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chronicallylatetotheparty · 3 years

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Lucky Charm: Reflekdoll

Summary: Adrien struggles to adapt to his powers as Mister Bug while facing an old villain with a new trick. Will he be able to learn fast enough to save his partner?

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"Reflektas, start turning the rest of Paris into me!"

Adrien hid behind the overturned car as Reflekta's clones started attacking untransformed civilians. Apparently, Reflekdoll broadcast a signal that brainwashed any copies. "That's new."

"You are Chat Noir, correct?"

Turning, he spotted a red kwami holding a pair of earrings. "Yeah? And that over there is... Ladybug?" Adrien asked as someone who could only be his Lady launched herself at the giant sentimonster. The suit may have been different but the cat ears were a dead giveaway.

"There's been a little mix up with the Miraculous. I'm Tikki, pleased to meet you!" Tikki offered Adrien the earrings which he accepted.

"Well! Tikki, transforme-moi!"

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Marinette dodged blast after blast from Reflekdoll.

"Well, my Lady Noire, looks like you're playing the easy part today!"

Lady Noire looked over to see who could only be Chat Noir with her Miraculous. "Not so sure about that!" Placing herself in front of him Lady Noir whirled her staff as a shield, blocking Reflekdoll's beam. "Looks like we'll be taking on two opponents that amplify each other's powers!"

They jumped onto the top of a nearby stone pillar as Reflekdoll attacked again.

"Stay focused, Mister Bug!"

Mister Bug took his yo-yo out and whirled it like he'd seen Ladybug do countless times. "Just my luck. I'm gonna have to capture two akuma instead of one."

"No, one akuma and one amok," Lady Noire corrected.

Reflekta fired her beam into one of the ports onboard. The magic layered by Reflekdoll before it shot a concentrated beam. Mister Bug acted on instinct and tackled Lady Noire out of the way. They rolled to their feet and charged up Reflekdoll as Lady Noire explained what a sentimonster was.

"Would've been nice to know what the Peacock could do before their sentimonsters started showing up!" Mister Bug commented as he launched a kick at said sentimonster to little effect.

"It was on a need-to-know basis!" Lady Noire swung her staff into the sentimonster with similar results.

"I really need to talk with the Guardian about what he considers 'need-to-know'!" Mister Bug leapt back towards the ground with Lady Noire. "Okay, so we need to find Reflekta's akumatized object and the baby monster's amok."

Lady Noire deflected another beam from Reflekdoll. "Can you manage or should we switch back?"

"C'mon! I'm totally capable of doin' it!" Mister Bug smirked.

Lady Noire pulled him out of the way of Reflekdoll's beam and they ran towards the Eiffel Tower. "We need to figure out where the akuma and amok are!"

"Probably the same place as the last time we fought her. In her bracelet!"

They jumped onto the tower itself and used the iron structure to shield themselves. "Maybe. We're gonna have to check that!"

"If I could just get my hands on a mirror I'd be able to reflect her own beam back at her!"

Landing on the first level, Lady Noire turned to look at Mister Bug. "That's not how it works." She crossed her arms. "The Lucky Charm doesn't just give you what you want."

"You ever asked? Watch and learn!" Mister Bug grinned. "Lucky Charm!"

"A mirror!" Oh, Adrien was gonna lord this over her so much!

"Beginners luck," Lady Noire declared. Chat Noir was gonna be insufferable about this she could feel it.

"You're just jealous of my mastery!" Mister Bug teased.

A loud banging interrupted them and they looked down to see Reflekdoll climbing the tower. Reflekta steering with one hand and shooting her much smaller lasers through the window eyes with the other.

Mister Bug held out his mirror and reflected one of them back at her. Bullseye!

Reflekdoll shot at them with its big beam.

"Very effective, Mister Bug."

"Hey, it worked didn't it?"

Lady Noire sighed in exasperation. "May I remind you that the Lucky Charm doesn't just give you an object to defeat the villain with-"

"I thought that's exactly what it does?"

"You actually have to figure out exactly how to use it!" Lady Noire poked him in the forehead. "Using your head!"

Reflekdoll reached there level and started firing. Mister Bug jumping for cover while Lady Noire blocked its attack with her staff. "Since you wasted your Lucky Charm. I guess that means it's my turn, buggaboy! Watch and learn! Cataclysm!"

Lady Noire leapt at the sentimonster and-

Her body was pulled out of the way of Reflekdoll's beam just in time. Mister Bug unwinding his yo-yo none too gently. "What was that about using your head? May I remind you that Cataclysm needs a physical medium to work properly! If that sentimonster is made outa magic I doubt it'll do what you want!"

Lady Noire held the Cataclysm as close as she could without actually touching it. "Well, what do you suggest?"

Mister Bug pulled her out of the way of another beam. "Uh... I... Knock her back to ground level while I come up with something?" Adrien smiled with the most conviction he could muster.

Lady Noire groaned. "Think fast!" And rushed out. Dodging Reflekdoll's attack she extended her baton and struck the sentimonster with her full momentum. Reflekdoll crashing back down to earth.

Taking advantage of Lady Noire's distraction Mister Bug glanced around from his high vantage point. Trying to spot anything that would spark an epiphany like Ladybug. "Okay, I admit it!" he cried out, shoulders slumping, "Being Chat Noir is way more fun."

Lady Noire leapt around the sentimonster and struck at its body. The Black Cat giving her a bit more agility than she was used to. Very handy.

Mister Bug added a swing of his yo-yo to one of her attacks. Reflekdoll stumbling with their combined force.

Lady Noire landed beside him. "What have you got?"

"Ah," Mister Bug rubbed the back of his neck. "About that..."

She stared at him. "Seriously!?"

"Well, I'm sorry! Some of us are just slow learn-"

"LOOK OUT!"

Lady Noire didn't think. She just acted. Mister Bug was the only one who could purify the akuma and he needed to keep going. She pushed Mister Bug out of the way as one of Reflekta's clones attacked... Just as Reflekdoll fired its beam.

"My Lady!" Mister Bug cried out.

Lady Noire stood immobile as a Reflekta copy.

"Yes! Now get bug boy's Miraculous!" The original Reflekta ordered.

Springing to life, the Reflekta that used to be Lady Noire aimed her bracelet and fired.

Mister Bug whirled his yo-yo as a shield and leapt to the nearest roof.

"You won't get away from me!" Reflekta called after him as he fled for cover.

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Adrien leaned against the wall of his hiding place. Breathing deeply, heart hammering in his chest. "Okay. It's okay. Ladybug does this all the time! What would Ladybug do? What would Ladybug do?"

The Ladybug earrings beeped insistently.

"This is fine!" Adrien announced as he detransformed.

Tikki falling into Adrien's palms as he fell to his knees.

"This isn't fine! Tikki, I can't do this! I'm no Ladybug! We should've switched back when she said! I-" Adrien's chest constricted and he forced his breath to slow.

"She trusted you enough to keep going," Tikki said weakly.

Her state bringing Adrien out of his head. "You need food."

Tikki hovered closer to his face, looking him in the eye. "No two of my Ladybug's have ever been exactly alike. Some are slower learners than others. I trust you, too."

Adrien looked away, shoulders hunching. "But I messed up."

"Remember Stoneheart?" Tikki prompted. "Ma- Ladybug messed up too. But you still believed in her." She placed a paw on his cheek. "Believe in yourself now."

Adrien's gaze came back to her.

"Don't ask what Ladybug would do. Ask yourself: what would Adrien do?"

Steeling his resolve Adrien nodded, rising to his feet and cupping Tikki in his palms. "First things first," he inched closer to the alleyway's entrance. The overturned car with his stash of Camembert a short sprint away. "Let's get you recharged."

A gaggle of Reflekta clones chased a group of civilians past him. The people hit turning into more copies and standing still until the akuma villain's voice came booming over the city. The new clones springing to life so they could follow her orders.

They lit up in Adrien's mind and his head shot back to the sentimonster in the distance. Its beam lighting up too.

Adrien gazed down at Tikki and grinned. "I've got an idea."

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"Lucky Charm!"

A mirror fell into Mister Bug's hands. "Wow, twice in a row. Lucky me," Adrien deadpanned as he tied it to his arm like a shield using his yo-yo. The plan was a laughably simple two step process.

Step One: Get shot.

"Hey, Reflekta!" he hollered from a rooftop at convenient shooting hight. "Don't you know that pink frills are so last season?"

"Once I turn the whole world into Reflektas it'll be the only season!" She fired into Reflekdoll's port which concentrated her energy into a stronger blast.

Just as planned. Mister Bug braced his feet and held his Lucky Charm directly in front of him. "Here we go!"

The sentimonster fired.

Step Two: Shoot Reflekta with her own sentimonster's magic.

The beam reflected off Mister Bug's mirror and perfectly into the round eye windows. Blasting Reflekta dead center.

Adrien held his position for a moment, peaking past his makeshift shield. Reflekta and Reflekdoll stood still. Waiting for orders from... themselves. The enhanced magic dependent on the sentimonster and by extension whoever was driving it.

"Yes!" Mister Bug raised both fists. "Now just a little pest control and we can all get on with our day!"

Finding and purifying the akuma and amok was easy when he wasn't being shot at. Grabbing Juleka as the sentimonster vanished and setting her down on the ground.

Adrien looked at Mister Bug's reflection in his mirror... "I've always wanted to do this." And tossed his Lucky Charm into the air. "Miraculous Mister Bug!"

As the ladybug's restored Paris he spotted a familiar black suit. Adrien ran for her.

"Mister Bug? What- OOF!" Lady Noire stumbled as her partner barreled into her and tried to squeeze all the air out of her lungs. Once she could breathe Marinette wrapped her arms around him and patted his back. "You did good, little bug."

Adrien just held her for a moment. She was okay. He'd saved her. She was okay.

Then his earrings beeped.

Breaking the hug, Mister Bug jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "Ah, we should split."

"Yeah..." Lady Noire readied to extend her baton. "... I think I finally get why you're so protective."

Mister Bug smiled. "And I get why you're so focused all the time."

He offered a fist bump and she accepted. Both heroes leaping in opposite directions.

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"Tikki!" Marinette cradled her friend to her chest.

"Marinette!"

"I can't believe how much Chat trusts me... Knowing you might have to do that again? I don't think I could handle it."

"He's your Chat Noir for a reason, Marinette," Tikki agreed.

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"Fighting by yourself is horrible, Plagg! I don't know how Ladybug does it." Adrien held him tight. Deciding never to let his Miraculous out of his sight again.

"She's got you most of the time, doesn't she? You're supposed to support each other, ain't ya?"

"Yeah. You're right..."

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"... Well, one things for sure, Tikki." Marinette gazed off in the direction Plagg flew towards.

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"She definitely-"

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"He definitely-"

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"-got the short straw."

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Yes, this is technically the last prompt... But it's already written and I'm impatient.

@adrienaugust

#adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #tikki #ml fanfic #reflekdoll #ml rewrite #adrienaugust #adrienaugreste #kwami swap #mister bug #lady noire

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kairos-polaris · 3 years

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Miraculous Ladybug. Ah, the show that can't deliver its promises, teaches the female mc wrong lessons, is so sexist and racist it hurts and still calls itself "woke" and says they promote "girls power". I was so angry I wrote it at 1 am with little to no light to see what I was writing.

Mlb has a lot of problems. I won't be talking about the plot because it will be too long.

So here we are!

✓ Who is the main villain? Is it Chloé/Lila or Hawkmoth? The grownup man who chose to terrorise Paris and abuse people in their most vulnerable times? Or two teenagers who need a more strict discipline and help from adults, not their peers? Both Chloé and Lila made mistakes but they're kids who can change. I don't want to say they don't have to be punished for their actions, they do. You can't change a person if they don't want to and making them face consequences of their actions is an important part of growing up. If Mlb writers really cared about teaching their viewers that people can change, they will start a redemption arc for Chloé after Antibug and after Volpina for Lila. But, apparently, they decided that letting kids change their behaviour and grow up to be a better person is boring, right?

✓ Gabriel Agreste. Abuser, control freak, magical terrorist. And yet some people believe he deserves to win. He's not only a bad person but a bad villain too! Most of his actions have no sense and work only because the writers said so. Why did he think that creating a supervillain is a good way to lure out a superhero? They could be in different country/city. Both Miraculouses could be hidden in someone's attic! Plus from New York special we know that other heroes exist. How could he be so sure they wouldn't be the one to fight his champions?

And why did he akumatize himself? He had no way of knowing that Ladybug saw his book. He saw Adrien take the book. All he had to do is to say something like this: "It's a very important book Adrien. Your mother found it years ago in her attic. This book was a great inspiration for me". His akumatization was too convenient for the plot.

✓A lot of people blame Marinette for causing so much akumas. Are you okay people? Hawkmoth is the one who creates akumas. What a surprise! No one other than him can do that. Repeat after me: upsetting someone doesn't equal to using their feelings for your own gain. Chloé deliberately humiliated or angered someone and it still doesn't count as causing an akumatization because it wasn't her goal. I don't mean to say it wasn't wrong but she didn't send an akuma. She is a spoiled rich brat who doesn't care about the consequences of her actions. Lila came close to actually causing akumas but it's still Hawkmoth who sends out butterflies and uses completely natural and normal feelings and emotions against everyone. Please, don't shift his blame on teenagers.

✓ Sexism is everywhere. From civilian interactions to heroes' costume designs. So here's a list of problems I've remembered at 1 am:

Writers show Lila or Chloé trying to kiss Adrien or invading his private space in a bad light. How dare they harass him? And then we have Chat Noir act the same towards Ladybug! And unlike Adrien Marinette actually says "no, I don't like you. Don't touch me like that". Adrien knows that he makes her uncomfortable but he doesn't care. "She loves him but can't accept it" isn't a good reason to continue harassing her. No means no. Not "continue asking me" or "I'm playing hard to get". Disgusting.

Only rivals Marinete has (excluding Hawkmoth because he's Ladybug's rival) are her love rivals. Lila, Kagami, Chloé. Why can't we have a character who rivals Marinete in her passion: designing? It's not "girls power" to have girls in question fight over one rich white sad boy.

The whole Gamer episode. Marinette won fair and square. She deserved to take part in the tournament. Was it okay for Max to be upset? Yes, he spent a lot of time training. Was it okay for him to be angry at Marinette? No, it's not her fault she was better than him. Some may say that she entered because of Adrien (another issue I will mention later) but it doesn't make her less skilled.

Every girl who has a crush is shown obsessive. Marinette, Chloé, Lila, Kagami - Adrien, Rose - Prince Ali, Ondine - Kim. We weren't shown Alya having a crush on Nino but I'm sure she would be just as obsessive because writers can't believe girls can have crushes and not be obsessed with them. I would also like to mention that having two characters of colour with no previous chemistry is kinda racist.(I could have just missed it because I'm not good at noticing flirting. If you noticed Alya and Nino flirting before Animan I would edit this part). They also don't talk a lot if it's not about Adrinette. Their purpose is to push main characters to each other. That's it.

Boys are really nice to their crushes even when akumatized. Both Silencer and Evillustrator were gentlemen. Nathaniel literally took Marinette on a date! Exceptions are Adrien and Felix. Adrien is just perfect (not my words) and Felix is Adrien's evil twin. He was used to: a)show how great Adrien is; b) say "Ladybug would punch Chat if she were truly uncomfortable"; c) to make fans hate him because they prefer PV Felix and Astruc hates him. Do you know why point b is the most harmful? Because it enforces the stereotype that women are always willing and consenting and they have to go to ridiculous lengths to take that consent back.

Suits. Every girl has a skintight suit with little to no details. And did you see how skinny Rena Rouge is compared to Lady WiFi? Or how Ladybug's suit has only one colour? The show doesn't even try to make clothes look more fashionable. They have three (!) designers, two models and Chloé is the Style Queen's daughter. They didn't even try!

✓ Making fun of Marinette's anxiety so often. It's offensive to people who have the same problem.

✓ Master Fu. He's an awful person who pushed his responsibility on children without explaining anything. There was no point in hiding his identity. What if they were akumatized? Well, Paris would be doomed anyway. No Ladybug to purify akuma, no cure. And we saw how dangerous akumatized Chat was in Chat Blanc.

Do you know what would happen if he revealed his identity in the beginning? There would be no Stoneheart 2.0, Marinette and Adrien would have a better understanding of their powers, a support system, a reason to get away to transform.

✓ Chat Noir and Ladybug not knowing who the other is. I've already explained why the akumatization excuse doesn't work. How can you trust a person you don't know? They would be able to support each other in their civilian lives. But they wanted a love square and that's why revealing won't happen in a looooong time.

✓ Sexualisation of minors. Have you seen Mister Bug? Or Lady Noire? They are 14/15! It's gross and disgusting to lust after teenagers. And what about numerous shots of Ladybug's backside? Or how thin Marinette is?

✓ Teaching wrong lessons. First they bash Marinette for not trusting Chloé and then they bash Marinette for trusting Chloé with the bee. How dare Marinette not have fun while fighting her friends? And then several minutes later: How dare she have fun while fighting her friends? Or how she was basically told her feelings don't matter by Madame Bustier in Zombizou. And blaming her for everything bad that happens in the show.

✓ Marinette's whole character revolves around Adrien. It's most obvious in the future special about China. She will go there not to learn about her heritage and her mother's culture but to be with Adrien. Almost everything she does as a civilian is about Adrien. They don't let her move on even when it's hurting her. Wouldn't it be much better if she tried to grow as a person, spend more time on her hobby. Maybe find Hawkmoth?

✓ Another issue is that they don't even try to find Hawkmoth. They treat only symptoms and one day it won't be enough. We had one episode where they were close to finding him. But Gabriel was akumatized so no lead again. Very convenient for the plot.

Why does Mlb have such a big fan base? Why is it so popular? So much wasted potential it physically hurts. But the most important question is why do I spend so much time and energy on this show? Please, send help. I can't continue doing this.

#mlb #mlb writers are sexist #mlb salt #adrien salt #lila and chloe deserve better #lila and chloe are teenagers #they're not evil #mlb characters deserve better #gabriel agreste salt #gabriel agreste is an awful person #marinette deserves better #make characters face consequences of their actions #marinette isn't the only one who makes mistakes #miraculous ladybug #miraculous lb #sexualization

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kisilinramblings · 3 years

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This is so interesting, thank you !! Also I'm French and I've heard a lot about Fort Boyard without watching so I had no idea the themes were so similar, but given the amount of references and Easter eggs in Miraculous, I wouldn't be surprised if it were a conscious nod !

Would you do a comparative analysis of Marinette's and Adrien's different transformations please please please ? (And possibly between Aspik and Viperion's transformation ?) 🙏

Ok, so, this is going to be long. I will limit the screen capture, but I’ll put down link to any transformation I am referencing.

Ladybug | Lady Noire | Multi Mouse

Alright, so let’s begin with Marinette’s most common transformation : Ladybug!

At the beginning, we see the camera framing Marinette at a normal angle before the character up herself up, thus offering us a subtle low angle shot.

Low angles serve usually to give the impression the character is bigger, superior. And Marinette is no exception. Once Tikki has entered her Miraculous, Marinette is elevated. She is becoming a superhero. Her hair and clothers are being blown just like a cape blown by the wind. It’s a dramatization effect. The wind may not make sense, but it adds some flair and epicness.

Next is the mask. Mostly because I want to compare Marinette’s first transformation vs the one she now has.

During her very transformation in Origins, LB’s mask appears on its own as well as the rest of her costume, without doing any movement or big choregraphy. It showed Marinette as being passive. The transformation sequence there reflected how much Marinette was taken aback by all of this and didn’t know what she had to do then.

After her Origin’s though, after finding her resolve to help, Marinette knows what to do when there is a problem and will act. And this is what her -- or any other Holder really -- do by moving around to trigger their costume appearance. They don’t need to, but it communicates to us they are putting the mask on in order to do something about the situation at hand.

After that, the rest of Ladybug’s transformation sequence is inpired by gymnatics. So, while the show never showed Marinette having gymnastic class, this could be part of her past, that she has taking gymnastic lessons before. It also constrast with the clumsy Marinette, showing us instead that as Ladybug, she is elegant, in control of her movement before finishing with a powerful pose.

Speaking of gymnastics...

Multi Mouse’s transformation is fully inspired by it. The vfx are even shaped like ribbons themselves

Marinette’s pose at the beginning says action, but at the same time, instead of elevating herself, she bows down. Discretion is the word. And it was her goal when she put on the Mouse Miraculous. She will be making herself small and go under the radar. And during the tranformation, at one point, she goes completely off-screen as if she was evading it.

Honestly, I am curious to see and compare with Mylène’s when we will finally see it.

As for her Lady Noire’s transformation, it’s very much inspired by Chat Noir’s very own sequence. The Miraculous being raised up high above the head before the transformation begins, making her mask appear with one hand swipe. Her feet are grounded instead of giving the impression she is floating. The fury swipes at the end. So yeah, overall, inspired by Chat Noir, but her attitude feels a bit more feral to me, has a more raw energy to it. There is one moment that is varie a lot though. And it is when she puts the ears on.

Adrien in comparaison has a close up on the top of the head only. With Marinette though, we see her whole head, and she is like sighing of relief. Considering she said later the Chat Noir’s costume was lighter on the shoulder, this could be why. She doesn’t have as much responsabilities to handle as Lady Noire than as Ladybug.

All right, that’s all I had to say about Marinette’s transformation. Let’s now take a look at Adrien’s.

Chat Noir | Mister Bug | Aspik

Adrien’s transformation sequence starts with a very dynamic shot, as if he is punching something (or breaking the walls that surround him). He also has his other fist in the air, ready for action.

Once that done, he takes a pose, showing off, being dramatic, extravagant.

Before lifting his hand high above his head while keeping his head low. Interestingly enough, Lady Noire do the opposite. She looks upwards.

So, Adrien tries to be confident, but appears also humbled down? This is also done to contrast with Ladybug.

Also, I remember the 2D pv had transformation sequence already (back when it was Félix) and this very composition was present back in the day. In other words, this little segment of their respective transformation was meant to represent the yin and the yang.

As for the rest of Chat Noir’s transformation, no much comment. Him doing a fury swipes as well as his final pose as always strike me as him going into character. My hero theme is a cat? Alright, I’ll do a cat-like pose because I think it would be cool. And I know I am writing this after Lies, but even before that episode and the scene at the art club, Adrien likes to be able to goof around. So he jokes, he acts like a cat. It’s a way to express himself as well as an exploration of himself as he is unable to do so with the expection on him as a civilian.

Next, his Mister Bug’s transformation.

Just like Lady Noire takes a lot of inspirations from Chat Noir’s sequence, Mister Bug takes inspiration from Ladybug’s. But there are still some aspect that are still Chat Noir’s. Like the raised fist.

In fact, his sequence is very combative compared to Ladybug’s. The choregraph gymnatic sequence is replaced by a series of kicks. Though, I think the goal was to show boys can be Ladybug too if they want and this was a way to appeal to them. Still, this might be also our first clue about how Chat Noir is transposing himself in Ladybug’s role. He shows close combat move while the Ladybug Miraculous power isn’t optimal for close combat. We don’t even get a yoyo shot like it is the case with LB.

Finaly, Aspik’s.

The beginning is pretty similar to his Chat Noir’s transformation, but more... contrived? Less expressive? Tuned down? I dunno how to qualify it. I also love how we can still see his ring, but he is putting it behind him. Like how he is leaving his Chat Noir’s role behind in order to become Aspik. Because this is what he did during Desparada. He abandoned to be Chat Noir so he could be fitting (and flirting) with Ladybug as Adrien.

The last element is the lyre weapon. It appears only at the end of Aspik’s transformation, but Aspik doesn’t interact with the instrument at all. Because Adrien cannot play that instrument. And funnily enough, when it is Luka who holds the Snake Miraculous and transform into Viperion, the lyre is precisely the first thing that Luka appears and interacts with it to make the rest of his costume appears.

All that to show that Ladybug didn’t choose the right person for the Snake Miraculous during Desperada.

I think that covers everything I had to say about both Marinette’s and Adrien’s transformations. I hope you have enjoyed this!

#mure-sauvage #miraulous ladybug #marinette dupain-cheng #adrien agreste #ml analysis #long post

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flightfoot · 3 years

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Scarlet Fever Analysis 2: Salt Fighting

AO3

Note: this contains spoilers for all of Scarlet Fever

Scarlet Fever addresses and shuts down salt in many ways, showing where it might have a point, but fighting back when that point is taken too far.

This is usually done through two particular mouthpieces - Master Fu and Princess Justice, though other characters do bring up salt arguments and scenarios as well.

Master Fu’s main problems stem from not trusting Adrien enough, from having so little faith in him, treating him like an afterthought, a sidekick. He largely represents the Adrien salters who think he’s incompetent and unworthy of attention, that he’s useless without Ladybug and only exists to be her bodyguard - and that since that’s his role, he deserves no accolades for fulfilling it.

From the beginning, Master Fu has some misgivings about Adrien being Paris’s main protector, without Marinette around to help.

Tikki floated forward to respond but Master Fu held out his palm to stop her. "The last time you used the Ladybug Miraculous you had her help!"

Adrien looked down. "I know... That's why we need her back." He looked up in determination as he put on the earrings. "If I had so much trouble with them then we can't just choose anyone else and we can't wait." (Chapter 2)

Master Fu is doubtful here that Adrien’s up to the task, since he wasn’t quite up to it last time. Which… fair. Adrien struggled in Reflekdoll, with Marinette ultimately telling him how to use his Lucky Charm.

But Adrien’s counterargument is also important. It shifts the conversation from the implication that “Adrien is incompetent as Ladybug” to “Marinette is the best at being Ladybug, but failing that, Adrien is the second best choice since he has some experience as Ladybug and a lot as a Miraculous Wielder more generally”.

Credit to Master Fu, he doesn’t argue with Adrien on this front, doesn’t try to stop him. Adrien IS the best option available to wield the Ladybug Miraculous.

There’s some salt about Adrien being dumb and unable to use the Ladybug effectively, but Scarlet Fever shuts that down. Yes, it’s not as natural a fit for Adrien as it is for Marinette, but that’s because of how uniquely suited Marinette is for the Ladybug, not because Adrien is especially bad at using it - and when push comes to shove, he can use it very effectively.

That’s only the beginning of Master Fu’s doubt in Adrien and skepticism of his choices, however. He isn’t especially happy when Adrien brings Sabine back to their base.

"He also said you were the one to ask about Marinette," Sabine continued.

Master Fu stumbled in shock and turned his head from Sabine to Adrien and back again. "The situation is... complicated."

"She deserves to know, Master," Adrien insisted, he'd wrapped the tarp around himself like a shawl, revealing his eyes but keeping his face covered.

"It is not the time!" Master Fu chastised. "With Papillon Écarlate gaining strength we must focus on- Are you listening to me?" (Chapter 3)

This passage parallels one of the arguments about Syren, one of the conflicts. In that episode, there was an undertone of Adrien having the right to know some of the Miraculous-related stuff, enough to know what was going on with Ladybug at least, and Fu delaying because it supposedly wasn’t the right time. It’s fitting to see that argument rear up again, especially since Adrien’s “right to know” stuff comes up so often, with how he’s left out of the loop so much and how that hurts.

Fu’s resistant to trusting Adrien’s instincts in general, not even wanting to let him decide who to give a Miraculous to, wanting to wait until Ladybug’s freed so SHE can decide. It takes an outside authority - the Lucky Charm - to persuade Fu, rather than having some faith in Adrien’s choices.

"We can still free Ladybug," Master Fu insisted. "Then she can decide who to bestow with a Miraculous."

Adrien shook his head. "My Lucky Charm said I needed Kagami."

"... The Lucky Charm said to give Kagami the Black Cat?"

"... Yes! I don't know if it's to bring My Lady back to us or some other reason but I know that we need Kagami! And I know I need to hurry!"

Master Fu stared at his Chosen intently. "If that is our best course of action," he conceded. (Chapter 3)

The complete reliance on Marinette to fulfill the auxiliary duties of a Miraculous Wielder, the unwillingness to consider that Adrien may also be able to perform some of the same roles well, like choosing wielders, is something I’ve seen crop up in salt repeatedly.

It comes to a head with Sabine and Fu arguing, Fu claiming that Adrien isn’t good enough while Sabine counters, defending Adrien.

"I had to train Marinette! I could not stop simply to scold Chat Noir every time he erred! Adrien has made too many mistakes!"

"Isn't it a teacher's job to correct his students? Maybe you should have trained Adrien too instead of expecting my daughter to do everything herself!" Sabine challenged.

"It was too dangerous!" Master Fu retorted. "Marinette proved herself! I couldn't let Adrien in when he did not earn it!

Sabine stared at this man older than her father and realized he knew nothing of adolescents. "... Trading his wellbeing for my daughter's may not make him trustworthy in your eyes," she stressed. "But it does in mine." (Chapter 6)

One of the salt arguments I’ve heard is that Adrien hasn’t “proven” himself worthy of having more information, more of a role in the process, of having the same sort of information and authority as Marinette. Him just fulfilling his role as a superhero, protecting Paris and protecting Ladybug so she can restore everything, even at the cost of his own life, isn’t seen as enough (and is sometimes even seen as him manipulating her somehow).

But Sabine’s the voice of reason, fighting back. She doesn’t have the same sort of unreasonable, unmanageable expectations that Fu does - if she did Marinette would probably be joining Adrien in the “awful parent” club.

Instead, she holds Adrien to the same sort of standard that she would Marinette. He’s trying to help, has sacrificed himself again and again for Marinette’s sake, for Paris’s sake. He is a Hero of Paris. That’s all he needs to be. He’s more than proved his trustworthiness, shown that he should be given the same sort of respect that Marinette gets.

Princess Justice is not so easily reasoned with.

She represents a specific character in saltfics, the most important one by design - the one the world’s warped around.

Saltinette.

It’s pretty apparent in her accusations against the heroes, in the accusations against others more generally.

"What of Papillon's Judgment!" Maneki-neko demanded as they sped towards the Seine. She held tight to the struggling villain as she attempted to get through to Marinette. "Will you absolve him of his crimes against Paris! Against your friends!"

"What friends!?" Princess Justice roared. She opened her bag and spun. The dust engulfed them, entering Kagami's eyes and distracting her long enough for the villain to break free.

Princess Justice struck at the hero, Maneki-neko barely deflecting her attacks. Every sentence punctuated by the crack of her whip. "They abandoned me! They chose that liar over me! They will all suffer like I have! They will all feel my pain! Every! Last! ONE!" (Chapter 5)

Saltfics frequently exaggerate the “sins” of Marinette’s friends and family, from merely having some doubt in her (based on both accusations and actual evidence, albeit planted evidence) into actively shunning her - something that doesn’t happen in the show for more than a few minutes at best, and which Alya doesn’t even entertain.

But the part that’s most telling? Her desire to inflict pain on them in return. Not merely to persuade them that Lila’s wrong, but to actively want them to suffer for the impertinence of being conned.

The revenge plot is a staple of saltfics, often focusing on punishing the people Lila fooled even above punishing Lila. On inflicting pain on the people who “failed” Marinette when they should have believed her and followed what she said unquestioningly, no matter what evidence or accusations were thrown her way, without a hint of doubt or consideration for Lila’s words.

Marinette notably does NOT do this. Even in Silencer she wants justice because of Bob stealing her design and Kitty Section’s music, but emphatically does NOT pursue revenge, trying to get Silencer to back down because anything he did to Bob WOULD be vengeance, not justice. She even tells Chat as much when he suggests letting Silencer MAKE Bob confess the truth.

If she isn’t willing to let that happen to Bob, someone who did indeed knowingly wrong her and her friends without remorse, she CERTAINLY wouldn’t want to inflict vengeance on people whose main crime was being tricked, something that Mister Bug calls Princess Justice out on.

"You've always been forgiving!" Mister Bug reminded her desperately. "Always the one to point out what's unjust! You said that we should strive for Justice not Revenge! This! All of this! Is Revenge!" (Chapter 5)

Of course, she isn’t exactly in a headspace where she’s able to listen to him.

Instead she fights him, accusing him of common salt complaints against him.

"Chat Noir!" She slammed them into the side of a building, gratified to hear his cries. "You are accused!"

Adrien felt his heart pounding in fear. He knew what the verdict would be.

"Accused of being Unworthy!"

"Plagg disagrees." The throbbing impact of the bench on his head hurt less than the impact of her words on his heart. (Chapter 5)

Adrien frequently has the Black Cat Miraculous taken from him in saltfics for one reason or another, declared unworthy of possessing it. Canonically of course none of the heroes would even consider that (except Adrien himself, funnily enough), and the one whose opinion on his “worthiness” matters most - Plagg - has declared Adrien to be the best Chat Noir he ever had, both thinking he’s a good hero AND also caring about him deeply, helping to cheer him up whenever Adrien’s hurt.

"Accused of holding Ladybug back!" She ground him on the underside of a bridge as they flew past.

His chest tightened and he forced air into his lungs. The friction of stones on his back burned less than her barbs. "First I've heard of it." (Chapter 5)

Chat Noir’s also accused of being useless a lot, of Ladybug being better off without him. Something that has been shown to not be the case time and time again. Furthermore she’d never WANT to be without him - that was shown in the NY special. That she didn’t know she could even fight without him by her side.

"Accused of treating the lives of Paris like some game!"

His eyes widened. "Never!" (Chapter 5)

This salt mostly stems from Syren, though it crops up more generally with Chat Noir cracking jokes during akuma battles. But while he jokes or gets upset, it never distracts him from fighting the akuma for long, if at all. Plus, it’s a way of coping with the situation. Getting too bogged down and not having any fun along the way can lead to MORE mistakes, as Gamer 2.0 demonstrated.

"Accused of getting in her way! Of always expecting her to save you without regard for how getting brainwashed affects her!" She ricocheted between two trees before she had to evade his companions.

"I was protecting you!" He jerked them away from the lamppost she was about to crush his back against. "You think I want to fight you!? I hate being brainwashed! I'm terrified of it!" (Chapter 5)

Yep, this is, for some reason, an actual salt accusation towards Chat to show how he’s a horrible person: that he gets hurt and brainwashed for her sake too often and doesn’t think about how she feels about needing to save him, making him a horrible person.

"I had to ask you to help me before you did anything!" Princess Justice launched herself at him with a kick.

"... What?" Mister Bug was snapped out of his thoughts by her words. He grabbed her foot and used her momentum to spin her away, head over heel.

She righted herself, the butterfly mark flaring back up, and charged again. "Right before Damocles expelled me, you said nothing until I asked you to!"

He used his forearms to block her strikes as a familiar rage started burning through his veins. "You're... angry because I helped you? When you asked for it!?" He ducked under her blow and brought his fist into an uppercut.

"I shouldn't have to ask!" She barely twisted out of the way in time as she failed in her attempt to knee him in the face. "You are Unworthy!" Princess Justice accused. (Chapter 9)

Yep, this is an actual accusation that’s thrown at Adrien for the events of “Ladybug”; that after Marinette opens the locker and Lila’s necklace falls out, he processes for a few seconds and intervenes once Marinette asks him for help. It takes 15 seconds from the time Lila picks the necklace up to Adrien intervening (with most of that time taken up by Marinette talking), but a quarter of a minute is an unforgivable delay for salters.

As for not helping until she asked for it (though Adrien didn’t have much of a window in which to intervene before she requested assistance)... that’s not always a bad thing. It’s not what MARINETTE does, but that doesn’t always work out. Often it IS a good idea to wait until someone gives an indication that they want the help before intervening, because that intervention may end up only making things worse. Adrien knows that well enough when it comes to his father - Nino wasn’t able to persuade him to allow Adrien to have a birthday party, and was subsequently barred from the house as a “bad influence”. Worse may have happened if he pushed further, ESPECIALLY to Adrien, whom Gabriel has authority to punish.

Adrien can only take so much of this, so much of being slandered, of having every potential fault magnified a thousandfold while his own feelings and views of the situations are completely disregarded before he SNAPS.

"I was betrayed!" She swung a right hook at him. "My whole world crashed down around me!" And a left. "Who are you to Judge me, oh Chat Blanc!" The villain sneered.

And Mister Bug's control snapped.

"So sorry grieving over my dead mother isn't good enough to get AKUMATIZED OVER!" (Chapter 9)

Marinette has issues that she’s dealing with, emotional turmoil that she’s going through. But so do others, ESPECIALLY Adrien. She’s not the only one whose feelings matter.

“I forgot! Marinette is the only one whose burdens count!" He stopped suddenly and yanked on his yo-yo.

"What would you know about it!?" She copied him and jerked her whip towards her, the tangled cords beginning to pull free.

"They kept touching ME!" His disgust and shame roared through him and their weapons separated with a snap.

"Then you should have said something instead of letting them walk all over you!" She lashed out with her whip, intending to put an end to this. (Chapter 9)

Adrien’s sneered at for being a spineless doormat, for “letting” people touch him when he’s very clearly trying to get away without just outright telling them to back off. It is something that he needs to work on, but it’s certainly not something to BLAME him for. Especially since it’s doubtful that making a fuss about that sort of thing would’ve been well-received in most of his life. His father would be unlikely to take it well if he objected to a photoshoot on those grounds, for instance.

But he’s not the only one who needs to learn when to confess that something bad has happened to them.

"You're one to talk!" He deflected every strike with his yo-yo, mirrored her every move.

"You're the one who told me not to SAY anything!" Her whip came a hairsbreadth from his ear.

"You never said she threatened you!" His yo-yo barely grazed her bag.

"What difference does it make!?" She charged at him.

"It makes all the difference!" He rose to meet her. (Chapter 9)

This is a key point of contention in a lot of the Chameleon salt that’s directed at Adrien. Often he’s blamed for his advice to Marinette not to continue going after Lila, that it won’t help anything. That so long as he and Marinette knew she was lying, it didn’t really matter.

But that advice was based on the premise that Lila wasn’t an active threat, a danger. That it was merely galling to see her lying, but that she wasn’t causing any active harm by doing so. And while it was theorized that her lies about her status may lead to her making false promises to people, causing them to forgo real opportunities in pursuit of a lie, by the end of season 3 that does not appear to be the case.

Her actively threatening Marinette changes things. If she didn’t pose an actual danger, then it would be irritating to have to listen to her lie, but it doesn’t actually change anything. But with her desire to isolate Marinette? That’s different. Just leaving her be under those circumstances leaves Marinette in peril.

But Adrien DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THAT, and that is not his fault. He could only make decisions and recommendations off of information he possesses. He is not to blame for not being psychic.

Marinette would NOT blame Adrien for these things. Would not try to inflict pain on her friends.

Princess Justice is not Marinette.

Saltinette is not Marinette.

Something that Adrien realizes.

Adrien looked at Princess Justice. Really looked at her. The sneer of her lips, the sadistic gleam in her eyes, the ferocity of her advance. This... This was not Marinette.

The anger made way as Adrien's determination and love rose to merge with it. He broke through her assault and zipped away. The villain giving chase.

Princess Justice was all pain and rage and desire.

The villains on the ground took notice of their approach.

But Marinette was not defined by these things.

Glaciator fired a barrage of ice cream as he moved too close.

Marinette was joy and compassion and longing.(Chapter 9)

Marinette can have negative emotions and make bad decisions like anyone else. But fundamentally she is kind and caring, brings light to those around her, makes their lives better. She doesn’t try to make them miserable and beat every ounce of happiness out of their existence. She values people besides herself, besides what they can do for her, and cares about what they think and feel.

And SHE truly cares about justice.

Princess Justice does not deserve the name. Although she declares herself just, serves as judge, jury, and executioner, she does not keep herself to the standard she holds others too.

Kagami's tail stiffened. "Liar!" Maneki-neko let the villain's whip wrap around her staff and yanked her in. "You're a liar!" Her fist connected with the akumatized supervillain.

Throwing her own punch Princess Justice's eyes narrowed. "Justice doesn't lie!"

Stumbling back, Maneki-neko threw herself forward. "You're not Justice!" She tackled the villain, and they went over the edge of the roof. "You're immune to your own dust! You've been lying since the beginning!" (Chapter 12)

It’s poetic really. For the representation of Saltinette to be an evilized Marinette, one who rains down judgement on others but protects herself from being judged similarly, not even realizing that she’s doing it. Saltinette isn’t Marinette. She’s a twisted version, bereft of reason and her best qualities.

If Saltinette was judging herself the way she judges everyone else? She would be even more furious at Marinette for not doing more to take Lila down, since she knows she’s an active threat and is well-positioned to let people know that she’s lying about being her friend, than she is at Adrien. There would probably be a host of other things she’d judge herself for as well, but what exactly would depend on what space Saltinette occupied in that dynamic. For the only thing that matters to Saltinette is whether something or someone benefits her or whether they cause her any difficulty, nothing else.

Indignation. Princess Justice whirled to face him as her blue eyes narrowed. "You'd turn against me, too? Just like everyone else!? You all turned against me!"

Righteous Fury rumbled in displeasure at its master's agitation, exoskeleton glowing faintly under their feet.

"Disagreeing with you doesn't mean I've turned against you, my Lady," Adrien reasoned. (Chapter 13)

This is key. It’s possible to have fics, to have circumstances where Marinette conflicts with Adrien, Alya, or many others, without anyone being treated as being a horrible person. Sometimes people just disagree, sometimes for good reasons, due to perspective, mindset, or differences in knowledge, for instance. It doesn’t always mean they’ve turned against the other person.

Approaching cautiously, Roi Bug kept a hand close to his yo-yo in case she tried to attack him in earnest. "Revenge isn't Justice. You know that. Remember?"

"... I do." She looked down as another building was hit. "I remember letting the Guilty hurt the Innocent! Letting people who have never shown an ounce of remorse get away scot-free! Showing mercy to people who don't deserve it! Who haven't earned it!" Her gaze turned to him with frustration and anger in her eyes. "That is what I remember!"

He let her rage wash past him. "Mercy is never earned. That's why it's Mercy. Because you don't deserve it. Forgiveness-"

Princess Justice laughed. "Oh, forgiveness! You're really good at that, aren't you? But I'm done forgiving! From now on everyone gets exactly. What. They. Deserve!"

Temper flaring, Adrien shot his hand out toward a girl barely younger than them as she floated past. Face frozen mid-scream. Dark glow proclaiming: Self-righteous. "Is this what they deserve!?"

No, yes, no, yes, no- "Silence!" Princess Justice's whip flew at him again. This time Roi Bug whirled his yo-yo as a shield to deflect it. (Chapter 13)

Forgiveness and mercy can go too far. That is true. But there’s a reason they exist, why they’re generally considered good. Punishment can go too far, can cause more harm than good, especially when taken to insane extremes for minor slights, as Princess Justice and Saltinette do. A LOT of Disproportionate Retribution gets thrown around.

And if merely causing someone some strife was worthy of insane punishment? Few people would pass. Marinette among them.

"I've never harmed an Innocent person in my life!" She slashed her whip in a wide arc.

Bringing out the Monkey's staff and the baseball bat Lucky Charm, he used both weapons to deflect her attack. "Of course, you have! You're human aren't you!?"

"They were all Guilty!" She insisted, agitation causing the sentimonster to rumble as she struck. "They all deserved it!"

Adrien's eyes narrowed. "Did Luka 'deserve' it?"

Flinching, her whip missed its target.

"Or Kagami?" He pressed. "Did she 'deserve' the way you treated her?"

Regret, determination, shame.

"She should know what she's done to you," he whispered.

"... She does."

"No- I- Quiet! Be quiet!" She held her head between her hands as a drum pounded in her skull. "Justice! I am Justice!" (Chapter 13)

Marinette’s inflicted pain on others who have not done something to earn it, Kagami being one of the chief examples, what with her actions towards her in Animaestro and Ikari Gozen. But while what Marinette did those times were WRONG, they do not define her as a person, and do not justify an insane level of disproportionate retribution against her, do not justify writing Marinette off as a human being.

That same courtesy should apply to others as well.

Marinette is different from Princess Justice, from Saltinette, something she aptly demonstrates when she talks to Adrien after being deakumatized.

I-I said some... terrible things to you and I..." Marinette curled her arms around herself. "I didn't mean it." (Chapter 14)

Marinette also fights back against the accusations Princess Justice made, things that Marinette didn’t mean, does not believe, and would never say if she’d been herself.

"You saved me countless times!" His eyes watered as her's did the same. "You saved Paris countless times!" Yellow smoke intruded into his thoughts, helpless to stop the cycle no matter how many Second Chances he got. "It-" Shame choked his throat and he swallowed it back, averting his eyes. "It's about time I started pulling my weight..."

Frowning, Marinette placed her hands over his. "Who... said you weren't pulling your weight?" His silence was answer enough and the guilt cut at her.

Piecing Adrien and Chat Noir together was surprisingly easy when she let herself consider it. Virtues and flaws that made a terrible sort of sense together. Once Marinette understood that he felt just as alone as she did. And Princess Justice threw it all in his face.

"Well, she was wrong!" Marinette snapped. Gripping Adrien's hands firmly as they trembled. (Chapter 14)

Marinette would never say that Chat wasn’t pulling his weight, that he wasn’t good enough. Wouldn’t believe it and would fight back against anyone who hurt her partner that way. She reassures him that he is enough, that he did well, even while he assures her that he doesn’t blame her for what happened and nor would anyone else. That she’s human, and having a moment of emotional weakness, of distress, does not make her bad or unworthy or irresponsible.

Both of them reassuring each other that they don’t need to be perfect. That they are enough. To be kind and forgiving towards themselves.

#ml fanfic analysis #scarlet fever #miraculous ladybug #ml fandom salt #fandom salt

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galahadwilder · 4 years

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buggachat laptop fic: Ladybug keeps setting patrol schedules to pair up Multimouse and Aspik, having told Chat Noir it's because she ships Multimouse/Aspik. Chat Noir does not know what to think of this. Adrien isn't supposed to know Multimouse is Marinette; Marinette isn't supposed to know Aspik is Adrien. But there's still the nagging similarities between Marinette (when she doesn't think Adrien's listening) and Ladybug, and he only gave Multimouse his ring bc he KNEW she was Ladybug lying...

(2/3) Further to my Aspikmouse request for the buggachat laptop fund: substituting Adrien wielding any Miraculous but Cat, Snake, or Ladybug works too, as long as Ladybug knows it’s Adrien. As does substituting Marinette wielding any Miraculous but Ladybug, Rat, or Cat, as long as Chat Noir knows it’s Marinette. (Come to think of it, Snake!Marinette/Rat!Adrien could be all kinds of amusing…)

(3/3, two sentence prompts) (sometime after Desperada) “Why would I offer him a different Miraculous, Chat? Did I not put him through enough hell the first time?”

Unwise

Chapter 1: In Which Chat is Slightly Less Helpful Than He Thinks He Is

Fic written to help fund @buggachat‘s laptop repairs. Original idea from @sweetmeatdale.

Ever since Max got Akumatized again, patrol has been a quiet hell. Chat is fairly certain he knows why: based on comments she made during the Gamer fight, it seems like being Ladybug and training to be the new Guardian (and whatever else she has going on in her civilian life—she may not be Marinette, but given how similar they are he’s willing to bet she’s just as busy as a civilian) has left her with no time to do any of the things that calm her. Apparently Fu outright told her that her training was complete way earlier than she expected, meaning she has a mantle of responsibility she isn’t ready for but none of the choice that goes with it. His Lady is quietly collapsing, and try as she might to hide it, he can tell. The bags under her eyes are extending past the bottom of her mask, and her shoulders are almost constantly up by her ears.

It’s only been a week, and Chat realizes that if this keeps going on, Ladybug is going to burn out. Which means he has to do something. Her responsibility is Paris; his responsibility is her.

She misses a step, on a rooftop halfway through patrol, stumbles into his arms—he can’t help noticing how familiar it feels. “Okay,” he says, quietly. “We’re stopping here for tonight.”

Ladybug shakes her head. “I can keep going,” she mumbles, her eyes closed.

Chat cradles her cheek in his palm, and it’s a testament to how exhausted she is that she melts into it without even a token protest. “You keep telling me that ‘can’ doesn’t mean ‘have to,’” he says, trying to control his voice as she snuggles into him. “You need rest, Bug.”

“Hypocrite,” she mumbles, lazily smacking his side.

“Expendable hypocrite,” he retorts.

She opens her mouth to protest, but he sits down, yanking her into his lap before she has time to speak. She squeaks instead.

“Kitty purrs time,” he says, pressing her against his chest as he begins to rumble.

She gasps, quietly, snuggling in closer, and his purr interrupts for a moment as he swallows, trying to control his breathing, his blush.

They sit like that for a few minutes, Ladybug sinking into his arms, before Chat decides she’s calm enough to talk things through. “I think,” he says, “that we need to start bringing on some teammates. Full-time.”

Ladybug stiffens. “Chaton,” she whispers, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

He closes his eyes and sighs. “Bugaboo, we can’t keep doing this by ourselves,” he says. “How long has it been since you’ve slept a full night?”

She looks away instead of answering.

He begins to press his palms into the small of her back, working out the kinks in her muscles. “We need help,” he says, carefully avoiding the word ‘you’—if she thinks she’s the only one hurting, he knows she’ll accept that and keep shouldering the burden until it breaks her. The only way he can convince her is if she thinks he needs it too. “I know Rena would jump at the chance, and Carapace seems like he would do anything if she asked.”

“I don’t want to put this on them,” she grumbles. “This is our job. They have lives outside of—”

Chat snorts. “Your job is to protect Paris,” he says. “My job is to look after a hyperactive genius who thinks she can’t go to bed until she’s personally solved every problem in the city.” He squeezes her protectively, not missing the way she whimpers in his arms. “If that means I have to meow annoyingly at you until you agree to start sharing the burden…”

“Chaton, I’m fi—“

“MEOOOOOOOWWWWWW!” he screeches into her ear.

She shrieks, trying to pull away, but he’s holding her too firmly. “Dammit, Chat!” she cries. “We can’t just have the other Miraculi out!” She shudders. “What if Hawkmoth ambushes one of them as a civilian?”

“What if you’re so sleep-deprived you can’t figure out how to use your Lucky Charm?” Chat rebuts. “Or I’m too slow and you get hit by something I can’t block?”

“Chaton—”

“Meeeeoooowwwww!” he interrupts, then takes a deep breath. He didn’t want to do this, but… he has to go for her weak spot. He knows how painful this is to her—he knows about the night terrors she keeps having, the reason she was so wrecked once Gamer got taken down, but if it keeps her alive and sane he will do whatever it takes. “My Lady,” he says, “if we don’t start bringing on a team I am going to die again.”

She stiffens in his arms. “Don’t you dare,” she hisses.

“It’s not like I have a choice!” he snaps. “You can’t—”

She scrambles out of his arms, shingles cracking beneath the force of her footfalls, and jabs him in the chest with her finger. “Don’t act like you can’t do this without me too, Mister Bug!”

He snatches her wrist. “Not as well as you can, and I think Reflekdoll proved that!” he growls. Then he sighs. “Please, My Lady,” he says. “If you won’t do it for yourself… at least do it for me.”

She blinks up at him. “Chaton?” she whispers.

“I haven’t slept right in months,” he says. Not since Desperada, but she doesn’t want to know that part. “I keep seeing us… losing. You dead and broken and… and I’m by myself, and there’s nothing I can do to save you…” He’s shared more than he intended to, and his voice breaks as his chest squeezes tight. “Please,” he whispers. “At least Carapace. I can’t keep protecting you on my own.”

That got… uncomfortably truthful. He hadn’t meant to share that—hell, he hadn’t even known he was feeling like that. But it’s obvious now, after his mouth ran away with him, that he’s as overwhelmed as she is. He’s been putting on a good show for his Instagram, but… when’s the last time he’s slept a full night?

Ladybug stares at him, her lip quivering, and for a moment he’s sure she’s going to snap at him again. But then she sets her jaw. “I’m not bringing Queen Bee back,” she says. “I don’t trust her.”

The levee in Chat’s heart breaks, and his whole body is flooded with emotion at once. Instantly, his head is in her lap, pressed up against her stomach. “Thank you,” he gasps. “Thank you thank you thank you.” He’s sobbing into her lap, and she strokes his head, scratching just behind his ears in the way he loves so much; bliss shoots down from his scalp through his spine as he purrs urgently against her.

“Rena and Carapace, obviously,” she says.

He squirms, snuggling deeper into her arms. “Viperion seems competent,” he mumbles. “Thoughts on Monkey?”

“Hmm…” Ladybug says, and he can hear the mirth returning to her voice for the first time since he backed off the platform. “Childish and irresponsible. Keep him temp, I think.”

“Okay.” Chat nods. “I like Pegase, though.”

Ladybug nods. “Yeah, he’s pretty good,” she says. “I’ve been thinking about bringing Ryuko back too—she did pretty well against Gozen.”

“Agreed,” Chat says. Then the side of his mouth quirks down. This is probably not the best time to bring this up, not when she’s actually agreeing with him and this might cause her to reconsider, but… it’s kind of important. The rules are set for a reason. “Wait,” he says, “I know who Pegase and Ryuko are.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, so?”

It’s a bit petulant of him to ask, but… well, Marinette is so impressive that she’s the only person he’s ever seriously considered might be Ladybug, and if he hadn’t seen them both together on two separate occasions he’d still be pretty suspicious. “I thought you weren’t supposed to bring back wielders whose names I know?”

Ladybug launches to her feet, sending him sprawling out of her lap—then she leans down and locks eyes with him, and crushes his bell in her fingers. “No,” she spits, yanking him forward into a suspiciously exact replica of Marinette’s famous Penance Stare. “I am not putting her back in the field.”

He’s not sure what to say. He knows she doesn’t want Multimouse back but he doesn’t know why—he has suspicions, but there’s no way, right? He’s been so careful with this whole conversation, and now Adrien Brain, which is so obsessed with rules and consistency, has just launched his foot through the ground into an occupied fire ant nest. His lungs shudder at the fire in her eyes, unable to even speak.

(He’s disappointed in his Chat Noir Brain as well, for being so excited at the incongruity of her reaction. Even after everything, she’s still oddly vehement about not using Multimouse.)

He wants to tell her that’s not what he meant, that he’s worried about bringing Ryuko and Pegase back but—something about her refusal to bring Marinette back rubs him the wrong way.

“Why?” he croaks, finally. His bell clonks a little bit in her hand instead of jingling. “You know she’s the best temp we’ve ever had—she did both of our jobs!”

Ladybug’s eyelid twitches, and he realizes he’s crossed a line he didn’t know about. There’s something between her and Marinette; something he’s not aware of. The two girls have had some kind of relationship since before Evillustrator…

Ladybug trusts Marinette so much and has never specified the gender of the person she likes. And nobody seems to know who Marinette has a crush on. Is she… trying to protect her girlfriend?

She stares for a second, then collapses next to him and sighs. “Maybe I should bring her back,” she grumbles.

“What? No!” Chat says, gripping at her wrist. “If you don’t want her back—”

“It’s not a want thing,” Ladybug says. “I’m just… not sure she can.”

Chat bristles. “What?” he cries. Maybe… not girlfriend? Does she… not like Marinette? Is that it? “My Lady, I love you, but I will not allow you to besmirch the abilities of my precious mouse.”

Ladybug opens her mouth, but all that comes out is a weird gagging noise as her face turns bright red. “You have… that much faith in her?” she croaks.

Chat raises an eyebrow. “My Lady,” he says, “I only gave her my ring because I thought she was you.”

Ladybug chokes.

Chat can’t tell if she’s flattered or angry. “I remember you were friends,” he says. “Did something… happen between you two?”

Ladybug closes her eyes, licks her lips. “Have you ever worn two Miraculi at once?” she murmurs. “It… does things to your body.” She leans back against the shingles. “I think I asked more of her than I ever should have.”

“Oh,” Chat says. “No, I—no, I haven’t.” He has, actually; he’s wondered why he felt so tired as Aspik. He thought it was just being awake for three months, but Viperion never seemed to falter. “Is she okay?” He doesn’t think Marinette’s been any worse, physically—but then, she’s been running so ragged lately, how can he tell?

Ladybug shrugs. “She’s fine,” she says. “Just needed a good night’s sleep.” She sighs, pressing her chin into her fist. “Wish I could bring Adrien back on,” she mumbles.

Chat’s heart inflates painfully in his chest like a balloon hooked up to an oxygen tank. Even after he failed her so many times, she still wants to bring him back on? “That guy you chose for the snake before Viperion?” he squeaks.

Her head snaps toward him. “You—you knew about that?” she hisses.

Chat snorts. “I saw Agreste with the egg-hood,” he says. “That is not what Viperion looked like.”

Ladybug frowns. “Right,” she says. “Also?” She reaches up, flicks his nose. “Not happy with you for stealing his joke.”

Chat rolls his eyes, jabbing her in the tummy. “He stole mine, My Lady,” he says. “Anyway. Bringing him back on sounds like a great idea!”

She smiles, her cheeks dusting pink, then her face falls. “No,” she says. “No way.”

Chat’s chest squeezes. Oh, good, she hates him. “Why?” he says. “I mean, he may not have been the right snake, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be good for another—”

“Why would I offer him a different Miraculous, Chat?” she snaps. “Did I not put him through enough hell the first time?”

What?

Chat looks at her with confusion. She… doesn’t hate him? She’s been concerned about him?

“He spent three months trying to save me without sleep,” she says. “I’m… pretty sure it broke him.” She clutches at her shoulders. “I trust him, Chaton, but… I can’t put him through that. Not again.”

Oh. Oh god.

“My Lady,” he says. He can see the guilt is killing her—he doesn’t want her to keep beating herself up over something that was his choice. “You… he talked to me about that, actually.”

A look of horror flashes across her face. “What?” she says. “When?”

“Party Crasher,” he says. That’s plausible—Viperion was there, it was Adrien’s house, and there was a period Ladybug was unaccounted for. “He was actually hoping he’d get another shot to help you out.”

Her eyes widen, her cheeks dusting red. “What?” she squeaks.

“I—”

“Okay!” she yelps, shooting to her feet. “Okay okay.” She starts pacing, pressing her palms to her forehead. “I—Okay. So, I—I can bring him back?” She does an excited little bunny hop, and his head leaps. “I can bring him back!”

“You’re—pretty excited,” he says. “You know him?”

She freezes, her foot skittering on the roof. “That’s… complicated?” she says. “Anyway, we should decide who pairs up with who.” She sits back down, folding her knees into her chest. “Multimouse might be more comfortable with a more… experienced wielder?”

His eyebrows shoot up, and his stomach begins to flip. “Aspik has more experience than anyone except us,” he says. “You said three months, right?”

“Yep.” Ladybug starts shaking a little. “And… oh, this is—I’m not sure this is a great idea.”

“Why not?”

“Well, uh…” Ladybug bites her lip. “She’s, uh, she’s in love with him.”

Chat’s ears—both his human ones and his cat ones—are suddenly crushed under a burning vise, and his lungs are full of cotton candy. “She’s what?” he croaks.

She looks askance at him. “Wait,” she says. “You didn’t know?”

“No?” he says.

Ladybug snorts. “Come on, Chat,” she says. “You’ve been watching that class, right?” She reaches out and squeezes his shoulder. “I think the only person who doesn’t know about her crush is him.”

“Who did you hear this from?” he asks. “The—the Ladyblogger? She’s not exactly objective when it comes to them—”

Ladybug shakes her head. “Marinette told me herself,” she says. “She just hasn’t been…” She closes her eyes. “Able to say it.”

Marinette loves him. She said she loved Chat Noir, and Ladybug said she loved Adrien.

He arrives at the meeting place for his and Multimouse’s first patrol, unspooling the trompo into his hands, and sees Multimouse’s familiar space buns. That’s Marinette right there—Marinette, his best civilian friend aside from Nino. A girl who he would—and has—dropped everything to help. A girl he hasn’t been able to get out of his head for the last week, since Ladybug dropped her bomb on him. A girl who, if it hadn’t been for Ladybug, he would absolutely be in love with.

She looks up at him, her eyes widening, and she squeaks. “H-hi!” she yelps. “Are you, um, Queen Bee’s replacement?”

“Yep,” he says, pressing his fists to his hips with an exaggerated gaze off into the distance. “Sapis, at your service.”

“Sapis?” she says. “Wisdom?”

He grins. “Old Latin pun,” he says. “Si sapis, sis apis.” He holds out a hand to shake hers. “If you’re wise? Be a bee.”

She stares at him, and for a moment he’s worried that he’s ruined his third first impression with her—but then she lights up, and starts to laugh.

It’s bright and sunny and it shoots right through his heart, and he realizes: I am completely and utterly screwed.

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hermionemonica · 4 years

Text

Cause I knew I was in love with you (when we sat in silence): Marichat May 2020 - Day 12

AO3 | For the @marichatmay

Collab with @lalunaoscura

DAY 1 | <- 11 | 12 | 13 ->

Day 12 — Kwami Swap

“Good evening, Chat Noir,” Ladybug got up to her feet, “Are you ready for patrol?”

“Actually,” he scratched his neck, “can I talk to you about something?”

“Oh.” Her eyebrows furrowed with concern. “Is something wrong?”

“No no!” He waved his hands wildly in an attempt to emphasize the “no". “It's just,” he hesitated, “I have a favor to ask.”

“Yes?”

“I had a conversation with my kwami earlier today, and he had some grievances.” Adrien cared for Plagg, he really did, but that did not change that this was probably going to be a very awkward conversation. “Plagg thinks that it is unfair that Tikki gets to spend time with the other kwamis but he cannot meet his friends from the miracle box.”

Ladybug had never really thought about it. But now that she did, she could sympathise with the poor kwami. “So,” her voice was softer, gentler, “does Plagg want to stay with me for a while?”

“Actually, as a matter of fact, he had a better plan.”

“And what is that?”

“A kwami swap.”

“What?”

“I mean,” Chat was clearly nervous, “You and I swap kwamis for a few days. Plagg goes with you, and Tikki comes with me. That way, we won't be inconvenienced in case of an akuma attack.”

That was a pretty smart idea actually. “I’m ready.”

“You are?” He had not expected it to be this easy.

“Yes.” She replied easily. “I know I would be lonely if I were separated from my friends for so long. Besides,” she went on, “I think it will be a good opportunity for us to get accustomed to each other's powers, in case of another Reflekdoll situation.”

“You always think of everything, m' lady,” Chat smirked. “That is why I love you so much.”

She responded with a giggle and a blush. “So, is it okay for you tonight?”

“What?”

“The kwami swap. Is it okay for you tonight?”

“Oh. Yes, yes. Perfectly fine.”

Ladybug looked around. “That chimney,” she pointed at a nearby roof. “You take the right and I'll go left.”

“Aye-aye.”

They swung and vaulted over, and took positions.

“Ready?”

“Ready.”

“No peeking okay?”

“Your word is my command, m' lady.”

“Detransformation!” They called out together.

Marinette held a little conversation with her kwami on her side of the chimney.

“Will you be okay, Tikki?” Ladybug whispered.

“Don't worry about me!” Tikki reassured her. “You have fun with Plagg!”

“Alright,” she smiled as her kwami hugged her cheek. “See you in a week. And make sure Chat behaves himself.”

“I can totally hear you, by the way.” A voice floated over from the other side of the chimney.

“Haha, sorry.” Marinette stuck out her tongue.

Without looking out from behind the chimney, both of them placed their Miraculous on the side and picked up the other's.

“Transforme moi!”

“Looking good, m' lady!” Mister Bug winked at her as she emerged.

“You don't look so bad either, m' Lord!” Lady Noire teased back.

It was so not fair that she could still make his heart race like that!

“So, patrol?” She suggested.

“Actually,” he took a glance at his yo-yo phone. “I think it's going to be okay tonight. And it's late anyway.”

Lady Noire knew what he was getting late for. To be honest, she wasn't very eager either to cut off on those times. “Alright then,” she announced, “let's call it a night.”

“Thank you m' lady.” Mister Bug did a salute. “Oh, and don't let Plagg give you much trouble!”

“Don't worry, we are going to have a lot of fun!”

“Hey, don't trust that little imp!”

“Don't you badmouth that cute kitty!”

“Fine.” He shrugged. “Tell me after a week.”

“Good evening Princess!” Mister Bug announced as he swung up onto Marinette's balcony.

“Hello Chat Noir,” Marinette rested her elbows on the railing behind her, “I see you are Mister Bug today, huh?”

“How did you recognize me?” he exclaimed.

“Uh- you know Alya, the ladyblogger, my best friend?” Marinette diverted her gaze in nervousness. “She was the one who told me!”

“Huh, that makes sense.” His shoulders drooped. Did he sound disappointed? “And I was thinking I would give you a nice little surprise.”

Oh, so that was the thing. “Poor boy,” she pouted playfully, “Don’t be sad! You did surprise me! I mean, I have never seen Mister Bug up close!”

“You're right!” His features immediately lightened up, making Marinette feel happy too. “So do you like it?” He spun around and flexed and struck half a dozen poses in front of her. “Don't my abs look great in this suit?”

Not that she had not noticed it already, but now it was kinda difficult to tear her gaze away from there. She knew Chat Noir was pretty ripped, having slept in the same bed as her for quite some time now. But she could not deny that the lighter colours and the spots accentuated his physique much better.

“What is the matter Princess?” Mister Bug stepped forward and leaned down so they stood almost nose to nose. With a nasty smirk, he went on, “Did I put you on the spot with that?”

No Marinette, get a hold of yourself! You are not attracted to him!

“That's okay,” she put her finger on her nose and gently pushed his face away. Then ruffling his hair a bit, she said with a smirk, “I prefer you in leather anyway.” With that, she marched down the skylight, hoping he would not hear how fast her heart was beating.

Mister Bug stood there, frozen in his spot. He could feel his cheeks were on fire. What did she just say?

He slowly climbed down through the skylight. “Did you just-"

“-quote Frozen 2 to you?” Marinette hurriedly finished for him. “Yeah.”

“Right, right. That’s exactly what I was going to say.” That was so not what he was going to say.

They both stood in silence six feet apart for a few minutes, until Marinette decided she had had enough. “So, no purrs tonight?” she cooed.

That did seem to work in relieving the tension considerably. “I’m afraid not, my Princess.” He closed his eyes and called for his detransformation. Marinette saw that he was wearing the black cat hoodie and mask. “But I will always be Chat Noir to you.”

You will always be Chat Noir to me.

Marinette felt her knees wobble as icy blue flashed in front of her eyes. Fortunately, Chat was right there to catch her.

“Hey Mari, are you alright?”

“Yeah, it’s- I’m just a little tired.”

“Let’s go to bed then, okay?” He picked her up in his arms. Marinette loved his smell. She leaned against his chest.

“Hey Chat Noir?”

Chat Noir turned his head to look into her eyes. “Yes?”

Green. Emerald green eyes. Not blue.

“Nothing.”

His brows furrowed up for a moment before his lips broke into a warm smile. “You’re acting off. Let’s get you to bed.”

As they lay side by side on the bed, Marinette lifted herself up on one side, resting her head on her elbow. “So, what’s with the change?”

Chat was lying on his back. “Oh,” he said, “it was just a little thing me and Ladybug came up with.” Suddenly his eyes lit up. “Hey, you haven’t met Tikki, have you?”

She had done more than just met her, but of course Chat didn’t need to know that. “Is that your kwami?”

“Yes!” Chat sat up. “And she is the cutest little thing ever, you have to meet her!”

“Sure, why not.”

“Hey Tikki,” he called out, “are you asleep?”

“Is anything wrong, Mister Bug?” she emerged from the headboard.

“No everything’s fine,” Chat assured her, “I just wanted you to meet my friend.”

Tikki twirled around in the air to face Marinette.

“Marinette, this is Tikki, the kwami of creation.” He made the introductions.

“Hello Marinette.” Tikki smiled at her.

“And Tikki, this is Marinette, and I’m sure you’ll love her because she is also a goddess of creation.”

“Chat!”

“It’s not wrong!” He laughed. Marinette rolled her eyes and turned back to Tikki.

“Nice to meet you, Tikki.” Marinette opened her palm so that Tikki could rest on it. She used her other hand to tickle her belly which made her giggle. “You are cute.”

She turned to look at Chat and just caught a fraction of a second of what she assumed was him staring at her lovingly. He looked away almost as soon as she looked, but from his flustered expression she could guess that she wasn’t wrong. A light pink colour came to her cheeks at the thought.

“It’s late,” Tikki spoke up, “I think we should all get some sleep.”

“You are right, Tikki,” Chat agreed. The little kwami floated over to Chat Noir to hug his nose, before floating back to her (usual) perch on the headboard.

“Come on, Princess,” he spread his arms, “I may not have purrs, but I have cuddly arms!”

“Silly cat,” Marinette giggled, but she was not turning down the invitation.

“You know,” she murmured as she rested her head on his chest, “you look kinda hot wearing those ear-rings.”

“H-hot?” Chat Noir squeaked. “Did you just say hot?”

“Good night kitty-cat!” Marinette buried her chest in the folds of his shirt as she smiled to herself. She loved making her Chat Noir flustered like that.

Her Chat Noir. She liked the sound of that.

#miraculous ladybug #marichatmay2020 #day 12: kwami swap #collaboration #lalunaoscura #marichat #cause i knew i was in love with you (when we sat in silence)#ml fanfic #my fic

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gabriel-agreste-has-no-rights · 4 years

Link

(Not a new fic, I just keep forgetting to officially post this one here)

Rating: T

Summary: Ladybug's suit doesn't have any arch support. Luckily, she has a supportive partner who can help.

Word Count: 2262

Notes: Breaking my usual silly reveal fic brand for some ladynoir fluff. Inspired by lnc2’s tumblr post: https://gabriel-agreste-has-no-rights.tumblr.com/post/190301790972/lnc2-lnc2-chat-noir-has-boots-but-what-about

Please ignore the fact that I may be misinterpreting Mister Bug and Lady Noire’s costume designs as well, it’s vaguely plot relevant lol

XXX

Long-distance akumas were the worst. She and Chat had swung, vaulted, and ran all the way across Paris to catch Cyclone, an akumatized cyclist upset he’d lost his place in the Tour de France. A very very fast cyclist, thanks to Hawkmoth’s assistance.

“I think we should switch kwamis again,” Marinette grumbled as she dropped down to sit on the roof, her legs dangling off the side like the deadweight they were.

“You know if you ever want to wear the clown costume all you have to do is ask.” Chat Noir smirked as he plopped down beside her, one foot resting over his knee. “I doubt I could’ve come up with what you did with the laundry detergent, though. I probably would’ve just asked for a jet pack. Or a motorcycle. Ooh, or maybe—”

“The Lucky Charm doesn’t work like that.”

“Maybe not for you. Maybe I just know what I want.” He leaned into her space, and it looked like he might have been wiggling his eyebrows, but it was hard to tell under his mask.

Marinette bit back a laugh and pushed him back by the nose. “Nice try. I know exactly what I want in that regard, kitty.”

That statement was… not quite as true as it used to be. She knew she was after blond hair and soft green eyes, after someone who was kind and sweet and selfless. But before she’d realized it, the model smiles and loose t-shirts in her dreams were joined by teasing smirks and tight leather.

...But it was just because she spent so much time with Chat, that’s all. For all the distance she’d tried to keep, it was hard to resist getting closer to him. He was her best friend.

“The akuma right has nothing to do with it though,” she went on before she could fall down that rabbit hole again. “Well I guess it does a little. Sort of. I mean—I want your boots.”

Chat blinked. “I don’t think they’d fit you, Bug.”

“I mean,” she huffed, gesturing to her own suited feet, “I have no arch support whatsoever. The miraculous cure might fix the akuma’s damage, but I’m still left with two slabs of pain hanging at the end of my legs.”

They had (separately) dropped their transformations to feed their kwamis before suiting up again, but that hadn’t eased her aching feet either. She was still really, really not looking forward to making it all the way back home.

“Let me get this straight,” Chat said with a stifled snicker, “you want to borrow Plagg so your transformation will give you real shoes.”

“Hey, I’d like to see you run around my suit and not complain. And your Mister Bug transformation doesn’t count. Tikki gave you boots.” She crossed her arms.

He leaned back on his palms and smirked. “Careful, Bugaboo. I’m flattered you’re jealous of me, but green really isn’t your color.”

She shoved his arm, sending him flopping back on the roof with a laugh.

“I regret asking. You keep the clown costume.”

He tucked his hands behind his head before flashing a wink. “You just know you’d miss seeing me in black leather.”

“You’re impossible, you know that?” She rolled her eyes, which kept her gaze from where Chat was stretched out, practically begging to be stared at. She’d hate for her expression to prove him right.

“Im-paw-ssible, you mean.” He gave a lopsided grin. Yep, she could just focus on that, and not the way he was lounging like he was attempting to recreate one of Adrien’s model poses… and succeeding…

(Even best friends weren’t supposed to stare at each other like that, were they?)

His voice snapped her out of ogling him. “If your feet really hurt, though, there’s always something else you could ask.”

“I already tried.” She sighed. If nothing else, the pain in her feet was also a good distraction from her unfairly attractive partner. “Tikki can’t change the suit at this point. Not unless I can drastically change how I see myself, but I can’t perform the mental gymnastics to pull that off.”

“I wasn’t talking about Tikki.” He sat up abruptly and held out his hand. “You know I’ll support you, even if your footwear won’t.”

Her nose scrunched. “Sorry, Chat, but I don’t think moral support is going to heal my feet.”

“I didn’t mean moral support. Foot massage, no strings attached. For my partner who carries the whole world on her shoulders without even an insole.”

He beamed at her, as if rubbing her stinky, sweaty feet would be a favor to him.

She shook her head. “You really don’t have to, Chat. My feet are disgusting.” Especially after dashing across Paris all afternoon. Her soles had to be caked in grit from every street in the city.

“You could never disgust me, my Lady.” He grinned dopily. It should be illegal for him to show that kind of adoration with just a smile. It was getting harder and harder to remember why she kept rejecting her partner.

Because you’re still in love with Adrien. Because she couldn’t give Chat the kind of unwavering devotion he already showed her. And because he didn’t deserve anything less.

...But he did offer the foot rubs with no strings attached. With the way her feet were throbbing, to turn him down would be nothing but an act of pride.

“Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

She kicked her feet up into his lap. The suit protected her from the rough concrete and debris her feet were constantly exposed to, but the magical fabric barely dulled the soft touch of her partner’s hands. All things considered, they’d shared weirder touches—they’d been tied up and tangled together more times than she could count at this point—but something about his soothing ministrations felt more intimate than she expected. Maybe she’d just expected him to play a prank and tickle her, but this…

“If I would’ve known you’d do this, I would have asked you ages ago.” Her voice was a little breathless as she laid back perpendicular to him. His thumbs continued to massage heavenly patterns into the arch of her foot.

“So you’ll admit my hands are good for something besides using Cataclysm?” His voice was teasing, but she didn’t care. Her foot had never felt this good. How much pain had built up there over the weeks and months of akuma fights?

More importantly, how could she convince Chat to make this a regular thing?

“Yes,” she breathed. “Where did you learn how to do this? You have a side job as a masseuse?”

He chuckled but kept up the motion of his magical hands. “Old friend, actually. She always found ways to make me give her foot rubs when we were younger.”

“Lucky girl,” Marinette murmured, her eyes slipping closed. He moved his attention to her other foot, working his way up from her heel towards her toes. If this was how good Chat was with her feet…

Nope, nope, she was not letting that train of thought out of the station.

“Don’t worry, LB, your feet are much cuter than hers.”

“Please tell me you don’t have a weird thing for feet,” she blurted, apparently having lost her filter to his hands.

He just laughed, though. “Only yours,” he said, and then she felt something soft press to the top of her big toe.

“Chat!” She sprung upright to see him winking again before pulling his lips back from her foot. “Gross! You don’t know where that’s been!”

That only made him laugh harder—so hard he was actually gasping for breath. “Your face!”

She snapped her jaw shut, only then realizing how dumbly she’d been gaping. “You kissed my foot! What did you expect me to do?”

“I kiss your hand all the time.” He shrugged, his grin turning sly. “So unless you have a thing for feet…”

“Oh my gosh, Chat, shut up.” She covered her blushing cheeks, mostly just disappointed that there was no way she could both keep her dignity and ask him for another foot massage.

“I wouldn’t tell. I’d give you alllll the foot rubs you want.”

“Tempting,” she muttered.

“Hmm? What was that?”

She glared out from between her fingers, but couldn’t tell from his teasing grin if he’d actually heard her or not.

“I was just wondering,” she said, beginning to spin a plan in her mind. “Foot massages aren’t that hard, really. Of course you’d be good at them.”

His grin fell to a pout. “What are you getting at?”

“I mean, a real challenge would be giving a good neck and shoulder massage. It takes a strong enough touch to ohhhhhhhh…”

She was gone. He’d moved to kneel behind her, his fingers angled to keep his claws from pricking her as he dug into the knots that had been afflicting her for ages. Anxiety and tension unraveled under the circular motions of his thumbs.

“What was that, Bugaboo?” He whispered near her ear, sending shivers down her spine—shivers that he could probably feel, considering his hands had moved closer together to massage between her shoulderblades.

“You’re… terrible.”

“Mm-hm. I guess I should just stop, then—”

“Don’t you dare.”

Gone, gone, gone. And from her quick response, he had to know it too.

His hands paused for half a second before starting again.

“As my Lady wishes,” he purred.

He didn’t hold back. His fingers dug deep into muscles tight from use, pressing hard enough to make her wince at times. But it still felt like heaven. Why was she not dating this boy, again?

Bad Marinette, she told herself. You can’t date your partner just to take advantage of his back rubs. Or the fact that he’s hot. Or the fact that he would literally die for you, and has proved so on several occasions.

Or the fact that he’s madly in love with you. Can’t forget that.

Those reasons were not listed in order of importance, but they were rather compelling. Particularly with his touch melting away her more rational objections.

She wasn’t sure how long it was (not long enough) when his hands finally stilled, resting with his thumbs gently brushing the curve of her shoulderblades.

“What do you say? Did I pass the test?” He asked, sounding a little self-conscious now.

Test of what? Seeing if he could turn her into a puddle? The answer to that was a definite yes, but she’d prefer to keep that information confidential for at least a little longer.

“Y-yeah. Thanks, kitty.”

Her skin missed his warmth as he drew back.

“Anytime, Bugaboo.”

It sounded like he really was willing to let that be the end of that. No strings attached. But—

“I still owe you,” she said, tucking her legs under her and turning to face him.

“I had a feeling you’d say that,” he replied with a chuckle. “You never do like to accept help, even from me. Or maybe it’s especially from me…”

“That’s not it.” She shook her head, scooting closer. Was that really what he thought? “We’re partners, Chat. I just don’t want to take more than I give.”

“You give me plenty, Ladybug.” His voice turned serious as his hand inched towards hers, before coming to rest on the concrete roof just a centimeter away. “Just getting to spend time with you outside of fighting akumas is a treasure. I wouldn’t ask for anything more than that.”

Despite his usual outrageous flirting, she knew that was true. If she ever wanted him to stop, he would.

But she’d never wanted him to. Maybe because she knew deep down, she’d been falling for him all along.

“Hmmmm.” She looked away, out towards the sunset horizon. “That’s too bad.”

“Huh?”

A grin tugged at her lips. “I hear your Lucky Charm gives you exactly what you ask for.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched his expression turn from confusion, to shock, to hope.

“And you… know what I’d ask for, right?”

Her shrug screamed nonchalance. She could only hope it would cover up the pounding of her heart.

“I’ve got a pretty good idea.”

Maybe she couldn’t give Chat her whole heart yet. And maybe part of her was being selfish, worn down by his teasing smiles and melting hands. But… she had a feeling that if she let down this last barrier, it wouldn’t be long before she was giving him the same smitten look he directed at her now.

“Will you go out with me, my Lady?” His hands were clasped beneath his chin, his tone practically begging. It almost made her regret what she was about to say. But she couldn’t let him off that easy.

“That depends.”

Her quick reply startled him—but not as much as the soft, slow kiss she pressed to his cheek.

She decided that she absolutely adored the stunned look on his face, the pink blooming beneath his mask, his golden eyelashes fluttering. He was still gaping when she tossed one last wink over her shoulder.

“Can you catch me now that my feet are feline good again?”

And he was still gaping when she tossed her yo-yo out to the next roof.

“Ladybug, wait—!”

She was done waiting. Maybe he had a point about the Lucky Charm—he’d always known what he wanted. She’d always gotten what she needed.

Finally, it seemed those two things were one and the same.

#fic tag #tali writes #ladynoir #love square #miraculous ladybug #chat noir #ladybug #still really happy with this one

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ashtheshortstack · 4 years

Text

make them learn - ch 3

Rating: T Ship: Adrinette (sorta) Chapter 3/3: followed the rules

Tags: Princess Justice AU, Akumatized Marinette, Bullying, One-Sided Reveal, Angst, Hurt/Comfort

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Adrien hopped along the rooftops, scouring the city for his now akumatized partner. He was terrified for her well-being, as well as Lila’s. Though the girl was a total brat, he couldn’t help but worry that his lady would do something horrible to her.

There was so much guilt swirling within him. If only he had really been there for her when Marinette needed him the most. How much pain had she been in for it to finally come to this? How long had Lila been harassing her and she had always been able to overcome the negative thoughts and feelings that came with being bullied like this? And he had catered to Lila! Told Marinette not to bother with exposing her because it wouldn’t do any good.

Some friend he was, huh?

When he heard a scream, he spun quickly towards the sound as he was jared from his thoughts. Glancing over at the park, he finally spotted his target. There stood an entity in a deep purple, flowy dress, jet black hair flowing behind her in long pigtails. There was a sharp crown on her head with a purple jewel in the center. A black, inky mask covered her face where she normally adorned her spots. It made his heart twist to see her in such a state. She held a staff in her hand, pointing it towards Lila who cowered by a tree.

Adrien tossed the yo-yo, hooking it on the tree and swinging himself over towards the two of them.

“You deserve judgement,” the akumatized Marinette hissed.

Lila laughed hesitantly, glancing around nervously. “C’mon Marinette, you can’t be this upset over something I did when I was akumatized, right? It wasn’t my fault.”

“Marinette’s gone. I’m Princess Justice, and you’ve been asking for this for a long time.”

Adrien had no idea what the weapon did, but it hissed menacingly as Princess Justice aimed it directly at Lila’s nose. Lila whimpered with a grimace as the weapon was waved in her face.

“You will tell the truth .”

Suddenly, Lila was glowing and Adrien took that as his cue. Oh, how he didn’t want to fight her. He just felt guilty more than anything. His poor Marinette… how could he let this happen to her?

Swinging down from the tree, he pounced on Princess Justice, knocking her down to the ground. His palms rested on either side of her head as dull, grey eyes gazed up at him. There was so much sadness… an emptiness he never thought he’d see on Marinette, let alone his Ladybug. His heart ached in his chest. Quickly, he grabbed her palms and pushed them flat beside her head.

“Marinette…?”

She sneered at him. “There is no Marinette. Princess Justice is here to serve the people of Paris who should all learn the truth.” Princess Justice pushed back against him, rolling them over and slamming his palms to the ground. He grunted before gazing up at her as she loomed menacingly over him.

Damn, no wonder he could never win against Ladybug. Marinette was strong as hell.

It would be kinda hot if his life wasn’t at stake.

“Careful, Insect. If you get in my way, then I may have to reveal your identity to the world.”

Adrien felt his eyes widen at that. “What?”

Smirking, she glanced over at Lila. The girl had her palms over her mouth with wide eyes. He’d never seen Lila so stunned before. There was a sick, twisted sense of satisfaction swirling in his gut, but he had to ignore it. He was supposed to be the hero.

But… he was here to save Marinette. Lila on the other hand, eh, not so much.

Somehow, Adrien wasn’t at all shocked when he heard Alya’s surprised voice at the sight before her. Bless Nino… he was trying to pull his girlfriend away from the action, but she was clearly not giving up a chance to see this. For multiple reasons, obviously. Her best friend was akumatized and there was no Ladybug. There was Mister Bug instead, which he was pretty sure no one had ever seen before--aside from Juleka.

“Marinette!” she cried.

With the way Princess Justice glowered at her best friend, it was clear Marinette was not in there at the moment. And not too thrilled to see Alya sprinting towards them.

“C’mon, girl! You’re better than this!”

Adrien groaned as Princess Justice shoved his face into the dirt when she jumped to her feet.

“What do you know!?” she hissed. “All you ever did was take Lila’s side! You never believed me!”

Alya stepped back as if she’d been struck. “What’re you talking about?”

Princess Justice snarled at Lila, snatching her by the wrist and shoving her towards their friends. “Why don’t you tell her, lying scum.”

Lila, whose eyes were now glowing a deep purple, was under the influence of whatever Princess Justice’s powers were. But from the context clues Adrien had gathered, he figured it was a truth spell.

“I lied,” Lila said. “I lied about having tinnitus. About knowing Jagged Stone and any other celebrities,” the girl began laughing. “And you know what? I don’t have a disease that makes me do it! I do it because it’s fun. People like me that way.”

Jaw dropping, Alya gaped at her. “W-What?”

“And, for whatever reason, Marinette here figured me out. She knew I was lying about my life. But I couldn’t let her out me, obviously,” Lila barked another laugh. “So, I had to get rid of her. I got akumatized on purpose twice to do just that. Oh, and I do know Ladybug. Because I hate her! And I only want to take her down. Well, her and Marinette. Adrien is mine . I just had to send Marinette a little reminder.”

Alya trembled as her hands went to her mouth. Lila’s tyrant continued, growing more and more infuriating with each passing statement. Adrien could feel sick… He felt so wrong. Had he really failed his lady this much? She was suffering at the hands of this girl for so long. And he had brushed it off!

He was seething at himself, but he needed this battle to be over. “Lucky Charm!”

A sketch-pad fell into his hands. Glancing around, his brow pinched. “What am I…?” he suddenly remembered the last time he used the ladybug miraculous. His lady said he was a “straight-forward guy” meaning the answer was obvious and right in front of his face, unlike his lady’s convoluted schemes.

“It’s not like I didn’t warn her,” Lila snickered before crossing her arms. “She and I had a great talk in the bathroom once. I told her that I would turn everyone against her and that Adrien would be mine. And if it weren’t for Adrien himself, my plan would’ve worked.”

Princess Justice paused, looking at her victim in surprise. “Wait, what?”

Lila rolled her eyes. “Adrien told me that I had to get you back into school after I got you expelled. He threatened to not be my friend anymore. Well, I think that’s what he meant. Either way, I had to prove my love to him, right? So, I told Mr. Damocles about that fake lying disease.”

“Adrien… did that for me?” Princess Justice murmured, eyes widening slightly. Adrien blinked in surprise when there was a flash of blue in those dull irises. Suddenly, there was a butterfly framing her face. She clutched her head. “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” The butterfly shattered making him gasp. Did she just…?

“I don’t need Hawkmoth. I don’t need a miraculous,” she growled. “I’m doing this my way!” She aimed the staff at Alya. “Do you see now, Alya!? All I ever did was try to tell you the truth. And Adrien was the only person who ever believed me!” Princess Justice cried.

That was definitely Marinette. A Marinette who was still angry and had truth powers, but it was her nonetheless. How did she break the mental connection with Hawkmoth? And why hadn’t he just removed her powers when she went rouge? Was he planning something worse?

“Marinette, I didn’t know!”

Princess Justice strode up to her. “You thought I was jealous! That I was lying! It’s like you don’t even know me at all!”

“ Please, Marinette. I never meant--”

Quickly, Adrien wound the yo-yo around her waist and yanked it towards him. She didn’t come willingly, however. Princess Justice took a swing, knocking him in the jaw. Skidding backwards in the dirt, he groaned as he looked up. She was charging at him, those eyes grey and pained once again. There was the pang of pain in his heart again as he flipped backwards away from her attack.

“Marinette,” he murmured as she took another swing, this time with her staff. He caught it between his hands. “I know you’re in there, Marinette. Come back to me, please.”

She merely growled. “What do you know!? You never believe me either, Kitty!”

Grimacing, he shot a look back at Alya and Nino, who were both still distracted by the Lila who was spewing her guts out to them, much to Alya’s continued horror. He loved his friends, but he had no idea that Alya had treated Marinette that way. That she hadn’t believed her and just assumed she was jealous. What an awful thing to do… Even after Marinette was right that Lila had framed her and gotten her expelled! And her best friend knew it too!

So, thankfully, the fact that Mister Bug was Chat Noir was still a secret. For the moment, at least.

He sighed. Tossing the yo-yo, it wrapped around her wrists, binding them in place. “I did believe you. I promise you, I did,” Princess Justice struggled against the binds, gritting her teeth as she pulled. Adrien held his ground, keeping her tied as he spoke. “I knew she was a liar, but I just didn’t realize how manipulative and cruel she was. U-Until Oni-Chan. When I fought Oni-Chan, then I realized that she would do anything to destroy yo--Ladybug. I’m sorry that people weren’t there for you like they should have been, Marinette! I’m sorry that telling Adrien your feelings was taken away from you! But you need to talk to him!”

“What do you know!?”

“I know everything! I know--I know how brave you are! I know how much you put everyone before yourself. I-I know how amazing you are, Marinette. I know that you’re creative, talented, selfless. I can’t imagine how much pain you’ve been bottling up inside,” he felt his voice wavering. “I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there for you,” he cracked. He tossed the sketch pad towards her.

It opened to a page, showing a familiar doodle. The one he made for Marinette.

Princess Justice froze, eyes going wide. The grey color of her eyes flashed back to that beautiful bluebell he’d grown to love. Gasping, she threw the staff down to the ground. Adrien watched in awe as she fell to the ground, collapsing in an emotional heep. Her hands went to her face as she sobbed. Her cries were loud and agonizing to listen to.

Adrien grit his teeth, brows pinching as he listened to her finally break down. Listened to all the emotions fly out of her at once. How long had she bottled this? How long had Lila been tormenting her?

Grabbing her staff, Adrien broke it over his knee. He snatched the butterfly with the yo-yo, purifying it and sending it off. He tossed the sketch pad into the air.

“Miraculous Mister Bug!”

He wasn’t quite sure what happened with Hawkmoth… and he may never know. It seemed reasonable that Marinette would be strong-willed enough to defy Hawkmoth’s orders. It dawned on him then that she never demanded his miraculous a single time. Had she never been fully under Hawkmoth’s control?

Shaking off his confusion, he scooped Marinette up in his arms. Her eyes were closed as her head lulled gently to the side. It must’ve taken a lot of energy to defy their enemy. Could it have drained her? He wasn’t sure, but he needed to get her out of here.

“Wait!” Alya called as she ran up to him. “Who are you?”

Adrien glanced around. “U-Uh, Mister Bug. I use the ladybug miraculous when the actual Ladybug can’t be here.”

Alya crossed her arms, clearly not buying it. “Oh, really? How come I’ve never seen you before?”

“I’ve worked before. Reflekdoll. I was there. That was your friend Juleka, right? Anyway, I’ve gotta get going.”

“Wait, where are you taking her?”

Sighing, he shook his head. “I just think it’d be best to get her away from everyone for now.”

Alya hugged herself, glancing down at the ground as Nino wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Hey, dude. Will you tell Marinette we’re sorry?”

With a sad smile, Adrien nodded. “Yeah, I can do that.” He shot a glare in Lila’s direction. “In the meantime, maybe you should put that journalism to good use and set some records straight, hm?”

Alya looked back at Lila who was fleeing the scene now that the cure had freed her from Princess Justice’s powers. Lip twitching, her eyes hardened. Adrien said nothing as he shot the yo-yo to a nearby roof and repelled himself forward with Marinette in tow. He decided the best method would be to take her home.

So, he landed on her terrance and detransformed.

Tikki gave him a look. “You were a little reckless for a Ladybug.”

He laughed hesitantly, ruffling his blond locks. “Sorry about that. I was just so desperate to save her.”

“I know… Thank you, Adrien.”

Giving the kwami a soft smile, he took out the earrings. As gently as he could, he pinched the miraculous back into her lobes.

o~o~o~o

Adrien brushed a batch of raven locks behind her ear, making Marinette stir. Her eyes scrunched before blinking open.

“A-Adrien…? What--What happened?”

Gingerly, he helped her sit up. “You were akumatized.”

Her eyes blew wide. “What?!”

“Hey, hey, calm down,” he said as he hushed her.

Marinette was so confused. She had no idea what had just occurred. Akumatized!? She’d been akumatized!? Her eyes flicked around her terrance frantically. “H-How did I get here?”

“Um, a hero named Mister Bug?”

Oh, right. She’d given Tikki the earrings to take to Chat Noir, right? But wait… why had she--oh. Oh, that’s right. Lila exposed her crush on Adrien to everyone. Lightly, she pushed Adrien away before curling in on herself.

“I--I’m sorry. I know I should’ve told you how I felt about you a long time ago. B-But I was so nervous and I couldn’t barely make sentences around you! Let alone confess! And--And I know you love someone else. And I know it’s probably Kagami which makes this so hard because you’re both my friends and I don’t want to lose either of you and--”

“Woah, woah, woah, Marinette,” his gentle hands went on her shoulders. “Slow down. I-I’m not in love with Kagami.”

Wait.

What!?

Her confusion must’ve been written all over her face as she gaped at him. Adrien gave her a small smile with a nervous laugh.

“If you want me to be honest? I’ve been stupidly in love with Ladybug for a long time.”

Marinette felt her cheeks heat. “L-Ladybug!?”

He nodded. “Yeah, but that’s kind of stupid, right? I don’t even know her.”

“NO! I-I mean, no way. That’s not stupid. You can’t help who you like, right?”

Adrien chuckled at that. “Yeah, maybe not. But I… I realized after I found out how you feel about me that I--I think I could fall in love with you too, Marinette.”

Did he…? Wait. Was he choosing her? Over Kagami? Over her own superhero persona? That wasn’t--no way. That wasn’t even possible, was it?

Marinette almost short-circuited when he reached over and touched her hand. “I’d love to get to know you more, if you’ll let me. My, uh, my father won’t allow me to date right now. But maybe… in the future? If you can wait for me?”

Nodding stupidly, she agreed. “Y-Yes! Of course.”

The smile he gave her was so, so gentle. Her heart nearly melted at the sight. Adrien leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. “I’m so sorry, Marinette. I had no idea what Lila was really doing to you. This--This was my fault. I kept telling you to brush it off, and in turn I almost got you expelled.”

There was a flash of something in her mind. “Did… Did you get her to fix it?”

“I did. I couldn’t let her do that to you.”

Marinette yanked on the hand he was holding, tugging him into a hug. She buried her nose into his shoulder. “Thank you so much. And thank you… for believing me.”

“I should’ve done more. I-I didn’t know she was harassing you.”

Shaking her head, she nuzzled his neck. “No. You at least knew. You trusted me. You have no idea what that meant to me.”

“Alya knows now. And I assumed the whole class will after today.”

Marinette tilted her head in confusion, pushing him back at arms length. “What?”

“Your power as an akuma was like a truth spell. Lila’s true colors came out, the maniacal laughing and everything. She spilled everything she did to you to Alya.”

As shameful as it was, she felt relief wash over her. Finally, her best friend would believe her. Finally, it wouldn’t be chalked up to jealousy or an overreaction. This girl who’d been so mean to her for months would finally get what she deserved. Knowing how Lila ran from her problems, she doubted they’d even see the cunning girl again. Not that Marinette minded. She could go the rest of her life without seeing Lila Rossi ever again.

“Oh, wow…”

Smiling, Adrien stood and helped her to her feet. Marinette glanced down at their conjoined hands. God, she was going to spontaneously combust right there. How was this her life? And what rotten luck that Adrien wanted to be with her and his father had banned him from dating!

She couldn’t make eye contact when he pressed his forehead to hers. “I’ll see you around, Marinette.”

“Y-You too, Adrien.”

As he detached from her, he gave a small salute before going down into her bedroom to leave. The gesture felt oddly familiar, but she brushed it off. Leaning onto the railing, Marinette glanced over to see her kwami hiding behind the plants. Tikki squealed, fluttering over and hugging Marinette on the cheek.

“Oh! I was so worried!”

Marinette cupped her kwami’s back. “I’m so glad you’re alright, Tikki. Did Chat Noir do a good job?”

“Yep! He saved the day!”

Humming, she smiled. “I’ll have to thank him.”

It was then she saw her crime-fighting partner bouncing through the rooftops nearby. Was he coming to check on her? That was sweet of him. He paused, giving her a glance and waving. Marinette returned the wave before pausing.

Wait.

She touched the miraculous in her lobes.

How’d he give her earrings back…?

#princess justice #princess justice AU #miraculous ladybug #adrinette #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #angst #ML fic #princess justice fic #ash writes #make them learn #tw: bullying #miraculous ladybug fic #adrinette fic #hurt comfort

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sairenharia · 5 years

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Sentimonster Theory

My own thoughts on this theory brought up by the episode Ladybug. Spoilers ahead.

1. Validity Of The Idea.

First off, Ladybug introduces this idea of a sentient Sentimonster. Not something brought up before, albeit we’ve only seen a few Sentimonsters so far. We know very little about the Peacock Miraculous ourselves, but just what we’ve been shown and told. Such as we know it’s broken, though not necessarily how.

But Ladybug said her Sentimonster was her own being. Since the series is from her perspective and the Sentimonster agreed to act with her, we can take this as a truth to a certain extent. Which is honestly all sorts of messed up. In particular because we are introduced to this concept only a minute or two before this sentient girl is then erased from existence.

If this was a generally dark show with dark concepts in the vein of Rick and Morty, then maybe this could be a one off. But it’s NOT. This is a generally light hearted show that glossed over a girl just got grant freedom and then died and barely played with that idea. Really Ladybug should have been a two parter and that Amok should have been a hot potato so we could explore Sentibug’s mental state and ability to choose.

But wasted potential aside, a light hearted show does NOT bring up something that grim dark and NOT have a payoff. Which means one of two things.

There will be a sentient Amok arriving and they will be a thing for a while, possibly Felix, possibly someone else, and there will be some kind of witch hunt or stab in the heart.

Or there is already a Sentimonster present within the show and the pay off will be finding that out. No one makes a Chekov’s gun like that and not use it.

2. The Candidates.

Who could be a Sentimonster? Obviously only those close to the Agrestes. The Agrestes themselves, Nathalie, Gorilla being the obvious ones.

I’m disinclined to believe it’s Emilie because they say she disappeared. Not ‘gone’ which is what’s usually said when shows don’t want to say ‘dead,’ but disappear. Gone implies they know what happened. Disappear means they don’t. So I really think it’s her body in the basement. And the reason she’s in a coma is because she’s the one who made the Sentimonster.

Gorilla is the next one I find hard to believe if only because the Agreste’s are rich enough to just buy a man like that. He’s dedicated to his job, he’s a beast of a man, but he hasn’t done anything to warrant his worth in being put into a magic coma when money would do. And while a likeable guy on his own, we haven’t had enough focus on him to warrant the emotional payoff a sentient Sentimonster warrants. And personally, it puts a bad taste in my mouth making the mute person the secret inhuman being.

Gabriel certainly has the crazed focus that would be assumed of a Sentimonster. They are made with a purpose in mind, and if something unfortunate happened to the real Gabriel, then it makes sense Emilie would make him even at the cost of herself. But Gabriel would also be made by Emilie, and if she’s even half the saint Adrien paints her as, then it seems far more likely Emilie would be focused on him being back for her AND Adrien. Even if he struggled with the emotional, I doubt something like Riposte or Gorizilla would have happened with a Sentimonster Gabriel. Plus that would just be needlessly painful for Adrien because not only does he learn the man he thought was his father was the villain he’s been fighting for months, his dad is also probably dead. It’s like kicking a dog when he’s down.

Nathalie seems pretty likely if Emilie knew something was going to happen to her. Her job is to take care of Gabriel and Adrien and Nathalie does genuinely show care for both. She’s helped Adrien get what he wants, she will do anything Gabriel asks of her. For someone who seems to a not particularly passionate person, she loves two extremely socially inept people fiercely. If there was a guardian to be left behind by Emilie, Nathalie fits that criteria. The biggest question for this idea is the idea of an Amok being able to use the Peacock Miraculous itself. That seems like it shouldn’t work, but there’s nothing that says it can’t either. But even the Butterfly Miraculous has to be removed before it’s user can be Akumatized.

Then there’s Adrien. And oh boy, does a lot of things start lining up when looked at it like this.

3. The Narrative.

The thing about stories is things don’t have to be strictly in universe to reveal a truth of the story. That’s the fun of being an audience. We know Gabriel is Papillon because we’re the audience, so we see things the people in the story can’t. And the thing about Miraculous Ladybug as a narrative is there’s supposed to be a happy ending.

This is a show meant for kids. And while kids can handle dark things, Miraculous Ladybug is again, not that kind of show. The longer things go on, the less chance it seems like Adrien can have a happy ending, especially with the way they handle things between him and his father.

Adrien is getting closer to his father, but Gabriel is just diving further and further into his villainy. He keeps hurting people, he’s caused Adrien in particular some horrifying things from the times he’s died, to his three months as Aspik, to having him attack the love of his life. That sort of thing wears on a person and from Adrien actions in Gamer 2.0 and Partycrasher, both of which are after Viperion, Chat is certainly suffering from those three months. Finding out Gabriel did that to him is going to hit and it’s going to hit hard.

In particular for a point everyone has been talking about since we figured out it was Gabriel: he’s terrorized Paris to save his wife, while he treated his son like dirt. Gabriel is a man who seems intent to do anything and everything he can for love, much like Adrien does, but he also treats Adrien terribly. Their home situation is toxic at best, and abusive at worst.

Finding out the truth is going to break Adrien. More than that, with all Gabriel has done, and has treated his son, its hard to see how any end of this could allow enough room for Adrien to forgive Gabriel enough to be happy himself.

Unless, of course, the circumstances aren’t what they seem.

4. The Evidence.

Most evidence comes from what we, the audience, see, as well as some presumed things of Sentimonsters.

A. Cataclysm.

In Miraculer, Adrien gets hit with Cataclysm. Much to everyone’s surprised, he doesn’t turn to dust from something that’s turned harder things then flesh and blood to dust. We’ve seen it destroy indestructible items like the Bee Miraculous. We know Plagg killed the dinosaurs.

The first assumption is Adrien survived because he’s the Black Cat User, so he’s got some resistance to his own attack, or perhaps it’s because Miraculer was using the ability and thus it was a weaker version of it.

But here’s the thing. There’s that narrative thing again. Adrien got hurt. He got hurt real bad. We rarely see these kids hurt thanks to their supersuits, and here Adrien is, getting hit with his own death touch. This is something that, one it’s own, should have been an episode. This could have been great character development, they could have talked about the dangers of their job, or show a lot of Ladynoir, or how stubbornly stupid Chat is to fight like that.

But this wasn’t an episode about it. This was an episode about Chloe being Queen Bee, and meeting Mayura, and a five superhero team up, and a power stealer. All those things are episode worthy, so having Chat injured is odd. Especially since it wasn’t necessary where it was.

Miraculer had already established her threat levels, Ladybug had left to give the other Miraculous. She only finds out Chat is hurt when she’s handing off the Bee to him. If it was a matter of getting Chat to disengage, there’s many ways where Miraculer could have tossed him away as many Akuma have done. There is no reason to go that extreme. He certainly doesn’t need to be hurt for Mayura to have still grabbed the Bee like that, and struggling against two opponents is reasonable. There is no real narrative reason for him to be that hurt. The only point it MIGHT make sense is it meant Chloe really did have to go after Mayura herself.

But then it’d have made more sense to have him hurt on the rooftop. It would make the fight seem more high stakes because we don’t know how long it’d take, it makes everyone afraid, it’s dramatic! So why have him suffer half an episode like that?

Because the episode was overly full. It was to distract from what happened. There would be questions of why Chat is lasting this long, is this how it always is with people, or just him? Instead there’s the distraction of the new villainess, Ladybug needs to get the MIraculous, she needs to tell Chloe she can’t be Queen Bee. She has no time to wonder about Catacalysm, and Adrien doesn’t like dwelling on the unpleasant.

But we the audience see it. Adrien can take a Catacalysm and he can last a long time under the effects. And only one other thing has.

Reflekdoll, the Sentimonster Lady Noire used the power on. A thing made of pure magic. It was messed up, but it still functioned. It freaked out because it had no controller, but what if it could control itself? It may have done better, instead been dealing with it’s slowly breaking down body instead of wildly attacking everything.

Much like Adrien.

B. Adrien And Taking Charge.

Here’s the thing about Adrien taking charge: He’s terrible at it. We see it in Mister Bug, we see it in Viperion, we it in in Evillustrator. Adrien does not do well in that position. He gets too easily flustered and gets stuck in a tunnel vision or too emotional.

He’s great at second in charge! When he knows generally what he’s supposed to be doing, he’s great. He knows to protect, to teach, to comfort. He’s shown to be clever, a point actually made in Reflekta when he helps despite not having powers. Which makes it stand out even more when he struggles to do so in Reflekdoll. The difference being he’s no longer support, he’s the one whose supposed to be ‘in charge.’

He struggles as Mister Bug.

He uses Second Chance for Three Months because he can’t calm down, step back, and calmly watch things go down so he can gather information.

And all the way back in Season One, he has Marinette take away the stylus because he can focus on protecting her, but he couldn’t think of a good way to get the pen away, and he misses an obvious way out of the box.

We know Adrien is smart. We know he’s clever enough to keep up with Ladybug’s plans when she needs him to do something. But the moment he’s in charge, it’s like something in his brain just shorts out.

C. Adrien And Memories.

So something that has bugged me for ages is the fact he was not allowed out of the house until he got to go to school. He’s been locked up his whole life. Which made sense when I thought his mother disappeared years ago and his father became overprotective as a result. Then we learn his mother hasn’t even been gone a year by the time Christmas rolls around.

That changed a lot in regards to Emilie.

In Jackady, Chat’s outburst reminded Gabriel of Emilie. Which implies she was a woman who was at least somewhat of a spitfire. Someone Adrien saw as kind and who wanted him to be good. The person Adrien thinks about right before he almost destroyed the Christmas Tree and he stopped. Kind and willing to fight.

And still agreed to isolate Adrien.

And before she disappeared, Gabriel was supposedly less severe as he is now. Now this could be evidence that Gabriel is the Sentimonster, but with both Gabriel being at least a little more caring and a woman Adrien sees so highly, it’s weird they both agreed to raise him in basic isolation.

Not that I’m saying Emilie is anywhere near Gabriel’s level in canon, but Adrien is definitely looking at things with rose colored glasses. It’s not okay to raise a kid isolated from their peers like that. Especially a ray of sunshine like Adrien whose desperate for friends.

But at the Agreste parents very best, they were overprotective as hell.

We know Adrien is starting to realize his father is being unfair and overly harsh, we’ve seen him run away because of it, and he’s terrified of being locked up. He still sees Emilie as this saintly way though.

It may be because she made him. Of course he’d see her this way because she wouldn’t think there was anything wrong in wanting to protect him or she wouldn’t have gone to that extreme.

D. Adrien’s Demeanor.

Adrien is obedient. He’s a good boy who listens, and does as he’s told. Again, Adrien does not like to take charge. He rarely starts confrontation for his own sake, but he’s willing to step in for others. More so as Chat than Adrien, and Adrien is certainly more sneaky and subdue about it.

A Sentimonster is a being made to obey someone else. It’s not a giant leap to assume a sentient would still be highly inclined to obey, and more likely to stand up for others than themselves.

Then there’s Adrien’s more obsessive nature. Because let’s be fair. He’s obsessed with Ladybug. Most of the time it’s charming flirts of the safe nature, but he’s had times he’s let it distract him from the job, or made him sulk and pout. He can usually snap out of it to focus on the job, but it’s weird how he can go from one day handling his rejection with grace to the next handling it absolutely terribly. Like maybe he wants to accept it, but it’s hard to do so for a being whose usually focused on one person.

After all, Sentimonsters are protectors. Getting a little obsessed with who they’re made for makes sense.

E. Adrien’s rebellion.

It’s an interesting to note how Adrien rebels. He does things his father wouldn’t approve of, but usually goes the route of ‘what he doesn’t know won’t hurt me.’ If Adrien is told he can’t, he’ll go ‘but Chat wasn’t told he can’t.’ It’s rare we see Adrien disobey an actual direct order from Gabriel.

The only time that comes to mind as direct disobedience instead of just never asked or a technical loop hole was when he ran to school. You know. Right after he got Plagg and experienced chaos energy for the first time.

And yet, for the things Adrien deems truly important, he does try to bargain with his father. Like seeing his mother’s movie, or going to Marinette’s party, because these are important things to Adrien, and he wants his father to approve.

Oddly, when Adrien actually pleads and breaks the rules and shows how important a thing is to him, his father seems inclined to give it to him. Which I’ll get more into later.

F. Plagg, The Peacock Miraculous Was Right There, How Did You Miss It????

Listen, Plagg is a little gremlin who cares a lot more for people than he likes to show and it still seems weird he wouldn’t recognize a piece of jewelry he’s been in contact with for centuries when he could recognize the BOOK.

But that’s the thing, Plagg is a little gremlin who cares a lot. Who cares a lot about Adrien. Who, you know, he regularly fuses with and gives superpowers. There’s a good chance if Adrien is a Sentimonster, Plagg knows, and now he’s like ‘SHIT’ about the whole thing.

It’s likely Fu getting the Peacock Miraculous would spell the end of Adrien, so Plagg is hoping for an Alternate Solution to come up before he outs where the Peacock Miraculous is. He’s like millions of years old, he can be patient for a few years until he sees something, and the humans can take a little chaos in their life. Adrien’s HIS.

G. SYMBOLIC FORESHADOWING.

Gosh, copycat sure was a sculptor ‘in love’ with someone he couldn’t reach.

There sure is a lot of False Adriens and False Chats in the season where Mayura is a player between the wax statue of Adrien, Chat, and Adrien playing Chat’s Voice in the Ladybug Movie, and Lila pretended to be Chat and Adrien for a while in Chameleon.

Chat keeps being turned into a meat puppet by Gabriel an awful lot.

Reflekdoll got Catacalsymed by another Chat.

Miraculer sure was about Chloe’s friend trying to become another person for her love, while her other friend was living through something we never thought should be livable by a human.

Chat did think the Sentibug was a real person and choose her first.

Ladybug said Sentibug was too perfect to be human. While Gabriel and Marinette both call Adrien perfect. And Lila, and I think Chloe. Basically a lot of people call the boy perfect.

Thomas has a tendency to make tweets about ‘in universe’ views on the characters, thus when he said Chloe was a terrible person who would never have a MIraculous. And he sure calls Adrien perfect a lot himself.

H. Allergies.

Allergies are the immune system’s hypersensitive reaction to something. Worried about something being a threat even if it isn’t. And Adrien is allergic to feathers. A thing he may be made out of.

Maybe Sentimonsters don’t play well with feathers, maybe another feather can mess with theirs, I don’t know, but I find it very interesting one of his parents had a feather based superpower and he’s allergic to them and it feels like that should mean SOMETHING.

I. The Promise.

Gabriel talks to Emilie about a promise. A wish. A way to reverse a mistake. He never says he’ll bring her back or fix her, which is the obvious thing. He’s cryptic which means whatever he WANTS, it’s not as simple as saving her. He says it the way he does because we the audience aren’t meant to know yet.

5. The Wild Mass Guessing.

Because the rest was super coherent.

Two other points: A pure theory on Party Crashers. Gabriel is shocked at joy in his house, which could just be him realizing how many people were there, or an even more disturbing thought that he never expects joy from Adrien. OR it could be Gabriel can’t sense Adrien at all because he’s a Sentimonster, and neither Nathalie nor the Gorila are big on the joy spectrum;.

As for Chat Blanc, it could be Chat Blanc will be a seperate Sentimonster (and MORE foreshadowing????), or it’s because Plagg is also involved. Plagg is definitely a full entity, after all, and that may be enough to allow for an Akumatization.

BUT here is how I see things going down.

Adrien Agreste died, somehow or someway, probably preventable, and it was with his parents so it didn’t become news.

Emilie, unwilling to lose her son, decides to use the peacock. She may have sculpted something like Mayura did Ladybug and he’s got an Amok hidden around somewhere. Maybe Emilie used his body which is grim and also necromancy. It could be a lot of things.

But the Peacock is NOT the Miraculous of Creation. A Sentimonster is a temporary creation, a guardian, it’s not meant to be a longterm sentient being. Having a Sentimonster capable of some intelligent thought is understandable, because better guardian then, but it’s NOT meant to be a person.

Emilie pushes and this is what breaks the Peacock Miraculous. And this puts her into a coma because now she has to support Adrien’s existence with her own emotions and it’s too much of a burden for her to bear and remain conscious.

And Adrien the Sentimonster is born.

At first, he doesn’t have a lot in the way of emotions. This works out because now he’s supposed to be mourning his now disappeared mother and being blank is pretty understandable. He has the memories from his mother, maybe his father, he knows generally how he’s supposed to be, but he’s still figuring it out. Meanwhile he thinks it’s the depression because he doesn’t know he’s not real.

And Gabriel?

Gabriel lost his son, then his wife, and now he has This Thing in his home. Who thinks he’s his son and his wife almost lost her life for it and he has to. Deal with that. So he goes complete hardass because if he has to deal with it, then it would represent the Gabriel brand well. He models, he learns, he becomes the poster boy of a perfect son.

Adrien doesn’t understand why he’s being treated so coldly and he chalks it up to his father also being in pain at losing his mother. It makes sense.

Then Chloe demands to see Adrien and, well, telling Chloe no doesn’t work for long. And when Gabriel is ignoring Adrien, and Nathalie knows and is just being a professional, and the Gorilla is going about business as normal, Chloe just sees her depressed friend, and at some point there’s discussion of his wanting to go to school, to make friends, because Adrien is REAL. He’s a Sentimonster, but he’s REAL because that’s what Emilie wanted.

And real people crave love and affection eventually.

So Chloe gets him into school. And Adrien goes and passes his test with Fu. Because Adrien was always a kind and caring boy and a Sentimonster helps.

He’d forbidden.

And he meets Plagg and he’s magic and that feels right in the world.

And suddenly he’s not just Adrien. He’s Chat Noir. He has a purpose. He has people he can PROTECT and he is so eager to do so. He has powers he expects no hard limit to. He has a partner he has to work with.

He comes alive. There’s just been a pit of loss and need and yearning and suddenly he has that and more and moreover, he has a little bit of chaos on his side. Chaos that takes this order he’s been given.

And says no.

And Nathalie knows she has to tell Gabriel.

And he’s so, so very surprised. Because Adrien should not have been able to say no. And he thinks maybe, just maybe, Emilie did leave him a son after all.

So Gabriel let’s Adrien go to school.

Adrien’s birthday comes. Gabriel would always buy his son a gift. He can’t bear the thought of getting him a new fountain pen, a useful tool, a professional tool, because he’s still not sure he’s invested, so he puts the responsibility on Nathalie for the first time.

Jackady happens, Gabriel almost died, and all he could think about as he stepped away from the ledge was he almost left Adrien alone. And for the first time he hugs this boy who might be his son.

He destroys his office because it’s easy to pretend to be mad about this boy he might love and he hates he may make him lose his wife and perhaps his firstreal son. And yet the concern once he’s purified isn’t near the act he wishes it was.

Riposte becomes a test. Could he put the boy in danger. And he finds he hates himself more by the end of it then any other time.

Christmas, he decides to show a little care, maybe embrace this, and he’s terrified when he’s gone. Not enough to forget his wife and other child when an opportunity arises, but he finds himself wanting to make him happy when his friends show up.

Adrien starts asking for things. He pleads to hang out with his friends. He make arguments. He WANTS. He wants because he wants to be there for his friends, he makes a hand made gift because someone is important to him. These are not the actions of an obedient beast. Because that’s the thing, when Adrien begs, Gabriel gives in. And when Adrien wants to know more about Emilie, see her in other things, it shows someone whose view of her isn’t only her own self view.

He’s terrified when he thinks he might be Chat Noir. He has to be sure, he has to know NOW because he seems so very real and whether or not he is, he finds himself loving this Adrien and he doesn’t want him to be Chat Noir, and yet he does when he fall because the thought of him dying-

He even ponders giving up his wife for this boy. After he put him in danger. After he almost fell apart into glitter. He can’t bear to lose him too, he’s sure of it.

Adrien is growing. He’s learning to love others. He’s learning friendships. As Chat Noir, with chaos and purpose in his hands, he acts with abandon. He has love, he can protect, everything is clear.

But when Ladybug suffers and he’s unable to help, he just because more desperate and determined to save her next time. Even if it takes well over twenty thousand times and three months because that is his PURPOSE, so next time, he throws himself off the stage, and he won’t listen to Fu.

As Adrien, things are still confusing. Adrien wants to defend, but he also wants to be good for Gabriel, and making a scene is bad. Still, he sees Lila hurt people he loves, he cares about, so he decides to that being underhanded. If sincere earnestness doesn’t work like it does with Chloe, then he’ll make sure Lila knows if she won’t be his friend, then he’ll find a way to make her regret being his enemy. It’s not as direct as he likes, but he must be good for Gabriel to.

Gabriel is becoming more desperate by the day. He must save Emilie. He must save their son. And maybe this boy is their son? Maybe Adrien’s soul was there because they were so similar. He doesn’t know, all he knows is he needs the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous and once he has though, he can make everything RIGHT.

And there is the thing about happy endings.

As canon stands, Adrien is unlikely to get a happy ending. Because as the series progresses, he BONDS with his father. They seem to be getting closer, healing this rift that had been between them. If Adrien is to get out of this, he should be recognizing his unfair treatment, pulling away, getting farther to see how bad the situation is. Not getting closer. The closer he gets to Gabriel, the more it’ll hurt because how does he make peace with that? This man terrorized the city of Paris for his wife, while he barely gave his son the time of day.

And that’s if Gabriel doesn’t die using the Miraculous to save Emilie. Then Adrien will lose his father to get back his mother after his father didn’t even give him good memories to leave off of.

But the story changes if Adrien is a Sentimonster.

Because Adrien’s existence is draining Emilie. She can’t wake up while he exists. And Gabriel is a man who loves so fiercely and doesn’t want to love this boy, but DOES because how can he not? So like his son, so like his mother. So it becomes even more important to win, so Adrien will never know what his existence has cost Emilie, to make sure Adrien’s existence is never threatened by the loss of the Peacock.

Everything will hurt, but it’s not a man who choose a nearly lost wife while completely forsaking his son.

It’s a man whose nearly lost both and trying to save both.

And maybe, just maybe, the cost of stabilizing Adrien’s existence will be a cost he can bear instead of asking someone else to die.

#ml spoilers #sentimonster theory #adrien agreste #gabriel agreste #nathalie sancoeur #the gorilla #emilie agreste #miraculous ladybug

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miracalicethebookgirl · 4 years

Text

The Phony and the Famous Pt. 5

AO3

Pt 1. Pt 2. Pt 3. Pt 4.

Summary: Lila spreads lies about being famous with worldwide connections to increase her local popularity. She’s confident that Marinette will never be able to prove otherwise. What she, and even Marinette herself, don’t realize is that Marinette won’t have to do any of that to come out on top. - A story in which everything Lila lies about, Marinette turns into reality for herself, usually unknowingly (our girl is quite the lucky one, after all).

A brief explanation: The last chapter was a bit confusing as to how Mister Bug appeared. When people turned into animals, all their clothing and accessories were left behind. When Marinette turned into a hamster her earrings fell off, so Tikki took them to Chat. Adrien switched out his Miraculous since it’s still unknown if something happens by wearing both the Ladybug and Cat Miraculous (not sure if Gamer 2.0 counts). After the fight he switched back and Tikki returned the earrings to Marinette.

…

“I'm good friends with the best manga publisher in Japan, you know. I can talk to them about your comic book project if you like.”

Season 3, “Ladybug”

…

“Name?”

“Oh! Uh, Astruc, Thomas.”

The girl hummed thoughtfully as she shuffled through the festival passes on the table. “That name sounds familiar. Did you work on a recent film or something?”

“Yes, actually! I was the director of The Adventures of Lady—”

“Here it is!” the girl exclaimed, pulling out the lanyard pass from the stack and adding some pamphlets to her hand. “Keep your pass on you at all times. The first pamphlet will provide you with a general map of the Champs-Élysées. The area is split up by genre and your second pamphlet will tell you which film categories will be playing on which day. If you have any questions just ask a volunteer. Welcome to the Young Artists Film Festival!”

With that, Thomas Astruc was ushered along to allow the next person to check in.

He was a little put out that he was yet again dismissed despite his role in the production of a movie that was widely popular in France. But what could he do besides shake his head and accept it? He could brag all he wanted about it but unless he made as big a name as Steven Basielberg, people would simply continue to shrug and dismiss him.

Rather than spoil his mood with such thoughts, Thomas figured he’d keep a low profile and just enjoy the festivities. It always intrigued him to see what new edgy or comedic or introspective pieces the young minds of France could create. So he spent an hour watching several animated shorts created by students and noted interesting stylistic choices and the most popular narratives. He debated going to see one of the feature length films that were highlighted for the day when he heard someone excitedly call out his name.

“Oh my gosh, Monsieur Astruc! Monsieur Astruc!”

He turned and saw a pigtailed teenage girl wave and run up to him, followed by—he blinked owlishly—Adrien Agreste, who had another girl latched to his arm. He looked back at the girl who called to him.

“You look a bit familiar to me. Have we met before?”

The girl didn’t seem bothered by his question. “It was only briefly, but we met at the Ladybug and Chat Noir movie premiere a few months back. I was the person you gave up your seat to. I’m still so thankful that you did that for me! Aside from the akuma—no offense—and a couple other people…the premiere was actually kind of fun.”

The other two teens finally reached them. The girl on Adrien’s arm gave a small gasp.

“Oh, Marinette, you were at the Ladybug movie premiere? I heard you went as one of the waitresses. I would have been there too, but I told the movie director that I had another movie project lined up. You see, being Ladybug’s best friend, I had a big say in how the heroes in the movie were portrayed so they could be as accurate as possible.”

The other three stood silent for a moment. One in confusion and the other two in exasperation.

“Who did you say you were again?” Thomas asked, wondering if he really did forget such a person.

“Oh, silly me,” the girl tittered, “where are my manners? I’m Lila Rossi, sort of an expert in all things Ladybug. And in case you also didn’t know,” she pulled Adrien closer to herself, “this is Adrien Agreste. He voiced Chat Noir in the movie but he’s also a model for Gabriel. We actually model together.”

Adrien brought a fist to his mouth and gave a small cough.

Is he covering a smile? Thomas thought to himself. Well, he couldn’t blame the boy. This girl obviously didn’t know whose company she was in. Thomas would have also laughed if the thought didn’t make him feel so dejected.

“Um, Lila,” Adrien politely began, “let me introduce you to Thomas Astruc. Monsieur Astruc is the artistic director of The Adventures of Ladybug and Chat Noir.” He paused. “The Movie.”

As they all watched the emotions play across Lila’s face, it was the other girl, Marinette’s, turn to try and smother a giggle. She wasn’t as successful as Adrien but at the fury that passed across Lila’s face, she quickly brought the conversation elsewhere.

“Sir, I never did get to introduce myself to you, which I guess was a little rude at the time. My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I admit, I was a little skeptical when I first watched the trailer because Ladybug and Chat Noir didn’t sound anything like the real heroes. But once I watched the movie, it was actually really good!”

Thomas laughed good-naturedly. “That’s quite alright. I knew some people would be disappointed that the movie wasn’t an account of true events. That was the point of the disclaimer ‘based on Ladybug and Chat Noir.’” He took a moment to discreetly eye Lila. “The script writers and I didn’t want to confine ourselves to real life. We took our artistic license and ran with it, if you will. Especially since we don’t know everything there is to know about the Miraculous or the identities of the main players. Can you imagine Ladybug being scared of cats? Or if Hawkmoth were actually Chat Noir’s dad?”

Marinette laughed with him at those hypotheticals. Adrien chuckled along a bit more nervously, though Thomas figured the young man was just trying to imagine Gabriel Agreste as a supervillain, considering Adrien voiced the aforementioned hero. Lila had taken on a stoic face, and he guiltily hoped she learned some humility from her embarrassment.

Then something from earlier clicked in his mind.

“Did you say your name was Marinette Dupain-Cheng?”

Marinette stopped laughing and looked at him questioningly. “Yeah, I did.”

Thomas’s eyes lit up. “So you’re the Marinette Dupain-Cheng whose designs are sought after by several celebrities and whose talents caught the attention of one of the biggest film studios in Europe?!”

Face turning red at the acknowledgement, Marinette nodded timidly. Adrien reached out and put a hand on her shoulder as he smiled proudly. “And those are only some of her accomplishments. I bet she’ll go even further in whatever she does.” His eyes twitched a little when Lila gave a small noise of derision.

Thomas agreed with the boy. Miss Dupain-Cheng may be a relatively new name running in Parisian circles, especially with the crocodile debacle and zoo fundraiser, but she was proving to be more than just a flash in the pan. If anything, she was gaining more momentum in her fame as time passed, due in part by the recently confirmed rumors of her association with Graham Films. Thomas thought hard.

The animation studio he previously worked with for the Ladybug movie was offering him a contract for a new animated film. The studio anticipated that the project wouldn’t receive as much attention as the Ladybug movie did, but Thomas acknowledged that it was a given. However, if he could attach some big names to the film, that might be even better promotion than the simple “from the producers of the hit film Ladybug!” tagline could provide. Bringing Marinette on board would be a more than stellar start.

“What is the project that you and Graham Films working on right now?” he questioned, genuinely curious. “And when is post-production? If you don’t have any other film projects lined up, I happen to be gathering a team right now for an original animated film and we would love to work with someone of your talents!”

Thomas was disappointed to see her shake her head apologetically.

“I’m sorry, Monsieur Astruc. The movie with Graham Films is a one-time thing since I’m hoping for more fashion-centered work.” Her tone then turned thoughtful. “What kind of movie is yours going to be?”

“It’ll be a new superhero movie. I’m considering integrating it into the same universe as the Ladybug and Chat Noir movie.”

Adrien’s eyes lit up. “That sounds really cool! I hope you’ll let me voice Chat Noir again if he and Ladybug make a cameo or maybe even have a sequel!”

Thomas laughed, appreciative of the boy’s eagerness. The cameo bit wasn’t a bad idea at all.

“Monsieur Astruc,” Marinette began tentatively, “would you be opposed to taking on other young talent since I won’t be able to?”

He blinked. “Unless they have an exceptional portfolio and prior experience, I don’t think it would be very likely that they’d be hired. But,” he added when he saw the girl slump, “I’m very open to bringing some interns to the team.”

Thomas noticed Adrien perk up, looking like he knew exactly what his friend was leading up to. Lila merely turned her head away, seeming to be ignoring the rest of the conversation.

“I know some people who would love that!” Marinette exclaimed. “And I can speak for their talent in both writing and drawing about superheroes.”

Intrigued, he figured it wouldn’t hurt to hear her out.

…

A week later at the studio, Thomas and his production team stood up from their chairs to shake hands with the young men who they would be taking under their wings as interns.

“I look forward to working with you two gentlemen,” he said to them. “Your ideas are great and hopefully this internship and stories of my own journey from character doodling to filmmaking can help you get your own comics off the ground.”

Marc Anciel blushed. Nathaniel Kurtzberg beamed and replied, “I can’t wait to tell Marinette about this. I can’t believe she thought of us when you originally wanted her. I heard she couldn’t accept anyway, but still!”

“Marinette is always looking out for her friends,” Marc added softly.

When Thomas formally met Marinette, he recognized her for her fame and her talents. Since then, he began to realize just what a remarkable person she was. And so young too… He briefly pondered how old Ladybug and Chat Noir were. Surely not as young as his movie made them?

“People like that are hard to find but they do exist. Hold on tight to friendships like this. And remember that even though Marinette might seem amazing all on her own, being her friend means helping her out too.”

The boys seemed oddly sad (ashamed, in Nathaniel’s case?) for a moment, but Thomas only had a second to wonder about it before they smiled and nodded in agreement.

#ml fic #miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain-cheng #adrien agreste #lila rossi #thomas astruc the character #minor appearances of #nathaniel kurtzberg #marc anciel

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miraculouslycool · 4 years

Text

Your Strong Disguise - Part 5

Read it in Ao3

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Taglist:

@wegan97 @random-posts-and-stuff @gangstaluigi613 @winchestersoldiersblog @reyna-avila-ramirez-alreanaldo @gwennex @ariana-the-fangirl @clumsy-owl-4178 @vinebino

Ladybug's feet lightly thudded on the roof of Montparnasse Tower.

"Doesn't this seem familiar?" She heard a voice behind her and she jumped.

Chat Noir was sitting on the edge of the building, and was smiling at her weakly. "Easy, Ladybug, it's just me."

Ladybug. He called her Ladybug. Either he had gone back to his old/new habit of calling her by her full name, or he was too bummed out to be dishing out the nicknames.

"Yeah, it does seem familiar." Ladybug raised an eyebrow. She knew exactly why, and for two reasons.

This was the place where they kissed while having their memories erased and also the place where Ladybug had spent an entire evening patrolling with Chat after defeating Chat Blanc.

Of course, he knew only of the former (and knew better than to ask) and not fully about the latter, since she couldn't tell him without causing a time paradox.

"I still don't know what that was about, you know." Chat patted the space next to him and Ladybug sat down. "It was a rather sudden patrol you called that day."

She couldn't look at him. Instead she stared out into the night sky. "Can't I want to see my partner for no reason?"

That seemed to satisfy him. "Fair enough."

She let out a shaky breath. She had a very good feeling that if Chat hadn't been around to Cataclysm the necklace, Chat Blanc would have appeared, accusing her of even more things.

She couldn't think about that now. Chat Noir needed her.

"So... what's going on?" She asked him tentatively.

"Well, the mess in my civilian life has been sorted out. Mostly." He said.

"Really? Are you sure you don't want to talk about it, Kitty? Because I'm sure we can find someway to do that without going too far-"

"I'm sure." Chat smiled, nudging her with his shoulder as he sat closer to her, their thighs touching, then he immediately froze.

"Chat?" Ladybug enquired. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry!" He blabbered, throwing himself away from her a good few inches away.

"Sorry? What- I don't understand- what are you sorry for?" Ladybug was alarmed. Had the necklace's effects not worn off??

"I- I moved too close, I disrespected your need for personal space, I'm sorry, I won't do it again since you don't want me to-'" he paused when he felt Ladybug's hands on his shoulders.

"Chat. Look at me." She prompted.

His eyes flickered to her and just as quickly, moved away. "Ladybug, I've....been making so many forward advances towards you- and I'm so sorry for that! I would never want to disrespect you-"

"Hey." She shook him firmly. "Do you see me being uncomfortable?"

He gulped. "I don't- that's not for me to decide."

She slid her hands down his arms to hold his gloved ones. "Well, I'm not. Are you?"

He didn't answer for a moment. "I could never be uncomfortable when you're around."

"Well, that's settled then." She said firmly, pulling him back to his old position, much closer to her.

"Chat.... what's going on? What did I say in your visions?"

"I...um, it doesn't really matter. You and I both know the visions were fake."

"If you really thought that you wouldn't have jumped away from me like that." She argued.

"I'm sorry I freaked you out, Ladybug." He rubbed his temple tiredly. "I'm a mess right now, and you really don't have to go along with this."

"Stop that." Ladybug said sharply.

"Stop what?"

"Apologizing for how you feel! Kitty, if you can't tell me about the other people who appeared to you, at least tell me what I said! I can't go on seeing you looking like this!"

Chat turned to look at her worried face. She cared about him so much, even if it was never going to be beyond a dear and trusted friend.

He wasn't going to make the same mistake again. He adored simply being with Ladybug. He considered being her friend a huge honor. He always had.

He just...tended to take it for granted sometimes.

"Do you...do you remember Sandboy?" He asked quietly.

She flinched. "Was it your nightmare again?"

"Is it really a nightmare when it opens your eyes to something you would never have seen otherwise?" He said bitterly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your vision told me....that I was never of help to you in battles, and that I always flirted with you even though you hated it, and that...that I just couldn't take no for an answer."

"Chat....none of that is true."

"You don't know what she sounded like."

"Well, I'm not her! And I'm telling you that you are none of those things!"

"Really? I have never annoyed you during battle? I have never called you Bugaboo and m'lady even though you told me to stop? I've never stopped pursuing you even though you said you loved someone else? I've never acted like....like some sort of a harasser?"

Ladybug wanted to slap him right then and there for how angry she was.

How could he not see how much she valued him?

No. This was her fault. She was the one who took him for granted. He would not be feeling this way if it wasn't for her actions. She still felt terrible for how she treated him during his first foray as Mister Bug.

"You're not a harasser, Chat. Stop calling yourself that." She spoke again when he began to open his mouth. "And yes, you have flirted with me, and called me nicknames and all that but.

..it wasn't exactly your flirting, it was your timing. And as for the nicknames and the teasing... we're friends, Chat Noir. You probably know more about me than my best friend and my parents. Of course you're free to tease me, and I do it to you too. Where is this coming from?"

"Well....um, I may have heard some people in my life as a civilian say how Ladybug is always uncomfortable around Chat Noir and that I always seem to make passes at you and make you apologize for things that aren't your fault....and they're not wrong. I've gotten unfairly mad at you twice because you rejected me and don't even get me started on the tantrum I threw when you couldn't tell me about Master Fu-"

"Oh come on!" Ladybug fumed. She didn't care how, she wanted to track down these idiots who made Chat feel this way and throw them to the surface of the moon. "You had every right to react that way then! You didn't even know Master Fu existed! How else could that have looked? Neither of us were at fault!"

"You know I almost gave up, don't you?"

"But you didn't! You didn't even say that you 'forgave' me after I sent Master after you, you THANKED me for keeping my promise!"

"What about the two times I was cold to you for no reason?"

She sighed at that. "You... shouldn't have gotten mad, yes, but you didn't even stay mad for long. You apologized, and you took responsibility for it! You didn't let your feelings come in the way of the battle! And.... speaking of apologies...I owe you one for being so short with you when you were Mister Bug. I should have been more patient with you. I should have tried to help you instead of lashing out at you."

"Hey, it's okay." He said. "If I were you, I'd be mad at me too."

"Chat..." She groaned. "You're not a burden to me in any way. I wouldn't be able to do ANY of this if it weren't for you and no sentimonster or villain is going to make me think otherwise."

"Sentimonster?" He asked and Ladybug realised her slip of tongue.

"Uh...um, I mean, that is to say-"

"What did the sentimonster do to you, Ladybug?" He asked fiercely, and yet, Ladybug could see his hands were shaking with fear.

"He..." She looked away, not being able to meet his eyes. "He cornered me against one of the lockers and....tried to kiss me. I had just fought him off before you had arrived."

Chat swore. This was just fucking perfect. Even Hawkmoth and Mayura had that opinion of him.

"Are you okay?" His concerns travelled to her. "He...did he hurt you? God, now I wish I gave him a proper punch before I released the amok." His hands turned into fists.

"No! He didn't hurt me, I got him before he could. And honestly, if you think I wouldn't have decked you if you tried to harass me, you're dead wrong."

She clutched his arm. "Chat, you always stop when I tell you to. You have never ever made me feel uncomfortable."

"That's not what everyone thinks-"

"I don't care about what everyone thinks!" She cried.

"I don't know what made you feel like you don't measure up to be the partner I deserve, and I don't want to get an answer out of you until you are ready. I'll just say this: I need you Chat Noir. I wouldn't be half the Ladybug I am today if it wasn't for you. I would've quit a long time ago if I didn't have you as my partner. I don't know how you manage to carry all the burdens that weigh me down like they are feathers instead of the rocks they feel like. You are irreplaceable and I'll never even think about trying to find another one like you. Everytime you feel like quitting, remember what I said. Remember that there is still one person who doesn't want Chat Noir, but the boy behind the mask as well. You are more than just my partner, you are more than just my best friend, you are my Chat Noir and I wouldn't want it any other way."

He finally looked up after her long speech. His heart thumped. He certainly wasn't actively trying to win her affections anymore, but that didn't change the way he reacted around her.

"You... really think so?" He held her arm.

Ladybug nodded sincerely. "It's like you said. Those visions are nothing but lies. I mean, were dealing with Lila Rossi." He chuckled at that Ladybug's heart soared. "I wouldn't believe them, chaton. You shouldn't, either."

"Can...can I hug you?" He asked tentatively.

She opened her arms out to him and he threw himself into them, clutching her like he was a dying man grasping for his final breath.

She hugged him back just as tightly, blinking away her tears into the crook of his neck.

"Thank you, Ladybug." He said, releasing her but leaving his arm around her shoulders.

She nodded, smiling at him through unshed tears.

"What did I say in your vision though?" He sounded genuinely concerned. "I really really hope I didn't hurt you."

"I...." She knew it would be unfair if she had him spill what happened to him and not do the same with herself.

"I... it's okay if you don't want to." Chat replied, smiling reassuringly. "The last thing I want to do is force you into doing something you don't want to."

"No, I want to tell you. Besides, if I don't tell you atleast some of it, who can I tell?"

"I'm listening." He said attentively, his hand rubbing her shoulder blades.

She nearly sighed at his touch but held herself back. Now was not the time to remind herself that she was too late.

"Well... first it was people I knew as a civilian....which I could handle, somewhat. But then it was Master Fu, telling me he was disappointed in me, and then Hawkmoth, saying he was coming for the miraculouses and it was my own fault I failed and..." She shuddered. "Then you. Wait, no, not 'you' you, vision you."

"What did I say?"

"Well....um...it was more of on your feelings? That you used to have, I mean." She quickly corrected herself, her cheeks turning as red as her costume. She knew perfectly well Chat Noir wasn't pursuing her anymore, he never said it outright, he chose to dance around his words a lot, but she could tell he had someone else in his life. Someone who was not her.

"Anyway, that Chat Noir said that I was only seeking his attention after he had moved on, and that...I didn't deserve to be in his presence when I obviously took him for granted so much-and it's- I mean he has a point, I was so oblivious I didn't even know you had feelings for me until that day with Glaciator-"

"Ladybug." He half growled her name. "I would never- you mean everything to me. I don't care if you are just my friend or my partner or even if....you are something more, I would still love you. No matter what. You don't have to apologise for anything."

'I would still love you.' His words echoed in her head.

No. Stop having hope. He's a taken man and you're NOT going to be that girl. He deserves better than that.

"I know that. I've always known that. It's just....I don't want to hurt you, kitty. Everytime I had to reject you, it felt like I was hurting myself."

His expression changed into something much softer. "I meant what I said. If there's anyone I would trust anything with, it's you."

She snuggled closer to him, burying her head into his shoulder.

"Why is this so hard?"

"What is?"

"Everything. I'm so scared of failing everyone. I'm scared of failing Paris, I'm scared of failing you."

"You're not a failure." He insisted. "Not to me."

Ladybug blinked. Luka was always ready to listen and he was the opposite of pushy, but she never felt inclined to getting around to share how much of the world she was holding on her shoulders.

With Chat, it was different. She couldn't tell him about an entire half of her life, yet somehow it felt like she was telling him everything, and she could trust him with it. He always understood how she felt.

"Master and I never got around to finishing my training. I don't even know what half the miraculouses in the box do! What if Hawkmoth finds me? And what if I'm taken down and I have to give up my guardianship and I forget about everything?!" She was bursting like a dam without water.

She didn't have anymore strength left to cry.

"I won't let that happen." Chat said fiercely. "In fact, you know what? I'm going to start journaling. I'm going to journal each and every one of our patrols and our battles, starting from the moment you became the guardian. And if you should ever forget who I am, you'll always have those to look back on."

Her lip quivered. What could she possibly say to something as sweet as that?

"I... have a diary of my own. I've been writing in it a long time, actually. Even before I became Ladybug. That could be useful to cover the aspects of my life that you couldn't describe."

His eyes lit up. "Good idea."

"I don't...." Ladybug choked up before she went too far and complicated things even more. "Whoever you're dating? Yeah, she's a lucky girl."

"Who... I'm dating?" Chat Noir sounded confused.

"Yeah?" It was Ladybug's turn to be confused now. "Didn't you always talk about this girl you're taking things slow with?"

"Oh. Her. Yeah...um, we broke up three months ago." He withdrew his hand from around her shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck.

"You what?!" Ladybug yelled.

"Hey, look, now all of Paris knows!" He laughed.

"Sorry. I mean.....how? You seemed really hopeful that things would work out between you two."

He winced. "We... didn't really work as a couple. I guess both of us were crumbling under the pressure to be a good boyfriend/girlfriend to each other that we forgot about how well we got along as friends."

"Chat.... I'm so sorry." Ladybug said sincerely.

"Oh, it's okay. She's still one of my closest friends, so there's no bad blood between us."

Ladybug smiled weakly. "That's... that's good, then."

"What about you?" He said, propping a leg up and resting his elbow on it. "Whatever happened to that guy you're dating? You barely talk about him anymore."

And that was saying something, since Ladybug barely talked about him when they were dating.

"Lucky coincidence, huh? We barely lasted a week before we broke up."

"Wait, but I thought you really liked this guy?"

"Oh, um... it's not him. It's someone else who I was interested in. And don't get me wrong, my ex boyfriend treated me with nothing but respect and kindness, but I felt like...we couldn't even talk to each other about things. Like, say for example, I'm able to talk to you about anything and everything."

"Uh huh." The back of Chat's real ears turned red.

"But with him...even though I know he will listen without any strings attached, I don't find myself wanting to talk to him about these things." She sighed. "Ironic. I'm supposed to be lucky but my love life is a mess."

"I'm really sorry that happened to you. You deserve the best, m'lady." He said absent mindedly.

Both of them froze.

"You...you called me m'lady." Ladybug whispered, hardly daring to believe it.

"I thought you didn't want to do that anymore." Her tone wasn't resentful at all.

"Uh, um, I, that is to say, m'lady, I-" he cleared his throat noisily. "I thought you didn't like me doing that. And calling you Bugaboo for that matter."

Ladybug turned red and looked away.

"Wait." Chat's eyes narrowed. He slid a clawed finger under her chin and gently turned her to look at him.

"I see what this is." He said softly.

"W-what is it?" Ladybug squeaked like a mouse.

"You miss it." He said, and for a second Ladybug thought he was serious before his face spread into the widest grin ever. "You ACTUALLY miss me calling you those things! I knew it! I knew they'd grow on you!"

Ladybug pushed his stupid, smug, cocky face away from her and gave him a deadly glare.

"Not another word." She threatened.

"Word." He quipped and Ladybug groaned loudly.

"Why is this happening to me??? Why did I have to give your already bloated ego another huge boost?"

To an outsider, her remark may have seemed condescending, but Chat only laughed. He knew when she was joking around with him, and this was one of those times.

"Bugaboo..." He cooed, poking her shoulder annoyingly. "Bugaboo, Bugaboo, Bugaboo-"

"Stop calling me-"

"But when I did, it didn't stop you from missing it, did it m'lady?" He smirked.

"Okay, fine! You're right! I did miss you calling me m'lady, and even though I never said it that name made me feel unique and special but if I told you, you would hold it over my head for the rest of my life! And 'Bugaboo' is a cheesy, annoying, childish, horribly punned nickname and at one point I HATED you calling me that and I still do, but-" her chest heaved.

Chat was grinning smugly throughout all this, but when she paused, his cocky expression melted away when her annoyed one did.

"-but, I miss it. I still miss it. I miss scolding you to not call me that. I miss you punning in battles. You don't do it as often as you used to do."

"I thought you disliked them." He said slowly, realising how much he was learning about his lady in one night than he did in the one year he had known her.

"I did. And I miss disliking them. I miss your stupid jokes. I miss me responding to them. I miss being the Ladybug that I used to be, without the guardianship and extra responsibilities. I miss being the Ladybug that I used to be with you. I miss you, Chat Noir, even though you've been right at my side and always had my back when I needed it."

Chat swallowed, not knowing what to say.

But she was right. The last three months they had grown closer, but there was still a huge barrier between them that had been building itself.

He was being more cautious enough to not upset her.

And from what she said, she was trying so hard to pretend like nothing had changed between them.

"M'lady, you're still you. I don't see you as anyone any different than the person I met. You let your guard down in front of me only twice, remember?" He didn't realise how easily he had fallen back to his old habit of calling her 'm'lady'.

She nodded. "Yeah."

"And both times, you still went out there and kicked butt-"

"WE did." She corrected.

"Fine," he smiled. "We did. We went out there and kicked butt, when you were still feeling overwhelmed and scared. It's not you has changed for the worse, Bugaboo, it's our surroundings."

"Yeah..." She turned back to look at the moon, shining brightly against the night sky. "It's hard to believe that Master Fu was here and the Miracle box was safer from capture and that Chloe didn't turn out to betray us not three months ago. Everything has changed."

And a lot for the worse, but a lot more for the good too.

"I don't want us to change, m'lady." Chat said, looking so intently at her it prompted her to tear her eyes away from the moon. "I know I've been a little distant these past few months, but that was only because I didn't want to lose you by upsetting you. But you should know, I miss us too. I miss when things weren't so bleak and we could enjoy some down time once we finished kicking an akuma's butt."

Then his voice grew deeper. "But... it's like you said that day in front of Hawkmoth. We are changing the world for better. Through our actions and just not wishing them away like Butterfly Man does."

Ladybug giggled a little at the nickname before realising something. "Wait, that's almost exactly what I said. I didn't know you were so good at verbatim."

"It's a gift, Bugaboo." Chat eyed her. "If anything, things are going to get worse."

"Today was a particularly close call." She agreed.

"Even if the world changes, I don't want us to change. I don't know what I would do if....you ever hated me. That's what I'm most scared of among other things." He admitted.

"That's never going to happen, you silly kitty." She retorted.

He smiled. "I know that now."

She took his hand in hers and squeezed it. "I've grown up a lot over the past few months and believe me, I am pretty sure I could superhero my way out of things without my powers but now? What I'm most afraid of is ending up alone. And losing all the people I love."

"That won't happen either." He said.

"How do you know that? With how unpredictable everything is?" Ladybug asked.

He winked rougishly, squeezing their entwined hands. "My feline instincts. They're legendary, remember?"

Ladybug laughed. Truly laughed since a long, long time. She would never stop saying his jokes were lame, but she knew she would never not laugh at them either.

"Looks like the cat is in a better mood." She flicked his bell and he grinned. It gave Ladybug a sense of personal satisfaction that she was the only one he ever allowed to touch his bell. She couldn't get the image of him actually hissing at Chloe when she flicked his bell to get his attention.

"Thanks to his lady, that is. Don't give me all the credit." He chuckled.

Blue eyes met green, blazing ones for a long time. The air wasn't wrought with tension of the worried or even the romantic kind. Everything felt peaceful and calm. It felt like being able to take a huge breath of fresh air after being restricted from breathing for a long time.

"I know you will hold this over my head for a long time..."

"I don't even know what 'this' is, but I already know I will." He said cheekily.

She mock glared at him before continuing, "Please don't stop calling me m'lady or even B-" she hesitated.

"Say it. I know you can say it."

"Bugaboo. I didn't realise just how much those things had grown on me until I didn't get to hear them."

"Well, if that's what my lady wants, this cat has nothing better to do than oblige." He phrased it like a joke, but he nodded seriously.

For a single moment, Ladybug let herself forget about Lila, about her friends, about her lingering feelings for Adrien, about the Miracle box, about Hawkmoth, about just about everything else except Chat Noir who had been a huge part of her life as a superhero, through all the ups and downs, no matter what. He was the difference between her wins and her losses. There was truly no way she could do this without him.

"You and me against the world?" He lifted up their still joined hands.

Ladybug smiled, reached up to press a soft kiss against his cheek and laid her head on his shoulder. A soft purr emanated from him as he rest his head on the top of hers.

"As always, kitty." She replied.

#miraculous ladybug #adrien #marinette #adrienette #ladybug #chat noir #ladynoir #lila salt #my fics #Your Strong Disguise

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aalissy · 4 years

Text

Kitten Noir

Day 27 is doneee!! Kind of a longish chapter today haha :D. I hope you guys like it! Chat is certainly happy to be a cat dad lololololol :'). Lemme know what you think <3

AO3

Marinette gasped with awe, slowly picking up the small, black cat and cradling her to her chest. She looked around her surroundings, wondering how it had managed to climb up onto her balcony. Gently running her fingers along the kitten’s back, she cooed at it, “What are you doing here, little kitty? How did you even get up here?”

The black cat merely blinked up at her with bright, curious green eyes. Its head tilted cutely as it mewed up at her. Squealing, Marinette cuddled it closer to her before carefully ducking back inside of her room. Once she was inside, she gently placed it onto her bed, noting the lack of collar on the small creature.

“Marinette?” Tikki called out to her, “How did you find a kitten?”

“I don’t know,” she grinned at her kwami, “She was just on my balcony upstairs. I’m not even sure how she got up there.”

Turning her attention back to the small cat on her bed, Marinette noticed how its eyes seemed to hone in on Tikki. The kitten slowly stood up on all fours, her butt wiggling some before she pounced on the kwami floating next to her. Luckily, Tikki gasped and flew up and away from the small cat’s swatting paws. Her kwami huffed down disapprovingly at the kitten.

With a quiet snicker, Marinette reached for the black cat before it could do any lasting damage to Tikki. Once again, she scratched it gently, watching as it opened its mouth into a small, quiet yawn. Smiling down at it adoringly, she grinned before sighing quietly, “You’re the cutest thing ever. I almost hate to let you go. But I’m sure your owner is missing you very much.”

Tapping the small cat’s pink nose with her finger, she giggled once again as it sneezed, wiggling her nose back at her almost in annoyance. Laughing at the kitten, Marinette scooped it up again, carefully climbing down her ladder before placing her in one of the empty boxes she had lying around. Watching it curl up contentedly, she gave a soft smile before cooing at it, ”I’ll see you soon, ok, little kitten? I’ll be right back, I’m just going to get you some food and water,” turning to Tikki happily, she asked, “Can you watch her for me? I don’t want her getting out and causing a mess.”

“Of course,” Tikki nodded, “Just don’t be too long, alright?”

“I won’t be,” Marinette grinned back over her shoulder before ducking downstairs into her kitchen. Looking through some of the cupboards, she grabbed out a tiny bowl before filling it with water. Humming quietly to herself, she pulled out a few slices of ham, chopping it into small pieces for the little kitten. Placing the pieces on the plate, she carefully climbed up the stairs into her bedroom. Slowly, Marinette crept towards the box she had left her in. Curiously, she noted Tikki’s absence but shrugged it off, calling out to the little kitten, “I’m back kitty. And I brought dinner.”

When she got to the box, though, her eyes widened in disbelief. The cat was gone, and she searched her room with alarm, terrified Hawkmoth had found out her secret identity and taken both her kwami and the cat. Her mouth falling open, Marinette called out desperately, “Tikki, are you still here?! Are you alright?!”

“You named your cat Tikki?” an almost smug voice called out to her and she snapped her eyes up in a panic, only to see Chat Noir leaning on her bed, cradling the kitten to his chest. He stroked the cat’s back, peering into its bright green eyes, “I was much more partial to Kitten Noir, myself.”

Heaving a deep sigh of relief, she realized that Tikki must have hidden away when that disastrous cat snuck in. Glaring up at the superhero on her bed, she crossed her arms, “Chat, you just gave me a heart attack! What are you doing here?!”

“I was only dropping by to see my favorite purrincess,” he pouted at her innocently before he grinned down at the cat in his arms, “But then I heard little Tikki over here meowing and I couldn’t stop myself. When did you get a cat, Marinette?”

“I found her on my balcony this morning, surprisingly. Oh, and her name’s not Tikki,” Marinette added almost unconsciously before placing the bowl and plate down on the floor.

“She’s not?” Chat’s head tilted at her, “Then why did you call out for a Tikki earlier?”

With a quiet wince, she looked back up at him. His eyes were narrowed some in suspicion and she cursed quietly in her head. This is not good! Chat met Tikki before when he changed into Mister Bug. With a small gulp, Marinette waved her hand in the air, chuckling nervously, “I was um... trying out names! Yeah! I was hoping one of them would be her real name. The one her real owner calls her. You’re right, though, Tikki doesn’t fit! Guess I’ll just have to come up with another one.”

Chat’s eyes lit up as she realized he bought her lie, “May I suggest Kitten Noir once again, then?”

With a quiet giggle, she rolled her eyes at him, climbing up the ladder to face where he was lying on her bed, “I highly doubt her owner calls her Kitten Noir.”

“You don’t know that!” he said almost defensively, “Don’t listen to her, Kitten Noir. I think your name is purrfectly pawfect!”

Shaking her head at him slowly, Marinette carefully scooped up the cat from his arms, ignoring his indignant squawk and the cat’s small, almost protesting mew. Carefully, she climbed back down the ladder and placed the cat in front of the plates she had previously brought up. Almost instantly, she went for the water bowl, lapping up the delicious liquid inside. With a quiet coo, Marinette pulled out her phone, snapping a picture of the adorable creature.

She heard Chat also breathe out with awe and she turned to him startled, not having heard him make his way off of the bed. He nudged her with his elbow, “She’s adorable, purrincess. You’ve gotta keep her.”

“Chat...,’ she trailed off before he shushed her.

“I can help too! I’d be a great cat dad!” he puffed up with pride, “And I’m sure your parents will let us keep her.”

Marinette’s lips twitched at the use of the word us before she looked at him solemnly, “I’m sorry, but Chaton, it’s not up to me. She most likely has an owner already and I would hate to take her away from them.”

Chat’s pout deepened as he blinked his wide, green eyes at her pleadingly, “And if she doesn’t?”

“Then I’ll ask my parents,” she sighed quietly before turning to the kitten who was now happily chewing on the small slices of ham, “But she is really cute!”

Chat practically cheered, wrapping her up in his arms as he hugged her tightly, “Thank you, purrincess!”

Giggling, Marinette hugged him back as she shook her head at him, “Don’t get your hopes up, kitty.”

“Mhm,” he nodded with a bright grin as he nuzzled closer to her.

Eventually, she blinked down as she felt something cuddle up against her leg with a small purr. Smiling brightly down at the black cat, she scooped her into her arms, “Did you finish your dinner, little one?” she scratched her head softly.

The kitten mewed at her before yawning sleepily once again, burying her face into Marinette’s arms as her eyes closed. Cooing down at the precious thing, she looked up at Chat Noir who was also looking at the small kitten. The superhero sniffled, brushing a hand lightly over the kitten, “I’m so proud of our little Kitten Noir.”

Snickering at him, she rolled her eyes, “We’re not calling her Kitten Noir!”

“Why not?” he whined at her.

“Because it’s almost as bad of a name as Chat Noir,” she teased him, winking playfully.

“Come on Marinette!” he whined louder.

Giggling, she slowly placed a pillow and blanket into the box she had left the kitten in before. Fluffing the warm objects, she carefully placed the sleeping kitten into the makeshift home, trying to avoid waking her. With a bright beam once the kitten was safely in the new spot, she turned back to Chat, shaking her head, “I can’t believe I have to deal with two strays now,” she whispered at him.

“Aw, but we’re both adorafur,” Chat grinned teasingly at him.

Placing a hand on his chest, she pushed him back up to her ladder, speaking softly, “You need to go now! I don’t want to wake up Kitten Noir.”

“See, you do like the name,” he smirked down at her.

Rolling her eyes, Marinette spoke sarcastically, “Yes! It’s the best name ever!’

“Well that’s purrfect,” he purred at her before bidding both her and the sleeping kitten a goodnight as he ducked out through her trapdoor.

“Goodnight, Chat Noir,” she called fondly after his retreating figure.

#marichatmay2020 #marichatmay #marichat #miraculous #miraculous ladybug #fic #fanfic

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goggles-mcgee · 4 years

Note

So, I just read through your rewrites, and the last one I saw was for "Reflekdoll" -- except you covered "Reflekta" from season 1 instead. So, bearing in mind the "Reflekta" you've already done, how would "Reflekdoll" from season 3 proceed? Bonus for Lady Noire having the legit hots for M. Bug, please. (Sorry if this sent multiple times, I was getting Gateway Timeouts from Tumblr!)

Ah see I didn't catch that, thank you for telling me I did the wrong episode. Anyways let's get into Reflekdoll!

First and foremost let's talk about Juleka, I totally love her as a character and all but they use her shyness somewhat as comic relief. Examples being Dark Blade,Gigantitan, and of coure, Reflekta. As someone who suffers from social anxiety it kind of made me mad, it still does but that's besides the point. This episode was supposed to be her trying to overcome that shyness to do something that she dreams of doing. This episode gets some kudos from me for showing the sibling relationship between Juleka and Luka. Juleka has a little pressure on her to begin with though because of it.

Some may disagree with me on that, Luka didn't intentionally place pressure on her but Juleka is taking his advice and she tries to through with the whole model thing because it's not just her dream, she doesn't want to disappoint Luka. We all now he wouldn't be disappointed in her, and Juleka probably knows it too, but anxiety is like that folks. For the sake of the episode this will all be the same but I do want to change something(s) or there to be actual effects of causes on this gosh darn show.

Enter in my problem number 2 (as Juleka's portrayal being 1) Alya, Adrien, and the All Timr Betrayal. Am I being dramatic? Yes! But I'm a dramatic person! I flourish in it. Anyways, Alya, I get she's just trying to be helpful but the reality is she wasn't, and this was another example of an instance where she shouldn't have forced Marinette into something she showed clear disinterest in. This photoshoot wasn't just for shits and giggles. It was for Marinette's future website. Alya knew that. Yet she still tried to make it into a matchmaking session. Adrien should have said no. I know shoppers may be mad at me saying that but Adrien is a professional model, and what do professional models have? Contracts. Gabriel doesn't seem the type to just let Adrien model for anyone and we've only seen Adrien model for Gabriel brand things. It's safe to assume that it's in his contract. He may be an Agreste but Gabriel is professional and would absolutely have Adrien on a contract. I imagine in the contract is states he is only to model the Gabriel brand or any brand Gabriel approved of as he is a minor. Marinette could have been sued if Adrien did model for her and the pictures were used. You can say they're friends all you want and point out that it would be immature of Gabriel to do so but I argue that Gabriel is that immature and it's not a matter of Adrien modeling it's about his Brand and his brand is the second most important thing to him besides the miraculi (I refuse. REFUSE. To say miraculouses. It's dumb and I hate it)

So Adrien should have said no, which could have resulted in Alya trying to get him to do it despite him saying he can't and maybe it takes the a while to the point where they can't do the shoot anymore resulting in Juleka's akumatization. The Miraculous mix up could still be accomplished let's say Adrien gave in last minute, the only thing he takes off is the ring, Marinette took off the earrings and boom Reflekdoll happens they run out without thinking, leaving their Miraculous behind. Same situation happens where Mari and Adrien get shot by the ray and Plagg and Tikki go off with their Miraculous to find their holders. The mix up happens and we still get Mister Bug (hate the name) and Lady Noire. Now the other option is it starts off the same as the actual episode, Adrien agrees because he wants to help out his good friend Marinette. But Marinette resists and is mad at Alya because she told Alya to not involve Adrien, not only because that is super messed up to Juleka but because Marinette actually wanted to get work done and Alya knows how she is around Adrien. Marinette giving in because of Alya and everything else and she doesn't want another friend hurt and the mix up happens again.

Fight is basically the same for each version. Except Adrien is called either Lady Beetle or Red Beetle. SOMETHING OTHER THAN MISTER BUG! That sounds like a name a kid would give a superhero. ("Hey Manon what would you call Ladybug is she was a boy?" "Weird question mom, but I shall answer and his name shall be Mister Bug." "Thank you for your time Manon." "Always a pleasure mom.") His design was legit though, that was a great suit! (So why couldn't they do that for Ladybug?????????????) Lady Noire is cute I like the name, it makes sense and doesn't make me want to rip my hair out, i would have also been okay with Kitty Noire, Kitten Nuit etc. BUT THAT SUIT!? it was nice I guess but simple, and I love Mari but that green did not work well with her, they should have given the outfit Blue highlights and such! And maybe made it not as simple??? Like they give Adrien armor, they couldn't have given Marinette some flare????? The suit for Mari is my only complaint switch wise. I loved the fact that Marinette got to relax somewhat during the fight and actually have fun with it, which is why I don't understand why so many people were mad at her and being mean, like she was just doing what Chat Noir does! But because she does it she's suddenly unprofessional and mean?? Huh, cause that makes sense. Adrien getting frustrated? Thank you for giving the boy some emotions other than Happy or fondly annoyed or lovesick. It was great that they both got a feel of what the other has to do in a fight and it shows that they have the wrong Miraculous but are trying. It shows us that they are the right people for their given Miraculous.

Now I know you wanted shippy stuff but honestly that's one thing I would change for the episode, it being less focused on them and more on Juleka as this was supposed to be about her, give me her mom seeing the giant doll and knowing it's her baby and rushing over along with Luka. Luka asking what happened and Rose telling him what happened. I'm not saying this just because I love Luka, but because, this started out with him and Juleka. Maybe have him think it's his fault and try to apologize to her and that's what makes her hesitate and that's what helps Adrien and Mari get inside the doll and what not. Maybe her shooting her mom with the ray and pausing because she didn't want to do that to her mom. Maybe Juleka is the one who breaks free from Mayura and when she does Mari and Adrien get to her akumatized object. Also give me shorter time limits after they each use their special power because they are not using the right Miraculous and the Miraculous knows that. Maybe they can't hold the transformation as long as they would normally be able to. I can see Mari looking at "Chat" and the changes he made to her suit and being like "That's actually super cool" and complementing him on it and next time we see her, we get a suit upgrade.

And finally the end of the episode. Instead of Juleka and Adrien modeling, which I have nothing against but again the whole model contract thing and the fact he has to go, I want to change. Adrien does leave and he feels super bad for it but maybe this is the thing that makes him asl his dad to maybe help out Marinette or give him pointers to give to her, or maybe even him asking his dad if he could work with other designers like with the hat competition. End of with either Juleka and Luka, Juleka and Rose, or Juleka and Marinette. The Juleka and Luka would be cute because the episode started with the siblings and it can end with the siblings and it would still show off Marinette's designs on both females and males. Juleka and Rose because it would be nice to see the couple look on them and it would show a same sex couple which would be super cool and cute as i think they could totally pull it off. And Juleka and Marinette would be cool because it would show people that Marinette wears her designs herself and is proud of them and the added bonus of Marinette and Juleka having a heart to heart while changing or after the shoot and Marinette asling Juleka to model more for her. And maybe an apology from Alya to Marinette or Juleka or both after Marinette apologizes to Juleka. Maybe a group apology? Idk just...an apology please. Kids need to know that some actions have consequences and it's okay to admit you were wrong and friends do apologize to one another.

But yeah! I did like the episode overall though! I think we were all looking forward to the swap I just think they could have handled it better.

#miraculous lb #miraculous tales of ladybug and chat noir #miraculous ladybug #mlb #ml episodes #ml episode rewrites #reflekdoll #ml season three #ml season 3 #juleka couffaine #luka couffaine #rose lavillant #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #alya cesaire #anarka couffaine #mayura #hawkmoth

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chronicallylatetotheparty · 4 years

Text

Scarlet Fever Ch. 4 Maneki-neko

LoganLight, AO3

Summary:

Convincing the Guardian... In theory.

Notes:

Hmm, so this fic is going to have transitional chapters in between the actual fighting (mostly).

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Kagami didn't like hiding. She preferred to attack her opponents head on. But there were too many minions and akuma around. She remembered the last time Papillon Écarlate attacked and didn't care to repeat it.

Plus, the kissing zombies tended to swarm. She'd almost been overtaken when the ladybugs restored their minds. Not that it slowed Zombizou much. Once she got traction her 'love' curse spread exponentially.

Kagami needed a better hiding spot than this tree. Honestly, she was surprised they hadn't found her yet... Though it might've had something to do with her mother mowing down zombies like so much grass.

Truly, Tomoe Tsurugi did not take kindly to their sword practice being interrupted.

"I'm surprised you didn't join her."

Kagami swung her bokken, pointing it at the intruding voice behind her.

"Hey!" Mister Bug protested, ducking his head back into his tunnel like a startled meerkat. "That any way to greet a friend?"

Kagami blinked in surprise as she lowered her weapon. "Chat Noir?"

"It's Mister Bug right now, actually." He rose out of the tunnel up to his shoulders and offered his hand, retracting the drill at the end. "Come with me if you want to live."

Kagami raised an eyebrow but turned back to her mother. Tomoe was tiring, it would not be long before she was overwhelmed. "Mother..."

"Kagami! Get back!"

"Mother, I can help!"

"Go, I said!"

Mister Bug's eyes softened. He didn't want to leave Kagami's mother behind but he was already pushing it with Sabine. Tomoe would insist on being with her daughter. "I'll save her," he promised. "I just have to get you out of here first."

Kagami nodded even as her grip tightened around her bokken in frustration. He backed up so she could enter the tunnel. It was big enough for them to stand in even if they had to walk single file. He pressed the ladybug shaped headlamp on his forehead, illuminating the path, and hurried foreward.

"Why does Ladybug not possess her Miraculous?" Kagami inquired. "Have you switched again?"

Mister Bug moved faster. He didn't glance back; not wanting to see Kagami's reaction. His thoughts returned to the locker room. To the way Marinette looked at him with such hopelessness. Her desperation as she called to him for help. If he had just acted faster. If he'd done more... Then maybe his Lady wouldn't be akumatized.

He shook the guilty thoughts from his mind. Those wouldn't help Ladybug now. He needed to focus. "Not exactly. She's in trouble and I'm the only one whose used the Ladybug Miraculous before and I can't... I need your help."

The earthen tunnel ended in the city sewers.

"You need Ryuko again." Kagami had guessed as much.

Mister Bug turned to look her in the eye. "We need you to use a Miraculous, yeah. But not the Dragon."

"Would it not have been simpler to bring the Miraculous with you?" Kagami asked in confusion. Clearly, he didn't have it with him. That was quite odd.

Mister Bug rubbed the back of his neck. "Kind of dangerous to have both on me... And I might have jumped ahead without thinking. But you need to come anyway."

"... That does not make things clearer."

Mister Bug sighed. "Sorry. I'm all wound up. I'll explain once I get your mother to safety." He opened his yo-yo and pulled up a map of the sewer system. "Here. Follow this red line."

Kagami heard her phone ring and pulled it out to see the emailed map.

He stepped back into his tunnel. "I'll catch up."

Kagami placed a hand on his shoulder. "Be careful."

Mister Bug's eyes widened at the simple gesture. He grinned. The first one she'd seen since he appeared. "Don't worry. They'll never see me coming."

He ran back to her mother and she followed the map he'd given her.

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

Sabine considered herself a patient person. Understanding, slow to anger, down to earth. But even she had her limits. And this here? This made her blood boil.

"You did what!?" Sabine fumed.

Master Fu winced. They sat on the floor across from each other using the folded tarp. Out of slapping range. "It is necessary for a Miraculous to bond with someone at a young age so they may grow into the role."

"And you chose Marinette for her quick thinking." Sabine felt conflicted. On one hand she was proud of Marinette's accomplishments as a hero. On the other, this strange man had invited himself into her daughter's life with a heavy burden Marinette had not asked for.

"I am too old to fight Papillon myself and he needed... needs, to be stopped."

"So, you chose barely teenage kids." Sabine decided she would be blunt. "That is irresponsible. Someone even a few years older might make sense but Marinette just turned fourteen and that young man can't be much older."

"As I said before there are certain conditions that-"

"Conditions that needed to be met. Yes." Her hands ticked. Sabine needed to do something with them, she kept reaching for tea that wasn't there. "And you chose my daughter. Whom you did not train. Whom you thrust into a relationship of blind trust with a stranger. Without any external support. And you expect me to-"

The sound of rushing footsteps interrupted her. They both tensed and Sabine stood, setting her fighting stance.

Mister Bug charged in, yo-yo whirling. Kagami followed, her bokken raised to strike. "We heard shouting! What's wrong?"

Sabine relaxed her stance and Master Fu stepped away from the box on the couch he was shielding. "Mme. Cheng and I were simply in a... disagreement."

Sabine thought it was much more than a 'disagreement' but... She looked at the two youths in front of her and walked towards them. "Are you both alright?" Sabine asked as she placed a hand on their shoulders.

Mister Bug smiled tensely as Kagami gave a stiff nod. She was surprised to see Marinette's mother here but held back her questions.

"About as well as can be expected," Mister Bug replied. He didn't sound convincing even to himself.

"Kagami Tsurugi," Master Fu greeted, bowing slightly to her. "I am the Guardian of the Miraculous."

Sabine stepped back from the youths and Kagami returned the bow. "An honor."

"Normally, we wouldn't meet face-to-face but these are desperate circumstances." Master Fu asserted. "With the both of you we'll be able to save Ladybug and-"

"I'm not letting them go alone," Sabine declared. "Marinette is my daughter and I will be there to help her."

Master Fu's brow furrowed. "Giving Kagami the Black Cat Miraculous is one thing..."

Kagami's eyes widened. Her? The Black Cat? She didn't feel worthy of such consideration. Then Sabine's words sank in. "What has become of Marinette? She is my friend. I will help her any way I can."

The other three looked at her in a mixture of surprise and unease. But it was Sabine who answered. "Marinette's been akumatized..."

Kagami felt the shock like a physical blow. "Then there's no time to waste! We must stop Papillon Écarlate!"

Mister Bug gazed in admiration at Kagami's conviction. Her reaction reaffirmed his faith in her ability to wield the Black Cat. If only they had someone who was better suited for the Ladybug.

"My sentiments exactly," Sabine agreed, turning to the Guardian with defiance in her eyes.

Master Fu was agitated. He needed to make them understand. "Mme. Cheng, in order to wield a Miraculous properly you must have certain characteristics. Mister Bug is already wielding a Miraculous he's unbalanced with-"

Mister Bug looked away, barely resisting the urge to make a sarcastic comment. It's not like he disagreed.

"-Having another mispaired wielder is risky."

Mister Bug looked between the two adults. Sabine wasn't going to back down. And Master Fu needed incentive to release the Dragon. "... You told Ladybug that adults can use the Miraculous without timing out, right? Mme. Cheng-"

"Call me Sabine."

"...Sabine. Would be invaluable backup out there. She could use the Miraculous's power as many times as we need." Mister Bug reasoned.

Master Fu glanced from Adrien to Sabine's equally determined features.

"We need all the help we can get," Mister Bug stressed.

Master Fu sighed, conceding the point.

He brought the Miracle Box to the center of the room and opened it. The other three present gazed with wonder at the sight and Master Fu was reminded that Adrien had not seen it before. "Sabine Cheng, Kagami Tsurugi, you are charged with the Miraculous of the Dragon and Black Cat to assist Mister Bug. You will return the Miraculous to me when your task is complete."

They took the Miraculous Master Fu offered and a blinding light flared briefly before revealing the Dragon and Black Cat kwamis.

Mister Bug gazed at Plagg as he introduced himself to Kagami. There was a question in the kwami's eyes as he glanced at Adrien. The same question Plagg asked almost daily... But it wasn't the time so Mister Bug gestured encouragingly at Kagami.

Sabine took in Longg's extensive explanation with practiced patience. She needed to know everything about the Dragon if she was going to help Marinette.

Kagami was not in a patient mood. "Plagg, trans-"

"Wait!" Mister Bug urged, remembering his side trip. He opened his yo-yo and pulled out half a dozen wheels of the transformation cheese. "We need an edge."

Master Fu's eyes widened as Adrien kneeled to set down the transformation cheese on the floor. "You went back to my apartment? That was risky."

"Good thing Papillon's an idiot who didn't think of posting a guard then, isn't it?" Mister Bug observed as he organized the cheese wheels, wondering which powers to use. "I didn't find any of Ladybug's power-ups."

"Ladybug made her own macarons once she learned how to make the potions," Master Fu explained as he knelt down beside Adrien.

Mister Bug paused. "... Oh..." He shook the distracting thought about secrets away and cleared the lump in his throat. "Flight looks like the best choice for fighting Princess Justice."

"Correct," Master Fu agreed. "We have a limited number of power-ups. We need to succeed on the first try."

"Wish we knew what happened to Viperion," Mister Bug thought out loud.

"We can't wait any longer!" Kagami cut in. "Papillon Écarlate grows stronger with each passing moment. Viperion could be akumatized for all we know."

"You're right," Mister Bug rose and gave a yellow wedge to Sabine and Kagami. "Give your kwamis this. I need to feed Tikki."

Mister Bug left the room and went in another down the hallway, out of sight.

"Detransforme-moi."

Adrien gave Tikki Camembert so she could recharge her energy. The potion laced cheese took too much out of the kwamis for it to provide any nourishment. "Sorry, I don't have any macarons."

"That's alright, Adrien. Not all kwamis are as picky as Plagg." Tikki soothed as she ate.

Adrien appreciated her attempt to lighten the mood. "... Plagg doesn't look happy."

"He's just worried about you," Tikki replied as she set a reassuring hand on his cheek. "He knows we need a Ladybug."

Adrien smiled as he wiped something from his eyes. "Yeah... We do."

His transformation call was echoed by his teammates from the other room. He took in the determination in their eyes as he entered. Noting that it mirrored his own. As the most experienced hero, they looked to him to lead.

He took a deep breath, banishing the doubts from his mind. "Let's go get her back!"

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Luka was terrified.

His sister, Reflekta, stood atop the mast. Firing from the Liberty as it sailed down the Seine. His mother Captain Hardrock, laughed as the unfortunate people became copies of her daughter. He was tied to the mast and forced to watch. Akuma fluttering around him.

But that paled in comparison to the blank eyes that stared at him from behind her mask. He tried to read her as she floated before him. She revealed nothing.

"Marinette-"

"I am Princess Justice!" She corrected. "Why aren't you akumatized yet? Your family's under his control. You're trapped and powerless. Your crush-" She placed a hand on her chest. "-has betrayed you. Why won't you give in?"

Luka's gaze softened. "Ladybug will save you."

Princess Justice threw her head back and laughed. The most emotion he'd seen from her. "Oh, is that what you've been holding onto? Let's get to the truth of the matter." She leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "I. Am. Ladybug."

Luka's eyes widened in shock. "Wh-what? No... You're lying!" The akuma swirled in response to his agitation.

"Justice doesn't lie."

"No..." An akuma flew towards the ring on his finger...

He heard the familiar whir of a yo-yo before all three akuma around him were captured. Princess Justice turned just in time to be tackled by a black blur. A guy in a Ladybug suit rushed towards him and broke his chains.

"Mister Bug?" Luka's emotional whiplash was leaving him disoriented.

"In the flesh!" Mister Bug gave a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes as he picked Luka up and flew away from the detransforming ship. Dodging blasts from Reflekta as he went.

Sabine removed her sword from the compass as an akuma flew out... Right. That's why they needed Mister Bug.

"Wind Dragon!" Sabine swirled around the akuma, keeping it from escaping until Mister Bug could purify it. Being fluid was odd but at least the akuma didn't have anything solid to anchor itself to.

She wondered how long she could keep the whirlwind up.

Princess Justice kicked at her assailant's chest, knocking them back and freeing her arms. Righting herself she studied the flying hero.

Her suit looked more like a ninja outfit than anything else. The hood had cat ears and the sash around her waist curled like a tail. Green bands wrapped around her forearms and lower legs. Between her arms and torso was fabric that gave it the appearance of a wingsuit. Only the mask and eyes remained unchanged.

The red butterfly mark flared across Princess Justice's face. "So, Mister Bug's found a little kitty to take his place while he plays at being Ladybug. How foolish! Take this inexperienced girl's Miraculous quickly and go squash that bug!"

Princess Justice unwound her whip. "You wish to be the new Chat Noir? Let me show you what he's best at!" She struck at the pretender.

The cat dodged easily and brought out her baton. Extending and splitting it in two. "Keeping the enemy distracted?" she offered.

Princess Justice blinked and looked back at the Liberty just in time to see Mister Bug break Reflekta's mirror. Her eyes hardened and she made to rush towards him.

A rapidly extending baton knocked her off course. The cat floated in her way.

"Very well," Princess Justice decided. "I'll take your Miraculous first, 'Chat Noir'!"

"Maneki-neko," she corrected, retracting her baton back to sword length. "And we'll see about that."

The hero charged with her batons raised as the villain lashed out with her whip.

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Notes:

There will be more Dragon Sabine and Cat Kagami in the next chapter, I promise!

And Sabine isn't done with Master Fu.

(Yes, I know I'm bad at summaries.)

Ch.1 Ch.2 Ch.3 Ch.5

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coffeecomicsgalore · 4 years

Text

25 Days of Adrien (+6 of Marinette)

Adrienette banter and LadyNoir exchanging Christmas gifts.

Ao3

Chapter 16 – The Perfect Gift

Adrien nudged Marinette forward when the train reached the station. She was so deep in thought that the sudden realization made her squeak.

“Thinking about me, Marinette?” Adrien said in a smug tone.

Marinette poked her finger against his chest. “Only in your dreams, hot stuff.”

“Well then, I’m glad I dream of you quite often.”

Marinette knew she wouldn’t win this one so she hopped off the train before he could get another word in. Walking through the courtyard of the hotel, the large multicolored tree sat beautifully in the middle with many wreaths adorning the lampposts against the buildings. She had seen this display every year, but she loved looking at it whenever she had a chance to.

Marinette decided it was a perfect opportunity to ask her silly question.

“Hey Adrien?”

“Yes, love?”

“Between Ladybug and Chat Noir, which superhero would you be?”

Adrien paused before turning to Marinette. “What now?”

“You heard me, kitty. I bet you would be Chat.”

He audibly swallowed. “Really? And here I was thinking I wanted to be Ladybug.”

She chuckled. “You? Ladybug? How come?”

Adrien pondered a bit as he thought of the question. He had a feeling she was on to him, so he needed to think of something that would stop her from figuring out his secret.

“Well, she’s brave and confident. It’s something that I strive to be. Plus, she’s got this cool yo-yo where she can throw herself around the rooftops no matter where she is. I don’t think Chat's baton can swing around as easily as that.”

Marinette tapped her chin. “Interesting. I already feel like you are brave and confident. You did stand up to your father on many occasions.” The sentiment made Adrien blush.

Adrien slowly nudged his shoulder against hers. “Well, what about you?”

If the niggling was right, then she knew exactly what she needed to say.

“Easy. I would want to be Chat Noir.”

Adrien tilted his head, confused. “Really? And I thought you would have said Ladybug.”

“Contrary to what everyone says, Chat is not some sidekick that takes commands from Ladybug. From what I’ve seen firsthand, on the Ladyblog, or what Alya has told me, Chat has a sweet but fun side but also works with Ladybug seamlessly and takes care of her as best he can. He comes up with plans too! He’s just as confident, even if he may realize it himself. And honestly, Ladybug would be nothing without him.”

Marinette looked at Adrien with such fervor that it shocked him. The determination and anger in her eyes look just like how Ladybug acts when she’s up against a hard akuma. It was just so, so familiar.

He looked shocked at the sudden fierceness that he just lifted his hands in surrender. “Okay. I can see I was wrong. Maybe I should have picked Chat Noir over Ladybug.”

Marinette softened her face. She then pouted and smirked. “Sorry bub. I already chose Chat Noir. You have to be Ladybug now. Or since you’re a boy, maybe Bugaboy or Mister Bug?”

Adrien just squinted at her. She has got to be toying with me. Could she be? No. Is she? Marinette – Ladybug?

Marinette could see his wheels turning. She nonchalantly looked at the clock to see that it was time to part ways. With a turn of her heel towards him, Marinette grabbed onto his scarf and pushed his pretty face towards her. She looked him in the eyes before leaving a chaste kiss on his lips. “Love you. I’ll see you soon.”

Adrien stood frozen in his spot, placing his fingers to his lips as he watched his girlfriend zip down to the subway station. He was brought back to reality when he heard the cackling of his kwami coming from his coat pocket.

-----xoxox-----

Chat Noir arrived to their normal meeting spot on the Eiffel Tower a few minutes early. He reached their favorite beam hoping he was alone to be with his thoughts. Tightly in his hand was the present he made for Marinette the night he visited her as his superhero self. If his inkling was right, he would be able to hand this to her tonight just like he wanted to. If not... he didn’t want to think about that right now. But now, he needed to know.

He reached the beam and noticed a blanket with candles strewn around. A picnic basket sat in the middle of the blanket. The sky was clear and blustery, but the suit kept him somewhat warm. The scene around him though, made him sweat. He was anxious when he didn’t see her at first and frantically moved his head around to search for her. She popped out behind one of the posts with a red rose in her hand.

“Bugaboo? What’s this?”

“Chaton. I’m glad you came.” She wandered towards him and handed him the rose. He grabbed it with slight hesitation, confused at what was going on. He felt confident earlier, but this was shattering his thoughts.

Ladybug walked over to the blanket and sat down. She patted the spot beside her and waited for him to take his seat.

“I have been thinking a lot about what I wanted to get you for Christmas.” She started as she gazed out to the dark Parisian sky. “I designed you something adorable, created it, and brought it with me today. But I really don’t think that it’s enough.”

Chat stared at her with confusion. He unconsciously squeezed the present that he held in his hands.

“You know how much I value our friendship, Chaton. You are my best friend and I never want anything to affect that. We are partners until the day we part from our duties, but I never want to lose my best friend. Over the last few weeks, I realized something that I now need to understand. And I hope to kwamis that I am right, because if I do this and I’m wrong, I have a lot of explaining to do to my boyfriend back home.”

Chat licked his dry lips in anticipation for what she was about to say. Instead she leaped over to him and smashed her lips to his. The same familiar feeling that he had always known was there. The same sensation, that loving sensation that made him feel warm within his belly when he kissed Marinette all those times – it was there and it burned with extreme intensity. He reached to grab her waist, pulled her closer to his body as she wrapped her fingers in his hair and deepened the kiss with vigor. When they parted ways, breaths hitched from the lingering passion, she whispered to his lips, “Adrien?”

His breathing stopped from the shock. “Marinette?”

“Adrien, it’s me.”

Adrien searched her eyes, running his fingers through her hair as if he couldn’t believe this was real. The love of his life was his best friend and partner all these years. Before he thought of waking up from this dream, he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, warm tears prickling both their eyes.

While being held in the tight embrace, Ladybug called off her transformation. He did not look up from the pink burst of light that surrounded them. He held her close for a moment longer before calling off his own.

When they were both ready, they slowly parted from each other’s grasps to see if it was true. They held onto each other’s hands and looked up. Tears filled both their eyes.

“Chaton! It was you. It was always you.”

“Buginette! My Lady. My everything.”

They spent what felt like forever sitting and hugging and kissing over the revelation. Chat finally stopped his flow of tears to pass over the gift Marinette had helped him make.

He sniffled. “I asked my best friend, Marinette, to help me make this for my girlfriend.” He chuckled at the statement, which only caused Marinette’s already flustered face to blush a deeper shade of red. “I promised myself that night that once I was able to reveal myself, I would give it to her.” Adrien handed her the gift. “Merry Christmas, my love.”

Marinette wiped the stray tear that crossed her cheek. “You sly cat. I love you.”

She opened the gift to see the scarf he made wrapped up nicely with a new addition added on top. Sitting in a clear box was a pendant on a silver string with a silver, red, and black ladybug charm. Beside it was a black and silver pawprint charm.

Marinette kissed him. “Oh Adrien, I love it. Thank you!”

The smile on his face said it all. But then Adrien looked confused when Marinette handed him his gift. “But I thought the reveal was my gift?”

Marinette smirked a bit. “I said I designed you a gift, but I felt like it wasn’t enough. Now open it.”

Adrien tore open the gift and saw a black beanie with cat ears knitted on top. On the rim of the beanie was a lady bug and green pawprint stitched on. “Oh Marinette, I love this! Thank you!” He pecked her lips before placing the hat on his head. “Now I look paws-itively cat-tastic!”

Marinette shook her head at the pun before jumping into his arms. “Merry Christmas, Chaton.”

“Merry Christmas, Princess.”

#mlholidays2k19 #miraculous ladybug fanfiction #ml fanfic #adrienette #ladynoir #identity reveal

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