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jaythesaltybastard · 5 years

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Fallen Streaks of Red

GABENATH GIFT EXCHANGE GIFT FOR @auroralynne

Nathalie Sancoeur, for all the pristine smartness and beautiful form that she is, considers herself an idiot in that moment of time. She’d been enraged; she’d been rebellious; she’d been heartbroken.

An Akuma never came, but a blade did.

Nathalie cuts her hair

Pls note that this is absolute trash and my italics/bold stuff didn’t transfer over.

Nathalie had been staring at herself in the mirror for a long while. It could have been moments. It could have been decades. She did not care to know.

Clots of dark hair lay swirling around her, a splash of red fisted in her right hand on the bathroom counter, in her left was a knife.

She promised herself she would never cut again, not after Michael had caught her nearly twenty years ago.

And yet…

She had acted on spite, with no emotions but confusion and rage, heartbreak coursing through her veins like a wildfire.

She had been prepared to end it all, but stopped.

Michael’s blue eyes had flashed through her eyes. Not his thirty-one-year-old eyes, but the ones of a seven year old checking on his crying thirteen-year-old sister.

She had promised. Nathalie could never break a promise to her brother.

And so, she cut her hair. Chopped it off like it was the thing that would stop Gabriel’s damned obsession.

Gabriel.

Nathalie’s already-white knuckles turned a shade lighter as her fist tightened. She had not cried since she was fifteen, she would not cry now.

With a shout, she whirled around, throwing the knife full force at the wall.

Glass shattered as the knife went home.

The fragments of the clear, sharp material glistened in the dim light, but Nathalie’s attention was drawn to the frame, still hanging from the wall.

It was a picture of her and Gabriel shortly after he had started his business, six years prior to him meeting Emilie. Nathalie had been his best friend, still was.

She looked back at her mirror.

Her hair was a mess. Cut just above her shoulders, lopsided, strands beginning to cross and tangle. Nathalie sighed.

She undressed swiftly, turning on the water of her shower and stepping in before it had a chance to change temperature. The frigid water caused her to bite her lip, goosebumps trailing down her arms. It did not last long.

Two seconds later, the water was scalding hot. Nathalie gasped, first instinct to move away from it. She did not. Her feet remained planted to the tub as the water burned her shoulder, quivers running through her. She bit her lip as she moved, turning to face the water so to wash away her makeup. She winced as the harsh heat travelled down her face, barely daring to move. Her hands were frozen at her side for a moment longer before she raised them, collecting a small amount of soap and getting a rag wet. She placed the soap onto the rag and lifted it to her face, scrubbing away the makeup harshly. She had no doubt her face would be slightly red.

After she was positive that all remains of the makeup were gone, she grabbed her shampoo, squirting some into her hand. She paused after only a moment. She wouldn’t need nearly as much as she used to.

After scrubbing her hair clean for far longer than she normally would have, even when she had longer hair, she moved to the rest of her body.

After she finished, she turned the water off and reached out from behind the curtain, grabbing a towel and pulling it into the tub. She dried her hair as best she could before stepping out.

Nathalie paused as she looked at herself in the mirror. She bit her tongue, lips curling into a scowl.

She glanced at the digital clock on her bedside table, sighing as it was only eight o’clock.

She glared at her reflection once more before turning and exiting her bathroom.

She sifted through her closet, finding an old, too-big t-shirt from when she’d met Jonathan “Jagged” Stone back in Iycée, the print nearly impossible to find these days.

She allowed herself a small smile at the memory.

She walked her her drawers, pulling on a pair of loose-fitting underwear and throwing on some sweatpants while she was at it.

After cleaning up the glass, she wondered back to her living room, pulling out her personal phone and dialling up a number.

He answered after two rings. “Hey, Nat. It’s a little late to be calling, isn’t it?”

“Hey, Mikey. Remember that chinese place we used to love to go to?” Nathalie asked.

“Yeah, why?”

“Can you grab some takeout from there and come to my apartment?”

“What’s wrong?” His voice betrayed concern.

Nathalie sighed. “I just want to see you,” she half-lied weakly.

A pause from the other end. “Be there in twenty.”

~~~

Roughly twenty minutes later, the door opened and the smell of chinese takeout filled the room.

The moment Michael set his stuff down, he had embraced Nathalie. They stood like they for a few seconds, before Michael pulled back and examined Nathalie’s wrists. Seeing nothing, his fingers trailed over the ends of her newly shortened hair.

“Oh, Nat,” he breathed, embracing her once more. He was less than an inch taller than her, so Nathalie found it easy to sag against him, burying her head into the crook of his neck like she always did when she needed comfort.

“I brought terrible horror movies,” he whispered, Nathalie tried to hid her amusement, but a ‘tch’ escaped her, setting her off. She laughed, Michael joining in a moment later.

~~~

“This movie is terrible,” Nathalie snorted, curled into her huge, fluffy recliner while Michael stretched out on the couch.

“I know right?” Michael laughed, taking another bite of his noodles. “They had literally no chemistry at all.”

Nathalie chuckled.

They sat in silence for a few minutes as the movies credits finally rolled by.

“I can fix your hair, you know. Uncle Sam used to keep me in the barber shop and I asked him to teach me once.”

“How old were you?”

“12.”

“And you’re, what? 32 now?”

“31, actually.”

Nathalie gave a disbelieving scoff, rolling her eyes.

Nearly a half hour later, she was tracing her fingers over the ends of her now shorter-than-before hair. It reached just below her chin, tickling her ears lightly.

“Reminds me of when you were twenty.”

Nathalie smiled. “It does, doesn’t it?”

“Are you going to go back to work?”

“I don’t know yet.”

Michael didn’t press further.

“Want to watch the sequel?”

Against her will, a smile bloomed on Nathalie’s face.

“I’d love to.”

~~~

Later that night, Nathalie awoke to the feeling of something breathing below her. She opened her eyes slowly, squinting as she tried to focus them.

Michael’s face, although nearly consumed in shadows, was unmistakable despite the darkness. She pulled herself up, careful to avoid waking him.

She padded into her kitchen, silently pulling a glass from the cabinet and grabbing some form of alcohol from her rack next to the fridge. After quietly pouring herself a glass, she took a quick drink, grimacing as the strong tang of her Spirytus Rektyfikowany hit her throat. This stuff could knock out 200 pound, fully grown men, and here Nathalie was, in all her 87 pound glory, drinking it like it was water.

Weaklings, she thought, nearly snorting. She had thirty years of tolerance, so of course she had an unfair advantage. Maybe she could drink some and get Gabriel to try it. That would be a show.

After finishing her, admittedly small, glass, she put the whiskey back, opting for something a little weaker. She’d always had a soft spot for brandy.

Once she finished two glasses of that, she put it back, not wanting to get too tipsy. She was already buzzed. Glancing at her watch, she read 2:47 and wondered what to do next.

She could always get an early start on the day, though her alarm wasn’t supposed to go off until 4. She had decided to go back to work as the second movie came to an end the night before. She would not let Gabriel get the better of her. Besides, she needed something to do for the day. Boredom never bode well with her.

And then there was also Adrien, she’d never leave him alone in that house.

So, she decided she’d shower, get dressed, maybe scroll through her private social media a bit. What? She may work for Gabriel but that doesn’t mean she can’t have a social life.

By the time she’d finished showering, Michael was awake and making breakfast.

“Mornin’,” he greeted, Nathalie raised an eyebrow.

“I’m not used to people cooking for me, feels a little weird.”

“We’ve got to get some meat on them bones, you’re like, what? 90 pounds?”

“87, actually.”

“Even worse. Eat,” he ordered, setting a plate of scrambled eggs in front of her. Nathalie rolled her eyes but picked up her fork and stabbed a couple of pieces.

They ate happily for thirty minutes, chatting about whatnot and complaining about the recent weather.

Nathalie’s alarm went off in her bedroom, and she stood, moving to turn it off. Once returning, she saw Michael doing the dishes and moved to help him.

“No, I’ve got it,” he said. “You go ahead and finish getting ready.” Nodding in appreciation, Nathalie went back to the bathroom. After brushing her teeth, she wondered what to do with her hair. After a good ten minutes of messing around with it, she settled for just pinning the right portion to her head so it would stay out of her face.

She went back to the living room, dressed in her usual work suit.

“I, personally, think the short hair suits you,” Michael complimented. Nathalie gave him a small smile.

“Thanks, Mikey.”

“No problem, Nat.”

~~~

The initial response to her shorter hair had been hilarious. Adrien had glanced up at her, saying a quick hello before returning his gaze to his phone. She counted exactly six seconds before his green eyes had snapped back to her, mouth agape.

She almost smirked. Almost.

“Is there something wrong?” she asked flatly, raising one of her eyebrows smoothly.

“I just… your hair,” he said, blinking.

“What about it?”

“It’s shorter.”

“You don’t say,” she quipped sarcastically.

There was silence for a short moment.

“What will father think?”

Nathalie just barely kept herself from tensing. Shit. “I doubt he’ll care.”

Adrien shrugged. “Whatever you say. You know him better than I do.”

Nathalie figured the younger Agreste was referring to her and Gabriel’s past friendship, but still felt a pang of anger in her stomach, yesterday’s argument fresh in her mind.

“You should be heading off to school soon. None of your activities are until after five so feel free to do whatever you like until then.”

Adrien perked at the notion that he’d be free for almost an hour after school ended. “Thank you, Nathalie.”

“Get going.”

The moment he was gone, Nathalie walked to Gabriel’s office, knocking swiftly once to let him know it was her and only her. She did not wait for a response as she opened the door, stepping inside. Gabriel kept his eyes trained on the screen before him

“I’m a little surprised you came back,” he stated calmly. Nathalie tried to decide whether or not she wanted to answer.

“I as well.” She sat down, booting up her computer.

She could feel his eyes on her, but she did not look.

“Nathalie.”

“Yes, sir?”

“What have you done to your hair?”

“It’s shorter, obviously I cut it,” she replied smoothly. She knew he wouldn’t care that she was being sarcastic, maybe a little rude. He knew she could yeet him out the window if she so desired.

“I know that. I meant why.”

Nathalie sighed, sending him a glare she’d only dare show to her worst enemies.

“Oh my god, Nathalie, stop. Please, you know that look gives me the chills.”

Nathalie felt a spark of triumph, but she did not let it show.

Gabriel let it go.

For a while.

After another two hours, they were getting ready for a conference when Gabriel stood behind her, his fingers running through her hair. She tensed, fighting to keep a grip on her coffee as a quiet gasp escaped her. She forgot how much she loved it when people played with her hair.

“I see you still like it,” Gabriel purred in her ear. She turned, her chest nearly brushing his.

“I do. Is there a reason you care?” she asked.

“Remember back in collège when I played with it and you pretended to hate it?” Nathalie bit her lip. She did remember. “We both know that was bullshit.”

Her phone buzzed, and she held back a sigh of relief. “Come on, the meeting starts in five minutes.”

She could see Gabriel’s disappointment. As good as he was at hiding emotions, Nathalie could see right through anything he threw at her.

The conference was boring, Gabriel wasn’t even paying attention. Half of the people there weren’t paying attention. Thinking quickly, she picked up her phone.

“Hello, you’ve reached Agreste Fashion, Nathalie Sancoeur speaking.”

Silence.

“Is it important?”

The rest of the board were looking at her, she kept the act up.

Widening her eyes only slightly, she asked, “What do you mean ‘Adrien sprained his ankle’?”

A few seconds of silence. She sighed. “Of course. I’ll be there to pick him up in twenty minutes.” Making sure the screen was viewable to no one but herself, she ‘hung up’.

“Sir-”

“I heard you. Terribly sorry, but I must see to my son.”

“Understandable, Gabriel. We’ll continue without you.”

Gabriel nodded, standing and following Nathalie out the door. He turned to her. “Good thinking.”

Nathalie shrugged. “It was obvious which way the discussion was heading. I saw no point in staying.”

He was in front of her. He was close, very close. He was leaning down. Nathalie did not move.

He first kissed her jaw, feather light, then her cheek, then the corner of her mouth. Before he continued, he paused.

“Short hair looks exquisitely good on you, you know,” he murmured, running a hand through her hair. Nathalie’s breath hitched. “Do you want this?” he asked. Did she want this? She didn’t know.

Her body apparently did, because she moved, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him to her.

Their lips met, soft at first, but slowly becoming more fervent.

“Sir-” she gasped when he kissed her neck.

“Yes?” he purred.

She forced herself to push him away. “Not here. Not now. Literally any other time but now.”

“Maybe in an hour? At the mansion?”

Maybe never, she thought. “No. I have to meet Michael then.”

“Michael?” His brows furrowed together.

“My brother. I’m going out with him and his husband in a bit.”

“Husband?”

“Gay people exist, sir.”

Gabriel hummed. “Perhaps I can indulge you later, Miss Sancoeur.” He pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek. Then he was upright and fixing his hair. Nathalie followed in suit.

~~~

True to her word, Nathalie left within the hour, heading to a nice coffee joint where she’d be meeting Michael and David.

David was a handsome, tall black man with kind brown eyes and a drop-dead smile. Nathalie wouldn’t admit it aloud, but she’d had a crush on him before he and Michael got together.

“Nathalie!” David smiled, waving her over.

“Hey, David!” Nathalie smiled, hugging him. Michael was grinning beside her.

“It’s been too long! Tell me, can I kick Gabriel’s ass now?” David asked, chuckled when Nathalie smacked him lightly. “I’ll take that as a no. I saw you in TV the other day, I wasn’t sure if it was actually you.”

“How so?” Nathalie asked, crossing her arms and giving him a pointed look.

“You were so...” He motioned with his arms as he search for the right word. “Dead? Emotionless? Not the Nathalie so know.”

Nathalie shrugged. “Work has always been stressful. I have to depart my soul for the day to keep it from getting sucked out by Gabriel.”

“What about the kid, the blonde one. You said his name was Adrien?” Michael cut in.

“He survives only because he’s naturally a ball of sunshine,” Nathalie said plainly, her expression dead serious.

Michael and David shared a look.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to yeet him?” David asked in a soft, comforting tone. Nathalie let out a laugh.

“As tempted as I am to say yes, I’m afraid I can’t have the authorities after you,” she grinned.

An hour later, Nathalie and the two men were walking along the street when a loud explosion was heard. Screams followed a moment later, and Nathalie cursed.

“Guys!” David shouted. “We need to go!”

Nathalie nodded following them.

“Nathalie, come on!” Michael called. Nathalie grit her teeth.

“Fuck it,” she hissed, ditching her heels and racing to catch up.

They had just turned into an alley when Nathalie stepped a piece of glass.

She cried out, gritting her teeth and grunting with the effort to stay quiet.

“Nat,” Michael gasped, leading her to the wall and helping her sit. “David, you’re a doctor, you think you can help?”

David shook his head. “The best thing to do would be to let Ladybug and Chat Noir defeat the Akuma and let the lucky charm heal it. If I pull the glass out, the blood with flow free and we won’t have anything to stop it.”

Nathalie took a deep breath, focusing on the sounds of fighting. “At this rate it shouldn’t be long. It’s just a little pain, I’ll survive a few minutes.”

David sighed and nodded while Michael kept watch for flying cars.

A little over fifteen minutes passed, then the familiar glowing ladybugs whooshed by and Nathalie felt the pain, which has dulled significantly, vanish. Nothing but a dull throb remained, and Nathalie notes that her heels were back too.

She stood up, brushing herself off and giving the two men a smile. “I’d better head back to work. Maybe we can actually hang out next week?”

David hugged her and said, “Yeah, text me a time and a date and we’ll be there.”

Michael joined in on the hug. “Yup.”

~~~

The moment Nathalie arrived at this the mansion, she went to Gabriel’s office, opening the door without knocking and making her way to his desk.

“I should punch you, you know,” she said icily.

Gabriel actually looked up. “And why is that?”

“Because of your Akuma, my foot was stabbed with a piece of glass. Believe me, had it been Michael or David, you would be bruising right now.”

Gabriel stared at her coolly. He stood slowly, circling around the desk smoothly. Nathalie fought the urge to step away from him.

His hand lifted and he began to stroke her hair. Nathalie heart thundered in her ears and her breathing stilled. Gabriel leveled his gaze with hers.

“If I apologized for the Akuma and for the argument, would you let an old dog have his fun?”

“Maybe if you stop,” Nathalie breathed, “that old dog could have all the fun he wanted.”

That made Gabriel pause. She could see the desire hidden in his eyes, and knew she’d won.

Gabriel gave her a wicked grin. “You have yourself a deal, Miss Sancoeur.”

Nathalie knew it would not be easy, but maybe, just maybe, she could get him to move in and let go.

She hoped to god she could.

#nathalie sancoeur #gabriel agreste #michael sancoeur-jackson #david jackson #adrien agreste #gabenath #gabenath gift exchange #myfic #my fic #trash fic

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