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almadesarrollo · 2 months

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MLB SEASON 6 FELINETTE'S BIG TRACK IN JEREMY ZAG'S VIDEO (new Miraculous scenarios via Instagram) ANALYSIS AND FELINETTE CLUES FOR S6 PART 2 marinette's balcony : flowers and HYDRANSIAS.

PART 1 CUPID'S FOUNTAIN

LET'S CONTINUE WITH THE ANALYSIS. MARINETTE'S BALCONY AND ITS CHANGES. Well, let's talk about Marinette's balcony, another of the areas that has undergone the most changes. Logically, Marinette's balcony is one of the most important areas in Miraculous Ladybug, since most of the scenes take place there. Let's see what changes and differences there are because there is a lot to analyze, here is a comparison.

*LET ME TELL YOU THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ANALYZE EVERYTHING WELL BECAUSE THE VIDEO GOES FAST AND YOU CANNOT SEE EVERYTHING IN DETAIL, BUT I WILL TRY TO BE AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE*

1 FLOWERS: we see that the new balcony has several new flowers and that the old ones have bloomed. Well here are 2 things, to begin with, the fact that the buds in the pots are in bloom is a sign of something new, new beginnings, a new flowering, which would indicate to us that this S6 is going to be a literal new beginning in all areas of her life, both professionally and personally, since the balcony deals with various topics, that is where Marinette talks to Alya about Adrien, also about her dreams, it is where she often relaxes, etc. They cover a little bit of everything, so the flowers in that state indicate that they are a sign of birth in all areas of your life.

Also the fact that in the other seasons (1-4) there are cocoons is a sign that everything that has been happening at all levels in those seasons was to prepare us for this one, it seems that S6 will answer many questions of previous seasons and will connect the dots.

ow on the other hand, due to the quality I can't see well what type of flowers there are, but more or less we have a clue with one of them and these are precisely the ones that I casually point out in the comparison, the ones that are violet blue light blue, these flowers are HYDRANSIAS

(it's just not visible well because the video goes by very fast, and I couldn't take a better screenshot, I'm sorry)

The hydrangeas are a great clue to Marinette's future love, it is no coincidence that they are there, but what exactly does it mean?

To begin with, hydrangeas are a symbol of failure and a bad omen in the love of a couple. There is a legend that says, "Hydrangea at home, woman who does not marry." That is why many women never use hydrangeas days before getting married, either in bouquets or in their own decoration. Because having this flower is a sign that the woman will never get married or if she is in a relationship she will break up.

The fact of seeing hydrangeas precisely on Marinette's balcony, which is equivalent to her house, could be a hint that Adrien's relationship will go badly or that she will not even marry him or that their wedding will be ruined (we will see this according to the following seasons)

now. Where have we seen or heard hydrangeas? Well, in sandboy.

These flowers are mentioned in the nightmare that Marinette has when Sandboy attacks her, the nightmare is Adrien saying that he is giving her a bouquet, and this is hydrangeas, roses and Chloe. And yes, it may seem funny, because Adrien would never notice Chloe, but what about Kagami? in kagami if you have noticed, if you have been paying attention to my posts you will know that chloe represents both marinette and kagami,

so when chloe is named, kagami is actually named. Hydrangeas, roses and Chloe, kagami? If the hydrangeas represent what we have said and the roses, love and then finally "kagami" comes out it clearly means that Adrianette is destined to fail and that Adrien ends up staying with Kagami.

(I know this is strange, but remember that we have to see Ryuko's interaction with Chatnoir, which if you have noticed is quite pleasant, something will come up there)

The fact that this is in a nightmare says a lot about Marinette's destiny with Adrien in love, it seems that this indicates that Adrianette is going to break up over Kagami, the phrase says "Marinette, for your birthday I am going to give you a bouquets of flowers, hydrangea, roses and chloe" well, this would also be confirming to us where and when adrinette is going to break up and go to the trash, something is going to happen on marinette's birthday, it is possible that kagami gets in the way,

and that Adrien is unfaithful to him, and she finds out about this on his birthday, that she catches him in the lie, it could also be that this is at the wedding, if we take into account the naming of a bouquet of flowers, in that order if we don't look at it says, hydrangea, roses and chloe, well breakup, then love, (the roses represent that) and chloe, well that chloe would be the final decision on Adrien's part, well kagami, Adrien finally chooses kagami and no marinette She married him because he doesn't love her, none of this is a coincidence.

-------FLOWERS: HINT OF FUTURE ADRINETTE BREAKUP AND FLOWERING OF A NEW LOVE-------

UP TO HERE THE ANALYSIS, WE WILL READ IN THE NEXT PART, like, reblog and follow me for more content of this type.

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vipernoir · 4 months

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Snowflake

Little Lukanette fic! Inspired by the ‘snow’ from @lukacouffaineappreciation 7daysofLuka for Christmas!!! 🎅 I had a lot of fun writing this :)

Marinette is feeling stress from her everyday life of being ladybug, and with the stress of the holidays coming up she seeks out some comfort from a certain blue haired boy

Bittersweet Luka x Mari ~ post breakup

Why had she agreed to do it? She had enough to deal with right now. As if being Ladybug and secretly saving the city every other night wasn’t enough, she’d promised to bake Christmas macarons for her schools bake sale. Then she had promised Alya she would take her little sisters so see Santa tomorrow so she could see the last movie showing with Nino. On top of all of that she’d now promised Rose she would design and make an elaborate, angelic dress for the upcoming winter dance. It was a lot.

She was an overly helpful person, she’d always been this way. Saying yes was just a second nature for her, and she wasn’t very good at disappointing people. Her plate was always full, then once she’d eaten away at some of the responsibilities and the plate seemed a little easier to eat, it just kept overflowing.

Christmas was only seven days away and in typical Marinette fashion she hadn’t got a single present for anyone, well other then Adrien but she had his next 30 christmases sorted. They were just friends now, good friends too, Marinette never thought her feelings for Adrien could be platonic but here she was. Maybe she could regift some of the old Adrien gifts? After all she had still to buy a gift for her parents, a gift for Alya, as well as the secret Santa she was doing with her friends! Master Fu! Tikki!?

Marinette sank down on the stone cold bench by the river, shivering a bit as she did so. Paris seemed colder this winter than it had been any other. The cold air was thick, and glittery with frost, even with all the layers of clothing Marinette had on it was still freezing. Her thoughts outweighed the cold though, she was too busy worrying about everything to notice how red her nose and cheeks had become. Her eyes were too busy swirling with anxiety she hadn’t noticed the light frost falling on her eyelashes. Her mind wondered to him, and how much regret she had for the way things ended between them. She missed Luka, and with all her heart she still loved him, but she couldn’t bear the extra responsibility of loving him, it was too dangerous for them both. She was so deep in thought she hadn’t even noticed when someone sat down on the bench next to her.

“Hello Marinette.”

His voice took her by surprise, she jumped back startled, which caused him to cover his mouth, stifling a giggle.

“Luka! Sorry I didn’t even notice you. I was just ….”

“Overthinking?” Luka said smiling, shuffling a little closer to Marinette.

“Was it that obvious?” Marinette looked down, trying to hide her eyes, knowing full well Luka could read them like a book

“Your Marinette, you’re always worrying. You can talk to me about it you know.”

Marinette looked away, she always told Luka her problems, it seemed like a regular thing now to the point she was starting to feel guilty. Every time she went on crazy and rambling Luka just sat there, supportively listening and taking in her each and every word.

“Don’t feel bad about it, you’re my friend Marinette, one of my most dear friends. I’ll always listen to you.”

Marinette signed, knowing Luka genuinely wanted to hear her worries, “ I’m just getting so tired of it all Luka. Every second of my time is accounted for, and I can’t catch a break. There’s things that I have to do and things I’ve promised to do, and they’re all combining into one giant time consuming lump and I feel breathless. I think sitting on this bench is the first moment I’ve had to myself for weeks.”

“You’re a busy girl Marinette, you always seem to be rushing off to do something…important.” Marinette sunk down the bench, feeling guilty remembering all the times she’d made excuses during the dates she and Luka had been on, all of times she had to transform to ladybug and abandon her friends on liberty. After all she was the reason they’d broken up, and had make Luka so sad. “You have to take time for yourself, the holidays are stressful enough time for anyone. You’re an amazing girl Marinette, and you shouldn’t overwork yourself. You need to find the right balance, you can’t press every piano key down at once, it’s impossible, you’ve got to select what notes to play at the right time, and don’t play too fast or your fingers will ache.”

She giggled at his musical euphemism “Thank you Luka. You always cheer me up.”

“Anytime Marinette, I’ll always be here for you, even if it’s just as friends.”

Marinette paused, wondering if she should say what she wanted too, “I…I‘m still really sorry about that Luka, how things ended up. I didn’t want things to be that way, I don’t even think I wanted things to end at all. It was just all too much.”

She looked at his eyes, they were showing nothing but calmness and compassion for her. Luka was good at reading people but he was even better at hiding his own emotions. Marinette knew how much pain Luka hid, and she knew that pain was inflicted by herself. Luka put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, resting it on top of her pink, knitted scarf.

“I understand Marinette, and it’s okay.”

“No Luka it’s not okay! I didn’t want -!” Her voice trailed off and she could feel cold tears prickling in her eyes, the icy wind making it harder for the tears to stay dormant. Her hands instinctively covered her face, and she turned away in embarrassment.

“Marinette you don’t have to hide yourself, you’re beautiful even when you cry.” Luka whispered, slinking his fingers between hers and pulling them from her face before pulling her into a hug. “I’m here for you always, and I’ll put your feelings before my own because I know you need it. You’ve made it perfectly clear that I can’t know the truth, and as much as I want to know I respect that you can’t tell me. The little things that pile up on top though, they’re okay to tell me aren’t they?”

Marinette sniffled, throwing her arms around Luka returning the hug, “I’m always using you for advice and I can give you nothing in return.”

“But you do give me something Marinette, you give me your smile.” Marinette’s blueberry eyes met Luka’s, she had to admit his sweet words did bring a smile to her face, she didn’t consider it payment for all he did for her, but she still couldn’t stop her lips from spreading at his words. “It’s getting cold out, do you want me to walk you home?”

“What about you?”

“I’ll be fine, it’s not a far walk, but I think my dad said he can pick me up in his tour bus”

Marinette nodded and stood from the bench, and Luka followed suit. The glazed over path made Marinette stumble back, she was about to fall to the floor when a warm pair of arms grabbed her from behind, and set her back to her feet. “Thank you Luka, I didn’t realise how slippery it had gotten.”

“No problem Marinette, it’s just a shame it’s only icy and there’s been no snow.”

“Yeah I agree. Even though it’s the coldest winter we’ve had for years there’s still been no snow, Christmas doesn’t feel right without it.”

“Yeah, even when it does snow it doesn’t last long.”

“It’s honestly so pretty when it snows, I love how beautiful the city looks in snowfall I wish it would last forever.”

“That’s a nice wish Marinette, I don’t think it can snow forever but if I could wish for anything this Christmas I’d hope for some snow this winter for you, if it would make you happy.”

“That’s really sweet Luka.” She smiled at him.

“Actually I think I’m being a little selfish with it too…” Marinette cocked her head confused by what he meant. How could Luka ever be selfish? “I’m wishing for snow to see you smile, but mostly I think I’d like to see how radiant you look as the snowflakes float down behind you.”

Marinette just laughed, Luka always seeming so perfect. The two walked slowly through the slippy streets, looking at the twinkling decorations that lit up Paris. After a couple of more close falls from Marinette slipping, Luka took her hand firmly, arching his own arm as a support beam. Marinette blushed but said nothing, stealing glances at Luka when he wasn’t looking.

He looked so handsome in the crisp night, his soft, fluffy hair looked like a galaxy against the night. His eyes so brilliant blue, so full of the Christmas wonder. She hated being a superhero sometimes, she just wanted to be a normal girl who could have a normal boyfriend and do normal couple things.

“You’re overthinking again Mari.” Luka smirked, side eyeing her

“Sorry aha, I was kinda just trailing off from the world again.”

“Talk to me.”

“I just wish I was normal..”

“You’re not normal though, and that’s what’s so special about you. You have a tune that no one else can play. Everything about you is extraordinary. You’re like a beautiful, winter snowflake, each snowflake that falls is different yet every one is individually beautiful , and the more layers that form the more stunning you become.”

“You always know what to say Luka.” Marinettes cheeked turned crimson, now matching with her frozen cheeks and Rudolph nose. “Do…do you really think I’m as beautiful as a snowflake?”

Luka’s eyes darted up to the blackening sky and he smiled softly, turning his gaze to meet Marinette’s. “As beautiful as the ones falling from the sky.”

“What do-“ she started, before Luka span her round to see the first snow fall. Majestic white droplets dancing down to the ground, swirling around the landscape of the city, each droplet of snow that fell complimented the dazzling lights that decorated Paris.

“Looks like you got your wish.” Luka said smiling

“It’s so beautiful!” Marinette exclaimed running out towards the snow covered grass in the park, twirling about in the snow fall. Snow fell on her bluebell hair, and covered her shoulders.

“I got my wish too.” Marinette turned to look at him. He was stood watching her intently with such a loving gaze in his eyes, just pure adoration. Watching her excitement prancing about the snowy night, it was the highlight of his whole year.

“Merry Christmas Luka.” Marinette said pulling him into a snow covered hug.

Luka pulled her in deeper, planting a light kiss of her forehead. “Merry Christmas, Marinette.”

#Luka’schristmas23 #luka couffaine #miraculous ladybug #mlb #tales of ladybug and cat noir #lukacouffaine #lukanette #marinette dupain cheng #marinette x luka #luka x marinette #lukaschristmas23 #Luka’sChristmas23 #Luka’s Christmas 23 #Luka'sChristmas23 #pro lukamari

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aalissy · 8 days

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Confessions

And day 18 is finally here! Sorry it's a lil late! I hope you still like it <3. Also stay tuned as day 19 should be posted here in just a lil bit! Lemme know what you think of this chapter.

AO3

Adrien stood on Marinette's balcony, nerves dancing like butterflies in his stomach. He clutched a folded piece of paper in his hand, the words he had carefully written echoing in his mind. Tonight, he would finally tell Marinette how he felt, confessing the love he had harbored for so long.

The moon cast a gentle glow, illuminating Marinette as she sat, her eyes fixed on the sky. She was so beautiful, and Adrien couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions at the sight of her. This was it, the moment he had been waiting for.

He took a deep breath and approached her, his heart racing with every step. Marinette turned to look at him, her eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of anticipation. Adrien knew he simply couldn't delay the inevitable any longer. He had to tell her. He was practically bursting with it.

"Marinette," he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, "there's something I need to tell you."

Marinette's gaze softened, encouraging him to continue. Adrien took another breath, gathering his courage. "I've been thinking a lot lately, and I've come to realize something important," he confessed, his eyes locked with hers. "I love you, Marinette. More than anything."

He watched Marinette's reaction, hoping beyond hope that she would feel the same way. Her eyes widened in surprise, then filled with warmth and affection. "Adrien," she whispered, her voice filled with joy, "you love me?"

Adrien nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "Yes, Marinette. I've loved you for a long time, and I couldn't keep it hidden any longer."

Tears of happiness welled up in Marinette's eyes as she took a step closer to him. "Adrien, I love you too," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I've always loved you. For longer than you could ever even have imagined."

Adrien's heart soared as he pulled Marinette into a tender embrace. At that moment, under the moonlight, surrounded by the quiet night, they shared their confession of love, knowing that this was the beginning of a beautiful journey together.

As Adrien held Marinette in his arms, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in their own little bubble of happiness. He couldn't believe that this moment had finally arrived, that Marinette loved him back with the same intensity he felt for her.

"I've dreamt of this moment for so long," Adrien murmured, his voice barely above a whisper but filled with love. "To hear you say you love me too... it's everything I've ever wanted or could have hoped for."

Marinette looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears of joy. "Adrien, I never thought you would feel the same way," she admitted, her voice catching with emotion. "But I'm so glad you do."

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the silence between them speaking volumes. Adrien felt a sense of completeness wash over him as if all the pieces of his heart had finally fallen into place. Marinette was not just his crush or a friend; she was his soulmate. He had always been meant to fall in love with her.

"Marinette," Adrien said, his voice tinged with wonder, "how could I have not realized this sooner? It feels like we've always been meant to be together. We could have been with each other for much longer if I had just realized sooner."

Marinette smiled up at him, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek. "Maybe you were just waiting for the perfect moment," she suggested, her thumb brushing gently against his skin. "And tonight, under the stars, this feels like the perfect moment."

Adrien leaned down, his lips meeting Marinette's in a soft, tender kiss. It was a kiss filled with years of unspoken feelings, a promise of a future filled with love and happiness. As they pulled back, Adrien rested his forehead against Marinette's, their breaths mingling in the cool night air.

"I love you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng," Adrien said, his voice filled with conviction.

Marinette giggled at his words, her sapphire eyes shining up at him with love. "And I, I love you too, Adrien Agreste.”

They stayed on her balcony, holding each other close, savoring the magical moment they had shared. The moon continued its journey across the sky, casting a gentle light on their intertwined fingers and the smiles that never left their faces. As they stood together under the moonlight, they knew that their confession of love was just the first step on their journey to forever. Together, they both knew that there would be many more magical moments in their relationship in the future.

#miraculous ladybug #mlb #miraculous #ml #fic #fanfic #adrienette #adrinette #ml fic #adrinetteapril2024 #adrienetteapril2024 #adrinetteapril #adrienetteapril #love square #confessions #love confessions

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joonapeach · 9 months

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and he's a goner [MLB]

summary: Adrien’s weak for girls who make him feel weak.

(Alternatively… a brief history of how strong girls turn Adrien into a simp and how Marinette ends up being one of them)

author’s note: this is more of a character-study/vibes-than-plot type of thing. but it was so fun to write and makes me smile because it’s a new style of adrien realizing his feelings for mari.

also reposted on ao3

[3k words of a fluff/humor and an alternate universe of canon divergence]

Adrien’s weak for girls who make him feel weak.

A little sadistic, he knows, but he promises it’s not as scandalous as it may sound. It’s simply the only common denominator he can find between every girl he’s ever felt pulled to.

The biggest case and point is, of course, a spotted girl in red but he’ll come back to that one in a bit. Let’s start off easy - elementary school.

Contrary to whatever his eight year old classmates might think, it was not Chloe who had him starstruck when she forced him to come up a tree in the playground that he was terrified beyond words to climb. He understands why it might’ve looked that way to the outside world when an eight year old Adrien Agreste was seen tumbling out of a tree after he heard her voice. But it was, in fact, a short cherub-cheeks dark-haired girl passing by who was the reason that Adrien to date was left with a nasty scar across his elbow.

“Hey!” the girl had yelled, peeking into the playground. “What are you making him do?!”

Chloe scoffed, turning her nose up at the intruder. This was, after all, a playground near their school and this girl - whoever she was - was a complete stranger. But that didn’t seem to scare in the slightest. She only put her hands on her hips, threw a look back at her busy parents and marched closer.

“Mind your own business,” Chloe mocked.

The girl didn’t back away. She looked more infuriated, if anything, and Adrien could only blink at her. Even he was intimidated by his childhood best friend, despite whatever weight his Agreste name carried but this girl wasn’t shaken up by Chloe, nor scared to come into a space of kids that she didn’t know.

“He’s clearly frightened to death! I saw you forcing him to climb the tree!”

“I’m not forcing him! He’s scared of heights and I’m helping him overcome his fear!”

“He doesn’t look like he wants to overcome his fear,” the girl stated, crossing her arms over her chest. Then she looked at him. “Hey, you. Did you want to climb this tree?”

No words came to his lips. Adrien could only manage to shake his head, clutching to the trunk of the high tree tighter. He was hanging for his dear life.

“See? And what about the rest of you?! Why couldn’t you stand up to her and stop her from making him climb?!” the girl went on, frowning at his classmates. They all kept their heads down, shooting apologetic glances. “What if he gets seriously hurt?! Someone should help him! He barely looks like he can come down!”

Boys in his class snickered at the last statement and Adrien knew he should’ve been retorting back to her about some false capabilities of how strong he definitely was. She was saving him but in turn embarrassing him.

Instead, he could barely manage a squeak. Suddenly, it didn’t seem so important that this girl saw him as the weakest loser on the playground getting picked on - only that she was seeing him.

Well, kind of. She was hardly looking his way, more focused on giving Chloe a scolding - probably the first scolding Chloe had ever gotten. Adrien only watched from his terrible spot in a tree at a stranger defend him, as if she’d known him forever.

No matter how bad a situation was for a stranger, no matter how much pity Adrien would feel for them, he couldn’t imagine doing what was being done for him. He was always on the receiving end of attention even at such a young age that he couldn’t picture the image of Adrien Agreste marching headfirst into trouble to save anyone.

And yet, this girl had done it.

In hindsight, Adrien thinks maybe this is where his obsession began. His obsession to be someone half as marvelous as the eight year old girl who tried to save him from a tree, his obsession to find someone as brilliant as the eight year old who put her hands on her hips and commanded a class full of kids to do better.

But back then, none of these revelations came as coherently. Instead, there were the stirrings of something warm and delicious in Adrien’s heart and - according to present-day re-tellers of this story - a dreamy smile on his face with wide eyes at his classmates being told off.

All seconds before his grip on the tree trunk loosened.

The girl noticed first. Of course she did. Her mouth gaped and he thought he heard her scream, “hey! Hold on!” but now he isn’t so sure because all he remembers is that when her eyes met his, he was falling before he knew it.

★

“Falling out of a tree because of a pretty girl,” Plagg sighs. “Just so you know, I will be omitting these parts of your life when I recount you as Chat Noir to future Chat Noirs.”

Adrien grins. “Hey, you’re the one who was curious about the first girl I had a crush on.”

“Tell me kid, why is it that you’re always the damsel in distress in these stories of your crushes?”

Adrien strikes a narcissistic pose, pressing his index finger to his nose. “Maybe because I look the part so well?”

Plagg looks unimpressed. “Yeah. I will definitely be omitting this when I talk about you.”

“I’m glad you’ll talk about me to future Chat Noirs to begin with,” Adrien only smiles. “I don’t think I’m that great a Chat Noir.”

“You’re a good one alright,” Plagg shrugs. “Plus, I have no choice but to bring you up when I talk about our current Ladybug to every new cycle of heroes,” he adds with a grin, and Adrien wonders if this expression on Plagg’s face mirrors his expression of being starstruck. “I hope every Ladybug after her can be half as good.”

Ah, yes. Girls who make him weak.

Where did Adrien stop in his story again?

After an unfortunate tumble to the ground at eight years old (and scraped elbows and a broken leg), so came an end to Adrien’s public school life. At least, till he was fourteen and met the next girl who swept him off his feet.

Except the timeline’s a little fuzzy for this one. You see, Adrien is certain that he falls for Ladybug after a wondrous speech she gives before she promises herself to Paris (and so goes his heart) but there’s a few bumps on this road. It isn’t so simple because his heart flutters sometimes and it isn’t always for her.

But even if it’s not always for her, it’s always because of her in some way. There’s a girl at school who surprises Adrien at times and occasionally, makes his head spin because her voice, her words, the way she argues with Chloe, reminds him too much of both an eight year old crush and his superhero first love.

Aside from her though, there are some other bumps on his road with Ladybug too. Ladybug isn’t like the eight year old girl on the playground, one that he sees once and feels his heart burst to never feel it again. Ladybug is a whole piece of his life.

Ladybug makes him feel weak but she also tells him he’s strong. She tells him she trusts him, no matter the awful mistakes he makes in trying to be someone who saves others and she tells him he’s a hero. Granted, she doesn’t know it’s Adrien Agreste she’s telling but… it still counts for something.

Because Adrien Agreste has never been a hero. He’s simply been the one with things given to him. He’s the one who takes and never does anything for anyone.

And here comes a girl, one who makes him feel weak and warm but believes he can save her too.

And you know what? Despite all his shortcomings and insecurities, Adrien will never tell Ladybug otherwise. Because though he’s used to being weak for her, there’s still nothing in this world he didn’t believe he couldn’t save her from.

★

Then comes the brief period Adrien has to take himself away from Ladybug - both for her sake and his.

Of course, he’s still madly in love. He follows her lead, grins when he’s wrapped in her yo-yo and she inevitably has to rescue him, works with her like a best friend. Only difference is, Adrien’s been so busy in love that he hasn’t recognized that there’s another very important part of chasing after someone. Them loving you back.

As much as Ladybug makes Adrien feel all weak and giddy, Adrien finally pulls away for a while and what do you know? He gets pulled to yet another girl who makes him feel weak.

This time, it’s a girl he knows from fencing and she even likes him back. It’s a first for Adrien, being liked back.

It goes really well for a while. Though Adrien’s heart secretly still resides in the yo-yo of a spotted superhero after being wrapped in it countless times - this is nice. Kagami is nice. He’s smitten sometimes, when he clumsily makes bad jokes and gives his hard-working brain a break from the extracurriculars to act silly. It’s his dream relationship - she’s rational and strong, and he’s just the boy who gets to chase after her. It’s what he’d always wanted with Ladybug.

But then… it turns out more hurtful than Adrien expects. When Kagami puts down his jokes or berates him for his childishness, Adrien doesn’t like feeling weak like he once did. When Kagami doesn’t hear out his sincerity or when she sees him beneath her because of how he worships her ground, Adrien suddenly feels like he’s done this all wrong.

Where did he go wrong? Did girls not like weak boys? Was showing how charmed he was going to make him a target?

His heart doesn’t flutter for her like it did for the other two girls before her and yet… it still hurts. Even when he cries, he hides none of it from Kagami and begs to stay together.

“It won’t work,” Kagami says to him softly, like it’s an apology. “I like you but… dating you isn’t like I expected. I don’t think I’m the girl you’re looking for either.”

“You are,” he says quickly. She has to be. There isn’t a plethora of girls like the eight year old girl on the playground who want to date him and… Adrien doesn’t feel for anyone else. If it isn’t Kagami, it can’t be anyone else.

“It gets tiring, Adrien,” Kagami sighs. “We’re too… different, you know? It gets tiring always having to rescue you and be the strong one.”

If it isn’t Kagami, it can’t even be Ladybug.

That’s what Adrien takes away from his first relationship and first breakup. If even Kagami couldn’t be around him, can’t put up with having to take care of Adrien in the way he wants… then Ladybug wouldn’t either.

She leaves and Adrien mopes for the rest of the night. For the first time in a while, he thinks he could take the pain of falling out of a tree just to relive an old day of his life than to be here right now.

★

While Adrien knows being Chat should technically be limited to superhero-duties, it doesn’t stop him from skipping off rooftops and helping every person in need he sees tonight.

An old lady crossing the street with trouble? Adrien jumps to bridal-carry her to her destination. A car stuck driving into a fire hydrant? Adrien uses his strength to push it away. A delivery needed to be done across the other side of the Arc de Triomphe? Adrien swiftly skips through multiple lanes without fear.

He’s no longer going to wait to be saved, no longer willing to be weak for girls who made him feel weak. The eight year old girl, Ladybug, Kagami… they’re all nothing special. Adrien is the one who made them something to marvel at in his mind.

“I’m going to be a new person from today, Plagg,” he says, standing atop a rooftop while waiting for his kwami to recharge. “You’ll have only good stories to tell about me. I’m not the damsel in distress. I’m the hero!”

“Easy there Hercules,” Plagg laughs, chewing his cheese. “One measly breakup spurring all this change?”

Adrien ignores him in favor of looking over Paris. A sight of young girls at the park catches his eye, all desperately crowding around a tree.

“Looks like there’s someone who needs help,” Adrien says. “Come on, Plagg!”

Plagg sighs. “All this and I just know you’re gonna fall in love with the next strong girl,” he grumbles before being sucked inside Adrien’s ring.

In a few moments, Adrien lands inside the park and sprints to the young girls. There’s a cat meowing in the branches and Adrien quickly understands the situation.

“How’d your cat get up there?” he asks, climbing carefully up.

“He got scared and ran up,” a girl answers. “Careful! He doesn’t like strangers.”

“Don’t worry about that. Cats are good to each other,” Adrien says with a wink before reaching for the small kitty stuck in the branches. He holds him for only a second before he slips out of his hands, back to the girls. Adrien sighs in relief, happy to help another citizen.

Until he recognizes the predicament he’s stuck in.

“Ah… haha,” he awkwardly chokes out a laugh, shooting a friendly smile to the girls. “I… I didn’t realize how high this tree was.”

The girls suddenly look mischievous. “I thought you were a cat?” says one. “Are you… scared?”

“No!” Adrien quickly rejects, though his pulse quickens when he looks at the ground. He’s used to heights by now but something about being caught so high in the branches still makes him uneasy. Please, he prays, please don’t let me fall.

“Just jump!” another girl says. “Cats always land on their feet, right?”

It takes Adrien a few seconds to realize they’re teasing him. He could beg for their help but something in their grin tells him they’re perfectly happy to watch him struggle so high. Adrien swallows.

Only such an awful thing could happen to him tonight.

“Hey,” a new voice joins the ground. In the night, Adrien has to strain his eyes to make out the new figure, an older girl towering over the young ones. “What are you doing?”

“Chat Noir’s stuck in a tree!” a young girl laughs teasingly. “He always talks so much about being a cat but look at him!”

The new girl strains her neck and that’s when Adrien’s stomach plummets. Staring up at him from the ground is no other than his classmate with her hands on her hips and a frown tugging between her brows.

“Why aren’t you helping?!” Marinette suddenly yells at the little girls. “Were you just laughing at him this whole time?”

Chat gulps. He’s heard that dominating tone from her before but it’s been a while. He’s so used to her shy, stammering self that it’s easy to forget that Marinette has this side to her.

“We weren’t laughing! And he’s fine, he’s a superhero! Superheroes don’t need saving!”

Marinette crosses her arms with a stubborn glare. “Sometimes, they might,” she states before glancing up at him. “You okay there?”

Suddenly, Adrien’s at a loss for words. He can barely manage a squeak but it satisfies Marinette enough. She turns to the kids, now going off at them for being inconsiderate to him and Adrien’s surprised at the passion of her words. As far as he could recall, Marinette has never been such a die-hard fan of Chat and yet, here she was defending his honor as if it were her own.

He quickly fights the familiar feeling. He knows this all too well - him weak, a pretty girl strong and his heart gone. He instantly tries to block out her voice until he hears the young girls screaming back.

“We’re gonna call our moms! You can’t shout at us,” they bark at her, upset. “Wait right here!”

Marinette’s eyes widen as she watches the group of girls suddenly walk in another direction. She glances up and shoots an awkward smile, before climbing up with ease.

The world feels like a daydream till Marinette’s hands are around his torso and he’s no longer trapped in a tree but lying on the ground with her on him. In a flash of movements, she tugs him to his feet and runs out of the park with his hand in hers.

“What… what are we doing?!”

“Those girls were gonna call their moms!” Marinette says, turning her head back for only a brief second. Adrien feels the wind in his chest as the two are running on the streets of Paris, against all the people. “I’m not gonna let some rude girls get the best of us!”

After a few moments, the two halt on a bench and Marinette cranes her neck. She sighs in relief when she sees no one behind them and it’s the two of them alone now. Adrien can’t do much but stare at her. He remembers running with Marinette away from crazy fans but this situation feels far from that. For some reason, it feels like an even older memory.

He kicks his feet back and forth, sitting on the bench as Marinette stands in front of him and says, “good thing I came in time, right?”

Adrien can hear a smile in her voice and it reminds him of Ladybug. Now able to catch his breath, his bitter feelings bubble up to the surface. Marinette argued with a bunch of middle schoolers for me, he screams internally in humiliation. Why did these things always happen to him?

“I was doing fine.”

“I know that,” she says.

He looks up at her and grumbles, “I didn’t need saving.”

He intends it to be rude, to be harsh and snappy but Marinette only laughs. He feels her soft fingers ruffle his hair.

“Oh, I know that too kitty,” she grins, not at all peeved by his frustration. “You just like being saved,” she adds with a twinkle in her eye.

Adrien blinks. “That must be annoying, right?” he asks, the question coming off his lips without him intending to. The worries of the week are bottling up in him and being caught in this situation makes him feel vulnerable again. “To have to rescue someone who always likes being saved?”

Marinette smiles. Adrien worries his question is too strange and random but when he looks at her, he feels only reassurance.

“Hmm… maybe for some people,” she shrugs before bending down to his level and winking. “Lucky for you, I like saving.”

The nostalgic stirrings of something warm and delicious start in his heart. He’s sure he’s felt this before but something about this also feels new. More than anything, it feels right.

Oblivious to the chaos she’s caused his heart, Marinette stands up and brushes her trousers. All Adrien can do is stare. Stare and hope his heart calms down enough to help him find even a single coherent word to say.

He watches as she rearranges her bag and steps away. “Well, try not to get caught in any more trees,” she says, half-distracted. “I once saw a kid tumble straight out of a big one. Broke his leg too.”

Ah. Now Adrien knows why it feels right. If there were any future re-tellers of this story, he’s sure that he has the same dopey smile an eight year kid once did at falling out of a tree. He finally finds the semblance of some confidence to laugh and say to her, “m-must’ve been a stupid kid.”

Marinette laughs back, pausing in thought. “Maybe. I think he was kind of cute though,” she waves before running off. “See you around, kitty!”

Left alone, Adrien only grins like a madman on a sugar rush. He revisits his initial theory - it isn’t that he’s weak for girls who make him feel weak. It’s that there’s one girl in particular that he’s been weak for since falling out of a tree… and no matter what he does, he’s a goner every time she comes to him.

BONUS

“Is Adrien doing okay?”

“Whatever do you mean?”

Marinette’s finger goes to the window of the classroom and everyone’s eyes follow. The sight is both entertaining and worrying for everyone - though for Marinette, it’s only puzzling.

“Hey Marinette!” Adrien waves excitedly with a big grin. His feet are kicking back and forth like a child on a swing, except he’s not on a swing. He’s on the highest branch of a tree, while the rest of the class looks at him in horror.

“Um… should we be doing something?” Alya cocks a brow.

Adrien suddenly points to the branch he’s sitting on energetically. “Marinette, I’m on a tree!”

“I can see that,” Marinette yells back through the window. “What are you doing there?!”

“Oh God,” Chloe mutters, peeking over Marinette’s shoulders. “The boy fell off once as a kid and now thinks he has to prove himself? Didn’t his broken leg teach him anything?” she says to herself.

Marinette’s eyes widen before turning back to Adrien. No doubt, the lovesick smile on his face is starting to look awfully familiar but it isn’t till he yells some more that she runs out. “Marinette, don’t you like saving?!” he says, still waving for her attention. “I need to be saved!”

Alya and Nino both turn to her. “What is he talking about?”

Marinette pales and she’s out the door before she has time to think of a reasonable explanation to give to her friends. Right now, there’s only one idiot on her mind to save.

“Chat Noir! Get down from that tree!”

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flightfoot · 1 year

Note

So, that one ask about Luka got me curious: Do you have fic recs for Luka being an actual, fleshed out person? I know you read a lot of fic and you mentioned it specifically, so I thought you might? I'd be interested in really getting into his head. Bonus points if there's Lukagami involved (since that's my preference), but stuff about Wishmaker or Desperada or any other episode were he was particularly relevant should be the most interesting? Or Couffaine/Jagged family stuff. If you do, thanks!

Sorry it took me nearly a week to answer this, but there was a fanfic one my radar I needed to read first, since I suspected it would be perfect for this list. And I was right!

In The Shadows by @19thsentry-blog is the best Luka fic I've ever read. I just finished binging it today, and am looking forward to reading its sequels!

On one side is Luka, 140-year-old Snake Miraculous holder and keeper of the Guardian's secrets, on the other is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, a relatively newly minted hero of Paris and Guardian of the Miracle Box. Each is looking to fulfill their promises to their now gone mentors to reunite the Kwamis and keep them safe. Sounds simple--until you throw in a rocky start, the Atlantic Ocean, Félix Graham de Vanily, and a whole host of secrets…and suddenly simple becomes complicated (story of Marinette's life, right?).

Yes, this is a Lukanette fic. I don't normally read those since I've had enough bad experiences during my early days in this fandom (particularly while season 3 was airing) with Adrien, Alya, the class, etc getting demonized in those sorts of fics, that it put me off of the pairing as a whole, even though the pairing itself is fine (I happily read poly fics that include Lukanette so long as Adrien's in there too, since those have historically been pretty nice to all the characters).

This one I decided to take a chance on, since I read one of 19thsentry's more recent works (See This Chance, a FeLuka fic where Luka's a ghost, it's under 4000 words so if you want something bite-sized it's a good read), was impressed, and decided to give "In the Shadows" a shot since it had an interesting premise and the sequels sounded like they were nice to Adrien and Alya, with the second fic featuring Alya as Scarabella and the third fic going into Adrien adjusting to adult life post Hawkmoth-defeat.

I wasn't disappointed. I adore how fair it was to all of the characters, From Luka to Adrien to Marinette to Felix, and even though it's tagged as having slight Master Fu bashing, it's fair to him as well. Felix received some of the most interesting characterization in fact. He's not exactly the greatest guy, and he's not super well-liked for good reason, but he is intriguing and I found myself enjoying watching his machinations, as well as him very obviously getting a crush on Viperion that he resolutely tried to ignore. 19thSentry's love for FeLuka shown through here quite a bit.

Luka's a little different since he has a very different backstory in this fic than in canon, but he's still recognizably himself. We get to see a lot of his thoughts, feelings, concerns, and baggage, and while his feelings for Marinette are an important part of the fic, they're not the driving force behind his entire character, he's got a lot of other things going on.

Honestly even if you're normally put off by Lukanette, I'd still recommend this fic, just for the plot and characterization alone, it's really solid and deserves FAR more attention than it's gotten.

---

Now as for other Luka fics, ones that build out his characterization while still being recognizably him, I'd be remiss if I didn't bring up this next fic, though it's not Luka-centric by any stretch of the imagination.

one does not love breathing by @wackus-bonkus-maximus

All of Paris watched as Hawkmoth murdered Chat Noir, taking the Black Cat Miraculous for himself. Ladybug swears revenge, but her enemy—and every miraculous in his possession—disappear without a trace.

Six years later, a new team of villains launches an attack for the last remaining Miraculous: Volpina, armed with new powers; Queen Bee, with questionable loyalty; Argos, the new holder of the Peacock Miraculous; and Cat Walker, who Ladybug hates the most.

Takes place after S4 - Strike Back.

I adore this fic for so many reasons, but as far as Luka goes, this is the fic that gave me the best insight into why Luka might have lied to Ladybug in Wishmaker about not discovering hers and Chat's identities, and didn't bring up that he knew them in Ephemeral, when it was relevant. One of my biggest issues with Luka has been my inability to get into his head, to see what he could reasonably have been thinking and feeling that makes his actions and characterization in the show make sense. Wackus delivered here, really showcasing what he might have been thinking in those cases, with Luka not wanting to rock the boat, afraid of causing harm, until a catalyst came along and spurred him to action. Luka's characterization in one does not love breathing may not be the focus of the fic, but it's one of the parts of it that stands out the most for how unique and exceptional it is.

---

When Feelings Are Too Big For Words by ClockworkCaptain

When Luka takes a gig playing for a drag show he's falls hard and fast for the drag queen Buttercup who uses her performances to work through her own emotions. Meanwhile Adrien's been using drag to work through his own emotions and thinks maybe Luka coming back into his life and showing interest might mean a second chance.

Made for @mlsecretsanta 2022

I greatly enjoyed this one-shot, seeing Luka's feelings about "Buttercup", and him getting to know Adrien a bit better. It's a fun read!

---

Come Take My Hand by @carelisswriting

Luka heard his soulmate for the first time when he was ten. All he knows about her is that she likes fencing. It's just a coincidence that Kagami likes fencing, right?

(Lukagami Soulmate AU, written for the Miraculous Ladybug Secret Santa Exchange!)

You specifically mentioned liking Lukagami, so I recommend giving this one-shot a shot! I loved seeing Luka figure out that Kagami was his soulmate especially, with Kagami having figured it out first.

---

Forced Perspective by @emmalylis

A bodyswap akuma hits Ryūko and Viperion, then promptly vanishes. While Ladybug and Chat Noir track down the akuma, Luka and Kagami must live each other’s lives. Along the way, they discover some things about each other.

Another Lukagami one-shot here that I think you might enjoy! They both have to live with each other's families, which is interesting.

---

Transparency by kopycat_101

Luka and Juleka come out of the closet.

(An apparently very thin, very transparent closet, but a closet nonetheless.)

A story about two siblings, the complications of family, standing strong in the face of hardship, bonding, and supporting one another no matter what life throws at you. Told in three parts/three days.

You asked for some Couffaine family stuff, and this is some of the best I've seen, with it mostly focusing on Luka's, Juleka's, and Anarka's family dynamic. Jagged isn't their father in this, partially because it wasn't revealed as canon yet, and partially because the author didn't feel like using that (at the time) popular headcanon.

---

I hope these help satisfy your craving anon!

#ask #miraculous ladybug #ml fanfic rec #luka couffaine

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sizzleissues · 1 year

Text

An idea for miraculous

I had this idea back during the airing of s3 of miraculous. It played with the idea of true holders.

Ladybug always felt stronger than Chat Noir. She did the healing, made the charms. She achieved a power-up but Chat hasn’t yet. But they are meant to be equals.

So instead of changing how the miraculous worked, balancing it that way. I posited that the power imbalance was because Adrien wasn’t a true holder. Everyone can wield a miraculous but certain people take to it remarkably fast, like Marinette. She embodies a true Ladybug and Guardian, being able to wear multiple miraculous more easily than most and having seemingly the stronger miraculous.

The weakness seen in Chat Noir occasionally can be explained away by the fact he isn’t a true holder. Certain capabilities of the miraculous are locked to him. Not that he could never achieve them, but that it would require more work. This would also lend into the senti-Adrien shtick as the reason he isn’t operating to full capacity is because he isn’t fully in control himself. On defeating Hawkmoth and gaining control of his amuk, Adrien would be able to meet his potential. I believe Master Fu had some other tests other than crossing the road and already sensed the potential in both Marinette and Adrien.

So the whole thing in s4 wold be further complicated by Adrien learning he isn’t a true holder. The audience could find out about true holders in s3, and how Chat isn’t one. This sets tension because Ladybug needs to tell him but avoids doing it until she thinks it can help them work through the issues in s4. This of course goes horribly. Marinette misses an important YET missing when telling him and he reacts before she can fix it.

It could go something like this:

LB: Hey, heard you’ve been feeling left out lately and under-utilised.

Chat: I have. It just feels like we’re imbalanced. We’re partners remember?

LB: Uh yeah about that. Funny thing is a learned that maybe there’s another reason this is happening (this also lends into LB not thinking its her fault.)

Chat: What

LB: Turns out you’re not a true holder like me so things are a little one sided

Chat: Wtf.

Giving up the miraculous makes more sense then for an episode as he both feels unneeded and also that because he isn’t a ‘true holder’ Ladybug could find someone better. But when doing her guardian thing trying to find a new holder, she is only sensing one other potential person. Not wanting to know who, she sends Plagg out and them bam! It’s still Adrien. Audience is like, wow wait. We get Cat Walker for a bit. Then when Chat Noir comes back, Ladybug feels super bad and explains she worded it wrong. True holdership can be learned and she promises to work with him and accepts she was pushing him away.

Then of course we’re still left with the wait Adrien was still tested as equally powerful so why isn’t he. Senti-being tease.

This idea can be fleshed out into different areas.

#miraculous #miraculous ladybug #adrien agreste #chat noir

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chronicallylatetotheparty · 8 months

Text

Universe 180330: Android

Summary: Gabriel decides to tell Adrien the truth about Hawkmoth while Adrien stumbles onto a truth of his own.

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

There was no blood.

Skin, or what should have been skin, peeled back to reveal metal bones and veins of wire.

"Kid..."

Adrien pulled on the fake tissue. Watching as the biomimicry of his internal structure flexed in response to the pain that didn't come.

"Kid!"

He remembered his fifth birthday. Standing on the chair to blow out his candles because his body was too small. Remembered when he peeled off the tux that was squeezing him because he'd grown too big for it. Adrien remembered his childhood...

Didn't he?

"Adrien!"

His eyes snapped into focus. Plagg trying to pry his fingers away from the flap of fake skin that Adrien was pulling, pulling, pull-

Adrien let go and collapsed to his knees. Whatever technology he was made out of already working to repair him. The numbness fading and a burning itch taking it's place.

Fake pain. To prevent... damage.

A paw was placed on his cheek. Big green eyes gazing into his. Moisture congealed on the surface of his optical receptors. Simulating tears.

"P-Plagg?" His voice broke. "D-does this mean I c-can't be Chat Noir anymore?"

Plagg's tail stilled. "... You're not getting rid of me that easily," he promised.

Adrien nodded as his artificial heart slowed. The servos in his legs taking a long time to reboot.

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

Gabriel stared at images of the silver ring on his son's finger.

The shape was uncanny.

The people in charge of Adrien's photoshoots reported that he often disappeared when there was an akuma... Not that that said much, considering.

But there was also the Simon Says incident. One of his many blunders.

Chat Noir's temper reminded him so vividly of Emilie.

Gabriel straightened his back. No use wondering. He made his way quickly to Adrien's room and threw open the door without knocking.

"Adrien, I have something important to-"

His son's room was empty.

"What!? Nathalie!"

Nathalie and the bodyguard Gabriel was starting to think was slightly overrated rushed to him at his yell.

"Where is my son!? Find him!" Gabriel snapped.

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

Adrien didn't remember when Solitude first came out.

Understandable. He wasn't "born" yet. But that did mean that this film was the only recording of his mother that wasn't carefully curated for his consumption.

He wasn't sure what he was hoping to glean from it but... "Having a mechanical brain that records everything has to be good for something," he thought aloud.

"Like sniffing out that one bit of cheese that's gotten too rotten?" Plagg asked.

Translation: finding a clue about how much of his "life" actually happened.

"Is there such a thing as too rotten with you?" Adrien deflected with a smile instead.

"You'd be surprised." Plagg hid as they came into view of the movie theater.

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

Gabriel suddenly remembered that Adrien had come into his office earlier that day to ask for something... But Gabriel was too engrossed in the question of Chat Noir to pay attention to him.

What ... What was Adrien feeling when he came in?

He should know. The Butterfly made him know. Always. He couldn't turn it off.

But he could shut it out...

Suddenly the idea of akumatizing his son's bodyguard no longer felt like the smart move.

Gabriel ignored Nooroo's questioning look as he stopped fidgeting with the Butterfly brooch and reattached his tie. Activating the hidden elevator to decend from his lair.

He dialed the bodyguard and waited for the answering click. "I know where he is. Let him finish watching the film then escort him back once it ends."

Hanging up, Gabriel gazed up at the portrait of his comatose wife.

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

Adrien wiped at his photo receptors as the credits rolled.

The film was a passion project between friends with too much money. Which showed in clunky dialogue and weird scene transitions. And yet... Maman was an amazing actress. Embodying the isolation someone could feel even while surrounded by people.

The servos in his fingers whirled as his digits approximated a fist. It wasn't fair. Adrien didn't even have a heart just simulated responses.

It shouldn't hurt this much to see himself reflected in his mother's character.

His facial recognition detected the Gorilla a few rows behind him as Adrien stood. Here to guard Father's favorite toy.

Adrien barely acknowledged him as he walked back to the vehicle. Logic algorithms malfunctioning as he was temporarily overcome with the desire to have been born a car.

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

Gabriel stared at the expressionless mask of his son's face. Adrien had his mother's eyes. Gabriel had insisted on getting the color just right.

"Adrien-" Gabriel cleared his throat. "There is something I have to tell you."

"I'm not real."

"...What?"

Adrien's optical receptors simulated the reddening response as internal moisturizer was released. He walked up to one of the statues in his maker's office and punched the stone as hard as he could. Cracks spiderwebbing from the impact.

"Adrien!"

Pulling back his fist Adrien's optical receptors focused on the joints of his digits. "I'm not real."

"No!" Gabriel grabbed his son's hand. Fingers ghosting over his knuckles where synthetic flesh revealed metal bones. Hands freezing as realization hit him like a meteorite. "...How long?"

"Long enough." Adrien snatched his hand out of Gabriel's grasp as he stepped back.

"Adrien... son-"

"Don't." The tears in his eyes started to spill over. "Don't call me that. I'm not your son. You don't see me as a son. I'm just your fancy doll-"

"That's not true!" Gabriel insisted. "You mean everything to me!"

"Oh, yeah?" Adrien scowled. "Then how come you're never around!? How come I need an appointment just to ask if I can see Maman's movie!? How come I can't call you dad!?" Adrien's words echoed in the high walls of the mansion as his voice rose.

"... Nooroo, transforme-moi."

Adrien scrambled back. "No. No!"

"You are so much like your mother," Hawkmoth said, eyes gentle. "She wanted a son so badly before the end. So I moved heaven and earth to build her one. When we made you I wanted you to be just like her." His transformation fell as he reached out a hand to caress Adrien's cheek.

His son flinched from his touch.

... Gabriel let his hand fall. "You gave her such life Adrien. You gave her years the doctors said she didn't have because she wanted to spend more time with you."

For over a decade she clung to life for you. Developing plans and perfecting your future bodies so it would be like you were growing up like any other child."

"Astro Boy... She called me Astro Boy."

"Yes," Gabriel laughed. "She said it was my fault. For infecting her with my sense of humor."

"... Why?" Adrien asked, a thousand questions in a single word.

"I... I had to get her back. It wasn't fair! To take her from us when we had so much left to do! I... See her in you. Some days so strongly it hurts and I couldn't-" Gabriel took a shakey breath. "I couldn't bring myself to tell you. Any of it."

Adrien wiped at the tears in his eyes. Heart drumming in his chest. "So... I'm just a pet robot that looks too much like your wife."

"No! Adrien, no! I-"

"I'll be in my room." Adrien ran out of his father's office.

Leaving Gabriel alone. Like he had done so many times before.

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

Things were... Awkward after that.

Not least because Gabriel actually showed up for meals and attempted to engage with Adrien's questions about his own nature.

"How come I get hungry?"

"Some of your synthetic components require organic fuel."

"Is that why you control my diet so much."

"Well, yes."

"I want to know what I shouldn't be eating. And why. It's my body. I should be the one to decide what goes in it."

"Nathalie will give you a list."

"... Does she know?"

"...Yes."

Adrien stood abruptly, breakfast half eaten. "Excuse me, Father. I'm late for school."

Gabriel did not point out that he was in fact an hour early.

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

"How old was my first body."

"About three years. That is also the amount of time you spent in it before we transferred your consciousness to your five year old form."

"...How does it work?"

Gabriel shifted awkwardly. "Your old body is connected to your new one and-"

Adrien shook his head. "No, I mean, how am I built?"

In retrospect Adrien should've known seeing his past selves was going to be super creepy.

Even creepier than seeing his future body suspended in a fluid solution. His synthetic skin only grown down to the first abdomen. Leaving his gut and legs' inner workings exposed. The metal-synth musculature was a lot more anatomical than Adrien thought it would be.

It was a strangely comforting thought. That his future body would be even more human than his current one. Almost enough to offset the odd feeling of watching yourself sleep.

Gabriel cleared his throat. "Every iteration is more advanced than the last. We may even be able to eliminate the filter problem with feathers in your adult self."

"I was wondering about that." Actually, Adrien was wondering if he could get abs in his next body but was too self conscious to ask.

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

Learning about himself was so distracting that it took Adrien a while to notice that Hawkmoth hadn't sent out an akuma since Gabriel revealed himself.

Or maybe he was simply avoiding having to deal with it. Adrien thought as he walked to his father's office. It was past the time Gabriel was usually busy with work but...

"Adrien. It's late. Isn't it a school night?"

"It's not that late," Adrien muttered, ignoring the silly warm feeling in his chest. "Father... You haven't akumatized anyone in a while."

Gabriel paused. His fingers saved his work and exited out of the program before giving his son his full attention. "I... Realized that I could only keep going as Hawkmoth... if I ignored your pain."

"... Oh."

Gabriel removed his tie and stared at the broach.

Nooroo floated out of his hiding place. "Master?"

"Hello," Adrien stepped closer as he held out his pinky finger for the kwami to shake. "What's your name?"

"I am Nooroo. Pleasure to meet you properly, Adrien." Nooroo shook Adrien's offered pinky with his own appendage.

"Is he what empowers the Miraculous?" Adrien asked, hand gliding over Plagg's hiding place.

"... What do you really want to ask me, Adrien?"

Adrien took a deep breath. "Don't you think it's time Nooroo went back to his own family?"

Gabriel stilled. "You... Want me to give them my Miraculous?"

"Please, dad!" Adrien walked up to his maker and held his hand in both of his.

He looked down at his son's pleading eyes. He could see it. Eventually, the temptation would be too great. The pain of this moment would fade among the sea of his grief and he would fall back into old habits.

And his son would suffer again.

Gabriel let go of the Butterfly and let it fall into Adrien's hands. "O-okay," he breathed. "Okay."

Relief bloomed on Adrien's face as he wrapped his arms around his dad. Gabriel returning the embrace.

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

"Dude, I can't believe you're a robot!"

Adrien's face fell.

"That's so cool!"

His head snapped up to find Nino's eyes sparkling in awe.

"Y-you don't think it's weird?"

"Eh," Nino wrapped an arm around Adrien's shoulders. "Normal's overrated."

Adrien smiled shyly. "Sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"Hey," Nino moved so his hands were on Adrien's shoulders and he was looking his best friend straight in the eye. "I get it. I still haven't come out to my parents even though I know they'll be chill about me being bi. You've got nothing to be sorry about my dude. I'm- I'm glad you told me.

Adrien wiped the blurryness out of his eyes. "Y-yeah."

Nino grinned "Now, c'mon bro! What kinda superpowers you got?"

"Well..." Adrien eyed the desk Nino had snuck into the boiler room. Carefully grabbing the edges to distribute it's weight more evenly. Lifting with his legs Adrien held the thing over his head.

Nino's eyes tried to pop out of his head. "Oh that is sick bro!"

Adrien set down the desk and rubbed the back of his neck. Smiling at Nino's reaction.

They fist bumped as the bell rang. Hurrying to class. Adrien felt so much lighter. He might not have revealed himself as Chat Noir but this... This was good.

He'd talk to Markov later. See if his... Compatriot? Could shed some light on being a robot. Who knows? Adrien grinned. He might even pick up a new trick or two.

#adrien agreste #ml #miraculous ladybug #ml au #android #ml fic #ml oneshot #gabriel agreste #plagg #nino lahiffe

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kisilinramblings · 1 year

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Jubilation part 1 : A New Dawn

As promised, I’m digging into Jubilation. Why that episode particularly? Because the episode is themed around dreams. The episode has a whole is offering us a unique chance to dive into the main heroes’ subconscious and psych, more so than usual. Let’s go!

The episode starts where we see Marinette jogging as the sun rises. When the episode started, I first notice how unusual it was for us to see Marinette do that. Normally, for an episode opening scene that starts with Marinette, we either see her doing Ladybug stuff, being at school, or running late. She is normally either working on projects, hanging with friends or family, or daydreaming one way or another about Adrien. That was the old normal.

Here, the first shot tell us it’s a new day. We have emerge from the night where began the first three episodes of the season. Now, it is new day, a new beginning. Marinette is alone but keeping herself active. She also wakes up herself early. She is changing her habits.

We are also seeing the Alliance add. Another new product that will play an important role during the upcoming season. Gabriel too has now new plans.

The add also enacts a discussion between Tikki and Marinette, explaining that the Adrien we see is actually a 3D model of him and informing the audience that his life has changed as well. And we will only get a glimpse later on how he is actually faring. For now, the episode focuses on Marinette.

Speaking on which, when Tikki comments Marinette is still love with the real Adrien, Marinette affirms she has moved on. Her motive?

“As long as I am Ladybug, I refuse to be in love with Adrien or anyone else. I’ve lost possession of the Miraculouses because of love. Thanks, but no thanks”.

That’s the English dub line, but let me inform you that the Fr Dub goes with “I’ve lost the Miraculous I was in charge of”. Putting a bit more emphasis on how the Miraculous were her responsability and she failed to protect them.

Also, we are not even 1 minute in that we are reminded of one dream Marinette has cut out on of her dream from her life. Remember how was Marinette during Stormy Weather back in S1?

“I’ll invite him out for a fruit smoothie at the end of the photoshoot. Then, we’ll get married. Live happily ever after in a beautiful house. Have 2 kids... No, three! And a dog! Maybe a cat? Nah, forget the cat. A hamster! I love hamsters!”

She was more... alive and optimist. She could allow herself to daydream and get ahead of herself. Now? We are facing a more down-to-earth and scarred Marinette who focuses on the present. And she also has become more pessimist on some level, but more on that in the next part.

Just like at the end of Truth, where Marinette mourned the fact she could not be in a romantic relationship because of Shadow Moth. Now, she has shut the door tighter than ever. She won’t just not be in a romantic relationship. She will refuse to be in love. The stakes are too high and the situation is dire. She cannot afford another slip. Love is a luxury and a leasure she cannot have anymore. In a way, she is trying to prevent another mistake, but at the same time, it feels like she is also punishing herself.

All right, that’s for this post. Next part will focus on Marinette and Socqueline’s discussion. Stay tuned!

#miraculous ladybug #ml season 5 #ml s5 spoilers #ml spoilers #jubilation #ml s5ep4 #ml analysis

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wisteriasymphony · 21 hours

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comfort snapshot for @asukiess ignore whatever the other one's name is queen she's not important just crtl+f mari onto it no biggie

---

The lock looked simple, and like it had been forced upon before in the past. Claudia fought with the doorhandle for a moment, but it wouldn't open.

Jesus, calm down. You know he gets a bit of a fuse sometimes, hearing you try to break a door down isn't gonna fucking help you much.

She sighed, speaking softly.

"Adrien, I'm going to try and open the door," Claudia whispered, "And then I am going to step inside. I am not going to hurt you. I won't even come close if you don't want me to. Okay?"

Three minutes of dead silence. And so, she slipped her fingernail into the lock's middle slot, the lightest force enough to spring it open. She tread carefully into the bathroom, finding Adrien in the corner. He had ransacked every cabinet in the room and stolen all the towels and washcloths and even the bathroom rug; And in that corner, he had curled up in a ball and covered himself with them, until his silhouette was more of a shifting mass of fabric than a boy.

He didn’t bother to look at Claudia, only muttering “I’m disgusting” under his breath like it was a curse.

“Hey, people say things they don’t mean all the time.” Claudia slowly knelt down onto the floor, watching Adrien with a concerned gaze.

“I promise I didn’t mean it. I don’t– I wouldn’t want—“

“Shh. It’s fine, okay? I’m not mad over it or anything,” she said, crawling over to him. “…I’m going to put my hand on your head. Is that alright?”

He nodded, and so Claudia started to stroke his hair again. Adrien still couldn’t bear to look at her… but the feeling was nice. Even if it only led to more tears. It was insane to think that she’d still really love him after that. Was he even worth it? She had to have known that he wasn’t.

"Why do you stay?" Adrien finally asked. "You seem to make it so clear that I don't mean anything to you. Like one of these days you're going to discard me at the drop of a hat." He stared her down with dull, watery eyes, for the first time in a long while. "Why do you even stick around?"

It was clear that there was a very specific answer he was looking for. One that validated all of his worst fears, one that reminded him that even the person he loved most in the world would only ever see him as one thing. But Claudia was tired of lying. Even when it meant she said things people weren't expecting to hear.

"Because I don't know what I'd do without you." Claudia slipped her jacket off her shoulders, placing it in Adrien's lap as another thing to cover himself with. "Because I like hearing you talk, and I like your laugh, and I like that none of your fancy photos ever show the dimple on your left cheek but I get to see it everyday." Claudia laughed to herself, admitting "..It's very faint, but it's there."

Adrien shifted closer to Claudia, leaning on her a little more. He was still crying, sure, but the tears were slowing down. She was doing something right for once.

"What else... I like listening to you play piano. I think you're the best in the whole world."

"Th... that's not true..."

"Psch! To me, it is. Beethoven can suck my left nut for all I care, he's probably terrible compared to you."

This time she got a laugh back. Another shift closer. Adrien had finally reached a hand out to cling onto her.

"..So you do love me?"

"Mhm." Claudia planted a kiss on his forehead. "I love you, I love you, I love you, and I mean it even more every time I say it. I don't care what you look like, what you say to me, even who you are. 'Cause I don't love Chat Errant, or Chat Noir, or even Adrien Agresté." She placed her pointer finger on his chest, leaning in to let their foreheads touch. "I just love you."

He broke out into sobs again, his face contorting into something scrunched and unsightly. "Y-you won't let me be cold anymore, right? I was s-so cold— I-" Adrien let his head fall to her shoulder, heaving and blubbering into it. "And the lights and they'd— The way she touched me in- I-in— It lasted for so long and- There's pictures of all of it and— A-all I can remember is that I was so cold-"

He stopped when he felt her hand hover over the towels draped on his shoulder—stopped talking, stopped breathing, probably stopped blinking too. Claudia could feel he had the most terrible fever, was probably only going to kill himself with all these layers... but she moved her hand to his head, ruffling his hair.

"No, I won't let you be cold," she said, taking off her shirt, then her bra: giving him the former but setting the latter on the floor. "Here. I'll warm you up."

When Adrien went to hug her, a few of the towels fell off his shoulders. Claudia swore she'd never been hugged this hard in her life—maybe that even most people would never been hugged this hard. He seemed to wrap his body around her, clinging on by every means he could, shaking and heaving and yet still holding on however he could. But Claudia was stable, and her skin felt like dew-kissed stones in a riverbank. Not cold, but just.. a little less warm. The good kind.

"D-do you ever feel like you want your mom," he asked, the words breaking against his tears, "...But you— But you know that she'd only make it worse?"

Claudia knew that if Adrien's mother had still been alive, this would have been the moment Claudia planned to kill her.

"...Every day, Eddí," she said, shifting to kiss the top of his head. "Every day."

#technically tweos spoilers oopsies #but if queen asukiess demands i shall provide <3 within reason #hurt/comfort #mostly comfort #thewarmembraceofshadow #miraculous fanfic #ficlet #cw csa mention #tw csa mention #csa ment tw #csa mention #cw child abuse mention #cw abuse mention #tw childhood trauma #tw mention of trauma #miraculous adrien #adrien agreste #mlb adrien

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journals-of-the-guardian-project · 1 year

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Click for quality I promise I'm much better at line art than what tumblr presents

Reblogs > Likes !!

Guess who tried out some new coloring methods? Adrien and Marinette were colored with the Wet blotting ink on CSP and I think Kagami's was one of the water coloring tools available.

Plus some sketches cause I felt like doing more. How did it go from cute Adrinette to panik I don't know.

What's IMPORTANT to note is that I am getting around to coming up with ideas for season 1's episodes which was very exciting today!! I haven't had good inspiration in a bit there WOO

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pearl484-blog · 9 months

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Sweet Walker (Adrien AUGreste: Protection)

This is being posted a day later than it was on Ao3 because I was exhausted. We are now officially out of prewritten stories and are only doing drafts for Adrien AUGreste so it is CRUNCH TIME BABY.

Anyways, I promised Fire Opal 2 more entries in our Jekyll/Hyde inspired series. This one wasn't quite what she wanted, but crunch time says TOO BAD. Hit or miss, we are moving on!

~*~ As for the story itself:

Catwalker finds out about Chat Noir's attempt on Vesperia's life. He doesn't take it well.

Sequel to Rain Falls, Everybody Lies. Please read first if you haven't already.

Ao3 Link, Link to Jekyll/Hyde series, Link to all Adrien AUGresete 2023

Now that Adrien had ditched his flaws, everything was going his way. Now that he didn’t waste any time on stressing out about his romantic foibles and his difficulties at work, he had more time than ever to balance his friends, his family, and his time as Catwalker. His friends were happier. His coworkers were less stressed. Even his father was disappointed in him less often.

Even his professional relationship with Ladybug was stronger than ever. Yes, he supposed he missed their banter, friendly as it was, but he didn’t miss the constant fighting and the hurt feelings. Besides, he’d asked Max about their most recent statistics comparing him to Chat Noir and akuma attacks were now 26% shorter and the chance of anyone getting hurt was down 43%.

Tonight, he was working on a school project for 2 hours until it was time for patrol. Yes, it was due in a few weeks, but keeping himself caught up on his homework always saved time in the long run. He worked patiently and diligently, never rushing because he had time to take it as smoothly as he needed. By the time he needed to start patrol, he was already nearly halfway finished. A respectable pace for a respectable cat, he said to himself.

The night air was warm and pleasant, almost perfect on his skin as he soared through the skies. It was the calm before the storm, the brief hint of perfection before everything came crashing down. The rain would be heavy tonight, Catwalker knew. He’d have to wrap up patrol soon if he wanted to avoid it. That meant no idle chit-chat, but Catwalker was a professional anyways avoiding that wouldn’t be so difficult.

Of course, Catwalker knew that if he really wanted to stay out of the rain completely, he could just skip patrol. He could just call Ladybug, pretend to be sick. It wasn’t like patrol was actually important. It was just a bonding activity.

Catwalker refused to do that though. Not just because Chat Noir’s ridiculous habits of skipping patrols and fights had been a major part of causing most of his problems in the first place, but because he refused to let the rain control him.

It wasn’t that Catwalker didn’t like the rain because it made him wet. His suit was impervious to rainfall. No, the problem was that water was the one thing that always drove his feline instincts absolutely wild. Every minute in it made it hard to focus on anything besides getting out. It was the one instinct that, try as he might, he just couldn’t kick. Yet, he was Catwalker. Ladybug’s perfect teammate. He wasn’t about to let one little flaw control his life.

Catwalker arrived at the meeting point, feeling a slight bit of impatience at the realization that Ladybug was late, again, before he shoved that back down into the ring. Ladybug was his boss. He knew better than to get mad at her. She set the schedule. Not him.

Yet, no sooner had he thought that, he was abruptly slammed against a nearby chimney by Ryuko, who was not on the schedule. Were they supposed to be sparring today? It was certainly the first Catwalker had heard about it.

Catwalker shoved down another pang of irritation. Would it have been nice to have been told they would be sparring with other heroes? Yes, but Ladybug knew best. Maybe she was trying to ensure that Catwalker was ready for surprise attacks. They did happen sometimes. Which meant he had failed as Catwalker. Ladybug would almost certainly be disappointed in him as a teammate.

“What is wrong with you?” Ryuko demanded, her frustration in an unworthy opponent apparently only heightened in costume. It was actually kinda hot…and that was an inappropriate feeling about another teammate. Into the ring that went too. Man, Catwalker was out of sorts today. Maybe he needed to check the binding spell again.

“I do apologize,” Catwalker said, bowing his head. “I will endeavor to be a better opponent in the future.”

Ryuko narrowed her eyes dangerously as she pressed her sword against his windpipe. “Is this a joke to you? Do you think this is funny? Vesperia could’ve been killed.”

Catwalker frowns. “What are you talking about? Vesperia’s not even here.”

“I’m not talking about now,” Ryuko snarls, pressing her sword so hard against him, Cat’s struggling to breathe freely. “I’m talking about last night. When Chat Noir pushed Vesperia off a building.”

Catwalker froze. Chat Noir? No, that wasn’t right. Chat Noir was sealed in the Ring along with all his other nasty little personality flaws. There was no way he could’ve escaped. Except…now that Catwalker thought about it, he had been feeling things a bit more. Was there a flaw in the bindings? Some unseen mistake that was causing this?

No. Catwalker had been careful. He’d double-checked and triple-checked his work. If the Ring was powerful enough to bind the Kwami of Destruction, it would easily hold part of a human soul, and his runic spell had been meticulous. Not a line out of place. Every ingredient had been verified as authentic, and he’d performed the spell at the optimum time.

Besides, even if the binding did fail, and Chat Noir had somehow escaped to annoy all of Paris, then Catwalker would know. He’d have felt it. He’d have remembered it. He wouldn’t still feel the calm of the ritual done right.

Ryuko had to be lying. Except, Catwalker knew Kagami. She wasn’t a liar. Not now, not ever. So, maybe she was just wrong.

“Are you sure it wasn’t an akuma or a senti-monster?” Catwalker asked cautiously, uneager to risk triggering his ex’s temper. He’d always loved her fiery passion especially when the two were dating, but Catwalker knew that right now, if he picked a fight with her from his position, he might just lose. He couldn’t risk that when there was a Chat Noir around, even a fake one.

Ladybug chose that moment to zip in, looking at Catwalker with steel in her eyes.

“I’m sure,” she said, letting Catwalker know she’d been listening in. Catwalker eyed Ryuko’s ears and spotted an earpiece he hadn’t seen before. It seemed as though this was an ambush, but not a sparring one like he’d thought. There were probably more heroes, Catwalker decided, lying in wait. If he could look around, he might be able to see them in the dark, but Kagami’s sword held him tightly in place.

“I know my kitty,” Ladybug told him, with complete sincerity, and if Catwalker wasn’t such a good model and hadn’t learned to control his emotions so well, he might not have been able to keep a straight face as she said that, especially as ‘her kitty’ stood not 3 meters away from her without her seeing it.

“With respect, Ladybug,” Catwalker replied softly. “I’m not so sure you do. Didn’t you yourself say that you didn’t know his secret identity? That you two kept your lives secret from each other? It could’ve been another trick from Shadow Moth, you know how he is.”

“We fought him during a fight with Stormy Weather,” Ryuko told him, her eyes still narrowed in suspicion. “There’s never been two different akuma at the same time before, not without Shadow Moth using something to enhance his abilities.”

Catwalker frowned. That…that wasn’t right. He had his akuma alerts turned on. He would’ve noticed something like that, especially with Stormy Weather. Stormy might’ve been a good fighter, especially since she adored staying out of Cat’s reach in the air, but subtle she was not.

Try as he might though, he couldn’t remember anything about that night. Even the memories he had of that afternoon seemed unusually hazy and unfocused. Like brief snatches of a dream almost forgotten.

Had he really become Chat without knowing it? Had he really tried to kill someone? Catwalker suddenly felt very cold and sick to his stomach.

“And a senti-monster would’ve acted more normal,” Ladybug continued, the concern in her voice only serving to convince Catwalker that something was very very wrong. Ladybug hadn’t been this concerned about Chat since she became the Guardian, and they started their non-stop bickering. If she was getting worried, Chat Noir must be getting very dangerous indeed.

“This time,” Ladybug said, hesitating as the fear threatened to overwhelm her, “he seemed almost feral. He wouldn’t talk to me. He barely even looked at me, and when he did, he hissed at me.” Ladybug frowned, rubbing her shoulders. “Chat’s never hissed at anyone before.”

Oh…oh no. Chat Noir had not only tried to kill a teammate, but he’d threatened Ladybug?

Plagg had said that there’d be consequences to misusing the Miraculous, that Adrien was going to regret using it to seal away Chat Noir, but Adrien had just thought that meant that he’d miss being Chat Noir was all. Or maybe that he’d never be happy again. He hadn’t thought he’d develop a homicidal alter-ego.

Catwalker felt his legs give out from underneath him, and he felt several hands grab onto him as Ryuko’s sword failed to stop his fall. He looked up and saw Carapace…and Vesperia…the girl he probably just tried to kill.

No. No, Catwalker couldn’t do this. He needed to be strong, if only for Vesperia. Own up to what was going on. Yes, he’d made a spell to seal Chat, and yes, clearly it had gone wrong, but Catwalker had never meant for this to happen. He’d never meant to hurt anyone.

Ryuko though had never been much one for dramatics though, nor did she appreciate such dramatics being used to thwart her. So she grabbed Catwalker with both hands and promptly hauled him back to his feet, fire in her eyes before he could say a word.

“Oh, no,” she declared. “You are not getting out of this one.” She shook him, hard. “How did Chat Noir get the Miraculous back?” Shake. “Who is he?” Shake. “What are you hiding?”

Catwalker stayed quiet, trying to make himself as small as possible. He understood where Ryuko was coming from. He wasn’t sure if he could’ve resisted the urge if Shadow Moth had pulled the same stunt and nearly got one of his teammates killed. She wasn’t just angry. She was scared because yes, Vesperia had lived this time, but next time, who knew who would be targeted? And who knew if they’d survive?

Yet, as much as Catwalker knew that -and he knew that Ryuko would never hurt him- Catwalker couldn’t help but have a need to try to do at least some damage control, try to stop Ryuko from being so angry.

“I-I don’t know!” he cried. “I’ve done all I can to keep the Ring safe! I sleep with it! I shower with it! I do everything with it! I can’t figure out how Chat Noir got it. I can’t even remember anything from last night! I don’t even know if that was the real Chat Noir, but if it is, then he must’ve taken the Ring somehow and then given it back without me knowing. I’m telling the truth. I promise.”

The air around Ryuko seemed to drop several degrees as she glared at him. “A likely story. How did he even know where to find it? Did you tell anyone your secret identity?”

Abruptly, Carapace shoved the two of them apart, separating them, but sending an unprepared Catwalker sprawling to the ground. Ryuko went to grab him again, but Carapace stepped between them and stared her down, as solid as a mountain.

“Dude,” he said, and Catwalker can only marvel at how Nino has perfected the art of sounding mad, but in a gentle way that never seems to crush Adrien the same way that his Father’s disappointment did. He’s always used that tone with Adrien, when Adrien accidentally pushed a button he really shouldn’t, but now it's against Kagami, and it's still just so astoundingly cool and so Nino that it gives Catwalker pause. “We can’t just go around treating people like that! It’s not cool. We’re already tense enough as it is. There’s no need to act like that.”

Meanwhile, Vesperia helped Catwalker up, meeting his eyes before she softly asked, “Hey, are you okay?”

Catwalker nodded, because what else do you say to that except ‘yeah, I’m fine’? Still, it’s nice she asked. That means something in Catwalker’s book.

“So what?” Ryuko challenges, undaunted by the gentle strength of Carapace’s rebuke. “You want to just stand by and watch until Chat Noir tries something else? Push someone else off a roof? Hurt our loved ones? Cataclysm us? You know how dangerous the Black Cat is. We can’t have someone running around with it that we can’t trust.”

“Ryuko,” Ladybug said, her hand gripping Ryuko’s shoulder firmly but kindly, “I get where you’re coming from, but we can’t go bullying our teammates just because they’re suspicious.”

“Then you’re a bigger fool than I thought, Ladybug,” Ryuko said before she took her leave, deciding not to deal with the traitor anymore today. Catwalker couldn’t help the relief that flowed through his body as she lept away from them, and it nearly doubled as he realized that Ladybug was following her to try to calm her down.

Carapace watched them for a moment, before he turned and faced Catwalker. “I’m sorry, dude,” he said to Catwalker, giving him a small, empathetic smile. “She shouldn’t have done that. It wasn’t right, and it wasn’t cool.”

Vesperia nodded from beside him. “I”m sorry too,” she said. “We should’ve intervened sooner, but I promise, I didn’t know she was going to do that. We just thought we’d try to figure this out today.”

Catwalker could hardly believe it. They were sorry? They were the ones stuck trying to deal with this whole Catwalker debacle. He’d been the one to almost pass out even though he wasn’t the one actually in danger.

Vesperia was the one who’d nearly gotten killed because of his mistake. If Catwalker had been better with the bindings, if he’d double and triple checked the spell to make sure that Chat Noir couldn’t escape, nothing would’ve happened to her. She would be safe, and none of them would be having this conversation.

Yet, Vesperia, the sweetheart that she was, didn’t care. Instead she said, “I don't know how he got the miraculous from you, but I know you didn’t mean for it to happen. Ryuko’s wrong. There’s no way you gave it to Chat Noir, and I know you weren’t careless with the ring either. That’s not who you are. You’re a good guy, Catwalker, and you’re one of the most careful people I know.”

Carapace -once again proving that he was probably the best guy Catwalker knew- bumped his shoulder against Catwalker’s. “Yeah,” he said, “we got your back, dude. Ryuko’s whole warrior act was probably really scary, but that’s just her personality. She can be kinda…intense, but once you get to know her, she’s kinda chill.’

“She’s just scared right now you know? With Chat Noir on the loose. Especially since he was kinda like Ladybug’s oldest teammate? He worked with her ever since Stoneheart. He’s got tons of experience. That’s gotta be a little intimidating, especially when he’s going after some of our newest people. You’ll be okay though,” he clasped Catwalker’s shoulder in a one-armed hug. “We’re here for ya, buddy.”

Catwalker felt gratitude swell up in his chest, too strong for the Ring to completely capture as he only just barely managed to keep himself from throwing his arms around the two and kept it to a respectable “thank you.” He hoped they got the feeling though, because they both smiled at him.

The Vesperia spoke up. “I get it. I know what it's like to have a ...nasty counterpart. Don’t worry. We’re going to find Chat Noir and we’re going to make sure that he never does this again, okay?"

Catwalker nodded, before the worry crept in. If Vesperia and Carapace were really doing this, were giving it their all for Catwalker, was it really fair that he wasn’t doing the same? Especially if Chat Noir was dangerous enough to worry Ladybug and Ryuko…

Cat needed to get rid of him, and if he wanted to do that, he’d need to get rid of the Ring. The thought nearly made Catwalker freeze up because without it, how would Cat be able to save Paris? How would he be able to look after Ladybug? It seemed like a lifetime ago, he’d practically jumped at the ring, at his calling, at his duty, but now…

No. Chat Noir was hurting people, threatening them. It’d be wrong to keep the Ring, selfish even. He had to stop this. He had to do the right thing, and he had to do it soon, before anyone else got hurt.

Already, Catwalker ruled out giving the ring to Carapace. As much as Catwalker loved Nino, there was a good chance that he’d be the first person Chat would think to search to gett he Ring back, and there was a not so small chance that Nino would give his best buddy the Ring anyways.

No, Catwalker would have to leave it with someone else. Someone safer, a near stranger who could hide from Chat forever if she needed to. The person Catwalker had wronged, Vesperia.

Quickly, Catwalker arranged to meet Vesperia somewhere else to talk about something important, keeping the details vague in case Carapace overheard. Not that Catwalker didn’t trust his friend, but well, even now, with the Black Cat Ring dampening his feelings, he didn’t want to risk the sting of disappointment he’d see in Carapace’s eyes once he knew just how badly he’d messed up. It may have been selfish, but Catwalker just wanted to keep from facing it for as long as he could, just in case.

The meeting spot wasn’t very close to the start of the patrol, but it was important because it was an alleyway close to the manor. It was on street level and the way home from there had a lot of coverage from the rain so if it started on the way back, he wouldn’t get completely soaked. Plus, it was near Le Grand Paris too, so if Adrien was seen walking away from it in tears, no one would be completely surprised. They’d just cluck their tongue and blame it as no doubt the latest victim of another one of Chloe Bourgeois’s heartless cruelties.

Vesperia nodded, making her way to the meeting spot, while Catwalker took the scenic route. It would be his last time seeing his beloved Paris from this angle ever again. He supposed that he should at least take a minute to try to memorize it. Soak it all in.

~*~

Vesperia waited in the alley near her family’s hotel, waiting for Catwalker to arrive. He was the newest recruit, a sweet kid who was good at his job, but obviously pretty nervous about making new impressions.

Zoe remembered when she’d used to be that nervous back before she’d started going to Françoise Dupont and making friends. She wondered if he used to be bullied. She could certainly see it from the way he’d flinched from Ryuko grabbing him, like he was expecting her to beat him. Poor thing. He clearly didn’t deserve it.

Now, Catwalker had asked to meet her here, to discuss something important. Vesperia hoped it might help the team get a new lead about Chat Noir. Something was up with the guy, and it gave Vesperia the heebie jeebies. She’d always been good at reading people, but Chat Noir? It seemed as though he’d changed into something new almost overnight.

The rain began to fall, a sprinkle at first, but it slowly turned into a torrential downpour. Vesperia couldn’t help but sigh. This would surely slow her teammate down even more. Although Catwalker hid it well, his fear of water always served to cripple him at the worst of times. Their suits’ waterproofing seemed to be the only real thing that seemed to temper his panic into something reasonable, something that resembled his typical shyness and reservedness.

Vesperia waited about 5 more minutes before she saw the familiar silhouette of her companion at the end of the alley, indeed shuffling towards her slowly, to the point where he almost stood still. Vesperia winced. She should’ve grabbed an umbrella and pretended as though it was for her sake. Yes, it’d risk hurting Catwalker’s pride, and there'd have been a chance she might’ve missed him getting it, but it might’ve really helped.

Thankfully though, Catwalker seemed to gather his courage and started walking towards her again, almost bounding towards her. Except as he got close, Vesperia realized that the person with her wasn’t Catwalker. It was Chat Noir.

Immediately, Vesperia tried to run towards the hotel door. Between the two of them, Chat was the most experienced, and with all of Vesperia’s exits blocked, she knew that if they came down to it, Chat would win. But if she could make it to the hotel, that was her terf. No matter how many akumas Chat Noir might’ve faced in there, she knew it better than he did, and maybe, just maybe, if she made it there, she’d stand a chance.

Unfortunately, she didn’t make it. She managed to get not 5 feet before Chat Noir pounced on her, grabbing her by the hair and dragging her to the ground. Her hair…No! Chat Noir wanted her Miraculous! She couldn’t let him take Pollen!

Furious, Vesperia grabbed blindly for Chat, reaching his bell and she yanked, managing to send Chat flying into the alley wall. Seeing him stunned, Vesperia knew that now was her chance. With a quick cry of Venom, she lunged, desperate to end Chat’s reign of terror.

Vesperia was fast, but Chat Noir was faster. He recovered near instantly and launched himself at Vesperia’s face, easily dodging Vesperia’s sting.

Chat Noir was close. Too close for Vesperia to sting him. Not while she still had momentum from her lunge.

Chat didn’t even move as her face slammed into his chest, choosing to instead pluck the Bee Comb from her hair just as easily as you pick up a can from the grocery store to examine it. Zoe saw stars, feeling like she’d been slammed into a brick wall.

As Zoe fell, Chat Noir grabbed shoulder, forcing her up onto her knees and Zoe was reminded all too much of Ryuko doing something all too similar to Catwalker. Catwalker. What had happened to him?

Dazed, but determined, she tried to reach out, snatch the Bee Comb away from Chat, but her hand seemed almost glacially slow. Chat Noir tut-tutted at her mockingly.

“Well, well, well,” he said, giving her a Cheshire grin. “It turns out Vesperia, Queen Bee’s replacement, turns out to be Zoe, the Bourgeois's new favorite gal.” He giggled, a soft laugh that seemed born not out of malice, but something closer to madness. Zoe realized that Ladybug was definitely right. Something was not right with Chat Noir.

“I think that’s pretty funny,” Chat said, idly examining the Bee Comb, “don’t you?”

“Chat Noir,” Zoe said, desperately trying to reason with the former superhero, “you don’t want to do this.”

Chat raised an eyebrow at her, clearly amused. “Oh?”

“You’re a good person, Chat,” she said. “This isn’t like you.”

“You’re wrong,” Chat Noir said, pulling back and showing her his teeth before she could say another word. Zoe wondered if he was about to hiss at her. Maybe even bite her. Zoe didn’t know what would happen if he did that, and she didn’t want to.

“I was a good person,” Chat snarled, an almost feral undertone to his voice as his claws twitched, eager for something to tear at. “But now? Now I think this is exactly like me. I’m having a lot of fun right now, and I don’t intend to stop anytime soon.”

Then, he was gone, and all Zoe had left of him was the bone deep knowledge that this wasn’t over with.

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bunnakit · 4 months

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what are your top 5 movie recommendations?

EYY ok im a terrible person to ask because i absolutely do not watch movies unless forced to at gunpoint and most of them are not queer SO here's just like... my 5 fav movies i guess lmao

THE JACKET (2005) dir. John Maybury 🌸

(hey my first non-bl related gif!)

The narrative is a time slip fantasy in which a Gulf War veteran who suffered a death or near-death experience while on active service returns to the United States where he is blamed for the death of a policeman, and incarcerated in a hospital for the criminally insane. Subject to experimental treatments there, which involve him being shut inside a morgue casket while tied in a straitjacket, he eventually learns to travel through time and is able to offer help to various people.

i watched this in high school one lazy afternoon with my mom and became obsessed. i don't think it did well? or was really on anyone's radar? but Keira Knightley is fucking gorgeous in it as is Adrien Brody - both of which i had massive crushes on back then. it's definitely HEAVY and darker, obviously, and has a bit of an open ending but i eat that shit up.

"The important thing in life is to believe that while you're alive it's never too late."

PROMARE (2019) dir. Hiroyuki Imaishi 🌸

Thirty years has passed since the appearance of the Burnish, a race of flame-wielding mutant beings, who destroyed half of the world with fire. When a new group of aggressive mutants calling themselves Mad Burnish appears, the epic battle between Galo Thymos, a new member of the anti-Burnish rescue team Burning Rescue, and Lio Fotia, the leader of Mad Burnish begins.

i've watched promare an embarrassing amount of times, but hey, it's actually a little queer so there's that! the synopsis is just a drop in the hat of what the movie actually is. we love anarchist rebels and advocates for equal rights (and enemies to lovers between a smol angry rebel and a big lovable himbo.) small note - we lost Galo's english VA, Billy Kametz, last year to his battle with cancer. he played a huge role in a lot of my favorite shows and games and it really broke my heart.

DRAGONHEART (1996) dir. Rob Cohen 🌸

Sir Bowen, an English knight of "the Old Code", mentors Saxon prince Einon in his ideals to make him a better king than his father Freyne. While suppressing a peasant rebellion, rebels ambush and kill Freyne. Then a young peasant girl named Kara accidentally wounds Einon's heart. Einon's Celtic mother Aislinn has Einon taken before a dragon and asks him to save the boy's life. The dragon makes Einon promise to be a just ruler with honor and replaces Einon's wounded heart with half his own. However, Einon proves more oppressive by enslaving the former rebels that killed his father and forcing them to rebuild a Roman castle. Einon also has Kara's father, who led the insurgents, blinded. Believing the dragon's heart has corrupted Einon, Bowen swears vengeance on him and all dragons by hunting them down.

listen, i'm old okay? i watched this obsessively when i was a kid. i didn't own the VHS, i'm not really sure why? but anytime it was on tv i was glued to it. i think i eventually did record it onto a vhs.

MILK (2008) dir. Gus Van Sant 🌸

In 1972, Harvey Milk and his then-lover Scott Smith leave New York for San Francisco, with Milk determined to accomplish something meaningful in his life. Settling in the Castro District, he opens a camera shop and helps transform the area into a mecca for gays and lesbians. In 1977 he becomes the nation's first openly gay man elected to a notable public office when he wins a seat on the Board of Supervisors. The following year, Dan White kills Milk in cold blood.

i watched this just as i was coming to terms with my own queerness. i wanted to learn more about queer history and this movie came out at the exact perfect time for that. i was a freshman in high school, i'd never heard of Harvey Milk before, but my mom had and she encouraged me to watch it. it got me doing a lot more research into queer history and learning where we came from so while the movie may not be perfect, may not be wholly accurate, i thank it for that.

TITAN A.E. (2000) dir. Don Bluth & Gary Goldman 🌸

"Titan A.E." takes place in the distant future, after Earth has been obliterated by a mysterious alien race known as the Drej. Cale is a human teenager who has been given a mysterious map by his father, leading him on an unforgettable journey.

i am nothing if not an absolute slut for Don Bluth movies. that man illustrated my childhood. as i got older my mom told me about Titan A.E. and said it was a must watch for my nerdy ass. she was correct. it's not the perfect movie but it's a great look at what Don Bluth and Gary Goldman could've done if we'd considered "animation for adults" back then. we're finally getting somewhere with it now, and i like to think we have them to thank in part for that.

also fun story my husband met one of the animators for this film at a party where a lot of people were doing a lot of drugs and he gave him his card AND MY HUSBAND LOST IT

alright anon and friends i hope i haven't ruined your opinion of me with my taste in movies ~ thank you to all the gifmakers that have made gifs of these films, i'm so glad i didn't have to make one for all of them lmao.

#anon my beloved #top 5 #the jacket the movie #promare #dragonheart #milk the movie #harvey milk #titan ae #don bluth #gary goldman #gus van sant #rob cohen #hiroyuki imaishi #john maybury #bunn asks

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ggomomomo · 1 year

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Roomies | 5 - Impostor

@felinettenovember

Read on AO3

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Switching places with his cousin had grown to be a burden on his end as he struggled against rabid fans and a hectic schedule. Adrien was insistent as usual, earning him a piece of freedom away from his overbearing father. Felix wouldn't have indulged him if not with the promise of a special favor if he needed it.

With his hair styled in a model-esque manner and loose-fitting top billowing in the breeze, Felix stretched his legs in the park to take a break from the photos. His lip subconsciously curled. Photos. It was a miracle that they even looked the same during the shoots. Same face. Same product.

"Hey Adrien! Want some water?"

Felix almost fell from the bench seeing Marinette jog up to him while holding a bottle of water. He took a second to stare at her before accepting. Did she know? Did she not know?

"You're lucky to have the sun out today." Marinette smiled, taking a seat beside him. "The weather's nice."

He channeled his 'Adrien' act, not knowing how to feel about his partner not recognizing him. But then again, he was supposed to fool everyone for the façade to be convincing. His grin stretched out into a lopsided one, and his shoulders arched downwards. "Yeah, I've been dying to get out for a while."

She snorted. "But you're still working."

"I'll live."

A pout graced her lips as she stared at the director and cameramen setting up for the next session of the photoshoot. "I wish Felix were here."

"Fe---Felix?"

A sigh. "He's . . . I don't know. I worry about him sometimes."

Worry? Felix felt guilt stir at the bottom of his gut. Was it right to ask about himself while wearing the mask of his cousin? "He can be a bit . . . harsh sometimes."

"Harsh? Felix isn't harsh," said Marinette. "Sure, he can be blunt, but he's kind and sweet and gentle."

His pulse raced.

She tucked a hair behind her ear. "I was just worried that he might be misunderstood or that he feels lonely. Or I'm too bothersome for him."

"You're not bothersome." He bit his tongue instantly afterwards, deeming his reply a tad too hasty. He repeated more slowly. "I mean, he never said anything about you being a bother."

"I don't think a lot of people know but we're close. Really close." A small smile perched on her lips. "But you know him; he tends to keep his feelings to himself you know? And I don't know how to help."

A beat passed. And two. And three.

Felix remained silent. So silent that he thought his heart would take over their shared quietness.

"I can't speak for Fe," he began, "But I'm pretty sure he's happy with just you being around. If he has a problem, I'm sure he'll tell you."

"You think so?"

"I . . ." He mentally winced. How much was Adrien supposed to know about him anyway? "I haven't seen him as comfortable with anyone as he is with you. Which means you're important in his life right now. Knowing him, he'd do anything to keep your relationship from breaking apart."

"Oh," she murmured. "It might not seem like it on the outside but he's special to me too. I don't think I'd ever have the same connection with anyone else."

She looked straight into his eyes with an indecipherable expression. "It's just that we're so comfortable with each other that we don't need words most of the time. But I can't be sure all the time if I'm reading him right."

He sucked in a breath. She knew.

She knew.

He was stupid to believe that his Ladybug, his own partner, his roommate wouldn't recognize him in a heartbeat.

"When the time comes that words matter the most, you'll know how to use them," he told her quietly, reaching to the side to squeeze her hand.

Marinette chuckled shakily. "I hope so. I really don't want to ruin what we already have."

She turned to face him, a subtle gleam shimmering in her eye, and pressed her lips on his cheek. "Thanks for telling me. And good luck with the photoshoot."

Felix found himself in a daze as she left, not even giving him the time to register what had happened. His fingers touched the side of his face whilst heat crawled into his skin.

#felinette fanfic #felinette #miraculous ladybug #miraculous ladybug felinette #felix pv #marinette dupain cheng #felinette november 2022 #fluff!#all the fluff!#felix pv/marinette #mlb felix #felinette week #felinette roomies #le kiss!#on the cheek

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springtimemultishipper · 2 years

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Komanami Week Day 5: Talent-Swap

Summary | Nagito Komaeda is finally allowed to leave the walls of his castle and attend Hope’s Peak Academy. But, there’s a price. To make sure that he’s protected while at the academy, he is assigned a bodyguard to be by his side during his studies. Luckily for him, his bodyguard just happens to be a very cute girl…

❥ Pairing | Nagito Komaeda x Chiaki Nanami

★ Word Count | 3,913 words

@c0rrupted-mov

*So…I kinda broke my promise about this being out right after Day 4, and I’m really sorry about that! I ended up getting sick and I didn't have the motivation at the time to write. The universe really doesn’t want me to do this, huh? Well, fuck you illness! I’ve made a commitment and I’m going to see it through! So, this is Day 5 of Komanami Week where I chose Talent-Swap, instead I didn’t switch Nagito’s and Chiaki’s talents. I swapped everyone’s talents! So, now we have an Ultimate Swordswoman Chiaki Nanami and an Ultimate Prince Nagito Komaeda! Why? Because I like the idea of Nagito simping while Chiaki kicks ass. I personally think I made Nagito have a bit of Adrien Agreste and Makoto vibes in this one, but it’s fine! He does have a completely different talent after all. So, yeah, without further ado, grab some snacks and enjoy! And again, sorry for errors.*

“Lady Tsurugi, may I speak with you?” a boy with hair as white as snow asked, approaching from the grand stone hallway of the palace. He was fidgeting slightly as he kept his gray eyes on the royal advisor, biting his lip.

“Prince Nagito, please stop biting your lip,” Tsurugi said. “You’re going to draw blood. But, of course. What is it you wish to speak with me about?”

Nagito immediately stopped doing so, and stood up straight as he took a deep breath. “It’s about my request, Lady Tsurugi. The Hope’s Peak Academy entry letter.”

“Ah…” Tsurugi nodded. “You’re wishing to know what I say about it now that I’ve had some time to think, yes?”

Nagito nodded eagerly. “If that’s not a problem. Have you made your decision about allowing me to attend school there?”

Tsurugi sighed. “Yes, I have. I know you’ve been in the palace for the majority of your life, Your Highness. I can tell that you’re desperate for a chance to leave and gain a bit of independence.”

“Y-Yes…but I understand if you’re not going to allow me to go,” Nagito said, eyes darting away from her face as he messed with the sash around his torso. “In case…something happens while I’m studying and you can’t protect me…”

“On the contrary,” Tsurugi smiled. “I’ve decided that I will allow you to go to Hope’s Peak Academy.”

“Ah…” Nagito’s eyes widened. He was completely prepared to bargain and beg for the chance to go to the prestigious academy. He wasn’t expecting it to be this easy! “R-really? Are you sure, Lady Tsurugi?”

Tsurugi nodded, a warm smile on her face. “Yes…I’ve thought about it and I decided that it would be healthy for you to be able to communicate with others your own age. And considering that the students of Hope’s Peak are at the same social standing as you, I figured that this is a perfect opportunity.”

Nagito just stood there, his jaw dropping for a moment before speaking again. “Forgive me. I’m utterly grateful for your generosity, Lady Tsurugi, but…I thought you claimed that you’re not going to do anything that you feel disrupts my safety. I thought that you were going to definitely refuse to let me go.”

“Well, let’s say I found a compromise for us,” she said, turning her attention to a computer in front of her. “I could send one of the maids to travel with you and live with you to make sure that you’re not living by yourself. As for school, I’ve found someone who can act as your bodyguard when at Hope’s Peak.”

“A bodyguard?”

Tsurugi nodded. “She got into Hope’s Peak as the Ultimate Swordswoman and has experience with guarding the most important people in Japan. So, I spoke with her family and requested that she accompany you when at school.”

“The Ultimate Swordswoman?” Nagito rested his chin on his hand. “She sounds like she’s rather experienced…what’s her name?”

“Chiaki Nanami. She’s apparently a rather quiet girl and her family is worried about her being able to fit in with her classmates. So, they’re grateful that you’ll be there with her. You two could possibly become friends. So, I’ll allow you to go to Hope’s Peak Academy as long as you find this girl and allow her to work as your bodyguard. Does that sound like a fair trade, Your HIghness?”

Nagito nodded immediately. “Absolutely! To spend time with such a talented swordswoman! Why, someone as lowly as me doesn’t deserve the honor!”

Tsurugi deadpanned at him. “Your Highness…you’re literally the future king of an entire kingdom…but, I’m pleased to see you being so agreeable with my terms.” A small smile appeared on the royal advisor’s face as the prince happily skipped away to prepare.

…

Nagito smiled as he recalled how Lady Tsurugi was generous enough to allow him to attend Hope’s Peak Academy and finally be able to go to school like any normal teenager. It was just too kind of her! And now…he was here. Standing in front of the door to his new classroom. His smile widened as he felt his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn’t believe it! He was actually here! Behind this door…was his new class with a bunch of talented teenagers that were going to be his classmates. He could hardly wait.

He brushed the dust off of his black tailcoat vest before reaching towards the door, sliding it open with one movement of his hand. He walked inside and…

“Ah!” A girl with red hair wearing a green kimono turned towards the door as soon as Nagito entered. “Another new student!”

Nagito felt heads turn towards him as he walked into the room. Most of the students that were sitting in the classroom wore the brown Hope Peak’s school uniform although there were a few exceptions such as the girl in the kimono. Some of the students had done something similar to Nagito where they added their own personal touches to the uniform, such as a brown-haired boy wearing an olive green jacket and headphones. Nagito looked around at all the students in the room. They seemed to be full of talent and radiated a powerful aura of hope that almost seemed intimidating. It made Nagito eager to talk to all of them.

The teacher, an orange-haired woman wearing a tank top underneath a long blue coat, smiled at Nagito. “Hello there! Are you one of my new students?”

Nagito nodded. “Yes. My name is Nagito Komaeda. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The woman gave him a warm smile. “Pleasure to meet you too, Komaeda. I’m your teacher, Miss Yukizome. Let’s see…where to put you. Ah! Why not sit over at the empty desk in front of Hinata?” Miss Yukizome gestured over to a desk in front of the boy with the headphones, who was currently absorbed in the video game he had in his hand.

Nagito nodded. “Very well then.” With that, he walked over towards the desk at the back of the classroom and sat down. With a friendly smile, he turned around to the boy with the headphones. “Hello. It’s very nice to meet you. You’re, Hinata, right?”

The boy lifted his head up to look at him before nodding. “Yep. I’m Hajime Hinata. The Ultimate Gamer. Uh, Komaeda, right?”

Nagito nodded before bowing his head slightly. “Yes, I’m Nagito Komaeda, the Ultimate Prince! I do hope that we’re able to become good friends.”

Hajime nodded slowly, staring at Nagito with a blank expression. “Yeah, that would be nice. But…there’s no need to bow…”

“Oh!” Nagito immediately lifted his head up, his cheeks turning a pale pink. “My apologies.”

“Okay…” Miss Yukizome suddenly called out, looking down at a clipboard. “Looks like nearly everyone is here. Let’s see…all we have left is Chiaki Nanami.”

Nagito immediately turned around when he heard that name, like a hound dog when food arrives. The Ultimate Swordswoman. The girl that’s supposed to protect him. When is she going to come into the classroom? Nagito began to stare intensely at the door, waiting for it to open.

“Oh, I ran into Nanami earlier!” A girl with multi-colored streaks in her hair and a leotard under her blazer said. “She was totally in the zone! Even a massive bomb falling out of a sky wouldn’t break her focus! It’s so cool!!”

Miss Yukizome sighed. “Well, I suppose I’ll have to go and get her then,” she said, but before she could even leave from the podium, Nagito raised his hand.

“If you want, Miss Yukizome, I can find Nanami for you,” Nagito said. “After all, we wouldn’t want to delay class any further than necessary. So, it may be easier if I go get her myself.”

She considered it for a moment before nodding. “Well, alright. Try not to take too long now, okay?”

“Of course,” he nodded as he stood up and left the classroom. The previously bustling hallways were now nearly empty with most of the students already in their classrooms. With the help of a map of the layout of the academy, Nagito made his way to the school’s dojo, heart fluttering in excitement as he tried to picture what Chiaki Nanami was like. Was she cool and serious? Aggressive and bloodthirsty? Noble and daring? Millions of possibilities danced in his head as he approached the dojo and opened the door.

The walls and floor of the dojo was made out of dark wood that seemed to give the room a mysterious and traditional feel to it. Nagito could feel the floorboards creaking underneath his feet as he stepped inside the dimly lit room. Painted on a screen near the back was a beautiful scene of a dark night sky with gentle sakura trees standing on the sides of a stone-textured sidewalk, their gentle petals falling and covering it. And that’s where she was, wearing a white kendo uniform.

She knelt in front of the screen, her back facing Nagito. She didn’t even seem to notice him as she faced straight ahead, deep in her concentration. Nagito took a cautious step towards the mysterious girl. As he got even closer, suddenly, like an animal sending danger, she spun around. Nagito felt something long and wooden jab the air right beside him, barely missing his head by mere inches.

He looked down at the petite girl, who was studying him with a curious look on her face. Her pale mauve hair that was tied into a bun with two strands framing her face. Holding her bun in place was a hot pink ribbon that was tied into a bow at the back of her head. Her sleepy-looking pale pink eyes observed him with a quiet tranquility, as if she didn’t have a bamboo sword nearly pressing against his neck.

There was an awkward silence for a few moments, with Nagito keeping a close eye on the bamboo sword at the edge of his neck. Until finally, the girl put her sword down and spoke in a soft voice. “Sorry…you scared me.”

‘You were scared?’ he thought. She didn’t look that scared when she nearly attacked him, but he decided to not comment about it. Instead he smiled awkwardly and rubbed his head. “It’s alright. I’m just simply glad that I didn’t lose my head. Uh, I take it you are Chiaki Nanami?”

She nodded. “That’s right. And you are?”

Nagito bowed. “I’m Nagito Komaeda. The Ultimate Prince. It’s an honor to finally meet you, Lady Nanami.”

Chiaki stared at him with a blank expression on her face and stayed silent for several moments. Nagito felt his face burning up. ‘Goddammit, all to hell! She’s not saying anything! Why did I do the bowing thing again?! She must be thinking that I’m acting really odd right now! This is mortifying…’

He quickly got up and placed his hands firmly to his side. “Er, apologies for that! I’m…not really used to interacting with people my age.”

Chiaki shrugged. “It’s alright. I figured as much. Sorry for not responding…I’m just not really used to people bowing for me…so, you’re the prince that I’m supposed to be guarding?”

Nagito rubbed his head. “Y-yes…sorry for inconveniencing you with this task.”

She shook her head and smiled. “No worries. It’s actually quite an honor to be protecting a prince. I’ve actually never done that before. Besides, most of the people I protect are older than me, so it’s nice to actually be the bodyguard of someone my own age.”

“Is that so?” Nagito smiled. “Well then, I hope we get along. Ah, by the way, class had already started. I was sent by our teacher to come and get you.”

“Oh…” Chiaki looked surprised before she lowered her head. “My apologies. I tend to lose track of time when meditating. I’ll go get changed and we can head to the classroom.”

He nodded as Chiaki walked by him. “Very well then. I shall wait here until you’re ready.”

She went into the locker rooms to change. Meanwhile, Nagito placed a hand on his heart, sighing in relief. Thank goodness that his first meeting with Chiaki went well despite him bowing to her. He smiled to himself. She seemed like a lovely girl, and he hoped that they could become good friends in the future.

After a few moments of waiting, Chiaki came out of the locker rooms wearing her school uniform except instead of wearing the blazer, she wore a black shawl with a pink stripe on the bottom that matched her ribbon. Black fingerless gloves rested on her hands while tall black boots encased her legs. On her back, there was a pink sheath-like bag with a white ribbon tied at the end, which is most likely where she kept her sword.

“I see you like the color pink,” Nagito said, attempting to start up a conversation.

“Yeah,” Chiaki nodded. “I think it’s a pretty color though…people sometimes get surprised when I tell them. I guess it’s because pink’s not a color typically associated with a swordswoman.”

“Honestly, that’s a shame,” Nagito said, sighing. “I don’t understand how people can be shocked by someone liking a color because it doesn’t seem to “fit” them, whatever that’s supposed to mean. I think it’s a pleasant-looking color. It looks nice on you, Lady Nanami.”

“…thanks…” Chiaki said after a moment's hesitation before walking towards the classroom. Nagito followed after her, mentally facepalming at what he had just said. He was coming off as creepy, wasn’t he? Why was talking to people so hard?

“I-I apologize for my comment…” he said. “I’m just realizing that it may have sounded really…awkward…”

“Don’t worry about it,” she said, shaking her head. “It just caught me off guard. That’s all. Besides, it was sweet of you to compliment me, and I know you weren’t being weird when you said it. Try not to be so hard on yourself, Your Highness.”

“Y-your Highness?” Nagito repeated, his voice cracking slightly.

“Yeah…?” Chiaki turned around, tilting her head slightly. “You’re a prince, right? So, if I’m going to be working for you then I should respect your status.”

“N-no!” Nagito shook his head. “Please, no need for formalities. I would much prefer you calling me Komaeda. I’m a regular student just like you, so I would like to be treated like one.”

Chiaki nodded. “Understood. Sorry, Komaeda.”

With that, the two arrived at the classroom and went inside. Miss Yukizome looked up from what she was writing on the board and smiled at them. “Ah, you must be Nanami! Welcome! I’m your new teacher, Miss Yukizome. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hi,” Chiaki waved. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

Miss Yukizome nodded and turned to Nagito. “Thank you for bringing her here, Komaeda. Okay, there should be an empty seat next to Tsumiki. You can sit there, Nanami.”

Chiaki nodded and went over to sit next to a girl with choppy plum hair and some hamsters on her shoulders. Nagito made his way back to his seat in front of Hajime and the lesson began.

Nagito found himself being engaged throughout the whole day. He couldn’t understand why some of his classmates were complaining about some of the topics that they were learning. He found them extremely interesting, but perhaps it’s because he never had an experience like this, unlike the rest of his classmates. For the majority of the day, Nagito alternated his time between Hajime and Chiaki, wanting to learn more about them. During their conversations, Nagito learned about how the two each got their Ultimate titles. Apparently, Hajime got his Ultimate title due to a gaming competition he won when he was in elementary and Chiaki got hers from being able to beat multiple grown men in kendo matches. As they explained their stories, Nagito found himself hooked on every word, unable to believe that such amazing and talented people were talking to him.

Eventually, the school day ended and Nagito grabbed his bag and began to leave the classroom. As he walked towards the door, he heard a familiar soft voice from behind him. “Komaeda…”

He turned around to see Chiaki walking towards him. “Yes? Do you need something, Nanami?”

Chiaki shook her head. “I was just wondering if you wanted to walk home together. If my job is to be your bodyguard, then shouldn't I be by your side most of the time? Besides, this also gives us the opportunity to learn a bit more about each other.”

Nagito didn’t even hesitate before nodding his head. “Of course. It would be an honor to walk home with you, Lady Nanami.”

“Why are you calling me ‘Lady Nanami?’” Chiaki asked as they began to walk out of the classroom.

“Hm?” Nagito glanced at her. “Why, it’s a sign of respect. You’re a student of this prestigious academy after all, so I should address you accordingly. Besides, I address many of the high-ranking women in my kingdom as ‘Lady.’”

Chiaki crossed her arms and frowned. “So, you get to call me ‘Lady’, but I can’t call you ‘Your Highness.’ Seems a little hypocritical, Komaeda.”

Nagito chuckled. “Why, it isn’t hypocritical at all. You got into this academy for being such a talented swordswoman, after all. You proved yourself worthy of the title of the Ultimate Swordswoman, and the school addressed your amazing skills. I would consider that deserving of high respect. Meanwhile, with me…I only got into Hope’s Peak because I was a prince. There wasn’t any talent or work put into me being here.” Nagito frowned slightly and moved his gaze to his walking feet. “You’re far more deserving of being a student here than I am, so I want to show you the respect that you deserve, Lady Nanami. The only respect that I received is because I’m a prince, which is an insult towards you. That’s all.”

Chiaki stayed silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. As he opened the academy’s doors, Nagito wondered if she was now taking in what he had said and was now deciding to spend her time with people that are just like her. Who got into Hope’s Peak because they proved that they deserved to be called the most talented people in Japan.

“Komaeda, I-” Before Chiaki could even finish her sentence, they could hear yelling up ahead. They looked over at the entrance gates of Hope’s Peak. Two guys were yelling at each other, arguing as they shoved at each other.

“Huh? What’s going on?” Nagito asked as his eyes widened at the scene before him.

“They’re having a fight…” Chiaki replied, pointing out the obvious.

“I can see that, but why?” Nagito quickly ran over to where the boys were fighting. “Hey! What are you two doing?”

The two guys stopped arguing for a moment and turned to glare at Nagito. “None of your damn business!” One of them scowled. “Run along and forget you saw anything!”

Nagito felt his knees tremble slightly as the guy glared down at him. His muscular frame completely cast a shadow over Nagito’s skinny one. His eyes leered down at him, like a predator eyeing its prey before it pounced. Nagito gulped, but he stood his ground and continued talking.

“W-well…you shouldn’t be fighting in front of the school’s entrance. Someone could get hurt! Please, isn’t there a way we could peacefully solve the issue at hand?”

“What are you? Some kind of pick-me who thinks that their presence alone can easily get anyone to listen?” The other guy snarled, rolling his eyes.

“N-no! That’s not-“ Nagito couldn’t even finish his sentence as he felt the first guy grab his vest and pulled him close to his face.

“Looks like someone needs to learn to mind his own business,” he grinned maniacally. “And I’m glad to be the teacher…”

Nagito felt cold sweat dripping down his forehead as he stared into those bloodthirsty eyes. He was petrified as he watched the guy clench his fist, ready to punch his lights out. Nagito shut his eyes, bracing himself for the impact of the fist to meet his pale face.

“Let him go.” Nagito gasped as the soft voice of Chiaki Nanami spoke from behind him. He opened his eyes and glanced back to see Chiaki holding her bamboo sword with a calm yet baleful gaze. “He has nothing to do with your fight, so please let him go.”

The second guy snorted. “What? You expect me to listen to you, sweetheart? You may look cute and all with your little sword, but you don’t scare me.”

Chiaki’s gaze hardened. “Let him go…I would rather not have to knock someone out.”

Both of the boys looked at each other before bursting out into laughter. “Or else what?” The first asked.

“You really think you could knock us out?!” The second guy taunted. “I’d like to see you try.”

Chiaki closed her eyes and remained silent for a moment. Her hair cast a shadow over her face, so Nagito couldn’t properly read her expression. Finally, after moments of the only sound being the two guys laughing, a small smirk appeared on her face.

“I tried to warn you…”

And just like that, Chiaki leapt at the two guys. Nagito couldn’t even see when she had striked. One minute, he was being held in the air by the first guy and the next, he was on the ground, staring at the sight in front of him. The two guys fell to the ground, knocked unconscious as Chiaki stood over them, placing her bamboo sword in her sheath. Nagito was left speechless as he knelt on the ground, trying to process what happened.

Chiaki smiled sweetly as she looked down at the two unconscious boys. “No fighting on school grounds.” She then bent over and grabbed each of their left arms before looking up at Nagito.

“Best not to be so naive next time, Your Highness,” she said, a teasing look in her eyes. “I can’t be knocking people out each time you try to stop a fight.”

Nagito didn’t say anything. Instead, he just stared at Chiaki, his jaw dropping. She walked past him, dragging the two guys behind her with zero struggle, as if they weighed nothing to her. “I’ll go take these two to the nurse’s office now. It would be cruel to leave them out here after I knocked them out. Please wait for me, Your Highness.”

With that, Chiaki left, leaving Nagito on the ground like an idiot. He could feel his heart racing as he thought back to how Chiaki looked standing over the two boys she knocked out. The graceful way her hair, shawl, and skirt fluttered against the wind. The confident way she stood, making her seem taller than she really was. The way that she balanced herself by gently stepping on one of the guy’s backs, careful not to hurt him any further. He felt his whole body heat up as he came to the realization…that was attractive…really attractive. Nagito was suddenly glad that Chiaki had left because she couldn’t see the heavily infatuated grin that was now resting on his face.

He made a mental note to heavily thank Lady Tsurugi for this whole arrangement when he got back…

#komanamiweek #chiaki nanami #chiaki danganronpa #nagito komaeda #nagito danganronpa #komanami #day 5 #talent-swap #ultimate swordswoman chiaki #ultimate prince nagito #chiaki girlbossing and nagito finding it hot #nagito and chiaki are dorks pt. 3 #nagito being a prince won't stop his self-deprecation #nor will it stop his simping-

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purrincess-chat · 2 years

Text

Kill Em With Kindness CH7

Posting a wee bit early. I’m eager to finish this one XD I’ll see you all on Friday-ish with the final chapter! I pinky promise none of you will guess the ending to this one. I came up with it years ago, and it amused me so we’re going with it. It’s not exactly the Lila downfall you might be used to in these types of fics. You’ll see.

Read on AO3

Chapter 7

Lila jumped when the door to the bathroom opened, relaxing when she saw Nathalie. She crossed her arms over her chest and cocked a hip.

“How could you let Adrien lock me in here? He ruined everything!” Lila huffed.

Nathalie turned the tablet she was holding to reveal M. Agreste on a video call. Lila stiffened and cleared her throat.

“Adrien ruined our plans again. Marinette’s influence over him has caused him to act out,” she said.

“I thought you told me you could handle it. You’re supposed to be shielding him from bad influences, are you not?” Gabriel said.

Lila opened her mouth to retort but bit her tongue. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders. “I know a way to ensure Marinette stays away from Adrien for good. I won’t let you down this time.”

“This is your final chance. Disappoint me again, and you can consider our agreement terminated.” The screen went dark, and Nathalie tucked the tablet back under her arm.

Lila stormed out of the boutique, hands balled into tight fists. Adrien wanted to fight dirty, so she was going to drag him through the mud with her.

***

“I propose a toast,” Alya said later that evening, holding up a glass of sparkling grape juice, “to Marinette for totally crushing it today in front of the Clara Nightingale and becoming her personal stylist.”

“Cheers!” The girls clinked their glasses together and took a sip.

Marinette bit back a smile. The day was certainly a victory for more than just impressing Clara. Lila fought hard, but Marinette fought harder. She owed a lot to Adrien. If it wasn’t for him getting rid of Lila and talking Clara into picking her, Marinette might feel a lot different. He was so protective of her amidst everything, a fact that made her heart skip. Could he be any more amazing?

“Now, onto our next order of business… Becoming Clara’s stylist is huge, but I couldn’t help but notice a certain handsome blond speaking very highly of you at the boutique this afternoon.” Alya nudged Marinette with her elbow. “You two have been spending a lot of time together as of late. I think it’s time for you to confess how you feel about him.”

“Yeah, you totally have a chance!” Mylene agreed.

“Adrien adores you,” Rose added.

Marinette’s cheeks burned, and she took a sip of her drink to cool off. “I mean, I don’t think he- We’re just, it’s not like that. We… Do you really think so?”

“Yes!” All of the girls said in unison.

“It’s totally the perfect time to tell him how you feel,” Alix said.

“We’ve got your back, right, girls?” Alya patted Marinette’s shoulder as the others chimed in their support. “Now, let’s talk strategy.”

“It’s such a shame Lila couldn’t be here tonight. She gives such good advice,” Mylene said.

Marinette sipped her drink to hide a smirk. “Yeah, it’s a shame she was too busy cleaning kennels at the animal shelter tonight.”

“We’ll be fine without her. She has way more important stuff going on than setting her friends up on dates. She can celebrate with us after Marinette finally asks Adrien out,” Alya said.

“True.”

“That’s fair.” The girls nodded in agreement.

“So, what’s the plan this time? Do I need to rip up a bouquet of roses again?” Alix asked.

Alya drummed her fingers when everyone turned to her expectantly. “Alright, here’s what I was thinking…”

***

Marinette burst out of bed the next morning, a smile stretching her cheeks. Today was the day! She was finally going to tell Adrien she loved him. They’d start dating, Marinette’s career would get off the ground after killing it as Clara’s stylist, they’d get married, buy a big, beautiful house to raise their three kids in, and Lila would spend the rest of her life cleaning fake animal kennels. Everything was coming together.

Breezing through her morning routine, Marinette skipped down the stairs to the kitchen. Her mother arched a brow when she took her seat at the table, humming jovially while she tore the lid on her yogurt.

“You’re in a good mood today.” Her mother stooped to kiss her forehead. “That popstar picking you to be her stylist is really exciting.”

“It’s a dream! I stayed up sketching tons of new designs. I can’t wait to show her,” Marinette said with a dreamy sigh. “I feel like everything is falling into place.”

Clara, Adrien… Life was perfect. Well, perfect outside of Lila, but after Marinette confessed to Adrien, Lila wouldn’t be an issue. They’d find a way to take her down together, then they’d get married and be together forever in their beautiful house with their pet hamster named-

“Surprise, my little fairy!” The front door swung open, and Marinette’s nonna strutted in. “I heard the exciting news about the famous superstar, so I flew out to celebrate.”

“Nonna!” Marinette jumped up from the table and rushed to hug her.

“I brought you presents, and tonight I will cook all of your favorites.” Her grandmother pinched her cheeks. “We’ll have a big Italian family feast.”

Marinette beamed and eyed the suitcase on the ground. “You said you brought presents?”

“You can have them after school, which you will be late to if you don’t hurry up,” her mother said pointedly.

“I’ll be here all day, my fairy. Have a good day at school.” Nonna kissed her cheek.

Marinette bounced upstairs to finish getting ready. Her day kept getting better and better!

The girls were waiting when she arrived at school, and a flurry of anxious butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she approached them. Confessing her feelings to Adrien was exciting in theory, but in practice, she was just as nervous as ever. But the girls were right. They had been spending a lot of time together, and it was the perfect opportunity to tell him. At least, that’s what she chanted to herself over and over while she got into position.

She held her breath when Adrien’s blond hair appeared over the stairs to the front entrance, heart hammering. Wiping her palms on her jeans, she made her move. His face brightened when he saw her, bringing a warmth to her cheeks, but as she opened her mouth to speak, another voice called out to him first.

“Adrien! There you are.” Lila strutted up to him, placing a kiss on his cheek and wrapping her arms around his neck. “It’s not nice to keep your girlfriend waiting.”

Girlfriend!?

Marinette’s blood ran cold, everything around her moving in slow motion. The girls stood in their positions dumbstruck as their plans grinded to a screeching halt. Marinette anticipated pushback for upstaging her in front of Clara, but this was low, even for her.

Aborting their mission, the girls moved to circle Marinette, while their other schoolmates congratulated Lila and Adrien. Adrien shot Marinette a panicked look, silently pleading for help, but Lila had them right where she wanted them. It was the ultimate challenge to their nice scheme. Would they go along with it or call her a liar? The glint in her eye said that she was ready for either.

Marinette’s mouth was too dry to speak, all of the water in her body bubbling in her eyes. Lila could take a lot of things from her, but she wasn’t going to let her take Adrien lying down. But what could she say in front of everyone to prove her wrong? Everyone would just think she was jealous, and Lila would probably expose her crush on him. That wasn’t how Marinette wanted Adrien to find out.

“So, when did you two… start seeing each other?” Alya asked, flashing Marinette a wince.

“Actually, we’re not really-”

“Last night.” Lila cut Adrien off. She retrieved a Gabriel-brand necklace from under her shirt with a smile. “Adrien gave me this necklace when he confessed. He told me it’s one-of-a-kind, like me. You really wanted me to know how special I am, didn’t you, darling?”

Adrien squirmed, biting his lip. “Uhh, yeah. You definitely have a special place in my heart, Lila.”

“Yo, congrats, dude!” Nino punched Adrien’s arm playfully, but Alya swatted his shoulder, shaking her head.

“Have you two kissed yet?” Kim asked.

“Well, not yet. We were saving it for a special occasion, but I’m too excited to wait. Aren’t you, my love?” Lila batted her eyelashes at Adrien.

“No, I can wait. I’d much rather do it in private.” Adrien removed her hands from around his neck.

“Aww, don’t be shy.” Lila giggled.

Marinette turned and stalked off to the locker room, hands balled into tight fists. Her eyes stung, hot tears trailing down her cheeks as she kicked open the door to the bathroom.

Vile fox! Ladybug should have exposed her in front of the whole school when she had the chance.

“Marinette!” Alya and the girls piled in after her. Her best friend pulled her in for a tight hug. “Come here, girl.”

“We’re sorry, Marinette. We didn’t know about Adrien and Lila,” Rose said.

“This doesn’t make sense. Lila swore to Nino that she wasn’t interested in Adrien.” Alya’s eyebrows knitted together.

“She lied,” Marinette said. She rubbed a tear from her cheek, grinding her teeth together until they hurt.

“Maybe she just didn’t want to make things any more awkward between you two. You guys were finally getting along, so maybe she didn’t want to cause any more trouble.” Mylene suggested.

“Either way, there’s not a lot we can do about it now. I’m really sorry, girl.” Alya rubbed her back. “You gonna be okay?”

Marinette shrugged.

The bell rang, and the girls all gave Marinette reassuring pats as they left. Alya was the last one out, hesitating in the door way with pursed lips before following the others. When the door shut behind her, Tikki floated out of Marinette’s purse.

“I can’t believe Lila told everyone she and Adrien are dating,” she said.

Marinette flicked on a sink, gripping the cold ceramic with white knuckles. “I can. She’s relentless. She won’t stop until she has everything she wants. I should have expected her to do something like this. I’m so tired of her pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes!”

“Well, you did provoke her by being petty. If you would have left her alone, she wouldn’t have fought back,” Tikki said.

Marinette opened her mouth to retort but slumped over with a sigh. “I know. I shouldn’t have played her game — she’s way too good at it. Now, poor Adrien is suffering the consequences. We need a way to fix this, but Lila’s too crafty.”

“If you expose her, she could become a very powerful opponent for Ladybug. It could be dangerous.” Tikki pointed out.

“Ugh, you’re right.” Marinette splashed water on her face with a growl, and Tikki passed her a paper towel. “I wish there was a way to deal with her that didn’t involve her becoming akumatized. I don’t suppose we could take down Hawkmoth in an afternoon?” Her kwami gave her a disapproving frown. “Yeah, yeah, I know.”

“I’m sure you and Adrien will figure something out together. He’s still on your side no matter what Lila says,” Tikki said.

“I hope so. I feel like we’ll never be together at this point. It’s like something keeps pulling us apart every time we get close.” Marinette sighed, opening the clasp of her purse for Tikki and heading for the door.

“Hey.”

Marinette nearly collided with Adrien on the other side of the door. She jumped back reflexively, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw who it was, and at his sullen expression, her countenance sank.

“We got played,” he said.

“Yeah.” She pursed her lips. “What should we do now?”

Adrien shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I’ll give it a day, then announce that my father broke us up. No one will have a hard time believing that.”

“And then what?” Marinette asked. “Lila made it clear she intends to fight back, and she’ll keep fighting until she gets everything she wants.”

“So, let’s tell everyone the truth. She more than deserves it now,” Adrien said.

His eyes were desperate, pleading. He wanted out of this as badly as she did, but it was no use. Lila had their kings cornered on the board, and they were running out of moves.

“I don’t know if that will help.” Marinette hugged her arms to her chest. “Maybe we were wrong to play her game thinking we could win. Lila will never stop.”

“Yeah, you’re right. We’re in over our heads. Maybe we should call it quits.” He flicked those green eyes up to hers, hopeful and timid. “Just because we’re not plotting anymore doesn’t mean we can’t still hang out. I’ve been having a lot of fun spending time with you lately.”

Marinette flashed him a weak smile. “Me too.”

The late bell chimed, and they both sighed. Adrien beckoned her to follow, and they headed to class, dejected. Even together, they were no match for Lila. She had won.

#ml salt fic #my writing #lila salt #chameleon salt #kill em with kindness #mine

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