big on fashion as Marinette would even own something like this. Marinette must have noticed the look on his face, the only explanation she gave was that it was a Dupain-Cheng family tradition. And that there was no arguing against that. Then with a wry smile, she pulled her own sweater on.

“Let’s go!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him downstairs, where her parents awaited. Chat Noir felt his heart skip a beat. With a quick scolding to remind himself he was in love with Ladybug, he let himself become part of the Dupain-Cheng family for the night.

#mlsecretsanta #miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #chat noir #ml fic #Christmas theme

38 notes · View notes

angelofthequeers · 4 years

Text

Hold Me By Both Hands: Chapter 13

Disclaimer: I don’t own ML.

Ugh, Adrien’s such a sap when it comes to describing Marinette.

Like it’s not even me, all this cheese is from him.

Chapter 12 | Chapter 14 | AO3 link

Once the green light from his transformation has washed away, Chat Noir extends his baton and takes a flying leap out of the copse of trees to where Marinette is still narrowly evading the akuma and hurling random objects at it. More hair has fallen out of her bun, her denim shorts and pink shirt are splattered with dirt, her narrowed grey eyes are blazing, and Chat Noir’s never seen a more beautiful thing in his life. He could quite happily die right now after having witnessed such a heavenly sight.

Marinette’s luck runs out just before Chat Noir reaches her. She stumbles on a stone and crashes to the ground with a yelp, with the akuma looming over her and ready to swallow her whole. And Chat Noir will be damned if he lets that happen.

“Hope you don’t mind if I swoop in, princess,” he says as he lands next to her and scoops her up in his arms. With a smug glance at the akuma, he bounds away and covers the distance to the merry-go-round in just a few seconds. The blob starts to follow, but it’s a slow wall of death compared to an agile superhero and so there’s plenty of time for Chat Noir to make sure that Marinette’s safe.

“Chat Noir?” Marinette says when he deposits her on her feet. “Where’s Ladybug?”

“I’m sure milady’s not too far away.” Chat Noir takes her hand and bows to kiss the back of it. “You just need to worry about getting as far away from that thing as possible. I don’t know whether you’re super brave or just have no self-preservation instincts, by the way.”

“Thanks,” Marinette deadpans. “You saw all that?”

“Nah. Adrien told me that you held it off to give him time to get away.”

“He’s safe?”

The concern in Marinette’s eyes makes Chat Noir’s stomach writhe and dance. What the heck is going on? “Yep. Safe as can be. I dropped him plenty far enough from the akuma. Which is exactly where you need to be, princess.”

Somehow, there are still civilians who haven’t yet realised that there’s a blob akuma trying to eat everything. Screams from the other side of the park make Chat Noir curse and whip around.

“Go,” Marinette says when he looks back at her, biting his lip. “I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?” Chat Noir says. Marinette gives him a small smile.

“I’ll go find somewhere safe,” she says. “But your duty’s to Paris, not one civilian.”

What if you’re my favourite civilian? is what Chat Noir’s tempted to say. But Marinette’s right: he can’t prioritise her above his job. So, rather than whisk Marinette away to where no one will find her like he wants to do, he winks at her and leaps back towards the akuma.

“Well, someone’s had one too many croissants,” he quips when he lands between it and the civilians it’s advancing on. The people gasp and make a beeline in the other direction. “I mean, I know that anything Dupain-Cheng is the cat’s meow, but really.”

“Chat, stop playing with the akuma,” says a voice from behind him. For a split second, it sounds like Marinette’s come back to scold him, but then bright scarlet moves into his vision next to him and he’s joined by the love of his life.

Except –

Except that the leap of his heart is subdued. The mere sight of his lady is still enough to make him smile, but she just…doesn’t look nearly as radiant as Marinette.

“Would you prefer I play with you instead, milady?” he teases. In response, she smirks at him and reaches out to flick his bell.

“How about we play together?” she says, cracking her knuckles. “You can be my player two.”

“But of course, bugaboo.”

The akuma’s surprisingly easy to take down. Ladybug’s Lucky Charm gives her a scuba mask and oxygen tank, which she has Chat Noir use to invade the blob by letting it consume him. It’s sticky and dark and he needs the flashlight in his baton to see and – yeah, Chat Noir’s going to need a long bath after this, and he’d really rather not consider the implications of needing this oxygen tank to breathe when the blob’s other victims have nothing of the sort. Thank god for Miraculous Ladybug.

Once he’s at the blob’s heart, Chat Noir finds the akumatised object: a little sewn doll with a missing arm and a head half-full of stringy hair. Does that mean that this akuma is a child, just like Green Giant? What the heck would lead to a kid turning into a giant blob? Green Giant at least had been understandable. Shaking his head and grimacing at how the viscous jelly oozes through his hair, Chat Noir grabs the doll and makes a hasty retreat before the blob can figure out what he’s up to.

In all fairness, the akumatised kid seems pretty smart, because it realises what’s going on as soon as Chat Noir breaches its jelly-like walls. And Chat Noir really isn’t that smart at all, since he lets the oxygen mouthpiece fall from his mouth before even realising what’s going on.

“Chat Noir!” Ladybug cries as the blob starts to suck him back in. Chat Noir makes a split-second decision.

“Cataclysm!” The doll in his hand crumbles to dust, releasing the black butterfly, and Chat Noir takes one big gulp of air and shoves the scuba set out for Ladybug before his face is consumed. Now it’s just up to Ladybug to purify the akuma and cast her Miraculous Ladybug before he suffocates, and he’s got the utmost faith in his lady. Sure enough, it only takes a few moments before Chat Noir’s sprawled on the grass, blinking in the bright sunlight as the swarm of ladybugs make everything again.

“You silly kitty!” Ladybug kneels next to Chat Noir and throws her arms around his neck. “Do you know how worried I was when it pulled you back in?”

Strawberries and vanilla. Chat Noir just hugs back and buries his face in Ladybug’s dark pigtails. When they separate, they pound it and then Ladybug helps Chat Noir to his feet.

“Are you okay to take care of her?” Ladybug says when her earrings beep. Chat Noir turns to the akuma victim, who happens to be a chubby girl of around seven or eight years old.

“I’ve probably got a couple more minutes than you,” he says. “Go on, milady.”

Ladybug nods gratefully and yo-yos away. Chat Noir carefully approaches the girl, hands up so as not to spook her, and kneels with her to be on eye level with her.

“What’s your name?” he says.

“Julie,” the girl mumbles. She doesn’t jump when Chat Noir gently places a hand on her shoulder.

“Why were you akumatised, Julie?” he says. Julie just shakes her head, her curly black ponytail swinging from side to side, and she snatches the doll from him when he picks it up and offers it to her, now with its arm back and a full head of thick hair. He grimaces when his ring beeps and flashes.

“Do you want me to try?”

Chat Noir’s heart leaps into his throat when Marinette draws level with him, smiling kindly at Julie. It’s all he can do to use his last functioning brain cell to nod and scurry off to transform back, then emerge from the trees while Plagg feasts in his pocket.

“…so upset?” Marinette’s saying as Adrien returns. She’s sitting cross-legged on the grass with Julie, whose hair is loose from its ponytail, and she’s parted the curly dark sheets and is working on plaiting one side with dandelions that she picks from the ground around her. Careful not to make a sound, Adrien kneels down next to Marinette, transfixed by the sight.

“Jeanne Thomas,” Julie mumbles. “She said I was fat and ugly. Then she took my doll and broke it.”

Marinette hums a little tune as she continues to work on Julie’s hair. “Can I tell you something, Julie?” Marinette says. “I think you’re beautiful.”

“Liar,” Julie sniffles.

“I’m not lying,” Marinette says. “Do you know why? Because I don’t like lying. Lying is bad. When I say you’re beautiful, I mean it.” She ties off the first plait and then starts to work on the other side. “Your hair is gorgeous and curly and soft. Your eyes are dark as chocolate. And all this chub just means there’s more to love!”

Julie giggles weakly when Marinette pokes her belly. Adrien’s still as a statue, unable to take his eyes off Marinette and her angelic radiance. In the background, he’s dimly aware of the crew setting everything back up to finish the photoshoot, and if Nathalie or Gorilla come to try and pull him away from this heavenly vision then it’ll be over his dead body.

“Girls like Jeanne are mean because it makes them feel good,” Marinette says. “It makes them feel like they’re better than you. I’ve been bullied by a girl just like Jeanne. You just have to try and not give these people any attention, because they only do it to feel better about themselves.”

“Mummy always tells me to ignore her,” Julie says, wringing her doll between her hands. “But I can’t. I just – I just want to punch her!”

“I know. I can’t ignore Chloé either and I’ve wanted to hit her loads of times, but I haven’t because I’m a better person than that. You don’t have to be mean back to Jeanne, especially if you tell yourself that she’s lying about you being ugly. Because she is lying. You’re adorable just the way you are.”

As soon as Julie’s second plait is done, she turns and jumps on Marinette, squeezing her tight. Marinette smiles and hugs her back, and Adrien’s pretty sure that a choir of angels is singing right now to commemorate just how beautiful his friend is.

“Julie!” A woman who looks just like Julie except skinnier and with a heart-shaped face is sprinting across the park, dark curls flying behind her. Julie’s face lights up and she bounces to her feet.

“Mummy!” Julie runs to meet the woman, who snatches her up and hugs her as tight as only a mother can, babbling into her daughter’s ear.

“I was so worried! You were akumatised – right in front of me – I couldn’t do anything –”

“I’m sorry, Mummy.”

“Oh, don’t be sorry, baby girl.” A pang of something twists Adrien’s gut when the woman tucks a stray curl behind Julie’s ear and kisses her forehead before turning to him and Marinette. “What happened?”

“Ladybug and Chat Noir saved the day, ma’am,” Marinette says, standing up and brushing down her outfit, now clean after the Ladybug cure. “Chat Noir tried to comfort her, but she was too upset.”

“Marinette made my hair pretty, Mummy!” Julie says. The woman smiles and runs a hand over the daisies in Julie’s hair.

“She sure did, baby girl.”

“And she said I’m pretty!”

“Because you are! Come on, let’s go home and I’ll make you a hot chocolate with all the marshmallows you want.”

Julie cheers and squirms until her mother puts her down. The woman’s eyes soften, and she mouths, “thank you” at Marinette, then leads her daughter away. Marinette turns her smile on Adrien.

“I’m glad you got away,” she says as Adrien tries not to float off the ground into the stratosphere. “I don’t even know what came over me. I – I just saw you in trouble and I got so mad.”

“You’re actually an angel,” Adrien’s mouth says without his permission. Marinette’s cheeks heat up to probably the same temperature that his do.

“Th-Thanks,” she says. “But it was really nothing special. Anyone else would have done it.”

“No, they wouldn’t have,” Adrien insists. Why can’t Marinette see how radiant she is? “You’re always so quick to jump and help people when they need it. You’re so brave and selfless, just like Ladybug. You’re like…an everyday Ladybug!”

Marinette’s face turns as scarlet as Ladybug’s suit.

“Adrien.” Nathalie steps between him and Marinette before Marinette can reply. “The crew’s ready to start again. We’re already an hour behind. Your seat is exactly where it was before,” she says to Marinette.

“O-Okay!” Marinette shoots Adrien a quick smile. “Good luck! Hopefully, it’s not ruined by another akuma.”

Adrien watches her walk off and sit down and pull her sketchbook out of her purse, unable to take his eyes off the way she taps her bottom lip with her pencil as she thinks.

“Adrien?” Nathalie says as she guides him back towards the set. “The photoshoot.”

“Angels really do exist,” Adrien sighs, letting Nathalie steer him without a fight. Nathalie stares at him for a long moment.

“I’m not paid nearly enough for this,” she mutters.

#miraculous ladybug #ml fic #aotq fic #aotq: hold me #marinette dupain-cheng #adrien agreste #adrinette #adrienette #adrien you lovesick fool #oops adrien's in love #rip nathalie

28 notes · View notes

purrincess-chat · 5 years

Text

More Than Just a Friend CH6

I did it! It has been updated! Enjoy this angst/crack/fluff. You’re welcome.

Read on AO3

Chapter 6

Adrien fell backwards onto his bed with a sigh, arms spread out on either side of him. He’d really screwed up. Marinette would probably pick Luka over him after what he’d done, and he couldn’t really blame her. Maybe Luka did deserve her more; he certainly seemed more level-headed and knowledgeable about this stuff. Why was he so lame?

First Ladybug, now Marinette. Maybe he wasn’t cut out for love. Maybe he was just meant to be alone forever, locked in a giant house. Some boyfriend he’d make. He would probably arrange a date then his father wouldn’t let him go. At least Luka could actually show up.

His chest tightened at the thought, and the walls of his room seemed a bit narrower than usual, filling his stomach with a fluttery feeling of dread. His lungs felt tight, forcing him to take short, quick breaths until his head spun. He needed to get out for a while before this house suffocated him.

Once out on the rooftops, he took a deep breath, gripping his staff in one hand and letting the cool air brush his cheeks. He didn’t know where he was going, but he knew he didn’t want to be there right now, so he began wandering the city aimlessly, barely paying attention to which direction he was headed, just letting his feet carry him where they pleased.

One thing he did have in his favor was that he was Chat Noir, but he couldn’t exactly tell her that. It would make life a lot easier though. Then he could steal her away from her balcony and take her on her own private tour of the city, but if Hawkmoth found out, it could put her in danger. Sometimes he hated keeping secrets, but he knew why they were important. He’d never forgive himself if anything happened to her because of him.

Speaking of Marinette…

“So, you’ve really made up your mind?” He picked up Alya’s voice below, ears standing upright as he skidded to a stop above them. She and Marinette were chatting over coffee by the looks of it.

“Yeah, after I kissed Luka, it all became clear to me,” Marinette said, and Chat felt his stomach flip.

He shouldn’t listen in. He couldn’t listen in. As he vaulted off, his heart began to crumble piece by piece, eyes burning, hands shaking. She picked Luka. He really had screwed everything up. After putting a considerable distance between them, he stopped on a roof, leaning against the wall and biting his lip hard to prevent tears from spilling over.

What was wrong with him? Everyone else found love so easily, but he had failed twice now. He glanced over at a billboard of his cologne ad and let out a bitter snort, his perfectly doctored face seeming to mock him. Lots of girls went crazy over that face, his face, yet he still always ended up alone. He had so many admirers yet no one to love. Maybe it was just his lot in life.

Many people told him how fortunate he was to have a famous father. To have wealth and fame, popularity and possessions, but he’d never felt lucky. Not all those years he spent trapped inside. Not when his mother disappeared. Not when his father constantly stood him up or when he was forced to eat dinner alone. Not now as he sat crying on a rooftop because his heart was torn in two.

No, Adrien Agreste wasn’t lucky. He was completely and utterly alone.

His staff beeped, startling him a little as he flicked up the screen. An akuma near Notre Dame. Near Marinette’s house. Great. Exactly what he needed. At least he knew that she was across town, so he doubted they’d run into each other. Better get it over with.

“Doesn’t Hawkmoth ever take a break? It’s a school night,” Ladybug groaned as Chat landed beside her, and upon seeing his less than sunny disposition, she cocked a brow. “You okay, kitty?”

“Not really, so let’s hurry up and take care of this,” he said, springing into action.

Chat was in no mood to crack jokes or come up with witty banter, and Ladybug shot him worried glances throughout the battle. When she finally tossed her lucky charm, he didn’t bother sticking around. Ring flashing, he vaulted himself across the city, paying no mind to which direction he was headed. He didn’t care. He just needed to be away, but as it turned out, not paying attention to where you were going when you were leaping through open intersections came at a cost.

“Ack!” A high-pitched yelp sounded as he crashed into another body swinging through the intersection at the same moment.

His vision blurred red as they toppled to the ground, rolling over each other until they landed in a tangled pile of limbs and yoyo string. He sat up with a groan, locking eyes with her as the last pad on his ring faded.

“Oh no,” they said in unison as their transformations dropped before their eyes, unable to untangle themselves until Ladybug’s yoyo disappeared, and they were both left staring blankly at each other.

And who else could his partner and first love be other than the one girl in the city he was hoping to avoid.

“You’re Ladybug? You’re Ladybug?” He repeated with increasing volume until Marinette clamped her hands over his mouth with a shush and pushed him up.

“Okay, okay, yes, I’m…” She glanced over at the animated movie promo and shrugged. “And you’re…Okay, this is not good.”

“Wow, I’m certainly happy it’s you too,” Adrien grunted, turning away with a scowl.

“No, no, no! That’s not what I meant!” She waved her hands frantically, crawling over on her knees to cup his face. “What I meant was this shouldn’t have happened. We aren’t supposed to know.”

“Too late for that now,” Adrien said sardonically, and Marinette covered her face with a moan.

“Okay, we need to talk about this, and…we also just need to talk,” she said, lowering her hands slowly to peek at him.

“Look, I already know you picked Luka. You can spare me the announcement,” he said, and when her eyebrows furrowed added, “I overheard you talking to Alya.”

“You eavesdropped?”

“Not on purpose! I was just out getting some air, clearing my head, and I heard you tell her that you picked Luka,” he explained, holding his arms out in a display of transparency. “I didn’t stick around after that. Trust me.”

“Adrien, you big, dumb, stupid, idiotic-” she punched his shoulders with each new adjective. “I didn’t pick Luka, you dummy.”

“But I heard you tell Alya that everything became clear as soon as you kissed Luka!”

“Yeah, became clear that I didn’t feel that way about him!” Adrien leaned back, eyebrows knit together in confusion.

“Wait, so you-”

“Picked you, you walnut!” She smushed his cheeks between her hands.

“Oh.” He said through fish-lips. “Well, this is embarrassing.”

“Adrien,” she sighed, sitting back and pinching the bridge of her nose with a laugh before punching him in the shoulder again.

“Ow!”

“That’s what you get for eavesdropping!”

“I’m sorry!” He dodged another punch. “Stop hitting me!”

Above them, thunder rumbled, and they glanced up as droplets began to fall. Marinette glanced around, spotting her umbrella a few feet away and crawling to retrieve it.

“Come on,” she opened it then offered him a hand. “We have a lot to discuss.”

Adrien accepted gently, twining their fingers as they walked which she allowed. Everything suddenly felt so surreal, his pulse quickened, his palms started to sweat, fingers tingling against hers. She’d really picked him. Him and not Luka. All of his worry and doubt seemed so silly now as she huddled closer to him as the rain picked up.

Marinette picked him.

Marinette was Ladybug.

The only two girls to ever steal his heart were actually one and the same, and she was holding his hand. They were probably going to makeout later.

“This is actually your umbrella,” she commented as they walked. “You gave it to me on your first day of school when it rained, remember?”

“Oh yeah,” he glanced up at the plain black umbrella.

“That was the moment I fell in love with you,” she said, and his heart lurched at the declaration. “There was this big clap of thunder, and all of a sudden, I just saw you. I’ve never been able to get my words right around you ever since.”

“Wait, so that’s why you always-”

“Yeah,” she pressed her lips together. “You must have thought I was crazy.”

“No,” he chuckled. “Just anxious and easy to set off.”

“Somehow that feels worse,” she said with a laugh, shaking her head. “All this time I wanted to be close to you, and all along you were always right beside me as the person I trusted most.”

“Well, am I everything you’d ever hoped?” He waggled his eyebrows.

“I could do without all the cat puns,” she said honestly.

“Me-ouch.”

“I’m home!” Marinette called as they entered through the back door. “Adrien and I got caught in the rain. Is it okay if he stays here until it lets up?”

“Of course, honey. You two go dry off. I’ll bring up some warm croissants,” Tom said with a smile.

“Thanks, Mr. Dupain,” Adrien nodded politely before Marinette dragged him up the stairs to the apartment.

“Sorry, we don’t have any Camembert, but will brie do?” Marinette offered Plagg a small plate with a wince.

“Oh, yes, this will do just fine,” he moaned, licking drool from his lips before digging in. She smiled down at him before pouring hot water from the kettle over their tea in cups.

“So, what exactly are our options here?” She asked, setting a cup in front of him.

“We could invent a time machine and go back and stop us from bumping into each other,” he suggested with a smirk, but her expression was anything but amused.

“We need to be careful. I think it’s best if we keep pretending like we don’t know when we’re fighting akumas. If Hawkmoth finds out we know our identities he’ll use it against us,” she said cupping her chin. “And we need to be open and honest with one another. We can’t get akumatized, so we need to lean on each other for support whenever we need it.”

“You can lean on my shoulder any time,” Adrien winked, and Marinette suppressed a giggle.

“Speaking of, we should confine our relationship to our civilian life. No kissing in costume. Ladybug and Chat Noir must remain professional partners,” she said giving him a stern look. “That also includes interactions between civilian and alter egos. No balcony visits.”

“But-”

“None,” she quirked a warning brow, and Adrien bit back a teasing grin that grew wider as the corners of her mouth twitched. “You stay off my balcony.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he curled his shoulders and sipped his tea, casting her sad kitten eyes before they both broke into a fit of giggles.

Adrien flicked his gaze down to her hand resting on the table, walking his fingers over until they brushed her palm. She turned her wrist to twine their fingers together, rubbing her thumb across his knuckle.

“So, I can be as affectionate as I want with Marinette, right?” He asked, giving her hand a squeeze.

“Of course,” her cheeks flushed a little.

“So, I can hold your hand in public?”

“Yes.”

“Hug you from behind?”

“If you want.”

“Stare adoringly at you in class?”

“Only if you promise to pay attention to the lesson.”

He mulled over her answers a moment then flicked his gaze back up to hers.

“Me being you-know-who doesn’t change your mind at all?” He asked, cocking a brow, and Marinette pressed her lips into a firm line.

“No,” she shook her head. “If anything, it strengthens it. I know I can trust you.”

He smiled at that, biting his lip a little.

“I am a little offended by one thing,” he said, and her eyebrows furrowed. “You kissed Luka.”

“Adrien,” she rolled her eyes, shoulders relaxing. “If we’re being technical, I kissed you first.”

“Yeah, but I don’t remember it, so it doesn’t count,” he smirked as she let out an exasperated sigh.

Thunder clapped outside as their gazes locked, and Adrien leaned in first. Marinette tilted her head, breath hitching as their lips brushed. Adrien laced his fingers through her hair, her breath hot on his lips, but before they could release the tension, Tom burst through the front door. They jolted apart, cheeks flushing as her father waltzed in.

“I brought up some- oh, am I interrupting?” He paused, a giddy grin creeping over his lips.

“Papa!” Marinette growled, cheeks as scarlet as her Ladybug suit.

“I’ll just leave these here; carry on,” Tom smirked, setting the tray down on the table and tiptoeing out, and Marinette pinched the bridge of her nose.

“So, based on what you remember, who’s a better kisser? Me or Luka?” Adrien asked, and Marinette shot him a glare.

“You really want me to judge based on the one time I awkwardly kissed you while dodging your cataclysm to break a spell put on you by an akuma?”

“Fair point. I need a do-over,” he leaned in again, puckering his lips, but Marinette stuffed a croissant in his mouth before he made contact.

“You can have your kiss if you take me on a date,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest, and Adrien bit through the croissant, setting it aside as a smug grin pulled at his cheeks.

“Oh, you wanna go on a date with me?” He cocked a brow.

“Yeah, and you better impress me,” she shot back, jabbing his chest with her finger.

“Oh, I’ll impress you,” he said with a wink.

“Why do I have a bad feeling?”

“Just be careful what you wish for, m’lady,” he shrugged. “I’m young and irresponsible with a lot of money at my disposal and a lot of people willing to throw together anything I ask for at a moment’s notice.”

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes.”

“I have a hot pie!” Tom announced, reentering the room with Sabine in tow. Marinette knew those faces well. Embarrassing parent mode had been activated. She needed to act fast.

“Why don’t we all have a slice and talk about our day?” Sabine suggested.

“The rain is letting up now actually, so Adrien was just leaving,” Marinette said, pulling him to his feet, but the traitor seemed to catch on and enabled smug boyfriend mode.

“I could go for some pie,” he said, flashing her a knowing grin.

“It’s getting late. What if the rain picks up again?” She countered, giving him a warning look.

“A little rain never hurt anyone,” he shrugged.

“You could get sick and then you wouldn’t be able to come to school, and you’d fall behind, and-”

“You could help me catch up.”

“Yeah, but you have so many extracurricular activities that syncing our schedules might be hard, so better not chance it,” she shoved him toward the door.

“I’m so lucky to have someone who cares about my health and well-being so much,” he sighed, pressing a hand over his heart. “I’ll definitely come over another time, Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll see you at school tomorrow,” she said, pushing against his rock-hard abs, but he dug his heels in stubbornly.

“See you tomorrow,” he leaned down to press a purposeful kiss to her cheek then tilted his chin up to whisper in her ear, “lovebug.”

Her cheeks burned red as she watched him smugly round the corner of the stairs, eyes locked until he disappeared. He was so dead, and she was so not keeping that nickname. Mangy cat.

#miraculous ladybug #adrinette #adrien agreste #marinette dupain-cheng #adrinetteapril2018 #my writing

293 notes · View notes

leswansong · 5 years

Text

Chapter Six - Adrinette April - Notes for You

Day 6 - Secrets

Read it on A03? –> [ Click Here ]

Adrien had his own secrets, using his abilities as Chat Noir to sneak out of the large lavish mansion without his father's knowledge was one being a famed hero of Paris was another, he had many and now sneaking out at night to Marinette’s balcony was one. He shivered his way over to her, the image of her falling down the stairs haunted his dreams, he needed to make sure that she was okay. He reached the brick chimney above her room and flung open the wooden trap doors, he was greeted by her peaceful sleeping face, she was fine, she was okay, she wasn’t hurt, well she was but she was starting to heal, the plaster on her arm would make sure of that. Adrien slowly closed the wooden doors and walked over to her lawn chair and let out a sigh, he leaned back in the chair and looked out over the sleepy city, his eyes slowly fluttered shut and before too long he was fast asleep.

—————

Marinette stared out across the streets of Paris, the soft pink hues of the rising sun had set of a sombre feeling to the air, her sketchbook sat discarded on the wooden table behind in favour of the view, there was the slight smell of rain left in the air from the wild storm the night before. She cradled her left arm against her chest still not used to the plaster, she took a sip from the warm cup of hot chocolate, it was her only solace in the cold morning air as a soft breeze of cold air washed its way over her, she shivered slightly but stayed watching the winter sunrise, it was no secret that she loved mornings like this when she was able to wake up for it, the atmosphere made her sports come alive, a few birds chirped off in the distance a small indication of the spring that was about to come. The small chimney behind her billowed smoke, her parents were awake and had started making the sweets and baked bread for the day, she smiled as she thought about her parent's happy memories flooded back.

Her thoughts changed back the sleeping masked figure one her lawn chair behind her, she didn’t know when he showed up on her balcony, she suspected that it was some time during the night, she could ask Tikki but she didn’t want to accidentally wake the boy, he had given her quite the shock when she first climbed up having almost dropped her mug, she had quickly noticed that the boy had been shivering in his sleep and with a little bit of Tikki’s help she had quickly wrapped him in her largest and warmest blanket even though spring was approaching and the morning had warmed up a lot from the snowy depths of the winter months. She didn’t know what had drawn him to her small balcony, the two had only had a handful of conversations in the past and she struggled to speak to him when she was in and out of the suit but she didn’t dwell on that, the hero looked peaceful as he lay fast asleep and a lot warmer now. The more she stared at him the more Marinette could feel her cheeks grow warmer from the brush that was starting to form across them. She had kept her feelings for the blond hair superhero, it was one of her only two secrets that she had kept from her friend and she kept it safely guarded only Tikki knew the truth. She reached over to her sketchbook and pencil and started to sketch the sleeping form.

She didn’t want to wake her sleeping partner but she didn’t know his schedule and she needed to head down to the bakery to help out before the mid-day rush, she sighed and reluctantly put down her sketchbook, she walked over him and gently started to shake him slightly.

“Chat Noir, you need to wake up.”

“Ladybug?” he asked, his voice muddled with sleep.

She shook her head then realised he couldn’t see her.

“Chat, you need to get up, I have to head downstairs.”

“5 more minutes please.”

“Sorry, Chaton but you need to.”

“No…” he rolled over in an attempt to get away from her.

“Come on,” she said grabbing hold of one of the corners of the blankets and lightly pulled, “Its time to start the day sleepy head.”

She heard some of the fabric covering the duvet rip most likely from where his claws had dug in but she kept pulling until she had all of the blankets within her grasp, she dragged the blanket over to her trap door and dropped it on her bed bellow, she looked back at her partner to see he was now shivering in the fresh morning air.

“Chat if you get up I’ll give you the blanket back.”

The hero’s eyes slowly opened, he looked around the rooftop until his eyes finally fell on Marinette, “I… I can explain.”

“I’m- I’m sure you can, but I think you should go, the bakery will open in a few minutes and if someone sees you leave here, I don’t want you seen people will get the wrong idea.“

He placed a hand on her shoulder, her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest, “Okay…” he jumped up onto the balustrade and extend his baton.

“Wait! You can come back tonight if you like… To explain I mean.”

He smiled before giving her his signature salute, “See you then Princess,” and with that, he was gone.

Marinette let out a groan, that had to be the most awkward conversation she had ever had she planted her face in her hands in shame.

“Come on Marinette it wasn’t that bad,” her Kwami tried to reassure her.

“It sounded like I was trying to kick him out.”

“I’m sure he understood what you were actually trying to do.”

“Trying to get rid of him…”

“Mari… you need to stop beating yourself over this and similar cases.”

“It’s really hard Tikki.”

“I know and I help you get over this, Come on, you promised to help your parents.”

————

Marinette slowly wiped down the exterior of the glass case, getting rid of the sticky fingerprints of the children that had just been it the store.

She felt someone bump into her she turned around to apologise, “Adrien?” She stated in surprise, “How’d you get out of the house Nino said your father had essentially grounded you.”

He beamed at her, “Can you keep a secret?”

“I uh…”

“I snuck out my bedroom window, he doesn’t know about it yet and I would like to keep it that way.”

“So why are you here?”

“I came to see if you were okay, I didn’t get to talk to you after we left the hospital.”

“Awww, that's sweet but I’m fine Adrien,” she reached over the counter to ruff up his hair, “You’d head back, I remember the last time you did something like this your father tried pulling you out of school.”

“Worth the risk to be free of that bedroom.”

“Really?”

“Yeah and besides I think it's about time for some teenage rebellion.”

“Good Luck with that so what can I get you?”

“Marinette do you really have to ask?”

“Right,” she replied walking back behind the counter setting down her spray bottle and cloth, “Chocolate croissant, your favourite,” she slipped on a pair of plastic gloves, she picked up a pair of tongs and a brown paper back stuffing several croissant in the bag and even more when his back was turned.

“And how much is this time.”

“The same as it always is Adrien, free.”

“One day you’ll accept my money.”

“You’ll just have to wait and see then, now go home!” she yelled after him as he walked out the bakery door knowing that he wouldn’t listen.

She watched his long hair through the windows as he headed off in the direction of home, maybe she was wrong maybe he did listen to her, she smiled to herself as she returned back to her work, she slipped off the gloves dumping them into the bin that was safely hidden behind the bakery counter, she looked around for her spray bottle before realising that she had left it behind the counter.

——————

Adrien sat down on the park bench watching the carousel go round and round, the children screamed in delight as the wheel slowly got faster, he opened his bag of pastries to find more than what he thought he saw Marinette put in, he shrugged his shoulders, he really loved that girl at times, he took one out and bit into it, warm chocolate coated his tongue, he hummed in appeasement, he took another bite and soon the croissant was gone, he went to reach into the bag to grab another one when a crowd of people caught his gaze. He stuffed the back into his shirt and took off in the opposite direction of the crowd. He saw where they had run from an underground mall, he quickly descended the stairs, the storefronts had been smashed and the floor was now dripping wet, ‘Maybe there was a burst pipe…’ He explored deeper into the winding halls of the mall, the lights flickered above him, he could see a figure hiding behind a wall peering out at something, he followed their gaze and his eyes fell upon the Akuma, they were surrounded by a giant ball of water hovering in mid-air, the only thing that he could compare it to was the boring scene in ‘Revenge of the Sith.’ He stealthily moved up beside the figure hoping it was Ladybug.

But alas it was not, “Marinette what are you doing here?” he asked in surprise.

She looked at him in shock “Adrien? What- What are you-.”

He cut her off, “That doesn’t matter we need to get out of here,” he looked back at the Akuma, he hoped Ladybug would be able to handle it for a few minutes.”

He grabbed hold of her right arm pulling her out of cover and towards the door dodging several large balls of water in the process.

“What were you thinking! It’s a water Akuma you can’t get your cast wet.” He yelled back at her still pulling her along.

“I had to get something.”

“What?” He shouted angrily.

“Fabric for your Birthday present,” she mumbled.

He paused to look at her, his mouth formed a silent o at the revelation, “We need to get you home before your parents start to worry.”

“Don’t… Don’t tell them that I was near the Akuma, I told them that I was going to Alya’s.”

“As long as you don’t tell my father that I was here as well then it’ll be our little secret.”

“Deal.”

“We have to get you home,” he grabbed hold of her arm again, his girl on her was now a little more relaxed and Marinette easily kept pace with him, they rounded a corner and the three-story apartment and bakery came into view, he quickened his pace to reach it quicker.

“What about you?” she asked.

“I can easily sneak back into my room,” he technically wasn’t lying, he definitely wasn’t planning on heading back there just yet but he didn’t want to worry her by saying anything else.

“Are you sure, I have-“

“I’m sure Marinette,” the two stopped outside the front door to her home, “Please go inside.”

“Fine… You better go home.”

“I Will,” he waved goodbye and started to run in the direction of home to appease her before taking a sharp right and into a deserted ally way.

His black Kwami yawned and stretched, Adrien said his transformation phrase before he could speak, he extended his baton and ran back to the Akuma.

<—Previous Drabble Master List Next—>

#Adrinette April #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #Miraculous Ladybug #Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction #Miraculous #SwanSongWrites #Notes for You #I keep drabbling on

12 notes · View notes

nobodys-pearls · 7 years

Text

Visions and Virtues Ch 2

Summary: Ladybug, Chat Noir, and Renard (Nathanael) fight a roller coaster themed akuma. Chat flirts, Ladybug says something she shouldn’t, and Renard is tired of Hawkmoth’s shit.

Pairings: Ladynoir, Tomatofox, just a little bit of Adrinath ;)

“CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTT!”

Nathanael huffed and gripped the safety bar in front of him. At least his arms were free, even though his chest was too strapped down for him to move much. He felt his hair whip against his face as he shot through the air and over the Parisian buildings. He looked down at the familiar rooftops, rooftops that had become even more familiar since he became Renard.

A normal person would probably be more concerned if they were in this situation – but for Nathanael this was kind of an everyday thing. He’d fought a bear, a bear that ended up being his mother. He’d been kidnapped, beaten, manipulated, and thrown from the Arc de Triomphe. He had Hawkmoth inside of his head for months. Nothing really phased him anymore.

He wasn’t sure if that was impressive or just sad.

So no, he wasn’t afraid. He was annoyed. Akuma attacks had become more frequent the past couple of weeks, and it seemed like Paris’ heroes couldn’t catch a break these days. It’s like Hawkmoth knew they were on summer vacation, and picked up the pace just to spite them.

Nathanael could picture Hawkmoth’s voice – not in the way he used to – but in a more comical way – saying, “HAHA YOU MEDDLING KIDS, YOU WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH? YOU WANT TO SLEEP IN? WELL TOO BAD! HAVE A BAGUETTE THEMED AKUMA!”

And the sad thing is that the baguette akuma was not something that Nathanael had just made up as he was speeding down the roller coaster track. No, they had to fight “The Breadful Baker” with his baguette sword just last week.

And he had been hit in the face by a croissant. A very stale, very pointy croissant. Adrien was determined that he would never live that down.

“Did I hear a damsel in distress?” A voice called from somewhere behind him. Nathanael rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. At least he wouldn’t be stuck here much longer.

“My hero.” Nathanael said dryly, a smirk tugging at his lips. He heard Chat yell cataclysm, and immediately knew what he was going to do.

“Be careful!” Nathanael warned as Chat landed on the roller car he was in. Chat just gave him a maniacal grin, his hair whipping wildly across his face as he balanced on the speeding car, and then swiped his claws across Nathanael’s chest. Nathanael closed his eyes out of instinct, and then he felt his straps loosen and watched as they fell down to the floor of the car.

“You look nervous; did you forget that I’m a professional?” Chat asked innocently, suppressing the grin on his face.

Nathanael let out a laugh and reached out his hand. “No, but I was wondering if you were going to take your revenge after losing to me in Mecha Strike.”

Chat smiled wide and grabbed Nathanael’s outstretched hand. “Although that does sound tempting, I couldn’t do that to my number one fan.” He said with a wink.

Nathanael scoffed. “You’re still going with that bit I see.”

“It’s my duty to make sure it never dies.” Chat declared, putting his free hand on his chest. “Now let’s get you down and out of the eyes of the public.” He said, his expression more serious as he looked down at the panicked crowd that was forming below them.

Nathanael nodded his head. “Right.” It was time to focus on the akuma.

Chat lifted Nathanael out of the car and Nathanael wrapped his arms around his friend’s neck. Chat looked down at him and grinned as they stood on top of the roller car that was still zooming down the track. Nathanael noticed that it was about to go into a steep drop. “You know if you didn’t already have a girlfriend –” He began.

Nathanael rolled his eyes and smiled. “What about Ladybug?”

Chat shrugged and gave him a wink. “I love a good love triangle.”

Nathanael couldn’t help but laugh. “I think the love square was bad enough. Just get us down Chat, before –”

“GETTING OUT OF THE ROLLER CAR WHILE IT IS STILL IN MOTION IS NOT ALLOWED!” The akuma yelled from high above the city. Suddenly the track twisted and they were upside down.

“That’s not good.” Chat said, and then they were falling.

Nathanael could feel his miraculous grow warm around his neck, and was about to pull it out when a red blur grabbed Chat’s tail and projected them through the air. Nathanael was disoriented as he clung to Chat’s neck for dear life. Then he felt solid ground on his back.

He watched Chat groan and sit up, rubbing his head. “Thanks for the save, My Lady.”

“I’m just glad I got here in time.” A voice answered. Nathanael turned his head and saw Ladybug standing over them, hands on her hips.

“How’d you know we were in trouble?” Nathanael asked, lifting himself to his feet. With a quick look around he saw that they were on the roof of some building.

“Alya and I were actually passing this way when the akuma arrived, and it’s not like he’s hard to miss.” Ladybug said, glancing over at the akuma. The kid was creating more track with a wave of his hand, adding loops and steep drops that weaved through the city. “And it wasn’t too difficult to slip away from Alya either, her phone was out and live streaming the whole thing in seconds.” She added with a small smile.

Nathanael looked down at the crowd and spotted Alya in the front, her phone raised to get the perfect angle of the giant 6-year-old. Then he heard the panicked yells of citizens and saw that the akuma had managed to trap more people in its roller coaster. “You guys need to get out there. I’ll join you soon.”

Chat and Ladybug saw where Nathanael was looking and then gave him a nod in understanding.

“Let’s go, kitty.”

“After, you, Bugaboo.” Chat said with a bow. He gave Nathanael a salute and vaulted off the roof after Ladybug. Nathanael watched as they hurried towards the akuma.

“Okay, Yishu.” Nathanael said. His kwami flew out from a secret inside shirt pocket.

Marinette had been nice enough to sew a Yishu-sized pocket inside of a majority of his summer shirts. Although Yishu missed his hair, it just wasn’t practical to wear beanies in the summer. Nathanael looked around to make sure that no one could see him.

There was always this feeling of excitement before he transformed that never grew old. And by this point he had transformed many times. Enough times that Paris had fully adjusted to the idea of him being the new hero of Paris. There was even a section of the Ladyblog that was dedicated to him.

He clenched his fists in determination and looked out at the city skyline.

‘Let’s do this.’ He thought.

“Transforme moi!” He yelled. He felt the energy of the miraculous travel up his limbs. A seed of warmth blossomed in his chest.

His connection to his miraculous had become stronger since his fall from the Arc de Triomphe. The fox tail necklace was now an extension of him - no, at this point it was a part of him.

‘Like a quiet lake full of clouds, your miraculous is full of you.’ Yishu stated fondly, reading his thoughts. He and Yishu were also even more in sync since that final battle against Volpina. They could pick up on each other’s thoughts and feelings more easily, especially when he was transformed.

Nathanael could feel the familiar mask around his eyes. ‘Right.’ He thought. He could sense Yishu’s smile from within his necklace.

He unhooked his grappling hook from his belt and aimed it at the building nearest to the akuma. Then he pulled the trigger and couldn’t help but let out a breathless laugh as he flew through the air.

He would take the thrill of this over a roller coaster any day.

“So, I still don’t understand.” Chat said as he dodged the roller car that was flying towards him on the track. “Where in Paris are there roller coasters?”

“Disneyland!” Ladybug called from her perch on another stretch of track. Renard watched as she glared hard at the akuma, probably trying to figure out where the akumatized object was hidden. Renard jumped from the building onto the akuma’s back.

The akuma didn’t like that.

“There’s a Disneyland in Paris?!” Chat gasped, mouth open in surprise.

“You didn’t know that?!” Renard yelled. He held on to the nape of the akuma’s neck as it reached behind its back to try and pull him off.

“Do you parents let you have any fun?” Ladybug asked, then her eyes widened, “Sorry, I didn’t mean –” She rushed out, regret heavy in her voice. It was like she’d forgotten this was Adrien she was talking to. Adrien, the boy with the missing mom. Adrien, the kid with the absent father. Adrien, the perfect model who lived in a house with steel bars.

Adrien’s home life was difficult, and it was taking some time for Ladybug to realize that Chat Noir’s was the same. That they were the same.

“Well now we’re definitely taking you!” Renard interrupted. Chat snapped up his head to look at him. Renard saw the grateful smile on his face. “Except after this experience I don’t know if you’ll still be interested.” Renard added, watching as Chat almost didn’t jump over another speeding car in time.

“Are you kidding? This is fun!” Chat said with a laugh, then Renard heard a sudden “oof”.

“Chat!” Ladybug yelled, breaking her gaze from the akuma to watch as Chat was being carried away by one of the roller cars.

“I’m fine!” He called, his voice getting more distant.

Renard tried to ignore the sudden pit of worry that had knotted in his stomach and went back to searching the akuma. Then he found what he was looking for. “Ladybug! It’s around his wrist! One of those amusement park wristbands!”

Ladybug looked down at the akuma’s wrist and found what Renard was talking about – the akumatized object. “Got it!” She replied.

Then Renard heard a high pitched yell. He looked down and saw one of the roller cars speeding up an impossibly steep incline, and there were people in it. His heart dropped when he saw what was wrong. After the incline the track leveled out – and then it stopped.

He felt the rumble of the akuma’s laugh as he continued to hold on. “I THOUGHT I WOULD MAKE IT MORE EXTREME.”

“Renard!” Ladybug called, looking at him with wild eyes. Renard narrowed his eyes in determination and let go of the akuma. He dropped down to one of the tracks and began to run towards the roller car.

“You purify the akuma! I’ll try and stop the car!” Renard called over his shoulder, not stopping to slow down. He lifted up his grappling hook and flew through the sky until he landed on the track. He had placed himself between the car and the where the track stopped.

“Okay Renard, you can do this.” He mumbled to himself, mustering his courage as he watched the car flying towards him.

There was no other option – he had to stop it.

He took a deep breath and focused all of his energy in his lungs. He tried not to think about what would happen if it didn’t work – if it wouldn’t be enough.

He thought of his fear, his desperation, all of his emotions, until it came together into a solid ball of energy in his chest.

And then he let it go.

As the car came speeding towards him he watched as the waves of energy from his fox cry traveled across the track and hit the car with full force. He could only watch, fingers digging into his palms, as the roller car began to slow down. It kept losing speed until it stopped only a few inches away from him.

He let go of a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

“Thank God.” He breathed, slumping his shoulders a little in relief. “Are you all okay?” He asked, hurrying to check on the citizens in the roller car. What he did was extremely dangerous, but he had no other choice. He just hoped that everyone was alive.

He put his hands on the side of the car and watched as the people slowly lifted their heads up and looked around. Then he recognized a familiar head of ombre hair.

“Alya?!” He blurted out, his heart pounding. She looked at him and gave him a shaky smile.

“I’m fine.” She said sheepishly.

Renard ran a frustrated hand through his hair, moving the bangs out of his eyes. “Please, if you’re going to run into the middle of akuma attacks, at least try to be more careful.” He pleaded.

“Aw. Were you worried about me?” She asked, giving him a wink. “I should let you know that I have a boyfriend.”

Renard rolled his eyes and smiled. Then he saw that she still had her phone clutched in her hand. “You know you’re not supposed to bring loose items into the roller car.” He said dryly.

Alya grinned up at him. Then he checked on the other people in the car. Everyone was perfectly fine, maybe a little shaken, but no one was injured. He finally allowed his heartbeat to slow down and began to help them all out of the car and onto the track. Then he brought them safely to the street one by one, using his grappling hook to lower them down.

Once that was done, he looked up from the street to see how Ladybug was doing. Chat Noir was back by her side, and he watched as they managed to get the wristband off of the akuma.

Ladybug ripped the akumatized object in half, and quickly trapped the butterfly in her yo-yo.

“Chat! The kid!” Renard yelled, and Chat followed his gaze and saw that the kid had shrunk down to normal size, and was now falling through the air. Renard could hear the startled gasps of the citizens around him.

Thankfully Chat was able to catch the boy and take him safely to the ground.

The akuma was gone, the city healed – everything was back to normal.

“Adrien!” A woman from the crowd called, running towards Chat and the boy. Renard watched as Chat looked at her in panic and confusion. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something when the woman grabbed the little boy and cradled him to her chest.

“Adrien, oh my precious baby are you okay?” The woman said softly, rocking him slowly in her arms.

“I just wanted to be able to ride the rides.” The boy said, tears in his eyes.

“I know baby. One day you will, I promise. You just have a little bit more growing to do.” Then she looked up at Chat. “Thank you.”

Chat rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “No problem madame, I’m just happy that your son is okay.”

She gave him a grateful nod and went back to the crowd, where what must have been the rest of their family was waiting. Renard noticed how Chat was watching them walk away – mother and son – drinking in the scene with a quiet desperation.

He walked up to Chat and gave him a nudge. “On a scale of 1-10, how freaked were you when she said ‘Adrien’?”

“Fifty.” Chat answered, letting out a breath. Renard chuckled and put an arm around his partner’s shoulders. Chat finally tore his eyes away from the family to look at him. “You did good.” Renard said, giving his friend a meaningful look.

“You did too, I saw you save that car full of people.” Chat said.

“Yeah, remind me to tell Alya that she needs to pay for my inevitable ulcer medication.”

Chat laughed and ran a hand through his hair. He seemed a lot lighter than he was only moments before.

“You two celebrating without me?” Ladybug teased, walking up to her two partners.

“No, but I am trying to convince him to break up with his girlfriend and date me instead.” Chat said with a serious expression.

Ladybug quirked an eyebrow in amusement. “That’s too bad, because I was going to ask if you were free tonight.”

Renard heard Chat make a small choking noise as he stood up straighter. “R-really? You were gonna ask me out?”

Ladybug looked at him, a smirk tugging at the edge of her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She began, dragging out her words. “I was talking to Renard. But it looks like there’s just too much competition.” She said, putting a hand on her hip.

Chat stared at her with an open mouth for a moment as Renard laughed behind his hand.

“You wound me, My Lady.” He finally said, but his partners could tell that he was holding back a grin.

“Any comment for the Ladyblog?” Alya said, rushing up to them.

“Yes, don’t run into the middle of danger and end up in a runaway roller car.” Renard said dryly, giving her a pointed look.

“You were in that thing?!” Ladybug asked, her eyes wide.

Alya at least had the sense to look sheepish. “Okay, that’s fair.”

“I actually do have something to say.” Chat said, adjusting his posture. “To all the citizens of Paris, if you’ve been akumatized and need support, you should join Paris Against Hawkmoth. It’s a great group run by someone who has been akumatized himself, and it’s where people go to talk through their experiences.”

“They usually have meetings every Monday at 6pm.” Ladybug added, clasping her hands behind her back and smiling into the camera.

Renard tried not to blush.

Alya turned the camera towards herself. “As a member of PAH myself, I also highly recommend it. You can learn more about it under the PAH tab on the blog. Until next time ladybloggers!” She said, then she shut off the camera.

“Thanks, you guys. You were all so awesome!” Alya said, pumping her fist.

“Please go home, Alya.” Renard said with a tired smile.

Alya stuck out her tongue. Then she looked like she just remembered something. “Oh crap! Marinette!” Then she ran back into the crowd.

“That’s my cue to detransform.” Ladybug declared, pulling out her yo-yo. “I don’t want Alya to freak out.”

“Yeah, and my time is almost up.” Chat said, looking at his ring as it beeped.

“Then I’ll see you guys at patrol tonight.” Renard said.

Ladybug nodded her head. “See you guys soon.”

With that, the three superheroes went their separate ways.

Renard found a hidden corner of an alley and took a deep breath. He was beginning to feel the fatigue from the fight in his bones.

“Fox out.” He breathed, and he felt the transformation melt off of him.

“That was amazing, Nathanael. Good work.” Yishu said, a proud smile on her face.

“Thanks Yishu.” Nathanael said, rubbing behind her ear. He could hear her pleased hum.

“Time to go home and eat some leftover pancakes.” Nathanael said with a smile. He watched Yishu’s eyes light up.

“The cinnamon ones?” She asked hopefully.

“Of course.” Nathanael said with a laugh. “What am I, a heathen?”

Yishu giggled and flew into the pocket of his shirt. Together they left the alley and headed in the direction of home, which thankfully wasn’t too far away.

Everything turned out okay – the city was saved, no one was hurt, their identities were still concealed –

He passed by Marinette’s family’s bakery and saw the mural he had painted only a few months ago. Ladybug, Chat Noir, and Renard – they were an unbeatable team, nothing could change that.

And yet Nathanael couldn’t shake the feeling that he was forgetting something.

#miraculous ladybug #nathaniel kurtzberg #nathanael kurtzberg #adrien agreste #chat noir #marinette dupain-cheng #ladybug #ladynoir #hawkmoth #fox miraculous #adrinath #visions and virtues #pearl writes

12 notes · View notes

gigiree · 7 years

Text

balanced with a bit of sweetness

A/n: based on a tumblr meet-ugly prompt. Coffee shop au adrientte.

There’s always been something to balance his blessed life. There’s always been a little something to make his near perfection imperfect.

So in the case of his good looks, it’s something entirely unexpected and uncontrolled.

It’s revealed on a particularly lovely spring day. The sun drifts lazily through the lush ivy vines that drape the cafe’s window.

It’s easy to forget the rest if the world when the strains of bossa nova float lovingly from the old record that spins merrily behind the counter.

There’s just the perfect amount of chatter to keep the atmosphere pleasantly alive and he finds it to be a blessed morning as he scrolls through his social media account, chuckling slightly at the memes he’s absolute trash for.

Now when Adrien is ensconced in the world of modern day dadaism, there’s very little he notices.

As a matter of fact, he has yet to notice the pretty little barista that stares at him with absolute awe in her blue bell eyes.

She’s a new hire by the name of Marinette. And she thinks she’s found her soul mate. He’s gorgeous, yes. But beyond that, he’s got a Naruto pin on his otherwise professional brown satchel.

And there’s the Hyrule symbol peeking just over the collar of his cream cardigan.

But she’s yet to gather the courage to speak to him. It had been Rose who’d managed to get his order. It had been Kim who’d served it to him.

The vanilla cake sits invitingly at his table. A wonderfully, delicately sweet dessert that she’d expertly made and she’s waiting with baited breath for him to try it.

But it’s been ten minutes, and in between sneaking glances and filling bakery orders, she’s a little harried.

Disappointingly, the beautiful man…Adrien as she gathered from Rose, seems to be too engrossed in his phone to actually eat yet.

“Marinette, we need more croissants, quick!” Kim chides her, juggling a silver tray laden with a teapot and colorful little tarts.

She merely nods, quickly turning to the counter top where the dough waits to be kneaded.

Unfortunately (or not), Adrien takes a piece of fluffy vanilla cake into his mouth, still scrolling through his phone.

And then, in a matter if seconds, his entire body freezes. The tendons in his arms strain against the table and his face turns red until from his mouth arises the most horrifying bray.

It’s decidedly something between a cough and a shout, and it’s repeated in earnest.

“HOLY SHIT. The potential father of my children is choking to death.” Seems to be the first thing that rolls through Marinette’s thoughts and she’s already leapt over the counter and wrapped her slim arms around his torso before anyone else can say a thing.

Now here’s the thing about Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She once took a CPR class six years ago when she was still entertaining the idea of becoming a nurse.

She’d never needed to use her decidedly rusty skills until now, but soon she’s tucking her balled up hands just under his ribs and shoving them in and then up his abdomen.

He’s awkwardly taller than her, and his awful hacking cough has turned into deep heaves as she pumps her arms and tries to dislodge what he’d been choking on.

But heavy as he is, her movements are uncoordinated. Her body arches away from his back and then jerks forward at intervals every time she pushes.

(It’s all her fault. She shouldn’t have made it so dry, she thinks.)

But after a few seconds of fruitless rescue, he says between her attempts..

“Uh…uh…excuse…me.” He bites out, and it finally dawns on Marinette that her red-faced dream boy is absolutely okay.

Her arms fall limply at her side as she lets out a shriek of embarrassment and hides her face in her hands.

He can make out the slight stream of muffled apologies, and god, he’s mortified and he’s embarrassed a sweet girl simply trying to help.

So there’s the thing that balances his good looks. It’s his absolutely terrifying, horrendous laugh that sounds like he’s choking.

The atmosphere in the cafe is compounded by the stunned silence of the other baristas and customers.

Everyone waits with baited breath, some barely holding back giggles at what had turned from a heroic rescue to a misunderstanding in less than a minute.

“I’m so so sorry.” Marinette finally manages clearly, teary eyes peeking past her fingers to look down at him.

He merely shakes his head, cheeks still flushed and a hand threading through his hair.

“It’s…ah…not your fault…thanks for trying to save me…” He answers. And he finds that despite the misunderstanding, there’s genuine gratitude in his heart.

He offers her a conciliatory smile.

“It’s good to know that your customers are looked after.” He offers her and that assuages her embarrassment long enough for her to drop her hands.

“R-really?” Her eyes are wide and disbelieving, but still, there’s a gentle curiosity in her eyes that makes his breath stop.

She’s pretty.

“Yep.” He answers quietly, and his smile turns sheepish as they both remain caught in a lattice of embarassment, curiosity and star struck humor.

He begins to chuckle again, softer this time and Marinette has the good grace to let loose a giggle that borders in hysterical.

There’s a distant guffaw that and the slight humor that roils over the rest of the cafe lets them know they’ve got witnesses.

Rose is giggling delicately behind the glass countertop, and she can hear Kim’s familiar shrieking laugh from the supply room.

Eventually, the rest of them settle down and there’s just the two of them again.

“Oh…” Marinette sighs, wiping her sweaty hands in the folds of her red apron.

Adrien gives her a sheepish smile, and with a jerky movement, grabs his phone from where it had fallen on the table and turns it towards her.

“This is what I was laughing at…Gabriel Agreste’s foray into the avante garde haute couture.” He says breathlessly, his laughter straining his composure once more and he has to bite his lips to prevent it from wreaking havoc.

And Marinette has to hide her face again when she sees what it is.

Here’s another thing about her. She’s an aspiring fashion designer. Gabriel is one of her idols…and she thought she’d been the only one surprised by his choices for this spring’s lineup.

Because really, the metallic purple suit that was draped on the model was flashy enough without the giant butterfly wings that were spread out clumsily behind the piece.

On its own, it would have been enough to make her giggle, but it was the fact that the poster had photoshopped Gabriel’s stoic face onto the model, and then proceeded to somehow make the arms flap in the gif that made her laugh. It was wonderful.

The caption being “And Gabriel’s collection takes off this spring.” wrapped the humor into a wonderful little package that threatened her composure too.

“Oh my god. It’s perfect.” She gasps through her giggles and Adrien’s smile is large.

“I know right?” He guffaws and their conversation devolves into a pleasant stream of things related to fashion and humor and anime after that.

When he mentions that Gabriel is his father off handedly, he’s surprised by her quiet acceptance and minimal questions.

In the end, she takes her break early and urges him to try the vanilla cake.

He savors the bite, and a look of wonder steals over his face as he finally takes the time to appreciate it.

“It’s perfect. Moist and balanced with sweetness.” He crows excitedly and she shakes her head.

“You’re lying.”

“Nope. This is the best vanilla cake I’ve had. Believe it.”

Marinette nearly bursts at the seams trying to contain her laughter, but she’s glad.

Because there’s something to balance her earlier embarrassment and it’s this tiny moment with him in this cafe.

Adrien thinks the same thing, and perhaps there will be future moments for the two of them.

But for now, they’ll savor this little slice of pleasantry between them.

#adrienette #miraculous ladybug #adrienette month day4 #coffee shop au

108 notes · View notes