#i'm starting to get the hang of his helm i think! maybe! kinda!

[barry-j-blupjeans]

@taznovembercelebration - Dirt

"What's it like?" Zoox said, watching Amber wring out her hair. She glanced over toward him with scrutiny. He was seated on the couch they had pushed up to the helm a few days ago. The Coriolis was in rough shape still. Last night, Amber had fixed some of the newly discovered leaks in the bathroom. Zoox had to assume that she had fixed up the regular shower because she had come out a minute before and shook herself free of water like Zoox did after a refreshing bath. Devo's lip had curled when she did, but he didn't say anything. Amber had said that Devo was "a stick in the mud" but Zoox didn't really get what all was bad about being a stick. And mud was fun, too!

They were taking the Coriolis out for a test run, again. The first time, it had started sinking a few feet away from the dock, which hadn't been good at all. The second time, it seemed to be going fine, until Devo turned on the small bathroom sink and they had dropped a good fifty meters in a matter of seconds. The third time did seem to be the charm, but they weren't that far out from dock, just in case.

"What was what like, bud?" Amber said. She was leaving a puddle where she stood. Her clothes looked damp, even from here.

"The shower," Zoox said. Devo's eyebrows creased but he remained silent still.

"Wet," Amber said.

"Wet," Zoox said in wonder. "Wow."

"Have you never showered before??" Amber asked, shaking the water off her hands. Zoox shook his head. "I thought y'all had like, magic salt water or some shit-"

"I've done an ethersea shower!" Zoox said. "But that's like- splkshshhh-" he made a motion with his hands, trying to mimic the feeling of the shower in a way words couldn't really express. "Does that make any sense?"

"Splssh?" Devo asked.

"Splkshh," Zoox corrected. "It's like, uhm. Air? But good air? It's hard to describe. But I've never had a shower with regular water before! I was just wondering how it- it felt! Is it like a good wet or a bad wet, like when you step on a piece of jello?"

"I'm afraid to know your definition of good wet," Amber said. "But, uhhhh, yeah, I mean, it's fine? You get wet, you get clean, the end."

"Huh," Zoox said, sitting back and trying to imagine it. Being wet. Wow. That sounded awesome. The ethersea just kind of juiced him up, but it didn't leave him dripping like the water did to Amber's hair.

"Never taken a shower," Amber said, shaking her head in what might be disbelief? Zoox didn't know, he was still figuring out the reading people thing. "Next your gonna tell me you've never touched dirt or like, been warm. Zoox, you've been warm, right?"

"I think so?" Zoox said. "Sometimes, when people are nice to me, I get warm in my chest cavity! Is that anything?"

"That's, uh, that sure is somethin'," Amber said. She dropped her towel on her head, rubbing it down on her skull. When she pulled it off, her hair was sticking up in all sorts of directions, but it looked a lot softer. Zoox touched the top of the coral on his head, thinking. Maybe he could get a wig?

"I've never touched dirt," Devo said suddenly. Amber dropped the towel altogether.

"What'd you mean you've never touched dirt," Amber said. "There's loads of it everywhere! Well, no, I guess the ones in the Cloaca are just kinda, uh, a replica. But didn't those church folks ever like, take you to a park? No, hang on, those don't have real dirt either. Damn."

"There are a few farms with surface dirt," Devo said. "Though, at this point, most of those are mixed in with the fake stuff."

"There's gotta be some real dirt somewhere," Amber said, leaning against the wall in thought. "Like, I know we brought some down here with us. We couldn't have just- forgotten dirt."

"There is a museum," Devo said, "Up in the Ballast. It has a small section with collections from the surface and there is a display case of dirt in there. But you are not allowed to touch it without gloves."

"It's dirt," Amber said, sounding as if the very thought of that was a crime. "Zoox, you've touched dirt right? Right?"

"Well…" Zoox said, thinking. If the stuff they had in parks wasn't real, had he touched dirt? Maybe that's why Amber's stick and mud metaphor hadn't made sense. Was real mud as fun as the fake mud he had played in when he was new?

"You gotta have some memories of dirt up there," Amber said, looking a little desperate at this point.

"I, don't, uh, I don't remember," Zoox said, slightly sullenly. Maybe other Brinarr had dirt memories and Zoox could ask? At the very least, other Brinarr had memories and Zoox was just- y'know, this wasn't the best time to think about that.

"I can't believe y'all," Amber said, shaking her head. "Never touched dirt. Goddamn." She glanced at Devo again and threw her hands up into the air. "And dirt in a box! It's dirt! What'd you gonna do to it, make it dirty?"

"I do not know their reasoning," Devo said. "But I'm sure it's-"

"We could just steal it!" Zoox suggested. Amber blinked. Devo's mouth was half open. Then, Amber shook her head again and said,

"No." She sighed, long and weary. "No, it's just dirt, you don't needa go through all that for dirt. I just- god, you've never touched dirt! That's sad! Y'all know that's sad, right?"

"I wasn't aware that dirt was that important to you, Amber," Devo said.

"It's not," Amber said immediately. "It's just… man, y'all are a couplea guppies, y'know that right? Some real fresh meat. Never touched dirt, tch."

They lapsed back into silence. Amber kicked her towel around to cover up the wet puddle on the floor. Devo stared ahead, quietly continuing their test trek. Zoox sat back a little further on the couch. He didn't see why stealing the dirt wasn't a viable option if Amber was that upset about it but he had learned recently not to press on these things too much. It just seemed to upset her further, sometimes. But, well… now he wanted to know. Zoox was nothing if not curious about the surface world. He had so much he had yet to remember.

"What's dirt like anyway?" he asked, looking towards Amber said. Devo looked back toward them, looking a little torn. Amber opened her mouth, and then shut it. And then opened it again, and shut it again. Ha! Who looked like a guppy now, Amber? Finally, on the third try, she got some words out.

"I mean…" she said. "Ughhh, alright, I gotta build the scene a bit, I guess."

"A story?!" Zoox said excitedly, sitting straight back up.

"A short one," Amber said. "For exposition. I'm not giving you a fuckin' bedtime story, alright?"

"Got it!" Zoox said. Devo looked intrigued, his head tilted toward them as he steered.

"Well," Amber said. "Imagine you're a kid again…"

#taz nc #taz november celebration #amber gris #zoox anthellae #devo la main #taz ethersea #taz #this is my first time writing them i think? so i hope it's okay lsdfsdf

[whaleofatjme1920]

I’m not sure if Skully counts as being included in who you write for with marble hornets but could you do Skully stalking the reader and the reader eventually just becoming more and more paranoid before he finally reveals himself?

Skully is No Good For You

[GN!Reader]

[Warnings: Stalking, creepy behavior, generally a red flag in itself]

[AN: I,,,, have admittedly never read the comics?? I'm more than familiar with the character? Kinda?? Skully's host is Jay, but he's everyone who died at the hands of Alex? Head's up this is going to be REALLY OOC. Using He/They pronouns.]

Yeah okay who thought this was a good idea? Apparently Skully did. They have a lot of things they want to tell you, but admittedly their people skills are kind of lacking. If Amy was taking the helm maybe this would go better but Jay is at the forefront.

I think Skully has a fascination with you in the sense of he wants to keep you safe. They can't tell whether these feelings are out of platonic or romantic nature, as everyone within Skully has conflicting feelings about. I think it's somewhat romantic because I like that, no other reason.

Anyways, you feel like you're losing your mind. Things are getting moved, doors left open, it almost feels like he wants you to know they're present, and other times not at all.

They stare in your windows a lot late at night.

Yes, they have done the weird dresser thing Masky did at one point.

You pick up Jay's old camera and start documenting, but realize that's kind of silly and end up using your phone instead because it's more convenient.

Skully has taken your phone before.

You have pictures on it you've never taken and other people assume you have butterfingers when it comes to accidentally taking pics.

You feel like you can't trust anyone, and Skully knows this. They don't mean to make you isolate, but they're really bad at words. I mean this genuinely.

Skully gets bolder and bolder and starts hanging around in your house.

Eventually, it culminates in: damn, you know you're getting stalked, and you're tired of tearing your hair out from Skully's behavior. So, you invite him into your space and well, it's more like you push a door into them and they yell because what?

After the two of you are done shouting at each other, Skully is in your court. You're finally able to talk to them. You end up making some tea, but he won't take his mask off to talk to you.

The two of you talk about a lot of things, and the night passes fast. In the morning, Skully asks if you remember Jay, Amy, Alex, your friends from college.

Time has taken a lot from you, and it's probably for the best! But you don't remember them. Not the way you need to, or even should. Throughout the meeting, Skully has had an almost laissez faire attitude towards the whole thing, but this makes him visibly deflate.

#skully #skully x reader #skully headcanon #marble hornets headcanon #marble hornets x reader #skully marble hornets

[liaswritesrobots]

Hello! I've been reading FFH, and enjoying it very much; I'm excited to see how it goes! May I please have IDW Prowl and a cybertronian s/o cuddling and relaxing? Thank you!

Thank you, I'm glad you like it! :D

Prowl didn't take breaks often, and he never really took time off, so he was rather agitated when you first brought up forcing him to take a day off. He kept dreading it in the pit of his stomach. It's not that he doesn't want to spend time with you, he does, really! He's just too much of a workaholic and doesn't see the point of having an entire day of doing nothing like you suggested.

It just seems so… wasteful? Nothing? How can he just do nothing? He knows breaks are good for a bot, and he can take you interrupting his work to have some energon and goodies with him, but a whole day of no progress on anything? He just doesn't see the point.

He arrives at your place, on time of course, and waits for you to open your door to him. When you do open it you give him a big smile and wrap your arms around him.

"I'm gonna be honest Prowl, I didn't think you'd actually come." You chuckle out with that cute voice that brings warmth to his spark.

He wraps his arms around you as well, resting his helm between your shoulder and neck, "Of course I came here, you wanted me to." He says in a rather matter-of-fact monotone, but you know all too well that's his way of showing his devotion.

"Come on in," you say, taking his servo into your own and leading him into your home.

His spark pulses as he looks down at your servo intertwined with his. You lead him into your habsuite, a room he's never been in before, which sends another pulse through him as his cheeks begin to glow a soft pink, and you tell him to take a seat on your berth.

"I thought maybe we could watch some movies together," You smile at him, "I even got us some snacks. Hold on, I'll go get them!" you say leaving the room and rushing down your hall.

Prowl lifted a servo to cover half his face, he knew he was blushing, he could feel the heat in his cheeks as his cooling fans kicked in. He's never been in your room before, hell he's barely been in your house. It wouldn't be so embarrassing if you didn't have a few pictures of you and him hanging on your wall and sitting beside your berth on a small table. 

He recognizes the pictures too, some are your dates, some are of times when you crashed by his workspace to hang out, the one on the table is of the two of you smiling… laughing… something he didn't do often. The thought that you save every memory of him and even cherish them enough to print them out and keep them in your room overwhelms him with emotion.

"Ok I'm back!" You say coming into the room with arms full of snacks, "I even got your favorite, energon donuts!" You say trying to point to them but your arms are too full.

"Here, let me help you with that." He says hoping up from your berth and grabbing some of the snacks, placing them on the table next to the picture of the two of you.

"Hey Prowl, your face is kinda red? Is something wrong?" You ask tilting your helm.

"No…" He whispers.

You smile again and your optics soften on the bot as you notice him staring at the picture, "That one is my favorite you know," you pause, "I think you have a wonderful smile Prowl." He can hear the sincerity in your voice.

"L-let's just start the movies." He stutters out, keeping his now fully flushed helm pointed away from you.

You give a soft, warm smile, and set the rest of the goodies down and sit down on your berth, patting the spot beside you. He sits down close by, leaving a small space between the two of you, but you scoot closer and rest your helm on his shoulder as you start up the movies you borrowed from Bluestreak and Swerve.

"I borrowed some detective movies from a couple of friends. I thought you might like those." You say handing him an energon donut.

He takes it from you gently, biting into it as you grab a box of rust sticks to enjoy as the monitor plays a grainy human film. You scoot back a bit, coaxing Prowl to move toward you, and he curiously complies. You lay back, so that your back is to the head of the berth and you let Prowl lay his helm on your chest as you wrap an arm around him. He can feel the heat rising to his cheeks again as hold him so tenderly against your own chassis, your spark humming softly in his audial. He's not sure about it at first and tenses up, but soon you feel him start to relax as you hold him and rub his back and play with his chevron a bit. He lets out a sigh, one of content, as the two of you watch the movie play out entangled on each other.

Perhaps doing nothing is a good thing after all.

#maccadam #macaddam #Prowl #IDW Prowl #Transformers #IDW #ProwlxReader #Prowl x Reader #reader insert #bot reader #my writing #asks #anonymous #You've activated my trap card! Tenderly and Patiently loving Prowl!

[chronicallylatetotheparty]

Float Like A Butterfly Ch.3 Unwanted Burdens

Summary:

Marinette and Adrien are trapped in cages of duty and resentment.

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

"Don't you think Adrien's been acting weird?" Marinette asked.

Alya glanced from Kitty Section readying their instruments to her best friend. She wanted to reassure Marinette that her concerns were just her imagination running away with her again. But Alya noticed it too.

"You mean with Chloe?"

Marinette's nose wrinkled at the mention of Adrien's first friend. But her worry quickly came back. She never realized how little time they spent together until they started spending more. It wasn't what she would call a positive development. They seemed to argue a lot more now.

Alya looked at Marinette and knew they were thinking the same thing. Going over what she overheard in her head.

"I'm no good at being nice, Adrien."

"You don't have to be nice. You just have to not be cruel."

That was after Chloe had acted like her usual self with Sabrina. Alya didn't know if she agreed with Adrien or not but she never told anyone. It was a private conversation. And Chloe sounded oddly... vulnerable.

"They've been acting weird," Marinette conceded. "But there's something else that's... off about him." Her eyes widened. "What if it's something I did? Or something his fans said online? Or something worse!?"

Marinette blinked as she realized she was leaning into Alya's space. Stepping back Marinette slowed her words down to a less panicky level. "Could you check with Nino, please. Just, of course, you know, casually."

As if she summoned him with talk of his best friend Nino showed up. Frowning at his phone.

Giving Marinette a worried look Alya complied. "Nino, any word from Adrien?"

Nino bit his lip. "He can't make it."

"What!?" Marinette winced as her yelp attracted unwanted attention from the rest of the ship. "Did he say why?"

"Something about messing up on the piano?" Nino glanced back at his phone, expression shifting into a glare. "It's just like Adrien's old man to be a killjoy the five seconds he spends with my bro!"

"Hey," Forcing some optimism into her voice Alya placed a reassuring hand on her boyfriend's shoulder. "I'm sure Adrien will sort it out. It's not the first time his dad has kept him from hanging out with us.

Nino wasn't convinced but he nodded anyway and let Alya kiss his cheek. He also noticed that Adrien was acting weird. But no matter how Nino asked, Adrien always evaded the question. It was wearing on his patience.

"Captain Anarka speakin' to ya! So, how's it comin' along me young pirates!"

Marinette started as Juleka's maman appeared out of nowhere. She was loud and jovial and apparently didn't like cleaning? Maybe it worked for the Couffaines but Marinette's mind needed a bit more order to function properly.

Still, it was her home, er, ship so Marinette could appreciate Anarka's unconventional hospitality. A smile formed slowly as Captain Couffaine's exuberance pulled her and her friends out of less pleasant thoughts.

 -------------------------

Adrien played the piano mechanically. Feeling his skin burn under his Father's stern gaze. When he wished for more time together Adrien didn't mean being judged in person.

Despite the focus Gabriel's mere presence demanded, Adrien's mind wandered. Juleka had extended an open invitation to the entire class for the music festival. That was the first time one of his... not-exactly-close friends had actually invited him over.

And he was stuck here.

Adrien winced as a discordant note echoed from where his finger slipped on the wrong key. Eyes glancing fearfully at his father.

"I've heard enough." Gabriel raised his hand to forestall any more noise from Adrien. "Are you sure you're practicing, Adrien?"

Standing, Gabriel showed his back to his son. Not looking at Adrien when speaking to him. Voice full of accusation and annoyance.

In other words, Gabriel acted the same as always.

"... I'm just doing the same exercises over and over again..." An idea came to him. "I think I could make better progress if I could just play with other musicians." Adrien forced his tone to be hopeful, trying to reason with his father. "After all, music is meant to be shared with other people don't you think?"

"We Agrestes are soloists." Gabriel crushed Adrien's argument dismissively, deigning a glance at his son. "Not mere group members. I suggest you rehearse your piece some more. You'll play it for me again later today."

His heartbeat spiked. "But- Father! You promised that I could attend my friends' concert!"

"Not after that performance you've just given."

But you promised! Adrien's jaw clenched to keep the words down. There was no point in arguing with someone who didn't listen.

"Which is probably due to their influence.

His hands trembled. You don't know them! You don't know anything!

"You need to refocus, Adrien."

With that Gabriel and Nathalie, who Adrien had forgotten was even there, left without a backward glance.

"You need to refocus, Adrien."

Adrien sat their as a growing pressure built in his chest. Clawing, demanding, yelling.  Jerking to his feet Adrien paced, trying to get his body and mind to quiet down.

"You need to refocus, Adrien."

Rubbing at his eyes Adrien sent a brief text to Nino. Forcing his breath to even out. He didn't feel like talking at the moment.

"You need to refocus, Adrien!"

That done Adrien snatched up his basketball and threw it at the net. His piano disappearing into the floor. Grabbing the ball as it bounced he threw it into the net again. His piano rising from its hiding place.

"YOU NEED TO REFOCUS, ADRIEN!"

Again he threw the ball.

Down it went.

Again into the net.

Up it came.

Again.

Down.

Again.

Up.

Again.

Down.

Again.

Up.

Again.

Down.

Again.

Up.

Again.

Down.

Again.

Up.

Again.

Down.

Again.

Up-

"YOU NEED TO REFOCUS, ADRIEN!"

Adrien shoved the ball forcefully away from him. Not caring what it hit. Grabbing the remote he turned on his TV and raised the volume as high as it would go.

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

Marinette stared openmouthed at the massive shockwave that came from Luka's electric guitar. By comparison she was only mildly surprised when police helicopters appeared overhead.

Sabrina's dad pulled up with a megaphone. "Mme. Anarka, are you completely out of your mind!?"

M. Raincomprix was on a first name basis with Juleka's maman? That probably wasn't good.

"It's the National Music Festival today, Officer Roger! My crew's allowed to play whatever they want!" Anarka projected over the speakers.

Definitely not good. Marinette tried to de-escalate the situation. "Uh, maybe we could turn the volume down a bit, Captain? Then there'd be no more problem, right?"

"No! Out of the question!" Anarka dismissed immediately. "I didn't name my galleon Liberty for nuthin' y'know! It's a matter of principle!"

From there things quickly spiraled. Anarka's stubborn refusal to listen to anything Roger had to say prompting him to pettily give more and more tickets. Each addition enraging her so much her voice stuck in her throat.

Anarka stalked away from the others on deck once Officer Roger and the other police left. Face red and fists clenched.

Marinette looked at her friends, all of them worried. Especially Juleka and Luka.

Luka. "Are you okay?" Marinette asked.

"Um, yeah." Luka gave a wan smile. "It isn't the first time ma's gotten mad at the cops."

That didn't reassure Marinette the way he probably meant it to. "So, this, happens often?"

"I wouldn't say often." Luka's gaze landed on Juleka, currently being comforted by Rose. Appreciation lit up his eyes. "It's harder on Juleka. I help where I can but I can't stay with her all the time. Rose has been amazing the past year. She stays with Juleka if me and ma are working."

"You have a job?" Marinette blinked in surprise.

"I have to. Maman can't pay for-" Luka stopped. Apparently realizing that he might've said too much. "Anyway I help her out... Doesn't leave much room for hanging out, though."

His gaze travelled across the deck. Taking in all of Marinette's friends. For the first time she realized no one from Luka's school was there.

"That's... You're a good brother, Luka." Marinette felt she understood the older boy a bit better. Even if the Couffaine's as a whole were even more unclear.

He shrugged in a 'anyone would do it for family' kinda way. "I-"

Dark, purple-ish fluid flowed from the helm, covering the entire Liberty.

Marinette went cold. "Oh, no!"

Sure enough, Anarka was akumatized.

Captain Hardrock wanted to destroy the music festival until only their song remained. Amid the fear and uncertainty of being in the power of an akuma without her transformation, Marinette felt pride that her friends rejected Captain Hardrock without hesitation.

Marinette's mind raced as she struggled to find a way out of the chains that bound her with Luka. No one else was coming. She was the only hero Paris had to protect it! She had to find a way out! She had to-

Tikki peered at Marinette from her purse. Smiling in relief, Marinette gave her a subtle nod. Stealthily, Tikki phased through the lock, chains falling with a clatter.

"Wow! How'd you do that?" Luka gave her a wondering look.

"Uh, I, uh- With this!" She held up the guitar pick he'd given her.

"Your amazing," he praised, helping her up. "A real magician, Marinette."

"Uh, you think so? Oh, it was nothing. Uh, amazing? Really?"

" 'Scuse me but some of us are still chained up here, y'know," Alya interrupted.

"Right!" Marinette placed herself between her friends line of sight and the locks. Obscuring Tikki from view. Soon everyone was freed.

"How're we getting off this crazy ride, dudes?" Nino asked.

Luka looked around the inside of the Liberty, which wasn't as transformed as the outside. "I have an idea."

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

"Few! That was close!" Tikki looked out from Marinette's purse at the others who made it off the Liberty in makeshift rafts.

They were on the opposite side of the Seine. Luka, Juleka, Rose and Ivan. Marinette gazed after the Liberty. Alya, Nino and Mylene still onboard. Liberty's chains catching them before they could take off.

Anxious, persistent defeat loomed in the back of Marinette's mind. Threatening to drown her. She pushed it back with difficulty. "Tikki, I have to save my friends!"

"But last time you struggled without someone to help you," Tikki pointed out. Concern for Marinette's wellbeing overriding any other considerations. "You should go to Master Fu for help."

Conflicting emotions flickered across Marinette's face. "... You're right," she agreed, resigned.

Quickly, Marinette found a hiding spot and transformed. With a backward glance at the destruction wrought by Captain Hardrock, Ladybug reluctantly swung towards the Guardian.

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

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, pick an ally you can trust to fight alongside you in this mission. Choose wisely. Such powers are meant to serve the greater good. Once the mission is over you will retrieve the Miraculous and return it to me."

Ladybug was only half listening. Engrossed by the only Miraculous that lit up in her mind.

No. Please not his. Please.

But no matter which Miraculous she looked at her gaze was drawn back to his ring. Hand trembling, stomach turning itself inside out, (Ladybug didn't want anyone else) her fingers closed around Chat Noir's ring. Once it was in her hand she pressed it to her chest. It was the only thing she had of him.

Master Fu's eyes widened at her choice. "Are you sure, Marinette?"

Ladybug just nodded.

Staring at her for a moment, he finally spoke. "The Miraculous of the Black Cat is the most dangerous out of all in existence. Whoever you choose must put others above himself."

The words entered but did not impact her. Like a stone being thrown into waters too turbulent to make ripples. "Of course... Master Fu."

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

"Luka Couffaine, this is the Miraculous of the Black Cat. Which grants the power of Destruction. Once our mission is complete you will return it to me."

Eyes wide in disbelief, Luka carefully took the offered Miraculous. Wonder quickly morphed into confusion, however. "Wait. Black Cat? But what about-"

A ball of green energy shooting out of the ring interrupted him. When he lowered his hand at the fading light a small, cat-like being floated in front of him. Its ears drooping and eyes sad.

Luka took an involuntary step back as a requiem filled his head at the sight of it. Fingers twitching for his guitar.

"You're not-" Green bubbles erupted from its- his mouth, gaze turning toward Ladybug. "Why isn't it-" Again green bubbles came out before he could finish.

Ladybug gave the small, sad, cat-like being a pained look. "We need your help, Plagg. Paris needs your help... Please."

An unspoken understanding passed between Ladybug and Plagg. A conversation Luka was not privy to.

With a nod Plagg sized Luka up. "Well," he said with a mocking grin. "You're not much to look at. Name's Plagg."

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

With every misstep Ladybug reminded herself that Panthera was not Chat Noir.

That she couldn't expect him to function on the same level as someone who had his Miraculous for over a year. Couldn't expect someone she only just met to know her movements as well as someone who'd fought by her side since the very first akuma. Someone who'd never held a staff to wield it as expertly as someone who'd spent hours trying to figure out every possible use.

Ladybug reminded herself of this every time Panthera was caught in Liberty's chains or lost his staff to Captain Hardrock's swordplay or held back when he should push forward.

Her earrings beeped insistently, reminding her that time was almost up. Finally, Ladybug managed to trap Captain Hardrock to the helm with her Lucky Charm. Cataclysm destroying only the compass instead of the entire ship like she planned. Luckily, it turned out that's all they needed and she purified the akuma.

As the Miraculous Cure set everything right Ladybug turned to Panthera and- Luka was grinning at her. Relief adding to his joy. He held up a fist. Hesitantly, Ladybug raised her own, rewarding him with a smile.

"Bien joue."

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

I hate you!

Adrien glared at the screen, having turned down the volume once the news reported something of actual interest: the akuma attack... And Ladybug's new partner.

I hate you!

Panthera, as he called himself, had a rather uninspired suit design. The only significant difference from Chat Noir's look was his green hair.

I hate you!

Heartbeat pounding in his ears, Adrien dissected everything about this 'Panthera' as he could from the shaky broadcast. The newbie held his staff like a club, having trouble with the extending functions.

I hate you!

Captain Hardrock thrust with her sword. Pushing Panthera back. Splitting his staff in two he held them in an X, blocking an overhead blow. But immediately Captain Hardrock switched to an underhand strike, separating the two halves of the staff and sending one flying into the Seine.

I hate you!

Ladybug's yo-yo pulled Panthera out of the supervillain's sword range. But not before losing his remaining staff.

Captain Hardrock charged. Ladybug dodging both her and the flying chains. Panthera jumped away from her sword... and right into the boat's chains.

The remote creaked in Adrien's tightening grip; teeth clenched.

I hate you!

Quickly breaking Panthera's restraints, Ladybug helped him to his feet. Together they charged. Or rather, it should have been together. Panthera had to retrieve his staff which threw off their timing.

Ladybug leapt from chain to chain in midair, as graceful as a gymnast. Panthera a fraction behind her. Captain Hardrock took advantage of the minut delay by breaking past Ladybug's assault, jumping onto the mast net.

I hate you!

Sweat beaded on Adrien's forehead despite the coolness of his room.

Ladybug summoned her Lucky Charm -her own chain- and searched for how to use it while Panthera protected her from the Liberty's attacks. Finally getting into his role.

They conferred for a moment before the chains forced them to split up. Ladybug disappearing below deck while Panthera took on Captain Hardrock. He was marginally better than before, returning her strikes blow for blow. But Captain Hardrock still managed to pin him to the mast with her chains.

I hate you!

Panthera was saying something to the supervillain... Attempting to reason with her. It didn't work, of course, but it gave Ladybug the distraction she needed to rescue him. As they fought Ladybug maneuvered the supervillain towards the helm. In one swift movement she tied Captain Hardrock to her own wheel.

I hate-

Adrien jumped to his feet, eyes wide as the first vestiges of fear mixed with his already pounding heart; the ship sailed through the air for one moment before crashing to the ground. Sagging back down he saw Panthera call on Cataclysm. And Ladybug's cure put everything back to normal.

Nadja went on to heap praise on this 'new Chat Noir' and ask questions Adrien hoped no one ever found out. I hate you! Scowling he turned it off.

I hate you! Adrien's frown deepened. Ladybug... was usually better at communicating her plans. I hate you! It was a confusing thought. I hate you! As it meant Panthera wasn't the only one to blame for such abysmal teamwork. I hate you!

A sharp crack brought Adrien's attention to the remote still in his clenched fist. Uncurling his fingers Adrien stared at the break running along the bottom. I hate you! If you weren't looking for it you wouldn't even notice. I hate you!

The sound of Adrien's door opening was the only warning he got of Nathalie's entrance. (Why didn't he have a lock? Every other room in the manor had a lock, even the kitchen had a lock! So, why didn't he?) Not for the first time Adrien noted how she didn't knock before entering.

His father's assistant glanced between him and the piano but said nothing about it to Adrien. That didn't mean she'd say nothing about it to Gabriel.

"Adrien. Your father had something come up at work and won't be able to hear your recital today." Nathalie's impassive expression never changed. "...He still expects you to practice. I'll try to fit you in tomorrow."

"..."

"Adrien-"

"I get it." Adrien snapped, unclenching his jaw. "Father has more important things to deal with."

Nodding once, Nathalie left as quickly as she arrived.

Adrien's chest rose and fell as his breath came rapidly. I hate you! Mind snapping back to the akuma fight -fingernails digging into his palms- or more specifically, Ladybug's new partner.

Panthera wasn't any better than Chat Noir. I hate you! Adrien's hands were shaking. I hate you! He wasn't a better fighter. I hate you! The remote slipped from his grip as he clenched and unclenched his fingers like claws. I hate you! He couldn't follow Ladybug's signals like Chat Noir could. I hate you! Adrien's vision blurred, eyes burning. I hate you! It was hard to tell across a screen. I hate you! His throat was too tight. I hate you! But the only significant difference was how silent Panthera was compared to-

I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate-

Was that the only reason?

I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I-

Wildfire raged in Adrien's chest. Burning his throat, his stomach, his head.

I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!

Did they really choose this wannabe Chat Noir because he WOULDN'T ASK QUESTIONS!?

I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!

Building pressure pushed at Adrien's chest and jaw and throat and eyes and fists.

I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!

Choose him because he would be quiet and obedient and SYCOPHANTIC!?

I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!

Bile rose into his mouth and stung his throat.

I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!

Adrien's whole body shook. Everything blurred, nothing was clear. Except the great, persistent, growing pain that threatened to shake him apart. He could feel himself cracking, breaking, shattering-

His phone rang.

Adrien scrambled for it. Like it was a rope tossed into the deep, dark well he found himself drowning in.

I hate you!

Without bothering to glance at the caller Adrien answered.

"Sup, bro!"

Blinking rapidly, Adrien saw Nino, Alya and Marinette crowding into the screen. Behind them were their other friends making some last minute preparations for the music festival. Suddenly his raging storm was much more endurable.

Nino leaned into the camera. "Dude, is your camera off? It's all dark."

"Uh, yeah, just a sec." Realizing that he must look like a mess Adrien hit mute and hurried into his bathroom. The red eyed, tear stained face that he washed away made him grateful his friends hadn't seen him.

I hate you!

With a deep breath Adrien turned the mic and camera back on, forcing a smile. "Hey."

"There he is!" Nino grinned.

Alya turned the phone to focus on her. "So, we know you were looking forward to being here. Which is why this girl," Alya wrapped an arm around Marinette and hugged her close. "Had the brilliant idea to do this video chat!"

Smile softening into something more genuine Adrien gazed at Marinette's pink face. "You were thinking of me?"

"W-well, I just thought that it was a shame you couldn't tea- be here! So, I just, yeah..." Marinette trailed off, eyes everywhere but the screen.

His heart slowed from breakneck speed to merely sprinting. "Thank you."

Marinette squeaked and muttered what could have been a 'you're welcome' before pushing the phone back to Nino. Wiggling out of Alya's grasp as she dashed off.

His best friend grinned at them as Alya chased after Marinette offscreen. But once his eyes came back to Adrien, Nino's brow furrowed slightly. "Seriously, bro, how you holding up?"

I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!

Something must've shown on Adrien's face as Nino asked: "That bad?"

Trying to downplay it Adrien shrugged. "It's not like it's the first time he's changed his mind."

That was apparently the wrong thing to say, as Nino scowled at the specter of Gabriel Agreste. "Dude. No offence, but I wanna sock your old man."

Laughter bubbled up and spilled out of Adrien. Blocking his breath and forming a stitch in his side. Vision blurring. Hand covering his mouth as he tried to control himself. Tried to stop it from devolving into hysterical sobbing.

"Adrien!?" Nino's eyes were wide with alarm.

Biting the inside of his cheek Adrien gasped for breath. "S-sorry." He fought of the giggles that threatened to choke him. "It's just... he's a head taller than you."

Nino drew himself up indignantly and Adrien was relieved to see his misdirection work.

"That bony hermit never gets off his rear-end! My little brother could kick him into next week, dude!"

A bark of laughter escaped Adrien's control. Thankfully not igniting the false manic glee. "Thanks for that."

Despite his confusion Nino still smiled at Adrien. "What are bros for?"

Gazing gratefully at Nino, Adrien felt himself balance on a melancholy plateau. "I really will be okay. This," by which he meant their call, "helps."

Nino fidgeted, adjusting his cap. "I just... wish I could do more, y'know?" The unspoken for you was clear as day.

A pleasant warmth bloomed in Adrien's chest, softening further the ache that remained. "I know, bro. That's why I love you."

"I love you, too." Nino searched for something more to say as he searched Adrien's face for what remained unsaid, but nothing came to him. "Well... Kitty Section is starting soon. Might as well greet the band before they become famous and forget they know us."

"No, we wouldn't want that would we..." Adrien could almost ignore the pressure in his chest.

After a round of waving and sympathizing with him for not being able to make it, they began. Kitty Section was amazing. Rose's voice was never like that! Juleka smiled widely, carefree. Ivan was the most intense Adrien had ever seen. They looked... alive.

Gabriel would certainly classify it as 'classless noise' but to Adrien? Kitty Section had something that he couldn't replicate inside the four walls of his cage.

I hate you.

At least, not without Plagg.

While he stayed in frame Luka never took his eyes off Marinette. A hopeful smile evident even across the screen. As night came on and the band went from rehearsing to performing, Luka seemed to play for one person only.

Adrien had never met Luka, despite hearing about him from the bandmembers in his class. And he didn't really count saying hello over video chat like his father. The older boy was nice, polite and good at guitar. Besides dyeing their hair Adrien couldn't honestly say Luka bore any resemblance to his sister.

"-out of chaos comes creation!" He heard Anarka spout in the background, talking to someone he couldn't see. Adrien didn't know why but the phrase stuck in his head. It was like a promise.

Out of Chaos comes Creation.

Wrapping it tightly about himself, Adrien brandished it like an amulet against the voice that wouldn't stop whispering at the edges of his thoughts.

I hate you.

Apparently, that wasn't why Adrien's mind had latched onto the phrase.

Trying to drown it out with Kitty Section's illegally loud music didn't work. It was always the same volume.

I hate you.

Distracting Adrien from enjoying his friends' concert. Like a thorn in his side.

He knew what it was. It was everything he was trying to ignore. Everything he felt at seeing himself replaced so easily. At the excitement in Alya's voice when she shot out theories about Panthera. At the Guardian, at Ladybug, at himself. All summed up into three little words Adrien had never said to anyone.

I hate you.

Despite Adrien's attempts to even his breathing and calm his heartbeat, the voice continued to plague his thoughts for the rest of the night.

I hate you.

A reminder that, even in his own mind, Adrien could never be free.

#ml angst #ml au #adrien angst #adrien agreste #captain hardrock #marinette dupain cheng #float like a butterfly #ml fanfic #ml fanfiction